Merry Christmas

It all started about a year ago when I came home to find my wife experiencing small waves of cramping pains. She had gained a significant amount of weight over the last several months (despite my constant protests and reminders), and I had frankly become concerned. As the pain increased in severity and in frequency, I decided the most prudent thing to do would be to take her to the hospital. Imagine my surprise the next day to find the hospital decided to just give us a new little baby boy. I was hesitant to accept the kid at first, cause everyone knows how hard a baby is. You hafta feed it every week and let it outside when it cries, but I remembered how good I felt that time I helped the African prince retrieve his millions simply by giving my bank account information to those nice email people. Then, I knew helping this little baby would be worth it.

Jolynn seemed to have a hard time with it, of course, cause she’s not real smart with that kind of stuff. It seemed like everytime that little baby goo-goo’ed or laughed she would just start crying. I thought it was kinda cute, but it would just bum her out. Also, she’s kind of a bully to the little guy. Whenever he pulls out all the tupperware and all of her perfumes and makes a big mess, she just points and laughs at it.

All in all, though, we’ve done such a great job with that baby that it has just kept growing and growing. It walks all around the house now, and we don’t even have to give it anymore food each week – it just goes right out to the porch and eats up all the rocks and dirt that we used to sweep off. The cat shares food with it as well, so that’s another bonus.

Actually, to be quite honest, this year might have been pretty rough. We lost a brother to cancer a few months ago, as well as a friend to the same just a few weeks ago. A noble Grandfather’s life became a legacy to hard work and a testament to the truth of eternal families when he also passed away recently. But I’m healthy, Jolynn is happy, and Grant is our joy.

And inspite of all that might have made this year sad, we are full of Christmas cheer. Which is why, your Honor, I insist on wishing you a Merry Merry Christmas!

Reflection...

Today I attended a funeral of a friend from work that was taken from this earth way to early. As I reflected on the principles that were taught at the funeral I can't help to reflect on the passing of my brother, Darin, earlier this year.

Susan and Darin had a lot in common. They both were both diagnosed with types of cancer that some one their age should never get. Darin was diagnosed with lung cancer June 2007 and passed away March 2008 at the age of 30. Susan was diagnosed with colon cancer in July 2008 and passed away last week at the age of 25.

As I attended Susan service today I had to a chance to reflect on the life of my dear brother. He was such a great example to me and the rest of my family.

I have so many great memories of Darin. Since he was just older that me we spent a lot of time together. Darin was the brother that taught me to hit properly. Of course I think he regretted it after because I constantly used him as a punching bag. When ever I got stuck on a math problem Darin was the person to ask for help. So reason he always knew the answer. Darin also like tell me about all the trivial knowledge that he knew that I thought was pretty useless.

I was able to spend several weeks with Darin before his passing. Those times are the times that I will cherish for the rest of my life. As I talked to Darin about his life and his future I was so grateful to feel his peace as he knew that he would soon return to live with our Heavenly Father. I am grateful for those special moments that we shared and the advice that he gave me. He knew that this was the plan that he had chosen from the beginning and that there were other plans for him in the after world. One of those days that I spent with Darin he said to me, "Jolynn, I am ready to go home. I don't want to be here anymore" At the time I thought that he was just giving up but now I know that his mission was complete and that he was no longer needed in this world. I knew there was a bigger plan for him on the other side and that his work would continue in the after life.

Darin, I miss you and love you. I cherish every memory that we had together. Thanks for being such a great big brother.

Family Pictures

We had family pictures a couple of weeks ago and here are a few of the pictures that we loved.

I love this picture of Grant. He was checking out the grass.

This is Grant trying to walk. Of couse now he is the ultimate walker.

Family Time

Grant hanging out with his cousin Spencer that is 4 months older. We wanted to see who was bigger. Of course Spencer wins.

Grant with Grandad.

Thanksgiving day with Grant, Jolynn, Sophie, and Taylor