Milestones

I think I am getting more and more nostalgic in my old age.

At 7:12 this morning, on my way home from taking my boys to school, I looked down at my dash board of my Suburban and this is what I saw:

And I said to myself "Self, this is momentous occasion, like a birthday, or an anniversary... I must acknowledge it, maybe even have some kind of party"

Then, when I went to take my girls to school at 7:42, just as I got ready to pull onto State Street, my sub turned 100000 miles.

I think I will treat it to a car wash and vacuuming, and maybe a new air freshener. It takes me, my kids, and pretty much all the other kids/teens who live within a 2 block radius everywhere, it deserves no less.

Actually I should probably take it to Dr. John for a diagnostic/check up... at what mileage is a annual check-up recommended?

P.S. The Sub did have it's first "fender-bender" a couple of days ago, when Troy rammed it into E.J.'s blue Ford Taurus-Boat that is perma-parked in the driveway. Luckily, the sub is bigger, and built better, so the damage was limited to the Taurus.

BYU Walk of Life!

Our family participates in the BYU "Walk of Life" every January. They hand out candles and march across campus and remember the work of life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sometimes it's really really cold, but this year wasn't too bad. This year they lit just two candles and then the light spread as each person turned to light someone else's candle. It was beautiful and touching, I love the idea of spreading the light.

It reminded me of a song I used to sing my kids as a lullaby.

"Pass it on"

It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around will warm up to it's glowing.
That's how it is with God's Love, once you've experienced it
You spread His love, to everyone, you want to pass it on.

I wish for you, my friend, this happiness that I've found.
You can depend on Him, it matters not where you're bound.
I'll shout it from the mountain tops, I want the world to know,
The Lord of Love, has so blessed me, I want to pass it on.

The Lord of Love, has so blessed me, I want to pass it on!

Anyway, it was a great night! Here's a picture of the family just before we started walking...

Sariah and Shelby were spotted by a reporter from the Deseret News who wanted to interview them, and they asked why we do the march every year. I told her that it is a celebration of those who came before us, that because of them we are able to be a family. Not a huge deal, but here is a link to the article if you want to check it out.... Desnewsarticle

The Story of The Valentines Tree

Once upon a time last night there was a Mother named Heather who was in charge of the "Activity" for family home evening. She decided that they could play a quick game and then take down the Christmas tree and other holiday decorations that were still out even though it was already January the 11th.

But when it came time for the activity, and the beautiful mother told her children that they would take down the tree all three of her darling teenagers cried "No, please don't take the tree down...we like the light it makes!" And her youngest child said "yes, please please please leave it there!"

The dashing father of the family had a great idea.... he said "Why don't we just leave it up and call it a Valentines Tree?"

Mother didn't know if she liked the idea because the tree was taking up space and they lived in a very tiny house. (plus she suspected that the real reason father wanted to leave it up was because the boxes would have to be gotten from the garage)

Her good and sweet children cried "Please mom, please can we have a Valentines Tree?" And so she finally gave her consent. (She had also realized that it might be fun if "Cupid" left presents under the tree for the family on Valentines Day - but was careful not to mention this to father)

So all but the red and Silver Christmas ornaments were removed from the tree, and hearts were cut from red paper. The tree was re-decorated for Valentines' and Mother went to sleep dreaming of what could be shopped for.

The End.

Our Valentines Tree: