Our Visit to the NC Zoo and the Crazy Happenings of the Day

On Monday we went to the NC Zoo with Lauren and her 3rd grade class. We met up in Asheboro, NC; about a 2 hour drive for me and a 2 1/2 hour for Lauren on a tour bus. But before I can begin to tell you of our adventures at the zoo, I must fill you in on our adventures of getting ready to leave for the zoo at 8:00 am. For many of you that know me, I am not a morning person and neither are my children. So for us to be up and ready to leave by 8:00 in the morning is very trying for us. I had John put Brooklyn in her shower while Josh and I got ready in my shower. 15 minutes after I was done Brooklyn was still in hers goofing around. I managed to get her out and get her dressed. I got dressed and ready while the kids played around. We headed down stairs to brush Brooklyn's hair and finish the process, when to my surprise I found that the left side of her hair was much shorter than the right side. "OH MY GOSH!!! What happened, what did you do?" I said in shock. She tells me, "My bangs kept getting in my eyes so I needed to cut them." Totally understandable since we were trying to grow them out and yes they were in her eyes, but she totally missed her bangs! Luckily it was long enough that I could pull her hair up into pig tails and hide most of the damage.

So off we go to the zoo. Normally a one hour ride is too long for Brooklyn to sustain without having to stop to go to the bathroom, but we did manage to make it all the way without stopping for her. We caught up to Lauren's class and toured the zoo. This was the most odd zoo that I have ever been to. Not too many animals - it seemed more of a tour of the forest and other outdoor scenery than a tour of the animals. Nonetheless the kids loved it and Brooklyn made lots of new friends.

When we got back home we waited for John to get home so I could take Brooklyn to get her hair done. I told the lady that I wanted as little length taken off as possible but she insisted that if we kept any length that it would just look like a mullet. Needless to say it all got chopped off and believe it or not it is pretty cute.

I wanted to make sure that I showed before and after pictures of Brooklyn's hair, so here we go.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSHUA!!

Yesterday was Joshua's 2nd birthday. We attended a carnival that was put on by Piedmont High School to recognize all the students in Union County with learning disabilities. Brooklyn attends a Pre-School class where she is a mentor to some of the kids. We got to do lots of arts and crafts. But of course that was not what she was really interested in. They had some bouncers there and that was all that Brooklyn and Josh wanted to do. They jumped around a lot, went down the slides, and got eaten by a caterpillar that "dumped" them out the other end.

Josh was so excited when Daddy came home early because he had the birthday presents. Josh got lots of Hot Wheels and lots of Motorcycles. He is all boy, and John is quite proud of that.

We did a Fire Truck theme for his birthday. He got two fire truck birthday cards; Brooklyn's played the fire truck siren. His cake was a Fire Truck, decorated by yours truly. Unfortunately I turned back just long enough for Brooklyn to wipe the frosting off the whole bottom of the cake. (I took a cake decorating class almost a year ago and have not made any cakes, so I decided that this was the perfect occasion. It took a while, but I am pretty proud of myself. For any of you who are really into cake decorating and do a good job at it, don't even bother looking at the pictures of it.)

Not that Josh can read yet, but I want him to know that we love him so much. Not a day goes by that he doesn't put a smile on all of our faces. Even though Brooklyn keeps saying that she wants a sister instead, I know that she loves him with all her heart. He is truly a blessing in our lives and I wouldn't ask for things to be any different than they are. We love you Josh!!!

Happy Birthday Kristen!

Once in a while someone will cross your path and change your life forever. For me, I felt it best to hang on to one of those people, so I married her.

Today is Kristen’s Birthday, and I am so thankful for her. She was born one year and ten months after I was, and only about 100 miles separated us at that time. Obviously, we would not meet in California, as my family would move to Utah and her family would move to Texas.

Kristen was raised in Keller, Texas by two of the greatest parents a person could wish for. I am grateful that her parents raised her with the same morals and principles that my parents raised me with. It is in part, these morals and principles that led us both to seek our education at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho.

I was a fresh returned missionary, and she was a playful flirt. Kristen and her roommates had fun making this recent returned missionary blush. Many nights, Kristen and I would talk on the phone, as “friends”. This led us deeper into our relationship. I will leave out details, but eventually we were married in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple.

Kristen is a wonderful Mother and Wife. She truly makes up for my shortfalls. As I have moved her around the country with me, she has been fully supportive. When I turned our apartment into a breeding house for Betta fish, she showed more interest than contempt. When I announced to her that I was going to run for Town Council, she gave me full support, helped me out tremendously, and she even voted for me. And now, as I have turned our bathtub into a greenhouse, there is no complaint. I will let you know how she reacts when I turn a room in our house into a BYU room! I know I don’t usually say it, but I love her with all my heart.

When Kristen’s Mother passed away, one of the most difficult times in our life, Kristen showed a strength that I never knew existed before. She showed comfort and compassion to her family, while inside, she was torn apart. She was able to do things during this difficult time that few could have done, had they been in her shoes.

Kristen brings me great joy and comfort. There are so many things in life that I am able to do because she is by my side, in full support. Kristen truly is beautiful in ever sense and meaning of the word, especially in heart, mind, and spirit.

Today is your day Kristen! I love you with all my heart.

Love,
John