Isabella Is a Double Digit Starting With a 2 - Happy Birthday!

What's your favorite thing to do?

* Probably read or play wrestle with Braunson

What do you want to be when you grow up? 

* A teacher/a mom

What is your favorite food?

* Pancakes (of all time, go to - but instinctively that doesn't feel right)

Who do you like to hang out with?

* Braunson

What do you do really well? 

* Talk about everything

What makes you laugh?

* Hanging out with my friends - especially Kaitlin

What is the best time of day?

* The mornings, not early but 8 or 9am, especially lately because the weather has been beautiful and temperature is perfect.

What are you afraid of?

* I don't know what I am afraid of, but there are things I feel afraid when I think about - stressful things, serving a mission, etc...

What do you like to do with your family?

* When we go on walks or sometimes board games or movie nights, top golf.

What do you like to learn about?

* I like learning about classroom management has been really interesting and it feels exciting to think about applying that.  My major has become so much more fun as I get excited to apply all the things I am learning - building student excitement.

Where do you like to go?

* Outside - I think I always forget how much I like being outside until it starts to get warm and then its all I ask my friends is to hike, walk, or go to the park.

What is your favorite book?

* I don't know if I have one. Let me check Goodreads and see if I have one.  Oh okay, it's like a short story, but it's called The Emperor's Soul. It's by Brandon Sanderson, Braunson made me read it, but it was really good.

If you could have one wish, what would it be?

* Just more time in general.  I always feels like each day could use more time.

Wyatt Is A Man!!!

Q. Guess whose birthday it is?

A. Wyatt Owen Whiting

FAQs

1. How old is this hottie?

18 - yes he is legally a man!

2. Is he really as handsome as he appears in pictures?

Yes, probably more so. He has a bussin jawline, killer smile, shredded body, but he doesn't even realize it. Even hotter is his crazy, awesome personality.

3. Does he have a girlfriend?

No. Although a big fan of girls, he keeps it casual and tries to take out a variety of girls to learn more about them and himself.

4. How much fun does Wyatt like to have?

Maybe the perfect amount. His parents never have to ride him about school, work, or responsibilities, but as soon as they are done...he is "game on" ready to play. He loves skiing and wakeboarding/surfing, traveling, board, card, and video games, and just hanging out and laughing with friends and family.

5. What are Wyatt's plans post high school?

Wyatt plans to defer his college start date for a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has earned the money to pay for this himself, has kept himself mentally, physically, and spiritually prepared his whole life, and turns in his papers next week. He will not choose where he serves, but believes he will be called where the Lord needs him to be. More info to be released later.

Special thanks to all the people who turned this amazing boy into an incredible man. We couldn't be more proud, even if a bit sad at how fast it all happened.

 What's your favorite thing to do?

* Play on my Switch

What do you want to be when you grow up? 

* In finance

What is your favorite food?

* Chili

Who do you like to hang out with?

* Micheal Torres

What do you do really well? 

* Bring a smile to my mother's face

What makes you laugh?

* myself

What is the best time of day?

* When I am not doing scholarships

What are you afraid of?

* My mom making me do scholarships

What do you like to do with your family?

* Eat dinner

What do you like to learn about?

* Psychology

Where do you like to go?

* Home after school

What is your favorite book?

* The Alchemist

If you could have one wish, what would it be?

* For everyone to appreciate my excellence (read: sarcasm)

Opening Up the Windows to Heaven

I tend to live my life pursuing anything that interests me wholeheartedly. The downside of this is that I almost always have more interests than I do time. As a result, I have to inwardly reflect on what my strongest values are and make choices that reflect those.

Right now I am at a crossroads as I consider new job offers, getting my doctorate degree, focusing on my family and kids these last 3 years before Travis and I are empty nesters, future dream jobs, and retirement plans. Yes I am a planner and so choices are being made now for that. Once again, I am grateful but torn over so many awesome options.

So like I have historically with any major decision in life (including who to marry, where to live - all seven moves, what homes to buy, when and how many children to have, what jobs to take, when to start and stop phases of life) I find myself using tonight and tomorrow to fast and pray about it. This is something members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have the opportunity to do each month.

And even though I can't have it all, or at least all right now in this moment, I feel peace because I know I will get direction as I lift my heart and mind to commune with my Heavenly Father. "Fasting, coupled with mighty prayer, is powerful. It can fill our minds with the revelations of the Spirit." He will guide and direct me and continue to make my life better than anything I have ever been able to plan or imagine for myself.

And if there is any one thing I have wanted to teach and pass down to my kids, it is that absolute confidence in recognizing the voice of the Lord and knowing he loves and cares about them and that he will talk to, guide, and direct them as he has me throughout my life. I know that they will feel the peace and assurance and confidence in all areas of their life that I have been able to have. So regardless of your faith, I challenge each of you - try it out, at least once, see what you think and consider how you feel.

For more about fasting, see here!

Quotes To Live By

"Your system is perfectly designed to give you the results you are getting."

"My promise to you is that when, not if, you test God's promises...work and wait. You will see miracles."

"Who do you turn to for advice?"

"If you are honest, people may deceive you.  Be honest anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfishness. Be kind anyway.  All the good you do today will be forgotten by others tomorrow.  do good anyway.  What you create, others can destroy. Create anyway. Because in the end, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and anyone else anyway."

Christmases Remembered

Each year after Christmas, school age children return to school and ask one another what they got for Christmas.  I remember being asked and asking others this same question.  As I have gotten older, the same question still exists with mild variations, but increasingly I cannot recall what I have gotten nor what I have given to my children and the other loved ones in my life.  Each holiday becomes less about candy, gifts, and stuff and more about time together.  So now, when I get asked that questions...I sit and think.  So two years ago, I realized that as part of my holiday planning and to try and keep track of what I had bought I would create lists.  In 30 years, I am sure I will look back on this and think it is great.  I've decided to share what the kids have gotten from us their parents and their siblings the last two years.

First note: we tend to stick to 3 gifts from parents to kids as well as one another.  Then the kids get three siblings gifts for a total of 6.  Occasionally they may get more than one item but in a themed gift.  Additionally they also get gifts from grandparents, friends, or others.  With all of this generosity in their lives we felt like 3 gifts was plenty.  

2020 - Year of Covid Christmas

Travis: (2) 72 hours kits, Fireplace tools kit, and Ring doorbell and chime; First aid kit for the car, fairy lights, nose hair scissors, thick socks

Mary: Roomba, Running Shoes, Hammock; Curling iron, game, boots, and sweatshirt

Isabella: Ski tickets, happy light, phone car chargers and usbc port; mount for car phone, g-2 pens, dice and cards

Wyatt: Ski tickets, khaki shorts, leather wallet; water bottle, book of silent longings, Tul pens

Issac: Ski tickets, can jam, lego temple; Amiibo, socks, Oculus game

Kody: Ski tickets, black watch, new shoes; whitening strips, Guesstures, socks

2021 - Year of Abundance

Travis: New outdoor gas grill, range finder, and reloading parts; twinkle lights, reloading trimmer, funnel, and another reloading piece

Mary: Retractable screen door, new toilet seat, and tbd as the one gift didn't work (outdoor lights); salt spray, salt spray, puzzles, and photo storage bin

Isabella: Spice kit/kitchen basket (Mexican vanilla), steamer, food processor; sports bra, black leggings, whitening strips

Wyatt: Standing desk, luggage, switch game; new darts, Mcdonalds hat, papa johns hat

Issac: Amiibo, Jumper cable independent start, lego white house; car Alexa, car stand/car charger, root beer making kit, eye cover for sleeping

Kody: LED lights, Airpod case and stickers, Nike sneakers; sweatshirt, posters for room, ???

Baked goods at the holidays that the kids must have:

• Puppy Chow
• Peanut Butter Fudge
• Crack Brownies
• Pretzel Rolo bites
• Pretzel rods dipped in chocolate
• Jam Print Cookies
• Toffee
• Cathedral Windows
• Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
• Sugar Cookies with sprinkles

Issac Turns 16!!!

 What's your favorite thing to do?

* Play video games; build stuff

What do you want to be when you grow up? 

* Physicist

What is your favorite food?

* Crepes

Who do you like to hang out with?

* Tayson, family, and girls

What do you do really well? 

* I build stuff really well and science

What makes you laugh?

* Dad jokes; actually not dad jokes, only when I tell the dad jokes, not when I receive the dad jokes

What is the best time of day?

* Night

What are you afraid of?

* Socializing

What do you like to do with your family?

* Play Mario Party

What do you like to learn about?

* Anything in the science field except for Biology because Biology is stupid

Where do you like to go?

* To bed

What is your favorite book?

* Uhhh, I wouldn't know, I don't read enough

If you could have one wish, what would it be?

* That everything on this list would come true

Kody Turns 14, Starts High School, but I Stopped Aging

 What's your favorite thing to do?

* Hang out with friends

What do you want to be when you grow up? 

* Business manager

What is your favorite food?

* French fries

Who do you like to hang out with?

* People (Braeden, Joe, David, and Dylan)

What do you do really well? 

* Eat food

What makes you laugh?

* People getting hurt

What is the best time of day?

* Night

What are you afraid of?

* The dark

What do you like to do with your family?

* Play board games

What do you like to learn about?

* Cooking

Where do you like to go?

* I'd like to go to New Zealand

What is your favorite book?

* Big Nate

If you could have one wish, what would it be?

* For a million wishes