Yeah, I'm a Slacker

I'm sorry I've slacked off this blog. I guess I just don't really have time for two blogs, so this is the one that's suffering. Bear with me. The family is doing great. I went to BYU's Science Fiction Symposium last week. It was awesome (you can read about it on the writing blog.) Tracy was nice enough to babysit for me.

We celebrated our eighteenth anniversary on Sunday. I'm so glad that we've made it this far. Love you, Tracy!

In other exciting news, I was called as the 2nd counselor in the Relief Society presidency. I'm over the Relief Society Meetings (formerly known as enrichment, formerly known as homemaking). Right now, I pretty much have no clue what I'm doing, but I'll learn.

Tracy became a Team Lead at work. It's kind of a cross between manager and programmer, and I know he'll be just great at it.

The kids are great, busy with school, band and scouts and stuff like that. Ryan is hoping to earn his Eagle before June 1, so that he can get the award at a Court of Honor they are holding at the Stadium of Fire. How cool would that be? Good luck Ryan.

Here are a few pictures, so you don't forget what we look like:

 

  

  

  

  

 

Tender Mercies (and a Temple!)

President Monson announced a temple in Payson today! Oh, this makes me so, so happy. :) Temples are such a great blessing in our lives. I am so excited. The temples are definitely a tender mercy from the Lord.

Tender mercies come in other forms too. Last night at dinner we were discussing what everyone learned about at church. (We all learned about the Fall. Everything is so coordinated!) Camary said she learned, "About whether we want to live with Jesus or Nathan." Nathan? Who's Nathan? "Satan?" I asked. "Yeah, that." We don't spend much time talking about Satan at home. Well, her little mispronunciation caused me a hysterical giggling fit. If you've never seen me have a hysterical giggling fit, you're really missing out. Well, that giggling fit turned out to be a tender mercy for me. Right before she said that, I was feeling ornery. Really ornery. In fact, "Nathan" had put it into my heart to do and say some really nasty things just then, but you know what? After laughing so hard, I didn't feel grumpy at all. Not one little bit. Thanks, Heavenly Father!

If you feel you can help...

My friend Sherri, mom of eight and all around amazing lady, needs help raising $22,500 to get necessary back surgery so she doesn't remain bed ridden. Read her story here, and if you feel you can help it would sure be appreciated.