Dear John

This is a tough post to write. I love that line in the movie "Contact" when Jodie Foster is in "space" and has to try and describe to others what she is seeing. She simply says, "You should have sent a poet." That completely describes how I feel.

I love John. He's just one of those people that I never knew existed until I found him. He is kind, caring, and so very thoughtful. He is so other-centered and selfless. He spends much of his time doing things for others. The best part is, he does most of that for me. He has made me his priority...and yet, accomplished so much for so many other people in the process.

He just turned 47. I can't believe how much he has become in so few years. He reminds me of what Ezra Taft Benson said: "Men and women who turn their lives over to God will find out that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can." John is one who truly has turned his life over to God. He just wants to fulfill the mission that he said he would finish. He is constantly engaged in that work.


He has a GREAT sense of humor. We laugh ourselves silly at our house. People often ask me what John is "really" like, and it's so fun to tell them that what they see is what they get. He is what he seems and more: Funny, happy, spiritual, and lively.


John is a great dad. EVERY one of my children could be described as a "Daddy's girl" or "Daddy's boy." They ADORE him. It's very obvious who the favorite parent is at our house, and I simply LOVE that, because they couldn't love a better man. He is always laughing with them, playing with them, teaching them in ways that only he can.

He is a hard worker. I used to not understand how on vacation he constantly had his computer with him so he could write, or how he was always reading and studying something. But now I know that it's just IN him. He is a worker. He is happiest when he is accomplishing something, and he accomplishes great things. He recently taught himself to play the banjo! He's always trying new things!

He is generous. I don't mean to embarrass him, but he is ALWAYS doing things for others. Whether he pays for others' car repairs, lends them his truck, or slips them some needed money, he is always doing for others. He spends at least a couple of nights a week helping others, either in his church calling, or his own chosen goal to better others' lives. It's amazing to watch.

I can't believe I get him. He is the best friend I've ever had. He doesn't judge me for my inadequacies, but focuses on my better traits. What more could I ask for? He's simply perfect for me. I love you, honey!!!

Bubble Trouble

I just love bathtime pictures:

Sometimes happy...



Sometimes sad...



Nice and clean

Football Season

Andrew and John have been playing flag football all fall...well, Andrew has played, and John has coached! The games are usually at night, and with a cheap camera, the pics aren't so good, but you get the idea! Way to go Andrew!!!

Candy, Caramel, Cool Crowd, and a dash of Chaos

Every year we have our annual "Haunted Gingerbread House" Family Home Evening. Of course, they're not that haunted, and they're not gingerbread, but we have fun nonetheless. My friend gave me an ingenius idea...I melted sugar on the stove and pre-made the houses for the kids. I just dipped the sides of the crackers in the liquid sugar, and put the houses together. The sugar hardens like a sucker, so those houses held up so well! Great idea! Here are pics:
Look at all that Candy!!!

Ashley

Matthew

Madelyn

The kids are so excited!

Holden

Gabriel

Elizabeth

Taking a small sample

Joshua

Adam

What a crowd!

Carrie and Holden

Andrew and Joshua

Ashley, Abbie, and Natalie

Lauren takes a nibble

Aaron

Elayna, Ava, and Timothy

Ava

We decided to make some caramel apples as well!

Ashley decided to make a "torture chamber". I think she gets these genes from her Grandpa Loveridge. (He has a guilloutine in his Law Office). Note the skeleton, used to be a man with a spear through him...:)

Here's the bigger picture...note the skulls atop sticks...what????

This is an "orange man" who has been, uh, "speared" also.

We held this during the U of U game...here are the die-hard fans, Michael, Marshall, and Tim:

We had an AWESOME night with everyone! Thanks again for all the treats everyone contributed! For me, one of the best nights of the year! Love you all!

I just Like My Kids

I just like my kids. I think it's funny when they turn my kitchen into a restaurant (almost weekly). I like it when they head-butt my thigh and hug it to tell me they love me. I'm even getting used to their own "decor" in their bedrooms, including their dart-gun targets and "do not enter unless you are Adam, Aaron, Joshua, Thomas, Ashley (or any other cousin.)
Last Monday for FHE we did a little lesson, then afterward built a temple out of blocks. I thought the "Angel Moroni" was particularly clever.

Yep, I just like my kids.