Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Yes, It's Me

Ok, here's the deal...I'm a huge slacker. So I have come to the conclusion that I'm not the best procrastinator in the world, but I do have some talent at it. Mind you, I can make excuses for just about anything and even though they stink, I use them. So I've decided to stop being a slacker and start to blog for all my blog fans, me...Brandon... that about sums them up. I don't think my wife reads my blog anymore, isn't that sad. Goes to show that I'm pathetic in writing in my blog. Anyway, look forward to more blog entries from me and be ready to be bored to tears as I write about things that are important to me and all that jazz....

Monthly Reflection - January 2006

As today is the last day of January, I felt it important to review the last month and evaluate what was good and what was bad. Thus far, it has really been a terrific month.

This month has seen its share of up's and down's but I think a lot of the near future will be determined by the events that have happened this month. Our kids have a better understanding of our lives and what we are trying to accomplish. We are planning more time together as a family and have figured out some traditional activities as well as some new activities to do together as a family.

I think that families should evaluate their direction every once in a while to evaluate whether they are heading in a proper direction or whether adjustments need to be made.

Some of the changes include:
- Implimentation of a Chore Chart for everyone in the household with allowances to be paid. (Even mom and dad have chore charts.)

- New activities with those suggestions from kids and some not previously done. Gear and supplies to be purchased accordingly.

- More time being alloted to family activities and, with the chores being completed in a timely fashion, more time can be used for things other than cleaning.

- Talking with our kids and each other. Showing more patience as individuals and as families.


I've realized that there is not one definitive thing that can be done to fix problems but that each thing is a process. As it is a process, the "fixes" are also a process that needs to evolve and mature as needed. As things changes, so do the processes. Even though we "know", I hope implimentation will be as smooth as possible and that we will learn when we slide away from the things that make our lives work.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Mobile Storage Unit

I am so excited today. (It's funny what excites you when you get old.) We were looking at storage units to get a bunch of our storable items out of the house when I came across a company called Mobile Mini, Inc. They have storage containers that they will bring to your property and leave. It is the same idea as using a storage facility but its on your own property. 24 hour access PLUS you don't have to travel far to get to it.

We are looking forward to getting a bunch of things cleaned up and this will definately help. AND it doesn't cost much more than a regular storage unit. It is a little more expensive on the payments but when you figure it can double as a shed, no travel, 24 hour access, and that you can use it as short term storage as well, it makes it a lot more valuable than going to a facility.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Christmas Photos

Here is the link to the photo album. I have posted 44 pictures for the Christmas video. Most of these are from 1977 to the early 80's with a couple of others thrown in. PHOTOS

"Book of Daniel"

I had an opportunity the other night to watch a portion of the new series "Book of Daniel". I had not heard of the plot nor the scenarios for this series. Let me brief you on these first.

The father, an Episcopal priest who is addicted to pain killers.
The mother is an alcoholic.
The 23-year old biological son, is openly gay.
The 16-year old daughter is a drug dealer.
The 16-year old adopted son is having sex with the drug-dealing daughter AND is addicted to drugs.

Not to mention, the father talks to Jesus Christ who visits frequently.

I think that covers the synopsis of the series. Now, the portion I watched dealt with the need for the church to get a new school building built. A Catholic priest advised the father that he had found the necessary money to build such a building but is was from the mob and the Catholic priest was actually advising him to TAKE the money. (???) Not to mention that the Jesus character was a discrace.

Apparently, the series was created by a person by the name of Jack Kenny who is a homosexual buddist that believes that Jesus Christ is a myth.

I have since received an e-mail giving me the above information and Snopes.com has confirmed this. Also, a Google seach shows that there are numerous articles written about the trouble this has caused within the Christian community.

Our local affiliate KSL is still airing the show while other affiliates in the mid-west have pulled it from programming.

It is my hope that we can have this program removed from our television programming. Please notify all those Christians that would see good, quality programming on television. I invite everyone to contact their local NBC affiliates to have the series pulled from the airwaves.

I believe, that a story line like this COULD have a place in programming if done correctly. I don't think having as many possible problems in one family, especially a religious leader's family, is the way to do it. I understand that even the best families have their problems, but this combination seems VERY over the top.

Friday, January 13, 2006

Fun with Animals

My family has over the past few years obtained a year-round membership pass to Utah's Hogle Zoo. We all enjoy going and looking at the animals. This year, we have the opportunity to volunteer to help at the zoo and are excited to do so. Actually, those that would actually be volunteering would be Alythea, Aurora and myself. They have different jobs available:

1. Jr. Zoo Keeper - This allows kids to learn about the animals and to help maintain their habitats. Aurora wants to join this program.

2. Zoo Aides - Zoo Aides help to maintain the animal habitats but also help with the animal's diet and handling of some animals. Alythea is interested in this program.

3. Docent Council works with all of that but also goes to varies schools and organizations and helps to teach about the animals themselves. I'm interested in this program.

Each program offers us a more in-depth look at the animals, their habitats, their eating habits and offers us a chance to work with animals we would not normally be able to work with on a regular basis. It also gives us an opportunity to become more active within our communities and to have a common hobby. By doing this, we can utilize our knowledge to teach those within our family.

We are excited to do this and I think it will be a good experience for our family to go through. Plus, it may give us some insight in how to keep the kids rooms clean.

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Clear As Day

We had the ultrasound to find out what the baby was today. It was pretty cool. We mentioned that we had already had one suprise where we were told it was a girl and then Jarik came out. Not a girl. So when we had our ultrasound for Bree we wanted to find out and they just didn't tell us what they thought and the Dr. would change his mind based on the heartbeat every month. It was kind of funny. So we went in today, as I said before and the sonographer had to poke and prod and with a little pleading the baby finally showed what we all wanted to see...what sex it is. Now, before I tell you, I have to tell you that we have a 3 year old boy who wants a brother and a 5 year old girl who wants another little sister and a 2 year old girl that didn't seem to care either way. So before Chels came today, Tiaree and Jarik were arguing as to what the sex of the baby would be. I'm sure it went something like this...
Jarik: Boy
Tiaree: Girl
Jarik: Boy
Tiaree: Girl
Meanwhile Bree was saying yah, yah, yah. Well Chels picked Jarik up from pre-school and his frist question was "Is it a boy or a girl?". Chels told him that it was a gril and he took it suprisingly well. Then he asked where the baby was at and Chels told her in her stomach and then he asked if they had to break her stomach to get the baby out and she told him no. Then he asked a question that made Chels go silent and feel a little awkward, "how does the baby come then?". I think she told him that she'd tell him later and quickly changed the subject. We'll have that conversation. So we are having a littl girl and when I get home I'll scan the pictures and get them posted. Have a good day.

Family Sharing

One thing about families that is both good and bad is sharing. The reason it is good is that you can share time, treats, or space. The part that is bad is that you share diseases.

That was the case this weekend. Jayna picked up something from who knows where. She was up Saturday night throwing up every 15-60 minutes. This was difficult as she was in our bed and was too tired to get up even to throw up in the can that we had provided. Eventually, her stomach was completely empty.

I woke up yesterday morning with a little queasy stomach and made it to work for about an hour and a half before I went home. Luckily, mine wasn't as bad but Nicole was also sick and she was throwing up as well. Today, everyone is fine. A little tired but a lot better than we were yesterday.

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

A Day in the Life.....

Even though this is a shorter week, it seems as thought this is one of the most difficult. This week I quit my 2nd job at Albertson's. This comes after a re-evaluation of a lot of things and personally, I think its the right choice.

There are a lot of things not happening that should be happening and either I have to do them or I have to direct others to do them. Sometimes those "others" need you standing over their shoulder with the threat of a spanking. So, the extra 30-40 hours a week I spend at work, I will now spend at home getting things whipped into shape.

Anyway, that's my big news for the day. I'm much too tired to write much more or even think much more. Last night was a late one followed by an early morning and another late night tonight because of illness. I have another early morning tomorrow and a 10ish night. Friday is a 5pm night and Saturday is off so there is a break in there somewhere.