Fall Family Firsts

Clayton played baseball for the first time this Fall. He made incredible progress over the season and his coaches loved his 'Charlie Hustle' attitude and his great disposition.

Nathan played soccer for the first time with a bunch of his friends from church. When he wasn't looking at the sky singing, or chasing his friend Kendall around the field he did great.

My friend Tishia

I am now the Ward Activity Chair person and our first activity was a Fall Chili Cook-off. We had a real live band, a petting zoo and a scarecrow contest. It was a great time for the 250+ people that came. I have a great committee and a great ward who all participated in making it a success. Below is the newest family member 'Shotgun Willie'. He got his name because he road shotgun in Scott's truck for a full week after the party was over. He was built to last through the years so don't be surprised if you see him hanging out every Fall.

Our Precious Freedom to Fail

When Amber started the family blog we wanted it to be about fun and family but we also want the blog to serve as a journal of things going on in general. I believe as Americans we are headed for historic times in more ways than one and so I wanted to post some thoughts, if for no one else, my children and grandchildren to read someday.

I’ve been pondering the things I can do to prepare my family for what looks to be some very difficult times for our nation. My thoughts are continually drifting outside the comfort zone of my daily responsibilities, to thoughts of preparedness and freedom, and specifically, our freedom to fail.

We live in a time of the "government bailouts" of corrupt government sponsored lending institutions, greedy banks, poorly run insurance companies, and now even the bad business model of the car industry is looking for money. A bailout is meant to prevent failure or at least postpone it but what it really does is hand the power (freedom) of these businesses to the government. Our government was never meant or designed to wield that kind of power. Trying to prevent failure of business with this kind of intervention is risky at best, but if we as individuals ever surrender our freedom to fail it will be devastating for America.

God has blessed this country with freedom unlike any nation on earth where individuals can dream, create and achieve according to their own ambition and perseverance. Our freedom to fail is requisite to the real glory and prosperity of America. Failure leads to humility, cleansing, introspection and then resolve, aspiration and success. It is in failure that we realize our weakness, look upward for guidance and hope, and climb back to our feet. It is through heartache and tears that we are reminded to trust in God, commit to change, and be better than before. Americans are not strangers to hard times. Hard times have served as the refiners fire in building the most free, the most powerful, most industrious, most innovative and the most generous nation on the face of the planet. America is a true beacon of hope to all mankind because we have been blessed by God with the individual freedom to fail! Without the freedom to fail, there could be no real prosperity.

Many will stumble and fall in life's marathon, especially in these difficult times, and so it is so important we serve each other like never before. I am grateful to have the support of the family and friends I have and hope to provide as much shade as possible for them and others in the coming months and years.

When times are hard there is sometimes a temptation to see ourselves as victims looking to the Government as a savior. There are many in this country that have already surrendered their place in the pursuit of happiness for the wheelchair of security that the Government offers. They are pushed through life at a snails pace with no real direction. I do not refer to those who cannot take care of themselves but those who only look to be taken care of and are content to flounder through life in a state of mediocrity.

Thomas Jefferson said “I believe Americans will always find happiness as long as they do not allow the government to rob them of their labors under the false pretense of taking care of them.”

Samuel Adams said "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude more than the animating contest of freedom,--go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen!"

Our founding fathers understood the dangers of moving from being a self reliant people to a people dependant on government. They understood this would lead to an erosion of personal freedom. There is always a price to be paid for freedom but it is never greater than the cost of surrendering that freedom. That is why so many have and do sacrificed their lives to protect, secure and spread freedom. I am grateful to the brave Men and Women who are on the front lines of this fight and hope that here at home we as Americans can be as valiant in protecting those freedoms from within, even the freedom to fail.

Abraham Lincoln...
Failed in business at age 21.

Was defeated in a legislative race at age 22.

Failed again in business at age 24.

Overcame the death of his sweetheart at age 26.

Had a nervous breakdown at age 27.

Lost a congressional race at age 34.

Lost a congressional race at age 36.

Lost a senatorial race at age 45.

Failed in an effort to become vice-president at age 47.

Lost a senatorial race at age 47.

Was elected PRESIDENT of the US at age 52!

Leaps & Bounds

Nathan is reading! He has been making progress by leaps and bounds since he started kindergarten, but he continues to surprise us everyday with his improvement. We are so proud of you Nathan, YOU ROCK!

*A LITTLE FAMILY TIME*

The weather here in Arizona has been quite a bit warmer than usual so yesterday we decided to take advantage of it and to escape from the normal crazy schedule and the stresses of the upcoming election and the state of our country. It is amazing how much joy can come from a body of water and a couple cans of pringles. None of us know yet how the results of todays election will impact us and our families personally; as I think about the 'what ifs' I become overwhelmed with feelings of doubt and insecurity. Days like yesterday remind me to express gratitute for all I have and bring me back to the basics...My God, My Faith, My Family! I love you all and don't forget to VOTE!

Halloween Treats???

After spending most of the afternoon running errands and getting things in order for our Halloween bash, I came home to find Amber kissing another man! I was in shock! Even though skeleton boy was better looking than me, he did not have near the butt or the sense of humor.

She explained to me her uncontrollable attraction to the rebellious type and I forgave her.

The kids, cousins and Grandparents along with a few neighbors made for a fun evening. We ate tortilla soup, chips and guac, mini tacos and chili dip. Brooklyn and Sydney set new records bringing home about 20lbs each of candy.

On to the next Holiday!