Equation for Misery

1 almost-kindergartener
+ 1 kindergarten check-up
+ 1 active two-year-old
+ 1 doctor we didn't know because ours went out of town
+ 1 brand-new nurse
+ 1 new, very slow, not-so-easy-to-use computer system
+ 3 shots
+ 1 finger pricking blood test
+ 1 TB test -OOPS- given as a shot in the arm instead of under the skin
+ 1 extra shot because someone miscounted the number of shots because they administered the TB skin test AS A SHOT!
+ 1 mom who keeps saying this is the last prick and that it might not hurt so much this time...
_____________________
= 3 hours in the doctor's office
= 6 pricks
= 1 sad mistrustful little boy
= 1 miserable mom



Sorry, Jake.

Established 1998

While Kirsten has been a star at keeping up this blog, I have not. If there were ever a good day to post, today is the day. You see, 10 years ago today, Kirsten said yes and my life has been forever changed for the better.

I’m not sure if I have the same witty creative talents of my beautiful wife, so this post may not measure up to her standards. I do have to say that Kirsten is a wonderful person, and I couldn’t be a luckier man to be married to her for time and all eternity. She has always been there for me, through the good times and the bad. We have had many great experiences together, and we have been blessed with three outstanding children.

Thinking back on that day 10 years ago, I don’t think that I could have imagined where we would be today. The time truly has flown by, the kids are getting older so quickly, and I expect that even on our 50^th anniversary it will seem like we just got married yesterday.

Thank you Kirsten for everything that you are, and everything that you have helped me become. I love you.

(For those of you who understand German, you’ll love this song. For those who don’t…well the music is nice. There is a line in this song that played a role very early on in our story, “Einsamkeit traegt sich leichter zu zweit”, which means “Loneliness is easier to bear as two”.)

JUST married

We just got back from Utah to attend Ben's youngest brother's wedding. Justin married Sarah on August 14th and we think they are very cute together. Their wedding was a lot of fun and it was good to see all of Ben's 7 siblings and all of their spouses.

The wedding really had an impact on Kate. She loved Sarah's dress. She loved the chocolate fountain, she wanted to devour the cake. But I was touched one night, after we returned home and I told her a favorite princess fairy tale. I ended with, "...and the prince took the princess to his castle and they got married and lived happily ever after." Her response was, "In the temple?"

That's what it's all about.

Thank you Justin and Sarah for living your lives right so that you could marry in the temple and for being such great examples to my kids.


***I have to give credit where credit is due...these great photographs were taken by photographer Scott Jarvie.

Just finished...

reading:



Thanks for the escape. Thanks for making me forget my kids and my housework for the last few days. Thanks for helping me get one step closer to overcoming my fear of vampires. Thanks for being an inspiration: even busy moms can follow their dreams. You rock!