Last Friday marked the 7th week of our babies' development. I've taken to calling him Boris. I don't know if it will be a he and at this point I'm not sure if the parts are there to make a difference. The point is, I'm going to be a father.
That's pretty cool.
I've been giving it a lot of thought though, and this is it. This doodle can't be un-did. (if you know that line I congratulate you.) Not that I want it to be un-did, but my life is about the change a lot. I've already anticipated a lot of the changes, but there are some that I don't think I'll recognize until they rear up and kick me in the shins.
I've also been thinking about parenting, and being a parent, and being responsible for proper up-bringing of my child. Everyone has heard the quote, "Before I had children I had five theories on raising them, now I have five children and no theories." I'm definately at the stage of having five theories. In fact, I want to have more theories, because I have an overarching theory:
The more theories one has, the more likely it is that one of them will work.
So, this is a shout out to everyone that wants to have their opinion heard about parenting. What are some of the parenting tools you find useful, or have heard about and think would be useful.
I'll give you a couple examples of those I've heard:
My good friend Liz Rhodes, once told me that growing up, she was required by her parents to always be involved in a sport, a musical instrument, and one other extra-curricular activity. I think that's great! She is an amazingly well rounded individual and I've had awesome conversations with her on just about any subject you can imagine.
My first companion on the mission, Joe Sheppard, told me that in his house the children were considered little children until they proved themselves otherwise. The little kids had to go to bed at an earlier hour and were denied certain other privaleges. To be a "big kid" they had to read their scriptures every day and fulfill their chore obligations as well. According to their consistancy and performance, they were identified as either a big kid or a little kid and treated accordingly.
I think those are both great ideas.
What are yours?
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Blessed beyond measure
Recently things have been tough with NVHT (my company.) We've had some false starts with investors and have really been struggling since July 08. Today though was a breakthrough moment, and we finally found our investment money. Enough to last us 12 months assuming absolutely zero income from sales. We're really hoping it does not come to that. After walking out of our meeting with the investors at 5:30 PM I had a car ride home to contemplate the last two years and the ups and downs of that time period.
I realize that I'm not the only one in the company, but I've noticed something very strange:
Every time things get rough, it generally correllates to my laziness in paying tithing on time. As soon as I square up with the lord, things get resolved. I've literally seen it a dozen times. Over the last 8 months when things were tough and we didn't know how we were going to cover our bills, tithing made the difference.
Tithing.
There are a select few principles of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ that I have absolute certainty in. Not faith. Certainty.
There is a God in Heaven, he knows me, and blesses me more than I deserve.
Tithing works. God doesn't need our tithing, WE need to pay tithing.
T.A.
I realize that I'm not the only one in the company, but I've noticed something very strange:
Every time things get rough, it generally correllates to my laziness in paying tithing on time. As soon as I square up with the lord, things get resolved. I've literally seen it a dozen times. Over the last 8 months when things were tough and we didn't know how we were going to cover our bills, tithing made the difference.
Tithing.
There are a select few principles of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ that I have absolute certainty in. Not faith. Certainty.
There is a God in Heaven, he knows me, and blesses me more than I deserve.
Tithing works. God doesn't need our tithing, WE need to pay tithing.
T.A.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Dunbars, Williams, and Andersons - What is Family?
On the drive home today from drill, I listened to a radio program about the tragic story of three families. Those named in the title. The purpose of this post is to record my thoughts on the matter because I was very touched and moved to serious introspection.
In summary, Julia Anderson (a field hand in North Carolina) had an illegitimate child with Walter Williams (A traveling tinker) back around the turn of the century. Their boy was named Bruce. Julia could not care for the child because of her extreme poverty and so Walter took the child with him as he traveled around the country in his wagon tuning organs, pianos, and performing handyman labor.
Around the time Bruce was 4 years old, Walter encountered Percy and Lizzy Dunbar, a wealthy couple in Mississippi, who's oldest son (Bobby) had disappeared almost one year earlier. Lizzy and Percy claimed that Bruce was their son Bobby, and in spite of dozens of testimonys to the contrary convinced the courts to give them the child. Walter avoided going to jail through a fluke, Julia lost her child and was forced to start a new life.
Fast forward 90+ years, and Bobby (Bruce) Dunbar's granddaughter Margaret starts investigating the issue because of a scrap book her father (Bobby Jr.) gives her. After multiple years of investigation, she and her father decide to perform a DNA test. She discovers that Bobby Sr. is really Bruce Anderson.
This is where it gets dicey. Bruce Anderson had 4 children, all of them had multiple children. The entire time Margaret is investigating their history they oppose her and literally revile her. When she tells them she is going to perform a DNA test they literally tell her they will never speak to her again. She does it and is ostricized from the family.
On the flip side, Margaret gets to know the families of Julia Anderson and Walter Williams and is welcomed into their lives with open arms and hearts full of gratitude for her persistance in discovering the truth.
So here is the question: What makes the family?
Blood?
Choice?
I can't claim the right answer, and would love to hear your thoughts on the matter, but here is what I think.
Blood, places us on this earth. Each of us arrives with a unique history, background, and established order. These conditions can vary greatly, and can change in a heart beat without our input of permission.
Choice on the other hand is the only part of the equation that is uniquely ours. Member's of the family can chose to participate, and accept the participation of others, or not.
I guess I would have to say Choice is the deciding factor, because our willingness to value the blood ties is again our choice. It's messy, and seldom ideal.
In the end though, if a family is the greatest source of hapiness on this earth (and I believe that to be true), I pitty those that make poor choices.
CTR
In summary, Julia Anderson (a field hand in North Carolina) had an illegitimate child with Walter Williams (A traveling tinker) back around the turn of the century. Their boy was named Bruce. Julia could not care for the child because of her extreme poverty and so Walter took the child with him as he traveled around the country in his wagon tuning organs, pianos, and performing handyman labor.
Around the time Bruce was 4 years old, Walter encountered Percy and Lizzy Dunbar, a wealthy couple in Mississippi, who's oldest son (Bobby) had disappeared almost one year earlier. Lizzy and Percy claimed that Bruce was their son Bobby, and in spite of dozens of testimonys to the contrary convinced the courts to give them the child. Walter avoided going to jail through a fluke, Julia lost her child and was forced to start a new life.
Fast forward 90+ years, and Bobby (Bruce) Dunbar's granddaughter Margaret starts investigating the issue because of a scrap book her father (Bobby Jr.) gives her. After multiple years of investigation, she and her father decide to perform a DNA test. She discovers that Bobby Sr. is really Bruce Anderson.
This is where it gets dicey. Bruce Anderson had 4 children, all of them had multiple children. The entire time Margaret is investigating their history they oppose her and literally revile her. When she tells them she is going to perform a DNA test they literally tell her they will never speak to her again. She does it and is ostricized from the family.
On the flip side, Margaret gets to know the families of Julia Anderson and Walter Williams and is welcomed into their lives with open arms and hearts full of gratitude for her persistance in discovering the truth.
So here is the question: What makes the family?
Blood?
Choice?
I can't claim the right answer, and would love to hear your thoughts on the matter, but here is what I think.
Blood, places us on this earth. Each of us arrives with a unique history, background, and established order. These conditions can vary greatly, and can change in a heart beat without our input of permission.
Choice on the other hand is the only part of the equation that is uniquely ours. Member's of the family can chose to participate, and accept the participation of others, or not.
I guess I would have to say Choice is the deciding factor, because our willingness to value the blood ties is again our choice. It's messy, and seldom ideal.
In the end though, if a family is the greatest source of hapiness on this earth (and I believe that to be true), I pitty those that make poor choices.
CTR
Friday, February 6, 2009
Life Goes On
I realize two posts on the same day is a little excessive, but I'm waiting for Amber to get home, and without her I'm lost. So this is a great way to fill the time. I thought since we didn't send out a christmas letter, I could use my blog for said purposes and if someone doesn't read this, well, I don't know what to do for them. If you know me, and know others that know me, let them know about this.
2008
Amber and I started 2008 by getting two puppies. Both Scottish Terriers of course. Persie (pronounced like the weesley brother from Harry Potter) is a black scotty, and she's all about being outside on an adventure. Lolly is white, and she's all about cuddle time. I don't think I would have believed dogs could have such differet personalities if it weren't for these two. Ironically enough, they are night and day.
The puppies were an appeasement of Ambers extreme desire to be pregnant. Not just pregnant, like already 8 months pregnant and ready to give birth. Amber isn't exactly the patient type. If you haven't seen us with them yet, you'll know we spoil our dogs tremendously, in fact, I've already spent more time bathing these two than I did bathing Tory (my cocker spaniel growing up) for her entire life.
Shortly thereafter we discovered two very good friends, Zack and Brenda VanValkenburg (SP?) They have a miniature schnauzer named Jazzy, and we spent considerable time with them going to the dog park in Parleys Canyon. Good times.
In June, for our anniversary, Amber and I bought a Wii. That has been a lot of fun, and the source of many an enjoyable game night with friends. I highly recommend it as a perfect family friendly system.
Sometime around May, Amber expressed the desire to live in Utah county to be near cousins. I wasn't exactly in love with SLC so I said OK. Amber started working for the Provo - Orem Chamber of Commerce and commuted back and forth for a month or so until our contract in SLC expired and we were able to move south. We ended up renting a home from my old boss, Priz, it's a lovely three bedroom home with a basement apartment. Life got a little dicey here, because Amber and I wanted to buy the house, but the appraisal came through at way less so in the end, we didn't. Michael Albright moved into one of the bedrooms and has been a room mate ever since August, and when the renters of the basement apartment moved out, Ryan and Becky Rust moved in. Having all of them close has been great. It's like a non stop party over here.
After a few months at the Chamber, Amber switched jobs because she was very unhappy with her boss, and started working for Spin Media Marketing as an office manager and event planner. She's been very happy there ever since and is doing a great job. Her boss gave her an Iphone as a bonus not to long ago (lucky!)
As for me, my company has gone through quite a few convolutions. The french company that was in the process of buying us defaulted in July and we've been limping along ever since trying to get funding. We've started doing business under a new banner, we're now NVH Technologies. NVH stands for noise vibration and harshness, its an industry term.
Around November I started working for Orange Soda, as an inside phone sales man. It's not a glamorous job, but it helps pay the bills while we're looking for funding and I've discovered that I'm pretty good at it. In January I was the second highest performer, and won a water bottle because of it. (I'm actually pretty excited about that, it has a google label on it.)
Thanksgiving was held with Amber's side of the family and was pretty fun. I was introduced to craps and really enjoyed it. A lot. Christmas was in Idaho. We froze. Froze bad.
New years was pretty low key. In fact, I don't think I made it all the way to midnight awake.
And that was 2008. I'll try to be better about keeping this up to date. I'm back in the game.
2008
Amber and I started 2008 by getting two puppies. Both Scottish Terriers of course. Persie (pronounced like the weesley brother from Harry Potter) is a black scotty, and she's all about being outside on an adventure. Lolly is white, and she's all about cuddle time. I don't think I would have believed dogs could have such differet personalities if it weren't for these two. Ironically enough, they are night and day.
The puppies were an appeasement of Ambers extreme desire to be pregnant. Not just pregnant, like already 8 months pregnant and ready to give birth. Amber isn't exactly the patient type. If you haven't seen us with them yet, you'll know we spoil our dogs tremendously, in fact, I've already spent more time bathing these two than I did bathing Tory (my cocker spaniel growing up) for her entire life.
Shortly thereafter we discovered two very good friends, Zack and Brenda VanValkenburg (SP?) They have a miniature schnauzer named Jazzy, and we spent considerable time with them going to the dog park in Parleys Canyon. Good times.
In June, for our anniversary, Amber and I bought a Wii. That has been a lot of fun, and the source of many an enjoyable game night with friends. I highly recommend it as a perfect family friendly system.
Sometime around May, Amber expressed the desire to live in Utah county to be near cousins. I wasn't exactly in love with SLC so I said OK. Amber started working for the Provo - Orem Chamber of Commerce and commuted back and forth for a month or so until our contract in SLC expired and we were able to move south. We ended up renting a home from my old boss, Priz, it's a lovely three bedroom home with a basement apartment. Life got a little dicey here, because Amber and I wanted to buy the house, but the appraisal came through at way less so in the end, we didn't. Michael Albright moved into one of the bedrooms and has been a room mate ever since August, and when the renters of the basement apartment moved out, Ryan and Becky Rust moved in. Having all of them close has been great. It's like a non stop party over here.
After a few months at the Chamber, Amber switched jobs because she was very unhappy with her boss, and started working for Spin Media Marketing as an office manager and event planner. She's been very happy there ever since and is doing a great job. Her boss gave her an Iphone as a bonus not to long ago (lucky!)
As for me, my company has gone through quite a few convolutions. The french company that was in the process of buying us defaulted in July and we've been limping along ever since trying to get funding. We've started doing business under a new banner, we're now NVH Technologies. NVH stands for noise vibration and harshness, its an industry term.
Around November I started working for Orange Soda, as an inside phone sales man. It's not a glamorous job, but it helps pay the bills while we're looking for funding and I've discovered that I'm pretty good at it. In January I was the second highest performer, and won a water bottle because of it. (I'm actually pretty excited about that, it has a google label on it.)
Thanksgiving was held with Amber's side of the family and was pretty fun. I was introduced to craps and really enjoyed it. A lot. Christmas was in Idaho. We froze. Froze bad.
New years was pretty low key. In fact, I don't think I made it all the way to midnight awake.
And that was 2008. I'll try to be better about keeping this up to date. I'm back in the game.
Reveal yourself! Please.
Well, obviously I haven't had much to say for a while now. In a moment of boredom, I started looking over the blogs of my friends and that prompted me to come back here. I discovered something interesting. There is a mystery responder to my posts. See if you can find him (or her). At first I thought this mystery person was part of my immediate family, but I've asked everyone one about it and they all deny it. So there is either a strong urge to avoid confrontation on the part of this person, or I was wrong about this person being in my family.
I'm stumped.
I hate being stumped.
A LOT!
Those of you that know me well, would probably be willing to testify in a court of law that I'm headstrong, opinionated, and very willing to share my opinions. I don't think I would even try to deny that. One thing that comes along with that is the total dislike of mysteries.
So, principleoverparty, reveal yourself! You can do it in a private email to me. I'm not angry, it's just driving me nuts to not know who you are? Obviously you know me somehow since your profile was created roughly the same time I started posting and was advertising my posts... It's only fair. Then I'll know not to talk politics with you. :)
I'm stumped.
I hate being stumped.
A LOT!
Those of you that know me well, would probably be willing to testify in a court of law that I'm headstrong, opinionated, and very willing to share my opinions. I don't think I would even try to deny that. One thing that comes along with that is the total dislike of mysteries.
So, principleoverparty, reveal yourself! You can do it in a private email to me. I'm not angry, it's just driving me nuts to not know who you are? Obviously you know me somehow since your profile was created roughly the same time I started posting and was advertising my posts... It's only fair. Then I'll know not to talk politics with you. :)
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