Just under a million dollars!!!

So, BYU-I decides to invest in a new football field. Yeah, they're pretty anal about alot of stuff up here...paying $5 parking tickets on time, minuscule facial hair, wearing sandals and other stupid stuff like that. However, they do feel in necessary to invest 850,000 dollars into new turf at the football stadium with a 20,000 cleaning machine. Now, I love football and I love BYU but honestly....why invest in a sport that you don't even have a program for? O-well, it makes for a good saturday night activity. We almost got a trespassing ticket though. (I've found that it is almost impossible to have fun without getting in trouble.) Anyways, things are good and I had a really good time this weekend. One day maybe you'll meet her!

Travis

Pres. Woodruff says it how it is!

In preparing my lesson for Institute tomorrow, I came upon this statement from President Wilford Woodruff. It kind of amused me, but at the same time, it truly puts things in perspective. I decided to share it with my family. "I marvel very much at the little interest manifested by the inhabitants of the earth generally in their future state. There is not a person here today but what is going to live on the other side of the veil as long as his Creator--to the endless ages of eternity. And the eternal destiny of every individual depends upon the manner in which the few short years of the life in the flesh are spent. I ask, in the name of the Lord, what is popularity to you or me? What is gold or silver, or this world's goods to any of us, any further than to enable us to obtain what we need to eat, drink and wear, and to build up the kingdom of God. And to become crazy after the riches of the world, is the very height of foolishness and folly. To see the way that some people act, you might suppose that they are going to live here eternally, and that their eternal destiny depends upon the number of dollars they have. I sometimes ask the Latter-day Saints, how much we had when we came here? ...we were born naked as Job, and I think that we shall leave here as naked as he did."
We have been teaching our class about the Modern Day Prophets, and we certainly have enjoyed studying about them and their lives. They are all very amazing men, with great personalities, and most have a great sense of humor. I can just imagine President Woodruff boldly making that statement, in a bit of a disgusted manner. I guess the statement kind of intrigued me because at times I do think about the people in the world being a little crazy in their hurried lives in pursuit of wealth, or recognition, or beautiful bodies, or even the great amount of time spent in the technology world; when in reality, all that is REALLY important is placing the Kingdom of God first, then all else will fall into place. Sure love you! Mom

Snow Day

Last winter we were spared, but this time we got a real Ohio winter. I guess everyone decided to celebrate, so school was canceled on Valentine's Day - not to mention it was illegal to be on the roads unless you were an emergency vehicle. We didn't complain any. Instead, we decided to have just that - a snow day! Jack loves the snow - except when it gets on his skin. All in all it was a great Valentine's Day. But we're definitely ready for old man winter to kick the bucket!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

To my dear family ~~ Just want to wish everyone a Happy and Loving Valentine's Day! With this unforgettable experience Jenny has gone through (and is still going through), it is truly a reminder that each night when we kneel to pray, we should give our thanks that we have been protected, and are safe. Each morning when we awake, we should be so aware that the day before us is truly a gift, to be enjoyed by loving and doing. My heart is full of love for my children; my daughters-in-law; my son-in-law; and my precious grandchildren. I have been blessed indeed!
Have a beautiful and loving day!! Mom

Lily's new tricks

Lily has her first tooth (bottom right side of her gums)!

Lily can now sit up on her own for a while. She eventually starts falling more and more forward until she calls for help.

Cherish Every Moment

I just wanted to write a little post on how grateful I am sure we all are that Jenny was able to come home safely last night. I haven't been able to stop thinking about her and the frightening situation she was in last night. It is a reality check that life is precious and we never know when it may be out turn to go - cherish every moment. I love you Jenny and will continue to have you in my prayers.

Good Mail from Grammie!

Sung to Jingle Bells:

Dashing to the door, when we hear a little knock,

Looking down to find, the package that we sought

Can't wait to get it open-oh why's there so much tape?

The kids are so impatient...well they'll just have to wait-

Oh Valentine's, Valentine's, the love day we enjoy

Our Grandparent's live far away - do you think they sent a toy?

Oh Valentine's, Valentines, surely there'll be some treats

We'll get a great big sugar high-Mom and Dad will think that's neat! (NOT)

Seriously, thanks so much for sending the package. The kids loved it (we did too)! It is so nice to feel loved!

Rexburg, I..DA..HO!!!

What up fam? How you all doing? Rexburg...what an interesting place. I like it alot now, but the first week was a little rough, especially working in negative degree weather. School is going really good, my financial math class makes sense and I feel that I will really be able to apply it in my life (unlike algebra). I've had two mid terms in two of my aviation classes. In aviation law I scored an 89 and in survey of aviation science I scored a 98. I've got one more I'm doing today in air transport managment so I'm hoping I can keep the trend and get a 90 or better. Anyways, life has been super good for me and I'm extremely happy. As you can see from the picture, there is a very beautiful girl next to me! That wonderful girl is Kelsey and is one of the reasons I have been so happy. I've actually been dating her for about a month but didn't really want to tell anyone. Take no offense, just didn't want to play 20 questions with everybody...till now. I told dad about her about 3 weeks ago but told him not to tell anyone...especially mom (anyone wonder why?) just kiddin mom, love ya! Anyways, I believe she is coming down to the homestead this weekend so some of the fam will be able to meet her. Well ladies and gentlemen, have a wonderful week and I'm sorry it has taken so long to post to you all but I love you guys!

Peace, I'm out
Travis

PS...finally, dark hair and dark eyes, just the way I like it!

Hugs and kisses 'til Valentine's

I told Mom that I would post a picture of this little thing I did for the kids and for the sisters I visit teach. They have Hershey's kisses and hugs in them. On the way to delivering them to those I visit teach, one of them totally melted. It was such a mess. Sometimes I wonder why I do these things!

Family Togetherness

Hi Family ~~ I was just talking with Kim about the importance of getting family together for the "bonding". Anyway, we need to be making some plans, if possible, for a time we can all be together this coming summer. They are already getting their summer filled. So, we need to know, Ryan Albert, when you, Candace and Jack might be coming into Utah. And we need to know, Julie, if you, Ryan Christopher, Sophie, Tyler and Lily will be able to come in from Reno during the summer? Hopefully, Travis will be able to break away from Denver for a planned Reunion. It would be nice to have some ideas of something extra fun we could do all together. Since we have "out-of-Staters", it almost needs to be something quite memorable so the kids remember their cousins. You guys are a lot better with ideas, than I am. You are a lot more fun! Brad and Kim; Rod and Jenny and their families will come up with some ideas. The kids are a great resource for fun ideas. Let us know as soon as possible, so we can get scheduled. Love you all! Mom

Ukrainian Memories

So it has just been incredibly cold this last week! On Sunday the high was 6 degrees (-20 with windchill) - the HIGH for crying out loud! Lucky for us, that was also the day our car decided not to start. We were victims of a weak battery, which I changed the next day, and I think I'm starting to regain the feeling in my fingers. I can't help but be taken back the frozen tundra of Ukraine where I learned what cold really is. Such fond memories - Frozen ink in my pen, Sleeping in my winter coat and hat, and Frozen nostril hairs! It's been really nice to relive all of that. Hope you all are enjoying winter as much as us. Jack is certainly finding ways to handle the cold. Love you all!

Dad at the Symphony -- Can you Imagine?

I needed to let you all know that your Dad accompanied me to the Utah Symphony last evening! It was Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. I truly loved it. Dad behaved decently. (However, he was quite glad when it was over, and said he COULD NOT understand why any man would want to invest their time in learning to play music [or conducting], rather than being out on the football field). He also whispered and asked me, during the performance, if I thought the conductor had a girlfriend, or a boyfriend! I wanted to roll by eyes at him, but I gave him a little smile, and a look that said, "Let's be very quiet during the performance!" All in all, it was a special evening, and I could enjoy more of that type of entertainment. I am not too sure about Dad. I told him it has taken 43 years to get him to the Symphony. We don't have that kind of time left!
The major move for Rod and Jenny went on this morning. Most of it is done. There was a terrific turnout of his Ward Elders who came. Also there were a lot of Jenny's family come. Dad and I did what we could, but I think we were mostly in the way! We can't help that our family is so scattered. The ones that could help are in four different States. (Brad is Delta flying.) I think they close on the house next Friday.
Hope everyone's weekend is going well. Sure love all of you!!! Mom