Wednesday, June 28, 2006

St. George! (Even if it was 110 degrees!)

The smile is real, and it's there for a GOOD reason!

There are times in your life when you just have to throw your hands up in the air and "get the heck out of Dodge!" This was one of those times. The weeks leading up to this event had been stress filled for both Chris and I. We knew we really needed to get away. So, we decided to pick up and take off for St. George to visit my little sister Lisa and her husband Mark. I look happy in this picture, because I AM!

Mark and his Mormon Urban Assault Vehicle, or MUAV

Mark is fastidious about his cars. One of the things that shocked me when I met Mark was his almost obsessive car detailing. Not only did they need a big car - with FOUR boys, but they were always NICE cars. Just before this land yacht, Mark had is Grandpa-Mobile - his DREAM car - and Lincoln Town Car. Sadly it died an untimely death in an auto accident. They replaced it with this stunning example of a high-tech Mormon Urban Assault Vehicle - or MUAV. Why MUAV? Well, traditionally, Mormons do their part to replenish the Earth, Mars, Venus, and most of Jupiter... and to haul the brood around, they need ROOM - hence the need for a MUAV.

Mark making sure we don't leave fingerprints!

Like I said, Mark is crazy about his cars. While we were in St. George, the kids took the MUAV to the beach (at the local lake) and Mark complained the entire time we were down there about how long it takes to get sand out of the carpet in his MUAV. Poor Mark... Poor, poor Mark. Actually, Mark is one of my favorite people on the planet. He takes teasing very well, and has a great sense of humor. He is a snappy dresser, and most of all, he treats my little sister like a queen. If he didn't, I'd snap him in two like a toothpick... like the toothpick he is! (Just teasing Mark.) Below is one of my favorite pictures ever of Mark and I. We were on an outdoor hike together, and Mark being the cold blooded little critter he is, he was freezing... I was teasing... situation normal!

He looks like he's in pain because he probably is. Mark has arthritis in his body - which is why he moved his family (and MY little sister) to St. George. When he comes up to Salt Lake City, it can be 80 degrees and Mark will be looking for a sweater! I understand the desire to get away from pain, and if I really thought it would do me much good, I'd consider moving there myself. Fact is, when I'm down there, I can't see any marked difference in my pain level. If anything, it's worse, but I think that's because I decompress at Lisa and Mark's house, and all that tension leaving causes pain. I keep threatening Mark that I'm going to come down and kidnap my sister... and then Lisa will pipe up and tell me that she'd never do that to Mark... she cares about him like Chris cares about me. They are two servant women who love their husbands very very much. Mark won't move up to SLC, and I won't move down to St. George... I proposed Cedar City, but everyone said no. Oh well.

Mark and Lisa model love and kindness everywhere they go.

Every time I look at Mark and Lisa as a couple, I'm always amazed at the support and love they give eachother. Lisa is a servant to the core, and Mark is a gentle, loving husband. Their kids worship the ground they walk on, and all of the neighborhood calls their house "home." It says a lot about the people who run the place. They are not only fun, but an inspiration too.

Chris and I love each other so much... I'm very lucky.

That's one thing I never have to worry about. I know that Chris loves me, but I see it in the way she serves me and empties herself to SHOW me. We have our stresses sure, but I've never doubted how much we love eachother. We REALLY needed this time together. It was a good trip.

A RARE moment for me... I normally don't spill...
I leave that up to Chris!

Normally, I don't spill, but this time I discovered I had an as yet, undiscovered HOLE IN MY LIP!! I ended up pouring my iced tea down the front of myself. It's such an unusual occurance for me that we had to chronicle it.

Decisions, decisions! A favorite pass-time in St. George:
THE OUTLET MALL!

On the last day we were in St. George, we went to the Outlet Mall. We walked all over, found some YUMMY candy, spent a LOT of time in the shoe store (a weakness we all share), and I ended up getting an AWESOME deal on some pots in which to put all of the plants in my office. This sort of wore me out to walk all over, but it was so nice to spend time together. There are more exciting things to do in Southern Utah - such as Zion's, Kolob Canyon, Arches etc., but it was just too dang hot to be outside for long. It was dash from air-conditioned spot to air-conditioned spot... not a fun way to live if you ask me.

Mongolian Bar-B-Que... so good Lisa couldn't wait!

Besides shopping, our favorite pass-time in St. George is eating. And eating. AND EATING! We always have a blast going to fun and different restaurants. This time our focus was of an Asian flavor. First night there we went to Gimme Sum... a place like Noodles and Co. in SLC. It was great! Our last meal together down there was at a Mom and Pop Mongolian BBQ place that was awesome! Like normal, our eyes were bigger than our stomachs, and we blessed Lisa with lunch the following day! MMMM soooo good!

The smiles are real... we love eachother a lot.
THANK YOU Mark and Lisa!

A fitting end to a wonderful time was to sit together and show on our faces the feeling in our hearts. Happiness, joy, contentment, and peace. Staying with Mark and Lisa is a relaxing and wonderful time. They cater to your every whim and spoil you rotten! After pushing so hard on Friday and Saturday, I couldn't get out of bed on Sunday, so I slept all day. But Chris and Lisa carried on in fine fashion. They scrapbooked the hours away and did what best friends do - laugh, cry, share and love. That Chris and Lisa are best friends is an understatement. I love to see them together. I am so grateful they love eachother. Our time together is special, and I always make sure to check out of the picture for a while so these two can have their fun too.

Mark and Lisa are a vital and important part of my life. Without them I would be so empty. Thank you Mark and Lisa for openning your home to us, and making us feel so welcome. I love that we can laugh 'til it hurts, cry with eachother, love unconditionally, and genuinely touch each other's souls. You guys mean the world to me. Thank you.

This is me... take it or leave it.

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Daddy's Little Girl

Every Dad needs a daughter. I think I was a little unusual from other men in that I didn't want a son for my first child. From the moment I found out Chris was pregnant, I wanted a little girl. On February 18, 1984 Lindsay Christine Hunter was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. I don't have any of her younger baby pictures scanned in right now, but I will later - but for now, I want to share this beautiful young woman with you - she truly is Daddy's Little Girl!

Lindsay has a beautiful smile!

Last fall, Lindsay, Zack and I all went for a long walk up Little Cottonwood Canyon. I made sure to take along the camera, and I sure am glad I did. Lindsay has such a natural style in front of the camera. We looked into her modeling for a while, but the lifestyle wasn't something we were comfortable with - but as you can see, she certainly has what it takes!

Linz and her Daddy

Not only does Linz have a great smile, she also has a great sense of humor. Here she is with her best buddy and little brother dressed up for Holloween last year. Zack (on the left) is Paris Hilton, and Linz is Martha Stewart! I love this picture! I love that Zack is comfortable enough to play around like this. These two are very close to eachother.

Paris and Martha

Lindsay has always walked to the beat of her own drum - which is something I've always loved about her. Linz has tatoos, has experimented with piercings and basically sets her own style. Her independence has gotten her into some trouble in the past, and we've even butted heads on her choices, but overall, she's a responsible and respectful young woman.

A rare moment when Linz doesn't have anything to say!

Lindsay and Zachary are inseperable. Growing up I always wanted to have a big sister. It took years for me to discover that I actually had a big sister. Zack on the other hand has had a big sister from the start! These two are always hanging out and getting into trouble. I love watching the relationship they have. It's what I've always wanted, and I see it realized in these two. I hope they're always close.

These two are amazing together!

Speaking of doing crazy things... One day, Zack wanted a mohawk... And Lindsay was only more than happy to support him in that endeavor, and even supplied the spikes!

Elmer's Glue, hair gel, and patience!

Linz and Zack excitedly got together and cooked for St. Patrick's Day. And to make it completely authentic, they cooked a corned beef! Corned beef, cabbage, irish potatoes and carrots and a cake with green frosting to finish it all off! They were very proud of this moment - as they should be!

The best Irish Dinner I've ever had... thanks to these two!


Linz came home one day and showed us the newest thing in the life that is Lindsay... a nose piercing! I couldn't believe that she would do that... having a large gauge needle shoved through your septum makes me wince! But that's just the kind of kid she is... Her own woman!

Linz was talking to her aunt Jeanie in this picture. Lindsay looks up to her Aunt Jeannie as a role model. Every time Jeannie comes to the house, Lindsay makes sure to spend some good quality time with her.

Lindsay is a great daughter. She is my baseball buddy and loves to just hang out with me. She makes me smile and laugh. She has tremendous potential to do the most amazing things in her life. There is nothing that is out of her reach!

I gave her my Ovation guitar a few years back, and it wasn't long before she had taught herself to play "Blackbird" by the Beatles. She seems to be like me in that respect. I can pick things up fairly quick, but unless I stick with it, I lose it pretty fast. I hope that she never gives up on music though, it is so important in life. We need all the music we can get!

Another thing that Linz and I have in common is that we're horribly vain! We are always goofing off with our digital cameras and taking self portraits! I don't know what this one was for, but I wanted to put it here. She is cute. There's no getting around that one!

Lindsay has brought us so much joy in our lives. When she was little, she used to be such a little girly girl. She would dance around the living room and sing nursery songs. She would also tell stories, and color like all other little kids, but there was such an inner joy in everything she did. She's always had an ability to see good in people and to find joy in what she's doing. She worked for a long time at Hire's Big H, and even though it was hard some times, she would laugh and talk about all of the crazy people she worked with. She ended up quitting that job and got a job at a local boarding kennel. She has made incredible progress. Having only been there a few months, she's already the acting manager! I'm so proud of her!

Linz and her Nana - My Mother

Lindsay and Nana have always been very close. Part of the reason is my mother was there when Lindsay was born. My Mom had never seen anything like that. She had been put to sleep when she delivered Todd, and had not seen a live child birth before. She looked a little pale, and stayed at the back of the room, but like a trooper, she stayed through the whole thing. Since that time, Nana's always had a special place in her heart for Lindsay.

Zimmy Pop, Linz, and Bambilicious

Lindsay is a good Mommy. Her little kids, Zim and Bambi, love their Mommy so much. There have been many times when I've heard Linz say that her life would be empty without her kids. I totally understand that. Not only do I feel that way about my children, but also about my four-legged kids and grandpuppies. As soon as Mom comes through the door, her kids go absolutely nuts and ping off the walls until Mom can love on each of them. Zim looks like he's jumping on a trampoline until Linz snatches him out of the air. It's cute.

The Family - Linz, Bambi, Mike and Zim

Lindsay has been with Mike for a long time. They make a cute little family. I have high hopes for these two kids. This is the longest relationship that Linz has been in. I'd like to see her married, but I'm not in a huge rush. She's such a great kid - she deserves the very best!

I love Lindsay. Having a little girl was the fulfillment of a dream. I'm so happy that we've been blessed to have her in our lives. We've had our rocky moments in life, and we've even had times where we didn't like eachother much, but that's behind us now. Linz and I are very much alike, so it's natural that occasionally we'll have a blow out. As a first child, I'm sure we've placed some unrealistic expectations on her, but she's always come through. She has incredible spirit and drive. She failed the first few years of highschool while she was out doing drugs, drinking, and rebelling against us. But, she pulled herself together, and in her senior year of highschool, she completed 2.5 years of school in one year. I was so proud of her. She graduated on the honor roll and even won a scholarship for the most improvement! It tells me one thing. The sky is the limit for this little girl. She is a beautiful young woman with more potential than anyone I know.

Lindsay, your dad loves you! I'm a better man for having a daughter like you. Not only do I love you, but I genuinely like you too! I feel as though I have a friend in you that goes well beyond just being my daughter. You challenge me to be a better dad, and I'm glad you're as strong as you are. Thank you for being my kid, and my pal. I love you!

This is me... take it or leave it!

A Favorite Family Portrait

Almost 9 years ago we had this family portrait done. Chris's Mom, Barb paid for all of her kids and their families to have their portraits taken. Chris, being the wonderful woman she is, made sure all of us wore kakhi and navy blue. This is one of my favorite pictures of my family. I know that pride is a sin - but how in the world can a man not be proud of his family when we all look as good as we do here?

We intended to make an impression - We did!

I remember this day as being sheer chaos. When you have nine kids and ALL of their children running around, it ends up being absolute madness. My mother-in-law has nine kids, thirty-four grandkids, and nine great-grandchildren. Maybe madness isn't a good enough word to describe the incident. This event took several hours to negotiate, and was filled with chasing kids, trying to keep them clean, and trying to keep them from being bored out of their minds. We got in near the end when the shadows were starting to lengthen and the golden glow of a summer eveing was washing the sky. In spite of the madness, it was beautiful - though I'd rather never have to endure that again! Regardless, our family wanted to be different. We wanted to stand out. I think we succeeded in spades.

This is me... take it or leave it.

The Friday Uniform

There are some things that happen that are just fun. Friday at work several of us showed up wearing the same thing: Jeans and our new Mindivity T-shirts. We all had to laugh. I had a co-worker, Kelli take the shot.

Me, Brent Stout, Jane Luger and Lisa Heiner

It's funny as you look at this picture... Three of us have our shirts out, and Brent has his tucked in... that's because he's management! LOL Actually, the only reason I didn't wear a belt is because my grand-puppy Zim has eaten all three of my belts... so I don't have one! This group of people is awesome. Brent is the Mindivity Manager, Jane is our Admin support person - which basically means that she runs everything in the shop... and we ALL know it... and Lisa is another Instructional Designer and the QA Manager... She and I play ping pong every day. The company is wonderful to work for. I've never worked for a company that makes me feel as though I'm contributing to a greater good. I love it there. I love my co-workers.

This is me... take it or leave it. (Notice the new Detroit Tigers hat?)

Friday, June 16, 2006

Update on our boy Keats

Keats came back from the vet on Wednesday. They did his surgery on Tuesday morning, and we were so relieved to find that he was cancer free! They did discover that he had a tear in a tendon but they felt that he would heal up okay on his own without surgical help! There was no evidence of cancer in his leg! They went ahead and removed all of the moles and growths on his body, cleaned his teeth, pulled a couple, and took some growths out of his mouth, so he didn't escape completely unscathed.

So, now he's home, and doing pretty well. His leg and his butt is shaved, and he favors his leg a little bit, but he seems to be the same, lovable guy he always is. I was very happy to have him home. I had to laugh though, it seemed as though he was incredibly relieved to be home - I think he thought we were getting rid of him - he sat at the foot of our bed whining to be let up, but neither Chris and I wanted him there. He's stayed very close to all of us, and doesn't like it when he can't see us. I am so glad he's home.

Here's something interesting - did you know that a tiger's skin is striped too - not just his fur? Well, it turns out that our brindle boy's skin is also striped, not just his fur! I think that's awesome!

Keats and McGwire... Keats is HEALTHY!

One of the best things about having him home and having him cancer free is that the surgery to remove the moles and growths and clean his teeth was a lot less than it would have been had he had cancer. Thank God for small things. Thank God for Keats.

This is me... take it or leave it.

Thursday, June 15, 2006

AS? What the heck is AS?

AS? What's AS? I hear this question all the time. AS is an auto-immune disease which involves the spine (primarily) and other joint in your body. Basically, as it is with all auto-immune diseases, it is a disease in which your body attacks itself in one fashion or another.

Ankylosing Spondylitis (ain-kul-oh-sing spon-dill-eye-tis), or AS is part of a family of rheumatic diseases called "spondyloarthropathies" and is genetic. It is very painful, debilitating and often leads to complete disability. AS is a chronic, painful, and progressive disease of the the spinal column. It is a systemic disease affecting not only the spine, but a patient's general health as well. In extreme cases, and thankfully this tends to be rare today, it can bend the spine completely through the process of fusing the vertebrae. This leads to marked stiffness of the spinal column making even simple tasks difficult to accomplish. You can basically end up looking like this poor soul below:

AS of the upper spine and neck

I was diagnosed with AS rather by accident. Back in 2002 when I was serving on staff full time as an Assistant Pastor, my ankles started swelling up and hurting like you wouldn't believe. I went to all kinds of doctors, including a rheumatologist, and a podiatrist - but no one could figure out what was wrong with me. For years before then, I had been complaining of lower back pain, and pain in my hands, and no one was able to help me then either, but one night the pain was so bad I had Chris take me to the emergency room. While I was there, they took a chest x-ray, and sent me home with pain killers and prednisone. Well the next day, the ER called me back in saying they needed to see me immediately - that there was something very wrong with my x-ray. Needless to say, I was scared to death. When I got there, they told me I had Pulmanary Sarcoidosis - an auto-immune disease that shows up in extreme joint pain, and the growing of these things called granulomas which are hard little nodules. These granulomas can show up in major organs - mine are in my lungs, robbing me of real estate to exchange air - mostly lungs, liver, kidneys, and rarely your brain. Needless to say, it's bad stuff. Well, the doctor that they sent me to for treatment started digging into my history of back problems, joint problems etc. and ran a test for a genetic marker called HLA-B27 - and it came back that I also had AS. A double whammy - AS/PS... oof.

AS can also affect your lungs, heart and eyes. But most often times it focusses on your spine and major joints. Right now, I'm in a place where I'm having to be very mindful of my posture. The more I can sit up straight, stand straight with my shoulders back etc. the slower the disease will force me to be bent over. My hips, shoulders, knees, elbows and ankles are involved as well but to a lesser extent. I will likely start looking like this guy before long:

A very common AS posture

Typical symptoms of AS include:

  • Slow or gradual onset of back pain and stiffness over weeks or months, rather than hours or days.
  • Early-morning stiffness and pain, wearing off or reducing during the day with exercise.
  • Persistence for more than three months (as opposed to coming on in short attacks).
  • Feeling better after exercise and feeling worse after rest.
  • Weight loss, especially in the early stages.
  • Fatigue.
  • Feeling feverish and experiencing night sweats.
Right now, I walk with a cane because I find that if I don't have it, I don't have as good of balance because I'm not quite "centered." It's a pain. It's no fun. I have the potential to have surgery performed at a date and time when it gets so bad I can no longer stand up. I have to be careful as AS can also make you bones brittle and susceptible to breaking. A friend I keep in touch with on the web is completely bed ridden. He was riding in his father's pickup truck and his dad hit a pothole. The shock of it broke three vertibrae in his back. He lives in South Africa and doesn't have access to the kind of care I have here. I am blessed. But the surgery involves inserting screws and titanium rods in your back to force your spine to be straight. This is a before/after shot of a surgical patient with AS:

Surgical repair of AS

Another condition I am very susceptible to is iritis. Iritis is a serious inflammation of the colored part of your eye - the iris. It's normally just annoying, but it can eventually lead to permanent damage, and possilbly blindness. This is an image of a person with iritis:

Iritis - or inflammation of the colored part of your eye

Most people who know me know that I don't complain too much about my diseases. The combination of AS and PS is robbing me of my movement, and sapping me of my energy. It is no fun, and it hurts - period. I used to tell people I was "fine" and never let them know how I was really feeling, but now I'll usually say something to the effect that I'm not doing too well, or I'm feeling out of sorts... but I don't lie.

Fact of the matter is, I'm in pain 24/7. I know people who are much worse off than I am, so I usually don't play it up, or talk much about it. But there are days that I feel an almost desperation to escape this prison my body has become. There ARE days I feel sorry for myself. There are days that I wondery "WHY?" I get tired of explaining what's happening to me. I get tired of being looked at funny on the train. I get tired of having to explain to new employers why I'm slow getting around, or why I have to get up and move around, or why I am always taking pills. I'm sick of taking the small mountain of medications every single day. I'm tired of not being able to poop because of all of the narcotics. I am literally sick and tired of being sick and tired. AS/PS hurts. I hurt. There... I've done it. I've said how I feel sometimes.

Then, reality sets in. I have friends that are in so much pain every single day that in comparison, my pain looks like a mild headache. I realize that I am the way I am, and I can't change that... so I can live with it, or not. I am normally happy, and I don't tell people what's going on because, face it - no one really wants to know how you're really doing - do they? I see people who suffer from other things that make me look at my life in the context of their life, and I find myself praising God for all I have, all I can do, and all I am. There is a story of a healing in the bible that I just know is AS. In Luke 13:10-13 it tells the story of a woman who was "bent in two" for eighteen years... Jesus healed her. I know if that was God's will that he would heal me too... I've asked him, but so far, I still am blessed with AS/PS. I know that sometimes God chooses to heal our attitudes rather than our bodies. I know as I've written this that I sound bitter and as though I am complaining, but I'm not. Actually, I thank God for AS/PS. OF COURSE I'd rather not have it! But it has done some wonderful things for me. For one, I've slowed down and gotten to see life from the slow lane. In our busy day and age, we miss so much going on around us. Another thing it's done is giving me compassion and empathy for people who suffer. I know that sometimes just holding your hand means so much more than empty "christian platitudes" like, "just give it to God and believe for a healing..." again, not that it doesn't happen, but sometimes people just want to be loved and understood.

AS has changed my life. It has caused unbelievable stress in our lives, but it's also drawn Chris and I together. We don't take for granted the moments given to us. My kids have been wonderful to me, and have been SO helpful. And through it all, I've come to understand that while God choses what we go through, WE choose HOW we go through it. I can be the smell of death to those around me, or I can exude the sweet fragrance of love and acceptance to those in my life. I choose the later.

This is me... take it or leave it.

Monday, June 12, 2006

It's Our Anniversary... 9 + 14 = 23!

We've beat the National Average - TWICE!

On February 4, 1983 I married Chris. I was only 19 and Chris was 18. Looking back on it now, I think we were nuts! But, given the opportunity to do it all over again, I'd only marry Chris... I may wait a couple years, but ONLY Chris. We were married in Payson in Chris's parents house. Both of us head over heels in love with eachother. Eyes full of eachother and hearts overflowing with love. Just over a year later, we had Lindsay, and then it was off to the U.S. Air Force, and our world travels.

9 years and two kids later, we destroyed our marriage. How isn't important now, we both had a hand in it, but it was ugly. We ended up getting divorced and I left the U.S. for Iceland where I was going to be for a year. During that time Chris and I did what we needed to do to find love for eachother again. We basically hit the reset button and went back to being friends, talking and remembering why we loved eachother so very much. I really wish we had Instant Messenger back then. I averaged $3 -400 every month I was there on my phone bill! As we worked through our issues, we found out what good friends we are and started to repair the damage done. I came home from Iceland on my way to Scott AFB, Illinois, and got to spend 30 days at home with my kids and Chris. Chris and I decided to take a road trip to New Mexico to go see my sister, and while we were there Chris and I decided that we really did love eachother, and that we needed to be together for good. We came home from New Mexico and put together an absolutely wonderful wedding in two weeks. Chris was gorgeous, my kids looked great, and the Pastor who married us said exactly what we wanted. Taking communion as a family once we were married again was amazing.

June 12, 1992... 14 years ago today. We were married in Chris's sister Darian's back yard, and it was awesome. The statistics of second marriages to the same person are pretty grim - worse that the statistics for a second marriage to a stranger. The National average for marriages these days is only 6 years, and the divorce rate is nearing 60%. Well, it really is better the second time around, and our marriage is better than it ever was, and ever has been. While I was in Iceland I was serving a remote tour where Chris and the Kids couldn't have been there anyway, and the time we were seperated - just shy of six months, really don't count in our eyes because of the amazing amount of work we put into our relationship - so all totalled, we've been married for 23 years... but we've been together 24.

I certainly realize the amazing gift that Chris is in my life. The bible says that "a worthy wife is a crown for her husband." (Prov. 12:4) The way I understand that is a wonderful wife makes her husband look good, and in turn, the husband gets to present his bride to the world as a precious jewelled crown... something to be respected and admired. I've discovered that Chris finishes me and makes me look good all the time, and I am always proud to have her with me, beside me, and by my side. I love being with Chris. I don't think there are words enough to express how much I love my wife, and how beautiful she is to me. Every day it gets better and better, and every day I realize how fortunate I am to have her in my life. I would never have believed it, but 23 years has passed like only a few minutes - and I look forward to growing old with her. I am stunned when I think that my Mom and Dad made it this long and then called it quits. Chris's parents made it over 30 and walked away... I'm thankful we've done the walking away part already. I'm ready to spend every minute of my remaining life in the company of this wonderful woman.

Chris - I love you. The thought of going through my life without you scares me to death. There is no one I want to be with more than you. You are beautiful inside and out to me. You are all I desire, but certainly more than I deserve. I want to capture every moment, every memory, every touch, every heartbeat, and keep it in my heart. I want to be consumed in you.

Thank you for being my wife. Thank you for your love and tenderness. Thank you for putting me first, and making me feel so very important and especially so loved. Every day - every minute with you improves over the last. Twenty-three and counting... and my prayer is for long life and to enjoy every moment of it with you. Thank you for the best 23 years of my life.

I love you so very much. I am fortunate...VERY VERY fortunate!

This is me... take it or leave it.

Sunday, June 11, 2006

White Pines Slide Area - Family Recreation!

A few miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon there is a place called "White Pines Slide Area." It's a natural avalanche channel, so you can't stop there in winter, but the summer time is a different story entirely! A few months after we had moved into our house below the mouth of this canyon, we took a family ride and found this amazing play ground. A HUGE boulder field to climb on and enjoy. Some of these rocks are bigger than our house, and it's just a natural place to explore. It's not without danger though - that summer Zack slipped and cut his knee open badly on one of the sharp edges and we had to take him to the ER for a bunch of stitches - but that has never slowed him down.

Just a little part of the boulder field

This is part of Zack's an my summer. Andrew is always off and doing his thing, Linz is living her life, and Zack is still at home. We make it a point to go up the canyon together several times every summer to explore White Pines and beyond. Of course, in a place like this, your imagination simply goes wild. We have so much fun here. There is one GIANT rock in particular we call "Titanic" It looks like the prow of a ship and it truly is TITANIC! But, being that this place is so magical, it brings out the beast in you at times!

What is that thing lurking in the trees?

This day was so awesome. We just went to hang out in the rocks and afterwards to scout the river for a good piece of drift wood. A few years back Zack and I discovered this awesome weathered plank. It had been in the water for ages and was all rounded and smooth. We brought it home to Chris, and after it finally dried out, I drilled holes in it to mount Chris's antique door-knobs on it. The intent was to make a coat hanger, but we liked it so much that we put it in our bedroom and Chris's collection of antique beaded purses hangs on her collection of antique door-knobs! Anyway, to the point, Zack and I make it a habit to scour the river for another perfect plank. On this trip, we found an awesome one that we'll actually make into a coat hanger for our living room (unless Chris has other decorative ideas!).

If Zack looks happy, it's because we were!

This is one of our favorite rocks up there. We've taken many pictures of the kids in this exact spot. It is perfect for taking a nap, or taking pictures. It does give you an idea of how big some of these rocks are!

Resting on the ledge

Once we've exhausted ourselves on the rocks, we cross the road and roam the river bottoms. There are many natural dams there and many timber falls that make for a lot of fun. Some of the wood in those falls has been there for ages. A lot of mining and quarying used to take place up this canyon, so there are a lot of heavy timbers and boards imbedded in the falls. There are deep pools with small fish in them, and the sound is deafening in the spring.

Goofin' off in the river bottom

Half the fun of playing along the river is trying to find your way across it or into parts you've never been in. We've found some amazing things in this area. We came across a place where the water has been coming off a rock in one place for so long that it's carved a natural rock wash basin below it. It's awesome. The rocks in the bottom of the river have been tumbled so many times that they're very smooth. Whenever I go anywhere in the world, I bring back rocks to remind me of the trip. Well, Zack always makes it a point to select one from each trip we take to White Pines together. They have a special place of honor on my shelf... right next to the one from the top of Mt. Kilamanjaro and the ones from the bottom of Loch Ness.

Looking for a way across

As the years have passed and I've progressed with this disease, I've slowed down and can't climb like I used to. But the awesome thing is, Zack slows down, helps me over the rough spots, and always looks out for me. I love my times up the canyon with Zack. I wouldn't trade them for the world. We laugh, talk and tease the entire time. It's so much fun. The nice fresh air makes us both tired, and we come home from these day trips happy, fatigued, and looking forward to the next trip up the canyon. I wish every father had this much fun with their kids.

The look of a happy and content son

Zack and I are planning our excursions for this summer. We haven't been up yet this year, but we'll be going soon. Last year we discovered that there was a lake clear up at the top of this canyon - and this year we've vowed to eachother that we'll find it. And we will - of this I'm certain. These times with Zack are some of my fondest and most cherished memories. I hope he never out grows the desire to hang out with his old man.

This is me... take it or leave it.

Don't Mess Wi' Da Homie!

Lindsay had this hat... Dad couldn't resist... I popped it on my head and then took the next few minutes trying to get my fingers to stay in that position. Lindsay shows this pictures to their friends, who cannot believe that I'm her father. Little wonder huh?

YO! West Side!
(Or... I'll never get my fingers straight again!)

That is one of the best things about my family, we're all nuts. We have so much fun together and simply enjoy eachother's company. For example, the other day the power was out for most of the day. Linz and I sat down and played Dominos with eachother (I dominated 2-1), and then we played Cribbage, Linz SKUNKED me on the first game, and came very close to beating me on the second game. But during the game-play, we talked. Just talked. And laughed. I hope our kids remember these times with the fondness I have for them. As a parent, it's good to let your hair down once in a while. It won't hurt you to be goofy, and it won't tarnish your reputation to live on the edge for your kids benefit. I wouldn't trade the times I've had with my family for love or money. They've been awesome. When I die, I hope and pray my kids will have wonderful memories to buoy them through the grief. I wish I had made more with my dad... So, I'm making sure my kids have a lot with me.

This is me... take it or leave it.

Me and Lisa - My little sister

If you've read my blog, you've read how as children the state took custody of all of us kids when our parents abandoned us, and how we were all adopted out to different families? Well, Lisa was adopted by the Larsons up in Heber. She was the last of the birth siblings that we found. Lisa and I are very close, and we have a lot of fun together when we see eachother. She lives in St. George though, so we don't get to see eachother as much as we'd like. Thank God for IM and for email though. If we were limited to phone calls only, we'd be more broke than we are!

This picture was taken in January when Mark and Lisa drove all the way from St. George to come to my father's funeral. Mark ended up going back home and left Lisa to play for a couple of days. We're goofy when we get together - as you can see here (that's Drew, Son of Blackbeard, in the background!):

This is what inbreeding does!

Actually, Lisa and I joke around alot about how if'n we wern't married to our spouses, we'd ruin eachother for any other man/woman... As I write that out, it makes me realize that it's a little creepy to be saying that to your sister! Oh well... we've always been very close. Lisa is by far, the most Christ-like woman I've ever known. We aren't the same faith (or religion if you prefer), but she has shown me over and over again what it means to love unconditionally. I haven't been so great in returning that gesture, but I'm working on it. Lisa is the glue that keeps our sibling family together. She is the only one that keeps in contact with each of us. If we want to know about the other brothers and sisters, you can always count on Lisa having the latest scoop. She is a peace-maker and a healer. She is incredibly important in my life.

I look like this now... I shaved my head yesterday.

This picture was taken when we went to St. George for a visit with Mark and Lisa. I think it's pretty obvious how much we love eachother. When I grow up, I want to be able to love unconditionally like Lisa does. I'd like to be able to shine Jesus like she does. She's been a good example to me.

The best hugs in the world.

Lisa, if you're reading this, I hope you know that nothing will ever come between us again. You've shown me again that patience and love and above all consistency, will win the world's heart... you certainly have won mine.

This is me... take it or leave it.

The Lickalottapuss... very rare species!

The fastest tongue in the West!


"Hmmm, I see treats for me in your future!"

We're trying to get Simon to mellow out on the one thing he does that gets old really fast, and that's how he is constantly licking! Not himself - per se - but the blankets, the couch, whatever... weird huh? He also likes to dart into your face really fast to steal a kiss. If you don't know him it can feel pretty scary. But I've discovered that if you let him lick you until HE'S content, then he mellows out. Some people can't take that much kissing, but I love it.

Chris is absolutely convinced that his feet are "boob radar" guided! Every time he jumps up on her he manages to step right on her boobs... and this little boy is ROCK SOLID HEAVY. He is one of the most "dense" dogs I've ever lifted. So, when his little paw, backed by the bulk of his body connects, you know it. We're also working on that too!

He was a neurotic little dog when we got him, but he's changed a lot since then for the better. He still has a way to go... but I love him.

This is me... take it or leave it.

One of the reasons I love him so...

I couldn't resist... I know I talk alot about Simon here... but you have to understand - he is like no other dog I've ever known. This little guy can read my mind it seems!

Simon doing his "Palm Reading" trick

I got the camera out yesterday and was trying to get a picture of Simon with his ears up. For some reason, it seems like his ears are always laid back... even when he's totally happy. Of course, he'll pop 'em up if he hears something, or if he's trying to get me to give him a treat, but most of the time, they're just down. Well, I took a ton of pictures of him yesterday, and this is one of the very cutest. He really does look like he's trying to understand what's going on with all those lines on my hand!

Simon seems happiest when he is in contact with me. If I lie down, he's right there, and leaning against me. If I'm sitting somewhere (as I am at my computer right now), he will sit where he's touching me. He's between my feet on the floor with his head on my foot. When my AS flares up and I'm not feeling well, it's as though he can sense that, and he comes and will not leave my side. Terrapin (our female Boxer) will do the same thing, but Simon stays very close to me. He won't even get up to go outside... he has to be picked up to go potty. I've never connected with a dog like this before. I'm so very grateful he's in my life. And, when you look at him, you can see part of the reason why... he's just damn cute!

This is me... take it or leave it.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

The Lighter Side of Love

There have been several times in my life when I have made my wife angry... and there have been plenty of times when she's returned the favor! But over all, Chris and I are very good to eachother. We make it a point to hug and kiss in front of the kids - actually, we always have. We don't let them ever wonder if we love eachother. But with that, comes those times when you also have to let it all hang out, and your kids find out there is a little fire in the belly still.

When a person - or me for instance - gets too shutter happy, it can become annoying. During Christmas I was having a little too much fun trying to get pictures of Chris. She finally looked at me and said, "OK, you want a picture of me? Shoot THIS!!" and shot me the bird... Well, as they say, timing is everything, and I was able to immortalize Chris's love for me!

If you look closely though, you can see the smile on her lips and the love in her eyes. Chris and I love hard, and we fight hard, but we always know that at the end of the day, being with eachother is what matters most - bird or no bird.

So, don't take this picture personally, I didn't.


"OK, you want a picture of me? Shoot THIS!!"

This is me... take it or leave it.

The Death of MY Favorite Tree

Once upon a time, there was a tree. It was a big, beautiful tree, and many birds and small animals called it home. Then, into the neighborhood moved a woman who did not like the tree - even though the tree did nothing to her! The man with her loved the tree and cherished the beauty of this majestic blue spruce. Then one day, when the man was at work, evil was afoot...

Zack begins the slow execution

Chris has hated this tree from the moment we moved into this house. I on the other hand, have loved it. She has said over and over again how she was going to get rid of it, and one day, while I was at work, she began the evil and underhanded execution of this beautiful tree. I used to love being able to tell people to look for our house saying, "You can't miss it, it's got a HUGE pine tree in the front yard." But now... well, more on that in a minute.

The death of the tree began methodically, and purposefully. Zack was instructed to climb up the trunk and decapitate this noble specimen. You can see from the picture above, and the one below, Zack took an unusual pleasure in this gruesome task.

Zack laughing while sitting on the still sapping trunk

By the time this picture was taken, Zack had alread cut a good 10 feet off the top of the tree. And you can still see how much there was left to go.

It's a LONG way down!

The once innocent face of my son has been transformed into the ghoul-like grin of an executioner... The tree is dying, and he insists on smiling through it's pain!

Can you see the evil glint in his eye?

Then, to my horror, the local peasants revolted and joined in the demise of this stately tree! While I watched, the neighbors showed up with chainsaws and evil in their hearts! It seemed as though there would be no saving this fine specimen of spruceness.

The drawing and quartering... have you no shame?

Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, yet ANOTHER neighbor showed up with a back-hoe and began his dasterdly deed of getting at the roots of the problem.

Talk about getting your legs cut out from under you!

Our neighbor Art showed up with a back-hoe to expedite the death. There just seemed to be no end to the wickedness of this neighborhood. As I watched in horror from the plate-glass windows, they struck the noble tree down.

The roots take a beating... thus the end began...

Everyone seemed so eager to see my tree disposed of. My cries of mercy went virtually unheaded. They likely couldn't be heard over the maniacal cackling of the evil mistress intent on destroying the object of my affection. What had I, let alone the tree, done to deserve such disregard?

Enter the second executioner...

It wasn't bad enough that they were cutting off the trees limbs right in front of God, King, Country, and neighborhood children, but they had to inflict the final humiliation of a public hanging. The second executioner prepared the noose as I choked back the sobs and my tears fell like rain.

"Any last words? Would you like a hood?"

The second executioner cinched the rope tight and asked if my tree had any last words, did he want a cigarette? Maybe a hood? Of course by this time the tree was in such shock that the only sound it made was an embittered and mournful sigh.

The end begins... the bloody bloody end!

As the back-hoe pulled, the stately tree resisted with all it had left. Sadly, it wasn't much, and it gave in to the relentless pressure of the noose, and the wishes of the dark queeen... who watched, with smug satisfaction on her features from the sidelines.

The ignoble end

The dirty and dastardly deed accomplished, the lifeless corpse of the noble tree was unceremoniously thrown to the curb. The cheers and cries of the evil peasantry and the maniacal cackle of the dark queen filled the air as the torn and shattered corpse was dumped in the gutter. Was I the only one who felt for this poor creature? Was I the only one in my neighborhood with a heart? Was I the only one with a sense of the cruelty and evil that had been carried out? One voice. Crying out. One unheard voice. One IGNORED voice.

The tree's final resting place... alone among it's limbs

The peasants gathered to look at it's shattered hulk and smiled. WHY! WHY? Why was it that I was the ONLY person who had loved the great blue spruce? Was there no ally? Was there no help? It had been done. The vile execution had been accomplished. The worst part of it all? The evil queen's primary henchman took the time to dance on the grave of this once noble, living creature. Where is the justice? Where is the help in time of need?

Celebrating on the grave... is there no shame?

I wonder who is next? I wonder when the evil queen and the vile peasants who blindly follow her will strike next? Is there ANY tree safe as long as she rules this land? I'm still bitter about it. But what can one man do against the plans and schemes of a determined woman? Especially when that woman is his wife? Woe is me.

This is me... take it or leave it.