New perspective

Barrett and I were having a good talk when he was explaining something to me and had mentioned how somebody had gone with us to the pioneer trek. i was telling him that it didn't count because that person said they would never want to go back. Barrett interrupted me saying, "I never want to go back. That was a one time pioneer experience! The real pioneers don't want to go back and experience it again either." It made me laugh because I am sure the Willy and Martin handcart companies wouldn't go back again. i guess he proved his point!

I am thankful for. . . Aunt Tara!

Before I even begin I just want to say that I hope I don't get in trouble for using this picture. It is just perfect though! Tara Lytle aka Aunt Tara isn't really my aunt but I used to always joke that she was my mom's lost sister. The two of them are just crazy together. Tara started off as Tara Lytle, my mom's friend and then she became Sis. Lytle my Young Women's leader, then it changed to Sis. Favorite my Young Women's leader and then it changed again and stayed Aunt Tara. She has been with me for quite awhile as you can tell and I have been so blessed to have her in my life. As my young women's leader she taught me many things and showed me many as well (due to polka dot pajamas pants sthat were too big) haha. I love Tara! She is always smiling and has such a cute laughter that is so unique. She shares a love for scrapbooking and I love visiting with her on our all nighters. She will call just to see how I am doing and to let me know I am loved. She will laugh and she will cry with me and she is just wonderful. I am especially thankful for her this last week because I have been having a tough time the last year, but especially the last two months. I really feel like I am wearing down and have even been told that I am wearing myself down by many people. Well one Saturday I was in tears and thinking I wish I could just talk to somebody who would understand. I thought at the time that my parents and family were too close to any situation and so I wasn't going to them. That next day I bolted from the meeting in tears and headed down the hall. An arm wrapped around me, scaring me and I turned to see Tara right beside me. She said, "You me in the bathroom now." Haha. We came in and she was handing me kleenex and saying, "honey spill your guts." I did, even while Tara glared at the people who had the nerve to enter the bathroom, and even after she shoved me into one of the stalls and locked us both in. She was definitely in tune and afterwards I was so grateful as there wasn't a person who could have understood better what I was going through. Thank you so much Tara for taking the time to "potty train" me that day. Thanks for your advice, your comfort and your support and just for all you did for me in lettiing me breakdown to you. You are so awesome and just part of the family and I appreciate everything! Love ya!

Bubble gum bubble gum in a dish

Jake is a fan of gumballs. He bought this giant one and we had to take pictures. It was huge. By the time I was able to blow a bubble my jaw was sore.

Sleeping in a bed!

My room is finally done! After sleeping on a couch for about a year I get to sleep in my own bed tonight! Hooray! I absolutely love my room! Thank you Mom and Dad it looks amazing!
This is the quilt currently on my bed. It is my graduation quilt Mom made me and it is the first time it has been on a bed. I have been too nervous especially with all the white fabric. I love the quilt but white gets dirty very quickly. Mom came to look at it and laid on my bed, well Little Miss Danika thought she should go to bed too so she also jumped on the bed!
This pic is for Jake. I was telling him about my new sheet set that I bought. I got it at a really good deal and it is the softest cotton. I really like the colors.



I obviously haven't had a chance to hang anything on the walls, but my stuff is moved in. I am so happy to have it done! It is perfect!

simple things of joy

I had asked Holly what shoes she wanted us to wear with our bridesmaid dresses. She said she was easy going but wanted them to be WHITE and FLAT. She described a ballet flat. Well I ordered these shoes and they came in this weekend. Our dresses are a baby pink color.
This picture makes me laugh. I was definitely blessed with Dad's massive veins, both in my hands and my feet. I took this picture so you could see the detail of the shoe, but I can't believe how veiny my feet are. Crazy.
As you can see they are definitely flat. NO heels.
Today during church I was pleased because my legs were as dark as Mom's were with nylons on. I showed Barrett who said, "You are tan! That is the first time ever!" Haha. Oh well.

Happy Father's Day

This year really makes me smile, especially if you know my Dad. Dad always gives us grief with his pity pool of how “Nobody remembers me or my birthday, I always get ripped off on the holidays. I am lucky if I even get acknowledged.” We usually tune it out or roll our eyes. A couple months ago Mom responded, “Oh Honey what day is Father’s Day this year?. . . and what day is your birthday?. . . Talk about getting ripped off.” They are the same day this year! P.S. The following photos are all ones Dad has taken of himself. If you leave anything that has a camera and memory on it, in the open you will find either pictures of the photographer himself or videos. Haha

I have to say that I am extremely grateful for my Dad. He is just amazing! Throughout the years I feel bad because I think sometimes I don’t always show my gratitude nor my appreciation for my dad. My Dad has always been my protector and my teacher. I loved when I got asked out by somebody that scared me, to respond with a, “You will have to ask my dad.” They obviously got the hint because the response was, “Yeah right. Your dad will say no way.” I remember my dad telling me that at anytime I could get out of a date, etc by simply saying, “My Dad won’t let me.” There usually wasn’t any questions after that. Haha. When I was in trouble I knew Dad could always help me, even now I will go to him, usually with an attitude, with questions with insurance, etc. Dad impresses me because he always has a plan, especially with money. He prepares for those rainy days and tries to teach us to do the same.

He has taught me so much:

EDUCATION—Even if it is through competing with grades or hearing who made the Dean’s list again this semester Dad has made it very clear that a continuing education is important for everybody. He has also taught me that it is never too late to follow your dreams and to always continue to make goals. I am very proud of him. We have had a good time while Dad has been at school. I got a B in my math class and Dad got an A. He was rubbing it in my face. I replied that the difference was that mine was “calculus and matrices, not plus and minus.” He made me laugh with his response, “In college we call it addition and subtraction, it is arithmetics.” Haha.

KINDNESS—Dad can sometimes look like a bully to most people, but I usually describe him as having a heart of gold. He has given me so many examples of patience and kindness. He was always willing to serve those around him. One of my earliest memories with Dad, must have been when I was around four if that because the dress I wore was very tiny. Anyway I remember him rolling up my little tights and letting me hold on to his knee to balance myself as he helped me put my white colored tights on before church. Dad bought us a poster that said, “It is nice to be important but it is more important to be nice.” I still remember when he brought it home and explained what it meant. The more I have grown the more I have realized the truth of that saying. It is one that I hope to carry on to my children. I also remember when I was in primary at church. Dad took Barrett and me with him and guided us to our class. As we came down the hall he greeted those around him and I remember one incident where Barrett made a comment to Dad that one of the bigger guys stunk. Dad must have been embarrassed but he explained to us that sometimes people that are bigger can’t clean themselves very well, but that we need to be nice to them too. Dad was always kind to those around him and it stuck with me.

WORK—During the summers we knew there would be a list of things for us to do around the house. It didn’t matter how much we hated it, it had to be done and we learned that the sooner we got it done the better it would be. We also learned if our assignments weren’t done that we would have some consequences. We learned to work together as a family and to work in general. As much as I might have hated our remodeling projects, or our candy boxes or whatever the event may be, I am so grateful for those experiences because it brought our family close together as well as taught us to work.

TESTIMONY—Through watching my Dad I came to know the importance of having my own testimony of the gospel, but to learn it for myself. I was always impressed by Dad’s willingness to answer questions, but also his pride in his beliefs. He was never embarrassed, ashamed, nor shy about teaching the gospel. I decided that I wanted that for myself and decided to gain my own testimony and it is something I have never regretted, instead it is something I will always cherish. I know what I believe in and as a result I am also not ashamed nor embarrassed to share it with those around me. I also got a kick at how well Dad knew his scriptures. He taught me that scripture study wasn’t something to dread, but rather something to enjoy over and over again. He would do his research of the facts, but also have fun with it. I remember one morning when Barrett toasted the whole loaf of bread and stacked it on his plate for his breakfast. Dad saw it and asked Barrett, “Have you not read the scripture ‘Man cannot live on bread alone.’” It was perfect timing. Dad taught me many things through example and especially with the church. I learned the importance of serving in the callings you receive and the importance of the priesthood. I am very lucky to say that anytime I needed a blessing I knew I could always ask Dad and he would be worthy and willing enough to give me one.

MUSIC—If you know my Dad, then you know he has an incredible voice. I sometimes wish I could record it so that my descendants will know it and appreciate it like we do. Dad has a beautiful voice and he can sing. I remember Mom having a recording of a song Dad sang. At the time Dad was a truck driver and would be gone for periods of time. I remember coming into their room to listen to Dad’s singing. He has a confidence when he sings that I am jealous of. He can sing with such ease and if he has any nerves, well you can’t really tell. He brought music into our home and helped me to understand the importance and enjoyment of music, of all genres and decades. I also remember dancing with Dad when I was younger. We used to have Daddy daughter dances when I was in primary. I remember the dance when I was eleven. Dad canceled dinner with some work people so he could come with me. Haha I even remember him telling me not to let go as he swung me over his back, I let go and fell to the ground. After that incident three other dads dropped their daughters. I also was lucky to have my parents at the youth dances. They were a lot of fun with Dad’s chicken dance, but I always thought it was so neat to watch the two of them dance together. I really love my parents.

LAUGHTER—Dad has a quick wit and is the sarcasm king. He can sometimes push buttons, but he is funny. He showed our family the importance of a sense of humor. We always tease eachother and if you step foot in our house you are fair game to Dad. Sunday dinners are usually pretty entertaining. On the way home from church Benny and I were laughing as we were reminescing some of the “stupid lectures” we received growing up. I said how they were so dumb but I could see myself repeating them to my children:

We would complain about having to work when we were out of school. Dad would respond, “This is not summer vacation, it is a break.”

No tv til after 5PM on Sundays (unless of course we are celebrating East coast time, which is only celebrated during the Tour de France-imagine that.)

Dad would tell me to do something and I would automatically say, “I know.” He would go on, “I know that you know that I know that you know that I know that you know that. . . “

Saying no with an attitude so it was, “NO uh!” Dad would respond, “Noah built a boat!”

Saying well with an attitude, it was “Wul!” Dad would respond, “Wool is for sheep.”

Dad = alarm clock. Always appreciated! I think some of the best times was Dad taking us to school and seminary. I never remember hearing him complaining about taking us to seminary, but I am sure he was tired.

I remember one time when Benny was a baby and I was going into my room. I was upset because I couldn’t find my pink panther. It was a stuffed animal of the pink panther cartoon. Mom suggested I look downstairs. When I came back upstairs I was empty handed and Mom said she would look for it, but that I could crawl into bed. TO THIS DAY I do not know how I missed the BUMP IN MY BED, but I pulled back the covers to find Dad in my bed and he scared me so bad that I cried and went downstairs. Mom came and comforted me, even though she was part of it, and helped me find my pink panther and get back to bed.

I also remember watching Arachnaphobia with the family. All I remember was this part where the spider is in the tent crawling up this guys chest. Dad was sitting behind me and he grabbed my shoulders and screamed, scaring me and making me cry. Haha.

Benjamin thought he was so funny when he was probably one or two. He had the spray bottle and he would spray Dad with it. The funny thing was that Dad had turned the top so when Benjamin squeezed the “trigger” he would spray himself in the face. Dad would act like his breath was taken away (like he got sprayed) and Benjamin would laugh and laugh even though he was the one dripping wet! Parents are EVIL!

Barrett and Dad decided to have a shocking contest with Weasel’s dog collar. Barrett took odd numbers, while Dad had even numbers. Lets just say that Dad had the controller the entire time and he is a good actor.

FAMILY---Dad always emphasized the importance of family. He always made sure we were trying to treat eachother well. If I had to pick two things that I think Dad tried to teach us was to be unified and to love eachother. He always tried to bring us closer as a family. If we were mean to eachother we had to apologize and then give eachother a hug or a kiss. It usually made us laugh so then the tension was gone. I have to say he did a good job. We have had some obstacles, but even as I look at them i have to say I am very proud of my parents because we still have family dinners, we still know we are loved, and my brothers and I are close and we talk. That alone is something to be proud of. He has set a great example of how a husband should treat his wife and I have made note of many things. He has also been a great provider for all of us. He has made a home that has always had the things we needed as well as fun things. I know he has made several sacrifices to provide for us and I appreciate it.

Even though I am the only girl, I was never the stereotypical daddy’s girl. I actually feel bad for Dad because I think sometimes he gets to see the worst of me. I sometimes feel like he is getting after me, when he should know better that my goals will be fulfilled, or sometimes I wonder if he thinks I am really irresponsible or incapable of doing things on my own, he is somebody I don’t want to let down so I take it to heart sometimes, but I have to remind myself that he is getting after me with intentions of trying to help me to be successful and happy. I used to think that Dad and I had nothing in common except our curls (which I absolutely love), but I have since learned that I am more like my dad than I realized and I am okay with that. I love my Dad and know there isn’t a better one out there for me. I do not give him enough credit but he has shaped my life and impressed me enough to make me the person I am today through the things he has taught, by action or word. He is an incredible person and the best Dad! I love you Dad!

Jake's nephew

Congrats to Danny and Tammy on their baby boy Karsin james. He was born June 15 at 3:15AM and weighed 8 pounds 8 ounces