Our lives begin and end with family. Don't know what on earth I would do without them.

L-R: Kenz, Daddy-O, Mamason, Brett, Elder Thompson, Beauman & Morgan
All of us + Kalen. 2014

We were all together that day for Kalen's farewell. Over the last two years, dynamics have changed at our house. 

Makenzie got remarried. 

Kevin is a great guy and they are happy.

And they have a dog named Maggie.

Love birds, Kenz & Kevin

Hoo-rah! My Marine with his Army vet grandparents.

  Beau joined the Marines and   right now is stationed in  Okinawa, Japan. The time  there right now is 5:58 a.m.

Can't believe she is leaving soon, sniff, sniff.

Morgan graduated in May. She is working two jobs, saving her money for her adventure this fall. She is going to Romania to work at an orphanage with the ILP program. 

Jeff, Brett and I will keep on, keeping on. Jeff still works at Lee's, I still work at KHS, I think, and will be taking classes at BYUI and Brett will be in his last year of middle school, keeping us busy with football, basketball, track, baseball and his Eagle project.

Cancer

My dad is a great man. Today he has a bone scan test to see if his prostate cancer has spread to any other places in his body. It could mean surgery, it could mean chemo. He told me if things aren't good he is just going to let nature take its ugly course. He is only 74. In my opinion, way too far young to leave this earthly existence. I am grateful that we have been sealed together as an eternal family. I know that whatever happens I will be able to see my loved ones again someday. Because of Jesus Christ and His atonement, I can repent and live more worthily.

What can we handle?

Waiting patiently for the hospital to call my parents to schedule my dad's bone scan. He is extra grumpy to work with these days. Mom is frustrated. I am frustrated.

Battling mental issues

A wonderful and informative video by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the 12 Apostles. Please watch.
https://youtu.be/kNAx2Rgq-uI

https://youtu.be/dGu5VqLR4Bc

An awesome video.

North Carolina..family time

North Carolina was pretty perfect. The weather was awesome, with the exception of Tropical Storm Colin looming around. We went to the zoo, played in the pool, watched some baseball and relaxed. The Blue Ridge Parkway has miles of heavenly beauty to behold. Driving through the dense forest with the window rolled down, smelling the blooming flowers, is a way I could spend every day. Brett had fun with Cameron, a cousin he had lost touch with. Riding their bikes down the greenway dodging walkers and turtles, was a fun way to spend a couple of hours. Jeff and Brett really enjoyed the beach. They rode the currents and waves waiting for the "big one" to come again. I could get used to a place like that 24/7. Just sayin...

Heavenly Father loves you...

What are your feelings about marriage?

What are your feelings about marriage? Our society has made it out as a trivial matter. Divorce is prevalent all around us. How can we support the sanctity of the family?
Wikipedia defines marriage as:
 Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a socially or ritually recognized union or legal contract between spouses that establishes rights and obligations between them, between them and their children, and between them and their in-laws,^[1] as well as society in general. The definition of marriage varies according to different cultures, but it is principally an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually sexual, are acknowledged. In some cultures, marriage is recommended or considered to be compulsory before pursuing any sexual activity. When defined broadly, marriage is considered a cultural universal.
                

Women vs. Men???

https://youtu.be/l70e1TfN34w

A happy marriage is....

I think it's a little of all 3.

The family

I am in an Institute class this semester and we are specifically studying the document; The Family: A Proclamation to the World. My project for the class is keeping a family/marriage blog. Since I already had one in place, I thought I would just add to it. Have a great Friday!

The Family: A Proclamation to the World.