Keeping me young

I have two new things in my life now that are trying to keep me young or maybe a little more patient: Teaching primary and starting back into competitive swimming. I'm discovering that both of those activities are for the young of body and heart.

I have the 7 years olds, so it is before the age of accountability and they take full advantage of their upcoming free baptisimal pass to remove their sins. Trying to get them to listen for even a few sentences is like keeping Austin and Don from talking about burps and farts at the dinner table. We are together during the last hour and they are wired by that time. I even had them doing jumping jacks and push ups to burn through some of their energy. The only time I can get them to listen and be quiet is when I tell them an animated story or pass out candy. I'm exhausted when class is over with but I'm excited for their baptism - then they'll be responsible for their actions and will behave so much better......yeah!

Since we don't live in Highlands Ranch anymore I don't get to go play racquetball with the guys anymore and have joined the Parker Masters Swim Team. getting in the pool at 5:45 on cold winter mornings is simply painful and then trying to keep up with a few of the younger swimmers really humbles me. But if Janet Evans can qualify for the Olympic Trials in the 800 M Free at 42 I can at least do a few swim practices. It hurts all day and tests my heart but with my SwimP3 player I actually enjoying getting into the water. It keeps me young.....right?

New Year's Resolutions

I will write my blog with comments and pictures like I did
before. I was feeling a little
disconnected from the family and I would like to capture some of the missing
magic.

Last weekend we were in Gilbert, AZ for Austin’s baby
blessing and had a blast. It was one of
the greatest joys of my life to sit down and talk with Don about giving
blessings and listening to the spirit.

It brought up all the keen feelings of being a father and all the hopes
and dreams you have for your kids. To
catch an insightful glimpse of their potential and the sheer joy that a life
well lived can produce. There are few
things as sweet as being surrounded by loved ones collectively calling upon
heaven’s blessings for a new born infant.
It was the highlight of the trip.
While in AZ mom and I found a new property to buy, decided
to sell our existing duplex, played Scatagories, cheered on the Broncos as they
beat Pittsburg, stayed up late and went out to dinner. We also spent some time with a missionary who
had lived with us named Mike Naylor. His
family had horses and while I played Naylor in racquetball mom went for a wild
ride and a frisky horse named Blackie.
It must have been very wild because she swore off horse for a while and
is having problems with her back. AZ is
so nice in the winter; it was 80 degrees out as we had a picnic lunch with the
Naylor family.
While we were in AZ a bunny got into our garage and left
many small black reminders of why we don’t have any more pets. I saved the dead bunny’s body to show the
grand kids. It died with soft fur and a
smile on its face.