OK...I am now super motivated to blog more often - I recently found out that there is a company that will print your blog into a BOOK - how cool is that!!! Since I am worthless at writing in my journal and I try with scrapbooking, but just haven't kept it up like I should - the butler blog will hopefully become the family journal or personal history - bound and everything. Isn't that GREAT!!!


Second, I finally did it! I buzzed Jack's hair off. I've been wanting to do it for a few weeks now because he is always walking around with crazy, fuzzy hair from his car seat, the bed, the couch, his chair, the stroller, etc. As much as I love his cute hair, I just had to do it. So...here he is!

Top Five Moments

These are my top five greatest moments from yesterday:

(for those of you not in our family, we attended my nephew's baptism yesterday--he was the first on the Butler side of the family)

1. The applause for Granny's brisquette. (a side note--this surely would have been superceded by the facial expression of the airline employee when he saw the meat go through the metal detector...if we were there...if we only could have been there)

2. Christy telling Justin he needed to be baptized to wash away his sins after he wouldn't go to bed and was shooting people with his rubber band gun.

3. Justin's reaction to getting his new set of scriptures. "The Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, The Pearl of Great Price...all the golden plates, right there!"

4. Pom Pom's noise from the pulpit--and after he started getting emotional how 25 heads in the chapel went down simultaneously. (Pom Pom gave a great talk! I thought it was cool that Suz and G were both baptized on this same day. We could add here as a side moment that Pom Pom announced how many years ago it was that G got baptized and he didn't even get in trouble...this was a special day).

5. Generations of faith all in one room. I heard Pom Pom say to Justin, "This day is one of the greatest moments of my life." There was something special about that.

Although baptisms happen all the time and this wasn't the first one for any of us, it was neat to ponder about what went on today as I drove home from Christy and Brian's house. (The radio in the car is broken...so I had to think instead). In that room, Brian opened the door to the Celestial Kingdom for Justin as he performed that saving ordinance. In that room, we stood in a circle around him and laid hands on his head and bestowed the gift of the Holy Ghost, a member of the Godhead to remain with him. I thought for a minute about the home and situation Justin will grow up in as I thought about our family in that room. Faithful holders of the Melchizedek Priesthood surrounded him in that room. I thought how neat it would have seemed from the outside looking in. No right minded person would ever try and penetrate that circle and do harm to Justin. He was surrounded and protected. In a very real way, he is surrounded and protected on every side by faithful parents, grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and all other members of family. Mostly, he is protected by covenants. Covenants he made today, that if he keeps them, and continues to win this battle, will always give him stength. That is powerful. We are glad we were a part of that today.

IKEA

After a week of Jenny singing the word, "IKEA" to the tune of ("Aida!"--New York people from 3 years ago will know how that sounds), we made the plunge and went to the famous blue and yellow Swedish (girdi girdi) furniture playland. We had a ball!! We loved it!! It was pretty crowded when we went, but we still thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. If you have never been, you walk around browsing different rooms that are all set up. The place is gigantic. I swore it would never end. Everything in all the "rooms" and "kitchens" and "bathrooms" all have tags so that while you are browsing you can write down the code for it and pick it up in the big warehouse after you are done. It is fun! After we were almost done looking around we stopped and ate at their cafeteria inside. It was pretty cheap and really good food! We were so giddy--we loved it! Costco is still my first love, but Ikea moved up my list pretty quickly!

This is Jack coming through the door that goes into Kids Ikea. (We didn't use it, but they have a place where you can drop off your kids to play while you shop with FREE babysitters!)

They have a bunch of these wooden toys for kids. This one Jackson wheeled around the whole store, and put it away with the classic, "Maybe you can get it for your birthday" :) He called it his mow.

We didn't come away empty handed either! This is Jack eating his "break" with his new spoons and bowls. They came in a set of 5 or 6 different color bowls and spoons and forks etc. He has to eat from several different colors with the corresponding spoons. He even slept with his spoons last night.
This was our big purchase. We bought these organizing shelves that we put in the dining room for all of Jenny's sewing and scrapbook stuff. We bought them thinking one day they might go in a kids room, and Jenny is going to use them to display her frames at the Boutique in June. Ikea sells baskets and organzing things to go inside the shelves, so we bought some of those too.

the grass is always greener

So, the other day I was reading the Rawlberry Patch blog and told Jenny that they were my heroes; they always seem to be doing the funnest things. Today I talked with one of my buddies who frequents my blog :) and he made a comment about how we always seem to be doing fun things. I said, really? I wonder if he had similar thoughts that I had about others. Is this making sense? I've decided not to fall victim to this common pitfall of envying something someone else has. This temptation seems to date back to the beginning. (If you have never read Michael Wilcox's, "Don't Leap with the Sheep" you should--this is where I read this idea). God told Adam and Eve that they could freely eat of every tree of the garden, except for one. When the snake shows up, his first approach is to remind Eve that she was told she could not eat of this tree. He focuses her on what she couldn't have, rather than the Father's approach that she had so many options. I caught myself looking at what I wasn't doing, rather than all the cool things that I am. Thinking this way (the right way) helps me live with more grattitude. However, I still want to plan and do more exciting things! Maybe this makes no sense to anyone else, but I'm glad I was taught this today for me.

once in a...

So...as many of you know tonight (or last night depending on when you read this) was a blue moon. This happens once every 2 to 3 years when there are two full moons in the same month. Many of you are beginning to wonder why this is blog worthy. Maybe its not. So there! But, I was just reminiscing about the last blue moon and it was when we were in Hawaii. We hung out in town with Maria, one of our best buds from out there. We lived with her in that rad house on the beach. We sure miss Hawaii some times, and that is the reason for a post on a moon. We made some amazing friends out there and life was really good, so we have fond memories of that short stage of life. If the truth be known--we would love to get back out to Hawaii some day to live...but that won't be news to anyone reading this. It must be stated though, cause Jenny always says a goal not written is just a wish. Happy blue moon to everyone. Oh, for posterity's sake--for this blue moon we put the boys to bed, Jenny worked on some frames, and I typed about the blue moon. Hopefully in December 2009 we will be doing something a little more exciting--hey, it might be on New Years Eve--cool! At least we'll all get a kiss to celebrate. Hoody hoo!

Over the river and through the woods

Well, this marks the end of the first camping trip of the summer. We are proud to report that Jenny and I not only enjoyed it, but so did the boys! Both of them slept great and had fun times on all the hikes and different adventures. Our trip was down to Bryce Canyon area witha quick stop to the historic Cove Fort on the way (this is where President Hinckley's grandfather was sent by Brigham Young to build a fort for protection and as a halfway point between Salt Lake and St. George). We bought the new tent from Costco this year and tried her out for the first time this weekend. We LOVE it! It is quite a lot bigger than our last tent, so it took a little more effort to set up, but we had our air mattress, a makeshift bed for Jack, the Pack-n-Play and all our gear and luggage and only used about half of the space in it. This made sleeping really pleasant. It also gave Chunky a place to crawl around out of the dirt and rocks. Every five minutes we were pulling a rock out of Christian's mouth. We got to the point where we gave him big rocks he couldn't swallow and mellowed out on him eating a little dirt--as long as he didn't put the rabbit pellets in his mouth! He was at a hard age for a campground in the red rock terrain of southern Utah. Jackson really liked running along the trails and throwing rocks in the rivers and I think Chunks had a great experience his first time camping. Hopefully that will carry over into future trips. So...nothing too exciting on the trip, just some good times and great memories. My favorite you ask? Crossing the river a couple of times to get to this waterfall we hiked to. In the pictures it looks like give said the little stream, but with Chunky on my back throwing off my balance a little, the fast moving current and rocky riverbed were a little more challenging. Super fun! Enjoy the montage...

School's Out for Summer...

Well, this is a good group of people I work with...I will miss them terribly when I move on to Provo High School starting next week. I went and visited Provo High and dropped off some of my things. It will be good, and I am excited to start something new. The teachers I met were awesome, and it is always cool to have a fresh start somewhere. AND I will still see these teachers my whole career because there are not that many teachers in CES, but it is hard to not spend all day with them. I wrote a letter to a student I taught who is on a mission in South Africa right now and told him I was leaving and told him he could relate because a move in CES feels a lot like a mission transfer to me in a wierd sort of way. So, hoody hoo.


I took some pictures of the walls in my classroom so ya'll could see what they looked like and so I could remember what I did 4 years from now AND it took me forever to make everything so I wanted to somehow document all that hard work and celebrate how good I thought it looked :)





This was my favorite wall-- doesn't that map look cool. I made the whole thing from scratch. Impressed? I love that line from the Doctrine and Covenants, Shall We not go on in so great a cause?! It is inspiring to me. One of the teachers told me he would pay me 100 bucks to make it for him exactly like that 4 years from now. I said 300.

That phrase "I have learned for myself" from the Joseph Smith History kind of became a theme for my class this year. I even made that frame of the First Vision in Jenny's Dad's frame shop.

On this wall I had all the latter-day prophets with their signatures under each of their pictures. We spent the last week and a half doing a rotation at seminary talking a little about each of their lives. I learned a lot about them and have some GOOD stories...One story I told was actually told by the new Relief Society counselor at Women's Conference (this comes from our friend Holly who went and heard this from her) As she met with President Faust, overwhelmed with her new call, she began to weep. He wept with her and grabbed her hands and said, "We are all just ordinary people doing the Lord's work. I will pray for you if you will pray for me." Awesome, huh? They are ordinary men and women, but they are great because they follow the example and commandments of the Master.

Aloha Springville...Aloha Provo.

Carnies...

The elementary school by our house does a "Rock Canyon Extravanagnza" every year (I guess) and we went to it this year. It is a big fundraiser for the school, and it is supposedly pretty successful. They had big auctions during it and some things were going for some big bucks. We walked over there and bought some tickets and let Jackson play some games (although I was more interested in him winning than he was) and ride the train and the dolphin swing and the big blowup slide. He really liked the slide when he rode it with Jenny, but was pretty upset when I threw him down by himself. Who'd've thought? We stayed most the night and had sno cones and pizza and nachos and had a real fun time all together. I love the summer!

PROBATION WARNING...

Um, does the title "Test Results" ring a bell to anyone?

SOAKED in jealousy...

Since Loopy is not of the blogging kind (yet) I have decided to blog for her. Plus, I cannot stop thinking about how much fun she is having, or had (not sure when she comes back). Jenny and I have wanted to go on this hike for a while actually. This was a pre-Hawaii thought even. Some of her aunts have done it and LOVED it. I tried to get our priests to go for high adventure this year, but no go. (Maybe next year?) Anyways--supposedly a pretty grueling, hot hike in the desert until you hit the waterfall oasis, which is supposed to be breathtaking. IAm sure Lindsey will tell it better since her description won't have such choice phrases as: "supposedly" and "I've heard". She can say "It is" or "I saw". But here are some pictures to satisfy my obsession and fill us in on Lindsey's life all at the same time.

Have ya'll heard this?

You all might have already heard this, but it was on FM 100 over Mother's Day weekend. This was live and on the air. One of my students heard them joking about it this morning again. (It has a picture of a radio because I couldn't figure out how to post sound without pictures.) It is a clip from the radio...

don't run underwater...and other useful running tips

Mom and Britt-- Your latest BLOG has no place to put any comments...so CONGRATS!!

Jenny and I went on our 4.35 (I felt every step of it!!) mile run yesterday too. Ok, a few words to the wise:

1. Do not go when it is hot. *
2. Do not choose runs that go straight up the side of the mountain
3. Thank your lucky stars you are not pushing two children (one of them nicknamed Chunky)
4. Bring water--running dehydrated makes it harder. *
5. Walk when you have to. *
6. Walk when you want to.
7. When you get a side cramp, push on it while you exhale forcefully (like you do when you do a crunch-not like when you are in labor) I will include a video.*

(ok really, it is real. I did it on my marathon and I taught this other lady during the run too and I became her best friend...I should have charged her)

8. Also, if you eat bananas it is supposed to help with cramping.*

(Everything with a * is a legitimate bit of advice from Jenny. All others are legit from me...free of charge!)

In conclusion-- my 4 mile run kicked my bootie and I gave up hopes of running the 1/2 marathon 6 times in the course of the run...but then I remembered when I trained for my first one, after I finished my first 5 mile run (EVER) I thought to myself...I can never do this! That was too hard! And yet I felt really good about doing it. If I let my limited experience speak: IT gets easier. Its always harder getting there. We all have to push through these first "few" weeks and it does get easier. So NO GIVING UP!!! We can do it!

IF THAT WASN'T MOTIVATION ENOUGH...

even the Chunk is doing it with us

We've got worms

ok...note to our people. We've got worms. OR viruses, or something. More about my complaints later. We've got to clear our whole computer and start all over...hopefully we won't be out of the blogginf life for long...if so, we love you.

OK all! This weekend is our first big run - 4 miles! I know that Saturday is kind of crazy for some of you with birthdays, games, and everything else....so, if you can't make it to the group run, just be sure you get your 4-mile run in sometime. For anyone who wants to run the 4-miler on Saturday morning with us, meet at my house at 8:00 am. Let me know if you're coming so that we can wait for you. If that doesn't work for you, Christy may be spear-heading a run in Cedar Hills area at a different time (maybe Friday). So whether you run, walk, crawl, skip, hop, or crab walk - make sure you go 4 miles! It'll be fun!!!

Good Luck!

David has always made sure that Mother's Day is a special day for me and this year was no exception. This year I was delighted to be served rice pudding and fresh strawberries (Saturday night!)

escorted to breakfast by my cute 2-year old,

amazed by a DELICIOUS breakfast Sunday morning -

cinnamon rolls, strawberries, cereal, yogurt, juice, and vanilla soymilk!

WOW!

completely impressed by the cutest card ever,

able to listen to the Relief Society lesson (David had Christian),

constantly reminded of how lucky I am to have the sweetest husband in the world,

and the two cutest boys anyone could ever ask for!

I love being a mother!

Probation warning

"Take me out to the ball game"
"We enjoyed our weekend with you"

You all know who you are!!

do I dare admit this?

We are all friends and family right? Well, I expose myself on this one. no shame. no shame. All of you know about my embarassing moment at Jenny's kickboxing class after we were first married. It brings me shivers to even think about it. (no, not those shivers). Ever since then I have been against these classes. Poked fun. Made comments they were worthless. Well, Jenny borrowed these DVDs from her friend called "Butts and Guts". I didn't have time to get ready and go run before Young Mens, so Jenny suggested I try the DVD. I was a bit hesitant, but wanted to keep consistent, so easily gave in...Plus, a tape with the name Butt and Gut must be sort of manly. After twenty minutes of cheating my way through the workout, I have a new respect for these home based hip hop excercise movies. These things this woman had me do kicked my butt (and gut I guess). My legs already hurt and I feel like I won't be able to walk tommorow. A good work out is the bottom line. However, the price is high. Doing it made me embarassed in my own living room! I can't do these punches and knee moves and lunge bounces without feeling like a complete idiot, even in the comfort of my own home. It also bothers me that this woman does all these things without even breathing heavy while I am on the verge of swearing because my hamstrings are close to snapping. It also bothers me that she talks to me like she knows me. "It's starting to burn" she says 10 minutes into it. Starting? "You're doing good" she tells me while I sit on the couch for her second round of punch and bounce. You don't know me! Or my struggles! Ok. I'm over it. I would say I am going back to only running, however Cathe has instilled in me this challenge to do her whole routine without giving up or cheating. Yes...we are on a first name basis now. This was an intense 20 minutes. peace.

it's wednesday!!!

Which character did Sawyer nickname Betty?
What is the name of Charlie's band?
(yup! 2 today...It's a bonus)

para bailar la bamba

Ok...some of y'all really missed out~

There will be music. There will be dancing. There will be pinata. And I will do a salsa dance (at Holly's request) at next years Cinco de Mayo party. So mark it on your calendar now, because you won't want to miss it! Saturday, (as all of you know because you either came or I invited you) we had an impromptu Cinco de Mayo party. I woke up and realized what day it was and immediately changed clothes into the most Mexican thing I could find, went out and bought stuff for salsa, a sombrero, and a pinata (all the necesities for a glorious Mexican celebration). Jenny kept asking me all day who was coming to this so called Cinco de Mayo party. People will come Jenny, I says. If I build it, peoples will come. And they came. Not by the scores, but we had a good time. And they were all people we liked! So we went to bed that night super excited. Well, at least me. I'm an extrovert, so other people give me energy. Plus, any more people in that room and someone would have gotten a stick to the face since we busted the tiger (i think it was a tiger) pinata in our living room. One of the highlights of the night was Jenny doing a Lightening McQueen impression. She can show it to you all another time if you want. She takes appointments. This was worth everyone coming. Even better than the candy (which wasn't that cheap dum dum, bubble gum, tootsie roll combo package either...this was high quality eating) So, lo siento to everyone who missed it, but we are planning another one for next year. Our goal is to get the Provo cops called on us. Should be a blast. Until next time...Happy Seis de Mayo to you all. Ole'

Ni Hau 你好

There probably won't be anyone who reads this who knows who Sister Groberg is. Nevertheless, I want to give her a moment of praise. This picture is not her...it is a gardner in Taiwan where Sister Groberg is going on a mission. She is the service missionary at our seminary. About 2 years ago, her bishop called our principal and told him he had the perfect lady to come and help out at the seminary if we needed or wanted someone. It was Jean Groberg. We all fell in love with her right away. She touched each of our lives in different ways. We had a going away party for her tonight, so that is the reason for the post about her...its on the mind. We will miss her, but are excited for this upcoming adventure in her life. This woman does more for our seminary than 10 people could do. She is there early, and stays late, helping the thug kids get credit for seminary. She does it because she loves the Lord. Who are these people? They just give give give. She inspires me. Good luck Jean! (even though you won't see this!)