tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64708692941704929322025-05-05T13:46:18.687-07:00A place you can come to laugh, cry and enjoy life, as we live it out loud!Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15647971970219094410noreply@blogger.comBlogger161125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-32626005965176208022013-10-04T10:41:00.002-07:002013-10-04T10:41:55.661-07:00

Have you ever thought that if there was ONE THING I could teach my children it would be... Well I have been thinking of that lately, so this is not in any particular order of importance, although number one is number one for a reason.  It is not only one thing that I want to teach you, but many things that I have grown to know over the years, that would serve you to be your best selves.

Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15647971970219094410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-11215708049845188112013-01-03T15:36:00.000-08:002013-01-03T15:36:09.533-08:00

First, a little background...Jason and I had been given an idea from a mentor of ours to encourage our kids to read good books that develop their business sense and mental toughness and other valuable skills by paying them the cover value of the books WE choose for them to read. Josh is an avid reader and really likes the idea to get paid doing something he LOVES to do.  Well, out of the

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329704681618194788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-35126811441430665092012-06-01T16:47:00.003-07:002012-06-01T18:02:42.839-07:00

Have you ever felt like EVERYTHING went your way?  Me neither, till now, it just seems that everything has gone so well the last little while that I didn't know there was anything else but abundance.  I have loved it.  I have had a few experiences that have been amazing.  I was able to sell cars successfully at a very well respected local dealership.  I have a post

Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15647971970219094410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-50798325553422635462011-09-06T15:07:00.001-07:002012-06-01T18:02:00.646-07:00

Some time back I made a decision that I have not been happy with, at all, ever since.  I sold my truck.  Melanie and I had decided to sell it to help out with some of our bills, but I "knew" that it was a bad decision for me at least...I wanted to help cover some of the bills, but the truck has been reliable and a great vehicle for me.  Plus it has given me some freedom.  For

Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15647971970219094410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-45131973999858213572011-05-18T14:14:00.000-07:002011-05-18T14:14:08.446-07:00

Though I will still be posting to this blog, I've decided to start a new blog that is separate from the family blog, dedicated specifically to document my growth in experimenting with agency and my results from my choices in all aspects of my life.  Also to be able to have your feedback to expand my learning because your experiences will be different than mine.  So please, come on

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329704681618194788noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-16742616282777038862011-03-18T11:54:00.002-07:002011-03-18T11:56:59.426-07:00

Hey Look, I am posting somethingMelanie, and the kids are doing really well visiting everyone down in UT. Thank you for all of your love show and expressed to her. I have been loving the time alone up here as I never get alone time, however it is time for them to come back... NOW...just kidding. I am starting to really miss all three of them though, it makes me appreciate the messy house a

Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15647971970219094410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-91860077504103858382011-03-08T14:10:00.000-08:002011-03-08T14:10:51.070-08:00

A great quote from an intense show, even for the edited version! But I'll turn it into a question instead of a statement.  "Can I handle the truth?" Through recent experiences, I had decided that I would like people in my life, all of my relationships; family & friends etc. to just be plain English HONEST with me.  No beating around the bush, no passive aggressiveness, no sugar

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329704681618194788noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-43682575447874083642011-02-16T10:41:00.000-08:002011-02-16T10:41:19.362-08:00

Lately, I've been a bum...a lazy bum that is and I've watched a lot of TV.  Among several shows I've watched Biggest Loser and HEAVY and just the other night I was watching Clean House.  I've been fascinated with the shows and reflecting on the type of mentality that it took for these people to get into the situation that they are in.  Here's my little disclaimer: I know that there

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329704681618194788noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-57550500950771330712011-02-16T09:11:00.000-08:002011-02-16T09:11:00.898-08:00

Having a 6 almost 7 yr old little romeo made Valentine's extra special.  Josh asked me the night before if I'd be his Valentine...who can resist that?  His next question was, "So what are you going to do for me?"  Haha  I told him that I would make him and Daddy and very special Valentine's Dinner.  So I made steak and baked potato wedges with steamed broccoli and for

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329704681618194788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-4168890239401939502011-02-13T18:46:00.000-08:002011-02-13T18:46:31.130-08:00

I was on facebook a couple of weeks ago and there was an advertisement on the sidebar for Macy's Million Dollar Makeover.  I decided what the heck, its worth looking into.  So I applied.  I have to say that it was one of the funnest applications I've ever filled out, so just for me, I want to record my responses here on the blog, to give me something to look back on and have a

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329704681618194788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-75520989905653037832011-02-07T13:03:00.000-08:002011-02-07T13:03:10.705-08:00

You might think that this is going to be a Valentine's Post since 'tis the season, but nope, that'll be next week! This is about something that's been on my mind for the last couple of weeks.  Its based on my thought...."It takes a strong parent to NOT give a child what they REALLY REALLY want because it doesn't serve them".  Let me elaborate.  I, by my negativity,(if you're not

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329704681618194788noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-82464272261050810572011-01-21T21:10:00.000-08:002011-01-21T21:10:42.466-08:00

Dear Family and Friends,      This Christmas has been especially poignant as we reflect on the life of Christ and His Gift of the Atonement.  We have felt His love and light directing us and are so grateful to know that He lives and loves us.      2010 has been an interesting and exciting year for our family!  We started the year off in January

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329704681618194788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-90495076041156562912011-01-21T20:48:00.001-08:002011-01-21T20:55:58.725-08:00

Josh's 6th Birthday, 1st attempt at making Grandma Carol's cake...failed in comparison, but tasty enough! GNO Having a Retro Hairstyle Makeover Party!  It was a blast! We were singing the 50's music and eating healthy snacks! I definitely get to do this again here in WA! One of the sweet Oasis' during the desert times of being a single parent while Jason was living in WA

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329704681618194788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-1797274073669173962010-12-19T20:42:00.001-08:002010-12-19T20:57:07.256-08:00

What I thought of when I saw this picture was that He, my Lord and Savior is aware of me, even in my own burning infernos that I sometimes create in my life. His arms are out-stretched always open and ready to receive me. No matter what forces come against me to destroy my Spirit, with Christ I can do all things. ksl.com - Provo firefighters still fighting tabernacle fire Gallery Viewer

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329704681618194788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-28584201162466586302010-12-17T12:01:00.000-08:002010-12-17T12:01:48.433-08:00

The Provo Tabernacle was such an icon of beauty and sacred ground.  I loved singing in Stake Conference up in the choir seats.  I loved the concerts that we attended and the way the sound reverberated through out.  Walking up the spiral staircases to go upstairs was always fun...coming down them was much more scary haha.  So sad to see the videos of watching this beautiful

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329704681618194788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-68853962651024449412010-12-16T12:54:00.000-08:002010-12-16T12:54:41.920-08:00

Aliya, my sweet girl.  My very active and curious little one.  I'm recording this memory for you to laugh with me when you're older.  You are currently in a phase as to undressing yourself and more to that is you don't seem to like to have your diaper on anymore.  I'm not sure if its because you've discovered something new that you can do and so you do it over and over again

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329704681618194788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-19737686433299053142010-12-09T13:43:00.000-08:002010-12-09T13:43:11.328-08:00

I was having a little fun today being in the Christmas spirit and wanting to watch the "Hallelujah Chorus" Flash mob on You tube again and on the side panel was this "Hi, I'm a mormon".  So I clicked on it and it takes you to this great new site that the church has done and it just has random people from all walks of life and they share what they do and that btw, they're mormon.  I got

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329704681618194788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-82746500344620084782010-11-27T17:38:00.000-08:002010-11-27T17:38:19.938-08:00

We had a few major life changes happen this year for our family.  Jason lost his job with Ancestry.com the middle of January.  We immediately got on the ball to get leads out in the world for Jason to get new employment.  Thank you to everyone that responded.  Like many times before when Jason was changing employment, or even when he wasn't changing employment, we kept

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329704681618194788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-33455055997934543472010-11-27T10:47:00.000-08:002010-11-27T10:47:53.753-08:00

Wow, What a whirlwind of a year! I've felt deprived not being able to really update on here...so its going to be a work in progress but I'm excited to be back!  So stay tuned! 

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329704681618194788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-84348536614212932092010-02-25T09:33:00.001-08:002010-02-25T09:40:05.736-08:00

Dear Joshua,    6 years ago today, you made me a mom.  It was an amazing experience.  You were a very good baby and started sleeping through the night at 6 weeks old.  You smiled easily at everyone and brightened any room.  You are sweet and considerate and thoughtful.  You are amazingly athletic.  I love to watch you dance and listen to you beat box. 

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329704681618194788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-12434865622719518342010-02-23T09:41:00.000-08:002010-02-23T09:41:31.051-08:00

Can I just say that I'm SOOO grateful that I don't have to be a single mom permanantly!!!  I have dearly missed Jason being up in Washington...but as the Lord would have it, its where He wants ALL of us to be so I'm getting the house ready to sell and for us to move.  YIKES  its a LOT of work!  I can't wait for us to be all together again!  -The other day when we told

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329704681618194788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-28834268269361277242010-01-09T21:32:00.004-08:002010-01-09T22:19:47.157-08:00

Tonight I had the honor and the privilege with my sweet wife to go to an Eagle Court of Honor. We had been invited by one of the boys to attend. This was not just any court of honor, and not just an Eagle Court of Honor, but an Eagle Court of Honor for 12 boys in the same ward. President Adrián Ochoa was there, the 2nd counselor from the Young Men General Presidency of the Church. He also

Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15647971970219094410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-14203231342952405672010-01-07T12:15:00.000-08:002010-01-07T12:15:44.392-08:00

The Lord shows His tender mercies through unexpected means.  Its been a challenging holiday season, but with much joy and love as well.  However I came to a breaking point this morning dealing with my own blunderings.  Then compassion was shown by an unknown person in an unexpected way.  I cried.  I thanked the Lord for His awareness of my life and situation.  So

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329704681618194788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-36847399615466518482009-10-06T12:03:00.004-07:002009-10-06T13:03:05.018-07:00

As we've anticipated conference, we've been talking a lot to Josh about how excited we were to be able to listen to the prophet's and apostles. Josh's primary teacher has been doing the same. Conference was wonderful as usual and when we got home Sunday night, Josh's teacher had dropped him off his weekly treat that had a Hand on it that said "Testimony on the fingers of one hand." In each of

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329704681618194788noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6470869294170492932.post-79285955944989629712009-10-06T11:46:00.005-07:002009-10-06T12:02:54.173-07:00

We blessed Aliya on July 16th. It was a beautiful blessing and we were very appreciative of all that showed up and also helped with the dinner after. We had a REALLY big circle. 17 Actually. We know that its not recommended, but dang it, we don't have many kids and don't know how many more we'll be blessed with so we invited a lot. Its pretty amazing though, that we have that many in our

Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05329704681618194788noreply@blogger.com1