I'm not sure if he likes it.

Isaac & Elise: Merry Groundhogs' Day?

What do you think? I am totally finished with the top...I just need to quilt it now but am interested in some input. Is the yellow border ok or too artsy? Let me know...

First Presidency Christmas Devotional

It was a good one this year. Ask mom and dad.

Where did those kids come from?

This is not a birthday memory for Marty. I did everyone's birthday last year so I'm done with that. I have been thinking about our situation. I realized that when Marty was born, Daisy was 1 and Emily was 2. I'm sure I thought of that before but that's a lot of young 'uns. Obviously your mother must have been super human (and still is)! Then you figure that when Isaac was born, Marty was 1, Daisy was 3 and Emily was 4. Maybe we should have had quadruplets and called it good. Instead, a couple of tries later we had Sadie and when she was born Isaac was 3, Marty was 5, Daisy was 7, and Emily was 8 (I think). Man, all this math is making me sleepy...singing by the choir.

A Day That Will Live In Infamy

When I was a kid, the adults in my life lived through the Pearl Harbor attack and all had stories of what they were doing when they heard about it. The actual attack was during daybreak in Hawaii which would have made it around noon in our time zone. There were no TV reports because there were no televisions. People huddles around their radio's to get as much news as possible. There was no way they could have understood the severity of the attack. Can you imagine if Pearl Harbor had been attacked in our time with cable news and internet (well you probably could--9/11). Anyway, as a kid we always took some time at school on December 7th to talk about it and try to understand it's historical significance. The fact that we talked about an event that was growing more distance in time, never caused me to have ill feelings towards our then enemy, the Japanese (in fact later in junior high I made best friends with a Japanese-American student that lasted until after we went our separate ways after high school). But it did cause me to reverently appreciate the sacrifice of those who lost their lives on that day. Some time later in my life I had the privilege to visit the Arizona Memorial (pictured above). To me it a sacred place. Of all the things I saw in Hawaii, it's the most memorable in my mind. A boat takes you to the memorial and a parks service ranger tells the story. It's so real to be standing on that spot. The ranger pointed out a small oil bubble that periodically would surface and pop. It comes from the fuel tank, residue of what was once there. To me it symbolized the lives that were lost and the earthly remains that have been left on the ship. Every year, I feel to tell my students about that experience (even my fitness classes). Had those sailors survived they would now be grandparents and great grandparents and some would be passing away after living full lives. Those who lived through the depression and WWII have been called the greatest generation. Having been raised by such people, I'd not argue that recognition. Now having been an orphan for a few years, I appreciate even more their sacrifice. When I think of the times to come, I admit it worries me some. But then I look at what others have done and the fact that we all have each other, I'm much more optimistic.

Wise Words from Papa Steve

Livermore, CA
11/27/08
7:25 AM Pacific Standard Time

"If you think you're lying, but it's really the truth, it is still a lie."

Happy Birthday Dona

I know the photo looks like we were posing in front of a fake background but this was the sunset in Merrillville Indiana on the evening of October 2nd 2008.  I can't post much information about your Mother's day of birth because I wasn't there.  I do know for a fact that on October 12 1953 a special blessing was welcomed in to the home of Earnest and Idon Anderson.  I'm not sure but I think that Dona was the favorite.  How could she not be.  All of her life she has lightened up every universe she has occupied; daughter, sister, friend, companion and lover, mother, teacher, advisor, librarian (official title is media center director but I like librarian better because it sounds more distinguished) and now grandmother.  As you know she has an unlimited capacity to love and serve.  She has always put her loved ones before herself.  When you were in school she recognized the importance of being available.  That's why you always found her on the couch when you came home from school.  She wanted to hear about your day and offer love and support.  She still does.  When you call on the phone I can hear the disappointment when I tell you that she's not home and you get stuck talking to me. Well I could go on but I won't.  I will share a little story.  When we were engaged, she stayed in Provo for 6 weeks to get a major class out of the way.  I went to LaGrande to earn some money (to pay for her ring).  We developed a code to use in our letters so they wouldn't sound sappy but yet still convey the deep feelings we have.  We would write, "Needless to say..."  With that we figured we covered everything.  Well, Dona--"Needless to say..."