Happy Birthday Brad

Dear BRAD happy Birthday-you have a wonderful family, you are a wonderful man

*you are a good father and husband

*you do a lot for the youth of your stake, school and ward

*You are fun to be around and you think of funny thing on the spot

*you care about people, you care about how to help them and make their day better

* you try to work out frustrations by biking or walking rather than venting--or taking it out on people

*you are awesome at remodeling,,love what you've done with the place

*great at being a good son, brother, husband, father, physcologist, surfer, teacher, learner,pergo and carpet layer, cupboard hanger, garage cleaner outer, dirt removal , kind of guy...kudos

*you look on the bright side--do what ya gotta do and not complain about it. 

** you can find more deals on craigs list than the best of 'em.  (i.e paint, carpet, cupboards, and just great couches and stuff)

*you've taught your kids well (as pictured) to try new things, horse rides, guitar, and such  they are so adventureous and they come by it rightly  with you and kerri--giving them a 'can do ' attitude.

*you are welcoming, you make others feel welcome in your home and its a safe haven and refuge from the world.  Thanks for coming to slc  last summer --where we could come into your '

refuge and home more often--we loved making & storing up those memories.

thanks for being such a good person & we love ya happy birthday -

-mom & dad 

Count your MANY blessings

I am so glad that Bryan wasn't hurt more seriously or even killed in his car  accident in Jan many years ago. Because The Lord spared his life he went on to marry Brianne-finish school , have a nice family.  Bring joy to our extended family..making all the outings more fun.  Even though each year I reflect on the difference this tender mercy made in our lives and Bryan's life and his family's life.  I take it a step further and reflect on the many times that each member of this family has had near misses with injury or death.  I think of boys swimming in NY and Brad hanging on a rock.  I think of other Car trips where Hayley stopped at a stop light,,even though she had the right away, and a car goes through.  I think of brad in the icy water of a ski resort and dad in the mission feild with lighting striking around him, I think of four wheelers not turning over on Stephen and Joe being safe on his bike rides and Kerri being protected in poulvaluting and me being protected on a stormy night and an icy bridge on Midway lane.  I think of nancy on a moped  on Tantalus Drive, and Bryan in Mexico in bad places and getting the sister missionaries out of tough spots and stephen being hit while riding a bike, and Adrianne being burned with hot soup, and sprangs and breaks and burns and sports and I am so thankful that we are all able to look back and be thankful for the many times of protection --great and small events.  I know I for one am THANKFUL AND I COUNT MY BLESSINGS. 

     Every day I  count my many blessings often.  But at the end of each January I take a moment to count my blessings of the day of the month of the year so far and of the past years of blessings and tender mercies.  Maybe Thanksgiving is officially in Nov.  But for me Jan became a month of Thanksgiving  (about 7 years ago).  that year I vowed never to forget how grateful I was for His tender mercies in our family.   I felt like Jan would always be a month of Thanks giving for me.
   Not only because Bryan's life wasnt taken in the accident-but I feel Thankful for all that the Lord has blessed me with.  I Thank him for a life time of tender mercies.  For his love, for his forgiveness. For his blessing me with tamily and friends and the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints.  I thank him of a testimony and I count my blessings of the protection that he has given all of you & I.

fun baby shower for the browns

went to a baby shower for stephen and ashley brown  they are so excited for their first baby I love Jennifer brown she is an example of me of a great mother. 

YOU ALL made our days BRIGHTER so that winter isn't blah this year

I always worry that Jan blues will hit or the blahs but no time for that this winter (my only dread it that flu bug) in spite of that we have had some good times ... with the grand kids, and you kids.
*  Such as phone calls to Alaska.
*having sleep overs,
*sleigh riding, making
*bread dough animals
* playing songs on the piano,
*and just doing random things and going random places.
* like the u swirl yogurt place ,
* and playing bingo  and
* enjoying the candy, and food you all gave bryan for his birthday.
* its been a good month in spite of the inversion. thanks for making our day BRIGHTER

I know its cold... but

I know its cold --but the snow is still white and not all gray and frumpy yet and it is so beautiful
went skiing again recently and busted into  song on the lift  "and I say to myself  what a wonderful world:"  !!!!! don't worry I sung it softly--not at the top of my lungs--(:

love how the snow adorns the bare branches of bushes and trees in the canyon

up in little cottonwood canyon  I loved these three magestic trees I couldn't resist the picture

the mail box nearly got buried I love my little 'milk can' and all the fuffy snow around it

dad blowing snow at  after dark--but it still felt bright and light outside I love that time after a storm

but I am thinking this ice stuff is trecherous..yikes--went walking outside yesterday with a friend and we did okay with the right shoes but wow...its a big ole' ice rink  Yesterday (Jan 24_)

back on the tred mill

I've been trying to keep up with stretching and a little jogging

pictured here is the reading on the tred mill (nancy's and stephen's tred mill) that I ran 3.100 miles in 38 minutes woo woo (for me at least that is about how fast I can go and keep a stead pace up for that many minutes with out passing out ha)

yesterday (sat ) I ran on the tred mill for 36 min and ran 3 miles in the time.Then I went a bit longer and by 38.52 min I had ran 3.100
so for now at least...  I was feeling good about it since I've not ran to much since I broke my toe--so here I go--wish me luck--I'm trying to organize my house and my spiritual house and my physical house and make all three the best I can

ruby's blessing day

we enjoyed attende the sacrament meeting with matt and doreen and their family it was an honor for Bryan to stand in the blessing circle for ruby what a great family  we also met Garrison that day we also had a great visit with family.

what a sweetheart ruby gertsch is...glad she's here

ruby's cousin alyssa holding ruby , and matt

matt and Doreen and geogetta , Gayle and ruby

dad visting with mike bailey