Daytime TV

I am so happy to be home these six weeks. I never realized what a plethora of informative and awe-inspiring programs there are on TV. I would have never known that Jermaine IS NOT the father of Shontella's baby, Dominica. Shontella has been back five times and says she is 1000% sure this time. I feel so bad for her. And Sonny has been cheating on Billy Bubba and said the lie detector is not true and she denies everthing. What a brouhaha!!!! Maury Povich is such a well respected journalist and he has turned down several top jobs to help these people with his insight and knowledgeable counselling. What a trooper!!! I don't know what I will do when I go back to work. I guess I'll have to learn how to record. Just thought you would like to know.

He's back...

The Kings will send guard Bobby Jackson to the Grizzlies -- a moved Jackson also confirmed to SportsTicker -- and center Greg Ostertag back to Utah for a second tour of duty with the Jazz.

Utah also would send guard Raul Lopez and Kirk Snyder and forward Curtis Borchardt to Memphis.

Yeeeeesssssssss! This is the way to put the Jazz back on top. Too bad we couldn't find a way to get Vlade included in the deal.

Not the best of parents

We often leave Aiden in the tub to play, but lately he has started sneaking out and grabbing anything he can find in the bathroom to throw into the tub. Most recently he found his Dora the Explorer potty-seat and climbed back in the tub with it. He must have put his head through the hole one direction then rotated so that he couldn't get his head back out. He started screaming for me, so I ran in to check. I am rather certain that one day I will be punished for this, but I just started laughing at him standing there whining "Dora-off!" When I was able to stop laughing, I ran to get Nick, who also came in and started laughing, and then I ran for the camera to snap a few quick pictures before I set him free. If you are at all grossed out by the idea of a toilet seat around his neck, let me assure you he has not yet succeeded in using the seat for anything other than to trap his now overly large head.

Just Reason to be made fun of

Yes, I realize by finally making my presence known here on the blog is just reason for everyone to make fun of me, however, I partly believe that as the youngest, that is my role in this family...the comic relief. Well, bring it on fam.
Yes, so about a week ago, I am talking to Zach and he tells me, "I am such a loser. I have been home two months and I haven't gone on a date." So is that what constitutes a loser? So the dude has been pouting about saying how much of a loser he is. So what does he do? Well, he tries to force everything. The other day, he tells me of one of his "fine-looking" co-workers and how he wants to go on a date with her. Apart from being his co-worker she is in his social dance class so he invites her to 'practice' the dance moves with him one day. Well, she accepts and is agreed to the appointment. Well, while at work, what happens? Her boyfriend comes while at work. That made me laugh quite a bit. I have always been a person against forcing dating situations. I was reading the past blogs and mom mentions of my formidable reputation of being the "girls asking me" king. There is the key. In dating life, subtleness is what counts. Forcing dating opportunities and awkward social moments only lead to embarrassment. My personal experience has led me to believe that just throwing out little bits of personality at those unawkward moments are key. You know what. I think I might go on to produce my own version of "Hitch." However, ways to get the girl to ask you. Oh Yeah.
Well, there it is, family. Bring on the jokes.
Bythe way, mom, I am glad you are feeling fine.

Fun and Relaxation

Well, I think I am on the mend now, and I just want to thank everyone for their good wishes and caring remarks. The surgery went okay but the headaches were making me miserable. So today I went back into the hospital and they did a blood patch on me. The last time I had one of those was 25 years ago. It wasn't without tortue and pain. But it did rein in the headaches and now I can read Harry Potter and the like without taxing my head (brain). Dad is an excellent caregiver and he won't let me do anything. I can't even go downstairs without checking with him first. He is great. Anyway, thanks for being such a great family. Without sounding too maudlin, I love you all very much.

Tomatoes

In the past I have had successful tomato plants, but this year all I have so far is cherry tomatoes. These are pictues of the plants Jenn left me when they migrated to the heat of Texas. They are over four feet tall and note the green tomatoes. Too bad they will be gone by Christmas... By the way there is one peper plant in front of the tomato plant.

Christmas

We are excited to have the family together for Christmas. We thought we should outline some information that will be useful.

1. It looks like we are trying for the week following Christmas as the time to be here. All are welcome for as long as they want to stay, but mom has days off the week following Christmas, and Mike can not get off until late Christmas Eve.

2. This is to confirm that we will be providing $100.00 per person to help with travel expenses. Please let us know when you need the money and we will send it. If you need to get tickets soon, just let us know and we will send the money. If you need a credit card to purchase the tickets let us know and we will help with that too.

3. Please let us know of any special transportation requests if you are flying in. Car seats, cars for additional trips, etc.

4. The transportation assistance will be the primary gift for all this Christmas from Mom & Dad. We would encourage all to keep spending limited.

5. As for stocking stuff... We will fill stockings this year, but if you have something special you want to get or give that is up to you.

6. Meal assignments will be forthcoming. Start thinking what you/your family would like to make. We will provide the ingredients, but you get to plan and cook. We expect that Trevor will be with mom and dad.

7. There will be a family picture…

This is Jenn's this is my impressionistic side
My abstract piece
What Jenn and I do on our free time.

Hair's an idea... (Ha, ha)

In regards to the hair comments earlier, I think Trevor should have Mayka and Kim draw straws to see who gets to cut his hair at Christmas. Maybe they can tag-team.

Or wait, who has Trevor for Christmas? Does a haircut count as a homemade gift?

Trevor's Talk

The following is Trevors talk for 9th ward sacrament meeting:

“And the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith; and if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach.”[1] In this afternoon nothing would please me more than to have your prayers with me as I give this brief talk over the effect of the gospel in our lives. And it is apparent that through the constant pleas that I have made with my Father in Heaven, I hope that this teaching spirit will be given to me.
Well, I might as well introduce myself once more. My name is Trevor Tustison and I had the privilege of serving a full time mission in Mexico City. In this time that I had to serve my Heavenly Father, I had the chance to really see the miracles that are performed by him and to realize the hand he plays in our existence.
When I left for my mission my parents asked me what scripture I would like to put on my missionary plaque and this scripture demonstrates very well the point I would like to make this afternoon. The reference is Alma 26:12.
Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.[2]
This scripture had an especially powerful significance for me before the mission but once in the mission I had the chance to see the meaning of it self-explained more in-depth. So what I'll do is take this scripture apart a little bit and explain what I have understood of these simple phrases.
The first one being: “Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak.” Lets take a moment and realize that these are the words of one of thee most successful missionaries of all time. This comes from the same person that left his home for fourteen years, fought solo against the enemies of the king he was serving, he brought thousands of people to the gospel and so much was his influence over these people that they called themselves his people. We all know that we are speaking of Ammon. After so much success that he had had, he admits to his brother Aaron, that he is nothing and that his strength is limited. What do we recognize this as…humility. Our Father in Heaven has always required at the hand of His servants this heavenly gift of humilty to bring to pass His purposes. I would just like to clear up confusion that I had had and maybe some members have that may need clearing up. The humility is sometimes mistaken as shyness, as being timid, as saying to oneself that they will never be successful in anything. That is not humility. We read from the example that Ammon put, that we must put our priorities in how we think, how we are, and how we act. His attitude in showing the power that was in him to gain the confidence of his fellow servants was key in preaching the gospel. Are we shy about sharing the gospel? Are we timid when we are asked to bear our testimony to our neighbors? Do we honestly think that our Father in Heaven wants to hear us say that we won’t be successful in the predication of the gospel? Those feelings of inadequacy are actually the opposite of humility and won’t carry us closer to share the love God has for us. There is a great quote by the prophet Ezra Taft Benson over what is humility. He says “The Lord has said that no one can assist with this work who is not humble and full of love. But humility does not mean weakness. It does not mean timidity; it does not mean fear. A man can be humble and fearless. A man can be humble and courageous. Humility is the recognition of our dependence upon a higher power, a constant need for the Lord’s support in His work.”[3] In other words we must depend on the Lord and recognize his omnipotence. Joseph Smith was fourteen year old when he received the visit from the God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. At the age of seventeen he was told about the gold plates and at the age of 21 he received them. But along with all the revelations he received, came along with it all the persecution. However, despite the persecution he received and the little education he had, he went on to translate the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. He went on to restore the true authority of the gospel and bring to pass the restoration of the church of Jesus Christ. He brought back the correct form of baptism and other important ordinances. He was a simple farm boy brought on to restore the greatest work this world has known. He was truly a person that recognized his weaknesses but did not let them interfere in the work of the Father. Joseph Smith once said “I never told you I was perfect; but there is no error in the revelations which I have taught.” But simply recognizing the presence of ones weaknesses will make your life any better. Ammon didn’t leave it at that…
“…therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in His strength I can do all things.” There was the answer I was looking for in that desperate time. And that is what I decided to do. I decided to kneel down and pray and recognize who it was that could help me. And that help came and through that personal experience I know who will help me as long as I will boast in His strength. Through other personal experiences that I have had, I know that it is not us that is in charge over a certain work. Our Father in Heaven is so concerned with our well-being in this life that all he asks of us is that we get off our own throne and start recognizing the superior being in our lives. We must recognize that simply saying “We cant do this” or “ it isn’t possible to complete this task” or even worse “He won’t accept the gospel”…these sayings won’t help us, so why do we think them? In Mexico, the people there are very receptive to the gospel. They are ready to accept the truth. But in my experience as a missionary in Mexico, the great majority of those that were baptized and confirmed members of the church were references from other members. What would happen in the true church of Jesus Christ if every member knew that with God’s strength they could find a friend, neighbor, family member that isn’t a member of the church and invite them to hear the gospel? We hear from leaders of the church that we should preach the gospel through our example, but for those of you who are here, is that really difficult? Shouldn’t all of you put the emphasis on preaching the gospel with words and invitations? One principle I learned in my mission is that without commitments an investigator will not progress. We must commit our friends to attend church, to hear the missionaries, to have family home evenings, and…and to get baptized. There was one particular instance in my mission when I understood the importance of member work. There was a couple that worked in an outside car place where they sold old car parts.

The Experience of Rogelio and Ericka
Letter
Thank you for sending your letter. You don’t know how happy we all were to receive it. I want to tell you that we miss you a lot. I hope to chat with you a lot of things. In fact, after my baptism, my sister Andrea, and my niece Mirza were baptized. Eight days later three of my nieces and nephews were baptized. And next my sister Ana will be baptized and all of this thanks to you and to our Father in Heaven. I never thought that after entering into the baptism of Rogelio, it would make all these changes in my family, but only God knows what He has destined for every one of us but those are the paths of God. I would also like to tell you Rogelio and I will complete 14 years of marriage on the 11 of October and probably when we complete 16 years of marriage, we may get sealed in the temple.
I love that family and when I received that letter, I don’t remember a time when I was happier. Sometimes out of curiosity I have asked myself, what would’ve happened had that family said, “No, don’t worry about him. He is atheist.” We must recognize that EVERY person on this planet should have the chance to accept the gospel. I promise to each of you, that if you will all pray for those missionary moments, for those times to be able to preach the gospel, and put your confidence in Him, he will give those moments to you. I know that.
About twenty-one months ago, I thought “I cant do this.” But in His strength I could do all things and will be able to do all things as will every one of you.
Well, what Ammon said next has had so much significance on me. “For behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land for which we will praise His name forever.” As I said, I had the chance to see many miracles, and I believe that to be the miracle of baptism. The chance that people have to enter into the Kingdom of God through baptism and receive the remission of their sins is a huge blessing. A miracle is defined as an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs. What do you get when you send 19 year old boys on the mission trying to help others who have had double the experience receive a baptism in the true Church of Christ? You get miracles. The biggest miracle that has happened in this earth was the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He broke the bands of physical death for everyone. Thanks to Him, death wont end our existence. He made it possible for everyone that has lived in this world, who lives in this world, and who will yet live in it to brake the chains of their own sins and return to our Father in Heaven; on the conditions that we have faith, we repent of our sins, get baptized in the true church, be confirmed members of it, and keep going on the path to eternal life. I am so grateful that our Father in Heaven has let us partake of this huge miracle of receiving a rest from the terrible load of offenses that we have made and have the chance to receive life with our Celestial Father. As it says in John, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”[4] I am so grateful for the mission and what it has done for me and for what I could do for my Father. I had the chance to see a huge miracle in my testimony. I could sense its growth in me the more involved I was in the work. In the beginning of my mission times were tough, but I received a letter from my father that helped me out a lot. He wrote this. “Dear Trevor, I am between meetings so wanted to drop you a note. This morning at High Council meeting there was a missionary returned from Russia. It was great to hear his testimony and I was thinking about the growth your testimony will have over the next while. We were reminded that testimony growth often comes after times of trial or difficulty. I know that is the cast in my life. Maybe something that will have meaning to you in the future.” That scripture was a huge boost for me to help me overcome my feelings of nostalgia and inadequacy and taught me a great principle. Thanks to this mission, I was able to receive the testimony builder I needed to stay strong in the gospel of Jesus Christ. But a testimony is never perfect. It needs to be cared for and nourished, as we read from the scriptures. I love my Father in Heaven for the help he has given me and for the miracles that he has allowed me to see and for the miracles he has planned for all of us.
Bear Testimony. Cool, yeah.
En el nombre de Jesucristo. Amen.
[1] D & C 42:14
[2] Alma 26:12
[3] Ezra Taft Benson, “Keys to Successful Member-Missionary Work,” Tambuli, Apr. 1991, 3
[4] John 3:16

SICK!!!!!!!

OK I don't mean sick in the flu sense, or even in the, man that ollie was "sick" sense. I don't even mean it in the, I have sick senses instead of five senses, sense. I mean it in the most disgusting thing that has ever happened to me in my entire life....SICK sense. Right....so I was in the back room at Staples looking something up on a computer and my leg started itching. Nothing unusual about that with the humidity in St. George hovering around 3% this last week. Something strange then began to happen, the itch started moving up and down the lower part of my leg. I thought for sure half the skin on my leg was going to fall off. At long last, after a bit of dancing on my part, a cockroach....YES A COCKROACH fell out of my pant leg. Now if this is not an incentive to be more active and never sit down at work again I don't know what is. Apparently St. George with all its beauty has a roach problem. This makes the housing prices of $350,000 for a 1200 sq. ft. home sound so much more reasonable, but I'll leave this for another Blog.

Chad made me a theif!

Have you all heard that cheesy moromon tale of a theif in church who was irreverent and stole the spirit? Well, I turned into a thief at church last week, but not that kind. I am now the hardened criminal type who picks up things that aren't hers and takes them. In my defense, I think I have drawn Chad's name for Christmas four out of eight years and I get the sense that he really doesn't like sweaters from Eddie Bauer or any of the other preppy stuff I have tried. Okay, so maybe I am exaggerating and that was the only gift I have ever given Chad, but I saw the coolest thing in the lost and found at church when we first moved in. The first time I saw it, I knew Clint and Chad would have a robot dance-off to compete for this particular item. Well, 11 months later, it was still in the lost and found, and I drew Chad's name for Christmas. The last time I saw it, I just picked it up, stuck it in my purse, and walked out with it. I can't wait for Christmas now to get rid of this guilt reminder of what a sinner I am, but also to see if I can actually tell what Chad thinks is cool by now, eight years later. See you all then!

Weight Gain

just to let everyone know, i had a doctors appointment yesterday and i gained 13 lbs in one month! Yikes! however, he said it was just fine since overall i've gained 15. Good, i thought, bring on some more food.

Bottlerockets Anyone?!?!?

Howdy from Texas y’all, home of the NBA World Champions, Mr. President, the Alamo, and most importantly, Judge Larry Joe from Texas Justice. Anyway, I hope everyone enjoyed their day off. Jenn and I were invited to hang out with some friends at this lake area but the plans quickly fell apart in ways that would take too long to explain. At the end of the day, Jenn and I cooked hamburgers on the George Foreman, tickled our painting fancies (did that make sense) and straightened up around the house.

Anyway, enough with the pleasantries, let’s get down to business. Something of controversy has found its way into the hallowed halls of our beloved dwelling. What is it you ask? Is it the recent vacancy in the Supreme Court; is it our porous borders; or is it the situation in Iraq. No, my friends, I’m talking about something big, flashy and short-lived—and no, I’m not talking about Clint’s uber-orange Kriss Kross shorts. I’m talking about the big lights that brighten skies all over the country every 4th of July. Maybe it’s the Grinch in me, but fireworks are as exciting as pulling out all my (overgrown) armpit hairs. Because of some information malfunctions with some friends of ours, we ended up back at home, away from a “fireworks-in-the-park type of celebration. Because of this, I knew there would be no “fireworks” at home unless I rectified the situation. It was a bumpy road.

Husband’s note: Fireworks on the TV and fireworks in person are not the same, nor ever will be as long as I am alive (which may not be very long).

Anyway, while watching a TV celebration, Jenn and I had a conversation on said topic and I’d thought I share some actual quotes and actual observations from my actual wife (who is very beautiful and very understanding).

Fireworks are cool if you’re right underneath them because they’re big and you feel the source of the sound.

Well, first off, if you’re right underneath the fireworks, you somehow got past security. Second, if all you want is big and lot’s of sound, I saw a 52” plasma TV with HD capabilities at Best Buy. I still don’t understand what the big deal is. You just come home from the park with a ring in your ears and a kinked neck, kind of like when you sit on the front row in a movie theater—and no one wants that.

It’s just amazing to see something actually explode

Now, I must say that on the surface, this seems like a valid point. It is the one time when exploding things is legal. I feel I must note, however, that someone else exploding something, and you actually exploding something is very, very different. Of course, blowing up happens frequently here, just ask the Piston’s 4th quarter defense and anyone who eats at Taco Cabana.

Will you take me to Boston next year?

Let me explain this quote by saying that the Boston Pops and Utah’s beloved Keith Lockhart did a special last night on CBS. Like us, I’m sure you were all flipping between the 4th of July special and re-runs of Seinfeld on PAX because those are the only two channels you get… Anyway, with panoramic crowd shots, loads of lighting, and lots of camera flashes, Boston seemed to have a pulse—which is more than I can say for Kevin O’Connor on draft day. One scouting report I read on Deron Williams said he is (paraphrasing) “big for a point guard, not very quick, and an average shooter. Great all-around.” Did I miss something? Where is he great all around? What, just ‘cause he wears 46-inch Dockers. I hope I’m proven wrong. And the second pick, who’s name I forgot, was described as (paraphrasing) “pretty athletic, fundamentally immature, must improve outside shooting. Favorably compared to Deshawn Stevenson.” Jazz Fans: Be very, very scared. (pulling sheets over my head).

And Clint, I know I always said he was my boy and what not. Well…err..uhh…JUST BACK OFF, ALRIGHT!!!

Yet I digress...

The finale makes or breaks the show. With a weak finale... well, the finale makes it worth it. You feel like you’ve wasted your time without a great finale.

Quick, call Guinness, I think my wife just broke the world record using the word finale 4 times in 7 seconds. I think she just likes saying the word. By the way, I was just learned that it is pronounced “finawlee”, not Finale with a short ‘a’—and I’m the one with the Master’s degree, whatever that means. I should petition the expertise of Mom, whose knowledge in the French language is unmatched—(Do you still put that on your resume)? “I mean, it’s a good language, right?”

Anyway, I told Jenn that we might be able to catch some fireworks from our excluded balcony while sipping margaritas (virgin, of course). She told me that if there weren’t any fireworks, I would have to take her somewhere next year where there was. Deal! So after fruitless trips to our balcony, I was convinced that I would need to start planning right away—that is, until I spotted some about 30 miles away. They were beautiful. Granted, you had to stand on a stool, hold on to the side of the rain gutter, and risk falling through the neighbor’s window, but hey, anything for a romantic night. I rushed in, told Jenn there were fireworks outside and we watched with strained necks the last of the explosions. By the way, “that is what a weak finale looks like!”

We had everything that night: Romance, good weather, no traffic, and most of all, fireworks.

I’m sure someday I will grow to understand the importance of fireworks in my life. From now on, though, “fireworks are fun and romantic” (breaking out in cold sweat with gun pointed at my head).