TWIN FALLS TEMPLE ANNOUNCEMENT

We are so excited about the announcement of the Twin Falls temple open house and dedication. The public open house will begin on July 11 and run through the middle of August. It would be great if the family could plan on making a quick trip up here and bring your kids to the open house. The Youth Cultural Celebration will be on August 23 and the dedication will be on August 24. The temple will open for temple work the next day. What a thrilling time! We're happy we're here to be a part of this. The temple is so beautiful. Make your plans and let me know if you can come so we can get tickets.

Last Week Happenings

The kids at Xavier Charter School had their first annual fundraiser--a dance-a-thon. Students danced the entire day. I made it over long enough to take a few pictures of each of them. They did ball-room, ballet, hip hop and tap. They all had matching shirts. Joe's class was doing ballroom when I got there. It was so cute. They were doing the waltz and even turning the girls.


Veronica's group was doing mostly hip hop and they could pretty much do what they wanted. Here she is with a couple of her friends.


Savannah's group was on a break while I was there, so she did a little impromptu hip hop for me so I could get a picture.


Thanks, Tawnie, for the nice dishcloths and the very nice card. I appreciate the thoughtfulness of so many people. People in the ward have been amazing, Dad and Mom were so helpful, and the cards and phone calls from so many other family and friends have been wonderful. I have to admit that I've had a hard time--slow going, pain and some rollercoaster emotions. The kindess from so many has really been appreciated.
My bishop's wife (and my friend) called last Monday and wanted to know what I would eat if I could have anything in the world. I said that I'd been craving some salmon. This is what they brought for dinner that night. SO YUMMY!
It snowed last night and the kids wanted to make a new snowfort. Unfortunately there wasn't enough snow, so they settled for snow babies.
I wanted a picture of Bruce, but couldn't make it to any of the places where he was doing something interesting, so this is Bruce in the car after I picked him up from school. Not that interesting, but he's still good-looking.

Other than these events, me recovering, the family going to work and school--this is it.

Happy Birthday to my Wonderful Husband!

Today (March 5) is Travis's birthday, so I'd like to take this opportunity to wish him a wonderful birthday and list a few of the reasons why I love him. These are not necessarily in order of importance.

• He's a great Dad. He teaches his kids, takes them to church, plays with them, enjoys being around them and is even willing to go to a silly kid's movie that they want to see--even if he has no interest in it. I appreciate that because it has saved me from having to see dog movies and superhero movies that didn't interest me at all.
  

• He works hard to support his family. He puts up with bad hours, difficult people and stupid problems, all so he can support his family. He has amazing business skills that would bring him more money and recognition somewhere else, but because his family likes it here, he works hard and makes do with what is available here. He's so unselfish.
  

• He has a great sense of humor. He finds humor in ridiculous and often difficult situations. I love it when he says something completely funny and unexpected.

• He has incredible discernment and reads people so well. He has an amazing ability to read a situation or a person's behavior. The mark of his character is that even though he is so good at reading people, he's also very forgiving and willing to give people the benefit of the doubt. I find this to be a really amazing quality.
  

• He's a thoughtful husband, bringing me flowers and chocolates often enough to be thoughtful, but not so often as to be taken for granted. He shows me he loves me in other, more meaningful ways (if there is a more meaningful way than chocolate). He's been known to vacuum, clean bathrooms, call and offer to pick kids up, and he's even willing to go to almost any "chick flick" with me. When I go to girls' camp or go to Utah without him, he always makes sure I come home to a clean house.

• He takes the family to church. He leads by example and always fulfils his church responsibilities. He has a strong testimony.
  
• He treats my parents with love and respect. I am so grateful for my parents and it would be hard for me if I was married to someone who didn't treat them well. I love him for loving my family.
  
• He always keeps our yard looking beautiful. I don't much like yard work and Travis always makes ours look nice. I love the fountain he installed. It is beautiful!
  
• If it has snowed and he knows I'm going to have to drive kids to school, he always shovels around the car and brushes off the snow. He's thoughtful.
  
• He supports me in my callings without complaining--even if it means lots of evening meetings, some Saturdays, staying late on Sunday, having people to the house or leaving for a week for girls' camp. He doesn't complain and tries to make it easier for me.

• He encourages me in projects and interests I have. He's a fan when I'm doing cakes, cheers me on when I'm writing, and admires the crafts I do.
  
• He puts our family first--ALWAYS!
  
• He loves to travel with the whole family. He plans and looks things up and prepares so that we get the most out of every vacation. He loves to be with the kids and enjoys seeing all of us have a good time.

I love Travis and am grateful to have spent the last 18+ years of my life with him. I look forward to many more wonderful times together for many years to come.

Happy birthday! I love you!