Just a photo to help us remember Colton in his tough macho state. A few weeks ago he was boasting about being such a strong tough guy at school...I just couldn't resist humbling him a bit...YES! I won. I told him some day he could be as strong as me, if he worked out. I don't think he realized that hefting babies for years and as they grow up does work the arms a bit.

Jason took the youth down to the temple for baptisms. It was Colton's first time as a young man. He had a wonderful time. Mostly cause they ate Chinese food and he scarfed down 20 or more fortune cookies, my son is insane!

Bro. Hansen, Johnathan, Bro. Weldon, Kyle, Bro. Layton, Bro. Rich, Colton, Talon, Bro. Petersen.

Yes, this is our YM's group. Our YW's is even smaller with two girls.

Jason started his first week working from home! It has been great so far. Some of my friends expressed concern about how soon I'll be eager to have him go to a separate location to work. After the first two days I don't think I'll have anything to worry about. I'm more worried he'll be eager to get into an office ASAP. Though I do think he likes not having to get all dress up to go to work. He has made it pretty nice, he's watched Sarah (which isn't too hard as she plays contently by herself most of the time) he's done laundry and helped with some errands. It's been a big help to me not having to hire a sitter to do my jobs once or twice a week. I think I like this work from home thing! And no there is no news yet on any office locations...they have so much planning to do first!

Remembering My Brother...

Thursday is my brother Darin's birthday. I miss him very much. I worried that over time I'd forget his mannerisms, his smile, laugh and the quirky things that made him who he was. As I read through a family book my parents gave us, I realized I hadn't forgotten. In fact, as I think about him it makes me smile remembering the nicknames he gave to all of us, especially his smile and laugh. He was the 2nd child born to our large family of 10 kids. Some of the things I remember most about him are...
*he loved to work on cars, it was him. He could see a porche in an old beater.
*I loved to hear him speak in Swedish.
*I loved hanging out with him, always make me laugh.
*I loved that I did the paper route with him at 3 in the morning...lots of talk time. Not that i loved it as a job, but now I treasure that time with my brother.
*He loved Chevy's, country music, his Trans Am, Taco Bell burritos and AZ warm sun.
*He ran the St. George Marathon with my dad and he placed 7th in his age division.
*He loved his family. He was married in the AZ Temple to an incredible woman. I know he loved playing with his boys. If he could have he would have stayed home and played with them all day, never having to go off to work.

He wasn't perfect, he had his own flaws; but don't we all? I do miss him. He was 30 years young when he died in a freak accident on May 19th the year my 1st son was born. At that time I wished more than anything that I could take his place so he could raise his boys. It broke my heart to see them without a daddy.
My sister-in-law, Joni, has done a remarkable job holding them together. I can't imagine that any part of it has been easy as she remarried some time later and then lost her second husband to cancer 2 years ago. I have never seen a stronger woman. I love her for what she has done to care for her boys. They are an amazing bunch!

This was the last visit to Darin's grave in AZ, 2 years ago.

This is his youngest son who was only 6 months old when Darin died. I can't wait for the day he can meet his dad and know that he has been watching over them all along. I think they will be amazed how well they know him when they see him face to face.

Maybe this is why I've felt so blue that last few days. They say time heals all wounds, but they forget to mention the scars that are left when the healing has taken place; thus we never forget. I love you Darin.