Chad's first post

One good thing about the military is that we get 4 day weekends for most holidays, so I have the day off. I guess that helps make up for the possibility of dying thing.

Sorry it took me so long to get onto the blog, but if this is how people want to keep in touch then so be it.

I will probably be doing some mountain biking over the weekend. Arizona actually has some pretty mountainous terrain. There's even two ski resorts.

TTFN,

Chad

More Midterms

Yeah, I've gotten caught up a little in school again. I will be so glad when these classes are over in a month. I guess my classes aren't tedious, but there's just much more that I would rather be doing with my time. Like watching Lost. Well, not really, but I must admit that it's my newest addiction. I haven't had a TV addiction for a really long time. And it's not any worse than any previous addictions to "Touched by an Angel."

Miranda is doing well at Nuskin. We now share similar frustrations with ignorant people and dumb questions - even "what shot do you take when a monkey bites you?" Not really. Speaking of that, Mom and Dad, have you watched the Carlton episode of Wings yet? That is certainly one of my favorites.

Anyway, I just thought I would check in. Talk to you all later!

Exciting day at work

I had a most exciting day yesterday. As health clerks, Tricia (the full time girl I work with) and I are also supposed to take care of staff when needed. We're also the first responders in the event of an emergency. Yesterday a teacher came in saying she had taken a prescription med., and she thought she was having a reaction to it. She had started itching and had a rash. She then complained that her throat felt itchy and felt like it was starting to close up.....classic symptoms. Tricia gave her benadryl and called the RN, who we're always supposed to call. She was at the other elementary school. She divides her time between us and them. Anyway, she told Tricia to give the teacher more benadryl. She called right back (in the meantime, we're taking vitals, etc.) and told us to administer the epi pen and call 911. Tricia gave the epi pen (epinephrin....we keep one in the health room for emergencies) and I called 911. I had never done that before!! They transported her to the hospital. When I got to work today, the nurse told me I had participated in saving a life. The hospital told the teacher that we had done everything right and that we had saved her life. In an allergic reaction such as that, things can go downhill very quickly. She came in and gave us all a hug. It was quite an emotional experience. I never know what I'm going to face when I go in to work, but there's never a dull moment that's for sure!

Reflection of an Aging (Not Old) Dad

We are still adjusting to this blogging thing. I am such an email generation that the new blogging is just another change we'll get used to. One of these days we will try and post some pictures. Grandma Livingston isn't doing well and it looks like they will have to put her in a home. Uncle Lynn told me that she is 10 times worse than when you were there Friday. She can't feed herself and can't get up without help. The Lord knows what is best for all of us so we just leave it in his hands.

We really enjoyed spending time with Chad and Jill in Phoenix. Mom and I cherish the time we have to spend with each of you, whenever we can. The good thing about this blog is that it keeps a record of what has been written, anyway I think it does. We know that as you get older that we may not be able to be together as much as we would like, unless you move back to Missouri. Don't count that out, I have felt we have an inheritance here in the Center Stake, but know the Lord will guide you.

We have talked about building Zion and I am convinced that it will happen one family at a time. Brigham Young stated "When we conclude to make a Zion we will make it, and this work commences in the heart of each person. When the father of a family wishes to make a Zion in his own house, he must take the lead in this good work, . . ." . I have some regrets about not being a better father sometimes, but I believe each of you will be better. I appreciate the help of each of you to make good things happen in our family. Mom and I truly wish we will have a Zion family.

Our hope is that as you progress through life that you will not narrow your focus but enlarge your view of family and include your brothers and their families. Mom and I look forward to an elarged family. I observed my brother and sister struggle with comparing life with each other because they had comparible children and stuff. I think the Larsens and Tanners have done a good job of being close (I'm sure they have differences) and being involved with each other. Sunday was exciting, as Tim and Elizabeth debated/disagreed on doctors and insurance, but the good thing was, that they were able to have a difference of opinion and still end up agreeing on some points. Anyway we hope that each of you will remember that we want to build a Zion family. We want to celebrate each others success and morn with each others disappointments.

Summer!

Jared here. School is finally over! I've started my new summer schedule. I think I'm the only one right now at Nuskin--there aren't too many people that come in at 6 in the morning. It's like seminary, except I'm not really allowed to sleep. I work from 6 to 12 and then go straight to class. I have two this term and I'll be taking the summer term off of school to try to study for the LSAT. No formal classes or anything, just buying some books and studying from those. And by the way, Dad, I'm not an International Relations major anymore--that would require at least one more year of school--so I'm studying Economics.

A random thought, Mom and Dad, you should post pictures of the finished bathroom, I don't think any of us have seen it. And we got the check, we'll get some flowers and go see Grandma probably next Friday or something. I hope she doesn't have any wild plans for the weekend so we can catch her.