Let the March Begin

Today, as March starts we have the opportunity to celebrate the birthday of Baby A.  I can't believe this little wonder is turning 3.  She has such a warm outgoing and fun disposition.  Just talk to her for 5 minutes and your head will be spinning, but you will have a smile on your face.  You might also need to check to make certain your ears are attached, because she can talk them off.  Oh how I love this little girl.

I just don't know how lucky I am to have been blessed with some pretty incredible nieces and nephews.  Just last Saturday, I was heading to SLC for a Golden Anniversary Party.  I sent Amber a text and asked her what she was doing?  I told her I was on my way to SLC and asked her if she wanted to get some lunch.  We went out to lunch, Amber let me pick where I wanted to go.  I picked one of my favorites Pei Wei.  I introduced Amber to the Dan Dan noodles and edamame.  She liked them both, as I knew she would.  After lunch, I asked her if she had some time to go do a little shopping?  She humored me and let me drag her all over the valley to pick up my random shopping wackiness.  She never even complained.  I still find it hard to believe she is 20-something.  It wasn't that long ago that I was using her as an excuse to go watch all the kids movies that I wanted to see.  One day, not too long ago, I confessed to her that I often would drag her to these movies for that reason.  She laughed and told me I could still take her to them.  I might have to take her up on the offer!

Chase is in Tennessee and serving as a missionary.  I am still just in shock at the amazing young man he has become.  He is such a great example and just a genuine fun guy to be around.  He likes to hunt, hang out with his uncles, and despite stealing most of his material, is a pretty funny guy.  The future is bright for this young man and I for one cannot wait to see what the future brings for him I am looking forward to hear about his mission experiences.

Lastly is Baby Rock.  He is such a happy baby, always smiling (except in this picture).  Even when he doesn't feel well he has a contagious smile.  With the world still ahead of him, I will be on the front row watching his growth.

Yes, I truly am one lucky uncle!

Juab County, a pretty great place to live!

Heading out to a public health meeting in Richfield.

Can I tell you something?  The amount of meetings attended by the county commissioners is unreal!  Before I go on, please note I am not complaining, because I truly am enjoying it.  I cannot believe how much I am learning, or at least being introduced to.  (Let's hope some of it sticks.)  Anyway, a few weeks ago I was planning out my February and realized that there are very few days that I didn't have a meeting to attend or someplace to go for the county.  While attending these meetings I continue to meet so many incredible and wonderful people in Juab and across the state that volunteer so much of their time in service.  Unpaid volunteers on boards, committees, and providing service all to make our county a better place.  It truly is these (YOU) amazing wonderful people that make this place great.  Thanks to all of you that give so SO much.  You are awesome!

February is for Family..

What an incredible family oriented February we have had.  I loved having my parents home for the week.  So excited that they were able to come home and spend the time with Chase before he headed out to the MTC and eventually onto Knoxville, Tennessee.  We had extended family in town for the farewell and I was able to grab a picture of mom and two of her sisters.  (I should have taken another picture after Aunt Florence arrived, but I didn't think about it until just now as I was typing this post.)  Of course I had treat times with my Beautiful Nieces and Handsome Nephews.  How lucky I am to be blessed with such a great family.  They even gave me the cookie above, just to remind me that I am loved.  Yes, February has been busy but it has also been a wonderful and rewarding time.  One of those times when you can't help but reflect on how lucky you are to have so many great people around that love me.  Yes, I am lucky and so, so blessed!

Ride Along

Shortly after being sworn into office, I had a chat with Juab County Sheriff, Doug Anderson.  I asked him if I could ride along with his deputies sometime.  He told me that I could anytime.  Well, that day finally came.  This past Friday I joined Deputy Chris Painter as he took a trip out to Juab's West Desert.  Chris was to attend the High School Basketball Game and provide an officer presence.  This was a great opportunity for me to be there and visit with some of my fellow Juab-ites.  The game was great!  I really enjoyed spending the time out on the West Desert and meeting seeing some of these great people.  On the ride back, I managed to grab a picture of Haystack Peak as well as a nice buck antelope.
We drove back through Callao and Eureka.  We also drove the streets of Mona and Levan.  Always on the look out for anything that was out of the ordinary.  The whole experience was an eye opener for me.  Always needing to be alert and pay attention to everything.  So much more than just giving speeding tickets.  I spent 11 hours of his 12 hour shift with Deputy Painter and gained an increased respect for those who have chosen to serve us.  Thanks to all our law enforcement for quietly patrolling the roads and cities to keep us safe!

Banquets and Busy

I keep thinking that as time goes on, life will get less hectic.  Not certain when that day is going to happen.  Last weekend we had the annual Elk Banquet.  With over 310 people in attendance, it was our biggest banquet to date.  It was such a great day and completely busy, but such a relief when it was over.

The next day, was the mission farewell for one of my vest friends and greatest buds, my Nephew Chase.  His farewell address was pretty amazing, he did such a spectacular job and kept my attention and kept me awake.  After the church meeting was the traditional farewell dinner.  Always a great time to visit with family and friends.

Both events were great and very rewarding.

Second Chances!!!

About 4 years ago, I tried a little Mexican Restaurant in town.  It was new and I thought, what the heck I will give it a try.  My brother picked up my order and brought it back to me.  Well, it was a rather hectic day at the office and by the time I got around to eating my lunch, it was cold and I didn't love it.  So, I made a quick mental note not to return.  Until recently, I had a co-worker tell me that it was one of her favorite restaurants.  Still I held out, until she brought in her lunch and it looked great.  So, I thought why not give it a try?  Which I finally did.  Tried the taquitos and they were in fact delicious!!!  Fresh tomatoes, lettuce and a dob of sour cream.  I had found a new place to eat.  Since the, I have returned several times and had ventured out to try other menu items.
This made me start to wonder how many other things in our life have only given one chance?  I am not talking something as trivial as a restaurant, but what other things and people have we not given a second chance?  Which leads me to my newest challenge/assignment for me.  Re-examine those people and things in my life and take a second chance.  Have any of you ever rediscovered something after giving it a second chance?  I would love to hear about it.  

The Dawning of a New Day....well New Year!

At the start of a new year, I always take time to reflect on what I would like to accomplish in the upcoming year.  I look forward to the new slate and making the upcoming year whatever I want it to be!  I know that in recent years I have advocated not setting "New Year's Resolutions".  I don't change my thoughts regarding resolutions.

However, I am 100% behind setting goals!  I firmly believe we all should take the time to review our 1, 5, 10, and 20 year plans.  How are you coming with these goals?  Are you still on track to reach them?  Maybe it is time to re-evaluate your plans and see if it is time to make some changes.  Maybe you no longer have the goal of being a CFO of a Fortune 500 company before you turn 40.  Or maybe 40 is in your rear view mirror and it is time set a more realistic plan.  One that fits with your current situation, your family, your career, your life.

Maybe you don't follow the schedule of the long range plans.  I still think you need to set some goals to accomplish.  Make them realistic and ones that cannot easily be broken.  Don't make them something you have to do every day, or well you miss one day and feel like you have failed.  Make your goals realistic, ones that help to improve you.  It is a new slate or a clean plate.  Fill up your new year with those things that make you happy!!!  Spend more time with family, lost 10 pounds, run your first 5K, bench press 200 lbs, swear less, pray more, complain less, love more, spend less time at work, learn to cook, eat more ice cream, run for public office, go skydiving, take a drive in a rented convertible, be a better friend, call an old friend, make a new friend, be a better son, husband, father.  (daughter, wife, mother)  Take that fishing trip you have been wanting to take, go on a second honeymoon with that special someone.  The new year lays before you, it is a new year, a new day!  Make the best of it!

AND....it's over!

I know this post says it was dated January 4.  But I started writing it last Sunday December 28.

Sitting here tonight, watching some football, thinking about the past couple of weeks.  I am a little sad that Christmas is over and we are just days away from the new year.  I have to be honest, as I was looking towards Christmas, I was a little uncertain as to how it was going to turn out.  With mom and dad half a world away and Chris and Liz were heading to Vegas for Christmas, I knew this was going to be different year.  But IT WAS Christmas and I was going to have a Happy Christmas!

I put together the 5th Clinton LP Christmas CD and could feel myself being a little more Jolly!  I went Christmas shopping, which generally puts me in the mood (I KNOW, I am backwards compared to most.)  I wrapped Christmas presents, I delivered neighbor gifts and I decorated the tree.  It was beginning to look and feel like Christmas.

As the Holiday drew closer, the more I heard people say they just wanted it over.  This year I heard more people complain  about Christmas than ever before.  It dis-heartened me!  I guess more people were wrapped up in the worldly and worried about the wrong things.  To be fair and honest, my preparations for Christmas do not involve providing Christmas for others.  Which leaves me time to focus on the traditions.  Attending Christmas Parties, watching Mike continue the tradition of fizzing up Egg Nog, Christmas morning breakfast, riding around town soaking in the lights while listening to music.  This was the first time I did Christmas dinner for the family and I loved it!  The entire time while cooking I thought of my family and hoped that they would like what I was preparing.

So, once again, this year I am sad to see Christmas go.  I desperately want to hold onto these times.  The association with family and friends, Friends and neighbors doing good deeds for each other, strangers expressing kindness to small children.  I love the kindness, the camaraderie, and the good feelings of the Christmas Season.  My tree will stay up a few days longer, I continue to be kind and I will hope others will do likewise.  May we all remember the good of the Christmas Season and always do our best to keep those feeling alive!