Thunder and LIghtning

Today, I have five teenagers, and a 20 year old college student. Five. Teenagers. Today is the birthday of my twin boys "Thunder" and "Lightning". They have been compared to the two weasels on "Ice Age: The Meltdown", Crash and Eddie. I always say that if these two survive each other, they will be ready for the UFC. Lightning got his name because he did everything first: crawl, walk, talk. Thunder got his name because when he learned to crawl, and later to walk, he did it like he was trying to pound his hands and feet through the floor.

When they were young, they would tag team destruction. One would hold the chair, and the other would climb to whatever they wanted. They would get out of bed in the night, while everyone was asleep, and get into the refrigerator. They would then proceed to break every egg available onto the floor, and open every stick of butter. For a while, we had to latch the fridge to keep them out, and food in.

Their greatest delight is to tease their sisters. Thunder considers himself a comedian (except he isn't that funny). :o) Lightining plays the trumpet, and enjoys being in the band. Both of them enjoy camping, and playing video games. My wife always said that if we had had twins first, we would not have had any more, so it's just as well they are the youngest.

Here's hoping thirteen is not an unlucky number for them.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOYS! Stick.

Blessed to Receive

There have been many years where we have been blessed by gifts given to us either anonomously, or by name. We have tried to do the same when we were able, and have enjoyed giving to others secretly. We have often chosen a family (sometimes after consulting the Bishop) to do the Twelve Day's of Christmas for. This year, we didn't feel able to do that, though we did still give presents to friends and family.

This year we are feeling very blessed again by the great friends, and family, we have who love us as we love them. To all who gave us gifts, We say a united "THANK YOU!" To all of our friends throughout the World, we Love You, and miss you, and hope that the Lord will bless and keep you for the coming year. I hope you each recognize the source of all we receive, as we do, and thank him from whom all blessings come as we begin this new year. Keep him close within your homes and your hearts, as we keep you in our hearts and prayers.

Just a little Donkey

I wrote this recently. I hope you like it.


I was just a lowly donkey,
The lowest of the herd.
I had no loft, or station,
Such a thought was quite absurd.
My lot in life was simple--
Do what work was given me.
I had no thought of saying nay,
No thought of being free.

Then came the day I was chosen
To carry my master's wife.
She was heavy with their child,
The weight of coming life.
But as she settled gently
Onto my sturdy, saddled back,
I felt as though unburdened
As I stepped along the track.

I recognized the child
Unborn in my ladies womb.
Certainty swept away all doubt
Like chaff before a broom.
What creature of the World
Could not recognize their Lord,
Whose creation, their own existence,
Came from His very word.

I made my gait as gentle
A a little donkey could
To ease the ladies journey
Through the sand, and through the wood.
Then on reaching Bethlehem,
Upon that very morn',
Our Savior came into the World,
The Christ child had been born!

What a blessing it was to me,
A lowly, simple beast,
To be present on that occasion
Even though among the least.
Of our creator's vast assembly,
To think that I was there,
A simple little donkey,
With our Lord in my care.

Yes, I was just a little donkey,
The lowest of the herd.
I had no loft, or station,
Such a thought was quite absurd.
But I was blessed above all others
Of my kith and of my kin,
For I was present at His birth,
The one who paid for all our sin.

Substitute Thoughts

Contrary to the title of this post, I was not thinking about one thing, and then start thinking about something completely different. In fact, I was thinking about several similar things all at once. I am currently working during the day as a substitute teacher. Because of this, I see more different students in the course of the week than most other teachers. I also have, because of the nature of being a sub, more time with nothing to do than even the students have. As a result, I spend much of my day observing and listening to the students. It is very interesting what the students will tell each other when they think no one else is listening.

"I can't believe how drunk I got. I totally passed out, and didn't remember anything until I woke up in the hospital."

"Yeah, I got a ticket for underage drinking, but I'm gonna fight it, 'cause my Dad gave me the beer, and he was driving."

"No, I'm not pregnant. So I dodged another one."

"I beat the ____ out of her! She totally deserved it. She was talking ___ about me."

I could go on, but it gets very redundant. Underage drinking, casual sex, violence, lawbreaking, cheating, fighting, drug use. Name it. The scariest part of all of it is the attitude. Nothing matters, so do whatever you want. One person even suggested that the perfect retirement plan is to rob a bank with a gun. You'll go to jail where they will provide food, shelter, health care, etc. all for free. Besides, I don't need school, I can make more money in a day on the corner selling than most teacher's make in a year.

Where did we go wrong? Not too long ago in America people were ashamed when they did something wrong, or something that would embarrass their family. Not any more. In fact, many of the kids think their parents deserve it for trying to stop them from doing what they want to do. We live in the "me" generation of disposable things. Disposable razors, disposable cars, disposable marriages. If it doesn't work, throw it away.

This school, along with others, is trying to change those attitudes. They have a new program trying to build respect, responsibility, and honesty. They say it is working. I hope it is. I worry that it's not.

Take Care. Keep Hoping. Stick.

The Profane

I was recently working with one of the classes I teach. We had been studying murals and monuments. As part of a class exercise, and to have a little fun, the book suggested creating a mural as a class. We came up with a theme, and the images that we wanted to draw to represent that theme. Everyone was really having fun trying to draw and represent the images we had decided on.

Then one guy had to spoil it. I looked over and he was writing swear words on the mural. I lost it. I immediately grabbed an eraser, and while erasing the swear words, I threw him out of class. (He wasn’t even in that class, but had come to the room with a pass to “work” on make-up assignments from another class.) I told him how ridiculous it was that he had done this, and that he was not welcome in the classroom for a while.

I apologized to my regular students, but told them that this had ruined our project, and we would not continue. I then told them something that inspired this post. I said what I have always heard, and believe to be true,

“Profanity is the refuge of the Ignorant”.


When people use swear words and profanity, they are simply showing that they are not intelligent enough to put someone down with the vocabulary that they have available in their own intellect. Swearing elevates no one. It does not express what we really mean to say. My mother used to say, “I’m so mad, I cold just spit.” That is all that profanity is. It is getting so upset, that we verbally spit, because we don’t know what else to do. How much better if we were to think carefully of what we wanted to say, and express our anger, or hurt feelings, or whatever in a reasoned and intelligent way. Swearing is just a way to abuse someone without hitting them. In my opinion, you would be just as well off to throw that punch as to swear—the end result is just as effective at getting across your point. (No, I am not condoning, nor encouraging violence, I’m trying to show that both are equally wrong.)

Perhaps there is an occasion where a profane word expresses the exact sentiment we wish to get across, but I have never found it to be true. Unfortunately, I see that the trend in our society today to be towards accepting more and more of this type of language as common and acceptable. I hope we never fully get there. I long for the day that %@#%&*%$ was as profane as anyone ever got.

Keep it clean. Use your Intellect. Stick

Hot! Hot! Hot! Or Almost

We had an interesting situation occur Wednesday at school. We were part of the way through our sixth hour classes when the principal came on the intercom and announced that we needed to evacuate the building due to a potential natural gas leak.

We marched over 1200 students and faculty out of the building and down the street about a mile to the local Junior High. I have done similar type activities in other areas, so I know what should have happened. The reality was CHAOS!
There was no organization, no chain of command or information, and no knowledge of what was expected. No one knew where they were to ultimately go. No one knew who to go to, or where, for information on what was going to happen.

I hope that the school learned from this, and that they plan better for any future possible needs in this area.

Take care. Stick.

Computer Woes Continued

I got the new hard drive. I put it in. It works perfectly, but...I still have the original problem. It turns out the crashed hard drive was an additional problem the computer had. Now they think my video card, or display has gone bad. They are sending me a shipping box to return the computer for repair. Should be good as new (minus all my saved memory, pictures etc.) in about two weeks. This too shall pass.

On a better note, we are really feeling blessed right now. A friend, who is an avid hunter, gifted us with about a hundred pounds of meat. Don't feel too bad for him to give this up. He has gotten three elk, a moose, and two bears already this year. He had buffalo, deer, elk, and moose all from previous years hunting already in his freezer. He needed to make room for this seasons take. We are still grateful, and really feel blessed.

Take care. Good Hunting. Stick.