I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag…

Today our family had the honor of attending a citizenship ceremony. It was truly amazing to be invited to this special day. There were almost 200 new citizens that took the oath in our great state. The Judge stated that these citizens comprised of almost 60 differently countries. I was in awe to see the culture, diversity, and experience represented. I then began to ponder the many other states that were holding similar ceremonies; wondering how many new citizens that would take the oath. I then found out that this event is held monthly and I began crunching the numbers in my mind…

I began questioning myself – if I really understood what it is to be an American? The blessings that come from being a citizen and what it truly means to be free. The Judge allowed about 20 to 25 of the new citizens to express their thoughts and feelings on knowing that they were now legal citizens of the United States. There were many expressions of gratitude, honor, pride, relief, and love spoken. I was humbled by their comments of sacrifice and suffering.

So today, when I said the pledge of allegiance – it had a whole new meaning to me. I am proud to be an American! I love this country and the freedoms that are allotted to me.

Thank you N for inviting us, we are so excited and proud of you!

Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail!

Happy Easter to all! We hope that everyone enjoyed their holiday with friends and family – we sure did!

On Saturday we attended the Herriman Easter Egg Hunt! It was cold and the clouds were threatening to rain – but it didn’t!

We were excited as this was Abby’s first experience. Early that morning, Mitzi and I practiced with Abby picking up the candy and putting it in her bag. She caught on quickly and we both thought, she’s got it!

We arrived a few moments early as in the past years the hunt started 5 minutes before the scheduled time. Apparently there were enough parental complaints last year as the event this year was very well organized and the hunt started about 5 minutes after the hour allowing straggling parents and children to get into their assigned areas.

As we stood in the cold an extra 10 minutes more than we had planned, now totaling 20 minutes, Abby decided she was done before the fire engine sounded the alarm. She began to cry when we tried to put her down.

Benjamin was a trouper – his hands were cold, but his mind was busy mapping out where we was going to go.


This morning, Benjamin woke up bright and early – very unusual for him. He came into our room, what a great kid, and laid in our bed. After successfully waking us up, he said he needed to check on Abby. We allowed him to confirm that Abby was asleep and heard him saying, “Abby wake up, the Easter Bunny came!” Mitzi and I struggled to hold back our laughter as we began spying on him to see what he was doing. He was right, the Easter Bunny came.

Oh Sooo Pretty!

Today was the day, the day Mitzi said: “We are going to get Abby’s haircut!” Abby received her first haircut today. She did well considering it was her first; and well, it’s Abby. This moment took me back to Benjamin’s first haircut. He quietly sat in the booster chair, head down with a scowl. It took only a few moments and he was done with a big grin on his face because he got a sucker. He loves getting his suckers, I mean haircuts.

With Abby, we knew this experience was going to be different. Maybe we jinxed her and ourselves. She started out with a sucker and on Mitzi’s lap. She had to be repositioned about 10 times, another sucker was given and then a comb for the other hand. Ending up with a sucker in her mouth, a sucker in her hand, and a comb in the other while we all continued to tell her how pretty she was. For the most part, it worked.

Of course we took a picture of the event.

“There singing time and dancing time and laughing time and playing time and now it is our favorite time it’s SIGNING TIME!”

Those of you who have had children under the age of 2 understand that at times you wish to communicate with your child more effectively. While watching my two children go through this non-talking stage, I have often wondered what they are thinking or what they really want instead of trying everything in the diaper bag. I have seen many parents go through this same ordeal and our family has found a solution that has worked for us. It’s Signing Time

Mitzi and I began signing with Benjamin when he was about 6 to 8 months old. By the time he was 10 months old he could sign milk and more. We saw much success over the next couple of months and by the time he was two, just learning to talk, he could sign over 250 words. These signs ranged from colors, family members, foods, animals, and everyday language.

We are now starting to see the same success with Abby. At 15 months old she can sign: milk, more, want, water, bath, cold, hot, cat, dog, sheep, book, ball, tired, blanket, hat and her favorite - EAT! (I am sure I am missing one or two.) It has been a bonding experience to know what she is thinking/wanting and being able to respond and communicate back with her.

Apparently scientific studies suggest that “typical” children who learn sign have higher IQ scores, are better adjusted and read at an earlier age. Now we have not tested either of our children nor have pushed for any of these things as our primary desire has been to communicate with our children at a very young age.

Mitzi and I did observed that with Benjamin’s ability to communicate earlier in life, he never really when through the “terrible twos” as he was able to sign instead of throwing a tantrum. Now I know Benjamin is an exception as he is a very easy child, but we are hoping for the same with Abigail.

I know that each of us as parents have found something wonderful that has helped out our families and the development of our children – please share, I would love to hear what has worked for you!

They grow up sooo fast!

For the last two months Abby has been toying with the whole walking bit. She, like Benjamin, has been an amazing crawler – if not faster and a little better. Benjamin did not walk until 15 months old as we discouraged it. Every time either of them has toyed with standing and walking we tried to hold them off as long as possible. Benjamin never had any interest; Abby on the other hand has had a lot more however she has preferred crawling due to her speed on her knees. Well Mitzi and I now believe tonight was Abby’s turning point – she has seen the advantages of walking over crawling. All night she walked and of course she received a ton of praise. She then began to “show off” and now I think she’s hooked. Of course we had to take some pictures – hope you enjoy!

Woo, That was close!

Did you see that one?

Still Walking

8 years - but who's counting???

Mitzi and I celebrated our 8th anniversary on Monday. It is hard to believe that it’s been 8 years. Time just goes by sooo fast. Over the past couple of days, I’ve been reflecting on our time together and thought I would share (the things I can) 8 things we’ve accomplished together in no particular order.

• Both of us finished our Bachelor degrees taking many classes together and I just finished my MBA with her support.


• We have both changed multiple positions but still work for the same employer.


• We had our first child, Benjamin, 3 years after we’d been married and Abigail followed him 3 ½ years later.


• We purchased our first home together and have just finished off the basement, remodeled the bathrooms and replaced the flooring, deck, lighting and hardware.


• We purchased two cars together which we’ve loved – ok I have.


• We been on vacations to Vegas, Phoenix, and multiple places in California, Florida and Idaho.


• We’ve remained very dedicated and faithful to our church callings and many of those years we were primary teachers together.


• We have made it through some tough times, and enjoyed the good times!
  

I love you very much Mitzi Jo – here’s too many more years to come! I’m hanging on and going to enjoy the ride! Love you babe.

If Given One Million Dollars

My cousin recently posted on her blog what she would do with a million dollars. It was fun to read and I appreciated the reflection it gave me. So what would Duston do with a million dollars? If you would have asked me this a couple of months ago my list would have been totally different – but today due to everything going on it would be.

• Pay my tithing.


• Purchase an investment home from a new friend of mine so they don’t have to worry anymore – I hear it’s amazing, but have never seen it.


• Purchase my sister-in-laws house in Idaho so she could move down here without worry – rent it out by hiring a management company and then sell it when the market rebounds if it’s not cash flowing.
  
• Pay off our current home, finish the remodel and rent it out so Mitzi would not have to work anymore – cash flow.
  
• Purchase my wife a new washer and dryer (washer broke on Saturday *grin*).


• Build up our rainy day fund.


• Put some money away for Benjamin and Abby for school.


• Buy my other sister-in-law some clothes for her family and food storage.


• Do some remodeling for mom and dad B – bathrooms first, then kitchen!


• By my mom a new car.


• Pay off a new car for one of my friends, they need the little extra a month. Help another out in AZ if needed.


• And last but not least – Take the fam on the vacation we’ve canceled the last two years. Don’t worry Benjamin, I didn’t forget.

Now if you ask me again in a couple of months, I am sure this will change. What would you do with your million?