President Hinckley

The 97 year old prophet and president of our church died last night. I have to say my initial reaction to hearing of his death was of sadness and then relief and happiness for him. And I have enjoyed all the news coverage about the events and accomplishments of his life. He was so wonderful and so busy as the president of the church. Such a heavy load to bear for such an old man, but he always did it so cheerfully and humbly. And knowing that he will get to be with his wife again who past away a few years ago will make him so happy. I just keep thinking what it must have been like for him to see his Savior. I cant help but think of what it will be like for me and how I just have to be better and work hard on living a life of service. One talk that he gave sticks with me.
Gordon B. Hinckley, “Forgiveness,” Ensign, Nov 2005, 81

I always thought it was so sweet that this story touched Pres. Hinckley so much and that one of the things he has come to learn over 90 years is that there needs to be more kindness and goodness in the world. Here is an excerpt:

...Age does something to a man. It seems to make him more aware of the need for kindness and goodness and forbearance. He wishes and prays that men might live together in peace without war and contention, argument and conflict. He grows increasingly aware of the meaning of the great Atonement of the Redeemer, of the depth of His sacrifice, and of gratitude to the Son of God, who gave His life that we might live....

A time back, I clipped a column from the Deseret Morning News, written by Jay Evensen. With his permission, I quote from a part of it. Wrote he:

“How would you feel toward a teenager who decided to toss a 20-pound frozen turkey from a speeding car headlong into the windshield of the car you were driving? How would you feel after enduring six hours of surgery using metal plates and other hardware to piece your face together, and after learning you still face years of therapy before returning to normal—and that you ought to feel lucky you didn’t die or suffer permanent brain damage?

“And how would you feel after learning that your assailant and his buddies had the turkey in the first place because they had stolen a credit card and gone on a senseless shopping spree, just for kicks? …

“This is the kind of hideous crime that propels politicians to office on promises of getting tough on crime. It’s the kind of thing that prompts legislators to climb all over each other in a struggle to be the first to introduce a bill that would add enhanced penalties for the use of frozen fowl in the commission of a crime.

“The New York Times quoted the district attorney as saying this is the sort of crime for which victims feel no punishment is harsh enough. ‘Death doesn’t even satisfy them,’ he said.

“Which is what makes what really happened so unusual. The victim, Victoria Ruvolo, a 44-year-old former manager of a collections agency, was more interested in salvaging the life of her 19-year-old assailant, Ryan Cushing, than in exacting any sort of revenge. She pestered prosecutors for information about him, his life, how he was raised, etc. Then she insisted on offering him a plea deal. Cushing could serve six months in the county jail and be on probation for 5 years if he pleaded guilty to second-degree assault.

“Had he been convicted of first-degree assault—the charge most fitting for the crime—he could have served 25 years in prison, finally thrown back into society as a middle-aged man with no skills or prospects.

“But this is only half the story. The rest of it, what happened the day this all played out in court, is the truly remarkable part.

“According to an account in the New York Post, Cushing carefully and tentatively made his way to where Ruvolo sat in the courtroom and tearfully whispered an apology. ‘I’m so sorry for what I did to you.’

“Ruvolo then stood, and the victim and her assailant embraced, weeping. She stroked his head and patted his back as he sobbed, and witnesses, including a Times reporter, heard her say, ‘It’s OK. I just want you to make your life the best it can be.’ According to accounts, hardened prosecutors, and even reporters, were choking back tears” (“Forgiveness Has Power to Change Future,” Deseret Morning News, Aug. 21, 2005, p. AA3).

What a great story that is, greater because it actually happened, and that it happened in tough old New York. Who can feel anything but admiration for this woman who forgave the young man who might have taken her life?

I'm it

Emily is a much better athlete them me and in a friendly game of tag she tackled me! Dragged me to the ground, shoved my face in the dirt and told me I was "it". So six things you never wanted to know about me will be revealed.

1. I usually listen to about three hours of talk radio every day.

2. I've worked at: IHOP, GAP, a Maxiofacial Dentist office (I would hold the heads while the dentist pulled out teeth), had a paper route (for three years), worked in a cadaver lab (college), worked in a bookstore, Tanpopo (Japanese Restaurant, Logan), Demae (Japanese Restaurant, Provo), Japanica (Japanese Restaurant, Milwaukee).

3. I love the theme songs to the "Apprentice", and "The Glenn Beck Show".

4. I drive with my seat so close to the steering wheel that every now and then I make myself scoot the chair back. Sometimes I am so close that it is a pain to get in and out of the truck. (I specifically remember my mom doing this and teasing her about it).

5. I once got a traffic ticket for not being strapped in (I was riding on top of my friends car). That was dumb.

6. On my first day working as a hostess at IHOP I inadvertently tucked my skirt into my nylons. This was awkward and contributed to the fact that I only would work there for ten days.

Okay, good thing I only had to mention six things, I was starting to get embarrassed. Sooooo, who to tag now? Alright, the challenge goes out to:

Meggan H, Diana H, Missy G, Julie B, and Melissa C. Good luck if you are up to the challenge, it's kind of hard to think of six things.
Suerte!

That's my honey!

Since I've begun blogging I've remembered how poor I am as a creative writer. I was explaining my frustration to Dave the other night and in the course of our discussion I remembered what a creative writer Dave is. He can weave quite a tell when he wants to. Since you all have to suffer through my drab, boring blog, I'll give you all a sampling of the creative talent that does exist somewhere in our family.
My cute little, 85 year old grandma, wanted to compile a Family History book a few years ago and asked all or her family members to include just a one page, brief life history of our lives. We all did the task, included where we were born, went to school, fun memories, family pictures.... When you read the book you cruise along, enjoying everyone's funny memories and happy histories only to turn the page and start reading Dave's "Epic History", and you find yourself asking, "What is this?". Here is a brief look into Dave's 'gifted' mind (sorry Grandma):

In the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and seventy-nine, on the forth day of the eleventh month, a babe was born; and his name was David the Destroyer. (Until his mom saw what his dad had written on the birth certificate, and made him change it to David Brent Bragonje). With lightning in his eyes and thunder in his voice, he opened the womb of his mother for a second time (dave is the second born), but by no means would he be second.
Destined for greatness, and covered in blood he raised his chest with his first gasp of air, flexing his body for th first time as if exclaiming, "freeeeeeeeedddooooooommmm". At that same time, the elements that had been so fierce, as though they were fighting his arrival, withdrew themselves in submission.
Born into privilege, and burdened with responsibility, David's younger years were spent in preparation for the great deeds that would be required of him. And thus he grew strong in body and sharp in mind. So it is said that he cuts his enemies before he breaks them. He survived the isolated islands of the pacific (dave lived in the Marshall islands) and conquered the tallest reaches of the continents.
Although fame and glory were his from the beginning, love would be hard to find in the midst of lesser mortals. Until, at an elite training facility in an isolated region of the north(BYU-I), would grow a love more powerful and binding then the elements themselves. Angela, true to her angelic name, brought life to the frozen tundra of the land and to his heart; melting away the ice and freeing him from the ignorance of male puberty. Now he commutes from his home in the suburbs to his nine to five job as a bean counter, has a mortgage, mows the lawn, fixes the cars, goes to church, obeys the law, pays his taxes and saves for his retirement. And couldn't be happier! All the time raising his son...Joshua the Destroyer.

Why Josh has such a cool dad...

...because he does stuff like this. And I can't tell who is having more fun. I've been sitting in the rocker, on the lap top, for about an hour now and Dave and the boys have been, wrestling, making couch cushion forts, gone through Jedi training,... and this. I don't know what they call this. I just sit hear and laugh at them and how cute all three of them are. I usually try and join in on the fun but tonight I'm more of the mind frame of, "it's been a long week, you take them." Dave usually is gone at night during the week and it's me that gets to entertain these boys all evening. It's unfortunate for them because I'm definitely not as good at it as Dave.

Is Independence a good thing?

I try to let my three year old make decisions on his own like what activity he wants to do, what books he wants to read, what clothes he wants to wear...but I think I need to take that last privilege away. I think he needs at least three more years before he can make coherent wardrobe decisions. He was running around in this beauty of an outfit they other morning. Dave said that he has to not take a bath for two weeks before he can rightly wear an outfit like this. The funny thing is that these are Joshua's overall's, but the last time he wore them was two years ago. I never realized that my two boys were going to be so eager to swap clothes and at such an early age. Just don't think it's my fault when my boys look really...cute.

Cinnamon Rolls

I've made a surprising amount of cinnamon rolls this Christmas season. It's just what I felt like making every time I needed to bring a treat or make a dessert. My boys got really used to them and the other night while the rolls where baking Josh and Ammon were dancing around in excitement... and then I found them both licking the oven door. I made them stop. I felt bad crushing their excitement, but licking the oven door? Gross. Cute , but gross.

Cute Little Boy

The next couple posts are just a couple of funny/cool emails we've received lately. So, if you ever get any good emails send them our way. This one is a cute little boy on the radio:

Logan, The Sky Angel Cowboy

From the mouth of babes

The Mom Test

I was out walking with my 4 year old daughter. She picked up something off the ground and started to put it in her mouth. I took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that. 'Why?' my daughter asked. 'Because it's been on the ground, you don't know where it's been, it's dirty, and probably has germs' I replied. At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked, 'Momma, how do you know all this stuff, you are so smart.' I was thinking quickly. 'All moms know this stuff. It's on the Mom Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mom.' We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently pondering this new information. 'OH...I get it!' she beamed, 'So if you don't pass the test you have to be the dad. ''Exactly'. I replied back with a big smile on my face.

When you're finished laughing, send this to a Mom.

Basketball Star

Top 10 2006 Woman Drivers Awards

My favorite is the backward helmet. So funny.