"The man who lets his kids drive away in the car."

We had our nephew, Nicholas, babysit the kids the other night. Doug took Paige with him when he drove Nicholas and his brother, Benjamin, home. On his way out he stopped to get the mail. He stepped out of the van and forgot to put the van in park. He realized his mistake immediately (before the van went anywhere ... for all those who are now wanting to call DCFS) and got back in to fix the situation. As he got back in the van Paige spoke in a voice like an announcer, "The man who lets his kids drive away in the car."

Doug told me about this when he got back home. He thought it was pretty funny.

I just read this to Paige and she said, "I didn't say it to be funny. I'm not kiddin'." Again, she's pretty funny even when she doesn't want to be.

Grandma and Grandpa Cunningham

I realize this is a cheesy picture. I chose to use this one because when I gave it to grandma and grandpa they got a real good laugh and put it up in their living room. It's a good memory for me. Sometimes it doesn't feel like they're gone, maybe because I know where they are and I'm okay with it. I know they are very happy and still watching over me.

When I think of the people who have helped shape my life, these are two powerful influences. Grandma and Grandpa loved each other dearly. They were dependable and always did what was required of them in their personal lives, with their family and in their callings. I loved visiting them and receiving their advice and wisdom. It was especially great to walk around the house and see little love notes they had left for each other on the washer, the fridge, the mirror, the microwave, etc. If you ask where I get my ability to endure and to push through difficulty in my life I will answer it came in part from observing my grandparents and the great people they are.

Grandma and Grandpa could always be counted on to come to our performances and birthday parties over the years. Even after I had moved away from home I still received a card in the mail at each birthday with $1 in it. I still have all of those cards and some with the $1 still in them. I don't remember them ever missing anything. They were always there. I think that is amazing dedication to their family. They had 6 living children and at least 40 grandchildren.

It was a sweet experience to see how Grandpa cared for Grandma as her health went downhill over the years. He always called her his "sweetheart". He never complained even as he wasted away from all the exercise. It was a pleasure to him to serve her. I can think of no better example of unconditional love. It is something I think all who knew them wish to emulate, including me. I love and miss them.

A Walk Down Memory Lane - Going to the Temple

I've been thinking lately about what is important to me in my life. These pictures represent one of the single most important days in my life. Doug and I were sealed to each other in the Salt Lake Temple on November 25, 2003. As you can see, we also had Paige sealed to us. She was 4 months old. There are several things etched in my memory from that day. My dad was able to be there. Doug and I were seated in the endowment room before everyone else so we got to watch my parents, Doug's mom, my sisters and a brother-in-law all walk down the aisle to be seated near us. I remember sitting in the Celestial room with Doug and feeling close to him in that beautiful room. I loved having our family with us in a small ceremony. I will never forget that special day in my life. I was worried about Paige because she would be in the temple nursery for 2 hours and didn't take a bottle or do well with strangers. I was worried for her comfort. Luckily I was able to get her to sleep before we did the endowment session. She slept until it was time to put on her white dress and meet us in the sealing room. We could hear her coming as Doug and I were being sealed. Apparently when she woke from her nap she wasn't happy with the kind women caring for her. She wouldn't take a bottle and screamed all the way up the elevator and into the sealing room. I picked her up to comfort her and she wouldn't be comforted. Delores (Doug's mom) held her and put her hand on ours as we were sealed for time and all eternity. I don't remember a word that was said because Paige screamed the entire time. We hugged our family and then rushed Paige downstairs to the nursery where I calmed her down. Now THAT is quite the memory. Here she is with her precious daddy - she's a daddy's girl.

I am grateful for the blessings of the temple in my life. It was a wonderful experience to welcome Preston into our family knowing he was born in the covenant and would be our precious son for all eternity. I love my family, which includes Doug and my children as well as extended family, with all my heart and I want to be with them forever. I love going to the House of the Lord regularly and living in an area where this is possible. I know I am watched over and protected when I keep the covenants I've made there. I am happy to serve my ancestors by performing ordinances in their behalf and I feel them near me as I serve them. I am grateful for the knowledge I have of the gospel of Jesus Christ and for my membership in his Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have lived contrary to its teachings in my lifetime and through repentance and the gift of the atonement I have found not only greater happiness and joy, but true happiness and joy. I'm not saying my life is easy or without sorrow, but I know that through Christ I am able to bear my burdens and find happiness despite sorrow and adversity. And one day Doug and I (along with our family) will receive an eternal reward for our efforts.

The BEST park!!

We took advantage of all the (other) kids being in school one day and thoroughly enjoyed a popular park in the area almost to ourselves.Proof I was there ...

Here's two innocent looking kids sitting on a very safe looking blue tire dangling on some straps.No one is safe when Doug is in charge of the thrill ride. These kids got the ride of their lives. I don't think I could even push that blue tire as high as Doug got it to go. I said a little prayer that my children would be safe. Do all dads scare mommies with thrill rides for the kids?!!

Obviously they enjoyed it ... and survived! Here they are in good shape getting ready to blast off in the rocketship.3 ... 2 ... 1 ... BLAST OFF!!! Oh NOOOOO!! Preston's not buckled. He had a good time rolling around in the cabin of the rocketship because his buckle wasn't fastened. We had to be on the lookout for monsters in space. There were a lot of 'em.We all had a good time and enjoyed playing without the crowd. I can't help but smile when I look at these pictures. I love my kids. And I love spending time with them and with Doug just enjoying the day and each other.

Another of Paige's setups - and one for Preston too

Paige loves to make set-ups of her toys. Can you see the color coordination she did in this one? She was very pleased with herself. Preston learns many things from Paige and they enjoy playing together nearly all day long. He has been learning the art of the set-up. He did this one by himself and was also very pleased with himself. He loves playing with cars so this is fitting for him.One of Paige's great passions in life is bunnies. The only thing she wanted for Christmas this year was Thumper (thank you, Cynthia ... that reminds me ... I still owe you ... be watching for a check in the mail). So anyway, Thumper goes everywhere with us and is a cherished toy for the time being. Paige has about 20 bunnies and knows them all by the name she gave it. Here she is with her favorite toys for the day. Notice she even has a PEZ bunny? She's crazy for bunnies!!

ET

Do you remember the part in the movie 'ET' where Elliot is going out to the swing and ET is out there, but you can't see him yet?

Apparently it's pretty scary.