Choices...

For a Family Home Evening earlier this year we decided (OK, I decided) that we needed to come up with a family motto.  After some discussion, and a lot of joking, we had thought of one that was pretty great, but also pretty long.  We had talked about things that kind of symbolized our family, things that we wanted for our family and things that we could remember when times got tough.
Eventually Braxton, said, "Mom, why don't we just have 'Make Good Choices' be our family motto?  You have said it every morning before school forever.  Wouldn't that be a good one?"
So we decided to go with it --

 

We all agreed that this was something that, as a family, we could stand for.  The funny thing about choices is you never really run out of them.  Even if you have made a wrong choice, you always have the choice to make it right through the gospel of Jesus Christ.  When we thought about it, in the end, isn't choices what this life is all about?

I know as a mother, I always wish the best for my family -- but sometimes, in fact more times than not, you can learn the most through a rough time.  Whether because of your own choices, or outside factors, no matter the situation you can always choose to have hope, choose to have faith, and choose each day to do a little better.

I think that we all underestimate the power we all hold.  The eyes that are watching us, the example and support we can be to those around us.  The truth that through us, our choices and our service our Saviors work can be done.

President Henry B. Eyring said to the Young Women of the Church, "In your testimony and your choices, lies the hope of the Church and of the generations who will follow your example."(March 2011)

The gift of the gospel in my life is one that I treasure deeply, do I take it for granted too often - probably, but I am so happy to know that through all of life's paths, for all of us, we are never alone if we just ask.  The promise we have of a constant companion and comforter if we live worthily is such a calming force in a very chaotic world.  For this and so many other things today...I choose to be grateful!

Koa Hui...

I was able to join Clark in a work luncheon that honored some of the top performers of the year in 2010.  It was really fun, his company has a lot of Polynesian influences because of the founders ties to New Zealand and that was the atmosphere of the luncheon.  There were some amazing dancers and yummy food, and it was really nice to get to meet a lot of the people that Clark works with.

I so enjoy seeing Clark love what he does and have already so many great colleagues.  We are truly blessed to have this in our lives. 
A gentleman by the name of Les Moore (I know, irony!) gave a talk of sorts and talked about working in an environment that is not an "I win, you lose" or an "I lose, you lose" situation.  It got me thinking a lot about being a Mom, and how I need to foster a better tone of "I win, You win".  I get so overwhelmed with trying so hard to make sure my kids are doing what they need to do to learn, sometimes I think I take away their joy of discovery.  I am going to try harder to "just let things be" and relax more - especially with my family.  This is truly where I find the most joy and I need to magnify that whenever possible.

"Peace I leave with you..."

While driving home one night I looked out my car window and saw the beautiful Mt Timpanogos Temple shining brightly in the distance.  It got me thinking about how the existence of Temples, the work done within there walls and even the requirements needing to be met to enter the Temple doors -- are such a helpmate in our lives.

We are so blessed and are so grateful for the blessings and opportunities the Temple provides.  As an Eternal Family we have a security that this world cannot provide.  We are able to see things with more hope, with more love, and with more belief.  Doing work in the Temples, and even just seeing them as a beacon of light on a dark night, we have the assurance that we are not alone and that there IS a Heavenly Father to guide us and bless us.

President Thomas S. Monson said, "The temple provides purpose for our lives. It brings peace to our souls—not the peace provided by men but the peace promised by the Son of God when He said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.” (Oct. 2010)

I am so grateful for the peace I feel as I attend the Temple, and as I ponder the work that is done there.  I hope there will be a day that I will be able to greet those sweet sisters, who I have been able to be in some way a part of their eternal journey, and thank them for the opportunity it is to do their ordinance work.

Great-Grandpa's Birthday...

March 14th is my Grandpa John's birthday, he turned 86 in 2011.  We had a fun evening visiting with him, and laughing in the front room of his house.  The weather was nice so the boys went out and played in their HUGE backyard.  Going to his house is and always has been so peaceful and nice.  Their house is actually built from cinder blocks - which makes it one of the quietest houses I have ever been in. 
Not this night though!  We were there with Dad, Mom, Courtney, Matt and their kids.  Along with my Uncle Morris and Aunt Paula.  Needless to say, we were NOT quiet at all, lots of laughs!!

 

My Grandpa is one of the greatest men I have ever known - and I get to be related to him.  One of the things that sticks out most about him is his sense of humor.  Grandpa is the "KING of One Liners".  Here a just  a few:

       * "Come in if your nose is clean"

       * "About an hour, hour and a half, two hours"

* "I said to myself, Self..."

* In response to offering of food

         "No thank you - just had my pants pressed"

         "My sufficiency has been suffancified."

* In response to "How are you?"

         "Any better I would have to be twins/triplets"

         "I don't know, how am I?"

         "Not too bad for a curly headed guy"

         "Just Lovely"

* "All of us 'Johns' sure were glad when they brought us inside!"

I love my Grandpa and am so blessed and grateful for him in my life, and the life of my family!!

Love you - Johnny Hazeldecker!!

Jantzen's Awesome "Geode"...

At Kindergarten Jantzen got a Geode and was very excited to get it home and crack it open.  He told me there was either silver or gold in it.

Jantzen wrapped it in a sock and grabbed the hammer and, because luckily it was a warm/dry day we went outside. After a couple good whacks at the sock...

The BIG reveal...

No Gold or Silver - but VERY sparkly!

Unfortunately the sock did not fair very well...

But Jantzen was happy with it anyway.  He couldn't wait to show his Dad and Brother when they got home.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder...

In 2011 we have been blessed to have Clark find a career that he really loves.  It is such a good fit, he really enjoys his colleagues, and loves the ownership/management that he works for.  The one draw back is that he has to travel to Georgia quite a bit.  Since he is starting to build relationships with the folks in Georgia and due to timing with School District budget meetings, he has been going there a lot.  It is nice to be able to video chat with him, and hear about Georgia but we sure do miss him when he is gone.
The first trip he went on we made a paper chain for Jantzen as he was the one taking it the hardest.  When Daddy came home the boys had made him a "Welcome Home" banner and put it on the garage.  There was balloons in the garage and we even bought his favorite treats for that night.

I don't think we could manage to love Clark anymore than we already do, but it is very sweet to see just how happy it makes all of us to get him back home again!!

Jimmered...

In the Beal Home, there is a division - 3 BYU fans and 1 Utah Ute.  Even though I will always fancy the U of U more than "The School Down South" I want to support my boys LOVE for the Cougars.
Clark got tickets for the boys, my Dad and him to go to one of the last BYU basketball games of the season.  With all the national attention on our own little local sports hero, it is fun to see them get a little respect.  The boys are equally in love with both Jimmer and Jackson Emery.  Braxton went to a Basketball camp two summer's ago and Jackson was his coach so he is very loyal to him.  They call him "Braxton Emery" at school.
I went and got the boys ALL geeked out in their BYU gear and I have to boast I think I went the extra mile for sure!  Blue & White hair, BYU T-shirts, Basketball Tattoo's on their cheeks.  They surprised Clark when he got home, they came out of my room and said, "OK Dad, ready for the game!"

Bowling with Cousins...

For a Family Home Evening in February we went with my sister Courtney, my bro in law Matt, and their 3 little darlings to do a tour of old Lehi.

Not really, I wish I could say we planned it that well and it was that thought out.  Honestly, we just wanted to have a fun night with the itty-bitties (not so itty anymore) and decided to go grab pizza and go bowling.  We went to the "Old but New Again" Purple Pig Pizza and then Jack and Jill's for bowling.  It was so fun - the cousins really do just love being together, and we are so lucky to live so close to them.

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The place was pretty busy but it was fun & had loud, great music playing.  The kids seemed to have a good time...

Addy getting a STRIKE

I am not a good bowler!  This is something that I know about myself, I had several gutter balls and after about the 3rd one, Colby said, "Aunt Cole, maybe next time you should have bumpers too!" Ahh, kids and their honesty.  Even though I lost by A LOT, I still managed a smile!

Addison, actually beat ALL the kids with a whopping score of 87!  She beat me too, I think I barely broke 50.  She had a strike and a few spares, but the highlight of the night for her was her bowling shoes!  She went up to several strangers to show them her shoes.  Her head cocked to one side, one eye a little squinty and a smirk on her face, she would point to her shoes and while nodding say, "Mine, Mine, otay, Mine"  I love that at 2 years old she knows how important shoes are -- wise beyond her years!

Basketball 2011...#34

Another new year...another new season of Basketball rolls, or should I say -- dribbles around. The boys both had friends on their team which made it so fun for them, and we had family and friends in the stands which made it fun for us.  Both the boys were #34 this year kind of cool!

Braxton & his best friend Baron

Jantzen & Elijah - they got to play each other and it was GREAT!!

Brax & Jaxson, they have been on a lot of teams together

Jantz & Holly (Baron's Little Sis) they had a great time on the bleachers!

Both Jantzen and Braxton have found their groove in basketball.  Braxton is really very good defensively and thinks about the game strategically.  He is really great at looking at the game as a problem and being able to come up with a way to solve it.  He had a lot of rebounds and several steals - in fact one game he was getting frustrated that the other team was playing well offensively and so he started setting screens himself and coaching the other boys as well.  What a kid, I love him!!

Jantzen also improved this season.  He on the flip-side is more offensive than his brother.  He has a great shot and fired it several times a game.  He liked being one of the tallest kids out there because he got to jump the ball quite a few times.

BIG Kiss for Valentine's Day...

Chocolate is not usually something we can give or get for Valentine's so when I found the GIGANTIC Hersey Kisses that were "Nut-Free" I was really excited to give them to the boys.  When they were getting up I yelled,

"Happy Valentine's Day -- I want to give you a HUGE kiss!"  

Of course, the look on Braxton's face was one of utter horror and he stood paralyzed as I approached him.  That is when I revealed the foil wrapped treasure.  Needless to say I think they will be a little more curious next time I say I want to give them a kiss!

 

So you know what they say about "Good Intentions", well, I bought the boys Valentine's really early to be prepared this year.  Fast Forward...the morning of Valentine's, before school, we were filling them out in a rush.  Oh well!

Jantzen just wanted to eat his KISS!!

Have snow -- will build a fort...

Snow and Cold are the 2 words I would use to describe the winter of 2011.  Global warming...REALLY!? The boys, Dad included, made the most of it and constructed a fort that looked pretty professional to me!  

He sang Christmas songs the whole time...I guess anytime is a good time to sing about Christmas!

Bombs Away...to bad Mom was the target!

They had a great time and the best part was Mom was in the house snuggly warm finishing her book.  All I had to do was take a few pictures and make the Hot Cocoa - life is good!!