What To Try Next

My sister was trying to get her kids to do something. First she tried asking them nicely, and then when that didn't work she tried singing her request.  Not being successful she asked out loud what she should try next.  One of her kids piped up: "Mom, you should try yelling."

The Harsh but Honest Truth

 Quote from Sophia today:

"Dad, that's not 'fancy dance moves,' that is just a funny way to walk."

Meaningful Conversations

 The fun thing about being a dad of teenage sons is the meaningful conversations you get to have.  Why just yesterday I had the following heartwarming conversation with my son Seth:

Me: "Hey Seth, what are you reading?"
Seth: "A book."

Yep, the joys of parenthood and connecting.  You've got to remember to savor precious moment such as these.

Look and Live

Our church has asked us to wear masks: https://www.deseret.com/faith/2020/7/10/21320807/mormon-covid-19-pandemic-masks-church-latter-day-saints-in-utah

In Moses time they were asked to look at a serpent and live:  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2002/03/look-and-live?lang=eng

This is too simple of a chance to be obedient to let slip by.

I want to go to chuch next week, and I want to bring all the masks I can, so that if anyone didn't have one they won't feel bad about still coming to church.

Let's be quick to hearken to every request just like Helaman's "sons" (Alma 57:21), and perpaps like them EVERY life will be spared.

An Interesting Coincidence

Our prophet happens to have have been a very skilled and very famous medical doctor.  This was something he gave up when he was called to be an apostle.  Years later we have a COVID-19 pandemic... just when a medical doctor happens to be the prophet.

Friendly Fire

Feeling nostalgic, I purchased a copy of StarCraft, remembering the many fun hours I had spent playing with my brothers (well mostly ganging up on Stephen with John).  I decided that my sons should get to enjoy it too, so we set up some laptops and had a couple of games.  My sons were still learning how the game worked, so I had "friended" everyone.  Hyrum built a lot of the largest spacecraft called a "Battlecruiser."  To be prepared for his attack I had placed a lot of missile turrets (forgetting I had “friended” him and they wouldn’t attack him).  Hyrum basically flew into my main base and wiped me out.  While he was doing this Noah figured out how to launch a nuclear strike and snuck into Hyrum’s base and wiped it out.  Seth, who was on Hyrum’s team, found in the bottom right corner some carrier ships hidden away.  Thinking he had found his Dad’s secret stash of troops, he called out “Hyrum, I found him!!!”  He then proceeded to blow them up with his aircraft.  Hyrum then exclaimed “That was me!!!” 

By the way, you can now get this game for free: https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-download-the-original-starcraft-for-free/
  

Awesome Legos

Seth was working on his science fair project and he needed to have Lego columns of different widths to test his ultrasonic sensor.  He was having fun building with the Legos and got a bit distracted in what he was building.  When his mom asked him to focus on finishing his science project he said: "Mom, before I destroy this...let me show you how awesome it is."

Running Away from Home

We had an interesting conversation with our bishop.  Apparently our youngest daughter Sophia told him that Melissa had "run away from home," and so now Sophia got to sleep in her bed.  Concerned the bishop asked about what was going on with our oldest daughter.  We had to explain to him that "run away from home" meant that Melissa was at Utah State University and that she had housing and food because of her scholarships, so he needn't be concerned about how she was doing.

Shiny Hair

Sophia was playing her mom's hair and remarked, "Mom, you have really shiny hair."

Happy with the compliment, Deborah replied, "Thank you, Sophia."

Then Sophia added, "It's so shiny because you're really old Mom."

(Sophia should have quit while she was ahead.)

Noah's Compliment

Compliment from Noah: "You are as beautiful as a kitten next to a rose bush!"

Soup Standards

We were walking in Macey's and Brian bought Melissa and Cassey some soup to eat while they walked around. Brian took a sip.
Brian: "This isn't very good."
Melissa: "This is good soup, Dad. You've just been ruined because you have tried Mom's."

10 Year Old Compliments

Deborah was making peanut butter bars yesterday with Seth and Sophia. Seth's commented, "Mom, these start out kind of a mess and turn into something sweet. ..kinda like you!" 10 year old boy compliments are the best!

Like a Puppy

Cassey was cleaning the kitchen and got to the point she didn't really know what to do anymore. She said to Melissa, "I am like a confused puppy... Except I am not a puppy."

Buying Kisses

Deborah was trying to get our youngest daughter to give her a kiss, but Sophia was far too busy to be interrupted to stop playing.  

After several attempts, including a couple of bribes, Sophia finally turned to her Mom and in an exasperated voice said, "Mom, I'm NOT a kiss store.". 

Apparently her kisses can't be bought.

What Would Mommy Say?

Jessica was playing with Sophia, and Sophia was concerned about a bump on one of her fingers.  Trying to be consoling, Jessica suggested to Sophia that she show the bump to her mom.  Sophia went up stairs, and then came done a few minutes later.  "What did Mom say?" asked Jessica.  Sophia replied "She said 'Don't stick your finger in my face while I'm trying to do something.'"  Chuckling as I heard the story I asked Deborah about it.  She didn't remember the incident.  I asked Sophia, who then confessed, that she hadn't really asked Mom, but had decided that is what she would say.