This is one of my favorite pictures of my father. I don't remember what year it was. He had just gotten home from work. He anxiously opened his birthday present.
You may be able to tell more from the raise shoulders and open hand that he is very excited. It was just the watch he wanted!
The part I find most humorous ... he new what he was getting. He circled the watch in the sales ad. He gave us the ad. He gave us the money. All we did was go buy it, and wrapped it. In newspaper, of course.
Yet, he has the excitement of a 4-year-old getting a new toy truck.
I met Beth at the beginning of my sophomore year in high school. Despite being in different classes I was welcomed by her group of friends. We once decided our parents should never meet. Her mom knew things my mom didn't know and vise versa.
I was delighted when she decided to finish her bachelor degree at the University of Idaho. She not only found herself successful, she found herself in love.
Beth married Jarrod in June of 2000. I was given one of the centerpieces from her wedding receptions.
Beth's dad is absolutely amazing with wood, and her mother with paint. I have a number of crafts their hands have made among the things I don't want to get ride of.
The carousel fits together and with a little help will spin.
I don't know how often, as a child, we tried to get Dad to allow our dog, Polly, in the house. It wasn't going to happen, "Animals belong in the barn." I don't think I ever really bought into his sentiments.
Thus was the case when Melissa moved in with her dog and cat. She would also foster animals for a week or two. It wasn't until I was stilling cleaning up pet hair six months after she moved out that I was converted to "Animals belong in the barn."
I had many people suggesting I get a dog. It would be company. I could be protection. I knew if I was going to get a dog I would want it in the house. It wouldn't be very good company outside during cold, snow filled months.
I recently realized that as of the 3rd of June I will have been home from my mission for 5 years. I was telling some one today that I spent the last 6 months of my mission telling people I had been out for about a year. This was to keep myself and others from thinking about my return home.
At our district meeting a week before I was to leave my District Leader, Elder Blanchard, had a gift for mee. Since I had one week left he made mee a chain to count down the days. Since there was one week, I got one "link" of a chain. He might be surprised to find out I still have it.
A couple of the Elders took the time to calculate the numbers of hours I had left. They were given permission to call mee each morning with an update. I am glad they did not.
During the last 5 years I have had the opportunity to see all but one of my companions, attend many a mission reunion, a develop more lasting friendships. It was about a year ago, while in Florida, that I was able to hook up with my last companion, Hermana Quiros.
This is a picture of myself, Sister Laird, and Hermana Quiros.
This picture was taken in Oct 2003. 
Sister Pearson, Elder Homer and I were serving together in the Ft. Worth District.
And again after a trip to Jackson, WY.
As I get further into my mission pictures there will be many stories to tell.
