Humility

Reading through MTB's blog, as well as some other today, I came across several interesting comments.

From MTB
'I'm on the High Council. ... Dad attends the meetings, and brings my assignments... '

'Ryan's persistence at learning how to ride a bike that was WAY too big form him (money saving idea from DTB)'

From Poodle the Noodle
'Have dad talk to them. Sometimes he is really good at being mean...'

God gave me a family to keep me humble....

Mom Really is the Bomb

MTB and Bex arrived in SLC earlier today. I'm on my way, waiting for a delayed flight from Houston. I called MTB to tell her my flight would be late. She took that in stride. But she seemed a bit 'flustered' about something, so I asked her what was going on.

MTB: 'I've just been really busy since I got to Houston.'

'Really?' I commented.

'Yes' was MTB's reply.

'It's always really busy where you are. You should be used to that by now.'

'So it's ME?' she asked.

What do you think? Let the voting begin!!!!

Brasilians in Mexico

A person from IBM was at our office today. He is from Brasil, and has been working outside of Brasil since January of this year. He is learing Spanish quickly. Given my experience of learning Spanish, based on knowing Portuguese, I told him some of the words he should use with caution or avoid in Mexico. Most of these words are very normal for Brasilians. One of them is 'correr' -- to run. The word is the same in Spanish and Portuguese, but the Brasilians say it like Mexicans would say 'coger' (or for gringos, 'coher'). The word means to get or to grab in every Spanish speaking country in Latin America except Mexico, where it is used as the 'F' verb. So the Brasilian says, 'Now I understand why the concierge seemed offended last night when I asked her where I could go run.'

Stake Activities Committee

I was recently called to serve on the High Council of our Stake in Mexico City. (For those of you not of our faith, a Stake is somewhat analogous to a Diocese. The High Council supports a 'Stake Presidency' in administrative and leadership responsibilities.) My assignment on the High Council is to chair the Stake Activities Committee. I've never been much for organizing activities, especially dances. So, my first opportunity is to organize a dance for adult members of the Stake. Me, organize a dance? In Mexico? With music that Mexicans enjoy? Well, I believe in miracles, do you????

Wedding Music

Shady never does anything by the book. She always wants to be different. How many BYU coeds want to play 'Freebird' at their wedding (and maybe even try to sing it with her dad)? So I'll add a couple of more suggestions to her wedding music list. (Yes, my life is so boring that I have time to think about music for her wedding.) These may not be the correct titles, but I think she will know the music.

1. This Thing Called Love -- Queen

2. My Best Friend -- Queen

3. My Girl -- (I don't remember the artist).

4. God Only Knows -- The Beach Boys. (According to Paul McCartney, this is the greatest pop-music love song ever written. Another bit of useless trivia that clutters my mind.)

5. 'Till I Found You -- Susan Tedeschi

No News

You may have noticed that I don't post too much. That is because MTB ususally posts all the exciting news, leaving me with just the dull stuff. And since it is dull, I don't bother. Or maybe I just need to get a life......

My Reasons Why Mom is the Bomb

April 25 was MomtheBomb's birthday. I wanted to take the day off, but was unable to for varios reasons. I still thought I could be home by 2:00 pm, but on the way to work, I blew a tire, and my day started about an hour late. So i didn't get home until nearly 4:00 pm. But she was unfazed. So I want to add to the list's our kids have prepared about MomtheBomb.

These are not in any order of importance.

1. She is so calm, in some ways, that she can sleep through hurricanes and eat dinner through earthquakes and not even know what is happening.

2. She is primarily responsible for the success of our six children.

3. While several of the children were still in public schools, she completed here bachelors degree in biology with high honors.

4. She runs marathons.

5. She entered medical school at age 43.

6. She said she had a great birthday! I only bought her roses and took her to dinner on Saturday.

7. The people that impress her the most are those who quietly serve others. Those who are great in the world's eyes don't necessarily impress her.

8. She prefers to quietly serve others, and not make a big deal about it.

9. She wants to immerse herself in the local culture, and not just hang-out with gringos.

10. Despite all my quirks and faults, she still loves me.