Father's Day Memories

Father's Day 2008, is an extra special holiday to my eldest son, Triston, who was baptized the Saturday before, but confirmed on Father's Day.

As many of you know, my husband, Shannon, is not LDS. Though many thought I was making a huge mistake and sacrificing too much, with my decision to marry Shannon, I knew then, and still believe today, that the Lord blessed me with him and supported my decision to marry him.

Because of the varied religious backgrounds of family members, and strain that over time comes due to these variances, we discussed every possible detail and set clear guidelines as to how our children would be raised in respect to religion. One of these guidelines was that when any of our children came to the decision to be baptized, regardless of what denomination they chose, they would have to wait until the age of ten to do so, so that their comprehension and understanding might be even greater as to the decision they were making.

Triston leaned very closely towards the LDS church. His small and sensitive spirit was very strong and in tune with the teachings and doctrine at a very young age. As he grew he came to realize that he yearned to be baptized by someone who held the priesthood to do so. Even before the age of eight, he was asking his father for his permission to be baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As he we have always been very honest and up front with all of our children about the differences in our religious beliefs and how we had decided to handle it, he knew that he would have to have it.

Shannon kept with our agreement and Triston waited. Though there were times that I worried and extra two years might lessen the children's sensitivity to the spirit and the light of Christ, due to outside influences they find so readily waiting in the world around them, I found that instead it instilled a a stronger faith and testimony to with stand those things around him.

Two months before Triston's 10th birthday he began the discussions with the missionaries in our area. This was quite an experience for many, as we attended them as a family at the home of our good ward friends, Rodney & Misha Egbert.

Both the elders were from Mexico. They had, for the most part, mastered English, but their thick accents made the lessons very interesting, not to mention the exploding egg, a baptism by fire demonstration gone very wrong! (The missionaries were very apologetic and extremely concerned that they may have frightened Triston into believe that receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost might not be a desirable thing, but Triston enjoyed it despite the horrifficness of it all and got a good laugh for several more discussions after that one, when he would ask if they could blow up another egg for him.)

In the end, Triston truly had a testimony and asked to be baptized immediately. He set the date only two days after his last discussion the day of his last discussion. It was a scramble, but everyone made it work.

Triston asked Brother Rodney Jones to baptize him, and on June 14th, 2008. The very next day, Father's Day, he was confirmed at our home ward in Murtaugh and bore his testimony for the first time.

Triston waiting for the big moment to begin!

Triston with Brother Jones, who baptized and confirmed him.

Triston with his dad, Shannon, and the elders who gave him the discussions,
Elder Nava and Elder Niquet.

Our family on Triston's very special day!

The following is the talk I gave at Triston's baptism.

The Gift of the Holy Ghost

Two weeks ago, during one of Triston’s discussions, he and I watched a video at the end of that day’s lesson, along with the missionaries, the Jones’, and his brother, sister, and father. It was a short video and in the video the people were talking and interacting with each other, yet we weren’t able hear anything they were actually saying to one another. Instead, we had to figure out what was happening simply by watching them. Now, some might think that it would be boring to watch a video where you couldn’t hear what the people were saying, but it wasn’t, because even though we couldn’t hear them, we could hear the beautiful voice of a woman singing.

As I was sat watching the video with Triston, I realized that I recognized the song. It just so happens that I have a cassette tape at home with that very song on it. One I got many years ago when I was in seminary, but which I hadn’t listened to in a long time. When we got home after the discussion, the first thing I did was go to where we keep our hymn books and all church music to find the tape with that song. When I found it, I put it in the stereo and fast forwarded to that song. After it began to play, I asked Triston if he knew what song it was. After a few seconds he smiled and said “that’s the song we heard when we watched the video at my discussion today.

Now the name of the song we heard that day is My Holy House. Some of you may be familiar with this song but maybe not all of you have heard it, because it isn’t a primary song or one of our church hymns. But it is a beautiful song and the words to the song are special and they are very important. So I am going to share them with you during my talk today, because they have to do with what I’m going to talk about, which is the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead, but unlike our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ, he doesn’t have a body. He is just a personage of spirit. But he is very important. Through Him we gain a testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ, of his work, and the work of his servants upon the earth. He is the convincing witness that helps us to know that the gospel is true.

The Holy Ghost can be manifested to us while we’re on the earth in two different ways; through the power of the Holy Ghost and through the gift of the Holy Ghost. BUT it’s very important to understand that the power of the Holy Ghost and the gift of the Holy Ghost are different.

The power of the Holy Ghost can be manifested upon someone, which means they can feel it and be influence by it before they get baptized. When that happens the Holy Ghost helps us to know the gospel is true and helps us to gain a testimony of Jesus, which then gives us the desire to be baptized. But when one doesn’t act upon it, and receive baptism, the power of the Holy Ghost will leave us. Though the power of the Holy Ghost can influence us, his influence can’t constantly stay with us unless we receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

When we act upon the influence of the Holy Ghost and we are baptized properly by someone with the power and authority of the Priesthood, then after we are baptized and when we are confirmed, we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The gift of the Holy Ghost gives us the right to have the Holy Ghost with us, as a constant companion, when we live worthily. (What it means to live worthily? To choose the right and to repent when we do something wrong so that we can be forgiven and be worthy again.)

When we are worthy, we will always have the companionship of the Holy Ghost with us, and we will feel His influence even more powerfully than we did before we were baptized. With the gift of the Holy Ghost you will have that still small voice to help you choose the right. He will guide you on the straight and narrow path, strengthen your faith and testimony, and be a help to you throughout your life.

Now this brings me back to the song I was talking about earlier. The title of the song is My Holy House. What do you think that means? Have you ever heard the saying our body is a temple? What do you think it means? That we need to keep our bodies and our spirits clean and treat them very special; something that we should take very good care of because it’s sacred, just like the temple being built here in Twin Falls. Okay, now I’m going to read the words to the song:

Windows and doors open and close
Keeping out and letting in.
The dark and the light
The wrong and the right
I decide what enters in.
The things that I choose
Determine if I lose
All the light
That’s within my holy house.
********************************************
A shadowy voice speaks at my door
With many dark things to say.
What should I do?
The spirit inside
Tells me I should turn away.
********************************************
A temple of light
With windows clean and bright
Light the soul
That’s within my holy house.
Mine is a house of holiness
It’s up to me to keep it clean.
My own temple full of love and light
Where the spirit stays with me.
********************************************
I begin to see souls in need
Knocking so gently with hearts to feed.
Should I let them into my life?
Is there room enough for love?
Seeking to help, seeking to care
Making a welcome place.
With each kind step love fills the room
Granting the Saviors grace.
********************************************

Triston…. A temple of light
With windows clean and bright
Light the soul
That’s within your holy house.
Your’s is a house of holiness
It’s up to you to keep it clean.
Your own temple full of love and light
Where the spirit stays with you.

You are making the choice to choose those things that your Heavenly Father wants most for you and that will enable you to return to Him again. Yes, you will have many trials throughout your life, some big and some small, but because you will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost when you are confirmed tomorrow, He will be there to guide you as you live worthily. Should you stumble from time to time, you will have the opportunity to repent through our Savior’s atonement and once again make your windows bright.

I am so proud of you Triston and I am thankful that I have the opportunity to be your earthly mother.

I say these things in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Fun & Family

THE SMITH'S

Yesterday, we had to go to Pocatello for Triston's 4 week check-up with the orthodontist, which only took 5 minutes (he needs 7 more turns). Seeing as how we had driven 85 miles to see a really good orthodontist for only a five minute visit, we decided to make the gas worth the trip and go hang out with our favorite American Falls residents. The Smith Family! So we bought pizza and ice cream, then headed on over to their house to spend some quality time catchin' up.

Orion, as always, was in girl heaven. Who wouldn't be, with four female cousins to play with? The boys tuned right into SpongeBob Square Pants, of course, cause we don't have cable at home nor do we watch TV. While us adults settle in to watch a funny movie, What Happens In Vegas, which was absolutely hilarious and heart-warming at the same time.

Kelly thought I should call in sick and let the kids play hookie, so we could spend the night and hangout longer, but I have a guilty conscience and cannot tell a lie. So, at 9 o'clock, we called it a night and headed home, though we wished we could have stayed.

The good news is, Triston's next appointment is April 29th, so we'll get to do it again in 4 weeks. YAHOO!!

Counting Our Blessings...

Blessing #1 - My kids were safe.

This Monday started out like any other. I was up at 5:30 to take Timbo out for his morning potty break. I folded a load of laundry and started another by 6:00. I was out of the shower by 6:30. Woke the kids up at 6:50. And we all piled into the van by 7:30. But the similarities stop there.

You know how they say most accident happen less than 5 miles from home. Well, we've become one of those supporting statistics as of 7:33 am this morning. We only made it a mile from home.

The winds yesterday were terrible; 40 mph for most of the day. It began with a rain storm around 3:00 am Sunday. I know, because Timbo woke us up early with an unscheduled urge and I was the one who stood outside in the cold, dark, wind-whipped rain to appease it. We lost power by 5:00 am. I know that too, because when the answering machine above the bed began beeping due to the power flickering it woke me and I checked the clock just before it flicked off. At 7:30 am power returned as we listened to the fax machine and printer power back up and run alignment tests. All this time the wind never ceased, but by now the rain had turned into icy snow like sleet.

At 8:00 am, church leaders called to say the power was still out on the Twin Falls County side of Murtaugh (we live on the Cassia County side), so they were going to cancel church. The wind and icy snow never really let up through the entire day, but dense fog came and went and we only lost power for about another hour around 4:00 pm when the frozen icy rain/snow build-up, due to the constant 40 mph winds, broke more power lines. As the wind continued until around 1:00 am the following morning, the already icy roads just got icier, as the wind helped to form a two inch thick sheet of ripped ice.

I knew when I pulled out of our driveway, the roads would be terrible. The ice was everywhere! I was driving slower than normal and watching up ahead to where the most treacherous portion lied. Unfortunately, I wasn't aware that we were already in trouble.

All I did was let off the gas to start allowing our van to decelerate on it's own before I came to the crest of the hill and began the decent to Hwy 30. We immediately began to fishtail. It was slight to begin with, but began to increase without encouragement. Not being a motor-head, like my husband Shannon, I didn't realize our van was a front-wheel drive. As I thought about all the things I was taught in Drivers Ed. many, many years ago, I lightly tapped the brakes, which is what they tell you to do in class. This, I was later informed by Shannon, is the wrong this to do in a front-wheel drive vehicle. It instantly sent us wildly fishtailing. Thinking that turning into the direction we were veering (also something they teach you), would help the situation I began to do so. That wasn't Good Either!

What's really weird about situations like this, is that at that exact moment it's all happening -which is usually just a mater of seconds- a million things run through your mind. I had already asked my kids if they all had their seat belts on when we first began to fish tail, so I knew they were as safe as I could make them at that point. I had a few options, because we were going to go off the road, and at the angle we were sliding, rolling the van was inevitable if I couldn't get it straightened out. So all the scenarios began to play in my head. Unfortunately, they were fast disappearing.

Ideally, using a stretch of road clear of other vehicles to regain control is the best option. But we only had a 3/4 mile of ice covered hill-slope facing in the wrong direction, downward, before we'd T into a highway of semis, cars, and trucks commuting to work. It was very apparent that wasn't an option.

As we were veering to the right quite quickly, going off the road into the large field on the right would have been the next best option. There are no ditches between the road and the fields near our home, so we could possibly skip rolling the van and just come to a stop way out in the middle of the frozen dirt, then drive back to the road and be on our merry way. But a concrete irrigation ditch, splitting two fields and running cross ways to the road, had to be passed first. I was sure if we hit that we'd flip or roll, but if we missed it, which I thought we would, it was the safest field to hit. No sooner did all of this register with me, when I saw it. In the field, only five feet from the road and sitting parallel to the road, was a length of wheel line for irrigating that stretched at least a quarter mile. And right where we'd enter the field, about 20 feet passed the concrete irrigation ditch, stuck out 15 foot of pipe on the end of the wheel line that would impale the van.

Envisioning the wreck on the Interstate early last spring, when a woman was killed after being impaled by a line of irrigation pipe being pulled on a trailer in front of her, which had suddenly slowed, I wasn't willing to risk hitting it, as I knew that it would hit in one of two places, both of which were occuppied by my children.

At this point, I told the kids to be calm and hold on because we were going to wreck. I knew I had no other choice, at that moment, so I simultaneously slammed on my brakes and yanked the steering wheel to the left as far and hard as I could while hanging on to the steering wheel. This sent us flying across the ice, spinning out-of-control, but it also changed our direction to that of the field on the left and away from the deadly wheel line. Unfortunately, the left field has a concrete irrigation ditch that runs the length of it parallel to the road, which is elevated about 3 feet, with a sloped dirt embankment. That meant we couldn't just enter the field and slowly coast to a stop. We would be laying the van over, rolling, or flipping depending on how we made contact. We spun two full rotations and on the third, the left side (passenger side) tires hit the dirt embankment as we were now moving backwards. This caused the van to tip. We slid thirty feet and rolled up on the passenger side of the vans roof, but the embankment was steep enough to send the van back down on it's passenger side, as we continued to slide on our side and bounce until we came to a complete stop, missing both telephone poles.

It shattered the passenger side windows, filled the van with dirt, ripped off the mirror, broke all the front and rear lights on that side, dented both doors, jammed one, scratched the entire length on the van, and bent the wheels. It also messed up the underneath so the van won't drive forward real well. Pretty much it's way messed up and would cost more to fix than it's worth.

But after we stopped and all was quite I chose to count my many blessings. I worry all the time that I fail as a mother, though I try my hardest. I always feel like I don't do enough and should somehow be able to. In addition to that, I anguish everyday that I won't be able to keep my children safe and remove unneccessary suffering through out their lives. It's a great ache all mothers and fathers feel the moment they hold that newborn baby in their arms for the first time and feel the greatest form of love any human can have for another. The love of a parent for their child.

Though I am not the super working, super housewife, super woman-mom of my dreams, I did realize as I counted my blessings in that moment, that I was great mom.

I have taught and enforced seat belt wearing to my children and husband not only through my instruction, but also through my actions, by always wearing mine as well as putting it on before we leave. I was also thankful that I set such an example to my children, that they knew how to follow the Lord's commandment, to honor and obey thy mother and father, so that when we asked them to do something important and good they were ready and willing. I am extremely thankful for the invention of seat belts, as Baylon was sitting on the passenger side and endure thiry feet of dirt, rocks, and shattering glass spraying his face and body; and which kept him, his brother Triston, and sister Orion safely within the vehicle, even though many items from the very back cargo area, behind Triston's back seat, flew out the broken windows and were found beneath the van once it was righted again.

Through all of that we can out completely unscathed. Not one of us was injured in anyway! Not even a scratch! We were able to get out of our seat belts, open and hold open the driver's side door, even in the wind, and get out to walk to a nearby house, where we were given a ride home.

I am so thankful for our Father in Heaven and the many blessings he gives us. For the Holy Ghost who watches over and guides us; who was with me this morning. I am thankful for an understanding Husband who shared in my joy that we were all okay and could have cared less about the van. For our kindly neighbor who cared about the weird noise they heard enough to come investigate and see us walking away from such a wreck. I am thankful to be alive and safe with all of my family and have one more day to share with each of them.

So as you say your prayers tonight, and every night, always remember to thank the Lord for the many blessings he so freely gives to each of us each day, and never stop counting your blessings!

Passenger side of the van.

Where Baylon sat.


Filled the van with dirt, rocks, and glass.

Trashed the TV and scattered everything everywhere.

Like father like son!

When it comes to cars...well, it's definitely a hereditary thing in this family. Shannon, a literal gear head and one of the best mechanics in the entire Magic Valley, has instilled the love of nuts-n-bolts, motors and oil in our sons, especially Triston. No wonder they love Pine Wood Derby time!


Triston is a Webelo, and this year was his final Pine Wood Derby. He started with a bang three years ago and so he was hoping to go out with a bang as well. HE DID!

Father spent the first year helping him design and make his car. I'd say 90% dad, 10% Triston. That year Triston was not only the fastest Wolf, but also Cub Scout Pack #101 Champion! He also got to take his car to Districts. He had so much fun!

The second year, Triston was informed he was going to have to do a lot more on this one. It was about 40% dad and 60% Triston. Once again he was the fastest Bear. He was just edged out by a Webelo, coming in second for the entire pack. Once again he got to take his car to Districts.


This year, other than dad cutting out his car as no one wanted a missing limb in the quest for the fastest Pine Wood Derby car, Triston did the whole thing! He was the fastest Webelo, taking another 1st place trophy, coming in third overall in his pack, and earned his third straight trip to the district race.

He's had a wonderful time and experience working alongside his father not only on the wooden cars, but also on the real thing. He has a love for car and hopes to one day be as good as his father. Way to go Triston!! VROOOOOOOOM....

Pine Wood Derby Pics

Triston waiting for the Webelos racin' to start.

Triston's car (red lane) getting ready to go!


Triston watching with nervous anticipation.

Triston winning his heat!!

Growing Pains!!

When he was born, we were so grateful that he had all his fingers and toes! Though his Grandma Golay was a little concerned with the shape of his head during those first few hours after his birth, he was perfect in every way! As time progressed, we began to realize he was very special in every way, but that the doctors words of caution about his development being complicated or delayed-due to the lack of oxygen during the five minutes before an emergency c-section delivery-were beginning to show.

After 10 episodes of chronic ear infections, between 2-14 months of age, the absence of speech became to great to ignore. At two and a half he began speech therapy which produced speech within months, yet it was very unintelligible and accompanied with severe stuttering. Speech therapy continued through first grade and he was able to overcome his stuttering.

Add to this the fact that at 7 months he began to steadily decline on the growth charts at his well-checks. By one year of age he was in the negative fifth percentile. Though very well proportioned with his weight, head, and body size, Triston was extremely small for his age. Then, at three and a half, he reached the 20 lb. mark! I guarantee none have seen such a celebration, as was had the moment the scale was read by his pediatrician, the office nurses, and I.

But then school started to become difficult. In all honesty, the stress we began to experience as his parents and him as a child became so overwhelming that we thought of nothing else but it. Test, after test, after test was done. Learning hurdle, after learning hurdle began to appear. Then, just when I didn't think I could stand to spend one more sleepless, worrisome night or day agonizing about it without going insane, we were lead to the answer to our prayers. I have no doubt in my mind that the spirit was guiding us, and in a instant we picked up and moved our family to the littlest, most remote town in the middle of nowhere with nothing, but a school. There, within two months, progress began to be made due to the qualified, concerned, and loving staff. Well over a year behind, Triston started to make progress, and learn to love school as well as develop ways to learn how to learn.

Then, in third grade, another obstacle appeared. Tourettes Syndrome. This, accompanied with moderate to severe OCD and mild to moderate ADD, began to inhibit his progress. Though I cannot say that this has gotten better since it first appeared, I can say that his teachers, friends, classmates, and family (of course), have been very supportive and made accommodations to allow him to develop ways to minimize it's interference in his day to day life. It is my hope that over time and with his faith (which is so pure and strong), it will lead him to overcome this newest trial in his life. So, to say the least, when we discovered that he was going to need lots of orthodontic care, beginning immediately, once again we were anguished. Why poor Triston?

On April 17th we made the drive to Pocatello for the first day of the two day procedure. By noon the following day he had a mouth full of metal and pain. In addition to a spacer he had an RPE (Rapid Palette Expander) put in. This green, glitter filled, and glow-in-the-dark apparatus caused him to drool excessively, talk funny, and take an hour just to eat a helping of soup, as he had to learn to swallow all over again. This was followed by days and nights of severe pain, tears, and a gap, over an 1/8", between his front teeth which is still growing. Soon, he'll get to add his first set of brackets (there will be many), to begin shifting his teeth to their proper place.

And so, at 52' and 61 lbs., this soon-to-be eleven year old, who wears size 8 and small clothing and a sore mouth, presses on with the sweetest spirit imaginable! Oh, how we love him!!

Triston began with X-rays.

Then moved on to jaw measurements to check bite and alignment.

Then they needed good photos of his teeth!

Followed by 6 molds, with funny pink stuff that tasted yuck and made a mess, to get it all right.



Tadah!!! The hardware. This was as close as he'd let me get, and you can barely see the green!

Progress cont....

Triston's Bedroom Ceiling

We got better as we went, but our arms and necks are killing us!!