7 Months Old

Crawling everywhere, putting everything in her mouth, still doesn't want to sleep at night.

For Purposes of Posterity

The following is something that my youngest brother, Jeffrey, posted on facebook. I believe there are lessons to learn from this and want my kids to see it.

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I consider myself a strong and active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I also have had the trial/ awesome opportunity to have the perspective of what it is like to be a Latter-Day Saint and struggle with Same-Sex Attraction (or SSA, or others just call it being gay). Even though it has been hard, I am so grateful and blessed for the experience and spiritual gifts it has given to me.

Here are some things I have learned throughout my experience since I have informed my parents that I struggle with SSA at age 12.
-SSA is WAY more common than people realize.
-The gospel is true, but that does not mean that the members are perfect, give them a break if they do not understand.
-SSA does NOT define me, through the first few years of my journey, I used to believe that everything about me all came down to SSA, my likes, my mannerisms etc. But I have found that every single one of us that struggles with SSA are very different from one another, and that my struggle with SSA is just a sliver of the pie chart of my life that has made me more of the man I am supposed to become. "Jeff"! And that is awesome!
- There is opposition in ALL things. This is a new one I have been learning for the last couple of years. No matter WHAT IT IS that you are facing, there is good that can come from it, but it is YOUR choice whether or not that these trials in your life can be turned into a strength and become a blessing
.- LISTEN TO THE SPIRIT OVER MAN. This goes back to the members... Apply the counsel that they give to you when it is through the spirit of the Lord, but sometimes they may not understand and give advice by opinion. In those cases the spirit can have the true advice and inspiration that you need. Worship the Lord and follow His gospel, don't worship the culture (WE ARE STILL LEARNING!).
- We are following the doctrine that we have now, but we still do not understand perfection. I feel very strongly that we do not quite fully understand what perfection really is, and this is what makes the atonement even more mysterious and precious.
- I feel very strongly that one of the purposes of family here on earth is so we can help and support one another through our trials, regardless the trial, so that we can buoyed each other up and pull the hand cart of life together. I feel that this support helps us obtain the goal of celestial glory, it's much harder to do alone. We serve and are served by each other, and I feel this is ONE of the reasons that Satan looks into destroying the family.
- Teaching about SSA to others IS INDEED a POWERFUL tool to help forward the work and bring the children of men unto Christ, but this is not the only way we can serve. Every body has different trials and different spiritual languages, it is up to us to channel in with the spirit of the Lord and include everyone. I feel that the best way to serve all of the Lord's Children is through Christ-Like love. For the Lord IS love, and this language is universal.

I have a strong testimony of this gospel, and I am grateful for the trials that have been given into my life to help me grow. I am grateful for this experience, and I feel that it is very important that more people educate themselves on this subject. We are in the last days, and life is not easy for any one of us, and we need to show everyone, regardless the trial, the love and support that I have personally recieved from my wonderful family. It's through the love of my family and Christ that I have learned that this has been a blessing and has taught us many things. It is just like Elsa on Frozen (yes... here it comes.) She was so ashamed of her curse, that she didnt see the opposition and the good it can do through real Christ like love. I am so excited to become a worthy husband and father, and I KNOW I will be blessed with these things. I haven't met my wife yet, but I have been blessed with the overwhelming feeling of love that I will have for her.

Our trials are blessings brothers and sisters. But it is our choice to see the good in them, learn from them, and grow closer to our Heavenly Father.
‪#‎LDS‬ ‪#‎SSA‬ ‪#‎thechurchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints‬ ‪#‎mormon‬

A Celebration of Life

 Jolie and I took an EXTREMELY fast trip to San Diego for the weekend so that we could attend my Aunt Cheryl's Celebration of Life. I am so grateful I was able to attend and celebrate such a wonderful woman. I am grateful I was able to see and visit with family I have not seen in years.

Here We Go Again!

He Got That From Me

Wesley decided to run with his sisters and brother today. As he was running he turned and looked at me and said, "I'm running so I can eat ice cream today."
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Choice

Brady just told Sean, "either you go or I go!"
Because Sean supports us financially, I'm leaning towards packing a bag for Brady. His tantrum on the floor isn't helping his case.