Blowout

I DON'T intend to make this blog all about Charli, however I do have to blog about this....

So Catey is a bit concerned because she had not pooped in over 24 hours. We had seen her do this many times before, but for some reason she decided to stop. I told Catey not to worry but that it would probably be a blowout.

Shortly thereafter, Catey left and I was sitting with Charli......{BANG} and there it was....the blowout. Sure enough she filled (to the rim mind you) her diaper. Good thing I was there to save the day. I started to change her as to save the outfit, however I no sooner had a new diaper under her to strap up and {BANG} filled that that one.

No harm done, two diapers down, glad I thought to change the first one. Now I have to full diapers (remember the 2nd one was not even done up yet) and I get her cleaned up again. Going for diaper number 3 and {BANG} here comes more. I was not so quick on the draw and didn't even get this diaper opened before it was put to use catching the rest of what she had in her. This too would have filled the diaper but it was just all over the outside of the folder diaper. Since I was out of wipes, hands and diapers I finally called to Catey "HELP!!!!!"

Catey came in just in time to see me holding Charli's legs up in one hand, and my other trying to hold diaper #3 steady, binki backwards in my mouth and right as Catey walked up she sprung a leak, sort of a moderate fountain.....all over Diaper #3 and the bed. Lucky for me it was on Catey's side of the bed.

I swear I heard Charli laugh.

Charlotte Olwen

Today our little Charli came into the world. Catey and I knew today may be the day for over a week because at her last appointment, she asked the Dr. what day she could be induced and he said the 24th. The 24th in Utah is a huge state holiday, it is the day when the Mormon pioneers came into the valley to settle....huge fireworks, everyone (local) has the day off, its like having two 4th of July celebrations in one month....but I digress.

I think kids should have their own day, kids born on holidays get the shaft in my book. So I suggested the day after (and just for the record, I had forgotten that was the day I picked for the baby pool. I had picked it almost two weeks before her Dr. suggested it!)

She was already having contractions this morning when we went in and by the time we got there, they hooked her up to the pitocin, a few hours later broke the water and Charli was born less than an hour later.

She came in at 6lbs 9oz and was 18 inces long, pink, perfect and happy to be here....really, she does not cry much.....yet.

If I were her, I would start the crying right after I got home and met the siblings. The kids came by and were able to get a few min with her and mom.

Catey and baby are great. I thought I would post some pics for everyone to see.

Everyone will be home on Sat.

Memories

Ok....since EVERYONE is doing this I thought it time to do it myself.

Here is a fun little game... Leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time, or a long time, anything you remember! Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. On your mark...get set...blog your memories!!

Here is a couple links to videos done by the scouts in our area for a merit badge.
They are quirky, but done by the kids.

No Baby Yet!

.......and noone is more upset than yours truly.

Seriously. My wife is a nice, calm, collected, talented, beautiful woman with talents and abilities rarely rivaled, however, there is a beast in her that I have a seen 6 times before, and this would be the 7th time it has reared its head.

It is a beast that only pregnant women know and their husbands simply fear. Women rub their bellies and pine away for that special someone with a twinkle in their eye......until they are tired of being larger than a barge, want to stamp an eviction notice on their belly and force the alien parasite out.

The mood swings are in full force going from happy, to sad to frustrated to downright mean and fire breathing......all in about 90 seconds. So every minute and a half, we males fear for our young and our own limbs.

Picture this, Catey, happy, flitting around the house, not a care in the world, then BANG! Suddenly the state of the house rubs her wrong and she explodes in ranting about how dinner is not done and dinner cannot be made until the sink is clear and the sink can't be cleared until the dishwasher is emptied and the dishwasher needs to be emptied by children who can't empty it because they need to be cleaning the basement because their laundry STILL is not put away from three days ago and Disney Triva and Operation are still out strung out all over the basement along with shoes and books that she asked the kids to put away 5 days ago and she cannot and WILL NOT have this baby until the basement is clean because she can't physically handle bringing a baby home to this mess and unless the kids start moving NOW they won't get dinner and they can go to bed hungry for all she cares because "DAD has a fireside" and will be gone for another night and all she wants to do is eat dinner as a family before I have to leave again and she won't be able to do that because dinner is not made yet because the sink is still full of DISHES!!!

So....
Aaron: Did I do something wrong
Catey: NO!
Aaron: Are you sure?
Catey: YES!
Aaron: Can I help with the dishes?
Catey: NO, I AM ALREADY DOING THEM!
Aaron: Can I help somewhere else
Catey NO!
Aaron: Are you sure?
Catey: YES! KEEP THIS UP AND I WILL KILL YOU
Aaron: Sorry
Catey: DON'T APOLOGIZE
Aaron: Why not?
Catey: BECAUSE IT IS STARTING TO ANNOY, GO ENTERTAIN YOUR CHILDREN
Aaron: ok, (long pause) are you sure I didn't do anything wrong
Catey: (no comment this time, just fire coming out of her eyes, smoke out of her nostrils and her lip is quivering like she wants to bite off my arm.
Aaron:...ok......I will go.

So as I meakly walk away I hear Catey mumble something to the affect of:

"This house will be clean if it kills someone....
I am going to throw everything away.......
I have had it....
I am done.....
It time to get this baby out and I am going to do it but I have to have the house clean or I will come home and kill everyone."

My subconscious whispers "Be afraid, be VERY afraid"

So hopefully this week?
Maybe?

Catey's game

Catey has set up a baby pool and there is an M&M's party bag riding on this one folks.

Don't care if you are in Germany, Texas, Utah, Italy, wherever, I will send the winner a party bag of M&M's of their choice (regular, peanut, plain).

http://www.expectnet.com/index.php

Enter the game name LuckySeven. The L and S must be uppercase and it's all one word. The box for the game name is up on the left hand corner of the page.

Good luck.

P.S. An M&M's party bag is like the 5lb bag, I can't remember how big it actually is but if I bring home anything smaller than the pleated bottom, ziplock bag home then Catey gives me that "You know better than that" look.

Things I have done

A friend of mine posted this list with a challenge to post it with the "things I have done" in bold.

Here you go, each has a story, but for now, I will just list them. 147 out of 200....not too bad I guess.

1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty (as high as they would let me)
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one (if miniature golf counts)
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a camp fire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter

Who's got the pain #2

Coincidence that the last blog was about bodily pain....I have a story for you about my son Dallin that happened yesterday (7-12-08). We have a see-saw or teeter totter that sits on the ground. Yesterday Dallin wanted to ride with a bigger kid. Of course they get going up and down really high and Dallin gets bumped off his seat and falls forward smashing himself on the bar. (Yes in the really soft male part.) He started crying and tried to get off the see-saw. Since he was the littler kid, as soon as he got his body weight off the seat and his feet on the ground, the see-saw rebounded up and smacked him in the lip, splitting his lip.

Bleeding and crying from the two injuries, he came over for comfort from Catey. After sitting with her for a few min he was back over at the see-saw. This time a neighbor kid was fighting with him and pushed him off. As he fell his legs went under the see-saw and the two remaining kids kept rocking back and forth while his legs were pinned under. I barked at them both to get off and helped Dallin back up. Now his two legs have bruises all over them and he is screaming again.

Trying to make him feel a little better I took him in the house and put him in the shower. I went back outside to clean up. Not 10 min later I hear Dallin screaming at the top of his lungs again. Of course my thought was "What now!?!"

As I pulled back the shower curtain there was Dallin, split lip, bruised legs, naked and screaming holding his chin with blood all over the shower, tub, shower curtain and dripping from his fingers holding his chin. Apparently he had slipped in the shower fallen and popped open his chin. So we dried him off, got him dressed and I took him to the After-Hours Medical in American Fork. He ended up with 5 stitches in his chin. He was thrilled that now he will have a scar like Indiana Jones.

The story does not end there. We got home last night and sent him to bed and this morning he tried to take off his band-aid and pulled out one of the stitches and loosened two more. Back to the After-Hours Medical for more stitches.

Is there any wonder this is my kid?

Who's got the pain?

So some comments on my last blog about tooth pain has spurred and idea of one upping each other on 'pain' stories. Lets keep them clean (not grotesque), so choose your wording carefully but here is your time to vent about the worst pain in your life.

Mine?

I have had so many that I think I partly paid for the south wing of the local hospital when I grew up. Our trips to the ER seemed like a monthly event for me. My life has been full of stitches to broken bones, concussions, lacerations, sprained ankles, knees, shoulders, elbows, tonsillitis, kidney stones, spinal taps, spinal meningitis and broken fingers. I have had the run of it. I even had my bout with wisdom teeth, no Novocaine, he gave me gas thinking that would dull the pain and all it did was make me loopy, but my teeth were impacted and he had to cut them out and yes they got infected....fun times. However, (oh so many from which to choose) the worst was probably my appendix.

I woke up feeling normal and went to work. About two hours into my work I felt like I had been stabbed in the stomach. Made it through the day, went home made it through the night then ended up at work the next day with searing pain in my side. I couldn't take it anymore so I headed off to the hospital. They thought it might be food poisoning, until I got an x-ray. Then they were all about getting me into an MRI and prepped for surgery. Apparently my appendix (which should be the size of your baby finger and about 12 inches long) was huge and about to burst. I was in immense amount of pain, until the wonder of all wonder drugs was shot into my IV.......demorol.

Can I just say, may God bless the inventor of demorol. It was good times. I suddenly felt better, like no pain. I told the nurse to pack me up a six pack of that and I would be on my way. But as soon as the pain went away and I started to think straight again, then the narcotic really kicked in and I was LOOOOOOPY. I actually told the nurses that I felt good enough to go out to the lobby to look at the saltwater fish tank and stopped at the double doors on the way out of the ER and stood there crying about how beautiful the doors were. They brought me a wheelchair and I was crying telling them what a good job they were all doing and how wonderful they all were (all with tears streaming down my cheeks).

Most painful thing ever.

Now you......


(This post is dedicated to Chris and Kelsey and their teeth)

Blank post

This post was a mistake and was blank....but people started posting on it anyway.
so here it is.

American History Trivia

Here is some Trivia for you.

First one to get the answers right (no internet) will win a prize....could be M&M's could be something more.

Here goes....

#1 - Who's surrender signified the 'official' end of the Revolutionary War?

#2 - What was the date, year and location for question #1?

#3 - List the 13 original colonies in order of their admission to the union.

#4 - What year was the "Star Spangled Banner" written?

#5 - Who wrote the "Star Spangled Banner" and what fort were we defending?

#6 - How many stars were on the "Star Spangled Banner"?

#7 - What year was the "Star Spangled Banner" made the National Anthem?

#8 - Who was the "Commander in Chief" during the Revolutionary War?

#9 - What year was the date (Day, Month, Year) of the signing of the Declaration of Independence?

#10 - How many original signers were there on the Declaration of Independence?

#11 - How long after the Declaration of Independence was the Constitution Drafted and ratified?

#12 - What does the Red / White / and Blue in the flag signify?

#13 - Who's signature was the largest on the Declaration of Independence, and why did he sign it so?


There, 13 questions that every American should be able to answer without Google.

Ready.....

Set......


Go!!!!!!

The Glory Days

This Independence Day we spent some time with my In-Laws for brunch (pictures to follow) then we headed off to my family's cabin in Big Cottonwood Canyon. When I was a kid every holiday was spent up at the cabin with Grandma and Grandpa, Aunts, Uncles and 32 grandchildren. Those numbers have fluxed much since, but that was what I did growing up.

I was reminiscing with another cousin of mine that the "Glory Days" of the cabin are soon coming to an end if not already passed. My Grandfather passed away several years ago and my Grandmother is getting up in years and more and more frail. Soon, the days I remember from my childhood will fade as the Aunts and Uncles have their own families and grandchildren to which they will attend and naturally the frequency of our getting together will fade. But though the "Glory Days" of the cabin are passing, other glory days are currently upon us as a family.

It has been decided that on August 29th 2014 there will be a huge family reunion up at the cabin with everyone. That will be on Grandpa Ball's 100th birthday. I can't wait. It should prove to be a lot of fun.....but I was thinking that in 2014 my kids will be 15 - 14 - 12 - 11 - 9 - 7 - 6 (and 4 if we have the 8 kids). Then I thought back to my memories of the glory days and that they were made between the ages of the kids now and what they will be then.

It occured to me that these are their glory days, the days they will look back on their childhood and remember what it was like to be a kid, what is was like to spend time with family, the foods they eat, the drinks we make, the things we do and the people with whom we spend time on holidays. While my glory days may be over, I get to help my kids make their own.....what a privilege!

Here are some shots of one of our glory days. (The little blond is my niece Hallie)

WALL-E

I have maintained that Pixar was incapable of making bad movies....Toy Story, Bugs Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles (One of my top three favorite movies), Cars, Ratatouille, all great movies. Yes, some were better than others, but overall they were great shows. This brings us to the latest installment.....WALL-E.

This show was propaganda all over the place. Pixar has fallen, and hopefully, its just a stumble. Basically in the show (not giving anything away here), humans so full of themselves and so overbought with "Big Box" purchases and gluttany that instead of cleaning up the Earth and enviornment (oh boy here we go) they take off in a self sustaining space cruise ship where the hugely overweight humans don't even have to walk anymore, they glide around on chairs that are basically blackberries/phones/videoconferencing entertainers and are waited on hand and foot by robots. These people are so bad they don't even know how to chew...everything comes in liquid form so they can just slurp up their "nutrition".....pathetic.

Back on Earth robots have been left behind to clean up the mess. Well it has been 700 years and everything on the planet has quit working except our cute and cuddly WALL-E, and his pet cockroach. They love to watch "Hello Dolly" and dream of more than just racking and stacking the junk.

The mother cruise ship sends probes back to Earth every so often to see how things are back home and if there are plants and life starting up again......thus enters WALL-E's girlfriend EVE. Eve is cute but very trigger happy which did make me laugh right out loud. They become friends and the 'relationship' forms. Robots in love....can't wait to see the sequel.

Blah blah blah, story story story, they find a plant, take it back to the mother cruise ship and the people (who can't even walk on their own) decide to go back to Earth but the "Auto Pilot's" have revolted and won't let the humans go back. Big fight (and I mean big cause these people are humungus not because it is exciting) between the good robots and the bad ones to save the Earth and the humans from their 700 year vacation.

Overall I think WALL-E is poo. There was some 'whipped cream' of funny parts, action and it was done very well (meaning they took their time and made it technically and visually stunning) but alas another propaganda piece of poo. And as I say, poo with whipped cream, is still just poo.

Hopefully Pixar has not permanently joined the ranks of the other propaganda child film makers like Dreamworks, WarnerBrothers and Village Roadshow Pictures (don't believe me? Go see 'Spirit' or 'Happy Feet') spoon feeding the political agenda of the left, into the open mouths of our children. I know I should lighten up, its just a fun kids movie, but I call it as I see it.

Thumbs down Dave, definite thumbs down.....should've just said no.

SEAL

OK, this may be weird, but I dig SEAL. Finding new music that I like bugs Catey because when I find something good I will play it into the ground.....I am sure she is grateful that I use headphones now.

A buddy at work gave me a copy of his new album "SYSTEM" (I know I am going to hell for listening to unpaid music...I will address that in a min) and I have been listening to it. It is really good. More good stuff just like the old.

His first album I didn't like at first but then I went on a mission and while I was out "Kiss from a Rose" was released and everyone was playing it. When I got home I bought the album just for that one song and loved the whole thing. I gave the first album a try again and I don't know what I was thinking the first round because it was great. Don't get me wrong, not every song is good but overall the album is worth the buy.

Now to my listening to unpaid music. Yes I have .mp3's from napster but I don't do that anymore. I will borrow music from others, listen to it a while, make sure I like it enough then I will buy the album, or, thanks to Apple iTunes, I will buy the songs I like. People test drive cars, why not music.

So the overall advice on this one is buy from iTunes the songs you like but if I were giving ratings on the songs (5 stars being the highest rank), there are 4 songs with 5 stars, 2 with 4 stars and the rest are 3 or lower. (To me a rating of 5 or 4 are worth buying. 3 or below is usually a no-go on the purchase.) So 6 out of 11 is not bad.

I dig.

One more day

My cousin Bradley has a "theories" page where he comes up with his theories about life. Some I agree, some I don't, but his last post I agree. In short he said that when he was a kid he could eat the crappy no-name brand ice cream and it was great, but he has aged he started to have more refined tastes and the no-name was not good enough anymore. He likened that to life in general and how it becomes so difficult to revert back when we have become accustomed to something better....cell phones, microwaves, TiVO, blackberries with mobile news...could some of us live life without these anymore?

His blog made me start to think on a similar topic that we never have enough and seem to be consumed with what we don't have.

A recent example:

I have complained for years about not getting time away with my wife and she planned a huge surprise with the help of many others and at some great expense, took me out of town for Sat, Sun and Mon. I was thrilled, but the memory is jaded by my greed.....I remember that I was on the phone with someone (can't remember who) and I remember saying something to the effect of "Yeah, this is great, I just wish I had one more day...."

No harm done, wishing for one more day with my wife isn't bad, but when is enough....enough? When is it too much? Can it ever be too much? I am sure my in-laws feel like they get "too much" of me on family vacations, but I digress.

There is a song about this very thing by Diamond Rio which puts things into perspective about the amount of time we waste and when its gone spend energy crying that we have been robbed.

"One More Day" Lyrics:

Last night I had a crazy dream

A wish was granted just for me

It could be for anything

I didn't ask for money

Or a mansion in Malibu

I simply wished, for one more day with you

One more day, One more time

One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied

But then again, I know what it would do

Leave me wishing still, for one more day with you

First thing I'd do, is pray for time to crawl

I'd unplug the telephone, and leave the TV off

I'd hold you every second

Say a million I love you's

That's what I'd do, with one more day with you

One more day, One more time

One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied

But then again, I know what it would do

Leave me wishing still, for one more day with you

Leave me wishing still, for one more day

Leave me wishing still, for one more day

I think those important things in life need to be kept important, turn off the TV, put the phone in the other room, talk to your spouse, mom, dad, son, daughter and make those moments last, because when all is said and done, those moments will be all you have.

I close with a quote from a very wise man. This quote is more specific to marriage but I think it is applicable to life with equal abundance.

“Marriage requires a high degree of tolerance, and some of us need to cultivate that attribute. I have enjoyed these words of Jenkins Lloyd Jones, which I clipped from the newspaper some years ago. Said he:

“There seems to be a superstition among many thousands of our young [men and women] who hold hands and smooch in the drive-ins that marriage is a cottage surrounded by perpetual hollyhocks to which a perpetually young and handsome husband comes home to a perpetually young and [beautiful] wife. When the hollyhocks wither and boredom and bills appear the divorce courts [become] jammed. …

“Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed.

“[The fact is] most putts don’t drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. …

“Life is like an old-time rail journey—delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed.

“The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride”

Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Conversation with Single Adults,” Liahona, Nov 1997, 17