Table of Contents in the Book of Life.

Chapter 1: Growing up in Roswell, NM. "In a small town with not much to do, you've gotta create your own drama just to stay entertained."

Chapter 2: NMMI Formative years? Oh Yeah. I picked a doozie of a place to go through those. I'd be hard pressed to find an aspect of my personality that is not still influenced by four years in military boarding school.

Chapter 3: Almost the Best Part Religion, Ricks College, Realizing that life was just beginning to unfold.

Chapter 4: Enter Aaron (stage left) Courtship, dating, engagement, young married life. And believe it or not...It was almost the shortest phase.

Chapter 5: The Spragueling Phase Spray-g-ling.(n) offspring of a individual with surname "sprague". And oh, yes. This phase it ALL about them. This is, so far, the BEST chapter: Great characters, interesting plot twists, and the promise of a happy ending.

It's a long walk

Anyone who knows Jared is shocked and amazed. Anyone who knows Emma is not surprised at all. Here they are at the Jacksonville Ag Fair, on stage, in front of the crowd, charming the folks who've gathered for the magic show. Jared, "Mr. Intense Shyness", has officially lost his title. He was relaxed, engaging, confident. To tell you the truth, I have no idea who this little man is or how he came to be. I can only say, "Welcome, Mr. Man. We knew you'd come along eventually." One year ago, he was so frozen with terror at the thought of having some stranger look at him that he couldn't have his Kindergarten photo taken. Fast forward twelve months and he now has the confidence that a brilliant, kind, articulate six year old should have. Raising two children less than two years apart was rough for about three years, and I wondered why in the world I did it. I've figured it out now. Jared benefits from Emma's laid-back, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants personality; Emma benefits from Jared's intense, focused, cautious personality. And I benefit from watching them take on the world...together.

Strappin' on the Bloggin' Boots

I definitely have to watch a trend for a good couple of years before I finally break down and conform... Clunky shoes, boot leg jeans, short trendy hair. I'm way behind the power curve, but it's pretty cozy back here. The whole of civilized society has been blogging for years, and finally I've strapped on my clunky shoes, hitched up my boot leg jeans, and pinned back my short trendy hair. Here we go.