Day 362: Christmas Aftermath

Mom and Dad slept over Christmas Eve, and the kids woke us up bright and early Christmas morning to open up their presents. The inevitable sleepiness that began to set in by breakfast time certainly took place thereafter, as you can see by the look here on Jackson's face:

Kylee, however, took a nap right in the kitchen.

Day 360: Stalking Santa

At our Christmas Eve family party, Kylee logged on to the Web to check Santa's progress westward across the United States. At the moment she visited the NORAD Web site, he was in Jamaica.

Merry Christmas, Bedford Falls!

Day 358: The Candy Man

Today's photo was snapped by Jackson of me earlier tonight when he came by to pick up his weekly Super Blow Pop sucker:

See, he and I and his siblings have a deal. They come by my room for gum and candy on a regular basis - but only once a week, on Sundays after church, do they get a Super Blow Pop.

Giving out candy is one the few ways that I, as an uncle, have learned to score brownie points with the kids. If any of you out there have any additional suggestions, I'm all ears.

Day 350: Improvables Benefit Show

Like many of you, I was deeply saddened yesterday by the news of the mass shooting of nearly 30 innocent school children and teachers that took place in Newtown, Connecticut. You couldn't turn on the TV or Facebook or the radio without hearing a report on it. Here in Utah, it rained and/or snowed ("sleeted"?) all day long, as the heavens seemed to be weeping for this senseless act of violence.

When I hear of a tragedy of this magnitude, the Savior's teaching comes to mind: "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." (Matthew 18:6)

When I arrived at the theater, I noticed that the American flag outside was at half-mast in a gesture of support and respect:

Our show last night was a benefit for four-year-old Koda Woodall, who is battling leukemia. The theater graciously let us perform rent-free, and since we didn't have to pay rent this night, 100 percent of the proceeds (amounting to more than $300) went to this boy and his family to help with their medical costs.

Yes, my heart definitely went out to the little children and their families in Connecticut yesterday. We want to do something or make some sort of gesture to make things better when it's not physically possible. Fortunately, life sometimes presents us opportunities, however, to pay it forward, in some small degree, to other "little ones which believe in (Him)."

Day 217: Running Amuck

At my digs in Woods Cross, it's not an uncommon sight to see the kids running around the basement in the company of their friends, much like this photo:


There's never a dull moment with this bunch - and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Day 160: Soaking Up the Sun

The other night, before I headed off to my sleep test, I stopped in the driveway to observe Jackson both riding his bike and running through the sprinklers in the front yard:

He then volunteered to help me finish my Frosty from Wendy's.

It was all in a summer day's work for a four-year-old.

Day 14: Kid in the Freddy Kruger Sweater

In Davis mid-singles Institute news, I was recently drafted into helping out with the Activities Committee. This is not an official church calling but something I "get" to do, as Mr. Handley, my sixth-grade teacher, might have said. It is also an opportunity to lend a hand and to be a bit more involved with the group.

At any rate, earlier today, I met with the rest of the committee - both of them, Emma and Pyper - for lunch at Chili's to discuss plans for some of these upcoming events. While we were there, I couldn't help but notice that the kid in the booth next to us was wearing the same red-and-green sweater that Freddy Kruger wears in the Nightmare on Elm Street film series. I wanted to be as sly as possible about taking his picture for Project 366, so Emma and Pyper were good enough to pose for a shot, with the kid in the background.

Chip off of the Old Block

My parents like to tell a story about my older brother, Mike, when he was just a toddler many years ago. One day, after spending some time playing at a neighbor's house, they asked him, "What did you do today, Mike?" His response: "Push!"

Fast-forward to yesterday's family dinner, when his three-year-old boy Jackson came running up to me and said: "Paco, you're on my team."


"Great," I responded. "What are we doing?"

"Punch!" he said, pounding his fist into his other hand.

"Punch what?" I asked.

"Kenna," he stated, matter of factly. "She's a girl." (He had, apparently, been chasing her around for some reason and wanted my help.)

Yes, the apple doesn't far that far from the tree at all.

The Bald and the Beautiful

Yesterday, I wrote a post about some of the terrible things that hate and anger are doing in our society. Today, I'd like to focus on quite the opposite.

Local TV station KSL (Channel 5) featured a story today about Emmalee Havertz, a third grader at Morgan Elementary School in Kaysville. This little girl recently started chemotherapy for liver cancer and, as a result, lost all of her hair.

Emmalee's classmates - eight- and nine-year-old kids - didn't fully understand what their friend was going through. They wanted to help her, but they weren't sure how to do it.

Eight of the boys in the class chose to shave their heads as a sign of support. My nephew Dallin was one of them.


I'm so glad that Dallin chose to do this. (It was his choice, and not his parents'.) I didn't even hear about him shaving his head until after the fact.

Dallin has always had a big heart, so I shouldn't be surprised. He has set a good example of kindness and compassion to this uncle.

A little of that goes a long way.

You can see video of the full story here: http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=4824304

"It's Me, Batman!"

I met a superhero today. It happened in an unlikely place.

My day did not get off to a great start. Already feeling a sore throat coming on last night, I felt it even more so when I woke up this morning. I felt terrible, and I was convinced that I had strep throat. So, my doctor squeezed me in for an appointment.

The strep test was negative. I was told that I probably have a viral infection and that I should ride out the storm at home with Vitamin C, Tylenol, and by drinking lots of water. Before going home to rest, I had one other errand to run. I needed to to put a small package in the mail at the post office.

That's when I met Batman. I don't mean Christian Bale or Adam West, but Batman himself. This particular Batman must have been four or five years old and did not wear a mask, but he did have on a dark blue cape. He ran up to me as soon as I walked through the doors.

"It's me, Batman!" was his enthusiastic greeting.

Who was I to argue? He said he was Batman, and I believed him.


"You sure look like him," I replied.

Batman was accompanied at the post office on this day by his grandfather, who may have been there as Batman's guardian and butler, Alfred, for all I know.

As I waited in line, Batman, with great energy, ran around the post office, flapping his cape and greeting everyone he saw with the same line: "It's me, Batman!"

Funny thing is, that was me at about the same age. I don't remember too much about what life was like when I was four or five. But I do remember (mainly due to my mother reminding me about it) that I frequently dressed up in my Superman costume and wore it around the house, all over the neighborhood, at the grocery store - everywhere but church. Fortunately, I didn't do anything too stupid, like thinking that I could fly and then jumping off of the roof.

Batman didn't cure my sore throat. But he reminded me of a cherished part of my childhood I sometimes forget about. He got me excited for Halloween, which is really one of the few times each year that most of us unabashedly get back in touch with that inner child.

When we have . . . become as a child in our capacity to love and obey, we are on the sure foundation.
-President Henry B. Eyring

Batman also made me smile, which was something I didn't think I was going to be able to do today. And that made me feel a bit better.

You rescued me when I needed it, Batman. And that makes you a true hero.