Have You Forgotten?

I will never forget that morning as a sat in my bed, terrified at the sight on my television screen. I will never forget how I wanted all the people I loved beside me so I knew they were safe.

I will never forget the first Christmas after September 11th. I will never forget the ornament we made saying: "United We Stand ... 9-11-01". It is reverently put on our tree every year.

I will never forget visiting Ground Zero almost a year later and the sacred feeling that exists there. I will never forget the silence in that place even though it is surrounded by a bustling city.

I will never forget how everyone in this country remembered our Father in Heaven. I will never forget Congress standing on the steps of the Capitol Building singing, "God Bless America".

I will never forget ... will you?




In the weeks following September 11th
I had so many feelings.
This was my only way to express them:

From the time that I was very small, I've always seen it there
The red, the white, the beautiful blue... waving in the air.

It always stood for FREEDOM, that is what I remember
Now it stands for so much more, since the 11th of September

Now it stands for HEROES, as we've all watched on TV
The many who have risked their lives to save humanity

Now it stands for GOODNESS, as we've all done our part
To help those who stand in need with a broken heart.

Now it stands for PRIORITIES, they are more clear to see
The thing that really matters, is our family.

Now it stands for UNITED, for neighbors hand in hand
For everyone who stands up for their freedom in this land.

Now it stands for CHILDREN, who have no need to fear
Because our country will be safe for them to grow up here.

Now it stand for GOD, who watches over all
And will never, in all time, allow America to fall.

And it still stands for FREEDOM, that will never change
Not by one man, or the Taliban, or by four hijacked planes.

Last it stands for me and it also stands for you
It stands for how we LOVE the red, white and the blue.

September 11, 2001 changed all our lives for good
It brought us all together, like nothing else quite could.

So may we all with thankful hearts, promise to remember
Why the flag still waves high, long after September.

-Krista Hutchins 2001

Shopping Shenanigans

Welcome to my day of school shopping with the boys. In my opinion it was a long day ... but in their opinion it was fabulous! Why? Well, they decided to egg each other on to NAUGHTINESS and then take pictures of each other!! Oh no, you're not confused... they aren't 2 & 6 years old... they are indeed 12 & 16!!! The evidence is before you...

Hummer's Game Plan:

Trying on anything and everything that ISN'T an option to buy. Trying on things he can actually wear to school? ... ummm, NO! And where did the mustache come from you ask? Well, you know those sticky things they put on hangers so the clothes won't slide off? Ummm, yes! Who would think of that?!

Tyson's Game Plan (2 Fold)
#1 -- To laugh hysterically at Dillon, thus causing him to get into more trouble.
#2 -- To pose with the "DO NOT TOUCH" displays. This fellow is made completely of Lego's, thus "DO NOT TOUCH" ... but oh, they can't help themselves! Notice Ty is not only touching him, he has his arm around him! Oh glory!!

The good, the bad and the FANATIC?

We all know SPORTS can bring out the best and the worst in parents but how about bringing out the... FANATIC !!

Pictured are the mother's (and father's) of a team Dillon played. They are doing push ups in the endzone ... not only once, not only twice but every time their team scored a touchdown.

Oh, what FUN JOY this brought to all of us!

You can bet it will be on the highlight film!

Disney and Sunday School

What FUN we had in Sunday School today! It was on "The Pride Cycle" ... the what? ... ummm yeah, I'm with ya! Here is a diagram of it. It's pretty self-explanatory and pretty true with how history corresponds to righteousness.

I was really struggling with how to teach the concept of this to the youth. Finally around 10:00 p.m. last night I plead with the Lord to help me. IMMEDIATE TENDER MERCY enters the picture... Disney! The Disney Characters are the perfect example of The Pride Cycle. I held up the video's in class and they could immediately realize what had brought the character down to destruction. FUN ... and shouldn't church be fun (especially Sunday School)?


We began with Woody. He was the first one that came to my mind after praying. He is the most obvious ... JEALOUSY was what caused problems for him.


Next it was Cruella Devil ...GREED. It was brought out that she was probably a Gadianton Robber (LOL).


Alice in Wonderland got lost because of CURIOSITY.


Peter Pan just refused to grow up and be RESPONSIBLE.


The thing that plagued The Lion King was GUILT.


The Beast struggled with PRIDE.


We ended with The Little Mermaid. She was a tough one for the kids to figure out. The message she sent was that SHE LEFT HER FATHER BEHIND. Much like many of us forget our Father in Heaven. The youth liked this comparison the best.

We wrapped it up by talking about protecting our HEARTS ... not allowing pride or wickedness to "take hold of them". Each of the kids carry a heart like this on their key chains. It is a reminder of many things but today we added a new one ... "Protect you Heart".

We ended with this video of my FAVORITE song ... "Come Thou Fount". I love it because it is true. Hard as we may try, we all "prone to wander". I desire so much for Father in Heaven to just "seal my heart" so I would never forget all he has done for me ... but I know that task is for me to do. I will continue to try and I know these amazing youth will too.

"Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above."

I did not make this video... but thanks to the person who did.

Also, thanks to Heavenly Father for His Spirit this day.
I am truly blessed in this calling.
I love Sunday!

Brilliant!

The Pickle Juice

was placed in a special container... clearly marked "TYSON" and then it was carefully transported to the game.

4 oz. -- An hour prior to the game
2 oz. -- At half time
6 oz. -- To be sipped during the game

The regiment was followed perfectly and though there was quite a bit of gagging ...

there was NOT A SINGLE CRAMP!

It's Brilliant - Brilliant, I say!

So, in light of this new discovery...

PLEASE PASS ALL PICKLE JUICE OUR WAY!!


***Thanks to The Kimber's for the donation used in today's game. We can't say it was "delicious" but we will say it was WONDERFUL!

Stand up... begin again.

It has been a week since last Friday.

All evidence of that day has been erased.
It will not be spoken of on this blog...
It will not be spoken of in our home...
It will not be spoken of again...

TODAY is a new day.
TODAYwe begin anew.
TODAYwe have a CLEAN SLATE.
TODAY a better game begins.

But... it's PAPERBACK!!

Tyson: "Mom, can you pick up the book for my college class?"
Mom: "Sure."

Mom drives to bookstore...
Finds the paperback book...
Lays it on the counter...

Cashier: "That will be $90.00, Ma'am"
Mom: p-p-p-passsssssssing out.

Not your average POPTART

With school starting, the pantry is well-stocked with

POPTARTS.

Recently we ran across "bonus box"

and look what we found inside... the

"Grantsville G"!

Baby Butler is here!!

Jake and Heather have a

New Baby Boy!
To meet him... visit

"The Butler Family" blog.
Congratulations!

Ty gets "Juiced"

TY CRAMPED AGAIN!!

We tried every suggestion we received ... except the pickle juice. So that's our experiment this week. If you have any extra juice you'd like to donate to the cause, we are taking any and all!!