Elizabeth's Day

Today our daughter Elizabeth would have been 2 years old. It seems that time has gone by fast and we have had many blessings that have helped fill some of the void of her absence. Even though nothing will ever take her place and there will always be a desire to be with her and watch her grow, I am grateful for the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Eternal Families. We were able to donate items to the hospital again which allows me to commemorate her. We were also able to go to her grave site the day before. It brought back memories of the day we laid her beautiful body to rest. It is sad and I had a desire to hold her just one more time but, I had wonderful memories of the sweet service we had for her and the overwhelming love we felt from the family and friends that supported us. I have felt a lot of gratitude this month as we have so much to be thankful for as we celebrate Elizabeth and also Dean. The Lord brought us a rainbow after our storm. There is a poem by Linda Kay that shares how I feel about Elizabeth.

Stillborn

Stillborn,

I am not sure that I understand.

Is it a babe who is born

In the hush of a morning's breath

Before the birds begin to sing?

No. This is not stillborn, though

We could like it to be.

Is it a babe who is born so quiet,

so still, that the angels hush

Their rustling wings to hear

If she will not draw a tiny breath?

Perhaps. This is very close, but surely,

it means more.

Stillborn,

Born, still in the arms of God.

Stillborn,

Born, still in the full knowledge of

God's love and power,

His glory and grace.

Born still to us, but alive to God!

Surely this is still born:

No death, but life eternal,

No sorrow, but everlasting peace,

No separation, but

Communion forever

With God!

Yes, now I understand,

Stillborn...

Fun times with Nonny and Papa

Here are some pictures when Nonny and Papa came for Brian's commencement. I did not get as many as I should have but these will do. They were able to visit us for a whole week. What a fun time we had as a family! We love it when they visit us! Nonny and Dean playing
We went swimming a few times(well mostly the boys did) and they had a blast!

I love this picture! They are so cute!

We went to one of Nonny's favorite AZ Cuban resturants the Havana Cafe before they flew home to Spokane. Noah was not with us but Dean enjoyed spending time with them before they left. We lucked out and were the only people at the resturant( it was 3:30) so Dean could be as messy as he wanted.

MBA Graduation

One down, and one to go! I was able to attend graduation at ASU on Wed. May 17th at Sun Devil Stadium. I still have to take 2 more classes this summer, but they let us walk anyway. I probably would not have gone, but Becky wanted photos. Also, Pres. Obama accepted my request to come in and speak to the graduating class. He has a busy schedule, but he owed me a favor. Other than the fact that I had to show up at 2:30 and wait in the 100+ degree heat until the program began at 7pm, the event was great. Regardless of ideological differences I was moved by his speech. He is very inspiring and I felt a strong sense of national pride during his speech.

I wanted to thank my wife and family for supporting me. Besides the large financial undertaking, I have had to spend many nights away from home and I have relied upon Becky a lot. Throughout the process she had been 100% supportive. I never heard her complain when I would have to be gone, even when I needed to be gone on a Friday night or Saturday. In fact, it is largely due to her example and her encouragement that I went back to school. Thanks!

Thanks Mom & Dad for flying down!

Michael Dugger, David Spetzler, Me, Evan Adams, Dana Posey

Our Commander in Chief

Taken from my seat

Additional Grad Photos

Obama on the big screen for those not close enough to see.

I was on the phone with my hot wife.

My guests!

Cute pic of Papa & Noah walking into the stadium

Nonny, Papa, & Noah on the light rail.

Don't Do Dumb Things!

This was the slogan that our mission president's wife created in my mission in Chicago. Apparently, there were some missionaries doing dumb things, so in response every apartment had a poster with this slogan printed upon it. Apparently I need to get that poster out and hang it up again. Yesterday morning I was out cleaning the pool. I was adding some chemicals and I had decided to pour the muriatic acid directly into the floating container that holds the chlorine tablets. There was an instant reaction and the container began to bubble over and foam was spreading everywhere. Moments later I began to smell a strong odor, which quickly began to encompass me everywhere. I tried to step back, but it was too late and I could not escape the fumes fast enough. I went inside and found that I was having trouble breathing and felt very dizzy. Becky was leaving for school so I was home alone with the wee ones. After she left I called poison control and I told on myself. Apparently I needed to breathe in some steam very quickly. I put a pot of boiling water on the stove and placed a towel over my head. I spent several minutes breathing in the steam when the water began to boil. Minutes later I was fine. Moral of the story: leaving the chemical mixing to the chemists.

Blowing off Steam

The day after finals last week I went dirt bike riding in the mountains near Superior with my father, my bro-in-law Ryan Ferrell, and my friend David Swain. We took about a 37 mile trip through the dessert and mountains just north of Superior. It was a lot of fun and a good way to unwind. I rode the 250cc bike. My father rode a quad, as did Ryan. We saw some desert wildlife including the gila monster pictured below.

Dean's Birthday Party

Dean had a little birthday party at Grandma and Grandpa Cardon's home the Tuesday after his birthday. We had dinner and then it was present time. These pictures didn't turn out the best but it captured some of his expressions while opening the presents. We had cake after but he was not interested.