Sleeves, a Tongue, and 911

This week has been eventful as far as stories go. My third graders and I learned two lessons about how not to get hurt (also a spelling word this week). Then I learned something on my own.

Sleeves
Two of my third grade students were pulling their arms inside their sweatshirts to be silly. One must have bumped the other, because I looked up to see one boy taking a nose dive, writhing all the way down because he couldn't reach out to catch himself. He split his lip and started bleeding. After he was on his way to the office, I turned to the class and said something like, "There's a life lesson: keep your arms in your sleeves."

A Tongue
One of the other boys in my class stuck his tongue to a frozen pole at recess ...on his birthday. He didn't wait for water--he ripped his tongue right off the pole. I later heard one of my other boys solemnly declare, "I will never stick my tongue to a pole." However, now the boy's famous as far as third-graders go and is writing a story about his experience.

911
On the way home after this week of life lessons, I notice that a car in front of me was weaving in its lane. Then the car starts veering into other lanes at random without a blinker. This person must be drunk, I thought as the car almost veered into a passing semi. Following him, I called 911 on my cell phone, knowing this guy was an accident waiting to happen. I stayed behind him, hoping he wouldn't crash before someone pulled him over. I wondered how long it would take to reach the correct authority on a cell phone.
I was actually surprised how quickly I was transferred to an Orem dispatcher and then UHP (and grateful). Being behind the California driver, I was able to tell them the license plate very easily. Someone else had already called him in, too, in fact. They were sending someone to pull him over.
I'm not sure what happened to this guy (or gal). Around University exit, the guy veered sharply to the right and hit the rumble strip. Quickly overcorrecting, he shot left and... I, in a different lane, had no choice but to keep driving past. I wish I knew what happened afterward.

Happy Birthday, Josh!

This past Saturday was Josh's birthday. My mom made a de-licious chocolate cake and I got to put some heartwarming words on it. :)

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

On Friday, we had a school assembly where every grade sings a Christmas song for the rest of the school to enjoy and we sing other songs all together. Mr. and Mrs. Claus also drop by with a few elves. It was so much fun! There is little that will get you in a jolly mood faster than over 1,000 children singing Christmas songs.

Wallaby's

So, last Saturday night, after the horrible football game, Shauna and I decided to go out to dinner. She had a luncheon at school catered by Wallaby's barbecue restaurant in Lindon, UT, and has ever since sworn up and down that they had the best BBQ she'd ever had. So, willing to take the challenge (and hoping to prove her correct), we drove out to Wallaby's.

When we arrived, we noticed that it was also next door to China Lilly's chinese gourmet, which we'd both heard about. So, now you know where our next culinary adventure will be at. Anyways, as we walked through the door of Wallaby's, we were greeted by a happy, middle-aged guy named Bob who happened to be the owner. He was very nice, albeit talkative. He bragged, with reason, about the extent to which they prepare their meat--I'm talking ribs and briskets that are smoked on site then cured and aged for days before they make it onto your plate; the seasoning and sauce is caramelized on the outside of the meat during the process... By the time he was done explaining, I was sold and salivating!

We ordered a meal that came with three meat choices, one of which I insisted on being 1/4 rack of ribs. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. We didn't wait long before our food was brought out to us piping hot. Their three homebrewed sauces are extremely good, as well. The meat from the ribs just fell off the bone like I had never before experienced! When we go back, I'm going for the full rack. That stuff was amazing and worth the trip by themselves. Shauna would also have me say to get the cinnamon roll for $1.99. It was delicious, too! In all, Shauna and I both split that plate with two sides and two drinks for about $25.

So, in short, if you're into BBQ, you have to go to Wallaby's on State St. in Lindon, UT. I did my best to explain it, but it is truly something you have to experience for yourself.

Is anyone really surprised when prophecies come to pass?

We received this article from Shauna's aunt the other day. Shauna's mom also mentioned that this article has been circulated around California. It is so powerful, especially when read in the context of what has been going on in California and among the Church recently, with Prop 8 and all that. The words of the Old Testament prophet Joshua resonate today just as clear, urgent, and challenging as they were when he first spoke them, "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve!"

If you would like the whole article, it can be found at LDS.org.

"A More Determined Discipleship"
by Neal A Maxwell
Neal A. Maxwell, "A More Determined Discipleship," Ensign, Feb 1979, 69–73
An address delivered at Brigham Young University, 10 October 1978

"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not they will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions.

President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.'

"This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ. . . Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions.

"Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened.... Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat." (Emphasis added)

Day at the Shooting Range

Saturday, Shauna, Thomas (her brother), and I all went out to Range Masters in Springville, UT, to rent some handguns and use their indoor range. While the prices went up since I was last there (three years ago), it was still well worth it and a lot of fun. Our goal for this trip was to find what kind of gun Shauna is comfortable shooting and also to give us all more experience shooting handguns. Experience is important when it comes to gun safety, and, like in all other aspects of life, knowledge is power.

We started off with a Glock 9mm and a brick of 50 rounds. The Glock was nice, but it was a little big and uncomfortable for all three of us. I'd forgotten how powerful a 9mm was because the last time I was at the range, I shot a Glock .40 first, then a 9mm, so the 9mm seemed really small. Haha. So, we shot about a clip each and then switched out the Glock for a Sig Sauer 9mm. The Sig in comparison was a lot nicer and more comfortable. But, it was still a little too big.

I have to throw in here that it was really cute watching Shauna's routine: She'd step up to the range, load and cock the gun like a pro, get into her stance, carefully take aim, fire one shot into the ceiling, one shot somewhere down range, place the gun calmly back onto the table, and walk away. I think her cowgirl name would be Ol' Two Shot Shauna. =)

Anyways, after talking with the clerk, he set us up with a Sig .380. The gun itself is a lot smaller than the others and the bullet is slightly shorter than a 9mm, though they're about the same diameter. The one big con is that because the barrel is shorter, it produces more of a 'bang' and therefore a little more kick. But, Shauna liked this one much better. In fact, by the time we were done with our .380 rounds, Shauna was able to plant quite a few rounds onto the target and at a good distance down range. (Way to go, honey!)

After the Sig, we switched out for a Colt .380, and that was slightly smaller than the Sig. It felt a little better and the clip was easier to load. But, we learned that the Colt was way more expensive than the other guns.

So, as I mentioned previously, one of main purposes of this outing was to gain experience (and to have some fun). Although Shauna and I differ on some political issues, one issue we are both adamant about is our right to bear arms and the importance of being able to protect yourself and those you love from harm (i.e., from crazy bad guys that think rampaging through a small-town, neighborhood shopping mall is the end to a perfect night out, etc.). The world is getting to be a scarier place, and it's just good to be prepared. I'll leave it at that.

Bottom line: Date to the shooting range--highly recommended!

'South for the Summer'

Here is a link to my brother's band, South for the Summer. They have a new Myspace and a couple of new songs on there. Please, stop by and listen. They're really good, and I'm not just saying that. Spread the word. (P.S., Jared has the vocals and the bass guitar).

I also wanted to post some pics I took of the American Idol auditions. They'll help you get a feel for everything you missed by not going. =)

Ryan Seacrest, ladies and gentlemen!
(No, you can't see him. I was feet away from him and I couldn't see him... All those tall, 5'3" Utah girls... But doesn't the bright, white light make him appear angelic?)


Jared, waiting for the big moment (hours into the day).


Jared auditioning (post yawn)
He's the big guy in the black shirt, second table from the left.