My Dad's Blog

I have started a number of blogs, as there is a lot on my mind.  Life has been hectic and I need to write about it somewhere.  

In the meantime many of you know my dad and his talents in photography.  Well for years our whole family has been bugging him to publish his pictures somewhere.  Thanks to my cousin Cathy he has a blog.  It really is something I hope all of you take a look at.  He is extremely talented and has some amazing pictures.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="483" caption="My dad took this shot of us a couple years ago at Lake Powell"][/caption]

 

 

Here's his blog.

http://russ-photojournal.blogspot.com/

Check it out and leave comments on his pictures.  I'm sure he'd love to hear what you all think of his photographs.

JT's new album is out!!!

Hey this is just a quick note to let everyone out there know the new James Taylor album is out.  On occasion the iTunes new releases come out a couple hours early (for us in UT) I guess they're release on eastern time.  His new album is called "Covers"  and it entirely an album of cover tunes.  I'll post videos up here as they are available but for now just go to JT's website if you want to listen.  There are already a few classics on this album, my favorite for now is his cover of the great temptation song "It's Growing"  Seriously if you want to hear an album that is carefully crafted and entirely thought out.  Check it out!



James on his new album.

A classic, and one of my favorites of all time

Lately the song "Fire and Rain" has been on my mind in a major way.  It's one of those songs that is part of my make up due mostly to the fact that I was raised on it, and have probably heard it as much as any other song out there.  As I've gone through a few of my own personal struggles lately this was one of the first non-MoTab songs that brought me peace.  I've also thought of it as I consider some of the other bishop lessons I've learned lately.

This lyric in particular struck a chord with me:

I’ve been walking my mind to an easy time
My back turned towards the sun
Lord knows when the cold wind blows it’ll turn your head around

 

It seems like when we are in a comfort zone, or in some cases not feeling the consequences for some of our poor choices our we tend to 'turn our back toward the sun' or forget our Heavenly Father.  But when we face great trials, or life gets hard, we seek comfort.  Anyways,  I don't have anything deep or inspiring to say (you surprised?) but I thought I'd throw this song up here, while it was on my mind.

  So Enjoy!

 

S

Some new tunes...finally

Hello everyone!  It's been a little while since I've posted any tunes on here.  I'm not really sure if anyone actually looks at this blog and likes any of the music I post so I guss that's part of it, but I've also been feeling a bit like I should write about some of the experiences Karie and I have had, the good and the bad.  So maybe someday I'll put some of those thoughts down, but for now I'll just put a few quick links up to some of my new favorites/discoveries in music.

 



Jenny and Tyler - American Dream

I just discovered this little duo, I don't know much about them just yet but they caught my ear, and I can tell that I'm going to like them. Here's a link to their website.





Rick Seibold - Mary

Yeah I know all these musicians that don't have music videos yet, but I really like this guys sound,  I think he has potential.  What do you think?



Eric Hutchenson - OK It's Alright With Me

Of this group, I think Eric hs the most potential.  I've enjoyed his whole CD and actually can't pick which track is the stand out track on the album,  There are two or three standout tracks that I llike.

 

Anyways,  I have quite a few more songs in the backlog that I'm anxiousl to post about.  But my last one is a shout out to my friend Mitch Hansen of the Mitch Hansen Band.  Mitch and I served together on a mission and became great friends,  I can't say I'm surpised He's turning into a great musician, and recording artist in his own right.   If you are a fan of the Twilight books like I know my wife and all her friends are check out, the mitch hansen band  

Our Sad News

I may write more about my thoughts and feelings on this later, but they are somewhat tender right now so we'll see.

Many of you know Karie and I have been very excited about our news that we were expecting our first baby in March.  Well unfortunately this week on Wednesday, we found out that we have had a miscarriage.  We found this out the same afternoon my Grandma J passed away.  

We are heartbroken about this news but trying to stay positive.  The only reason I'm posting this here is it's much easier to let people know this way, than it is in person. Also thank you to everyone who has offered their support, through emails, flowers, etc.  It means a lot to know you're there.

We will also miss our Grandma J.  I'll try to write a short tribute to her on here soon, but I know she is much more comfortable right now.

A few one line memories of Granny J:

Taffy cookies, Steal the Pile, Coke, Readers digest Jokes, Fiery Red Hair, Christmas Morning, the Charleston, the Lumina (aka IrmaJ) and so many more.

 



 

The quote I used at Granny J's funeral

"Though otherwise a “lively” attribute, hope stands quietly with us at funerals. Our tears are just as wet, but not because of despair. Rather, they are tears of heightened appreciation evoked by poignant separation. Those tears of separation change, ere long, becoming tears of glorious anticipation." - Elder Neal A. Maxwell Hope through the Atonement of Jesus Christ

Looking for a new...old car.

I just copied this over from Karie's blog...she said it so well...

Summer-Car-Problems

We're cursed! I don't know what it is, but every summer that Mikey & I have been married we have had major car problems. This summer has proven to not disappoint. Our lovely '95 Ford Taurus has been over-heating, so we took it in to see what the damages were. We were expecting a repair of maybe $500 & we figured that was on the high side. Oh no. That was the low side. If we choose to repair our lovely "Darwin" (named after the previous owner), it will cost us over $1000! :( So now we're to the questions of "Is it really worth it? Or should we just put that money into a more reliable car?"

So, we're just putting it out there just in case, but if any of you know someone who is looking to sell a decently-working car, we might be interested! We just need something to get around town. So really, if you know anyone, let me know! Thanks!

(Not that it really matters, but this isn't a picture of our actual Darwin. It's a picture of his cousin I found on Google. Darwin is a "lovely" sky blue.)

Memories...

Ok, so this is the first time I've posted anything like this but it actually seemed fun. I saw it on my friend Camille's blog. I'm not really sure if anyone reads this blog anyways...but here it is Here are the directions...

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.C'mon now, anything funny, strange, cool, embarrassing, or awful you remember about me??

Also Karie has started a blog... it's http://mikeyandkarie.blogspot.com/ so check hers out!