A thousand miles is a long trip in the back of a car for a teenage boy — especially in the days before smartphones, portable movie players and the repeal of universal 55 MPH speed limits. So on this trip to grandma and grandpa’s house years ago, my step-dad Dean gave me a book by some guy named Orson Scott Card.
Afton’s Baptism
It was Afton’s baptism and confirmation yesterday. Although Afton has a friend in the ward who was born the same day as her, his family decided to wait until next month for his baptism, so the service was just for Afton. Since it was just us and it was Thanksgiving weekend, arranging for the program was a little bit of a challenge. Fortunately, Afton’s piano teacher, Sister Poulsen, was able to play for us, which relieved one major stress. It was also the first baptismal service in our ward since getting a new primary presidency and a new bishopric, but things went very smoothly.
Getting a Job
I haven’t really looked for a job in over 20 years. Folio Corporation hired me before graduating from BYU, and I continued there through acquisitions and name changes until being invited by the same person who hired me at Folio to join him at Logitech. After five years there, I hit the job market a couple of months ago.
Karate Kicks Butt
Is it weird that for Mother’s Day I considered asking for a butt cushion? We have a chiropractor in our ward and I’ve seen his family bring a silicone pad to church that makes the cold, hard, metal chairs more ergonomically correct. I for one, never thought I’d covet one of those. I’d never be an old person dragging my own fold up seat cushions to church or stadium sporting events, but then Gerrit discovered karate.
Shannon’s Fa La La La Folly
If Eric asks me what I want for Christmas, my standard answers are a pony and a diamond tiara. Now, I really do have a few heart’s desires, but in my adult brain I’ve rationalized cost, practicality, and maybe I haven’t really been that good of a little girl. If I don’t specifically ask for them, I won’t feel embarrassed for sharing my secret needs.
Afton is six and knows if you have a heart’s desire you have tell your mom, dad, school teacher and Santa. She doesn’t think about cost per wear, financial priorities, or considerations of space and practicality. If you asked Afton what she wanted for Christmas this year, she would tell you that her heart’s desire was a car to play in… with doors.
Remembrances of Jammin’ Ammon
Ammon Eric Gustafson
November 5, 1967 – September 17, 2011
When Ammon’s family moved into our ward, we were both deacons. I still remember the Sunday he came into our classroom because, for a typically quiet person like me, I was uncommonly outgoing in welcoming him. We hit it off immediately. I remember how my mom used to visit with people after church, and we kids would grumble impatiently in the car for what seemed like hours until she was ready to take us home. But it wasn’t long until the family was waiting for me because Ammon and I were so engaged talking about Dungeons & Dragons, Atari, and whatever else interested young teenagers back in 1980.
Value of a Math Class
We signed Gerrit up for a summer school math class at the junior high. Maybe we’re doing well on teaching the value of education, or maybe he’s just a good kid, but he hasn’t complained at all, and Shannon and I sort of feel like we’re getting away with something.
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Homebody
In January, my division manager invited me into his office to drop a bombshell: Logitech had decided to close the Draper office where I work, and move our operation to headquarters in Fremont, California. I was offered a nice relocation package if I would move to California, and a severance package if I wouldn’t. In my case, he added, if I wanted to work remotely, he might be able to work something out.
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Steamboat Serendipity
When we entered Disneyland last Monday afternoon, there were so many people that we hardly knew what to do. The people wranglers got us moving, though, and after a bit of herding we ended up near Space Mountain. The sign estimated the wait at nearly an hour and a half, which seemed kind of long to me. Maybe going to Disneyland in August is like going skiing on New Year’s Day — where the time waiting in line is so long compared to the actual activity that it’s hardly worth it. With that in mind, it was a surprise that one of our coolest experiences was being singled out from among the masses.
Sweet Sixteen
This week Shannon and I are celebrating our 16th wedding anniversary. We currently have the advantage of some live-in adult supervision, so we took a few days to just be us, without the kids. This doesn’t happen often. In fact, it is dangerously close to being a unique experience. The kids love vacations, and we love building family memories through outings, but sometimes Mom and Dad need to be Shannon and Eric.