Visiting Michigan in 2009

I have been missing my Dad the past few days; just a simple sadness that cannot be taken away. I have decided to blog a few more memories of him. 

In May of 2009, I took my parents back to Michigan to visit the members, areas and places of my mission. I returned from serving a full-time mission in November 2008, so I had been home about six months. 

My Dad served some of his mission in Michigan. He served on the west side of the state and I served on the east side. I enjoyed having that similarity between the two of us. 

It turned out to be quite a visit. Some wonderful members let us stay at their homes and we had great visits with them. 

I enjoyed returning to the state I called home for two years. It was nice not being a missionary and having the flexibility to go where I wanted. 

We visited many people, but also many great places. We went to the Henry Ford, a museum that had some really cool artifacts and old cars. The chair President Lincoln was in when we was assassinated was there. 

My Dad loved classic cars and being in the state where the big 3 auto companies are was really special to see. His appreciation for the cars in that museum was fun to experience. 

We visited the Jiffy mixes plant as well. I remember getting a box or two muffins in my stocking at Christmas time when I was younger, so that was enjoyable to see how they are made. We even got one free box of muffin mix as a gift. 

Next, we visited Hell, Michigan. I wanted to to there on my mission, but never made it over in that area. I enjoyed the novelty of visiting "Hell" and buying some fun souvenirs. We can all say that "we've been to Hell and back". Ha.

My parents always seem to hit it off with people, and this trip was no different. They became great friends with one of my favorite people in Grand Blanc, one of my top areas. They loved meeting other people I would write home about and see the places I lived and worked. 

Frankenmuth was another great place we visited. It was outside my mission boundaries, but a great place to visit.  It is a quaint Bavarian-style town that had some fun treasures. I wish I would have bought an apron that was pretty epic. They have a Christmas-themed store that has everything you can imagine. 

The tail end of the trip we went into Detroit. I'm sure my parents were nervous going into the most dangerous city in America. I was able to visit "the Sistas" and show my parents where I lived. It brought back so many great memories of sweating, riding my bike and talking to so many people in that area. We made it out safely. 

I enjoyed going to the Detroit temple and church out there. Showing my parents off was a very rewarding experience for me. 

It brought back the love I have for the state of Michigan and the people who live there. I can't wait to visit there again soon.

I never really had the chance to spend a lot of one-on-one time with my parents. I am the fourth of my parent's six children, so my time with them was limited growing up. This trip allowed me to grow closer to them and experience something new. I am very grateful I had that opportunity. My parents are wonderful.

More pictures of our trip can be seen here and here. 

"A Picture A Day in 2013" In Review

Wow. Where did the time go? Just seems like yesterday that we said goodbye to 2012 and welcomed 2013. Time is flying by!

For those who follow me on Facebook, you've probably seen that I attempted to "capture a moment every day in 2013". I tried. I really did. I ended up taking 210 photos last year. That was much less than I thought I would be able to. There were a couple of reasons why I didn't take a photo every single day in 2013.

• I just simply forgot. It was hard to remember to take a photo of something different every day.
• In the second half of 2013, there wasn't enough variety going on to take a photo of something new. I got my first out-of-college job and life was much more simple.
• I had social media burn-out. Some days I wanted to keep what I had done private. I really felt that I was putting my entire life on Facebook, which scares me. I wanted to protect my family, especially my little daughter. 
• I was too lazy to upload pictures. 

I did have an enjoyable time thinking about pictures to capture. I rather enjoyed cycling through the photos I had taken. It was a nice trip down memory lane and I was reminded of the fun adventures I had been on.

In 2014 I am not sure what I will do. Probably take a few pictures, but won't pressure myself into taking one every single day. 

Here is to a great 2014, pictures or not. 

Family Band Tour 2005

I've been thinking about memories of my father, and many of them revolve around trips we went on. They stick out to me because it was out of the ordinary, and really built family appreciation for me.

Me, senior year of high school -2005

"Family Band Tour 2005"

My senior year in high school was far-and-away the best year in school up to that point. I found my niche with music and really enjoyed the many experiences that created. I was in jazz band, did a few pit orchestras for the drama department and started a quartet with three other guys. I loved it.

Like every other year preceding it, we were going on a band trip in the springtime. We were going to be heading to southern Utah, visiting a handful of colleges and universities as well as other places down there. The school needed chaperones to accompany us, as there we plenty of hyper, energetic and somewhat annoying high school band students. My sister, Heidi, who had come on other band trips before, signed up to come. My sister-in-law was in the orchestra and I believe talked her sister and her husband (my brother) into coming. I thought that would be fun to have three members of my family come.

When the band director needed a few more chaperones and someone to drive a trailer, he approached my mom when she came to pick me up for school. After talking it over with my dad, they decided to come.

So let's recap. Michael was on his mission, so he wasn't coming. Lane and I would be going as students. My mom and dad would be driving the trailer. Heidi, Robert and Natalie were all coming as chaperones. To top it off, no one would be able to watch my little brother, Sterling, who was in elementary school. So he came too.

It was kind of funny when all the other band and orchestra students learned that basically my entire family had come on this band trip. It was fun having all of them there. It was like a family trip.... with 70 other students.

Sometimes I was able to ride with my parents. Sometimes I was able to be with my band friends. But overall, it was one heck of a memorable experience. Another great example of my parents supporting me in everything that had to do with music. I am very grateful we had that opportunity. I will cherish that memory for the rest of my life.

My Dear Father

I will dearly miss my father. He was always there for me. Although he had his faults, I am eternally grateful he was my father on this earth. My dad was a kind man. A shy man. A man with a big heart. 

He was not a particularly eloquent man. But showed me how to treat people. 

My father was self employed, doing things in the construction trade. I would work for him many times growing up. I did not enjoy it. That taught me to work hard in school. But I do wish I could remember more of the lessons he tried to teach me. Now that I have a home, I have been borrowing his expertise. Now that expertise dies with him. 

My father always supported me in music. I could always count on him being at every concert I had. Whether it was a small recital or big program. He pushed me and enjoyed my musical talents. 

He had musical talent as well. I will be forever grateful that I invited him to sing with me in a group of friends. We sang barbershop music, in church, in talent shows, and even at 2 Real Salt Lake soccer games and one Utah Jazz game. I know he thoroughly enjoyed singing with us. I'll miss his bass. 

The last year has been hard for him. He's had many health challenges and has been in and out of hospitals. As such, I've been preparing myself for this moment. Knowing that he could pass away at any moment. I was "one call away" from hearing the news. Although I've had more than a year, I still don't feel prepared to say goodbye. But that's how it goes. 

I am thankful he doesn't have to suffer anymore. He was in a great deal of pain. I'm thankful he can now "rest from his labors".

My father taught me to love sunflower seeds, hash browns and root beer. He taught me to be there for your kids and support them. He taught me to serve other people, especially when there's a need. I hope I can be that kind of father. He wasn't perfect. But he was the kind of father I am proud to have. Who fought through cancer, asthma and many other health problems in his life. I am proud to have him as my dad and can't wait to meet him after this life is over. 

MDM - Seven Years Later

Seven years ago, as a young 19-year-old, I embarked on the most memorable experience of my life. I said goodbye to my family as they dropped me off at the MTC, where I was for just over two weeks. I then flew to Detroit, Michigan. Little did I know what sort of an impact it would have on my life.

My mission experience was the most challenging two years of my life. It stretched me in every way possible. Some days I didn't know if I could make it the full two years. But gratefully I finished it honorably.

Not one day goes by that I don't think about some aspect of that time. Some days I think about a person I met, a companion or investigator. Sometimes it is an experience. I'm truly thankful for Facebook, which allows me to stay in contact with many people I met while being a missionary.

After graduation in May, I was searching for a job. I found one that I thought would be a good start. It was based in Michigan and had a branch not far from my house. I sent in my application and résumé, and got an interview. I was interviewed with three separate native Michiganders that day, and told each of them I had lived in Michigan. We discussed what I was doing there and a few experiences I had there. That was the turning point I think. I became memorable. I stuck out in their minds. And out of nearly 100 applicants, I was offered the position. What a blessing! I think I owe part of getting this job to serving in Michigan.

I look back on my time there with great love for the people of Michigan. I wouldn't trade any moment of my experiences during that two years with anything in this world. I learned to work hard, study, follow a schedule, talk and relate to people, develop compassion and empathy towards people, and be selfless. I'm far from perfect in any of those areas, but have been richly blessed by the missionary program.

Now my brother is in the MTC, headed to South Carolina. I'm happy and excited for him. I know he'll do a great job. Part of me wishes I could go for another two years. Then I realize: I've passed that point in my life. Time to focus on what is at hand and feel grateful for the experience.

The New Gig

*The views expressed are my own and not those of Auto-Owners Insurance.*

As I mentioned in the previous blog post over a month ago, I had a second interview with an insurance company. It turns out that I got the job! I am really grateful that this opportunity came.

I am now a commercial underwriter for Auto-Owners insurance. I've been there for seven weeks now. I never thought I'd work in the insurance industry, but I guess life takes people in interesting directions. Here are a few of my favorite things about my job:

1) Airin can stay home from work. I am so happy that she can stay home with little Lily. More on that here.

2) The schedule. I work Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. I get a one-hour lunch in the middle of the day. I can't think of better hours.

3) The location. I work in Draper, right below the Draper LDS Temple. I've had a couple of internships in downtown Salt Lake, and I love not having to deal with the traffic down there.

4) The work. For those who don't know what underwriting is, we look at insurance policies and decide whether or not we can accept certain risks as an insurance company and make sure policies follow state/federal law. We also look at renewals of policies and verify that they are still good ones to have insured by our company. It is fun to sleuth through policies and determine those things.

5) The company is based in Michigan. I served an LDS Church mission in the metropolitan Detroit area from 2006-2008. I love the state of Michigan and the people there. I am surrounded by many Michiganders and it is fun. I love discussing things like Vernor's ginger ale, Koegels hot dogs, Michigan lefts, as well as the Tigers, Lions and Pistons. Good times.

6) I have a great chance to move throughout the company. The company only promotes from within so this allows for great growth opportunities. One day we might relocate to another branch, depending on the circumstances.

Overall, I couldn't be happier. This is a great opportunity and I feel so unbelievably blessed! God answers prayers and knows how to help us.

Staying Home

It has been just over a month since Airin quit her job (she really just told the hospital that she was not coming back from maternity leave). This was made possible by me getting a job that paid enough for her to stay home. And I could not be happier.

Having Airin at home with Lily full time is a collective goal and desire. We knew we would not have extra spending money to travel and have some added frills that most people enjoy. But we felt it was best for our little family.

My parents have lived a very frugal and thrifty life. Growing up, my mother stayed home and my father worked. It was such a blessing to have her there whenever I needed her, like coming home from school, when I was sick, or when we had field trips for class. I always knew she was there for me. And I wanted that for my future family as well.

I know different people have different opinions on the matter. It is obvious what mine is. This conversation could get into feminism and gender equality. But let me just say that I respect and honor womanhood. It is a very sacred blessing and opportunity.

Airin spent four long years studying nursing. After graduation, she worked for two years at Primary Children's Medical Center. Now she is a full-time wife and mother. And we are okay with that. Was it foolish to work so hard and then quit a couple of years in? Absolutely not.

I think most people respect our decision. But it baffles me that people judge us as being "old-fashioned", wasting money or time on school for Airin, or dumb for leaving so much money on the table. To that, I say, please respect our decision.

Life is not about money. It never has been for me. I would much rather have enough money to be sufficient for our needs with a happy, successful, loving family than make lots of money but have no free time or energy to spend with my loved ones.

Now, I'm not saying those two scenarios are mutually exclusive. Those are the extremes. But for me, money is a means to an end, not the end itself. The end for me is having a happy life with my family. It is being able to bless the lives of others. It is being grateful for what you have.

That is why having Airin home is so big for me. It does not guarantee that we will be happy all the time or have the greatest family in the world, but that it creates the best opportunity I can think of to be close.  To learn to trust each other when times are tough. To tighten the belt financially. To learn to be frugal, humble, and grateful. And, of course, to have time to spend with each other and build memories for the future.

This life is only so long. Find what makes you happiest and go for it. But please respect our decision, even if they seem dumb or foolish. We aren't all chasing the same thing.