Farmington Fun

Mom loves to feed people.  She also has trouble throwing out any water....so she prefers to do the dishes herself b/c you know how wasteful the rest of us are:  we throw out the dishwater.  Shame!

This cracks me up.  Logan is a big dude and Mom is a petite doll.  The two of them side by side is quite a contrast.

pedicure at the college, a Farmington tradition.

Mexican food at Si Senora with Scott's family and Mom...just missing Alyssa & Sheridan

What can you say about these men.  True truckers/farmers/cowboys.  We had a nice chat.  Good guys.

The Fab 5

I admit, I was a little worried that Levi might give me a 'hard' time.  The miracle?  He likes me!  We got along famously.  So much so, that I want to sneak him into my suitcase and take him home with me.  

Getting ready to go to the temple with the YW.  Daphne just got a phone.  Yep, she is growing up way too fast.  She gave me a hand massage while we watched TV one night.  She would hang out and talk.  I LOVE having a granddaughter who is so cool.  

Zane is fun.  Bottom line, fun.  He is a smiling happy boy.  He reminds me of Dan though b/c he worries about everyone being safe, especially when his parents got stuck in Atlanta.  Once they made it safe & sound he was much more relaxed.  

Brauer truly is a great Big Brother.  Since he only has 1/2 day Kindergarten he helped out so much with Levi:  played and helped.  Love that kid.  Did I mention there was never any trouble with bedtime, or getting ready for school, or anything!  Impressive.

Scarlet is one talented girl, and as a result is in big demand.  She has a very busy schedule and she is a trooper to always be ready and 'up' for whatever is demanded of her.  Notice 'teeth' is on the menu for breakfast....don't tell the parents!

Belgian friends that now live in Utah.  They came for lunch.  So nice of them!  Jenny Tomlinson, Jessie Taggart, and Kelly Kimball.

Herway's of Princeton

Children's museum.  Build your own cars and see which one wins!

A hot air balloon simulation.  Next time I want to do the real thing.  Don't forget Jake!

You may think that is a crocodile practicing the harmonica, but it's really Rachel.  She plays real songs on the harmonica.  Amazing girl.  Wait till you hear her play the piano.  

Sunday morning, just before church.  

Look at the beautiful kids!

I won't tell you what we were talking about to get these real smiles!

Sunday afternoon chill time.  

Kate likes to paint her fingernails

Rach likes to make friendship bracelets.

Dutiful son talking to Pop on the phone, dutiful grandson waiting patiently, and dutiful granddaughter looking way too cute with those squeezable legs and cheeks.
Thanks Jake and Mel for a great week-end.  I loved the tour through the backroads of New Jersey.  (Tom, it's very much like Middleburg Virginia)  Our brunch at Lilly's.  Our afternoon at the museum.  And of course our ice cream treat even though it was freezing temperatures and lots of snow!  I loved our Sunday walk along the canal, and our evenings of putting the kids to bed and talking.  A special 'hooray' to Rachel for letting me have her room.  Now, it's off to Utah and to the next adventure.  Luckily we get to see Jake's family in Utah as well!  This good-bye won't be tough at all!

2013 High/Low

High and Low of 2013

Stouts

High - getting married, having our whole family there for our wedding, honeymoon to Ireland/France/Italy/Belgium, Colie graduating with her master's, Jed starting at Weber State University, opening a box full of Belgian chocolates for Christmas, swimming on Christmas day in 70 degree weather, & both of us getting a roommate we can't live without.

Low - realizing that social workers don't make as much as we thought, crawling on the ground, being at sea level, right before filling up the gas tank, and shopping at Lowe's.

‪High:‬

2013 was non-stop travel. I enjoyed exploring new places. We visited over 7 countries, and many cities in the US and Europe.

Tori walking and being such a sweet baby made my whole year.

Low:

2013 was non-stop travel :). Even though is exciting it can be tiresome as well as expensive.  Noel

On Wednesday, January 1, 2014 2:46 PM, Felicia Sparhawk wrote:

Steve proposed to Felicia on 1/2/13 in Rockefeller Center 

Steve and Felicia got married on 3/29/13 in Washington DC. Best day of our lives.

Felicia took Steve to his first New York Yankees game

We spent some time in Belguim, traveling around Europe giving Felicia the full tourist's experience

Drove across the country from New Jersey all the way to Utah

We fell in love with Café Rio

Moved into our first apartment in June

Steve got laid off his job in July

We adopted DeeDee, the cutest ferret, into our family in July

Felicia Got a job as apartment manager in SLC in September

We adopted Tobi, the cuddliest kitty, into our family in September

Felicia's mom had surgery, so she was able to go home and see her family before they moved to Saudi Arabia

Steve Started a new Job in September, Got laid off in October.

Steve took Felicia to her first BYU Football game in October

Steve got a new job at Duty Free America before Thanksgiving and they've already given him a raise! YAY

Steve got accepted into LDS Business college on New Years Eve

‪Highs: ‬

-Bike ride trip through the Loire Valley with Seth

-We're pregnant!

-Seth being recognized by his peers and superiors and being elected for Chief Resident. 

-Approval from the IRS to make Fostering Childhood and official nonprofit charity.

Lows:

-Terrible morning sickness in Belgium 

-Finding out our boys bike's were stolen while we were in Belgium (who steals teeny tiny bikes from teeny tiny kids?!)

Heidi

High was getting a new job. Don't have any lows - life is good right now.  Dan.

Lows: First year I did not make it out to Utah, and a couple of ER trips for stomach problems (hoping to be determined soon)

Highs: Having lots of family come to the east coast (makes up for not making it home), our family trip to Niagara Falls and Palmyra, having Lily join our family, and seeing Rachel get baptized.   Mel.

I had a great year. My Highs: Surprising Daphne and attending her end of ballet camp performance in Boise--She worked so hard, was very brave and I was incredibly proud of her; Watching Zane work hard to conquer his 'no hits' streak in baseball--he became a powerhouse hitter; Scarlet's baptism and our trip to the East Coast--I love that girl. She has the most pure heart I have ever known; Sending Brauer to Kindergartener--it was a very difficult decision but for sure the right decision. He is doing well and is happy as can be; Just everything Levi! But one of my favs was witnessing how determined he was to walk and his serious work ethic. Dan and I are confident that Levi will keep us on our toes.

I guess it has been a great year when you can't think of a low. If I had to choose a low it would likely be Levi getting RSV. That was a really long couple of weeks.  Lara

My high for 2014 is Valentines Day...for 2013...

High

Rachel's baptism. I couldn't have scripted a better experience for all involved!

Low

The indifferent, condescending, Jersey Strong nurses in the ER. I'm still upset at them, which then makes me feel guilty because I'm supposed to live a higher law and bless my enemies...and wondering what's wrong with me when, of the very few enemies I have, a couple of nurses fit the description. But they do.  Jake.

High:  Isa driving the boat in Austria, “I’m not going to be a bad driver like my dad” all the while our boat was going in circles and she wasn’t even looking where she was going.  Two magnificent weddings.  Paid off Heber house.  Summer guests which include trips to Austria, Turkey, Germany, Normandy.  The firework show from the picture window of our apartment.  Mom’s 90^th.  Reunion, and everyone there.

Low:  The owner of the house in Durango (Lisa).  Packing up the nest at 20 Sijsjeslaan and leaving the Strombeek ward.  Wrecked the Volvo.  Selling the piano.  This is probably more Steve’s low: trying to get his apartment rented.  Anita/Mom

Okay.  You asked for it so I'm giving it to you straight from the gut!

Highs (mostly highs)

1.  All the family time in March at Steve and Felicia's wedding, May at Audrey's 90th, and June at Colie and Jed's wedding.   Pretty darn close to the celestial kingdom. 

2.  The Sound of Music tour of Salzburg, Austria, and the Salzkammergut lakes, thanks to Natalie.

3.  Sailing, swimming, and double chocolate Magnum bars on the Turkish Riviera with Seth, Heidi and company.

4.  Realizing that after all the life changes I went through in 2013 (retiring after 36 years, moving from our house of 25 years, and being released as SP after 8 years) that I really didn't mind it at all.  There is a time to leave things behind and move on and embrace the future.   Happiness is not a place or a job or a calling, but my eternal family and my relationship with my Heavenly Father.   That's all that matters. 

Lows (all work related, but they pay me a lot so no one feels sorry for me)

1.  Being in an offsite meeting in Glons, Belgium, for two long days and nights with the senior management from the Agency where all day long people were trying to steal people and responsibilities from each other, including me.  During the breaks people would get together to conspire against others.   Common sense, reality, and logic didn't matter.  It was all about eloquence of speech and who could conspire the best.   I survived, but it was very ugly.  That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger.  Tom

Ok here it is:

High: 3 months in a row hanging out with my parents. Oh yeah and we were in Belgium/Europe too, which was a close second. I am also very grateful that I continue to get to be a stay at home mom. Many of my "highs" are just the little moments with my kids.

Low: Although I am very grateful to have a hardworking, intelligent husband I would be lying if I didn't say I extremely dislike that Noel travels for work. In 2013 it added up to about 3 1/2 months including many weekends and important dates like Valentines day and Isa's birthday.   Natalie
PS.Love this list! Learned a few things I didn't know. I think we should skip the lows. I like to just forget the bad stuff. Like Tori getting RSV and spending the night in the hospital the night before Colie's wedding. Let's just pretend that didn't happen!
I thought of another high... did I ever tell you about the time I scared my 40 year old neighbor and he screamed like a little girl then slammed the door in my face and wouldn't open it back up again because he didn't realize it was just his neighbor? IT WAS THE BEST!!!

Bryn's high: birthday in Belgium and going to Pop's work

Isa's high: the whole year and going to Hofstade

Bryn: the whole year for me too

High: biking through the loire valley with Heidi. That was an awesome trip. Renting the boat in turkey and having a great day on the water w everyone. Mtn biking in Sedona. Seeing everyone at the reunion. Finding out we are having another baby. Low: felt really bad for Heidi when she was pregnant and sick again. But not so bad that I couldn't eat another double chocolate magnum bar.  Seth Highs first/lows second Scarlet: Getting baptized and going to NYC/My mom making me quit tumbling Zane: BYU football camp and playing football, making district finals for swim team/ my football team losing most of the time Daphne: Ballet Camp in Boise and getting the news that we are not moving/Homework stress Brauer: Lake Powell/ Christmas break ending Levi didn't have much to contribute. :)

 I just did a copy/paste job.  So it's all mixed up.  Didn't even put couples comments together.  Hope you enjoy reading.  If more kids want to put in their comments, I can always add!

Enjoy reading.  I think we all had a great 2013.  Here's to a great 2014!

New Digs

It was fun to talk to everybody on Christmas.  It was also fun that you asked to see the new apartment.  So here are a few quick photos just to give you an idea.  I like the fact that Dad has his music corner, but this time he adds quite a view.  It's funny how the same furniture looks so different now in the apartment!
It's a beautiful sunny day and we have had a blast exploring our new neighborhood.  Take yesterday for example:  We walked most of the day.  First we walked over to the Cinquantenaire park where there are tons of trails.   Then for lunch we walked over to Pauls bakery (wait till you try their hot chocolate!)then walked downtown and did a little window shopping on High Road.  Then to Pita Row for dinner.  Through the Grand Place for the Light and Sound show and over to Rue Nueve for more window shopping.  Took the metro home (oh a bought a mobipass metro/bus card).  Thoroughly enjoying the city life indeed.  I found the bus that will take me to yoga, and I will take the metro to tennis.  Dad is going to try bus #12 to work.  I think the time here is going to fly by way too fast!

done

Last night was our last night as residents of 20 Sijsjeslaan.  We slept one last night on the blow-up mattress which is awesome, so you can still come and visit!  The house is empty now, just have the cleaning up to do, which I didn't think would be too bad but it's horrible.
Just a few closing thoughts for documentation:  We have loved living in this home, where we raised our children, and served, and had happy times as well as some tough times.  I look around and see and feel everybody.  Even though it's empty it still breathes with the life we had here.  I'm sitting in Jake/Steve's room but next time I will just drive by, no longer the place we will call home.
I am looking forward to the next phase, don't get me wrong.  I just had to give a tribute to a great place. Yes, it's only walls, but it protected all those that are dear to me.  So thanks house!  And if you don't mind, let me shed a tear or two....

Because you missed it, and because it was so good

Hi all,
I felt that you might like to read Tom's talk from Stake Conference.  It really was exceptional.  And you all missed it.

Session presided by Elder Teixeira
Presence of Elder Boutoille
Conducted by President Herway

His talk:
I want to tell a few stories.  Then I will be ready to move on to my next calling in the Lord's Church.

When I was called as Stake President the Area President at the time asked me if there was any reason why he shouldn't call me as Stake President.  I told him I had three very good reasons.

First, I told him I am on short term contracts and my present contract expires in six months.  He told me if the lord wants you to stay he will work it out so you can stay.

Second, I told him my ability to speak French is limited.  I can understand, but I don't have much practice speaking the language.  He said you can learn French.  This will be a good opportunity for you to improve your French.

The third excuse I gave to the Area President was that I was an American and the majority of the members in our Stake are Belgian.  He told me you are not an American.  You are a child of God.  That is your true, eternal identity.  You were born in America.  But when we leave this life it won't matter where we were born.  We will have only one identity.  So I was left without any excuses and I was ready to accept the new calling and see what my Heavenly Father had in store for me.

I have learned so much from each of my callings in the Church.  Being Stake President was not the hardest calling I have ever had.  The hardest calling I ever had was as Deacon's Quorum Advisor to the meanest bunch of Deacons who ever walked the earth.

Anita and I had just moved into the Ward in Virginia when I was called to be the Deacons Quorum Advisor.  I didn't know it at the time but they had been through three Deacon Quorum Advisors before me and they had all quit.  They couldn't find anyone who would teach these boys, so they grabbed me as soon as I moved in before I could learn about these boys.

There were 10 of them.  They would never listen to me.  They would laugh and make fun of what I said.  They would throw things at me when my back was turned.  One time they locked me out of the room and wouldn't let me back in the classroom.  They were 12 and 13 year old criminals.

But I didn't give up.  I was determined to teach them.

I finally decided that I had to adjust my teaching style.  First, I had to let them have fun together.  I wanted them to like coming to Church and being together.  Second, I couldn't react to their bad actions.  This is exactly what they wanted.  Third I realized that I had to take advantage of the moments they gave me to teach them the gospel of Jesus Christ.  So I started to prepare the lessons in short 10 second sound bites.  In between their laughing and talking I would throw out an idea and I would keep throwing it at them each time there was a break in the action.

After awhile it started to work.  They knew they weren't going to drive me away so they started quieting down and they began to respond to the ideas I presented.  Finally after about a year I was released and was given a calling in the Elder Quorum.  I thought that was the last I would ever see of those boys.  I was wrong.  I didn't realize how the Lord works.

Four years later I was called to be the Bishop of these boys.  They were Priests now.  So I was their Priest's Quorum President.  It was my job to prepare these boys to go on missions.  I realized why I was given that calling as Deacon's Quorum Advisor.  I knew these boys and they knew their Bishop.  By the time they left the Priests Quorum they knew the gospel of Jesus Christ and understood clearly what they needed to do with their lives.  They knew the joy of serving others.  They all served missions.

Brother and sisters this is the way the Lord works.  Don't give up on Him until you have learned the lesson He is trying to teach you.  Be patient and wait on the Lord until you have received the blessing from Him for your faithfulness.

I have learned something from every calling I have had in the Church of Jesus Christ.  What have I learned from this calling?

I have leaned some French.  One of the first times I sustained anyone in French was in the Mons Ward. The Bishop at the time was Don Kroenen if you remember Don.  He was a sweet little Canadian who loved everyone.  Since Mons is bi-lingual Ward I presented the names for sustaining a new Elders Quorum Presidency first in French then in English.  I was feeling pretty proud of myself for speaking in both languages.  So I asked the Quorum which was better, by French or my English?  To which Don replied, "I don't know President.  They are both pretty bad!"  Thank you for being so kind and patient with someone who can't speak French or English (according to Don).

I have learned that the faithful members of the Church here in Belgium are celestial beings.  No one will ever be able to convince me that they are not.  I have a testimony of this fact.  You are amazing.  I am so grateful for how good you have been to me.  How patient you have been with me.  How supportive you have been of me.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

You are not perfect.  No one is.  But you are as good as it gets.  They don't get any better than you.  It was a privilege and joy to be your Stake President.  I enjoyed every minute.

My favorite part of this calling was the Temple Recommend interviews.  As I listened to your answers to my questions I realized your faithfulness and your sacrifices to keep the commandments and following the Savior.  I was able almost to feel the love your Heavenly Father has for you.  He loves you very much.  He wants you to see that each trial, each problem you must overcome is necessary for your growth and progression.

I won't get to exhort you again as your leader so I am going to take advantage of my last chance.

Keep going to the temple.  Keep going to the temple as Ward families with your youth and your loved ones.  I love the temple.  I don't begin to know everything that goes on in the temple.  Most of what takes place in the temple occurs on the other side of the veil where we ca't see it.  But it is real.  These people are real.  The work you do for them has a tremendous impact upon them.  My wife keeps a list of every name she has ever done temple work for.  She expects them to meet her when she leaves this life and thank her for what she did for them.  She has the right vision of this work.  Don't let anybody or anything keep you from going to the temple often.  You will be blessed.

Do your HT and VT.  Visiting the members in their homes every month representing the Lord Jesus Christ is one of the greatest blessings you will ever have.  It is the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the best way I know to develop the pure love of Jesus Christ.  You will receive revelation for those you visit and you develop a love for them as you serve them.  You need this blessing.

I have loved this calling.  You have made it so easy for me.  I gained so much from your testimonies, your sacrifices, your examples and your strength in living a celestial law in a telestial kingdom.

I want to thank Anita for her patience and support.  I want to thank my brothers Marc, Mike, Xavier and Andre, (and Yvan, Patrick and Jorge before them).  I always looked forward to our Presidency meetings on Wed night.  We were truly one.  It was a great feeling.  I think this is what I will miss the most about this wonderful calling.

I testify to you that we are brothers and sisters.  We all have one very important thing in common.  We have a Father in Heaven who knows an loves each of us.  His work and His glory is to bring us back into His presence.  He has a plan for us to return to Him and live with Him forever.  This plan is the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is called the plan of happiness.  It is the most important thing in my life.  It has brought me so much joy.  It has brought me more blessings than I could ever have imagined possible.  It has brought me you.  I will always be grateful to Him for this precious gift.



I hope you enjoyed.  Now onward...