President Nelson
On Sunday morning my alarm rang at 7 am. I looked at my phone. The very first thing I saw was that President Nelson had passed away in the night. I was surprised at how...
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Olivia’s First Package from Home
Today I mailed Olivia her rodeo t-shirt. It was so important that she receive it before the rodeo next week. So she could wear it with us on the night-of. Oh how I miss that...
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Farewell to Adam
One day when Olivia and I were at Macey’s a few months back, we stopped to talk to Adam. We told him that Olivia was getting ready to go on a mission. He was so...
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The First Letter to Olivia
After dropping Olivia off at the MTC, I came home and just couldn’t bear it. I had to write Olivia a letter. It’s like I forgot to tell her how much I’d miss her. So...
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Taking Olivia to the MTC
On Wednesday we took Olivia to the MTC. Oh heart. The morning started slow – even though that silly goose wasn’t even packed! She went to breakfast with her BFF, Natalie Lawson, and spent a...
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Olivia’s Farewell Talk
Hello everybody! Today is the most wonderful day! I hope everyone saw how beautiful the mountains were today and how blessed we are that God gave them to us.
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Olivia’s Farewell and Home MTC
Olivia did home MTC for the first ten days. She had 8-10 hours of class each day, and otherwise had to fill her time with study, write her talk, and just get ready to leave....
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Last Hurrahs & Being Set Apart as a Missionary
In the week leading up to Olivia’s being set apart for her mission we had a few last hurrahs – Before the family dinner she was set apart as a missionary by our Stake Presidency,...
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Called to Serve Him
Olivia received her mission call this week! I am so happy and excited for her. Of course we had to have multiple celebrations and openings. She received the call on Tuesday afternoon. The day before...
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Class of 2024
Olivia graduated from high school (sniff). There were so many exciting things to wrap up her senior year – awards ceremonies, seminary graduation, photo shoots with friends, parties to go to. We’re so excited for...
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The Life and Death of Max Roberts
We were out staining the fence when our neighbor walked over to us. “Max Roberts just drowned.” she informed us. I drew a blank. Who was Max Roberts? What did she mean ‘drowned?’ How was...
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Returning to Zion
Elaine Earl passed away. My heart skipped a beat when I learned that. Elaine . . . gracious, thoughtful, poised, composed. She was near death for as long as I knew her. Longer. When her...
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Week in Review — April 3-9: Spring Break
When we got home from Europe I told Wyatt – “I don’t want to go anywhere for spring break.” Then one day he called me. “Flights are on a great sale to Fiji.” I’ve always...
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Jesus Christ is the Strength of Youth!
In the October 2022 General Conference, Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf gave a message entitled “Jesus Christ is the Strength of Youth.”1 It was in that message that the church announced the new “For the Strength...
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Halloween, Halloween!
The festivities: 1- Neighborhood adult party at the Montagues; Wyatt wins a prize for his costume. 2- Ward trunk or treat with a salsa contest. Andrea wins a prize for her salsa. 3- Trick or...
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Iron Men
Nate and Roo have had some exciting athletic persuits this past week – For Activity Days at church the boys spent all summer preparing to participate in a triathalon. They practiced their running, biking and...
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Nathaniel is Baptized
On Sunday, August 14th (the day before school started!) Nate was baptized. It was a really lovely afternoon. I so love my youngest boy, and I’m pleased with who he is becoming. He has been...
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True Grit
True Grit: A Story about my 5th Great Grandmother, Tamson Parshley Egan. Tamson was born in Barnstead, New Hampshire on July 27, 1825. She married Howard Egan in December, 1838. She was just thirteen and...
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Easter Talk 2021
This talk was excruciating to get through. I didn’t even attempt to “present” – I just read the whole thing, keeping my eyes and face down. I knew if I looked up I would burst...
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In Which I Am Called to Be A Primary President
In November I received a call from the ward Executive Secretary. Bishop wanted to meet with us – Wyatt and I. I didn’t think much about it – I’ve been called into these types of...
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Calvin is Sustained and Ordained to the Priesthood
On Sunday, January 6th, Calvin stood as the Bishop read his name to recommend him to be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood. I think my heart might have exploded out of my chest. I was...
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Getting There – The EPIC Thailand Trip PART I
One day last April we were out working in the garden when Wyatt got a text from Uncle Alex. “Flights to Thailand for $400 round trip.” We should go . . . all of us. So that day I bought 7 round trip tickets to Thailand for November.
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Taking Olivia to the Temple
One of the special things we get to do with our sweet daughter now that she is 12, is take her to the Temple to perform baptisms for the dead by proxy. When I was...
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Olivia graduates from Primary
Cute Olivia – sniff* graduated from primary. Now imagine my eyes with tears spouting out like a spigot gone amuck! Cute Olivia memorized all of her Articles of Faith, passed them off, and was able...
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Everett’s Baptism Pictures
For Everett’s baptism pictures we went up to the Draper Temple, which is a short 3 minute drive from our house. It’s neat to live so close to the temple, it blesses our lives! Look...
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Everett’s Baptism
The most special event of all of 2017 was watching Everett get baptized. It’s a monumental occasion to see my children making sacred covenants. We tried to make it a special day for him! So...
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All the Random Things
Life isn’t always an event – lots of days are just spent doing our work, goofing off, and *trying* to stay out of trouble. Here are some pictures of the random moments.
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By Small and Simple Things – Back to School Dinner 2017
For our back to school dinner this year our theme was “By Small and Simple Things are Great Things Brought to Pass” Somehow I always choose themes that are great lessons for kids, but clearly...
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Everett Get’s Baptized
Everett was baptized on October 15th, 2017. He was baptized by his dad, and we had lots of friends and family come to support him and us. I do so love this boy with all...
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Everett’s 8th Birthday
Everett’s birthday fell on a Sunday. Still, we woke up and opened presents first thing (always presents first thing!). Then we went to church, and then we came home and continued to celebrate our special,...
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Andrea Goes to Scout Camp
This year I was asked by one of the leaders if I would mind going to Scout camp for one of the days (3 day event) to help out. I did, and man-o-man, it was...
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Unto Us A Dream
On the 15th of May I received a text message from my mom: Uncle Bob had a stroke the evening before. Things looked good though. They were able to get him to the hospital fairly...
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Mt. Rushmore
A couple years ago (when Calvin was in the thick of his “Presidents” stage) Cal asked if we could go to Mt. Rushmore. We both kinda brushed it off until we were on a big...
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Women’s General Meeting
This year for the Women’s General Meeting I decided to take Olivia downtown to the conference center. We went to dinner first at Mimi’s and then went down to be with our sisters and listen...
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Everett’s Baptism Preview
This year Everett will be baptized. In the old neighborhood every child had their own baptism (part of having very few children and two fonts in the stake). Here we have stake baptisms where all...
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New Beginnings
With the new year came New Beginnings. But the mind boggling thing was that this year Olivia was invited to it! I cannot tell you how shocking it is to me that my Sunshine is...
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A Gospel Truth
A couple weeks ago, while cleaning my kitchen, I was listening to the BYU Devotional ago about agency. [It was on in the background and I never even looked up to see who was speaking,...
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The Butler 4th Ward
Today was our last Sunday as members of the Butler 4th Ward. We bought our house in the ward in November of 2004 – 11 years and 11 months ago. We’ve been in this ward...
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I Think I Think Too Much
ON Minimalism We decided we’d put our house on the market as soon as we got home from Hawaii, around May 15th. In anticipation of that I packed the basement up – books, movies, wrapping...
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Trust in the Lord and Remember Your Training
This is a copy of Wyatt’s High Council talk that he’s been giving on the circuit this year. I like it a lot, so I stole it when he had it open on his google...
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FHE at the Cabin
One night we invited our friends, the Reimann’s, to the cabin for FHE. We had a good time having a BBQ, going up to the lake, catching frogs, canoeing, 4-wheeling, watching movies and having a...
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Repentance
Last night when everyone else was in bed, Everett came in to talk to us. He told us he was worried because he still didn’t know how to repent. Two weeks ago he confessed to...
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Sunday – The Book of Mormon
Last winter I was awake in the early hours with a little one. As I rocked the baby in the pink-grey light, I really tried to meditate on the things that challenge me. One thing I...
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Sunday: I Was A Stranger
March was a hard month. An incredibly hard month. Wyatt was way too busy, and I was stretched way too thin. Between work and his new calling (which during March did not relieve his time...
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Cute, Funny, Adorable Kids
Here’s some recent stories about my kid-o’s. A Boy Has a Crush on Olivia: We were at the pinewood derby the other night and Tyler Pierson, and little neighborhood boy in Olivia’s grade, was there....
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Sunday
Sunday was Valentines Day.❤ We celebrated with heart shaped pink pancakes and sausage and OJ for breakfast. We also gave each lovely a box of chocolates. XOXOX Love those little valentines! Wyatt also gave me...
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Friday
On Friday we went to the Provo City Center Temple open house. It was amazing and beautiful and wonderful to be there with my whole family even if the littles were struggling with being reverent...
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Alma
We finished the book of Alma last week. And to me that feels like summiting the Matterhorn while carrying five babies in packs upon my back. The air is fresh, and the views fantastic, and...
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Sunday Testimonies
It’s a wonderful day when the four kids (that can talk) go up and each bear their testimony of the gospel of their own accord.
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Calvin’s Baptism
On August 1st Calvin chose to be baptized and confirmed a member or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I’m so proud of this boy and the choices he makes each and every...
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I Love to See the Temple
The day after Wyatt got home, right after Ejo’s preschool graduation, we headed south for the Payson Temple Dedication. It was so beautiful – perhaps the prettiest temple I’ve ever been inside (beside the Salt...
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Wyatt’s Sacrament Meeting Talk
Wyatt and Scott were asked to speak after their return from Argentina. Here is a copy of Wyatt’s talk. (It might be noted that he did not give this talk. Scott spoke for um, 30 of the 35...
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Pioneer Stories While We Hiked Timp
Last summer we took the kids on a hike up to Timp Cave. The hike itself went incredibly smoothly considering we were taking 4 young children while I was seven months pregnant. But towards the...
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Ward Christmas Party
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Stories about the Little Lovelies
There have been a few really great stories about the kid-a-roos these days . . . Olivia: She came home the other afternoon to see the new Ensign and Friend sitting unopened on the counter...
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Easter Sunday Talk
Two weeks before Easter I got a call at 11:00 at night. It was Wyatt, who was over at the church having Bishopric. He asked if I would talk on Easter. I was asleep when...
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Troubled Times
*This is a long Andrea rant. If you don’t want to read, I won’t be offended. But if you do, you will learn something about our family that I haven’t announced formally. The Ensign article...
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Tender Mercies
Throwing up is the best ab work out. On Tuesday I told Wyatt I needed root beer. But he was on his way out to a meeting. So I text Leslee. Please bring me MUG...
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November Recap: Without Pictures
Basically this: Olivia's baptism; San Francisco, Disneyland, Piano Recital.
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Miss Olivia Gets Baptised
On Saturday, November 2nd, Olivia was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Greenfield Chapel. We were blessed to have so many people come and support our little...
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The Widow’s Mite and the Mother’s Might
There is the parable of the widows mite – in my mind a tale of the importance of generosity, of humility, of sacrifice. Of financial effort to build the kingdom of God. A testimony of...
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My Own Miracle of Healing
I went to see “Ephraim’s Rescue” at the theaters tonight with Wyatt. In the movie there is a touching scene where a young man in the Martin Handcart Company was given a blessing of healing...
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I’ll Carry Your Rock A Story About Calvin
Last week we went up to Oakley, and the kids were having a great time playing in the river. Roo especially was enjoying throwing rocks into the water. We were on a walk and Roo...
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The One with the Racoon
As I type this (at almost ten thirty p.m.) there is Butt Rock blaring from my hallway ceiling. Wyatt has the clock radio wedged into the attic door, playing music at full volume in hopes...
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Scatter the Sunshine
Grandma Brock passed away last night. It was both expected and sudden. She has been struggling with Alzheimers for almost ten years. Three weeks ago when I was in Arizona I received an email from...
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I Love to See the Temple
If I back-date it to Tuesday, then it count’s as a Tale for Tuesday, right? When I was sixteen I spent one wild adventurous semester living with my aunt in St. George. Activities included...
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Israel, Israel, God is Calling!
This year I have been thinking . . . a lot . . . and there’s one particular subject that has spun round in my head as I’ve tried to find my own conclusion to...
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Angels Among Us
This story was told to me tonight by Wyatt after the fact: Wyatt had had a bad day, and while I was at the store, he came in to change for Bishopric, and Everett was...
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That’s a Good Point
During an FHE discussion of the meaning of personal peace: Calvin observed: It’s so much easier to relax when you’re eating ice cream.
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So Many Adventures Could Happen Today
We went to the valentines dance. And Olivia was officially uninterested in hanging out with her mamma and pappa, but was more interested in running around with her little friends. *Sigh* But lucky for us...
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For the Love
Today we blessed Andrew James. It was beautiful. His blessing by his father was wonderful. And I had such a peaceful feeling through out the sacrament meeting. I really felt a testimony of the tender...
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Believing God
Remember that part in The Hiding Place where the sister, the one who isn’t in the book very much, well, the Nazi’s show up at her house, and ask her point blank if her housekeeper...
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Calvin's Testimony
This is as reported to me by Wyatt and other members of the ward. I haven’t been to church in – ahem- a while, so this is second hand. Wish I was there. Calvin wanted...
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Calvin’s Testimony
This is as reported to me by Wyatt and other members of the ward. I haven’t been to church in – ahem- a while, so this is second hand. Wish I was there. Calvin wanted...
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The Proclaimation on the Family Proc Week 2010
Two years ago I did “Proc Week” – the first week of November, where I discuss The Proclamation on the Family, and what it means to me. Last year I did Proc Week again. But...
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Back to School Dinner
In celebration of Baby Sunshine, who is having her very first “back to school” weekend, we had a very special dinner. The theme of the dinner, and this year’s school year is: “The Glory of...
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And In Other Pictures
So much fun experimenting the past few days. It started out with an attempt at some self portraits. Need to work on my flash settings. Taking a flash class at the end of the month....
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Family Week 2009
It’s time once again to celebrate the family. This week I’ll be writing my thoughts on this eternal institution. My writing will be centered around The Family: A Proclaimation to the World. This Divinely inspired...
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A Principle Centered Life
Family Week 2009 The family begins with the individual. Each member of a family has the responsibility to lift, to inspire, and to strengthen each other. In view of this responsibility, we need to live...
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Bambinos
“Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love...
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Another Princess
This is the dress I really like. I think she should wear it with a cathedral length veil. Last weekend while I was in Arizona, Leslee, Carrie, Beth, Karen and my mom all went wedding...
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Since I don’t have much to say about life these days, I thought I’d share this video of Olivia reciting her second article of faith. It was taken over a month ago, I just haven’t...
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Death in the Afternoon
Each life that touches ours for goodReflects thine own great mercy, LordThou sendest blessings from aboveThrough words and deeds of those who love Death has never been one of my trials in life. My grandfather...
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Hail the Conquering Hero
Welcome Home Sister Brock! Sister Carrie Brock returned today from her mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Goinia, Brazil. She actually flew home to St. George, where my parents live,...
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Pictures, Pictures, Everywhere!
This week we have been in celebration of Wyatt’s youngest brother’s pending wedding. He was married yesterday (Saturday, August 25th) in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Since he (Wade) and his bride (Katie) spent the...
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A Hot Day In July
Today I went to my brother, Danny’s wedding. He married Eliza in the Manti Temple. It was a beautiful day! We started out the festivities on Thursday night, when Carrie & I (well, mostly Carrie)...
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The Last Day of Summer
Henry & Julie are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughterAndreato her best friendWyatt Josephson of Harold & Lois on the Last Day of SummerFriday, September 21st 2005In the Salt Lake TempleOf the Church...
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Weekend Trip to Arizona
We took a little jaunt down to Arizona over conference weekend. Wyatt’s brother and sister-in-law live just outside Phoenix, and we had never been to their new house. Heidi is a great scrap-booker, and I...
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