11 Years

Eleven years ago today Janna and I were married in the Provo, Utah Temple. Simply put, marrying Janna was the best decision that I have ever made. Over the past 11 years we have been through a lot: a wedding day filled with purple and lavender flowers, tons of pictures, a little bit of drama, and Burger King; three c-sections in the last eight years; about 10 years of school (pick a career already Josh); six different cars; and something like 11 moves (very soon to be 12) including one that took us to the other side of the country. I can honestly say that because of her I am a better, smarter, and stronger man than perhaps I deserve to be. Thank you Janna; it may be hard to believe, but I love you now more than ever.

Ambrey is now 5 years old!

Here are some pics of that day and her graduation from Pre-K!

Check out Anna's scowl and Ambrey's mug shot. So Funny.

Happy Fathers Day!

You are the best dad in the world!

Love Alyssa, Ambrey and Anna

Apryl, Tyler, Renee, and Jayda's Visit to Buffalo

The first two pictures were taken at the Palmyra, New York Temple.
These three pictures are from the Hill Cummorah. The first was inside the visitors center, and the second two were from the top of the hill in front of the monument.

This picture is of the Smith family cabin on their farm in Palmyra. Directly 50-100 yards behind the cabin is the Sacred Grove.

The picture above, and video below are both of Anna and Jayda in the pool on what was the warmest day of the year so far. Sorry that the video is sideways, I tried turning it but couldn't get it to work right.

Images From Christmas 2008

Since we did not get a chance to put pictures on the blog from this last Christmas, I am doing that now.The first two pictures were taken at the Build-a-Bear Workshop in the University Mall of Orem. This was a gift from my mom that the girls absolutely loved. They were each given a gift card and then taken with their cousins to the mall. With the help of Grandma and Grandpa they were able to build and dress the stuffed animal of their choice.

These three pictures came courtesy of a surprise visit to Grandma and Grandpa while we were in Utah. They were very excited to see Janna and the girls.

Okay, so the pictures are not in any particular order. This one was taken at our house after we had returned home to Williamsville. This was our traditional Danish dinner. The picture you are looking at was taken just before we ate our rice pudding desert.

These three pictures were taken in Utah at what I believe is the India Palace restaurant on Center Street in Provo. The food was quite tasty, and the company was even better. The top picture is of Alyssa and Bryony. The middle picture shows Ambrey sitting next to Victoria. The last image is of Janna's father Gunnar with his lovely wife Farah. Thanks for the memories!

Happy Mother's Day

Flowers for all of the mothers in my life. Thank you for all you have done for my family and me.
Happy Mother's Day Janna! Thank you for all you have done, and continue to do for our family and me. I love you.

Happy Birthday Josh

The BIG 30

Love you Janna and Tripple AAA

Diabetes Claims Another Life

I would like to take a moment to recognize the passing of Larry H. Miller. As many know, Larry Miller died due to complications from type II diabetes (aka. adult onset diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes). At present, the initial treatment for this form of diabetes is exercise, diet, and oral medication. Unfortunately, the disease often goes unnoticed for years before treatment starts. If the disease is not treated aggressively by the diabetic, the end result often includes limb amputations, vision loss, kidney failure and dialysis, and frequently ends with a heart attack. As for type I diabetes (its onset is usually earlier in life), currently the only treatment options are subcutaneous shots of insulin, and pancreatic transplant for the diabetic with severe disease. This form will continue to cut many live short, as it cut our sister Tiffany's life short, until the medical community can find a way to replace the natural production and regulation of insulin. In essence, diabetes often acts like a ignorance. It is always there, and yet the damage that it does can go unnoticed for years, as it slowly and quietly picks apart its prey.

I never had the opportunity to meet Larry Miller, but I have great respect for the manner in which he ran the Utah Jazz. He was an icon of stability, in a business that seems to ooze with instability. The loyalty that he displayed during his years as the owner of the Utah Jazz is unparalleled in all of sports. During the early 1990's, I am ashamed to say that I blamed Miller for not spending more money to bring the Utah Jazz a championship; after all, they had two of the best players to ever play their respective positions in John Stockton and Karl Malone, and yet the team always seemed just one player short of the promised land. The reality is that if it had not been for Larry Miller, the Utah Jazz would no longer exist. The team would have been moved in the 1980's, and we never would have had the chance to watch and appreciate all that John and Karl did together. Larry's Jazz never won a championship, but because of his attributes that have carried over to the way his team runs, they have become known as a well respected, consistent, hard working, and winning organization.I cannot take credit for this, but I heard a fan suggest that they construct a bronze statue of Mr. Miller, and place it between the ones of John Stockton and Karl Malone. Personally I would also like to see the city rename 400 West as "Larry's H. Miller's Way." After all, you know this guy, and I would hate to forget what he has done for the community.