Tanner aka Jiffy...................

Tvyea posing after the play

Last month Tanner starred in Channing Hall's school play Fiddler on the Roof. He played the part of Tvyea. First, we had no idea he could sing. It was quite impressive to see him in the spot light and hear him sing. He has a cute personality. It was really a lot of fun for us to see. I don't mean to brag but really, he did well.

Tanner is the 3rd one from the end

Tanner also graduated from Channing Hall this year. He will complete his 9th grade year at Summit Academy. He chose this school because he really wants to get his Chinese back. At Summit he will be able to study Chinese. Leaving Channing Hall was hard. They had a small class. So they were really close and have cute friendships. I love all of Tanner's friends. He actually goes by "Jiffy" at school. It used to drive me crazy, but I am okay with it now. His 6th grade teacher gave him this nick name. Tanner wore a Jiffy Lube hat to orientation. There happen to be 2 Tanner's in the class. So Mr. Worthley started calling Tanner "Jiffy" and it stuck. In fact when Tanner's name on the play program's said "Tvyea played by ...Tanner "Jiffy" Martin", everyone kept saying, "What, your name isn't Jiffy?"

Maddie, Tanner and Lauren

This is it for tonight. I have some fun stories about Spencer to post a little bit later.

What is homesickness?

Jia Yi, Taiwan

Dictionary.com (2009) defines homesick as being sad or depressed from a longing for home or family while away from them for a long time. I had always limited it to my parents. But lately I have had an ache in my heart and a longing to visit Asia. I miss Jia Yi. It was our home. I miss the people. I miss the smells. I miss the rice fields and the sweet smell of spring. I never thought I would feel this, but I miss the crazy drivers and the adventure of getting from one place to the next. I am grateful for what we have here. But I miss Asia. At times I even dream about it and wake up yearning to be with the people I miss so much. But for right now, this is where we need to be.

China countryside, 2007

Good Books

Here are a couple of great books I have read this year. Some of it is just great stuff and some is just for fun.

The Message by Lance Richardson

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Read this book! It is incredible. For me it was one of those life changing reads. I felt the spirit so strong. I have never had such a desire in my heart to find acts of service I can do for those around me.


View all my reviews.


The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

My review

Great book. The tools in this book can be used at work, at home and on your own. Great stuff. I will have to read this book a couple times a year and apply what I read.


View all my reviews.

3 day weekend in Moab....

Larry & Kari

This weekend we had the pleasure of hanging out with Larry, Kari and Dusty. We went down the river road and on a few short hikes. It was a lot of fun to spend time with them. Larry is a hoot. He made us laugh the entire trip.

Along the river road

Dusty and Spencer

Spencer and I almost stayed home this weekend. When he realized he would have the chance to hang out with Dusty, he instantly decided Moab was the place to be this weekend. He loves his cousin.

Spencer

What a ham our little Spencer is. He loves to ham it up for the camera. He is been this way since he was a baby.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year....just a little late ;)

Tanner and Spencer

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone! I know it is late and this poor blog has been neglected. I did get some Christmas cards out but definitely not as many as I know I should have. Please know that if you did not get one, we love you. It is my fault. I am struggling to balance my time. I hope to get better this year.

We feel blessed and feel like we have had a wonderful year. We are so thankful for the gospel and for the birth of our Savior. We love Him. We love knowing that families can be together forever. This is our greatest desire. We love knowing that He lives. We pray that we can do our part in building up the kingdom of God.

We feel so blessed to have the Draper Temple in our stake. We have had the opportunity to watch it grow from the ground up. It has been a joy to watch it be built step by step. I had the wonderful opportunity of a private tour last week. It is absolutely beautiful inside. We look forward to our family taking a tour of it together.


We have had the opportunity of Josh living with us part of the year too. The boys have loved it. Uncle Josh often takes the time to go out and play basketball with them or watch Sponge Bob and even put together Star Wars Legos.


For the holiday season this year my parents came and spent a couple of weeks up in Utah. It is always great to have them here. We were worried Christmas dinner would be canceled to due a major snow storm. But it let up just in time for everyone to get to our home. It started up again just as everyone left.
I must mention our Ute football team!! Well done! Well done!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone. Sorry I am so late. We love you all.

48-24..........Go UTES!!!!

We had a great day and loved the game. Go UTES!!!! Wahooo!! 3/4 of our small family love the Utes. We have one Y fan in the crowd. We won't name any names!!

We went to Orem to enjoy the game with friends (yes, Y fans). It was a great way to spend game day.

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world ?

Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

My sister sent me this recipe. I haven't tried it yet. It looks like a fun recipe to do with my little guy.