the things that occupy the mind (or whats daddy thinking about)

An MBA. I remember when I graduated from the University of Utah with my degree in engineering, I felt I have completed the requirement the Lord had spelled out in my patriarchal blessing to "finish your education." A few years of work with our own company and I came to the realization that I had not yet fulfilled this admonition. Shortly there after we moved to California and I went back to school to become a prosthetist, then again to become an orthotist. I think I always knew that these steps would not be enough to put my mind at rest and lately I have been preparing myself to take the next step in my education, a masters in buisness.
My gospel doctrine lessons. I love to teach and I love to prepare. Most often time will permit discussion of one tenth the topics I prepare, but you have to be ready for where the spirit steers you.
Leanne. I am obsessed. Is that bad? If she weren't so dang cute.
Erin. My eyes will still well up with tears when I think of how she is missed. The days I spent building her casket are some of the most sacred memories I have and I often think on the strong, undeniable spirit that filled those days.
Pictures. I like to take pictures. Have you noticed? I like to learn how to be good at something and I think I (we) am getting better.

Puppy von Barkowitz

As Garrett and I were walking toward Target to purchase a lego set for his friend's birthday party, a little mexican girl caught our attention as we passed by.  In the back of her SUV she had a small cage with six or eight small puppies bouncing and wriggling about.  "Would you like to buy a puppy?" she asked.  Leanne and I had spoken about getting the kids a dog a few times and both decided it would be a good idea, something for them to be responsible for and something that would get them out of the house on those long days off school.  "How much?"  "One hundred dollars, or eighty dollars or sixty dollars."  She was the only one in the family that spoke english and couldn't have been older than six.  I am sure her grandfather told her to ask for one hundred and let them barter her down to eighty or sixty at the lowest, but that concept didn't stick as they intended.  "I'll pay you sixty for the brown and white one."  She handed the cash to her grandmother who nodded in approval and we left with our new puppy.

There was a small dispute over the name she would be given but after only a few tears, it was decided that since Garrett was allowed to pick the puppy from the litter, the girls would be allowed to name her Ella.  

First Post on Cyrus Journals

My journal writing has been suffering the past year.  I have always enjoyed the process of getting my thoughts recorded and have been pretty consistent over the last 5-6 years, so perhaps this blog format will jump start the process again.

I called my wife as I was starting my drive home from work this evening.  "What have you been doing today?" I asked.  She laughed.  Usually that means "I had a lot of fun doing something your going to think was a complete waste of time."  She made a tu-tu (spelling?) for Charly, or more acurately, she made a tu-tu for herself that Charly will wear.  The proof is to the left.  It is all for pictures.  At one time in our marriage, I was the one constantly obsessing over one thing or another, but Leanne was apparently paying close attention and has overtaken me in her photo/camera compulsion.  Naked save hot pink cowgirl boots and matching tu-tu, I see wedding reception poster written all over this one.