Update on kids' lives

Caution: The following does contain use of the forbidden "p" word.



Ashley recently achieved the significant accomplishment of completing a challenging degree in Accounting at the University of Utah. She has shown real commitment and self-discipline in not only reaching this goal, but also doing it in excellent fashion. She did so well in her upper division business courses, that the University approached her, offering to waive the GMAT test and writing requirement for entering the Masters in Accounting program at the U. She is contemplating the option of going into that program, and has lined up an accounting job for this Spring in the meantime. We are extremely proud of Ashley and her accomplishments!



Callie is completing her degree in Economics at the University of Utah this semester. She also has shown real commitment and perseverence in pursuing such a challenging major. We are very proud of Callie's dedication and hard work! Also, it has been interesting to hear about the actual economic facts and insight she has been obtaining, so pertinent to the current local, national and global issues, especially in light of the increasingly politicized sensationalism that we hear so much of now days.



Spencer, with his academic full-ride scholarship in place, completed his first semester at the University of Utah with a 4.0, despite taking more challenging courses such as Calculus. He recently started working at the Energy Solutions Arena, in the Jazz 100 Club suite. We continue to be proud of his incredible self-discipline, hard work and commitment to excellence! He plans on obtaining combined degrees in Business Finance and Marketing, before going on to graduate school.



Tyler has adjusted well to the big change of Junior High. We are proud of his hard work in continuing to develop his exceptionally good writing and artistic skills, and we are confident that, with the enjoyment of reading and the intellectual depth he has demonstrated, he will achieve his goals of academic excellence! Also, since starting in August, Tyler has been very quick to develop piano skills, and has shown commitment and dedication to developing those skills. Of course, he continues to enjoy snowboarding and skateboarding with his friends.



Colton continues to show fantastic creativity and originality in his school work, and we are proud of his hard work and accomplishment in being on track to achieve his goal of running for student council at Cottonwood Elementary! He also started piano in August, and has been very quick to develop his piano skills. With his built in sense of rythm, it is hard for him to sit still on the piano bench when he plays the boogie. He too has been enjoying snowboarding with his friends, and is just finishing his Jr. Jazz season, where he has really developed some good ball handling and shooting this year. Colton just had his first overnight scout camp, and enjoyed a good bunk partner (Tyler) at camp Tracy.

The loss of reasonable, rational, civil discussion

It is becoming difficult to read the daily newspaper lately. The rhetoric from the extremist conservative talk show hosts is now being parrotted by some of the general public in a purely politicized effort to counter any and all efforts by President Obama to achieve constructive change, even when those efforts include an offer to adopt or incorporate the ideas previously espoused by those who are now the critics. It would be fine if those people simply wanted to engage in reasonable, rational and civil discussions about what would and wouldn't work for the various policies being discussed, but that is not what they have in mind. They are looking for sensationalized sound bites to use in launching personal attacks against the President. Ironically, this is being done as a response to the president's eloquently stated offer to listen to and utilize any of their constructive ideas to solve an agreed upon problem. Contrary to what those people would like to believe about what they are doing, that is not the democratic process on which this country was built, nor will it help in actually solving any problems. It is merely destructive, and it is always easier to destroy than to build. As stated by current philosopher and author, Lou Marinoff, in his book "The Middle Way":

"When confronted by demonstrable truths that run contrary to dogmatic beliefs, people whose power over others depends on falsehoods seem reluctanct to embrace truth; they more often attempt to throttle truth by silencing the truth tellers."

Back to School

This is a great time of year! It always seems like much more of a new beginning than January.



With Ashley and Callie finishing up their undergraduate degrees at the U, and Spencer also starting at the U, we are really seeing red now days! GO UTES! I am proud of their hard work, determination and commitment to getting their college degrees. I loved my time as an undergaduate at the U, and found my general education there enlightening. It has been great to have discussions with Ashley, Callie and Spencer about some of the topics they are studying in their courses.

Just the other day, Spencer was telling me about his writing class, and his assignment to read Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 1963 "letter from a Birmingham jail" as an example of using logical arguments in peruasive writing. When the book I am currently reading ("The Middle Way") also referred to the letter, I decided I needed to take the time to read it. Wow! What a powerful bit of writing by one of the greatest communicators of our time! To anyone that has not taken the time to read it, I would highly recommend doing so. (found at mlkonlin.net) It has particular relelvance to some of the discrimination issues that have been the topic of public discussions lately.

Anyway . . . getting back to the kids . . .


Tyler will be starting at Olympus Jr. High as a 7th grader and is excited about changing things up with 7 different classes each day. He successfully avoided any humiliating initiation by a 9th grader the first week (unlike his dad when he was a "sevy") Finally, Colton is lucky enough to have Mrs. Ross for 5th grade, and Tyler is having a fun time sharing with him his memories of having also had her as a teacher. She is from North Carolina and brings a healthy perspective to the classroom. Most importantly, she is one of those rare teachers that loves to teach and is completely dedicated to all of it.