Why the Y?

Late November brings so many great things. There is Thanksgiving that brings families to the table to eat and reacquaint themselves with one another. There is the chilly temperature that gives us(especially Shay) an excuse to snuggle for some warmth.

And, of course there is football; specifically rivalry week.

BYU and Utah had another barn-burner of a game with BYU coming out on top...again...for the second year in a row. Last year's game was the best game I have been to in a long time. Unfortunately, I had to work this year so all I could do is watch the scores refresh on my phone. Intense, but not the same. It will be another year of trash talking and over-confidence for Cougar fans. The best thing is that next year is the leap year so instead of 365 days, we get 366. Every day counts.

This rivalry has taken a strange turn, though, in my life. Why, you might ask? Because I am a student at the U. I have been at the U for the last year and a half. So why the Y?

I have always been a BYU fan. My mom went to the Y and has always cheered for the Cougs. Being that I am my mom's biggest fan, I became one of the Y's biggest fans. There was a time that I did cheer for the U, but it was a very short time. The first collegiate game I had ever attended was with my mom's friend. It was a Utah game. I liked them because my mom's friend liked them and she bought me whatever I wanted to eat. All I had to do was cheer for the U. Done. My mom of course brought me back to the blue by doing the same thing. Took me to a game and offered food. Done. I'm a Cougar now.

Cougar Loyalty. A big pet peeve I have is disinterested "fans". I'll admit that U fans can be outright obnoxious, unreasonable, belligerent, illiterate, and sloppy drunk, but, for the most part they are very loyal and supportive. BYU fans have been notorious for being fair-weather fans. I have never heard the Utes boo a quarter back for missing a pass and yet it's happened in Lavell Edwards one too many times. On more than one occasion, while nervous because it was the final drive of the 4th and we only had one shot, I have had to listen about so and so getting married to this guy, Plugs for relief society parties, and homework study groups. The worst, though, is fans leaving because we're down two touchdowns in the middle of the 3rd! ARE YOU SERIOUS? Show some faith, ya' lousy Mormons. I have to admit fans have gotten a bit better, but that's because the Cougs are doing well. We'll see what happens when things get rocky.

Not really all that excited about being a UTE. When I moved back to Salt Lake to go to the U, I was already married. I haven't joined any Frats or clubs. I don't go to any Ute pep rallies or activities. I just go to school there. I'll admit that it is quite difficult to hate the Utes anymore. I am always checking to see if they win and hope they do well. I just can't cheer against the Cougars when it comes to Rivalry week.

Things may change when I graduate, but only time will tell. For now, I am just going to get ready to talk a lot of trash to my UTE Fan co-workers. 17-10 all day with a little bit of 33-31. Go Cougs.

Thanks-Given

Today is supposed to be the day that we look back on the fruits that have been reaped from the yearly harvest and offer up our gratitude to God. I actually took the time to sit and think about for what it is I am grateful. I have been given much this year:

10: Wake up call. Life comes at you real fast. Becoming a daddy has definitely forced me to prioritize my life decisions and in turn helped me begin to gain the qualities and standards that I had been lacking.

9: Something to say. I feel like I have become more at peace with who I am and what I believe. On most issues in any situation, I use to really sit-the-fence and play it passive. I feel that I am comfortable enough with my own personal principles and beliefs to really take a stand for what I believe.

8: Hunger for knowledge. I have probably grown more in this past year intellectually than ever before. I have been exposed to some really great books and ideas. While I don't agree with the majority of what is being said, I have learned a great deal and want more.

7: A gut check. Do I really want it? I have some pretty lofty goals and I have had to face this question constantly. Do I really want it? Anything seems ideal when you leave out the work involved. Society seems hell-bent on finding the easy way out. Is there an American Idol for changing the world? Do I really want it? Yes. Yes, I do.

6:Humility. For those who don't know, I am a Mixed Martial Arts Fighter or in layman's terms a "cage fighter". I am still at the amateur level, but I've had 8 fights so far. I lost my last fight in June because I didn't take the fight seriously. I wasn't prepared and I ended up in the hospital with some stitches, a sore head, and a bruised ego. Be prepared. Always.

5: Work. Through all my trials I have learned as long as I keep moving, they can't keep me down.

4: Hope. How do the bills get paid? I don't know; I work at Jimmy John's(913 E. Ft. Union BLVD subs so fast you'll freak). How am I an English Major? Me doesn't know. How did I end up with Shalie? You got me. If I took the pessimistic side, I don't think I'd get anything done. Things are never smooth, but they always seem to work out when there's hope.

3: Judge righteously. I feel like I hear the term "don't judge" all the time. I feel that "not judging" someone causes separation. I feel as human beings we need to make the effort to understand each other. We can't do that if we segregate ourselves by being so passive. Taking the time to hear people out and being respectful of their views will give a much deeper understanding than merely not judging them and leaving them be. We make judgments about everyone regardless if we want to admit it or not. We just need to take the time to make the right ones.

2: An appreciation for parents. I never realized how much my mother sacrificed for Me and my sisters. I wish I were a better son. Love is all my mom has ever given and with little in return. You're my hero, mom. I can't mention parents' help without mentioning my in-laws. Ol' Willard and Sammy have supported us from the get go. I can't explain their love any better than a fierce sincerity. I love you guys.

1. Shalie and Ella. God gave David Courage. He gave Solomon wisdom. He gave the world a savior. He gave me my family. Shay keeps me in line while Ella spreads sunshine. Of the many things I have received; the best was a Given: Shalie Given.

4 Months!

Three posts in one day, I know it may seem like I am a little post happy, but I had a lot of catching up to do. Yesterday was Ella's 4 month check-up. Ella weighed in at 14 lbs 12 oz and is 25.3 in long. For starting out at 5 lbs 6 oz, she has come a long way! She is above average in both height and weight. Along with the measurements came the shots :( which made for quite a long day, but she is back to her cheery self today THANK GOODNESS!

The Twins Baptism

Sita was lucky enough to baptize his beautiful twin nieces on November 3rd. He loves his nieces so much, and was so grateful they asked him to preform the baptism. One of them was very excited while the other was a little more timid, but in the end they both did a great job. We are so proud of them and their decision to be baptized. We love you Veti and Terrina!

Ella's First Halloween

Let me just start out by saying I know this post is long overdue. But I need to post it for the record. Well I didn't think Ella's first Halloween was all that bad until I looked at these pictures. It's as if she is thinking, what's so cool about me wearing a pumpkin suit. I thought she looked pretty cute. We started out our day by going over to Aunt Nikki's. We were right in the middle of moving so Nikki was kind enough to dress up as a cat and take her to visit her Auntie Great (her Great Aunt Athena) at work. She got a few treats from the girls at the office that her Mom seemed to eat right up :) Later that night we went over to Grandma Philipoom's to visit Ella's cousins. The last picture is of Ella and her cousin Shane. It is my favorite picture. Two little chubby babies in furry costumes, it can't get any cuter. Ella was a pooped little pumpkin by the time we got home.

I'm Digital

Thanks to my mother-in-law, I received two brand new video games about a week ago. I am not a "gamer" so I don't have any of the newer systems, just the good ol' X-Box. Am I that old that the X-Box is now vintage? Anyway, the games were NBA Live 2007 and Fight Night: Round 3. On the former, I am happy to say that the Jazz are doing well and are undefeated so far in their first season. It is because of the later, however, that I am making this post. Shay has come to hate video games because they take up "her" time. What I have come to discover, however, is that "her" time is really an excuse she made up to complain to me so that I can not enjoy playing video games. I really am conservative with my game playing. Really. Back to the game. Luckily, Fight Night: Round 3 provides us both with entertainment. The game allows you to create your own boxer and it is very detailed. You can adjust the eyes, nose, skull, jaw, cheek bones, body type, etc. Shay was having more fun watching me create a digital me than I do playing the game. So here is my boxer, let me know if you think he looks like me.

My Little Helper

I had such a fun weekend! My little sister Maggie came to visit. She is such a good auntie to Ella . She watched Ella while I showered and got ready. It was so nice to have the extra help for the weekend. Maggie is always so fun and entertaining. I just wanted to tell her thanks! She is such a sweetheart!