Been a while since I have written in here and a lot has gone on.  March 14th Laura and I got divorced and it has been one of the most emotional events to transpire in my life.  The adjustments are difficult.  The loneliness takes time to get used to and even then it still feels crappy.  Watching the kids try to understand to the best of their little minds is sometimes heartbreaking.  Its a good thing that Laura and I have a good amicable relationship so that there is less for the kids to deal with.  I do see how it affects them and just pray that Laura and I can parent the kids and give them the love and support they need.

Coming back into the singles scene is kinda crazy and fun at the same time.  So many things to do, but so much intimidation in talking or meeting someone..  I have  been doing some singles lunches and going bowling with a big ever changing group of singles.  Today I took the kids to a kid friendly singles BBQ.  It's definitely weird being single with kids.  

Halloween

Had fun taking my kids trick or treating last night. I was a little disappointed that my kids got tired and wanted to go home. I was ready to keep going till it was too late to knock doors. Hopefully next year :)

Haven't blogged in a while.  I really should make some time do write down my thoughts more often.  I'm sitting in my kitchen right now talking to Laura while she looks around Target.  She was looking at these little toys called Squinkies that the kids love.  Someone is really making some money off these things.  They are small little rubber like toys and I'm sure they cost about a penny to make, but they sell them for $1 to +$2 each.  Both of my kids have them now and I'm getting tired of finding them lying around everywhere.

I have just caught up on my night time soap opera called One Tree Hill thanks to Netflix.  Laura and I started watching this show back when we first moved into our house we had on 900 w.  It's been a fun show to watch and lot's drama.  We haven't had TV until recently so I have been watching my shows when I could find time by watching them online.  It is quite nice to be able to watch the shows you like from the comfort of your computer or Ipod.   With Netflix I was able to catch up on all the shows Laura doesn't like, but that I do.  I watched all the Law and Order SVU and Criminal Intent that were on Netflix.  I have watched a few of the original Law and Order also.  I like that I can go to most tv channel's website and watch episodes of the show I like for free.  I get to watch stuff like American Restoration, Storage Wars, Flip Men, Hoarders, Last Man Standing, Biggest Loser, and lot's more.

I should be heading to the gym here soon.

is anyone out there? :)

Wish I had my own workshop to work on my bone carvings.

Ran/walked 4 miles today and i'm sore

Tired tonight, but still haven't gone to bed. Thinking about trying to run 3 miles tomorrow morning. So far 2.25 has been the longest I have run. Hope I don't die!

Laura has finished her race and I can't wait for her to come home. I think I'm a pretty needy person when my spouse leaves or I leave. I miss having the feeling of safety when I am with my wife. I sure have kept myself busy though. Tonight I am taking a break and just watching some TV. Tomorrow I turn 40 years old and I'm not really looking forward to celebrating it by doing nothing. I have always wanted someone to make a big deal about my birthday and I think every year I am more disappointed. I think my most memorable birthday was my 1st birthday on my mission. I had been in one area for about 6 months and I had made a lot of friends with the people in my area and they were ready to give me a birthday get together. I was so looking forward to it. I got transferred a few weeks before my birthday. I was so disappointed. So in my new area I really didn't know anyone. On my birthday my companion told me that we needed to go to the church to do something. While we were there some kids that we had been trying to teach brought me a cake and sang happy birthday to me. I was very excited, my first and probably only surprise birthday. My wife thinks I'm kinda whiny about it and I think she is right. LOL

Laura is starting her race today in Las Vegas. She is running the Las Vegas Ragnar. I'm home with the kids being Single Dad for the next couple of days. I have one day down and 3 left. So far so good with getting the kids ready so I can take AJ to school. Cleaned up some of the house last night and plan on cleaning more tonight. It is so much easier to clean the house when kids are a sleep and no one else is around. I put on my tunes and start working.

I guess I had better get ready for today before the kids wake up and start to get into stuff.

As I watch the world around me, I am amazed at the blurring of lines between what is good and what is bad. Those things that at one time may have been so clearly distinguished as evil are now acceptable and even taught as good for oneself. The opposite is the same, where what was once considered good is now looked down upon or even considered wrong. Society has become a self evolving monster of confusion and poor thinking, where logic has lost its place.

I do believe that the way we take on adversity will determine our success in this life and the life to come. I strive each and every day to have a positive outlook on life and the struggles it brings. Some days are easier than others, but I know it is necessary to push forward and have faith and hope that something good will come of the struggles.

Such random thoughts from my brain, but I thought it would be healthy to release them.

Monday we went up Millcreek Canyon for FHE and enjoyed a nice little hike on the pipeline trail.
































This was a snake we found on the trail.

Laura is off to girls camp. I took the kids on a picnic tonight at Bear Park. We thought that it might rain, but it ended up just being windy. We didn't stay very long since we needed to get back to the house to check on Max (our dog).

A.J. got his first bike last night and was so excited. He rode it around the parking lot of Home Depot while Laura ran in. It was fun to watch him be so excited. I can't believe how big he is getting and how fast he grows up. Now if we can just learn how to bottle all his energy we would be in good shape.

Ok so we are not moving to Texas. I was offered a job that paid better here in SLC so we are staying.

moving to Texas

Well.... after a year of planning, the Jordan High Class of 1989 reunion came and went. What an awesome experience. I have had such a great time working with former classmates preparing for the reunion. It was so nice to see that it was such a success. A great evening was had and it was quite memorable. It was fun mingling and listening to people reconnect with long lost friends and watching new friendships emerge. Now I am already looking forward to the next reunion.

Devin Worthen, Melanie Helm, Me














Dan Clawson, Jason Mumford, Curt Myrick














Matt Greeff, Duane Despain, Tom Brand














J.D. Barnes, Jason Jarvis, Brad Murry, Duane Despain, Jason Hatton













J.D. Barnes, Blaine Dehaan, Me

Life is amazing and I have great hope for this life. Even when the worst is happening to you it is never as bad as it could be. I would chose hope over despair any day. Why ruin your life by thinking all is lost? All is never lost. I believe in a Savior and I believe that he has suffered every possible burden that man experiences and then some. This knowledge gives me comfort in that I know my Savior has already felt the pain I may feel. Life has been rough and poor choices have only made it rougher. I am determined to make better choices each day so as to lighten the burden I place upon myself by not making good choices. I pray that as I strive to do this that the good will always outweigh the bad. I'm ready to take on the challenges that are placed before me. I know they are great, but I know I have someone to walk with me through this empty place that has found me seeking extra guidance. Press forward with hope, confidence, and humility. Serve other to lessen their burdens. Be nice to all I encounter as to possibly brighten their day. Smile like never before and beam with the pure love of Christ. Love.. Love will be my guiding light. Love of my God and my Savior and love of my fellow man. Eschew hate and disdain of others. Love even my enemies and those that do wrong to me. Follow the teachings of Christ and live as he has asked me to live. In the end if all appears to be lost I know that what I will have found will be greater than all.

Life is an interesting thing. It can give you the worst of the worst and the best of the best. Trials are tough and blessings are great. I have been in a place where I have forgotten what a blessing it is to be alive and to love those around me. I have finally gotten tired of just getting by and always being on a short fuse with my family. A change has occurred and so far it feels great. I am hopeful for great things to come and many blessings to be realized.

Just thought I would post something since it's been a while.

I'm still working as a contractor with Teksystems at ADP Benefit services. I like the job and I wish it could be something more than just contract work. Unfortunately the Corporate office thinks otherwise. They have been able to extend my contract until the end of the month and then we'll see what happens. Not quite sure what I'm going to do if they are unable to do another extension.

The kids are doing well and are growing and learning everyday. Yesterday my friend Jared was here setting up a bookcase he built for us. While he was putting it together A.J. became his little helper. He was getting him screws and putting them in where they needed to go so Jared could screw them in. It was funny to watch. Analise is just a little jabber box and is so funny. When she gets angry and ornery we ask her if she is the wicked witch. Then I will ask here where my Princess is. I'll tell her to tell the wicked witch to go away. it's so funny cause she'll start talking to herself and says "GO WAY WICKED WITCH!!" "GO WAY!!" it's hilarious because if I talk to her and call her princess and act all flirty with her she softens right up and does whatever I ask. Now I'm worried that I'm either creating a diva or someone with dual personalities.

Geraldine Halladay, my last living grandparent passed away today. I'm sad that she is no longer with us, but happy that she is no long suffering in a body she can't control and mind that no longer functions properly. I'm happy that I had the opportunity to live with her for 3 months and take care of her and spend that time that otherwise never would have been spent with her. God bless you Grandma.. May we meet again one day

Yesterday was Thanksgiving and I have much to be thankful for. I'm thankful for my family, a place to live, a job, food on the table, and the freedoms that this great USofA has. What a wonderful day to spend time with family. We had a Halladay family brunch at my grandma Halladay's house in the morning. After the brunch we headed up to Laura's parents house and I snuck in a little shooting before we left to have thanksgiving dinner. I shot my 45 for a little bit, but mostly I shot my father-in-laws Ruger 22 rifle. I was having a great time. My mother-in-law wasn't so thrilled because her husband was out there with me and we were suppsed to be heading to Laura's grandmothers house. We made it there and enjoyed a wonderful meal.