Being a father

Here in the next couple of weeks I will experience a major change in my life, pretty much at any time in the next three weeks I am going to become a father. It is something that I have looked forward to ever since August 9 2006. I knew this day would come but I did not think this soon. Amanda and I just thought that since we both got full times that we would just use this year to travel, see things, and do things that we have always wanted to do. Someone had other ideas. It lead to the conclusion; you are never fully prepared for somethings in life. I think if Amanda and I had waited until everything was perfect we would have never had kids. I just can not imagine a time that we would have sat down together, and said " I feel like we are ready to be parents in nine months. I feel like we have enough money now, lets have kids now." I just can not imagine doing that feeling like I am ready to be a father. I had a dream the other night where I was holding Braxton, and I said to Amanda " What did we even do before he was here." I can only imagine that it is going to like that, but even better. This little boy is going to change our lives for the better. He is going to bring so much joy in the life of Amanda and I. I know it is going to be hard, I know that we are not going to get much sleep, and that the money is going to be a bit tighter, however we will be parents, the highest calling that we could ever have. Amanda and I always say to each other, " I just want to hold him." Holding him for the first time will be the greatest moment of my life. I can not wait to take him to his first football game, to take him to the Zoo for the first time, and so many other moments that every father looks forward to. It only seems like a few short years ago I was heading to the MTC so excited to start the next step of my life. This last Tuesday, Amanda and I had to renew our temple recommends for Shane's wedding. Their in the waiting room was a young man waiting to be set apart as a missionary. I could help but sit their and remember the day that I got set apart to be a missionary. I still to this day remember that well. The thing I remember the most was walking to have a final interview with President Brady, ( the former Stake President) I was sobbing, and I did not why. Maybe it was because I was could not watch Sportscenter for two years, maybe it was because I could not hang out with my friends and watch Football. When I sat down in the chair with him and he sat and talked to me, I then realized why I was crying. It was at that moment that my life was never going to be the same. When the interview was over, I had never felt better. It was then time to be set apart as a missionary. I remember getting set apart, and when the blessing was over I really felt different, like I had a purpose in life. I know that when that baby comes I will feel that same feeling only to a stronger degree.

Stil Going

Well I will use this as my personal writing space, like a journal only less personal. I am still at Xango and becoming a little impatient waiting for a promotion to come up. I was up for a promotion but I did not get the job. I took it very hard, but I am praying the job will become open again here very soon. Their would definitely be less stress in my life as far as money goes but then would be something else to stress about. I have only been at Xango since December and I love the company, I just need to be more patient and wait for the right time. I love the fact I am going to be a father in October. I have wanted to be a father for so long in my life. I look up to my own father so much, that makes me want to be such a great dad. It is such a big responsibility. This kid is going to have the best mom in the world. Any one that has been around my sweet wife Amanda, knows that she is going to be the best mother in the world. I can not wait to see her as a mom. I have never meet anyone as caring, sweet, and kind as my wife. I am so excited for Braxton to be with Amanda. I can not imagine raising a child with any other person in the world than Amanda. Until next time, Tyler.

American Idol Sweeps Utah

This summer there are a few things that may excite teens in Utah. The warm weather and the idea of going to the lake is only of the things that teens are looking forward to. According to a few teens here in Utah County, the name of David Archuleta is a sure fire way to make a girl scream for joy.
“I just think that I could honestly marry David Archuleta." Maxcene Jensen an 18 year old college student said. "
“He is just the dreamiest person that I have ever seen in my life." Jensesn said.
However not everyone has that same view point of David Archuleta being “The most dreamy person."
“I just think he is a lizard boy. The way he licks his lips is the very disturbing to me. What does he think that he is trying to do? It is just gross to me." Sally Lewis a 26 year old UVSC student said.
American Idol always seems to bring up the many different opinions of college student. This year in particular many Utah citizens have a special interest in the show this year due to the face that Archuleta is from Murray, Utah.
A few local people feel that this is a very big advantage for young Archuleta , who is the youngest contestant in the running to become this year's American Idol.
“I just really feel like this will be a very big advantage to him, because now everyone in his high school can vote for him. I also feel like that he will appeal to the younger audience. That is who really watches American Idol are all the teenagers." Amber Sampson a 25 year old Lehi resident said.
Will this be enough to make David Archuleta join the famous list of American Idol Winners? Most of young girls in Utah would say yes, will the rest of the nation vote for him. Win or lose it will be a fun summer of American Idol mania.

Word Count; 332

Last Post for School

Well this is the last time that I have to make a post for school. There have been a few changes in my life, since my last post. Of course you all know that beautiful wife Amanda is pregnant. She is due on October 4 2008. We have a couple of names that we like but are not 100% set on them as of yet. We still do not know the gender of the child. I have no idea what I want it to be. Amanda and I are primary teachers for our ward. We teach the 4 year old's. We have three of the sweetest and cutest little girls. So after every Sunday I want a sweet little girl just like that. Although I can not think of anything better than taking my son to his first BYU football game, it almost brings a tear to my eye when I think about it, not really but you get the idea. To be honest we just want a healthy happy baby. Now that we are going to have a child it makes us think back to what we were like as toddlers. After speaking to both of our parents we have realized one thing; WE ARE IN FOR IT. Apparently, Amanda and I were both very active babies. I pray that we get an active baby. I just think they are so fun to be around. I have four nephews on my side of the family all of whom are very active. I love to be around them and play with them. It is one of my favorite things to do. It makes me so excited to have one of my own. Amanda for sure wants a little girl. She wants to dress it up and put bows, bracelets and all that girly stuff on her little girl. I agree that there is nothing cuter in this world than a sweet and cute little girl. But then again those sweet little girls grow up to be teenagers, and then they are not so sweet. I will probably one of those dad's that will interview my daughters dates. Anyway on to SPORTS.

The Final Four is coming up and to my surprise all the #1 seeds are still in the tournament. To make a bold prediction, I think that Memphis and UNC will play for the title. Memphis is a very good team. They blew out Texas, and did not really have a close with the exception of Mississippi State, which ended up not being that close. I pick UNC to win it all. I would love to see a Tyler Hansbrough, Kevin Love match up in the title game as well.

Another and most importantly LDS General Conference is this weekend as well. The LDS Church will also call another Apostle. My bold prediction is that it is going to be Elder Earl C. Tingey of the Presidency of the 70. What a good weekend this will be.

school article

Many people that live in American Fork may have no idea that there city has its own beautification committee. Paul Hansen head of the committee, is a hard working father of 5 children. He is also takes on the role of President of the Beautification committee of American Fork.
On March 5 the committee meet in the city center to discuss the needs of the city in beautification matters. The close group of whom have known each other for many years, all have one thing in common they all care about there positions on the council.
“ It does take a lot of time, but I love to do it, and I really feel like we are doing a good thing.”
Hansen said. Hansen has been the president for almost two years. Among the things he has done include; putting pots of flowers on main street, awarding they best yards in the city with many different categories, and made his own yard better.
“ I had to make my own yard look like better, especially if I was going to be judging all the yards in the city, I had to make my yard look better.”
The minutes for the meeting included many different things. Among of those were what to do about next years city Christmas Tree.”
There were many opinions involved in the light hearted debate. Among the most opinionated were those of council member Jeff Rich.
“ I really though that they would like the idea of having a real tree this year.” Rich said
Rich was one of the council members who thought that the time had come to have a real Christmas tree. The City has had only artificial trees.
“ It is just a little to risky to have a real tree. We just do not know what could be in the trees. With all the types of allergies that people have, you just do not know who is going to walk by the tree.” Hansen said.
“I feel that the committee makes an impact for the good of the City. We may not be as visible as are other committees, but we do our share. Many of the projects we do go un known by the general public, but if went for a small drive down Main Street you would be surprised just how much we have done.” Hansen said

New Post

Well the time has finally come to update the ol blog. My wife Amanda and I are expecting our first child. We do not know what it is yet. She is due on October 4. That is the birthday of my one and only niece Hailey's birthday. Hailey wants it to be a girl and wants it to be born on October 4. I am not happy with the way that the BYU game turned out. I wonder if BYU knew how to rebound there for a while. Lee Cummard played very well. Trent Plaistead would be crazy if he left early. He would be lucky to get picked at all. How about developing a 10 foot jump shoot, or how about cutting off his left hand for the summer and learn to play with his right hand. Sorry this post is so random, but that's the way it goes. In other news Duke got lucky again. My friend Dustin Call is a Duke fan. I text ed him when Duke was down by 1 with about 30 seconds to go. He said " the refs will not let Duke lose." I agree with Dustin, the refs did not let duke lose. Hats off to Henderson, he made a good play there at the end. I called the Kansas State upset of USC. Michael Beasley is a man Child.

We finally got a new car, we were so pleased with the work that my parents did at the auction in Las Vegas. We got a 2005 Nissian Altima. It is Pearl. That is the shiny white color. We absolutely love it. This is the car that we wanted for sure. Maybe sometime I will put a picture of the car on my blog. Well Anyway I am need to get to bed. I will try and post more this next week.

School Lunch- Article # 4

Most parents are hoping more of these will appear on the menu.

As many children head off to school, mothers may have many concerns. Some concerns may be; bullies, making friends, and what their new teacher is going to be like. Another one of those concerns is what are they going to be eating for lunch?

With the latest health craze taking place in America, many fast food restaurants now have healthy choices . Wendy's offers new healthy choices in kid's meals such as ,milk, fruit juices and even mandarin oranges.

Natalie Matthews a 27 year old teacher in the Granite School District when asked about school lunches said " I know they have stopped serving hamburgers, in the Granite School District."

" At least at school they always have a fresh salad bar as an option" Mathews said.

" I do not know what is like at others school, but at my school they always serve something sweet, like a cookie or brownie, for the most part kids love school." Mathews said

She also remember as a young elementary student many years ago that the school were not very good. They have come a long way since then." Mathews said.

As the Obesity toll continues to rise in America, many parents now feel it is time to teach our children about eating healthy. What better place for a child to learn then School? As they learn about Math, History, and Grammar, the need to learn about proper eating has become even more important.

Shauna Strong a long time teacher and current literacy specialist has seen many things change with in the school district, and one of those things is the lunch menu.

" I remember when they just feed the kids pizza and hamburgers every day." Strong said.

" The Lunch Menu has really come a long way. The school district is even feeding the kids a good breakfast each day, to emphasize the importance of good breakfast in the morning." Strong said.

" I think the Breakfast in the morning has helped the students have energy and focus on there schoolwork throughout the day." Strong said.

The Schools have as well caught onto the healthy direction, that the country has bought into, the question is raised, how long will it last, and can it teach the students to eat healthy outside of the school walls?

" I sure hope my boys learn from what the School is trying to teach them. Not only academically, but health as well." Strong said.

An example of a typical school lunch menu.