Deep Thoughts from the Rolling Stones

Carter Clan


Carver Clan

"You can't always get what you want, but you just might find...you get what you need!"

Who knew that Mick Jagger would get one right?

Thank Goodness for Kids

In the past year, I have never worried so much about anything as I did the kids. My biggest worry was, "How can I do this on my own?" "I'm totally going to screw these kids up!" "I'm not smart enough to be the only parent to these kids!" ... You can probably imagine all the questions and concerns that I have had for my little sweeties.

Then one day I sat down with a very wise friend, and I voiced all my concerns to him. He said, "What makes you think that Heavenly Father loves those kids less than you love them?" Hummmmmmmmmm, well that sort of puts everything into prospective doesn't it. Why would Heavenly Father let HIS children falter and fail just because they had the misfortune to have to grow up without a father in a single parent home? Heavenly Father would give these little people extra blessing to survive in spite of me. In fact, Heavenly Father would send this clueless mother three of his best little spirits to teach her, and help her along her own journey. Thank Goodness for Kids!

Carver Family Reunion 2009

August 2009 marked the first of the annual Carver Family Reunion. We all met at the Heber Girls Camp in Heber Valley for the fun and festivities. In attendance were the JBL Pose (Janet's Family), the SoCal Carvers (Doug's Family), the Gorbies (David's Family), the O'Hil-Bob's (us, Steven's Family), the Scotty Bobos (Scott's Family), and the Gun's and Roses (Charlie's family). In all there were about 105 of us crazy Carvers.

Here are just a few of us being instructed on some of the Challenge courses.



Here is Grandpa Steve-a-rino climbing up to traverse the wire to the zip line.



I can fly!!!!!!


Here's Mikey, wow or Mitch! That's a first, I can't tell them apart.



Here is Ethan's action shots.








This is the only picture of me I could find. You guessed it, I'm the one being groped by the brothers. Yikes that is a story for another day.


We can never sign off until we show the characteristic temper tantrum/spaz attack by little Averie Neva.

Back to School

I waited to post the back to school stories because frankly I was both physically and emotionally worn out. I hope that with August behind us, I can recharge a little and try to get things back to normal around here.

The first day of school this year was way early. The kids started August 19th, and boy were they excited. Ashton finally got to eat lunch at the school, and man did he think he was cool. Ethan is in the fifth grade now, and that means that he is the top dog at the school. I can't believe that he will be in middle school next year. Averie doesn't start her "pretty" school until the second week of September, so keeping her busy has been a little bit of a chore, but I have really enjoyed having so much time with just her.

It's funny, I can remember very clearly my fifth grade year, and parts of my first grade year. I remember thinking that my parents had all the answers, and that they totally knew what they were doing...I WAS DUPED! I had no idea that they were just guessing at all of the parenting stuff. No wonder we use to get away with so much. Spencer and I played on the train tracks, we went to the store that was down the street, across the tracks, and across another busy street when we were just 6 and 8, and we witnessed a huge fight between two neighbors over one of the neighbors husbands.

So, here is the lesson that I have learned...FAKE IT! They will never know or suspect that you don't know what you are doing as long as you are confident.


Ashton in his rock and roll shirt with a tie, and not to forget his sweet leather jacket.



My cutie pie Ethan, wearing his staple brown hoodie (that is destined for the DI pile), and a cool purple skater shirt, BIG cowboy belt buckle, carpenter pants, and cowboy boots. He's starting a new trend combining skater punk, with urban cowboy. Still thinking of a name for that one.

'Nuff said!

One Year

I can't believe that it has been one year since my love went to our Father in Heaven. I don't have the words to describe the pain, the loneliness, the loss, and the terror of the last year. But what I can describe is the love, the blessings, the service, and the friendship that we have had this last year. I would rather concentrate on the good anyway.

So many people have said to me, "I don't know how you are doing it, it is my worst nightmare!" My simple answer, "I do it solely through our Savior, Jesus Christ!" From the minute the doorbell rang one year ago, I knew that my life was about to change very drastically, and I also knew that I had to put myself in the Lords hands.

I felt John's spirit so strong this last year. I knew that Heavenly Father would never take a father and a husband away without providing a way for him to watch out for, and protect his family. After all, that is the plan. People have said, "I wonder what John is doing now?" "I bet he is teaching many people." I felt very strongly that his mission right now is his family. I still feel that. There are times that I know he is watching his little princess and smiling. There are time that he is with Ethan as he zips around on his dirtbike. There are time that I see him put his arms around his little Ashton, when he is having a hard time. And there are definately times that he holds me as I fall to sleep.

The Father in Heaven that I know is kind, loving, and concerned for us. He knows that the road ahead is difficult for us, so he gives us the tools that we need to face those challenges. He allows the father to continue to be a huge part of his families lives, because that is why we are here. Family is the reason for all that we do in this life. I am forever grateful that I have an eternal family, and that my sweetheart will be waiting for me. Oh the reunion that will be.

The Focus Four Run

Well, it was a shining success. Months of planning. Lots of laughter. A surprising amount of stress. Lack of sleep. It was a wonderful day.

I can't thank Chris Hislop, Bill Wiser, Logan Kashanipour, and Sam Foster enough. They graciously let me tag along, and even listened to my input in the organization of this four mile run. I also have to thank the many sponsors, participants, and those who donated both time, and/or money. Wow, what a wonderful community we live in.

Maybe I'll give a little back story to the reason we did a four mile run instead of a regular 5k. There were four focus employees who lost their lives in the plane crash. We decided that we would like to run one mile for each of them.