Oh Brother of Mine

Once, back when he played Tee-ball, he let me run the bases with him.

I have five older brothers. I've lived with them from 3 years to 16 years. The age gap goes from 30 (Nick) to 16 (me). My next oldest brother, Brock, is my best friend in the world. He and I are two and a half years apart. He was three grades older than me. Until he went to scout camp for the first time, we had seen each other every day of my life. He and I have many stories together and I love him so much.

All the brothers: (left to right) Nick, Bob, Cory, Kendall and Brock and I are on the floor.

In 36 days, my brother, Brock, will be leaving for two years. He is going to go spread the gospel in Puerto Rico. I will miss him.

As our time together grows to a close, I think of what we have done together:

• The hours of watching The Last Airbender and asking, "Did Jet just…die?"

We grew a watermelon.

• Talking about my "one job" (opening and closing the sunroof whenever we go somewhere).

Us with our oldest niece, Noel.

• Watching Get Smart (the television show) and busting a gut laughing.

• Thanking the guy at Subzero whenever he flips smoke at us.

Awkward picture with Kendall's ex.

• Shooting pool and listening to The Shins.

• Playing ping pong "like Leave It to Beaver."

Picking up Cory from the airport.

• Following the "I cook, you clean" method for Top Ramen, popcorn, and any other food.

• Quoting "To Kill a Mockingbird".

Dropping him off.

• Discussing the gospel.

• Going to the DI and then getting lunch specials.

Shopping at the DI.

• Playing Frogger in the front room (with Evan Kirby's help).

• Sorting Halloween candy and trying to keep our mom from seeing the gum we got.

• Being a nickname duo (Black and White, Brock and Roll and Wyatt the Quiet Riot, Broccoli and Stink Cheese (I was the Stink Cheese), etc.).

In Disneyland with the Robinson Family and the Busby Family (Taft is so fat!).

• Watching Psych and fist bumping.

• Selling popsicles in the summer and him sending me out to "advertise" (I would walk around the block barking like I was on a board walk while he manned the station). I wasn't allowed to eat "the profits".

I really didn't want to get into my suit again.

• Being creeped out by basically anything related to Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

• Being confused by random things our dad texts us.

Chilling at Bob's wedding.

• The time I crashed into a car and was rushed to the ER, he rode with me to the hospital and brought the teeth that got knocked out in a cup of milk.

He leaves too soon. I love my brother, but I'm afraid among all these great memories, there is way too much fighting. I regret the lack of love I showed over the years. I love him so much and I know he will be great on in the mission field. There is pain and joy in the past, but there is much hope for the future.

Church

I wake up at 8:00. I get to church by 8:30. I set up chairs in the Cultural Hall, the Relief Society room, and the Primary Room. I then go sit on the stand and get ready to bless the sacrament. Sacrament meeting ends and I grab my Bible, Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants, Preach My Gospel, Duty to God, For the Strength of Youth, Study Journal and True to the Faith, then head to class. I sit in Sunday school, trying to listen to Cecil, hearing the jabber mouth of my class, and ignoring the girl who hates me. I go to Priests quorum. I listen to whoever is speaking and punch Taft. For some reason I always write on the board as a scribe (Probably because Aaron McArthur can't write legibly). I go do my assignments, then I go home. On 2nd and 4th Sundays I stay in my church clothes until 3:00, waiting for Mission Prep. Class.

That is my regular schedule. When it comes to my place in my ward, I am the goofball. You know Sokka from Avatar? I'm similar to him. I am hardly taken seriously by anyone in the youth organization. Today was strange.

Two weeks ago we decided to come up with ideas for Youth Conference and we needed someone to go to the planning meeting in two weeks (today). I volunteered. Everyone said I was too silly and we needed someone serious, but no one really changed the plan. So today I went to the meeting. It involved one youth and one leader from each group participating (Priests, Teachers, Miamaids, and Laurels) and a few of the bishopric members. I walked and arrived early. I realized that I, a representative of the Priests, would be conducting the entire planning meeting.

We started and I conducted. I can say without a doubt that I totally messed up in the first sentence. Then it went perfect. We had a great meeting. I saw my leader, Brother Cloward, nod his head after many things I said. As a council, we found our theme and a scripture: "Go Forward With Faith" 2 Nephi 31:20. We made a plan. I took the reins and I rocked it. I don't often let myself feel good about my accomplishments, but I really aced it. It feels good to feel proud of my actions. 

It feels better to be taken seriously.

Great Date

Have you ever been in a group of people that just fit together? You all like the same things, you all have the same morals, etc? Well, I went on a date with a group like that. It was fun. I doubled with Mr. N.C. Church and had the pleasure of taking Miss Maren Parsons.
It almost did not happen. Nate wanted to double with me on Friday night, but I had work. It was a close call. The last person I asked to cover my shift answered me at 12:30 the night before. I asked Maren the morning of and we had a date. Like I said, close call.
Nate and I had a great plan. We told the girls church clothes for our dinner date, we were going to a prestigious restaurant in downtown PG. That restaurant was Taco Amigo. Nate and I brought a bunch of fancy dinnerware, I made menus, and we even got someone to table side serve us. It took a bit of prepping, but it was definitely worth it.

Nate took the ever lovely Miss Nelson.

We talked about Psych and quoted it the whole night long.

Isn't she a beaut?

 After dinner we went to a park and played boardgames. The best part was that we all just got along so well. It was one of the best dates of my life just because it was so simple. When you have bad standards, you have second hand experiences. When you stick by your morals (and surround yourself with those who do likewise), you will have moments you cherish for the whole of your life.

Fleet Foxes

I saw all this. Live from 30 feet away.

It has been too long.

Here we are again, me writing, you reading. We have been here before and we will come here again. It is a great place.

I haven't the time nor the urge (when I had the time) to write, but it is my duty as an author to write. So here is how my week was:

• Work. Lots of work. I am now an employee at tamsolutions. I work with my brother, Brock, and he basically runs my life. He doesn't like it. No one really does.
• Summer Seminary. I went and I sat next to Emilee Keele and near Kirsten Marquis. Brother Ellison taught about Leviticus, the most boring book ever. He made me see it in a new light.
• I got in a punching war with Brother Hillhouse. Nothing too unique.
• Saw Thor for the first time. Very cool. Something that is not cool is spelling "cool" with a "k."
• Gave Brock $50.00 for insurance for a product I do not own. The iPhone 4 will soon be mine. I hate when people say "45$." How can you pass the first grade with such a lack of common knowledge?
• I went to my niece's birthday party.
• I went to a Decemberists concert. Not that great.
• I went to a Fleet Foxes concert. It was the best.
• I watch enough Doctor Who to span at least one year. That show is really great, you know? If you have not seen it, Netflix it up.

So that was my week. People wonder why I am so busy. Just kidding, no one really cares. They have their own lives to run.