News From Brazil!!!

I am so excited to share a video and some pix that we received from a wonderful man named Andres Alberto Soto Tello and his family in Brazil, that takes great care of Kyler. They go to his home to eat quite often and he was kind enough to take video and pictures of Kyler and his companion. I'm not sure he realizes how wonderful it is for a family to be able to actually see their missionary so happy. It has been so much fun to share this video with Miette!!! She just watched it over and over!!! She was only 5 months olds when Kyler left but they had a special bond. This is a great opportunity for her to see him and maybe it will help with their reunion. She loves to say "Ciao" and twist her little fingers around to try to make the "hang ten" sign. There really isn't alot of verbal content because those who know Kyler realize that he is a man of few words. Andres said in his email that they were talking alot before they started the video then everyone got quiet. Kyler will probably be transferred this week and I know he will miss this area. He has made many friends and I'm sure has touched many hearts there.

I am very disappointed in myself!!! We have a video camara that sits by the computer and scares me to death! I think I am going to get out the intimidating manuel that came with it and try my hand at this video thing. It could be a lot of fun!!! Enjoy!!!

My Thoughts for the New Year

Everyone believes that we should make our goals for the year on January 1st. My personal experience with New Year's Resolutions has been disappointing at best. I find that I am alway making and breaking goals for myself. This is probably a character flaw that will hurt my innermost soul in the end. Being an ADD adult is not always easy but there are some never-changing goals in my pocket at all times. Renewal of these goals happen often and most of the time as I am going to sleep at night. This is when you know that everything is going to be easier after you get a bit of shut-eye. As I get older, I realize that time goes too fast and I need to be realistic in the things that I expect of myself. There is always someone down the street that is a "dynamo!" She never seems to make any mistakes. She has read her scriptures, showered, applied make-up, spit shined her home (bed made, no dishes in the sink, etc.) and her kids smile as they run to the bus with a perfectly finished report, complete with a professional scrapbook quality. Of course I don't have to worry about the reports anymore but everything else often seems out of my reach as I roll out of bed and shuffle around for an hour before I can utter a sentence that makes sense. I'm always 10 minutes late for work because "something came up" and I have always forgotten that "one item" that will make my life easier. I have great intentions though, and one of these days I will magically inherit organizational qualities that I have always wished for, but can't seem to make happen for myself.

Since I am not going to make any New Year's Resolutions, I think I will have a theme for this year. An uplifting thought that will inspire us and make us try a little harder to achieve the goals we have in our hearts. One of my favorite movies is A Knight's Tale. In that movie, as William's father is sending him off, he tells him to "Go And Change Your Stars". Of course, William does this. Through determination, hard work and making my heart go pitter patter, he "Changes His Stars". So Gates family, and anyone else that cares to listen to my banterings, you are going to get tired of hearing this but LET'S CHANGE OUR STARS!!!!!! We have health, creative minds and strong hearts. Let's make this year the one we talk about for the rest of our lives!!! I Love You!!!!!

First and Foremost

Welcome to the Gates family blog as seen through the eyes of their great leader...aka Mom.
We are an intense but loving family that enjoys a good laugh and each other's company. We often have an uncontrollable cynical outlook on life and a sometimes overwhelming need to keep people in the "real". We are all dreamers and know that someday we will come up with that perfect idea that will change our lives. Is this our year? I believe it is!!!

Gates Family Antics in the dictionary.

gate [geyt] noun,
a-an opening permitting passage through an enclosure.
b-any means of access or entrance: the gate to stardom is talent.

family [fam-uh-lee, fam-lee] noun,
a-parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not.
b-the staff, or body of assistants, of an official.

antic [an-tik] noun,
a- a playful trick or prank, caper
also defined as...
b- a grotesque, fantastic, or ludicrous gesture, act, or posture

hhmmm, that pretty much sums it up! A grotesque passage to our group of people?!?!?

I will be using many exclamation points and any other exaggeration method I can think of on this blog. I believe this easily defines my personality (and others that will be highlighted on this page), that has often been referred to as "dramatic". I don't see it but..........
You will probably gag on all the info I will share about our wonderful kids and our even more amazing grandkids. I will also sprinkle in a bit about our awesome extended family and friends that keep life interesting.

Let me introduce you to the fam!

My amazing hubby Bruce! We have have been in love for for 26 years! His unofficial job description is "Chief Gourmet Carniverous Technician", generally referred to as a Smith's Meat Department Manager. He is a great, hard working guy with a wonderful work ethic. He has always done everything he needed to do to take care of our family. Although he often comes across as a crusty old man, we all know he is a cuddly teddy bear, full of sweet.

The Baldwin family: Including Mike, Wendy and two great kids, Ezekiel 4 and Sierra 3. Mike and Wendy live in Logan Utah. Mike is the construction king and has done just about every building job there is. He is planning to go to school to be a Physical Therapist. Wendy is a busy, stay at home mom with a woodwork and vinyl business. She keeps a sparkling house and once a week, she helps another family to do the same.

Collin 25, the eldest of the bunch. Against all better judgement he is living here with his family to jump start his life in the direction he would like to go. He currently works at Schreibers in Amalga. His goal is to get his nursing degree and move back to his "good life" in Salt Lake City. We all know that he secretly hopes to stay with us forever! He loves fast cars, staying up late and his mom.

Timery and Michael Reis, both 23. Michael and Timery live in a darling little house in Richmond with their two beautiful girls, Miette almost 2 and Elliott 7 months. Michael is wonderful artist who insists that everyone has the ability to do art, if they would only practice. (huh? I don't buy it!). He is very patient as he helps me with my computer questions. He works as the Design Department Manager at Sign Pro. Timery is an amazing, selfless mother who adores her kids and they know it! Tim and I are pretty much unseperatable. I'm fine with that! She is currently in between jobs but works very hard at home, taking care of their girls.

Kyler 20, is the perfect one, or so I've been told. We do think he is marvelous! He is currently serving in the Maceio Brazil Mission and he loves it! It has been awesome watching him grow and we are more than anxiously awaiting his return in June. Just in time for Elliott's first birthday and of course...the 4th Of July!!!

Mason 19, is the second unwilling participant in the "living with parents" situation. He is excited to spread his wings and move into Logan with his friends. He goes to Utah State, working on degrees in Political Science and Economics. After he graduates in 2009, he plans to run off to a fancy school, far, far away to get his masters. He loves his job as a teacher's aide at Bridger Elemetary and still dabbles at the movie theater for free tickets.

Seth 15, is our angel. He loves his nieces and his dad, watching movies in his bed, ogre hugs, getting tickled and music. He meets each new challenge with his brilliant smile and loves his family unconditionally. We all hope that he will put in a good word for us in heaven.

I suppose that is more about us than most of you can stomach at one sitting. I will dabble with faces to the stories tonight when I have some leisure. Did I just use the word "leisure"!?!?!?!?!?! hahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!