For Fans of Maroon5

Receiving feedback on the childhood picture of son James Valentine, lead guitarist of Maroon5, we have decided to post another picture of James. As far as we know, this was his first "band," a second grade skit at Sheridan Elementary in Lincoln, Nebraska. James (in the black jacket) is still pals with the other boys in the band. The boys went through grade, middle and high school together.

Mom and Dad at the 2007 BYU Conference

BYU served breakfast to the faculty and staff. President Cecil O. Samuelson reminded us to have integrity and review the BYU assessment goals.

Family Home Evening, August 27, 2007

We turn on the radio every morning to hear the latest on the six miners lost in the Huntington mine. Our hearts ache and we pray for the waiting families. We felt such sorrow for the three rescuers who died trying to reach them. We pray for their families.

Floods in the midwest, fires all over the world, earthquakes and we wonder what we can do.

President Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor in the LDS (Mormon) presidency, turned 80 this month, "I want to live the best I can and do the most for others as long as I can. "

Isn't that what we want to do, too? But, how can we help take care of so many disasters and sadness?

This week Elder Scott, one of the Twelve Apostles, spoke at BYU: " You can learn vitally important things by what you hear and see and, even more, by what we feel, as prompted by the the Holy Ghost. Many individuals limit their learning primarily to what they hear or read. Be wise, " he counseled. "Develop the skill of also learning by what you see and particularly by what the Holy Ghost prompts you to feel."

He suggests that we write down our special feelings, and as we become more aware of promptings and act on them, we will become better at recognizing them.

We can help by praying, by listening with an open heart and mind, by sincerely fasting and praying with others on the first of each month, and by paying our tithes and offerings. We can also serve others on our own and when we are called to serve by our leaders.

Our Laurel class is compiling school supplies and making school bags to support the humanitarian efforts of the LDS Church. We don't know where in the world the school bags will be sent, but even in the preparation of them we are being blessed.

This year the Bishop's Storehouse--which supplies help for those in need--is marking 75 years, an effort started during the Depression. Talk about people helping people:

*There are over one hundred operating storehouses in the U.S. and Canada, and 29 in Latin America.
*The Church runs 285 Employment Resource Centers (*239,410 people internationally received training and jobs with the help of LDS employment services), 44 Deseret Industries thrift stores, and *100 home storage centers
*Church members donated 623,153 days of labor to welfare facilities in 2006.

(Your parents have worked at the LDS cannery, Deseret Industries and American Fork Development Center this year and we donate regularly to the LDS Humanitarian Aid fund, which distributes 100% of the money around the world through Catholic Social Services, Islamic Relief Worldwide and other agencies.)

After the 8.0 magnitude earthquake hit Peru on August 15, Mormon leaders quickly sent help to an area that had been cut off from immediate relief near Lima. Local LDS leaders took care of victims in the area until help could arrive. In all 80 tons of food, medical supplies, and other essentials were delivered to Peru from LDS storehouses in other countries.

"I am only one, I can't do everything, but I can do something."

What can I do to help or serve? I will look for opportunities, I will hear about needs, and I will feel and act upon promptings I receive through the Holy Ghost. I won't wait to be asked or told what to do, but be "anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of [my] own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness [and good]. For the power is within me" (D&C 58:27-28).

We hope everyone is doing well and that the first of the school year will go smoothly for our wonderful grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Best wishes for great fall sales at your "Local Honey" shop in Nashville, Amanda, and the Maroon5 tour in Europe, James.

We love you,

Mom and Dad
Shauna and Robert Valentine
Highland, Utah

Grandma, let's go jumping!

How can Shauna resist Imogen's charm?

Guess who is engaged to be married in December, 2007!

Stephanie's fiance is Brian Stagg, a brilliant pre-med student at BYU, from Grand Junction, Colorado. Wedding date: December 27, 2007. What a gorgeous couple!

Angela reaches a milestone half century!

I guess we are not supposed to reveal little sister's age. Angela was born when Robert was sixteen. He carried her out of the Utah Valley Hospital. Mom was in her forties. Angela was a surprise after years in Argentina. George is taking it in stride, thinking mostly of an upcoming wedding for oldest daughter Stephanie!

The childhood photo of James Valentine in Rolling Stone

We sent several photos of James as a kid to Rolling Stone at their request. This is the one they chose. James is about 7 years-old in Lincoln, Nebraska. He is learning to play Dad's guitar at our home on Park Avenue where we lived for 28 years. All five of the Valentine kids started piano at age 8 (mandatory). With a good background in music theory, James picked up a guitar at age 13 or 14 and never put it down. We never had to tell him to practice. With money from a paper route, he bought his own guitar lessons.

James Valentine in Rolling Stone

Our son James, lead guitarist of Maroon5, is on the cover of the current issue (9/6/07) of Rolling Stone magazine (to the bottom left side facing cover). Dad Robert reacts to Adam's language in the article. Yikes!


We are proud of their hard work over the last few years and love their music (and most of the lyrics). Manager Jordan Feldstein (CAM - Career Artist Management) sent us advanced copies by FEDEX. Jordan is very kind to the parents of the band members and takes good care of James and his colleagues. Congratulations to Maroon5, who begin a long tour after the debut of their #1 album. Travel safely. We love you!

Our Lincoln Nebraska pals come for a visit!

Peter and Sharee retired to St. George the same time the Valentine's moved to Highland.


They are attending Education Week at BYU along with 20,000 others!


After a delicious meal of talapia, corn and wild rice, we went for a short walk.


Avid golfer Peter found some Titleist and Callaway golf balls along the trail.


The wild flowers are wonderful near our Highland home are wonderful in late August.

Summertime Lunches in Provo!

Shauna and Robert enjoy the salads and decor at Guru's, 45 East Center Street.


Down the street a few doors is the very best Italian restaurant in Provo. Save your Weight-Watcher points!

What's in your library?

She loves to read and has passed on the love of reading to her children and grandchildren. Unfortunately, most Americans read little.


Those tomatoes are vine-ripened and so good!


Click on the last picture to read the title of her latest selection. She passes the books on to Gina and Lisa. Well, at least there are no more Harry Potter novels to conquer.

Sweet corn, sweet summer in Utah!

One Weight-Watcher point per ear when dowsed with "I can't believe it isn't butter" spray, sweet corn reigns at the Valentine's home in Highland all summer. We buy vegetables from the little truck farm run by "Eva" and other Mexicans about a mile down the road on 4800 West near the Timpanogas Temple. Robert encourages them to listen to English rather than local Spanish radio stations, which are overtaking the band width. "Mire señora, ¿cómo va a aprender a hablar inglés si se pasa todo el día escuchando la radio en español?" Nevertheless, the "jitomates" are divine!

Family Home Evening, August 20, 2007

Good Monday Evening to Everyone,

Summer is over and kids are heading back to school this week. The first day of school is always so exciting and unnerving.
We pray that you will have a successful and effective new year of learning!

We have wonderful memories of taking you to Sheridan Elementary, reading the student lists by the door, and finding your seat. We loved going to the Parent Teacher Conferences because we would always get great reports.

What have you learned lately? Keep on learning!

Thoughts on the subject of education:

". . . the glory of God is intelligence."

The iliterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. Alvin Toffler

What, then, is true education? It is awakening a love for truth, a just sense of duty, opening the eyes of the soul to the great purpose and end of life. It is not teaching the individual to love the good for personal sake, it is to teach him to love the good for the sake of the good itself; to be virtuous in action because he is so in heart; to love and serve God supremely, not from fear, but from delight in His perfect character--David O. McKay

The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards. Anatole France

Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Creativity is a type of learning process where the teacher and pupil are located in the same individual. Arthur Koestler

Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me. D&C: 19:23

Have a good week. Check out the robertshaunavalentine.blogspot.com

Be wise, and keep learning!

We love you very much!

Mom and Dad

Sunday, August 19, 2007 at the Valentine's home!

Topher is back from London, plagued with jet-lag. Owen is delighted to sit with his Dad. Cousins played and climbed trees (for plums) and rode bikes. The weather was perfect. Amy and Cristy came, too.

Humanities College Convocation on Friday, August 17, 2007 at 2 p.m.

The day after commencement, the College of Humanities has a Convocation for all of the humanities majors, including Spanish and Portuguese. First, the faculty gathers for snacks under the Marriott Center, marches into the center. Dean Rosenberg does a great job. Unfortunately, not all faculty members attend. About 600 humanities majors recieved their diplomas. It is a great time to socialize and to say goodbye to former students. Robert has been teaching a couple of courses almost every semester for the last three years. Teaching at BYU is an honor! The students are phenomenal. The faculty is first-rate.

Summer Commencement at BYU

Robert always attends commencement and convocation at BYU, where he teaches Spanish literature and culture as a part time adjunct professor. He has been hauling his Duke University PhD cap and gown around for years and finally gets to use it. There were only two Spanish professors: Quina and Robert. At the convocation on Friday, there were more. My, my do we strut around. Robert has the best cap, no doubt.