Family Home Evening, Monday, September 29, 2008

Happy Family Home Evening! We went to a movie!
Thanks to Gina and Jonathan for a wonderful Sunday afternoon after the blessing and naming of Porter Robert James!
Remember to watch James/M5 on CSI: NY this Wednesday
This is the week to see Topher's latest play, Pericles, at BYU
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I wish we could hang on to this glorious autumn weather forever. The mountains are spectacular with their brilliant colors. It makes me think that we don't really need much to feel good, complete, and happy. Which brings to mind a wonderful book Lisa gave me called Simple Abundance; A Daybook of Comfort and Joy. I read from it often.

Simple, adjective 1: without embellishment; 2: clarity of form and thought; 3: fundamental
Abundance, noun 1: an ample quantity, profusion; 2: wealth; 3: plentifulness
Simple abundance, 1: an inner journey; 2: a spiritual and practical course in creative living; 3: a tapestry of contentment

The author Sarah Ban Breathnach suggests that we need to become aware that we already possess all the inner wisdom, strength, and creativity needed to make our dreams and wishes come true. External forces distract us and make it difficult to access our unlimited inner resources. She suggests that we take an inner journey and become aware of the abundance that is already there.

There are six threads of abundant living which, when woven together, produce a tapestry of contentment that wraps us in inner peace, well-being, happiness, and a sense of security. (I’ve added the scriptures)

GRATITUDE - When we stop and take inventory of all we have, we’ll realize how rich we really are.

“ . . . live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies ad blessings which he doth bestow upon you.” Alma 35:38

SIMPLICITY-Clear out, pare down, figure out what is essential to live well.

“ . . . he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity. . . “ Romans 12:8

ORDER-With simplicity comes order both internally and externally.

“Behold, my house is a house of order, saith the Lord, and not a house of confusion.” D& C132:8

HARMONY-A sense of order brings us harmony and an inner peace.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

BEAUTY-With harmony we appreciate the beauty around us.

“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time . . . “ Ecclesiastes 3:11

JOY-Beauty opens us to joy.

“. . . men are, that they might have joy.” 2 Nephi 2:25

Just as with any beautiful tapestry, it is difficult to see where one stitch ends and another begins. So it is with Simple Abundance.

“You only live once—but if you work it right, once is enough.”

Joe E. Lewis

We love you very much,

Mom and Dad xoxoxoxo
Shauna and Robert Valentine, Highland, Utah

The Clark Family, Fall 2008

Our daughter Lisa Valentine Clark and her husband Christopher Layton Clark had these pictures taken by one of the top photographers in the country, who happens to be a great friend. Check out the brilliant work of Justin Hackworth at www.justinhackworth.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Christopher Burgon Valentine!

Happy Family Home Evening!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CHRISTOPHER BURGON VALENTINE on Wednesday. You're all invited over to celebrate on Sunday evening and you know what kind of cake that means.

Chris, have a wonderful birthday with James in Denver--rock out! Just seems like yesterday when you were uttering some of your first words back in Durham, North Carolina- "wheels, wheels." and drawing little cars when you were barely eighteen months old. You have been a joy to raise, always so interesting and creative.

What a classy guy, what a neat older brother, one of a kind, "the Experiment" (our first child) as we like to call you.

Always the excellent student, eager Scout, dependable employee, and devoted missionary, skilled physician, whatever you do, you do with real enthusiasm and heart. Now we love to watch you with your children because you are such a loving father and devoted husband.

Thanks Chris for all you do for everyone. We all ask you to do "things" for us--- fix the computer, build something, design something, paint something, diagnose something, health something, play the piano---and you do it, and you do it well and with a smile. What a life of service. What a great example for all of us.

We love you son, have a fantastic birthday and your best year yet.

Love, Mom and Dad
Shauna and Robert Valentine
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Let's go to the Salt Lake City Hogle Zoo!

Chris and Marilyn and their four kids joined us for a rainy stroll through the zoo Saturday afternoon. The best part was the bird show (not filmed). Later, we joined Gina and Jonathan and their four kids for dinner at Chuck-a-rama in Draper!

Shauna and the Women's Choir

The brilliant choir director is Merilee Webb.
Shauna is an alto. Bob married her for her soothing voice.


Three hundred and sixty women from Highland and Alpine LDS congregations have been practicing to sing at the Women's Conference on Saturday, September 27, 2008, which will be broadcast around the world. Last Saturday morning, they had a dress rehearsal at the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City. Families were allowed to listen and take photos. They have been practicing for several weeks. Frankly, Bob Valentine thinks they sound better than the Mormon Tabernacle Choir!

Family Home Evening, Monday, September 15, 2008

A THOUGHT FOR THE DAY--

A son and his father were walking on the mountains. Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams: “AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!” To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: “AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!” Curious, he yells: “Who are you?” He receives the answer: “Who are you?”

And then he screams to the mountain: “I admire you!” The voice answers: “I admire you!” Angered at the response, he screams: “Coward!” He receives the answer: “Coward!”

He looks to his father and asks: “What's going on?” The father smiles and says: “My son, pay attention.” Again the man screams: “You are a champion!” The voice answers: “You are a champion!” The boy is surprised, but does not understand. Then the father explains: “People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE. It gives you back everything you say or do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions. If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence. This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life. Life will give you back everything you have given to it.”

YOUR LIFE IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. IT'S A REFLECTION OF YOU! -- Unknown Author

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. (1 Jn. 4:7)

Love those closest to you, and show them through your actions--so they know you love them. Love the stranger. We are different people when our hearts are full of love.

Our love is always with you,

Mom and Dad xxoxoxoxox
Shauna and Robert Valentine

Kent and Joan Burgon live in Old Town, San Diego

Serving an eighteen month volunteer mission for the LDS Church, Kent (Shauna's brother) and Joan Burgon serve in Old Town, the original San Diego, where they explain the history of the Mormon Battalion, which marched from Iowa to San Diego in 1848 as part of the war with Mexico that claimed most of the western part of the United States. We ate lunch at Plaza del Pasado, then watched BYU beat UCLA 59 to 0 before heading to the Cricket Amphitheater in Chula Vista for the Maroon 5 concert.

James Valentine loves great guitars!

While waiting for the concert in San Diego (well, actually at the fabulous Cricket Amphitheater south of San Diego in Chula Vista), we watched James play two new guitars that he ordered from "A. Davis Guitars," made by Carl Giese. James normally gets guitars free but paid for these because these guys make about only 200 guitars per year for top musicians. I am not plugging them, but James loved the guitars and played them until he went on stage a couple of hours later. Besides sounding great, they are works of art composed of all kinds of exotic woods.

Maroon5 in San Diego last Saturday night.

Sound check before the show!

Shannon Rutherford (with pal Jessica) and James grew up together across the street. They have been pals for nearly three decades.
The crowd builds.
Rock 'n Roll Forever!



The beautiful Cricket Amphitheater in Chula Vista was packed for the Saturday night concert!

Counting Crows and Maroon5 in Irvine, California

Fans waiting for Maroon 5. What a crowd!
You can read reviews on www.m5blog.typepad.com
The night was perfect. The weather was just right! The venue was packed. Counting Crows put on a great show. When Maroon 5 appeared and 9:30 the place exploded! Fifteen thousand fans sang the words of almost every song. Bob and Shauna had not seen the new show. The lights, the lasers, the sound, the staging were astonishing. Over the last few years we have watched Maroon 5 grow into one of the best bands EVER! Adam's vocals are as strong and clear as any crooner in history (and we have heard a lot of singers over the last six plus decades). James' guitar solos gave us chills! We remember a thirteen year-old practicing hour after hour in his room after school nearly seventeen years ago in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Hanging Out Backstage at the Verizon Amphitheater in Irvine, California

James reads letters from his thirteen nieces and nephews in Utah.
Shawn T. keeps things organized for "meet and greet."
A Burgon cousin shows up, too.
Shauna still thinks that James is her little baby boy!
Snacks galore backstage!
Lucky fans line up for to meet the boys!

Traveling with the band is a world class chef. N. can prepare anything, anytime, anywhere. Friday night we ate delicious Indian food and Saturday, incredible Italian cuisine. World class gourmet (and very healthy) meals! The Maroon5 men eat very well to stay healthy during their long and relentless tours. No junk food!