Tactical Advantage

Just a quick post to show my newest acquisition in the pistola department. I have had a compact Glock 23 in .40S&W (top picture) for the past two years and have absolutely loved it. Unfortunately it isn't the easiest pistol to conceal on my large frame, and so I have been looking around for a smaller alternative. My first thought was a Ruger SP101 in .357 Magnum (middle picture), but it only holds 5 rounds, reloading on the fly is a dog, and concealing speed loaders just adds to the headache. I also don't have a very steady trigger pull when shooting DA revolvers, so I would have difficulty hitting the broad side of a toilet. Since theoretically my life could depend on the little smokewagon I want to diminish the complications as much as possible. I know, I know - practice makes perfect. But if I could find a gun that I could shoot well right out of the box and then improve my ability from that vantage point - life would be better.

The obvious solution to this issue is a sub-compact pistol. After visiting several gun stores I found the perfect solution for me - The Glock 27 in .40S&W (bottom picture). I found a good used one with Trijicon Nightsights at Bear Mountain Sports, and am now the proud owner of a sub-compact pistol.

This little beauty is a breeze to carry and has the added advantage of being able to use the higher capacity magazines I already own for my Glock 23. I can now go armed with greater frequency and comfort.

I still think I will eventually pick up that little SP101, because I've admired them from afar for a long time. But for right now I am very happy with my purchase.

"God created man. Colonel Colt made him equal. Gaston Glock gave some a tactical advantage."

Banners and Ensigns

My flag display for yesterday's Ward Independence Day breakfast turned out so awesome I just had to share it. The flags are in chronological order from left to right with the current US flag and the Arizona Flag on either side of the table. (You can't tell what it is in this picture, but the white square on top of the table is a framed copy of the Declaration of Independence flanked by two brass eagles.)

I printed out a bunch of handouts with pictures of each of the flags along with a short history of the flag and its significance in US History. I was thrilled to see several adults and even a few children walk down the line of flags with the handout, holding each flag out from its pole to get a better look. The feeling it gave me made all the sweat, blisters and expense of putting the display together worth it.

Although this wasn't the first time I have done this display at our ward party, it was the first time all of my flags were on their own poles. It was a fulfillment of a long-time goal I have had of putting my flags together in this type of a display. I had a blast doing it and look forward to future opportunities to share my love of our flag with other groups. (Next up - Rotary Club on September 16)

Independence Day!!!

Hands down, Independence Day is my favorite holiday of the year. I am inspired by the events that led to that momentous day, the courageous men and women who paid the price for us to become a nation, and the brave Americans who have fought to keep us free over the last 232 years.

My family and I have a few different traditions associated with July 4th that I love to participate in. (Some of it drives my kids nuts, but I hope they will appreciate it as they get older)

• We get matching flag shirts to wear throughout the day
  
• We listen to patriotic music all day long
• We read the Declaration of Independence out loud
• We put a larger than normal flag on our flag pole out front
• I buy a new flag to fly on the flagpole until my birthday the following year.
• We go to our ward's Independence Day breakfast
• I put up my historic flag collection for display at the Ward Breakfast
• We go to watch fireworks at Mesa Community College (which we will change this year since I no longer work in the area)
• I read books about the Founding Father's, the Revolutionary War, or famous American quotes
• We all get an overwhelming feeling of love for our country.

Happy Birthday America!!!

God Bless the USA!!!

Remembering My Carnalito

Last night my mom, and two of my sisters were over for a visit. We always enjoy each other's company and talk until the cows came home.

After dinner we started talking about our memories of my Grandpa and Grandma Whetten and the different experiences our family had as they reached the end of their lives. It was good to hear Mom's perspective on the events and understand a little more how our family character has been shaped by these experiences.

Eventually the conversation got around to Timmy, and we each shared our experiences leading up to the day he passed away and the tremedous sorrow and comfort we felt during that eventful week. We all had a good cry as we remembered our feelings, and it was good to be together while we remembered him.

I don't really have a whole lot to say, just that I miss my little brother and am grateful for the opportunity I will have to be with him and the other members of my family who have passed on.

Love you Tim!

Tagged by Dulcinea (aka Salsa Mama)

OK - this is the first time I've ever been tagged, so we'll see how it goes.

Here are the rules for playing the game: Post these rules on your blog; List 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 surprising facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names.

- Joys

1) My sweet wife.

2) My wonderful children

3) Long motorcycle rides

- Fears

1) Losing any member of my family - physically, spiritually, etc.

2) Surviving a major motorcycle wreck (I'd rather die than be maimed for life)

3) Barack Obama becoming President (Heaven help us!)

- Goals

1) Be debt free and financially secure

2) Own a Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide (Rock On!!!)

3) Build a very nice house for my family

- Current Obsessions/Collections

1) Politics

2) Motorcycles

3) Firearms

-Surprising Facts

1) I am left handed but right eye dominant so I shoot a rifle/shotgun right handed but a pistol left handed. I also bat right handed but catch and throw left handed.

2) Heights terrify me

3) I think I talk too much

OK - I tag Armed Citizen, C, Jon, Teeny Bopper and Sweet G

(I don't know if any of them actually read my blog so this may be an exercise in futility.)

¡Viva San Carlos Baby!

OK, this post is a week overdue, but better late than never.

Last Thursday, June 12, my Dad called me up to tell me what a great time he was having in San Carlos with two of my brothers and their families. He rubbed it in for a little while and then offered to pay for my gas and my hotel room if I picked up and left right then with my family. I hesitated for a couple of seconds and then jetted out of there like I had my hair on fire.

The trip was a blast! We stayed in two different hotels right on the beach and played and played and played. It was my little boy's first time at the beach and he was scared at first, but then thoroughly enjoyed the water.

It was a great weekend with my folks and it sure did re-charge the batteries.

¡Gracias Jefes!

What goes around...

Several days ago I was having a real heart-to-heart discussion with Teeny Bopper about obedience. During the discussion I explained to her that my demand for obedience was not a power trip for me. I am larger and stronger than her and, if it came down to it, I could force her to comply with my requests by brute strength (at least until the cops came). My desire for her to be obedient was much more important than my personal ego. I explained that her mother and I have been around the block a few more times than she has and can see things that are beyond the horizons of her personal experience. More importantly, if she learned to be obedient in the small things that we asked of her (i.e. pick up your room, do your homework, stop beating your sister with a board, etc.) then obedience would be easier for her in the big moments of decision. (i.e. - chastity, word of wisdom, tithing, no dating till your 16, etc.)
In the middle of this discussion I had a flashback to when I was 12 years old and my dad was telling me: "Obedience is the 1st law of Heaven, and the sooner you learn that the easier your life will be."
Here I was, 23 years later, having the same discussion with my daughter. As I remembered that talk with my own dad the whole lesson he was trying to get through to me came together in a blinding moment of clarity. I understood why it was so important to be obedient, and how it really does make life easier once you have that lesson learned. I understood what Dad was saying and why.
Another revelation to me was that my dad's lessons actually got through my thick head and were still there to help me as an adult. I felt an overwhelming love for Dad and all of the times he taught me life's lessons and then repeated them over and over again. It also gave me great hope that the things I am telling my own kids are getting through to them and will one day help them out when they need it. Who knows? Maybe Teeny Bopper will have this discussion with her oldest child and remember her dad saying: "If you learn to be obedient in the small things, then it will be easy to be obedient to the big things." And maybe, just maybe, she will feel like saying what I am saying to my Dad in this post: "Thanks Dad!"