#5

It has been over eight years since I first entered the MTC. It was a nice Utah spring day on April 12, 2006 when I was supposed to report for the commencement of my mission. I had been called to serve in the Paraguay Asuncion Norte Mission and like many; I had no idea where Paraguay was located. 

Several weeks ago my little sister received her mission call. Many fond memories flooded my mind as she read aloud her calling papers. I was reminded of the many wonderful people I served and served with. I specifically recall a family I taught in an area called Remancito. They are the Urquhart family. I remember the struggles and trials my companion and I went through in order to help this family in accepting the gospel. 

I am so grateful for those difficulties. A little over a year after their initial conversion, I was able to attend the temple with this sweet family as they were sealed for time and all eternity.

#4

This week I'd like to talk about one of my favorite tv shows. Airing from 1989 to 1998 the show Seinfeld was co-directed by the star, Jerry Seinfeld. I have seen all nine seasons at least three times through. What I love about the show is how the plot lines all follow insignificant real-life circumstances. One of my favorite episodes is the 21st in season 5. The episode is called "The Hamptons." In the episode Jerry and the gang are headed to the Hamptons for the weekend. Along the way George, played by Jason Alexander comments the he has to get Hampton tomotas, "my mother loves Hampton tomatas."
During their weekend stay, Jerry girlfriend happens upon George while he is changing out of his swimsuit. Upon which, she lets out a giggle. George, who is as paranoid as they come, tries to restitute the situation by explaining the shrinkage conundrum.

#3

     As I am sure you are well aware of, parenting comes with its ups and downs. Most days I feel I have to be more of enforcer than anything. The though of which is really unfair. Before parenthood you tell yourself that you are going to be the cool parent but when it comes down to the wire, you begin to better understand the gravity of the situation. You learn quickly that you know nothing.

     I have been a parent going on six years now. In that time I have felt that I have grown immensely, not only as a father but as a person. You can agree that the satisfaction of seeing your children succeed tends to be a great motivator. The following video is of my little boy (Karter) and I back in 2013.

     When he first got the bike, he, like most kids, had a rather difficult time processing how to "pedal." This video is one of the first times where he started to get the hang of it. As his father, I was very proud of him for trying time after time to get it right. Seeing the smile on his face was well worth all the time spent running behind him with my hand on the seat until he finally got it. 

#2

     Today I'd like to talk about my family. The picture below was taken this past summer while I was interning with a construction company in southern California. We are just sitting down to a fun meal at a BBQ restaurant below our apartment building.

     I am married to the smokin' hottie behind me and we have two little children, Karter(5) and Olivia(2). My wife Kati and I have been married for 5 years and have enjoyed every minute of it. Although he is not with us anymore, back in December of 2010, we were blessed with another sweet little boy whom we named Brody. He slipped away three days later and returned to our Heavenly Father. Even though he is not shown in our family pictures, he is still very much apart of our lives.

     I have loved the opportunity of spending so much time with my family while attending school. It has blessed me with the opportunities to be an integral part of their lives at such an early stage.

#1

            My name is Michael David Kleinman. I was born in Cottonwood, Arizona on September 28, 1986 to David and Cynthia Kleinman. I have one older sister, Nicole, and two young sisters, Ashlee and Alexis (Lexie).

The earliest recollection I have of my childhood home was our house on Carpenter Lane. Its funny to me the memories we retain. Memories that, when looked at now, seem so simple and uninteresting yet they stick with us throughout our lives.

            Of the house on Carpenter, I can recall a goldfish. I can’t remember if it belonged to Nicole or me. One day my parents were having a yard sale and my cousin Butch had come over to play. I can remember us taking the fish out of the bowl and running to show my mom how brave we were. Sadly to say the little super market gold fish didn’t last too long. The second memory I have of that house is one day; my aunt Michelle got her green Chevy Astrovan stuck in our driveway, she had backed right into the little ditch in front of the house.