Whiskers in the Sink

A very long time ago - over 20 years - a very wise woman said to me out of the blue,

"If I had a nickel for every time I've thought about leaving my husband, I'd be a rich woman by now".
This wasn't some flippity, restless young mom either. She was in her late 60's - maybe 70's, and had a relationship that I admired. They had raised 7 children together, moved around quite a bit, and traveled later in life. Her simple confession to me gave me comfort and changed the way I viewed my marriage.

I thought about her this morning, when I saw the whiskers.

But, thank goodness I do think of her.
Because if it weren't for her unguarded remark to me years ago, I'd have come unglued about myriads of things over the years. (OK, I do sometimes still freak out over small stuff, but it's better than it could have been.)
I remember after my Dad died at the young age of 57. A few months went by, and one day my mom made the comment, "I'd give anything to be cleaning up after him again".
Wow! Talk about putting the small, silly stuff into perspective!

So, even though I felt a bit annoyed at having to clean up his whiskers, it passed quickly when I remembered both mentors. Even though I've complained about whiskers, toothpaste stuck to the sink, candy wrappers or cereal bowls left in the car, and tons of other "small stuff", I'm glad to have him around. Love looks over the unimportant things that can drag us down.
You see, it's not so much about having the perfect marriage, or always getting along, or having all the bells and whistles, that make a relationship work.
It's about being committed to 'being committed'. (I'm not talking about insane asylum stuff either!) Commitment doesn't mean that you're going to stick with something just when it's smooth sailing. Commitment means weathering the storms and rough seas also.
It means putting up with whiskers in the sink!
And we won't even BEGIN to go into all the things
that HE puts up with in me!!

State - Soccer and XC

I have only 2 girls left at home in school.

Yet, somehow, those 2 girls keep me busier than when I had all 6 in school.
Recently,we made 2 trips up north in less than a week for:
State Playoffs in Girls Soccer
and
State Cross Country meet.
Very different outcomes.

Jessica played in the soccer playoffs - 2nd round.
Bonneville vs. Pine View
Warming up...
Although Jess saved countless goals
from being scored on us
they still managed to slip a few in.
We were unable to score on them
It was a rather brutal game as we were defeated 6-0.
Jess did an amazing job as keeper. No one could have done better!

Next, Rachel ran in the State XC meet.
Pre-race jitters
PV Varsity girls - at the start line

Mid -race concentration & determination

Post race happiness!
L to R: Kaylee, Rachel

Kaylee finished 1st and Rachel 2nd for PV. Overall, Rachel took 29th in the race with a time of just over 20 min, and still had plenty of energy left.
PV girls placed 10th!! And PV boys took 1st! An exciting day.

On a philosophical note, you know what I like about team sports?
It's the word TEAM.
It's great to see your kids "get it".
To put the team interests over the interest of the individual is something we try to teach our children from day one - TEAM WORK
But, I also LOVE how the TEAM can develop the character and talents of the individual.
So, as I said before, "very different outcomes", YET, they were very similar outcomes.
My girls are better individuals (and so are their older siblings) from being a TEAM PLAYER on a TEAM and working toward a common goal with that TEAM.

So, while I take a breather, and feel blessed that it's over for a bit and life can slow down, I know it's temporary. There will be TEAM sports in the future - cuz it's a great thing to be a TEAM PLAYER.

Autumn - Oh how I love thee!!!

I count "the ranch" as one of the blessings in my life.

It includes the wonderful cousins that have "adopted" us into their Red Cedar Lodge family.
There to greet us are cabins, wild turkeys, a clear trout-filled reservoir, green grass, tall pines, deer and snakes, and pink cliffs towering above it all.
Fishing with friends
Also included are loved ones, great conversations, and lots of good food.
Oh, how I love this place.
It heals my soul to be up there.
It is even more beautiful and heart-warming in the fall.
The colors this year were amazing and the weather was perfect! All by itself, Autumn is my favorite time of year.
I love the crispness in the air, the whispers of change as evidenced in the bright-colored leaves, the smell of wood stoves burning, and the cooler weather!
Dear cousin Misty invited us up for UEA weekend!!
We packed up the car and our family and our visitors on Friday afternoon and stayed until Saturday night. (We wanted to stay longer....)
We sure appreciate the invite!!
We LOVE you Misty!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
This is the life!!!

A Perfect Day

A Saturday morning in early September.

Woke up early, showered, dressed and headed into town with handsome Dan to pick up my Bountiful Basket.
Got home, stowed away all the fruits and veggies while Dan made pancakes for the waking kids. Loren left to take the ACT.
After breakfast and clean-up, we headed over to the high school for a Saturday soccer game. Ate lunch from the cooler. Won both games - actually - it was a slaughter.
Rachel got to play both JV and Varsity.

Jessica got to play part of the game as a forward and she scored!

So much fun, even though we were roasting in the hot sun.
Thank goodness for beach umbrellas. Loren even made it to some of the game.

Arrived home to cool off a second, then taxied Rachel back to the High School so she could march in a Parade.
Took a brief nap then did a little housecleaning. Thought about going for a swim, but there was an algae problem. Picked up Rachel.
We were all home. Together. Dan offered to take us out to eat!
Oh yeah!
Durango's for dinner -all 6 of us. (Missing Danny and Amelia and Jon.)
Good food, good company.
Mary was happy too. After dinner we all walked down to Big 5 to get Jess some new soccer cleats. Walking along, laughing & swinging our purchases. On the way home we stopped at See's for some samples and a box. Yummy, tasty chocolate!
We went home and watched a movie together. I don't remember the name, but I remember how good it felt to be together.
I'm not 100% certain what exactly made it a such a good day. It was busy and a bit hectic, but I think it was that we had so much together time. It just felt like all was right in the world.
It was a Perfect Day.

18 years ago

October 5, 1992 this little cutie arrived.

Scary, difficult birth and aftermath, but worth it all.

From the beginning, she had this little twinkle in her eye when she smiled.
And she had a different way of doing things.
Like:
Using 2 Binkies at once.
Sitting in the dog's water dish to cool off.
Walking a mile- alone & barefoot to see her best friend.
The list goes on.

She's always loved the outdoors - hikes, picnics and camping
She loved all creatures, including snakes, bugs and all animals.
She loved taking off her clothes (age 3) and running through the church parking lot.

She didn't love getting her hair fixed or dressing up.
Or...
doing chores, putting on make-up, or doing girlie stuff.
She definitely didn't love dancing with Super Steppers
(as she had too many elbows and knees to control.

She started growing up.
She learned that she loved music and most especially, her saxophone, then the piano.

She started to like doing her hair and dressing up.

She started to like boys, but still didn't like make-up.

She loves sports and soccer. Did I say she LOVES soccer?
She loves being goalie for her high school team.

But, even though she's 18 now and a BEAUTIFUL young lady,
she still likes all those fun things, like
being outdoors, catching snakes, and walking around on stilts.

This girl has been a blessing in my life (as are ALL my children, but this post is about Jessica - meli!)
She has a smile that soothes.
She has a gentle touch.
She has a loving heart.
She feels deeply and loves even deeper.
She is strong as an oak, and soft as a kitty cat.
And smart! Boy, is this girl smart!!
And hard-working.

Jess - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I love you a MILLION!!

September begins and ends with Soccer

September sees our family in full-swing soccer mode.

August was spent in training, try-outs and pre-season. October will see us in end of season and state play-offs, but September is all out soccer.

Which means:
5 hours 2-3 times a week at the soccer fields - just watching and cheering
Eating out of a cooler or the concession stand 2-3 times a week.
Juggling rides and cars with the newly returned missionary.
Hot, sweaty and dusty skin - cuz it just won't cool down this year!!
Sore backs and tushies from all that sitting.
Doing the girls chores for them since practices last until 5:30 each day.
Hoarse voices from all that cheering (and yes, I admit it, yelling at the referees!)
Incredibly horrible smells emanating from both girls soccer cleats and socks!!
Inspecting all of Jessica's injuries and hoping she doesn't get more.
Searching the sports page each morning after a game.
Encouraging Rachel to play harder and meaner (but she won't unless she gets mad).
Playing photographer for each game.
Getting home late after games.
Disappointment after the losses.
And REJOICING after the wins!!

This MIGHT be our last year of soccer.
Jess graduates and Rachel wants to focus on running (another page on that later...).
I think I MIGHT miss it!!