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!!

First Man in My Life

Last night I sat in the dusk at the high school stadium,

watching my daughter's soccer game.

I was surrounded by fans of all sizes, plus my own family.
One of the other player's moms was sitting nearby.
I saw an elderly man approach, climb the steps and then make his way over to her. Their faces lit up as they greeted one another and he found a seat next to her.
Hugs and pats on the back.
It was her father.
My dad - in Alaska - about 1960's.

As I watched this tender scene, I was filled with the most
profound sense of loss and sadness.
My eyes filled with unshed tears, and a lump formed in my throat.
Dad & Mom - Christmastime - 1960's

I have never had the experience of having my father come to any of my children's sporting events, or plays, or concerts.
I have never been able to sit with him as a mom while he enjoyed seeing his grandchildren - my children - run a race, dance, or march in a band.
He hasn't ever met my family.
He hasn't even met my husband.
All of these earthly experiences that I've mentioned, will not be ours to share.
And I felt such loss as I realized this, last night.
Family, minus Steve, at Palmyra - 1960's

My Dad passed away when I was 23 yrs. old.
I was the youngest in my family.
My brother and sisters already had families.
I wasn't married yet. I hadn't even met Dan yet.
Dad and brother Steve - 1940's

I have missed my Dad.
I have missed the way he would bounce his grandkids on his knee.
I have missed the 'Cracker Jacks' he would surprise them with or the
treats hidden in his jacket pocket.
I have missed his influence in my children's lives.
I have missed him in MY life.
Dad - late 1970's

But this is temporary.
I WILL see him again.
My children will get to know him.
And his influence is still felt, through me.
There is a hereafter.
Families can be eternal.
I know this.
I will be with him again.
Me and Dad

He will give me a big hug and a pat on the head (cuz that's what he used to do),
and he'll say, "Pat, introduce me to my grandkids!"
And maybe, just maybe, the kids can play soccer for him too!
Dad's motorhome & boat

And we'll definitely have to take a road/boat trip!!

Reserved Seats

It's here!

Soccer season!
And we have our "reserved" seats!!
Hahaha! Not really, but since we have to be there for the JV game, we always have our pick of seats for the varsity game.
Yep - 2 games 2 times a week.
That's 5-6 hours twice a week of watching soccer

And I LOVE it!!

It's starting out to be a tough season.
JV is doing great - winning their games.
All wins this season so far!!
Rachel is a starter this year. Yay!
She has really improved this year, but still not getting enough playing time.
Too many other girls play her position and coach wants to give them a chance.

Varsity is having a harder time.
We lost 5 amazing seniors this past year and they are still trying to pull things together. But things look promising!
So far, 3 wins, 1 loss in double overtime.
Jessica is playing keeper again and was hurt this last game.
Even though she's covered in protective gear, she still got trampled and sprained her thumb. In case you didn't know, goalies REALLY need their thumbs!!
But she had to be tough and play through it.
Game before that, her sub got a concussion.
So, Jess has to play whether she's hurt or not.
Jess and her amazing coach after a win.
He's checking on her hand that got munched during the second half.

I Kicked Him Out!!

After that last depressing post, I thought I should update on Mr. Pain.

He is packing his bags as of right now.
He's "hittin the road, Jack".
And I hope he don't come back "No more, no more, no more, no more!"
I regress.


On Wednesday I went into a pain specialist and they administered some injections right into the muscles of my back.
Voila!! (That's french for, "ahh-ha!".)
Each day has gotten better since then.
So, Mr. Pain has been evicted.
It never felt so good to be so mean!

So, bring on the soccer games, the cross-country meets, the housework, the hikes and picnics. I am ready to go for it all again!!

(These pictures have nothing to do with this post.
I just found them and thought they were cool.)

Mr. Pain

I have not been really well acquainted with Pain.
Until recently.

Yes, I capitalize Pain because it can become a major presence in your life. Like a mean spiteful person always lurking behind you. I have had some experience with Pain, but it has always been fleeting, rarely lasting for more than a day or two (or three if you count surgeries). But this year.... and most especially the last 3 weeks, Pain has become an unwelcome companion who keeps visiting me for extended stays. He wasn't invited.
And he's been loathe to go away. But.... Since he has been so persistent, I decided that perhaps there was something I could learn from him.

Here is what I've learned so far:
*Your health is important but your spiritual health is REALLY important. *You can smile even when it hurts.
*You can smile when you are crying.
*People care and people make each day worth it.
*You have a choice when things don't go your way. You can be PRO-active or RE-active. It's your choice.
*Pain is not gain necessarily, but it teaches us humility.
and last but never least,
*I understand my fellow human beings better.

I am sure there is more to learn.
I hope I can be a teachable pupil.

And p.s.: I am feeling better each day now. Yay!