Sporty Girls

Early on in our family, when we were having girls, girls, and more girls, David voiced his opinion on which direction we should try to steer their interests:

"I want them to be sporty girls," he said. "Girls who can play sports are a lot cooler to guys than girlie girls." (Although attracting the guys is the last thing he wants for them now!)

Add to that statement an oft-spoken disdain for cheerleading and other "girlie" pursuits and you end up with what we have now: a houseful of sporty girls.

They are pretty cool, I must admit.

And strong. These girls can endure and overcome all kinds of troubles and difficulties; in short, they can do hard things. Every time I watch them run a race or compete in a game and see them sweating or hurting or struggling, and then watch them push through it and finish with determination, I am in awe.

These amazing creatures are my children.

Now, lest you think we haven't allowed them the opportunity to explore all their interests, let it be known that I put them all in dance classes (much to the chagrin of their dad, but he did pay for it and attend all their performances, with flowers and a smile). But it was the sports that stuck.

[They also all play various instruments, perform in plays, and are excellent students. But that is another story...]

The really great thing now is that we have so many activities that we can do together as a family: hiking and running and basketball and soccer. Plus, they're good for us! Keeps the ever-aging mom and dad spry and agile (or at least moving).

So I'm grateful that my good husband put a plug in for sporty girls. I love 'em!

Playing hoops with Dad.

Anniversaries

The law of opposition is alive and well in my life, as evidenced by the anniversaries I celebrate this day.

21 years ago, I married my David in the Salt Lake temple. I was staying at my aunt's house and I woke so early that morning after not sleeping all that well so that I could get ready to go to the temple. My mom helped me with my hair and then she and my dad and I drove to Salt Lake. I was so nervous, and then so relieved to see David there and put my hand in his. It has remained there all these years.

Our marriage was christened first thing with a choice to laugh or cry when a flock of seagulls flew over us while we were taking pictures on the steps of the temple and decided to unload (think: poop). We both looked at each other and knew we had a choice to make; we decided to laugh. It was an excellent decision and one we have made many times since.

David is the constant in my life. My friend, helpmeet, lover, and soulmate. In times of joy or sorrow, my first thought is to turn to him. He is a gem of a man and I am a blessed woman.

Opposition: one year ago today, I sat in a room at hospice house, listening to the labored breathing of my mom. When I arrived that morning, I went straight to her and said, "I love you, Mom." She said, "I love you." A few hours later, that breathing changed, and then she was gone. Home to that God who gave her life.

I sank to my knees by her bed with a crush in my chest unlike anything I've known.

How do you go on without your mother? With great difficulty. And by remembering how she would have wanted you to live your life: with joy, with courage, with love.

So today, I will celebrate my husband and my marriage and remember the love of my mother.

Knowing joy because I've known sorrow.

Happy Birthday Mom

Here is a picture of my mom with each of my kids. Oh, how she loved her grandchildren! (and children too).

Today is her birthday and to remember her, I went to the temple and took the letter that she wrote me before she died to read in the Celestial room. I love seeing her handwriting and I am so grateful that I spent the last month with her so that I can picture exactly how she looked when she wrote that letter. It brings her so close.

I miss her, you know?

Storytelling Festival

We spent yesterday at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival. This event has been going on right up the road from us for 22 years and this was the first time for many of us to attend. In addition to the stories, they had a pottery tent that Alissa and Katie absolutely loved. They worked on sculpting this dragon for over an hour when we finally dragged them away to listen to a story. Great, great time! My favorite storyteller: Donald Davis.

Climb a mountain

Yesterday was a monumental day in the lives of three of my girls. Jenna, Kellie, and Alissa hiked to the very top of Mt. Timpanogos and recited "The Living Christ" from memory.

Some things I am grateful for:

• Their strong, healthy bodies that got them from the bottom to the top and back again in one piece.
• Their fertile minds that were able to memorize a 1200+ word document about the Savior.
• Their willing hearts to take on this challenge.
• Their tenacity that kept them at the memorizing and exercising, putting one foot after another no matter how difficult.
• Their young women leaders who supported and encouraged them and then traveled the harrowing path with them. How I love the village that helps me raise my children!
• The general young women president of my church who told all of our young women: "you can do hard things!" and then challenged them to prove it.
• Our bishop who climbed the entire mountain two weeks before to make sure it was safe and then climbed it again with the girls. Plus, his military training to just "push through and keep going" - he is awesome!

and finally....

• their testimonies of Christ and His gospel. They know that it's true and they know of His love for them.

I am so blessed to be their mom.

Mt. Timpanogos - Utah County

First Day of School

Our first day of school was staggered this year. Kellie headed off first to Freshman Academy at Timpview - a day of just freshmen to get them all oriented before the "big kids" get there.Katie was next, a veteran at Edgemont, now in the 5th grade.

Alissa was last, riding the bus for the first time, and off to the 7th graders only day at Centennial.

Jenna spent that day at home doing her AP English homework (and she was not alone in this as I learned this was how many juniors spent the day). She headed to her first day this morning, in the car, with her friend and our neighbor, Mimi in tow (Kellie was in the back seat). Consensus so far: we like school.

I did it!

In June, I set a goal for myself to run a 10K. It's been a challenge to get in shape for it and I admit to having some moments of psyching myself out. But today, I did it!

I ran in the Run Like a Girl race up in Midway. Jenna was awesome and ran it with me (and took 2nd place overall - she's so amazing!)

Time: 57 minutes. Jenna ran in 44. I feel great! (and I didn't stop, not up the hill, not at all - yay!)

Before the race

After the race

2nd place medal - wahoo!