Why Do I live in Utah??

We just spent Thanksgiving in San Diego, and I am just sitting here wondering. . .Why in the world have I spend my entire life living in Utah?! I hate the cold, am a below-average skier, and am not a huge outdoors-woman. My only real Utah qualification is that I am a 'Mormon,' and I am pretty sure I could be one of 'those' anywhere!!

San Diego is warm and beautiful, and it has a beach!! What could be better? Seriously, though, I am not foolish enough to believe that it is the weather alone that makes me love San Diego. The company there is unmatched anywhere!! Cyd, Damon and the girls are wonderful hosts that make you never want to go home. I love visiting Cyd! She is happy, positive, fun and easy going. She makes you feel like there is nothing she would rather do than spend time with you. It is a gift that I wish I could acquire. The Dixon's will be moving to Italy this summer, and they will be greatly missed!! We will miss the visits, the late-night chats, the shopping sprees, the trips to the ocean, and breakfast, lunch and dinner at the beach.

While I am not a fan of the latest technology, I suppose I could step into the twenty-first century for a change. I may even have to read my email more than once a week!!

The Halls are 'Decked'

The holiday season is upon us, and I am thrilled to have all seven Hansen's in the same state! I love almost everything about the season. I love the warmth, the decorations, the music, the friends, the cooking, the smells and the togetherness. I even like the snow if I am looking out the window at it from a cozy, warm room. I will always hate the cold, and I can't say that I love the shopping. Every year at this time I am reminded how much I miss my old buying job at Nordstrom. . . Not because I miss the wild, crazed shoppers or the 70 hour work weeks. But I have to admit that getting paid to spend someone else's money has got to be the epitome of a dream job!

I love having everyone home without the pressure of homework. I love seeing friends and family. I love fixing food that I only fix once a year. I love making sugar cookies on Christmas Eve, putting up the Christmas tree covered with hundreds of homemade ornaments, reading Christmas books each night, and watching the old favorite Christmas specials on TV. There's nothing better than the Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert every year, and I absolutely love listening to the Christmas playlist on my ipod!!

What do I want for Christmas?? Just a home filled with family, fun, friends and laughter. I love it when Alan's sisters come to town and we have little kids around. I hope they want American Girl dolls again this year, because I love them as much as the little girls do!

Thank Heaven For Teagan

Teagan doing 'the kick-stand'

By way of disclaimer, let me just say that I recognize that I live a pathetic existence! I ought to have better things to do than run around for my children. Needless to say, this is the only thing of which I feel competent at the present time. Unfortunately most of my children are either no longer in need of my services or would prefer not to have them. Hence this post . . . Thank heaven for Teagan!! What a tragic thought to realize that without him I would probably not be needed at all!!

Sweet football 'running backward' moves he learned from Ben

It is overwhelmingly depressing to admit that the things I have mastered over the past several years. . . i.e. reviewing spelling words for Friday's test, completing school projects, driving to lessons, fixing after-school snacks, being the 'kool-aide' mom to dozens of friends, and preparing healthy nightly meals. . . are no longer in demand. All I can say is . . . I am not good at this phase of life!!

It does me no good to complain that "I liked it better when . . ." So instead, may I just say that I find great pleasure in the energy, interests and activities of a ten year-old. I love watching Teagan (with ipod in hand and headphones in ears) practice his latest dance moves. I love hearing him belt out a tune in the shower. I love seeing him blush when the fifth grade girls call. I love the marbles, lacrosse sticks, footballs, basketballs, monopoly games, and air-soft guns left lying around. I love that he still asks, "What matches these shorts?" and "What should I wear today?"

Dodging the water spouts at The Gateway

Even more, I love that I have learned not to insist that he wear a coat or boots when I know that he does not want to. It's amazing that I have actually made a few small steps toward letting some things go in this effort we call parenting. Maybe someday when Teagan is an adult child living at home I will actually know what I am doing!!

Happy Halloween!!

Cave-woman Kalinee!!

Chandler and the gnomes!!!

Peace, brother!! Teagan is a Hippie!

Easton and his 'tribe'

and . . .

Al is all ready for the Blackout Game!!

He wouldn't really go to a Utah game wearing that, would he??

Happy Anniversary

It has been 23 years. There have been ups and downs. There has been joy and sorrow. There have been pounds put on and wrinkles gained. There have been children born and loved ones lost. Through it all, there has been one constant . . . I have always had my partner by my side.

Al and I were married 23 years ago today - tenth month, tenth day, at ten o'clock. (We made it easy for him to remember.) We spent our dating months going to baseball games and fishing and hunting (yes, even I went hunting with Al before we were married) in the canyons. Now looking back, I have to admit that we are the perfect example that "the more things change, the more they stay the same." Our time is still spent going to games - now to watch the kids instead of Al; and there are always fishing and hunting trips - most of them involve the four boys. Life has not been perfect, but it has certainly been good.

We have been blessed with five great kids. We live in a wonderful neighborhood surrounded by genuinely good people. Our kids have found fabulous friends and have enjoyed many happy times. We are privileged to have grandparents close-by and extended family close to our hearts. There are days when I forget how blessed I am. But on those days I am always grateful that I don't have to face the challenges alone. I have Al.

In Case Anyone is Listening

If anyone had ever told me that I would spend my years of parenting teenagers biting my tongue, I would not have believed it. Yet, here I am, outnumbered and 'out-smarted' in every aspect of good advice that I might offer. Yesterday I spent the better part of the day and night at the hospital with Easton who couldn't remember how he got there, what his schedule was at school, who he had hung out with or who shot the antelope on a recent hunting trip. He couldn't wait to get up to the ski resorts after the weekend snow (of about 6 inches in the mountains). Easton and his group of friends hauled ramps and rails up the canyon in order to get a jump start on the season. After several jumps off the roof of a parking garage, Easton experienced a 'botched' landing. The 180 degree rotation ended on his back instead of on his board. His head whip-lashed back and hit the ground. Where was the helmet?? He can't remember, of course, because he "always wears it." I have to admit that he usually does wear a helmet. He has a nice new Smith helmet that he has customized with all the right stickers, etc. But, it only takes once, and this happened to be the time that the helmet was left at home.

I have learned to save my breath, because what I have to say will either be ignored, argued with or discarded. Nevertheless, let it not be said that I have no opinion. While my tongue is silent, my resolve in many things is strong. So, in case anyone is listening, here are my thoughts ...

1. ON wearing a helmet while snowboarding in the park and off of buildings...

"Dude, there is nothing cool about having your mother wipe your backside and feed you baby food at age 21 (or 17, for that matter).

2. ON how 'fun' it is to have a job...

There is nothing that makes having a monotonous job more rewarding than pay day!!

3. ON completing an education...

There is no such thing as "completing" and education. But a degree is an important piece of paper that compels others to believe that you know 'somewhat' about 'something!' So get at least one!

4. ON following your dreams...

Do it now because you will never regret the adventures you pursued and the experience you gained when you were young and brave.

5. ON doing it 'later'...

Be brave enough to break the genetic procrastination chain. It will decrease your stress and increase your capacity to achieve much.

6. ON attending church, keeping the commandments and staying close to the Lord...

It is the only thing that matters. If you focus on doing this ONE thing, you will successfully accomplish many others.

7. ON spending time with friends and ignoring grandparents...

They are not getting any younger. Someday you will need their help and strength from the other side of the veil. (Like when you are raising teenagers of your own.)

8. ON supporting and serving others...

We are here to help each other return 'home.' Whether the outcomes of your relationships are as you wish or not, be found lifting the arms of those who hang down and bearing one another's burdens.

9. ON regrets...

Make sure you never regret what you have spent your time doing. Be actively doing good, and know that in righteousness you will have an eternity to finish that which you have not yet done.

10. ON having the coolest shirts, shoes and jeans...

Three (someday to be four) white shirts and ties going to Priesthood Meeting - - - Now that's "TRUE RELIGION!"

I have other opinions too... like what about drinking Red Bull and Monster, like how pants look that aren't worn at the waist, like why go to bed before midnight... and the list goes on. I have, however, been reduced from a powerfully opinionated woman to a humble, prayerful mother. It's all I can do, really... Pray that the Lord will protect these young adults in their stupidity and direct and guide their lives that they may fulfill their earthly mission. Oh, yeah, and one more thing that I can do... pray that it doesn't snow, that motorcycle prices will skyrocket, and that skateboard parks will close!!!

Finally Fall

Ironically, while I hate the cold of winter, I love the change of seasons. Fall, in particular, is one of my favorite times of the year. Last Wednesday it rained most of the day in the valley and snowed in the mountains for the first time this season. Thursday was the beginning of the UEA break and Easton headed up to Brighton to try out the early snow. I spent the day cutting down flowers and clearing out the garden.

Sometimes I think I would love to have a big, old farm house with acres of yard and garden to care for. Like most other things that I try, I don't know anything about gardening. But, for some reason I think I would love planting, caring for and harvesting fruits, vegetables and herbs. I suppose it is the 'Martha Stewart' side of me that thinks I could make something beautiful out of nothing. As it is, however, Teagan, Kali, and I 'harvested' our meager pumpkin crop in a matter of minutes.

It didn't take long to figure out that our mini pumpkins could serve a variety of purposes. Pumpkin football quickly became the favorite as the kids passed, hiked and caught the pumpkin and ran for a T.D. (No spiking the ball, though!)

I, personally, find the greatest satisfaction in spending the day in the crisp autumn air. I love digging in the dirt and clearing out the now overgrown plants of the summer. I thrive on the clean look of a newly raked flower bed and the neatly organized view of a recently mowed lawn. Too soon the leaves will fall and the snow will come. Then come the long months of winter when I am known to exclaim on a daily basis, "I hate the cold!!"