Success!!

Success!! Kalinee finally scored a goal in a region J.V. soccer game. We were beginning to think that she was jinxed. I can't even count how many open shots she has had on goal this season. Needless to say, she has missed them all! Who is to say if it is the pressure, the adrenalin, or simply the mis-aimed foot, but the bluebird of soccer happiness has definitely not smiled upon her in those situations.

Yesterday Jordan played Pleasant Grove at Pleasant Grove High School. The weather was tentative - wind blowing and rain clouds threatening. The game was pretty evenly played and was tied several times. Kali's goal made the score 3 - 3. I thought I was excited until I looked on the field to see her doing some Kalinee original hand-hip-butt shake with the other forward. As you well know, spectacle is not something that Kalinee is ever concerned about. Trust me when I say that her overwhelming joy was fully expressed.

More Than a Sporting Goods Manufacturer

When we named Easton, I was not aware that Easton was a Sporting Goods manufacturer. I didn't know that many bats, gloves and even cleats were emblazoned with the name. If I had known, I might have been just a little suspicious of why Al liked the name Easton so much!! What I did know, however, was that the name seemed to fit the scrawny, little platinum-haired infant that was born in the wee hours of the morning on September 26.

The name has served Easton well. He is athletic and strong, loves the outdoors and thrives on a challenge. Recently, he has taken up mountain biking. He does it like he does everything else - harder, faster, and stronger. Now that fall is upon us, he will be in the mountains hunting, hiking and camping. That, too, will be done with all the energy he can muster. The night the boys left with Al on their first hunting excursion of the season, I had only one bit of advice for Easton. "Don't go off on your own." He can hike faster than anyone I know - not because he loves hiking but because he has no patience. He must get to the top right now!! He has turned his impatience into an advantage - one that paid off when he shot his first antelope last weekend. He may not be a sporting goods manufacturer, but he has definitely grown into his name.

Easton just celebrated his 17th birthday, and may I say, he is much more than a sporting goods manufacturer!! Easton is active, athletic, capable and smart. He has certainly owned his share of" Easton" gear and put all of it to very good use. I think that being a teen presents one of the hardest phases of life - particularly for a young man like Easton. Easton stands for everything that teens do not. He loves hard work, thrives on being busy and excels most when he is extremely active. However, as a teen-ager, he also suffers from the two most compelling desires of most 16 and 17 year olds. First, he shares the teen obsession with "driving." What is it about "going for a drive," "just driving around," and "sitting in the car talking" that is so novel for teenagers. Second, like other teens, Easton shares the constant desire to "hangout" with friends. This poses a unique challenge for Easton, because he gets bored extremely easily. So, I wonder, "Why hang-out when you can be working?" Needless to say, he is driven by these two interests and the need to be doing what every one else is doing.

So, there you have it, Easton is a kid with the inherent character that likes to work hard and be busy trapped in a teenage body that thinks there is nothing better than driving around and hanging-out. Does anyone, besides me, see a problem here?

The greatest thing about Easton is that he has managed to hook up with some good kids who like to do fun things. His most recent adventure was going to Homecoming, his first boys choice High School dance. He asked one of his very good friends, (without any nudging or suggesting from us which is miraculous in and of itself), named Maddie. A group of about 15 couples started the day by having breakfast at one of the boy's houses and then going to "Jump on it" to play on the trampolines. The evening activities began at about 4:30 when he and fourteen of his friends rented a fun bus for five hours to drive them around town, to dinner at Asian Star and then to the dance. There was a big screen TV, stereo system, and refrigerator in the bus. It looked like a blast, and what's even better, it sounded like they all had a great time.

I have always said that Easton would be the one to take care of me in my old age. I only say that because he and I worry about the same things... EVERYTHING!! The poor kid ended up with every genetic disadvantage that I could possibly pass on to him... impatience, fear, impatience, worry, and, did I mention, IMPATIENCE. Easton is better than I will ever be. He has amazing faith, compelling motivation and mental strength beyond belief. In spite of the defective genes over which he has no control, he is growing into one awesome teen.

Just The Girls

Don't get me wrong, I love my sons. They have made me a better mother, and they have made my daughters better girls. They have taught me things that I would never have learned growing up with only one sister. Sometimes I question whether those things are really necessary to know, but they definitely add 'spice' to life!!

Nevertheless, I must confess that it is great to spent time with just the girls..."my" girls, that is. I have never been one to take time away from family. I don't go out to lunch with friends or go shopping with my sister. I have rarely taken any moments for "me" time, and I don't feel cheated for not having done so. I like to be with the family... more than any one else. When the kids were little, we were definitely a "package" deal. We, the Hansen Family, that is, traveled as a group. We went to every game together, practices, lessons and team trips were family events. As the kids got older, it became increasingly difficult to arrange schedules, and we had to split up to accommodate all of our responsibilities and activities.

Now the kids are becoming adults and moving away, I have taken the opportunity to go visit when I have a free day or two. Kalinee and I have gone on a few road trips together - usually to see Haley - and we have had a blast.

Last year our quick trip to St. George consisted of a morning drive to take Haley to the doctor. She was too sick to get out of bed, so we decided to take a drive. We left with little more than a diet Pepsi and a bag of animal crackers (which kept Kalinee entertained for the entire 4 hour drive) and spent the majority of our time in the waiting room and the insta-care center at Dixie Regional Hospital.

This year, we decided to take advantage of the boys first "hunting weekend" and go have a girls weekend in St. George with Haley. We didn't do anything exciting, but spending time with the girls is always like a breath of fresh air. We ate out (no burgers and fries) and ordered pizza with fresh tomatoes and artichoke hearts (no extra cheese and pepperoni). We went to a "chick flick" (no James Bond thrillers), and watched sad and funny DVD's (no hunting shows or sporting events). We cried a little and laughed a lot. We stayed up late talking about fun memories and 'solving' the problems of the world. We visited Haley at work and enjoyed seeing her 'in action!'

I don't relish having my children move away, but it has forced me to spend time enjoying them. They are great people. They are smart, perceptive, creative and spiritual. They think about life, notice the needs of others and invest their time accordingly. They work hard, play harder and value friendship above material things. They remind me of what is most important...and it is NOT clean laundry!!

A Mother's Request!!

Chandler's dislocated elbow

Our missionary son's

been home almost four weeks.

He's well-read and quite smart,

with a tall, slender physique.

He's taught Family Home Evening,

Sharing time, and the like.

Expressed displeasure for school,

and disdain for the bike.

He's in and he's out,

It's hard to keep track.

Trip to the E.R.

When can I send him back?

I've come to the conclusion,

That this boy would do best,

With the extra protection

By which the Elders are blessed.

So I was just wondering

If God would extend.

A missionary call to my son

Until the bitter end!

"Do Over," Please

I am not ashamed to admit that there is more than one instance in my life when I would have liked to have the option of activating a "Do Over." Like, for example, the time when I wore a gold lame' lace skirt to the ward Christmas Party, or the time I purchased a poof-skirt dress to wear to a formal company occasion. Not all of my "do over" faux pas involve poor wardrobe choices. There are countless times when I have said stupid things or simply been awkwardly conspicuous in social settings. Then, of course, there are the numerous events that really might have made a difference in my life if I could exercise a "do over." Those experiences I choose to keep to myself and quietly wonder if my neglect, fear, stubbornness or defiance might have drastically changed my life or someone else's. Most recently my desire for a "do over" involves an event that I had awaited for two long years. My oldest son returned from his LDS mission just a couple of short weeks ago. (It is amazing how fast the weeks go when they are home and how slow they go when they are away!) Needless to say, I had anticipated his return with great excitement. I made every possible preparation I could think of. I cleaned house, bought all his favorite foods, hung banners, balloons and ribbons, made posters for the airport and painted his bedroom.

Our family isn't always the most prompt, but we made special efforts to arrive at the airport early. I checked the arrival list, perused the arrival gate and staked out a conspicuous place at the bottom of the escalator. The arrival time approached . . . no change on the board. The sign continued to read "On Time." I paced back and forth wondering why the Grandparents were uncharacteristically late. Then the call came on Al's cell phone. It was the grandparents, who were not late at all. They were watching as my son arrived at the terminal. . . Terminal 1!! We were anxiously awaiting his arrival in Terminal 2. Sometimes I wish we could just have one "do over" in life. I am certain that I would have used it right then!! I am sure that in some future defining moment the mission return will seem somewhat insignificant. But at present it has been the most looked forward to event of my life.

I have to confess that I tend to be somewhat of the queen of unrealistic expectations. However, having the oldest son back in the house really is great. Missing his airport arrival has not overshadowed the joy of hearing him bound up the stairs with cracking ankles or watching him wrestle his brothers and sisters to the ground. It certainly has not diminished the pleasure of an unexpected hug or the flash of his winning smile. In every way that I anticipated, having him home is the best! I just wish I could have been there to see him arrive!!