Playing Catch-Up

I am definitely WAY behind on the blog. Not that life is so incredibly exciting, but the reality is that summer is more than half over. So, here is what I like to refer to as the "quick and dirty" way to catch up. Here are the top ten things that have happened recently.

1. Kalinee turned 15. June 30, 2010

For most, this is a landmark that signifies the securing of one's learners permit to drive. Needless to say, for Kalinee, the voice of reason whispers..."give the girl a little more time to OBSERVE the whole driving process." She will figure it all out someday. . . but let's just say that day will not be tomorrow!!

Also, for the record, may I say that Kalinee is "the life of the party," "the joy of the family," "the crazy, fun, carefree goofy girl" and, of course, "the bona fide genius!" (She just can't DRIVE!!)

2. Chandler turned 22. July 3, 2010

Man, does that sound old!! What a monumental day! It is, after all, the first birthday in the "20's" that he has been able to celebrate at home. Needless to say, he was not at home. He went to San Diego with friends. Dang! Can't say that I blame him. There was no cake. No candles. No pictures. No party. But he got to do exactly what he wanted and that is the sign of growing up. Right?!!

3. Haley returned home from Africa. July 4, 2010

I love the way that life experiences shape us into who we are. Haley is forever changed - not in any creepy, strange or even noticeable way. But she has seen, felt, and understood life in a completely different way. Her life perspective is altered, and her eternities will be filled with joyful reunions.

4. Easton has put 1000 miles on his scooter. July 15, 2010

Oh, the summer before your senior year!! It is definitely THE LIFE!! He, along with a brigade of friends, has scootered his way across the valley this summer. He has met girls from all over, spent his summer earnings on "SNOW SHACK" and "LONE STAR," and had numerous late night fires in every canyon. (Did I forget to mention, he also dyed his hair black.) Oh the joys of friends, freedom and fun. Next year at this time he will be experiencing the indescribable joys of receiving a mission call!!

5. Teagan is a "night game" maniac.

My baby is a cool "almost 6th grader." He spends every night playing night games with friends. Al and I make our nightly walk through the neighborhood waiting for him to finally come home with us. It is the summer of air soft wars, hide and seek, kick the can, and soccer. It is the age of swimming at the pool, trying to get a tan, not noticing the girls but hoping that they notice you. It is the year when you know just enough to enjoy life and not too much to be stressed about it!!

6. Kali changed soccer teams. July 2, 2010

Oh the agony!! and the ecstasy. The buckets of tears have been shed and the sleepless, worrisome nights have been spent. Finally, all is well again. Kali learned that "soccer is soccer," and "friends are friends." She has managed to make a break from a group of girls that she loves and still maintain valuable friendships. She has discovered the joy of the game like never before. We love the lessons learned on the field. Soccer may be "only a game" but the experiences while playing are life.

7. We have a "Full House!"

It's a good thing that we kind-of like each other because we definitely can not get away from each other. There is more STUFF than the house can hold. The good news is that all the PEOPLE actually fit. There are too many cars in the drive way, too much junk in the garage, too many clothes for the closets, and too many laundry baskets in the laundry room. Nevertheless, we are all back home at the same time. When Chandler left on a mission, I thought it would never be the same again. I was right!! It is not the same, but we are all back home. Did I ever mention how much I love a FULL HOUSE?? I don't know anything about cards, but I will take a full house anytime!

8. We said a painful and tearful Good-bye to the Dixon's. July 10, 2010

There is really only one word to describe good-byes. It is a word that I hate. One that I do not allow in my own house. It comes from the teenage vernacular, and I always say that its use shows lack of a better vocabulary. But... in some cases, it just fits. Saying good-bye. . .SUCKS! The Dixon's are in Italy for two years. We are sure they will bring joy to many lives and influence others in ways they will never know. One thing for certain...They will be MISSED!!!

9. Al is losing weight, working out and serving on the High Council.

Now, there are three things that do not necessarily go together! Except in the sense that I think they are all note-worthy. Al has lost close to 15 pounds, and we are walking every night. He is even visiting the gym on occasion. He has made it known that he will NEVER run with me, but I have grown to love the evening walks even more. It is usually just the two of us - oh, yes, and the dog, an occasional child, a bike, skateboard, etc.

10. I am getting older, fatter and slower;

But...I just keep running. I am certain that it looks like I am barely moving as I "jog"along the side of the road. I don't care. I am determined to keep moving even if the pace has slowed. I am also determined to run at least one more marathon after my 50th birthday - which, by the way, is coming faster than I care to admit!! I love the summer mornings when I can run every day. I love being hot and sweaty and not showering until the yard work and the housework are done.

Loaves and Fishes . . . or boxes and totes!

The miracle of the loaves and fishes has always been one of my favorites. It speaks to me in a different way. It's about giving the scraps that you have and watching the Lord make them into a feast! It's about magnifying a little bit into "enough and to spare!" It's about power and faith. It's about doing the impossible.

Haley left for Kenya this morning. She knew that her experience would be miraculous in so many ways. Already, we have seen the hand of the Lord in her decision, the people we have met and the means by which she has reached this point. It has been a testimony to me that when you put your feet on the path and tell the Lord what you are willing to do, HE will do the rest.

When we arrived at the airport this morning with Haley's two bags and one tote full to capacity with supplies, we were greeted by the travel manager. She had two airport carts piled high with boxes of supplies that needed to go with the group - in their bags!

I sincerely doubted that they would be able to transport the gross amount of goods. Haley started shoving items into every nook and corner. I wondered how she would make the weight restrictions because we were right on the limit when we arrived.

As other group members came and bags and totes were opened, readjusted, weighed, weighed again, and finally checked; the piles of full boxes disappeared. Soon, there was nothing left but a stack of empty boxes by the garbage can.

I was talking to the mother of another girl who was going on the expedition. Her daughter was going for a second time to check on a foundation she had started herself. Her mother told me that on the first trip she made, her daughters bag weighed nearly 100 lbs. when they weighed it at home. Yet, when it was placed on the scale to be checked at the airport, it weighed only 50 lbs.

Is there any question how desperately these supplies are needed in Africa? It's like the loaves and fishes in reverse. It is no less of a miracle that an already-too-heavy bag can suddenly hold more and weigh less??

It is remarkable to watch the Lord make the impossible possible. The adventure has only begun. May the miracles continue!!

Oh the Places you'll go!

"You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

You're on your own. And you know what you know.

And you are the guy who'll decide where to go."

You've got to love Dr. Seuss!! "Oh the Places you'll go, Oh, the thinks you can think!" It's been a week of new "thinks," new places, and new experiences!

A million years ago when I was nearing the end of my mission, I had a companion that had great life motto. She made it a goal to learn something new everyday.

While we were companions we made chocolates, crocheted baby shoes, twisted wire and bead mini trees, etc. We played new games, learned to give discussions in new ways and did service in ways we never thought possible. Everyday was an adventure, and I admit, that it was a pretty great way to live.

I thought about my old companion this week, and I vowed to try something new. Monday was Haley's birthday, and she had declined the offer for any sort of get together in celebration. So, I decided that I would try to decorate a birthday cake for her using fondant. I have always wanted to take a class to learn how to make fondant. But, true to my style, I decided I could figure it out by myself. After all, no one would ever see it, and there was NO PRESSURE!!

The process was tons of fun. The result - something less than complete catastrophe! Haley changed her mind and had some friends drop by - none of whom were cake critics and all of whom were very easily impressed! (Truthfully, most of whom could not have cared less about the cake!!)

Learning something new proved to be exciting and rewarding. And, I was sold on the prospect of learning something new everyday. Then Wednesday came around. There was a Real Soccer game at the Rio Tinto Stadium Wednesday night, and the Jordan High soccer team was in charge of manning one of the concession stands for a fund raiser. I was on the schedule to work the event. I know that they sell beer at the events, but I just never figured that I would be the one serving up those frothy cups!!

Needless to say, I am not well-versed in the lingo associated with pouring on tap beverages! All I know is that I probably poured a good portion of the keg down the drain trying to learn how to fill a cup with beer instead of foam!! Who knew there was actually some skill involved?? It is not a skill I am proud of. Nor is it one I ever expect to use again. However, it definitely qualified as "learning something new!!"

There are lots of fascinating things to learn in this life - most of which do not involve beer, drinking, or anything else associated with habits I would prefer to stay far away from. The fact is that learning new things makes life interesting. I hope it will make me braver, less self-conscious and more well-rounded. Who knows, maybe I will even find something I am good at?!

Happy, Happy Birthday, Haley, Dear!!

Haley is officially no longer a teen! I was shocked when she said that she didn't want to have friends or family over on her birthday. After all, it's a tradition!! It is the night we can count on the police coming to our house to inform us that we are too loud!!

Luckily, she changed her mind at the last minute. I think the thought of celebrating June 7th without Ben was a little depressing, and she decided that being surrounded by friends is always a good thing!

"I don't know who would come," was her first response. But Haley has great friends who always come through for her.

She can always count on the "Six Kicks" (minus Brook who is in Ecuador) to show up and make their own fun.

It was also fun to see some old soccer buddies and friends from the past.

The boys are few and far between right now, but the remaining and returning members of the high school group are great to stop by.

It is no surprise that the friends always come to see Haley. She places friendship at the top of her list of priorities. Friendship is a premium to her. She would prefer a real friend over just about anything else in the world - and she has always been blessed with the best!!

The Price of Parenting

It is one of those days when I have "thought" myself into a corner. Too many reflections on parenting and what is best for the kids. I am at the point where I wonder if I really know any more than my 14 year-old?! Here is what I believe...

1. It is important that everyone gives up on their own dreams in their own time and is not compelled to give them up because of imposed limitations.

2. It seems completely ironic to pay for my children to have experiences so they can find out answers that I already know. On a balance sheet, I believe that would be considered an unnecessary expense.

3. It seems even more ironic that I will have to pay for the experience itself, then pay to fix the mistake, and ultimately pay for the solution!! Really, are there any principles of good budgeting in that approach?!!

4. The price of experience is invaluable? I guess it really depends on who is writing the check! I guess we will be getting out the pen once again!

Honestly, there is a great deal to be learned by making your own choices and living with the consequences. Lucky for me, in matters that really count, the choices my children have made have, for the most part, been right. I think that "she who yells loudest" should have the say in things that don't matter! I would definitely win that battle.

Just Pick One!

Life's question for Haley has never been "What to do?" but rather "What to do first!" She has always had lots of goals, hopes and desires, things she wants to do, and places she wants to go. Sometimes I have wondered, "Is there such a thing as too many options?" Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of obstacles to many of her plans - some are emotional, some are financial, and some are even physical. Regardless, where there's a will, there's a way.

Shortly after the first of the year, I was talking to Haley on the phone. After a fairly lengthy conversation about future plans and options, I simply said, "Just pick something, and we'll work to make it happen." I never dreamed what would transpire in the following weeks and months.

Once the decision was made to travel to Africa this summer for humanitarian purposes, the task of selecting a program was overwhelming. There are hundreds of organizations. Thousands of hours could be spent researching them all. So, once again, came the resolution, "Just pick one!" And she did!

In just a few short weeks from now, Haley will leave for Africa. It is nothing less than miraculous that she is going. The trip is paid for. She has gotten her shots. She is collecting donation items, and she even has some spending money for the trip.

I shouldn't be surprised that help has come, plans have materialized and prayers have been answered. We are surrounded by angels in the form of friends, neighbors and family. I am certain that the miracle is just beginning.

Haley loves people.

She thrives on making new friends and keeping old ones.

She is at her best in preserving relationships. Haley has spent her life extending herself to others in service, friendship and, most often, in fun! Now she will see others extending themselves to her in ways she could never imagine! Thanks to all of you who have helped make this experience possible. How sweet is the experience of learning that we all belong to the same group - "one of the least of these!!"

State Cup Champions!!

Finally, the Sparta U15 team won State Cup!! It has been a long hard fight. They ran so many hills in the early spring that even they lost count.

Coach Matt worked them hard and was his usual ruthless self. . . and it finally paid off!!

They were even more excited because they beat their arch rivals!!

Congratulations Sparta!! What a great team you are!!