Football Fall 2011

Blogging took a very, very far back seat the past several months.  Time has become a very precious item for me and getting the basics done became more important that anything else.  However, in the future I would be very sad if I didn't record some of our exciting times.  So hang on tight for a recap of fall...

We spent many many hours with these people...

Doing this...

And this...

And some of this...

Tyler worked hard during the summer and given the opportunity to play varsity football for Sky View this past fall.  Due to some poor choices by one of the senior lineman, Tyler was able to start on the defensive line againist Northridge on August 19, 2011. 

As a mom, I was so nervous, excited, worried, happy, sick to my stomach, excited, worried, happy, sick to my stomach that whole day.  It was my 41st birthday, but I wanted it to be a special day for Tyler.  I will always have another birthday but Tyler won't ever start his very first varsity game again.  Yes, he did start other games but not the very first one. 

Todd and I talked a lot the weeks leading up to this game and as we could see what was happening.  We wondered how did our 14 year old (who was playing little league the fall before) end up on the starting defensive line.  I worried every game as he lined up againist some big kids that he would get hurt or worried if he could hold his own but every week Tyler got better and stronger.  Tyler has a strong love and desire for football.  

I also was concerned about how the upper classmen would accept Tyler but he was accepted openly and developed some strong friendship bonds during the season.   I was concerned about a 14 year old hanging out with 18 year old seniors.  I think often times because of Tyler's size we all forget his is only 14 years old.  One day after varsity practice and basketball camp, he wanted to go back to Sky View to practice football with the freshman.  I asked him why and his response was "That's where my friends are."  It was a good reminder for me that mentally he is still 14 - even though he's 6'3" tall and 260 pounds.

One experience I don't ever want to forget happened at Box Elder during a JV game.  There was just a few minutes left in the game and Casey Shaw, a sophomore who played the D line also, got hurt.  After the coaches assessed the situation, they decided to call for an ambulance.  The coach came over to the sideline and was telling the team what was happening.  The next thing I remember seeing was the entire JV team on their knees praying for their teammate.  For me, that was a very touching sight to see.  I remember being so grateful for the young man who had the courage to stand up in front of his football buddies and acknowledge our Heavenly Father's power and suggest they pray.  I was grateful that Tyler was part of that experience and I hope he will also remember the powerful message that it sent to those of us in the stands.

During football season, we played JV on Thursday afternoons and Varsity on Friday nights.  On a few rare occassions, Tyler was asked to play with the Freshman on Wednesday afternoons.  I didn't know how he would ever have enough strength and energy to play 3 games a week.  I also worried that when he played the freshman game, he was taking some young man's spot who had practiced long and hard for that game.  Tyler had 2 other games he could play that week, but the boys who's spot he took at the Freshman game didn't have any other games to play.  After explaining that to Tyler, he understood and didn't play too many more Freshman games. 

Looking back on football season, it was fabulous!  It was busy and we lived on the road and ate out way too much but we have some great memories of Sky View Football 2011.

Looking forward to Sky View Football 2012!

 

First Day School August 2011

Tyler 9th Grade

North Cache Middle School

Kody 6th Grade

White Pine Middle School



8 days + 2 awesome sons + a few extra boys = 31 games of basketball watched

We spend most of June watching and playing basketball - does that surprise any of you? 

June 9-11 USU Basketball Camp for Tyler

June 13-17 UVU Basketball Camp for Tyler

June 13-15 Utah Summer Games for Kody

June 24-25 Sky View Team Camp for Tyler

We all watched Tyler, Braxton and Hayden play at USU for 3 days then spent Saturday night washing uniforms, basketball shorts, tshirts, and socks and packed it all in suitcases and Kody and I  headed south Sunday afternoon for the Utah Summer Games, Tyler left early Monday morning for Provo, and Todd stayed home to work and keep things in line at home. 

Kody and I had a great time in Cedar City - I hated not being together as a family but Kody and I had fun together and with his team.  Kody's team struggled Monday and Tuesday ending up 0-4.   In their division there were 2 superior teams and 3 so-so teams.  The way the bracket was set up, Kody's team should have been done playing on Tuesday night so we were headed to Provo Wednesday morning to watch Tyler for the rest of the week.  Scott and Bo were looking at the bracket and decided to purpose a new bracket set-up to the Summer Games committee.  It was obvious who would end up in the gold/silver game, so let them play their game and then let the other 3 teams have their own little playoff for the bronze medal.  Well of course that was great with the other two teams -- they just cleaned our clock and it gave each of them one more game -- so why not? 

Look who came home with the Bronze?

We played the first game at 3:30 Wednesday afternoon, given our previous 2 days record I thought we'll be on the road to Provo by 5:00 and that should put us there by 7:30 or so.  Nope, we won the 3:30 game so we now play at 6:30,  again I should be able to hit the road by 8 and arrive in Provo at 10:30.  We won the 6:30 game and headed over for the medal ceremony.  I was really happy for these boys.  They worked hard and forgot the past and played great ball!  We were ready to head to Provo at 9:00pm.  For some of you this wouldn't be a problem, for Kara this was a real problem!  I'm usually getting ready to go to bed at 9:00 not drive in the dark for 2 1/2 hours!

Those of us who were heading north (a few smarter parents booked an extra night in Cedar City -- note to self for next year -- book an extra night in Cedar City!) we caravaned together planning to stop in Nephi to grab a bite to eat.  Being the only driver in my car, I was nervous.  Thankfully, we have the power of prayer to call upon when needed.  I prayed that I would be alert and be able to stay awake and arrive safely in Provo.  Plans changed at we ended up stopping in Fillmore for about 45 minutes at 10:30 for dinner at the Burger King.  Heavenly Father did bless Kody and I, when we arrived in our hotel room in Provo the clock said 12:48am, but I was still very awake (without any caffeine!).  I know we were watched over, protected and blessed traveling that night.

But of course, I get a text from Tyler saying he has an 8:00AM game!  Since we didn't get to Provo in time to watch his games on Wednesday there was no way I could miss the early game -- so Kody and I climbed out of bed and headed over to UVU for a full day of basketball games played by Tyler, Braxton, and Hayden.

I will not lie, by this time in the week my rear end was tired and hurt from sitting on bleachers - the things we do for our kids!  Love 'em!  Tyler and his team played really well - they are such an awesome group of kids.  It's been so fun to watch them develop individually and as a team over the past couple of years.

The best part of the UVU camp was both Sky View Freshman teams played so well they ended up in the championship game, playing each other!  (This is actually the second year in a row this has happened!)  Tyler's team ended up winning the championship game but not without a good fight from the other SV team.  UVU gave the winning team from each age bracket a $10 iTunes gift card -- couldn't have given Tyler anything better!

We all were reunited Friday afternoon at home!  I was really glad to see Todd.  That was the longest time we had ever been apart in our marriage and I was ready to see my husband and to talk to him face to face -- cellphones are great but it was so nice to give him a BIG hug and a kiss!

(P.S. If you are still reading this post, you are either crazy or very dedicated!) 

I'll blog if I want too, without pictures and Enjoy 'em while they're little!

I will be the first to admit I have some crazy and bizarre ideas about things I do.   I don't know where I get these weird ideas but for the life of me I really struggle to get past a few of them.  Probably my first (and worst) one is I don't like to fix the same thing for supper twice in a month -- crazy I know!  Really, who cares?  My second problem is I feel really,  really,  really guilty if I blog without a picture of some sort.  Therefore, I am not the greatest blogger because then I have to find the camera, download the pictures, put the pictures on my external hard drive, organize the pictures in the right folder, etc. - yes another cork!  This is kinda funny because I grew up with a mother who I'm not sure owned a camera.  I'm not the most dedicated photographer but I try -- sometimes better than other times -- but I still try!  So there will be future posts without pictures because there are things I want to record for posterity and things happen without a camera around (and even if it was around, I might not use it!)

This summer has been sort of struggle for me.  My boys are growing up and I don't like it!  I remember days gone by when I wished for 10 minutes of quiet time just to use the bathroom -- will someone please bang on the bathroom door just so I know I'm not home alone?  I've found myself home alone much more this summer than ever before and again I remember thinking "oh I can't wait until I'm home alone I could get so much done!"  Well I'm here to tell ya -- it's not all its cracked up to be!  I miss my boys!  Tyler has spent several weeks at basketball camps, and football camps, and leaves Monday for scout camp.  Kody hasn't really gone anywhere but loves to be with his dad every night at the barn, he also enjoys his friends and is an outside kid. 

I know they are doing good things but this mom is having a hard time realizing her boys don't need her as much anymore.  Oh don't get me wrong -- I'm still a fabulous taxi driver, banker, cook, maid, and laundry worker and they still need me for those things but the boys have definitely spread their wings this summer. 

So I'm telling you wonderful mothers, who want 10 minutes of quiet bathroom time--- it will come and then you will want someone to bang on the bathroom door!

Name Brand or Generic?

I am a very generic brand shopper -- most things don't bother me but there are a few things I MUST HAVE  the name brand item...

I mostly buy Western Family -- a product of my environment -- that's what my mom always bought.  A few months ago, I was at Walmart getting household items and decided to get a few grocery items while I was there.  When I got home and everything was put away Kody asked me "Why are you buying the Great Value brand and not the name brand Western Family?"  Western Family a name brand, well it is at our house!

What items do you have to buy the name brand?

Kody's First 5K

     A few weeks ago, Kody asked us if he could run the 5K race at Health Days.  Totally random -- as many of Kody's ideas are!  I'm not sure why he decided to run, but I went ahead and signed him up.  He never wavered from his decision and was quite excited to be part of the Crossfit team. 

   

Race morning, 7:15 am on Saturday May 14, 2011.

     He didn't have a running partner but quickly found Stockton Dunkley from his class at school and they became running partners.

Kody and Stockton on the last leg of the race.

Almost finished!

     Kody finished the race in 38:15.  He did great for his very first race and for not even training, except for the past month of attending Crossfit.  Is running in our future sports agendas?  Who knows -- only Kody! 

 Awesome job, son!  We love you!

Emotions

Friday morning the world was celebrating this....

Today the world is trying to digest this...

Osama Bin Laden Dead

I am somewhere in between in all of this --

 I remember as a young girl getting up in the middle of the night to watch Princess Diana wed Prince Charles.  I was memorized by the LONG LONG LONG train of Diana's dress.  Three decades later I am  in awe of Kate's fairy tale, and watched the countless hours of reruns of the wedding, choosing to sleep in.  William and Kate look so happy -- complete opposite of Charles and Diana on their wedding day.  I wish them the very most happiness.  I wonder if in my lifetime they will be the King and Queen of England?

As for Osama's death, I don't feel right about celebrating someone's death; however, I think many people are relieved that he has been killed.  I'm sure for those thousand's of people who's lives were directly affected by Sept 11. 2001, there is some satisfaction in this news.  I remember so vividly (as I'm sure most people do) where I was, what I was wearing, what Todd was doing, etc. on the fall morning of 2001.  I don't know if the news of Osama has been burned as forcefully into my mind.  I wonder what this news will mean for America in the days to come.  I don't believe for a minute that just because the leader was killed, that the Taliban has been killed -- will someone else step forward and take charge?  Will Americans be in danger?  What will be next?  Emotions....