Life's Lessons & Trials

 As you know, Andrew is a high jumper like Erin and I were.  I loved track and I was good at it.  I don't recall how I got into coaching the sport, but I love being with those athletes for the most part.  There are those on every team that I wish I didn't have to deal with, but that's part of life.   I began coaching when Erin was a freshman, so I taught her everything I knew.  She had a great desire to be a high jumper and she learned how.  Andrew would come to practice every once in a while and he too learned how to jump.

 Erin qualified for the state meet as a sophomore and then again the following two years.  She never placed high enough to make it to the podium but what an accomplishment to go three years in the row.  Andrew has the same goal.  He worked hard this season and peaked at just the right time.  However, when we got to the sectional meet, he didn't jump as well as he did at the regional meet.  Unfortunately he placed 6th and didn't qualify for state.

It was difficult for me to watch him struggle and to see the disappointment he felt.  As a coach it was difficult, but even moreso as his mom.  I knew the disappointment he was feeling as I've been in his shoes as a jumper.  When I was a junior in high school I qualified for state and placed 6th.  As a senior I worked very hard and it paid off.  I had the best jump of my life at the regional meet.  At sectionals I was feeling confident until it started raining.  I was so concerned about slipping that I didn't qualify.  I will add that the year earlier the top two places advanced to state and as a senior only the winner went to state.  That change kept me from competing on the big stage.  The disappointment I felt was palpable.  Up until that point in my life, I had never felt anything so heart wrenching. 

That experience in my young life gave me the compassion I needed to know exactly how my son was feeling.  I know this was very difficult for him but I'm convinced that at some point in his life he will be able to look back at this experience and remember the feelings and be able to help someone else who is feeling great disappointment.  I know our Father in Heaven is mindful of my son and has great things for him to accomplish in his life.  This growing experience has been difficult for him but he will rise above and become a better man because of it.

Beauties in My Yard

 Every Spring there are beauties all around my yard and next door.  This tree is some kind of flowering crab and I think it is absolutely beautiful.

 A close up of the blossoms.

The flowers cover the trunk of the tree as well as each of the branches.  It is quite incredible.

 These pictures don't do it justice.

 I have a raised bed in front of my bedroom window.  I have creeping phlox growing in the bed and I love when they bloom.  The green plant with yellow flowers comes up every year.  I have no idea what it is, but it likes to try and take over.

 My very favorite wild flower ever are Trilliums.  I transplanted these from the woods to my yard many years ago.  When we sold that house, they came with me to our new home. 

 They are just such a happy looking flower. 

 Then there is my MacIntosh apple tree.  As I looked at the tree today, I thought it looked like some kind of monster with it's arms reaching out.  The photo doesn't quite catch it.

 Here is the side of the same tree.  Incredible that it is still alive.

 I gave a talk about this tree.  I told how it is old and hollow and seemingly good for nothing.  Yet, it produces very delicious fruit.  It also leans into the wind.  If the hollow part were facing the wind, it would have been down years ago.  Thus, it overcomes adversity.

This tree has faced adversity and yet it survives and seems to thrive.  So, its okay to be old and hollow, because we can still be worthwhile and produce good works.  We too must face adversity and overcome.

That's all the photos I took this evening.  I'll have more and different beauties in the summer.  I am so thankful for the amazing creations that God has given us.

Andrew's Track Season

 The track season started with a thud this year due to the long, long winter.  Our first 5 or was it 6 track meets were cancelled.  Some of the meets the kids competed in were very cold.  

Andrew is a high jumper like his mom and sister were.  He started out his season in practice doing very well.  He's jumped 5'10" almost every meet.  Yesterday he finally broke through that glass ceiling and jumped 5'11" and then 6'.  He was so excited that he came over to his coach/mom and gave me a hug.  By the way, he tied for 1st in the regional meet.  That's a big deal.

 Another feather in his cap was winning the conference meet.  He jumped well that day and came off victorious.

 Last week at the Menominee Invite he jumped very well as well.  Look at the clearance over that bar! 

On Thursday we go to Rosholt for the sectional meet.  He'll have some stiff competition there as we expect.  The top four place finishers go on to state competition.  That's been his goal this year.  I'm hoping he can make that happen.

I have several athletes this year who have been a pleasure to coach.  Mostly because they're good kids but they work hard and have a goal in sight.  This time of year is my favorite because those who are lazy are done with their season and I don't have to deal with them any longer.  More than that, it's the really great competition that makes my athletes rise to the challenge.

I still love track and field!

Mother's Day

 I no longer have ill feelings about Mother's Day.  I worked through all of those over the last couple of years.  Instead I've decided to embrace the efforts of my sweet husband.  He decided a few years back that on Mother's Day he would take me out of the stake so we can sit together during church.  This year he gave me some options and I decided that I would like to go to Green Bay.

He found a great deal through the shopping show on the radio and got us a room at St. Brendan's Inn in Green Bay.  The rooms were richly painted and beautiful as witnessed in the picture below.

 They also have a dining room where Irish food is themed.  I had a Clare sandwich which was roast beef on toasted sourdough bread with caramelized onions and a horseradish cream cheese.  I had a side of sweet potato chips.  It was all delish!  Then my sweetie ordered bread pudding which I absolutely love.

 After we ordered and before our food came, he pulled this little box out of his pocket.

 I love opals!  What a grand surprise.

We attended sacrament service with my brother and nephew at Green Bay 2nd.  Sometimes, I visit another ward and leave with nothing but good feelings.  I didn't have any bad feelings after this visit, but I will say that I am so thankful for our Bishopric and how they follow the handbook.  

I came home to warm up the KFC purchased the day before and finished off my meal with a slice of lemon pie from Perkins.  (I make better lemon pie.)

A visit with all my girls via Face Time and my day was complete.

I can only wish for every mom's day to be this good.