Mohawks

 When Andrew and his teammates advanced to the sectional track meet, many of them decided to sport mohawks as a team unity kind of thing.  Clare cut Adam's hair into one as well. 

Following the conclusion of our season when no one advanced to the state meet, I took this photo of those who were sporting their new hairdos.  Ryan was sporting his long before the sectional meet.

 As you see, even the other coach got into the act.  Me?  Not so much.

 It was fun for them and I believe really added to the fun they had over the course of the season.

Here's Andrew from the back as he was jumping.  I actually thought his looked pretty good.  I insisted that he cut it before Sunday.  Now he just looks bald. 

My Tree

When I was a little girl I had a favorite tree that I loved to climb.  It was a MacIntosh apple tree.  I remember my dad decided to "trim" this overgrown tree.  I watched as he began to cut limbs off of my tree and hoping beyond hope that he wouldn't cut the one limb I needed to climb that tree.  As he cut off my limb, I was standing in the livingroom watching out the window with tears streaming down my face.  How could he cut off my climbing limb?  I loved my apple tree.

Fast forward many years.  I now own the house that I grew up in.  Along with the house came the trees.  This tree has produced some wonderful fruit throughout the years...even without my climbing limb. 

These days I'm shocked that my tree is still standing.  I understand that trees get their nutrients through their bark.  This poor tree doesn't have much else except the bark.  Take a look at the following photos and give me your thoughts.  One day I plan on using my tree as a talk.  There's got to be a talk in there somewhere. 

 The inside is completely hollow.  When the wind blows it actually moves in the wind.

 The base of the tree doesn't seem to be strong enough to hold the weight of the branches.

 This view shows exactly how rotten it really is.  When you knock on it, you can hear nothing but hollow sounds.

 The woodpeckers have begun to "drill" their holes in it.

I took this one so you could see how it leans into the wind.  Notice the flag flying above.  This tree has shown me how leaning into the wind will keep you strong.  No matter what storms may come in life, if you're battered by those hammering on you or you're being eaten away by matters that occupy your mind with worry, you can still bear beautiful fruit. 

If you've got some thoughts on my tree, please post.  One day I will give a talk about this tree.

A Water Weekend

Last weekend, Sammi had to report to the council on her mission at 7:15am in Wausau.  I wasn't looking forward to getting up and being on the road so early in the morning.  Clint had the weekend off and both the Gourleys and us had a Groupon to be used at the Lodge at Cedar Creek in Wausau.  What a grand plan that was.  No getting up early and heading to Wausau since we were already there. 

I didn't get many great pictures, but I did get a few.  The boys are waiting for the "bucket" to dump while Cami just wanted to stand back and watch. 

 Adam enjoyed trying to shoot his sister with the water cannon.  She on the other hand enjoyed the slide.

I never did a waterpark when my children were this young.  It took all of us to make sure they were in sight.  I held Brock for much of the first round of play.

 Cami enjoying the slide once again.

We had an early dinner at El Mezcal.  It was yummy.  We did a little shopping and then headed back to the water for round two.  This time I got to get wet.

It was a fun time.  My husband never did get wet.  I've got one more Groupon to use at the same waterpark/hotel.  We'll do it sometime while Erin is home.  Making memories is what it's all about.

Youth Conference Prep

Now that the school year is almost done and my track season is officially over, I can concentrate my efforts on wrapping up the details for youth conference in Nauvoo.  I'm really excited that the youth are getting this great opportunity.  After teaching church history this past year in seminary, I've gained some great insights that I didn't have before concerning church history.  By the way, seminary finished yesterday!  

One of the things that I love about being in Nauvoo is the flowers.  This pic shows a sample of the beauty.   I guess there is no slowing down just yet.  But, I should have a little more time to do the things I need to get accomplished.

The Tradition Continues

 

 When I was in high school way back when, I loved track and field.  I was a high jumper and was good at it.  I qualified for sectionals every year that I competed, but only went to state one year where I placed 6th. 

Erin decided while in high school that she wanted to be a high jumper.  She too was good at it.  In fact she qualified for state 3 years running.  Andrew loved coming to practice when I began coaching.  He too wanted to high jump.

Now that he's in high school I've had the opportunity to coach him.   Andrew has struggled all year with injuries and then with a mindset that he just couldn't shake.  Yesterday was our regional meet in Suring.  Andrew jumped a personal best of 5'6".  He was pretty excited as that's a new co-op team record.  Neither of us realized was that he placed 4th, which is good enough to move him on to the sectional meet this Thursday,  until the field official came over and told me.  When I told him, he had the biggest cheezer on his face and then hugged me.  What a sweet young man I have.

I'm really thankful that he finally overcame his mental block and is healthy enough to compete.  It was a good day. 

Tough Decisions

As a coach I've had to make some tough decisions.  This week I've got a really tough one to make.  There's a kid who has been running a specific relay all season long with a myriad of other guys.  This last week I've been looking at who has the best chances of making it the furthest in the post-season.  This particular young man is the slowest of all the participants in his relay.  There is a faster athlete.  I know he's going to be angry and disappointed that he's being pulled from this event.  Do I hurt one kid's feelings or hold back four others?  My brain hurts thinking about this.

I knew there were tough decisions to make in life.  What doesn't kill us makes us stronger right?

Conference Track Meet

 We had our conference track meet on Saturday in Rosholt.  I've been to a lot of cold, windy and/or rainy meets in my life, but never this miserable in the middle of May.  The whole season has been this way so why change now?  The weather couldn't dampen these guys as they took 3rd place in the 4x400 meter relay.

 The girls team only got to run one relay.  Due to an injury, the 4x400 is no longer running.  Then the 4x200 got disqualified for a false start.  The wet surface had Carli slipping as she held her "set" position.  I felt bad for her.  In years past, the coach would've been very upset.  I'm glad I've got a different perspective than he had.

 Our throwers did a great job.  Jordan got the best throw of the season.  Brittany got a pair of fourths which wasn't enough to get her on the podium, but made her happy.

 This group of guys also placed third.  There was a little controversy in the last meters of the race, of which the refs didn't see because they were busy visiting with one another and not watching.  These guys took third place over the next team by .01 seconds.  Now that's quite a feat!

These two make my heart full.  Taylor has worked so hard this year and he's doing really great, but he didn't come home with any of the top three spots in his events.  His times were great, just not great enough for him.  Kelly has always worked very hard.  She went out with an injury a week and a half ago and here she is, standing in the rain to support her team.  That's heart!

It's been a difficult season because of the weather.  Tomorrow is the last regular meet of the season before we have the regional meet.  I'm hoping for some good times, distances, heights.   I'm always glad when we get to this part of the season.  It means we're almost done and my life will get back to normal.

A New Attitude

 Today is Mother's Day.  Many of you who are reading this know of my dislike for this day.  It stems from having an expectation that has never been met.  Last year I had a change of heart.  I decided it was time to stop being offended and embrace the fact that I am blessed to be a mother.  There are many wonderful women in the church who have never had the blessing that I have of being a mother. 

 This year I'm going to stop my whining and just celebrate my children.  Here is my mother with one of my older brothers.  What a cute baby!  I want to say that it's Brett.

 My mom told me once that she was a better part-time mother than full time one.  When my little sister was two years old she went back to work part-time.  She took a 12 year maternity leave.  She actually went back to the same job she had before.  I think she was right.  She was such a thinker that I think she needed that intellectual stimulation that came with her job.  I never resented it.  I'm sure my siblings didn't either.

Ma Hoffman not only raised her children but had a hand in raising her grandchildren, whether we wanted that or not.  I think about my self esteem and that of most of my cousins.  Most of us are very self-assured individuals.  You couldn't go to visit without being told how skinny, beautful or wonderful you were.  Surely you had time to sit down and have some ice cream.  She always had Dehn's ice cream.

 My grandma Otto showed me that life can be fun.  She smiled and laughed always.  At least while I knew her.  She didn't do any unnecessary speaking (unlike me).  Her siblings always had so much to say.  I think she just kept her mouth shut and observed.  Her laugh was infectious.  After my mom's death I would make a point to go visit her on Mother's Day.  It was the closest I could feel to my own mother.  How grateful I am to have these beautiful women in my life to show me how to be a mom.

 These are my crazies that call me "Mom."  How blessed I am to have them as my children.  Even the one who married in.  He's a perfect fit for us.  Motherhood has had it's challenges, but the blessings have been so much more than the challenges ever have been.  I have such obedient children whose desire it is to serve the Lord.  I don't know that I can take credit for that, but I am thankful.  They are my best friends.  This year, even though Erin is away at school, I feel particularly blessed to be able to have Sammi home.  She's an example to me of how I need to serve the Lord, with my whole heart. 

This picture is a few years old as Cami is now four.  My daughter Clare is an incredible mother.  She's given me the opportunity to be "Nana."  How I love that blessing!  She's  so patient with her little ones.  Oh I know that there are times when she probably just sits down and cries feeling overwhelmed.  I did that very thing many times.  I'm blessed to have her and her family live so close.  I know it isn't fair to Miriam, but I love having them just a few miles away. 

I pray that one day my other children will be blessed to be a mom or dad and be able to experience those things that can only come as you are a parent.  First of course they need that eternal spouse.  Time should take care of that. 

The opportunity to be a wife and mother is the greatest calling that I could ever hold.  I've had callings in the church that I love.  I love being a seminary teacher.  I love being with the choir every week.  Those things, as great as they are, don't even compare to how much I love being a sweetheart and mommy.  They do help me become a better one though. 

Heavenly Father surely knew what he was doing when he created eternal families.  I'm ever in His debt that I've got one!

Sleep Deprivation

What happens when your daughter whom you haven't seen in 18 months flies in at nearly 11pm? 

You get 3 hours of sleep.  That's what.

I'm at work today and it's a good thing there are some trucks coming and going because that's keeping me awake.  I never did this little sleep thing very well.  Still don't.

So glad to have her home.  Lots of emotions for me, but mostly for her.

Jumping for Joy

 Do you ever feel like jumping for Joy?

Apparently Sammi does.

 It has been nearly 18 months since we last saw this beautiful face in person.

Tonight we get to not only see her but hug her and talk to her.

What a joyful journey this has been.  Not only for her, but for us as her family as well.

The letters home are proof of the growth in character and testimony.

What more could I ask for?

My joy is FULL!

Track Season 2011

 The track season has officially begun. In fact, we've been at it for over a month. But with the rainy weather we've had, four meets have been canceled. We've only competed four times. Today we've got an invite in Iola. It will be a tough meet for a lot of our athletes. We should come home with a few medals though.

Andrew doesn't love the hurdles this year like he did last year.  He has great form which doesn't show on this particular photo, but he doesn't have the speed.  I'm thinking it'll come as he gets older and stronger.

 Andrew is carrying on the high jump tradition in our family.  He is pretty good at it as well.  If only I could keep the kid healthy.  He twisted his knee in phy ed class and missed competing in the first meet.  Then he twisted his ankle playing basketball and missed another. 

 Kelly is my star on the girl's side of the team.  I love her enthusiam.  She's a miler and pretty good at it as well.  She's also the only girl who knows how to triple jump.  If we ever get time, we need to have other girls learn the skill. It's not really that tough.

These two turkeys are our unofficial mascots of the team.  I believe Karen has been deflated, but Kevin makes his way to the meets.  He was even in our team photo.

This year started off much different than previous years.  I've always had a great group of athletes that I have a personal connection with.  Most of them are gone now due to graduation.  I don't have interaction with the Bowler kids except for these short months during the season so it becomes difficult to really connect on any other level than competition.

I've got some of my seminary students as athletes so that's helped.  Either way, I'm having fun.