Random Thoughts

I've had some random thoughts last night and this morning and I thought I needed to write them down.  First of all, I love the changing seasons.  I just wish our winter would change to spring.  It is getting really hard to get my track team into proper condition when they can't run outside or practice field events.  I've only had two weeks of practice and already I'm going stir crazy trying to come up with new things for them to do.  I believe we may be able to have a meet sometime in the next month.  There's so much snow I can't even get to the shed(s) to get out the high jump mats.

Each month I get some free channels on my dish network.  This month it happens to be one of my favorites.  The game show network.  I love some of those old game shows.  This morning I heard a question on Card Sharks that went something like this.  "We asked 100 single women, while dating a man with wandering hands, how many women have told him 'take your filthy hands off of me.'"  The contestants gave some interesting reasons why they believed that would be a high number.  I wondered what that answer would be now.  Would that be a high number or a very low number.  I feel sad for all those out there who aren't taught about morality and keeping themselves clean. 

Last evening Sammi and I were discussing the topic of women and the priesthood.  She had read some random blog about how women of all ages were hoping that at some point the sisters in the church would hold the priesthood so they could be equal with the men.  EQUAL?  Are they for real?  First of all we each have our own roles and they are not equal.  They are DIFFERENT.  I LOVE being a woman and the role that I have to play.  I NEVER want to do the things my husband has to do with his calling.  I have enough to do without adding more to it. 

With all that said, the snow can melt anytime now and I won't be disappointed.  Please just melt slowly so I don't have a flood in my basement. 

Stake Prom

 Our stake has done a Stake Prom for the past three years and I love the idea.  The girls get to wear a fancy gown if they wish and no one has to worry about whether or not they have a date.  The biggest plus is there is no one dressed in some skimpy, hoochy looking strapless mini dress nor is there any girl with cleavage showing.   Unfortunately last night there were maybe a dozen young men at the dance.  One was a non-member brought by his girlfriend, so he didn't dance with anyone but her.  On the up side, the guys could dance with every girl in the place and never dance with the same one twice.  All in all, I think they had a lot of fun.  I even have evidence of Christian dancing.  I even witnessed him asking a girl to dance and I saw it more than once!

The previous two years, the meal that was served prior to the dancing was something very "fancy."  All the youth felt very uncomfortable and a lot of food got tossed in the garbage.  This year pizza and bread sticks were served.  I don't recall seeing any food in the garbage.  A good call by the stake youth committee.  Simple decorations with a "Stand in Holy Places" theme.  Temples on all the tables as a reminder to the youth what the ultimate goal really is. 

Eighth Season

I cannot believe that this is my 8th season coaching track!  My plan is to finish out with Andrew and then call it quits.  He's a junior so that means this year and next.  Last year it was unbelievable warm and with the fact that we had so little snow, we were outside and on the track as soon as the season began.  This year, however, is much more normal with snow covering the track and some cold days.

The weather is colder than normal and so I'm having a difficult time sending the athletes out into the cold especially with wet roads and when its snowing, like yesterday.  Therefore, we utilize the stairs and the hallways as much as possible.  The kids ran a lot of stairs on Monday and yesterday they ran the hallways a lot and we also used the gym and weight room.  Today will be a twist on some favorite things but should be a hard workout as well.  Tomorrow will be a bit lighter and then they'll get hit hard again on Friday.

Building endurance, strength training and discipline are not necessarily easy to do especially inside.  I've got 15 boys and 9 girls on the team this year.  Our guys should be pretty competitive.  Some of our girls will do well too but they won't do as well team-wise since they don't have the numbers.

I always enjoy these kids and have a good time with them.  At times, I have to be the enforcer but that's part of the job.  I don't like making some of the tough decisions but that too is part of the job.

Our first meet is scheduled for March 26th.  I highly doubt we'll have that one as well as the one on April 1st.  This week is supposed to be below normal temps and next week as well.  I also heard there is snow coming AGAIN on the weekend.  It will probably be an abbreviated season.

Here's to getting someone back to the STATE competition!

At Last

I have served as the choir director in our ward for 8+ years.  I love being part of the choir.  These are amazing people and we have a great time together for an hour each Sabbath afternoon. 

More than two years ago I had the distinct impression that I was doing someone else's calling.  I've had that impression once before and that time I spoke with the Bishop about it and was released a few weeks later.  This time I spoke with the bishop and nothing happened.  Then about 15 months ago, I spoke with one of the counselors and told him how I was feeling.  At that point I even had feelings about who my replacement could be.  I didn't tell that to anyone though.

Bishop Haffner later told me that the previous bishop had extended the call but it was refused.  Long story short, I was released today!!!!  Heidi Cerveny was called and accepted.  It wasn't a difficult calling.  I had a lot of fun, but it went about three years too long.  Heidi will be great.  She's nervous about it but I don't know why as she used to teach jr. and sr. high choir at school.  I would think being in front of those youth would be a lot more intimidating than being in front of all of us who want to be here and love one another.

I loved being able to sing with the choir today and not standing in front directing. 

A Little Sad Sometimes

In all the world I never would have guessed how much I have come to love my daughters.  I'm not taking anything away from my sons, but this post is about my girls.

 At times it was hard while they were growing up as I watched them go through the growing pains of trials

 of friendship or just the drama of school.  But it was oh so worth it.  My daughters have become much more.  They've become my dear, dear friends.  We can be silly or have serious conversation.  Its all good.

 

 I remember taking Clare to BYU and leaving her there.  It caused me some tears and sadness.  It was the first time I left one of my own to make her way in this big, bad world and I wouldn't be there to hold her hand.  She didn't even have a cell phone so we chatted online more than we talked on the phone. 

I felt like when we took Sammi to school, I was a little more used to this process, so I dealt with it better.  Besides, she had a phone and we could stay connected much easier.  I missed her though as our house was so much quieter without her here.  I will admit, I put on a very brave face when she did the "tuck and roll" outside the MTC.  I boarded the plane home and started writing in my journal.  I was trying to distract myself from how much I would miss her when the Spirit came and told me she would be protected and all would be good.  It was still hard to have her far away on holidays, especially Christmas.

When Erin left the first time, we didn't take her to Rexburg.  We talked beforehand and decided it was easier to leave than be left.  With her anxiety, I didn't want her to feel abandoned.  Cell phones kept us in contact on a daily basis and I never worried about her.  She's been home each winter since; earning some money to go back.  Well, last summer over the break she stayed in Provo with Sam and Jeff.  We did make two trips out to Utah/Idaho for Stef's wedding as well as General Conference so I got to see she and Sammi.

Yesterday we dropped her off at the airport to go back to Idaho early.  It seems there's this man she loves and wants to be near him.  There was nothing emotional about our good-bye.  Just the usual hug and I love you.  

This morning I went upstairs to wake Andrew and realized that Erin's room was empty.  It left me feeling sad and empty as I don't know when I'll see her again.  Then I realized that each time one of my girls left our home, I had a piece of my heart go with them.  I know that they're grown ups and have to leave the nest.  I don't begrudge that one bit.  It just makes me a little sad.

I'm blessed to have Clare come back to this area to live.  I'm anticipating the same from Sammi eventually as well.  I don't know where life's road will take Erin, but I hope it leads back this way too.  There are a billion quotes out there about sisters or the love/relationships between sisters, but I don't see many about a mom and her daughters.  When I find something that adequately describes my relationship with these wonderful women, I'll let you know.  Until then, they're my best girlfriends.