Memorial day observance

With Memorial Day on Monday, I was thinking about the sacrifices that our service men and women along with their families make. I was also thinking about the music I would be playing in July for sacrament meetings. I decided that the National Anthem on the 4th was more than appropriate.

I was thinking about those individuals who want the "under God" taken out of the pledge or "In God We Trust" removed from our currency. These people don't understand that this nation was built on religious freedom. Our founding fathers were very religious, god-fearing people.

When Francis Scott Key wrote the lyric for the National Anthem he was truly inspired. We always sing only the first first of it, but there is so much more involved than just the "fight." The third verse is my favorite of all. It goes like this:

Oh, thus be it ever, when free men shall stand

Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heavn' rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

It makes me feel to honor all those who've served this country and especially those given the ultimate sacrifice.

One Final Week

Yesterday was the sectional track meet which produces the state qualifiers. There were many athletes from our team who competed at this track meet. Unfortunately only one qualified for the state meet. But, he qualified in two events....one in which he has a good shot at winning.

Tom qualified in the 800 run with a 1:58.85 time as well as the triple jump. Last year we had four athletes who competed at state. Two of these individuals competed again yesterday and despite "leaving it all out on the track" they didn't qualify for state.

I've learned this lesson many times in my life but it seems to be very obvious in the world of athletics. All you can do is your best. You can't do more than that. Isn't that a great lesson for life?

Thus back to the title of this post. One final week of track practices. Actually they will be kind of fun as it will be Todd and I both working with Tom. What a privilege that is. He's an outstanding athlete and an all-around good guy. It is my honor to have worked with him over the past four years and see him grow from a kid to a man.

My life after next week will once again be MINE! I love track and field, but I miss being home with my husband.

An Awakening to Differences

I've been very busy lately with the track season winding down. Monday was our regional track meet. Many of our athletes are moving on to the sectional meet on Thursday. Then we'll see who makes it to state. I'm really hoping for a few specific kids but know they've got to perform very well to make it.

Last night on our way home from the track meet, there was some unsavory behavior in the back of the bus. I voiced my disapproval before letting anyone off the bus. As I was thinking about their bad behavior, I became keenly aware just how different the world's views and my views of acceptable behavior are. I am so blessed to have The Family: A Proclamation to the World as well as The For Strength of Youth pamphlet in my life. These documents give meaning and direction from diety on how I need to live my life.

In teaching seminary last week, we were discussing the horrible wickedness in the final chapters of Moroni. Although I don't know of too many cases where canablism is or has been practiced, the wickedness today is not much different. Once the Spirit of the Lord withdraws from a person, they are capable of so much that's evil. It makes me sad.

I could be fearful especially for my children and grandchildren, but I'm not. Satan may have more power than ever, but the power of the priesthood is also more powerful than ever. I am confident that righteousness will prevail.

I have been blessed with posterity who are obedient. I didn't do anything to deserve this, but I am thankful. I see their strength for good and it amazes me that they are so good. (Disclaimer: I am not claiming that my children are perfect in any way, shape or form.) There is good all around us in this world that can be so vile. Look and you'll see it. God is still in control and will be forever! (I'm stepping off of my soapbox now.)

Volleyball

A friend asked me to play in a co-ed volleyball league. Since it's on Wednesday nights and my husband is always gone then, I figured why not? Last night was the first game. We played a team that was far below our abilities. The scores showed it too. When I score 7 points with an underhand serve, that's not saying too much about the other team.

I haven't played competitive ball in quite some time so I'm glad we started with an easy team. I expect that in subsequent weeks I'll have the aches and pains that follow a hard workout. Either way, it felt good to hit a volleyball again in a real game. Wish me luck. I'm going to need it.

Mother's Day 2010

Let me be totally honest. I've not been a fan of Mother's Day in the past 20 years. I've discovered that I have high expectations when it comes to this day. I don't think there needs to be a day "set aside" to treat your mother like a queen. In fact, that's never happened. I just figured that on Mother's Day I would like the children to be nice to one another and have NO contention in my home. That's really not too much to ask, is it?

Anyway, year after year I'd be disappointed that my kids couldn't give me one day out of the year where there was no arguing. Then, 16 years ago my mom passed away very unexpectedly. I recall a mother's day a few years ago when a well-meaning member of the bishopric told us all to go home and give our moms a hug or at least call her and tell her we love her. "Easy for you to say" I thought. "When there's a direct phone line to the Spirit world where they can talk back, I'll do just that." Notice a hint of sarcasm in that one? That really put me off. Between my disappointment because my expectations weren't met and missing my mom, I decided Mother's day wasn't for me. It reminds me a bit of New Year's Eve. All hype and nothing really special in the end.

This year my husband took me away to Eau Claire on Friday night to spend some time with some very dear friends. Then we were off to the temple Saturday morning. A baptism in Stevens Point and then off to Appleton for the night. We were off to Chilton on Sunday morning to church. Pat and I both spoke in their sacrament meeting and then back home to have lunch with our kids. I enjoyed my peaceful weekend away with my sweetie and the kids are all old enough not to be squabbling with one another.

Tonight Sammi will be calling us which will be a treat. I never looked forward to Mother's day like this ever before. Perhaps mother's day isn't so bad after all.

The Stake Prom

Last night was a new adventure for our youngest son. The stake young men and women put on a prom for the youth 14 and older. Andrew RSVPed early and got his prom ticket sent in the mail. He dolled himself up and off we went. The 12 and 13 year old youth, served dinner and dessert and helped clean up before they left for pizza and bowling.

The set up was really beautiful with twinkle lights and stars. Cheryl set up a place where she could take pictures of whomever wanted their picture taken. This one with Tana was at my request.

Of course there was a picture of Andrew with Taylor. This was the first picture I saw him posing for. Andrew and the "Bowler Beauties."

Because of the simple decor, the take down was quite fast.

This was such a great activity. Some of the kids in the stake looked forward to it for quite some time. Unfortunately, there were other proms at schools on the same night so other youth had to make a choice on which one to go to. Andrew had such a great time. He danced with most of the girls in attendance. He said if a girl came with a date, he didn't dance with her, otherwise he did. What a good young man to dance with so many girls. I told him he will never have that much fun at a prom at school.

5 1/2 weeks more

I love teaching seminary. I really do. But I have to say that by this time of year, I'm getting tired. Not tired of the kids or the lessons, but rather tired of the preparing to teach. I'm really tired of my clothes. By the time I get to Sunday I'm sick of picking out a skirt. Yes, I wear a skirt to seminary everyday. I'm tired of getting up early, but I'd do that anyway to get Andrew up. Yes, I'm counting down the weeks. Not days yet, just the weeks.

And what is with the nasty odor coming out of the ladies room at church. I've got to say that I had to open the windows in our Relief Society room to get rid of the stench. I emptied the garbage and the toilets are flushed and the drains have been checked and still there is a stench very much like an over-used outhouse coming out of that room. I informed the girls if they needed to use the restroom to please use the men's room. Rye got there a tad bit late today and didn't hear me say that. She got quite an assault on her sense of smell when she walked into the ladies room. At least there's something keeping me entertained. It takes so little.