Merry Christmas....

Turn off my music at the bottom of the page... and I hope you have a holiday full of the true "spirit" of Christmas!

All She Wants for Christmas is....

Family Pictures 2009

Thanks K'Brina for the great pics! These are some of my favorites....

Thanks....

I realize this post is a few weeks late. However, I was too busy being thankful during the Thanksgiving holiday to blog about it. I enjoyed the entire weekend immensely! I loved all of the company of our family, loved all the yummy food, and the memories made. I totally loved Jacob Black in New Moon as Bella looked up at him as he tore off his shirt and said "You are kind of beautiful..." Really, Bella? ( I am definatly the dark hunky muscly kind of girl. No pasty white skinny guys for me!) Savannah already has plans to make the opening of Eclipse her birthday activity with friends since it opens on her birthday. I guess I will be standing in line with a bunch of giggly girls for that first showing!

Seriously, though, I really do have so very much to be thankful for. First, I am sooooo thankful for the gospel in my life. It brings so much peace to my heart in troubled times. I am so thankful for our loving Savior. I am blessed to have an unshakeable testimony of the gospel and grateful for those who helped me to build that testimony.

I am thankful for my parents... for the example they have been to me, for the love they give me, and for the fun we have together. I am thankful they are such AWESOME grandparents!

I am thankful for inlaws that support us and our kids. They can often be found in the cheering section even though it means they must cross over into "enemy" territory!

I am thankful for my special family who has accepted me for who I am and loved me easily. The love and acceptance they freely give makes me complete and content. What a story we have...and we must find a way to do good with what we have been given!

I am thankful for a home that is warm and safe, and a car that gets me where I need to go. I am thankful Mike has a good job. Even though it is one of my biggest stresses in life, I am thankful for the job I have, the security it provides through our extremely affordable health insurance and good benefits.

I am thankful for my church callings... for the AWESOME blessing it was to be the song leader in the primary for 4 years, and for the children in our ward that I love so much. They taught me so much, and they are the best kids in the whole world. I think I left a part of my heart down in that primary room. I think it is one of the best callings ever. However, I LOVE MY NEW JOB! I love those fun teenagers! What bright, talented, and strong kids. I hope I can tell them something they don't already know! I can tell we are going to have a great time together learning more about the gospel. I love these great kids already.

I am so thankful for my friends. I have the best friends ever and I am so glad for your sincere friendship. They are few, but they are the finest bunch of ladies around. I am so thankful for the compassion they have had in hard times, and for helping pick me up and reminding me who I am. I am so lucky to be inspired by them. You know who you are... and you are loved!

I am grateful for music and it's power for good. I must have been born to music. It's just part of who I am.

I am thankful for my early morning exercise group. You are great! We have laughed and almost cried from the pain... but we are strong! Our workouts make the day go so much better, even if I must freeze getting there and back and workout in front of the fireplace!

I am thankful for my husband who works hard to provide for us and take care of us. He loves his children in the most complete way I have ever seen a father love his children. He would do anything for them and with them. I am thankful that he is there for them and wants to be there for them and that he knows there is no better way to spend his time.

I am SO SO SO thankful for my three beautiful kids. I am amazed by them daily. They are good. They are smart. They are loving and kind. They have so much talent. I am so thankful for the testimonies that are growing inside them. Their spirits are strong. I know I am so unworthy to have them, and hope I can be the mother I should be for them.

So... I am thankful and humble. And- I am ready to celebrate the Christmas season. Christmas is a time for us to share the love God has shown to us. In some small way, I hope I can share that love this year as my gift to Him.

UEA fun....

We spent a day in Saint George over UEA and took these cute pictures while we were waiting to eat at the Pizza Factory.(YUM!) It was great weather. The kids were so fun!

A Mom's Life

The Girl in a Whirl
by "Dr. Sue" (aka Vickie Gunther)

Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do if you only knew how.
I study the scriptures one hour each day;
I bake, I upholster, I scrub, and I pray.

I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.
I help in their classroom! I sew all they wear!
I drive them to practice! I cut all their hair!

I play the piano! I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle! My check books all balance!
Each week each child gets a one-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time! never late!)

I'm taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But, that is not all! Oh no, that is not all.
I track my bad habits 'til each is abolished;
Our t-shirts are ironed! My toe nails are polished!

Our family home evenings are always delightful;
The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.
I do genealogy faithfully, too,
It's easy to do all the things I have to do!

I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
I know all the names of each youth in the stake!
I read to my children! I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too with my labors.

I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day!
(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
It's the least I can do for my cherished ward Sisters.)

I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each "lost lamb" on my Primary roll.
I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all.

I write in my journal! I sing in the choir!
Each day, I write "thank you’s" to those I admire.
My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
My kids got straight A's! And their bedrooms are clean.

I have a home business to help make some money;
I always look beautiful groomed for my honey.
I go to the temple at least once a week;
I change the car's tires! I fix the sink's leak!

I grind my own wheat and bake all our bread;
I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.
I make sure I rotate our two-year supply
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!

These things are not hard; 'tis good if you do them;
You can if you try! Just set goals and pursue them!
It's easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!

"It's easy!" she said,
And then she dropped dead!

I feel this way on a regular basis...but I am not able to do even half of the things mentioned in this poem! So- what is the moral of the story??? Obviously... motherhood is not easy. I think we should simplify... and Be Brilliant at the Basics. Don't expect to get it all done. Prioritize and do your best, that is all that is expected of us!

I Pledge Allegiance

Wouldn't it be great for all our kids to see this video, and to know what it really means when they recite the Pledge of Allegiance? It is hard for us to comprehend the deep conviction that was felt when the Pledge was written by our forefathers, and hopefully our children will never experience the loss of the rights which are spoken about in it. However, it is important to know where we come from in order to keep clear sight into where we are going. I am not a political person, however, I do feel strongly that this nation remain "one nation, under God."

What Matters Most....

I loved this video. The last few months, I have had many experiences which have reaffirmed to me what things in my life matter most, and what matters very little. It seems like the Saviour leads me through these hard lessons so that I can learn important lessons about who I am and what my purpose here is. I am so thankful for the things which matter most to me. I loved our Stake President's words at our last stake meeting when he said... "Be Brilliant at the Basics". I have been pondering ways to simplify my life and truly become brilliant at the things that are most important.... things that I sometimes neglect. So... that is my new goal. To be Brilliant at the Basics- the things which matter most.

I love the Ranch....

I really love spending time at the ranch... and so do the kids. I think they are the cutest Cowgirl and Cowboy around! Charlee loves to be at Papa's ranch... she runs around trying to feed the horses hay and checking out the goats. She is our little outdoors girl, since Savannah just doesn't like to get dirty. Savannah's comment was... "the horses are sweaty, mom!" She did ride, but only for a few minutes. Shawn has been driving us crazy about riding and getting his very own horse. Papa and Shawn went on a ride for a few hours and Shawn is begging for more already. He is a natural with the horses. Here are some pictures of our day. Oh, and Happy 60th Birthday to Papa Lee!

The Summer of 2009

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We had so much fun together as a family this summer. I am so thankful for my wonderful family and so proud of the great kids I have. School has begun, and although I am grateful for the routine, I am already looking forward to next summer! I just love the sun and the great times with my kids. It is hard to believe my baby is in kindergarten and my oldest is in Middle school. Time sure flies, and I need to remember to cherish all these moments- they won't last!

Life is Precious

My friend Cindy Scott passed away last Saturday after a battle with cancer. She was a beautiful person, who inspired me daily to be a better person.

I will never forget the day she announced that she had been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. She had been having pain in her abdomen for months, and she had finally gone in to the doctor to have some tests done. She was a toughie... so she had gritted her teeth through the pain until she could no longer ignore it. When she announced to us that she would be going through surgery and treatments for cancer, I was devastated, but there was no doubt in my mind that Cindy would be a fighter.

As the surgery and treatments wore on, and she became weaker, I began to come to the realization that she would not survive the disease. Although she was in great pain, I never heard her complain or get angry. She was so gracious to share herself with us, and to allow us to love her through the process. She taught me so much about faith. She was able to walk her path without fear and with perfect faith that God's hand was over all things.

I have been so blessed to have her in my life, and I will never forget the lessons she taught me and the memories we shared. I am sure she is making sure everyone is having a great time where she is. She was always such a joker, always making sure she had the last laugh. I will remember those times, and I will miss her beautiful smile and spunky personality.

In her memory... I would encourage you all to get a colonoscopy. Cindy was 40 when she was diagnosed, ten years before a colon screening is recommended. She encouraged us all to have all recommended screenings- no excuses!

Rest peacefully in God's arms.... I love you Cindy Lou!

A Work in Progress

I am....
A work in progress.
I know this.
I am learning to live with that.... accepting that there are things in life I cannot change and have no control over, but I DO have control over whether or not I let those things control me.
I think that is one of my biggest downfalls- that I let "things" get to me, control me, and hurt me- it seriously takes up way too much of my time, energy, and tears. Some people say this is not a downfall- but a great strength- that I love deeply and care deeply. Is it possible that it can be both a strength and a weakness? Perhaps....

I have always had great faith in the Savior, and during the times that I let life and circumstance "work me over", I forget the most simple and beautiful truths of the gospel.... or maybe I just forget that they really do apply to me and work for me. I am so thankful for Him... how marvelous is the love and peace we can feel when we let Him heal us. The atonement does not simply cover us from our sins and allow us to repent from them, but He also took our burdens upon him. Every single one of those burdens. There is not one thing that he did not feel and does not understand. His love is total and complete. I hope to be like that someday.
Even though I know this deep in my heart, I still cannot always let it happen. I am not there yet. Why do I hold on to all the heartache when I know that letting it go will very literally free me? It is a process I suppose I go through, working through each heartache and disappointment until I reach the edge and am ready to give it up.
How I wish I could so freely forgive and forget. How amazing is it that when the Savior was mocked, beaten, tormented, and betrayed by his very best friends, and then hung up to die- his first and last thought was for others and not for himself. Sometimes I feel alone, but He was truly alone, even the Father left him at that time in order for his sacrifice to be complete.
So, I have a ways to go. Those of you who know and see my weaknesses and faults, I hope you can forgive me and overlook them. If you look, you will surely find faults. But somewhere deep, there is goodness. That is what I need to focus on, and maybe someday the goodness will shine far brighter than anything else.

A work in progress.

Happy Birthday Savannah Jane!

Savvy-
You are growing up so fast! I can't believe you will be in Young Womens next year! You are a truly beautiful girl, inside and out. You have such a kind heart, always trying to take care of others and do the right thing. You are so dedicated to the things you do... never giving up and working so hard for your goals. You are such a good example to me and Daddy and your brothers and sisters. I am so thankful that you remind us to do the things we should. You are such a help to me... taking care of Charlee and being my right hand woman. I enjoy shopping with you and watching your dance, gym, and school events. I enjoy watching you interact with your awesome friends. I completely adore you, and I hope you have a great day, and a great year.... I love you!

ADVICE TO LIVE BY

The most beautiful attire................a smile
The most destructive habit............... worry
The most worthless emotion...............self-pity
The ugliest personality trait...........selfishness
The greatest joy.......................giving
The most contagious spirit............enthusiasm
The greatest loss.....................self-respect
The most satisfying work............helping others
The greatest problem to overcome......fear
The most endangered species............dedicated leaders
Our greatest resource..................our youth
The most dangerous outcast.............a gossiper
The greatest shot in the arm...........encouragment
The worst thing to be without...........hope
The two most power filled words..........I CAN
The world's most incredible computer......the mind
The most effective sleeping pill........peace of mind
The deadliest weapon...................the tongue
The most crippling disease............excuses
The most prized possession............integrity
The greatest asset....................faith
The most powerful channel of communication................prayer
The most powerful force in life........love

Take me out to the Ballgame....

This is what I was doing on mother's day.... :). Seriously there is no place I would rather be, than standing in the sun, mitt on, fielding the balls my son is hitting!
My husband and brother in laws... who are seriously talented ball players, spent the afternoon coaching Shawn. They put him through a great practice, pitching, hitting, and fielding balls. The girls watched and played on the field.... It was a wonderful afternoon. Shawn enjoyed every second, he really loves and lookes up to Uncle Troy and Uncle Jake. He worked hard and played well, and we really appreciate our family taking time to work with him. I have the best husband ever, he works with Shawn daily and is a great coach and #1 fan. Did I ever mention that I love baseball? Okay, just checkin!





Baseball gives every American boy a chance to excel, not just to be as good as someone else but to be better than someone else. This is the nature of man and the name of the game.”
Baseball is made up of very few big and dramatic moments, but rather it's a beautifully put together pattern of countless little subtleties that finally add up to the big moment, and you have to be well-versed in the game to truly appreciate them.
Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off.
I see great things in baseball. It's our game -- the American game. It will take our people out of doors, fill them with oxygen, give them a larger physical stoicism, relieve us from being nervous, and be a blessing to us.
You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all.”
Baseball is a man maker.”

Another great Dance year comes to a close......

The girls did so good this year dancing... Savannah and her team learned so much and did excellent every time they have performed. They took 1st in both Jazz and Lyrical at the Lagoon competition, and they all did awesome on thier individual dances as well. Charlee is such a cutie, too. We are hoping to find where she belongs next year. She has had a hard year, and Savannah has been so great to encourage her and make her feel special. She is really protective of her little sister, and I am glad that they have eachother. Savannah is so kind, and works so hard and is so dedicated. I am so proud of my beautiful girls.

Happy Mothers Day ALL!

One Little Heartbeat at a Time.... For TARA and MICHELLE....Turn off my music at the bottom of the page....

Play Ball Boys!

I can’t fully capture what it’s really like
There’s just a few words I can say
Green grass, smooth field, a sunny day
Break out the balls, boys. It’s time to play!

Just like Willie Mays did it back in his day
Or the Sox when Clemens took the rock
It’s really just the same, even without all the fame,
watchin' my kids play sandlot games
So, play the game. Play the game. Boys, play the game.
It don't change. Play the game!

I like to imagine that I’m on the field
And feel strong and can play their way
Babe Ruth, Pedro, and Satchel Paige
I dream like them on Opening Day
Just like Willie Mays did it back in his day
Or Ripken shortstop for the gods.

I got a bat. You take the mound
I wanna hear that lovely sound.
I wanna see my son out in the field
chase it down, chase it down-
Turn around, turn around,
back to the wall, try to chase it on down!

Just like Willie Mays did to Vic Wertz that day
Or Sosa catchin’ fire with McGwire
I can’t fully capture what it’s really like
There’s just a few words I can say
Green grass, smooth field, a sunny day
Break out the balls, boys. It’s time to play!

My FAVORITE time of year is here! There is baseball on TV(GO REDSOX!), and soon there will be little league games to watch. We have been practicing for weeks and Shawn can hardly wait for practice to start. Bring on the sunflower seeds, the sunburns, the sound of a smacked ball, and the dirt stained socks.... there is just nothing like America's game!

Easter Inspiration- Just Wait Three Days

It was a beautiful spring day, and a sense of peace stayed with me as I left the cathedral on Easter Monday morning. I paused for a moment on top of the steps leading to the avenue, now crowded with people rushing to their jobs.

Sitting in her usual place inside a small archway was the old flower lady. At her feet, corsages and boutonnieres were parading on top of a spread-open newspaper.

The flower lady was smiling, her wrinkled old face alive with some inner joy. I started down the stairs--then on an impulse, turned and picked out a flower. As I put it in my lapel, I said, "You look happy."

"Why not?" she answered. "Everything is good."

She was dressed so shabbily and seemed so very old that her reply startled me.

"You've been sitting here for many years now, haven't you? And always smiling. You wear your troubles well."

"You can't reach my age and not have troubles," she replied. "only it's like Jesus and Good Friday...." She paused for a moment.

"Yes?" I prompted.

"Well, when Jesus was crucified on Good Friday, that was the worst day for the whole world. When I get troubles I remember that, and then I think of what happened only three days later - Easter and our Lord rose from the dead. So when things go wrong, I've learned to wait three days and somehow everything gets much better."

She smiled good-bye, but her words still follow me whenever I think I have troubles... "Give God a chance to help... wait three days."


HAPPY EASTER !

MY BABY LOST A TOOTH!

Yesterday, Charlee lost her first tooth. It has been loose for awhile. We went to Grandma Janet's to watch the second session of conference, and Grandma Janet just wiggled that little tooth out. Charlee was so thrilled. She was also very excited that the tooth fairy came last night.
Just a side note--- my big girl Savannah lost a tooth a few weeks back. It is probably one of the last ones she will loose. The tooth fairy did not even realize (duh) that she had put that tooth under her pillow. So yesterday, my mom was hiding quarters under every pillow in her house for Charlee, and Savvy says to me.... "WOW, the tooth fairy sure doesn't forget Charlee... I left my tooth under my pillow for a week, and I didn't get any money! I finally threw the tooth away!" Oh my goodness.... we have a terrible tooth fairy at our house! Of course, Savannah was being totally sarcastic because she is no longer innocent about these things. The tooth fairy did make it right and leave her a note and some money last night when he was there picking up Charlee's first tooth. Do any of you have a tooth fairy like ours???

Daily Inspiration

In an effort to make this blog a positive and inspirational place to be... I am going to post some "Daily Inspirations" a few times a week. I hope you enjoy them! Turn off my music at the bottom of the page first~

Time to lock it up

I have decided to make my blog private, so if you would like to see my blog, please send me an email to lindasorensen@utah.gov.... Thanks!

Invisible Moms

I stole this from Megan's blog, it brought tears to my eyes! This post is for all you mom's out there... This is the most important job in the world! On those days where you are frustrated with the monotony and it seems like you do nothing at all important and all you do is clean up messes and wipe noses, remember this:

The Invisible Mother......

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously, not.


No one can see that I'm on the phone, or cooking, or vacuuming the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The Invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Can you pick me up at 5:30?'

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England . Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.'

It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe . I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription:

'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, 4 life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:

1. No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.
2. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.
3. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.
4. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything .

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte . I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile about. You are building a great
cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my daughter to tell the friend she's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want her to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to her friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot see if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Wayne Wrestling???

We made the long treck to Wayne county on Saturday. It was an interesting day.... I will just say that there are a few folks up there who like to use their erasers!
We wanted to wrestle up a grade again, but that did not work out because there were teammates in those brackets. So by the time they figured that out, most the third grade brackets were done and he got stuck in bracket with heavier kids... again. Two weekends in a row. Shawn pinned the first match in the second period. Then he wrestled a Wayne county kid( not the same kid we wrestle alot... that kid and his dad are awesome), and that match was quite an eye opener! The match was called at 8-7 for the Wayne kid. When I watched the match back on video, I couldn't figure out where that score came from. Shawn wrestled well, and he was a good sport, but for some reason, his points just kept disappearing off the page! In some ways, this experience is a good thing, because Shawn has some serious fire to unleash next week at state! Then his third match he had his first opportunity to wrestle a girl. We have watched her wrestle before, and she is one tough little lady! She is a smart wrestler. I know Shawn was a little worried about how to handle that match, but he did great and won that match, too. She's great... tougher than a lot of boys, and never even cries!
I am so ready for bantam to be over. We may wrestle some of the bigger tournaments after state, but I am ready for Baseball to start! Shawn loves baseball and wrestling so much, and is good at both, but I am looking forward to the fresh air and sunshine instead of a loud and stinky gym!

17 days and counting!

17 days until the official Red Sox season starts! This is my favorite time of year, and I am so excited for the baseball season to start! Of course, I am also looking forward to the sunshine and hoping it will stick around! Play Ball!

Wisdom

I have been having a hard time lately and cried many tears in dealing with small town life. Some days it feels like despite all you do, it is never good enough or right enough. I have always been a self confident person, but lately I am pretty unsure of myself. Someone I work with sent me this in an email. I loved it, and it reminded me who I am, whose opinion matters , and the person I want to become. I thought I would share it. And thanks Tara.... you are always a shoulder I can cry on and I appreciate you for listening to my ramblings! What would I do without you?

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.

~Mother Teresa

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY!

Sunday was Shawn's 9th birthday. He asked for a Nintendo DS and was thrilled to get what he wanted. We celebrated with a bowling birthday party on Saturday with his friends...and I learned that it should be illegal to put that many roudy boys and girls in a car! I was a distracted driver! Anyway, we also had a party at Papa Lee's with Shawn's birthday buddy... and his much loved uncle Toby.
Shawn is such a great kid.... I can't believe that was his last single digit birthday! He is a great example, is kind to everyone, and does his best in all he does. I am a lucky mom! Happy birthday Champ!

A Saturday of Firsts!

This last week has been CRAZY! During the week there were extra practices, pinewood derby, wrestling practice, ect... And then there was a tournament in Fillmore on Friday. Shawn decided to wrestle up a grade at that tournament, and he did awesome! He was bracketed in the 62-71 pound bracket.... and he was the 62 pounder! It was a five man bracket. He pinned three kids and then he lost his last match to a 71 pound wrestler from Payson. Shawn was pretty devastated, but he did all he could do, and in the end, the kid was too big and a very smart wrestler. Shawn worked the entire match, never gave up and did not allow him any back points, just two take downs. Then there was a Richfield on Saturday. Shawn had to wrestle his grade since moving him up would have resulted in him wrestling teammates. He had a pretty easy day on Saturday, and he won all his matches.
There was also a dance competition on Saturday. So- Mike and I each attended an event on saturday. Mike went wrestling and Charlee, Savvy, and I went to the dance competition. Savannah did her solo, duet, and two team dances.... one lyrical and one jazz. She did awesome! They got all firsts! Every solo, duet and team dance got a first place score! They were also awarded the overall dance champion trophy in thier division. These girls did so good. They still have a little polishing to do on thier dances, but they sure did prove that they have SKILLS!
BTW- Before we all left on Saturday Morning, Shawn says to Savannah.... "you do your part, and I'll do mine.... we will both get first, k?" It was too cute. So after they were done, he says to her " Did you keep your end of the bargain?" Of course she did!

Delta and North Sevier tournaments

Last weekend we made the trek to Delta- home of the Rabbits. ( I feel so bad for them for having to endure that mascot!) Delta produces some great wrestlers and so we were looking forward to some good matches. Also- a really good Payson group of wrestlers were there. Shawn wrestled two from Delta and one from Payson, and pinned all three of his matches. He did great!
Our home tournament was on Saturday. Grandma Karen and my parents came to support Shawn and he did not dissapoint. He won all three matches and pinned two of the three. We were worried he would be tired after our night at Delta, but he was in fine form. He just loves to wrestle... he gives 100% everytime whether it is practice or in a match, and he is always a good sport. I know he is learning valuable life lessons, both when they raise his hand at the end, and when they don't. I love you Shawn.... I am proud of you for working so hard...you are my champion!

Panguitch Wrestling

Here are some pics of our weekend...Shawn wrestled his buddy from Wayne county again. I sure like that kid, and it is hard because Shawn likes him, too. They hang around at the tournaments and I hate it when they have to wrestle. Mike wouldn't let me talk to Shawn before the match because he didn't want me to tell him to go easy on him. I just wanted to tell him not to hurt him. Just have a good wrestle, not get too aggressive, ect... They had a good wrestle, and even started to laugh when they went to shake hands. They are such good kids. This Wayne kid is such a good wrestler, and such a great sport. He is #1 in my book. Shawn wrestled two other kids from Panguitch and pinned them in less that 30 seconds. Anyway.... next week is our home tournament and I am looking forward to not having to travel!