Team Work

Tennis season is just about over. I didn't know how high school tennis works because I went to high school in Kent, Washington. They don't play tennis in Western Washington because its much too wet! So, I've learned some things watching LittleBuddy experience this. Perhaps I also need to give credit to the coach, seen on the right. She is just phenomenally supportive and kind and competent, but this has really been a team sport. Its been a great way to have my guy feel part of his school as a new freshman.

 He has a double's partner. He's a nice boy. All the kids on the team are nice. They all support each other, and cheer each other on. They have out of practice parties and after game parties and just are genuinely inclusive. They are encouraging to each other and easily forgiving and its just really nice. LittleBuddy says his friends on the football team can't say the same. That's too bad. I'm glad my guy found tennis.

 MyGirl signed up with her old visiting teacher to make this cute Halloween banner as part of a craft club that this woman has started. She went without me, and I was grateful for someone besides myself who was happy to encourage my daughter to use her talents and find joy in creating. Crafting in a group is fun. I still miss my Club ladies and all the conversations we'd have and post-Club lunches. Really it was about sharing our hearts and creating something cute in the process.  But being part of the Club we all belonged to was sweet, and it was one of the very happy memories of my life.

 My boy is also involved in Scouting. Mike and I are in involved in Scouting. Its all teamwork there. No one passes off or moves to the next level or earns an award all by himself. There are lots of people to mentor and check off and encourage and help support. I'm glad to be part of this program that helps build boys to be men and teaches character as well as skills that make one self-sufficient. It inspires me that in the process of a team we build great individuals. . . love that. . . families are like that too.

 Then there's my hobby of quilting. I could never do this without other women showing me, teaching me, inspiring me, and motivating me to start, to try, and to finish. My mother is my biggest teacher and the main player on my quilting team, and I love that. Yesterday, our church had a Family History Fair, where my parents were teaching a class. My mother had brought a quilt made by her grandmother and one made by herself. In the course of her class she shared that quilting was part of our family tradition, and though having entered late in life, I am now carrying on that tradition as well. A lady I didn't know came up to me afterwards, and said, "Aren't you glad you're a quilter now too?" I responded, "I sure am." Carrying on good traditions from my heritage does mean something to me.

I also met a woman yesterday who has been following my blog unbeknownst to me and I realized that we help and encourage each other whether we realize it or now.  Then some little boys (7 year olds) today who I had never met started talking to me and I realized they had seen me, had noticed me, and were taking note. I was grateful to be able to share my love of prayer with them and it prompted me to rethink my self-retreating status. Perhaps I need to keep sharing because in spite of the hard things in life, I do have faith and optimism that good is still there. I can choose to find the good and share it.  So, I'm back to blogging a bit more regularly. No promises of what that means, but if I can be more conscious to give encouragement or offer support to anyone in their creative endeavors or just with their own family, or to choose good things when life is crazy and hectic anyhow, then I am all for it. While we each make individual choices, being part of a team sure makes life easier and sweeter and since we're all in this together, I'm happy to encourage others to hang in there and keep creating goodness wherever they can.

Do You Remember?

Sorry for the Earth, Wind, and Fire reference, but it is September, and already, I'm having a hard time remembering all that has happened. Since we got back from vacation, we've been busy. Lots of having fun and lots of getting things done. My aunt was here last weekend and wanted to take a look at my current scrapbook. I was glad it was so easy to stay caught up and that I still scrapbook, because honestly, I forget when things took place or even the details. Photos and journaling help me.

 LittleBuddy got his braces off the day we got back from vacation. Love that smile! I know I'm biased, but I think he's one handsome boy. He also got his Patriarchal Blessing the Sunday afterwards. It was very special and I think helped further prepare him to enter high school, which he did less than a week later. Our baby boy now is a freshman in high school. Granted he's nearly six feet tall, and hardly a baby, but he's my last one, and the time with him has just flown by WAAAAY to quickly. He's been to Youth Conference since this and a great youth service activity too, helping put on a dinner at a retirement home. He's having great experiences, and I'm grateful for every one of them that help to shape this good young man.

 The following Saturday after school started was a big day. For part of BigBuddys birthday, his dad had bought two tickets to the Pre-Season Broncos-Ram game, here at Mile High Stadium. BigBuddy had to request off a half day of work, since he worked every Saturday at Home Depot, so he and his dad could leave early enough to get there and park and be in their seats for kick off. They loved it, and in a close game, the Broncos won, which just made it all the sweeter. BigBuddy first wore a Bronco's shirt when he was six and has had one continuously since. This is HIS team, the only professional team he really loves. In spite of our twelve years in Ravens territory, he never gave up rooting for the Denver Broncos. Here he wears his TimTebow jersey, proudly, in memory of the days Tebow led the Broncos to the playoffs.

 BigBuddy and his dad had more fun on the Saturday before Labor Day riding the motorcycles all day long.

One Friday night early in Sept.  BigBuddy, Kelly Jo, Chandler, and LittleBuddy all  went downtown to play Paintball. I found a Groupon for the boys and they invited some friends from the young adult ward to join them. Kelly Jo was BigBuddy's partner all summer leading the FHE activities, and she's a lot of fun. They all had a great time, went out to eat afterwards.

We've had beautiful weather and beautiful sunsets until just the last week when we began to get torrential rains and flooding in many parts of Colorado. I feel horrible for all that have suffered again so much. We have been fortunate that its not so bad where we are. Most days are beautiful and make me feel like I live in heaven with no humidity.

 LittleBuddy joined the tennis team. He's on the JV men's team and loving it. I spend a lot of time picking him up and last Sat. we all went to see his tournament at another high school about twenty minutes away. He loves it!! He wins some and he loses some, but for as short as he's played, he's doing great!

 Bigbuddy watching another Broncos game with his buddies before he left for BYU-I, where he is now, on semester 4. He loves being a student there, loves his friends, loves seeing all the cute girls he can't wait to get to know, and loves the Spirit he feels there. Its a great place for him and we're excited he can attend there, even though we all his miss his goodness we feel in our home.

 Peyton Manning is doing good things for the Broncos this year.

 I was fortunate to be able to attend the Trunk Show of Kim Diehl, a nationally award winning quilt maker, at our local guild meeting.  Her style of appplique is unique as she does all her turning under with clear thread, so tiny and so close to the edge, you can hardly see it, but I held her quilt in my hand, and could see how amazing this technique was, and am inspired to try it myself. She was entertaining, enlightening, and inspirational. I especially liked her more modern approach in the black bordered quilt below.

 MyGirl has had a hard summer, and just a week ago Friday, feel on one of her exercise jogs in the neighborhood. Fortunately, she had her phone and could call me to come pick her up as she was pretty bloody when it happened. Her dad put the butterfly bandages on, as her cuts weren't too deep, and I cleaned her up, and she's already looking better. This was just a couple of days afterwards, and her shiner is starting to get smaller.

 In the past couple of weeks we've spotted more deer behind our home. Its always exciting when they have big racks too.

 Our dentist is over the top when it comes to holiday decorating. This is her office in September. Hardly an inch is spared everywhere.  And now all our teeth are cleaned and shining.

 Just this weekend, we picked up Cowgirl at the airport as we dropped Bigbuddy off for his college adventures. Then my aunt and uncle from Utah are staying with my parents so we had everyone over on Sunday for family dinner and played Dalmuti afterwards. Love all these people so much! I Miss seeing more of my extended family, but sure have fun whenever we can together with any of them. My sweet parents we get to see a lot of when they're in town, and we have a great time with them. Even just visiting at their house for twenty minutes when I drop something off or mom coming down to watch a tennis match when her cable went out - those moments are joyful for me. And its always great to have Cowgirl home once in a while. Family moments are the best! Sure love mine!