Saturday, October 31, 2009

Friday, October 30, 2009

the festivities begin...

After four years of sitting in metal chairs watching the elementary school kids march by in costume, little Sammy finally got his turn to join in the fun. He wasn't quite sure what to think of his kindergarten teacher, but once he heard the theme song to Ghostbusters come over the intercom he was all over it. He hummed it the whole rest of the day.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

love means nothing...

in tennis of course!



Analisa just finished a very tough season of tennis at Skyline. The team consisted of some very high ranked girls which left Analisa struggling to find a spot on varsity. She worked hard all summer preparing for tryouts and ended up in junior varsity, again. She was so discouraged. The girls she played against from other schools in JV were lucky just to return a serve. She ended the season 12-0. Since there really wasn't any competition she decided to make personal goals during each match to try to improve her personal game. No doubles faults, coming in to the net, and cross court put away shots were at the top of her list. She did just that and was able to improve significantly despite her initial let down and lack of competition. At Regions it came down to 3 Skyline girls competing against each other for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. She even had to play her life long bf Michelle in the semi's to take home the title. It was a tough match and Michelle is a fierce competitor, but Lisey pulled it off and took 1st. Instead of shaking hands at the net at the end of the match the girls reached over and just hugged. It was so tender.

I am so proud of my girl and her amazing work ethic. She is passionate and determined which will get her far on and off the court. She wears her Skyline Lady Eagles shirt proudly and the saying on the back, "Don't make me backhand you!" was surely written with her in mind.

Monday, October 19, 2009

beauty all around

Although we can no longer pile everyone in the family mini-van just to go to church, we are fortune enough to have places like this sitting less than 2 miles east of our back yard.

Fall in Utah is breathtaking. At every turn there is a bright fall color you feel you've never seen before. I just wish it lasted as long as winter. Oh well, we'll take it and enjoy it as long as it lasts.

Sarah is doing better since the accident. She is still very sore on her neck and shoulders and has a nice big seat belt burn across her chest that causes everyone who sees it to ask, "What happened to you?!" Her hand is also bruised where she gripped the steering wheel for dear life. The hardest part for her right now is forgiving the boy who caused all this mess. She's coming around though. Thanks for all your kind thoughts and prayers. We are truly blessed in so many ways.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

a series of (could've been worse) unfortunate events

Friday
6:15 am "Mom, my car won't start. The batteries dead. I'm gonna be late for cello, what should I do?"

6:16 am "Just take my van Sarah. I won't need it 'til later this afternoon. Drive safe sweetie and have a good day." I shuffle back to bed and wait for the next round of kids to awake.

7:55 am As I fluff the last pillow on my bed I have the distinct impression to get down on my knees and pray. Pray for mom, pray for Cristina, pray for Brett, pray for the kids individually, pray for safety and guidance. Amen.

2:55 pm At the Felice home up the street. A teenage boy who has parked in his friends driveway says to the friends mom, "I have a feeling I should move my car out of the driveway in case you need to leave soon. I'll be right back." He moves his car to the side street clearing the driveway for what lies ahead.

2:59 pm Felice girl (a true tom boy) age 11, plays basketball in her driveway takes a shot and misses. She never misses. She steps into the garage to retrieve the ball when this happens...



3:00pm Sarah happily driving down Upland Drive with three of her girlfriends in tow gets slammed when a careless teenage boy runs through a stop sign and into the front right passenger side of our beautiful mini van.

In a split second air bags deploy, girls scream, and the car veers to the left, jumps over the curb and stops inches away from where an 11 year old girl is fetching her basketball.

Sarah couldn't see a thing with the air bags blocking her view from every angle but had the good sense to slam on the brakes before running into the Felice home.



The boy who slammed into the girls runs over to make sure everyone is alive and admits to accidentally pressing on the gas instead of the brakes as he ran the stop sign.

Sarah, in a rage glares and screams, "What are you stupid!?! You almost got us killed!!!"

Everyone climbs out of the car and it isn't long before a firetruck, an ambulance and half of the East Millcreek 4th Ward is out examining the scene of the accident.

3:20 pm I notice several missed calls on my cell phone and call Sarah back only to hear her crying and then a stranger's voice say,"There's been an accident. Your daughter is okay but you need to come right away." Can I just say, that has got to be every mothers nightmare!?!

3:21 pm I race out of the house and find Brett returning home from a run. "Get in the car! We've got an emergency!" As we approach the scene I feel a pit hit my stomach. Soon my eyes land on Sarah and her friends, all standing and apparently unhurt on the other side of the mangled mess that was our happy little family van and I am overcome with a feeling of relief. No one's hurt. I hug my girl and thank my Heavenly Father right there and then for watching over these precious ones. And for the series of events that led to many peoples safety.

Friday, October 16, 2009

wild things


A favorite book of ours comes to life on the big screen this weekend (which I hear should be reserved for age 8 and up). We have read and reread this book so many times over the years we are now on our third copy. It ranks right up there with There's A Nightmare In My Closet. My boys love the part where Max becomes ruler of all wild things. I love the part where he decides to sail home to the place "where someone loved him best of all." At the end of the day, isn't that what it's all about.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Conference - Nielson Style



I remember growing up in Texas and driving half an hour to an hour to camp out at the Stake Center just to listen to conference. Not the case anymore. I camped it right on the couch in my flannel pj's and soaked up almost every word of conference. With banana bread baking in the oven and kids taking turns draping over Brett and myself. I'd go as far to say it was a little bit of heaven.

This year I approached Conference with specific questions in mind. As I began listening I wondered to myself if this would be the talk that answered my questions. President Uchtdorf, Elder Callister, Elder Oaks, President Eyring, President Monson ...one by one they spoke in ways that not only confirmed answers I already knew, but made me excited to renew my commitment to living the gospel more fully.

As we were winding down getting ready for bed I asked Sarah what she thought about Elder Hollands talk on the Book of Mormon. Her response was identical to mine, "Oh mom, I wanted to stand up and shout Amen and Hallelujah when he ended speaking. It was so powerful. I absolutely loved it. And I don't think the choir has ever sounded more beautiful!"

So true... so true.

Friday, October 2, 2009

A few things I love about Fall in Utah


Fall festivals and hay-rides with a some of my favorite people.




Getting lost in a corn maze made in the image of Larry H Miller with dear friends and a few cute kids and not really having a care in the world. My kind of fun.


This is what last years maze looked like:) Only in Utah.


Falling temps also mean kids hanging out inside my house instead of outside at the school playground. They were pretty enthralled watching none other than the Hanna Montana movie. Gotta love it.