Congratulations Keaton!

You're looking at the only Junior linebacker who made the Varsity football team ... this morning!
Could this summer be any more exciting? I say ... no!

Happy Birthday Keaton!

I ♥ Donny Osmond ... and my kids -

I've had this unrestrained crush on Donny since I was a wee one. I remember playing "Puppy Love" on one of my first 45's and the old record player in my bedroom just dreaming of one day marrying him. Well, obviously I grew up and managed to attain some much more realistic (although just as dreamy) goals. However, I never tire of listening to Donny's songs.

Last night, this song was performed on TV (the BYU channel of course). Donny spoke of his son who was on his mission and was having a bit of a hard time and just needed to know that his Dad was there in case he needed him. This song speaks volumes to me. I can't believe that our missionary only has one more month to go, and I hope he knows that we have been with him every step of the way. I have learned that the trials our children face, are the hardest things a parent will ever endure. I have spent countless hours wanting to fix things for them, only to be left with the sure knowledge that I can't. All of the struggles that I ever faced as an adolescent would never compare to those as a parent hurting for a child. I suppose that everyone comes to this realization, but not until the season transpires.

I love my kids more than I could ever translate on paper and sometimes songs just say it best.

Go Toro's!

If you read this, you already know what a complete freak I am about this time of year. I LOVE watching my boy play football, and Toro Camp officially gets my blood pumping. This year is no different. We are spending the week up at football camp, which by some stroke of convenient luck is also where my parents live! Right now I am sitting at my computer next to an open window listening to thunder rolling, a cool breeze and some wonderful raindrops. What a nice change!

So, remember when our kids were young, and we spent years trying to implement the art of sharing? I'm not sure at exactly what point parenting took such a complete and drastic change, but today I found myself screaming "USE YOUR KNEE! STEP ON HIM! DON'T LET HIM UP! DON'T LET GO!" These pictures were right before my big boy took things into his own hands (or skull) and head-butted this kid three times all in the name of competition. Call me sick, but rarely has an occasion made me so dang proud.

Privacy anyone?

I am finding myself in somewhat of a quandary. Everyone knows how much I love to be the center of attention for all of the universe to gaze upon. However, lately I've been contemplating going private with my blogging. I'm completely torn. Part of me loves that people near and far can drop by any time and browse through my pages. The other part of me is beginning to be paranoid that people near and far can drop by any time and browse through my pages. I usually detest the private blogs ... I want to read them all! Yet lately something has been nagging a sixth sense to entertain the thought. We have so many warnings spinning through the air these days, maybe it's time for me to grow up and listen? Like I said ... a quandary.

What are your thoughts about going private?

They're baaaack -

I spent the evening mopping up after the monsoon. My sister's house is apparently at THE lowest point in all the land and a river ran through it! A dozen adults stood in formation as they tried to build a dam out of household furniture and every blanket that was once used for cozy comfort, while hoisting buckets of water away from the front door. The garage was filled with a muddy mess, which eventually seeped through the interior walls as it had nowhere else to go. The fire department arrived and wished us luck ... and then went on their merry way for a soothing drive in the countryside rain. The sandbags finally arrived and the house was surrounded by some kind of hope. We got home at 1:30 a.m., shed our dripping wet clothes ... and started mopping up the mess that had come through our roof. The monsoons are back ... and they've only just begun!

Happy Birthday G Baby!

My baby is ELEVEN!