Football is NOT Just for the Young...

Ever since I can remember, my dad has loved the game of football. I remember as a young girl heading all over the state to watch my dad play the game he loved so much. He was good. He was strong. He LOVED the game. As I grew older, I still traveled the state watching him play. He reached the Semi-Pro league many many years ago. As I have grown into an adult, I have only watched a handful of of my dads games...You see, he has retired about 10 different times and only plays spiratically now. I will never understand what draws people to that sport. The sound of helmets crunching together alone is enough for me to wince in pain, but there's my dad, who can't seem to get enough.



Yesterday I was able to bring my family to another one of those spiratic games my dad can't seem to get away from. It brought back so many memories from my childhood. This time I was able to get up close and personal with all the players. I was down on the field taking picture of what could be my dad's last game (so he says). Most of the team was made up of young men ranging from 18-30 years old and then there were a few other players that were...well...not in their 20's, or 30's, or even in their 40's...These men were in their 50's pushing 60 years old.

(This is the "Over 50" crowd some who have been playing football with eachother for over 20 years! My dad...number 44, but we all know he is really #45, they must have been out of that number when issuing jersey's)

The announcer kept joking about the "ancient" players on the field and made one last final joke about "no one getting hurt". This was true. Everyone was glad that an ambulance didn't have to be called, but that doesn't mean no one got hurt.


(I know this isn't the most flatering picture of a strapping young football player, but I got to see interesting things like this ALL day)


(This was the least of my dad's problems...A possible broken rib later...this really could be his last game)

I enjoyed watching my dad play. I enjoyed taking pictures of the game. I enjoyed sharing a part of my childhood with my children. As my dad gets older, I can see the changes he is making both internally and externally. He is not the spunky, athletic, go to guy I remember as a child. He is turning into an old man, a grandpa...a grandpa with football running through his veins.



(The guys running next to my dad is probably there to just protect him so he doesn't get hurt...It's that silent cause called "Keep Grandpa Safe while on the football field :-)

To My Brother

Happy Birthday...to my littlest brother. I love you so much Lil' B.

Resolutions Are for the Weak...That Would Be Me!

I know, I know...I'm late! But you know what they say...It's never too late to...(fill in blank here). I'm not big on setting the ever so trendy "New Year's Resolutions"...I don't even remember the last time I did set them or if I ever have set them before...

I've been a bit stressed out lately. I don't stress easily. It takes a lot, but I have felt deadlines for things that I need to get done weigh upon me even more so these past few months than ever before. I've been thinking a lot about setting some goals for the year so I am finally going to put it down on paper...or at least down on my blog for all to read. So here goes...wish me luck!

1. Finish the Twilight series...I am not a big reader. I actually don't ever read (books that is), and even though I haven't fallen madly in love with Twilight the book, I have fallen in love with Edward the vampire, therefore, my dreamy fantasies of love with a vampire will continue if only through a beautiful human named Bella.



2. Read my scriptures everyday...starting today...even if only for one short scripture...Again, I am not a big reader of books, so this will challenge me, but I know I will be blessed for my efforts.



3. Exercise...3 to 4 times a week...even if it's walking to the school to get the girls.



4. Focus on the important things in my life like my husband and children and even my sibling's. Nothing else really matters, not the school yearbook, not all the other projects that seem to consume my life, including...dare I say, BLOGGING...



5. Say No...not only to drugs (Nancy Reagan knew what she was talking about when she coined the phrase "Just Say No"), but to people asking me to do things. That doesn't mean I will say no all the time or that I won't offer to do things for people. It just means that I seem to always say yes to everything, leaving no time for anything.



6. Not feel guilty for not keeping my New Year's Resolutions...even though I am fully committed to my resolutions and will do my best to keep them, I will not feel guilty for only exercising one or two days a week, or not picking up my Twilight book in a month, or saying yes (not to drugs but to people) and even blogging when I have too many other things to do.



I am committed my friends. How empowering one can get when they accomplish things that they set out to do...Time to dust off my scriptures and turn off the computer because 2009...here I come...I know, I'm a bit late, but 2009 is MINE!

Kansas City Shout-out

I have a faithful reader around Kansas City...Would love to know who you are and thank you for reading my blog. Go ahead...don't be shy...leave a comment!

Little Baby Sweet and Small...

Rowan was born 4 weeks early. Technically she should still be in her mommy's tummy but instead she was at my house today with her super tired (as should be) mama so that I could take pictures of her. Here are some pictures that I've worked on...I'm loving the black and white with hints of pink...What do you think?

American Idol

I started to watch American Idol the other night. I always enjoy the first few shows where they show all the "rejects" and we get a laugh at their expense. I always wonder if they are really that bad and know it or if they are seriously tone deaf. I could barely watch it this time around. I seriously was having issues with the whole show, so I really didn't watch it that much and totally forgot to watch it last night. Am I missing something?

What most of you may not know, is that the show (as with probably 100% of shows on TV these days) are not what they seem to be. They make you believe one thing when in actuality something completely different is going on...How do I know this you may ask?

4 seasons ago, I was here:


Lovely hair...I know!

I met this guy:


Our buddy John...He cut us off driving into the
Cow Palace. License plate...UTAH...good ol' Mormon
boy who I still am trying to hook up with my niece

and these guys:


Ummmm, well...you know...it was San Francisco

I stood in this:


Not as many people that you see on TV hah? Truth is, only half of
the Cow Palace was occupied with American Idol hopefuls.

to get one of these:


Yes, I am wearing super cool 80's hair rollers. I did make sure they
were out of my hair (unlike some people) when I stood in line!

I brought my moral support:


My friend Tammy who should already be famous because she's met
so many fameous people already...I want to be like her when I grow up!

and got up at the butt crack of dawn to do this:


This is an official American Idol Photograph I got off of their website. Please
excuse my lack of knowledge in fashion because I certainitly thought I looked
cool ,but as you can see...I was sadly mistaken.

AND I didn't even once see him:


or him:



or even her:



You see, TV makes you believe it's all happening in that moment, but my friends, it's not. And although I would love to go into details about the whole process, I think I signed my life away when I auditioned that fateful day. I realized two things during that process, 1.) I don't ever want to be on TV and 2.) My career as a Domestic Engineer, is the best job EVER! Besides my kids think I rock...



and that's all that matters!

"Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for this day. Thank you for mommy's birthday. Please bless me that I can be gooder. Please keep me safe. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen" ~Malia's prayer tonight

"Excuse me mom, can I watch Scooby Doo" I shake my head no and say "It's bedtime" Before I know it, little hands are wrapped around my face forcing my head to shake up and down as if I'm nodding "YES"..."Oh yes mommy? Thank you" with a sweet kiss on the forehead...~Ethan

ME: "Raya, it's 9:07" (She's supposed to be in bed by 9:00) Raya: Mom, can I stay up a little bit later, like 9:10"

I love my kids! They are so awesome!

Of course everything Carly does is cute (except when she pukes up curdled milk), I am truly blessed with sweet spirits!