Bright Spots

I have just read through the last few blogs and I think they have a sober feel to them. That isn't bad, but I need to lighten up the place a bit, don't you think?
We just had our Women's Competitive Volleyball Tournament, and we came in 2nd place, for the third season in a row. Before, we have always said, "Well, that leaves room for improvement, and we won't get worse, so..." Now, we all just looked at each other and vowed that it wouldn't happen next season! We played 3 games in a row. I'm a bit sore... and fired up for Fall season. Season Highlights: Julianna returning a hard serve into Andrea's head, then hitting the ricochet over for the point. Andrea, ready for the set, airballs it and sets with her forehead instead... later same game, I repeat the move. 16 straight points on my serve...feels good. Ball sits on top of net, with opposing player and Crystal both trying to shove that ball over. Laughter is good.
While I was digging, bumping, and hitting, Brandon took the kids to the Sports Awards Banquet at the high school, where Olympic Gold Medalist Rulon Gardner gave a presentation about faith, hard work and never giving up. They loved it. Rulon is from Star Valley, WY, where Brandon's parents lived for 11 years. Maren is holding his Gold Medal in the picture. How many of you have gotten to hold an Olympic Gold Medal?
Every year at Cody High, the students and staff organize a Make-A-Wish fundraiser. This year it is to benefit a little girl in our community who is fighting cancer. She wants to go to Scotland to meet Nessy. Part of the event was "Wear Plaid Day" at the high school. Everyone wore plaid, and the administration wore something extra special. The students could sponsor or bid an amount of money for Principal Treik, Vice Principal Jensen, and Athletic Director Hult to look like this for the day. I think it works, don't you? The school raised a state record-breaking $25,000, without corporate sponsors. Not only does Skylah get to go to Scotland, but the fundraiser was also dedicated to Gayle Smith, Brandon's secretary, who unexpectedly passed away last month, and who put her heart and soul into the Make-A-Wish event every year. Gayle is so proud, I am sure. And, tickled to see her boss in a skirt.
More good news: The forecast is for 80 degrees this weekend! That means GARDENING! We are picking up a load of steer manure Saturday morning. I am so excited! Nothing says Spring like a truckload of poop. I will be blogging the progress of my new raised beds and working on my farmer's tan.
Have a happy today!

Happy Mother's Day

My weekend (week) was full of wonderful things, that just happened to fall on Mother's Day. My schedule was laid out for me by someone else, but it marked the occasion very well. Braeden had his piano recital and was judged an "Excellent", and qualified for the regional performance in July. Chelsea was inducted into the National Honor Society. Jacob started baseball and his coaches call him the ace first-baseman... and shortstop. I got to talk to my Mom for a couple of hours as she opened our gift to her over the phone. We had dress rehearsal for Maren's ballet company's production of Sleeping Beauty earlier, so I was able to get some "backstage" photos (pictures are not allowed during the actual performance, but we get a nice DVD). Saturday was the Spring recital, and she had her jazz and tap performances, brava. Chelsea made it home just in time from track regionals, where her 4x800m relay team qualified for state, hooray! I wish I could have been there, but there are not enough of me! Mom Jensen and Grandma Strasser came to watch and it was so good to have them there. Sunday was a beautiful day, started with breakfast, courtesy of Brandon, with good talks at church on Motherhood, and a luncheon afterward. Then, we attended Sleeping Beauty, and as I watched and held my kids' hands, I felt so blessed. It had been a very full week, getting everyone where they needed to be, trying to keep up with the notes on the calendar, being flexible with the things that didn't make it on the calendar. But, to see the fruits of our labors, the proud grins and sparkling eyes of our kids, it was a very, very meaningful Mother's Day.
Love you, Mom. Thank you for making my life an adventure!
Love you, Virginia. Thank you for making my life meaningful!

For Braeden... and the Bullies

Storm
by Lifehouse


How long have I been in this storm?
So overwhelmed by the ocean’s shapeless form
Water's getting harder to tread
With these waves crashing over my head

If I could just see you
Everything would be all right
If I could see you
This darkness would turn to light

And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
I know everything will be all right
I know everything is all right

I know you didn’t bring me out here to drown
So why am I ten feet under and upside down
Barely surviving has become my purpose
Because I’m so used to living underneath the surface

If I could just see you
Everything would be all right
If I could see you
This darkness would turn to light

And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
I know everything will be all right

And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
I know everything will be all right
I know everything is all right


You are not alone, ever.
We are fighting for you.

24 Things About Me

Tagged by Shelli

4 Places I Go Over and Over
:: Sunset Elementary
:: Rocky Mtn. School of Arts (ballet)
:: Cody High School
:: Church

4 People Who Email Me
:: Shelli
:: Mom Anglesey
:: Mom Jensen
:: Jackie

4 of my Favorite Foods
:: Garlic Steak & Loaded potato
:: Chiles Rellenos with pico de gallo and sour cream
:: Strawberry Shortcake
:: Ice Cream

4 Places I Would Rather Be Right Now
:: At a farmers market with Mom & Shell
:: Camping at Lake of the Woods, OR
:: Taking a drive up to Sunlight Basin with my family and a picnic

:: Out in the garden, planting things

4 People I Think Will Respond {This means I tag you}
::Erica
::Becca
::Trevor
::Mom Anglesey

4 Movies I Could Watch Over and Over
:: While You Were Sleeping
:: BBC Pride & Prejudice
:: You've Got Mail
:: Enchanted

"Do. There is no try." -Yoda

On Friday I received my first rejection letter for my first book I have ever written, or submitted for publishing. I wasn't going to mention it on my blog, but I thought, why not? This is sort of a crowning achievement. Did you know that about 95% of us think about writing a book, but only 2% ever do? And out of those who submit their work, only 2% get published? Not great odds, yet today, they make me feel better.
So, I was surprisingly calm when Brandon handed me the big white mailer I knew contained my manuscript and I read the form letter telling me they were "forced to be extremely selective" and that they were, "not in a position to pursue this project at this time", or even able to "send detailed comments" about my work. Not very helpful, but a badge of courage nonetheless.
It was later that night that I cried.
Then, I woke up early, came down to the office, got online, and found a few more publishers that I will try. I know it's a long shot, but am compelled to try. It has always been my observation and belief that a good, solid try counts.
Sorry, Yoda.

Back To School?

"What is it for? The improvement of the mind; to instruct us in all arts and sciences, in the history of the world, in the laws of nations; to enable us to understand the principles of life, and how to be useful while we live." ~Brigham Young

I have been thinking... again. I was walking through the family room after General Conference was over, and the family was still watching the ads and things they show between sessions, when an announcer's words caught my attention. "...if you were once a full-time student at BYU and unable to finish your degree..." and "...qualify for the Bachelor of General Studies Program". I paused, and at the same time, both Brandon and Chelsea spun their heads toward me with a look that said, "Hey! That is you!" I looked further at Brandon, who's nod said, "You should look into this." I had actually seen the ads before, but it was their reaction that made me think, "Hey, maybe that is me."
Since then, I have had it at the back of my mind to research it further online. Yesterday, I did. This morning, I called about how many credits I already have. You know, this may be something I can do. I actually am excited to talk to Brandon about it. He is going to call me from work when he gets a minute.
I have, for so long, thought how it would have been so much better (for me, anyway) to have known who I was going to be later (or , now) before I started college. I would have done it so differently.
Maybe this is my chance.

Away From You

listen to: With Me







I have been feeling a little homesick for my family... my parents and my brothers and sister and their spouses and children. I have a nephew I have only seen in pictures and another I haven't seen since he was a few weeks old. We have always seemed to be the ones who live "away", but it has been almost a year since I have been home, so I guess I am feeling it. I recall a time when all I had was an expensive phone call or a written letter with a couple of snapshots, if I was lucky, to maintain contact with my loved ones who I missed. What an amazing thing it is to get on this computer, type out my news and post as many photos as I wish.
I told Chelsea that when she goes away to college I was going to call her every day and email at least that much.
Warily, she asked. "Why?"
I explained, "Because I only got to talk to my parents once a week, if that much, at college, and I had to wait and wait and wait for letters (and checks) to come in the mail. It was not cool."
She looked convinced and sympathetic, and, though still wary, replied, "Okay. You can do that." It is a wonder, this technology.
But, obviously, it does not make-up for being home, being held, looking into eyes looking back at you, smelling familiar scents, lending a hand, feeling that your small place, in a larger organism that is a family, is needed, enjoyed, wanted, appreciated for however long you can stay. Maybe that is a small blessing of being the ones who live "away". That is my positive spin, my glass half full.




I miss you, Mom, Dad, Shelli, Mike, Craig, Trevor, Jenn, and Carrie, Rachel, Tanner, Skylar, Gracie, Alexis, Avery, Mikey, Riley, Craiger, and Matthew.

Happy Birthday, Maren! You're 6!

listen to: Isn't She Lovely, Butterfly

Maren loves to look through our photo albums, but it is a bittersweet thing to do, as I stopped putting photos into albums just before we decided to have her. I didn't mean to, it just happened. As she was looking through the pages the other day, just relishing the pictures of her family before she came along, she once again asked, "Where are the books of my pictures?" I sighed and promised myself to get out those boxes of pictures and fill up some photo albums for her birthday. After all, life was good before Maren, but it is so much sweeter with her.
Happy Birthday, our Marenberry!