Soccer 2013

(Emma is pictures on the front row, left side, #16)

 My life has pretty much evolved around soccer since April and although it has made things complicated (and expensive), it has been such a blessing for Emma.  Last Spring she wrapped up playing for the independent team she has participated on since she was 6 yrs old.  She has had the same coach that entire time and she was now at a place where it was time to see if she had what it takes to play with the "big girls" in high school.

  Keep in mind that throughout all the previous years we had never had her play on a club team because of the expense and we knew that although it was a disadvantage, it was necessary.  We just could not afford it.  Thankfully, she has had coaches along the way that have taken her under their wings and made her stretch and grow. 

 She tried out for the high school team in August and came home every night (it was a three day process) stressed, scared and really not sure if she was going to make it.  In the end, she was the only girl to make the team who had not played on a club team.  I have told Emma many times what a testament to her talent that she would make it this far considering the number of girls that tried out (over 100) and her background when compared to the others that made the team.  I am so proud of her.  She worked her fanny off all summer and it definitely paid off.  Here are some pictures from the past few months:

(below: Emma and Lauren with Kyle Beckerman who plays for RSL) 

 Emma and a teammate with Nate, one of the guest coaches at the high school summer camp

 My favorite picture of Emma with Aryl, her coach since she very first began playing

 The independent team she played on (Shockwave) with Aryl and West

 The freshman girls who made the team 

Jaylee

 Grandchild #2 arrived last July and I am just now finding time to include her on my blog.  Sad.  She is perfect, adorable and beautiful in every way.  Poor thing must get tired of being passed around at family functions, but she is a trooper.  Christopher and Sam are great parents and you can tell that their world has shifted and she is now the center of it.  As it should be :)  I think she looks like Sam with Christopher's chubby cheeks that he had when he was a baby.  Every time I see her I think she just gets cuter and cuter.  Not sure how that is possible, but it is true.    Here are a few photos of the little princess:  

Jaylee a few days old...

 The day Jaylee was blessed

 Last night at the soccer game.  She loved watching all the action and was snug as a bug and kept me warm.  Because I definitely was not.     

She's Off!

 Jenni and I dropped Emma off at EFY this morning and I hope that she has the time of her life!  She was able to go with her cousin, Abigail and when they arrived and found their room they discovered that the room is the exact room that Abigail's dad lived in while at BYU years ago.  Weird but cool. Have fun Em!  Can't wait to hear all about it :) 

Six Month Photo Dump

I have been neglecting my blog.  So much has been going on in my life that it just seemed weird to put it all out there.  Suffice it to say, I am in a really, really good place (physically, emotionally and spiritually) and have a great sense of peace.  However, I do want to share some pictures so that I can have some kind of record of what has been happening the past 6 months or so.  So here goes (in no particular order):

The picture above is at Stella's blessing (Kortney's little one).  

Below is Josh.  Oh Josh, always so silly and full of fun :)  This was taken outside his apartment complex.  I am so relieved that he did not fall through the ice!  

 Aubri Roo taken just before Valentine's Day.  That girl loves her bling :)  

 This picture was taken the day after I moved.  Dayna was down here helping me and her son, Pete (the tall one with glasses) surprised her and showed up too! 

 Aubri again just hanging out IN her Easter basket with her beloved puppy.  

 Emma and Cordell at the ski lodge.  Thank you Jenni and Cordell for taking this girl -- she loved it! 

 Emma's picture she used to apply for Cave Council at school.  And yes, she made it :) 

 Daisy and Buddy, Dayna's dogs.  Buddy passed away a little bit ago and I just had to put this on here.  I watched him a few times when Dayna and Peter were both out of town and loved this guy.  I now glad that I gave him all those extra doggie treats...

 Emma and I at temple square December 2012 (see?  I told you they were out of order)

 The picture we used of Aubri on Emma's campaign posters.  Love her expression, or should I say, lack of? 

This is a painting I saw a long time ago as a child and fell in love with.  I am looking to get a copy framed and put in my kitchen in my new home.  I love the colors, message and symbolism, not to mention the feeling of humility.  LOVE!  

Faith & Champions

Last week Emma had a great experience.  She has been playing futsal for the past few weeks and her team ended up placing 4th in the league before the playoffs.  They were the last seed in the tournament  and a few nights before the semi-final game (against the #1 team) she confided in me that she really, really, really wanted to win the championship.  Here is why:  

Her team has played together for the past 6 years.  They started out together in the recreational league and progressed over time to the league she plays in now.  They have lost players, gained players and been smoked on the field at times and at other times, won big.  However, they have never won a championship game in the playoffs.  For some strange reason, this just never happened. 

 Anyone that knows Emma realizes how competitive this gal is.  She plays to win.  Period.  She told me that she was tired of not feeling like her season was complete.  She also told me that in Young Women's that week they talked about faith and that she had been thinking a lot about it.    Her teacher told her that she just needed to believe, with nothing wavering.   She needed to pray and do everything within her power and then turn it over to Heavenly Father.  We talked about this for a while and she decided that she was going to put her faith to the test.  She said that she was going to pray for her teammates and that she decided that she would totally believe in them and their ability as a team to win.  So...the next few nights during our evening prayers, we prayed for that very thing.  

The night of the semi-final game, Emma was nervous.  Heavens, I was nervous.  They were playing the #1 team who had beat them earlier that season (and was undefeated).  I have to say that team was amazing and pretty intimidating.  However, after the first few minutes, I knew that we were going to win.  Emma's team scored 2 quick goals and they never looked back.  The final was 5-2 and it was awesome :)  Her team played like I have never seen them play before.  It was incredible and a great testimony builder to Emma.  

With that win it meant that they would play in the finals.  Emma continued to pray that she would exercise her particle of faith and that they would once again play to the best of their ability.  It came time for the final game and after the first few minutes I once again knew that Heavenly Father was answering that sweet girls prayer.  Emma had come out and scored two quick goals and once again, they never looked back.  She ended up scoring 4 of the 5 goals with the final score being 5-2 (again).  It was awesome :)  Those girls went nuts...jumping, hugging, screaming, smiling...it was so much fun to watch.  All those years of hard work finally paying off.  

Since that night I have thought a lot about this experience and what Emma learned.  I honestly believe that even if they had not won both games that Emma would have had her faith grow.  Soccer games come and go and honestly, winning or losing it would not have been earth shattering.  However, I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for listening to this amazing girl's simple prayer.  He taught her so many things and for that I am very grateful.  

 She learned that you just need a "particle" of faith and a pure desire and then miracles happen.  This does not mean that everything will always work out for her and that whatever she prays for will happen, but it does mean that Heavenly Father is in control far more than she believed before.  He is aware of her.  He knows her heart and hears her prayers. 

 My prayer is that someday when she is down and wondering if she matters, she will remember these past few weeks and know, without a doubt, that He does know her name.  He knows her heart and He hears her pleas.  She is important.  She is significant.  And she is a champion -- both on the field and off. 

Congratulations, Em!  You earned it :) 

(In the pic above, Emma is hiding behind Kylie.  If you look really hard you can see her) 

Happy Birthday Emma!

 This is the first time I have been on my blog for a few months.  I have had a lot going on and just did not feel like sharing everything with the world. But, I do want to share these fun pictures from Emma's birthday.  We had a blast.

 The day began with a surprise breakfast from Emma's friends and ended with a crazy, wild, fun party of 14 year olds.  Thank you to Tara, Jenni, Cordell  & Josh for all their help pulling this thing off.  We could not have done it without you.  Best part of the night?  The candy bar game...especially when Cordell decided to make it "interesting" and threw in a $10 bill at the end.  Those kids went nuts.  We thought we had recorded it, but it never came through.  Too bad, because it was one of the funniest things I have ever seen. 

I have to say, I absolutely LOVE teenagers.  They are so much fun and even funnier to listen to.  Jenni & I were dying of laughter at the things these kids were saying.  Great night :)  Happy Birthday, Emma!!!