Gymnastics Showcase

Kira has begged to do gymnastics for a couple of months.  It was too hard with my dad being so sick so we started her in January in a rec class. She loved it so she tried out for a pre competition team in February.  They do little 'showcases' which are like mock meets with their friends.  It was so cute!  They walk out, practice soluting the judges and do a little routine.  Gymnastics is definitely her thing...or at least until I started working.  The past four weeks has been rough!   Kira has really been affected the most with me going to work and has the hardest time with me not being able to take her to gymnastics.  Danny has off Tuesdays and we have a babysitter take her on Friday but it isn't the same for her.  She has gotten a little better each week so we had no idea how the showcase would go.  She has been kind of hit or miss with how much she has done the past couple of weeks at gym while they were learning the routines so I had no idea if she would even do it or know the routines.  She was excited that I brought her, when we got there nervous and didn't want to do it.  I left and she came marching out with a smile on her face.  I could tell she was nervous and excited at the same time.  After the first event her nervous smile turned into a smile, she loved giving her friends high 5's and had a great time!  On the way home she said she couldn't wait for the next showcase.  I think it was fun for her to see what a meet it like.  It was so great for her to go out and do something out of her comfort zone.  Last year she tried swimming but didn't want to swim with the team or at meets and I didn't force it so this is the first 'show' that she has really done.

She is a natural athlete.  She was born that way and it is so fun to see her try hard, have fun and do something she enjoys.  It was so cute to watch all the little girls.  She did a cartwheel which has gotten so much better than last time I saw her. She did a carwheel leading with the opposite leg and would try to throw the wrong leg over. Back kick-overs were pretty amusing.  The kids would try and try and try but be too scared until their coach came out.  She did her vault and jumped onto the springboard instead of onto the mat and then just stepped up to the mat once she realized she wasn't where she needed to be for hand stand.  Her favorite is the bars.  She is so strong and has gotten so much better at learning her skills and realizing she can do it.  She can do front and back circles galore.  She only forgot one routine which was her floor routine.  It looked like she was going to cry, but instead saluted the judges, sat down and a smile came back on her face within a couple of seconds.  I was so happy that she worked it out.  She is maturing little by little and it was great to see a great, big smile at the end of the meet and her feeling so great about herself!  She is so proud of her ribbons and has them in her room where she can see them and sort them everyday.  She actually won two events which is more by chance than anything but she felt proud.  So proud of you Kira!

Her coach Cassie who has been very sweet and patient with her the past couple of weeks!

Here she is with the other Rubies which are girls about 5-7.  She practices with 3 other girls who are all so sweet!

Danny and I watching the showcase. 

Her loot

NEW JOB

When we moved out to Brentwood to be closer to Danny's work 5 years ago, I finished up my season with Aquabears and Valley Vista and decided to be a mom.  My heart wanted to be home with my kids at night, go to their sports and eat dinner at a normal time.  It was a really hard decision because I loved the families, coaches and team I was with.  It was the perfect part time job but I just wanted to be home and it turned out to be the best decision for my family.  I had no idea at the time that I would soon become a caretaker for both my parents.  How grateful I am that I was able to spend so much quality time with my parents the last couple of years of their lives.  I know that many people don't have that choice but my sister and I were blessed to have that time.

Heather and I were always so grateful that our husbands worked so hard so that we could be with our parents and help take care of them.  That is a gift that Danny gave to me!

Of course I couldn't stay totally out of swimming so I worked with one age group at a time in Oakley where Scott swam.  I loved it!  It was just 30 or 60 minutes, but it was doing something I loved!  It had built in childcare at the gym which made it so convenient.  Coaching fulfills me and I am so grateful for my time with Aquaknights.  They became like family and I grew to love the kids and parents.  It was different than teams in the east bay and took some adjustment at first but soon became a great home for us.

A couple of months after my dad passed away and life became a little more routine, I started to think about finding a team that would be a better fit for Scott.  When Scott swam in meets he wouldn't even try half the time.  I don't think it was on purpose, it was just that he didn't have a reason to race.  He loves swimming and loves friends and I just felt like he was getting at an age that maybe I should give him a team where he could really thrive.

So I reached out to the closest competitive team over the hills to see who was coaching since I knew the previous coach might not come back.  It was a great community and I felt would be a great fit for our family.  I sent out an email to the board to see who they hired someone and see if I could help in any capacity.

Long story short, I interviewed for an assistant job and ended up getting the head coaching job because it didn't work out with the head coach they were going to hire.

The entire time, it just felt right.  I had interviewed about a month or two earlier with a local team and got the job but it never felt right so I didn't take it.  People thought I should just take the local job and all the things I didn't feel right about would just work themselves out, but I never felt right about it so didn't take it.  I always felt to be patient and something would work out.  I am not a patient person, but I was so patient with our summer plans.  I didn't feel any pressure to coach, so it wasn't that big of a deal but when this all worked out, it affirmed to me the importance of listening to those small guiding feelings we have.

I love those teaching moments.  I feel like the more we heed the Spirit, the more willing we are to be patient in the future.

So I took the job and felt soo great about it!  From the first phone interview to my interview with the board and talking to coaches and parents about the team, I just got excited.  I knew it was where I was supposed to be either in a coaching capacity or just as a swim mom.

We just finished week 4 and I am having so much fun!  It is a great team, great group of kids, great parents, great board.  I really feel so blessed.

Coaching has given me great balance in my life.  I feel like I am a better mom during the day, managing my time more wisely (because I have to) and really making the most of my time with my kids.  I still have a LONG way to go, but I am learning and growing and becoming a more balanced person, better mom and hopefully eventually better wife (still working on that).

Scott had a rough first week having to stay at the pool with me for most of his evening, not knowing many kids and being cold in the water.  He worked hard, but there were a couple of days he was in tears of not having anyone he felt to hang out with.  By week 2 or 3, he was looking forward to going to hang out with his friends.  Everyone has been so kind to him.  I will never forget one day he was in tears when we arrived, I went to talk to two boys playing basketball to see if Scott could join them and they were soo nice.  One kid said he joined the team from another team two years ago and knew how Scott felt.  He went above and beyond to make Scott feel better.  Well, now Scott is disappointed if he can't go because of other commitments.  He is working so much harder than he has ever worked and really loves it.  He has made some great friends and has a lot of fun!  What a great thing to see because ultimately, that was my main motivation of finding a new team.

Coaching has been so fun for me.  I really do LOVE it!  I feel like it was a gift that I have been given that really gives me so much joy!  I love seeing a new 4 year old get across the pool or an 18 year old doing something that is preparing them for adulthood.  Rec is really fun to coach because everyone is sprinting.  So much easier in some ways than USS that you have your many different groups and training focuses.

The family is adjusting.  I really need to learn to be more disciplined at home.  I need to prepare my week ahead of time with meal prep, laundry, babysitters, etc.  I am not a planner, so this is good for me!  It will be a great life lesson for me.  Kira is having the hardest time.  She really misses me.  She loves gymnastics but that has been really hard for her to do without me.  She melted down a couple of times at school missing and wanting me, so I have tried to be very careful to spend quality time with her as soon as she gets home from school at 12 until I go to work at 3.  We have done little dates and I have made sure to put her to bed at night.  All those things and time have helped.  Pushing back her bedtime so she can see me at night has been a great thing.

I need to be careful not to neglect Blake during the morning when I am trying to get things done so I am staying up later at night to try to organize my day.  Hence, writing this at midnight.  Scott is with me so that has been good quality time.  We ride in the car and talk, sing, listen to music.  What a wonderful treat to have that quality time with him. I need to carve out that time with Tyler.  He doesn't seem to need it as much, but deep down I know he does.  He is my tough, seemingly unemotional kid, but in many ways that is just a wall.  I am trying to be better at really focusing on the good instead of the difficult in him (which can be hard at times because he tests me the most), but he has a good heart and is a good kid, especially when I focus on that.  The baby is doing fine.  He is a pretty go with the flow, easy little man.  I am really enjoying him.  I hope he stays that way!  Poor

Danny is probably being neglected the most because I am focusing so much on compensating for giving to my kids that he gets put on the back burner.  We are doing better, learning to balance me working.  It is hard because Kira has always loved and still does love her dad, but dad can't replace mom.  I know that is hard for Danny.  I am so grateful that he is giving 150% after work to make it possible for me to work.  Originally, we planned on a babysitter staying later so that he could go to the gym and just have some down time, but the kids just really need us right now so we hopefully eventually will get there.  He doesn't complain, gets up early to do piano and breakfast, helps clean the home, doesn't complain about what doesn't get done and I am just very grateful for him.  I can work on more patience and need to work on carving out just as much time for him as I do for my kids.  So this week that becomes my focus.

I feel like going back to work is this giant learning curve of balance and I am sure when the summer is over I will feel like I am just starting to figure it out.  But it is good things, good life lessons of love, sacrifice and balance that will continue to bless my life.

And the cat had babies!

 Mel had four kittens about two weeks ago.  I was suspicious that she was preggers because not only did she start getting fat, she spent a lot of time just laying around.  One night she started to bleed.  I said, "It's happening!"

Heidi was in denial.  Then Mel's water broke on Tyler's bed.  Heidi didn't want the kittens born on Tyler's bed so she moved the cat into the bathroom.  After about an hour of howling, Heidi let Mel out.  Mel birthed the kittens on Tyler's bed.  The kids were stoked.  They were up a few times throughout the night to check on the kittens.  I didn't want kittens, but you gotta admit, it's special for the kids to witness the whole circle of life like that.

Tyler's pretty proud that she chose his bed.

Scott's been into making cookies and his have been pretty tasty.  

Mister's growing right up.  He talks quite a bit even though it's unintelligible gibberish.  He's been walking for about three weeks now.

Kira has chosen this white one as her kitty.

Heidi's job has been going pretty well.  I was worried about the increased work load it would put on me to have her gone for meal times but I gotta say, it's actually been nice.  Tonight we had Thai chicken skewers on the barbie with rice and salad.  Heidi had marinated the chicken and prepared the salad, so I just barbecued it and made the ride in the cooker.  The kids have been doing their chores and then we play UNO to cap off the night.  Then Kira and Blake fall asleep and then I read Harry Potter to Tyler.  We're in book four now.

Okay, that's all for now.

Journaling

Teaching Gospel Doctrine continues to be on my all time favorite callings.  I love it!  I look forward to teaching (maybe because it is an hour that I have kid free to give my full attention to a lesson without interruptions of kids or babies.  I also get distracted to talking to friends in halls a lot.  I need to work on that.  I recognize that I don't need to teach to really get the most out of classes and need to improve on punctuality, really preparing and making the most of each lesson. It really isn't about being in the class or an hour each Sunday, but making that lesson a part of your previous week and week ahead.  One of the many things to work on!

Well, last week I taught Gospel Doctrine (still one of my favorite callings ever!!)) I actually get energy and excited to teach.  I think it is what I was made to do in life, whether it be my little preschoolers once a month, swimmers or the gospel.  I love it!  It also helps me read and study my scriptures, even though lately, I haven't dedicated as much time as I should.  Time to recommit on that as well. 

A big section of the class was on recording your life.  I have read the Book of Mormon several times but it wasn't until teaching it that I grew to love and appreciate those small, little, what seemed insignificant chapters of Jarom and Omni.  I knew they weren't insignificant because they were in the Book of Mormon, but never realized what a treasure they were!  They show how critical it is to be a record keeping person. They talk of a civilization that didn't keep records, whose language was lost and remembrance of the Savior was lost.  I have majorly slacked on keeping up a journal.  Danny has done a great job at trying to post to the blog once a month. When we were in NewYork someone commented about how grateful they were to Danny for that. I started the blog when Tyler was really sick and it has kind of fallen by the wayside, but I am going to try to recommit to be better.  I love writing, more for me than anything, and really love that one day I can look back to remember the good and the bad, the easy and the hard.  So here I go.  Thanks Omni and Jarom!

MY VILLAGE

I just want to say how grateful I am for the village of adults, youth and kids that are helping to raise and influence my kids.

One thing about going back to work, not having family in town and having 5 kids in all different directions is that you need a village and I am so lucky that I have the best one!

This week, Scott was kind of sad that he didn't know anyone on his new team, we said a prayer and that day he met some great kids who he now looks forward to going and hanging out.  When I got to work, I introduced him to two older boys playing basketball, they immediately included him and made him feel welcome, telling him that they were new to the team a year or two ago and understood.  What great kids!

I have Tyler's baseball team who helps pick him up so he can get to games on time and Kira's gymnastics coaches reach out to know how to help her since she has had the hardest time with me going to work.  I had a friend coming over to get something and we needed to get out the door, so she jumped into action and helped get my kids dressed.  I have babysitters who come and love and play with my kids.  I am so lucky!!

It used to be hard for me to ask for help.  It isn't anymore and that has been one of the greatest lessons I have learned as a parent.  Feeling Blessed!

Art Show

 Scotts painting got selected for the district wide art show.  It was the first day of swim practice for me and he came home and said that he had an art show that day.  So he stayed home with the babysitter and Danny took the kids when he got home from work.  He was really proud and felt so goo about himself.  We are proud of him too!  He has become such a helper and so responsible.   Danny took the kids to the show when he got home from work.  I missed it because of work.  So grateful I have a husband who at the end of a long day at work will come home and keep going for his kids.  Truly blessed.  GREAT JOB SCOTT!  WE ARE PROUD OF YOU!

New York, sans kids

Our New York trip, as described by Danny.  Ahem.  New York was great.  Things at the Cochise property were consuming a lot of time and energy and it was becoming stressful for Heidi.  I actually didn't mind doing the renovations, even though I was tired.  Things always took longer than expected, though.  One of Heidi's second cousin's got married in New York and we decided to make a trip out of it.  I wasn't that excited about the city itself, but I was excited about leaving behind the kids since we haven't ever done that.  I didn't want our trip to just be building hunting and walking around because that is not my idea of a vacation.  We went with Heidi's sister, Heather, and her husband.

On the first day, we rented bikes and rode through central park.  I wanted to scout out the places from White Collar, and this lake boardwalk was where Neal was captured, and the skyline is from the key he found in the box.  My bike had good brakes but I like my Trek better.  

This is where Peter and the gang did their take downs.  I've never been into selfies but they really came in handy for this trip.  Then I saw the lady carrying the bag of trash and though about photoshopping her out, but hey, this is New York.  People carry bags of trash.  

This is where Kevin ran from the bird lady on Home Alone.  

Heidi and Heather met with some of Jacquie's friends while Jason and I hung out.  We went to the grand central terminal and then went to this bar on the roof of the Viceroy hotel.  I got a lemonade and we just chilled.  I was like, "So this is what you do in bars?"  

 The girls didn't want to go to the view balcony of the World Trade Center One, so Jason and I did.  It was $32 to go up, and I thought that was excessive, but they made a ride out of it.  The elevators had display screens on three of the walls that went from floor to ceiling.  As the elevators ascended, the video was a rendering through time of the city's progression from the standpoint of the rising elevator.  It was cool.  On top, the visibility was perfect and it was impressive to see all the buildings, even though I'm not a buildings guy.  

Heidi and I saw Jersey Boys.  I liked it.  I was familiar with most of the music, as we had performed several of the songs in Central Singers and Lyrics.  The guy who played Frankie Valli was amazing.  I stayed awake through the whole show.  Maybe that's because there wasn't enough leg room to slouch back and lean my head against the back of the seat.  I usually fall asleep during performances.

Brunch at Sarabeth's on Central Park Avenue.  Apparently this restaurant was one of Walt's favorites.  This is smoked salmon eggs benedict.  It was pretty good.  They had real maple syrup.  I used to like my homemade stuff the best, but I liked the real syrup better.  

Yvonne and Sue joined us for brunch.  Yvonne is Rich's ex-wife, and Rich was Ruth's brother.  Ruth was Jacquie's mom.  Sue is Yvonne's daughter, one of six kids.   

I got in a little nap before the wait staff kicked us out.
 

On Saturday night we ate at this run-down hole in the wall Italian joint with some of Heather's friends.  It looked pretty shabby but it was booming and the food was great.  I don't like Italian food but this tuna was great.  I even got gelato.  It was worth the expense.  

RJ's wedding was in Brooklyn.  RJ is Rich's son, with his second wife, Les.  

Heidi is with Cindy and Sandy.

Rich, Jenna, Les, and RJ at the reception hall in New Jersey.  The food was amazing.  I should have taken a picture of it because there was unlimited selection and amount.  I tried a couple varieties of sushi, cooked tuna, smoked salmon, shredded beef, stewed peppers, and more.  You could get full just on the appetizers.  Then there was a live band that was pretty good.  Their vocals were okay but the instrumentals were impressive, especially on their Bon Jovi cover of "Living on a prayer."

Then there was the sit-down dinner.  I had the sea-bass.  It was good.  I wore my ear plugs all night but I cut them in half so Heidi wouldn't notice.  The music was so stinking loud, even people without ear plugs couldn't hear each other and had to tell.  

Mark lent me his tux.  My size and everything.  Heidi got her dress from Ross.  I was going to buy a power suit, like Neal Caffrey, but I didn't make time to go to the store.  Plus we didn't think it would be formal enough.  Then people showed up to the wedding in jeans, so I woulda been okay.  But whatev, it was fun to dress in the tux.  Last time I did was probably in dental school.

After dinner was the dessert bar.  There were mini waffles, ice cream, scones, chocolate fountain, deep fried oreos, creme brulee, and more.  I ate way too much.

The band played until about 11:30 and then the after-party began.  I was done and ready to go home but Heidi wanted to stay.  I was willing to stay for her, so I had a nap on the plush chair.  The next morning there was a brunch in the hotel for the out-of-towners.  I had lots of bacon, an omelette, and a bagel with orange juice.  Mmmm, bacon.  We rented a Prius to drive to and from the reception and we dropped it off at the Hilton near JFK.

I even did a CE course while we were there.  It was a good vacation.  Good to get away, good to see Heidi's relatives, and good to learn how we travel.  One morning the shower wasn't warm.  It was about like a swimming pool, and I just toughed it out.  Then the water started to get cold and I had to get out.  Heidi turned it on and said, "There's no hot water."

I called up the maintenance and told them.  The guy said, "Yeah, no one has it.  Sorry."  I was like, "That's not gonna work.  What are you going to do to make it right?  Can you comp our room?  No?  Oh, you're gonna have to talk with my wife.  She's the one taking the cold shower."

Heidi gets on the phone and tells them it's unacceptable.  They reduced the rate on our room, but good grief!  Heidi goes, "If your boiler can't keep up with demand then you need a second boiler."  The guy goes, "This isn't a boiler.  It's done by steam."

I think, How does the water turn to steam?  A boiler.  But whatev.

A student from the 2nd ward stayed with our kids and everyone survived.  I used to love when my parents left because Shannon would stay with us.  We'd eat pizza everyday, play nintendo and watch Willow.  Okay, that's all for now.