The Same Yet Different

As a parent, sometimes you get a chance to contemplate your children. In between the necessities of making dinner, running errands and taxi driving, you get an opportunity to ponder the little people who run your life.

Lately, I have been thinking about how different my children are. Each has their own unique quirks, thoughts, desires and interests. It is fun to watch them develop according to their own timeline.

Eric is all about math, physics, flight, time travel. He will delight in explaining the how and why of things to anyone who will listen. He puts his papers in for his mission in March- his life is about to change big time.

Bryanna is all about school, reading and sports. If she isn't on the soccer field, she can be found in a Barnes and Noble snuggled into a chair reading a book. I know she is aware boys exist, but right now she hasn't found a reason to care.

Max loves math too - this is the seemingly only link between our kids besides the last name. He will talk your ear off about multiplication and grouping and a book called Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

If you don't have a testimony of the premortal, then have kids. As you watch them grow and develop, you will come to realize they started on their own path long before you were trusted to guide them. I strive to do the best job I can. It is such a privilege to be a parent and partner with Heavenly Father. It has been the best part of my life.

Rainy Game Memories

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Bryanna play soccer this year for Mountain View. She has fought through injuries (3 stitches, broken thumb in two places, lower back strain) and emerged a better player. Last night it rained slightly for the JV Team - and although they didn't win, it is always enjoyable to watch your child play. We decided to stay for the Varsity game, and we were rewarded with rain. Lots and lots of rain. Buckets of rain. And it made Bryanna and I snuggle up together under a too-small umbrella and laugh and sing. We sang to the warm up songs, we cheered our team, we held hands to keep warm, and this mom was in heaven.

On second thought, I don't think I mind the rain. Let it come again.

Happy New Year 2010

We had such a wonderful Christmas time with my sister Mary and her family for the second year in a row! We are hoping this is a tradition - we had so much fun. RockBand (Mary was getting good on guitar), the endless rounds of Spades (Mom and Mary were this year's big winners), Taboo, Outburst, Balderdash, Martinez visit to the Grand Canyon, Paranormal Activity movie, marathon Criminal Minds and Twilight Zone, New Year's Eve. We laughed, cried and had a wonderful time. If you could have heard our Christmas Eve carols or saw our super great pajamas, you would have wished you could be there! You haven't LIVED until you have heard us sing Christmas carols in three different keys all at the same time!

This is Eric's last Christmas before his mission (he puts in his papers in April), so we wanted it to be a special one. And Mary and Rey made it wonderful. I love my seester!

Investment in Education - Always a Great Payoff

This wonderful son of mine just got STRAIGHT A's his first semester at ASU in the Aerospace Engineering program. Calculus, Chemistry and lab, Intro to Mechanical Engineering....all A's! He even managed to get an A+ in a weighted class, so his GPA is actually 4.3
Way to go Eric! Keep this up and you will get a scholarship and placement in the masters program for sure (you have to have a 3.6 GPA to be accepted in the masters program). We are so proud of you! So worth the $4,000 tuition a semester. We believe in education.

Mountain View JV Girl's Soccer Schedule

Bryanna's very first game is today - in Tucson! So we will all wish her good luck and hear about the highlights later.

Bryanna's JV game schedule is listed below. JV plays at 4:00 and Varsity right after. All home games are played in the stadium at Mountain View (2700 E. Brown Road). We invite anyone who loves soccer or just wants to support Bryanna to come to her games. She will be playing Sweeper and Goal Keeper. Go #22! Hope to see you there!

Dec 14 (Home) Hamilton (this should be a great game)
Dec 18 (Home) Deer Valley
Jan 5 (Away) Mesa
Jan 6 (Home) Cibola
Jan 8 (Away) Dobson
Jan 19 (Home) Higley
Jan 22 (Away) Gilbert
Jan 26 (Away) Westview
Jan 29 (Home) Basha

More Patriot Cup Pictures

Bryanna as keeper


Awards ceremony with Coach Jim and Coach Mike

Patriot Cup Champions

Congratulations to Bryanna's team, MSC United 96 for winning the Patriot Cup this weekend! Many years they came in second, but this year they dominated first! Bryanna played her favorite position, sweeper,for most of the tournament. That is the last defensive player guarding the goal before the goal keeper. She even managed to make a goal from that position! She also played midfield for one half game, where she scored a goal and the other half of the game she played goal keeper. She punted a return ball 3/4's of the way across the field, where the forward striker kicked once and made the score. Goalie-assisted goals are pretty rare in girl's soccer....Go Bryanna!

We look forward to cheering her on the JV Team at Mountain View starting in December. For a calendar of her games, click here.