Broadmoor Open

We had a fantastic week in Colorado Springs, kicking off the new competition season!!! Jordan and I arrived on Monday and picked up Cordero later that evening. Cordero had a very LONG flight from Alaska but couldn't wait to skate and spend time at the World Arena. Tuesday was filled with many practices on different ice rinks through out the town. Jord and Cord practiced hard and had a very packed week of competition. I had many terrific photo opportunities but my hands were always holding something and never a camera! We all had little time to catch up on emails and once we were back in the hotel, we just wanted to rest...

Jordan and I had a "sweet" moment when we arrived at the World Arena on Monday. In front of the World Arena is a huge light board, flashing information and photos of upcoming concerts and events. As I was at the stoplight ready to turn into the parking lot, there was George Lopez flashed behind the American Flag. His face was so big on the light board with his cheesy grin. Jordan looked at me and said, "Grandpa's here!" All week long, we saw his face flashed on the board. I loved it!!!

On Wednesday, Jordan had her first qualifying round skating her Intermediate Freeskate (Long Program). The competition had 5 groups of 15 skaters, the top 4 in each group advanced. Jordan skated in a tough group. She skated terrific with a few minor mistakes and placed 4th!!!

On Thursday, Jordan competed again skating her Intermediate Short Program. It's a separate competition for the girls to skate the short program and the score does not reflect the final standings. She attempted her double axel and skated well.

On Friday, Jordan competed in another qualifying round. She had to skate her short program and place in the top 8 (two groups of 10 skaters). She placed 5th, missing the podium by .14!!! She learned how every element counts! Finally after 4 days of acclimating, Cordero competed his short program and came in 6th. It was his first time competing in the World Arena. A picture would have been wonderful to post but I was too involved keeping track of the points with every skater! None of the Intermediate Men's competitors smiled! It was hard to watch but when Cordero came out he had the crowd going!!! He has a great, energetic program and everyone loved it. He received high marks for his program component score! He is just a great kid and works so hard!!!

On Saturday, Jordan competed in her 6th competition in one week! She skated her long program in the World Arena. She placed 8th in her Freeskate (Long Program) and 10th overall (you add the scores from your short and freeskate for the overall placement). For her first Intermediate IJS event, she did terrific. Cordero also competed and placed 4th in his freeskate and 4th overall, earning him a medal. We had a great time watching the scores post and seeing if he kept his 4th place position.

We also went to the World Figure Skating museum, experience the hotel flood, ate at various restaurants, watched senior pairs, mens and ladies events and laughed all week long. For now two more weeks of training, then off to Philadelphia for the next competition!

Competition Season Starts!!!

Jordan started her competition season Friday evening competing at a local competition. This year she is competing in the Intermediate level. She skates two programs, a short and long. In the short program (2:00 minutes) the skater is required to skate required elements. There is little room for error. In the long program (2:30 minutes) the skater has required elements but more variety. The scores from the short and long program are added together for an overall placement. Skatefest, the competition in West Valley City was using the old judging system. It was her first time skating her short program and she looked terrific!!! She even attempted her double axel...cheated but she didn't fall! It was a great start and she placed 1st in her short program. On Saturday she skated her long program and came in first and her overall placement was first. Her long program is the same music from last year. Again she attempted the double axel and did very well! The rest of this weekend will be spent packing...Jason and Tanner are off to Scout Camp and Jordan and I leave on Monday for Colorado Springs to compete in the Broadmoor Open!!!

Tanner came by to watch Jordan skate. We missed having Taylor around! We look forward to having Sunday dinner with him and we believe he is attending Scout camp with Jason and Tanner!

Laughter watching George Lopez

I remember when the kids were between 6-12 months old and they would wake up from a nap and I could hear them giggle to themselves. (I don't think this ever happened to Tanner because he never would take a nap, never woke up in a good mood and never stayed long enough in the crib to hear such sweet noises!) Nevertheless, I enjoyed those moments listening to them coo and entertain themselves. It's was a precious time...

I am fortunate to hear a louder laughter usually every evening. The kids are obsessed with George Lopez. It's an old sitcom that plays reruns on a local cable channel. It reminds them of Grandpa. I still can't watch a complete episode, sometimes his mannerism and comments remind me so much of my Dad but the kids watch them over and over again. I will often wash the dishes or go in the office and listen to them giggle and laugh. The laughter reminded me of when they were so little. It's quite tender and sweet!

Can you figure out which photos are of my Dad???

Tanner's Coming Home!

After a week of sleeping in with Bodie and being spoiled by Grandma, we pick him up from the airport this evening. I can't wait to hear the stories and his experience going to San Francisco to see "Hairspray". He has a busy summer with Scout Camp, Trek, Summer Baseball and work. Thanks Mom, Cubby and Meagan for spending the week with Tanner.

Happy Father's Day!

Well, isn't this a bitter sweet day!

I don't like this first year stuff without Dad. I hope it gets easier with each year. I also promise not every post is going to be so sad and depressing...Our family has had great things happen along with the challenges. Tanner has spent the week with my Mom and brother in California. He attended his first broadway play "Hairspray" in San Francisco. Meanwhile, Jordan begins her competition season this Friday and Saturday with a local competition then we are off to Colorado Springs for the Broadmoor Open. We will also have Cordero staying with us for the month.

So back to Father's Day...I miss him, I love him and cherish having a father like my Dad. I was a lucky one. My Dad and Jason's father drove to Utah a couple times to visit us. I thought this was an awesome photo of all three Dad's.and speaking of fathers...the past month I have watched Jason be patient, loving and dedicated to our children. He has shown tough love in the most difficult situations with Taylor. I am so blessed to share this trial with Jason and together figure out what is best for Taylor and our family. Sometimes there just isn't words to express our heavy hearts but often we can just look at each other and understand our feelings. Happy Father's Day!

Letting Go

It's difficult to put into words the emotions I have felt since Taylor has left our home. He was home for a couple days but unfortunately was not ready to make a few important changes. He then left leaving all of us with much sadness. It's a strange season for us, trying to move on yet feeling this heaviness that at times causes a rush of tears. I am learning to concentrate on what I do know. I know I love him. I know we have taught him a foundation based on kindness, love and respect. I know when he is ready to make some changes we will always welcome him back. I know Heavenly Father is aware of our broken heart Jason and I feel inside. Letting go is the hardest thing I could do. We have to settle with the past, engage in the present and believe in the future. The bond is forever. Children grow up and venture on their own. Even though Taylor is not living with us, I know we will always be with him and Taylor will always be with us.

I love you Taylor!

Happy Birthday Cubby!!!

I made a special video to celebrate the sweet 27 years we have enjoyed with Cubby...As I was making this video, I came across this photo of my Dad's nacho's. I cried so hard trying to remember the last time I had his nacho's. They were the best nacho's and he often made them for our graduations and birthday parties. It's still strange not having Dad around.

Dodger Blue Power

I was raised in a Dodger Blue family...we were never allowed to wear orange and black or say the word "Giants" even though we lived within 30 minutes of San Francisco. My Dad taught me all the rules of baseball, how to bet, difference between National and American Leagues and how to read the standings. I would take some serious notes! Cubby has kept the Dodger Blue alive in our home. He has special Dodger Blue power and it's bad karma to disrupt any Dodger Blue power on game day. On game day, the livingroom is his and he decorates it with specific Dodger Blue hats, jersey's and bats along with anything else he finds blue. He often texts me on certain game days to think Dodger Blue. Last month I attended a Dodger game in Denver. Cubby and I texted throughout the game using our Dodger Blue power to win. Last year while I was in California, Cubby was watching the game with everything laid out in the livingroom. I made the mistake of moving a Dodger jersey so I could sit down. I made it worse by asking him questions during the game. He was so mad at me and when they lost, he blamed me!

So this afternoon, I was cleaning up and found Tanner watching the Cubs vs. Dodgers game on TV in his room. I went to lay down on his bed to watch the game when I was given the same nasty look my brother gave me. I then noticed Tanner had the Dodger Blue Power and specific items carefully arranged on his bed in front of the TV! He had placed my Dad's Dodger Blue crocks, Elvis sign (my Dad often told the kids he was Elvis), my Dad's sombrero with all our Dodger hats and anything blue he could find. This time I didn't ask questions and quietly absorbed the Dodger Blue Power to victory. It so happens, Cubby and Meagan went to LA this weekend to attend the game. For his birthday, Meagan purchased him a message on the lightboard from the Great Dodger in the Sky...My Dad.

The Great Dodger in the Sky...