The Funeral

Uncle Larry and Uncle Steve joined Missy, Chris, Jason and I for Uncle Harold's funeral. I was extremely moved by the Military Service and words spoken at his funeral.
After the service at the church, we gathered around the cemetery (same place Grandma is buried in Bountiful). I have never attended a Military Service. What a powerful experience! After the three gun shots, taps was played and then the Marine song. I loved seeing the cute Hispanic office in the middle. A little reminder of my Dad. I am sure Uncle Harold has him moving hay in heaven!

I was moved watching Uncle Steve's emotion.

Watching them fold the flag was also quite spiritual. I felt proud to be an American and I cherished the feelings I had watching this beautiful service. After the flag was folded, they presented it to Aunt Jean with the bullet cases.

After the service, Missy and I placed flowers on Grandma's site. Grandma loved our silliness and we thought it was only appropriate, in her honor to offer a little entertainment.

Chris and Jason were NOT pleased! However, I could her Grandma's laughter...

I miss those I have lost so much but it brings me comfort that my family is both here on Earth and growing strong in Heaven.

Uncle Harold

It was finally his time. After a wonderful life filled with love, his beautiful wife and his horses, Uncle Harold left us this morning but received a huge welcoming on the other side. I must admit, a part of me is a little jealous that he is being greeted by my Dad and Grandma. Whenever family was in town, we made a trip to visit Uncle Harold and Aunt Jean. (Uncle Harold was my mom's uncle.) Fantastic memories at his home, riding his horses and moving his hay. Uncle Harold was very fond of Jason. The past few years, he would often forget our names but never Jason's. He always wanted to know where he was. He lived a great life and he will be missed. I often wonder what it is like your first day of Heaven. Seriously overwhelming. The reunion with loved ones must be so glorious and the feeling of love must be beyond our comprehension. I still have much to do here on Earth and plan to spend many more decades watching my children grow up but I do not fear when it's my time. I expect a huge party waiting for me on the other side!

Dumbo

Dumbo after surgery!
His new right ear. That is not ear wax, it's the iodine the surgeons applied all over his head!
Right ear before surgery.

The gauges will not be missed by this mommy! It was a bitter sweet day for me. The surgery took place at the University of Utah, the same waiting room that I sat in for HOURS for Jason in 2004. Taylor was in one of the many rooms Jason used that year. I even ran into Jason's orthopedic surgeon. Raw memories of being sent to the consultation room, pages for "Tiffany King", and the feelings of being alone and complete fear. The smell of that waiting room even bugged me. As I was waiting for Taylor I had a few moments to reflect on the past four years. So many tearful nights wondering where he was, what he was doing and who he was with. When I accepted his free agency and allowed him to figure out he still had to face consequences for his actions, I then spent my energy rebuilding a relationship with him. It was not easy but he is definitely worth it. Slowly, Taylor is understanding the consequences for his actions, he is making great changes for himself. He is becoming a fine young man, even with his Dumbo Ears.

Good Bye My Trooper

Taylor was involved in an accident that totaled our sweet green Trooper. It was raining and when he braked he lost control on the freeway.
Fortunately, he was ok. A large seat belt burn, strange bruises on his body and a swollen wrist and knee. He is very sore and very sad to say good bye to his first car.

The Trooper rotated and crossed three lanes of traffic on the freeway. He finally crashed into the concrete wall in the car pool lane. He did not hit one car. Both airbags went off and we are all so glad he had his seatbelt on. Someone was watching over him!

Going Once, Going Twice and FINALLY GONE!

My sweet Taylor. We have come a LONG way and it was worth every battle to be at this moment! He is working hard, struggling in school and REPAIRING THE GAUGES! How can someone so cute have earlopes that look so ugly!
Disgusting! WHY, just don't understand WHY would anyone do this! But he did and now he wants them gone...(and so does his sweet girlfriend Jasmine). Taylor called me and asked if I could help him find a doctor to fix them. Taylor and I had a wonderful visit with the plastic surgeon. We are just waiting to hear back from the insurance to schedule the simple procedure.

The doctor gave him three options...numbing the ear, IV sedation or general anesthetic. I told the doctor it should be neither of the choices. I wanted him to remember the pain! Just kidding, he choose option number two! He has removed the gauges so his ear lobes will shrink before surgery. Oh, I can't wait...

Tennessee Titan #32

Robert stopped by before he left for Tennessee. It will be some time before we see each other again. He is adjusting just well to the new NFL life! Love to hear his stories and experiences. He stopped by Utah for his graduation and then back to Tennessee for summer training. My favorite new Titan #32!

Isabeau's Mom

While I was at work, I received an email that someone posted a comment on my blog. I was moved to tears and than laughed all day long! Isabeau's mom made a comment under my Easter Video post. She said she loved my values and my incredible children. It felt like Heavenly Father was sending me a message. It's hard, REALLY HARD raising teenagers. I feel like I am walking on egg shells everyday. Remember the egg experiment at San Jose Middle School...we decorated a raw egg, named and carried it for a week. You had to protect it from breaking. The egg experiment represented the responsibilities of childhood and how fragile life is. I, of course received an A. I provided a safe, protecting case for my egg and I faithfully woke up at the required hours as if it was a newborn. Fast forward 25 years and as I look back, I feel as if I have dropped my "eggs"!

Values...not too difficult to live by but oh so challenging to influence my teenagers when the world is screaming and pounding them to choose another way. My boys have often (at least 90%) used their free agency to follow a more challenging path. I won't give up on the 10%!!! In fact, if there's any value they have learned from Jason and I, is that we won't give up on them. Isn't that what we learn from our Savior...He won't give up on us.

I laughed the rest of the day because Isabeau's mom loved our Easter Egg "Question" hunt. She shared a family tradition that was so perfect for my family when they were younger. They hid decorated (boiled) eggs along with decorated (raw) eggs. After the egg hunt, the children would take turns and crack an egg on their head, hoping is was a boiled egg! I just laughed throughout the day imagining my boys at a young age Easter morning with this tradition. CLASSIC!

So to Isabeau's Mom...THANK YOU for reminding me about my values and how incredible my children are! You can stalk my blog anytime and I look forward to seeing you at the rink when you are visiting Utah! I appreciate your kindness and thoughtful words but most of all reminding me how precious our children are...despite being teenagers!

Healing...

Patience...

Endurance...

Determination...

Oh, I love this sport! Jordan is healing from being attacked by another skater's blade. She is slowing returning back to the ice. Landed her double axel at practice! She can't wait to put this behind her! She is very lucky the injury was not worse!

Two Decades Later...

The BEST decision EVER!

Happy 20th Anniversary!

Los Angeles Dodgers

The day of my birthday, I woke up early and attended more meetings at Governing Council. When I sat down, Bob left me a note. Inside he wrote down our seat number to the Dodger game immediately following the meeting!
This was so worth it! I love the ballpark!
This is my kind of shopping! I even found a WHITE hoodie with the Dodger logo. I just couldn't purchase a blue item and wear it to work...
Tucked in the mountains above left field!

THANKS BOB!

2010 US Figure Skating Governing Council

Another year at USFS Governing Council Meeting. This year we are in Costa Mesa, CA!

Athlete's Dinner with Karen, Bob and Laurie

Karen and I

Three days full of lengthly meetings but oh so much information! It's exciting to participate in such an incredible organization. Time to plan for US Junior Figure Skating Championships. We won the bid! The event will take place December 13-18, 2010 at the Salt Lake City Sports Complex!

Celebrating 39 years!

Thanks Mom for your labor 39 years ago! I love you...