Baseball, and pictures I take at baseball games

Garrett has had a great time this year, playing baseball for the first time. His team is the Giants. They have lost every single game. Garrett has no idea how to play. He can't catch, but he throws a little heat and fortunately, his ninja warrior skills have come in handy and he can hit anything pitched to him, even baseballs.

The thing I love most about Garrett is his enthusiasm. He doesn't care that his team is the worst in its division, he is just excited to play. He loves his uniform. He loves his cleats. He loves that his baseball socks are bright orange. He loves to kick the dirt in the infield. He loves to play catcher. He loves to throw his hat up in the air and try to catch it And he loves working the camera, as is evidenced in the above shot. I am so glad we have Garrett. He makes me smile every single day. I want to be like him when I grow up.

One more pose, just 'cause he's so cute and the kid above him is cracking me up.

Since he plays two games a week, we spend a lot of time at the ball field. Which would be fun and all, if we didn't live in the rainiest, coldest part of the country. Sometimes at baseball games we do this:

But mostly we just laugh and smile and cheer for our G-Dawg.

Graduations

We had a certain 6 year old graduate from kindergarten....

 (I know this is a terrible picture, I just wanted to remember that he said his part so perfectly in the microphone)

 and a certain 12 year old graduate from sixth grade.

One of them enjoys his picture being taken....

and one of them does not:

These are literally the only ones he let me take. Oh and the one of his teacher:

Pictures or not (although I definitely prefer pictures), we are so proud of our graduating boys this year. Kudos also to their wonderful teachers, Mrs. Nancy Williams and Mr. William Shumaker, for putting up with teaching  G and B this year. Sadly, there is no 3rd grade graduation. But wait! There was a 3rd grade recorder concert:

They were actually quite good!

And one more for the road, just to prove that yes, I did actually spend every waking minute of my week last week at the school. And I loved it all. And I am sad that this is the last and only year that B,C, and G will all be at school together. (Why am I starting every sentence with and?)

Rock n Roll is Here to Stay!

Cassidy has been a member of the Lehi Children's Choir for 5 years now. It has been a really fun opportunity for her to get outside of her comfort zone (she'd rather not be on stage) and gain a love for singing.

This year was her first year in the "older" choir, and for the spring musical they presented

Rock n Roll is Here to Stay!

All of the cast members played the role of some famous rocker. Cassidy was Bjork. We had never heard of her either, but we made the best of it and had fun coming up with a costume.

The choir (and Cass) did an AMAZING job with the entire performance. It was sooo much fun to watch them sing and dance and have a great time. Cassidy has really loved being in choir with our great friends Kaylee and Kandice (and Taylor and Emily) and others.

At the end of the night Cassidy received her trophy for her many years in the choir:

Great job Cassidy!

Jedi Soccer

Are there any young, brave padawans out there, with extensive knowledge of the force, willing to fight on field against that evil soccer ball and kick it into place? Garrett--you are the chosen one.

You must use all of your Jedi training to overpower the players from the dark side....

You must not let your feeble mind succumb to their wicked ways!

It also helps to kick the ball....

listen to your coach.....

 and run like a giant Tauntaun from Hoth is chasing you.

 It's a little sad that your Jedi ways require humility and nobleness in front of a camera, though.

(Yes, I'm talking to you)

Thanks for a great season, number 5.

Miss me?

Hopefully you at least missed this guy....

Women's Conference Recap

It's Sunday night. The house is a disaster zone. This happens.

Dinner was high effort, mediocre results. This happens.

R is gone. For the week. This happens too.

This week as a single parent I have 2 soccer games, two baseball games, one LCC rehearsal, one orthodontist appointment,  one activity days, 7 piano lessons, 1 guitar lesson, one Relief Society meeting, one primary meeting, teacher appreciation week, Stake temple week, and one playgroup at my house. Plus I have to make dinner. More than once.

But....

I am just recently returned from two FABULOUS days at BYU Women's Conference with FABULOUS friends (Love you guys!). The entire conference was very inspiring, even if I did come home with a list of 783 things that I need to implement in my life, like, yesterday. Here now, for your reading pleasure, is the list....

JUST KIDDING! But I did want to share a few wonderful nuggets---quotes and such--- with you:

Keep it small. Keep it simple. Give it time. (by far my favorite advice ever)

We need God. If our troubles take us to God, we can be thankful for them.

Ideals are stars to steer by, not sticks to beat ourselves with.

The only person I need to be better than is the person I was yesterday.

It is part of the plan that we are required to make decisions almost constantly. Do the best you can, and depend on the Lord to make up the difference.

The Lord can miraculously multiply our offerings. Ask Him to.

When we do our level best, we experience peace.

Prayer is the key to feeling the approval of the Lord.

Welcome the task that takes you beyond yourself.

There are hands I cannot hold and hearts I cannot comfort, but let me love and teach those who do come within my reach.

With strong faith the Lord can help us and heal us and change us.

Gratitude combats discouragement.

Be grateful for the giver, not just the gift.

You won't have the things you want until you learn to be thankful for the things you have.

Wanting less is a better thing than having more.

Make memories, don't collect things.

God is very aware of our private challenges.

Truly, I was completely inspired in every way to be so much better. I have so much to work on. Good thing tomorrow is Monday, when every good program for improvement begins. Now I just have to remind myself of what Elder Bednar said: "Measured steadiness is more effective than spurting and slacking." Slow and steady wins the race, even if your list is 783 items long......