BACKWARD VISION

The remaining days of two thousand ten will end as it began...busy planning for First Night.  Only this year the name changes to Twilight to Midnight.  A quick summary of my past and I discover that all of the moments of my life are dedicated to my children.  I live to experience joy in their self discovery.  Any parent knows that joy does not exist in every child raising moment.  But joy does exist in their positive accomplishments and the realization that "mom really does know what she's talking about."  

RAKAI - New Zealand wasn't really the place for him and rugby wasn't really his game.  He continues to search but has found St. George and the people he left behind to be an important piece of his existence. KARAMEA - One day I received a phone call from her and she said, "mom guess what I learned today?  I learned that I am intelligent, powerful, beautiful and that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to."  I'm pretty sure I've been trying to tell her that all of your life." ISAAC - He learns amazing lessons in his chosen path as a missionary, warrior and disciple of Jesus Christ.  His letters are the most inspirational part of my week.  I am jealous of his current journey and hope to one day create one of my own. AMMON - King of everything!  His passion for living can sometimes be exhausting.  I wonder if he will ever get tired. ASA - Embraces his leadership responsibilities.  Love exists deep down in his soul.  He finds strength in his testimony and willingly shares it with others. HAMILTON - His best friend is 41 year old Preston, a down syndrome man.  Hamilton spends his after school time helping Preston to read and speak.  Preston was the only friend Hamilton invited to his twelfth birthday celebration.  We went bowling.

A quick look back on two thousand ten and I discover that my life belongs to my children.  I live every moment for them.   

FUN WITH ASA

THANKSGIVING AND A WEDDING

This thanksgiving we stepped out of the norm and headed to Arizona for Brian's wedding.  The boys were not too thrilled about missing their soccer tournament but there's another one over New Years weekend so they'll survive.  More than 35 people for dinner on Thursday and then a wonderful wedding day on Friday.  What a crazy weekend!  I never stopped eating and we took tons of pictures.  Here are just a few...

FINDING PEACE WITHIN

Most people agree that a more peaceful world would be an ideal situation for all living creatures. However, we often seem stumped as to how to bring this ideal situation into being. If we are to have true peace in this world, each one of us must find it in ourselves first. If we don't like ourselves, for example, we probably won't like those around us. If we are in a constant state of inner conflict, then we will probably manifest conflict in the world. If we have fighting within our families, there can be no peace in the world. We must shine the light of inquiry on our internal struggles, because this is the only place we can really create change.

When we initiate the process of looking inside ourselves for the meaning of peace, we will begin to understand why it has always been so difficult to come by. This in itself will enable us to be compassionate toward the many people in the world who find themselves caught up in conflicts both personal and universal. We may have an experience of peace that we can call up in ourselves to remind us of what we want to create, but if we are human we will also feel the pull in the opposite direction—the desire to defend ourselves, to keep what we feel belongs to us, to protect our loved ones and our cherished ideals, and the anger we feel when threatened. This awareness is important because we cannot truly know peace until we understand the many tendencies and passions that threaten our ability to find it. Peace necessarily includes, even as it transcends, all of our primal energy, much of which has been expressed in ways that contradict peace.

Being at peace with ourselves is not about denying or rejecting any part of ourselves. On the contrary, in order to be at peace we must be willing and able to hold ourselves, in all our complexity, in a full embrace that excludes nothing. This is perhaps the most difficult part for many of us, because we want so much to disown the negative aspects of our humanity. Ironically, though, true peace begins with a willingness to take responsibility for our humanity so that we might ultimately transform it in the light of our love. 

dailyom.com

PERSIST AND ENDURE

Saturday morning I woke feeling the aches and pains of aging.  My first thought was, "It's Saturday.  I''m gonna drink some tea and go back to bed."  But I had a busy day planned.  So I popped some anti-inflammatory and proceeded with the day.

My morning was all about being a mom - fix breakfast, start the laundry, clean the house, get other people to help me clean the house, go to Hamilton's soccer game.  I persisted through all of this while the anti-inflammatory did it's job.

Half way through Hamilton's game I had to go to a HOBY conference.  A few weeks ago I was asked to be on a service panel and present opportunities for service to the youth at this conference.  There were five other people on the panel all representing service organizations.  My responsibility was to represent Rotary International and it's youth programs.  I arrived as the youth were just coming back in from lunch.  The room filled with happy energy as they entered the room.  An hour was spent on talking about local service opportunities and the global connection rotary has to offer.  When we were finished the youth were given an opportunity to sign up for service.  I think they signed up for everything.  They have 'service fever'.  

While I was sitting on the panel looking out into the faces of these young people it occurred to me that if I had given into the aches and pains of aging I would've missed this moment.  We are in charge of us, I am in charge of me.  As we conquer our tired and selfish nature we open the door to amazing things.

MIGRAINE MENU

I do not remember the last time I felt this kind of pain from a migraine.  I want to enjoy the light from this beautiful Sunday morning but closing my eyes feels so much better.  My Migraine Menu for this Sabbath morning...  

Lavender Ice Pack
Sandlewood Oil
Green Tea
Reflexology
All of that and a little bit of Lucid Dreaming and I should be good as new by tomorrow.    

RADIATION - DAVID O MCKAY

I found this quote while shuffling through boxes.  I LOVE IT!  David O McKay was the 9th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He was liberal in his thinking and held respect for all opinions be they right or wrong.  

This dissertation on radiation speaks to my soul the true nature of the light that illuminates from our beings.  We are born with the light of Christ and it is how we live that will determine the brightness of that light and the size of the aura that surrounds each person.

Radiation

There is one responsibility which no man can evade, that responsibility is his personal influence.  Man's unconscious influence is the silent, subtle radiation of his personality--the affect his words and action have on others.  This radiation is tremendous!  Every moment of life man is changing, to a degree, the life of the whole world.

Every man has an atmosphere which is affecting every other man.  He cannot escape for one moment from this radiation of his character, this constant weakening or strengthening of others.  Man cannot evade the responsibility by merely saying that it is an unconscious influence.

Man can select the qualities he would permit to be radiated.  He can cultivate sweetness, calmness, trust, generosity, truth, justice, loyalty, nobility, and these qualities he will constantly affect the world.

This radiation to which I refer comes from what a person really is, not from what he pretends to be.  Every man, by his mere living, is radiating either sympathy, sorrow, morbidness, cynicism, or happiness and hope or any of the hundred other qualities.

Life is a state of radiation and absorption.  To exist is to be the recipient of radiation.  To exist is to radiate.    

LOVE FROM GOD

IS FALLING ALL AROUND

WHAT'S GOIN' ON

Since my blog is supposed to be a journal sort of thing I should probably do more than post the most entertaining pieces of my life. In between visiting mom for her birthday and attending docutah I work...professionally and domestically.  I am also a philanthropical freak, involved in way to many service projects and volunteer opportunities.

Work

Every day I spend as the Director of Public Relations for CMI is an adventure.  My three fold mission is to benefit the students in all that we do, to connect with the community and to generate partnerships that will in turn generate revenue for the CMI and the Communication Degree Program at DSC.  I enjoy this very much.  I grow with every challenge and I am continually enlightened by the energy of the students.  The down side is that I have to interact with people that must be tolerated instead of respected.  

In every working environment we must cross paths with people who lack self esteem and as a result behave in unethical ways.  The people I speak of are supposed to be experienced professionals who should have learned by now to act with respect.  Instead they see only their personal agendas and will do their best to undermine and bulldoze the goodness in others.  In these instances I must hold to my integrity and breath deep.  I must remind myself that God is watching and that karma will always prevail.  

Home

If I say that for the 6th time in the last 10 years I am immersed in a move will you understand?  Yes, once again we move our household from one location to another.  I am mentally, physically and emotionally spent.  I am now determined to stay in this new home or move abroad.  One more move to another St. George location will cause me to completely collapse.  I'm sure that daily meditation and prayer has pulled me through and kept me going.  My forward vision is for 2 weeks from now when I will detox for 2 days with Karamea in Salt Lake.   

Philanthropy - I'll just make a list

• Chair of the International Festival
• Chair of the Lions Roundup Rodeo Breakfast
• Event Coordinator for the Washington County School District Foundation
• VP of Club Services for Red Rock Rotary Club
• PR for Leadership Academy
• PR for DocUtah
• PR for Washington County Fair (thank God we are on hiatus)
• Member of the Dixie Sunshiners who are ambassadors for the St. George Chamber of Commerce

That is currently my life.  And I can still see that it is a beautiful Sunday morning and feel joy in my soul.   

DOCUTAH STIRS MY SOUL

The first installment of DocUtah has come to an end.  DocUtah was the brainchild of Phil Tucket, my boss at work.  He had this idea a little over three years ago to create an International Documentary Film Festival.  It finally launched on September 16.  I attended gala event where Helen Whitney's film on Forgiveness was premiered.  This was incredibly moving.  Helen is a master film maker and I was privileged to spend some time with her over the last ten days. But for me, Friday was the highlight of my festival experience.

We drove to Kanab to arrive for the first film of the day showing at 10:00a in the Crescent Moon Theatre.  The films took us all over the globe.  Through the magic of film we were introduced to some people who were passionate about the Glen Canyon and not at all happy when it was destroyed by the dam that created Lake Powell.  Then we traveled to Ireland to see the destruction of phone boxes.  Someone decided they were an eyesore and needed to be removed and many people did not like the decision.  They protested the removal so there are a few remaining boxes.  Then to the Canyonlands of Southern Utah where we were introduced to 90 year old Kent Frost.  Kent spent his life exploring and touring people through the red rocks and open lands.  He said he was privileged to live a frontier life in modern times.  Then we met Kazaih the goat woman.  She lives in Manti and raises goats.  But the amazing thing about Kazaih is that she paints portraits of fallen soldiers. A family will send her a picture and she will paint a beautiful portrait.  She says she starts with the eyes because they are the window to the soul and they talk to her while she paints.  This film was highly inspiring.  After Kazaih we journeyed to Thailand and screened a very moving film titled, The Last Elephants in Thailand.  Terrible things are happening to the elephants but there are wonderful people who have created elephant hospitals.  I learned that there are volunteer opportunities at these hospitals.  I can go on vacation and help the elephants.  Then to China because it is believed that this country will soon take over the world.  During the film we saw glimpses of India, Nepal, Tibet, Afghanistan and Pakistan.  When that film ended Phil inserted a disgusting film about an Oklahoma Snake Festival.  Oh my!  I will never go to this event.  So gross!  I am sometimes amazed at the crazy things people do.  We stepped out of the theatre and into the light around 4:00p.  It was a bright sunshiny day and I had been completely inspired by the films of the day.  But I was starving.

We found Grandma Bears or something like that.  Amazing sandwiches and an almond rocha milkshake.  So divinely delicious!  And a wonderful snack before heading to the closing gala event which was held at Angels Landing on the property of the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.  We listened to the Canyon Symphony and watching Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club.

This was an absolutely spectacular day.  I am so excited for next year!  

VISITING MOM

Labor day always brings the celebration of my mom's birthday.  This year she turned 84.  We spent last weekend in Salt Lake.  

About a month ago I checked the RSL Soccer schedule and realized they had a home game on September 4.  We went!  It was a fun game and the boys loved being there. I wrote the play by play to Isaac just like I always do for the boys games.  Earlier in the morning Rakai, Ammon, Karamea and I strolled the Farmers Market.  I love that place!  Fresh produce, fun merchandise and hanging out with my kids.  It's just so great!

But the real reason we were there was for Sunday and to celebrate mom/grandma.  Moana was up from Arizona so she and I prepared a delicious dinner.  Mark and Garry and their families came and we enjoyed spending time together in Mom and Dad's backyard.  Good thing Asa mowed the lawn the on Saturday.  Before everyone arrived Grandma came out back to watch the boys play on the swings and do flips off the mini tramp.  The weather was beautiful.  

We drove back on Monday and stopped at the One Man Band in Nephi for lunch.  It was a wonderful weekend of family and fun.

SUPER WHAT?

Oh my aching arm.  Driving up North last weekend I began to realize that I could not hold the steering wheel with my left arm without feeling excruciating pain.  Further into the weekend I could not close the car door with my left hand and I could not lift my arm to fix my hair and put deodorant on my left armpit.  I managed through the weekend and made it home with calming moments of mediation and balancing my energy fields.  But this kind of pain called for drastic measures.  Dr. Bentley...HELP!

When it comes to joint and muscle pain Dr. Mark Bentley is my best friend.  He did the initial diagnosis on Wednesday.  "Your SUPRASPINATUS MUSCLE is inflamed."  My super what?  It's one of the 4 muscles that makes up the rotator cuff.  And it didn't just happen by trauma to the muscle.  It happened over time.

Glorious news!  Anything that happens over time means it will take more time to recover.  

Understand this about me...I would rather prevent pain and illness than endure the process of recovery.  I eat well, I exercise (well sometimes), I take vitamins and minerals.  Basically, I am a health freak.  Low sugar, low salt, low fat.  That's me.  Actually, I don't really like food.  I eat to live and definitely do not live to eat.  Fresh fruit and vegies, honey instead of sugar, water, lots and lots of water...and I love herbal teas sweetened with stevia.  

Enough of that...check this out...

The day I was diagnosed was also the first day of the Washington County Fair.  I was supposed to take it easy and ice my shoulder 3 or 4 times a day.  Really?  K...well that's not happening until Sunday.  

The Fair was exhausting in a satisfying sort of way.  My involvement includes parking with my Red Rock Rotary Club, Representing the Washington County School District Foundation as a board member and doing whatever Wendy, my leader, tells me to do as a member of the Washington County Fair Board.  Hamilton and Asa helped me on Wednesday in the foundation booth.  Ra joined me for parking on Thursday and he did it every night after that while I worked the fair.  The fair parade was so much fun on Saturday morning then Pam Graf and I got the prizes for the baby contest all taken care of.  The highlight of the fair is always the Demolition Derby but that's a-whole-nother blog post and my arm is hurting from all this typing.  

I think it would be best to follow doctors orders and ice my supraspinatus.         

CATCHING UP

So many blogs and so little time leaves my own personal blog in the dust of my hurried existence.  On this beautiful peaceful Sunday morning I am taking time to catch up.

Family

All is well.  After a summer of sickness (colds and coughs turning to pneumonia), ankle sprains, wart removal, wisdom teeth extraction (or soon to be), soccer parties, picnics and movies - we are down to the final 10 days of summer.  This weekend I am looking forward to the Park City Soccer Tournament where I will spend 3 glorious days on the sidelines of the soccer fields, enjoying the majestic beauty of the surrounding mountains.  

Updates from Isaac are the best part of my week.  His missionary enthusiasm is contagious.  I am motivated by his attitude and his passion to succeed.  His letters are long, although not long enough for his mother, and his blog is updated regularly.  Click HERE if you want to know how he is.  

WORK 

Wow, I don't even know where to begin.  My work as the PR/Promotions Manager at CMI is overwhelming in a positive sort of way.  Not only am I promoting and branding 6 divisions of media but I am now a radio DJ!  

When I was young and really into music and the radio, friends and family would tell me I had a future in radio.  I would look at them with this perplexed sort of look.  Now, here I am.  Working at CMI, connected to Classical 91.3 and accepting the opportunity to host a show M-F from 8p - 10p.

My show is called Peaceful Relaxation.  The format is New Age.  I learned how to track on Friday.  It will air for the first time tomorrow night.  I have big plans for the show so future updates can be expected.

Service  

Over the next 3 months I will be buried in the Washington County Fair, The Lions Club Roundup Rodeo, events associated with the Washington County School District Foundation and the HWSG International Festival.  I will also be serving the community through Red Rock Rotary and Leadership Academy.  I hold a place as a committee/board member for each of these organizations.  I am a philanthropist at heart and haven't quite figured out how to say no.

Sometime around the beginning of November I should've dug my way out...just in time to be overwhelmed by the holidays.  Maybe I will find some time to exhale in January.

Spiritual 

After all is said and done, the reason I can do all that I do and not completely breakdown is because I start every day with prayer and meditation.  My testimony of the LDS faith I belong to continues to govern my life and my study of chakra and Human Energy Flow (HEF) brings all things into balance.  In September (among all that I am doing) I will stop my world for a few short days and begin the HEF certification process.  I am so excited for this.

When I study chakra and the art of balancing human energy, the spirit speaks truth to me.  The light of Christ flows through each of us and radiates from our being in a rainbow of colors.  The more I learn about this the more I connect to my foundation.

My peaceful morning is not so peaceful anymore so this blog update will have to end here.

  

WORDS TO MELT MY HEART

THE FAIR SINGER
by: Andrew Marvell (1621-1678)

O make a final conquest of all me,

Love did compose so sweet an enemy,

In whom both beauties to my death agree,

Joining themselves in fatal harmony;

That while she with her eyes my heart does bind,

She with her voice might captivate my mind.

 

I could have fled from one but singly fair,

My disentangled soul itself might save,

Breaking the curled trammels of her hair.

But how should I avoid to be her slave,

Whose subtle art invisibly can wreath

My fetters of the very air I breathe?

ELEPHANT TREK

Last week I spent two days at the St. George Chamber of Commerce Business Expo.  As part of the entertainment I stepped under the Yellowpix canopy.  Considering the feng shui description of the elephant I decided I needed to go on an Elephant Trek.

The elephant is probably the most positive animal symbol.  Some of the lessons thought to be learned from the elephant include strength, wisdom, solitude, family loyalty and intelligence.  The elephant is also considered to be a symbol of good luck.

As the public relations manager for the Center for Media Innovation (CMI), I was required to spend two days manning my booth at the expo.  It takes strength to stand on the cement floor and brave the chilled air of the Dixie Center.  At times I felt the solitude of being alone in my booth but I am loyal to my work so I stayed there even under the most exhausting moments.  As for intelligence, I am by nature filled with internal wisdom.  This is a gift from God.

These are lessons learned from my elephant trek and lessons learned through life's experience.   

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

THEN

AND

NOW












My dad...he's 86...I think.  I love him dearly.  

CATCHING UP

Between work and children there is little time for blog posting.  I love being a mom...the work part I can do without.  Well, it is work being a mom but it's the greatest work on earth.  The other work I am talking about is the survival kind.  We do it cause we have to.

I spent last weekend in Salt Lake with Rakai and Karamea.  It was the weekend of the Salty Streets Flea Market, created by Karamea, and she was immersed in pneumonia.  Rakai and I drove up to help her and stayed til late Sunday night.

This was an interesting place to spend my Sabbath day.  Karamea has chosen to include a different sort of crowd in her circle of influence. She created the Salty Streets Flea Market so they would have someplace to sell their recycled art.  I was surrounded by tatoos, body piercings and crazy hair all day.  Not to mention the flow of people coming from the Gay Pride Festival.  It was a lot to handle but I did it for Karamea.  Sometimes mothers have to step out of their comfort zones.  I love you Karamea.  And I admire that you choose to associate with and accept all kinds of people.  Just remember who you are and allow your inner convictions to touch the souls of everyone.

Two days later I was on my way to Cedar City for the Utah Summer Games.  Ammon, Asa and Hamilton were each scheduled to play.  I was the only parent that could go so I decided to get a room and stay in Cedar.  The alternative would've been enduring 15 games and living out of my car for 4 days.  Not a good option.  I'm feeling really good that I managed to watch a portion of 13 of those games.  I missed two because of scheduling conflicts...which was not my fault since I'm not in charge of the scheduling. This year we came home with 2 bronze medals and 1 gold.  Utah Summer Games...it's become a tradition.  As long as I have boys that play soccer and as long as we are in Utah, we will be at the Utah Summer Games.

One week after Salty Streets Flea Market.  It is a peaceful Sunday morning.  The boys sleep and I am catching up.  Karamea called late last night.  The pneumonia is clearing but she has pluracy as a result of the coughing.  She ended up in the emergency room.  There is nothing worse than feeling helpless when my children are suffering.   


Pneumonia at the Salty Streets Flea Market, 3 medals at the Utah Summer Games...it has been a week of highs and lows.  The sorrows of motherhood are always overshadowed by the joys.           

ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING

You can sing a song your entire life  and never feel a thing.  And then one day you sing it and the spirit completely swells within your being.  This happened to me today in Sacrament meeting.  I was overcome with gratitude for the beauty of this world my Father in Heaven has gifted to me.  I am here to exist in a body, to learn and to grow and to find my way back to Him.  I rejoice in the knowledge I possess and thank Him for an overflow of blessings.

All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam!

O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!

O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That givest man both warmth and light

O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
Let them His glory also show.

O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DROP-OFF

And so it goes, time travels on.  There are firsts for everything and there are lasts.  Twenty one years ago I dropped off my first child for school and today I dropped off my baby at elementary school - ONE LAST TIME. 

Born - December 18, 1998

Namesake - Earl Hurst Scoville

Born only 1 week before Christmas he is our JOY TO THE WORLD. He loves sports and is really good at soccer and karate. He started violin lessons in November 2007 and enjoys playing it. He is a very good student and is kind to everyone. He teaches us love and goodness and he makes us all laugh. Hamilton loves to cuddle and he keeps me warm at night. 

 

You continue to be my JOY to the world.  Love you baby.

NEW DAY INSPIRATION

This morning I woke to the playful sound of the song of a bird.  She was sweetly singing in the treetops of the downtown streets of Salt Lake.  I am here with Karamea. While she sleeps I read and write a letter to Isaac.  This is the quote that should spark a new beginning for me.

"I would rather be ashes than dust; I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot.  I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.  The proper function of man is to live, not to exist.  I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time." - Jack London -

Can I find the power to be the superb meteor?  Can I find the strength to live as this quote implies?  It would seem that in doing so my existence would be so much more meaningful. 

LOVE ME...LOVE MY CAT

MOTHERS DAY!

A quick picture after church.  Karamea honored me by wearing my favorite color.  It's been a good day.

I've known for a week that Isaac was going to call at 10am.  I woke up early, made breakfast for everyone then waited for his call.  Isaac's friends James and Corbin came over to talk to him too.  We talked for two hours.  I think the hardest part of the separation is not talking to him whenever we want.  He's doing great though.  Check out his blog for the details.

I've said it before and I still feel the same, motherhood is the part of my life I like best.  To my children - Rakai, Karamea, Isaac, Ammon, Asa and Hamilton.  Love you so much, you are my joy.

RANDOM

Thursday morning I dropped Asa off at school.  I pulled up to the curb and three boys walked in front of the car.  They didn't look very happy and I said to Asa, "those boys don't look very happy...especially the boy in white."  

Friday morning Ammon called from school to tell me about the assemblies and that Chase Drake committed suicide.  Saturday night (or should I say Sunday morning) after we got home from Ironman, Ammon laid with Leo on the floor next to my bed and we talked for a while about Chase Drake and suicide.  I guess Chase played soccer a couple of years ago and he's been over to our house a few times.  I don't remember this boy.  

I got home from my massage tonight and Asa came upstairs and said, "mom, you know when you dropped me off on Thursday and those kids walked in front of the car and you said, 'that kid doesn't look very happy?' well that's the kid who committed suicide on Thursday night."

I have often said that I can feel the sorrow's of people.  That I am uncomfortable around crowds because I absorb the sadness like a sponge.  But to see the pain of a young man as he walks in front of my car and know that there is something sad about him and then to learn that he committed suicide...  

Forty thousand words in the English language and I cannot explain how I fell in this moment.  I only know that I am typing through tears.   

IRONMAN ST.GEORGE

After a few years of the St. George Marathon finish line I knew I would want to experience the finish line of Ironman.  My 5 hour shift started at 7:00p.  I was there for the countdown to the 17th hour and it was incredible.  

Finish line volunteers were in yellow.  Sometimes there were so many helpers the view from my post was a sea of yellow.  My post was refilling the medal holder.  As someone who doesn't like to be in the spotlight this was the perfect place for me.  I took in all that was going on around me - the exhaustion of the finishers, the effort of the volunteers and the delight of families seeing their mom, dad, sister, brother etc. cross the finish line.  The positive energy was completely inspirational.  

The countdown to midnight was exhilarating.  We knew there were 6 runners to cross before the 17th hour.  You could hear the cheers all around.  I wasn't up there but there must've been people lining the sidewalks of main street giving the runners that last bit of energy to cross the line.  And cross they did.  They even bent the rules for runner number six who crossed at minute 17:02 just as the fireworks were sparkling in the midnight sky.  

The first annual Ironman St. George is in the history books.  It was a wonderful experience.  I admire the athletes whose passion takes them to this limit.  

Swim 2.4 miles

Bike 112 miles

Run 26.2 miles 

and do it in under 

seventeen hours  

Completely magnificent!

  

LADIES NIGHT

My soul mate, Auntie Rubina, won at bingo so she treated us to Red Lobster and Young Victoria.  We love all the same things.

Young Victoria is beautifully done.  The story is a depiction of the historical figure Queen Victoria who inherited the throne at a very young age.  Her reign of 63 years is the longest of any British or female monarch in history.  Young Victoria tells the story of her marriage to Prince Albert and the unmistakable love that existed between them.  They had 9 children together and reigned for 20 years until the death of Prince Albert wen he was only 42.  Young Victoria is beautiful to watch and pleasant to listen to.

This was a perfect evening of friendship and fun. 

LATE NIGHT BLOGGING

It's late on a Friday night and I am baking cookies.  This is such an odd thing for me to be doing when it is supposed to be my bedtime.  I guess I'll do just about anything for my kids.  Tomorrow is the annual soccer fund raiser for Ammon's team.  The cookies I am baking are for the bake sale.  Since I am a working/soccer mom the only time I have to bake cookies is...now.

I really like baking cookies.  I'm sure that in my next life I will have a Cookie Cottage.  It will be on a tropical beach.  I will bake in my tank top and shorts with an aloha apron for the effect.  Did you ever see the movie Stranger Than Fiction?  I want to be her. 

Downstairs there is a slumber party happening.  Asa and Hamilton have friends over.  I think I heard the sounds of a Fifa 10 tournament, hide and seek and now they are playing soccer in the hallway downstairs.  It's long and perfect for a straight on goal.  I think they are actually bouncing the ball off the walls though.  It's a Size 1 ball so I guess I'm okay with it.  

I just realized that everything I have just typed can go in my letter to Isaac.  In case you haven't noticed, my blog entries seem to be few and far between these days.  That's because most of my life is written in letters to Isaac.  You can read all about his adventures by clicking here.

The timer is beeping.  Warm cookies await...