National Grand Champions

I'll post details of the trip soon and also the funny t-shirt that Jessica's group wants to have made. Talk about "funny math" (does anyone remember Pres. Bush saying that?).

Nursing Shoes to Runnin' Track, Man

In preparation for our trip to Disneyland for Dance Nationals, I bought a new pair of tennis shoes.

It should be noted that they were 55% off at Kohls Department Store and they are somewhat streamlined, which I like.

Lately, every time I try on tennis shoes, I feel like I am putting on special gear to walk on the moon or something. My last pair, although as sturdy as the day I bought them, are that way. They are "Sketchers" and when I put them on, I am 2 inches taller. Granted, I like that, but you are ALL shoes.

Anyway, back to the new pair. I put them on to wear around and break them in and noticed a bothersone thing. They looked like a pair of nursing shoes. Not to put down the beautiful white shoes that nurses wear; they look lovely. Just not for me.

I have stewed about it all day because they really are quite comfortable.

Tonight, I had a brilliant idea, if I do say so myself.

You just gotta love a black sharpie.

State Dance Champs - Sweet Liberty!

I would love to post beautiful pictures of the exuberant girls and their parents last night at the State Dance Championship, but when I pulled out my camera, no battery power. I'm going to have to do something about that one.......And words will have to suffice:

We took first place in all categories and the overall state championship. The girls performed each dance better than they have all year. It is amazing to watch them get better and better. Gordon and James were there all day with us and that was a nice treat. James is getting to be quite the "dance aficionado", especially since Suzanne assistant coaches for Mtn. View High dance team. They were on our heels all day and took 2nd.

Not to brag or anything, but the old Centennial saying rings true, "You can't beat Sweet".

I guess that is bragging....sorry.

Time With the Little Shavers

There is no better time spent than with the little shavers, Cam and Eli. We decided yesterday that there should be a "Toy Story 3" movie. Buzz Lightyear has come alive for these little guys and we'd love to see the saga of Buzz and Woody continue.

I'm hoping get a picture with the Buzz Lightyear at Disneyland when Jess and I go there next week. The REAL Buzz Lightyear, as Cam would say!

WELL, AIN'T THAT JUST DANDY

Jessica's team competed in the PNW (Pacific North West) dance competition today at Capital High School. A lot of blood, sweat and tears (lots of tears) went into preparation for it. The competition is getting pretty stiff, which makes for a great and intense time for all.

Here are the results:

Large Dance: 1st Place
Small Dance: 1st Place
Military: 1st Place
Kick: 1st Place
Novelty: 1st Place

Next weekend is the State Competition. The week after that is Nationals at Disneyland. It may look like all Straweberries and Cream at the view from the top.

Not So.

Have you ever done anything with a big red target on your back?

The team, showing off 5 well-deserved 1st place trophies.

Marissa, Jessica, Spencer, Kylee, Tori

Parents getting goofy

Waiting for results

Military routine calls for angry, intense facials.

Thank you to Kimber Markus, Tori's mom and choreographer of the military routine. She has a killer camera and took these great pics today.

Contratulations Sweet Liberty! You brought tears to my eyes today. I love seeing hard work and dedication pay off. In spite of everything, you made it happen.

There is power in that.

Stretching the Rubberband

Today is one of those days.

I wish I could gather all of my children around me and have their company for one full day.

I miss them.

I like the adults they have grown into.

They are my favorite people to spend time with.

And I include my daughters-in-law in this mix.

Cam and Eli came for a few hours this afternoon and while Eli slept the afternoon away, Cameron and I played. We colored. We played cars. We played Buzz Lightyear and then just had to turn on Toy Story 2 for full interaction. He let me entertain him with my silly songs and hula dance. He laughs at me. He thinks I am funny. Is that what makes grandchildren so special? They like US? Whatever it is - I cherish it.

When the boys left this afternoon, I was left with this yearning to have my little boys back here with my little girl and play with them or take them to practice (those were the BEST times, in the car with a captive audience), or fix them dinner, or help them with their homework.

But, alas - I have done my job and they are fine, independent citizens living great lives and giving back.

What I wish is that there were a way to slacken the stretched rubberband of time out so that the super concentrated time when they are all at home with a ba-zillion things going on (and you feel like the rubber band is going to break) could be meted out, less concentrated, lasting longer.

As it is, it gets stretched to the limit and when it does begins to slaken, without even realizing it, the rubberband becomes totally pliable. It's changed before you know it.

And it happens so quickly.

"Pliable: flexible, easily bent or molded, adjusting readily, adaptable, suceptible to being led or directed."

Since there is no going back in time, it is my time to be pliable.

This could be fun. Maybe I'll join a Yoga class...

Celebrating the "Girl Bird"

Scott is the one with the wig; Jessica is on the right at about 9 months old.

She likes wearing things on her head.

My baby is 17 today.

My, how time flies.

Just yesterday we went downstairs to Richard's room at 6:00 in the morning to tell him we were going to the hospital and he would have to get his brothers off to school. His reaction was like one of the sitcom fathers you would see running in circles and trying to decide what to do first; it was priceless. And then, that afternoon after she was born, he stood outside and announced to ward members and neighbors who drove by, "My baby sister was born today at 4:17. She weighed 6#8 and is 19 1/2 inches long."

That same little gem stomped up the stairs when she was 3 years old, turned around and announced to her dad, "You're so Wude!!" And then proceeded to go to her room and slam the door.

The boys looked at Gordon wide eyed because there is one thing you never do and that is slam the door.

That was the moment we knew that we were on a different journey now, not one of trucks, dirt, sports and action, but one of teacups, tu-tus and..... moods. Life would never be the same.

And it hasn't.

Happy Birthday, Jessica. We love you.

Blogging Dearth

I love the word "dearth". It means "without, void of, scantiness, absence of" and it fits my blog of late. I have been "without" and "void of" great blog ideas.

It is that time of the year between winter ending and spring beginning, where you are teetering on the edge, expectantly waiting. Waiting for the weather to warm, waiting for green things to sprout, waiting, waiting, waiting.....(not to mention waiting for Mr. Scott to come home; we are under four months now!) More blogging about that later in the week.

To fill the void, all I can say is, thank goodness for good T.V. right now. American Idol starts with the top 12 this week and is always so good. 24 is heating up, and Dancing with the Stars starts this week! This one may actually be the one to break the T.V.'s back. The poor DVR seems to run non-stop and even though it can record two shows at once, it has it's limits.

AND....I have a new favorite show that I have come to love watching the re-runs: House. I LOVE that show; he is so quirky and interesting and entertaining.

I actually hope Spring doesn't come too early this year (DID I SAY THAT ?) because then I might feel guilty about watching my shows and feel like I should be outside.....doing activities or something. The minute my shows end, Spring can officially begin.

Family Dinner Fun

Sunday was our monthly family dinner and we celebrated Jo, Laura, James and Jessica's birthdays. On the menu was steak and chicken, some of my delicious "yummy potatoes", mixed veggies, jello "with berries in it" (a special treat) a great green salad that Suzanne brought and whole wheat rolls (I slaved all afternoon defrosting and raising the Rhoades rolls - exhausting). Dessert was the family birthday cake, simply named "Carmel Cake". I like it because it's easy and delicious - a great combination.

It is just fun, fun, fun to have everyone (well almost) here. Of course we miss Scott (we are four months away, but who's counting?) and Ben and Laura. I asked Laura if she could feel the love yesterday when we sang to her. It looks like the beginning of July is when they will be moving back.

This summer everyone will be here. Wowie. I can hardly wait. Spring AND the prospect of the whole fam together.

Wowie.