Spring in a Nutshell

So spring has sprung and the showers have not stopped. Well, luckily, they stopped long enough for my BFF in the whole wide world to come visit. We had a great weekend. We went site seeing in the city, ate out, spent one entire day at the pool, and even had a terrific girls night out. Being with Kimberly rejuvinated me. How do you go from spending an hour every day with some one and every weekend to not seeing them for months. How I go on is beyond me....
uh, photography by Sicily. I also spent two days at Disneyland/California Adventure with the girls. The second day we got to bring a friend's daughter and it was a blast.

Mike and Cherry also tied the knot. This wedding was one of the most incredible things I've ever witnessed. They make a beautiful couple. Skinny Mike :)

Joseph is smashing in his cream tux and those are my girls in their Easter dresses.

This is them on Easter morning. Oh yes, we're still Utes. Don't ever forget it! (Especially because here everyone is so BYU crazy. I made a huge deal in pointing this out in the ward newsletter :) )

I miss my Utah friends. Thanks for following up with my blog. I get very lonely and wonder if this'll ever get easier.

Trae

I wanted to have a writing sample for my teaching portfolio. I want your opinions too.

Trae stared up in the room filled with wondering spectators as his coaches crouched down beside him. The walls seemed to spin around him making him dizzy and unsure. Slowly his breath returned and he felt his lungs gasp for air. His mother's voice, always supportive, could be heard in the background of Trae's trainer's concerned cries.

Wrestling wasn't always something important to Trae. He had the typical suburban childhood. Rides to and from school and eating out with friends and family were all daily occurrences for Trae. He didn't particularly care for his health and never seemed to worry. He ate what he wanted when he wanted without any attention directed to his nutrition. Exercise was unheard of for Trae. There was an occasional, "I'm fat" moment where a couple of push ups were necessary but never any longevity to his physical activity.Trae realized on his own his lifestyle needed to be changed. "Beating up" his uncles, losing his extra weight, get a few girls...before those things seemed like a distant fantasy. Now, he knew it was necessary for a big change.

Standing on the sides Trae waited for the ok to get started. It was his second match of the day and he felt confident wrestling the high school "broomfield". They shook hand and began to grapple. Trae's opponent took him down right from the start and they started to struggle. Trae hit an escape out of bounds and was able to stand facing his challenger. The last thing Trae remembered was shooting for the adversary's legs. They both shot at the same time, leaving Trae knocked out cold and unconscious on the mat.

Once awake, Trae made it to the sidelines, ready to vomit from the mild trauma. Expectantly, his trainer advised him to rush to an ambulance for an evaluation. He was wheeled out by EMTs and given immediate medical attention. The ambulance ride was treacherous after receiving an IV only to have his blood splurged all over his arm. X-rays and MRIs are standard procedures after an incident like this, and Trae remained cooperative for these processes in the hospital. The morphine kicked in and Trae felt his mild concussion quickly dissipate. Luckily, Trae was ok and able to make a full recover with a few days.

Wrestling was the sport that changed Trae's life. After trying out and making the team, he began practicing for three hours a day, six days a week. From the start, he wanted to quit. The high school seniors consistently gave Trae a hard time in the locker room-threatening him to "stop losing". The hours were growling but once he started to notice positive changes in his demeanor and his physical appearance, he knew things could only get better for him now.

He dropped 40 pounds his freshman year of wrestling. He began to eat smart, skipping out on sodas or fast food with his friends. The task of eating right can be difficult for anyone, let alone and adolescent young man.After being active during wrestling season, he decided he wanted to do more. He got involved in cross country, choir, glee club, writing club, and peer counseling for incoming freshmen. Trae was also able to incorporate himself into more religious activities as well, forming lasting friendships in the church choir. Workouts and exercise became a regular part of his day. His self esteem flourished, his attitude thrived, and his happiness swelled.

Looking back, Trae's life has made an impeccable transformation. He has no time for video games anymore. He loves to sing, exercise, date cute girls, and next year plans to be the varsity wrestling captain. He's happy now and he's inspired those around him to care about their health too.

Backyard

So, we had such a fantastic spring break and I got all the pictures downloaded onto our PC and we found out it had 3 viruses. It's sorta out of commission at the moment. Anyway, we got to go to Southern California for Joe's friend's wedding. The girls and I went down early so we could go to Disneyland with Krista and hang with Joe's sister. Then the wedding was beautiful. I knew it was going to be extravagant but holy moly! Cherry and Mike went all out. Apparently, I learned this during my pedicure, that is how the Asians do it :)

After 8 long months of clearing out garbage from the backyard, we are almost ready to start getting it pretty! I'm so excited because...well....those of you who know me, knew how much I loved my yard in Layton. I miss it sooo much! Anyway, we've been clearing out leaves and branches that haven't been taken care of for 20 years. Joseph even found an old roof or something buried in the back. All we have is one more shed to rip down, and then we can start redoing concrete and planting plants. Most importantly, we're getting the pool and the pool equipment updated starting this week. I am so stoked! It almost makes up for the fact that we don't have our boat anymore!

Sorry dear friend Chelsi...no pictures of my kiddos. :(

Non Fiction Fairy Tale

Once upon a time there was a maiden who had three beautiful daughters. The maiden had a good life with many friends, an exciting job, and a fun family. The maiden lived in a modest house with her three daughters but was married to an evil wizard named Merlin. One day, the evil wizard named Merlin said, "We are moving to a place where there are no jobs. The houses will be old and falling apart, but you will like it!" Then he laughed real wicked like, like this "Muuuuuu ah ah ahhhhhhhhh".

The maiden followed the wizard, knowing this was her husband and she was supposed to support him in order to create peace. They went to the desolate land called California and she cried often, missing her friends and family.

Occasionally, the wizard's friends would visit from the south and that was fun. One time, the maiden had a friend visit from the east and that was good times as well. However; often, the maiden felt sad and alone.

Until one fine day, a princess called. The princess told the maiden that she would come to the desolate land for a quick visit. This great news of joy caused the maiden to dance a happy jig and high five Merlin, for he would be out of town this weekend. It would be a true girl appreciation weekend with the maiden, the princess, and the three daughters.

The princess ventured far and wide, in search for this land they call California. Finally, the princess and the maiden were together again, for they had worked very hard together in the homeland providing education for young children and they played often.

Together again, the princess and the maiden decided to Have a Coke. The sweet sugary substance instantly made everything better....along with the much anticipated sunshine and warm weather.
They purchased matching hoodies and took an adventure to the beautiful bridge. The laughed merrily as they looked like insane tourists but the maiden felt giddy and couldn't help it.

They watched movies with the three young daughters. Many, many movies.

They experienced the great outdoors and rolling grassy fields of this new land. There were many smiles from this happy bunch.

They enjoyed the whole weekend together, seeing the sites and relishing in happiness.

The maiden decided to let all of her friends from her homeland know that they could visit anytime. She decided maybe the wizard named Merlin is not as wicked as she once thought and would try harder to make the most out of living in her new land.

The end.

Fanatics

You know those guys at the gym? Those ones that groan, grunt, and make a face every time they lift a weight? If it is that hard for them to lift, then why go so heavy? Do they not know that they're in public? People are watching and laughing. I lift heavy weights but it doesn't sound like a cow sent for slaughter.

Also, one girl....you know who you are....dancing around after every set you lift. We didn't come to the gym to watch you belly dance from machine to machine. Find a private spot to shake your groove thing because it's almost offensive what you're doing.

Last, girls and guys, why do you constantly look in the mirror? I get wanting to make sure your form is correct or that you need to go low enough for your squats, but checking yourself out before, during, and after everything you do? Even when talking to another person? Seriously?

Please tell me I'm not alone on my rants....I need a friend....lol
fanatics