S-Seminary/Softball

Seminary was hard this year what can I say. I could barely juggle all of my school classes, papers, and homework, and then also prepare a lesson each night, along with handling all the household responsibilities alone, not to mention being a mother and keeping up with Ashlee. (ok that was a serious run on sentence, which is totally aloud in blogging) All that being said, it is such a blessing to be able to teach. I love interacting with the kids and seeing how much they change over the year, how they grow, and how they learn to trust me. Most of all however I treasure the opportunity to STUDY, not just read, the scriptures everynight. I cannot believe the difference that kind of study has made in my life. It changes the way I view my life, and the world. I truly get that wonderful start to the day that makes all the difference, and my testimony is strengthened so much because of it. I love the kids that I teach, infact sometimes groups of them come over on the weekends and we play Wii all night. It is so much fun to be with them. (Mother and Bill, if you are reading this I should just let you both know that I DID decide to teach again this fall. I know you are both going to kill me and you think I am crazy, but there are just too many blessing from teaching and I need them and feel like the Lord still wants me to teach)

So that I will remember: Left to Right, Andrew Jester, Nicolas Gillen, Corwin Palmer, and Zack Decker.

Left to Right: Charity Borner, Cassie Reagan, Ashley ?, Jaycee Taylor, and Brook Tobler

Evan Lerdall, Chase Russell, and Steven Tobler

Evan Lerdall, Chase Russell, Steven Tobler, Andrew White, and Mitch Reagan.

Quick story: (Sorry this is my journal too. The boy in the yellow shirt, Andrew White, is such a sweet spirit. He is always so kind and thoughful, completely unlike a normal teenager. The first year I taught he remembered my birthday and christmas and brought me a gift each day with a hand written note thanking me for the time I take on the lessons. On the last day of seminary this year he asked if I was teaching again and I said," I don't know Andrew, I just might and then you would be stuck with me 3 years in a row. He replied "I hope so, you are the best teacher ever." Andrew is one of the reasons that waking up at 5:00 am is worth it.

Softball- I am playing on a co-ed softball team this summer. I almost didn't play because I am just getting too old, and lets face it, I am way out of shape, but I said yes. I am having a blast. I had forgotten how much I like to play. I am glad that the skills came back to me. I have been playing left-center field, but I got moved in to 2nd this past week. I love infield and feel more comfortable there. I can actually hit the ball, and run, although not like I used to. Last week, June 18th, I had the best time however because Ashlee played with our team because we were short girls. She had never played a game before in her life and really had only hit the ball a few times in the park with us as a family. She was so awesome. She played left-center, in my spot, and I moved over to center field. It was so much fun getting to play with her. She did a great job too. She got on base everytime she hit. And the mark of a true ball player, she came home with an injury, a jammed finger. Our team took first place in the league. Already can't wait till next year. Plus next year Husband can play.

Ashlee with her jammed finger. There's No Crying In Baseball!

In the middle of the picture is Kristen Williams and I walking in from the field. Kristen and I played on the same softball team when we were in elementary school. Makes me feel like a kid again.

Trying to stretch before the game so the base running doesn't kill me.

My Mom and Dad came to one of my games. It was fun to have them there. When I was younger my Mom was my softball coach and my Dad was always at every game. On off days he used to pitch to me for hours in our front yard.

T-Talent Show

Ashlee was in the end of the year talent show at her school again this year. It is so fun to watch her sing. The kids love it too becuase all the other acts are typical of a middle school talent show and then Ashlee gets up there and sings rock songs. This year she wanted to sing something different and so she sang Paramore Misery Business.

U- U-TURN

Over 4th of July weekend we were in a car accident in Heber Utah on our way to the family reunion. I was making a U-turn and this lady (her name was Sadie, so we have forgiven her) smashed into us from behind. I was given the ticket (which is wrong) cuz she hit me from behind, but the ticket said I did not have enough time to make the U-turn. Whatever! Anyways, I was glad that no one was hurt especially my two babies (my dogs) in the back. Yes, Ashlee and Jaci were in there too, but my dogs were not seat belted, thus the worry.

V- Volleyball

Volleyball is in full swing. Ashlee has been attending summer practices twice a week and also goes to weight training twice a week. She is really hoping to make the high school team, and it is going to take a lot of work to beat the "small town politics". She will be attending 2 volleyball camps this summer and hopefully she will earn a spot. Next week, August 10-14 is the pre-season tryout camp. I am so proud of her for working so hard for this. She loves to play and she is good, so I am pulling for her.

Y- Young Ambassadors/ Year Mark

Year Mark- We have started the year countdown until Bill finishes school. April of 2010 he should be done. The past few months have been really hard being apart. Not only is it just hard to be apart, but I sometimes have so much on my shoulders that I can't take it all. I am back to being a single mom and boy those times were tough. We are both getting pretty burned out but we are lucky to have each others support. Bill arrived home on July 23rd for his 6 week summer break. This will be the longests amount of time that we have seen each other for a year. It has been so nice to have him home and almost feels normal again. Bill is so much help at home. He cooks dinner, helps with housework, helps with the Ashlee taxi and does all those "man" things that I just can't do. I appreciate him so much and I know that I am lucky to have such a great husband.

Young Ambassadors Singing Entertainers- Ashlee had a wonderful opportunity this summer to attend the YASE workshop at BYU thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Hilliard. She had a blast there, met some great friends, and learned a lot. She loves to sing and loves to perform so this was right up her alley. She wants to continue to audition for more plays. You can watch the video of her solo performance on my Facebook page, or on YouTube under SadiePollyPops user name.

Proof that Ashlee's room in college will be as messy as her room at home.

Lots of New Friends!

Z- Zzzzss Not Getting Any

The only people getting a lot of Zzzs are Ashlee and The Pops. I kept thinking all spring when I was teaching seminary and in school that I couldn't wait till the summer so I could sleep more. Now that summer is here I find myself staying up really late at night trying to get stuff done or play with Ashlee. Then while she gets to sleep in until noon, I have to wake up early for work.