March Birthday Girls

"This month is such a special one, it's birthday time for . . . Chelle, Jordy, Jenna, Katia!!!"

Jordyn is our first birthday of the year.

She got a big surprise when she opened her locker at school and found this bouquet of carnations from one of her friends (dare I say, a male friend?).

Got a yellow theme going here with her gifts.

She now has a chair for her desk.

Count 'em!  Fifteen candles falling over in the caramel icing on her Rice Krispie Cake - it was too hard to stick them in very far.

The very next day was Jenna's eleventh birthday!

She's working hard at decorating her marble cake.

With her gifts in the bags . . .

. . . and out of the bags.  I take the girls shopping now before their birthdays and they pick out their own gifts - that way they get exactly what they want.  I usually throw in a little surprise though!

Gettin' ready to blow.  And what a marvellous job of decorating that cake Jenna!

Chelle is turning twenty!!!

I feel way too young to have a twenty year old!!!

What better surprise for the broke college student than a few $20's for her 20th?  And her favourite print of the Savior.

Her birthday was on Thursday but we did her family dinner on Sunday because she was just too busy during the week.

A Tres Leche Cake for Chelle with one candle for each decade of her life.  Just before this picture, she had been playing with the flames - running her finger through them with little sister right there watching - silly girl!  Looks like she has one boyfriend there - I think she did this on purpose because it's really not too hard to blow out two candles.  Mackenzie was actually helping her and we had to relight them - that's why Chelle's laughing.  She'd do such a big wind up to blow and Kenzie would sneak in there and blow them out first!

 

Our final birthday of the month is Katia!!!

We had a special surprise that Katia knew nothing about . . .  

. . . cousins came to visit and stay for a few days!!!  That's the best birthday surprise ever!!!

Patiently waiting for the gift opening to begin.

Ah, the soft new rag blanket I made for her.

Katia did a fabulous job of decorating her cake!  Once she blew out the candles, it only took us about five minutes to take everything off before we could eat.

And there is the tired new seven year old, snuggling under her new blanket.

 

There is nothing courageous about having birthdays!!!  They come whether we want them to or not!  I guess the courage comes with what each new age represents and how we react to it.  Mosts of my girls' next birthdays are pretty special:  we'll have one turning 8 and preparing for baptism.  We'll have one turning 12 and leaving Primary and advancing to Young Women's.  We'll have one turning 14 which means learners (eek!) and dances and boy/girl parties (eek!).  We'll have one turning 16 which means . . . driving (eek!) and group dating (eek!).  We'll have one turning 18 and being legally an adult (eek!) and leaving home (sob!).  Okay, I see that I'm going to need lots of courage!!!  But right now I just have to gear up for my birthday in thirteen days - it's a special one too:  I'm getting older AND wiser!

 

A Hoop for the Girls

A snowy day in late March, Richie and the girls decided it was time to install a basketball hoop on the workshop.  This is the only part of the yard with any cement right now so it's the perfect place for the hoop.

Chelle with a triangle.

How many triangles can you count in this picture?

 

Carlee and Daddy doing the installation.

 

Legs and triangles!

 

Chelle and Jas up with Dad, and Jordy being the happy little gopher.

So, how high from the ground should the hoop be?

Chelle passing down the level - I guess it's straight.  Doesn't this looks 3D - did you reach out and grab the level?

And there we have it - one basketball hoop.  It even has a net on it now.

It doesn't matter that we don't have any closet rods installed yet, or railings on our stairs, or carpet, or tiles - we have a basketball hoop!!!

At least our priorities are right!

Last Chapter of Jazzy's Basketball Career

This final chapter of basketball did not end the way we had hoped.  We had hoped to end up at Provincials!  We were ranked 2nd heading into our South Zone tournament.  We only had to win one of the two games we had to play in order to make it to Provincials as our zone was allotted three spots.

Our first game was against Myers, the third ranked team.  We've each beaten each other during regular season play so it was anybody's game.  Unfortunately the refs were playing for Myers too.  True, our girls did not play as they could have, and our shots not going in is our fault.  However, four girls being fouled out on our team, and only one on the other team, was the refs.  Especially because one of them was Jazzy!  She's one of the cleanest players out there and has never been in foul trouble in her life - and she got fouled out of this important game.  Furthermore, when you get to the very last picture and see her bruised nose and eyes, remember that even though she got the elbow in the face that caused this damage, she was the one who got the foul called on her. Yeah - just typing about it is making me frustrated again!  Twas a sad game.

So, losing that game put us in the third place game - winner still gets to go to Provincials.  I had my camera out for this game!  This was against the fourth ranked team, Winston, who we had beaten each time we played them but they were very close games. 

Ready for the Jump Ball - go Jaime!  Jazzy is #5 (top right).

That's Jas with the ball.

We're guests in this game, so clearly we did not have a very promising first quarter.

She can jump!!! 

And let me just add that I really like their navy away uniforms!

That's Jazzy's foul shot going through the basket!

Score looks a lot better at the beginning of the third quarter - only down by 6.

Cheering for a basket - what's the score now?

Time out!  Great camera skills where I show the score and the time out!  Near the end of the third quarter and down by 10 points. 

Love this picture of my niece Jaime - she's our tall girl and was our team high scorer.  She worked so hard every game and played the AllStar game.  She has one of the sweetest foul shots ever!!!

Jazzy on the foul line again - swish!  She did great at the foul line this game - only missed one.

Start of the final quarter - down by 5.  That's do-able!!!

Now this looks better - tie game with three minutes left.

{This is getting a little hard on my heart now!}

Time out - still tied - just over a minute left.

Still tied - thirty seconds left - ahhhh!!!!

We actually got down to being tied with three seconds left - looked like we'd be heading into overtime.  And then we fouled their best shooter at the three point line so she got three foul shots.

This is not looking good.

And this looks even worse!

Game over - we missed going to Provincials by two points.  Lots of sad girls and parents.  And that was the end of Jasmine's High School basketball career.

But on a happy note for her, this was one of her best games ever.  She was High Scorer with 19 points and did some remarkable stuff.  So while it was a sad end to the season, at least she ended with personal best.  Thanks for years and years of great entertainment Jazzy!

This lovely photo shows Jas at the end of her basketball career.  We were trying to show the bruises, but when she smiled they disappeared - hence the passport-like photo.  And yes, this injured face is her fouling another player (can you feel the sarcasm).

Courage:  well, let's see where my thoughts will go . . . sometimes it's more courageous to not do something.  Anyone can yell at a ref.  Sitting there, biting your tongue, showing good sportsmanship and setting an example to others around you (especially your children) often takes more courage.  Our kids on the floor are often embarrassed when their parents are yelling out at the officials.  So parents, let's be strong and of a good courage.  Let's be like our kids who, even though they're so sad they lost a game, still manage to shake hands with the other team and congratulate them.
Good sportsmanship takes courage!

Go Pandas!!!

Basketball Seasons

We had five daughters involved with basketball in one way or another this year.  Fun, busy season!!!

I love this picture of Jazzy (middle) and some of her teammates.  Their knees take such a beating during basketball.

Fun for cousins to play together - Jasmine and Jaime were both starters on the Varsity team.  Jaime played Post and Jas played Guard/Post, depending on who else was on the floor!

Warming up.

Four of the five Seniors on the team.  This was Seniors' Night - the last home game of the season where they recognize the Senior players with a plaque, framed pictures and roses for their mommas.

The coaches give a little blurb about each player and then they run to their mommas and give them a big hug - and dump off all their treasures!

Jasmine's coaches said she was the only Senior who didn't miss a game due to injury and she has had to play every position on the floor, due to injuries of other players.  Her versatility saved us!  They also said she was very teachable.

Thanks Coaches!!!

Jazzy says her most memorable game was in a tournament where three of our starters were out with injuries.  Jas played every position and didn't get subbed out the whole game.  At the end of the game, the score was tied so we went into overtime.  Foul trouble hit us and we finished that overtime, tied again, with only four players on the floor.  So between injuries and fouled out players, we only had four girls to play in the second overtime.  Jas and a grade 11 girl were on fire and we were able to pull off the win by four.  Too exciting!!!

(Stay tuned for a post about Jas at Zones.)

Moving on to Jordyn  . . .

. . . she had so much fun being part of the volleyball team that she wanted to be part of the basketball team too.  (She's the one smiling in the picture!)  So she was able to be one of the statisticians for the Grade 9 team.  She designed a workable stat sheet and went to all the games and tournaments with her team and kept track of absolutely everything (the regular stuff like baskets, fouls, rebounds, turnovers, as well as time in and out and stuff on the other team too).

They're a really good team - finished second in Divisionals, and in Zones they . . .

. . . won the banner!!!  We enjoyed watching that exciting final game!

Moving on to Carlee  . . .

. . . hmm - it seems that I didn't take any pictures of her!  Oops - good thing she's still playing Spring League - I'll be sure to get some of her.  She was on the Grade 8 team and they had a great season and finished second in Divisionals (losing to a team they had beaten before in league play).

This was Katia's first chance to play basketball at the Grade 1 level. 

She played on Saturday mornings for six weeks with other kids her age.

She's really becoming a good little dribbler and loves playing.

And finally . . .

. . . Jenna at the Grade 5 level.  She played on Saturday mornings, and Thursdays after school.  She has an excellent shot and is one of the taller girls right now too.

Here she's being guarded by a grade 9 player!  Jenna loves the game and is always running off to school dribbling a basketball.  She loves to stay after school and shoot hoops with her friends.  A few weeks ago Daddy and the girls installed a hoop on our workshop and Jenna is faithfully out there each day, shooting, and shooting and shooting!  And it's always fun when sisters come out and play with her.

So, what can I say about "courage" and basketball?  I didn't play basketball so I don't know what it's like to actually play ball, but as a mother watching my kids out there on the floor - well, that takes courage!  It can be a really rough game, and there is no protection at all!!!  I'm glad my girls have pony tails - it's softened the blow to their heads a few times as they hit the floor.  And remember those knees from the first picture - and knees aren't the only bruised parts!  They have some teams they really don't like to play against because of dirty little tricks they play - like pinching you on the back of your arm (you can't help but swing your elbow when this happens, and then you get a foul called on you), or wrapping their leg around you so when you start to run, you trip and lose the ball.  These girls are constantly pushing and shoving as they try to box out and get the rebounds - it's a tough sport.  And I have to be a tough momma as I watch my girls doing the best they can out there on the floor!!! 

Siblings United!!!

In February my three sisters and I went on a trip!!!  On Thursday we all gathered from our various homes into the most central airport, and then flew for four hours to our big brother's home.
A kind stranger snapped this photo for us - it was midnight when we arrived - but we weren't tired!!!

Sis#3, Sis#2, Big Brother, Sis#1 (me), Sis#4

(No names for privacy reasons.)

Sis#3 made the pink name tags for us, just so big brother and his family would remember who we were - we hadn't been together since 2007. 

So after our initial greetings, big brother turns to me and says, "You got a new coat - very nice!" to which I replied, "Thanks!  Hey, you got a new coat too!" In my mind I'm wondering how he knew my coat was new - but then I remember big brother's sense of humour!  For the next four days we would joke about things that were new (obviously we had no clue what was new or not!).

Friday was spent together playing and chatting and eating - just having fun getting to know each other again.  My two nephews had grown up a ton since we last saw each other five years ago.  And then we had the joy of meeting our new niece - which was the whole purpose of the trip. . .

On Saturday morning, we all went to the temple together, along with  many others, and she was sealed to her new family.

A Forever Family

I love this picture of mom looking at her daughter!

Two things stand out in my mind from this morning - nothing huge, just special little memories.  The first happened while we were all in the waiting room, waiting to be taken to the sealing room.  This beautiful girl appeared in the doorway, looking like an angel, with the most joyful smile on her face.  She looked radiant and so happy that this day had finally arrived!!!  Then we all followed her up to the sealing room, where her grandfather was able to do the sealing.

The other little memory was on the car ride back to the house.  I was in the car with  my sister-in-law, niece and a nephew.  We were down the road a little ways and carrying on other conversations, when my sweet niece said from the back seat, "I'm so happy!" and she repeated it two or three times.  It just touched my heart and I was so happy for her.  I was happy that she was happy, and happy that she is now sealed to a loving family.  A very happy day!!!

My good-looking and fun-loving niece and nephews!!!

My brother with his family on one side and sisters on the other.

{And yes, if my boots hadn't had heels, I would still be the shortest!}

Yeah, it's us again!  We had so much fun together!

And then there was another wonderful surprise!!! 

We got to see our Aunt in the temple, and then we were able to visit with our two cousins for a little while outside the temple.  They were so awesome!!!  I've only seen them about 2-3 times in my life, but they were just super!!!  I could have spent days with them!  But at least we have Facebook to help us stay in touch!!!

After the special morning in the temple, there was an Open House at big brother's home with tons of people sharing in their joy.  Their family even sang a song "Count on Me" by Bruno Mars - it was really cute.  And they told the whole adoption story - very special.

On Sunday it was great to attend church with them.  So many people had connections to my little town, and I came home with a big list of people that I had to say Hi to.  I even recognized one of the missionaries in their ward as being the enemy - a basketball player from one of the other schools nearby, who used to play against my nephew here at home! 

Sunday evening we basically played and played and played and laughed and laughed and laughed, oh and we ate and ate and ate.  There were some pretty wild games going on too.  And we were able to squeeze in a few games of Settlers of Zarahemla too!

Hanging out in the family room of their beautiful new home.

On Monday we had to say our Goodbye's to the kids when they left for school that morning.  It was so great to get to know them better.  They are talented and amazing people and I just love them!  And again I'm glad for Facebook to help us stay a little more connected with their lives. 

Our flight didn't leave til 4:00pm so we had quite a few hours to be with Big Brother and his wife.  She took such great care of us - such a loving and hospitable person, looking out for everyone's needs.  They even rented a car so we could get around.  It truly was a wonderful visit and very hard to say Goodbye (I seem to have a very high water table these days!).  Luckily we're planning a family reunion for August!!!  The cousins will have such fun together!  Adults too, of course!

Alas, all good things must come to a close.  Brother took us back to the airport and shipped us away on a plane.

Did I even mention that we had these two little cuties with us?  Sis#2 and #3 each brought a little guy - around eight months old.  They were both so good.

And here we are on our trip home (I'm behind the camera!).  We're glad no one sat in the third seat on each side - nice to have a spot for the little guys and toys.  Because of oxygen masks (or lack of) we couldn't have two babies in the same group of seats.  On our flight out we had three seats together with Sis#2 right in front of us (this was lucky because we hadn't prebooked our seats).  Coming home we prebooked 24 hours in advance so we could be together like this.  And it was daylight too.

This picture is to prove that I really was on a plane!!!  (If it's on my camera, it's proof, right?)

I can think of a few courageous things about this trip!  The first was getting in a plane and flying almost 40,000 feet above ground.  Not that I'm afraid to fly, but I do like my feet planted safely on solid ground!

The second was leaving my family for five days!  They are so wonderful that I just miss being around them and sharing in their lives.  I even missed Jas being asked to Grad the first night I was away.  Before I left I wrote them all little love notes and left them on their pillows.  And yes, I cried saying goodbye to all of them!

The final one was being in a vehicle driven by Sis#4 in all that crazy traffic and huge freeways!  Actually, I think she was the courageous one being willing to do it!  I was the navigator!!!

It was an absolutely delightful trip and one that will be a special memory forever! 

My Word for 2012

The word I chose to guide me through 2012 was Courage.

"Be strong and of a good courage . . ." (Joshua 1:9)

You can read all about why I choose a word for the year by clicking here.

Last year my word was Delight. 

I started this blog (notice the title!!!) and tried to end each post with something I delighted in.  This year I'll try to end each post with some reference to this year's word - Courage.

I'm confident I can do this (how's that for courage?) lol