Lacrosse Rocks!

One year ago this month, they were a ragtag group of boys who had dreams of learning to play lacrosse. Over the last year, they've been through lots of hard work and practice in every type of weather, but it paid off. Now they're official. The NorthWest Arkansas Knights just played in their very first tournament!

Colin's been hooked on lacrosse since a friend who had just moved here from another state brought a stick to Scout Camp a couple of years ago. That's all it took for the fever to catch on. If you haven't seen a game, it looks like a combination of football, basketball, and soccer, but with nets on long sticks. (Nothing like giving a teenage boy a little padding, a big stick, and room to run!) Check out the couple of pictures I posted here. My favorite is the knee shot--we pad the head, the arms, the hands, the chest...but put them in shorts. And boy, do they hit the ground often, since tackling and attacking with the sticks is allowed. (That's my Tide-commercial kid in the middle. He's #13 in the other photos.)

We traveled to Tulsa, Oklahoma last weekend so they could play against teams from Tulsa; Springfield, Missouri; and Wichita, Kansas. Three games, and we didn't win any of them on paper, but so what?! The boys had a fabulous time, and they were playing against lacrosse clubs that had been together for several years. The first game ended in a tie at 4-4, so we went into overtime. We ended up losing 5-4 but in double overtime! The other two games weren't quite as close, but they weren't blow outs either. All the other coaches, referees, and parents were completely amazed that those were our first games ever...apparently, we didn't look anything like novices. Way to go, guys!

My proverbial hat is off to Vera McMurrin for bringing her idea to life. It was so fun to watch her watch the games last Saturday...the look of joy on her face was a delight to watch. It was her son Drew who got the boys started so long ago, and as a former high school and collegiate lacrosse player herself, she started the team, recruited the coaches, and now manages two large teams. She's found a new passion and thrill for these kids. Drew is #25 here, to Colin's right.

(But the way, if you're reading this, and you have a son aged 11-18 who's interested in learning this amazing sport, let me know!)

Musings on the eve of turning 40

Yep, really. I have about 1 hour and 42 minutes to say I'm in my 30's. It's a little too late to accomplish all the things I thought I'd do by the time I was 40.

So in that train of thought, I've spent a little time in the last week thinking of all the things I really did want to do by the time I got to 40. And you know what? I can't really think of more than a couple of concrete things. Sad, but living proof that a dream not written down is only a wish. Maybe if I'd made that official list I would have actually done all those cool things...instead of being left with a bunch of wishes that never came true. Little too late for that, hey?

One thing I did have on that unwritten list...I thought I'd get to Europe by this point in my life. Ha! But I drove my best friend and her husband to the airport today, on their way to a romantic getaway in Spain. Does that count for something?

They say 40 is the new 30. Ya think? Or is it just a way for all the 40-somethings to make themselves feel better?

We'll see tomorrow. Maybe I'll wake up a new person. (Hey, for my birthday, can I have a new body? One that looks good and works right?)

And tomorrow, as I enter a whole new demographic, I'll make a list of things to do before I get to 50. (NO WAY! Did I just write that? That's the next milestone? Oh my word...)

Finally Fifteen

Yes, my big boy is getting bigger all the time. Colin turned 15 today. 15! Where has the time gone?

You know, I love to hear other parents tell me what a great kid he is. I mean, I know he is, but what mother doesn't want to hear that others admire him? And I do hear it often. Not that I like to brag, but today I think I have the right to do so.

I know we've made lots of mistakes on you, our first-born child. But I really think that along the way, we've done much more good than harm. How else could you be so amazing? We're blessed to have you lead the way in the next generation of our family.

Dude, you rock.

Blog-crastination

You know, a blog sounded like a good idea at the time. Especially for someone who likes to write. Or at least someone who thinks about what I'd write if I took the time to pen the multitude of words rattling around in my brain.

I'm inspired daily by friends who are quick with the social commentary, whose lives are one insightful moment after another, who take the time to be creative on a daily basis and share the bounty with others. And I wanted to be another cool blogger, moving my little world forward one entry at a time.

But I've let the blog become another checkmark on the daily task list. It wasn't supposed to be a chore! But the writer in me refuses to let it all loose, instead thinking I have to pen the perfect essay on life as I see it. Get the words exactly right. Find the hidden meaning in the daily happenstances of a crazy life. And sound somewhat intelligent in the process.

Bah, humbug. Life is moving on, and I'm not documenting it.

And so I've updated a little. Okay, a lot. Changed the dates to protect the tardy. Fudged it up so that you, the few readers of my little blog, might have some semblance of what's been happening in our corner of the world. I'll be adding a couple more new ones in the next day or two. It's like a game--seek and ye shall find! Enjoy!

Me and my Valentine

Yes, it's that one time of the year that David puts on his dancing shoes and boogies down with me. Must be the annual Elders' Quorum Valentine's Dinner Dance!

Good food, great friends, awesome music, and oh yeah, David's in charge AGAIN! (Which means I get to go early, cook a lot, and stay late to clean up too...)

But if it weren't for this annual event, I (along with many women in our ward) wouldn't get the chance to prove that yes, at one point in my life, I did learn how to ballroom dance. And I still remember how to shake my groove thing.

I'm glad you're my Valentine, David! U R 2 CUTE! I love you!

Divas in Dallas

Had to dish on my latest travel adventure...

I teach scrapbook classes at a local store called Signed Sealed Delivered. It's a classy gift store and a scrapbook store...a two-for-one very cool place to be. Our gift side was nominated by our vendors and sales reps as one of the top home accessory stores in the nation.

And so a bunch of the crew headed to Dallas for the gala celebration. We were told it would be an Emmy-like night, with the red carpet, the glitz, and the glam...and it was! From the posh hotel room to the unbelievably beautiful reception hall to the gastronomical feast with gourmet fare, we partied the night away. It would have been a blast anyway, but top it all off, we won the prestigious award!

I had to post a picture of me all dolled up. Formal gown, glam jewels, high heels and cute little handbag...it was a once-in-a-lifetime event. I'm glad I got to share it with my SSD scrapbook buddies. Girls' weekend out, and we were the bomb!

Two Quick Happy Thoughts

Two things that made me happy this afternoon...had to share!

First is my long-time book club. The third Thursday of every month at noon finds us lounging at someone's home, reveling in shared sisterhood and a love of literature. Good friends, good books, good discussions, and good food (which is reason enough to come!) I'm in two book clubs and love them both, but this one has been going on for several years, and I have to give a shout out to the gang. We may not always agree on our feelings for the book, but we are always agreeable and we leave well fed, physically and mentally.

Second, it's been too long since I had a manicure, and my hands are still in heaven. I'm headed to a black-tie, red-carpet, fancy-schmanzy event in Dallas this weekend and wanted to spiff up my image, so I treated myself to a mani. Nothing like having someone massage my carpal-tunnel-weary hands to reinvigorate my spirit. Plus, anything that makes my short little nails look pretty is worthy of mention. (Now if only my floor-length black velvet dress and strappy little high heels will do the same for the rest of me!) No time for a pedicure today...and maybe one day I'll get the full-body massage I dream about. I have to have something to look forward to, hey?