Got Jazzed

Okay, so if you think you're the biggest Jazz fan that ever walked the face of the planet you haven't met my Grandma. She watches every game and knows the ins and outs of every single player on the team. She is elated when they win and devastated when they lose. She strategizes about plays and probably would have a thing or two to say to Mr. Sloan and the rest of the players if they aren't living up to the bargain of winning. Grandma has been fighting cancer and congenitive heart failure and has been declining steadily over the past year. On a recent visit with her she was talking Jazz with Todd and said, "I just don't know what I'll do when the season is over--I will have to find something else to occupy my time!" It's with this comment, the fact that her birthday was coming up, and the fact that she will shortly be leaving this life that I decided to take her to a Jazz game.

I told her of our plan to take her to a Jazz game on a recent birthday celebration. She squealed and threw her hands to her head exclaiming, "Oh! I never thought I'd get to go to another game! I'm so excited!" Over the next few weeks she proceeded to tell everyone whom she came in contact with that she would be going to a Jazz game. I started the quest to find tickets. Oh boy. I didn't know how difficult it would be. I called the ticket office and they only had 2 wheelchair-accessible options for the rest of the season: Option 1: close up and by herself or Option 2: the very top row. Grandma is legally blind and she would rather sit home and watch it on tv than to sit by herself. So, I petitioned to everyone I knew who might have access to tickets. I called the Jazz headquarters, telling everyone who would listen to my story to see if any other tickets might be available. I talked with friends, family and I even put an ad on KSL pleading for someone to be generous and settle for less than they were asking. When I found myself panicking, I inevitably had a calm come over me and I knew something would come through. My prayers would not go unnoticed.

To make a long story short, my brother did come through. Thanks D. He works for Xango and not only did he get the Xango suite, but he was able to get it for the sold-out Phoenix game that I had wanted to take her to. In her own words, "Phoenix is my Alma-mater! (she's from AZ). She had been checked into a care facility only days prior because of some falls she has had, but her ONE worry was that she wouldn't be able to go to the Jazz game. Luckily the facility okayed her being checked out. So I went to pick her up Saturday, arriving earlier than I had arranged with her. I found her waiting on the front couch, purse in hand, adorning her Jazz T-shirt and as giddy as a 3-year old with a popsicle.

Kudos to the Energy Solutions Arena staff who met us curbside with a wheelchair, took Grandma to the suite and after the game was over, waited outside in the freezing cold to help her into the car. We were VIPs for one night. The seats were AWESOME, she could see everything and we had all the guaco-dip, Swedish Fish, Apple Pie a la mode, and Xango juice (to name just a few) our bellies could handle. Grandma said, "This can be my funeral--this is all I need!" I kept worrying about her ability to see everything and she said the figures were blurry but that she knew the players well enough to know who they were. We saw Shaq in real life and yes, he really IS that big!

Though the Jazz were up by 21 at half and we thought the game was in the bag, Grandma almost left disappointed as Phoenix came back to take the lead in the second half. I literally saw her biting her nails as they went into overtime. Luckily they pulled off the win and I dare say they did it for the little old lady with the big grin in the Xango suite.

Thanks again, Dainon, for having the clout at work and making this possible and thanks Grandma for sticking around long enough for me to see you enjoy another Jazz game.

Far too much fun for one weekend!

Okay, so a few weekends back, all the boys needed a haircut, Todd in particular. He had grown out his luscious curls to the longest I had ever seen in our going-on 11 years. When pulled straight, his hair was a good 3-4 inches all the way around. This makes for some major poof, particularly around the back, with or without gel! SO, it was time. I hadn't realized how long it had gotten and it was hard for me to cut them off, but prior to cutting, I decided to have a little bit of fun with his hair. It made for a LOT of laughter and far too much fun--yes, folks, this is what we do for fun in our house on the weekend late at night! See for yourself:

This is the poofant when it was combed out. Ah, c'mon, honey, gimme a real smile!


Then I decided to give him his very first comb-over and it actually was long enough to stay put, if even for a few second. What do you think? Does it suit him? Oh, I giggle just looking at it!


I thought, "Hey, this is long enough for ponytails!" So I did it! And what a great sport Todd was for it! What was great was that his hair curled right over into little palm trees all over his head just perfectly!




And THEN I took the ponies out and they stayed in little palms!


What a good sport I have for a husband! Thanks, honey, for letting have my fun and laugh at your expense!!! Thanks, too, for letting me post these blackmail photos!!!! I love you forever--you and all your lovely curls!

Drew is 4

Andrew had a birthday on Monday, so he is now 4! I told him this is the magic age when no more thumb-sucking is allowed, though it has yet to be affective. He had a little friend party on Saturday and family parties Sunday and Monday nights. Sheesh, he is spoiled!

March birthdays for my family included Andrew, Grandma Moody and my niece, Meili.


We got Andrew a "big-boy" bike this year (Spiderman, of course) and he was thrilled! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Hillam for the matching Transformer helmet! He loves it!


I made him his own Jedi outfit for his birthday. His experience at the Jedi training really did a number on him! He was thrilled not only with that but the 3, yes 3, light sabers he got for his birthday.



Once again, Todd did wonders on the cake. Andrew requested Batman as his theme this year--so what do you think? Todd was Super-Dad once again.



Happy Birthday Little Drew! We are so glad you are in our family. You bring us all laughter and joy each day of our lives. Thanks for choosing us.

Inspired at McDonalds

Monday was teacher development day for us here in Alpine School District, which meant my kids were home. After a few failed attempts to meet up with family or friends I took matters into my own hands and headed to McDonald's Playland for lunch--real original and real fun, I know.

While the kids were romping, sliding and laughing, I noticed a young mom who had come to do the same thing as me, with her boys, sitting at the table next to me. I kept trying to suppress the gnawing need to talk to her. Didn't work too well, so I struck up a conversation with the stranger next to me.

I won't go into detail about our conversation and the life story that she so freely shared with me, but suffice it to say I was touched. I was reminded once again how I should live my life, how forgiveness not only heals, but blesses. The lessons she learned and shared seemed to reach out, hold and teach my soul. Sure, she spoke of truths that I have known my whole life, yet somehow she seemed to say the things I needed to hear right now in my life. Funny how that happens. The Man needed me to learn something and He showed me where to find my lesson for the day.

So, in this ugly world where walls are growing ever-thicker and taller, don't be afraid to let someone in once in a while. Like me you might just be surprised by the connection that is felt and the clarity revealed. There might just be beauty somewhere in the ugliness. That's one lesson I decided right then and there to implement more fully into my living.

Sorry I didn't get your name, but thanks Stranger. . .

Disney -- 7th and Final Day!

Okay, are you as relieved to have come to the end of our trip as I am? Sorry I'm such a slacker.

Day 7 was Sunday, so we kept it low-key. We visited the Orlando temple. It was as beautiful as every other temple and we had a great time taking lots of photos. The kids were able to run around in the open spaces and we enjoyed the down-time.

Then we headed to the Magic Kingdom where we stood in the princess and pixie lines that we didn't want to wait in earlier in the week. We didn't do any rides, but just took it easy and met lots more characters. Quite frankly, the kids didn't even want to go on any more rides! We watched the parade and finally saw Donald Duck and Goofy (even though they were on a float).

Then we went to Downtown Disney, where we had dinner at the Rainforest Cafe (highly overrated, over-priced, poor service and food, but the ambiance was fun for the kids). Then we spent time walking around to the many different shops over-stimulating our poor kids' brains as much as we could!

We got home too late to swim, but the water was finally warm, so we did anyway! It was the first time the water was warm enough all week. Todd took the 3 kids--I started packing. It was a great day to end such a wonderful vacation.

The kids loved the plane ride home as much as the way over. This trip was a first for them to fly anywhere and I think being on an airplane was a highlight for them.



Many people have asked me what MY favorite part of our trip was. After much thought I must say that it was quite simply the togetherness that I felt with my family. I bonded with my kids and everyone, for the most part, was happy. Experiencing this together definitely brought us closer as a family and I understand more deeply the importance of creating lasting memories with my kids. I know this will remain a priority of mine, just as it was for my parents, and I will continue to get away with my family as often as we are able. We only have the rest of eternity with one another--might as well start now, right? Thanks family--I had a great time. . .

March Forth

Since today is the only day of the year that is also a command, I want to issue a challenge for everyone. Do something today that makes a difference: a small act of service, maybe play 1/2 hour with your child, donate to your favorite charity, call your grandma, write a note to a friend, etc. Whatever you decide to do, March Forth with purpose and make today count!