Sean's Basketball Season

This was a first for Sean.  He has been waiting and waiting to be on a team and this fall he got the chance.  We started with the Boys & Girls Club league and at the first practice he cried, and sat by me on the bench, watching.  I wasn't sure if he would ever join the fun, but since he had two friends playing along with him, the shyness wore off and the fun began by the next practice.  He loved every second of playing and looked forward to each game.  He played hard, and most of the time, played the entire game.   Below is a video of his first basket. 

The best part of the season was the last game, played full court, and the trophy that came after.  Honestly, I was worried there wouldn't be a trophy at the end and so relieved.  Sean made it very clear in the car before the last game, if there wasn't a trophy, I would have to go buy him one at the store.  The trophy has been a big hit, going every where that we go, and being held and worshiped at all time.  I have never seen a kid so excited about a trophy before, and I am glad he got one.  

I have a feeling this will be the first trophy of many for this kid.  Andrew is motivated by Money, Sean is motivated by Trophies. 

Getting the Trophy.

Kira's Field Show 2013

Fall for Kira is busy, busy, busy.  Practicing actually starts in the summer and then the competitions begin in the fall.  This years show was "The Giving Tree" and I think it was their best one so far.  If you want to watch the show, go here.   Be sure and notice the Tree in the middle, it was my favorite part, next to the talented alto saxophone player. 

We made it to all the football games again this year and not only loved watching the band, but loved seeing Terra Nova go undefeated.  

Now the anticipation begins for what next years show will be. 

Thanksgiving 2013

This year was another eventful Thanksgiving that included long board skateboards, a trip to the ER and lots of hat making.  Yep, you read that right a trip to the ER.  Most of you will be glad to know that Tom Porter makes dumb mistakes, just like the rest of us.  Many of you, even him, thought he was exempt from doing so, but this Thanksgiving has proven he is just like the rest of us. 

After some peer pressure from my brother, Tom agreed to be towed behind a car on a skateboard.  They took a turn and Tom swung out to meet head on with a parked car.  Here are the results of that collision.  

 Thankfully nothing was broken (other then his ego).  He got to spend the rest of the vacation with his leg up, watching football, while the rest of us catered to his needs.  It has been weeks now and the healing is coming along.  This is what the leg looked like as of last night.  

I think next year, we will play it a little safer with what we choose to do, at least Tom will.

The Healing Brownies

This week I was planning what to make for a cookie exchange for a Relief Society get together.  I was going back and forth and then realized there was only one thing to make.  

Sara King's Brownies

Back in the early 2000's I was in the middle of a heartbreaking divorce and my life was not playing out the way I had always planned.  I had given birth to my son Andrew in 2001, and while he brought a great deal of joy and happiness to my life, there was a cloud of worry and sadness that was overwhelming.  I had two friends Lisa and Sara that surrounded me with fun and laughter, and filled my belly with good food, and brownies.  Sara was a master brownie maker and I think she made them twice a week a times, perhaps more other times.  Lisa and I would hover and salivate over a fresh batch and then fight over who got the edges.  Those brownies not only gave me a few extra pounds, they filled me with hope for better days and helped me feel the love and support that I needed most.  

Sara King passed away this summer after a battle with cancer that no one should have to go through.  Unfortunately, these brownies couldn't heal her, but they healed me many years ago and they are helping me heal from her loss.  Every time I make these I remember her, and I laugh and I cry and I create quite the scene in my kitchen.  I remind myself of Sara's tips, to only use a fork when mixing and never over mix the eggs and sugar.  

I know there are a lot of people out there still missing Sara and trying to heal from her loss.  My pain is not anything worse then the next person, but I can at least share this and hope these brownies help you heal as they are helping me.  

Yours will probably never be as good as her's were, mine are not, but feel free to give it try and you just might find yourself a little more healed each time you make them. 

Happy Birthday Tom!

It is fun getting older, isn't it?  Well for me, at least Tom is always 9 years and 10 months ahead of me and he gets to do it first.
Happy Birthday Tom!

Thank you for being old enough, so you can take care of us in all the ways you do, and for being young enough that you are still willing to ride the tubes behind the boat with me. 

Hopefully soon, you will start to look your age a little.  I wouldn't want people to start thinking that I am older then you. 

For those who are worried, we did do the regular.  Enchiladas, cake, and same silly grin while wearing the Olympic Movers t-shirt.  Is this ever going to get old?

Counting Your Blessings

This has been my theme, or mantra for the last few months.  It started with a Facebook post from my sister-in-law Cori that stated, ""Count your blessings...name them one by one" (Cori, you probably have no idea how this blessed me).  The post stopped me in my tracks for some reason and made me think.  Shortly after that, an article in the Ensign touch upon blessings and reminded me as well that I should count them.  So I did, and have continued.  My list is up to 507 now, and I am still going. Many of you who read this blog are included in the list, and many who hardly know me are included as well.  You my have done something small that you don't even realized impacted me in a way I won't forget.  The best part about all of this is it is reminding me of the love the Savior has for me and it is helping me remember all the love I have for those in my life.  

I have learned from the scriptures, when I am fearful of what is to come or what challenges arise, I will not receive the blessings promised me, in exchange for my faith. 

D&C 67:3

"...but behold, verily I say unto you there were fears in your hearts, and verily this is the reason that ye did not receive."

D&C 17:20

"And they arose from the earth, and he said unto them: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full." 

Of course at the top of my list is my family.  I am lucky to have each one of them in my life, yes that includes Sean.  Even when he forgets the living room is not a ball field, and spits on the floor. 

Thanks Josie for the picture.

Allergies

There are certainly worse things in the world to have to deal with, but allergies are a bit of on inconvenience.  I am glad we figured out why this boy has not been able to breath well since birth, and we are taking the steps to make our house more Sean friendly.  So far, we have discovered that he is allergic to dust mites, not just a little, but like a lot.  We have been removing what we can in our home that may contain dust mites, as well covering his bed with the right allergy proof bedding.  He is also allergic to cats, dogs, all grass and weeds, cockroaches (thankfully we have none of those) and walnuts.  For now, we have accepted it will be a life of daily Allegra, and I will be doing a lot of hot water laundry.  It is annoying, but I have already seen a difference with just some small changes. 

The biggest change was to our sofa downstairs (yes Jeff, your old one).  We discovered it was high in dust mites and almost sent Sean into an Asma attack every time he sat on the couch to play the Wii.  Now in it's place is an empty room perfect for baseball, football, and anything else the boys want to do in there.  In a few weeks they will be disappointed when a new sofa arrives and interferes with their "ball field".