Monday, November 21, 2016

Youth Sports and What ALL Parents Can Learn From a First Grader

This picture is what youth sports should be about. 
Smiles and happiness!
We just returned from a 2-day swim meet with the girls. And I am pretty sure it was the most intense swim meet thus far for our little family. 

Kalista had the flu and missed the first day. But she was able to battle back on the second day and had a great swim. We were so proud she pulled through even with all the tears from nerves and fear. She placed second in her heat and secured a white division time. Not bad for a 6 year old amongst 7 and 8 year olds. The smile on her face was the best!
And then there was Sophia...
Where do I even begin? She truly had a great swim meet. And I am not just saying this from a parent standpoint. One would think someone earning 5 out of 7 personal bests would be excited. One would think. But this is Sophia. Our Type A. Saturday did not give her the results she wanted. The results she had been working to achieve. She swam the hell out of that 50 yd free. She needed a 32.8. She touched with a 33.67. And yes, I know the above pic is not freestyle. That's hard to capture on an iPhone without it looking all like white water. :) 

Oh the tears! Not only from her on the outside, but from me on the inside. To hear your child say, "I hate myself. I didn't do it. I tried so hard. I am so disappointed in myself. This was my time." Well, it's gut wrenching. There was nothing we could say at that moment (and even later that evening) that would have changed how she felt. We knew she was not going to process the logistics of her age, her build, etc. We knew she was super emotional. We listened and we understood how she was feeling. We innately empathized.
This brings me to the real reason why I am writing this post. And I AM NOT an authority on how parents/adults should behave in youth sports. But I can say, Kalista and her first grade class are the authority and definitely have a lesson to teach some parents: EMPATHY. Her class has been learning what it means to be empathetic. What it means to "put yourself in that person's shoes." It has been a wonderful topic of discussion during our routine car rides.

Sophia and I witnessed two separate events at our swim meet. Neither occurrence was from our swim club. I noticed a young girl (either 11 or 12 years old) visibly upset with her performance in the 200 yd IM. In steps her mother. I was sickened with how she handled her daughter's feelings. I sadly watched this mom scold her daughter. I was a few feet away from earshot but a pointed finger in the face and a piercing look did not give way to a positive pep talk. Not one hug. Not one sign of, "Good job." Not one sign of, "I am so proud of you." Not one sign of, "I'm sorry." Even though I had no idea who she was nor had I watched her race, I felt so sad for her. I felt empathy, where the girl's mother did not. Then there was Sophia's encounter. She told us she watched a father yell at his daughter because she was disqualified in the 100 yd breaststroke. As if that athlete didn't already feel upset and disappointed. Sophia said she felt so bad for the girl. She felt empathy, where the girl's father did not.

I am not one to confront total strangers, but the defensive part of me would loved to have told those 2 particular parents too hop in that pool and swim what their daughter's just swam. And the rational part of me would loved to have asked if they could just put themselves in their daughter's shoes? Could they empathize?

It's not a parent's job to critique their athlete. They have coaches who are well versed in this area. THANK GOD! My husband and I are thankful Sophia has a coach (thank you Micaela!) who is not only empathetic but encouraging, nurturing, and understanding all while empowering her with the positive skills she needs to take note in areas that need more focus and effort.

Sadly, I am sure what Sophia and I saw is not an uncommon experience with young athletes. And for that, I wish I could apologize on behalf of their parents. Next time, I may not interfere with those kinds of parents but I will definitely make it a point to acknowledge their athlete's efforts. And just maybe that parent will overhear and learn what my daughter's first grade class has already learned.

Saturday, September 17, 2016

Dear Daddy,

I use to think a lot about that first year. It was all about the 'firsts' without you. The first birthday. The first Thanksgiving. The first Christmas. The first Father's Day. My first true heartache. 

Now I have come upon the 4th birthday without you. Your birthday. Your 79th birthday. And it's no longer about those 'firsts' but about those 'lasts.' I savor my every lasts with you. From trivial to meaningful; it's all in my heart. 

Happy birthday. I love you.

~ Your Little Girl

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Let's Catch Up

Summer was fun and fast! Here is the condensed version . . . 

Annual Hope Ranch Beach Campout
(aka Shipwrecked)
 Spur of the moment trip to Vegas with these crazy people!
 Hume Lake Camping Trip
The not-so-fun part of this camping trip.
Rock 1 Jim 0
First day of school, Jackson Browne, & Journey
 Labor Day Beach Fest

Thursday, June 16, 2016

I Made Crack

Let me introduce you to, Crack:
Probably, the most addicting things I've made in awhile. 
Almost as good as the Christmas Crack I make every year. 

The brown sugar shortbread crust adds moisture without having to use tons of butter. Pair that with sweetened condensed milk (yes, you read that correctly), chocolate, and toffee...well need I say more?

Preheat oven to 350 F
Line 9x13 pan with foil and coat with cooking spray

3/4 cup room temperature butter
3/4 cup light brown sugar, not packed
1 3/4 cups flour

1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2 T butter

2 cups chocolate chips
1 8 ounce bag of toffee bits

Beat butter and brown sugar for 3 minutes,
Add flour and combine.
Press mixture into prepared pan.
Bake for 15 - 20 minutes (shortbread should look golden)

Let cool for a bit.

In a saucepan, heat remaining butter and sweetened condensed milk until smooth.
Pour over shortbread crust and put in oven for another 15 minutes (should be bubbly and brown, like a light caramel).

Take out of oven and spread chocolate chips. Put back into oven for 2 minutes (or until chips are glistening). Take out of oven and spread the melted chocolate. Lastly, sprinkle toffee bits evenly and lightly press into chocolate.

Let cool completely before cutting into bars. I like to refrigerate the whole pan, then lift foil out and cut into bars. I also store my bars in the fridge too.
Adapted from Cookies & Cups

Friday, May 27, 2016

Catching Up with The Halls

We have had a jam-packed couple of months and I am so ready for summer break! Here is a little catch-up . . .
Golf Pros & Tennis Hoes
40th surprise birthday bash for Todd.
Marcy pulled it off!
 A quick trip to Fresno and impromptu lunch with
these special gals - friends for over 20 years!
Our school's Spring Luau themed Gala kept me pretty busy the last couple of months.
Love these fundraising ladies!
The only time I saw David at the event (the beginning).
Duty calls!
Chris Stapleton concert at the Bowl


A little snack at Benchmark before the Adam Sandler show
On the way to the show . . .
Feeling the Journey vibe:
 I swear the Bowl is the best venue!
I don't when when I laughed so hard!
So surprised and a little teary-eyed to have received an Honorary Service Award 
for this school year. I truly love being at the school with the girls.
 I am a better person because I can give back to all our amazing teachers.
I want to be the most important role model (along with David) 
in Sophia & Kalista's life. And I can't be that person without our teachers.
So really, it is a win-win!
David just had his annual office party for their referrals.
It is always a themed party and this year was the best . . .
Super Heroes!
The food was so yummy. Omni Catering did not disappoint! 
I loved the roasted veggie platter. Beautiful, colorful, and scrumptious!
 And this antipasto platter was gorgeous!
 Favorite bites came from the stations: Sliders, empanadas, and gourmet grilled cheese.
My personal fave was the bacon, mozzarella, tomato, and pesto. 
 Me and Captain America :)

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Age is Just a Number


It's just another day. It's just a number. Some people get all weird about getting older. I mean really, one day you are 43 and the next 44. Did anything change overnight? It's kind of like being 17 one day and then one day later you have a birthday and turn18. You can vote now because 24 hours haveI have passed. Are you any wiser than the day before and have clarity on our government system? Or one day you are 20 and then twenty-four hours later . . .  BAM! 21. Can you handle your alcohol better than the day before? Will you make better decisions? It's just a number!

I think if people really thought about what was giving them grief around their birthday, they would find it's not because they were turning a year older. It's because of a reflection or reflections. Or maybe even because of their foresight(s) of what might be in store for the future.

So the fact that I am feeling a little bluesy about having an upcoming birthday isn't because I am going to be 44. It's because of the reflections I have been having. Or really reflection. I miss my dad. 

Birthdays are not the same without him. My life is not the same without him. And that will never change. No dramatization behind my words. Just the truth.

Despite how I feel, I do know I have a pretty good run going on in my life. And I don't ever and will never take that for granted. I just want what I can't have. And so even with getting older & wiser, that part never changes.





Thursday, April 14, 2016

Happy Birthday to Our Favorite Guy

Happy Birthday David!
(I love this photo, even if it is blurry)
The perfect day with our guy!
Seriously, THE BEST SCRATCH CHOCOLATE CAKE EVER!
And the Marshmallow Fluff Buttercream frosting was to die for.
 No birthday in our family is ever complete without a dinner and a sundae

Monday, April 11, 2016

Spring Break

This year we spent our break in Park City. We decided to get our last skiing in before the warmer weather made its' debut. This was also the first time I flew solo with the kids; David met us a few days later.
The flight was like this:
 The girls were a little worried about the Easter Bunny not finding them, 
but that clever bunny figured it out:
 On the other hand, this Easter bunny looked more like
an Easter rat.
When you have a swimmer...FOOD is a big deal:

Sledding in our front yard:
An epic day to ski!
Our favorite guy finally arrived:

 We were so lucky to have 3 days of fresh snow!
Is this not the coolest wall?
 And this was my favorite meal...Chicken Pot Pie (to die for!)
A little ice cream and shopping for books:
Best Friends (when they aren't fighting)
Thanks for a great time Park City!
Our first full winter was fabulous.
See you soon for the next season!