My First Love: Lost and Found

A girl never truly gets over her first love. That first love will always retain a special place in the heart. Memories grow fonder and sweeter with the passage of time. When you stumble across old photos, saved mementos, or journal entries, that same rush of nervous and hopeful expectation with butterflies in the tummy returns. I was 12 when I found my first love: BASKETBALL. So indulge me as I walk down memory lane with my first love!

In 7th grade, you had the option to do Athletics which would be basketball and track or P.E. I opted for Athletics mostly for track as I was a fast kid. I fell fast and hard for basketball though. I didn't know a thing about it before 7th grade. I worked hard and would practice at home. I wanted so badly to be a starter on the Gold team as that was the better team. I did work my way to being a starter on the Blue team. I'll never forget the first and only "game" between the Gold and Blue team for all our adoring fans (families). The final score was 8-2 Gold and I was only one to score on the Blue team.

I was hooked. I was watching the NBA and college ball all the time. I went to basketball camp at UCA completely on my own that summer after 7th grade. I was in heaven playing basketball 24/7 for 6 days. I greatly improved and was part of the starting 5 in 8th grade. Well, I was for the Thursday games, I wouldn't go to Sunday practices so I didn't start for the Monday games. The stat I remember from that year was fouling out 5 out of the 10 games and crying every time. I went to 2 basketball camps the next summer.

Our 9th grade team was pretty good. We were county champs and I loved every minute of every game. I was getting better about not fouling out and if I did I would manage not to cry. I still feel bad for crying during a game when Coach Roberts yelled at me. He was an intense coach known for throwing a clipboard if provoked and I think he'd often forget he was dealing with hormone-ravaged teenagers.

I loved my varsity coach, Coach White. I was on the varsity team as a 10th grader. I fully expected to never play that season being a lowly sophomore. During the first game though, she looked down the bench and pointed at me. A junior sitting next to me jumped up to go in only to be told to sit and that I should go in. I was nervous, but it was that kind of nervous that enhances playing. I played in a lot of varsity games much to my pleasure. All but 1 of the juniors on the team quit that year due in part to Coach White playing the sophomores ahead of them.

So my junior year, there weren't any seniors on the team. Expectations were low for such young team. The first game that season was one of the most memorable for me. We were playing Cutter Morning Star. We were 2 points down, seconds left on the clock, and I launch a hail-mary 3 just before the buzzer and was fouled. Game is over and I have 3 shots to either lose, win, or tie the game. There are few experiences I've had that were more exhilarating and surreal than having a gym full of people chanting your name. Coach White started to give me some tips but stopped herself and only said, "I know you'll make them." I step to the line and the silence is as deafening as the shouting had been. I dribble, square up, shoot and it's perfect! Two more to go. I do it all over again with the same results and am tackled by my teammates to the floor. That's the moment every player dreams of and practices for and I was lucky enough to have it. I missed the 3rd free throw as my nerves were shot by then but we won in overtime.

We had a great team by my Senior year. Unfortunately, we didn't always play to our potential and I believe we finished 17-7. My favorite and best game that year was against Arkadelphia (that's a real town for your non-Arkansans). It was a home game and we'd lost the 1st game to them on their turf due to the help of some hometown reffing. Well, it just so happened that there was a ref who thought I was hot and was reffing that night. I admit, I flirted and batted my eyes before the game. I was committed to winning and flirting with men twice my age wasn't beneath me. So I shot 12 free throws that game, made 9 and scored 17 overall so perhaps the flirting worked. Four other girls on our team scored in double digits and we won 77-70 so it was definitely more than the reffing. That's a high score for a high school basketball game. It was one of those games where everything worked almost seamlessly for our team. Being part of team and playing like that is an incredible experience.

We went to State that year and the first game was at home. We had a chance to win at the end of the game and I turned the ball over by passing the ball to the guard before she'd crossed the half court. It broke my heart and I cried and cried over it. I went off to college and left basketball and a piece of my heart behind. I played some intramural at BYU. After that, I never really played too much.

Senior Year, 1996. Go Lady Rams!

Well a few weeks ago, they announced that our stake would be having women's basketball every Thursday night. I was all over it. I played 2 weeks ago and stunk it up. I admit I was a bit ashamed by throwing up some air balls. I'm still an intense player and it's difficult to curb the competitive side of me. It's just second nature to go after that ball at all costs without regard to anyone who may be in my path. It was still so much fun to be on the court again though falling seems to hurt a bit more now. I had to miss last week but made it back tonight.

My team just rocked it out! I think everyone scored on my team. I know it was just church ball and I'm nowhere near to being the player I used to be, but it's part of that first love thing. When you come back to it, it's just so familiar, comfortable, exciting, and invigorating to be with it again. I just love it! I love playing defense and making steals and blocks. I love fast breaks and the knot of fear that accompanies every attempt of wide-open lay-up. That's the worst shot to miss! I love posting up, blocking out, and knocking girls down with the sheer power of my hips. I love back door passes for a quick shot. I love diving on the floor after a loose ball. I love wrestling the ball out of another player's hands. I love everything about it! It's so fun to play again, rusty as I am. I'm so happy to rediscover my first love!

The final score tonight. Yay Park 1st and 2nd Ward!

It Starts!

I must have gotten a little too comfortable. One of the many things that made last January so memorable was due to Gabby's many illnesses. I was just beginning to hope we'd make it through the month without her getting sick. No such luck as she has an ear infection. Luckily, she doesn't have a fever or anything else and should have a quick recovery.

Gabby ABHORS medicine of any kind. I think it goes back to the first year of her life. The first 4 months were very medically eventful and we spent a lot of time at the pediatricians, hospitals, and getting tests done. The less invasive and less expensive solution to one of her problems was to be on antibiotics for a year. She never grew accustomed to having medicine forced down her throat and still puts up a worthy fight whenever medicine of any sort is presented. Now, she's old enough that I can bribe, I mean, "reason" with her most the time. Well, her ear was hurting her and she was crying and crying. I had some ear drops that I got the OK to give her. I decided sneaking them in would be the best course as she flipped out when I shone a light in her ear. I managed to drop one drop in and held her down to get another in her ear. Gabby has quite a temper. She screamed, "Don't you touch me!" She ran upstairs to her room, slammed the door and howled until the drops did their work. It took another 10 minutes before she let me snuggle her and held my hair. I blame Utah's abysmal air quality. Gabby had never had an ear infection until her first winter here a year ago. My throat has a constant tickle and my eyes will burn. I never thought I'd say this, but I hope it snows to clear this up!

Gabby loves cheddar cheese sliced off the block. I was about to slice her some the other night when she told me she wanted the whole block. I was about to cut her a chunk off, but she was so offended I just gave her the block. It cracked me up watching her gnaw on it.

We're making progress in the naked department! This was 8pm and she was still clothed. She's staying clothed until bath or bedtime about half the time now! She still refuses to wear jammies, but at least she's staying clothed a bit longer now!

A History and a MAJOR Purchase

Being 25 for 5 years running means that I've had a lot of different cars in my time. While grateful that I've always had some form of transportation since 16, I've never gone and picked out my own car. When I was 16, I was allowed use of the Cutlass Cruiser, a station wagon, or as I referred to it, the Crap Wagon. Naturally it had the faux wood paneling, it was a beaut! It actually had a bit of power. I never told my parents this, but I took it well over a 100 once on a back road just to see if I could.

After the Crap Wagon, Marji and I shared a Grand Am at BYU my freshman year. Now my family is cursed when it comes to cars. I'm dead serious about that. We never bought new cars, but whatever we bought was sure to have issues and fall apart. The Grand Am lasted about a year. I don't know what went wrong with it.

Then came the 89 Dodge Aries. That car was a piece of junk but I sure got all the use out of it possible. It literally went all over this country, from Arkansas to Utah, to Mexico, to Oregon, to Florida and everywhere else in between (with me at the wheel for the vast majority of those miles). My parents let me keep it after getting married and Nick and I put a hitch on that bad boy and pulled a trailer from Utah to Arkansas. It even pulled a couple of boats. There were a lot of good memories in that one. It had over 200,000 miles on it, was running on only 2 cylinders and someone bought it for $500. I'd see it around Little Rock after we sold it. It just kept going.

Then I had a Dodge Neon. I guess I helped pick it out and it was good little car for a while. Definitely a step up from the Aries. Unfortunately, I totaled it just after I had Gabby. Next we got my 92 Lexus ES300 4 years ago. That actually has been a pretty good car. Up until the last year. It's old and I put 70,000 miles on it in 4 years. It went all over the country as well. It ran okay, but things were starting to fall apart on it. The driver's side window broke so I've had to open my door or have Gabby make transactions at drive-throughs. I busted one of the sideview mirrors last winter and Gorilla-glued it back on. The antenna is busted and flapped around in the wind in the most pathetic way. At the end of the summer, it would overheat whenever I ran the a/c. On Christmas Eve, my key got stuck in the driver's side door and some how that broke the electric locks when I got it out. At that point, I decided I wasn't going to wait for another thing to go wrong on it. It was time for an upgrade.

The choices out there are daunting for one who's never had much say in what I've driven. I've taken what was given to me. I admit, a yellow Hummer caught me eye that I passed on my way to work everyday. Couldn't you just see me cruising around in that? Practicality won out and I bought a used 07 Honda Accord. I'm not that excited about a car payment, but I LOVE my new car. I went with a V6 as I like having a bit of power on the road, especially with the crazy Utah drivers. It's charcoal and has a sunroof; I used all the time in my Lexus. It drives like a dream and everything works on it which is a luxury to me these days!

I feel like I got a good deal on it. I was going back and forth with the manager hammering out a price. They finally got it down to where I wanted it, but I still couldn't quite say yes so i just sat there not saying a word staring at the sales manager for a few minutes. Part of it was a game as I was happy with the price, I just wanted to see what else he would say or do for my business. He jumps up without saying anything and walks off. My saleswoman, Toni, didn't have any idea why he walked off and I stayed silent. The dude walks back with 3 balloons and 6 red roses. It cracked me up and I shook his hand on the deal.

Me and my pretty new ride!

Gabby was with her dad all day yesterday and today. When I picked her up, she didn't have much to say about the new car. I asked her a few times on the way home and she'd just say, "I don't want to tell you." We get home and she says, "Mommy, I think we need the white car back. I don't like this one." I was a little offended but reminded myself Gabby doesn't like any kind of change. I'm thrilled with it!

My New Hobby

I received my Christmas gifts from my parents tonight. David and Micha had to drive it out from Arkansas for me.

Little Dave helped me open the gift. What could it be ?

This was a surprise, pepper spray!

And the only thing I asked for, a gun. Its looks are deceiving as it has a good kick when you shoot it. Dad and Mom really hooked me up, it's perfect for me. Dad was actually pretty excited that this is what I wanted.

I took Micha with me to an indoor range and he taught me about the gun, loading, unloading, basic safety and shooting. This was my first time shooting a gun ever! And no, the target wasn't that close when I was shooting, it was about 50 feet away. I really enjoyed it, though I have tremendous respect and just the right amount of caution in handling a gun. I think it's a good thing that guns make me slightly nervous. After Obama was elected, I decided I'd better get one as I just don't trust the man or the judges he'll appoint protecting 2nd amendment right. I'm planning on taking a class and getting a concealed weapons permit while I still can as well. I don't plan on carrying it with me, but it will be good to have that option. It came with a child proof case, a lock for the trigger, it won't be loaded at home and it won't be anywhere Gabby can get to it, for those of you wondering about safety.

Not too bad for my first time. The range is pretty close to me and I plan on going regularly. I even drew a little blood from shooting. Not Osama's, but my own. The hammer caught the edge of my thumb pretty good. At least I didn't shoot my eye out!

Micha trying it out. I was a better shot than him, he blamed my sweet gun for it! Thanks for getting me started Micha!

I think I need to name my gun. Shouldn't every gun have a name? Hmmm, I'll have to give this some thought. Any suggestions?

Gabby's First Primary Talk

Last week Gabby was given an assignment to talk in Primary on "I am spirit child of Heavenly Father" today. All week, I've been trying to explain to Gabby what that meant and she would need to tell the Primary about it. I found a story on it I tried over and over to read to her. Well, she had her own ideas. For a few days, she said she would tell them the story of Little Red Riding Hood. I would try to practice with her on what to say. I figured she'd like to do an object lesson so showed her our bodies are like gloves and our hands like our spirits. She'd get upset saying I should just wait for church and she'd tell the story then and she didn't want help.

Today was the big day. Gabby was really excited and couldn't wait for it to be her turn. Primary opening exercises are in the chapel so she got to speak at the pulpit. I honestly didn't know what to expect to come out of Gabby's mouth. I warned the leaders before hand that Gabby wanted to talk on her own and there was no telling what she would say. The following is quoting as closely as I can remember.

Gabby begins by pulling the microphone as close to her mouth as she can get it and says, "Well! Today I'm going to tell you a story. Okay? Once a upon a time (I'm standing next to her thinking, here comes Little Red Riding Hood) Baby Jesus was born. Well, Baby Jesus grew up to Jesus. He wanted to marry Mary (I do NOT teach her this, she came up with this when we were doing the Nativity with the Nevers on Christmas Eve for some unknown reason to me). Well, it was raining and snowing and they had to go inside." She's essentially shouting this into the microphone as well. So I have my face buried in my hands trying to stifle the laughter that just won't be suppressed. All the older kids in Primary are laughing hysterically. I feel tears coming out from trying so hard not to laugh. I begin whispering to Gabby what she should say about being a spirit child of Heavenly Father.

"I am a spirit child of Heavenly Father." I hand her glove and she starts putting it on. "Our bodies are like the glove and our spirits are like our hand." I'm trying to help her at this point. She whispers to me that she doesn't want my help and she has more stories to tell. I tell her she's done and to say amen. She says amen but keeps trying to talk. I don't even remember what she's saying at this point. I pull her away from the pulpit and have broken her heart. Gabby had the biggest tears rolling down her cheeks that she didn't get to tell more stories. It took a few minutes of consolation and time-out threats before she calmed down.

I can't get over her boldness and lack of fear of public speaking. Most kids get a bit intimidated when they actually have to speak, not my Gabby. I hope that this confidence will continue and won't be something she'll outgrow. I just need to figure out a appropriate way for her to outlet her love of the limelight.

So here's another cute thing she said today. Gabby is in the CTR 5 class now and was given a CTR ring. I picked her up and she showed me her ring saying, "Look Mommy, I have a ring so I'm an old grandma now!" I have no idea why she thinks having that ring makes her a grandma. I know my mom has a CTR ring, but I'm not sure if Gabby would remember that or not. So Gabby has got this year off to an entertaining start!

Adieu to 2008!

What a year! It was definitely a year of highs and lows, many of which I've blogged about here. I tried to blog mostly the highs and overall it's been a great year. I think 2008 definitely ranks as one of the more eventful years of my life. There are only a couple of things that turned out how I expected, yet I'm incredibly happy. Obviously, there's Someone watching over me who knows better what will make me more happy and peaceful than I do. I'm trusting in that more and more. I have to say though, I'm glad the year is over. There's just that je ne sais quoi about the beginning of a new year. I'm very interested to see what 2009 will bring. I'm actually hoping it will be relatively dull aside from the excitement and entertainment Gabby provides. I won't even attempt to make any predictions, I just hope to continue on the course I'm on in all aspects of my life, only with further growth and improvement.

I've accomplished quite a bit (if I do say so myself) venturing out on my own. I genuinely enjoy the little life I'm building with Gabby. My two most recent accomplishments are giving up biting my nails and Diet Dr. Pepper. Well, I haven't completely given up on DDP, I now allow myself the occaisional enjoyment. I started on this years resolution today: to get back in shape. I'm sick of being soft so I'll be hitting the treadmill hard, my knee allowing!

We have our vacations planned for the year that I'm already very eager for. Disneyland in February, Florida in July, and Arkansas in December. I don't think we'll be able to fit much else in but who knows! Of course, it would be great for some of my friends and family to vacation here so I can see a bit more of them (hint, hint!). I'm fully expecting great things in 2009!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!