Mother of the year!

So, once again, this Mom earns the award of Mother of the Year! I know, I know, it is a regular occurrence for me. Cole played his toughest lacrosse teams last week (Jordan and Riverton) with pneumonia! Yep, I didn't catch that. By Friday, I decided he really wasn't sounding so good so I took him to the Doc and then to top it off, I promised him I wouldn't tell his coach so he could play against his former team, West Jordan, Friday night. Sound familiar? Yep, Charlie had pneumonia only 3 weeks ago and I missed it that time, too. Needless to say, I am keeping a very close watch on Syd and if she so much as coughs, it is to the Doc right away. Good thing my kids are so forgiving (at least they don't equate me with perfection).

My shining star!

This was posted on the Westside lax website today:

UT BOYS: Emotional Bingham Upsets No. 22 Jordan, 10-9

Bingham head coach Brian Morris said his team went out Monday night with the intention of honoring former Miners player and Weber freshman/sophomore team coach Blake Strebel, who died last week in a traffic accident.

Strebel would have been proud of what his former team accomplished.

Junior attackman Cole Christensen scored a team-high three goals, including what stood up to be the game-winner, to lead Bingham to a 10-9 upset victory over No. 22 Jordan in a Utah High School Lacrosse League Division A game.

Senior attackman Cameron Edmunds and senior middie Jake Arthur each added a pair of goals, as Bingham (8-6) posted its first-ever win over a Top 25 team.

Senior middie Brett Everill had a goal and an assist, and junior attackman Peter Tschaggeny and junior middie Chase Newton each scored once.

Defensively, freshman goalie Aaron Hansen saved 10 shots.

The game was tied, 7-7, at the end of the third quarter, but Bingham scored three unanswered goals in less than five minutes to take a 10-7 lead. Christensen capped the run when he fired home a shot with 7:38 to play.

Jordan closed within 10-9 on a goal by senior attackman Matt Brunner with 4:19 remaining, but Bingham held on to score its biggest win of the season.

“The team wanted to play this game in Blake’s honor, and they put in a fantastic effort all four quarters,” Morris said. “We had everybody hustling, everybody talking. It was a total team effort. It was the best game we played all year.”

In defeat, Brunner and senior attackman Chase Gerber each finished with a co-game-high four points on three goals and an assist for Jordan (10-1), which had its season-opening, 10-game winning streak snapped just one game after scoring its biggest win of the season against Bountiful.“It was not the same team that played Friday,”

Jordan head coach John Barraco said. “I think maybe were a little overconfident. Bingham showed up ready to play, and we didn’t.”

Another reminder that Life here on earth is too short!

Once again I am reminded that a split second decision can change your life forever. Last Wednesday evening, a fellow Bingham lacrosse player and his roommate lost their lives when another young man made a wrong choice. Blake (19) and Derek (18) were heading home from work when a 17 year-old gang member chose to run from police and broadsided them, killing them instantly. Derek was expecting his mission call any day and Blake was getting his paper work ready to turn in. Cole's Bingham lacrosse team is devastated by the loss of a former team mate. Blake was a nice person who make sure everyone felt welcomed on the team.

I often hear parents complain about their teenagers and their attitudes. I love my teenagers with all their belligerent moods, complaints, stubborness and selfishness. Does it frustrate me? Yes. I realize, however, that this is a step towards adulthood and self-discovery. I would take a million more days of their attitudes because the days of sharing in their witty, smart-alecky, and loving natures far outweigh the others. I treasure every day with them because life with them is too short and passes far too quickly.

Things you may not know about me!

In our monthly staff meeting we have a team-building exercise. This month's was unique and fun. We had to take the amount of toliet paper that we would normally use in the bathroom. We were then to count the amount of squares we use. I thought we were going to have a "green" lesson since that seems to be the way everything is going these days, however, it wasn't quite that way. Instead, we were to tell how many squares worth of things our co-workers may not know about us. It was not an easy thing to do and I'm not someone who likes to share intimate details with everyone. But, I thought I would share some unique things about me that you may not know. So here goes:

1. I am named for my Dad since he didn't want to have to give a son his name. (It is Therice)

2. I can't drive a stick shift but I can fly an airplane.

3. I met my husband only after my Bishop refused to sign mission papers for me.

4. My one goal growing up was to be taller than my sister. (I didn't make it)

5. I love men in uniforms (any kind).

6. I was forever traumatized by my first grade teacher when she kept marking my papers wrong for the spelling of my names (Theresa Kaarina Tibbitts).

7. I was a BYU student when I met my husband.

8. Contrary to what my teens think, I was very athletic. I played soccer, field hockey, tennis and volleyball and danced.

9. I love country music much to my husband and sons chagrin.

10. I tried unsuccessfully to play the flute, piano and guitar. I can't carry a tune to save my life but I teach music in church every Sunday.

11. I threw up for the first time in my life on the night my husband asked me to marry him. (I have lots of stories about our courtship and engagement--good thing he loves me or he would never have stuck around)

12. I tend to have an iron stomach (see above).

13. I was a manager at ZCMI for the Sporting goods department and then the Infant, children, pre-teen and maternity departments for several years.

14. I am an accountant who hates math.

15. I love my Dr. Pepper but it has to be diet now.

16. I successful carried three VERY large babies in my 4' 11" body.

17. I am very stubborn and will dig my heels in if something is important enough to me (this can be good and bad).

18. I am a fierce mama bear when it comes to my kids so don't cross me.

19. I am very comfortable with who I am and I don't really care what people think of me. It's their problem not mine (doesn't make for great dates--several other stories to share).

20. Although I like predictability, I can change directions and deal with conflict without blinking.

If any of you can think of things about me that I may not know, feel free to share!

Happy Easter!

Me with the kids after church
My guys!

Me and my girl!

We had a very nice but different Easter this year. Some of our Easter traditions went by the wayside this year. No decorating Easter eggs, new Easter clothes or the Easter egg hunt this year. The kids have reached a point in their lives where these things are no longer important. While a part of me missed doing the things with my kids that I love, another part was glad I didn't have to put too much effort into it this year. Eric pointed out that in the next 7 years or so, I will have grandkids who will want to do those things with Grandma T so I should enjoy my short break.

One of the nice results from my kids maturity was the greater focus on our Savior and the true importance of Easter. As Syd and I sat in Sacrament meeting and read in Luke about Christ's anguish, betrayal and sacrifice, I was grateful for my kids age as we can have deep discussions about the important things.

Cole, right at home!

Here are some more photos of the one place where Cole feels most comfortable---on the lacrosse field! Nothing stopping him from coming through!

Shoot, score!

Shoot, score!

Another goal!

Goodbye, Puta shoes!

I saw the podiatrist yesterday for a follow-up on my foot following my graceful fall down the stairs eight weeks ago. Good news: I have no major problems from the fall--my foot looks beautiful! Bad news: The pain I am experiencing that makes it difficult to put too much weight on my food is from my spinal stenosis. So, basically, nothing that can be done about it. The doc's suggestion to minimize the pain from the nerve damage: wear supportive shoes and continue to take my anti-inflammation drugs. So, I am having major depression over my loss of my very high heels (my puta shoes as Eric calls them). This might seem petty to some of you but those who know me well, know this is a major issue for me! I love shoes and specifically I love my heels. Call it the "Napolean complex" but they are very important to me!