It was a blast to watch Danny play in the annual staff vs. student basketball game. I don’t have the guts to go out there and play! The staff won, which seems to be the tradition but since C dislocated his arm on Sunday they let him referee the game, which was different for sure. I’m so grateful I work at the middle school so that I could be there. I am going to miss having my boy here when he’s off to high school next year.
It was finally my turn to watch Kate’s new club team play volleyball! Even though I had never been to this facility before it felt familiar because it is so close to the zoo and nature museum. These girls had a packed schedule with working the table (turns out Kate is the team table captain, which I didn’t know until I heard the coach say it), played two games, worked the table again and then played two more games. (We left the house at about 6:15pm and got home around 4pm.) The first game was really fun with our team winning pretty easily. The only thing Coach mentioned was that they gave up 7 points due to serving and he didn’t want to see that the next game. Well, in one of those later games Kate got to serve 7 points in a row and our side of the court was very happy about that! I also really liked it when H (#3), M (#9) & Kate (#5) were all in the front row together. Things just seemed to flow and work well that way. I was talking to H’s dad as we were all packing up (he had loaned me a lawn chair since I always forget mine) and he was thinking it helps that H & L have been on the same team for so long that they know and trust each other extremely well. It made me wonder if we would have been able to win those last three games if these girls didn’t have to start with a brand new team this season. The 2nd and 3rd games were soooo close that if I was a nail biter I wouldn’t have any nails left. The last game everyone looked exhausted and I was proud of them for sticking with it. Even though the wins may not have reflected it I thought there was some great playing. My ears need time to recover from all those whistle blows but I am so ready for the next tournament! P.S. Kate's coach told her she had 33 serves, 5 aces, 17 attacks and 9 kills that day. Nice!
While I was watching Kate play four games, Hubby got to watch Danny play three basketball games. We were texting each other back and forth with updates, which was pretty fun. I’ll add my favorite screen shot from the ample amount I have to choose from. I’ll leave off the part about Danny almost fouling out in frustration of how badly they were losing. Ha. Hubby was feeling a little under the weather so didn't take any pictures. What a great dad to still show up and cheer!
I didn't get any fan photos this time but parents, Hubby, Natalie, and I got to watch Michelle perform again, this time at our middle school. (Kate was at volleyball practice and Danny was exhausted from baseball & basketball.) We had a great view of Michelle during the 7th grade orchestra performance but had to just know she was there for the Pops Orchestra portion. Hubby got her to smile as she walked to the stage after the 6th graders performed their music. It is always amazing to me how much these kids progress in between their three performances of the school year. I don't know how Miss Fish and all those students playing all those different instruments pull it off! It is a joy to see Michelle doing life her way. I couldn't help but look up on that stage and think about how perfect my rainbow baby was and still is. Then I looked down and saw how perfect Natalie is and I just felt so grateful to have these girls in my life. I love my entire family so much it literally hurts sometimes. In that moment everything just seemed right in the world, no matter what else we have going on. Believe it or not, I do not tell you everything on here.
I wanted to add that I was so excited to study the New Testament this year. I have found some amazing podcasts that have strengthened my testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ and the Atonement. I have felt so deeply the love of God in my life and in my soul. The wonderful people sharing their stories and testifying of our Redeemer has literally brought tears to my eyes. It is so affirming to hear other people talk about things I have been pondering in my heart. I know God loves every single one of us and that to truly be more like the Anointed one we must love more deeply. We must imagine what it was like in the Garden of Gethsemane to feel all the different experiences the Messiah felt. Jesus knows what it is like to be you. Knows perfectly. Knows what it is like to be in the minority, what it is like to feel joy and pain. Has felt every single thing every one of us has gone through. All of it for every one. Imagine what it was like for Christ to feel inner turmoil and outside pain. The more precise the more powerful. Now remember that Jesus willingly experienced all of that and could only do so due to being a God. Every single person on this Earth is equally loved in God’s eyes. All of us are equally valued. Each of us are 100% worthy of God’s love no matter what we do or don’t do. There is such depth, freedom, and power that comes from knowing Jesus has my back. That I’m not loved in spite of being human— I am loved because I am human. The success and the mess. The 50/50 of this world. I am seen. I am loved. I am sustained. It all comes down to a love so pure it brings tears to my eyes because I have been able to feel it so strongly. Trust me, we have had a tough several months. There is more going on than anyone outside of our household (and my parents) know about. But to experience these things has helped me to grow and feel closer to my Savior and feel more of a love and understanding than I have felt before. Would I appreciate a vacation? Yes. But am I glad that I have learned so much? Yes. A painful yes. Amd speaking of pain, I am so sorry for any of you that I have misunderstood or hurt while I was in survival mode or scared or just ignorant. There are sooo many things I didn’t know and I wish I had learned sooner. But how could I have without my recent experiences? And don’t worry if you can picture me crying as I write all this. I made a countdown chain to our spring break trip and seeing those rings of paper sparks joy with every glance. Things will keep happening but we can still enjoy life so deeply along the way.
P.S. I thought I would write down some of the podcasts that have helped me deepen my testimony of the Savior recently: Lift + Love, Latter Day Struggles, Questions From the Closet, and of course Better Than Happy is still the most life changing for me. (Her latest episode on Shame, Pride, Confidence and Humility was great as usual. Finding Peace in Uncertainty with Tim and Aubrey Chavez was mind blowing.)
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