Church Ball 2

LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!!!!!
Oops, sorry, for a minute there I thought that it was a Jazz game. To begin, I want to tell those of you that pay the big bucks to watch pro Bball really missed out on probably what will go down in the books as the greatest game ever played, not played, oh I'm confused. I better start at the beginning. This is one of the hardest blogs that I have written, not that it's a tender subject , or that I have some great emotional attachment, it's just that I still can't stop laughing. And to write about it really won't do the evening the justice that it deserves, or do Brandon and Fred the justice that they deserve. Thursday nights are the greatest, it's church ball night!!! The night when all the husbands get to go and let out their frustrations, angers, and all of that pent up testosterone. And the fabulous fans that we are as wives we wouldn't want to miss a thing. Whether our hubbies are playing or reffing, Chelsie and myself are right their for support, cheering, and it's an evening always good for a few laughs. This past church game Brandon and Fred played in was a bit rough. Fred couldn't hit a thing, and according to one of the other teams players (as he threw Brandon into the wall) he's was out of control. The 4th ward hung in there and tried to make a come back at the end. Sitting by the other wards fans I think that they thought that it was the NBA play offs. When their team was 15 ahead, they were still yelling at them to "press them", "don't let them shoot". In church ball games, I have come to the understanding that in the whole scheme of it all, winning or loosing really does determine our place in the eternities (or so some of our husbands think). I'm pretty sure that soon, the question, "So how many churchball games have you won?" will be asked in the temple recommend interview. Okay, back to the evening of the riot. Brandon and Fred have been the referees this year for a few of the games when it was the 4th ward's turn to ref. Fred enjoys reffing with Brandon because he knows the game and won't let things get out of hand, so they seem to be able to call a good game, or so I thought. After their last game of loosing by 7 points, I think that they were a bit frustrated and not in the most calmed, subdued mood. It then was their job to call the following game. Going into it Brandon was ready, as was Fred to not let anything get out of hand. They were calling the game of the 5th ward and a ward that I don't think Fred or Brandon really knew anything about.
Right from the start They both thought that if there were to be any real problems it would come from the 5th ward, as they have always taken church ball to a higher level. The teams met in the middle for prayer, which in itself is humorous. Upon going to each of their benches, Fred yells in his big mega phone voice, "we wont tolerate any crap, from either team". He's always had a way with words. I could tell right from the start that we were in for a fun show! Chelsie and I sat there with our mouths shut, and just waited for the explosion. As I think back on it, there seems to be a blur. I believe within the first five minutes, a player was down, upon getting to his feet the team was yelling at Fred, "Where's the charge!?! What about the call ref?!!" I think that the players forgot that Fred & Brandon weren't paid refs, and they definitely hadn't been certified by the NBA. Suddenly Fred with the voice of thunder yells, looking at the table. "Referee 20 second time out, and with the firmness of his hands making the T sign, he yells, technical foul on #, can't believe that I don't remember the number. With that, all */-..* broke loose. Like a whirl wind players were every where, some yelling at Fred, some yelling at the table. And then from across the gym Brandon had it, he points to the player that Fred had given the T to and yells, "I want # out of the game and out of the gym." Holy cow before we knew it their whole team was packing up and they were done. As they were putting away their shoes and their basket balls, Brandon was having a conversation with another player out in the hall. He thought Brandon wanted to fight him or something, because all that he would say is "I'll call the cops, do yo want me to call the cops"? That would have made the whole thing just a bit better if the police would have had to come break it up. As for Chelsie and myself we were such great supporters, we laughed so hard that our cheeks hurt. Fred and Brandon are still waiting to see what punishment they will receive, because after all as the team left the were going straight to the Stake President. This could be a real testimony shaker, or for us an evening that we wont soon forget. So just a warning to all church ball players, if you see Brandon and Fred coming in the zebra shirts, BE READY TO RUMBLE!!

Save the best for last

With Spring quickly approaching, Ben Lomond is starting to plan the class of 2009's graduation party. And yes that means that Nate will complete his secondary education experience. Really what it means to me is that my baby is done. And I approach this next few months with mixed emotions. First off where have the years gone???? Is our Nater potater, Snate, one of the little boys, really one year away from a mission? I really thought that by the time he went that mothers would be allowed to go along. Hey I still have a few months. Nothings final until he's on the plane, right?
Ya know, the wonderful thing about Nate is that he is a contradiction to the term "baby of the family". Most youngest children are spoiled, needy, a bit bratty, rely on mommy and daddy for EVERYTHING. Not Nate, in fact I have always said, that he saw everything that his older siblings did and didn't do, and decided to do exactly the opposite. Nate has brought us so much joy, and happiness. He has never given us a minute's trouble, obedient to every rule, went above and beyond in all things that he endeavored and has a heart as pure as gold. He has had some wonderful successes, and opportunities. As his Mom, I have always been impressed with how he has taken these awards with a very humble heart, and almost an unbelief that these things were given to him, even though he had worked harder than anyone to earn them.

Nate, on his way to his Sterling Scholar interview. He is Ben Lomond's English Sterling Scholar.
The advisor at the school strongly encouraged the young men to wear suits or suit coats. His first time ever wearing a suit coat. Wasn't too sure about the whole thing.

Favorite Uncle, he is so good with Lily and Adam. They just light up when he comes into the room. He loves seeing them just as much. However Lily looks like she isn't too sure if this is her favorite moment.

Showing off the suspender look with his student body officer sweater. pretty GQ huh!? He's on his way to run the teen court at Ben Lomond, where he is a judge.


Just wanted to show off some of Nate's driving skills in the big storm. Wondered if he wanted to remove the tree. Or just leave plenty of room for everyone to get bye on the driveway.

Nate is a real lady killer, picking up his date for the Valentine dance. What a hotty!!!!!!

Last but not least this is really Nate's love!!!!!! Harmonie is her name. Every passing minute he is with her. Someone could begin to get a bit jealous. It has become his way to unwind, and forget everything, and believe me he does. Actually he is so good on the guitar, and the cool thing is that he taught himself, he even gives lessons. As a family we love nothing more than to sit around and have Nate play and sometimes Matt will sing, or Missy, and it is one of life's good moments, when everything is right with the world.
I just wanted to share these things about Nater because if there is one reality about Nate being the youngest is that sometimes he gets the shaft on time and attention. He doesn't demand anything and so it's easy to just go along and hope that things are good in his world. But I believe the greatest blessing that I have been given is to be Nate's Mom, each and every day with him is truly a "pay day". He has blessed our family and continually awes me with the things that he does and the knowledge that he gains. Some of my wisest lessons have been taught to me by Nate. I know that his life will be one that will be filled with amazing things, and that is how he will want it to be. But for now he is still my Nater potater, and each and every thing that we do at this point is the last, and, yes he is the baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!