Learning and Blessed

Things have been so crazy the last 6 weeks. I ended up quitting my job at the store I was working at in Logan so I could help Heather out more in the office with USU soccer stuff so she wouldn't have to do the job of three people by herself. Our new assistant was hired, started in mid-July, but I only worked with him for a couple days before working the UofU high school camp, then went recruiting with Heather down in San Diego at Surf Cup. The day after we got back, preseason started. Three days into preseason, our assistant coach's wife, who was on her way to Utah, had complications with her pregnancy, had to have an emergency c-section at 7 months...in Denver. So their baby is in NICU til October, she was just released from the hospital on Friday. Our assistant was gone for a week, and I had no choice but to step up and play the role of both a first assistant and a graduate assistant. Heather and I worked 12-16 hour days because we were in double days. Our assistant will now be commuting to Denver every weekend...leaving Sunday afternoon and returning Tuesday, which means Heather and I will be splitting his responsibilities of travel and video during that time.

Through all this, I get a letter that someone has been arrested and charged with the break-in of my vehicle...I haven't even had time to fill out and turn in the insurance claim, and not sure if I still can! And I have to send back a form saying I want to be informed of what happens in the case...which I haven't had time to fill out and send back....I am doing that this morning since I have part of the morning off.

Its just been so busy and I am literally exhausted. I really struggled the last 6 weeks with my faith and my testimony. When my car was broken into and my wallet was stolen, my temple recommend was inside. Because I had moved three days before my wallet was stolen, I was between wards. I couldn't get a hold of my old bishop, and my new bishop couldn't really do anything til he got my records. For 6 weeks, I had no recommend, and I'll be honest, I felt a little empty..like something was missing. Even though I didn't really have time to go, the fact that I couldn't go was really hard for me...and then I was starting to question other things about the way I live my life, etc. I knew I was not right to have an attitude such as this, and I started looking for those "tender mercies" each day. Sometimes, they were as simple as our volleyball assistant coach helping me learn to straighten my hair before team pictures (I know, who ever would've thought I'd do something like that!), goalkeeper training went almost perfectly, my boss who can be under the highest amount of stress and still be positive about everything....then I finally was able to have the interview to renew my recommend. As I answered the questions, it helped me remember things..things I believe in, covenants I have made, why I live my life the way I do. I started praying more fervently, I stopped feeling like life was unfair to me when things weren't going right. In fact, I got to a point this week where I hit breakdown mode....between being exhausted and everything I was being asked to do for USU Soccer on top of my club team and trying to maintain some sort of personal balance, I honestly didn't think I could get the job done. Then my prayers were answered. One of our players who we almost died in March due to complications of shoulder surgery (she ended up with blood clots in her lungs) just couldn't recover physically to be strong enough to play this season. Because she is on scholarship, she must work off that scholarship, so we have brought her on as an undergraduate assistant coach....she will be helping me and Heather with whatever we need in the office with part-time office hours. I felt so blessed...it was an answer to prayer. I've also had several people who have checked in on me and allowed me to vent several times to them the last two weeks. That is a blessing.

There is an interconnectedness among members that bonds the family, much like mountain climbers who rope themselves together when climbing a mountain, so that if someone should slip or need support, he's held up by the others until he regains his footing.
-PHIL McGRAW, Family First

Gone

On Tuesday, my privacy was violated and I felt as though my life had been taken out from under me. I went straight to my indoor soccer game from class. When I got there, as usual, I placed my backpack on the floor of the car, grabbed my soccer game, and proceeded inside. Just after the 2nd half began, someone came and got me...my car had been broken into. THe front passenger window smashed in, my duffle bag with two changes of clothes, and my backpack were taken never to be seen again. Inside the backpack was my laptop (which I honestly don't know when the last time I was backed it up and I just loaded new pictures on to it on Saturday), my wallet, my jump drive with everything on it for work, school, personal, teaching, etc. My written practice plans for both field sessions and goalkeeper trainings sessions from the past year, my school notes and textbook from the class I came from and our final was Thursday (thankfully, I got an extension). What makes me so butter is that for a year I have worked my tail off to compile notes, put together journals, start working on personal history through programs that could not be backed up to an external hard drive...only to have it all taken away because of someone's greed and selfishness. I will never see that stuff again...and what will be done wtih it? When the theifs realized what they was in that bag, did they have a beer and give each other high fives at the stash they acquired, knowing that the cops could care less about a car being broken into because it happens all too often? There is no punishment, there is nothing I can do to get any of that back. I am extremely bitter. It just doesn't seem fair...what's the point of even working for all that, when it is lost so quickly? Where else am I to store it so it is safe? It just doesn't make sense how people think that it's o.k. to steal from others to satisfy their own desires...with no respect or consideration...and then there is no repercussion for their actions. I am just sick with disgust at the things that were lost that I can not replace or duplicate. My inner-most thoughts and feelings and memories all gone.

CRAZY!!!!!!

My life has been absolutely crazy the last few weeks. I am working at a store called Locker 42, I am working in the soccer office because our assistant coach is leaving so I am helping out with the transition, I am coaching the goalkeepers for a local soccer club (actually, I was just hired as the Director of Goalkeeping), I agreed to coach a U13 team next year so tryouts are going on this week, State Cup is this week so I've been going to Orem to recruit on top of the class I am taking for school....o.k. I think I can breathe now. Its nuts...my schedule is nuts. I am exhausted. On Monday I leave for Wofford College in South Carolina for the NSCAA National Diploma course...and it is 6 straight days of playing soccer, coaching soccer, learning more about soccer! I am tested on two practice sessions, match analysis and a player analysis. Then I just got the camp curriculum today for our Aggie Soccer Camps and I am supposed to finalize it before camp....which is the day after I get back from the National Diploma....so no pressure at all. :) So yeah, that's why I haven't posted anything for awhile. I will keep this updated for sure! :) There may be some changes ahead...

You Know You're Tired of College When....

Grab your Ipod, Put it on SHUFFLE and use it to answer these questions... (put song title and then the artist)
......keep in mind some won't make sense... :) and others will be just plain funny!

How am I feeling today? Perfect Day –Lady Antebellum
Will I get far in life? Stars Tonight-Lady Antebellum
How do my friends see me? Breakin’ at the Cracks –Colbie Caillat (eek!)
Who will I marry? There is No Alternative –Tina Sugandh
What is my best friend's theme song? Begin Again –Colbie Calliat
What is the story of my life? Yes I Do -Rascal Flatts
What was high school like? Please Don’t Leave Me -Pink
How can I get ahead in life? Break Through –Colbie Calliat
What is the best thing about me? Stand –Rascal Flatts
How is today going to be? Battlefield –Jordin Sparks (I think I’ll just stay in bed!)
What is in store for this weekend? Who Says You Can’t Go Home –Bon Jovi
What song describes my parents? Something More -Sugarland
To describe my grandparents? House of Faith -Jenny Jordan Frogley
How is my life going? Don’t Blink -
What song will they play at my funeral? Unstoppable –Rascal Flatts
How does the world see me? Passenger Seat –She-Daisy
Will I have a happy life? The More Boys I Meet –Carrie Underwood (that’s a no)
Will I have children? Perfect Love –Felicia Sorensen
What was my childhood like? These are the Days –Jenny Frogley
What is some good advice for me? Don’t Walk Away –Miley Cyrus (guess I can’t hide the fact that I listen to her!)
How can I make myself happy? I Never Told You –Colbie Caillat
How will I be remembered? I’m Taking the Wheel -SheDaisy
What is my signature dancing song? Pokerface –Lady GAGA
What is my current theme song? All I Want to Do -Sugarland
What does everyone else think my theme is? I Will Not Be Still –Kenneth Cope
What song describes my mood right now? I Go Back –Kenny Chesney
What song do I listen to when Im depressed? Ready to Love Again –Lady Antebellum
Happy? How Do I Get There –Deanna Carter
Scared? Far Away -Nickelback
Bored? Something ‘Bout a Woman -Lady Antebellum (I think my iPod likes them)
What type of girls/guys do I go for? The Climb -Miley Cyrus (probably why I’m still single)
What type goes for me? Gun Powder and Lead –Miranda Lambert (again, probably why I’m still single!)
What should I be doing right now? If Today Was Your Last Day -Nickelback
What is in store for the future? The Olive Tree –Felicia Sorensen (does that mean I’m going to be serving a mission?!)
How was your past? Dare to Dream –Jo Dee Messina
What will your dying words be? Follow the Light -Hillary Weeks

now just list the songs as they come:
1. Road to Emmaus –Hillary Weeks
2. Drop of Blood –Aaron Edson
3. Cowboy Casanova –Carrie Underwood (I don’t think she is a fan of men)
4. Blessed –Martina McBride
5. The Race is On -Sawyer Brown
6. Don’t Worry about a Thing –John Legend
7. When the Sand Runs Out -Rascal Flatts
8. Just Dance -Lady Gaga
9. Tik Tok –Kei$ha
10. American Honey -Lady Antebellum

Final projects due next week and then one year down, four classes to go...btw...its snowing in Logan! Um...it's May...is that legal???

DREAM

This book is probably one of my most recent favorites! It is a children's book about following dreams, and each illustration is done by someone different. At the end of the book, they talk about each of the illustrators. There is also a website that goes with it that has activities for adults and children (as well as literacy resources for teachers) that can be used to help people set goals, recognize their dreams, etc. If you haven't checked it out, you should! It is called Dream by Susan V. Bosak. Enjoy!

Easter--I'm Grateful :)

On this Easter Sunday, I am grateful for a Savior who followed through with a Plan, to go through the pains suffered during the Atonement for each one of us, then was resurrected on the third day after his death so that we may have the opportunity to repent of our sins, live with our families for eternity after death, and be comforted and sustained in times of trial and hardship. I am grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who recognized that man has the freedom to choose, granted man this freedom here on earth, and because of that freedom to choose, the Father knew that we would make mistakes so He created a Plan of Salvation so that we may return to His presence after we leave this mortal life. His Son, Jesus Christ, willingly came to this earth to carry out His purpose in that plan and both made this possible because of their love for each one of us. May we always remember the reason for celebrating Easter and show our gratitude for this great event in history through the way we live our lives and how we treat those around us. Happy Easter!!!

U.S. Women's National Team vs. Mexico....in the Snow!

So it was beautiful this past weekend and BAM....freak snowstorm hits Utah dumping over an inch of snow on to Rio Tinto stadium. The WNT played Mexico in the pouring snow. Heather, Sara Vargas (our athletic trainer) and I drove down....Josh was supposed to go with us but he got hit with a flu bug :( We sat in the 2nd row from the field, right on the 18 yard line! The U.S won 1-0. After they scored, they celebrated by doing snow angels in the snow! Unfortunately, my camera turned off while I was cheering for the goal, but I didn't get a good shot of the snow angels..such a bummer because that is probably a one in a million shot. To top off the night, after the game, the players ran over to thank the fans and one of the players ran over with a jersey in her hand....I started cheering really loud and she threw the jersey right in my direction and I caught it!!!!!! I didn't get any autographs though. :( Maybe next time!!!! It was such a fun game and totally worth it! GO USA!!!!

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Well, my birthday celebration actually started on Saturday when my brother, Kevin called me and told me that he and his family were coming to see me (hopefully pictures will be here soon)! They arrived around 2pm, we went to get lunch and took it to the park and spent some time there. Then we went back to my house for cake, ice cream and presents! It was fun hanging out with my nieces at the park and watching Mary Poppins in the car, and Little Mermaid before they left to go home. It meant a lot to me that they took a free day to drive two hours each way to spend a few hours with me! So today started out like any other old day. I went into work, Heather told me she had meetings all day so I helped Josh with the recruit we had on campus and some camp stuff, went to practice....you know, the usual. Well, Heather's meeting was with Paradise Cafe in Bountiful, which is about an hour and fifteen minutes away! She got me a giant cookie for my birthday! Then the girls sang happy birthday to me at practice and gave me a card. I went to class, and afterwards, Josh asked me to stop by, and he and Amy gave me a gift card to Firehouse..my favorite place in Logan! Then I went to get ice cream with the Erickson boys, had calls from my family, texts from friends and former students, facebook messages from friends and former students. It was a fun day. :)