I've had a few good men in my life.
My dad
My father-in-law
My brothers
My husband
A good dad makes all the difference in the world. I'm grateful that I've had great dads in my life! Thank you to all of you great men!
Cancer
In today's news Eric Berry, a professional football player for the Kansas City Chiefs, was diagnosed with lymphoma. He said, "I have great confidence in the doctors and the plan they are going to put in place for me to win this fight. I believe that I am in God's hands and I have great peace in that."
I know that feeling. You have to put it in God's hand. You have to have confidence in the doctors and in the research. You have to find peace while fighting something that might kill you. Which leads me to today's grateful post...
Kind of a weird thing to be thankful for but I guess I'm sort of thankful for my fight against cancer. I've met a lot of great people while I've dealt with cancer.
Best care around will be found here!
Thousands of people running so you can fight!
I'm thankful for science. Yes, that science took me to the edge of death, but it saved my life in doing so. The machine below was my dance partner every 21 days for about 8 hours. It pumped some killer drugs into my body. They burned, they froze, they tasted funny, they were pretty colors and they ultimately saved my life. Thank you to those who figured out the right cocktail of poison to kill the cancer.
Nothing tastes this bad, yet without it we would have never found the cancer. Banana isn't so bad.
I guess the greatest thing I'm grateful for from the experience of dealing with cancer is it helped me find a new passion: running.
I didn't ever think I would be thankful for being so gravely ill, but cancer sure did help me focus on things I truly can't live without and of course that is my family. It was really hard on them, harder than I will ever know. I've had glimpse of how hard when I happen upon a school paper or journal entry and they write about that year. I'm truly sorry that we went through it, but we have grown together as a family. We've learned to work together. We've learned that we can do some really hard things. And we have learned to celebrate life!
Babies
This kid made me a mom about 23 years ago and I've loved holding babies ever since. I'm excited for my new role as mother-in-law and eventually a grandma (but it can wait a few years.)
Aren't my babies cute?
and more to come.
Coaching
When I was in high school I had dreams of becoming an Olympic Athlete. Unfortunately I didn't have what it takes to do that. I wasn't fast enough, strong enough, tall enough or talented enough so I was going to do the second best thing: Coach an Olympic Athlete or at least high school athletes.
I went to college and was on track to graduate with an education degree with an emphasis on coaching. (Things were a little different back in those days.) I wanted to be a great influence on children's lives. I wanted to be just like the coaches I had back in my youth. I wanted to influence, train, and watch kids succeed.
High school track coach Mr. Potter
Coaches Sanford, Blanding and Blanding
Funny how life just turns your plans upside down and sideways. I didn't graduate and only took a few classes in the said field.
I did manage to coach a few years in our local youth soccer association and enjoyed almost every second of it. I coached some really top notch athletes and others I saw potential in.
I remember one young boy who would recoil in fear any time the ball would come near him. My goal for him was to not turn away in fear but to step up and kick the ball. He was one of the smallest kids on the team and I knew I couldn't do anything about his size, but I sure could give him courage. I did achieve that goal!
I took two teams to championships. I think we got a 1st place one year and quite a few 2nd and 3rd place finishes. My girls got all the way to the state finals and took 8th. The team that knocked us out ended up winning the whole thing that year. That was a GREAT team. I think we only lost two games that whole year.
I've also had the privilege of coaching each of my children. Enough said! And I coached with my oldest son for the past few years. It is kind of interesting to see "me" on the sidelines.
My soccer coaching career may be at an end, but I plan on continuing to coach. I've decided to open up a Fitness Studio and coach friends and clients. I'm not sure all the particulars, but I plan on being just like the coaches I had: motivating, hard, gentle, fun, persistent, caring, influential and knowledgeable and enjoy the success of my athletes.
Art
I'm not very talented but I try. My daughter is way more talented than I am but once or twice a year (wish it was more) we get out the paints and paint and just have a great time! We usually do it at Christmas time and I'm so looking forward to next month. I've got some ideas already.
Jessie's Dragon
Jessie's Simba
Jessie drawing the other half
Doreen's painting "Forever"
Doreen's painting "A Perfect Northwest Day"
Me
Jessie
Scouts
My five brothers were all Eagle Scouts!
My five sons were all Eagle Scouts!
I've learned a lot from my time with the Boy Scouts of America.
You learn it starts young.
You learn it takes hard work to get your Eagle.
You learn to share your talents.
You learn you don't always win pinewood derbies
You learn how to run a business.
You learn that it is a family affair.
You learn that your dad can lead.
You learn how to paddle the open seas.
You learn something about hygiene (sometimes you forget too).
You learn safety and fire!
You learn your brother is pretty cool!
You learn that moms love to get "pinned".
You learn how to serve.
You learn how to do hard things!
Mom
Dang! I miss my mom! She was such a great example. she loved me even when I was a nasty teen.
She set a great example. Playing the organ at church at age 13!
Getting an education and making learning important.
Raising a GREAT family!
Giving your all at whatever job you are asked to do.
Take your family on adventures; camping at Lost Lake.
Loving your sister
Mend bridges when you need to because family is EVERYTHING!
It's never too late to do something you love. Here she is at Sweet Adalines.
Never be to old to play with your children.
Have good friends.
Laugh with your kids.
Enjoy your family!
Have lots of kids (they give you lots of grandkids)
And love those grandkids!
And when you leave this earth, make sure your hands are worn out in the service of others.
Hair
My hair and I have had a rocky relationship, but I'm thankful that I have hair.
I started life with very little
Then we tried the "feathered" look.
Tried to have big 80's hair.
I tried short hair
Long hair no bangs
Then I tried no hair
I tried blond long hair
I tried long brown hair.
I tried really short spiky hair.
I went for more natural color with some highlights and bangs.
And I've settled on this.
But I'll settle for just about any type of hair. Maybe next time it will be RED or BLACK.
Pets
Growing up I had a dog and a few cats. Kyo was my first. My brother Scott bought her for me and she was my faithful dog until I was married and had a child of my own. I cried the day my mom told me she died. I loved her so much that during my senior year in high school I gave a year's tuition so that she could have a life saving surgery. I worked extra jobs to make up for it.
We had cats, but true to their nature, they were in and out and did their own thing. One even gave birth to a litter of kittens in my closest.
My niece and Kyo.
Kyo--Oh, I loved that dog!
These are our cats. Don't recall the black cat's name but this is Jenny when she wasn't so fat (see below).
Jenny
Today we have dogs in our house. We prefer Yorkies.
Alexander the Great
Roxana
Alex and Roxy
My favorite shot of Alex and Roxy
No they aren't related except they have been adopted by our family.
We love them and they were my constant companion through cancer! They are loyal, fun, frisky and part of our family.
Friends
Life is best when you have good friends. I've been blessed with good friends. Here are some of my good friends.
Pre-school friends
4-H friends
Church friends
Sports friends
Best friends
Best friends
High school friends
Friends with young kids
Homeschooling, business and all round good friend
Teaching friends
Supporting friends
Running friends who turn into best friends
Party friends
Marathon friends
Facebook friends
Adult best friends who come back for visits
Couple friends
Family friends
Family friends
Eternal best friends
Life is good!
Washington
I am truly thankful I live in the beautiful state of Washington. Yesterday, November 11, 2014, marked its 125th birthday as a state. Happy birthday, Washington.
I wasn't born here in Washington but my family moved shortly before my third birthday and I've lived here ever since. Ok, I spent 23 months living in Provo, Utah, going to school, but I kept my Washington residency. I consider myself a Washingtonian through and through.
I have been to all the corners of the state (or really close!) and I love the beauty of every place I've been!
I truly love Washington!
Veterans
We are always in your dept.
Thank you seems so shallow, but please know I thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing something I couldn't do. Thank you Uncle Kenny. Thank you Uncle John. Thank you Cousin Larry. Thank you niece Lara. Thank you Dale, my older brother!
May God bless you and your families.
Camping
I grew up in a rather poor family. We didn't have money for fancy vacations and by the time I came around anything we went somewhere it was usually to drop a kid off at the MTC or BYU so that's where my parents' vacation time (if they had any) went.
But one thing my dad and mom taught me was how to camp! I love camping. I know my husband's idea of roughing it is a Motel 6, but he is kind enough to come with me on some of the best family vacation we could have!
We've seen parts of the country few have. We unplug and enjoy each other. I'm grateful for the desire to have run camping with such great people as my family.
And where else does mom give you chocolate cake for breakfast!
Mt Rainier
PS: no I'm not going to tell you our favorite places--at least not publicly.
Running
I never thought I would be thankful for running, but I am.
I remember being a Freshman in High School and telling Coach Q that I wouldn't run anything more than once around the track (that's 400 meters) and that I was only on the track team because I wanted to use the weight room and throw the javelin. He was so kind and obliged me.
Fast forward 24 years and a cancer diagnosis and finding Team in Training. In the five years from my first visit to their site I've run four marathons (Nike 2010, Vancouver 2011, Seattle 2011, Seattle 2012) dozen or so half marathons (first was Vancouver 2010), countless 5K's and 10K's and three Northwest Passage Ragnars.
Yes, you could say that I've become a runner.
I'm very grateful for all the blessings running has brought into my life. When I first started, it was something that I could do to fight cancer. It has now given me health, strength, friends and countless stories to tell. It has also given me a new career (more on that on another post).
I truly am grateful for running!
Soccer
August to December and April and May since 1998 has been filled with soccer. We haven't missed a season or a game.
We've played in the heat:
We played in the rain:
We played in the mud:
We played when the ball was up to our knees:
We had the best cheerleaders:
We played all positions, even goalie:
We were referees:
We lost:
We win:
We coached:
We had fun:
We are soccer:
I'm kind of sad to see it go....
Fall
I really love Fall!
The colors subtly come on. One day the tree was full of large green leaves and then next morning the leaves are rimmed in orange, yellow or red. Then the next the whole leave is bright orange.
The wind will come and they fall to the ground and color the brown earth with a kaleidoscope of colors.
I love the way the crunch and crackle echo in the early morning on a brisk run.
I love looking at the side of a hill and see the hill covered in a quilt of color.
I love the mist as it hangs in our valleys or on the edge of meadow.
I just love the colors of God's paintbrush in the fall.
Music
My mother insisted that her children learn to play the piano and I'm so glad. It has given me a lifetime of music. Yes, I know I could turn on the radio, but there is something special about playing your own music, even if you didn't write it.
I have done the same for my children. Each of my children has had the opportunity to learn to play the piano (and another instrument). It brings me much happiness to hear my kids sit down and just play.
My daughter even wrote her own piece of music. How cool is that?
Even if I couldn't play music, I'm thankful for music. Just yesterday I was in a melancholy mood and I was listening to my "Sunday" play list and "How Great Thou Art" by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir started to play and I couldn't help but shake my mood. I had to smile because I had just spent 45 minutes running in His great masterpiece (a Northwest Fall morning) and couldn't help but feel that Heavenly Father did it just for me.
This summer Steve took me to see my favorite band: Journey. WOW! What a show. One song they didn't sing but has been my motivational song these past few months is "Anything is Possible". Of course this is poetry but when put to music it just makes my heart and mind remember that I can do it. And the melody keeps running through my mind while doing "the hard thing"
Here is the lines that really pushed me forward to pursue a different path I don't think I would have even thought possible.
Find a true desire, don't be afraid to cry.
Better to reach for something, than to never have tried
and another one:
It's not who you are, it's where you wanna go.
You don't need a miracle, believe that anything is possible.
It's time to see how yo imagine your life.
You want to dream, anything is possible.
it's not who you are, it's where you wanna go.
You don't need a miracle, anything is possible.
I have to believe anything is possible.
Have a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcWi_X7L9P8
Can you imagine how great I can run when this song comes on while running.
Steve
They say to marry up and I did!
Steve isn't just my best friend, he is also my best critic, cheerleader and hand holder! He just rocks!
We've been through a lot and he has been the steady one. Me? I'm up and down and all over the place, but he is the rudder that guides this family through the choppy waters of life.
What man would let you put this on the back of his shirt? And who would spend two days driving a van with little sleep (and what he did get wasn't "good" sleep) and a van that stinks like runners have been living in it and STILL do something like this:
Begging for donuts!
Honey, you rock my world!
We wear hats and sunglasses! TWINS!
He took me to JOURNEY!!!
At the most northwest point of the USA!
He goes camping with me!
How wouldn't love that face?
America
As much as I dislike the political phone calls (and some how I got on a list this year--both cell and home!) and the signs that litter the roads and homes around town. (Those traffic circles have become sign central!) As much as I dislike them, I'm glad we have them because it is a sign that we the people get to choose who leads us.
My vote is often for a non winning side (I hate the "L" word) but I still had my thought and voice heard.
Thank you to the Founding Fathers for dreaming this was possible. You were brave and today I get to cast my opinion on the pile. i love living in America and hope that we as a people can continue to fight for our rights!
Missionaries
I'm thankful for missionaries. I'm thankful that I have two sons serving. I'm thankful for missionaries who in the 70's found my husband's family. I'm thankful for the missionaries who served in the 1840's in England, Norway and good ol' Mississippi and found my ancestors. And I'm thankful for good missionaries who serve in our ward and from our ward! Be kind to them if you see them. They have decided to leave their home for 18-24 months to share their testimony and serve people they don't know.
Elder Jason Blanding is serving in Mexico Puebla North
Elder Michael Blanding is serving in California, San Fernando Spanish speaking