Parowan High School Volleyball

When I started this blog back in May I made a few statements about where my life would be heading next and that I was looking forward to the new adventures. My first new adventure came up quickly after that statement and it was one that I hadn't expected or was even really sure I wanted. But as life goes sometimes we come to a crossroads and we are asked to do things that we think to ourselves "How is the....am I going to do this". Well such a situation arose when the Head Volleyball coach at my school came open and I was the most logical and qualified person to take the job. After some serious and I mean serious thought (so much so I cracked a tooth and wore a hole in my stomach trying to make this decision) after the interview I agreed to take on the job. I knew this job would be stressful, I knew all the things I would have to do in order to be successful, I'd lived with a head coach my entire growing up life. I knew what I was getting into. My family had to learn to take a somewhat neutral position because Beaver is the big volleyball rivalry. In preparation for this event I got some T-Shirts for my parents. Here is what they said:

Well I thought it was appropriate anyway.



 My family was pretty supportive. Brandon wore the Parowan hat I got him to the Beaver game. Mom and dad were diligent in wearing their t-shirts, and LeeAnn game to more games than anyone. My first home game was on the 1st day of school and I literally thought my head and heart was going to explode from all the stress and worry of getting through my classes, and getting the gym set up and ready and as if that wasn't enough I had Back to School Night after the game. Right in the middle of me about ready to explode I got a little present brought down from the office.

Yep I was sent flowers from my mom and dad. I was totally surprised. They both couldn't make it to my game that night and they just wanted to wish me good luck. After that I calmed down and went to work. Echoing in my head was one of dads famous sayings "Quit your worring and get the JOB DONE!" So that is what I did. Two good things happened: We won the ballgame against Grantsville and the game took so long that I missed Back to School Night...darn (I hate when that happens). The season got off to a good start. I couldn't have asked for more. The following week my girls won the North Sevier Tournament. We had some rough patches during the middle of our season but my girls battled back and came up with some big wins. We ended up third in our region and we headed off to state. The State Tournament just wasn't our weekend. We had a rough first game with North Summit which we didn't win and a BATTLE with Kanab in our second. So my team didn't take state...they didn't even place. I guess I could measure the success of this team by their win/loss record but I just don't think I can. I had girls on my team learn and play new positions, fight though injuries, improve their skills 110%, work hard everyday in practice, build each other up when one person was down, love and enjoy each other's company and we LAUGHED!!! I love every single one of the girls on my team. I forgot that among all the stress, anxiety and ulcers that the reward in the end are the relationship that have been built during the season on and off the court. Absolutely priceless. I was and am blessed for having this opportunity to coach and to rub shoulders with some top athletes in the state of Utah. My team is truly AMAZING!!! Thanks girls for making this experience worth it!

I LOVE this picture! This is my entire team and it is a true representation of how interconnected they were.

This is my Varsity team!

This is the J.V. team with my assistant coach Brooke Bakker.

This is my freshman team with my other assistant coach Colton Reinholtz.

CAN'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THIS!

Playing with the Nephews

Brandon and Jeanette decided to go to Lake Powell for their anniversary, in August (I know I'm a bit behind in my posts). So I got to play with Payton, Tyce, Cort and Gage for a day and night. Saturday afternoon Gage was bored, Cort went swimming with his friends, and that left Payton and Tyce to play with Gage. Gage wanted to go swimming, but he got told the infamous phrase that Gage hates "You're too little and you need your mom to go with you". Well as if that was the most devastating thing to say to a 3 year old...a serious campaign was waged to convince Payton to take Gage outside and run through the sprinklers (not an easy task). Reluctantly Payton agreed, changed and took Gage outside. Tyce comes home and joins the fun. I was in the house and I hear this laughing and screaming and I look out the window to make sure everyone is OK and this is the scene I come upon. Payton and Gage are on the trampoline and Tyce is squirting them with the hose. They are having the best time, so I grab my camera and head out take pictures. After issuing serious threats to Payton and Tyce about getting me wet I started taking pictures. While I was laughing and having fun, Gage decided that he wanted to squirt the hose while Payton and Tyce were on the tramp. I had to help him and how him how to do it....and then that little stinker Gage turned the hose on ME!!!! He is his father's child through and through. It wasn't enough to just get me wet...NO...Gage chased me into the house. I was soaking wet! Of course Payton and Tyce were no help they were too busy laughing hysterically on the tramp. It's hard to stay mad at Gage for too long. After a while he came into the house and I put him in the bath, where he stayed for a good 20 minutes and only came out because he got soap in his eye. After the crisis was averted and we got him out and dress. Gage curled up on my lap with his blanket and fell asleep. Yep...hard to stay mad when he is so stinking cute...asleep! Not that I was really mad to start with. We all had a GREAT weekend! I love ALL my nephews and neice and I'm so blessed to be their aunt!!! Here are some pictures of all our fun.

Now Jeanette before you freak out...we did stop Gage before he was able to start the flow of water in his mouth. But you can see where he learns it from....

Philadelphia

At the end of July I was invited to attend a Financial Literacy Summit hosted through Drexel University and the Math Forum in Philadelphia, PA. I do teach Financial Literacy and I couldn't believe I got an invitation for an all expense trip paid for through a grant. I was among 20 other people chosen to attend. I was so excited to go but I new NO ONE and I had never been to Philadelphia needless to say there was much trepidation getting on the plane in St. George. I knew I would be fine once I got to the hotel. We were staying at the Inn at Penn on the University of Pennsylvania campus. I was a little nervous but I did finally make it to the hotel and met my new roommate Marian from Beaverton, Oregon. She was a nice lady and I was so glad that we roomed together. The first night we ate at Bobby Flay's Burger Palace and it was really good. The walk to the restaurant was hot and humid but still lovely. I also discovered the there is a Business building named after Jon Huntsman (the dad). Apparently both he and his son attended Business School at the prestigious Ivy League school.

The second night we were all invited to the Math Forum director's home for dinner. I rode my first train while I was there and truly came to understand the phrase "commuting to work". Wow I am so grateful I live where I do and it takes me three minutes to get to work. Dinner was great!  There was so much food! We went back and by the time we got home it was pretty late.

The third night I was there we went to an Italian Restaurant in the hotel and that was good food too. It was a little different but it was still really good. We did a little shopping that night and walked around and looked at things but nothing too much.

The last night we were there the summit ended and a few of us jumped on the subway and headed down town. I ate my first Philly Cheese Steak and a place called Sunny's. It's true what they say about Philly Cheese Steaks...they are awesome! After that we walked around Penn's Landing and I got to see the Jersey Shore, we looked at statues and monuments and saw all the old buildings. We were too late to make any tours but it was need to see Independence Hall and walk the same streets that our founding fathers did. We headed back that night and ate gelato and sat at a coffee shop and talked. It was so much fun. The next morning a few of us had a plan. We wanted to get up early mad dash around downtown and run back to the hotel jump in a cab and make our flights out. We didn't have to be to the airport until 3:30 so we had plenty of time. We first needed breakfast so we hopped a trolley this time and went down town and landed at a farmers market and we had breakfast at an Amish dinner. The food was wonderful, they even had homemade butter. After that we headed up to Independence Hall to get tickets for the tour. We lucked out and got an early tour. We were able to tour the Liberty Bell museum first and then headed over to catch the next tour. I can't say enough how neat Independence Hall was. I've taught history now for 12 years and my favorite part to each is about the U.S. Constitution. When I finally walked into the signing room I almost burst into tears. There was such a spirit there I can't describe. I know with every fiber of my being that the Lord had his hand in the creation of that document and in the lives of the men who had the courage to sign it. I couldn't take my eyes off of George Washington's chair. It was the original chair and I was feet away from where Ben Franklin sat and gave his compromising speech that saved the convention. I really wish I could put into words how that moment truly felt. It was AMAZING!!!

I know I went to this conference for the math part and I survived that part, it really wasn't the funnest thing I've experienced but I did learn a lot and I met some great people. I truly feel blessed that I had the opportunity to see the City of Brotherly Love.

Well that trip pretty much wrapped up my summer. As you can read it was pretty busy. Of course I've just jumped right into the next thing and that is volleyball. Volleyball deserves it's own entry and I'll write about that experience a little later but for now I'm done. I'm leaving you all with some pictures of my trip to Philly!!!

This is where I ate my first Philly Cheese Steak

Outside of Independence Hall.



The Liberty Bell...It really does have a crack in it.

The Signing Room. My pictures didn't really turn out of this room. But this is the table where Ben Franklin sat.

Broken Button Statue on the University of Pennsylvania campus

Famous LOVE statue also on the University of Pennsylvania campus.

I just realized that I mostly talked about the food in Philadelphia. I promise I did more than eat there, it's just that the math part was so not my thing that I just looked forward to the evenings while I was there. I'm so glad I got to go for the historical part of it all too.

Bear Lake---Family Reunion

Our yearly family Stoker Reunion was held this year at Bear Lake. We've been to Bear Lake several times over the years and frankly I don't really have too many fond memories of the place. I mostly remember riding in the back of the truck, in July with Brandon and Brett. Not that we didn't just love that but it was HOT and kind of miserable. One time I remember we were coming home and driving through Salt Lake on the freeway and we all thought it would be fun to get people to honk and wave at us. We were laughing and having a grand ol' time, but we didn't ask the parents for permission to do that. Little did the three of us know but dad was having a minor meltdown as to why people were honking at him on the freeway. He thought something was wrong and apparently he was raging in the front seat. It wasn't until mom looked back and saw the three of us laughing and waving to the cars that she realized what was going on and calmed dad down! Needless to say we were asked to stop.

At the first reunion at Bear Lake we went to I was probably about 8 or 9 but I went fishing with the boys. I didn't have any girl cousins close in age and when I was 9 the closest girl cousin was 14 and having NOTHING to do with me so I was pretty much forced to hang out with the boys or be moms errand girl all day long. I took my chances with fishing. Now I don't mind fishing as long as I don't have to touch the bait or the fish. I feel that is pretty reasonable. Well I caught a fish and I was pretty proud of that fish and I was taking it back to the trailer to show mom. I can't really remember how I was carrying the fish but I know that it was wrapped in something and I dropped it in the middle of the road and I wasn't going to touch it. So I left the fish there and walked to the trailer to get some help. All the adults were playing games or busy doing something and I was told to just go pick it up. My 9 year old self was pretty dejected at being ignored (common at these reunions) and I was also stubborn and mad and I wasn't going to get the fish. But Grandpa Stoker was paying attention, as he always did, and he walked over with me and picked up my fish and brought it back and cleaned and skinned the fish for me. I don't really remember much else and I probably don't even have all of that story right unfortunately that is when I started hating the family reunion. As the years have gone on I may have grown up a little and I don't really mind them now. This year we again found ourselves at the Bear Lake, mostly I think it is because my aunt lacks any kind of originality. I was only going to be able to be there for about 24 hours but going back as an adult I noticed how beautiful of a place Bear Lake really is. While we were there we celebrated Brett's birthday. His 30th birthday, with the best cupcakes in the world from the Sweet Tooth Fairy. Thanks Jana! We played around in the lake and we went on a hike to Bloomington Lake which is a glacier lake on the Idaho side of the border. That was about all the activities that I went to, you'll have to check Nikki's and Jana's blog for further details but here are some pictures of the fun!!!

The hike was short but the first climb as steep but when I got to the top this is what I saw. In white snow is actually pieces of the glacier.

Nikki, Cole, me and Warrin. LOVE that baby Cole!!!

This is the lake and the glacier. It was beautiful. Some of my cousins along with Brett, Jana, Jovie and Brock walked over to the glacier and slide down it. I'm really not that adventurous.

This is our picnic after the hike with Mom, Jana, Nikki and Cole. I left right after this!

UNTIL NEXT YEAR!!!

CHICAGO!!!

I was given the opportunity to go take 6 students to Chicago for the National FCCLA (Family Career and Community Leaders of America) Convention. These students won the opportunity to compete on a national level in their Star Event. The exciting thing for me was that when I was a State Officer in high school I went to Chicago. I was nervous to take a 14 & 15 year old girls to a big city knowing their all weren't very street savvy and that was about enough to send me over the edge at times. But I wanted the girls to experience all the things about the city that they could and I think we succeeded. We got there on July 3rd and finally got checked into our rooms at about midnight. This would have been fine but we planned our first tour for 8:00 in the morning. We all weren't loving that part but the girls were excited about going on our bike tour. The bike tour was a Lakefront tour so we rode along the beaches of Lake Michigan. This was a fun way to see the city because we saw things we probably would not have been able to see. We went into Lincoln Park and Lincoln Park Zoo and a few other places. Here is a few pictures of what I saw...don't make fun of the bike pictures...honestly I couldn't remember the last time I was on a bike.

This is the view from outside our hotel. The building in the center of the picture is the Wrigley Building. Yep that's right Wrigley name is famous in Chicago. It is a beautiful building. The building to the left that is cut off is the Trump Building and is the tallest building in Chicago.

This is me all too excited for the big bike ride. The helmet is just too sexy. I can hardly stand it.

Can you believe it!!! I actually remembered how to ride the bike and I didn't even fall off!

This was one of our stops. We started this bike ride on the other side where the buildings are. The tall building in the background is the Sears Tower and to the far left is the Navy Pier where we will end our July 4th day!

We were now in Lincoln Park. In the background is a statue of Lincoln and this was our tour guide.

Some of the things I saw.

Fourth of July Celebrations

I little reminder of home. For the 4th celebrations FCCLA had rented out the end section of the Navy Pier and they had food and dancing for the kids. The girls had a great time and when the fire works began we literally had the best seats in all of Chicago. This water spouting is actually a foundation and sprays across the Chicago River and it reminded me of the fire engine in Beaver spraying all the kids during the parade. It was so HOT and HUMID in Chicago the week we were there that if I would had been on the other side of the river I would have stood in the pathway of the fountain. It was a fun night!

This was the best firework show I've seen!

Of course I wasn't looking!

The White Sox Game

Loved it!!! We went to a Chicago White Sox game at U.S. Cellular Field. This stadium is awesome. Even though there was a two hour rain delay we still enjoyed ourselves walking around and just enjoying the atmosphere. Speaking of atmosphere..the rain DID NOT cool things down. It was still VERY HUMID!!!

Eating in Chicago

We went to some FUN places to eat while we were in Chicago! One of the most memorable was Ed Debevics. Ed's was a 50/60's style diner and all the workers there are rude and obnoxious (on purpose). It was so much fun. The is was PERFECT place to take 14 and 15 year old girls. They lived for every comment made. One of the girls got a pile of napkins thrown in her face after she said something rude to the waiter, he also announced to the entire restaurant that she would be a "Future Divorcee". They would have eaten there every day if they could. We laughed so hard. Right across the street from Ed's was Gino's which is famous for their Chicago style deep dish pizza. We went to eat there later that night but they were already closed and so we ended up at Hard Rock Cafe. I love Hard Rock Cafe! We ate there when I was in Chicago the first time. It was fun to go back. We did eat deep dish pizza at a place recommend by a local called Girogardi's. We were all enjoying our pizza until Jenifer bit into and ate half a cockroach in her salad!!! Disgusting...we all kind of lost our appetite after that. Good thing we were almost done.

It's too dark but this picture was taken inside Hard Rock

Sears Tower

Sears Tower was awesome! Again, this was another place I went to when I was in Chicago the first time. The building is so tall. We went up to the 103rd story and they have alot of history on the walls and the view is amazing. They have added a new feature to the Sears Tower and that was a Sky Deck. They have three places where you can actually step out on to a thick Plexiglas deck and look down to the bottom. My stomach literally sank to my toes the moment I walked out but it was AWESOME!!! Note to the family: If we ever go to Chicago and dad is with us. He is NOT allowed to go to the top. When the wind is blowing the building does sway a little bit. Dad WILL NOT enjoy with one bit and the Sky Deck will put him over the edge. Oh and warning if anyone takes mom beware of the elevator. It is quick but they cram you in going up. You've all been warned!!!

This is some of the history that is on the walls at the Tower.

Yes those are the TOPS of the buildings. I took this picture on the sky deck. See why dad is NOT allowed!

This is the view from the top! AMAZING!!!

The Art Institute of Chicago

This was an unexpected surprise! One of the girls read that the Art Institute was free to the public on Thursday nights and she really wanted to go there. We didn't have a lot of time because we wanted to go on a night time river boat ride but since it was free we fit it in. We stood in line for a while and once we got in we had about 25 minutes to wonder. I moved around the rooms and I was just looking around and then I rounded a corner and was slapped with Van Gogh paintings. Real Van Gogh paintings are you kidding me.  I couldn't quit staring. I simply had NO idea how beautiful some of his paintings are. Some of my favorite ones were the weirdest looking paintings. I took some pictures. See for yourself.

Nighttime River Boat Ride

Our last adventure of our Chicago trip was a boat ride on the Chicago River and out into Lake Michigan. We started out in the light and the guide told us about the buildings and history of Chicago. Of course I was completely relaxed but the girls got a little bored after the first half of the trip. The Chicago skyline was beautiful and I thought it was perfect way to end our week of crazy fun.

(Sorry couldn't get this picture to load. I'll try again later.)

I did have a great time in Chicago. There were some stressful moments trying to wrangle up six energetic girls but it was an experience worth having on so many levels. I'm glad I went and actually took pictures. I'm terrible. Other things not featured in this blog was our visit into the Hersey store. I would have bought up that entire store if I could have gotten back to the hotel without melting. I did go into Tiffany's. Yeah it will be ok to have some jewelry from there someday. I think I could live with that! We did go into Millennium Park and saw some amazing art and fountain structures there as well. The entire experience was a whirl wind but it was awesome! I'm glad I had the opportunity to go!

My CRAZY Summer

School could not end fast enough last May! I was packed and out the door before the last bell could finish ringing. The school year was packed with frustrations and successes and by the time it was over I was looking forward to a relaxing summer of doing what I wanted.  Well remember the first post I wrote and knowing what direction I would be going next. It didn't take long and my path was laid out and I was starting down the new path with trembling trepidation.

Trip to visit Megan

 I love visiting my friend Megan Busschau. We've known each other for a long time and though we were friends in high school and share some great memories it wasn't until I started at SUU that we became good friends. Megan and I, we've seen each other through a lot over the years. The thing I love most is simply going to lunch and catching up on all the happenings in our lives. In college that consisted of Taco Bell (burrito and drink) with a drive around town looking at houses, and now we have the Portland/Vancouver area to choose from. Which I'm going to have to say Burgerville is one of my new favs. When I go to Megan's house this is the view I get to soak up from her front door.

I know BEAUTIFUL right! I immediately relax when I step out of the car, and for all of you that know me you know that me relaxing is RARE! This was the perfect place for me to go and heal from my insane school year and reflect on my life and the direction it was about to take.

Another one of my favorite things when going to Megan's is a little gift her father gave her. It's a statue (wood carving) named "Crap'n Jack". You truly have to know Megan and her dad to appreciate these next few pictures.

I know right IT IS HILARIOUS!!! Megan isn't a big fan of having Crap'n Jack at her front door but her husband Dean loves him and wants other one to match to put as his guardians of his new shop. Well Dean I hope you get your wish.

While I was in Washington Megan got some pretty bad news. She found out that she had a mass the size of a baseball in her chest wall behind her heart. The plan was for her to have surgery which required sawing through her sternum to get to the mass and then to remove it. I stayed a few days longer to help Megan get ready for this surgery. I don't know if I was any help but I felt better being there. While the doctors were performing the surgery the discovered the mass was more than they had originally thought and Megan was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She is in stage 1 and is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

Words can't explain how it feels to look your friend in the eye, hold her hand and cry with her as she contemplates the journey that is ahead of her. I have to say Megan is so strong. I have no doubt in my mind that the Savior is with her carrying her through this trial. Her strength was healing for me. She gave me the courage to face the things coming up in my life. Sometimes we don't ask for things to happen to us but when they do we have to stand up and do the right thing knowing we will be blessed in the end.

My prayers and hugs are with you always Megan!!! Love you and thanks for being my friend!!!

Green Thumb?

Hmmmm...I potted some flowers. Well actually my mom potted the flowers while giving me a lesson on how to pot flowers. I know that seems so weird but honestly I've tried to keep house plants and they die. But a few friends of mine gave me some different flowers and I am determined to keep them alive. So I said the magic words to my parents..."I think I need to go to Home Depot". Surprisingly there was not one complaint and after our family funtime of bowling and lunch I started the "Green Thumb" experiment. Home Depot went quite well...I didn't get bored once.  Thank you mom for teaching me plant potting, if this goes well maybe there will be more planting in my future. Here are a few pictures of my "Green Thumb" Experiment.

Here are my two potted flowers outside my front door.

Here is a little side view. (I told you all it was a "little" experienment)

This little flower I'm trying to revive...I've nearly killed it! Hopefully that Miracle Grow will do it's job.