Well it has been a crazy past 2 weeks. I took the weekend off last week to go to Taylorsville with Garrett's Speech & Debate team for their tournament. OH MY GOODNESS!! I never had a clue what it was they were doing (I mean besides speaking!) Garrett's partner Dallas wasn't able to make it to the tournament (due to Grandpa having a heart attack) it almost threw Garrett out of his competitions. But they were able to pair him up with a good friend of his - Fred Witman.
(Here is the whole team after the tournament in Taylorsville.) I have to tell you from the time they arrived in the school - they got to work (I assumed there was a lot of hanging out & socializing happening on these trips... - well not necessarily for Garrett - they keep him busy the whole time they are there & he doesn't even have breaks to eat (which was of concern to me. Thank goodness for jerky & snack mix in my purse!)
So day 1 - I enter a room with these kids, it was CX (Cross examination). It was absolutely amazing... I won't go into all the details - but I have to tell you within 20 minutes I started getting a huge headache, sweating, & realizing I was getting dehydrated!! (Thank goodness for a bottle of Midol & water in my purse it was my relief as I couldn't get up & leave due to the speed of the event & the "quiet" of the room not to disturb the kids - beyond the judge (I'll mention this later).) The kids speed talk so fast some of them almost pass out (I could barely even catch what they were saying & I was concentrating so hard to listen.) Then they would move from one topic & argument to the next. I WAS SO IMPRESSED!!! I sat there going..."Where did you come from child? You didn't get this from your dad or I!"
I was not solely impressed with just how fast they talked... but as to what they were talking about & with all the details they knew: treaties with Russia, S. Korea, N. Korea, F22's, Hegemony, Nuclear bombs in Turkey, etc....
(Here we are waiting in the auditorium after it was all over for the awards.) In most cases when Garrett & Fred did this debate they were the opposing side & came into the room in front of a judge - had a Affirmative team who had a case prepared. Then our boys came with 5 tubs of research & info. Then they had 5 minutes (they had to stretch out & use through-out their 1.45 hour debate) to prepare an argument/case against the affirmative team. SO if they used 4 minutes of time their 1st round to get their info. out & organized - they were up a creek for the rest of their 1.40 hours with only 1 minute of time left to prepare for anything else... so to watch them work, listen to this speed talking, plan their route of argument, recall from memory what they could use in their files/research, prepare it, plan what they'd say & how to organize it... all in 3-5 minute increments while the other team is presenting their evidence & talking -- the multitasking & ability to understand what was even happening & going on was AMAZING!!!! CAN I SAY THAT AGAIN... it was AMAZING!! I don't know where he gets that from - we have always known he was smart... BUT GEEE... this is something totally new to us - so amazing he is doing so well at it so quick & loving it!!
He did this for 6.5 hours straight...no dinner - so of course my purse was very handy!! After all those rounds - I literally was exhausted in all ways & I was just watching them!!!
WHEW... after I ran to their hotel with them & Grabbed a bite at Wendy's before they all headed off to bed. It was fun to meet some of the kids & get to see them in action.
The next phase of events is quite exciting I must say & I am here to say that survival camping is for real!! Know what you are doing before faced with a situation & actually have to do it!! I haven't told anyone the following & don't plan to... so if someone actually reads our blog here you will know - BUT YOU BETTER PROMISE TO NEVER TELL MY SISTER... or probably my husband either!!! (As I know she doesn't read here & I don't think he checks in very often!! LOL)
So after I left Garrett at their hotel - I headed south to go stay with a sister of mine. I had called her the day before & made all the arrangements. She knew I'd be really late & that we might not see each other due to me needing to be up & gone before she'd be up (plus she had sick kids all week & was exhausted & had a meeting in the morning)... so she gave me her garage code in case their door was locked. GREAT!!! I arrived about 11:45 pm. Got all my stuff together & was going to sneak in & crash for a couple hours & then shower & take off to get back to the Tournament...
Well this is where it gets exciting... I parked in the driveway right back in the corner... all the lights in the whole house were on (I swear! Serious!) All the outside lights were on too.. so I actually suspected that maybe someone was waiting up. SO I got to the garage door & wa-la it was open. YES!! Then I walked in & up their stairs to go inside & turned the doorknob & it turned... BUT her deadbolt was locked!! WHAT?
So I tried it again, & again. So then I started trying to knock, not to hard so I'd wake up the whole house.. but then I started knocking harder... no response..UGH!!
Well - dang all the lights are on - so I thought I'd just go to the front door maybe someone was still up & their door was open. Walked around & got to the door & tried the knob... CLANK, CLANK, bump... they have one of those big heavy wood doors & the knob went down (like it was unlocked & opening... but again the deadbolt hit & the door made a lot of noise!!) GREAT... an alarm was about to go off... I was sure of it!! So their bedroom door is just off of their entrance - so I decided to knock... then I knocked a little louder, then louder... NOTHING & nobody!! UGH
My stuff was starting to get heavy & my eyes were about to pop out - I needed to get my contacts out. (Thank-goodness I used the bathroom at Wendy's earlier!) So I went back to my van to think & take my contacts out. All the while wondering how long it would take for a nosy neighbor to call the police???
So I opened my trunk to get something & realized I had our big denim quilt in the back (that I keep in there for emergencies!) So I grabbed it & got in the van... Well considering the situation, the sister, her sick kids (how they wouldn't go back to sleep if I rang the door bell or called the phone), how she'd have a crappy night & I probably wouldn't sleep either listening to them cry, how I'd probably never be able to ask again to stay if I caused a commotion.
So I went & checked the doors again... just to make sure that if I hadn't twisted the knobs wrong or if I lifted up on them if they were just stuck a little... 20 minutes later trying & thinking... knocking again gently - but loud enough to wake someone if there were in a light sleep... still nothing!!
Well It was only 34* & it wasn't actually cold & windy like in WY- I knew it would be safe to just stay there & if I got cold I could just turn on the van & warm up. Like I said every light on the outside of their house was on too (I am really shocked by all the walking around & door opening I was trying that I didn't set off an alarm.) I considered going down a window well to check a HUGE window that I could see the lights on in a play room... but I was getting colder & it was getting late & how much sense would that be to have an unlocked playroom window in the winter!! So I went back to the van!! I could see everything around me since all her outdoor lights were on - but my windows are tinted & so I didn't feel like anyone just walking by would be able to see me. It was better than parking in a Wal-mart parking lot or something & 1 tank of gas at $40 would be much cheaper than going to get a $120 last minute hotel room (that all were booked do to the expo in SLC anyway & I only needed for about 5 hours.)
Considering it was TOO Late to go barge in on other family in the area - I could do this!! I realized I didn't have a special -32* sleeping bag, or a cot, or warm tent with heater - but if my boys could do winter survival camping - now was my chance to try it & possibly have some sympathy if it was tough!! (LOL!) I surly don't give myself enough credit I have found... so here was my chance to be an awesome, supportive mother - RIGHT? (Praying all along I wouldn't die by freezing to death!! LOL)
So I climbed in the back of the minivan (love it by the way!) - Tried to be careful not to move around to much so I didn't set the alarm in my van off. So I laid the back seat as far back as I could. Took out my sweats (thank-goodness I packed them instead of just a night shirt) & put those on over my clothes. It just so happened I had brought my favorite polar fleece blanket too.. but the one time I left my most trusted pillow at home... I could have used it!! Oh well!!
I got everything laid out for morning - trying to plan out what I would do... how was I going to get a shower or freshen up?? I'd sleep on it!
So I got all ready - wrapped my coat around my feet, (which tend to always be the coldest) Then I wrapped the fleece blanket around me & then the big denim quilt over me & curled up on the back seat in the van. Tried to roll part of the blanket up for a pillow... cussing that I'd probably have to go to the chiropractor for the next 5 days to fix my spine after this adventure.
Well... I set my alarm on my phone, while contemplating getting in for a quick shower before I left possibility was slim, finding a Flying J travel center might work, or getting back to the school before the S&D teams to see if the locker room was still unlocked & dash in there to freshen up & Get ready!! My battery was about dead so I said another prayer!! It took me a while to actually fall asleep as so many thoughts about how possibly stupid this was & what the outcomes might be... but my heart was clam.. even though my mind raced 100 miles an hour.
Next thing I knew it was 2 am & it was raining!! Go figure!! It was quite loud, but I sat up a bit - looked around & no change - all the lights still on, nobody lurking around... but I realized I was COLD!! So then the thought came into my mind... put your face under your blankets.. so I did! (Oh my hair was going to look pretty in the morning!) Next thing I realized - my breath was warming my body up! (I don't know if I have ever heard my boys mention this or say they had done it - but it is a good trick to keep yourself warm!!) YEAH!!! I quickly tucked the blankets all around me again to prevent any cold air leaks & quickly faded off to sleep again. Woke up again @ 3:30 & just peaked up... nothing changed - went back to sleep!! Alarm went off at 5:00am & I was still alive!! YEAH - so I braved the cold!! Actually it was too cold to get out of my blankets to get dressed so I started my van... then I sat there till the van warmed up.
All of a sudden a bathroom light went on up above me!! YEAH!! So I quickly got stuff together & wondered if I could sneak in & knock, if they'd let me in with out calling the police at a 5:30 am visitor in their garage (not knowing if she had told her hubby or kids I was even coming!!) Decided against it... but waited & watched in case it was my sister & she realized I wasn't there, but there was a car running in her driveway - maybe she'd look out to check to see & I could wave at her to let me in to shower... well about 10 minutes went past & the light went off & nothing!! UGH
So I decided I better hurry & get busy!! Got dressed, Luckily had some water & other snacks in my car so I ate. Climbed in the front seat & turned on my GPS... I sure would love to have a shower... but I knew if nothing else I needed to wash my face & fix my hair up!! NOW why in the heck did I have a towel with me, but forgot my pillow!! HUM... it all worked out!!
I typed in Flying J travel center into my GPS - knowing one might have showers for truckers... never tried it - but there is a 1st time for everything right!! Just more excitement added onto my adventure!!
Well - there were about 5 on my way back to Taylorsville & so I decided to stop at a newer one that looked bigger like trucks could stop at it... well, no luck - it was like a Maverik!! So I didn't have much more time & nobody was there except for the cashier... so I took my small bag, packed my towel, toothbrush, paste, flat iron, make up, etc... went on in to use the bathroom - as I was about to explode anyway!!
After I entered & had been in there a few minutes realized I should have maybe told the cashier my plight so she didn't call the cops at some weird lady making all the noise in the bathroom!! Low & behold the sink was clogged up so I resorted to spitting into the toilet & doing the best I could was what I had... So I hurried up thinking someone now could possibly be waiting outside to get in. So - if I could get to the school - the Locker room might be open & I could do a little more there... Got to the school about 6:30 & it was open!! Whew... but the locker rooms weren't.. so I went into one of their back bathrooms to do what I could with my hair... I wet down the funky parts (Thank heavens for my short due I am sporting now - as this could have been so much worse!) I then plugged my flat iron in across the room in the 1 plug in there was & went to work. Yeah I felt stupid as people came in & out... but my son & all his team would be arriving at any moment - I needed to look "rested" & presentable - RIGHT??
All of a sudden my phone rang - Mom, where are you? Oh dear son... I am patiently waiting for you at the school & have been for a while - see you when you get here!! Just enough time to run my bag/supplies out to the car & look like a well rested, warmed up mom!! YES!!!
So bright & early they were back at it...but this time all doing different events.
So there were 2 more types of events that Garrett participated in through-out the day. So hundreds of kids were gathered together in the library of this school. Then every 20 minutes groups of them were called up to get their "topic".. then they had 30 minutes to prepare a 5 minute (memorized) speech or commentary on the subject (they had 3 topics on their paper to choose from - but had to speak on 1.)
So they'd spend the next 30 minutes going through more files & articles (they personally brought - couldn't use items off the library shelf or the Internet. The stuff they hoped to have & be prepared for were on topics going on in the world, federal government issues, etc.) So after going through their info. they had to write or organize a speech in their mind. They had to use 3-5 sources, I think (& have them memorize)... then when they were called on, about 30+ kids shuttled off into other rooms through out the school - to go in front of a judge, to give their memorized 5 minute speech or commentary on the subject. The extemporaneous speeches were given standing up & the commentary kind were with the student sitting behind a desk as if they were like a news reporter or such.
WOW impressive!! He was so concentrated, furrowed brow (I told him that is the only thing he needs to work on ☺) - he couldn't even look at me or talk to me & would just dash off to be judged leaving me chasing him down the halls & loosing him a time or 2... Luckily I found him before he had to give his speech each time!! He did amazing!!
In the end - he took home a 2nd place overall trophy (out of the whole tournament) in the Extemp. speaking (The standing up speech.) The Commentary speech - was the 1st time he'd done that & says they don't do it in WY tournaments? So they gave them a brief explanation of what to do & how to do it & sent them on their way. (I thought he did great at it - even though he was so dang nervous & we really don't know how he placed in this.)
In the CX debate they did the night before they went 1 win to 2 losses... which wasn't right, in my opinion!! It came down to high school juniors/seniors judging them (who debate on Varsity teams in UT) & in the end when they announced who's side they were voting for - they claimed that they mainly choose the winners due to who's "problem/case"
(To the left is a photo of all his trophies up till Lander). he liked best.... not how the evidence was presented for or against it, how they debated, how current their info. & sources were, etc.... SO .. Garrett/Fred were always told they had the better solutions & sources & killed the affirmative team in the debate on presenting their evidence... but if the kids judging really didn't like their side they stood on - they lost. (I personally was disgusted at the multitasking & disrespect of the young judges to our kids competing - getting up & leaving the room to get a pop or visit with a friend, texting on their cell phones & listening to music w/one earphone in their ear, playing solitaire on their computers & chatting on facebook... UGH!!)
I felt had the young judges really listened or payed attention - they would have made a better choice in the end on the actual debate & skill - compared to just the topic!! (Oh well!) I think an adult who knew how to judge & who was up on current event - might have voted totally different. So that is what I found with this type of thing he is doing... it really doesn't matter how well your really do on your speaking or the debating - if the judge doesn't like your topic or your solution or outlook on the solution you give in your speech - then you are judged lower (stinks!)
(Here he is with his trophy from Lander & then with Dallas waiting for their award - Below.) He just called & is in Lander this weekend to tell us at 5:48pm that they just finished at their tournament & that he & Dallas took 1st Place Novice in this CX debate out of all the teams there - 5 schools!! How awesome is that!! I can't wait to go see them compete together - as they do a great job!!
So he continues to love it... It would drive me crazy to do that type of thing & be so stressed out for so many hours straight - as politics, debating, research, & memorizing are just not my thing - definitely a Adrenaline rush for him!!!
Overall... the
re were many kids who didn't place or get trophies... many varsity kids too & Garrett was shocked at that. So for Garrett to walk away with 1 at a HUGE UT Tournament & it being an overall 2nd place!! That was pretty awesome!! (Especially finding out that in these BIG UT schools - moms were telling me they start speech & debate in elementary school down there.) GRHS took away the OVERALL 1st place Sweepstakes trophy!! (Meaning they had the highest percent of 1st, 2nd, 3rd place overall finishers out of everyone!!) So they were all so proud & happy!!
Garrett continues to maintain A's & A+'s in school & loves High School.
Moving on!! ...
Tyler brought home an amazing report card & the teachers are reporting that so far his attitude & work skills are hanging in there (which is amazing as this is the time of year he really starts to struggle.) But I chalk it up to his Core teachers, the 7th period study hall class where they help him & allow him get homework done (so it doesn't come home & frustrate him & take all night) & he can make up tests as he usually scores 40% or lower the first time. So he usually retakes about 5-7 tests a week... He is a trooper & is still being cooperative!! ☺
He had 1 C+, 1 B-, a couple B's, 1 A+ in PE (which he never has got an A+) Then he got an A in Mr. Hesleps tech class!! Whoo - Hoo!!
So with homework getting done at school 4 out of 5 nights - he continues to play & be outside about 4-5 hours every night after school - no matter the freezing temperature!! But it makes him happy & that is a good thing!!
As for Madison = Wonderful grades, loving school. Fell on the ice (running) & skinned up her face pretty well this week. Both Madison & Brady were invited to help lead the pledge of allegiance at the 1st City Council meeting of the year - they thought that was a blast. Brady was asked to hold the mic. & speak into it as he was such a clear (& cute ☺) speaker!! -
He got many compliments from people who saw him on TV!! :)
Brady - also wonderful grades & is always being "caught" doing good at school (along with Madison). He isn't feeling so well today - kind of has a cold coming on it seems. He just came to me Sat. Night with a
tooth a little wiggly - but it was bugging him so bad - he begged for me to pull it... found that the third pull is a charm!! Wa-la (the trick is to twist & turn & pull hard!!) Much happier boy now!! (I know - he has his dad's ears!! I Love them!!
This weekend on our way home we stopped in Evanston for Tony's
Non-mission Farewell!! I can honestly say I have never before seen a young man so prepared to go on a mission!! He is such a quiet, gentle giant... then he stood at the podium & gave a speech as if he were King Bengamin or Samuel the Lamanite!! I was so proud of him & of course I couldn't resist & cried often. Here is a photo of all my brothers & sisters together before we all said good-bye. (Shelby, LesLee, Myself, Tammy, Tony, Chelsea, Lorrie, & Andy. Then there is a photo of Tony & all the neices & nephews who were still there.) ... Oh by the way - when I got into sacrament the said sister from above caught up to me & said... "Well there phantom guest!! You were all to quiet & really did leave before I woke up. I went down to check on you at 7 when I got up to get ready for my meeting & it didn't even look like you slept on the bed, I checked the bathroom & gee you didn't even use the towels, so I went to check outside & I saw your t
racks - so I know you were there! " In reply (trying not give myself away): "Yes, it was a nice stay!! Thank-you so much, it was very safe & comfortable!! We'll have to do it again when I can come earlier & visit & stay a while!!! ☺ Big SMILE!!!)
Anyway - Tony entered the MTC on Wed. & it sounds like he jumped out of the car, grabbed his stuff & literally ran to the MTC doors... he couldn't wait!!! (So funny - as some are so scared!!) But he was so beyond ready!!! I can't wait to hear of the successes & growing experiences he will find!!!
Emily Johnson (joined the church about a year ago - Brooks & Nancy Johnson's daughter) She also entered the MTC Wed. ... It is so awesome to know so many "amazing" missionaries who are serving the Lord at this time along with Doreen.
We hear from Grandma quite regularly & she is doing great!! She is loving her mission & is finding ways to fit into their ward in NC & serve families & the sisters there!! She is amazing & bares such a strong testimony each week in her letters.
Dave has been busy of course with Church things, being Mr. Referee for HS Basketball games, not to happy about the recent Long QT test results we received this week of course - but what are we to do? 5 out of 7 so far have proven positive for it with Genetic testing now... Now onto testing all the grand kids. So far 3 out of 9 have tested positive. Dave & Tyler went on a YM camp & fishing trip last night. They seemed to have a good time.
We took the kids to the "Mis" fitting in Musical tonight over at the college - excited to see it & many of the local (grown up) kids perform in it.
Myself - had lots of photo sessions to do this past week (Here is a "Safe" photo of Dave who gets to model for me while I am setting up for a late night photo shoot he Scheduled for me!! Are you CRAZY BOY!!! My hours for meeting with the public aren't this late... we won't say how late it was - as It was still way before my bedtime, but not his!! LOL) .... then I continue to keep up with the house (oh, woke up to a non-functional furnace today & the house being a nippy 60*... ugh!! Almost felt colder than sleeping in the van in UT!) So off to Ace to buy a new fuse to see if that will help!) I really think it is colder inside our house today than it is outside. (It was!!) The weather has been pretty pleasant here this past few days! Other than that - it looks like I have lost the fight with my printer as I am doing passport photos for a family here in town & must now add Wal-mart to my list of things to do today!! UGH!! Oh well - that is life!!
(Here is a cute little set up I used this past week for a newborn Photo session!! IT was sweet!!)
Madison getting really sick again due to an allergic reaction to her Antibiotic the Doctor put her on the week before. (The week before she ran a 101 - 103* fever starting on Sunday & by Wed. we couldn't get it to break with our routine of warm bath, gatorade, motrin, & soup - so we took her to the Dr. & they tested her for everything... she had nothing but was dehydrated & low on potassium - so just in case they put here on a Antibiotic.) UGh... Almost within 5-6 hours she was spot free after taking an oral steroid!! I am so glad!! She had a wonderful day at School for Valentine's day!! Her & Brady alone probably made close to a 100 homemade Valentine's cards for our family!! What a treat (except the reminding them to clean up their craft supplies each time they broke into a creative moment!! LOL)
Madison getting really sick again due to an allergic reaction to her Antibiotic the Doctor put her on the week before. (The week before she ran a 101 - 103* fever starting on Sunday & by Wed. we couldn't get it to break with our routine of warm bath, gatorade, motrin, & soup - so we took her to the Dr. & they tested her for everything... she had nothing but was dehydrated & low on potassium - so just in case they put here on a Antibiotic.) UGh... Almost within 5-6 hours she was spot free after taking an oral steroid!! I am so glad!! She had a wonderful day at School for Valentine's day!! Her & Brady alone probably made close to a 100 homemade Valentine's cards for our family!! What a treat (except the reminding them to clean up their craft supplies each time they broke into a creative moment!! LOL)
Evanston! He sure does love it!! Dave & Madison had their 1st Daddy - Daughter date on Saturday!! I have never seen a happier little girl than she was!! From showering, picking out her outfit, to primping & getting ready for her big "DATE"!!! It was awesome!! (I am so grateful for such awesome programs in our church & what they do for our kids!) I am most grateful for an awesome husband who enjoys taking time-outs to spend with our kids on special occasions like this! 
Evanston! He sure does love it!! Dave & Madison had their 1st Daddy - Daughter date on Saturday!! I have never seen a happier little girl than she was!! From showering, picking out her outfit, to primping & getting ready for her big "DATE"!!! It was awesome!! (I am so grateful for such awesome programs in our church & what they do for our kids!) I am most grateful for an awesome husband who enjoys taking time-outs to spend with our kids on special occasions like this! 
year old girls & their fathers, Grandpas, & mom subs today!! They had so much fun!! Their morning started with some fun photos (which I got to do), a wonderful breakfast with the most Heavenly Pancakes & Potatoes ever! Then they had a relay as they were given a bag of goodies - the girls had to tie a tie on their dad's neck, they had to clip an ad out of the paper of their favorite food, the Dad's had to tie a pony tail in their daughter's hair & paint her nails!! 
Then they also played a game to find out how well they knew their daughters answering questions such as: What does your daughter want to be when she grows up, where does she want to go on a dream vacation, what is her favorite food? There were 
giggles & smiles galore!! Thank-you Sister Davis, Sister Fairchild, Sister Nathan, & Sister Hardy for such an awesome activity & breakfast!!
year old girls & their fathers, Grandpas, & mom subs today!! They had so much fun!! Their morning started with some fun photos (which I got to do), a wonderful breakfast with the most Heavenly Pancakes & Potatoes ever! Then they had a relay as they were given a bag of goodies - the girls had to tie a tie on their dad's neck, they had to clip an ad out of the paper of their favorite food, the Dad's had to tie a pony tail in their daughter's hair & paint her nails!! 
Then they also played a game to find out how well they knew their daughters answering questions such as: What does your daughter want to be when she grows up, where does she want to go on a dream vacation, what is her favorite food? There were 
giggles & smiles galore!! Thank-you Sister Davis, Sister Fairchild, Sister Nathan, & Sister Hardy for such an awesome activity & breakfast!!
