Alegra Soccer Tryout

 This week has been soccer tryouts.  We knew going into this week Alegra really wanted to make a higher level team.  We have been very open with her coach, Rocky about this.  I took her to an Impact team several times over the winter and then again the last few weeks.  We also went to a La Roca practice down in Utah County.  Alegra really seemed to like the girls on this La Roca team.  They are a P2 team so it was a definite step up.  Alegra left that practice saying "I think I want to be on that team."  The impact team ended up moving over to Avalanche as of last week so that really complicated things.  Now all of a sudden everyone on Alegra's team wanted to be on Chad's Impact team.  Alegra got an offer Tuesday morning for the La Roca team.  We thought about if for a little over 24 hours (the offers expire) and she decided she wants to challenge herself and go for the La Roca team.  I am super proud of her.  This will be more intense than she is used to and she will play more games during the winter months and travel with the team, which she is not used to, but she wanted to do it.  It is getting out of her comfort zone and I am proud of her for challenging herself!  Plus, this new coach Bailey seems to believe in Alegra and i think that is refreshing.  The P2 coach for avalanche basically told Alegra she won't make her team.  Lets hope for the best!!! 

Last Day of School

Last day of school is so arbitrary when the kids get out of elementary.  They all turned in their chromebooks on Friday so basically this week was not necessary.  Cruz went to school on Tuesday because I told him he couldn't leave his math classroom until his 65% in math was up to a 70%.  He did it!  Alegra had 8th grade Lagoon day but she chose not to go because this week is soccer tryouts and she didn't want to be exhausted at tryouts.  Lexi went on Tuesday.  They all skipped on Wednesday so we went to breakfast to celebrate the end of a school year. It is kinda our tradition.  They all had a really great year.  I can't believe Cruz will be a senior, Alegra will be in high school, and Lexi will be in 7th grade.  Time just keeps on flying by!  

 

Memorial Weekend in Idaho!

Grandma and I took flowers to Grandpa Gary's, Miles, and his parents graves on Friday morning.  

Friday afternoon Shawn, Grammy, Lexi, Elle, and I left for Swan Valley.  We stopped at Maddox for an early dinner.  Cruz stayed at home to go to the STATE FINALS CHAMPIONSHIP LACROSSE GAME - Brighton WON!! So it was so fun for Cruz and his friends!  Cruz and 5 boys headed up to Idaho on Saturday.  Alegra went to Bella's Lake house for the weekend.  

Shawn cut up a cottonwood that fell down and we picked up dead sticks and cleaned up the yard all day Saturday.  

The boys took a little detour (headed toward twin falls instead of Idaho falls) but corrected it -but added an hour to their drive.  They also stopped at the Army Surplus store that they loved.  

Alegra went to the lantern festival with the Hansens on Saturday night.  Sunday was church and hanging out!

Boat on Monday and then back home.  I couldn't believe it. All the boys surfed and Lexi wake boarded.  The water was so cold!  

Loved having Cruz's friends up....Jordan, Quincy, Matt, Thomas, Cruz, and Andrew!  The stopped at a yard sale in Swan Valley and they all picked up coats, etc.  Shawn also took them to shoot guns on Sunday!  

 

Last Middle School Project for Alegra

 Last middle school project in history for Alegra!

Braces for Lexi

 

Mothers Day 2024

 Pictures loaded backwards.  I had a very nice Mother's Day. I realized I never really took pictures yesterday, so this is Alegra in her new pajamas and new satin bonnet thing she got at the market yesterday.  I love being her mother!

This is the wonderful note and cute pearl bracelet Lexi made for me at church today.  I love being her mother!

This is my cute boy in church. My friend Jen snapped this picture. I love that my kids are sitting snuggled next to me at church, hearing the words of God.  I love being his mother!

This is the planter I made for Grammy on Saturday. It is from the Jacksons, Frye's and Rich Raddon family.  I was not too happy about the process of making it (I got crabby because I just wanted to buy a pre done one) but it ended up so much better than I hoped or expected.  That's the irony of this picture. I wanted the easy way out and I thought I knew what I was doing, but I had to dig in and put some work in and it turned out wonderful. I think our Heavenly Father works that way with us.   And I think personally I get upset or kick against the pricks because I want it the easy way, but I end up learning and growing so much more when the plan doesn't always go as I thought!  I love being Lynda and Gary's daughter!

Shawn made a delicious dinner of greek chicken kabobs, homemade tziki sauce, and pita.  I wish I had a picture of the dinner.  I love being Shawn's wife!  

Breakfast and Shopping

Alegra and I met Stacey and Esme at Beaumont for breakfast and a little shopping at this cute pop up shop  at This is the Place.  Breakfast was so yummy!  I felt bad for Alegra because she got the stomach flu on Wednesday night and had been pretty sick.  Saturday morning was really the first morning she was up but she still wasn't herself.  It was fun to be with Stacey and Esme!

Lacrosse Banquet

 Cruz had his end of season Lacrosse Banquet on Friday night. With just having his wisdom teeth out, I didn't think he would go.  But, he rallied and went.  I think this is his last year playing so I was kinda sad. I think if his season would have gone better he might still play next year, and who knows, he might still decide to play.  I am proud of our boy!!

Wisdom Teeth Research Study

 About a month ago I took Cruz to JBR Clinical research.  We had made an appointment to see if he was a candidate for the Wisdom Teeth removal study.  He had X-rays, drew blood, and went through a series of questions.  After about an hour and a half they said he qualified for the study.  The problem was we were having a hard time picking a date.  I didn't want him to miss any lacrosse and the least amount of school.  JBR thought the study would wrap up around the first week of May.  I said that just wasn't possible with lacrosse.  They put Cruz down as a back up for Wednesday May 8th.  He would miss his last lacrosse game that night but JBR didn't think they would actually need him.  As May 8th got closer, I realized Cruz really couldn't afford to miss 3 days of school and I thought it was pretty lame to pull him his last season game.  I called JBR. I wasn't even sure if the study was still going on. I asked about the study and they said they did need Cruz on the 8th.  I said it just wasn't possible with school and lacrosse. They were like, "if we end up having surgeries on the 9th, would you be interested?"  I said yes, put us down.  But the lady on the phone was like, I really don't think it is going to happen.  On the morning of Wednesday May 8th I get a call seeing if Cruz is ready or if I have any questions about his surgery the following morning. I was like, what?  I thought you didn't need Cruz.  The lady on the phone apologized for all the confusion. She was the lead on the study and she said they definitely needed Cruz.  Well, Cruz got to be at his last home game of the season and then only missed 2 days of school. On Wednesday I quickly sent an email to all his teachers explaining what was happening. They all seemed very understanding.  Cruz had to stop eating and drinking at 8 p.m. on Wednesday night.  We woke up and drove to JBR Clinical Research at 4:30 a.m. to check in at 5 a.m.  I got him checked in and they asked me to leave.  I was so nervous for him.  I cried when I left my baby boy.  He was going to have his wisdom teeth removed by only being numbed (not put under). The study was testing the pain management after wisdom teeth removal.  He was either going to be given a placebo (nothing), ibuprofen, or an ibuprofen/alleve combination (the new drug they were studying).  If the pain was too terrible there was a button he could press to get some oxycodone.  I was just nervous for him.  He called me by 8 a.m and could hardly talk but his wisdom teeth were out. I picked him up from JBR at 10:45 a.m.  He stayed and was monitored pretty closely for 30 hours.  

He said the pressure and the noises from the actual wisdom teeth removal were pretty gross.  The pain about 1-2 hours was the worst.  He had to not be bleeding so much to get whatever pain management they would give him (super randomly selected).  He said he was praying it wasn't the placebo.  He did feel some relief about 30 minutes after taking the pill.  They checked on him every 15 minutes for the first 2 hours and then it went to once an hour.  In the night they woke him up at 2 a.m and 6 a.m. to check on him.  I am pretty proud of him.  I think it is super brave.  He will get $600 from JBR for participating in the research and we didn't have to pay for the wisdom teeth removal.  

Wednesday Night Cheer Activity

 For our YM/YW activity on Wednesday night, Channing and Nixan taught the boys and some of the girls a cheer routine.  I was impressed how well the boys participated.  Cruz was at the varsity lacrosse game, so he wasn't there.  

Lexi wasn't too into the activity so she played with Hobie!

And that's a wrap up for Lacrosse

 Cruz had his last 2 games this week. He had a game last Friday and then the season closer game against Park City on Wednesday. I think Cruz would agree, it was a less than stellar lacrosse season for Cruz.  He just didn't see as many minutes on the field for games as he would have liked.  When Cruz approached the coach about it, he really didn't have too much to say, kinda frustrating.  I am proud of Cruz for finishing out the season strong, going to practices, and supporting his team!  

1st full day of 17 and new haircut!

 

My handsome 17 year old with his new haircut!

Cinco De Mayo - Fryo!

 

Lexi and I looked kinda matching for church today.  

Family picture for Cruz's 17th birthday!

Cruz's Surprise 17th Birthday!!!

So glad Cruz's friends came out to support him for his surprise 17th birthday celebration.   The pictures loaded in reverse order.  There were more kids here for the surprise but some of them had left when we had done the cake!  So grateful for our boy Cruz! 

Walking into the house for the surprise!

To get Cruz out of the house we had grammy, Russ, Elle, and Walker take us to dinner for Cruz's birthday.  Alegra had a birthday party for her friend but Lexi, and I went.  Shawn faked sick right before dinner so he didn't go with us.  Shawn stayed home to get the food and house set up.  We went to Las Costa for dinner and then we were still a little early so we grabbed a shake at Iceberg.  Shawn texted me when he thought it was good to come home. The timing worked out great.  When we pulled into the garage, Lexi said, "mom, I need to talk to you about something."  So Cruz walked into the house first and then the kids all jumped out and said, "surprise".  It was so awesome!!!