Building Character

Adam made the freshman basketball team this season.  I would love to be able to blog about him scoring the game-winning basket or making an amazing pass or stealing the ball at a crucial time.  Unfortunately, he hasn't gotten much opportunity to do that.  He saw a little bit of playing time earlier in the year, but as the season has progressed, he has gotten fewer and fewer minutes.  Now that the team is in the district tournament, we'll all be surprised if he gets any playing time. 

As much as I hate to see any of my kids be disapointed, I've learned over the years that there are important, hard life lessons to be learned, and I'd honestly prefer that my children learn as many of those as possible while they still live with me, where, hopefully, they have a soft place to land.  While Adam has been spending more time on the bench than he wants to, I think he's learned how to be a good teammate--to cheer his team on in the good stretches of the game and to encourage them during times of struggle and falling short.  He's learning how to respect his coaches.  He's learning to work hard, even when he knows it most likely won't result in increased playing time.  He's learning that sometimes you don't get to be the tallest, the fastest, the most-skilled, or the strongest, and that not being the best is sometimes inevitable and acceptable.  In short, I think he's building character.

I'll have to admit, however, that as I've watched him sit on the bench so much, I've been reminded of a statement I heard when Rachel was running cross country in high school:  "There is no bench in cross country."  No, there isn't.  Everyone gets to run, and usually you are rewarded for your hard work.  I do think the lessons that Adam has learned in basketball will help him in cross country and track.  While running is more of an individual sport, a united, encouraging team helps everyone run faster.  I hope he can be a team leader in the coming years. . . and not just on the course and on the track.

Matt Goes to Sweethearts

Matt got asked to Mormon Sweethearts by Jordan, a girl from our ward that he has known for a long time.  The dance was on Saturday, and he ended up having a great time.  A HUGE group went together, and I think that made it even more fun than usual.  The morning part of the date was taking a hip-hop dance class together.  I thought that was original.  In the evening, they took pictures out in Eagle.  Then they went and picked up dinner at a restaurant and took it to eat in the basement of a dentist's office.  (The dentist was the father of one of the girls who went on this massive group date.)



Jordan and Matt before the dance


I guess the dance was pretty fun.  The regular Sweethearts Dance is valley-wide and is notoriously overcrowded and not super fun.  The church's local youth leaders banded together to put on this event and give the LDS kids an alternative.  I was happy to see that happen.  After the dance, they went and played some board games for a short time back in the basement of the dentist's office.  I think a good time was had by all.

It's weird to think that Matt is so close to the end of his high school experience.  He's certainly a social young man and has had lots of fun along the way.  Fortunately, I think he has learned to have a fairly good balance as well, to study when he needs to and to have fun when he can.  Let's hope he can find that balance again in college where he may have to study a little more than he has in high school.  I suspect he will. . .

P.S. Happy Valentine's Day!!  This day became even more momentous in our family when Andrew asked Karen to marry him two years ago.  We are SO happy Karen said, "Yes!" and that he has become part of our family.  We couldn't ask for a better son-in-law.  Good job, Karen! 

98 Years Young

Last Tuesday, Mike's grandpa celebrated his 98th birthday.  All I can say is, "Wow!"  Not only is the man 98 years young, but he is still mentally sharp and super interesting to talk to.  I first met him a little more than 24 years ago, and in retrospect, it's hard to believe he was almost 74 at the time.  Truthfully, he seemed more like 50 to me.  He has obviously been blessed with good genes, but I suspect that clean living has also added to his longevity.  (I'm hoping that genetics are a big part of the equation because I've always hoped that Mike would outlive me.  We shall see.)

I had to work on Tuesday, but I really felt like Mike should spend the day with his grandpa.  So, in my sweetest--well not exactly sweetest, since I don't really do sweet--wifely way, I suggested that Mike drive to Burley to honor the man for whom he was named.  (Mike is Bruce Michael Young, and his grandpa is C. Bruce Young.)  Anyway, I believe my "sweet" approach consisted of, "Honey, you're grandpa's turning 98, and your parents are out of the country.  Don't you think you should find a way to be with him?!"   Mike and I have been married long enough now that he seldom takes offense at my direct approach.  He knows that's simply how I fly. 

Mike has been super busy at work (for about 18 months now), but lo and behold, he discovered that when he told his co-workers that he was going to spend the day with his grandpa to help celebrate his 98th birthday, no one blamed him for taking the day off.  Quite frankly, I think they were all amazed and impressed. 

As I hoped and expected, Mike ended up having a wonderful day with Grandpa and Grandma.  My favorite of his cousins, Mandy, was there with two of her kids when he arrived but soon had to head back to Boise to be home for her oldest when she returned from school.  Uncle Paul and Aunt Susan also had to leave to work at the temple in the afternoon, so Mike got to monopolize Grandma and Grandpa for a good chunk of the day.  They had lunch together--Mike even managed to wheedle their orders from Dairy Queen out of them--and also celebrated with a lemon meringue pie.  When I asked him what they talked about for so long, he replied, "Everything and anything.  I really learned a lot more about them.  It was fun."

Grandpa and Grandma with Paul and Susan; Mandy; and two of her children, Joren and Chloe

I shouldn't have favorites, but I do.  Mandy, my favorite of Mike's cousins, also spent part of the day with her grandparents.  They are two of 25 grandkids.  Grandma and Grandpa also have numerous (80-90?) great-grandchildren, and two great-great granddaughters.  Impressive, no?

Sadly, Mike never got to meet his Pratt grandparents.  They passed away before Mike's mom and dad married.  I've always thought it a gift and, in a weird way, compensation that he's enjoyed his Young grandparents for 45+ years.  That said, he really looks forward to meeting Grandma and Grandpa Pratt one day.  I do, too.



I love this cute smile on Grandpa's face and Grandma's little giggle.  They REALLY seemed to enjoy the lemon meringue pie that Paul and Susan brought.  And how many times do you see a "98" on top of birthday pie?

I'm so grateful for the heritage Mike has.  Grandpa Young has lived a rich, productive 98 years and seems bound and determined to hit the century mark.  We are certainly hoping he makes (even exceeds!) his goal.  The great thing is that Grandma is not one whit behind him mentally and is ticking right along at almost 93.  Simply amazing!