Congrats To The U Of U Women's Basketball Team...On Reaching The Sweet Sixteen

 Growing up, I wasn't necessarily a fan of a local college team, probably because my dad passed away when I was young. From what I know of him, I don't think he was much of a sports fan himself. In the 70s and 80s, the best college team in Utah played in Provo, but when it came to college basketball, The Utah Utes had the edge.

Things went really crazy in the 90s on the hill. That's when the Runnin' Utes because not just the best in the state, but one of the best programs in the country.

I miss those days.

As do many Utah fans. There's been sparks of hope the past couple of years, but it's still a tough mountain to climb. We've said it many times in the past and we said it again after the buzzer sounded in the Pac-12 tournament signaling the end of the Runnin' Ute's season...wait until next year.

However, there's another team on the hill that caught fire recently, a team that's reminding many of us just how incredible it feels to root for one of the best teams in the country.

The U of U Women's Basketball Team.

They are good, and fun to watch.

Last weekend the 2nd-seed Utes made it to the Sweet Sixteen in the Women's NCAA Tournament. Their next game is Friday in South Carolina as they take on the 3-seed, LSU Lady Tigers. Congrats to the Lady Utes! Only five more wins and you'll reach sports royalty. Will they win five more games? The odds say probably not, but just knowing there's a chance, well, that's what sports fans love most of all.

To Our Daughter...Happy Sixteenth Birthday

Some birthdays mean more than others. It's kind of silly, when you think about it. But, it's a custom and humans embrace customs. Today our daughter had one of those "big birthdays." She turned sixteen.

There was a party last night for friends. Today was for us.  And because it was for us, I did a little reminiscing by looking at my journal from the day sixteen years ago and by looking at old photos. What is it about looking at photos? It so vividly reminds us how we felt; it makes us recall the memories. We're transported back to those times.

I remember bringing her home. We were living in my mom's basement apartment--only two bedrooms. The boys had one bedroom and we had the other. We put up the crib in our room and that's how we lived for three years. Of course, she didn't care--she just looked at us with those beautiful eyes and smiled, mostly. I remember singing her to sleep, my song of choice, When Somebody Loved Me, from Toy Story 2. I still adore that song. Maybe that's why she loves to sing.

A family is a team. To be successful we all have parts to play, responsibilities to shoulder. Our daughter has always played her part as the light, that special spirit that can shine so bright you have to sometimes shield your eyes. Happy birthday, you wonderful daughter of ours!

Happy Birthday, Son!

Yesterday we had a party to celebrate an event that occurred sixteen years ago. We welcomed our second child into our family and, as it was with the first, our lives have never been the same since. 

In our family, we have big birthdays. We do this because with four kids, we really can't afford to throw big parties for each birthday every year. The big birthdays come when the kids turn eight, twelve, and sixteen. Since it was my son's sixteenth birthday we had a party and he invited many many friends.

My son loves games, all types of games. Like most teenage boys, if he could, he'd play video games pretty much all day. So when he can't play electronic games, he turns to board and card games. Yesterday the living/dining room area in our house because Game Central.

We had snacks and drinks (well, water...), and lots of lively conversation. My son and his friends are amazing. We had kids ranging from eighteen to ten, all having a good time. I don't know if I would have allowed my ten-year old little brother crashing my sweet sixteen birthday party. But that's how my son is.

Today we went to church, relaxed a bit in the afternoon, then went to my cousins house for an extended family pie night. We each brought a pie and just enjoyed each other's company. And we even sang "Happy Birthday" so him before everyone left their separate ways.

Happy birthday, son. You are a great kid and we love you!