Baseball

Baseball. An all-American sport. A spot that I have not only grown up with all my life, but have loved all my life as well. As far back as I can remember baseball has always been a part of my family. I remember going to games when I was little to watch my mom play. She used to play on her work team and we would go to her games every week. I remember sitting on the grass and just loving the sounds and the actions of the game. Especially the night games when everything thing seemed so much better under the stadium lighting.

From early on as kids we were taught how to throw a baseball and how to catch one. From there we then learned how to hit one as well. Then, as soon as we were old enough, we were put on to teams and began to learn the rules and strategies of the game. And even from early on, I knew that I loved it. I loved hitting the ball and then racing the outfielders to get to the base before they got the ball there. I loved that feeling you would get when you crossed the home plate and knew that you were safe. And most of all I loved being a part of a team that was playing the game I loved so much.

From tee-ball I went on to coach pitch and then machine pitch. Each time summer would come around my mom would take us kids and sign us up to play. And even thought he teams changed each year, and you played with a whole new group of kids, we always had fun and we always loved it. I remember years of being the only girl on the team and years where I got to play with my sister. I remember learning how to slide into home plate and how to hit a pop fly. I remember learning the baseball cheers that never seemed to change no matter how many years would pass. But most of all I remember that sound the ball and bat would make when they connected and you just knew it was a great hit. That sound that still makes me smile when I hear it today. CRACK

After machine pitch I didn't play on teams anymore. I had gotten to the point where you either had to play competitively on a comp team or try out for the school teams. I really didn't want to do either so I stopped playing on teams. I did not however stop loving the game. I still loved it and I still played it with my family and friends and most of all I still went to plenty of games. For you see, I had brothers that played the game as well and even though my sister I no longer played on teams, they did. This meant that every spring and summer I had plenty of baseball games to attend. They would play every week and the games were always at night which, in my opinion, made it that much more fun to go. And even though I was just watching I still got to hear that sound of the bat hitting the ball, I still got to cheer the same baseball cheers and I still got to watch the game under the lights.

As we all got older my brothers stopped playing as well. Some of them played through Jr. High and some through High School. But, nevertheless, they all stopped playing on teams at some point as well. This is when I started going to other games. Comp games, miner league games and major league games.  All of witch still hold the same thrills and love for me. The first miner league game I went to was the Bee's of course. Living in Utah that is the only professional baseball team to go and see locally. I went to my first major league f\game when I was in DC on my high school choir trip. We went to the DC Nationals vs. the Atlanta Braves. It was the first year that the Nationals were a major league team again. And to make the experience even better our choir got to sing the National Anthem at the beginning of the game down on the field. It was an experience that I will never forget. Being on that field and singing that song was just plane awesome. Then to top if off the Nationals won.

Over the years I have been to more Bee's games and another Major league game. A game in which the Atlanta Braves played again. This time against the LA Angles. I have also been to some of my cousin's comp team games. all which I have loved being at and being a part of. I got to enjoy one of these games this last Friday, July 21. Some friends of mine and I had wanted to go to a game and finally got together to do so. We sat on the first row balcony seats just left of home plate. They were great seats and even though we lost, it was a great night. One filled with friends, laughter, ball park food, baseball cheers and songs, stadium lights, and that favorite sounds of CRACK as the bat hit the ball throughout the night. It was a night of baseball and all that I loved about it. A night that will have to be repeated again.

Friday's Fabulous Find

For this Fabulous Friday Find I went to a place that has been on my list of places to go for awhile. The friend who gave me the idea to start Friday finds is the one who told me about this place. I have been meaning to go there forever and I am glad I finally did. The place is called

Hip and Humble

Location: 559 West 2600 South, Bountiful (there is one in SLC as well)
Hours: Mon-Fri 10 - 7, Sat 10 - 6
Phone: 801 - 298 - 3373
Website: http://www.hipandhumble.com/
Prices: not to bad
Description: cute boutique with cool and unique things

 


This place is really cool. You walk in and just know that the things you find here you wont ever find in places like Target. It is a store full of really cute and really neat things. Things from clothes and jewelry to kitchen supplies and books. The people who work there are friendly and fun to talk to. While shopping you will probably be asked if you would like a cookie or a beverage to have while you look around the store. Add this to the fact that you will just love what they carry and that half of the products will bring a smile to your face or an outright laugh, and you have yourself one fabulous store. I had such a good time looking around and fell in love with a few of the things I found. I even ended up buying two things for myself and a gift for a friend. All of which I had no intention of getting before I entered the store. 

I got some fabric covered thumb tacks to go with a bulletin board I made a while ago. I have been wanting some cute ones to use instead of the clear ones that came with the board. these were just to cute and unique to pass up.

  I also got one of the cutest children books I have ever found. Looking through this book just made me smile. I was honestly standing in the store giggling and laughing like a little kid while looking through it and doing what it asked me to do. I just had to buy it. And then, when showing it to my mom after I got home I just giggled and laughed all over again as she went through the whole book and did all the things it asked as well. It you like interactive books that make you smile then this is one you should own.  

After I left Hip and Humble, smiling about my finds, I headed to Parsen's Bakery. After all, it is in the same shopping area and I figured that there was no better way to end this Friday Fabulous Find then with a White Jumbo Cookie with Nuts. And it was delicious as always. All in all it was truly a great find which made for a great afternoon. 

Friday's Fabulous Find

This last Friday I didn't really have a new find but there is something that I wanted to share. Yes, I did see something new as I am sure a lot of you did as well. And yes, it was great and fabulous in many ways. But, I didn't really plan to go and experience anything new that day. In fact, I sort of forgot about it until later that night when my friend asked me what my find for the day was. For you see, lately, most everyday this week at least, I have been thinking a lot and it sort of just slipped my mind.

I have been thinking a lot about life and where I am headed in it. Once again, I no longer really have a plan. I had been working on a bunch of things these last couple of months to move forward in life and create a new plan. Needless to say, none of them have really worked out or turned out how I was hoping they would. Therefore, once again I am feeling like I am falling back into a rut. Once again, I have no idea where to go from here or what to do or try next. And once again, I don't know what to do about it and I don't like it.

So on Friday I went with a couple of friends to the gateway for dinner, caramel apples, and a movie. We went to the California Pizza Factory  for dinner, got our Apple Pie caramel apples and then went to see our movie. And I am sure you can all guess what movie we saw:

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2

Now the movie was great. I thought that is was really well done and it had some great character moments throughout the show that made me laugh and cheer. Then again, I am pretty bias and have loved Harry Potter since I got book 1 long ago. It has been fun to grow up with them and to see it all come to a close.

As most of you know this last movie is pretty much one big fight that takes place on two very long days. This is a fight that has been years in the making. A fight that has had blow ups and mini battles along the way, all leading up to this grand battle. This one last fight. A fight where only one can win and the other has to die.

So, there I was sitting in the movie theater watching Voldermort and his followers gather around the outskirts of Hogwarts castle. And as I am sitting there watching them get ready to strike the thought comes into my mind that this is how it is going to be in the end. This is how it is going to be in the last days of the earth and there is the great fight between Satan and his followers and Christ and his. And as I sat there and watched them fight it broke my heart. Because Satan will fight and he will have followers and people will die. But, just like in the movie there will be a good side fighting for truth and freedom as well. And also like the movie there will be a time to stand. A time to stand and pick a side to fight on. There will be no middle ground when it comes to this fight. Either you will be standing with Satan or you will be standing with God.

Now the battle will rage on and it will be scary and powers we have yet to see will be used. But in the end the good will stand. And the good will fight. and the good will prevail and win the fight. It is already know that Satan and his followers will fail and God and his followers will succeed and good will win over evil. The only question that remains then is which side will you be on. Will you be scrambling and scurrying around with Satan? Or, will you be valiantly standing and fighting for the good with God?

So there I was sitting and watching this movie and all the while thinking about this great fight that will one day take place. And I was wondering which side I would be fighting on. Now, I know where I want to be and where I hope to be standing. But then the question came into my mind If I was strong enough to be there and If I had enough courage to and strength to be on that side and to do all that would be asked of me. And it is a questions that I have continued to think about since.

But, the fact of the matter is, that just like in the movies, and the whole story of Harry Potter, this is a fight that is already in the making. And there are many small battles that take place in this world and in our daily lives that are leading up to this grand battle. and each time there is a fight we are already choosing which side we stand on. Everyday and every week we pledge our allegiance to either God or Satan.  Everyday we are faced with choices that bring us closer to one side or the other. And everyday we have the freedom to choose whose side we want to be on.  And everyday we either gain strength or loose it by those choices that we make.

A friend of mine had this video on her blog a little while back and I thought I would share it with you. It is something that I immediately fell in love with and listen to often. And yes, it truly does make me smile.

This video helped remind me that someone up above dose indeed send power down. And that this same person also has a greater plan that I ever could.  So, just because I don't know where I am headed or what is up next in life fr me, I do know where I stand at the end of each day.  I know who I have pledged my allegiance to and who I am choosing to follow and put my faith and trust in. and because of that, I also know that when the time comes to stand and fight in battles I will be strong enough and courageous enough to fight in them. And if I am not on my own, then I know that He will  make me strong enough and give me the courage that I lack. He will not leave me nor forsake me as long I as keep choosing him and doing the best I can.

Friday's Fabulous Find

I know I have missed a few Friday finds over the weeks. Life can be busy and sometimes finding a new place of adventure is a little hard to fit into the schedule for the day. So if I miss one now and then, I'm sorry. I really do love Friday finds though and am having a great time finding and experiencing new things. I am also finding out that the more places I go to the more places I keep adding to my list. I never seem to really get the list shortened because each week that I cross something off I usually add one or two more things as well. It's a good thing I enjoy finding them and that I plan on doing this for awhile.

This last Friday I had two Fabulous Friday Finds. And both of these amazing things were introduced to me by my good friend Maggie. The first place is a restaurant called  

O'Falafel

Location:790 East 2100 South Sugar House
Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:30am to 9:30pm
Phone:(801) 487-7747
Prices: Good
Description: Mediterranean Cuisine
Web Page:http://www.ofalafeletc.com/

This place was delicious. The atmosphere is fun and casual and the food is prepared quickly. I got a Falafel sandwich with fries, a drink, and a pistachio cookie, and every bite of it was fabulous. For those of you who don't know what falafel is it is sort of like fried huhmas. So if you like huhmas, then this place is right up your alley. They also have other food as well that sounded just as amazing. And the pistachio cookie was to die for. It looked really weird and like it wouldn't be sweet, but it was. Trust me and just get one. So if you happen to be in the area (you should just make yourself in the area) then you should stop by. Really, you won't regret going here and trying it out.

After dinner Maggie, Kendra and I headed back to Maggie's place to hang out for the rest of the night. We talked and laughed and went through a bunch of books. Then we decided to watch a movie and this is when Maggie introduced to the second Fabulous find. For you see, we watched

Anne of Green Gabels.

I had never seen any part of this show before but had heard many things about it. I had heard people referring to scenes in the shows and to parts of the books for years now. And after starting it I feel in love immediately. I liked Anne right off and fell in love with her spunky wit and attitude. The characters are great and the show will keep you entertained and laughing your way through it. We were only able to watch the first two parts of the show and one day will have to finish the rest. I am dying to know what happens next to Anne and Gilbert and all of the rest of the characters. I will have to make my way back over to Maggie's house soon to finish the story.

4th of July Weekend

How what fun it is to celebrate holidays with the ones you love. This holiday weekend was no different. It started Friday night with a community event at the local park. I have lived in West Bountiful for most of my life and this is the first year that I have ever gone over to the celebrations in the park. What made it even better was that I was going with friends and just happened to come across others friends there as well.

At this event they had a local band, which happened to include my bishop, food, snow cones, glow sticks, bounce toys, and lots of people. Melissa, Merissa, Taryn and I arrived at the park and found a lovely spot in the grassy field to lay out our blankets. We made sure it was in the shade and started enjoying the oldies music that was being played by the band. We took a few moments to look around and realized that we knew a few of the other people there. Some of them we new from being neighbors and others we knew from being involved in our new wards. It was fun to seem there and be a part of the community. Our group had brought some food with us and proceed to eat our dinner. Then we choose to play cards. We ended up playing Nerts which is always fun and entertaining. Especially when you are teaching new people to play it. After a few rounds of cards and listening to some great music we decided to move our blankets over to a spot to watch the fireworks. Once settled in we had Maryann come and join us and began to talk about things we could do this summer. There are surprisingly a lot of things one can do if they are wiling to get involved and look into thing in the communities. Things such as concerts in the park, movie at the capital, fairs, rodeos, and festivals. Around ten o'clock the fireworks started and they were fun to watch. My favorite ones are the ones that make the big "boom" noise when they go off. I have always loved them. When they were over we found our way to the car and headed back home. It was a great way to spend the night and one that I would be happy to do again.

Saturday started off with me going to work where I hung out with my students, hung up summer decorations, and played with toys. Not a bad day at work if you ask me. From there I headed home and then headed up to Park City with my mom's side of the family. When we got there everyone was off doing different things. I decided to go to the outlets with Ben and Wendi. We spent the next few hours walking through the stores and buying things for Breckin. The only other person who got something was Ben and he got a pair of shoes. I think we found more joy in finding cute clothes for Breckin then we did for ourselves. After the outlets we went to Micheal's and walked around to kill some time. and if you know me, you know that it is a bad idea to take me to a craft store. I like crafts and projects way to much to ever be set loose in them. You should be proud to know though, that I left the store a while later without buying on thing. I did however take Ben down all 3 isles of cake stuff and tell him everything I wanted and what they all did.

Once we left the store we went back up to the condo and helped get things ready for dinner. Ben was once again in charge of cooking the hamburgers and hot-dogs. The rest of us cut cheese, tomatoes, and onions, cooked corn, cleaned and moved tables, and ran up and down the stairs from the condo to the patio about a thousands times. We then gathered around and ate our delicious food. It is always fun to gather together and see everyone in the family. It was especially fun beacuse our cousins from Hawaii where there this time as well. After dinner a bunch of us changed and went swimming in the pool and hot tub. It was a great evening and one that will be repeated again.

Sunday was a day of relaxing and going to church. It was nice to just hang out and enjoy the weather and the day and not have to rush off to anywhere. Monday was a great day. I started it off with a bike ride on the Legacy Trail. I had never been biking on the trail before and it was fun to go along and see the surrounds and feel the morning air. I saw many fellow bike riders and runners and just smiled because we all choose the same way to enjoy our morning. After my ride I headed over to the church and helped my mom out with the tri-ward breakfast. They help put it on each year and it is always fun to go over and see the members of the home ward that I grew up with. After the breakfast I spent a relaxing afternoon cleaning my room and reading a book. That night I went to a BBQ with Jessica and Taryn at Taryn's house with her family, where I once again ate a Hamburger and laughed a whole lot. After dinner we played Just Dance and then roosted Marshmallows for smores. Then we watched the fireworks that were going off around the neighborhood. From their back yard we had quite a view and had a great time moving around in circles to see them all.

All in all it was a great weekend full of friendship, family, and love. It was a great way to spend the 4th of July and to remember all that we have because of the people who are willing to fight for and defend our freedom. How grateful I am for this country that we live in and all that it stands for. I could never forget the people who died to make it this way.