Cheer Competition in Cali!

  What is better than a cheer competition in Long Beach when it is snowing in Logan.... Not much!  We had the chance to head to Cali for 5 days for Abby's cheer nationals.  It was such a welcome short break to have a little sunshine and warm weather.  We got to Long Beach on Friday and it was beautiful, sunny and very warm.  Ahhhhh, finally.  We walked down to the pier, and went to the aquarium, it was a fun afternoon ~ then we ended with dinner at PF Chang's.

High Point Allstar Cheer Squad

 Saturday and Sunday they had to compete, but we were still able to get in some sunshine.  It was such a great opportunity to get to know all of the other cheer moms a little better.  Brad came with us....and he was the only dad that actually came with the team.  One other dad was in Cali and met up with the team for competitions and another came with the whole family, but you heard it right only 3 dads total.  What a great sport Brad is!  He put up with a whole bunch of women/girls for 5 days and never even complained.  We kept joking that he was our polygamist husband, haha. :)  The girls/team did great at their performances.  They hit the routine perfectly, all of their stunts and looked so clean!  I was very proud of them.

Unfortunately, the competition was huge and they were up against many large cheer squads.  They took 5th, but they would have gotten much higher at a regular competition here in Utah.  Great Job Girls!!

Monday we spent the whole day at Disney/California Adventure.  From dawn to midnight!  We walked, and walked, and walked....but it was such a great day.  We rode all of the rides that we wanted to in both parks and never really had to wait too long in lines ~ especially since we got fast passes to the most popular ones. 

 All in all it was just a great 5 days away from home, enjoying the sun, good friends and fun! 

Disney!

Feeding the Lorkeets nectar

Abby, Addison, and Hallie at the aquarium

Ali and Abby's dinner!

Ra-Ra-Ra!

 Here she is! Our little (or actually not so little anymore) Cheerleader...  This year Abby decided to compete in cheer rather than tumbling.  Brad and I had already decided that once she decided she wanted to do something else that would be okay, we would let her.  But it really isn't that easy - Abby is an amazing tumbler! But that has also helped her out with her cheer skills and her stunting.  Although she has been busy, she has continued to go to tumbling practice for most of the year also, that puts her in the gym for 2.5 to 3 hrs 4-5 nights a week. And if you ask me, that is dedication.  It has been very fun to watch her learn new skills and enjoy the cheerleading.  She has a competition coming up in a few days here in Logan and she will be performing a solo/individual routine in that competition.  Then on the 1st of April the whole High Point Cheer team will board a flight to Long Beach California for a National Competition out there.  Abby is super dedicated and she puts herself out there 100% when she decides that she wants to do something.  Great Job Abby and Good Luck in your upcoming competitions.

This that and the other...

Guess it is time that I update the blog. My intentions are always good, but my time is what seems to get away from me! Life around the Larson Home has been pretty fast paced as of late.  It seems that the days are going by very quickly, which in the sense of seasons is very good news.  :)  Brad was out of town for about a week to an Orthopaedic convention in San Diego.  I decided to stay home and hold down the fort since it was Tim's first Ortho meeting and they could room together and hang out together... if I had gone, I would have just felt like a third wheel anyway (really, who wants to be a third wheel?).  Well, Brad always has the BEST timing!  It snowed 10 inches TWO times while he was gone!  Thank goodness for great help.  The first time was on a Wednesday night and I had just gone down to pick Abby up from cheer practice. It was seriously like an ice rink and I could not get up my driveway. We ended up leaving the car on the road for 1 1/2 hrs while we cleared just enough room for the car to make it up to the garage ~ in a BLIZZARD blowing SIDEWAYS! (Thanks Ab for your help, You rock!) Then I called my nephew, Taylor, and basically told him that he would be my hero if he would clear the rest of the driveway and steps while I was at work the next day! Voila! He did. Thanks Taylor.  Then on Sunday ~ same thing.... 10 inches.  This time my son-in-law, Doug, came over and was ever so kind to dig us out! Thanks Doug! We owe you big time.  And...since Brad has been home it has snowed another 10 inches, I mean come on!!  So, as far as the time flying by, let it fly, until we get to Spring and Summer.

I have been working a lot because we had a nurse move and we haven't quite gotten her replaced yet.  It really takes up quite a bit of my time.  It is taking Abby some getting used to it also, about the time she gets used to it I will be back around more ~ it is a never winning battle of change around here. ;)  But she sure is  good to roll with it.

Abby has been very busy with her cheer and tumbling practices.  She had a cheer competition last month and was suppose to have one last Saturday, but it got cancelled because of the..... you guessed it SNOW! That was a bummer for her and the team, because they work so hard to practice and get ready.  Abby was actually going to do a Solo competition Cheer/Tumbling routine, but now she will do it at the competition in March.  It will be fun to watch her.  I am going to do a separate post of her cheer pics.

Tanton has now been in Spain for about 6 weeks.  He is absolutely loving it! He had his first official transfer (because he got there in the middle of a transfer) and now he is settled in with his companion a "native" that speaks minimal English on the coast ~ Vigo, Spain until their next transfer.  He always sounds so happy and optimistic in his letters and e-mails home.  That makes me very happy.  I am extremely proud of him.  You can always stay updated on how he is doing by checking into his blog where I post his weekly e-mail: elderjeppson.blogspot.com -- and yes, I do a much better job at keeping his blog up to date than I do at keeping my blog up to date ~ priorities, priorities.

I also had an amazing friend pass away unexpectedly about 10 days ago.  She was an incredible lady.  Our sons played hockey together, and she asked me early on, when Tanton was entering his freshman year, to be her co-trustee of the Sky View Hockey Team.  I said "yes", and the rest is history.  We became very good friends and worked extremely close over the next four years.  I learned so much from her.  I admired her.  About 18 months ago she found out she had leukemia.  She fought it.  She had chemo treatments, she was tough.  She won. Her cancer was in remission but her immune system was low and she got pneumonia.  I had no idea she was ill until I heard that she passed away in her sleep, from pneumonia after beating cancer!  I will miss her dearly, she will always hold a very special place in my heart and in my thoughts.  She was a true woman of grace.  I Love you Sheri!!

Relief....at last!

SPAIN ~ FINALLY!! A week ago Wednesday I received a very unexpected phone call, it lasted exactly 5 minutes.  It was Tanton! He was calling from the MTC to tell me that his visa had finally arrived and he would be traveling to Spain on Friday.  First of all, it was so awesome to hear his voice! He sounded so good, so happy and so ready to get to Spain.  After we hung up I could not stop smiling.  My insides were ready to burst.  I am so excited and so ready for Tanton to be in Spain and begin what he has been planning and preparing for.  There was also this huge relief, almost like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.  I didn't realize how much I was worrying about his visa and all of the uncertainties that went along with it not arriving.  If they were to re-assign him, where would he go? How long would he be there? Would his visa ever arrive?  It was also a huge relief to have him get to Spain and be so far away that it wasn't constantly on my mind that he was only 2 hrs away! 

On Friday he called from the airport and we were able to visit for a little while.  Once again, he sounded so good.  Just like my son, his funny little personality that I just love. :) He traveled with 5 other missionaries from the MTC to Madrid, Spain.  

Elder Jeppson with Brother and Sister Earl. President of the Madrid MTC

Once they arrived in Spain they spent 4 days in the Madrid MTC.  On Tuesday ~ the day before they were all sent out into the field ~ Eight of the new missionaries got on the Metro and went into Madrid city and were able to go sight seeing and checking it out.  It sounds like it was a great experience for them.  

Wednesday they were all assigned areas ~ the missionaries that were there to go to the Barcelona and Malaga missions left, and the others were put with companions to begin their journey. Tanton was assigned to be companions with an Elder Driggs, he is an AP (assistant to the President), so he is starting out with the "cream of the crop." 

It is so good to have him in Spain, safe and sound.  The relief and joy I feel at the same time has overwhelmed me.  I am so excited for this part of Tanton's journey to begin.  It will definitely be a very difficult mission (all those Catholics), but I feel confident that it will be the two best years of his life so far.  I am so grateful for such a wonderful son, and a loving Heavenly Father!  Life is good!

The Season...

The season has been crazy.  Busy, busy, busy. One day rushing into the next.  One of these years I am going to get my shopping done early and be able to sit back and relax and watch everyone else run around with their heads cut off!  That is what I have told myself for too many years.

Abby and her cousins, Cassie and Kylie

Last Friday we did spend the evening in Salt Lake with Brad's brothers and their families.  We went to Temple Square to look at the millions and millions of beautiful lights, what an amazing job they do decorating.

Then on Saturday we spent the afternoon with my family having our family Christmas party.  It is always an awesome time when I get to spend time with my sisters and their families.  Quite honestly, there is nothing better than family.
On Sunday our ward did a sacrament meeting of musical numbers.  I could feel the spirit pretty strong.  I also could feel the absence of Tanton.  I was sad that he wasn't there sitting with us, like he usually is.  I was trying to think of the bright side and that is that he will only be away for two Christmases and one will already be down so quickly!  But unfortunately, I am getting the sneaking suspicion that it is going to be very hard to not have him here this Christmas....















A good friend of mine gave me this poem, and I think it does an excellent job of summarizing my feelings.

A Missionary Christmas

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving.  The thrill just wasn’t there.  No pictures taken with Santa Claus, My decorating has no flair.  His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties, two suits and socks… no fun. I’ve bought him all white clothes because,

This year I’m giving Christ my son.

I’ve spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred. I’ve reread November’s Ensign, felt strength come from His words. Our family prays more frequently. My tears are quick to run. Abraham seems closer because,

This year I’m giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers, gave their sons to war? Or how the pioneers chose Zion, their sacrifice was so much more. My loss will be his presence, I’ll miss his smile a ton. For two years we will pray for him,

I’m giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he’s not looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine. He’s always hungered for the part of Him that makes his soul divine. The stories and the lessons he always heard, his choice and mine are one. I’ll put my faith in God’s hands.  This year,

I’m giving Him my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter. I think I finally understand: Christ’s birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand. It’s because I know Christ lives and reigns that all his packing’s done. My gift has taken years to make. This year,

I’m giving Christ my son.

I know there’s One who understands the sacrifice I’m making. Who knows the gift I willingly give, the toll it will be taking. For He has done it all before – greater love, there could be none. For years ago God gave to me,

His only begotten son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held, the hands I taught to pray; now knock the doors to find the ones who will listen to what he’ll say. Because I know Christ needs him, until all the gathering’s done. My gift has taken years to make.

This year…I’m giving Christ my son.

Time for an update, eh?

It has been a while since I have posted anything!  Life has been busy, it seems it just comes one thing after another...which can be good at times.  It has now been just over three weeks since Tanton went into the MTC.  He is still in Provo at the MTC, although he was suppose to fly to Spain on November 30.  He said he is "an official visa waiter" now.  He is just waiting for his visa to arrive then like six days later he will be off to Spain.  I am praying that his visa will come after Christmas.  I really think that it would be cool for Tanton to be in the MTC in Provo for Christmas.  They have had so many cool devotional speakers and I really feel that the spirit would be strong.  But....since I am not the one in charge of visa's, I am sure it will come when it is time, and that will be all good too. He is loving the MTC. He loves his companion, who is from Phoenix and thinks the snow is super cool.  He really loves playing volleyball, and he even thinks the food is good! :)  His Spanish is coming along very well also.  But that is not a surprise to me.  All is well.  I have to admit, it was sad to know he was less than 2 hrs away and could not spend Thanksgiving with us, and I do miss him.  But I love to get his weekly e-mails and he has even been a very good letter writer, which is impressive!  He is happy, which makes for a happy mom ~ missing him ~ but happy for him!

Grandma Vinson

My Grandma Vinson turns 90 years old today! She is such an amazingly strong woman.  Since I have not had my mother around since I was so young, my grandma has played an even bigger role in my life.  She has really been there for me and my sisters through the years and we have really been here for her.  That is what family is all about and it is great.  We are so blessed to continue to have my grandmother in our lives, she is very bright and her mind is completely intact.  Sometimes I feel like she can remember things better than I do!  We had a surprise party for her last weekend, it turned out great. What a fantastic way to show her what she means to all of her family!

Now, I guess it is time to turn my thoughts to Christmas.  I cannot believe that it is only 3 weeks away!  I tell you, before I know it we will be half way through January.
Merry Christmas! May we all remember the true meaning of Christmas, and feel the spirit this holiday season.

I Need A Hug!

My boy left yesterday and it will be two years before I’ll see him.

No, I wouldn’t choose winter for Tanton to leave. Think of all he’ll miss: Hockey games, building snow jumps and snowboarding down them, Christmas lights, late nights reading books under a cozy blanket, family dinners, doing doughnuts on a snowy night in the parking lot. No–I wouldn’t choose Winter.

No, I wouldn’t choose spring for Tanton to leave. Think of all he’ll miss: Easter Egg hunts, planting flowers, flying kites, watching our trees blossom, cleaning up the yard, birds hatching in the nest in our trees, Memorial Day, putting flowers on graves at the cemetery. No–I wouldn’t choose Spring.

No, I wouldn’t choose summer for Tanton to leave. Think of all he’ll miss: Our annual Lake Powell trip, riding his motorcycle, gazing at the stars, the 4th of July, No–I wouldn’t choose Summer.

No, I wouldn’t choose fall for Tanton to leave. Think of all he’ll miss: carving pumpkins, corn mazes, the beautiful colors of the trees, Thanksgiving, his birthday. No–I wouldn’t choose Fall.

Tanton did leave us on a cold, winter-like day–November 10, 2010.

I got to spend quite a bit of quality time with Tanton in the months before he left.  We even had a mother-son day 10 days ago and spent the day in Salt Lake together.  What a well prepared young man.  I am not worried about him not being able to take care of himself...he can cook for himself, he can do his laundry, he has been very independent for the last few years.  He has a great head on his shoulders, and most of all he is being watched over by his Heavenly Father. 

 

I thought I’d be an absolute wreck and would spend the next few weeks crying. I’m surprised at the peace and joy I feel. Yes–he’s missing out on all the fun winter activities we will be having. But–he’s spreading his wings and flying and there’s nowhere I’d rather him be.

 Be strong and brave and cheerful, my boy. 

God be with you ’til we meet again–in the Fall/Winter of 2012.