Swing! Batter, Batter

Claire is taking a swing at Tee Ball this summer. Damon was so excited when she wanted to try, he signed up to be the coach and of course requested, and got The Cubs as their team. It has been a lot of fun for both of them. Damon's best friend Jared is the assistant coach and his son Kyle plays, and cousin James is on the team too. It is so fun to all get together every Saturday for the games.

Big Fish Stories

This past week My dad took Damon to Flaming Gorge to go fishing. They went on a guided tour that promised "big fish". I guess they weren't kidding! Damon caught two fish this one was the bigger one at 23 pounds! My poor dad didn't catch any! It was a good trip for them, they got in their "male bonding time".

The Race

I heard this for the first time at a mission farewell, then for ward conference my Bishop used this as a basis for his talk. I love this poem.

"The Race"by Dee Groberg

"Quit! Give up! You're beaten!"They shout at me and plead.
"There's just too much against you now. This time you can't succeed."
And as I start to hang my head In front of failure's face, My downward fall is broken by The memory of a race.
And hope refills my weakened will As I recall that scene; For just the thought of that short race Rejuvenates my being.
A children's race- young boys, young men- How, I remember well, Excitement, sure! But also fear; It wasn't hard to tell.
They all lined up so full of hope; Each thought to win that race, Or tie for first, or if not that, At least take second place.
And fathers watched from off the side Each cheering for his son. And each boy hoped to show his dad,that he would be the one.
The whistle blew and off they went, Young hearts and hopes afire. To win to be the hero there Was each young boy's desire.
And one boy in particular, Whose dad was in the crowd, Was running near the lead and thought:"My dad will be so proud!"
But as they sped down the field Across a shallow dip, The little boy who thought to win, Lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself, His hands flew out to brace, But mid the laughter of the crowd He fell flat on his face.
So down he fell, and with him hope- he couldn't win it now -
Embarrassed, sad, he only wished To disappear somehow.
But, as he fell, his dad stood up, And showed his anxious face, Which to the boy so clearly said, "Get up and win the race."
He quickly rose, no damage done,- behind a bit, that's all -And ran with all his mind and might To make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself- to catch up and to win -His mind went faster than his legs; He slipped and fell again!
He wished, then, he had quit before, With only one disgrace. "I'm hopeless as a runner now;I shouldn't try to race."
But, in the laughing crowd he searched And found his father's face; That steady look that said again: "Get up and win the race!"
So up he jumped to try again Ten yards behind the last - "If I'm to gain those yards," he thought, "I've got to move real fast."
Exceeding everything he had He gained back eight or ten, But trying so hard to catch the lead, He slipped and fell again!
Defeat! He lay there silently a tear dropped from his eye -
"There is no sense in running anymore;Three strikes, I'm out, why try!"
The will to rise had disappeared; All hope had fled away; So far behind, so error prone; A loser all the way.
"I've lost, so what's the use," he thought"I'll live with my disgrace."
But then he thought about his dad Who soon he'd have to face.
"Get up!" an echo sounded low. "Get up and take your place; You were not meant for failure here. Get up and win the race."
"With borrowed will Get up," it said "You haven't lost at all. For winning is no more than this: To rise each time you fall."
So up he rose to run once more, And with a new commit He resolved that win or lose, At least he wouldn't quit.
So far behind the others now, the most he'd ever been -Still, he gave it all he had And ran as though to win.
Three times he'd fallen, stumbling; Three times he'd rose again; Too far behind to hope to win He still ran to the end.
They cheered the winning runner, As he crossed the line first place. Head high, and proud, and happy; No falling, no disgrace.
But, when the fallen youngster Crossed the line last place, The crowd gave him the greater cheer For finishing the race.
And even though he came in last, With head bowed head low, unproud, You would have thought he'd won the race To listen to the crowd.
And to his dad, he sadly said,"I didn't do too well."
"To me, you won!" his father said,"You rose each time you fell."
And now when things seem dark and hard, And difficult to face. The memory of that little boy Helps me to win my race.
For all of life is like that race, With ups and downs and all. And all you have to do to win,Is rise each time you fall.

Cozumel Mexico

What a wonderful trip to Cozumel Mexico we had! I don't have too much to report just that it was fun, we were at the beach everyday, and we got in some much needed family time.

The afternoon we got there the girls jumped into their swimsuits and were ready to go.

Claire and Kaylee were afraid of these guys until I told them they were like the Lamenites from the Book of Mormon.

It took them a minute to get use to island creatures and this guy was no help. He lived next to our hotel room and came out each night to say hi.

Everyone had their moments and so I think we all deserved rewards Damon received the award for the best sand castle. We were so happy he could catch up with us two days later. He spent much of his time building sand castles with all the kids.

Carrie received the award for the best sunburn. I burnt the heck out of myself. It didn't seem to matter if i had sunscreen on or not I got burnt. The only thing that would keep the sun from scorching me was the baby sunscreen. I discovered that a little late.

Claire received the "Where's Waldo" award. That girl has been a wanderer since she learned how to walk at 10 months old. We were constantly asking "Where's Claire?" She loved standing in line at the open bar to get a sprite and a Diet Coke for dad. She is so kind and loved to wait on everyone. Claire also loved to snorkel. We all went out on the boat one day and she went snorkeling in the deep ocean with Damon while Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Caitie scuba'd down below.

This was another creature it took time to get use to.
I was so fun to play with cousins James, Asaunda, and Taylor everyday. They all had to get a picture with the parrot, Taylor needed mom with him.

Kaylee received the best tan award. She didn't burn once! Just got darker and darker and darker! She loved Pina Colatas! All she ever asked for and drank or ate was "Pina Colata no alcohol please!"

Everyone loved helping dad with the sand castles.

Corinne won the best face plant award. The first morning we were there she fell off the bed and face planted it. She scraped up her forehead, nose, upper lip, and cheek. I attempted a band aid but it was only a snot catcher. We were surprised how quickly it healed. She loved the sand
she love to swim, jump off the side of the pool and stick her face in the water

But sleep also caught up with her at timesAunt Caitie of course is always the favorite.
Blake graduated from the State Trooper Police Academy a week ago and had a short break before he started work. This was so good for him to have time to unwind and enjoy his family that he hasn't really seen for the past 6 months.
Robbie was unable to make it. He graduated from CU Law School at the end of May and started up a class right away to help him study for the Bar exam. I am soooo proud of my little brother, he just amazes me. Thank you Mom and Dad for an absolutely wonderful trip. I love you so much!

Families are Forever

The girls are ready for Mexico! They are so excited to go snorkeling with us while grandma, grandpa, aunt Caitie, and uncle Robbie snorkel below us. The girls have worked hard at their swimming and I made them and the other grand kids these Lycra skins so they won't get sun burnt. We are blessed to go on a big family trip every few years. These are always bitter sweet trips. After my brother Justin died almost 6 years ago, my parents have made a special effort to create as many family memories as they can. We have learned a a family that you never know when it may be your last. Although we are each so different I love them so much. They are why I am me.

Families can be together forever. Through Heavenly Father's Plan

The Cure

I have been waiting for a picture to be sent to me before I did this post but the picture will have to come later. For now, Robert Smith. On May 21st we had the awesome opportunity of going to see The Cure in concert at Red Rocks amphitheatre. The Cure is Damon's all time favorite band and he had never been to a concert at Red Rocks. One of the best venues in the world. We went with a great group of friends. Mandy, one of Damon's friends from High school, our close friends the Jenkins, and long time friends the Lamoreaux's. The night was absolutely beautiful and combined with the music it was magic. There were many things going through my head that night. First it was so fun to be there with Damon, he couldn't have been happier, it was so fun to watch him. That brought me to thinking how perfect he is for me. For anyone who has known me for a long time, know that I am very different now then I was 10 years ago. Not that I was good or bad, just different. As I was standing at the concert I thought about how Damon brings the two different sides of me together perfectly. He loves both sides of me and supports all that I love to do. He makes sure the snowboarding, concert going, Carrie stays alive, while the Carrie who loves to sew, play dress up with her little girls, and has a firm testimony of the gospel can grow and blossom. I am not so good with words but I just love Damon so much, and he brings the wide spectrum of things that make me into perfect harmony. Thanks Honey!!!