Father's Day 2013

Everett, Juliana and Giselle ADORE their daddy.  Waaaay more than they care for their mommy.  I don't say that to garner sympathy or disagreements, it's just the honest truth.  Will is the kids' ultimate hero.  When he speaks, they listen.  When he asks, they obey.  When he cracks jokes, they laugh.  None of those are guarantees with me.

Dinnertime each night consists of an on-going argument of whose turn it is to sit next to Daddy.  I could eat dinner in the corner and I don't think the kids would blink an eye.

Giselle thinks Will is the best.  In fact, she often goes around talking to herself repeating that very phrase, "Daddy is the best!", to no one in particular.  Each morning when she awakes, Daddy is the first person she looks for.  If he's gone to work before she wakes up, it makes for a rough morning for me.  Giselle does whatever Will asks and he is her number one choice for just about everything.

Juliana reminds me the most of Will in terms of appearance, temperament, and talents.  She is sweet, sensitive and a friend to all - all things she shares with her Daddy.  Juliana loves love (like her Mom) and gets the most animated when Will gives me a hug or a kiss.  I love that Will is an affectionate Daddy to all his kids, but especially his girls.

Everett wants to be just like Will.  Since they are outnumbered, the boys have to stick together in the Giddens household and Everett lives for alone time with Daddy.  He takes being a man and doing "boy" things very seriously.  He is often found following Will around, asking questions and paying close attention to every little thing he does.  It warms my heart that Everett has such a wonderful example to guide him through life.

I told Will this morning that I knew he would be a good father and that was one of the reasons I snatched him up when I did.  He laughed, but it's true.  His capacity to love, cherish, teach, discipline, play, and have fun with our children is nothing short of amazing.  I feel like I hit the jackpot in terms of a wonderful companion and a terrific father to boot.  The kids really should thank me!

Our Own French Open

There are two sports I always wanted to play when I was growing up and yet, never did: soccer and tennis.  Is it any wonder that Juliana played spring soccer and is now taking summer tennis lessons?  Yeah, that's what I thought.

One of the things I love about the area in which we live is that the Parks and Rec program is extensive and inexpensive.  So when I saw tennis lessons available for Saturdays in June for a steal, I jumped on it.  I am a pro at encouraging enthusiasm and excitement and Juliana is my most excitable child, so to say she has been looking forward to this morning all week is a gross understatement.

 Between getting her a racket, a can of tennis balls, wearing her tennis shoes AND headband this morning, our gal was set.

 She's with a group of three other girls and Coach Carolyn is sweet and patient.

 Look at that form!  Look at that follow-through! (Actually, I have no idea what I'm talking about, but I assume that's what this picture is showing).

 She had so much fun and I have to admit, so did I.  She's inspiring me to pick up a racket myself and knock, "Become a totally awesome tennis player" off my bucket list.

 I love this shot.  Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams got nothin' on this chick!

"Spring"ing Into Soccer

Both Everett and Juliana played spring soccer at the YMCA in April and May.  Although since St. Louis apparently had "the rainiest spring on record" according to Juliana's coach (I have no official verification of this statement)*, it was more like Will and I paid to SAY the kids were playing spring soccer.  

Juliana rocked the uniform with her ponytail and headband.  This particular Saturday she busted out the pigtails and headband and ended up running faster that she ever had before.  What I loved about Juliana playing soccer (her first time!) was her enthusiasm and effort.  She ran as fast as she could, usually with a smile, she was a friend to all and was always excited about her next game.  

A rare non-smiling picture of her on the field.  She would often say after games, "I love playing soccer!"

* According to the University of Missouri's Climate Center, this January through April was the SEVENTH wettest on record. Shows what that coach knows!  Don't mess with me, Coach.  I'm a Print Journalism major and I'm not afraid to Google.

This was Everett's third go-around the soccer pitch and I was impressed with how much he improved.  His coach was passionate, loud, sarcastic (in a fun way) and knowledgeable about how to teach 7 and 8 year olds the game.

Although not pictured here, Everett is turning into quite a goalie.  It causes me some anxiety (talk about a high-pressure position!), but he got be to pretty good at it AND he enjoyed it.  Win-win.

He had a double-header on his final Saturday (to make up one of many rain-outs) and it. was. hot.  His team eeked out a win over a very competitive team, so all's well that end's well, I suppose.  Until fall soccer!

"May"be We're Back?

A new camera and a new sense of blogging motivation means I'm going to try, once again, to resurrect this blog from the dust of the Internet.   Ahem, I will definitely try.

Each year Everett's elementary school puts on a May Day performance.  Each grade level learns a dance, the 5th grade chorus sings, there are May poles, May Day princesses, etc.  The music teacher puts the entire thing together and all the parents descend on the back playground to watch.  The kids are asked to dress in Sunday best clothing.

This year's May Day was spectacular!  It was fun to watch the kids really get into their dancing.  But what I found the most humorous part of being there was watching Everett's reaction to sitting FACING the sun.  I don't know why, but the boy simply couldn't handle it.  I don't know if he's happened upon me watching The Vampire Diaries on my computer one too many times (Shhh, don't tell.  Yes, I know.  Vampire Diaries.  Don't tell!) or what, but the kid could. not. handle. the. sun.  It was especially funny since all the kids around him acted like they were just fine.  And then, there's Everett...

The other kids seem to have mastered "the squint", but Everett wasn't having it.

Sixteen other people in this picture and not one of them is "pulling an Everett".

Regardless of Everett's inability to sit outside comfortably in the sunshine, the kid has, thankfully, taken a page or two out of Will's rhythm handbook and danced well.

A few days after May Day, I got the awesome opportunity to attend Mother's Tea at Juliana's preschool.  I left Giselle with my neighbor, so I was able to attend all by myself.  Solo!  Alone!  That in and of itself was pretty glorious. And when I arrived, I was showered with a bevy of handmade items.  A placemat!  A wooden spoon!  A card! A paper flower!  A pink visor!  M&M's in a plastic baggie!  Grapes AND Fritos!  This is the good life, folks.

Juliana performed a rousing repertoire of songs including, "Mothers Are the Flowers in the Garden of Life", "I'm Bringing Home a Baby Bumblebee" and "I Made a Gift for Mommy".  Each song including lots of hand motions and Juliana was in performance heaven.

It was nice to finally see the culmination of weeks on end of singing around the house.  Juliana loves to sing!

My little ladybug/flower in post-performance (read: sweaty.  It was hot in there!) glory:

Me and the daughter who doesn't look like me - May 2013.

Ode to Provo

In February of 1998, I was a senior in high school waiting to hear back from the one and only college I applied to - BYU.  As a Southern gal, and one with no familial ties to BYU, my choice was a bit of an odd one.  Thankfully, I was accepted and in the fall of that year, off I went to Provo, Utah, the land of mountains, snow and BYU campus.  

Living far away from home and with complete strangers was an experience. And I loved it!  Freshman year rocked and every year thereafter was just as rockin'.  School was awesome, the people were great and the experiences I had were outstanding.  Every single thing about my four years at BYU was pretty exceptional (both the good and the not-so-good).

When I moved after graduation, I was both sad and happy to go.  Sad that my time at BYU was over and happy and excited to see what life held in store for me.

Flash forward 10 years and now, as one of the co-chairs of the St. Louis Chapter of the BYU Alumni Association (Will's the other chair), I got to attend the annual BYU Alumni Conference at Aspen Grove.  I have to admit, it was a toss up as to whether I was more excited about attending the conference or simply taking a trip by myself while Will stayed home with the kiddos.  Love my kids, but the thought of flying by myself again had me giddy.

In the Emerald Lodge at Aspen Grove - where most of our informational meetings took place.  There's half of my brother-in-law, Logan's, head. (And Paula's cheek)

I'm not sure what I was expecting from the conference, but I was overwhelmed by the reminder of the wonderful feelings I still have for BYU.  It is such a special place!  I don't say this sarcastically or facetiously, but BYU is one of the neatest places on the planet.  Is it perfect?  No.  Are the people who go there all nice?  Nope.  Is there a BYU culture that can be odd and sometimes a little stifling?  You betcha.  But BYU campus and the things that attending BYU can teach are exceptional.  As I told a friend, I fell more in love with BYU than I already was!  I really do feel honored that I was chosen to spend four years of my life at that university.  

Making a "Y" outside the Wilk. Or WSC as it is now called.  No more ELWC for this place! Note my snazzy BYU Alumni shirt.  I'm screaming "cool".

So...the conference.  It was informative and I came away with lots of ideas to implement here in St. Louis.  But the perk was definitely meeting alumni chairs from all over the country.  It was interesting to hear about when they graduated and their major and their most memorable BYU experience.  It seems that no matter when you attend or what you major in, everyone experiences the same kinds of things at BYU and feels that same spirit.  I swear, I'm not trying to be cheesy, I just can't help but go on and on about my experience there this time around.

Of course, it wasn't all meetings and no play.  I was so excited to see some of my old haunts.  Seriously, most of this is only going to make sense to about 10 readers, but here it goes:

The Women's Shop of the BYU Bookstore.  Ahh, many a minute (or hour) was spent in the BYU Bookstore.  Heaven on earth, that place.  The Women's Shop is especially meaningful since I usually tried to bug Heidi there whenever possible.

Aspen Grove is just up the road from Sundance Ski Resort.  I attended a couple of different leadership conferences at Aspen Grove while at BYU and believe it or not, it's changed in the last 10 years.  

I think Fall is the best time to be in Provo.  The leaves were starting to change, the weather was crisp and the sky was so blue and beautiful.

As I cruised around Provo (seriously, what's cooler than a 32 year old mom of three in a rented Ford Focus cruising around Provo before eight o'clock on a Saturday morning? Not much, I tell you.  Not much.), I snapped a shot of the new Heritage Halls buildings.  WOW!

Here's what the new buildings look like when finished:

For all my Rogers Hall ladies, I'm on 9th East taking this picture of where Robinson used to be.  Where Rogers use to be is behind this building to the right.  Sad!

Creamery on Ninth.  Although when I was a Freshman it was what again?  Something Market, right?

This is where Joaquin Elementary used to be.  It's called The Village at South Campus and I literally gasped when I saw it.  Kids these days and their fancy Provo apartments!  What happened to slum living?  Compare this...

With this.  420 North 670 East.  South campus living at it's finest (read: dumpiest).  What is not entirely clear in this picture is the fact that the roof is bowing in slightly above the front door.  Other than that, this place looks exactly. the. same.  Maybe a little less grass.

I know you other alums are dying to know this, but this gem:

now has this:

Free wi-fi at The Wash Hut.  Well, I never!

This is where I called home my Senior year.  Yeah...It's about as nice as you think it would be judging from the outside.  That was our living room window right there on the end, in the middle.  Crown #5.  Memories!

Our Saturday meetings finished up at the Alumni Center, which I had never seen in person before.  GORGEOUS!

Thanks for the trip down memory lane.  Here I am, happy as a clam.  

And maybe one day, BYU WILL be a family thing.  A gal can hope, right? :-)  Go Cougars!