Off to Medical School

Guess who is off to Medical School in New York City?

Kellie has been accepted to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai! It is a top 20 medical school and Kellie is very excited. She leaves the first week of August--a week before Travis reports to the Missionary Training Center.

We are all very happy and know that this is where she needs to be. So proud of you, Kellie!

Another BYU Graduate

A week ago (on my 50th birthday) Kellie graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.S. in Chemistry. She will also receive a teaching certificate in June when her internship at Springville High School is completed. Kellie began her undergraduate degree at the University of Utah as a collegiate athlete on their women's soccer team, but eventually transferred to BYU. Her undergraduate degree has been six years in the making and Kellie was ready.

(Brian and I before BYU's Commencement in coordinating UC Berkeley attire--unplanned)

(Brian and Kellie)

It was a unique experience for Kellie to have her dad on the chemistry faculty. He claims he tried to convince her not to major in chemistry, but she ignored that advice and loved it. She is one smart girl.

(Kellie and her Grandma Stoker)

(Kellie, Brian, and I after Convocation for The College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences)

Congratulations Kellie!

Her Gray and Yellow Room

Abby was tired of her light pink bedroom. She pleaded with us to change things up. It took a while, but eventually we complied, and she is happy. Very happy.

She had had enough of her white headboard with girly flowers and swirls. So, we dragged this one out of storage and had it painted bright yellow--Abby's choice of course. I bought the chair at a yard sale years ago for only $1. We had it painted as well. 

This photo makes me want to add two more frames to those three above her headboard. I am also reminded that I have yet to make the cushion for her window seat. I've had the foam for it for over a year, but my procrastination shows my desire for a magic wand.

The other side of Abby's room is retro-fun. For Christmas Kellie bought Abby this old art desk and stool that was being discarded from the high school where Kellie has been interning as a Chemistry teacher this year.

Ironically, at about the same time, Abby's geography teacher was getting rid of this Cold-War era map of Europe and Abby begged to take it home.

Abby is finally content with her room--especially when a feline friend visits.

I am 50 today!

How did this happen? When did this happen? I am 50 years old today!

(Me at 3 months)

I'm still quite amazed that I must label myself with that number. It's not like I woke up this morning feeling any different than I did yesterday, but I am, I suppose. Recently I found a quote attributed to Victor Hugo that says,

"Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age."

Oh dear.

(Me at 18)

Actually, I've felt like I've been fifty ever since I turned 47. Just the anticipation of that half century marker made me forget that my age in reality still had a "4" in front of it for the last three years. Perhaps that thinking has eased the blow of today, April 25, 2014 being my 50th birthday.

(Me at 50)

"Do not regret growing older. It's a privilege denied to many."

Wise truth from an unknown source. I've lived, loved, laughed, cried, worried and prayed for 50 years. I'm good to go at least 50 more.

A Decathlete

It was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving break when Travis called me from school telling me he had just been cut from the varsity basketball team. It was his senior year, and it was a tough reality to face. Travis had been practicing and playing basketball since he was in elementary school. What would he do now? What would the winter be like without hours and hours of basketball? 

Soon after he walked in the door that deflating afternoon, I had my answers. Travis had already decided that he was going to focus full-time on track and that he was going to become a decathlete.* He went for a run that very afternoon. Daily exercise HAD to be part of his routine and if he didn't get that structure from school, he would create his own. 

(Travis and Coach Tripp)

All winter Travis worked out with David Stroshine at ASAP Training to help him get in his best possible physical shape. He traveled to Salt Lake twice a week to learn how to pole vault. He worked with his coaches at Timpview and even with his dad on the weekends (who threw discus and shot put in high school).

Who would have thought that he would place second overall (3A-5A) in the decathlon event (2014 BYU Multi/Distance Carnival) that took place this past weekend when he had only been training since January? We were surprised, thrilled, excited, and so very happy.

Travis, always remember that you have it in you to do hard hard things!

*A decathlon is an athletic event that takes place over the course of two days in which each competitor takes part in the same prescribed ten events (100-meter dash, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400-meter dash, 100-meter hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin, and 1,500-meter run).

A Missionary at 18

Last week Travis received a large white envelope from the Office of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Inside was his call to serve as a missionary in the Chile Concepción South Mission. He will serve for 24 months and will report to the Mexico Missionary Training Center on August 13 where he will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language.

(Travis and Abby)

Recently the age that a young man can began missionary service was changed from 19 to 18 and Travis wanted to assume this responsibility before he began his schooling. He will graduate from high school at the end of May and has been accepted to study at Brigham Young University, but will defer until he finishes his mission.

Travis is excited to serve the Chilean people. Although he had two years of German in high school, he is already asking us to help him learn a bit of Spanish. For some reason, the first word I thought to teach him was "leche" (milk). Once track season and graduation are over, training will probably be a bit more intense.

Life for this guy will change a lot over the next few months. He will be one of over 83,000 full-time missionaries serving throughout the world for our Church. This mother-heart will miss him terribly, but I'm so glad he wants to serve and do his duty.

Kellie's Day

Kellie received her Endowment in the Provo Temple a couple weeks ago.

(Brian, Kellie, and I)

The Endowment is a special spiritual blessing. It is a sacred ordinance for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or Mormons). This day was just as significant for Kellie as the day she was baptized (if not more so.)

(Kellie, age 8, on her baptism day)

It was wonderful to have family and close friends join us.

(Kellie and Whitney)

(Alex and Kellie)

Rachel flew out from Atlanta and

(Sisters: Rachel and Kellie)

my sister, Renee, flew in from Washington.

(Me, Renee, and Kellie)

Joyful Day

To learn why temples are so important to us watch this 15-minute video. Or, here is a 5-minute one if you prefer. 

Dear Rachel (#20)

Dear Rachel,

I've been doing a bit of crafting as I hibernate inside. I'm pretty sure I haven't been warm since Thanksgiving. The shelf in the front closet which houses our winter woolens has been a disaster as we all rummage through to find what we need. Well. . . you know me and my love for Scrabble tiles.

Such organizational satisfaction!

******************

We are finally making progress on Abby's room. Here's a sneak peek:

******************

On the first day of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics Travis competed for the first time in the pole vault at a track meet held (appropriately) at the Utah Olympic Oval (built for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake.)

He had only been training for three weeks, but he was excited to give it his best shot.

At this meet Travis competed using "three lefts" (or six steps) and he held the pole down lower than many of the other athletes who have trained for much longer. However, even with this technique he was able to clear 9 feet which was his personal record. This week he cleared 10 feet at training using "five lefts" (or 10 steps). Enjoy this video dad shot with his iPhone:

******************

Finally, look at the progress that's been made on the new Provo City Center Temple. Abby took this picture as we were driving down University Avenue a few weeks ago.

But, what am I saying? You'll be here in a couple days and you can see it for yourself. I can't wait! Give David a hug for me.

Love,

Mom

Art by Abby

Even though I've known it for quite a few years, I'm still amazed that we have an artist in the family. I, myself, can barely draw stick figures, yet my youngest offspring is one talented girl (in my humble maternal opinion.)

She drew this flag to represent a fictional country in Geography last semester.

 I received this drawing for Mother's Day last year. It is of Abby and I.

This one was entered into a recent art show at her High School.

Abby drew this tired-looking guy in her sketchbook over the course of several nights as Brian read Harry Potter aloud to her AGAIN. She says this type of expression is much easier to draw than a smiling one. Evidently smiles create too many lines.

Lastly, Abby brought this home from her Metals class yesterday. I think she did a great job especially since she says the spot-welder scared her and the rivets took a long time because of her lack of forearm strength. She was especially proud of the lid since it was of her own design.

Love you, Abby!

Treasures from Travis

No matter how old he gets, I still cherish my son's handmade creations. Last year for Christmas Travis gave me an airplane he painstakingly built out of popsicle sticks and toothpicks. For weeks this project monopolized a corner of our kitchen counter. In between homework, basketball practice, and games he cut, crafted, and glued.

I was so impressed with his attention to detail.

He even put an "M" on the tail for "Mom".

Check out that engine and landing gear.

I think this guy has started some kind of tradition

because this year he gifted me with a tree.

Simply put . . . true treasures.