Blog Spotlight: Natalie's Ink Spot

Natalie's latest post is about style. I think I really need help in this area.

A trip to DI with Natalie is always the best. She's really good at showing off the clothing she is trying on.


 This is my darling friend Natalie. We were companions on our missions for only two months and only see each other every couple of years, but she is still one of the best friends I've ever had. On our mission and over the years she has given me cute little cards with her artwork/cartoons on them. Natalie's cards have always meant so much to me and now she has created her own very blog that shows her cute sense of humor and amazing artwork. 

Natalie is one of the best people I know. She is a wonderful mother, wife, cook, artist and dedicated friend. I could go on and on about her. I am so grateful to have her in my life.

 Grab a treat and head on over to Natalie's Ink Spot!

I'm a Cougar Fan

Neal here.

Someone might as well bring up the elephant in the room: For the BYU Cougar football team, one more demoralizing defeat to our hated rivals. For BYU fans everywhere, that ol' familiar stinging sensation in the heart-string region. And this time, since our shot at redemption may be who-knows-how-many years away, that sting ain't gonna fade.

I'm sure, at this point, you're all expecting a bitter diatribe like last year's. Instead, I would like to offer only this:

I'm a Cougar fan.

This is my team, and I love 'em. They're not perfect, but I love 'em. And I could no sooner NOT love them than not love an appendage. And that's what my fan characteristic is, really: An appendage of my psyche. Being a Cougar fan makes me crazy sometimes, breaks my heart at others, and even bestows a little euphoria from time to time, but I could no sooner deny those feelings than I could deny part of my being.

My fandom is engrained. Like sand in your swimsuit, it's in there to stay.

Believe me, I've tried NOT to love them. You know I've tried. But I'm not gonna try THAT anymore. It doesn't do any good. I am a Cougar fan, and to deny my fandom is to deny part of myself.

So I'm not just going to BE a Cougar fan. I'm going to embrace it! Why? Because it's so darn fun!

I love that cheesy fight song. I love the extreme irony of the all-out white-out home game. I love cheering 'em on during ALL their sporting events: Volleyball, soccer, basketball, baseball, gymnastics, whatever. I love Greg Wrubell's enthusiastic game call and sudden emoting. I love painting my face, bustin' out the pom poms, and embarrassing my wife in public. I love the edge-of-your-seat, last-second wins. I love following the greats like Steve Young, Danny Ainge, and Jimmer Fredette throughout their careers. I love recounting the story of the game to co-workers who don't give a crap. I love watching our boys succeed on the National stage on those rare moments the Nation gives them a chance.

Rain or shine, win column or loss column, trouncing or trouncee, it's all part of the experience. And the experience is the wheel of catharsis that drives a huge part of my existence.

So bring on the pain! I embrace it. It hurts like blazes, but I can take it. After all, I've had it before, and will have it again and again.

But know this, Utes: As you insert the shiny needle of ridicule for the next five years, I'll be in my Happy Place. I'll be basking in the glow of our National Championship win over Michigan, our Cotton Bowl win over Kansas State, the Answered Prayer of '06, and the many, many sweet victories to come. And by the way, YOU STILL SUCK AT BASKETBALL! AND I STILL LOVE MY TEAM!!! GOOOOOO....COUGARS!!!!!!

Allow me to conclude with Coach Dale from the movie Hoosiers (You knew I was gonna insert a movie quote somewhere). He addresses the town after a dangerous show of disloyalty to their basketball team:

"I would hope you would support who we are, not who we are not. These individuals have made a choice to work, a choice to sacrifice, to put themselves on the line...to represent you...That kind of commitment and effort deserves and demands your respect. This is your team."

I am a Cougar Fan, and this is my team.

Back To School

I really hate sending my kids back to school so soon. Summer seemed to fly by and we didn't get to do half the things I wanted to. I felt extremely nervous to send the kids to a new school but they both loved the first day. Their teachers are darling and I will have a lot of opportunities to volunteer in the classroom. Olivia is in 1st grade, Joseph is in 4th and I keep wondering how they got so old. I miss my kiddos during the day and wish time would slow down!

Freckles

When Life Is Hard

President Hinckley has always said what I needed to hear. I really miss him!

 “It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It all works out in the end. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers.” ― Gordon B. Hinckley

Me & the Kids

I just really think my kids are darling!

Missing my sweet sister today. I love this picture of her at the beach in California. A friend sent the poem to me shortly after Erin died and it has always brought me comfort.

Gone From My Sight  by Henry Van Dyke

 I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side, spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts for the blue ocean.
She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone" Gone where? Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast, hull and spar as she was when she left my side. And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in me -- not in her. And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone," there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!" And that is dying...