You want me to put my hands where?!!

I ran 20 yards today!! Yes, I know-- running 20 yards doesn't sound all that impressive, however you have to know that these 20 yards were ran as I interwove around opponents, in 30 degree weather, while carrying a football, and having some very hefty women trying to tackle me. Oh and just prior to running the 20 yards, I had been sacked twice by those women. 

(For some odd reason, my coaches decided to put me as quarterback today- a position I really know very little about and one that I have never played before in my life- and from my overall performance, you could definitely tell how new I was.) 

Oh, and why hasn't anyone mentioned where my hands must be in order to get a snap?!  Yikes- Tyson was laughing from the sidelines when he saw my reaction to the coaches instruction on that.  I'm just not used to being that up close and personal.  If you don't know what I'm talking about-- ask someone who knows football and you'll understand why I was a little squimish about it- or maybe this cartoon will give you an idea.  

I'm Playing Tackle Football

Yes, it is true.  I have been practicing with a semi-pro women's tackle football league here in Utah.  I know a lot of people think I am crazy to try playing on this league, (with women who were mostly recruited from rugby and hockey teams--- just to give you an idea of their body structure) but all I could respond with was, "But when else am I ever going to have a chance like this---- to play on a semi-pro tackling football team?!"  So, inspite of many warranted concerns by family and loved ones, I have been consistently going to the camps and conditioning practices. 


Well . . . this past Saturday when I showed up to the football camp, the coaches called me over and had me fitted for a helmet and shoulder pads.  It wasn't until this moment, this very moment when I was placing the helmet on my head, that I finally took a real look at these girls- my teammates-   Suddenly I didn't feel as confident anymore.  All along I'd been focusing on catching and throwing the football.  Though I knew I'd be tackling eventually . . . .it just hadn't sunk in that I wouldn't just be tackling, but that I'd be getting tackled too. 

Well, the truth of it all hit me real fast and hard, literally, when during one of the drills, I was tackled by a girl who is at least twice my weight.  No exaggeration there---  and . . . it hurt!  But, I'm on a football team--- I need to be tough right?  The girl who tackled me even started to apologize for the beat down, but before she could finish, one of our coaches yelled, (somewhat jokingly, somewhat not) "Hey this is football!  We don't apologize in football!" All I could feel was the pain shooting up my leg as I attempted to catch my breath after getting my partial wind knocked out.  I knew I had to finish out the practice though. 

But wow--- I'll tell you what getting slammed on the ground does for me--- it Motivates me to not let it happen again!  For the next drill, the coaches prepped us to be wide receivers, (catching the long passes).  We were supposed to go out and get the long pass, while dodging the tackle of a defender.  When it came my turn to go out for the pass, as I faced my defender and heard the whistle blow- every ounce of energy in my body went into my feet.  I faked the defender one way, and then shot out the other way--- slamming past the girl who was supposed to tackle me.  I kept running- faster than I ever had in my life I think . . .seriously.   All I could think in my head was, "if I run fast enough, she won't be able to tackle me."  This is how I approached every run from then on until the practice ended, And, I can honestly say, I didn't miss a single pass, nor did I get get tackled again.  It's amazing what getting tackled will do for your running speed.

I'm grateful for INCONVENIENT INSPIRATION

I LOVE MY JOB!! Something I never thought I'd say . . . . but teaching full time at a University is the BEST job I've ever been paid to do.  It's a definite blessing in my life.

When I first started teaching junior high and high school, the last thing I wanted to do when I got home from a long day of work was go to grad classes.  As any teacher knows, the 1st year teaching is the hardest and most draining on you.  At the time, other 1st year teachers at the school I worked at would tell me I was "crazy" for attempting to get my masters while teaching full-time.  I couldn't really say I disagreed with them either.  While many of my friends and/or family would sit around and socialize in the evenings or weekends, I would sit there along side them, working away on my lap top . . . . attempting to be a part of the conversation while writing a dissertation on Bloom's taxonomy at the same time.  I simply did not have the liberty to just socialize, there was always a paper to grade or an assignment to write; it was multi-tasking at its best.

And yet, I knew I'd received inspiration to get all the education I could, and to not delay doing that.

Anyway, here I am now, though, reaping the blessings of getting my Masters degree as I am teaching full-time at Weber State University and truly loving it.  The job is challenging, which I like.  It's intellectually enlightening- always a good thing.  I am not micro-managed and I also get tons of time off . . . . (I can't think of a job that gives you more time off than that of a University Professor--- seriously!) And, I still get to feel, as I did while teaching in the public school, that I'm not just going to work for a paycheck, but that I'm also going to help people become more successful in their lives.

I guess the bottom line is that I'm grateful for inspiration, even when it requires a lot out of me, or is not convenient.  The Lord saw a blessing in my future, so He mercifully gave me the instructions I needed to follow in order to merit that blessing.  The job I now have at Weber State opened up this past summer, right as I was finishing my Masters.  (In fact I accepted the job before I finished writing my final proposal.)  Jobs are in high demand, especially a job like this- in fact the Department Dean of Weber State showed me on my first interview just how many resumes were submitted for this job . . . . I'm guessing it was close to 200, (oh and BTW, that's not intimidating at all to see how much competition you have during the first interview!!! Yikes).  Had I not started working on my Masters in my 1st year teaching which everyone including myself thought was crazy, by the time I did finish my graduate work, this job that I now love, would have long been filled.

2 Year Anniversary

Tyson and I have officially been married for two years!  We actually ended up going out twice for our anniversary-- Tyson surprised me with the second date--  I loved it.  We definitely needed a break from  our hectic work and school schedules.  We also painted our cabinets . . . not quite as exciting as our dates, but we're glad to have them done.  They were looking pretty worn out.  You know you are a married couple when a portion of your time off is spent working on projects around the house!

Walker Family Photos

The Walker Famly

Because Tyson's youngest brother, Cody, is leaving on his mission to Samoa soon, the Walkers had their family photos taken recently. I think the picture of just Tyson and his siblings, (where they are all standing separated in the field- the picture just below) reminds me of a Twilight picture. 

Left to Right: Cody, Tyson, Jason, Tori, Blake, Bryan

Left to Right: Paelyn, Trisha, Kendra and Hailee, Seneca

Loren and Diane with the Grand-daughters:
Hailee, Trisha, Seneca, Paelyn, Kendra

Missionaries: Changing the World, One Person at a Time

My nephew Josh went to the MTC today, to prepare him for his mission to West Santiago, Chile- Tyson and I were really excited that Tim asked us to pick Josh up from the airport and drop him off, (they don't let families go in anymore- they just have you drop them off at the curb with a quick good bye- so they thought it would be best if Tyson and I just picked Josh up and took him there.)

We loved seeing Josh already set apart- he truly had the contenance of a missionary. We're really proud of him for being more than ready for his call!

After a few quick hugs, Josh was off walking into the MTC (with the two elders who were waiting at the curb for Josh to help him get all signed in). No tears, just excitement on Josh's face. I did my best to hide my emotions- and I must say, I don't think anyone had a clue that I was getting a little emotional.


AND, in 2 weeks, Tyson's brother Cody will be entering the MTC as well to prepare for his mission to Samoa. (Josh and Cody met each other at mine and Tyson's wedding two years ago-- so it'd be cool if they ran into each other by chance while they're there at the MTC.)
Cody gave his farewell talk a few weeks ago and already sounded like a return missionary. He's a great kid and will definitely be missed. We know that just like Josh, Cody is going to be a great asset to the mission. These are some pictures of Cody on the day of his farewell with his and Tyson's nieces. (Picture above: Seneca, Kendra----- Picture below: Trisha, and Paelyn)--- Those little girls are going to miss their uncle Cody!



We're so proud and excited for both of these fine young men- As Tyson says, Cody and Josh are both "going out to change the world . . . one person at a time."

Crystal Lake 2010

It's that time of year again: the annual Jones family vacation at our beloved Crystal Lake, (in Northern Michigan). A quick run-down of the stats:

Weather: beautiful

Food: abundant and delicious

Week-long local fitness center membership: too expensive, but purchased anyway

Trips to look at local real-estate: multiple

Effect on local branch: we doubled it that Sunday

Number of Jones family members who bore testimony: 3 grandkids, 4 adults

Number of children Dad forgot to introduce as his own: 1 (that would be me)

Number of family members who read Stephanie Meyer's latest mini novel during the week: 5

Number of nights where dessert was served: every night!!

How fast the week went by: Way too fast

Emily and Gracie with their skirt/bag combo that Mimi helped them sewThe Ladies Lunch at a new cafe in Frankfort: Dinghy's- it tasted a lot better than the name

Highlight of the week: Trevor's Ordination- (left to right: Jim, Mike & Trevor, Jared, Ben, Dad)

One of the many signs on the wall that we liked at Papano's Pizza

Jared, Matt, Jim, Mindy

Rachel and Dad on the way to Papano's Pizza

Mom, Dad, me, Ben