The Beginning of Something Wonderful...

Today I ran 5 miles. Enough said. 

Turning Point

Today 

I 

ran 

for

1 

hour

:) 

Amazing  

I 

think

yes! 

Feeling Like Celebrities

Well first day back from school since the big win, we did little school work! :D We (the basketball team, stats girls, and coaches) went to neighboring schools in our champion t-shirts and wore our medals. We went to the Elementary, Jr. High, Mountain View school, and the Hill Spring School. It was awesome. Kids gave us a high fives and we signed autographs for them. Some even wanted us to sign their arm's and heads. We then went to Dairy Queen for lunch which Mayor Schow bought for us! It was awesome and we felt like real champs! Anyways I better keep this short; I have a Hamlet test tomorrow that I need to study for.

Weekly Goal

This week I am NOT going to eat junk or processed food. 

Provincial Champs!!!

In 1950 the Cardston Cougar boys won Provincials, 58 years later on Mar. 17, 2012 it happened again. I was part of that team. 

We worked so hard to get here. We exceeded everyone's faith and beliefs, for no one imagined we would make it this far. We started out the season as an average team with a goal. Everything we did, every game, every practice brought us closer to that goal. We knew we could catch zones with little competition, but Provincials would prove to be a harder feat. We came in as the 2nd birth. We did however have a significant advantage: Provincials was being held in our hometown, on our home court, with our fans. Cardston and Raymond hosted Provincials together. The boys being held in Cardston, and the girls in Raymond. The south loves hosting this prime event. We love spreading our passion for basketball. Our school did a phenomenal job. In the past 6 years our community has hosted it 3 times! We have a great reputation for basketball and class. I was talking to a teacher who was talking to some of the other coaches who claimed that they love coming to Cardston because they know they will be safe, the sportsmanship will be good, it is a positive and uplifting environment, and class will be displayed. Indeed it was so. The open ceremonies and opening banquet were a huge success as was the entire tournament. It was great to see our entire student body of teachers and students work together to accomplish such a huge task. I am glad I could be part of it. Well now that I gave some background let us talk basketball! 

Our first game was thursday night against the 15th seed team Grand Prairie. We played a good game and came our with a supreme victory of 116 to 50.  

Our next game proved to be more of a challenge as we took on the 7th seed team the Bishop Grandin Ghosts. We had one of the best games I think I have ever seen our boys play. They were playing together and everyone was making shots. We again with our goal in mind won a victory of 84 to 58. We were feeling good but knew that our semi final game would be of a higher difficulty. 

The semi final game took place on a windy friday night at 9 pm vs. the number 6th seed the Jasper Place Rebels. We had played them before and managed a 12 point victory, but we knew they had improved vastly, yet so had we. We were ready and determined. They put up a good fight, but we answered back. We won and were headed to the Provincial Championship! 

We watched the other semifinal game which was a battle. The number 1 seed the Hairy Ainlay Titans, vs. the underestimated underdogs the number 4 seed Bishop O'Bryne Bobcats. The bobcats were on their first trip to Provincials ever. They possessed a determination and motivation that no one else could match. Their players were all very clean cut and nice looking not to mention TANKS! They only had two kids under six foot. They were big and strong, and it showed; they dominated below the basket. They also had such a nice touch on their shots which is rare to in big kids. They were playing to win and it showed. It was a fight for both teams. When the buzzer sounded, the score was tied. Overtime. In the end the Bobcats squeaked out a win upsetting the the Hairy Ainlay Titans. This was huge! Everyone had their eyes on Ainlay for winning it all! The Bobcats and the Cougars were set to dual. 

Our pre-game quote was "Let's make history". I was being optimistic. I'll admit it. I wasn't very confident in the boys. I knew how big the other team was, and how not big we were. I was worried that our boys would have to rely on their outside shooting to carry us through. I was wrong! Dallin played a game that I never imagined he could. He is truly our anchor. He managed to weave his way through the big guys every time to score. Justin Fulsom also played tremendous. Those two motivated everyone and allowed everyone else to play better. It was close the entire game. Back and forth, or tied. The gym was packed. People were everywhere. Our fans our amazing and their was rarely a quiet moment the entire night. They definitely carried us through. The last minute was a suspense. We ended up winning 68 to 62. The crowd stormed the court and were screaming! We chanted CHS and sang the school song. It was a unifying moment. We won! I still can't believe we won!!!! It is crazy! It is cool because Shaun's grandma and Riley Sheen's grandpa were on the last team that won provincials. Isn't that cool! I think that is sweet! Anyways after we got medels and championship t-shirts. We were all so happy! I still can't believe it! I happy that we could end on such a good note. It still hasn't settled in that basketball is really over. No more stats. But I am sure it will eventually. I am glad that I could be apart of this great team. The best part was hugging all of the players and coaches after the game. It was amazing. I will miss it, but I will never forget it. 

Team Captains: Dallin Low and Brady Olsen. Our team has 9 seniors. They worked hard for this honor; they deserve it. 

We have the best fans ever! The student body stormed the court. 

Our team has two very special senior stat girls as well! :D Charlie Weston and myself. We were so privileged to be apart of the team in Grade 10, 11 & 12. We have made memories that we will never forget. 

We did it. We won Provincials. It took talent, heart, dedication, motivation, practice and ambition qualities that leaders possess. Each one of these boys and will indeed lead those of tomorrow. I can't wait to see what we all accomplish in the coming year. One thing is certain, we will succeed. 

Revelation at the Temple

Today I went to the Temple. It was amazing. When I arrived I was told to sit in the library until they were ready for me. Taking to my usual custom, I retrieved a Book Of Mormon and turned to a random spot. My eyes caught hold on D&C 11:10 which I believe was no coincidence.


"Behold, thou hast a gift, or thou shalt have a gift if thou wilt desire of me in faith, with an honest heart believing in the power of Jesus Christ or in my power which speaketh unto thee;"


This scripture spoke to me. It was an answer to something that has been weighing on my mind lately. I have been realizing lately that I struggle with communication. I don't like talking to people unless I have a reason to and I often times don't no what to say, so I remain silent. I am envious of those that can strike up a conversation with anyone. I want to become one of those people. A person who can talk to anyone and leave them laughing with a smile on their face. Reading this scripture at the temple today made me realize that I CAN obtain this gift. If I have desire and demonstrate faith than I know the Lord can help me to obtain the gift of communication. It will not be easy, nor will it be a fast process. But in the strength of the Lord I can do all things. I am so grateful to receive guidance from my Heavenly Father. He loves me and knows what I need and when I need it. I will remain clean and pure so I can always be open to revelation. I hope I can always listen and act on the revelation I receive.

Mommy... it's almost over!

This past weekend has been full of activities. It was basketball zones. I am proud to say that it was almost a clean sweep this year. Both JV teams one as well as the Varsity boys; the varsity girls lost in the final. One special thing about the week was our home zone game on wednesday. Charlie and I decided that since it was our last game at home (not including provincials) that we wanted to do something special for the boys. We each made a batch of cookies; we then wrote a note that said "Grad....Saa jks! thanks for a great year" and signed it Charlie and Melissa. We put the note and the cookies in the conference room because that is where the boys have their meeting after each game. When the game had concluded Charlie and I were taking all of the stuff back to Mr. Leavitt's office and we had to pass by the conference room. The boys must have saw us coming because when we walked by they all ran out and gave us a group hug. :D haha it was awesome! It made it all seem worth while. haha anyways Basketball is almost over; however, we still have provincials this coming week and then it will be over. I am happy that we won zones. 

With zones being this past week, work, homework, and playing a musical number at church on sunday, I have had one stressful week! There has been a basketball week every night this week combined with work leaves me with little extra time at night to accomplish what needs to be done. We have been studying Hamlet in English and that alone takes up an immense amount of my time. My gym 20 deadline is coming up fast and I have also been pushing to get that done. As mentioned above, I also had to play a musical number in Sacrement meeting today that caused for much preparation. It is a good thing that I have a spare every day and intervention!! This is when I get much of my stuff done. I often play basketball at the church during my spare and then study Hamlet during intervention. It is good because then with the little time I have at home I can practice piano and do my physics homework. It it really teaching me to manage my time as well as doing the things of greatest importance first! I hope I can continue to manage my time well so that I can meet all of my commitments. 

The song I played in Sacrement meeting was "How Great Thou Art". I am happy that I did it and feel like it went really well. 

P.S. We had our first grad committee meeting this past week. Can you believe it? :D