Self Discipline

It seems as if all of the lessons and experiences I have had thus far in my life have been (sometimes) gentle prodding from the Lord to become self-disciplined. While each experience seemed different to me as I encountered them all individually, as I reflect, I recognize now that they were just self-discipline in sheep's clothing.

I have always known, recognized, and admired those in my life who were able to be internally strong, and to self-regulate in a way that created a life of discipline over time. What I didn't realize was that this quality is not peripheral... it is central. I don't know why I fight it, because I feel compelled to fight against it with all I have. Maybe sometimes it's because I feel exhausted, or imperfect. Maybe sometimes it is because discouragement looms over me, and I'm just not sure I have it within me to keep trying.

One thing I do know - all gospel principles seem to lead to being able to control and regulate oneself from within - in a way that brings true joy. Not happiness - joy. I marvel at the unique life "recipe" each person I meet must experience, and I stress experience. As a side note here, I have intentionally not used the word endure here, as endure to me means to brace yourself against whatever you must face, and I believe that you must embrace what life has presented in order to be moldable and to change for the good.

In the end, I believe the most important thing is that no matter what your challenges, and how severe and unbearable they may seem, do your best to show up to the battle each and every day and to fight the fight to the best of your ability. The gains that can be made gradually in the face of absolutely unbearable adversity are more than the brain can comprehend, and it never ceases to amaze me how, when I come through to the other side, I cannot seem to understand how I arrived, except to know that somehow, through the grace of God and some really amazing friends and family, I did not quit when quitting was all I could visualize.

Here is to all of those amazing family and friends who show up each day and fight their fight with grace and gratitude. I appreciate your example and fortitude more than you'll ever know.

New favorite recipe

Hey guys - I tried a new roast chicken and potato recipe a few days ago that was so easy, and so good, I thought I would share:

Olive oil
Italian Dressing
Ranch Dressing (I just combined some ranch dressing powder and mayo)
Onion
5-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
5 potatos quartered
1/2 onion quartered/slivered

In a roast pan, drizzle some olive oil (2-3 tablespoons)
Toss chicken breasts in about 2-3 tablespoons of Italian dressing (I added a bit of olive oil too)
Lay chicken breasts in center of roasting pan
Toss quartered potatos in ranch dressing and place around outside of chicken breasts in a circle
Add onion over potatos
Crack some black pepper over the top of everything
Place lid on roasting pan and cook at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours

Enjoy! Let me know what you think if you give it a try.

Hard work pays off...take 2

Jacob had the opportunity to attend a wrestling tournamant in Syracuse, Utah today with his Dad and Uncle Mark. Wrestling has been a journey for Jake and with his Dad's encouragement, he has stuck with it through seasons of little success. At the tournamant today, Jake took second place! Here is a video of him pinning an opponent, and a picture of Jake with his medal. More hard work pays off - go Jake!
Here is Nate modeling Jacob's prizes... Speaking of Nate, here he is explaining what happened to our Wii, and then doing some serious boxing with the now repaired Wii we just got back from the "Wii repair factory."

Hard work pays off...

So, a few days ago, Paige found out that she was to represent her 5th grade class in the school spelling bee. Last night she spent some quality time looking up most used 5th grade spelling bee words at the kitchen table. (with some gentle prompting from her mom). There were 28 students competing for the top 4 places, with the top 4 students advancing to a spelling bee with students from all around Elko County. Here is Paige spelling one of her words in round 4.



And...we are happy to announce that Paige was in the top 4! She was thrilled to learn that sometimes hard work does pay off. Here is the video of all of her classmates and other 5th graders cheering for her when they announced her as one of the winners.



She had a whole section of support - it was awesome. Here are a few more pictures - one of the winners, and Paige with her Principal and Vice Principal. What a day.





Paige told me that she read a quote on our fridge before she left for school this morning from D & C 38:30 which reads: "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear", and it gave her courage to do her best. What a special girl.

Entering the blogging world...

Well, after waiting 7 months, maybe we are finally ready to join the world of blogging. I have been wanting to start our own for some time now, but just haven't had the tools/time to get it off the ground. I so enjoy reading each of your blogs, and feel like I get to keep up with each of your families through your posts.

So, what have we been up to? Steve continues to teach Science and to coach football, and more recently was an assistant Coach for Paige's basketball team. It was so cute to watch a high school football coach try to "tone it down" a little for a bunch of tweener girls. He did a great job, and they had a successful season. Her team won third place in her league, and Paige has been asked to currently practice with a special team comprised of 5th through 8th graders.


Jake is a FOOTBALL FANANTIC! He can hardly muster up the patience to converse with us non-footballites, but does sometimes make an effort. He has entered the know-it-all phase with his parents (isn't 7 a little early for this?) and daily informs us of how we are just missing the mark a smidge on perfection. (We try...) He is also embarrassed by his Mother almost daily, and is growing like a weed. He is currently enrolled in wrestling, and is coached once again by his dad.


Nathan... hmmm. Nathan is in preschool, and is way too smart for his britches. He just turned 4 in December and is already learning how to read. He loves going to school, and is a technology kid. He knows how to work every electronic item he has ever been introduced to. (He just plugged in this laptop as I am typing, and the screen got brighter.) Exercise isn't his thing, but we are trying to get his bum off the couch whenever we can. He has such an engaging personality, and seems to be a magnet for every person he's every met. He has worn glasses since he was 2, and has never broken one pair... until 3 weeks ago, during which time he broke his regular pair (I still am not clear as to how this happened, as he just walked up to me with one lens missing, and not a clue as to the fact that it was gone, or how it happened), and his backup pair got stepped on a few days ago... pause for dramatic sigh...


I am still the Director of the Child Center at Great Basin College, and really enjoy my job. We just had our National re-accreditation visit, and boy, was it stressful. I am also still serving on the School Board, and find that I am learning a great deal.

I can't believe that June is already around the corner. We will be gearing up for another season before I know it. Lot's of work to do... Well, one last picture of the kiddos till next post...


A special thank you to Naki and Abby who actually set this blog up for us last June in Idaho.

Love you all-
Connie and Fam