Number 9

Today was Emma's first official soccer game. It was a bit of an operation to get the 4 of us to the field at 8:45 on a Saturday morning. I found myself thinking What have I gotten myself into? Does Emma really NEED to play soccer yet? Maybe I should have waited a couple more years to commit myself to several hours of weekly practice and early morning weekend games. . . But it will be worth it, I tell myself. All the friends she'll make and lessons she'll learn about teamwork, and "winning isn't everything," and all that jazz.

Soon the chaos, I mean the game, began. It felt like herding cats, no-- little kitties. And every time we gained control of the ball, one particular opponent, Number 9, who was bigger and stronger, kept stealing it. How dare she! Didn't your mom teach you-- No stealing! Wait, this is soccer. But she was dominating even our best players, time and time again!

After half time, our team was becoming discouraged. She was working them over, so she was moved to goalie.

Whew! FINALLY- we could make an attempt at scoring, for after all, she was less of a threat from within the confines of the goalie box.

And who should make the first attempt? Yep, you guessed it-- Emma. My sweet, much smaller than Number 9, Emma.

She dribbles! She shoots!

DENIED. Darn that Number 9!

More struggling amongst the cats and Emma emerges forward again, dribbling toward the goal. Number 9 is all that is between her and sweet success. Go Emma Go!!!

She dribbles! She shoots!

GOAL!!! Wooo hooo!!! And she skips happily around the field, the game tied 1 to 1.

So there was indeed a lesson. Emma recognized on her own that Number 9 was a force and that it was a big deal to have scored. She will now have more confidence in soccer, and even life. As my dad so wisely pointed out,

Sometimes there are Number 9's in your life.

What will you do next time you are faced with one?

Second Hand = First Rate!

Lately I'm addicted to Thrift Store shopping. Why? I'll tell you why. When your husband is in law school and your budget is tight, i.e. chokingly restrictive, but you still feel the NEED TO SHOP, like every red blooded American woman, you need somewhere to go that you can actually fulfill that need safely (aka inexpensively). And shopping IS a NEED my sisters, not just a want.

Right?
Right.
Working on that. . .

So you FIND A WAY. Sure it may smell a little musty in those stores, and it may not have the glitz and glam you're used to, but you use a little creativity because after all, you're meeting your NEEDS! And here's why it's worth it. . . {prepare for sheer awesomeness}:

Cute Old Navy Skirt $2.50

Tissue Box $1.50

Stylish Black Hat $2.50

Silky Pink Scarf $1.50

Funky Blue Scarf $1.50

Brooke's Chair (for Em's soccer games)
$2.50

Em's Chair (so she could have a new chair, too, cause you know how that is)
$ 2.00

And for the GRAND FINALE!
Drum Roll Please!
This quality piece of furniture was a thrift store $69.00 but yours truly got it on the Labor Day 50% off sale for
$35.00!

And that my friends, is ever so gratifying.
And that my friends, is why I am obsessed--
nay-- addicted---
to thrift store shopping.

May all your shopping be gratifyingly thrifty.

Have Joy: Giveaway: Lush Boutique

My awesome friend Nikki has this awesome blog called Have Joy that I highly recommend. She is a talented, funny, down to earth person and blogger. And it just so happens there is a Lush Boutique jewelry giveaway you can learn more about on her blog. Enjoy!

Apple Hill, High Hill Ranch

We took our 4th annual trip to Apple Hill this weekend for Cori Ann's birthday.

We went on a HAY RIDE!

AND ATE APPLE DONUTS!

AND WATCHED FISH JUMP IN THE POND!

MUCH BETTER

BEFORE

AFTER

This dresser was for FREE in someone's driveway. The paint was $11. I should have sanded and primed first so I'll have to re-do it eventually. But I felt very budget savvy. I wanted to be on HGTV.

Ode to Bishop Rich Larsen

I wrote this poem for our old Bishop in Colorado Springs before he was released not too long ago. I love it!

Dear Bishop Larsen,

You are the best

Better than the rest

You are a shining star
Our favorite Bishop by far

Through good times and not
You helped us a lot

You are so inspiring
Just like Henry B. Eyring

You serve others 24-7
So expect a fast pass to heaven

As pioneers we trekked
It was hotter than heck!

You let us stay at your cabin
Us girls stayed up just gabbin'

And when the movie got boring
You drifted off snoring

You're such a good dad
Hannah thinks you're rad

(And it's just "Hannah"
Not Hannah Banana)

Sue is one lucky chick
To have a hubby like Rick

You'll always be in our hearts
We love you Bishop Lars!

Love,
Cristi and Alan Lindsay

Here's us on the Trek in Wyoming, 2005.