May 19, 2017

There are some days that will be burned into my memory forever...some days where my joy as a mother fills me up to bursting...some days where the excitement and fun of loving my little kids so much makes me cry with joy.

This was one of those days.

Greg and I took all the boys (Julia stayed home to play basketball in a school assembly!) and hustled up to BYU.  Our freshman daughter was going to run in the State Championships and, by golly, we weren't going to miss this for the world!

We made it in plenty of time, thankfully.  We found a seat among the crowds and settled in to enjoy the track meet.  When you love sports as much as we do, this was a major parent payday.  We had mostly been planning on watching Emma run the 4 x 400 meter relay.  But a few days before state, the coach put Emma in the medley relay as well.  She's been improving a lot, and so he stuck her in there.  The medley has four legs: a 200 meter, 200 meter, 400 meter, and 800 meter run.  Emma was going to run the 400 meter portion.  We were really nervous.

It started off with a junior, Samantha Martinez, who handed it off to Jessica Harris, a senior.  She came running in, handing it off to Emma in fourth place.  Emma booked it out of there.  She ran so strong and hard, moving into third place along the back stretch.  We were screaming and cheering, hoping they would hold on and place in the top six.  Emma ran so fast.  She faded a tiny bit at the very last few seconds, but she handed it off to senior Laynee Wells in third or fourth place.  Greg and I were dying!  We were just hoping so much that Laynee could hold on.  She settled in and began her 800.  After one lap, she moved into third.  She just stayed there all the way until the last turn.  As she came down the last 100 meters, she made her move.  We watched her move into second place.  Greg and I were completely going crazy!  Then she edged into first just a few steps before crossing the finish line.  The Desert Hills girls medley team won first place for the State of Utah 3A Track and Field Championships.  It was awesome!

Sam, Emma, Jessica, Laynee
FIRST PLACE in the 3A MEDLEY RELAY!!!

She's just a freshman!  We are so excited and proud!

Sam, Emma, Laynee, and Jessica: State Champions

I can't even describe the burst of emotions we felt at that moment.  Greg and I were screaming and cheering and tears were coursing down our cheeks.  It was one of the most exciting things I've seen one of my children be a part of.  We could hardly contain our excitement!!

That night, we went to our hotel room.  Lance was completely psycho as we tried to get him to go to sleep.  I don't like two year olds in hotels.  But when I finally got him settled, I just laid there reliving the race in my head.  I could hardly fall asleep.  I was so excited and proud of Emma.

The happy parents!

We also got to walk around campus a little bit, go bowling in the Wilkinson Center, and have dinner at our old favorite: Sizzler.  It was a great day.

Bowling with the boys: Austin, Miles, and Owen

The crazy little two-year-old who wanted to play this game over and over.  He just kept saying, "Coin, coin, coin..." and every time I put in a quarter and let him play, he just started all over, "Coin! Coin! Coin!"  Yeah, it was fun.  

Back home, Julia's team beat the teachers in an assembly, 25-10.  She was so happy.

I'll never forget this day.  I know that there is much more to life than sports, but I sure love to compete.  And I loved watching Emma dig deep, work on a team, give it her all, and experience the joy of success.  I'm so grateful for this day.  :)