BYU Basketball - along the trail to fame and glory

Another season is coming to an end.  We attended the BYU-Portland game last night and watched BYU tear Portland to shreds.  Kyle Collinsworth did an impressive job of getting his 11th triple-double with an all time high of 16 assists, with 14 points and 10 rebounds.  When he got his 10th rebound, the crowd went wild.

We had season tickets again this year and even though I haven't attended every home game, I have really enjoyed the games I have attended.  I like basketball.  I get it.  I find it very entertaining.
As Rick and I sat in our seats last night, we thought about ALL the games we have attended over the years in the Marriott Center.  There have surely been 100s of them by now.  We have seen some extremely exciting games with great players like Danny Ainge, Kresimir Cosic, Devin Durrant, Shawn Bradley, Travis Hansen, Greg Kite, Rafael Araujo, Michael Smith and Andy Toolson and most recently Brandon Davies, Jimmer Fredette, Tyler Haws and Kyle Collinsworth.

I remember the days before the shot clock when the players would slow the ball down at the end of the game, trying to hold on to their lead.  It would drive me nuts if we were behind and within striking distance and we couldn't get the ball.  I remember when the shorts were short and the legs were, well, long.  I remember when teams wouldn't play BYU before the announcement of the priesthood being available to all worthy males.  I remember some very heated games against our rivals in the WAC.  I remember the great satisfaction that came with each and every win over Utah.  I remember eating BYU concession treats and was especially delighted with the invention and sale of "the Cougar Tail" maple bar doughnut.  I remember when the seats were all gold in the Marriott center and the hall ways were enclosed and narrow.  In fact, I remember the first time I walked into the Marriott Center in 1973.  It was the largest building I had ever visited and I was so overwhelmed by its size.  Little did I know how many events I would attend there in my future.

Now, the games are just as exciting, but some things have changed that aren't my favorite.  I love the new jumbo score board, but I don't like the selfie social media screen.  Who cares about watching selfies of other people at the game with their BYU hastags??  Big DEAL.  Am I missing something? I use to like the half-time entertainment that was entertaining, but now I dislike watching the Cougarettes toss their hair around a million times (I must be getting OLD.)  Their dancing and such is OK, but those head movements and hair tossing is SO ANNOYING! Plus, their routines are so short. Why not present an actual half-time routine?  I remember when the cheerleaders would build insanely high people pyramids that would take our breath away.  Now they don't go more than one person high.  Also, I remember when we had about 10 cheerleaders, now it seems like there are 110.   I don't like the constant "entertainment" provided during the time outs that are so stupid with contests of various sorts.  Let's just have a moment to ourselves while the players rest, huh?

The new speaker system is awesome and I like the loud music, but it is very loud!  (Age probably showing again.)  It makes my hears ring even worse than they already do.  I need some of those kiddy head phones or ear plugs at the least.  No one can say they can't hear what is going on.  I like how the BYU students dress in a similar color and use those crazy signs and other items to distract the opposing free throw shooters. And I will admit...I love Cosmo.  He is truly athletic. His news skills on his hover board are amazing.

Anyway, the point is we've enjoyed our lengthy history at the Marriott Center watching BYU take a lot of teams to the woodshed.  Nothing was more entertaining than the years Jimmer played.  Truly, those games weren't to be missed.  It's been so fun to share this activity that Rick and I enjoy doing together and I appreciate him taking me to "Our House"  where we rise and shout.

Go Cougars!!

Provo City Center LDS temple

Rick and I had the opportunity to tour the new Provo City Center temple a few weeks ago.  It is stunning.  Seriously, words fail me in describing how beautiful it is.  So much detail has been added to give it time period accuracy, all the while preserving as much of the original architectural detail as possible.  Take the time to watch the video.  It is time well spent.  Rick and I are so grateful that this temple was built from the ashes of the old tabernacle and we look forward to serving there as temple patrons in the future.

Sunny Arizona

After spending 10 days in Arizona during January, I can definitely see why the Arizonans love living there.  What's not to love about 70 degree days with these beautiful sights?  I took a walk almost every morning around the neighborhood and these are just some of the desert beauties that I saw. Living in a warm, sunny climate really does help to lift one's spirits.  I just wouldn't want to live there in the summer time.  Snow birds have the right idea!

My purpose for going wasn't just for pleasure and to escape our Utah winter (although that was a very nice added bonus.)  Jordan asked me to come down and help while Jake underwent his next brain surgery.  Without going into great detail, I'll just say again that I marvel at the courage, wherewithal, fortitude and strength of this young couple.  They have traveled this road before with previous surgeries, so they know what works best for them and what is really helpful in managing the surgery day and the care of their children.  Jake's wonderful parents John and Barbara came down as well and together the three of us took the reigns.  

I sat with Jordan at the hospital the day of the surgery.  It was a very long day.  We chatted, rested, read, ate snacks prepared by her thoughtful SIL Jessica and walked around.  The hospital provided a waiting room for all the waiting families with a beeper and they periodically gave updates as to what was going on with the patients.  A nurse also went between the operating room and the waiting room and gave updates. There were many people in the waiting room that day while their loved ones underwent neurological surgeries. I think Jordan is wise to keep her immediate support group small. That way she doesn't have to worry about supporting the supporters.  She can conserve her strength to support Jake and to get through the stressful experience herself.  She is a smart girl.

Jake came through the surgery and spent the next couple of days in the hospital with Jordan by his side. Barbara, John and I took turns visiting and shuttling the kids around, doing some chores and errands around the house.  It became a working vacation as we worked in the house and yard and took care of things while Jordan and Jake were gone.  I think it helped the children to have their grandparents there with them for those few days.  Nonetheless, the children were so happy to see their parents return home on Friday afternoon.

Jordan and Jake then spent the weekend sleeping and recuperating physically and emotionally. Friends brought over some meals and generally helped out where they could.  A friend named Juan came over and replaced the brake pads on their car.  Several other friends brought flowers.  Everyone respected their need for rest and quiet over the weekend.  Once Jake was stable, John and Barbara headed home and I stayed on to help Jordan start to prepare for their move.

That's right!  They are going to move back to Utah when school is out in June.  She doesn't want to move anything they don't need so we started the task of going through drawers, closets and such to clean out and organize.  I shopped for groceries, shuttled the school kids, made lunches, made dinners, did laundry and generally tried to relieve her of her duties so that she could make some progress on move preparation.  

I got to spend some time with each child.  Tommy and I had a great adventure at the mall riding the little train and the carrousel.  I also got to attend Lauren's choir concert.  I love these precious little grandchildren and the opportunity I have to tell them stories, go on bikes rides, play on the trampoline, play games with them, listen to them practice the piano and this time Lauren asked me to teach her how to crochet and to write in cursive.

My love for this sweet family knows no bounds.  I loved being useful to them.  I loved serving and feeling needed.  It felt good to work hard.  I learned to cook some new recipes that were delicious. They are very healthy eaters and it was good try some new recipes that I will use again.  

Jake will have surgery follow-up this week and then we'll find out more about what happens next. We are praying specifically that he will hold steady and do well and that he can help his family relocate back to Utah. Jordan and Jake carry an unbelievably heavy load.  But they continue on with faith.  It does break my heart to see up close the burden they carry with the unknown future.  It is just very hard to see this dear family face this challenge. I've also witnessed them being strengthened to be able to carry the load they have been given.  Thousands of prayers in faith have gone to heaven in their behalf and have made all the difference.  Overall, a sense of calm and resolve exists in their home. 

In Arizona anyway, the sun is out, the skies are blue and God is in charge.