A Running Start: Week One



Ewww...why am I posting about running?!  I'll tell you why, because I signed up with my sister in law to run "The Other Half" marathon in Moab in October and I am a first-time, beginner, just-starting-to-run runner. 

Maybe, I shouldn't have started off this post with an 'ewww.'  That is, more or less, a negative attitude about the whole thing (which is what I'm trying to avoid), nevertheless, that sentiment is pretty indicative of how I've felt about running all my life, even though I've secretly always wanted to be one of those weird, crazy running people.

The race is in 6 weeks and I just started training for it last week.  Here is my week 1 recap:

Workout:  I ran/walked a total of 13 miles last week.  I rested on Friday and Sunday and I guess technically Thursday, but I went to ballet on Thursday and I don't really consider that resting.  Hopefully my weekly ballet workouts will lend to my half-marathon training.

Concerns:  There is a time limit of  3 hrs and 30 mins (16 min. mile).  While I do run under a 16 min. mile (I average an 11 min. mile) I still don't like the time restraint.  The most I've run thus far in my training is 4 miles, but I walked part of it.  I'm concerned about the fact that I'm not running all of it.  Is that a valid concern or is it OK that I'm horribly out of shape and can't even run for 4 miles straight because it is, after all only my first week of training?

The Positives:  Running has helped me become a little more oriented with my neighborhood and I've observed a lot of cool landscapes.  On my 3-mile route there is a fun, babbling little fountain just as I come up on mile 3.  I didn't know it was there the first time and it was a pleasant and welcomed surprise that got me through the last leg.  I look forward to it every time!  Not so much a positive, but I've sadly noticed how much trash there is.  Seriously, did the "Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute" campaign do nothing for us?!

My Tricks:  In life, I've found that I do my best if someone else is relying or dependent upon me.  I find that I'm unmotivated when it comes to motivating myself.  I partnered with my company, Encana, and Team Sweat Equity, to make my race mean something.  I've set a goal to raise $1,300 for Project PAVE (Promoting Alternatives to Violence through Education).  My company will pay PAVE $16/hr for every hour that I train and anyone can donate using my personal fundraising page.  This gives me something and someone to be accountable to, other than just myself.

My Questions:  What are some favorite foods/snacks/drinks that runners like to eat or drink, respectively?  How long do you need to stretch before and after the run?  When I run all I can think about is running, I can't focus on anything else for any beneficial amount of time and that's what I think leads me to my walking spurts.  How do I re-focus my mind and block out the unnecessary negatives about running? (note:  I don't like to listen to music when I'm running in the city--I'd rather not have that distraction, plus we can't have music when we run the race).

The first week is done and all in all, I'm proud of myself thus far and I know I have a lot of improvement down the road.  Here's to a happy and healthy week 2!

Sweet, Oh, Sweet is the Sound

That sweet sound happens to be the song, "There is No Place Like Nebraska," the original tunnel walk, and the sound of the roaring, abnormally genius football crowd that I hear in my head as I replay the dozens of Husker football games I've attended in Memorial Stadium.  College football season couldn't get here fast enough!  Summer is nice, but fall ball is always better.  While I will certainly miss the familiar rivalries of the Big 12, I will not miss their old tricks.  I'm looking forward to a new beginning in the Big 10, and I will try not to think about the politics that got us there.

In honor of this glorious college football season that will soon grace our presence, here are my top five favorite Huskers of all time (or at least since the Osborne era).

5.  Jay Sims (#31) I-back '94-97:  Really, it was the dreads that got him the #5 spot (sorry Damon***), but he held his own as part of the greatest Husker team to ever play (seriously, the '95 Husker team was voted the best college football team of all time).  He was part of T.O.'s first three national championships ('94, '95 and '97).  He averaged 32 yards rushing and was one of the top 5 Husker rushers in 1996 and 1997.

4.  Ndamukongzdjakdkaf SUH! (#93) Defensive Tackle '06-'09:  OK, first, how cool is it that he is in those new Chrysler commercials?  Actually, I don't really know if it's Chrysler, I just know that it's SUH and Eminem and that equals TOTAL DOMINATION [slash] AWESOMENESS.   But for real, who can argue with his 2009 stats of  85 tackles, 12 sacks, 28 QB hurries and one interception.  Suh had a record-shattering 12 tackles and 4 and a half sacks during the Big 12 Championship game, but wouldn't ya know it we still lost--remember what I said about old tricks?  Yeah, let's not talk about that.  He ended his college career with a total of 214 tackles, 24 sacks, 4 interceptions and 2 touchdowns.  He is one LION of a defensive tackle...haha...ha.......ha.......

3.  Correll Buckhalter (#36) I-back '97-'00:  Correll comes in at #8 on Nebraska's all-time leading rushers list, for a career total of 2,522 yds.  If anyone wants to know, that's almost a mile and a half worth of running while giant defensive men are trying to tackle you.  Plus, he plays for the Broncos which is the only reason why I watch the Broncos--they have no other redeeming qualities (as of late), sorry Correll.

2.  Ahman Green (#30) Running Back '95-'98:  This guy rushed for 1,086 yards his freshman year, had 141 carries and scored 13 touchdowns.  Did I mention he was only a freshman?  He still holds the record for single-season rushing yards.  In his sophomore year he racked up 214 yards in one game against Iowa.  Some running backs don't even get that in a full season, like...say.... maybe the Iowa running backs.  In the 1998 Orange Bowl, he and QB, Scott Frost, beat out Peyton Manning and his unworthy volunteers, 42-17.  I wonder if the P-Man remembers that game...

And my #1 Husker Favorite is....

1.  TOMMIE FRAZIER (#15) Best Husker QB of all time now and forever: (please turn down the volume of this video until the last 3 mins.  the song needs a few bleeps in it). I just get goosebumps when I think about this Husker legend.  In 1994 He led the Huskers to their first national championship in 23 years.  In 1993 he kept up with the best of 'em, including Heisman Trophy winner, Charlie Ward.  We would lose the championship that year to FSU by a missed field goal.  I vividly remember Frazier running through a herd of FSU linemen.  With two defensive players pulling on him trying to drag him down, and several lying in the debris of his wake (a scene that would be familiar to Miami in the following season), Frazier kept running for the first down and eventually passed a beautiful, 29-yard spiral to put his beloved Huskers in field goal, game winning position.  Despite the 18-16 loss, Frazier was still named that game's MVP!  He was up for the Heisman in 1995, but came in second, though, after the season concluded, many thought he should have won.   He also goes down in college football history as being named part of Sports Illustrated's All Century Team and as one of the 10 greatest college football players of the century.

Tommie ended his college career with staggering statistics.  Passing for 3,521 yds, 43 touchdown passes, 1,955 total rushing yards, 36 rushing touchdowns for a grand total of 79 touchdowns.  It may also be worth mentioning that he accomplished all of this while battling the painful Crohn's disease.  Notwithstanding, he became one of the greatest, most inspiring leaders.  He had an infectious smile, a work ethic second to none and a certain humility that put him in the realm of the rarest, most talented of all athletes. 

Looking back, Tommie's performance during the '93 FSU game is what made me, at age 8, fall in love with Husker football and what makes him #1.  He taught everyone an important lesson that night.  He taught us that the glory is not in winning the Heisman trophy, it is not in winning the national championship, but rather in the deed, we find the glory.

Sweet, oh, sweet is the sound of crushing helmets, a cheering crowd and a college fight song.  This is the sound of college football glory, my friends.  Let the season begin.

"If we should win, let it be by the code, with our faith and our honor held high.  If we should lose, let us stand by the road and cheer as the winners go by."

***Other noteworthy players: Damon Benning, Brook Berringer (I think every girl in Nebraska had a giant crush on him, RIP Brook), Scott Frost, Grant Winstrom, the Ruud brothers, and our buddy Stew Bradley (who unfortunately (well, thankfully) had to cut his hair even though we never won the national championship).

Christmas 2010

For Christmas we went to Boise, ID to visit the Lake family.  It was packed full of activities, one of which (of course) was fishing.  Daven and his dad, Bob, went across the border to Oregon.  Usually they never catch anything, but this time they did!

We also took our annual family picture.  I always look so weird in these.  I swear that's not what I look like in person (plus this is small, so you can't really see anything anyway ;) ).

And you've gotta love the camo...

...

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas.  I can't believe it's 2011...weird. Daven's been out of high school for 10 years, in two more years I'll be saying the same thing.  Where did you go time?

An Update a Day, is obviously not Savanna's Way :)

It's funny how you want what you can't have.

Until recently, I've been OK with pushing this blog to the back burner (or, to the burner that resides in the black hole well beyond our galaxy).  BUT, a few days ago I tried to log in and found that Daven had changed his email password.  Never have I been more motivated to update my blog--when I can't update it :).  I guess I need to add myself as one of the blog owners...that would be ideal.

As you may have guessed, a lot has happened between now and *ahem* what was it?  April 22? 

1.  Daven no longer works for Key Equipment Finance.  He works for State Farm Insurance.  He started in May and is licensed and has passed all of his Insurance exams.  You Nebraskans (especially the 4th warders/Holmes Lakers) will like this:  Daven works for his old Young Men's Advisor: Vance Yoshikawa!  Isn't that crazy?  Vance happened to come along right as Daven was ready for a change...perfect timing.

Daven will work under Vance for a few years then open his own Insurance office.  After three or four years of owning his own office Daven will then have the opportunity to work for Corporate State Farm.  This job is perfect for Daven!  He's one of those guys that is good at everything (which is sometimes annoying when you want to teach him how to snowboard, and it turns out he can snowboard better that you--but that's a mix of me being an extremely  s  l  o  w  learner when it comes to coordination-required skills and him being a natural).  The simple fact is he's good at what he does because he demands perfection out of himself.  I think anyone who really knows Daven would see that pattern in everything he does.  The job is not finished until it's perfect.

2.  I know I never talk about my job on my blog, but my job is going well, too.  I moved into a bigger office the end of October and it is suh--wEEeeet!  (When I make comments like that, it makes me feel like I really don't belong in corporate America, but maybe a high school classroom instead).  I work for Encana, an oil and gas company.  I've been there for two years.  Love the people, love the work environment, but I've gotta say it ( and by "it," I mean working 50+hrs/week at an office and no mini-Davens or Savannas running around) is not exactly what I envisioned myself doing after almost 5 years of marriage.  But, for update's sake...yes, my job is nice.  I mean, it's an oil & gas company that's NOT BP, so it's not exactly hurtin' right now.

3.  Bob and Teresa visited in July--again, always productive when they're in town.

4.  Ohhhh...my parents came to visit at the beginning of July and we went white water rafting.  Although my dad is a Navy boy, I've never actually seen him on a raft, or even a boat.  Needless to say it was an exciting adventure!  We also attended the July 3rd fireworks show at the Rockies Stadium.  It was spectacular!!

5.  Rex Round Up was Ridiculously Rowdy and "Re"mem"ber"able ;).  My Uncle Curtis oversaw the raising of the four walls to our Rex pavilion/lodge.  He and some of my cousins that live close to Randolph, UT put up the roof over Labor Day weekend!  Thanks so much to all of you that helped!  Wish we could have participated, but I'm excited to see it and help out next year!!

We also ran/walked the 3K I mentioned in my April post, but it turned out to be more like a 6K...mom and I clocked it wrong...ooooops :) !  It was a blessing in disguise.  I walked with my cousin, Dalene.  You have to understand our family is HUGE.  I'm the youngest of 52 grandchildren and my cousin is in the generation older than me, so we didn't exactly grow up together.  Walking with her was one of my favorite memories of the reunion--thanks, Dalene!  To top it off, we were in the mountains, on my Grandpa's ranch with a bright blue sky!

7.  August was the Kearl Reunion in Orange Beach, AL.  BEST. EVER.  Our HUGE condo was smack-dab on the beach.  The sand was so fine and soft.  The water was warm and we swam with a SHARK!!  Seriously!  Daven and I were boogie boarding and a shark was skimming the same wave as us.  It was literally right next to us.  Of course, me being an eternal optimist, I thought it was a dolphin because of its color, but...no...it wasn't...  However, we did see plenty of dolphins, and we found quite the colony of colossal crabs, too.

By the way, I have the cutest nieces and nephews.  Olivia and Price (Cheyenne's), Elsie (Desiree's).  Keegan and Triston (Ian's) weren't able to make it!  We missed them!

8.  In May we bought an SUV.  It's a 200? Toyota Sequoia.  We paid in cash and I was soooooooo sad to see my bank account deplete.  Next to our house, that was the largest purchase we've ever made!  Boo, for growing up.  BUT, we love it and after we said a sad goodbye to the 30-year-old 'burb, we kind of needed it.  I think.  We do look silly driving it when it's just the two of us.  This was a recent conversation I had with Daven:
S:  Remind me again why we bought this?
D:  For the towing power, of course!
S:  We don't have anything to tow.
D:  It's not what we don't have, it's what we will have.
S:  You mean, a boat?
D:  Yes, --Daven continues to describe the exact type, make, dimension and style of our non-existent boat--a description that I never remember hence this very descriptive sentence.

Luckily I have the Young Women to fill it up at least once a week :).  Also, Daven says we are "taking it back" if we are not in the market for car seats within the next three months (no, this is not an announcement).

9.  Our next big event is Christmas in Boise!  We will miss the sub-zero temperatures, 50 MPH winds, ice storms and all-day power outages that usually greet us in Nebraska, but it will be fun in Boise nonetheless.

I have pictures of some of the above events, but I'm having issues with blogger and my slow computer.  Or, rather blogger and my slow computer have issues and they're just taking it out on me.  I guess pictures will be in a separate post.

Here's a little bit...

[Insert my usual acknowledgement and apology that I haven't blogged in a while here]

Continuing on. The Lake household has been pretty busy lately...

1. We just got back from a one-of-a-kind Jeeping trip in Moab. The last day had a few scares in it, but all are home, safe and sound (at least the people are, not sure I could say the same about a couple of the Jeeps :) ) I think Moab is one of the most beautiful places. I love the red rocks and the exquisite craftmanship of the mountains! While you're standing in an almost desert climate, staring at the dry, sun-burned rocks, you can look in the background and see the blue, snow-capped La Sal mountains!

2. Daven is no longer with Key Equipment Finance. He put in his two-weeks notice a few weeks ago, and last week he started his new job as a State Farm Insurance agent. Well, he's not an agent yet, but he is taking his classes and will be practicing by June! The new job is really a blessing and everything seemed to align perfectly for it! I know he will be a success!

3. Bob and Teresa came to visit this last weekend. Teresa and I were very productive (as usual) and re-decorated my sewing room/guest bedroom! We made new curtains, pillows, etc. I also finished Aubrey, my brother-in-law's, blanket which I've been working on for 6+ years! Daven and Bob went truck shopping, but unfortunately we have yet to see the fruit of that labor--definitely not as productive as the girls (as usual :)).

4. Daven and I are going to ALABAMA for a Kerry Kearl reunion! We will be gone the 3rd week in August. I just love going to Alabama. I always feel like I'm living out Gone With the Wind or some deep-south novel. Daven has never made the trek southward, so he finally gets to see how entrancing it is! Plus, we will get to see our Virginian nephews! It's been a few years since we've spent time with them.

5. Speaking of reunions, it is our family's turn to host the REX ROUND UP! Remember how I said I was going to run a 3 and/or 5K with my mom? If you don't, well, you should, 'cause pretty sure it was only two posts ago (granted, that post was about 5 months back)! We haven't registered for one yet, so I'm trying to convince my mom that we should start an annual REX RUN! I know Alan and Grace would be game! So all you Rexes, try to promote it to mi madre! I think she's on board, but hearing your excitement would just be more motivation! I got the idea from my cousin, Heather. I saw on her blog that her in-laws, or maybe her dad's family, had an annual run/walk at their reunion. Plus it's up on the ranch so, talk about a scenic (and thin-ish air) run!

6. We remodeled our kitchen! Did I tell you that? Yeah, Daven did it all himself! Oh, I know I have before and after pictures somewhere. I'll think really hard about putting them up...I don't want to commit to anything; we all know my track record. This means our house is pretty much completely remodeled...we are just tweaking the shower/bathroom in our basement.

7. I learned how to snow ski! Sometimes I like it better than snowboarding...but then sometimes I don't. Daven and I went up to Boise, Idaho (where else would you find a Boise) and skied at Bogus Basin. I learned before that, at Copper Mountain in Colorado. Daven took me up the highest lift and just sent me down, by the end I looked like Lindsey Vonn. No, not really, I mean, I don't have blonde hair, so maybe more like Julia Mancuso ;)

8. Speaking of Boise, Daven's family moved there last summer! Sad that they're not in Lincoln, but all of the other great Lakes live in Idaho so, it's nice they are close to them.

9. My friend, Tam, from Nebraska is getting married. As I am one of the bridesmaids, I get to go back to NE from May 20 - 23! I'm excited for the wedding, but I'm also pumped to see Nebraska in all its glory--in the springtime, just at the beginning of tornado season! We only go back for Christmas, so it's been awhile since I've seen the green that is Nebraska.

10. Colorado weather is weird. Today it rained in downtown Denver (where I work), but just a few miles south they were closing schools because of all the SNOW! Whaaat? Who does that?

That's about it. Work and church are keeping us pretty busy throughout the week which is a good thing, but I just don't make enough time to blog...or facebook, for that matter.

Look what just washed up on the Lake[shore]

I just added new, but old, music. I feel like these songs are almost oldies! Oh, but they're goodies!

Enjoy!

Where has the time gone?

OK...so, it's been so long that I've even accessed our blog that our Internet address bar doesn't automatically fill in our blog address when I start typing...

But, seriously!! I remember counting down the Bronco games until I got to go to Alabama and now it's the third week in January?! What the heck?

So...here is the run down...

1. I'm experimenting with our blog title. It was "There Ya Have It..." now it is "The Lake[shore] Account..."

2. Daven and I are remodeling the kitchen

3. I am completely and totally serious about running a 5k; I'm even going to do it with my mom!

4. Snowed in for Christmas and few days after that while we were in NE. For real...there was no power for six hours, we opened presents by candle light and got our water from melting buckets of snow on the gas-burning stove. It was AWESOME.

5. I owe you guys Lake Powell pictures

6. I made my nephew, Price, a quilt and I made Benson a little jacket.

7. Our jobs are going well...

8. Ummm, now do you see why I never post? Our lives aren't the most blog-worthy at the moment. :)

9. I hope the Vikings make it to the super bowl and win. I say this because, if I know my Hollywood (which I think I do) then they will undoubtedly make a movie out of Brett Favre's life and I hate it when the based-on-a-true-story sports movies build up to the final game and the player/team loses...and then it goes straight into the on-screen text like: "Although Coach So-and-So lost his first championship game, he and his team went on to win 5 straight championships..." (Yeah, you know what I'm talking about...)

10. Winter Olympics!!

11. It's 11:00 PM, so I'm thinking I should end this post. I'll try to come up with something better for next time.

The Un-blogger is Back from the Dead

HELLO FROM DENVER!!

OK...here is our update.
Since I last posted, I have become an aunt two times over. My middle sister, Desiree, had her little Elsie Maline at the end of August. Daven and I went to Nebraska for the baby blessing. It was so special! Little Elsie is a sweet baby and I'm certain that will stay with her throughout her life!

My oldest sister, Cheyenne, just had her second a week ago! Price Aubrey (don't you love that name. It just screams SOUTHERN, which is fitting since they live in Sweet Home Alabama roll tide roll) I will be going down to the Dixieland at the end of October to help her out! I'm so excited. My niece, Olivia, is a little sprite. She has so much personality and I can't wait to spend time with her. I LOVE Alabama and I haven't been down there for about five years. PLUS I get to help out with their house/chores, trick-or-treating AND I get to be there for Price's baby blessing. How lucky am I--two baby blessings in one year!

AND we went to Lake Powell again this year, but I will post pictures and write about that at another time :)...We had a blast and I absolutley LOVE going down there. Daven's cousins are the best and I love spending time with them! WoNdErFuL!!

Here are some pictures of the latest additions to the Kearl Family! (They're not in the best order...I don't like blogger when it comes to uploading pictures):

Sleeping Beauty!

Price Aubrey Martin

Miss Olivia and baby brother!

What is Olivia doing? What a crazy girl!

My little pixie gnome!

Elsie and Mommy (Desiree)

Elsie and Daddy (Tyler)

Elsie Maline-a-bean :)

Not Just a Dad but a Father

Dad and father are often synonymous. I use the term 'dad' all the time, but when respect, honor and love come together to describe my dad, I think the title Father is more appropriate. Here are a few reasons my father is more than just a dad.


My father is the Vice President of Company Fleets for Crete Carrier Corporation, a trucking company. His duties call for his presence across the country. The funny thing is I more often remember him coming home and being home more than I can ever remember him leaving on a business trip. That's not to say his presence was never missed but it is to say his presence was always present. I am confident that we were in his prayers every morning, noon and night while he was away.

The best part about the business trips was when he brought one of his children with him. I remember going to Graceland with my father during one of his trips to Memphis. I also recall hauling all the Husker football gear down to Oklahoma. My father gave me a football so I could get it signed by all the players and the legendary Coach Osborne. He definitely had the hook up.

Speaking of having the hook up, my father knows EVERYONE! I promise. Instead of six degrees of Kevin Bacon, I'm certain you could do one degree of Kerry Kearl. My father is loved and respected by all of these people. It's nice to know that where ever we go, where ever his kids end up, they always have an automatic guardian in the area. My father's acquaintances care deeply about his family because my father has always shown such care and concern for theirs.

Support and love are second nature to him. He never missed a concert, musical or play. He came to the home basketball and football games just to cheer on his cheerleading daughter. Remarkable, now that I think about it, because my Father is so busy, from callings to work.
Being a VP you may think that he has the better end of the vacations and more flexible time, that's not the case at all. He will work on some holidays just so he can send home his staff to be with their families. What boss do you know that would ever do that?

My father is one of the best examples of how to serve our Heavenly Father and magnify our callings. He has always had demanding callings, but I've never heard him complain. He never grumbled because loves and serves the Lord with ALL his heart and that leaves no room for complaint.

Father is another calling, a divine calling, he has accepted and magnified. I learned the importance of the priesthood in a home from my father. I knew I could always go to him for a blessing and he never let us start the new school year with out a father's blessing. My father was never afraid of asking for a blessing either. Every time we would visit my Grandma and Grandpa Kearl, he would always ask for a Father's Blessing from my Grandfather. Because of that example, I try to do the same, but our most recent visits, I'm affraid I haven't acted on that.

He serves the Lord and honors his priesthood because he is truly converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My father is the ultimate diamond in the rough. When he was in college he campaigned door to door for a legislative seat with an afro and a pack of cigarettes in his pocket--almost beating the incumbant! Now he is in a different campaign with a bit less hair and a missionary badge on his left pocket that reads President Kearl. The song that described him most in his Dixie High School was "I Fought the Law and the Law Won." Now, the song that most reveres his thoughts and his heart is "O, My Father."

I could list all of the things he did to help his family, all of the fun daddy-daughter dates, all of his outstanding accomplishments and continue siting his most exemplary features, but the most important, most valuable treasure he has ever given me is my individual worth and a divine vision of the woman I can become. Because my father treated me as a daughter of God, I know I am a daughter of God. Because my father fulfilled his roles both temporally and spiritually, I have developed spiritually. I am who I am today because he was not just a dad but a father.

Mother, Dear

My mom is the greatest.

I know everyone says that about their mom, like how everyone thinks their kid is the cutest, but the difference is that my mom, Charmaine, really is the greatest. She's the greatest mom I've ever had and the greatest woman I've ever known. Honestly, dad, how did you get her? ;)

Here are a few reasons why I love my mother dear.

*My mom can whistle LOUD through her front teeth (we always knew where she was)
*She loves to skip...anywhere...in public...when you're 13 especially
*Anyone that went to Milford Jr/Sr High School will tell you she was the BEST and SMARTEST substitute teacher they've ever had.
*She has a song for EVERYTHING. Her life is a musical
*She will tell you the horse is always the best actor in a movie; she's always right
*Helpmate, team mate, perfect mate all are perfect words to describe her role as a wife to my father
*She runs marathons, dives from the sky and skis on the slopes and on the waves
*If you asked her what the number 54 meant to her, she would have to think really, really hard because she won't realize that's her age. This is completely appropriate because she's more like a late 20's early 30's anyway.
*She's pretty good with a sewing machine, but give her a mallet and a maul and she'll make you the coolest leather anything in the world
*She loves her family
*She loves her country, she's like the female version of George Washington
*I learned photosynthesis, the operating parts of a combine, the cure for bee stings, how to birth a goat or a horse, how to hammer a nail, how to paint, how to plant, how to cook, how to sew, how to sing, how to work and how to learn from her
*She's my friend on facebook AND in real life
*She's a cowgirl at heart, but cleans up real nice
*She is a former rodeo queen, barrel racer, pole bender and calf roper
*She loves and respects animals, she is always in awe by God's creations
*She can change the oil, throw some hay, train a horse and then come inside and listen to opera
*She can beat you at any sport...and WILL beat you at any sport
*She will set up a tent on the trampoline and have a slumber party, just you and her
*She has ALL the patience in the world
*I swear she knows everything...history, biology, astronomy, computers, agriculture, medicine, Spanish, English...take your pick
*She can order chickens, garden tools and horse medicine from a farming magazine then relax with a bit of Shakespeare
*She was the mom on ALL the school trips usually by student request and her kids didn't mind either
*Staying up late to watch Diagnosis:Murder and then the 10 o'clock news with her, her husband and her daughter was the highlight of her day...at least her daughter's day
*She's like Midas when it comes to coaching...anything she coaches whether it be soccer, softball or Odyssey of the Mind, the team is usually a champion...totally not kidding or exaggerating
*She was involved in sports and rodeo but didn't push that on her kids, in fact we all were the complete opposite...not sure where all those coordination genes went...
*She makes up her own words...and sometimes doesn't tell her kids that they're made up...
*She's always learning new things...which is weird because I'm pretty sure she's omniscient
*Kids naturally flock to her...I've never seen anything like it
*She has the same effect on animals too
*You know the Horse Whisperer? She's like the Everything Whisperer
*She will love the flowery lotion and spray you got her for Christmas but will be overjoyed to see the new pitchfork in the corner with a bow
*She's always creating something...a new landscape, a new interior design, pie, bread, rolls, love or laughter
*She loves to work in the Winter Quarters Temple, the work she does is so exciting and wonderful she has to contain herself...but no one ever said you can't quietly skip down the halls
*She misses her daddy but knows she will see him again and this time it will be forever
*Most any one of her friends and family would drop anything to do something for her because she HAS done anything and everything for them
*"Kindly heaven smiles above" when there is Charmaine
*People trust her
*The Lord trusts her
*She trusts the Lord

Here's to you, mom. I love you.

Y i love my I

Y I Love my I

(Warning...this is a bit long. Good, but long)

It's been a year since Daven and I graduated from Brigham Young University- Idaho. Graduation day was one of the best and saddest. I always hated watching all of our friends (Westergards, Richardsons, Holgates, Wildes, Heatons...just to name a few) graduate, pack up and leave, and I couldn't wait for the day that we, I, wouldn't have to go through those tearful goodbyes. I failed to take into account that when we left we would have to say goodbye to 50 people (may or may not be an exaggeration) instead of just one family.

Even worse was leaving the wonderful campus,

the 'Spirit of Ricks,'

(although, I hope I can say I took some of that with me :) )

The shelter of a strong faculty

and the beautiful temple on the hill.

Over the course of 2 ½ years I came to love BYU-Idaho and everything and everyone that went with it. This post is for those who have ever wondered what the BYU-Idaho experience is all about.


When we first moved to Idaho, I was a little wary. I was used to going to University of Nebraska, a larger school and home of the GREATEST athletic program on earth (really, it is I'm not being biased--we have untouchable records across the board for ALL sports, not just football--that will be another post).

Then, I came to BYU-Idaho...no athletic program, small and inside a glacier--not really, but close. For some reason to me this equaled no pride. There were no Saturday games for which to paint your face, to cheer until you go hoarse or to watch all the football players in your class skip that Thursday and Friday (even if it was a home game)--there were none of these 'experiences' in Rexburg. But I learned an important lesson at BYU-Idaho. The experiences were in my education, and the education was in the experience.

So, without further ado, let me share Daven's and my experiences and the reasons why we love BYU-Idaho.

1 There are no gum wads underneath the desks, chairs or door handles. Believe it or not, that says A LOT about the level of respect these students have.

2 I'm not kidding you when I say I received a Harvard education. Did you know that BYU-Idaho's current President is Kim B. Clark? Did you know that before he came to us he was the dean of the Harvard Business School? Did you know that he developed most, if not all, the curriculum and teaching methods at the business school? Did you know that he brought all of that to BYU-Idaho? Did you know that teachers, at least in the Business and Comm college, are trained AT HARVARD in the teaching methods? Really. I was on the HBS Web site daily, taking tests, listening/watching podcasts, reading reports then I experienced it in the classroom. Daven and I watched a documentary on Harvard classes a few weeks ago, it reminded me so much of my beloved I. The experience is in the education.

3 BYU-Idaho is LITERALLY run by students. I know this because one of my jobs was overseeing ALL print production for any and all campus publications. University publications went through University Relations, which also is run by students; most material tied with the university that goes to the outside public is actually designed by student designers. Of course there are advisors, but students do the majority of the work. If the supervisor or advisor is asked to create or head up something, he/she is always running ideas by students and enlisting their help. The education is in the experience.

4 BYU-Idaho strongly encourages extracurricular activities because, as I said above, the school is run by students. But also because it gives you invaluable experiences. I was PR Director for the Student Representative Council (SRC). I and my 5-member team carried out four of the most successful pr campaigns to date. We did this, by the way, in a shorter 13-week semester.


I also directed a leadership conference about the vision the prophets have of BYU-Idaho (I strongly, STRONGLY encourage you to read this if you have not--a taste of the talk is given at the end of this post). We learned how to be disciples, we learned how to use our education for the spreading of the Gospel, we learned how to become leaders within our spheres of influence. Daven was a leader in a Venture Capital Firm. Through his extensive research and hard work, he decided when and where to invest thousands of dollars. He and a team also opened and closed a successful campus business thanks to an innovative class. The experience is in the education.

5 BYU-Idaho has an ingenious three-track school system. Classes are offered all year round. Winter-Spring, Spring-Fall, Fall-Winter. It enables 2x as many students to attend BYU-Idaho and makes for year-round interns from which companies can draw.

We also have shortened, 13-week semesters. The classes are longer, but we cover the same amount of material just in a shorter amount of time. We can do this because of the caliber of students. Students are expected to act rather than "be acted upon," to take learning beyond the classroom. Teachers expect the students to actually come to class PREPARED having read the syllabus, read the required reading and having done the required assignment BEFORE it is formally given in class--if it's given in class at all. Now, some of my UNL classes did this, but the difference at BYU-Idaho and BYU and BYU-Hawaii is the students really do this. It makes the classes run so much smoother when the students are ready, willing to learn from each other and the teacher.


Is it quality work, you ask? Is it up to par with other universities you ask? Valid questions. Let me just answer those for you. My last semester my class and I did a PR campaign for a NATIONAL competition (The Bateman Competition). It was for our senior capstone and this particular semester happened to coincide with this competition's deadline. The competition's case/scenario had been given to all other national participants nine months before we received it. We had the task to do our preliminary research, create a SOLID, presentable PR campaign, carry out said campaign and conduct our post research in a 13-week period (11-week period really) where as our other competitors from colleges and universities around the nation had almost a whole YEAR. Did we do it? Yes, in fact, our class did THREE separate campaigns, and we competed and finished with HONORS. The education is in the experience.

6 The president, arguably one of the busiest university presidents in the world (seeing as how he sits on the board of JetBlue, Black and Decker, maybe others AND is a General Authority), teaches a class. Daven sat in President Clark's class two days a week. Not only does he teach a class, but so do other executive members. Brother Eyring taught my disciple leadership class, we ate dinner with President and Sister Clark and our Bishop was one of the vice presidents...how many people can say they have even shook their president's hand or even know who the vice presidents are? (Brittney Checketts you don't count, and neither does Tiffany Flanagan seeing as how you both have obviously broken bread with vps of schools as they are in fact your in-laws.) When I was at UNL, I most certainly would not have been able to identify the chancellor, president, whatever he was called. At BYU-Idaho, it was almost a daily occurrence to pass President Clark or the vps, shake their hand and have a polite, nice conversation with them. Certainly motivated you to do your best.

7 I could actually get involved with out having to pledge to a sorority. I was involved at UNL through LDSSA and the Broadcasting Society, but I really wanted to be in the student government. Yeah, well first of all, I didn't have blond hair and I liked to buy my clothes off Wal-mart clearance racks and second-hand stores...I guess you could say it was never meant to be. I know that's a little critical and there is some sarcasm in there, but you get the idea. At BYU-Idaho I rejoiced in all the glorious activities, I loved serving on the Student Representative Council and I loved running for office. I loved being involved with the Newel K. Whitney Scholars; I loved that my friends could coach their own hockey, basketball or softball teams.

8 My testimony flourished through religion classes, weekly devotionals given by apostles, general authorities and faculty, weekly forums, prayer in the classrooms and support and prayers from the faculty. One of my most favorite memories of graduation day was the walk...we walked through the Hart Building where the hallways were lined with EVERY single faculty member. Daven and I walked through shaking the hands and exchanging warm hugs with all of our teachers.

I didn't mind not being able to wear shorts or flip-flops. I wasn't there for the fashion, besides that, you could only wear those like two months out of the year (Rexburg has the nickname of Iceberg for a reason). I really was there for the experience, for the education. BYU-Idaho was one of the greatest blessings in Daven's and my marriage and in my life. I kick myself for not choosing to go there since the beginning, for tuition's sake and for my life's sake. I am so grateful Daven was willing to share this experience with me and that he had wisdom enough to attend BYU-Idaho in the first place. The experience is in the education and the education is in the experience.

I'm not saying BYU-Idaho is better than UNL, BYU or other colleges (I mean, without BYU there would be no BYU-Idaho), but it was better for me. I hope this will cast aside any assumptions, generalizations or predispositions you may have had about BYU-Idaho. As I attended BYU-Idaho, I truly saw President Hinckley's words come to fruition and since I have graduated and watched other BYU-Idaho alumni, I have also witnessed the truth of President Eyring's words as well. (See Below).

"I submit that this campus, with its adjoining buildings, may literally offer a foretaste of heaven with the imparting of knowledge, both secular and spiritual, with the encouragement of unselfish service, with the teaching of values that are everlasting in their consequence, and with faith in the Living God."
--President Gordon B. Hinckley, Inauguration of President Kim B. Clark, Oct. 11, 2005.

"Those graduates of BYU-Idaho will become—and this is a prophesy that I am prepared to make and make solemnly—those graduates of BYU-Idaho will become legendary for their capacity to build the people around them and to add value wherever they serve.

I make a prophesy. Now listen carefully.From that example they—you—will become life-long teachers in their families, in the Church, and in their work, and they will bless others wherever they go by what they have learned about innovating with scarce resources and treating all they have as if it were the Lord's…

…I hope I live long enough to someday meet some employer who employed one of you and says, "Where did that come from? I've never had such a person. Why people just flock around that person. And they want to follow. They don't have to be led; they're seeking to go where that person wants to go. And they come up with new ideas. I don't know where that comes from. They seem to find a better way, and the budget doesn't go up. I can't understand it." And I'll smile and say, "Well, come with me to Rexburg." And I may not be able to show it to you, and I may not be able to prove it to you, but you'll feel it. There will be a spirit here, I so testify, because of the love of God for all of His faithful children. And those blessings will be poured out here in rich abundance."
--"A Steady, Upward Course," Elder Henry B. Eyring, BYU-Idaho Devotional, Sept. 18, 2001.

Thanks for reading Y I love my I and I hope you have another great day...where ever you may be.