Bryce Canyon Adventure

Enjoy.

Shout Out to Dad

Shout Out to Dad

By Samantha Karren

I've had a funny up-and-down relationship with my dad.  Perhaps you can relate.  Though-out my tomboy years, I always wanted to be like him.  As a teenager I realized how un-cool my dad was and tried my best not to be like him.  When I was in college, Dad tried his best from a distance to both support me and protect me from all the "evil" boys who wanted to date me.  I grew up (for the most part) and began noticing one by one all my dad's faults.  Somehow, though, I still think of him as my hero.

Faults and all, he somehow managed to give me the knowledge that I am his little girl and he always loves me for who I am.  One of the ways he did it…was with rock 'n roll.

Some of you may be aware of the rock band, U2, postponing their summer tour this year until next year.  I am one of the folk who will be deprived of seeing them in concert.  The last U2 concert I went to was with my Dad. 

Dad's been listening to U2 for as long as I can remember.  When I and my siblings were barely waist-high to my dad, he would crank up "Pride" and we'd dance circles around our living room couch.  Then as I got older, my dad taught me to play basketball and I joined my middle school and high school basketball teams.  My dad spent countless hours coaching my jump shot and rebounding for me in the gym.  He'd always bring a stereo and blast out music while we ran drills… you guessed it—the music was U2.

U2 songs ingrained themselves in me; they became a sort of soundtrack to my life.

They also remind me of my dad. 

We spent hours in the gym—just me and Dad and a couple of basketballs.  We didn't need to say much, we just dribbled to the rhythm of Edge's guitar, our sneakers squeaking on the wood floors, and the net swooshing as we shot ball after ball.  From tomboy to grown-up married daughter, I still remember that connection with my dad.  We had the simplicity of shooting balls side by side in an empty gym, and of letting the rock 'n roll do the talking.  

The basketball days are over, but every now and then a rock song comes on and I hear my dad say that the song reminds him of me. 

Dad, they remind me of you too. 

Happy Father's Day!

a Catastrophe that calls itself The Beehives

The Laurels and Miamaids went off to Youth Conference this week.  Whatever.  So the Beehives were on their own.

We thought about going to the park for some good old fashioned fun, but windy and stormy weather made us think twice.  Instead, we improvised a girls'/movie/nail night at my place.

...and I taught the girls how to play tummy-ha-ha.  A favorite of mine.

They are hilarious and I feel like I am one of them.  I think I'm still 12 in my heart.

My place was a noisy jumble of laughing, "Kung-Fu Panda," nail-color discussion, games, and goofing around for a good hour and a half.  I think some of the neighbors may have been frightened. 
At one point, some of the girls were spying out the back window at the neighbors's yard and screamed out "Oh my gosh that man just stuffed a leaf blower down his pants!!!"  Followed by screeching. 
And... the windows were open. 
And... I've met all my neighbors, even the ones who haven't moved in.  So whoever it was, he knows my name.

The YW leaders are going to think twice before ever putting me in charge of a Beehive activity again. And these pictures don't even include the water balloon disaster in my front driveway that included aiming for the Construction Workers' porta-potty...

Oh well.  I had a blast right along with them.

Linkin Love

Wow, it's worth it to visit my blog again just for the kickin tunes!!!  I do have some fabulous taste, now don't I?  Why has no one commented on my playlist yet??? :) Hmmm....

Selfish

I love summer activities.  I also love seeing Clint in action because I was unfortunately not allowed to be one of the chicks who oggled him in high school.  Clint has recently been enjoying a flag football league with some old high school buddies.  I go to every game that I can.  It's fun to sit on the grass & chat with the other wives.  We cheer on big plays and talk about how great Jane Austen books are, and which movie remakes are the best.  Oh yes, it's good times.

Anyway.  These pictures are purely for my own enjoyment.  Thank you very much.

Hi Clint!!! Smile...

I think I'll send this one to Sports Illustrated for a front cover story.