Graduation Congratulation!

Another beautiful graduation day at Salem Hills High! I thought I was "old hat" at this child graduating thing after having done it once... but as soon as I spied Sierra in that processional, my throat caught and here came the tears! All I could picture in my head was that little curly-haired blond girl who used to RUN away from us as fast as she could to get to Grandpa's house. She's still got the same gruff little voice, ("Know What?") but what a gorgeous young woman she has become!

It was a super day for an outdoor graduation. The rain finally stopped and it looked like we might actually have sun. I know there have been some rumblings about having an outdoor graduation, but NOTHING could match how awesome it was when the "Skyhawk" appeared!

Just as the choir was singing "We are the Skyhawks", a real live hawk started circling right over the graduates. He kind of stole the attention from the choir, but it was so cool to see all the kids start looking and pointing. I figured that had to be planned, but according to the powers in charge, the bird just showed up; not released on purpose, not tame, just came by to say "Congrats" to the kids! I wish I had been able to get a picture of that.

You can't watch your child end high school without a whole bunch of gratitude to the people who helped get them there. Sierra loved her ASL teacher, Mrs. Campbell, thought her English teacher, Mrs. Strange was "so chill", and really connected with her Seminary teachers. Of course, Erin, (Oops, sorry, Ms. Auger) our favorite dance teacher, will forever be a major impact on Sierra's life. We so appreciate Principal Bohling, (a.k.a. Bishop Troy) for giving our kids such a personal connection at school, and never under-estimate the value of having your daughter's boss live next-door to her boyfriend, teach at her school, and know Mom personally.... Thanks much for the extra set of eyes, Mr. Graham!

Sierra & Aubrey

Breanna, Sierra & Samae

And the biggest thanks of all to her wonderful friends! Good kids have good friends, and Sierra has had AWESOME friends. This class had a tough couple of years... as juniors, Salem split off from Spanish Fork, then as seniors, Maple Mountain opened, pulling more kids to another school. Friends since middle school, we were just as proud to watch Samae graduate from MMHS, and Breanna from SFHS, as we were to see Aubrey, Brandon, and especially Phillip graduate from Salem Hills. And thanks to all her new SHHS friends as well: Kacie, Jason, Billy, McKenna, Devanie, Haley, Kacie J.... lots of good people!

Sierra, Jason, Brandon & Kacie

Sierra's "Best" friend since 9th grade would have to be that BOY she hangs around with! And it's about time we got a boy around here! We love Phillip! We had a great time after the graduation celebrating with the whole Sorensen clan.

It was a great day:

Grandma and Grandpa Nielson barely made it back in time for the ceremony - flew in from their trip to Europe just hours before. Tired and jet-lagged... but they were here!

Proud Mom and Dad!


And now we can start the shift from Skyhawk blue to Wolverine Green! Sierra and Phillip will be joining Kaila at UVU this fall! Graduation does mean a New Beginning after all!

A Month Of State Championships!

Wow! It's been a wild and crazy couple of weeks, but SO MUCH FUN!

Sierra and Jada's Drill Teams both qualified to compete at state, with Jada's brand new school, Maple Mountain, sweeping region for the 1st place title. They won every category.

This is the Maple Mountain team right before their dance routine at State. We hosted the team dinner at our house the night before, and it was obvious that in just one year these girls have created a strong cohesive team. Special thanks to their coaches Molly and Marci for working them hard, but helping them be a true team.

Sierra was spotlighted by the Daily Herald at the state championships:

Senior Sierra Poulsen, second from right, tries to focus moments before she and the rest of the Salem Hills High School drill team take the floor to perform their kick performance during the Drill Team State Championships at the McKay Events Center in Orem Friday, Jan. 29, 2010. MARK JOHNSTON/Daily Herald

And then... "Our Boy", Phillip, Sierra's main squeeze, powered through region, sectionals and finally state championships to win STATE! This photo says it all:


Salem Hills' Phillip Sorensen reacts after defeating Box Elder's Sean Smith in the 4A 189-weight bout during the championship of the 2010 UHSAA State Wrestling Tournament at the McKay Center on the campus of UVU, Friday, Feb.12, 2010. PATRICK SMITH/Daily Herald

Phillip Wins!
First Ever STATE CHAMP for Salem Hills High School!
How's that for the record books?? We were there with a whole contingent of Phillip's family and friends, and let me tell you, we screamed our heads off! It's been a few years since I lost my voice at a sporting event, but this one was worth it! Phillip said afterwards that he wanted to vault the railing and come right over to where his cheering section was, because we were all front row and center, but he had to maintain dignity and go through all the proper channels before he could come out and see us. I had a hard time deciding which was my favorite part... when he picked up his Mom and hugged her, or the big embrace with his Dad where both of them were crying. What a great night!

Here are the news articles from both events:

KICK!

Line Up

Sierra Poulsen tries to focus moments before she and the rest of the Salem Hills High School drill team take the floor to perform their kick performance during the Drill Team State Championships at the Events Center at UVU in Orem, on Friday. Both 4A and 5A schools from across the state gathered in Orem to perform military, dance and kick routines for judges, hoping that countless practices paid off. In the moments before taking the stage, team members attempted to gather their thoughts and focus on the performance ahead. "Your adrenaline is going a thousand miles an hour," Poulsen said. "Thinking of all the hardships, all the work you've done and hoping it pays off." Once on the floor, Poulsen says the rest is automatic muscle memory after the repetitious practice the teams go through. "I came off the floor not remembering what I did," she said.

Utah State 4A Wrestling Finals

Overall, it was a great final night for Utah County. It was also a year of first, as both Maple Mountain and Salem Hills crowned their first state champions in school history.

Britain Carter decisioned Salem Hills' Spencer Davis 8-2 at 103 for Maple Mountain, while the Skyhawks' Phillip Sorenson shut out Box Elder's Sean Smith 4-0 to bring home the gold at 189.

"It feels great," said the freshman Golden Eagle grappling star. "It was the toughest season I've ever had in wrestling."

Sorensen was probably the unlikeliest of the county champions after finishing fourth at the Southern Divisional tournament last week. None of his matches were easy, as he won a pair of single-point decisions in the first two rounds. His "easiest" match was his 5-0 win in the semifinals against Mountain Crest's Joseph Carley.

Sorensen's chief weapon is his tilt from the top position, which he used to turn previously No. 1-ranked Steve Hendriks in the quarterfinals, Carley in the semifinals and then Smith in the championship finals.

"It's something that I learned as a sophomore and have used ever since to get some points in my matches," said the Skyhawk senior. "It's indescribable. It's the best feeling that I've had in my life to be a state champion for Salem Hills."

Nothing is More Special than a Baby at Christmastime!

Congratulations to my baby brother Kenton and his wife Janna on their new little bundle of joy! Welcome Miss Emily Nicole! And Merry Christmas to big brother Scott. (All photos blog-lifted from my sister Natalie... the photo wizard!)

Just like Scott, I was three years old the year Bill was born, (in November), and I was convinced that he was my own special Christmas present from Heaven! Someone smart must have told me that - Dad!

Emily had a bit of a rough start - the cord was around her neck, and caused her to swallow that yucky meconium. BUT... it also caused her to come nearly 3 weeks early. Thank goodness for that, or the cord could have been a major issue! She's got some breathing issues right now and has to stay in her little bubble. The biggest problem with that is... none of us can pick her up! And poor Scott can only see her through the window.

The grown-ups at least got to go in to her little incubator and see her. We are all hoping that the 7 - 10 days of hospital time they are predicting will actually be a lot shorter than that. Either way, she should be home in time for Christmas and then Aunt Natalie, Aunt Kara and Grandpa can all fight over who gets the most "hold time". Merry Christmas to all of US! Can you imagine a better Chrismas surprise? We can't!

GRATITUDE ~ So Simple, So Profound

I stole this video from my beautiful friend Crystal. (Actually it's a Mormon Message, but she posted it on her blog first.) This is the perfect week for taking a minute to stop and just think... Make that list of blessings! These people got it right!

UPDATE!

How time flies when you are so swamped that you can hardly breathe!

My many and devoted blog followers have been clamoring for an update. Well, okay... so 2 people have mentioned that the blog has been sadly neglected for the past 4 months or so. BUT... Oh, what good excuses I have!


Excuse number 1 - We went to see the WIZARD!


July & August were spent immersed in the auditorium at Payson High as we directed PCT's "Wizard of Oz". It was a huge cast, a special effects extravaganza, and SO MUCH FUN! Funny how a few months is all it takes for you to forget the WORK involved... well, maybe not forgotten, just mitigated.




The cast really bonded and created a stage "family", which is exactly what you hope for as a director. There were many teary eyes at closing night... and while we don't plan to make people cry, it was awesome to see that it had been a good experience for them. We were very proud with the final results: packed houses, a sold out final performance and a cast that truly enjoyed their time spent here.

And in the midst of our final performance weeks, we received the GOOD NEWS we have been waiting for for half a decade... which led to...


Excuse number 2 - Our NEW HOUSE!

Ain't she a beauty? This was the view this morning during the first snow of the season.

WARNING: Long housing saga follows~

How long have we waited for this??? It's been 5 years (unbelieveable!) since we sold our home in Lynnbrook, and began the quest for our "final resting place". (Metaphorically speaking.) We moved to our first rental in Mapleton, in Dec. of 2004, believing that it would be a "year or so" before we could finalize the development of our land in Lake Shore. So many road blocks in that process. We began to wonder WHY it was so difficult to do this! In the meantime, the Mapleton house was sold and we commenced move #2. (March 2006) Back to Spanish Fork.

We moved into a "gated community" with nice big twin homes but a REALLY difficult neighborhood, (Home of the Parking Nazis!) where we discovered we are much too independent to be dictated to by an HOA! ('Nuff said.) Still working on that Lake Shore subdivision. In fact... the county actually APPROVED us on the condition we would bond for ditch removal and utilities. (Hey, what's another $30,000 anyway?) And in late spring we find out the home we are living in is going to be sold... AGAIN! As luck (Or Divine intervention) would have it, the next door neighbors were moving out at the same time, and wanted to rent their place. (June, 2008) We had to MOVE NEXT DOOR, but in so doing the rent dropped and we gained an extra bedroom, bathroom and family room. So it was worth it. (I can say that now... the week of the move, I thought we might all die. Moving next door just plain SUCKS! You'd think it would be simple. But it was a huge amount of work!)

Are you keeping track? That was the 3rd move in 3 and half years. 7 people, most of them pack-rat-ish girls, and all their STUFF! Now, I know this is boring to most of you, (EVERYONE except maybe Loni) but I gotta get all this stuff down in my journal here!

Our frustration was definitely mounting. The subdivision just didn't seem to be happening. We started looking at other homes to see what was out there and just try to get on with life. This spring, 2009, the tide finally turned. What seemed like bad news, was actually the answer to a lot of frustrated prayers.

The state transporation dept announced that they are planning for a large highway to go through all the farming communities in west Utah County. Yeah, that'd be Lake Shore. (And quite a few other little towns.) Their purpose is to anticipate the growth that is sure to come in the future. The proposed highway has a few different paths being considered, but a couple of them go right through, or very close to, our property. When that was announced, we realized that maybe all of these delays had been a blessing in disguise. If we had pushed through and built our home, we'd be living under an overpass!

The result was... we went househunting in earnest. (All the while directing "Wizard"!) We put 7 offers in on houses this past summer. The first six fell through for the strangest reasons, but all with the final result that offer number 7 created a "clockwork effect" where every detail just fell into place as though it was meant to be. The list of things occuring "just right" would not surprise any of you who understand that the Lord knows more than we do, and has us in His hands.

It's been a crazy couple of months! We had to paint some rooms. (Still have to paint a lot more!) We replaced the carpet and have a fabulous carpenter feverishly finishing our basement for 2 extra bedrooms. OH, and then... another d@^* move! (OUR VERY LAST!! - I swear it!) The rental house is cleaned and emptied, there are boxes every where you turn, and the 3 car garage only currently fits one car... but we are in! Halloween night we slept here the first time, and it truly feels like home.

It's ours. (Well, the bank's... but our name is on it!) Our new ward, Pine Meadows, has been overwhelmingly kind. We had 4 different visitors on our first Sunday here, all bringing gifts of yummy food, and welcoming us to the neighborhood. It was so kind, and so welcoming. A big part of what makes us feel so at home! We really have SO VERY MUCH to be THANKFUL for this year.

Whew.... now aren't you sorry you asked for an update? I am WAY too verbose when I get going! But relax... It'll probably be Easter before I get to it again!

And how fun is it that we get to spend all of the Holidays this year in our new home? I'm trying to talk Steve into hosting a New Year's Eve party. He's betting we can't get the boxes unpacked by then. Who d'ya think will win??

Happy 4th!

(That phrase always makes me chuckle... ever since my sister and I went to Minnesota for a stamp convention and we had a card that said "Happy 4th!" We thought we were so cute giving it to our cab driver. He asked us... "Happy 4th what? 4th baby or something?" Well, I was pregnant with my 5th. Anyhoo....)


We had a delightful Independence Day just spending time with family. We went to the traditional picnic and pool party at my Dad's cousin Margene's. It was great fun swimming with all the cousins!

My personal favorite: Scott on the slide and diving board! Hey, don't all 3 year olds just hop into the water like that??

Erika loved the diving board.

Everyone had lots of fun plans for the Fireworks! Uncle Evan & Aunt Naylen took Erika to the Stadium of Fire with their kids. Jada also got to go scream for the Jonas Brothers with her friend's family. Kaila hiked the "Y" with friends, and Sierra spent the evening hanging out with Phillip's family. Uncle Cordell & Aunt Cheryl and their kids got to go to a Bees game. And the REST of us met on the big hill at Rock Canyon park to watch the fireworks go up.

All the kids... big and little.... loved the sparklers!

(Until we got shut down by a bike cop... sorry... didn't know we were illegal!)

Will's Sparkler!

Jaden & Necia get crazy with the sparklers!

So... even if you are from Minnesota... we hope you all had a HAPPY 4th!! :)

She's Legal!

Whew! Sierra FINALLY has her driver's license.

(For REAL cars... not just slick track cars!)

About time too! She's 17 years, 2 months and 4 days old.... yeah... SEVENteen.

A whole slew of events just coincided to keep her from being able to complete all the requirements before now. (Mainly changing schools and being on early morning Drill Team.)

BUT it's finally done. She has that little piece of paper in her wallet, with the real macoy promised to show up in the mail within two weeks.

Now, WHY, you ask, would we be so excited to add another teen-age driver to our insurance?

Just a couple of reasons: she goes to school in the next town over, she has to leave the house at 5:30am for drill practice, (even right now in the summer), AND she has about 20 minutes after drill to get to her swim teacher job back here in town. Mom is just a bit tired of that routine!

But now... she can DRIVE HERSELF!! Whoo-Hoo!

I'm gonna celebrate by SLEEPING IN!

It. Was. AWESOME!

Kaila's graduation ceremony was just plain awesome! SO MUCH FUN! (I know. Weird.) The weather was beautiful. The processional was just incredible to watch... all those kids in their blue gowns with such happy faces.

The flag was brought in by a SKYDIVER. The speakers were short and hilarious - bringing out laughter, a few tears and the great spirit of this class. SHHS - the letters of the school, also stand for their school motto: Spirit - Heart - Honor - Success. They really emphasized how this class epitomizes this motto. Think about it: You take two rival high schools, a rivalry that has existed for over a century, and bring the kids from each into a new school, hoping that they won't kill each other, and instead create a new bond. THEY REALLY DID. Everyone mentioned how this class forged a new path for many to come - and did it with real class and style!

The choir (Kaila included) sang an original song written by the choir teacher that was done especially for the school, accompanied by electric guitar and drums. NOT LAME - COOL!

And as they all had their names called and walked a l-o-n-g loop so that everyone in the stadium could see them... it was just perfect. And at the end, as they switched their tassels, there was a burst of unexpected FIREWORKS. Wow! And In case you're wondering... yes, I know I sound like a sappy mom, and I don't even care! That's MY Graduate!!

And in the midst of all this "Pomp & Circumstance" we watched our beautiful young lady and her fabulous group of friends with so much love and pride. What a perfect day!

Pomp and Circumstance! KAILA - Salem Hills High School Class of 2009

Aaaaahh! It's actually here... Graduation week. And Yes, ladies and gentlemen... she made it! This is one of those milestones that always seem so vague and fuzzy when you look into the future...then you blink and it's here!

Have you ever heard that saying that

"The days go slowly, but the years go by so fast"?

We are feeling that today, Miss Kaila-Roo.

From that first day of Kindergarten, where you proved even then that you could rock ANY style, even your self-inflicted haircut.

One memorable quote from her Elementary school years... her second grade teacher, Mrs. Melander, was trying to be positive during parent-teacher-conferences when she said "Kaila is very social... and she does love to accessorize!" The myriad toys, make-up, game pieces, etc. that constantly appeared in her school bag could surely be defined as "nuisance items"!

Jr. High brought the arrival of a new girl... Kaila's soul-mate: Heather. We can't imagine what her High School years would have been like without her siamese-twin!

And Heather is just the center of Kaila's fantastic group of friends.

Thank you girls for your positive influence!!

Sandi, Lexi, Sheii, Kaila, Kenna, Heather & Sarah

Two years at SFHS involved in the show choir, Premier.
Two trips to Branson for Nationals!

Summer Job: THE POOL!
As a life-guard and swim teacher... Kaila loves this job.
And mom and dad love the money she makes for HERSELF!

And finally... getting to be a part of the first graduating class at the brand new

Salem Hills High School.

Congrats Roo! And may the rest of your years be as full of joy and laughter as you have made the last 18 for us.

Class Plays: The "little" project

Oh, hey. It's May. End of the school year, time to wrap up all those little projects. Thank goodness the "big" stuff is over. What a relief to be done with the musical! Right??? SO WRONG!

Every May as the stress mounts and I want to pull my hair out (again) I think to myself... WHY do I do these plays? They are not the "little" project they appear to be! Each student in one of the Drama classes (6 classes, btw, BIG classes) gets to perform in a one-act play for their final. This just kinda makes sense for a Drama class, huh? Simple. Ya think?

So I've got 194 kids. They each need a role. They have to be able to practice during class time, so the plays have to fit the number of boys and girls in each class. Just trying to figure that out is quite the task! Then let's get them all a script, schedule stage-sharing time, find costumes that "fit" each kid as well as the role, plan for each kid to have a wireless microphone (they have to share 20), pray they get memorized and don't fight in their groups, train techies to run the lighting, sound, scenery all by themselves, and schedule performances into the busy-busy end of year calendar. Oh, and, hey... don't leave any of them alone for a minute... these are junior high kids, people. Piece of cake!

This week I have 11 plays going on in my Drama 1 and Drama 2 classes. They will each perform for the school, and then again for their parents in the evening. That's 22 shows in 4 days! Whoo-hoo!!! (or maybe that's... BOO-hoo.) And next week... Drama 3 gets to do their self-written and produced shows. Here's what my room looks like today:

Costume Corner:

The Microphone Table:

The Dreaded PROP Room:

The backstage view:

This week's schedule:

And let's not forget... THE KIDS!

And WHY am I blogging??? Because everything's ready! We just finished the final dress rehearsal during last hour. At 6:30 pm they will start appearing with their families to PERFORM! Ooops! Wait..... the Programs!!!!!

Off I go the copy room! C'mon June -- Let's wrap this sucker up!!!