Guess Who Built a Garden?

Okay okay... I can't take much credit for this whole garden thing because it totally wasn't my idea.  This is Cassity's baby but I helped, so I get to claim a part of it.  At least the corner with the green beans because I'll totally eat those. :)

So here's how it all happened.

A friend in our ward told Cassity she had a 4x4 garden box that she wasn't using, and did Cass want to use it?  Of course!  So it's like she's "renting" the space, only it's free.  This is how we spent the majority of our Saturday over Memorial Day weekend, and Cass had it all planned out.  She purchased seeds ahead of time, and that day we took a trip to Smith's and Lowes to get transfer plants, compost, soil, and twine.

I always think it's funny when I accompany Cassity to Lowes because I feel like a child.  It reminds me of when us kids used to go to Home Depot with my dad-- such a manly store!  Seems like the men always love to observe every little hammer and nail and wander way too slow up each aisle.  But I like those memories I have with my dad.  And I like the smell of wood!  Cassity did a good job walking fast and getting right down to business, and I was delighted there was a live popcorn machine there to keep me busy and content. :)

So we began the big project around 1:00pm and got started on the little garden box, located on the side of our friend's driveway.

Step 1:  Shovel out the rocks until you have just dirt and ground cover.  Harder than it looks!!

Step 2:  Add a mixture of compost and gardening soil.  I liked this part!  I felt like I was working on a farm because it smelled like cow manure.  I got to do the job with the mini pitchfork of mixing it all together.

Beautiful!

Step 3:  Measure the box into 16 squares and pin down the twine in the appropriate places.  This created little mini garden plots for each individual vegetable.

I laughed at Cass for buying the "dazzling pink" twine from Lowes. Haha.  She would.  :)

Step 4:  Plant the vegetables!  The transfer plants were fun and easy.  However, some of the seeds said "pre-soak" on the package and we had no idea for how long.  So we let various seeds sit in tiny bowls of water while we prepped the soil.  I guess we'll see if they actually grow or not.

We planted peppers, carrots, beans, cantaloupe, cucumbers, tomatoes, swiss chard, and a lettuce.

Step 5:  Water the little baby vegetables and feel proud of yourselves!!!

TOTAL PROJECT TIME:  4 hours... not bad! :)

So now Cassity has a new little pet-- the garden-- and she makes sure to water it every day and check up on it.  We should give it a name!  Our friends joked about us getting little garden trinkets and statues to dress it up.  Perhaps Cass can throw a gnome in there. :)  

This is a new thing for me.  Growing up, we always had tomatoes and strawberries and probably other things growing, but I've never been much of a "fresh garden produce" kind of person.  Now I wish I would have paid more attention, and I admire my parents for working so hard to plant our family gardens. :) 

Stay tuned for little garden updates!

From BYU Sports Camps to Football, Family, and Fame!

I have a tendency to ramble, so I'm going to try to keep this short, simple, and sweet.  I'll check back at the end to see if I was actually able to do this:    *AHEM* ....

BYU SPORTS CAMPS

In 2001 I had one of the best summers of my life; I was a BYU Sports Camp Counselor.  After working at the Boys & Girls Club in Provo, and spending a summer at a Boy Scout Camp, this was my first job-related interaction working with teens.  I absolutely LOVED it, and it was a huge turning point in the focus of my career.  I have loved working with teens ever since.

Anyone who has heard me talk about BYU Sports Camps should recognize 2 of my favorite campers:  Annie and Chanel.  They were in high school and were complete studs when it came to sports.  Both came for the soccer camp, and Annie returned later in the summer for a volleyball camp.  I developed immediate connections with these girls (and many others that summer), but I became like a big sister to Annie and Chanel.  At different times, both came to visit me at BYU later on, and we have kept in touch over the years.

Annie went on to play volleyball at BYU, and Chanel successfully went up to Utah State on a soccer scholarship.  I cherished my memories with these kids and always considered them (and still do) my "little campers."  When I met Chanel, she was 16 and we talked about everything, including her high school boyfriend-- Eric, family, church questions, and sports.  I tried to help her out however I could and always wanted to make her happy.  Her mom was supportive of our "sister friendship" and I often kept in touch with her mom over the years as well.

ERIC WEDDLE

Chanel's high school sweetheart, Eric Weddle, was eventually recruited to play football at the University of Utah.  They were no longer dating and I remember the struggles Chanel had through some of those days, but her mom was always hopeful that she and Eric would end up together.  During his time at the U, Eric became close to many of his teammates and eventually was baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Chanel had definitely planted an LDS seed during their high school days, but did not have a large part in his conversion.  She was grateful he joined the Church and was happy to attend his baptism.  A while later, they became acquainted again, eventually started dating, and finally got married.  *YAY!!!*  I had met Eric a few times when he was younger and was always struck by how polite and handsome he was!  It was quite the long love story and I'm so happy their paths crossed again and Chanel and Eric were married in the San Diego temple.

I loved watching Eric play football.  He was amazing.  I am a complete BYU Cougar fan through and through and feel the boiling rivalry anytime the University of Utah comes around.  While Eric was playing for the U, I had already graduated from BYU and was living at home in Pennsylvania.  It was common for my parents to catch me watching a U of U football game on TV, which I'm sure made them confused and suspicious.  I always tried to catch glimpses of Eric because he was an amazing player, and I loved knowing a little of his background.  The only time I have ever watched a U of U football game and secretly hoped they would win was when Eric was playing.  But of course, when it comes to BYU vs. U of U, I am always hoping for BLUE to take the victory.

YEARS LATER...

Years went by, I went on a mission, and eventually took a trip out to San Diego, CA when my mission president and his wife came home, July 2009.  Their hometown was near San Diego.  At that point, Eric Weddle had been drafted to the Chargers and he and Chanel were living in San Diego.  Chanel had just barely given birth to their 2nd child, a little boy, and I was delighted to visit them for a few minutes while I was down there.

I couldn't believe my "little camper" was already married in the temple, with 2 children, an amazing husband, an exciting life, and a beautiful home.  What a little grown-up!  I have been able to cross paths with Chanel in Utah on a few different occasions, and although it is never for very long, it always feels the same-- fun-loving, full of laughter, and happy.  I love this girl.

I have enjoyed watching Eric play with the Chargers, and always hope they will beat their opponents.  I would often text Chanel after a good game or send her a message acknowledging some amazing play he made.  It's crazy to think she's right there at the game in the thick of the chaos... just there to support her talented husband! :)  

MY COUSIN-- TRENT TOONE

I love my cousin Trent.  He is one of my favorites because he is so easy to talk to-- always making us laugh and fun to be around.  At a family get-together a few years ago, he was talking about his work (he's been a journalist for Deseret News and other sources) and mentioned he was working on a story with Eric Weddle.  I immediately responded with, "What?!  I know Eric! I'm good friends with his wife!"  Trent responded, "Chanel??  Yeah,  she's great.  I just spent the weekend with them in San Diego."  WHAT?!  Long story short... Trent had started writing a book about Eric's story, including his family, football, conversion story, etc.  What a crazy small world!  I was excited to tell Trent about my connection to Chanel and how I really loved both of them.  I was so excited there was actually going to be a book about their life together!  

Trent continued to work on the book and I kept tabs on Chanel to see how everything was going.  Just recently, she sent me a message asking if I had any feedback on the book. I didn't know it had already come out and I was SOOOO excited to finally read it!  I immediately went to Deseret Book, went straight to the biography section, and there it was:

Oh snap.  It's for REAL!  My first thought:  What a stud!!!  My second thought:  Trent's name is on the cover-- that's awesome!!!  I bought the book-- proud to be a fan-- and started reading as soon as I got back in the car.  I read it in small spurts whenever I got a chance and basically told Cassity a play-by-play as I read through his life adventures.  Lots of funny experiences, inspiring moments, adversity, love story moments with Chanel, conversion story.... it's all in there!  I loved it.  Trent is an amazing writer, and I love that he was able to embrace this amazing opportunity!

BOOK SIGNING IN UTAH!

A week before Eric came out to Utah, Chanel let me know he was coming to do various book signing events with Trent.  Yay!!!  I looked forward to seeing them-- not only because it had been a few years since we'd crossed paths-- but because I felt like I knew them so much better after reading the book!  Even details about Chanel's life that I never knew before... she is just as much of a stud as Eric.  Impressive people!  I planned to go to the book signing in Sugar House at the Barnes & Noble and I'm so glad Cassity joined me. She had heard me talk so much about the book, she bought 9 copies of the book to get signed for family and friends. Ha!  :)  We joined the line of fans in the store and eventually got to chat with Trent and Eric while we held up the line and got our books signed.  It was a fun and joyful moment and we laughed, hugged, and took pictures!  

I even wore red to support the cause.  That's a big deal!

Even with all the excitement of talking to Eric and congratulating him and Trent on their book, I was most looking forward to visiting with Chanel.  She is such a ball of sunshine-- always seems happy, even if she's really not.  She has a huge contagious smile and makes me laugh all the time.

I loved talking with her and telling Cassity funny stories about our days at Sports Camp together.  I brought up some of the random memories I had and Chanel knew exactly what I was going to say.  For as little as I have seen Chanel over the past few years, I still care about her so much and want her to be happy!  I feel that "big sister" stewardship over her and I'm so proud of her.  She has remained strong in the gospel and never wavered from living up to her personal standards.  She is an amazing wife, friend, and mother and continues to grow and excel in her own ways as an athlete.  I really loved our little visit at Barnes & Noble and felt so uplifted and happy afterward.  An extra bonus was seeing Chanel's friend, Samantha, who I had met a few times back when they were in high school.  I loved this random reunion of fun people!

Cassity and I went to the Utah Blaze game that night, where Eric and Trent were doing more book signings.  This time my sister Heather and her family joined us and took their turn meeting the guys and taking pictures. Eric was recognized at half-time and they presented a Utah Blaze jersey to him.  We stayed for half the game but it was pretty uneventful and decided to leave early.  No offense Blaze!  I prefer to stick with the NFL or college football. :)  So although I didn't get to see Chanel one last time, I was grateful for our interactions that day and felt happy about our visit.  

I don't know when I'll see them again but I hope it's sooner than later.  Eric is a nice, kind, down-to-earth guy and makes anyone feel comfortable around him.  I love that my cousin was able to connect with him and write this amazing book!  "No Excuses, No Regrets:  The Eric Weddle Story."  I would recommend it to anyone.  It even made me cry.  Just sayin'!!  

Here's to good friends, good football, good family, and good times. :)

p.s.  Remember how this was going to be short and simple?  I FAILED.