Maple Mountain --- State Wrestling Champs!!!

This wrestling season started with Ammon saying he didn't want to wrestle. He had thought it out, prayed about it, and made a list of pros and cons. I wasn't going for force him, but I sure tried hard to convince him to wrestle. His coaches tried the whole guilt trip, "you owe it to the team" thing, but that didn't work. Ammon was poised to have a great year and the team was expected to dominate, but that wasn't enough. Finally, a very special coach called Ammon, invited him to his home, and really listened to what Ammon had to say. After about an hour, they were able to work out some compromises, and Ammon agreed to wrestle.

The team went undefeated in dual matches. They traveled to the Reno Tournament of Champions and placed 7th. They took first place at The Rumble, Millard Iron Man, Delta Great Basin Grapple, West Jordan Jaguar Classic, Region 8 tournament and were state champions!! Maple Mountain is only in it's first year, and it was the first state championship the school has ever won. It was so exciting and fun to be a part of that.

Ammon still had some challenges, after all, he is a sophomore wrestling 195 lbs. Almost all of the wrestlers he lost to were seniors this year, since they will be gone next year, that sets him up pretty well for next year. He was one match shy of placing at the Rumble, took second at Maple Mountain Madness, and placed 4th at region. Because of the totally stupid way that Utah brackets the state tournament, he had the first place kid in the first round. He fought a hard fight, and only lost 5-1 to the eventual state champion. He was able to win one match in the consolation bracket, and then lost to the kid who was the number 2 seed, and eventually took third. His overall record for the year was 28-13 with 24 wins by pin. I am so proud of Ammon. He worked hard, and it paid off for him. He had a great year, was part of a record setting, state championship team, and had a little fun along the way. I can't wait to see the great things ahead for him next year!!

Ch-ch-ch-changes....

Twenty seven years ago, I graduated with my bachelors degree in dental hygiene. It was a good career choice. I worked for ten years at various dental offices. I was able to work part time, help support our family, and help Dennis work his way through school. Sixteen years ago, when Ammon was born, I was blessed to be able to stay home to raise our children full time. I never had any desire to go back to work, and have been totally fulfilled staying home. People have asked me if I would go back to dental hygiene, and my answer was always something like, "If it's the end of the world and I'm forced to." I've been very happy staying home with my children and caring for our family and home.

This fall, Jordyn started first grade, and I was home all day. Alone. For the first time. Ever. I got bored. I sat around being incredibly un-productive, and wasted more days than I care to admit. I decided that I needed something different. I started applying for jobs at the schools as an aide or a tech or something. I wanted to be able to be on the same schedule as my kids, be home when they are, and have time to be involved in their activities. I finally was hired last week as a Title 1 Tech at Rees Elementary. I started Monday, with much anxiety and trepidation. After all, how would I ever fit in lunch dates while working 10-2 every day? Would I be able to do all I need to do every day? What about lunch? Would my family suffer? When would I go to lunch?

Well, so far so good. I think I like my job, and I believe that the family is doing fine. I am more organized, and waste much less time. I think this will be a good thing.