I love this MAN!!!!

Up on the Kiabab Mnt...we spent 4 days camping as a family!!

Of Rhett doing all the driving :)

If I haven't already said it, I am gonna say it again!!! I think this guy is pretty stinkin' awesome....I have been so proud of how he has "Moved On" these last few months...WE as a family had a FABULOUS Summer being gone 6 TOTAL weeks!!!! (not consecutive...just all together)...thus the lack of blogging!!! No time! lol...But tonight is Homecoming here at GVHS and he is being Honored...NOPE he doesn't know...so I haven't blogged before now.....but today is here and so I am going to put it out there how super AMAZING Rhett is! He is more relaxed and stress free and has enjoyed his time WAY more than he thought!! This summer, he golfed (a lot!!), went swimming with the kids, put rock on our house, went camping, hit family reunions with out being in a hurry to head back home, he did TONS of driving and spent HOURS AND HOURS with the FAMILY!!! And it was FABULOUS!!! Life after Football is pretty stinkin' great! :)

cooking breakfast on the mnt

playing with buddy

Night wear on the mnt...he's cute! :)

fixing one of the 3 flat tires this summer!!!

The Grand Canyon!

Manti Pool! :)

First Day of School 2010 aren't' they a super cute bunch!!

Tonight though, the GVHS Boosters Club is going to Honor Rhett for his 16 years of Service to the Gunnison Football team and school...as a coach and as a Teacher. They asked me to write a tribute in his honor...I had lots of help from his dad with information from the early years up to date, and many comments from players...but this tribute had to be under FIVE minutes...seriously...16 years in FIVE, preferably less...minutes...not possible! lol...But i tried...we will see what happens...Dad says he can do it exactly 5 minutes....I don't know though!  So here is the Tribute I came up with.....

“What counts in sports is not the victory, but the magnificence of the struggle” Joe Paterno

Family l/r: Rhett (5), Lance (3), Mom, Dad, Trent (2), Kirk (6), Bren (4), Max (1)

Coach Jackson is the 5th of six sons...He was part of a football tradition at an early age and was very observant of the planning and practice that went into this sport. The boy  who liked to read encyclopedias learned the X's and O's of the offense and defense that are so essential to football.  He learned much about football strategy from playing with the older boys,  watching games from the sidelines, from playing the sport and later assisting his high school coach Arlen Hafen. In football there are rules to be obeyed, boundaries that shouldn't be crossed, goals to obtain and penalties to be paid, that not only cost the player but his whole team. Football can prepare a young man for the realities of life. Bottom line...Rhett loved football!

8th grade

    Near the end of the eighth grade, he became very ill and was diagnosed with a life threatening disease. In spite of this, he tried hard through weight lifting, diet, and other physical activities to participate in sports. He worked hard and just when it appeared that he was getting stronger the disease would strike again. He took part in football and wrestling but do to lack of physical strength he could not reach his potential. This weakness just challenged him to work harder, this is where he found the love of the Weight Room...He started doing many lifts to improve his strength. From these experiences he developed not only physical strength but great strength of character. He learned the value of hard work, of commitment and determination. The word "quit" wasn't in his vocabulary...He is still a firm believer of the Weight room today...ask his boys...he isn’t afraid of a challenge!

Sr 1985 KHS

Rhett, at 155 pounds, was selected as a first team all-state lineman his sr year. While in college his grades and test scores were such that he could have chosen a career where there would be more money. But, he wanted to teach and to coach football,  so that he could help boys grow into men.  I have heard Coach Jackson tell “his” boys...”if it was easy, everyone would play”.

Coach Jackson 1994-95/2009-10

 In the summer of 1994-95, Coach Jackson was hired by Gunnison High as the new Football Coach. I remember him calling me after beating South Sevier for the first time EVER! He said it felt like the state championship!  I asked former student, player and assistant Coach Cody Dyreng what he remembered about Rhett the coach, from the early years...he told me that he had fond memories of the pizza/game film nights at Coaches bachelor pad! And how fun they were.” Those game film nights continued up until we started to have our family.  In the years to follow Coach Jackson was very instrumental in getting the New football field and track...which is the one we play on today, the grand stand, the Snack Shack, Lights,  Homecoming Tradition and boosters club come to mind. According to Annette Dyreng, “we didn’t know anything football...he told us what we need to do and how to do it, so we did.”

Homecoming win 2005

Manti Win 2006

A few memorable moments, taking a group of boys clear to Nebraska for a clinic,  being nicked named the band-aid bunch...many,  many times, a heart breaking defeat to manti, ...the AMAZING win in over time to Grantsville Remember November Class of 2000,  Beating #2 ranked No.Summit at OUR homecoming,  going 7-4, and beating Manti on their field....are few that come to mind among many more..




In 2001, tragedy hit our small Gunnison Team and Valley...when Andy Robinson was tragically taken in a car accident. With in an hour of the news our house was full of students and players looking to Coach Jackson for guidance...13 months later another tragedy  hit when another car accident took the life of team mate Ryan Taysom, once again our house was filled with students and players, seeking comfort from Coach. “I remember coach breaking out the scriptures. He went from coach to spiritual leader.” Said assistant coach Cody Dyreng. “I thought that was pretty cool. It meant a lot.”..In 2005,  2 players on our team lost a parent...first Mike Neal, who’s  son at the time was a freshman, and a  few weeks later Michelle Ashton, who’s son was a Jr.     Here are  a few words from a letter Taylor had written to Rhett that year:
    “Since my older brother played football his sr. year, I have been waiting to play on your team. I have been seriously blessed to play four strong years with you...you have not only been my coach, but your also an example, a teacher and a friend. You pushed me to reach my goals. Some of my hardest quizzes and test have been from your class. You taught me how to work hard in the classroom..this will last me far longer than any exercise or lift...and will follow me my whole life.  when my mom passed you were one of the first to my side to comfort me. This alone makes you one of the best adult friends and examples. Thank You.”         
    The following are a few comments are by former players that sum up the question “how Coach Jackson has effected the lives of his players....”
    “The biggest thing I would like to remark on is Coach’s passion for the players. A lot of people can call plays and look at the x's and o's of the game but Coach Jackson did so much more than that. He was a great example to us and showed us by his actions that he cared for us. Not only as football players but as kids and people that have problems and are trying to find their way. He helped me go on a mission and to know what really matters in life. I will always thank him for helping me become the man I am. He is one of the biggest influences on my life. I am sure he helped me more than he will ever know. From having coaches in other sports and in college I have come to appreciate that he cared for each of his players in a lot more areas than just football. I am lucky to know him. He is a great man and a very loving individual who will serve those around him. A great example of how to follow our savior!” ~ Jack Pay   
      “I have always considered Coach Jackson not just a teacher and coach but a friend. He has been the only person that has taught me in school that I could go talk to about real life and not just school stuff. He has always tried to give me advice to succeed in everything I do whether it was about school, family or a career. I think everyone that was around him when Andy and Ryan died looked up to him as a mentor and an anchor. During those times he stayed strong and through his knowledge and confidence we knew that everything was going to work out and be ok. I would never trade anything for the time I spent with Coach Jackson on the football field. He will always be Coach Jackson to me whether he is coaching or not.” ~ Ryan Frandsen
    “Being out here away from home has really made me reflect on my high school years, and with highs chool comes football!!! i will always be in love with this game, my life revolved around this game for 4+ years. i spent endless hours lifting and practicing for this game, and you  wanna know where my motivation came from?  if you guessed coach Jackson, your right! this man pushed me to the limit in the weight room and on the field!  and I’m thankful he did because the things I’m facing right now in the mission field have really tested me and I always have the experiences and lessons that coach Jackson has taught me to fall back on! I respect this man and he will always be the best football coach! he might not have had a lot of success number wise on the field, but the lives he has change as his example as a coach, friend, and leader will always be in the hearts of his football players like me! thank you Coach Jackson.... your like a father to me! love ya and the fam! God Bless!!!!” ~ Elder Heston Neal

    Many former players have commented that Coach always had a life lesson to be learned in any situation...win or loose.   
    "To know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."
            — Ralph Waldo Emerson
                   

Homecoming 2009/10 season

    We as a family have appreciated the support given over the last 16 years. And we  wish much success to gunnison football in the years to come...

 For the last 16 + years I have been your #1 fan. I am so very proud of the man you are, the example you are to me and our kids, to your players and students...on and off the field. Tonight we salute you, the man, the teacher, the leader, the coach, for your service, your loyalty and your time in building the GVHS football program and influencing  the many lives of Gunnison Valley’s young men. Thank You Coach Jackson!  

WHEW!!! I am really proud of Rhett...he is truly a Class Act...I had many comments from many players and only had (barely enough) time to use the ones I did...All though I think in some ways he will always miss coaching football....(the players and the competition the most)...I think change is great having our Fall's free leaves us more time for this:




 Way To Go Babe!!! I love you oh so much!!!

Perfect Love....

This is my beautiful sister in law Cindy and her sweet little granddaughter Anisa....Isn't she BEAUTIFUL!!! I could follow this little chickie all day long!  To me...in my ammature photographers eye, grandma's face says it all....Adored!  This little girl is LOVED! I took these clear back in MAY....finally getting them posted...I had prints made and framed for Cindy's bday and wanted to wait to post them....now I can't wait to SCRAP them!!!

Why I Relay.....Celebrating one more Birthday....

Okay....Relay....What is Relay for Life?

Why do it? (why not...)

I don't have time? (who does...you find it!)

How do you get yourself roped into these things? (because I believe in it!!! and so should you!)

These are a few questions I get leading up to relay....these are my answers....

Have you ever had that phone call that has stayed with you forever? One that says "it's cancer..."  When I was in the 7th grade a girl in my class became super sick...the only thing I really remember about her getting sick is that it was called Leukemia and she could die...at 12 years old I had NO idea how this would really effect my life...I was not super great friends with this young lady. Our class was really small and we all knew each other...but we didn't hang out together, we were not best friends...so why would this effect me. After she endured treatments, I remember going to her house to take her cinnamon rolls...she was really sick and didn't look the same...she had lost her hair and was bloated in her face from the medication....this made me really sad....by the time we started 8th grade she was in remission, her hair was growing back and we went back to not really being friends....not a major...she was "healed". Life went on as normal....until the end of our sophomore year....this friend was an athlete and was really involved. she had a "friend"...you know the kind...lol..the NON girl kind! haha....her hair was back....life was good.....so it seemed...well for me, I was going thru my own personal 14-15 year old struggles...things were off at home, I was not a happy 14-15 year old teenager...one day I was having a particularly bad day and this friend asked me to walk to school lunch with her and I went...we had - had past issues in our little non friendship and she brought them up and told me she was sorry if she ever made me feel bad and how great she thought it was when I brought her cinnamon rolls a few years ago when she was sick...and other things....I remember when I got home how odd the whole conversation was....I remember talking to my mom about it. I wouldn't say were ever got super close...but I can honestly say I thought of her as a friend. It was a few months after this conversation that she found out that her Cancer was back.....she passed away on the 21st of May, just a few days before school got out...from a side effect to the Chemo treatments....I was working cleaning rooms and I still remember when my mom came and got me from work to tell me the news.....Like I have said before...we were not best friends....this was my first cancer related death that I can remember. I still think about her,  our high school graduation was 20 years ago this year...she has been gone 22 years, I wonder about the what if's.......I walk for my friend Marlene....

Then, in 1990, just after my high school graduation (seriously the day after) we were in the hospital room with my grandpa McDonald when he was told he had advanced Lung Cancer. To this day, I cannot listen to "There is a Tear in my Beer" by Hank Williams Sr without thinking about my grandpa. I moved to Kanab and lived with grandma and grandpa that week..my goal was to find a job and help grandma...but I did a lot of sitting with grandpa. I was there when he couldn't see me anymore....at this time in my life I can only remember seeing my grandma cry twice. (the first) was one day when I had been out job hunting,  I  had come back to the house, Grandma and Grandpa were sitting on the couch with their heads together just a crying and singing together...the song they were singing was on the radio...

"There's a tear in my beer 'cause I'm cryin' for you,dear you are on my lonely mind."

This really broke my heart but it is one of the many memories that are all my own. We knew Grandpa was dying and to see them sitting together in this sad little way saying their own goodbyes made me so sad, i sat on the porch and cried...they never saw me......grandpa died 3 days later, 6 days after I turned 18...at home surrounded by his family! We all got to go in and talk to him, talk about him...he was very loved and is very missed. When grandma came out and told us he was gone, I will never forget, my cousin Mike (7 at the time) asked his dad if he could give grandpa a blessing so he could come back to life. Mike to has since passed (non cancer related). That was the 2nd next time I saw grandma cry - was that night.  I walk for my grandpa McDonald

In college, my mom's sister had cancer removed from her body, never had treatment and lived to raise her family...I walk for my Aunt LaVee....after I was married, her son was diagnosed with Colon cancer...he was lucky though...they caught it before it got him....he has a darling family. I walk for Raymond and his family....

I walk for grandma Rada Maxwell, she died before my husband was even thought of....I walk for the grandma my husband never knew and the mother my mother inlaw dearly misses....

In between the now and the time grandpa passed, my mom and my sister have both had cancer scares....I walk for my mom and my sister - They are survivors.... Love you guys!

I have cried and grieved for many friends who have lost their lives to this disease.  I walk for them and their families....

I have many friends who are battling this disease now, friends who are neighbors, scrapbook buddies, parents of my husbands students...some who have been in remission...but no longer ...I walk for them....

I have friends I know and love who are just finding out they have some type of cancer and are dealing with all the "If's"....I walk for them....

I have friends who are Cancer Free SURVIVORS .....I walk for them..

In 2001 one of my husbands football boy's mom was given the news that she had stomach cancer....She was in our ward, her sister is a neighbor, my husband taught her kids in school. She passed in 2005.  I walk for Michelle....her sister in-law is now going thru treatments now as we speak....I think of her and pray for her...I walk for Debbie...

In 2008 my Sweet Aunt Judy died from a rare liver cancer....one where there is no known treatment for....by the time they found it....it was already terminal....she lived just over 1 year....I had the honor of her coming and staying at my house a few times in that year. My kids were able to get to know her a little bit...she was an amazing women and a survivor of life! I miss her every day! She was like an aunt/mom/grandma all rolled into one for all of us...I walk for Aunt Judy......

I have a friend I have never met....I know her only thru words on the computer and our love of CTMH...her family is going thru this cancer scare NOW....I walk for her family.....I walk for Fred.....

WHY I WALK....WHY NOT!!!.....

I walk because you never know when it is you that will hear the dreaded words "you have cancer"....I walk for a CURE so if and when someone I love hears those dreaded words, they will also hear "but we can treat it and there is a cure."

I walk because for one night of sore feet and many inspiring tears it is WORTH it!

So if you have NEVER been to a Relay For Life Cancer Walk....COME this weekend to Gunnison....I guarantee you will be lifted like never before...check it out and maybe next year you will be then newest team at the Gunnison Relay....COME this Friday the 25th at 6 pm....bring the family ...have dinner...stay for the luminary lighting....COME and SUPPORT Relay For Life!!! Help everyone CELEBRATE one more Birthday....

**Had pictures...couldn't get them to download..... :P

Catching up....

Okay...way behind!!! Playing catch up...did you know that you can go to post option and it will let you put the dates you want your posts to show...so even though I feel like I just did  a 100 posts...YOU would never know it because the dates are all ON TIME!!! LOL.....I have a few more things to post about April and May...like easter, and pictures of Hub and Bub....field trips...G-day...last day of school....kind of stuff...but that will have to wait...because I am SUPER tired!!1 (hello...i ran/walked my first 5k today and i am BEAT!!!)  I tried to clean house but you can't tell...I feel like I have worked all day and got nothing done! lol....oh well! So I decide while waiting on laundry I would catch up on the blog! It has BEEN super busy at our house....i will let you in on it all hopefully this next week I can get caught up....so STAY tuned!!! Check out all the posts below clear until you get to "I caved!"...lol..it really has been a while! :) GOOD NIGHT!!!

Happy Birthday Uncle Kirk.....

B

Rhett's brother Kirk LOVES his birthday!!! And he won't let you forget when it is on it's way!!!  We had FUN day at the Park....Love celebrating Kirk's birthday's with him!!! Love Ya Uncle Kirk!!!

It's Broken.....

Valerie fell off the tramp today (may 6th), she was climbing off and some how fell forward and landed on her right arm (thankgoodness...she is left handed!) she broke both bones just below the wrist...when she showed me where it hurt and I touched it I knew right away is was not right because I felt it move...ooooohhhh....poor thing...needless to say she had a really good 30 min nap....while they were setting her arm (they put her to sleep) and she told grandma Peggy "It was the best nap of her life!" LOL....she was soooo brave!

She was really sad here...we were waiting for the dr...x-rays done and the techs were trying super hard to maker her not sad, warm blankets, pillows...ect...one of the cute little tech's came out with stickers...now normally Val is a sticker kinda gal...but not so much today...the Tech said "here are some cool stickers, you get to be apart of our cool club...the broken bone club..." Val's response was..."I don't want to be apart of your stupid club.....(wahhhwahh!), I want my daddy!!!"  so daddy was called to come up...because she had eaten around 4 and this was just after 6 we had to WAIT for a while to have her arm set...

 (see the breaks...ouch!!!)

so i came home and settled the kids all in then went back to the hospital....by then the Tylenol with Codeine had kicked in pretty good...the tears were gone and she was happily watching Hannah Montana... 

I have a really cute picture of her and Dr. Wade...but I was told I couldn't post it!!! BOOO!!!! He knows I love to blog!!! Rude!!!

All set....in a soft cast and a sling for a week then a hard cast....a few days home from school....when she came back from the OR (she had to be put under for them to set her arm) and when they wheeled her back out she looked up at the nurse and said "will you please tell my dad to put the TV back on the disney channel!" lol...no hi mom or dad....lol...to funny, then for the next 2 hours she was NON-STOP CHATTER!!!! lol...the juice they gave her to go to sleep was for sure Happy Juice!!! lol :)

Hiding.....had a rough night.....dad is the best to help those hurts!!!






THE CAST...(5 days later).....first I have to tell a funny story....this morning when Val got up to get dressed this is our conversation
(V) "mom, my fingers hurt really bad, they are really tight"
(M) "I know baby, we will go to the dr and they will take the splint off and put a cast on and your fingers will feel better.."
(V) "Okay mom....but this hand (holding up her good hand)...it is just a little dizzy!!!" LOL CRACKED ME UP!!!! I just had to hug her and tell her how much I love her...she makes me giggle!!!...okay...CAST....

NOW....I was only told the first day (when she broke her arm a week ago) I couldn't post THAT picture...he said NOTHING about TODAY!!! (hee hee!!!)  Double wrapped (huge) but this office KNOWS her well!! LOL!....re-xray in 4 weeks!!! (when we get home from az!!) Purple cast...posing with brother....lol...we took her to lunch..then when we got back to the school she smacked that arm on the cement and said "look mom, it's already hard!!"...oh my crap she is going to make me go bald...from tearing out my HAIR!!! lol....Purple cast, posing with Bubba....

Thoroughly Modern Millie.....is Thoroughly AMAZING!!!

Okay, I seriously had NO idea that my cute little (okay...she is a SR in HS...but still) niece Kayli could act the freaking HOUSE down!!! OH MY GOSH!!! I am SOO glad I was able to attend ONE night of this ab-so-lut-ely AWESOME production of  "Thoroughly Modern Millie" at Lehi High School....one HUGE word to explain this High School Production....OUTSTANDING!!! Kayli was "Millie" and she did a FANTASTIC JOB!!!! I was BLOWN away by her amazing VOICE!!! Really such a great actress...now, I may just be a tad bit biest...but still, I wanted her to sign my program so SOMEDAY when she is this amazing actress in Hollywood I would have one of the first signatures! She should of been on Idol because she was WAY better than anything I heard this year! (really Kayli....you are amazing!) I wish I had a video of her last song she sang...OH MY GOSH!!! (again!!) Way to go Kayli....

So CUTE is she.....(yes...I took these from her Facebook...just to blog!!!)

I wish you could see the WHOLE dress...my niece Lacey (her sister) made the dress...as she did all of Kayli's outfits...she is pretty amazing and talented as well!!!

I really REALLY wish y'all could hear here sing this SONG!!! AMAZING!!!! She is not only amazingly  talented, but very beautiful!!!

I took this one....the young man in the Picture is Steven Lew who just so happens to be my neighbor's nephew (the Inouye's!!) Go figure!! He did awesome too! He was HILARIOUS!!!  I really REALLY wish I could of gone every night!! It really REALLY was that good!! A HUGE Congrats to the Director and all who made this production the awesome show it was!!!