She is Amazing, She is Strong, She is Beautiful, She is MY Mom

I LOVE MY MOM.  I don't know how I got so lucky to have such an amazing mother.  I would image she is as close to perfect as anyone can be.  She is the PERFECT example of kindness, service, gratitude, generosity, love, happiness, selflessness, and compassion.  She loves everyone.  She has an amazing ability to know how and what to do to serve others.  She always watches what she says and would never ever be unkind to anyone.  She  loves, LOVES the gospel and our Savior.  She is diligent in every aspect of her life.  From church to family to home... she does it all with a joy and happiness that just makes you want to be like her.
Over the last couple of years her health has not been the greatest.  Even typing that I feel like it is an oxymoron.  She is the HEALTHIEST person I know.  When she goes to a restaurant she eats half her meal, she never chews gum or drinks soda.  She eats LOTS of fruits and vegetables with every meal.  She exercises!  She has followed the word of wisdom her entire life!  She enjoys an occassional Almond Joy and a few other treats but does everything in moderation!  So, when she began to have a few health problems it was hard for her.  Oh yeah... she also PLAYS with the grandkids.  I mean gets in the ocean with them, jumps the waves, goes down the slides at the zoo, rides the rides at all the theme parks, reads to them, sews with them, makes cookies with them, swims with them.... SHE is ACTIVE, SHE is FUN!  Her hands were not working as fast as she wanted.  Her motor skills were slowing down.  She went to doctors.... oh, many doctors.  There were many diagnosies.... but, none were correct until she was diagnosed with Non-Tremors Parkinsons.  Scary- yes.  Treatable- YES!  In fact, patients with non-tremors Parkinsons do great with the medication.  They get back most of their mobility that had slowed down or been lost.  And guess what!  The medication has done wonders!
Then.... after a routine mammogram their was a spot that doctors wanted to check out.  Test came back fine but the doctor wanted to do a biopsy.  Well, the results came back and... BREAST CANCER.  2 ugly words that I have heard a lot!  2 friends... 2 mothers... and many others that have been effected by this disease.  Luckily for my mom, it was caught early on.  The doctors say they removed it all but she will still have to do radiation.  YUCK!  HOWEVER... I have seen all the possibilities and treatments that come with this disease and I am so grateful that it is not worse.  I know that my mom just wants to be better.  Once she got the diagnosis for Parkinsons, the hope of the treatment and then saw the benefits--- I think she thought she would be able to do all the things that had been hard for her before.  Now, she will have to endure some more treatments.  She is so strong and so courageous.  I feel bad that her health has been a bit of a hinderance to her.  Even though... she has still done everything.  I sometimes wonder how hard it has been because I never hear her murmur.  I watch and see how some things have been harder for her but she still pushes on.  She is Amazing, She is Strong, She is Beautiful and She is MY MOTHER!  I love her so much and am the luckiest person on earth to know her and to call her mom.

Mitt Romney's Speech and Day 4 of the Convention

Well, today is day 4 of the convention!  My parents were so excited for this night!  I love my Dad's flag hat... shows his support for the Republican Party very well.  Go Romney!  Go Ryan!

More RNC... and Fox News

So.... the ID tag says 3 and that means it is day 3 of the Republican National Convention!  They are having a great time and I love to see all their "FLARE" They are very close to the stage and get to see many secret service members.   My Dad even made an appearance on Fox News!!!  What a fun week for my parents!

Sam's Letter- August 29, 2012

Hey everyone sounds like your doing great! I was wondering why the package hadn't come! I thought I was missing it or something. Haha, but sounds good! And yes you can send the memory card back, and the pictures that you have questions about, even if its all of them! Sounds like everyone is doing great! So last Wednesday we went to the Bronx Zoo and I took some nice pictures! Of animals I didn't see last time. So when we went to the tigers two of them were fighting, or atleast playing but right when I took my camera to take a picture they stopped! It stunk! But it was a fun day, we saw giraffs, lions, zebras, African dogs, and polar bears! After pday we had English class to end the night! Thursday we had weekly planning to start it off. Then we had an appointment with a member, Juan Pena. He actually is on the mormon.org cards we pass out, and he is in our ward! We have a celebrity. Try seeing if you can find his video on mormon.org. I think he took it off though. He had a pretty horrible experience in his life. I think the video he had was before his automobile accident where his wife and kids were killed. I think in the video it has him and his whole family. But he has some mental issues as a result of the collission. But he is very nice. He is almost 50, and I'm not sure when that accident had happened. But after that we went to the family Lucero and celebrated one of our investigators birthday, Kailei. She turned nine and we had great food, and an awesome cake! Her and her older brother, Davon who is ten, have a baptismal date for the 15th of September and their mom said that it was okay! So that will be awesome to have! After the fiesta we helped teach English class to end the night! Friday we had our Blitz in the English Sisters area and Elder Topham and I splitted for that. We met and really gay guy who had interesting beliefs. He called our Heavenly Father and Our Heavenly Mother Grandpa and Grandma. He doesn't really believe much about God because God asks to hard of things in the Bible, like Abraham and Isaac, Job, and even Jesus Christ. He likes the beliefs of be nice to everyone, and love everyone and do your best. I almost busted out laughing when he said that, it's true what he said, just the fact he's gay and he said that. But we talked about the Book of Mormon a little and he said he would like a copy in order to read. Hope the Sisters have fun! Haha, after that we went to another investigator named Ramon who is an awesome guy. He's in his 60's and has had to get surgery twice on his right knee, and is trying to sue the doctor for negligent. But we have great lessons with him and he loves reading the Book of Mormon. We give him a part to read, and the next time we come back he has read it, has questions, and we review the chapter with him. Its pretty sweet! After that we did some tracting and looking people up, which didn't yield anything, but thats okay! Saturday we did lots of tracting and looking people up, it was a long day but it was good. We didn't have any lessons, but we were diligent! We also came across a TMNT grafitti thing by a pizza shop and I took a picture of that! Sunday we had church at11:30 and it was good as always. After church we went and ate at our ward mission leaders house and ate tons of food! We had two sandwiches, and a whole plate of food of rice, beef, and vegtables. And then flan for dessert! I was full!! Then we went to the Luceros house and taught them about the Ten Commandments and had a good time talking with them. Then we went to Jaquelin who we are considering dropping. She has work on Sundays and just isn't able to come to church. She has been taught everything, loves reading the Book of Mormon, but just hasn't gotten work off. So on Sunday thats what our lesson was about, exercising faith and asking help from our Heavenly Father to get work off. Hope all goes well with that! Monday we had Zone Conference, President Morgans first real Zone Conference. I was able to see Elder Fairbourn (my last companion) and his greenie who is from Arizona and attended Westwood! So some interesting changes have been made to the mission. President really cracked hard on music and cell phones. I guess a companionship sent over 4000 texts in a month, which is ridiculous! But also he opened all of Manhattan to the missionaries, so we can now go to China Town, Timesquare, World Trade Center, and even the Statue of Liberty. The Statue of Liberty is only for those missionaries who are in there last cycle, but still! Way cool! Elder Sorensen and I are planning on going next week! Should be fun! So after that Elder Sorensen and I had the opportunity  to take President Morgans son and two of his friends out doing missionary work for about an hour. We took them tracting! I was with on of the friends and Elder Sorensen had the other two, we actually got a lesson, and it was in English, but it was good to allow this friend to see what its like! Two of them had mission calls and one is working on them! President Morgans son leaves for the MTC September 12th I think. But it was awesome, and made me remember when I first went tracting, nervous, hot and sweaty! Haha, it was an awesome time! After that we had a dinner appointment with a member! Tuesday we had district meeting and then service at the Elderly center. We went and had a good lesson with Ramon and we read in Helamen 5:12. He loved it! Then we visited a less-active sister with a member of our ward, Hermano Salcedo. We had ment to take him to an investigator but they cancelled so we took him to a less-active. It was awesome, and she had about 8 cockatiels. I used to have one... but after that we just did some look-ups to end the night! And today for pday we are going to just hang out at the church and play some basketball! Well I love you all, your all in my prayers! Hope all is well!   

Katelin's Birthday

This is Katelin and I have loved her from the moment I met her.  She is one of those people that exist in this world but you don't come across very often.  I met her a little more than 1 year ago.  Josh brought her to Carley's birthday party at Airworx.  From the first second of meeting her I knew I liked her.  I liked her so much I was already hoping that Josh liked her as much as we did and that they would continue dating.  They had only been on a couple of dates when we met her.  Now... fast forward a year and Josh and Katelin are married and they are perfect for each other.  They are both so fun and I really feel like they help each other want to become better.  I love their relationship together and I as so so glad picked such a great girl to marry and be a part of our family.  I love Katelin so much and I want her to have the BEST Birthday ever!!!  Love you Katelin!!!

Live from the RNC!

This is so exciting to get these pictures from my Dad.  He is having a great time at the RNC and I am so happy that he and my mom get to have this experience and share it with us!

Republican National Convention 2012

My parents are at the Republican National Convention this week and these are some pics they sent.  I was worried because Hurricane Isaac is on its way.  But, my dad sent these pics of a mostly clear sky... no big winds or danger in sight!  They are having a great time... I am so happy for them to see all this history in the making!  Go Romney!

Happy Birthday Carley!

I remember so clearly when Carley was born.  Just 2 months after I had given birth to Chase.  I always remember thinking that I hoped Linda and I would have kids at the same time.  I never thought it would really happen but her last 2 and my first 2 are very close in age.
Carley,

You are such a sweet, beautiful girl.  You are kind and you think of others.  You love to have a great hang out session and you enjoy the same kind of treats I like.  We have so much fun at the beach and we had the best time at our "candlelight sleepover"  YOu are so beautiful inside and out and I can't believe you are 12 and will be going to Young Women's!!!!!  I love you so much and hope you have a great birthday!!!

Chill Pipe

If you don't have one of these... you should.  Lindsay got me one of these and I love it!

36 Weeks with TWINS????

I can't believe this belly is holding 2 BABIES!  Emily is 36 weeks and looks AMAZING!  I was this big at like 16 weeks!  We are so excited to meet these 2 little girls and in just a few short days or weeks we will be seeing these 2 little princesses!

Sam's Letter- August 22, 2012

Family,

Here is Sam’s letter for this week!  I just sent last week’s letter a couple of hours ago, so I am  repenting and sending this one as soon as I received it.

I love Sam’s letters from the Mission Field! 

It is Wonderful to see someone so excited and happy to be a Missionary!  It is a great lesson to all of us that the Gospel is FUN and you can have a BLAST when doing the Lords work!  I am certain that it would be easy to be frightened or discouraged serving where he is (just a couple of weeks ago and drunk man threatened to come back and cut off all of their heads).  In his first area they had very little success - if you measure success only as Baptisms – it appears that Sam understands that true Success on a Mission is measure by effort and faithfulness!  The Lord calls Missionaries to go and do the work to which we have been called.  If they are faithful in keeping the commandments, following all of the Mission rules, and living worthy to have the Spirit, then the Missionary must just give his or her whole heart to the work and go out and work hard every day – that is how you measure Success on a Mission. 

It is like the story called Moving the Rock.  The Lord asked a man to go and push on a Giant rock.  Every day the man went out very early and worked until late in the evening pushing on the rock.  He spent years going to the rock everyday and pushing as hard as he could.  After a long time had passed, he became discouraged and went to the Lord and said – I have done as you have asked, but I have failed to move the rock by even one inch, my labor has been in vain and nothing good has come of it.  The Lord answered the man in a way that surprised him.  The Lord said, I never asked you to move the rock – I only asked you to go and push on the rock with all of your might, this you have faithfully done.  The Lord then went on to say, I am the one who will move the rock –  you were only asked to go and push on the rock with all of your might and now look what has happened to you as you have obeyed and been faithful to my commandments.  You have become a strong and mighty man, faithful in every way.  What a great lesson for all of us.  Do we faithfully fulfill our assignments and do we see a greater purpose in our labors?  To me, it looks like Sam gets it! 

President Benson said that the secret to being happy on a Mission was this - WORK.  Sam must be working hard!

Love you all,

Dad/Alan

 **********************************************************************************************************

Hey family sounds like everyone is doing great. So I sent the card by mail, like I dropped it off in a normal mailbox, hope thats okay! And I didn't send my retainer I still have it. Right now I'm using the clear retainer things that I put that paste in. It seems to work. But does the orthodonist in AZ have records that they could make a new one, or do I have to go through that process again? And I can't wait for the package! So Kingsbridge is pretty cool! And I love my companion, we get along very well and are having a blast! So Wednesday we just unpacked and hung around the apartment. Then we had English class afterwards! Thursday we had a lunch appointment with a member who invited my companion and I and the other companions in our apartment and we had a great time! Then we had an appointment with one of our investigators named Darwin, he's about 12 and he is really cool. He comes to church. I think he was a referal from his Grandma because she's a member. But I don't know. After that we went to the family Lucero who are part members. Its confusing, but the God-Mother of the family has two kids she adopted and they live with the Luceros, and those two kids we are teaching. And we gave them a baptismal date for the 15th of September! Then we had English class again to end the night! Friday we give service to a Senior Center and we just help serve lunch to them, which is fun because its something different! And we get a free lunch. Haha, and the elderly people are very nice and give us food to take home. Then we had a Blitz in another companionships area. A Blitz a zone thing where we go to someones area and do work in there area for about two hours just trying to help find potentials for them to teach! Then we did some tracting and look ups to end the night! We were able to teach 2 lessons from that! Saturday we did some tracting and found this really cool lady named Andrea, the only bad thing is she leaves for college Thursday! But we told her to find the missionaries upstate. Sunday we had church and I rode in a New York taxi for the first time! Then we went to the Lucero family and had a good lesson with them! Monday we had district meeting and we just got to know each other. There are six of us total in our district and 14 I think in the zone. And I love everyone in the zone. My companion is the district leader. But we did some look ups, tracted a little bit and had another lesson with Andrea. It was a really powerful lesson, and we talked about baptism and it made a lot of sense to her. So hopefully she looks the missionaries up when she leaves! Then we had a Noche de Hogar with a family and some yummy food!! Chicken, rice, and beans! Tuesday we had the service thing again at the Senoir Center and had a good time their. These nice elderly ladies gave us some cookies which was awesome. They were the pecan shortbread cookies, which I catergories that as an older persons cookie, but they were good! Haha. Then we had another lesson with Darwin and we taught about the 10 commandments. Then we went over to another investigators Tony and Casey and I just got to know them. And they just returned from a trip from the DR. But we talked about the Book of Mormon and about who we pray to and why its bad to pray to the apostles and all that stuff that Satan has corrupted the world with! Also as we were walking to that appointment with Tony and Casey we saw these two guys at a dumpster with I think crack or cocaine. Saw my first drug deal going on. Haha. But today Wednesday we are going to the Bronx Zoo. Elder Sorensen hasn't been there yet and he really wanted to go! Also I think most of our zone is going also, so it will be fun! Kingsbridge is definetly way more different then Olmstead! Well I'm shocked to hear mom had cancer, and I'm greatful that she is okay! I love you all! Hope all is well! 

Ella is 5

Ella turned 5 years old.  She had a swimming party with all the cousins and it was so fun!  She is such a girly princess but she also has a "dark side".  "Dark side" meaning she likes some gruesome things.  So, we got her a mermaid and a crown and earrings but for her "dark side" we got her some rubber body parts (hand, foot, ear...).  She picked spiderman cupckaes too!  We love Ella and all her "sides!"  Happy Birthday girl!  This starts the birthdays for the triplets.... Beau will be 5 on Sept. 28th and then it is Lauren's turn.

Sam's Letter- August 15, 2012

So I was transferred! I'm in Kingsbridge Zone now. My new area borders my old area. So its not to different from my old area but its awesome. My new companion is Elder Sorenson! He is really cool! He is from Utah and is the same age as Elder Bartleson. So almost 18 months in the mission. My new address is:

2980 Briggs Ave. apt.1F

Bronx, NY 10458

We got 18 new missionaries which is a giant group! Elder Ivey got transferred to South Manhattan. I think his area is from 59th street and down. Its big! And he is follow-up training. In our apatment we have a new greenie, and him and his trainer are from Mexico! So it will be fun. So thats transfers! So Elder Fairbourn and I had a great week! Last P-Day we had Five Guys which was soooo good! Then we went around Co-Op city and shopped around. I bought a really cool shark tie for my 6 month mark and also the game Forbidden Island. Then we went back to the apartment and worked! I don't have my planner to tell you everything, so here is what I remember. So we received two referrals and we looked them up and they are awesome! The sad thing is I new I was leaving and it stinks when your having the greatest success in your mission and then you get transferred! But I was expecting it, and I'm going to have a great time! Also on Monday we went to Sheylas and had a good dinner and then she gets a call from another member in the ward calling and saying that her daughter passed away. So Elders Ivey, Smith, Fairbourn, and I went to this members house and gave her a blessing of comfort. Elder Smith gave it and it was really a cool experience! then Tuesday I finished packing and then we went to City Island and enjoyed the beauties of that! So about your CD mother, yesterday I spent about two hours trying to get all that done! But I never could, so I sent my memory card yesterday. Hopefully all that goes well! Also send it back ASAP after you get all the pictures. Their are over 700 so have fun! Also my top retainer somehow broke. I put it in my mouth and the wire broke at the back. So I have no idea if you can get a new one for me or what but if you could see if the orthodonists can make a new one. But I know this email is boring, but I love you all and hope all is well!   

Sometimes...

This is so funny!  Anyway... I hope I always remember this.  Thanks Linda and Cody for introducing me to the honey badger!

Figs in Vegas!

The Figs went to Vegas!!!!  Can we all say.... Vegas Vacation!  I am so sad I was not on this trip but I loved getting all the updates on their fun time.  They found a Kasino Korner.... complete with Circle K drinks.... I am not a gambler at all but.... this sounds like my kind of kasino!  They stayed at the Luxor and visited all the fun places that Vegas has to offer (the good, clean, family friendly stuff).  They even went to Pawn Stars!  Cody took a picture of a Fanta bottle because I gave Linda such a hard time about keeping a Fanta bottle.  One day they did the all day buffet.  It was a good thing to because I am sure Colten ate about $2.50 worth of food for the whole day! It's a buffet Colty!!!  They had such a great time and I am so happy they were all able to go together!  Families are the BEST!

Pretty Pink Set Up

Emily's shower was so fun and all the food was so good.  Everything was pink... very fitting when you are having twin girls.  I loved Brandi's clothes line!  It was so cute and added the finishing touch to the decor!

Emily's Baby Shower

 Take 1

 Take 2

 Take 3... I guess it will have to do..... I have a major problem with closing my eyes!

We had Emily's shower and it was so fun!  We did a pink and black theme.  She had so many people, great food and so many cute gifts!  We are so excited for Emily and the two sweet baby girls that will be here before we know it!

Sam's Letter- August 8, 2012

Hey family it sounds like everyone is doing awesome! So last week Elder Ivey and I went to a Yankees game and had an awesome time! Elders Fairbourn and Smith didn't want to go because they didn't want to spend the money, and they had already gone last year. But the Yankees played the Orioles and destroyed them! We left about the end of the 6th inning and it was Yankees: 11; Orioles: 2. So it was a fun game! We scalped tickets for 20 dollars. It was seats on the main floor in the midst of all these Jewish kids! It was some camp. The guy who bought them says that he buys those tickets about 50 for 100 dollars. They were good seats though! So after that Elder Ivey and I just split for the rest of the day and went tracting in his area and taught a lesson with this really cool family!! Thursday Elder Fairbourn and I had a lesson with one of our investigators and it was good. She isn't progressing very well so we might have to drop her, but we will keep trying to teach to her needs! Then we tracted some more and taught a lesson, and then taught English class. Friday Elder Smith and I did a split in my area and had a lot of appointments. The only bad part is that they all canceled! So we tracted all day and we were able to teach three lessons, two of which were in Spanish! It was a pretty good day! And we knocked on this door and it was these men painting and the guy who opened the door was either high off of the paint fumes, or super drunk! But he kept saying he was so tired and Elder Smith asked if he could give him a card and the guy put his head down and I think he fell asleep, but then he woke up confused and took the card and we left. It was weird but funny! And here is a good tongue twister: Rear Wheel Well (say it five times fast). Saturday we tracted all day and we were able to teach one lesson which is good. Then we had an appointment with a member. This was the first time Elder Fairbourn and I had seen this family, and they are super nice! The dad isn't a member but he loves the missionaries and he came to church this past Sunday! Then after that we went to Throggs Neck which is a super nice area in the Bronx. The sister missionaries gave us some referrals and we went and looked them up, no success though. Sunday we had our normal meetings, and then we went tracting some more! No lessons though. MONDAY was an interesting morning. So we had zone meeting at 10:30 and we got there and there was this SUPER drunk man who was pulling on the doors yelling, "Let me in." So we went and sat and talked with him outside and he stunk really bad, like alcohol. He said he wanted a blessing, and two of the Elders in my zone had said they already gave him a blessing but we said a prayer with him. He also was in like hospital scrubs, and his pants weren't tied very tightly so we saw his lower half quite a few times. Haha, but after that we called the APs and the said to call the police. So we did and the ambulance came and were having a hard time trying to get him to come in the van. And he didn't like that we called the police on him, and said he was going to come back and cut all of our heads off. Welcome to the Bronx. So they were able to get him and then we had our zone meeting. Then we went and tracted some more and got a lesson from that! Then we had a Noche de Hogar with Hermano Guevara our ward mission leader. Maria, one of our investigators came! It really was designed for her. We talked about Alma 32 about faith. She knows the Gospel is true, she feels the spirit and knows its the truth, she just wants to convince her mind that it is true. But she definetly had a good time and felt the spirit! Tuesday we did some more tracting and taught a lesson. These past two weeks I've been hitting records with lessons, my own records which is sweet! But then we went to Maria and Martas and taught about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and invited them to be baptized. Marta said shes ready, but will wait for Maria. And Maria just wants to make sure that this is the truth. But she knows that she needs to be baptized. It was a good lesson all in all! So today for Pday we are going  to Five Guys! I'm soooo excited! Its a little bit out of our zone, but we got permission, and the ZLs are coming along too! Then we are going to this shopping center in Co-op city. Then I'm not sure after that! 

So for transfers I think I'm leaving, but not 100% certain. But don't send me any mail though, until after next week when I tell you about transfers. So just hold on. And I don't remember a Will Claye. But that is really cool! I heard Usain Bolt won the 100m dash again. Did he beat his record? Well I love you all! Be safe and healthy. Hope all is well!! 

Sam's Six Month Mark

Sam has been on his mission for 6 months!  That is a 1/4 of his mission.  He is doing so well and is such an amazing missionary.  We are so proud of him and all his great service and dedication to the people in New York City.  We Love you Sam!

Garage Sale with Figs=So Much Fun

I wish we had more pictures of our super, colossal, fun filled garage sale at the Figs!  I drove to Maricopa with Hayden and Blake in tow.  Chase and Lauren stayed home with Dad.  When we got there we decided to go eat at Headquarters for dinner.  It was so good.  We even had great entertainment provided on our way in and on our way out thanks to a man who definitely was 10 sheets to the wind.  Wow!  He was interesting and very intoxicated.  After that we went to Yogurt Jungle and I got the best yogurt.  Then, we went back to the Fig's.  We were tired and knew we would be getting up very early.  Linda, Carley, Hayden and I slept in Linda's bed (by candlelight).  It reminded me so much of the good times I had spending the night with Linda.  Josh slept in the family room with Colten and Blake.  We got up bright and early in the morning and took everything out for the garage sale.  We (I mean Linda) had SO MUCH STUFF!  The garage sale was a great success and we had a blast!  I wish everyone could have an Aunt Linda... she is truly the BEST!  Cody made a drink/ice cream, smartie sucker run for us and they made the whole day that much better.  After we got most of the garage sale cleaned up we ate at Penascos.  Linda had been telling me about this place and that I would want to "lick my plate."  Well, that is TRUE!  I wanted to lick my plate.  It was DELICIOUS!  I could eat that sauce like soup.  It was so good.  After that we went back to Linda's and crashed for a little bit and then it was time to go home.  Thanks Figs for giving us a WEEKEND  we will never forget!  It was awesome!

Blake Hates Football

It is that time of year again!  Flag Football!  I thought I would be smart and sign up Chase and Blake for flag football... same league, practices and games.  Well, Blake had told me that he did not want to play but I thought that once he got out there he would like it.  The first day arrives.  I get Blake to his team and he begins his practice.  After a little bit Chase and I were walking back to Blake's practice and one of the moms comes up to me and tells me that Blake got hit in the face with the football and he is not wanting to get up.  I go over to him but I dare not say anything yet.  (Blake does not like to be asked what is wrong or fussed over- he will eventually tell me what is wrong but he does it on his terms).  When he finally rolled over to his back I asked him what was wrong... are you hurt, can you get up????  He said...."I hate football!"  I asked him what he hated about it and he said, "I hate running and catching the ball!"  I guess that ends his football career.  He is only 7 but I am pretty sure he will never want to play anything similar to football.  The next day I signed him up for Lego Club (this was his first request before I decided to choose his talent for him).