Braves Win

Bountiful won it's quarterfinal football game on Friday. They played Olympus and won 34-14.
All day long I had people asking me if Hayden was going to play.......let's go back to last Fridays game against Timpanogos.....3 minuets left in the game and smash Hayden is limping, knee bent and he can hardly put his foot down on the ground. He is standing in the huddle, but we can tell he is not right. But I know he is determined to play and shake off whatever. Then Bountiful calls a time out; what a blessing. During the time out Hayden tells me that he heard a voice saying take yourself out and let Dave play. So he limps off the field and lays down on the sidelines so that Bob can look at his injury......he doesn't go back in the game and has to be helped off the field to the locker room. He tells me that he is going to be fine, but I can see the tear stained cheeks. Jordan and Nelson check things out with Bob who tells them that it is probably his MCL and that he will check him out before he comes home......yes it was the MCL, a level one = a small tear. Hayden is in a lot of pain. The tears aren't for the pain but because he couldn't finish the game and it hits him that this could be his last BHS football game ever.....  Later that night Hayden gets a priesthood blessing form his brothers and tells me that 1/2 way through the blessing he felt the pain diminish by more than half.
Now fast forward through Football practice, doing his Eagle Service Project, Halloween Parties, Sunday duties, etc.... Monday morning was spent at 3 different Doctors trying to decide if it is only the MCL......after several examinations, an MRI, and getting a brace that he can play football in, he was cleared to play on Wednesday if he did a recommended physical therapy.
So Yes, he played all but the last 1:30 of the game. He was key in the amazing running game that Braves played Friday night.
As the mom I worried and watched his braced leg all night long, noticing the slow get ups when he was down and worrying that something might happen to deepen the injury.....Jordan and Nelson kept telling me to quit worrying, that he was fine.....he was fine. He reminded me after the game that he listened to the Spirit last week and took himself out of the game and that he had received a Priesthood blessing.......silly mom.

Thursday, November 10, 11:00 am at Rice Eccles Stadium, BHS will play Logan in a semi-final game on the road to take State! 

MCC

HAYDEN the Great!

This Hayden, #70, in action. He was the hero last night at the game. (not photos of the actual game) He recovered a fumble for a first down in a drive that scored our first TD in the 2nd half. He is a good player and is focused and aware of what is happening. The O line are the non glory positions on the field. In other words their names are never announced or noted, but if there is something that isn't working in the offense they get the blame.  Earlier this year a coach told Hayden he needed him in this position for his cerebral powers.....another player looked quizzical when he heard this and asked "whats that?" The coach then said "Point made."  Cam the QB has been thanking Hayden with a big hug during the games for his awesome help as the right guard! Interesting to watch.
I have loved that my boys have learned how to be part of a team, how to work together and be leaders all because of football.
Let's go Braves
MCC

BHS Homecoming 2011

We won the football game. It has been called the upset of the week. Bountiful was not supposed to win against Highland. We haven't beat them in football in 6 years.  Hayden is a great play
maker. He blocked and opened things up for 3 of BHS's Touchdowns. They usually don't name the O-line players, but they were being so awesome the announcer named them all and the paper while not naming them gave them a great mention on how well they played.

70, first through the poster.

Number 70 is my boy!

MCC

Our Week

Over all it has been a busy and good week at the Call's.

Nelson's birthday was Monday and he turned 22...yikes! He is fun to have around. He loves school and works hard at the Theatre for us.

Oklahoma at the High School is coming along. Hayden is fantastic as Curly. I love this character. He is optimistic and is passionate about his dreams.  Megan's work with the dream ballet is remarkable. Everyone usually says cut the dream ballet, but after seeing her version I would keep it.

Football keeps us busy every weekend.....tonight is the home coming game against Highland. It will be a tough game. Hayden plays right guard and has been doing a fantastic job....his position is unsung but with out him last week they wouldn't have made 2  TD.

On the health front we are well but Grandpa Bill isn't. His days are numbered, which is very sad.  We love him and pray for him and Mary through this hard part of life.

Here is how we are looking:

 Birthday Boy

 Curly minus the curls...they are coming Sunday

 Captain Awesome ...showing his crazy teeth.

MCC

BHS Homecoming 2010

Bountiful High School Homecoming 2010

Hayden trying to look fierce?!?!?!

Football Report

Football - We won! JV on Thursday beat East 21 -14. The Varsity on Friday 21 -0. Great game. Cousin Monson Welch is a mean defender.

Hayden is #70 and Monson #42


Saturday night dinner was at my house here is the table. We served a green salad, Swiss Steak, baked potato, broccoli and lots of hot homemade rolls! For dessert Margarita lime Sorbet and Pomegranate Sorbet with cookies

Hayden getting ready to go pick up his date!

Hayden and Chandler Austin

The Dinner Group:
Hayden, Chandler, Tiffany Erickson, Michael Collier, Spencer Fennamore, Stephanie Jensen, Adam Henri & Maddie Mordux

It sounded like a great night...Hayden danced himself crazy and then played until 2:00am.

MCC

Hayden Playing Football

Hayden is #72.
These are at the JV game against Viewmont on Thursday Sept. 23, 2010.
Bountiful won 21 -0

It Begins Again.....I love Football!

Uncle Hayden going off to Football practice and the Captain

The Gary Call Family has had a child playing football for 20 years now. Jordan, Nelson and Hayden have all loved it and hated it at times, but the love it side has far exceeded even the toughest times while playing. As a family we have played and watched in the blistering heat, the pouring rain, sleet and snow and extreme cold. We have been off to a game or practice before dawn and arrived home long after the sun has set. We have cheered, and laughed and cried. We have been frustrated and elated with in seconds. We understand responsibility, loyalty and follow through even when it is hard to do. Football has shaped our family and we love it.

We sent Hayden off to play football 9 years ago at age 8, my baby who wanted to "go hit someone." (Older brothers influence). He was a cute little round faced kid who wore glasses, his uniform and pads seemed to dwarf him and make him look even smaller. He is now almost 17 years old and I still think there goes my baby off to "kill 'em or hit 'em hard." His uniform fits better, his shoulders are broad and better able to wear the pads, the glasses are gone as is the little round face. He still wants to "go hit someone" and I guess that is okay, because he only does that on the football field. Tonight begins the BHS Braves Football 2010 season and we are excited to go and be his fan. He has been working hard at football all summer long and will continue to do so daily until the season is over. Hayden will have this year and the next to play football, then we will see what happens. (Our family may then have a break for the next 6 years waiting for the Captain to begin his Football journey.......like it's not going to happen with his father and uncles?) But if he is done after next year or not doesn't really matter I am glad that he has played and that he has loved it.
As a mother I have learned to love having my boys play football. Some mothers think it is so dangerous and rough, and it can be, but the positives it can instill into your kids lives usually far out weighs the danger and the negative aspects. There are a lot of lessons we as a family have all gained because of Football in our lives:
In football we have seen the extra pent up energy and emotion that is usually found in young boys focused in a good way....less beating up the siblings and wrestling during football season. We have had the good coaches and the bad. The good ones are life long friends and great adult male role models. They have taught the boys to work hard and play hard, give it your all, to put in the time and never,never never give up. To finish what you start and most of all to be a good sport. 'The bad one' almost had the whole team quitting and we are not quitters. But we also learned from him, how not to motivate, how to preserver in spite of the situation and how to change things up if they are not good. We have seen the wins and the losses, the championships, the second place finishes and the blanked seasons. Win or lose you learn something about yourself and others....it truly is a growing experience. I think that it is important for your kids to learn that even when you work really hard towards something you may not end up on top. That is life and it is a great lesson to learn early on. Football has instilled a great work ethic in our boys, a team mentality and the knowledge that the stars couldn't be stars with out every member of the team (think the line, the scout team, etc...). Being a member of a team is a good life lesson, you learn how to get along and work with others even if you may not like the people on the team, you learn how to work together for the good of the team, or the job, or the cause etc... Football has taught goal setting in a very simplistic way; 10 yards and 4 downs at a time.... And the joy of obtaining the goal after you put in the work...sometimes you reach the goal quickly and other times it takes a lot of long hard work. It takes a lot of practice to be good and to become better. The lazy don't last. The gifted still need to practice. Lucky breaks come with hard work and time. The friendships that have been made have been because of football are one of the best things I have seen come from playing the game. In little league you are playing with kids from all over, from all backgrounds and situations. You interact with each other in the fun times and in high pressure situations. You learn who are the types of guys you can depend on and who has your back. You understand the importance of making a friend out of almost anyone on the team in football. Both Jordan and Nelson have mentioned how much of what they learned in football helped them on their missions, with companions, their zones and the members: we are all on a 'team' of some kind, each of us with different responsibilities. Football has given our boys a sense of who they are in those tough jr. high years. A place to be, a pack to run with.
When people talk negative about football I get kind of defensive. Like anything the bad stuff makes better news and is easier to get people emotional about. To me the good that has come from football for our family will always out shine the crap that may be associated with it.
Good luck to Hayden and the Braves this 2010 season!
MCC

Saturday Football

For 21 years we did little league football on Saturdays. This year we have no one that age playing......in 8 years we might.....but for now we just have to love college football, which is the best.
This afternoon the whole family has gathered to watch BYU vs. Oklahoma......Oklahoma is ranked 3, BYU 20. Everyone says that BYU will get smashed..... We disagree and at half time the score is Oklahoma 10, BYU 7.........it doesn't look like a killing. In fact Colby Clawsen just before half, took down Sam Bradford, Oklahoma's QB, Heisman winner. The Second half should be interesting.......
At half time we have had a pizza buffet, and lots of good discussion. I hope the BYU game watching togetherness becomes a family tradition.

Back to the game!
MCC

Less than 500 days

Elder Nelson Call has 498 days left of his mission to New Zealand.......That is just crazy. I wish he would send me some photos. He tells me he is working on it.
So far his letters sound so positive. He is growing and learning that to get the good you sometimes have to wade through the bad.
My favorite part of all of his letters is his strong testimony of the gospel. He shares this testimony in every letter so i know that he is sharing it with those he comes in contact with.
He is so excited to be working with a man named Todd. Todd is golden as they say. He will be baptized in a few weeks.
We pray that he will be faithful and a good member of the church.
Elder Call is on my mind more this week because this week Hayden began football conditioning....Nelson loved this time of year, he loves football.
Nelsons really great friend is also getting ready to leave on his mission. We are so glad that Landon "Shaggy" Smith is going to serve the Lord and the people or Atlanta Georgia.
A full time mission has got to be an awesome experience.....to be so focused on the gospel.

MCC