High Five Friday

It’s no secret that I read a lot of blogs and am a ghost follower to most, and last week while looking around I came across an entry that I thought was interesting and decided to copy for a while to see if I liked it.  To give the proper credit, you can view the blog at From My Grey Desk – so here I am starting a new weekly entry called “High-Five Friday”.  Basically this is a summary of what I feel are my top five highlights of the past week, a way to reflect and document the good things in each week.

1. This Mother’s day was a great day. I received a lunch out, a book to read (might add I finished it by Wednesday – Yikes) and a bottle of my absolute favorite perfume that can no longer be purchased in stores; yep the hubby had his thinking cap on for this day!

2. Getting many updates throughout the morning on the 5^th grade All City Track for Miss K-K. She competed in four events this day. The High jump, the mile run, Co-ed relay and the girls relay. She did very well in the high jump; rumors on the street were that there was a very large cheering section for her chanting her name as she and a girl from another school were competing for first place. In reality Miss K-K had already won as the other girl had tipped the bar once already and Miss K-K had not; she finished first with 4’9”and was then given a second place ribbon – oops! I saw on her Facebook a friend named Joey posted “Me and Jaxson were about to chant “This is rigged!” – LOL! In the girls relay the team took first with her taking the end spot in the relay to. Her mile run was not her norm, unfortunately she skipped lunch thinking it would help her but in the end it bit her in the butt as she ended up light headed half way through and finished in the middle of the pack. Because she ran this mile she was given the option to skip the mile run at school…as competitive as she is…she is running the mile run to get her time back in line. Over-all a GREAT day even though I had to miss it, the text messages kept me on the edge of my seat!

3. D.A.R.E. Graduation for the 5^th graders was also this week and I was given the pleasure of attending this event. This is a program that is widely recognized for teaching the kids about Drug Abuse Resistance Education. The kids were awarded T-shirts and certificates as well as visits from some very important people in the community. Judge Lori Borgen, Officer Kellen, Police Chief David Ebinger and several city council members. Getting to see the kids go through this ceremony after weeks and weeks of classes, music and art all surrounded with avoiding drugs, talk of what a bully is, the health effects of drugs and alcohol and how to make good choices even with their friends. So happy that our community is involved with our kids!

4. I was also able to attend the 6^th grade History Fare for Justin with Blaine. The kids could work alone or with a partner and Justin chose to do his research alone and study the Iwa Jima Flag Raisers; he did a fantastic job! What a fun way to spend the morning! There were lots of smiles and the room was filled with boards displaying the knowledge that was learned. We stopped and spoke with a few of J.G.’s friends and found that all of them had researched something different and were eager to share what they had learned. It was also a great morning visiting with other parents some of which we hadn’t seen in a while.

5. The best high-five of my week though was the ending of my unsettling feeling of losing someone so special to me that I had never imagined my life without them. The anxiety that set in me was so unnerving that I just wasn’t myself for weeks no matter how hard I tried. I found myself doing things I wouldn’t normally do, like driving in wrong directions, going to a completely different location then intended, forgetting schedules, doing things twice or not at all, entering rooms and not remembering why, sleeping restlessly for brief periods of time and then startled awake to lay “thinking” again, my stomach was rolling, my head pounding and there was a great deal of strain in my neck forcing me to constantly twist and turn trying to release the tension. Talk about wishing for the flu instead so at least you’d know it would get better in a day or two! But fortunately I took a courageous step, for me anyway, and started asking questions knowing the answers might be the end of or the start of more anxiety. Since this is on my High Five list, I don’t think I need to go any further…J

So, here it is, my first High Five Friday! 

I hope this sparks you to also reflect and document,

if you do make sure you link into mine so we can share

Or

you can also add your High Five’s to the comments of this post.

Have a Great Weekend Everyone!

Seriously, I'm really up this time!

I'm up...right?

Ok, so this is it, this is what I look like on Saturday mornings during the volleyball season, hockey season, soccer season, football season...ok the every morning season. 



Where as I am certainly not a morning person, I wouldn't call myself a night owl either; but I have been known to stay up late watching some sappy movie that I just couldn't turn off, searching the internet for any tid-bits on taking pictures, messing around with photoshop, or reading anyones blog that I can find.  Most of that though is because I am one that struggles with sleeping because I cannot stop replaying the day over and over again.  You see, I am officially my worst critic of how my day went and how I could have done it better, I'm a "why didn't you say this" or "geez why did you say" that or "could you not have shoved all that junk food in your face today" kind of gal.  Oh if we could only do some days over! 


When I was a kid, I remember getting up early to watch Saturday morning cartoons despite my sleeping misfortunes.  I still love watching Road Runner, Tom and Jerry, and who can forget Yosemite Sam!  Oh the good ol' days!

"You're despicable" - Daffy Duck

What I remember most about Saturdays as a kid is being at grandma's house, smelling fresh bread being toasted, Golden grams being poured and getting to eat in the living room with a towel underneath me so I wouldn't make a mess while watching the "toons".  Ha-ha, toons sure doesn't mean what it used to!

Now days Saturday mornings are not so much for sleeping in, drinking coffee at the table while reading the paper, clicking on the television to catch the latest cartoons or news for that matter, or for  just taking things down a notch and enjoying the day.  They are now for cramming in all the fun stuff you enjoy doing into those few open hours, slowing down would mean missing out on a game, not getting to that sale at the mall or a garage sale early enough to get the good deals, having time for that motorcyle ride or getting in all your weekly runnings in so you DO have time to sit by the fire and have that little beverage.

So while I am pulling the cobwebs off my eye's, tyring to brush out those snarls that have taken over my hair through-out the night, and desperately trying to find matching socks, I am also thinking of all the things on my "to-do" list for this Saturday - and trust me...it's not all fun and games today!

Maybe next weekend I'll get up early and catch the latest Elmer Fudd adventures before hitting the pavement. They do still play Looney Tunes on some station...right?

Don't forget Mom this weekend!

Breaking news here!  All moms, with kids of all ages, want to receive a gift on Mother’s day.  Ignore their sweet smiles and echoes’ of “oh you don’t need to get me anything” because secretly they are want to be doted on, appreciated and given that high five for being all that they could be.

Now as for the gift, these can range in great deal, and to be honest, she has something in mind but don’t expect to be able to figure this out guessing.  If you want to get her something you know she wants and you have been given no hings, just ask, but if she is one that loves to pretend that there really isn’t anything don’t panic - - you still have at least 24 hours left to figure it.  We all know how busy things can be; we all know that even if it is last minute it doesn’t mean that you didn’t have your whole heart in it.

Here's a few ideas just to name a few.

Give her some Quiet Time, find her a nice bottle of bubbly for the bathtub, and give her the time to spend alone, with soft music and serenity. If there are little ones in the house, make sure that this bubble bath is kid free!

If your crafty, how about looking up some DIY websites and finding a quick project, moms will love that you took the time to make something just for her!  These pretty vases come from a DIY website, you can get there by clicking here Pretty vases, you can create this is in a matter of minutes and then fill it up with her favorite flowers.

This little novel turned out to be one of the top sellers for 2011 and is continuing into 2012.  If mom is a reader this might be one that you can find at any local stores that sell books.  If she isn't into this kind of book, your in luck...there are a million to choose from.  Maybe even a journal would be a great idea for her to have to write her memoirs!

If she's more of a techy person, why not consider a Kindle fire, with this little gadget she can down load her favorite books and read them when ever it is convenient, it even has a light to read in bed.  You can download apps of all sorts, check email and play music all at a reasonable price.

Cook her something, better yet bring her breakfast in bed!  If your not much for cooking here is a website that has some great ideas and some don't even require any cooking skills! 
Cooking ideas

If none of these work, scan the Internet for more ideas but what ever you decide, make sure Sunday is made into a "Mom's" day. Treat her like she is royalty even if it is just for this one day.

Happy Mother's day to all the great ones!

Learn how to drive you idiot!

Have you ever noticed that when your driv'in, anyone going slower than you is an idiot?  And anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
 
 And here's one of those things you have to do every time you drive, especially if you're in a hurry.
It happens at you approach a red light, and you find several lanes of cars ahead of you. As you roll up to the pack, you have to decide which lane to get into. You have to guess which looks like a good bet to take off quickly, so you can move out fast when the light turns green. With half a block to go you have to decide who's the really fast asshole in this group up ahead.
Forget the Volvo, she's listening to public radio, and drives the way she lives - with fear and caution. You'll want to avoid that Toyota with the fish symbol; Christians drive as though Jesus himself was a traffic cop. And, by all means, ignore the Lexus with the heavily made-up, bejeweled pig woman. She has the reflexes of an aging panda.

Ahhhhh! Here's the correct machine to get behind: a Camaro with four different shades of primer paint and a bumper sticker that says "I date my sister." This guy's a real risk-taker; full of crank, and on his way to an AC/DC concert. You'll be home before you know it.     ~ George Carlin ~

Heart thumping, fingers flying, arms flayling, curse words spewing, cars revving, horns blaring.  Sound familiar?  Would you consider yourself to be one that experiences road rage or would others say you are the one that more than likely causes it for others?

I'm quite certain we have all felt road rage at one time or another, some with more rage than others and for different reasons. 

Generally I don't get road rage but I have been known to "give the bird" to people without giving it much thought. Really...I do - surprise!  The one time that still sticks in my mind that quite frankly made me look more like an idiot than anything was when I was younger and still living in Grand Forks.  I was working at an office down town and I had parked on a side street this day.

It was winter time, I managed to get into my car to start it and then exit quickly to brush snow off the windows.  During the time I was brushing snow I was not thinking much about the traffic going by and it getting thicker by the minute. My mind was on the snow and how it was pretty, it wasn't too cold and I was in no hurry at all. (Correct, no kids yet)  I got back into my car, adjusted the radio all the while watching out the mirror for a break in traffic to pull out.

Where I was parked was close to the river, so there was really no where to go other than to the end of the road and make either a right or a left turn and of course it was a 3 way stop.  Not the best choice of parking but it was close to the office door so I thought I was getting rock star parking that morning.  I quickly learned others were smarter than me.

I waited for a period of time to which I thought was long enough, all the time my blinker signalling that I would like to not spend the night here in this parking spot so please be kind and let me out, but apparently this was misleading to the drivers going by; they must have assumed I was guiding them with flashers to the end of the road.  I slowly turned the front end of my car out further into the traffic hoping this would shed a little light on the subject, yep...nothing.  Then traffic seem to slow, so I pulled out a little more. still no give.  At this point at least an hour went by, OK not really but my patients were wearing thin.  I decided to go for it, and the lady coming up the road didn't think this was in her best interest and proceeded to blare her horn at me. 

I then of course did my famous "bird flip" at her and pulled out anyway.  Only to discover that I hadn't taken my mittens off, so of course it now looked like I was giving a friendly wave to her, which explains her bird flipping back at me and the verbal curses being mouthed that I was supposed to understand.  Clearly I did and clearly my red face was not from the snow.

Road rage can be caused by numerous thing. According to the 2012 statistics, traffic congestion is one of the most frequently mentioned contributing factors to aggressive driving, and aggressive driving is one of the most common causes of road rage. Aggressive drivers are more likely to become upset/angry while driving.

So with our little amount of traffic congestion here in Fargo, what would be the likely cause for us to get road rage?  Statistically we rate at a very low amount of "reported" road rage but I myself have seen people getting cut off, blocked from passing, fingers in the air, verbal profanity being mouthed behind the glass and rearing up behind cars on the interstate because they want to go faster than the car in front of them is doing, and that is just from driving with Blaine!

Whats your your road rage today? 

None:  I have not seen one monkey driving today.
Low:  I made it work, and only one person cut me off!
Average:  I got cut off, tailgated, blocked, the usual.
High:  I might have used my horn once, cursed, basically got angry once or more.  Saw a                  
monkey picking his note.
Extreme Danger:  Full mood drag racing, using your finger, people hanging their heads out the
window to curse.  ROAD RAGE!

Share what you have experienced, or what causes your road rage, I'd love to hear your stories!

It's never easy

Last weekend started out to be a great weekend, we were up in Little Falls, MN for Justin's Regional hockey tournament.  The team started out a little shaky losing their first game Friday night but came back on Saturday winning the next two.  This put the boys in great spirits and a good spot, they would be be playing on Sunday morning at 9:00am for a chance to play Sunday afternoon for second place. 

We all woke up on Sunday morning with high hopes. Blaine dropped Justin off at the rink, came back to pick us up and to extended our check-out time at the motel in hopes that they would have a win thus giving us a place to be for a few hours since the second game was not to be played until later in the afternoon. 

My phone rang and I saw it was my dad, I naturally assumed to hear his voice on the other end extending a good luck message to Justin, instead I hear his voice crack and my mom in the background...I thought she was coughing but quickly realized something was not right with either of them.  I then hear the news....grandma passed away this morning.

After much deliberation, anger and tears it was decided that the game must go on, Justin would not hear this news until after all games had been played, fortunately, I would not see him before his first game as I am not very good at hiding my emotions.

The game began and they gave it their all but they were defeated, thus also ending their season; they came out with their heads hung low but we reminded them what a great year they had and to make it to Regions was a great accomplishment.  Justin asked if we couild stay to watch the rest of the games that day...it was then I had to whisper in his ear of what I had been trying to hold in until we had some privacy.  His eyes dimmed and his face became expressionless, he quickly told his friends he had to go with no explanation and to the truck we all went.

On that long ride home and then to Grand Forks I did a lot of soul searching and wondering where the time went and how it came to be that I had lost two very special people in my life; and from out of no where comfort settled in and my thoughts turned from hurt to calmness as a vision of the two most in love people I have ever met being together once again.

(This is the sunset I saw on my ride home from Grand Forks)

There life was truly a love story.  They met at a dance (each with separate dates I must add), danced while my mom was growing up, belonged to a square dance group and they danced together until they couldn't dance anymore. They had the kind of love where they were always together, they held hands, and enjoyed each others company...always.  Even after grandpa passed grandma still saw him and spoke of and to him quite often; she even wore his wedding ring on a chain around her neck.

 

I made a video of grandma for her funeral and my sister found the most perfect song to accompany it; it's called Dancing in Heaven, written and sung by Jimmy Scott.  It's on YouTube if you want to hear it.  Here are how the lyrics go:

Dancing in Heaven 

My Mother and Father loved to dance

Music was in their soul
It kept them young though the years rolled on
Their song never grew old

I felt the world fall silent

When I heard they’d passed away

But then from out of nowhere
A song began to play….

Chorus:

Are you dancing in heaven tonight?

Holding each other so tight
Just like you did all those magic nights before
Moving to the rhythm of love

And though I’m gonna miss you so much

I know you’ll be alright
Cause your dancing in heaven tonight

Now there’s a place inside my heart

Where the music never ends
And anytime the teardrops start
I go back there again

I see you dance together

The way it used to be
And then I know that loves a song
That lasts through all eternity

Chorus:

~ Jimmy Scott ~

Here's to great memories and an even greater love story.

Until we meet again...rest in peace.

Working moms are lazy!

This weekend it was brought to my attention that a Facebook debate had started in regards to Stay at Home Mom's vs Mom's that work outside of the home; the craze was due to a TV program portraying a mom who spoke about stay at home mom's being lazy.

While I don't condone speaking about the habits of other parents, I did feel compelled to speak up in defense for those of us that must work after a statement was made on Facebook stating that "Working moms are lazy because they 'get to check out' every day and go to work".

What I don't think those moms understand is that not all of us work because we WANT to work outside of the home but in fact we MUST work for one reason or another.  They don't think about the worry that we must endure each day as we drop or infants and school age kids off into the trust of someone else to care for them and how we do not "check out" once we reach the office but instead split our brains to take care of the work we were hired to do and worry about all the things that could be happening in our absence to our kids and what we are missing along with figuring out how to make it all work. Do these stay at home moms stop to think that while they were home all day getting the daily chores done along with taking care and snuggling their young that we have only the evening hours fit it all in? 

I would like to share with these woman that while we are at work we have the guilt of feeling we should be home, rocking our babies, kissing their foreheads, and baking cookies for when they get home from school and just being there when they get home from school.  When we are home we worry about the work left undone at the office, we think about the meeting that is scheduled for tomorrow or how we are going to get the additional training that is needed to continue with this job without taking more time away from either work or family obligations; and if we don't get it all done will we still have this much needed job tomorrow.  Then after we put our kids to bed is when we start doing the dishes, washing the laundry, checking over the homework, trying to find time for our husbands and getting everything ready to do it all over again tomorrow and keep a smile on our face.
So while I didn't get to chime in on this debate, I would have dared these moms to share their work load list with me, share their daily concerns, and debate how they feel they can say "Working Moms are lazy".  I beleive that both the stay at home mom AND the job working moms work hard and are doing the best they can for the situation that is needed for THEIR family.

Before someone speaks about the working habits of another, I think they should spend some time thinking about what life changes would happen if the roles were reversed, how would you handle the changes and demands needed of you?

After now feeling I have gotten my piece said, I will get off my soap box and wish everyone a happy day doing whatever their job may be.

It only hurts when I fall

This week I have been locked behind doors at work in training; during breaks and lunch I could be found catching up on daily work that I wasn't able to get to.  But today my lunch break was different; after a lab I warmed up my frozen dinner...yum...and scampered back to the training room expecting to be alone catching up again.  To my delight another co-worker brought her lunch in and was looking for company.

As most moms conversations go, it quickly lead to converations about our kids.  She asked me if I was at all concerned for my kids safety when they are playing hockey after the paralysis of Jack.  I explained to her that it was such a freak accident but that I am always concerned and hold my breath each time any one of them go down or look like they are going to go into the boards; but I not only worry for my kids but for all the kids both on and off the ice; especially when playing contact sports.  I then reminded her how kids can get hurt just playing and told her about a school mate a few grades ahead of me who was wrestling with his twin brother at home and the one twin accidentally hurt the other and he too was paralyzed.

Then it reminded me of our own story, much different than either of these two boys and with a much better outcome, but none the less it brought me back to just 2 short years ago when I got a frightening call that sent me running.

 It was September, and Kayla had come home telling me a new friend wanted her to spend the night; this would go against my own rules of meeting the parents first...having a few times together to play before a full night. Against my reluctance, I agreed but only after all the pleading and begging eyes.  What could happen...she's a 3rd grader and this girl lives only a short walk away I kept telling myself.

I helped her pack her bag and on the walk over I THEN found out that neither mom or dad would be there but her older high school sisters would be..again this should have sent me back home with her at my side, but it didn't.  I reminded her that Justin was at a birthday party and that I would need to leave to pick him up but first would be running to Target.  She skipped along holding my hand, hugged and kissed me good-bye and walked in the door to the house of the family I had not met yet.  Doh!

After sitting at home for a short time convincing myself that this was OK, I jumped in the car thinking I have about 25mn of "alone" time at Target - yippee.  At this point I think this is great!  I get to Target and throw my cell phone in my purse and immediately hit the isles.  Target smells different, stores always do when you are not toting kids around or having the hubby walking at your heals wondering why you need to by more smelly shampoo when you have 3 half used bottles already.

As I open and close different bottles, I hear something; look around and see no one around.  I continue on down the isle touching and smelling different bottles...I hear the sound again but once more see no one around.  I move to the next isle with a few bottles in tow, AGAIN I hear the noise but this time it registers what I am hearing.  MY CELL PHONE it's vibrating against something in my purse; oh my GOD I think, how did I not remember to take it off vibrate when I am alone!

I quicky unzip it to find I have missed not 3 calls but rather 4 and all from a number I do not recognize.  I hold the phone for a minute and it rings again; I answer and this is what I hear:

Caller:  Is this Becky?
Me: Yes.
Caller:  Hi Becky, this is xxx's mom and Makayla has had an accident.
Me: Is she OK?
Caller: Silent
Me: IS SHE OK?!? (bottles dropping from my arms)
Caller:  Yes, but I need you to come home immediately
Me:  I'm at Target, I'm on my way
Caller: We'll meet you at your house

Without looking down to see if I had broken anything I just dropped I grab my purse and run through the store to my car.  I don't remember much of the ride home but I do remember coming around the corner and seeing a stranger stading by my seated daughter at the end of my driveway and my little baby holding a bloody towel to her head.

I pull up and jump out seemingly before I have even put the car in park (it didn't move so I guess I must have). I ask this stranger what has happened and she tells me Kayla had fallen out of a tree and hit her head on a rock.  I ask Kayla to pull the towl away.  It sickens me to remember what I saw...blood, curled skin, something yellowish-white and bumpy oozing out from skin and what seems to me is skull.  I cringe and very Mom'ishly tell her she needs to get in the car as she need to go to the emergency room.  She yells "I do?!?"  I turn her towards the car and guide her to the front seat and buckler her up.

I thank the mom for helping her and jump in the car myself.  At this time I remember Justin is at a birthday party in the park, Blaine is out town and somehow I need to get Kayla to the hospital and get Justin picked up in about 15mn.  I start to freak out at this point.  I feel my hands and body start to shake and I am doing everything in my power not to start crying myself.  Kayla asks me what I am doing...I non-mom'ishly admit to her that I am about to start crying because I am scared and don't know what to do.

 Instincts kick in at this point as Kayla's sobs become stronger as she sees the tears stream down my face.  I somehow manage to manuver my phone to call the dad that is at the park wtih Justin; I tell him we have had an accident and I will not be there to get Justin but I will find someone to be there.  He tell's me not to worry and that he will take care of him.  I then get Blaine on the phone and sobbingly tell him what has happened.  He says he can be to Justin in 30mn - whew!

We make it to the hospital, and the crazy triage nurse looks her over and sends us back to the non emergency lobby to wait for the next available doctor.  I look at her in disbelief as we walk out; I pull Kayla on my lap and once again we both sit there holding each other and crying.  I was so sure the famlies waiting ahead of us thought I was nuts but as I looked around they all had sympathetic looks on there faces as if they would be doing the same thing if there little one was covered in blood and were told to wait.

Then the light shown through the windows as 2 beautiful emergency doctors came seeking us out, the triage nurse came running behind them saying she was ok; they ask Kayla to pull the towel away - no squirmy looks like I gave when they looked at it but the doctor who seemed in charge stirnly told the nurse YES, we need to see this one immediately. I smugly looked at the triage nurse as we walked by...I am quite certiain it was not her who had the doctors come look at her but rather one of the girls at the registration table; aaaand then the water works start again; Kayla on the other hand is done with all that and walks to her waiting bed with bravey and climbs aboard.

They tell her they are going to put numbing meds on it which will burn, yep...it burned and she let them know.  Just as they were about to start stitching, Blaine and Justin walk in - has it really been 30mn already?  I see Blaine's face as they pulled the numbing med filled gauze from her head - it was a look of....YUCK!  I then learned that the yellowish-white oozing stuff I saw at home was infact the fat layer under the skin.

The doctor is funny, nice and handsome; he does his best to make Kayla feel comfortable; he tells her everything he is going to do and then he starts the stitches and she doesn't even wince; I on the otherhand did with every stick he made until all 8 stitches were tied.

We are sent home, it is late and she is tired and wants to go to bed.  I worry all night long knowing she just fell out of a tree and has hit her head on a rock; should I worry about her waking, will she pull the stitches, will she forget and scratch them and the list went on and on.

As I am setteling in for the night myself I notice that there is a message on the home phone, I play the message and it was such a stomach turning message....

Kayla: Mommy....where are you?  I hurt myself and I need you....silence.....sniff, sob, sniff...click.

I kick myself here again for not holding to my own rules and taking care of my kids.  How awful I feel for not being there when she needed me so badly.

But alas, Saturday morning arrives and this is what we woke up to. Our Kayla smiling from ear to ear as she always does in the mornings; in all her swollen beauty and wearing her stitches with style.

Not a great reminder but a significant one, kids can get hurt just being kids; healthy loved ones wake up sick and other loves ones are here one day and gone the next. So I remember to hug them each day and tell them I love them always.

To my hubby - Your my bestest friend ever, my soulmate and I will love you through eternity.

To my kiddos - I"ll love you forever, I'll like your for always, forever and ever my baby you'll be.

Thanks for checking in and remembering my not so great mom moment.

~ Did you hug your kids today? ~

Becky

Let the games begin!

When Kayla decided to play hockey last year we thought, ok...this should be fun; and it truly is!  It has been exciting to see her interact with a team, grow as a player and the excitement that illuminates her when her plays are successful.

When this season started we un-knowingly though going from 4 teams down to 3 would be a little more manageable, but little did we know that Justin being on the Peewee team would actually make our scheduled MORE filled than last years...mainly his schedule as we are just the chauffeurs.  Justin generally has practice 4 nights a week at varying times and surprisingly has had practice all 5 days.  He has even had a few practices as late as 10pm and then has needed to be back up the next morning to be at the rink for another practice at 6am. Kayla has practice about 3-4 nights a week but fortunately not such extreme times.  Then there are the games, most Saturdays we have our first game at 7:30AM and then another 2 or 3 games to play later that day and possibly another 2 or 3 more on Sunday.

It amazes me that with as much as they have scheduled with their teams that they still ask to go to open hockey (which is a scheduled free hockey time without coaches), skate outside at friends houses (with those who were lucky enough to get a rink setup in their backyard this year), stick handle in the garage and go to the shooting room at the rink.  This mom thinks both kids are doing exceptionally well on their teams and have been proud at their hard work at every game this year.

As we began to look at our January/February schedules we found that one of us will be out of town the next 5 out of 6 weekends bringing one of the kids to a tournament. This is an exciting time for both the travel teams as well as the parents.  I myself am looking forward to each one of them...not the being away from Blaine and which ever kid is with him that weekend but I guess that is what happens and before we know it the end of the season will be upon us.

You Know You're An Avid Hockey Fan If.......

• Your idea of serving breakfast is giving each of your kids a fork and dropping an Eggo in the middle of the table.
• You reprimand your children with "minors," "majors" and "misconducts."
• When you come to a traffic signal and the light turns green, you stop.
• When you come to a traffic signal and the light turns red, you get really excited and chant, "He shoots! He scores!"
• Instead of duct tape, you use hockey tape to fix everything.
• You call a trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame a "pilgrimage."
• You went into a bank because it advertised "Free Checking"....and walked out disappointed.
• You can pronounce anything in French, yet you have no idea what it means.
• Every time you hear a siren you wonder who scored.
• Everything in your wardrobe is your team's colors.
• Your closet is divided into 2 sections: HOME and AWAY
• You burn the biscuits black.
• You play a game with one of the biscuits.
• You deck the guy who says, "Check, please."
• Your calendar only runs from October to May.
• You wonder how you will get through June, July, August and September.
• When someone says, "two minutes" you respond, "What for!?!"

See you at the rink!

Good-bye 2011

On our way to Detroit Lakes for a hockey game today Blaine and I did a quick recap of 2011, it was a tough year for us as I am sure it was for others as well.   


Here is what we came up with for our timeline:


January

1. Received news of Blaines's mom having brain cancer

2. Followed up with 2 brain surgeries only days apart

March
* Kayla was invited to play in a Super Series AAA Girls Hockey Tournament
* Becky was admitted to the hospital for splendid week-long vacation (NOT)
* We celebrated our 15th Anniversary

May

* Justin picked out and purchased a new guitar

 

June

* Vacation with the Lanes' family at MN’s own Disney World “AKA: Valley Fair”

*  Grandma celebrated her 85^th birthday

*  Michele has her 3^rd brain surgery to remove/reduce tumor

July

*  Spent 4^th of July weekend at Lake of the Woods with mom and dad

August

* Took the kids on their first camping trip at Sleeping Fawn resort (highly recommended)

* Michele (Blaines' mom) made the trip to our house for an afternoon visit

September

* Blaine’s mom lost her battle with cancer

* Blaine purchased his first Harley Davidson

* We said good-bye to Grandpa Mike who moved to Georgia

*Blaine turned  40 (before Becky- ha ha)

October

* Went to see a Vikings Game

* Justin played football at the Fargo dome

* Becky turned 40 (who doesn’t look a day over 25)

December
* Justin’s hockey had their home tournament and took second place
* Spent Christmas holiday with friends and family


Tonight we ended the year all together.  All four of us were able to go to Detroit Lakes together and watch the Peewee's end the year with a win!  We then went to the movie "I bought a zoo", it was a fabulous choice for a family movie, quite a tear jerker but a great story line!  After the movie we went out for supper and then stopped for ice cream.   What a way to spend the day together and leave the year behind.


Now, as we sit only minutes after we brought in the New Year, I wonder what is in store for us this year.  My hopes are for "Tranquility".  To answer your question Vicky, my word for the year will be TRANQUILITY and my hopes for you is health, happiness, love and most of all "Light".  I love you to the moon and back my dear friend.


For all my friends and family; thank you for sharing and being a part of our lives, I wish you faith that will guide you to your dreams, hopes that will keep you moving and love beyond measure along with friendships you can treasure.


Cheers to you all on the start of a new begining.


Happy 2012!

Christmas Blessings

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

This year for Christmas we did a little traveling to Grand Forks to spend Christmas Eve at mom and dad's house.  We were surprised to have a visit from Mike and Kaye before they continued on to spend their weekend with Mike and Sue, it had been years since we were able to see them for Christmas


Before getting settled for the night we made a quick trip over to see Grandma, her doctor had decided that due to some health issues it was best that she remain at home and not travel out.  Once we arrived we found her in a deep sleep and very hard to wake and when we would see her eyes open it was for only moments before they would close again with little or no response.  My best Christmas present this year was when I was telling her it was me and then gently kissing her cheek good-bye her eyes opened again and she smiled, I did my best not to let the tears roll in front of her but there was no stopping them as this was my moment with her. 

Back at mom and dad's everyone tried to get back into the Christmas spirit but yet it seemed everyone had grandma in their thoughts.


It wasn't long before the presents were being exchanged.  I was excited to get a picture of my brother with a poem he had written, it's absolutely beautiful!

I was blessed to also have been showered with other gifts from my family, they all are so kind and generous to me.
Blaine did some research and talked to Rick about a good choice of an external flash for my camera, I can't wait to learn how to use it!

Justin got me a new camera strap (pink of course) and a lens filter.

Kayla got me the picture frame that I had been admiring.

Mom and dad gave me a gift card to help out purchasing new flooring, I can't wait to use it!


DeDe and Troy found a little gadget that is right up my alley, a microwave popcorn popper that you use regular popcorn kernels and no oil is needed.    

The kids were surprised with iPod Touches, they were certain that this was the one item on their lists that would not be fulfilled.  It makes me so happy that we were able to give them these and see the excitement on their faces.

For Blaine, the kids and I got him a Kindle Fire; this has been pretty fun for him so far.  He has not had a lot of gadgets in the past years so learning all the new stuff he can do has been keeping him pretty busy.


Now...for my boys.  They all sat so eagerly for their Christmas stockings...looks like the knew there was something yummy in store for them.

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Brody

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Rookie

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Gizmo

I also received a gift from Marylou, an ornament for our tree, it was just the personal touch it needed.  I also want to make note of all the Christmas cards and photo cards that we received this year from family and friends, I believe this year topped the record for the number we have received, unfortunately this year also tops the number of cards I still have to hand out that I was unable to deliver before Christmas.

Christmas day was spent at our house and my immediate family traveled our way to have Christmas dinner with us, it was another wonderful holiday spent with them.  It gives me great pleasure to sit at my table knowing that I am surrounded by those that mean everything to me, make a meal to share with them, be able to say a prayer of thanks together and enjoy the gifts that we received through out the year.


My love is also sent to those that were unable to be with us this year but are spending their holiday with Jesus; love to you all.


May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through! ~Author Unknown

Peewee Black Tournament

This past weekend Moorhead Youth Hockey hosted their first tournament of the year, it also happened to be Justin's team's tournament.  After many months of planning along with the tournament committee it was time to see if the changes that we came up with would be a success...fortunately they were and the tournament went off without a hitch; we even had lots of volunteer workers this year to help keep things going.

This is also the first year that Justin has been on a team that made it to championship, they won all of the games leading up to championship which lead to many smiles through out the weekend.  I was also able to see Justin's first goal of the year; you see the team was down 2 players due to penalties...it was 5 on 3 and Justin grabbed the puck, got past the opponents defense...took it on a break away - deaked the goalie and SCORED!  The crowed went wild and I was choked up that he was finally able to sink one this year and witnessed the whole thing.  This was a great game for me!

The Championship game approached and we found they were playing Winnepeg East, this team had also won all the games they played in this tournament so far...only they were winning their games by many, many, did I say many, more goals than the other teams.  The boys went on the ice with confidence and made their first goal within the first few minute, it also turned out to be their only goal of the game; Winnepeg reciprocated by scoring 4 more than us in that first period.

In the end, as was anticipated, the boys took second place but held their plaque and medals with pride; us parents, held the cameras and took those proud pictures and patted each one on the back for a job well done and an amazing weekend.

Congratulations Peewee Black!

Something about Mary

Out for the evening last night at a Cookie Exchange a dear friend of mine mentioned that she follows my blog and has found that it hasn't been updated in quite sometime.  So as promised...I titled this one 'Something about Mary' in her honor.

We have gotten the pleasure of seeing both the kids perform in school functions all within one week.
Makayla was a reporter in the the 5th grade play called "Lewis and Clark" last Friday; each 5th grade class put on their own performance. We saw Justin play Charbonneau last year and couldn't wait to see the play again this year...we were again pleasantly entertained.

Last night we were invited to watch the 6th grade Christmas Choir concert.  It was the first time that we were invited by the schools to watch either of our kids sing...what a treat this was!  The smile on the kids faces told us they were having a great time too.

Tonight...more cookies are being made.  I made several different kinds on Monday night but with all the hockey practice going on I was alone in this effort; as promised, the kids are making their own cookies tonight.

As for me, I have been busy playing with my new camera and snapping as many pictures as I can trying to learn as much as I can without annoying anyone too much.  I had the pleasure of taking my sisters family pictures this year.  It was a lot of fun and I think she found a few she liked.

I would love for anyone to look at my pictures and give me their input...if your interested in seeing more of what I have done please go to showerofmemories.blogspot.com and give me your thoughts.

And to Mary...thanks for following and being such a sweet friend!