GOING TO THE BIG DANCE

Last night I watched the big game.{NCAA Basketball Championship for those that aren't aware} It was an outstanding game. I would say, in my humble opinion, one of the best in recent years. The game was close most of the way through, except when Memphis was up 56-49 and didn't seem that they could miss a shot, this didn't deter Kansas. In the end, as it almost always does in close games, it came down to free throws. Someone choked and choked big. The Memphis team missed four out of five free throws in the last several minutes, which gave Kansas an opportunity to tie it with a three pointer in the last seconds of the game. I was praying that they would tie it. I mean they just had to after all those shots were missed. In over time Kansas pulled ahead and took the Championship.

Having said all this there was one thing that I thought was also interesting. Memphis is one of the worst in free throw percentages in the country, at 59% . The Memphis coach had said earlier that it didn't matter because his team always came through in the end. WHAT! Come on these are free throws. PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE! Big games that are close, are won and lost on free throws. Plus with that record don't you think the other team will know and use it to their advantage. Whatever, this really bugs me THEY ARE FREE THROWS! FREE! again Practice is the key word here.

On another note I love basket ball , can you tell? I played in organized teams since I was about 7 years old. When I was 16 my high school team Played in the sectionals, won, then in the regionals,Won, and then went to play at the big dance for the state, in Colombia MO. It was awesome playing in all these games, every venue bigger and more awesome than the next. It was just like in "Hoosiers" when they play in bigger arenas and get all psyched. We didn't get First place but we were in the final four and I did get to play on a huge court in front of hundreds of people cheering for me and my teammates. You can never truly know the feeling unless you have been in the position. It feels like floating on air and dancing at the same time. When your team is in the Zone and you are doing everything right and every bucket goes in, you feel like, indestructible. That was the feeling back in Feb 1984 for me. I wish my family could have seen me play and could of felt the excitement that was in my soul. Maybe they did And I didn't know. I love this game. Every time I watch such great games I think back to the glory days. I get a little melancholy but Now I am in a greater game and the period's are longer and the oppressor's tougher. The end is not so near and some times the game drags, but I will win and float on air and dance at the same time in the end....{ It better be the same feeling or better}

Tough Night

We lost our game. It was a little frustrating. We do have another game on Sat., if we win we will play for the championship. There are only four teams. I know we can do it. Does anyone know how to get 7 young boys to listen, when half of them think they know more than you?

MY TEAM ROCKS!!!!!!!! THE GOOCH

Tonight we started our "Basket Ball Tournament" and we WON! It was such an awesome game. Jack played his best game yet. He played great defence and was more aggressive then ever. We were up in the first half by 6 then they came back and were beating us by 2 til the middle of the fourth quarter. They pushed ahead to 9 up with 2 minutes left, then my team put up 2 three pointers {Cordial your the Man} I had two guys on the bench complaining that we were going to loose and that it was all over. I had to say "Come on, it ain't over til it's over baby. We got time." I mean we were so hyped up. Then in the last 1 sec, I am serious, it was the last second We put up a 3 pointer! All net, Oh yeah!!! We went to over time 25 to 25. We came out shooting, and took the game 27 -25. After, a parent from the other team said to me "That was a great game. You must be a great coach because your team was the worst at the beginning of the season" OK ... Thank you? I think our team started out a little rough and we definitely have some kids that have never played, But they have come a long way. We play again on Thursday and we will see.

Get Your Game On...For Life

Basketball season is almost done. I have loved coaching. Last night I had to leave practice early to go to an "Enrichment meeting" As I left practice exhausted from constantly trying to regroup 8 10yr old{ It is hard work} I realized how much I am going to miss it. We only have one game left and a tournament. Jack has improved this season by leaps and bounds. I know he gets frustrated, but that is part of the game. I love the whole rhythm of the game. It just brings joy to my whole body, physical and mental. I love the team work and the anticipation of where the ball will be next . I love knowing that everyone is out there for the same goal. If only I could get regular life to have the same rhythm. I guess that is a little unrealistic. Maybe not though, I mean we are all in this family for the same goal and we are trying to work as a team. There is just not a crowd cheering us on, that I can hear. We really don't get a practice. We just have to be in the game constantly without a lot time outs. We do however get many chances to shoot free throws. If we miss we get to try again. Life, I guess, is like one huge basketball game. That is why I love it

Jack and I Win!!!!!!

We won Our game today and Jack scored one basket it was awesome. We have one more game left and then a tournament. I am having a blast caoching. Claire put on Jack"s jersey and sang " Basket ball Jones he's a basket ball Jones" too Funny. She also asked me if I was tired. She a smart little whip!

Athlete of the Year

Tonight was Sam's last basketball game. He had a great season. He was able to dribble, shoot a couple of times, and he always had his hands up on defense. What a star.

Sam is so fun to watch. He is having a blast. He does think the games are to short. He told me that he tries to always get the last rebound to give him luck in the next quarter.

The Tree is Gone, FINALLY!

I finally got the Christmas down, now I just have to box it all up and carry it up the stairs. What am I thinking decorating with three trees and various and sundry decorations. I love it at Christmas though. The boys wanted me to leave it up because it makes them happy. I guess we will have to find something else to make them happy.

Yesterday was our 3rd game of the season and we lost 16-14, a close game. Jack had a great time. His skills are coming along, at some point I will get some pictures taken. It's kind of hard since I am the coach.

Sam also played but, I missed it Claire has been sick with a bad cough.

We Won!!!

Finally, one tree down and two to go, it is a slow process. I am slowly getting Christmas down with no hired help.

On another note Jack had his second game today and we won. Our defense was awesome. We held them after the first period to six points { we only scored nine points} but hey so what we won. Jack did great. I think this was his best game ever, in his whole career {he is 11} He was spurring on his team while yelling "come on guys ,lets go, hands up, come on defence" He is really enjoying it. He hung in there even when he jammed his finger { didn't have a choice, only four guys showed up} Coaching is such a rush and frustrating at the same time. One of the fathers said he wants to help me, I said great,but I hope he doesn't mean to under mine me. I do need help in practice, like I said they are a handful.

Sam had his game last night. He did great. Sam is so fun to watch, so serious. They don't really keep score {Six and seven year olds} Most get the ball and run around in circles with the ball in their hand tell they can find an open shot, it is hilarious to watch. Sam did dribble and tried to shoot three times. He even volunteered to play for the other team because they were short players. What a guy.

I am trying something new with Sam. I think from all my research that he might be ADD, so I'm adding some different things to his diet,Flax oil and Flax seed flour. I am also trying to give him eggs enriched with Omega-3 fatty acids . This is supposed to help his brain fuction better. It takes about twelve weeks so we are counting down. His symptoms; easily distracted, has trouble rhyming, forgets instructions if more than two, a couple physical problems dry skin, over sensitve to clothes, thisty, and goes to the bathroom alot. I will keep tracking this.

Run Boys Run

Tonight I had Jack's basket ball practice. I am the coach and I am sure I was more worn out the the seven 10 year old boys that I coach. These boys were so wound up;half the practice was calming them down and resolving fights. Next practice we will run,run,run.

Slowly Chipping Away

Here it is Saturday night. I made it to the end of the week{it has been questionable on several days this week} But I slowly kept chipping away at everything I needed to do. We got through two days of school-I revised my religion curriculum, only took 10 hours of fighting with the computer and printer, I am so inept. We started using all my modifications and it worked out pretty well. We are studying the Old Testament and I needed to work in more hands on activities for Sam and Blake. They seemed to like what we did. They really liked laying on the floor and painting like Michelangelo. We painted scenes from the creation ie. Sistine Chapel it was fun.
We got through all the basics Math, reading, writing, and personal scripture study.

On Friday night Sam had his first Basketball game of the season. He was relatively bored most of the time, they were splitting up teams handing out uniforms; Sam just wants to get to it. We were there from 7:00 till8:45, to long!

Jack had his first game the next morning, Saturday, I am the coach of his team{The Pirates} so we were both a little nervous. The game went well, we lost 11-16, Jack made the first basket of his basketball career.YAAAA!

Claire and I did a little shopping and bought her some much needed basics; socks,tights, pj's, and some cute slippers, which she loves. We were in and out in 20 min I had to call Maryann for shopping advice{ she is the Queen of shopping and deals }

It is time to sleep, church tomorrow at 12:30, Yes! I think we can make it on time.