Last Game

Markus and Max both had their last hockey games of the season today. I am sad that it's over - it is such a great experience for both of the boys, and for me. Markus told me after his last practice Thursday night that he couldn't believe it was the last practice, that the whole season has gone by quickly because, in his words, "When you are winning, the games go by so fast." I feel like I won't get to see my hockey family for a long time. In fact one of Max's Lightning coaches, Shane, came up to me after the game and gave me a hug and said that his daughter Vivi was going to miss seeing me and that she had made something for me. It was an adorable hat that she had knitted. His wife helped her and it is so soft, I will think of her every time I wear it. His wife was also telling me about the competition that Vivi went to in Jackson Hole yesterday and that she took first place. They saw my sister Darlin up there, and Shane used to skate guard with her when my parents ran the Triad Center ice rink. He also used to play hockey with my brother Adam. It is such a small world.

{Some photos from today}

{Falcons all lined up and ready to play}

{Owen, McKay, Markus, & Garrett}



{Aiden, Luke & Luc}



{Aiden, Sam, Cannon, & Diesel}

Falcons won against the Kings today 16-0

The Undefeated Mite Champions!

Hockey =

good friends +

great coaches +

FUN!!!

{Even though Max's team the Sioux lost 5-0 to the undefeated Gophers- Max had a great game and was trying so hard}

Marko and Bryce

{ Max and his Sioux coach Abel}

Abel just returned from Hawaii today and was evacuated from his hotel room due to the Tsunami warning. He and his wife were telling me that it was a very scary time. I can only imagine how terrifying it must have been to be in Japan during the earthquake and tsunami. So sad for all of the lives that were lost in the disaster.

{Max and Markus, great job on an outstanding season!}
<3

Hanging Out

{Morgen and Alex}

Morgen and his friend Alex had a sleep over tonight. Between talking on the phone and playing with their iPods, I don't know if they ever even interacted with each other. They could have just as easily been in two separate houses. What is the point of hanging out, if you don't talk to each other? Just wondering...

Flying Penguins

Max got some news that he was pretty excited about today. It has something to do with this and

this.

In like a lion...

March has come in like a lion from the looks of things outside.

 I had to break out the snow blower yesterday to clear the driveway. I had it cleared in a few minutes, but the fumes lingered all day.  






The snow sure makes everything look beautiful though!



One more thing

Just because their wasn't enough going on Saturday, one more thing that night. The county youth league night at the Grizzlies game! 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Max sat with a couple of his friends from the Lightning team, Killian and Cameron.

Killian asked me to take his photo with the Grizz Girls.

Markus sat with his Falcons team mates.

Markus, Karsen, McKay, Owen, Garrett and Aiden

After the Grizzlies won the game, they had free skating

They also had a meet and greet with some of the players.

Max having his jersey signed by player number 6
(I don't know their names!)

They were all really nice and talked to the boys about hockey

Some of the players even let us take a photo with them

Killian stayed with us and came over for a sleep over

Markus' jersey was covered with autographs by the time he was finished

Fun times for some fun loving boys

This poor guy lost a tooth and had his lip stitched up following a fight in the game and still came out for autographs

Myles and Markus



Markus, Killian, Owen and Max



Rivals

Max made it back from skiing just in time for his game Saturday night.

He was tired from skiing all day but still skated pretty well and had a couple of shots on net.

His Sioux team played their rivals, the Knights, and held their own.

The Knights still won but at least it wasn't a shut out.

Marko's Last Home Game of the Season

For Markus' last home game of the season he played defense

and no one scored from the opposing team!

Falcons vs. Wolverines

score: 16-0

My parents came since it was right after his baptism as well as Cole, Casey and his friend Austin

Celebrating!

good times.

After his game I taught skating for two hours and then Markus wanted to ride his bike at the park before Max's game. It was such a nice day for a ride I couldn't say no.

Accountability

{Markus reading his new book}

Here are some pictures of Markus' baptism and brunch.



Since we already celebrated his birthday in February,

we celebrated the fact that he is eight!

{Markus before his baptism}

{Markus with my sister Monet who came early}

{Love this sweet little boy!}

I invited all of my family after the ordinance to my home.

What a great age. It is the age of baptism and the age of accountability in our church.

It is a celebrated age where the gift of the Holy Ghost is given to us.

Markus had a great day (I think) and was being very serious about the whole thing. When I asked him how he felt after his baptism he said, "I feel like I want to try and be like Jesus." I was a little bit worried that his personality had been affected by this responsibility but by tonight he was almost back to his normal, silly, self! I was feeling emotional for most of the day, as having my youngest son baptised, I feel like he is almost all grown up now.

We are just racing time...

...where's the finish line?

My friend Sharon's Dad passed away on Sunday and after the funeral, she said that her parents house felt oddly clean and quiet– especially in the living room where his lift chair sat empty. Just days before, Sharon's dad had fed himself, told her that he wanted to live and reached for her; but in the morning he was blue and still.

Sharon stepped up to the pulpit, turned her face to the sun coming in through the window and wondered how long her heart could continue to beat when she was so filled with pain. As she stood to speak at the funeral she began to hear whispers, to literally feel the prayers of all the friends, neighbors and family who were praying for her and her mother. They came to her like sunbeams, tiny bits of light splintering the great blackness of grief.

I’ve been thinking of Sharon’s experience on the stand since she described it to me. Any time that I think that my one prayer won’t make a difference, or am too shy to ask for prayers in my behalf, I’ll picture that celestial meteor shower of hope and love.

And, I’ll continue to offer, every night, every hour, a prayer for those I love.


How have you felt the power of prayer in your life?

Be careful claiming inspiration

Be careful claiming inspiration. I was reading about it today. My friend and piano teacher Kate posted this on Facebook and it made me stop and think. What do you think?

Friendly Faces

Patch, Markus, Vivi & Sidney

Markus loves coming to watch Max's Lightning practices with me. He has a whole little group of friends that he runs around and plays with every week. He is so sad when they aren't there and he and I both miss their friendly faces.

Safety Patrol

Safety Patrol to the Max

Max was able to have his pizza party at school today for serving on the safety patrol for the past three weeks. All of the sixth grade students take their turn during the school year serving as crossing guards for the cross walks. So everyday before school he would stand out in the cold helping the children cross the street safely to get to school and everyday after school as well. He spent a total of eight cold hours helping out. He also started taking an algebra class before school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Way to go Max!