Basketball

OK, so last night I got to go to my 10yr old daughters b-ball game. Most of these games are not the most entertaining, but we go and support our children in the activities they enjoy. I was very glad I went. It had to be the most entertaining game in 10yr old basketball history. The energy these girls had, on both teams was incredible. Neither of these teams was willing to loose, at least they weren't going down easily. Both teams had the biggest fifth graders I've ever seen. Tall and Husky! The ref's were just so so. I say that because I ref also. BTW - It's not easy to ref. You can't see everything and a lot of the time the players and fans expect you to make calls you can't physically see because they are happening on the far side (your blindside) of the player.

Anyway, The girls were having a blast, giving it there all. The opponent was down the first 3 quarters and it really looked to be in the bag when in the end of the 3rd there 2 biggest players (our teams biggest are on the bench at this time) rack up the points, taking complete advantage of there height. I would have too. I kept thinking "what is our coach doing?" That wasn't the only mistake I thought she made. (hind sight is always 20/20). They pulled ahead by 4 points. So were now down by 4 at the beginning of the 4th quarter. They play hard stealing the ball, blocking passes and our team, with about 30 sec., left is now up by 4. Wow, "that was close" I'm thinking to myself. We got this game made. But wait, the other team has the ball and just made a basket. Now it's a jump ball and the other team gets it back. There is less then 15 sec. left in the game we are up by 2. They shoot and miss. A big'n on the other team grabs the rebound and shoots. Now with, I think, 7 sec. left they score. Tie Game! What happened?

So we go into overtime. This is our hope for a win. We steal and block and make baskets and we are now up by 4 again. This OT is only 3 min. Yet, the other team comes back and we are now down by 2. What a roller coaster. My words can't do this game justice. It was thrilling and exciting to watch. The action was far above a normal game for 5th grade girls, or 9th grade boys for that matter. I have never seen a girls game like this before, and I watched my sister play college ball. It wasn't necessarily the talent that made this a good game but the desire for the girls on both teams to win. They created an electrified game. The parents were all excited, even the players and parents waiting for the next game got into it.

So were now down by 2 and there is less then 30 sec. left. I don't recall if we stole the ball or if it was a jump ball where we regained possession, but it's ours. Down the court one of our big girls driving, lays it up and out. We get the rebound, shoot and score. It's a tie game! This leaves the other team about 15 sec. to do something. They bring the ball down and again one of our big girls steals the ball and is driving hard. She can make it to the hoop fairly untouched, yet the coach calls a timeout. What? Why? Your tied and she is right there at the hoop with a great chance, at least, of winning the game. They bring the ball in with just a few sec. left and miss the shot. The game just went into double OT. In this OT there is only 2 min. to play. It's like taking candy from a baby for the first min. Every time the other team even touches the ball we steal it back. Each time we shoot, they foul. We were on the line, I think, six or seven times in less then 2 min. Unfortunately, we can't make our free throws. I think we made 2. We are up by there before the 2nd free throw was made. So with, again, about 30 sec. left we are up by 3. Back and forth, back and forth, but we just plain out ran them in the 2nd OT. We come off winning in double OT by 4. The last 2 min. was very energetic with a lot of missed shots. The other team just couldn't hold on to the ball.

I love basketball. I love to play, ref and watch. It's an all around great sport. I have to admit though, when watching a live game it's very hard  to just sit and watch. I just want to be on the court. I play often and had my time while i was younger that I played as well. Wow, we had some good teams! I am very thankful for the time I have had to play ball. There is just nothing like it. Good fun, good competition, good friends and good exercise.

The inventor of basketball was genius and I'm sure inspired. Thank you for basketball!

Good Tunes

You ever encounter a smell that you just can't put your finger on, yet you know that scent. It's so familiar and the more you try to figure it out the further the memory of it speeds from your mind. That is so frustrating! Yet, it never fails, at some completely inopportune time the memory comes flashing back. Usually for me it's about 3am waking me from my much needed rest. The memory you recaptured by that smell is usually a sweet childhood memory. That is not always the case, but for me more often then not it works out that way.

Smell, taste and sounds can all do that to us. Even the texture of an item we touch can bring back these memories. Music is a powerful one for me. I love music. Good music! I listen to all kinds of music, many different genres. It's amazing to me the memories that flood back do to a tune I hear for the first time in years. I am thankful for music, especially good mellow, clean music. Music has power. Good music will bring good things to your mind. Music with suggestive lyrics and awful language will bring you equivalent thoughts and an attitude to follow.

So, Thank You to all those that take time to create good music.

Valentines Day!

Seeing as today is Valentines Day, I am reminded of how important those around me are. Not just my sweetheart and my children, but all my family (extended as well) and friends. I can't forget my boss and those I work with. They are all great. I am so thankful for and love all of these people.

I'm actually reminded often of how important all of these people are to me. This just happens to be a holiday in which I can express my thanks for them in a different way. With little red, pink and white hearts and cheesy little cards and candies that say 'Be Mine' or 'LOVE'. What a great holiday. I think any day (or holiday scheme) that gets us to look at those we love and give thanks for them is ultimately one of our best days.

Happy Valentines Day!

Hope!

So I've had a rough weekend. Not as rough as those people I will write about. Anyway, I got some very discouraging news about a niece of mine. She has decided to give up her family for very selfish reasons. This is not meant to dump on her but really to show why her family, I and my family had a rough weekend full of sorrow and sadness. Although she, my niece, may not have any hope left or the ability, for now, to see light and hope, I know it is there. She just needs to open her eyes to the truth and accept it for what it is. She needs to be true to herself then she can move on with hope, understanding the truth. Not just the truth of her actions and selfish feelings, but the truth and source of all light. She needs to find Jesus Christ in order to find hope. He is hope! It is hope that takes away sorrow. I am so thankful for the escape of sorrow, hope! It's a wonderful thing. It sounds easy, but finding hope in a bad situation can be so difficult. Maybe even the most difficult thing we will ever do in this life. Once we have it, life is so sweet. Here's to Hope! May we all be blessed to find it.

Flying Undies ; )

So this morning my three youngest kiddos were in my room. My two youngest daughters were helping mom fold laundry. I walked in and saw my youngest just being cute. She has the cutest smile and laugh and the best sense of humor. So anyway, being sneaky, I got behind her and put underwear over her head. She thought it was really funny and with her cute giggle took them off. Then she tried to put them on her older sisters head and we all laughed while her older sister got all grumpy, not wanting to participate. Her reaction with grumpiness was even more funny then the panties on the head in the fist place. Then my son came a little to close to see what we were all laughing at and my youngest almost got it over his head. He jumped back with a look of terror, all while she pull back her arm and let em rip. They landed square on his head and stuck there (don't worry, fresh laundry and all - clean ; ). All but my son busted out laughing. It was hilarious.

He unfortunately thought we were laughing at him. I had to talk to him a bit to get him to come back in. Then I explained to him that we were not making fun of him but just having fun with the moment and situation. I told him he needed to learn to be able to laugh at things like this. Not everything must be so serious all the time. Unfortunately, I know where he learned it. From me!

I am thankful for me son! He has his moments with ADHD and obsessive compulsiveness. We all have some of these tendencies. Some struggle with them more then others. Anyway, I am thankful for my son and the fact that he, through his actions this morning reminded me that I shouldn't always be uptight. Loosen up a bit.

I am not one to live by the mantra that rules were made to be broken. I know that fun can be had following the rules. I believe even more enjoyable fun can be had by following the rules, laws or commandments. Call them what you will, but take a break from your so serious work, school or whatever it is you do to much of and have fun. Even better, have fun with your family.

Thank you buddy (my son), you are such a blessing in my life. Your laugh and smiles, reactions, creativity, even your hyper and obsessive compulsiveness make me smile. I love it, and I love you, thank you!

Not Enough Sleep

Wow, I am really tired today. I was out a bit late last night playing basketball. Then when I got home I was up even later talking with my wife. I did get some good rest, it just wasn't enough. So thinking back on that, I am grateful for the rest I was able to receive.

It's amazing what the body can take. Our bodies are really very resilient. Although my lack of rest has made this day a bit long, my body will rejuvenate. That is just an awesome quality built into our bodies.  Although imperfect, we are pretty amazing. People are amazing. Life is amazing. What should I expect? We are after all born and made of God. He does some very amazing work.

None of our bodies are perfect, but they will be!

Thankful, for being tired? Who would of thought?

I Have Legs!

After getting the kiddos off to bed last night, I decided to use our treadmill. It's actually only the second time I've even been on it. I will usually go for the weight machine, but I've been doing that in the morning lately. I have access to a treadmill at work that I use during break, at times. Anyway, as I was using it, protected from the cold by a warm home. I got to thinking. (Ahhh, you thought I was going to be thankful for my home, and I am. Maybe that will be another post.) This time I was thinking how thankful I am for my legs.

Funny, most of us all have them, and I greatly sympathize for those that do not. We all take them for granted. Think about it. How many times a day do you think, 'Wow, I'm really glad I have legs!'. We don't do that. It's usually those things closest to us that we take for granted the most. I don't know about you but my legs are fairly close to me (so is my family). I am so very thankful for my legs. They take me where I want to go. They allow me to run, and have fun playing sports. They allow me to pound them into the pavement and although tired, they will still take me home.

I've had knee issues since my early 20's. Broken knee cap then 3 years later, almost to the day, a partial tear of both ACL and MCL. Neither of these are fun to go through and I could have had gone though much worse. As I get a bit older they hurt more and more. My weight has a bit to do with it as well. Even with these minor issues I've had to deal with, to have working limbs, even if injured at times is such a huge blessing. I can't imagine not having them, they just work for me and have throughout my life. I am so thankful for my legs.

The Beginning

So, where to begin hu? I heard someone say recently how she, along with others (about 300),  received an email everyday from this individual they know. He was recording everyday what he was thankful for and letting everyone he knew know about it. I am not posting this to advertise to the world, in fact i'm not going to tell anyone that I even created this blog. I just wanted a way to express more so to myself, what I am thankful for. A way for me to acknowledge the great blessings in my life. I know they are there but sometimes it takes an act of saying thanks or in this case typing. This of course goes along with trying to live the thanks we feel. The true way of saying thank you is by showing it, not saying it. Charitable living, or as I like to call it the attitude of gratitude.

Where do I start really? What in my life shouldn't I be grateful for (the answer is nothing)? All we have,  have had and will have are all blessings. People, Thoughts, Ideas, Tangible Things along with the Intangible - All of these deserve our gratitude. Not one thing should be taken for granted, yet we all do it everyday.

Hopefully as a way to start a change in me, an Attitude of Gratitude, I will try to add my thoughts of thankfulness to this blog everyday.

To start I will share a little thought I had last night before bed. As I was preparing for lights out, I was reminded of a time when I was so very busy with work and school that I seemed to have put my family to the side a bit. I was there with my family but really took the time I had with them for granted. Now my wife is very busy. She decided to go back to school, yet she still keeps up with the kids. Helps with their homework, after school activities, performances, in school class help. She keeps up the house as best she can with her plate full. She's on top of the laundry and cooking. All this among others as well. She is 'Wonder Women' in the truest sense. This wonderful wife of mine not only took on everything while I was busy but continues to do miracles. She has done this out of pure love. Love for me and our children. Love for our Savior, Jesus Christ. She is incredible. I am so grateful for her and her strength. I am thankful for the care and attention she devotes to our family. She is my personal Hero!