The 2010-2011 Lady Vikings Basketball Season

We started in August, running sprints and stairs outside in upper 90's heat, lifting weights and everyone getting to know each other a little bit.

It ended on February 15th, at home, in triple overtime of the state Sweet 16.

In between there was a lot of hard work, by the kids and the coaches, emotional ups and downs, and a lot of adjustment at home.

6 days a week, at least 2 hours a day, took a lot out of everyone. The kids missed me, the CEO missed me, and I missed them. But I really enjoyed the coaching too. I love being in the gym, and I love strategizing to try to get a win. It's a great challenge to be a motivator and positive influence on a group of people everyday, trying to keep things exciting and interesting.

We had a receptive audience this year and only minimal parental interference. Mark and I worked well together, and he let me participate in every aspect of practice and the games. We played a brutal schedule, that at times late in the season felt like had crushed the team's spirit. But after a pair of tough losses, we sprinted to the finish line in great fashion. We upset the regular season champion in the conference tournament final, without our best player, to become conference champions!

We won the first round game of the state tournament 68-30, before falling in the next round by 2. I was proud to be their coach, their attitude and effort all season was fantastic. It was a great experience for me too, and I look forward to having my own girls there and sharing it with them in a few years!

I Like When We Are Together Too

The Tornado has had a bumpy first year in school, and while it's been better, we keep getting notes about ticky-tack things. It seems as though one of his teachers doesn't like him, for whatever reason.

But I'm here to tell you, this is a special person, with a heart of pure gold. On Valentines Day he asked me to fold a piece of paper for him so he could write a card. About an hour later he gave me the card, all with his own handwriting. It said "I love you Dad, from Luke. I like when we are together." Is that the best thing in life or what??

A week later the kids had off from school for President's Day. I took them to the beach in the morning, then they played some video games in the afternoon, and we played basketball together in the evening. At breakfast the next morning, he takes a break from eating and says,"I had fun yesterday Dad, thanks." Then went on to recollect the things we did.

The CEO had a meeting that same night so she was gone longer than usual, and as he was brushing his teeth, getting ready for bed he looks up at me and says,"It's been a long day of work for Mommy, I miss her." I picked him up and carried him to bed, and gave him the biggest hug ever.

He's pure gold, and I couldn't love him any more than I do.