Devon has to Run Last Meet in Hurricane Sandy's Weather

On Tuesday, October 30, 2012 Devon and 11 other top JV runners from NOHS compete in what should be their best race of the season, however it also happens to be on the day that we are hit by the rolling storm of Hurricane Sandy.

The race is around a park, down the hill, back up the hill and back around to the start which is now the finish.  Devon ran this race last year and finished with 17:54.  Devon had a great start and was in a great position as he headed down the hill.  When he came back up he had fallen behind a little, but nothing bad.  Devon ran his Season Best finishing 32nd with a time of 18:04.  After the race Devon told us that he pulled his back coming up the hill and the more he ran the more it hurt.  Because the race started so close to the end of school, he didn't have a chance to totally warm up.  He had wanted to run faster but with the pain in his back it was all he could do to finish. 

We are so proud of Devon for all that he did as a 3 year XC runner!  What a great 3 years to run for such an amazing team, with great young men, runners and friends.  

Robert passes off Citizen in the Community

Today Robert passed off his Citizen in the Community Merit badge.  It is an Eagle Required merit badge.  He has only one left to pass off and that is Camping which he has finished but the merit badge counselor is out of town.  This is very exciting because these were the two last merit badges Robert needed to pass off in order to have "EVERYTHING" done for his Eagle Rank.

He is only one week away from finishing his Eagle Scout Project.  It's been an exciting time of year for Robert.

State Champions in XC

Great job in Kentucky Fire Soccer
Earn all A's in school

and Finishing his requirements for Eagle Scout Rank!

Devon Runs Amazing Race at Metro Meet of Champions

The same day Robert ran in the State Championship in Lexington, Devon ran in the Metro Meet of Champions in Louisville (River Road Park).  

Devon's team and Marissa's team ran at this meet, but they didn't have the Varsity girls run, so Devon was the only one from our family running at this meet.  Betsy went to Lexington to see Robert run, but then immediately drove back to Louisville to be there to support Devon.  

The day was miserable and cold - only 45 degrees.  Even after noon it was cold.  Katie's mom drove Marissa to catch the bus at 11:15, Devon drove to the school because his bus didn't leave until 11:45.  

It's so nice to trust Devon to take care of himself.  He remembered to dress in layers and wear a hat and gloves.

Devon's race started at 1:45 p.m.   He got off to a great start!

Devon was third for the team at the 1 mile mark and looked very strong - passing others as he passed me. 

About a half mile from there Devon had kept his spot as #3 for the team and looked strong and confident.  

At the two mile mark Devon had slowed a bit but then picked it up.  You can see in the photos that the guy in blue was behind him at the 1 1/2 and is tie with him now, but in the next photo Devon passes him.

And continues a strong pace.

Devon came in 3rd for the team, ?? overall with a time of 18:?? which is very close to what he ran at this meet last year (18:19).

After the race Devon was talking with friends (guys and girls)  I snuck this photo of Devon - he didn't know I took it.   I really like it - he looks relaxed and comfortable with his environment.  Devon has such a handsome look.  His face has a very strong jaw line.

Congratulations to Devon for an excellent run - he ran ahead of Austin Gordan, Luc Brazeau, Adam Zimmerman - all guys that had done better than him in the previous meets.

Robert Helps His XC Team To a State Championship

Up at 6:30 to eat a good breakfast and get ready.  Robert had scrambled eggs and toast.  YUM.  The weather is cold and miserable.  It rained all  night and it's only 40 degrees.  We made sure Robert was dressed in layers, had a hat, gloves and an extra pair of socks.  Vicki picked Robert up at 7:00 to take him to the school to catch the bus.  Unfortunately, the bus never came!  YIKES!  All the kids had to be farmed into car to get to the meet.  

Robert arrived at the meet around 9:15 am.  They got their bibs on and went on a walk thru.  The girls Championship race was at 10:30 am.  The boys Championship race was at 11:15 am.  Robert had to miss a soccer game (started at 11:00 am in Louisville) to run in the state championship.  He's so excited and a bit nervous to run in the championship race.  He's done great all year long - being very consistent in all his races.  

The boys kept their warm clothing on for warm up as long as possible.  

Mark counseled with Robert up to the last few minutes.

The boys are antsy and ready to run.  No more clothes covering their arms and legs.  BURRR!

On you Marks, Get Set, Go!

Robert at the 1 mile mark.  He looks good and strong!!!  There are 506 runners in this race.  It gets packed very fast.  Robert had to get to a quick start so not to get stuck in a crowd.  He did great.

At the two mile mark Robert was in a good position.  

He looked comfortable and relaxed.  

At the finish!  

Robert is just about to cross the finish line.

He finished in 30th place with a PR of 14:50.  

Wow!!!  What a great race!  Robert we are so proud of you.  You did fantastic!

Robert with friends Nolan and Max

As a tradition we always get the kids a Championship tee shirt or sweatshirt.  Robert prefers the sweatshirt ($40).  This year it is bright orange.

Back:  Mason Beard, Logan Otter, Alex McClarty, Nick Bierne
Front:  Robert Lowe and Nolan Ruggles
Not shown:  Max Miller

At the Awards ceremony they announced that the NOMS Boys team took 1st place for the third year in a row.  Robert was so excited to be part of the Championship team.  The weather didn't dampen their spirits!!!  These boys have won all their races that they were at (A few had to miss the DeSales meet so we didn't win that one, but 1/2 of the boys including Robert weren't able to run in that meet).

Congratulations to Robert and his teammates for another fantastic win at the State XC Championship!

10 Day of Fall Break

Friday - great day to sleep in!  Devon leaves with his XC team for Gainsville GA.  Betsy and Robert left to pick up Conner Cline and head to Nashville, TN after taking Marissa to XC practice.

Saturday - 4 states:  Marissa runs in Lexington, KY, Devon runs in Gainsville, GA, Robert plays soccer in Nashville, TN and Jessica goes to school and works in Provo, UT.  Devon returns home very late!


Sunday - Day of rest, church, Eat at Rainforest Cafe before heading back home.  Travel back to KY frorm TN, family walk - Mark gets hit in the nose with the frisbee - didn't Betsy say "No Frisbee"

Monday - Devon works from 10-2:00.  Marissa XC at 8:30 am.  Everyone does homework - did we forget it's break?  Good for them!  Robert has soccer practice.  Presidental debate!

Tuesday - Devon and Marissa XC practice in the morning.  Robert made breakfast (eggs and bacon) for everyone as part of his Duty to God.  Robert's science experiment to fly a kite at different lengths.  Chocolate milk shakes.  Mail Jessica and Jake packages.  Betsy leaves for Toledo, OH - learns her grandma (kids' great grandma) had a bad fall breaking her arm and receiving 49 stitches on her arm.  Robert XC practice, Marissa YW.  Playing in the leaves in the back yard.

Wednesday - Betsy in Toledo OH to wish her grandma a happy birthday and see what happened from her fall.  Devon & Marissa XC practice in the morning.

Thursday - Mark took the day off so we could have a day together as a family.  He found a state park in Carrollton called General Butler Park where we could canoe, kayak and hike.  Unfortunately, the water activities were closed for the season, so we went on a 3 mile hike.  There were many hills - some very steep.  Marissa didn't like going uphill…which I found ironic.  She doesn't have any trouble running up hills and actually excells at them, whereas I hate them, but I didn't have any trouble hiking up the hills and led the way most of the time.  We had to get back by 4:00 so Robert could get to a soccer game and Devon and Marissa could get to the temple.

Friday - Today it rained all day so I didn't have a chance to paint the deck railing.  We did chores around the house and the kids watched TV (too much).

Saturday -

Sunday

Betsy's Grandma turns 93

Betsy decided since it was "Fall Break" to take a day and go visit her grandma for her 93'rd birthday.  Betsy drove up to Toledo, OH on Tuesday night, so she could take her grandma out to breakfast on Wednesday morning.  She left around 5:30 pm - It is a 5 hour drive and she did most of it without stops.  It's a shame - every time she goes to Toledo, she'd like to swing over to Nepoleon to see some family history sights, but every time she is in such a rush to get there or get back.

Wednesday morning Betsy calls and goes over to her grandma's condo.  They have a lovely visit together talking for hours.  Unfortunately, Grandma had taken a bad fall about a month prior and didn't tell Betsy or any of the grand kids.  In the fall she broke her arm and tore the skin off.  She required 49 stitches.  Luckily Grandma has hired a "care-giver" that comes to check on her daily and takes her to her doctor appointments.  Dee is her name and she came to visit Grandma while Betsy was there so she got to meet and chat with her.  It was comforting to meet her and know that someone is close by and can look after Grandma.  I wish she would let us bring her to live with us or near us so we could visit more often but she is very set in her ways up there and doesn't want to move.  I imagine if she were to move, she would prefer to be close to her son.

It was a great day, but then Betsy had to leave by 12:00 to get back home in time to take Robert to a soccer practice that started at 5:30.  She made it home by 4:45 as if she hadn't been away.

It is a bit crazy that she drove 5 hours up and 5 hours back for a 3 hour visit, but it was worth it.  She had some special time with her grandma, on her grandma's 93rd birthday.

I love Fall

Tuesday of Fall Break was georgeous.  Marissa and Devon ran XC in the morning - Robert and I took his science experiment kite flying but by mid afternoon the weather was absolutely gorgeous - near 80 degrees, a slight breeze, sunny and warm.  Marissa was reading outside on the new patio when I decided to join her.  Then the fun began!  Leaves, leaves and more leaves!

Too much of a Good Thing

This game started at 9:15 and they just started on FIRE.  They have three key players and the rest didn't matter.  #35 was their best player - he scored both their goals, #20 is the size of Mark but bigger and stronger - he played defense, and their goalie - he had some amazing saves!

After we got scored on within the first 7 minutes (there a bouts) we woke up and realized we weren't going to have such an easy game of it.  We played very hard having several chances - actually out playing the Chivas but just not able to make a goal.  First half 0-1 (them).  

Robert and the other players came out strong after the half.  We unfortunately let the same guy through and he scored - 0-2.  UGH!  Robert played extremely aggressive.  I was so impressed to see he working so hard to keep the ball.  

At some point in the game, the bottom of Robert's cleat came off.  He played the remainder of the game without the spikes on his shoe.  I couldn't tell.

It seemed that Robert was always double teamed when he got close to making a goal.  

Final score Chivas 2 - Fire 0.

Our Record is now 10 wins -5 losses -2 ties

Jessica has decided to go on a Mission

After the conference talks (the first weekend in October) Jessica has pondered, prayed, counciled and considered going on a mission now that girls are allowed to go at the age of 19.  She will finish her papers over the Christmas Holiday and submit them so that she leaves as soon as school lets out (sometime in May) - or at least that is her current plan.

This is so exciting and unexpected.  We had no reason to be thinking of a mission for her - prior to October 6th girls didn't go on missions until they were 21 years old.  Now all that is changed and she will leave at the age of 19.

Second Victory in Music City Tournament

The second game of the Tournament was at 4:15 that same day at the Metro City Complex.  Robert and his friends had gone to Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch (but he also had a sub sandwich before getting there).  While there he ate some chicken fingers.  He is really eating a lot lately.

At the game Robert started and the team did fantastic.  We had a goal in the first 5 minutes thanks to Cody #33.

Then another scored by Ethan #12!

An attempt, but not a goal

Then Robert received a perfect pass from Ethan and scored a beautifully played third goal!  Luckily I was in the right place at the right time and got a terrific shot of it!  I was so excited!  

Nothing but net!

There was yet another goal before the first half was over.

At half time the score was 4-0.

Robert and most of the other starters didn't play in the second half.  This gave several of the players plenty of soccer time.  Robert got to go in the last 5 minutes of the game.  He had a near goal and a near assist, but both didn't make it where it counts.

What a great game!  The final score was 4-0.

After the game, we all ate at a Mexican Restaurant down the street from the hotel.  Robert rode with his friend Ben while I went to a local Kroger to buy cookie cakes.  This was the last tournament for Max and it was Ryan's birthday!  It was so fun to give them each a cookie cake that they shared with the team.  Both cookies cakes were devoured!

Robert had a quesadilla and I had enchiladas.  None of it was very good, but that's okay.  We had a great time celebrating our two victories today and bonding as parents and team players.