Betsy Heads Up Red Ribbon Week at NOHS

For the second year in a row, Betsy has hosted the Red Ribbon Week Campaign at North Oldham High School.  This year it was held the week after Thanksgiving allowing for a full week of activities.  Every day during the student's lunch time, we man booths were the students could come sign a pledge to "Make Good Choices".  In all honesty, our whole Red Ribbon Campaign is entitled "I Will Make Good Choices."  It is this term for many reasons:  1) it isn't just drugs that we are trying to get the kids to avoid, 2) there are many choices students make that can severely or moderaly alter their future.  We encourage good friendships, good driving, good grades, and good judgement.  

On Wednesday we had an extra special treat for the students.  It is called "Picture Yourself Making Good Choices."  All students were welcome to come get their picture taken with friends and share (6 photos available) per session!  FREE!!

The class that has the most signatures win a free "1 quart size Red Power Aid" in honor or Red Ribbon week.  This year, for the second year in a row, the sophomore class won (by numbers and percent).  

I love serving!  Hopefully this will help our very special young people remember to make good choices.

Robert Makes All Area List for Cross Country

The all-area and all-state teams have now been announced!  These are the runners from North Oldham Middle School…

All-area 4

Girls:

Avery Fryman

Nicole Moeller

Boys:

Logan Otter

Alex McClarty

Robert Lowe

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Family Comes for Thanksgiving

This year we stayed home for Thanksgiving so we could be together as a family (as much as possible; we didn't bring Jessica home).

Jessica stayed out in Utah, but she had a super treat herself.  She was so excited to go down to St. George with her cousins Shannon and Nick Pope to see her cousin Jordan (just returned home from his mission), Aunt Linda, and her cousin Taryn.  They drove down on Wednesday night and we Skyped with her later that evening.  They had their dinner on Wednesday (don't know why).  She was able to see Grandpa Lowe on Thursday).

As for us, we had Tami and Steve with Dallin and Jackie, Scott and Julie with Tanner, Logan, Preston and Mallory come to join us for Thanksgiving.  Tami and Steve were supposed to come on Wednesday.  We arranged for Devon to work Tuesday so Devon could be here on Wednesday to play with Dallin but then they didn't show.  All day we waited and waited wondering when they would come.  I had tried to call, but their was no answer.  I could have emailed but I thought they were on their way and wouldn't have access/or would check email, so I didn't.  Around 8:00 pm I Facebook Julie to get Tami's number because we are getting worried something happened.  Around 10:00 Tami lets us know that they aren't coming until Wednesday.  At least they are safe.  I felt bad for Devon, he couldn't wait to see Dallin, and took the day off work (which was very hard to do).  

Thursday was a great day, even with an unexpected trip to Walmart.  I wanted to start cooking the turkey at 10:00, but soon realized my pan wasn't big enough - so I headed to Walmart were I not only found a big enough pan, but they let me purchase some doorbusters at 10:15 am.  

Tami and Steve arrived around noon with their kids.  Immediately Jackie and Marissa disappeared to have fun.  Tami brought their Maltese dog, Elli.  Everyone was excited to play with the dog.  Unfortunately, Devon had to be at work by 2:00, so he ate a good lunch at 1:15, then had to get ready to go, so he didn't really have much time with the family.  Scott and Julie didn't arrive until 2:00 or 3:00 (time flew by).  We played football in the yard.  Marissa had a few touchdowns, and so did Robert.  Robert had some interceptions, too.  The good news is that no one was injured.  

Dinner was supposed to be at 4:00, but the bird didn't finish cooking until 5:30 - we were all starving by the time dinner came around.  We set up an extra table in the "extended dinning room" for the kids and the adults at at the formal dining table.  

Front:  Robert, Preston, Tanner, Dallin, Logan,
Marissa, Mallory, and Jackie

Front:  Logan, Marissa, Mallory, Jackie, Robert
Preston (not seen), Tanner, and Dallin

Julie, Steve, Betsy, Mark, Tami and Scott

Dinner consisted of a 24 pound turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, corn, green beans, rolls, sparkling grape juice and chocolate milk for the kids.  We forgot to put out the cranberry salad that Tami brought for everyone.  It was in the frig (since we don't eat cranberry, I forgot all about it).

The turkey

The spread

After dinner and dessert (Derby pie, Pumpkin pie, Apple pie and brownies for the kids) we had a fire in the pit for smores and roasting marshmallows.

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Marissa and Jackie eating smores

Tami and Steve's family left that night to return home.  Julie and Scott's family stayed, but we were so blessed to have friends that were out of town, offer to let them use their house.  Julie and I went door buster shopping at 10:00 pm at Walmart were we got some great deals.  

The next day they came back to our house for breakfast (blueberry muffins and cereal and chocolate milk) before heading off to take them to Slugger Museum.  Tanner and Logan both love baseball and play well.  I was happy to share such a special place with them.  This is where all the Louisville Slugger bats are made.

standing at the world's largest bat

After the tour we walked around the exhibits and took photos with famous baseball players (statues).  Babe Ruth, Joe Demaccio, Ted Williams, etc.  We saw a 90 mile per hour ball being pitched - oh my goodness - that is fast.  We saw all the major league players that use Louisville Slugger bats - we got to hold their bats.  

Marissa and Mallory were inseparable.  Marissa was now the big sister, taking care of the younger kids.  She's grown up so much!

My little girl doesn't look so little anymore

We also got to go play in the play room, everyone had a blast!

Tanner, Logan and Robert took turns in the batting cage.  Robert was 10 for 10, so was Tanner.

Devon wasn't too big to play with the kids.  He slipped through a hole in the marble glove and played with them - here he finally got a minute to relax.

After everyone saw all that they wanted to see, we took the kids to McDonald's for lunch.   

Marissa Inducted into Beta Club

On Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 6:00 in the North Oldham Auditorium Marissa was inducted into the National Beta Club.  Devon came to be supportive as he is also a National Beta Club Member.  Along with Marissa many of her friends were inducted into the organization of service.  Among them were Makenzie Mullin, Tori Simpson, Katie and Danny Walker.

In order to be inducted into Beta Club you have to have a 3.5 GPA and be recommended by a teacher at NOHS.  

We are so proud of you Marissa, she was inducted with a 4.0 GPA and a heart of gold!

Marissa Makes All Area List

Congratulations to these young people for making the KTCCCA Area 4 Teams.

Girls:

Runner Of The Year - Gabriella Karas, Collins

All-Area Team:

Erin Edmundson, North Oldham

Hannah Godfrey, Elizabethtown

Caroline Grogan, Oldham Co.

Kati Heil, Oldham Co.

Gabriella Karas, Collins

Savannah Kingery, Elizabethtown

Marissa Lowe, North Oldham

Haley Mullins, Oldham Co.

Alyssa Shifflett, Bullitt Central

Grace Whitworth, South Oldham

Thanks,

Brian Crumbo

Robert Plays on an Indoor League

After the last tournament for Robert's Kentucky Fire Junior team, he was invited to play indoor soccer with a bunch of friends from school.  He plays with Ryan Danehy, Fynn Isenhart,  Michael Schultz, Justin, Holden Thompson, Gray & Jack Kinnison, Tyler Scholten and Aaron Green.  (Tyler and Aaron had to leave early so they are not in the photo).

The first game that Robert played he scored 2 goals of the 5 his team made.  The score was tie 5-5.  It was good because it was one team divided playing against the other so a tie was a great way to make everyone happy!

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Robert's Team plays the Championship Game

This was a big thing - we finally made it as a team to a championship game!  They, unfortunately had just played a game from 11:00 - 12:35 and are now playing again at 2:00 pm.  Robert had a quick lunch of chicken noodle soup at Panera - nothing too heavy and something warm that will give energy.

The referee brought the boys out "World Cup" style and presented them to the audience.  It was exciting.

We are playing against the Chicago Sockers.  They are a team small in numbers but big in size.  Robert came up to the opponent's shoulder.  

Robert receives the ball

The game started out very physical and aggressive - lots of fouls that weren't being called.  There was a lot of pushing and shoving.  The next series of photos is a continuous feed of one play

Lots of pressure is put on him by the big guy,
Henry's open for the pass but moves in too close

Robert does a move with the ball

Robert comes out with the ball, but Henry isn't in position

Robert dribbles out to find another pass

Robert now has two guys on him

He dibbles out of the mess,
but the referee is in the way of a pass

He has to go up field

He still dribbles out of two guys on him

He does a move and passes back, ball still in control :)

After the rough play calmed down, it was a very evenly matched game.  At half time we were down 2-0.  It was the same guy on their team, doing the same thing.  We mis judged a high ball and they took advantage of it.  In the second half neither team scored.  It was a shame we couldn't get it back.  We had some good opportunites; Robert would have had some nice assists, but they just didn't make it over the line.  All in all it was a great game and tournament.

Immediately after the game they had the award ceremony.  Our team was presented finalist trophies!  Later that week the picture below appeared in the Courier Journal Blog.  It was very exciting that Robert was, yet again, in the newspaper.

We came home finalists. 

Kentucky Fire Stands up to Indiana ODP

Normally we avoid games on Sunday, but with two other boys leaving early from the tournament for a school preview, Robert and I decided it would be appropriate to be there for the team.  His first game of the day was at 11:00 am.  Today was supposed to be a nice 72 degrees, but it was barely 50.  Robert started this game as a midfielder.  Going into the game we didn't know what to expect.  They beat the team we played first 5-0 and we only beat them 1-0, but we had 20 missed shots.  After about 3 minutes of rough pushing and shoving, the game settled down and the Kentucky Fire took control.

Robert again was very good at receiving and distributing the ball to other teammates.  Here he broke up a Indiana pass and distributed the ball to Henry.  

Robert loves playing soccer.  He will go all out, like here for this header.  He'll go up against someone bigger than him without hesitation.  We were playing against the Indiana U14 ODP (Olympic Development Team).  They had scored the first goal with a little help from a gust of wind.  We were playing beautifully and scored a goal, getting it back, but the wind was with us, so we knew we'd need a few for security.

Conner scoring on a free kick

There was a foul and Conner took the shot.  As they are setting up I yelled out to Conner, "I'll give you a dollar if you hit the back left corner.  Actually I buy you a milk shake if you hit the back corner."  And wouldn't you know it, he shot the ball exactly where I told him to put it and we scored our second goal of the game.  2-1.

staying connected and following the action

After that the boys confidence went up and we just kept scoring.  The score went to 3-1 …

stealing the ball

4-1 …

Robert coming up with the ball even though he was fouled

and 5-1 before we did the same thing we did in the last game.  In the last 30 seconds of the game our defense mis-read a ball and the other team took advantage of it scoring another goal.  Final score 5-2.

By winning this game we are undefeated and advance to the Championship game.  The game ended at 12: 35 - the next game is scheduled for 3:30 pm, but the managers decided to push it up to 2:00 pm - meaning we have to be back at the field by 1:30.  That only gave the boys 1 hour to get some lunch (light lunch) and be back on the field for another game.  UGH!!!

In Evansville under the light - Fire Wins Again

Saturday night at 5:00 pm the Kentucky Fire had their second game of the day.  It was a beautiful night with just a slight breeze.  The boys were really excited to get to play under the lights on the Bermuda grass.  

celebrating the first goal

The tournament schedule has been excellent this time with their first game at 12:30 and their second game not until now, they've had plenty of time to rest and it gave me time to make it from Lexington, where I was at the State Cross Country Meet cheering on Marissa and Devon's teams.

Robert didn't started the game but as soon as he was put in as a midfielder he immediately made a difference and helping the team gain control of the ball and score.  They scored within 2 minutes after Robert came in.  Then just, what seemed like only another 5 minutes) they scored again … score 2-0 at half time.  

After the half, the sun went down and the boys really needed the lights to play and spectators really needed jackets :).  The Fire never let up.  We played very hard, unfortunately on a defense play the ball took a high bounce and got past our defender for a goal.  2-1.  We immediately came back with a power shot to change the score again - now 3-1.

After the Kentucky Fire controlling the ball most of the game, and taking more shots than the Illinois Football Club, we accidentally let another goal in with only 30 seconds left in the game.  It was unfortunate because they really played much better than the score reflects - they just let up in the last minute of the game.

Nice outside touch passing the ball to Henry

Passing the ball to Henry 

Robert really made a difference for his team passing and receiving the ball.  He did a lot of "give and goes" and overlaps.  He had 2 assists in this game!

dribbling the ball up the field