Robert's Eagle Court of Honor

Robert's Team vs Carmel (from Indiana)

It was a miserable morning with the threat of thunderstorms and violent rain showers but at the moment it was just cloudy and calm.  The game started at 9:10 am.  Due to the timing of the game, Robert went with Ben, his teammate - Betsy nor Mark could attend.

Robert started on the wing instead of as a midfielder.  I hope this isn't a reflection that he is doing bad in midfield.  He is very good at distributing the ball, but sometimes goes too far out of position.

The team was up 1-0 at half time!  Everyone was very excited but still wish the score was higher.
After the half, Carmel came out with vengeance.  They were determined to score.  The pressure was on... then the rain showers came.  It was as if everything happened all at once - the rain came pouring down and Carmel scored.  Then they immediately scored again doing the exact same thing.  After the second goal, the Fire worked very hard to get it back, but time ran out.

The final score of the game was 2-0.

Robert's Second game in the Tournament

Robert's 1st Game in the Fire Spring Tournament

I love watching Robert play soccer.

He is so determined and so driven to do his absolute best.

Today was a great game.  Both teams played their hearts out.

Marissa Runs at the Eastern Relays

The Eastern Relays are a very competitive Track meet that we compete in.  It is held over two days, Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27.  Marissa is competing in two events:  one on Friday - the Long Distance Medley and one on Saturday, the 1 mile.  

Friday night it was threatening rain, and lightly sprinkled from time to time, but really stayed dry for the most part - we were very lucky.

Marissa's race wasn't until near the end so she had plenty of time to hang out with friends and cheer on her fellow teammates.  

Here she is with Christina Ausley

After the 1600 Open, Marissa went to the finish to congratulate her friends:  Kelsey Hall broke the 6:00 minute mark and earned a PR.  Katie Walker, Morgan and MacKenzie all had great races!  It was super!

Marissa with Katie Walker, Morgan Workman, Kelsey Hall and Mackenzie Mullins

Marissa's event is the Long Distance Medley - 1200 M, 800 M, 400 M, and 1600 M.  Alli Keeler is running the 1200, Ally Hall the 400, Rowan McWilliams the 800 M and Marissa is running the 1600 M (Anchor).  

Alli Keeler ran a great 400, then a slow 800 and 1200, putting us in 3rd from last place.  She ran fast, it's just that the competition is so top-notch.  

Ally Hall maintained our spot and shortened the gap

Rowan maintained our spot - we are running essentially by ourselves because most of the competition is so far ahead.

Marissa pours it on, running a 1:20-1:25 pace.  She makes up some ground, passing a runner that was over 150 meters ahead of her, but there isn't any way to catch up to the lead in just one mile.  She finishes with a good time of 13:41.  Ironically, Jessica and her relay team hold the school record for this event.  

Marissa at the 800 mark

Marissa finishing strong with a personal time of 5:44

The next day, Marissa ran in the 1600 / 1 mile.  There were several heats for this event.  Erin Edmundson ran in the first heat, Marissa ran in the second.  Marissa finished with a time of 5:45.  It is very good to see her running closer to her PR, after coming back from her cold/flu and allergies.

Jessica's Endowment

Today is a very special day in our family especially for Jessica.  Today, April 26, 2013, Jessica will receive her endowment in the Temple of the Lord.  There is not much you can say publicly about it because it is such a sacred and special event in her life.  She is such a joy and has always brought such joy to her parents; today was no exception!!!  Today is another one of those monumental days that is evidence that the good choices she has made will bring her eternal blessings.   

She reported to the House of the Lord at 10:15 in the morning.  Her temple session was at 11:45.  Betsy was her escort!  It was such a wonderful day.  You could feel the spirit so strong.  

Jessica with her dad

Jessica with her parents

Jessica with Jenny Orr

We love this girl!

Betsy's Trip to Utah and Back

After a very busy week, Betsy is so excited to be going out to Provo to help Jessica pack up her apartment and store he items away until Devon gets out there in August.

She left Louisville at 7:50 am on Monday 4/22 and arrived in Salt Lake City at 2:15.  She picked up her rental car - actually an SUV and headed south for Provo.  It was great timing.  Jessica was home with her roommates packing up.

The apartment was "a organized mess."  The girls were so creative.  Since they were packing up their rooms, and because their rooms are so crammed pack with stuff, they moved their mattresses to the front room so they could use the bed space to for packing suitcases.  Jessica had two packed and most of her bins, etc.  She was well prepared for me.

First on the agenda was to purchase another suitcase (one that is really for Devon).  I took her to Target!  We loaded up on what we needed, had to ignore stuff we wanted, and returned to finish up.  I took her out for dinner that night and headed to the hotel.

The next day, Tuesday, I headed over as soon as she woke up so I could pack up the kitchen - always the last to be packed while she packed up the bathroom, another last minute place.  Then we started to load the SUV.  She was so lucky that two friends were around when we needed to move the TV.  They loaded it in the SUV for us, then we took the microwave, dishes, boxes, and everything that wasn't going home into the SUV.

I took Jessica up to the MTC to return her uniform and say goodbye to her co-workers.  Then I dropped her back off at her apartment before I drove 4 hours to St. George.

As soon as I arrived in St. George, Kevin, Shauna, Linda and my nephew Jordan loaded up into the cars and we took Jessica's stuff to the storage facility.  Shauna had everything well organized so we were all set with a specific spot for Jessica's stuff.  It only took 10 minutes to unload it all.  Next stop was to visit Dad at the rehab facility.  He was eating dinner.  He did a great job eating, but didn't recognize me at all.  He seemed a bit tired too, but that is because he is still on pain medicine from his hip surgery.  We visited with Dad for 30-40 minutes before leaving for our own dinner at Texas Roadhouse.  YUM!  I had a steak.  After dinner we talked and shared stories back at Kevin and Shauna's house before heading to bed.  Kevin and Shauna are trying to distribute Dad's stuff.  They asked if I wanted anything - really that's a question for Mark - I have no idea what Mark would want or not want.

Wednesday - around 9:00 am I was back on the road to Provo.  I needed to get there to help clean up the apartment and try to fix Jessica's DEAD computer.  She called while I was on my way back up (a 4 hour drive) to say her computer wouldn't start... UGH!  She was panicked.  She went to take her final while I continued driving.   We'll have to deal with it when we get back to Louisville.

That night I took her and my niece Alex Hodge out to Cafe Rio for dinner - YUM!!!  We were there 2 hours.  Then I met up with La Sisathom and his wife Jenny and their two adorable children.  We visited for another hour before it got too late.  Around 9:45 Jessica and I headed up to SLC to spend the night. I always like to stay up there to avoid traffic with an early morning flight.  Our flight is scheduled for 8:15 am.  We also have to return the rental car and carry 6 pieces of luggage - it all takes time.

We did it!  At 7:00 am we pulled into the car rental return.  At 7:15 we were on our way with 4 huge pieces of luggage, 2 carry on, 2 back packs and we made it.  It was so heavy but we made it.  Bags and passengers were through security and ready to board - done in perfect timing!  We met up with Jessica's friend and roommate for our return trip home!

Devon takes Madelene McGill to Eastern's Prom

 Devon didn't want to go to his Senior Prom (we don't know why - he says it's too noisy, etc), but when Madelene McGill asked Devon to her prom at Eastern High School, he, of course, said yes.

Devon texted me "Mom, you may need to get me a tux, is it too late"
Mom texted back, "no it's not too late"  secretly very happy that Devon was going to prom
Madelene gave Devon a sample of the dress color - from there we ordered the corsage and tux!  Everything is set for the special night!

On Friday, April 19, Devon came home from school and immediately showed and cleaned up so I could trim his hair.  Then he got dressed up in his tux (including the cool, purple argyle socks).  He drove to Madelene's house, and I followed so I could take photos.

We got there at 5:45 - a little too early so we waited in the car.  He was supposed to arrive at 6:00.  He texted her and decided it was okay to go to the door.  She was gorgeous!!!  Stunningly gorgeous!

Devon was such a gentleman.  He put the corsage on her arm.

Then waited patiently while she pinned the boutonniere on Devon.  Without knowing they each picked the white rose as the flower to go with her dress color - how perfect.

Madelene and Devon

We then went outside on their back deck where they had the perfect spot for photos!  Even though Devon doesn't like having his photo taken, he was very polite and quite the gentleman through the whole ordeal.  She must have been freezing because it was a cool night.

Devon - Senior Prom

They were so cute together

Fun stuff

Devon walked her to his car, open the door, made sure she had her dress in, and then they were off for dinner at the Anchorage Cafe.  They were meeting up with another 20+ of her friends!  Such fun!

At the Anchorage Cafe

While they were having dinner the weather took a turn for the worse - it started to lightly rain.  Madelene's mom went to the cafe to take photos and brought an extra umbrella for them to use.  They made the best of it by posing for some more photos!

This is my favorite!

From the restaurant, Devon drove to Eastern High School where they had Prom.  They had a wonderful time together.  Madelene is on the student government.  After Prom was over Devon volunteered to help Madelene clean up.  

Devon was home around 12:45 am - what a great night!

Oldham County Championship Meet - NOHS takes 1st Place

Marissa's events are the 1600 and the 3200.  She doesn't like to run both events in the same night - especially on a school night.  The reason is she doesn't feel well rested after being at school all day, plus she can't get the best nutrition on a day with a meet after school.

The first event she competed in was the 1600 m (1 mile).  Erin Edmundson took first place setting a new school record of 5:19.  Marissa came in 5th place with a time of 5:51.  She beat all the South Oldham runners, but was saving some energy for the 3200 - allowing some OCHS runners to pass her.

Running the 1600 M

Warming up for the 3200 M

Marissa's second event was the 3200.  Erin Edmundson was in the lead for the first two laps.

In good place on the 2nd lap

The first two laps she was in 3rd place, then the 1st place runner dropped out, and she passed the 2nd place runner putting her in the lead. 

 

Taking the lead during the 3rd lap

She held the lead for 2 laps, but then was passed by Carolyn Grogen (OC).  On that same lap she was passed by Grace W. and two OC runners, putting her in 5th place.  She looked tired, kinda just pacing herself, but not going for the win.  Then on the last lap, she decided to sprint the last 150 passing one runner coming in 4th place.

Determined to pass the OC runner

Sprinting for a better finish

Passing the #4 runner

No matter what, Marissa always has a smile on her face

OVERALL

NOHS takes 1st place!

This is the first time in the history of the school that NOHS has won the County Championship.  OCHS is a AAA school, and SOHS is a strong running school.

Racing to the awards table

team photo with trophy

doing the team cheer

Robert plays well in the NOMS vs East Oldham Soccer Game

Tonight's game is the last game of the season before the district championships!  It's an away game at East Oldham Middle School (EOMS).  The bus was late getting the boys to the field - we were a bit nervous before they showed up around 5:10.  

The game started at 5:30 pm.  From the very start we took control of the game.  It was Tyler Scholten's birthday - we were all hoping he would score since he plays forward.  He had a few chances to score but it was Mason Rice who scored the first goal with an assist from Robert - all within the first 5 minutes of the game.  That was quickly followed up with a goal by Robert.  

Robert after he assisted Mason on the first goal

Robert scoring the second goal

celebrating with Parker and Holden after the second goal

Robert does a header

One by one the starters were replaced with the second string.  We continued to score.  We were up 5-0 at half.  At the start of the second half Robert was back in with a few of his friends:  Ryan D., Ryan G., Tyler, Blake, but then again they were all subbed out with replacements.  

controlling the ball in the midfield

making a key play

That's when East scored a goal.  One by one Mason, Parker, Robert were subbed back in for the end of the game.  The game ended 5-1.   Another WIN for NOMS!

Season Record 8 wins, 1 loss, 0 ties.

NOMS Soccer vs County Rival - South Oldham

Tonight's game is the last home game of the season!  It is against our county rival:  South Oldham Middle School.  Robert is starting the game as offensive midfielder.  It is another blustery day; very windy for a soccer game.  For some reason every time we play on a windy day we start with the wind against us - luckily that means we have the wind with us in the second half.

In the first half Nathan Clark scored about 15 minutes into the game.  That was the only score of the game.  We had several opportunities but we couldn't get the score.

In the second half Robert assisted a goal, and scored one of his own!  Once we scored two more goals the coach took Robert and a few other starters out.  The last 17 minutes of the game there were no goals - the game ended  3-0.

"42" - Left Big Impression

I need to learn to be more like Jackie Robinson.  He was an amazing example of Christ-like patience, acceptance and forgiveness.

Robert's soccer game against Nelson County

Saturday morning Robert and I had to leave around 8:45 to get to Nelson County by 10:15 for an 11:00 am game.  The weather outside was only 50 degrees.  It was cold, Robert was in his warm ups until the game started but decided not to wear any Underarmor during the game...don't ask me why!

The game started at 11:00.  The Nelson Country fields are smaller than normal regulation fields.  It was a very short field!

It was a very competitive game.  Last season we won one against them and lost one against them.  Today would be a good test.  We looked very good in the first half.  One play in particular was fantastic:  Robert fielded a ball in the back, passed it up to Sam, Sam crossed it right in front of the goal to Ryan P. and Ryan P. scored!  Great play!  We were up 1-0.

Then with less than a minute left to play in the 1st half, there was a long ball towards our goal, Dillon was running to clear it and a Nelson County player was chasing him down.  Unfortunately, Dillon didn't clear it in time, and the Nelson county player toe poked it over the goalie (Evan had come out of the box) and they scored.  At the end of the first half the score was 1-1.

In the second half of the game, Nelson County came out very aggressive and attacked us on what seemed to be every play.  We countered back hard.  Both teams played hard, but neither team scored.

There was great defense on both sides!

The game ended in a tie 1-1.  According to our team manager, It should have been a win.