Oh Wow!! Where has the time gone. I'm amazed when I look at the calender and notice the date. I'm appalled that I have not stopped to breath and to truly enjoy the ride - but what an interesting ride it has been. So many stories I 'm not sure where to begin. So, I will start in the beginning.... tomorrow night. See you then!!

Howdy! What a week or two it has been here, how about you? I'm having a tough time keeping up with life right now but I'm trying to just smile and wave my way on through. One of our sons has been sick and now my husband is sick as well. It must be my strong female genetics that are keeping me healthy, right? :-) I'd almost rather get it now and be done with it though.
This hockey season feels different. We are starting at a new Association and I'm desperately missing our friends from the old Association. It's funny, hockey families form such a tight bond (at least in my experiences) and they do leave a large void when they change or are disrupted. I miss the players and their families. Getting/giving hugs, sharing "power ball" treats and hearing all of the stories from the guys as we hang out at the arena waiting to get on and off the ice. We took the only established goalie they had at one age level and I hear the players have a kidnapping plot underway to take him back to play with them (and I also know that a certain goalie is really missing his friends and teammates there too and would probably go willingly). Now, for the first time ever, I read a book at practice as we live 40 minutes from the arena and I cannot go home. I know we will get to know the other parents and families as time goes on-they seem like a very nice, close-knit group of families. I'm sure part of it is my fault as I am quiet until I have finished sizing up the group and figuring out who everyone is and their role within the group. I hope someday they will think of us as part of their group and we can have many fun times together. For me, that is the most enjoyable part of the season, spending it with friends, having a great time and the feeling of being a part of the team.

life lessons on a hockey rink...

Last night, on our way home from hockey camp, I had a chance to talk to our 12 year old son, Noah, without all of the other distractions of the day as it was just the two of us. We were talking about the new goalie coach our new association had brought in to work with the kids (and who would most likely end up being his head coach for the season). We were discussing the approach this young man was taking with the kids and how he was telling my son "Boy, you just don't get it do you, you just can't do it right.". The thing is, my son was purposefully taking a stance in how he was taught one method for the past three years and suddenly this new young coach was trying to train him in a different style of play, one he had been specifically taught not to do. My son was physically saying "I don't think so" as his verbal requests to discuss these coaching differences went unheeded. My son had been instructed by the coach he has been training with and following for the last three years, a coach who has been coaching D1 college goalies who have gone onto the NHL for twice as long as this new coach has even been alive, and by his parents to say no thank you to some well intended coaches who don't truly know the position. He tried to pay attention to this young new coach, to be respectful and to follow his instructions, but also not change his style and what he had been previously taught as it works well for him. But it is a touchy situation. As those of you who have been involved in sports know, coaches have a certain power over you and when they cannot see outside of their little box, life can be very difficult. We want our son to be respectful, follow his coach's direction and to work his butt off for the team. However, sometimes you need to say "no" to misinformed but well intentioned people and do it your own way. What is the best way to approach this? Our son does not want conflict but was getting very tired of getting yelled at and I don't blame him. My husband will try speaking with this young coach tonight, coach to coach, and I'm praying it goes well as last night it did not go well when another coach tried helping out a goalie. I told my son last night that I was proud of him and how he has handled the situation for the last two nights and that I know he will be strong and courageous in the remainder of his time with this new young coach. I know Noah will do the best job he can do while still being true to who he is. And that is all I could ever hope for.

little joys

Day two of hockey camp week and I am already beat! By the time both kids were in bed last night it was after 10:30 and then my husband and I hauled our exhausted bodies into bed and just collapsed. We were able to use sheer determination to keep our eyes open long enough to spend a few minutes snuggling and talking about the busy day and all that had transpired. The boys were so tired at 5:45 this morning I felt terrible having to get them up for school but living 35 minutes out of town is not always easy. Within an hour they were on their merry little way and then it happened. The dreaded phone call...."We forgot the football jersey and there is a game this afternoon!". Great-there goes my morning. When do you say no? Is it our responsibility as parents or is it their responsibility as players? With this late night crazy week I am feeling a little more forgiving as we are all more than a little sleepy. So off I go, to deliver a football jersey to a very happy and not-so-little boy. Some part of me can't help but enjoy the feeling of being the hero to swoop in at the last second to rescue my child. The other part is just shaking my head wondering when will we all learn. They have a lot of time to learn those lessons and today, I get to enjoy being the hero.....at least for now.

Snow!

Well, it has finally happened. Snow on October 12th! Normally the first snow of the season fills me with joy as I love to watch the snow dance through the air on its way down to its chosen resting spot. But today all I could think was "you've got to be kidding!". The chickens were running around quite dismayed and the barn cats were huddled under the dryer vent basking in the shower of warm air. I found myself wishing all I had to do today was cuddle in front of the fire, snuggle with the family, eat fresh warm homemade coffee cake and enjoy a cup of steaming hot coffee. But alas! 'Twas not to be...
It was rather fitting though, snowing today, as it was the first day of our winter hockey season (yeah!!). At 6:30 this morning we packed the two goalie bags, 4 goalie sticks, two backpacks and the boys who use them into the van and headed off for the day. This evening between both age groups we will be at the rink for 4.5 hrs which makes for a very long day for everyone involved. Then we get to do it all over again tomorrow (forced smile). Oh, for the love of hockey!! Or should I say, for the love of our boys. If it were not for them, we would not be enjoying this crazy ride called life nearly as much...which leaves me to say, in true hockey mom style..."Bring It On"!!