1st place feels sooooo good!!!!

Matthew has never ever been on the team that went to the championship game and actually won first place! Well, welcome to Fort Wayne, Indiana...hockey town USA!

Matthew's team played in the championship game last night and boy was it a nail bitter! The game was tied at the end of regulation play so they went to a sudden death 5 minute over time. Still, neither team budged. After the 5 minute over time, it's time for a shoot out! I have to say that shoot outs are stressful even for the best NHL players so you can imagine the intensity on the bench. At one point, I looked at Chris and said, they won't pull Matthew for the shoot out, he's defense. There's no way. Boy were we wrong! He was the second player off the bench for his team. All the sudden my stomach feel outta my gut and I started to sweat!

Matthew skated up to the puck, kept his eyes on the goalie, held his breath and shot! The puck floated up in the air heading towards the back upper corner of the net when....ROBBED! A black glove came outta no where and stopped it. The puck flew back over the top of the net and landed behind it. (insert a collective sigh from the team and parents). I've never felt so bad for my little guy. As he skated back to the bench, he had his head in his hands. But did his miss bother the team, NO! They all patted him on the back and gave him high fives. They knew he tried and even his coach was happy with his attempt.

Lucky for our team, the white team missed 2 shots on goal in the shoot out so we won!!! The kids were so excited!!!! Good for them!!! Whew- I'm glad he's done with games for a little while....I just can't handle the stress!!!!!!!

Matthew is #13, defense.

Matthew is in the back gearing up to take off.

It was a very instense game. Matthew was checked a few times and pushed around a bit but that's ok, our boy can take a lickin' and keep on tickin'. Just makes him want the win even more!!!

Picture Perfect! A big team hug after the win!!!! GO ORANGE!!!!

***The picture at the beginning of the story is of Matthew with his gold medal and the rink hockey director, Colin Chaulk. Colin plays for the Fort Wayne Komet's Ice Hockey Team.***

The Easter story through Matthew's words...

I didn't think when I got in the car this morning to take Matthew to school that I would be told the Easter story. Well, I was. We were in the car, no radio on and out of no where he says, Mom, do you know Easter is Sunday. I said of course and asked why? Here is his response....

Did you know that on Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and people stood on the rode waving palm trees and shouting at him? They did, it was like a big party. But then some pilot guy decided that Jesus needed to be crucified. Poor Jesus had to wear this crown made of thorns that made his head bleed and he had to carry his own heavy cross all the way through town but this time it wasn't like a party. The people cried but some people cheered, I think the pilot's guys cheered and that wasn't very nice. I don't like that guy at all. Anyway, they nailed Jesus to a cross, and I bet that hurt. He had robbers up there on the cross with him too. And then he died. He died on the cross for us and our bad choices because we sin and let the devil in but Jesus fixed that- didn't he mom? (insert my nod and Yep, he did) Easter is when Jesus rose up into heaven so that's why we celebrate. Oh, and then his disciples were happy but one of his disciples, I think it was Peter denied Jesus like 3 times. He wasn't very smart was he mom? (Again, insert a nod and a yep) Mom, do you know about all the disciples? To which I replied, well, yes, I know about them but if you really want to learn about them, Pop Pop knows a lot about them I think so you could ask him. Mom, we're lucky to have Easter aren't we? (insert one final nod and yep)

And then we were at school. Wow- what a conversation to have on the way to school with a 10 year old. I must be doing something right because he's a pretty smart kid. Ya know, as a mom, I have those days where I wonder if the child will live to see the dawn and then there are moments like this that I question if I deserve to have such a great kid!

It was just a donkey

Yesterday our Teaching Pastor, Scott Greene, did a sermon for Palm Sunday. It wasn't anything extra-ordinary but Chris and I really liked it. I'm going to try to put a link so that if you get a chance, you can listen to it. It's about 25 minutes long but well worth the listen. Instead of the normal Palm Sunday sermons, Pastor Greene took a different approach and talked about the donkey that carried Jesus. Ya never think about the donkey.

The title of his sermon was, "Surrender Your Donkey". I encourage you during this Holy Week to take time out and listen....


http://www.sonrisechurch.info/sermon/surrender-your-donkey/

A clipping from the Journal Gazette

I was sitting having my coffee this morning and reading the paper when this article grabbed my attention. Nothing exciting about it...or is there? Here, read it for yourself.



Ohio drivers grab spilled cash

"Columbus, Ohio- More than $100,000 is missing after a bag of cash fell from an armored car into an intersection, leading several motorists to stop and grab handfuls of bills, police said Thursday.

About $100,000 was picked up by police officers and $12,000 more was returned by 10 or so people after the bag hit the pavement, was run over and split open Wednesday morning in Whitehall in suburban Columbus, police Sgt. Dan Kelso said. About 15-20 people scrambled to grab the cash, Kelso said.

Callers told a 911 dispatcher that there were $20 bills everywhere, money floating all over the place and it's causing a major scene.
A bunch of people are blocking traffic because it looks like a truck has lost some money...."

The story continues saying how the armored truck company has no idea how the money fell out and they are investigating and how the police are going to investigate with footage from surveillance videos from nearby stores, etc. Anyone who doesn't turn money in will be charged with Felony Grand Larsony.

Now, I ask you, what would you have done if you'd driven into this intersection and seen floating money?

I can only say this....Greg, Ashley, Mom, and Dad...as you drive into visit us over the next week, KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED!!!! You never know, you may just get a $20 stuck to your windshield!

All I want is my Indiana license plate!!!!

I didn't imagine it would be such a long drawn out process just to get a license plate for my van!!! It's just not fair! Chris got his plate two weeks ago. Apparently the state of Virginia changed the way titles are held and instead of them being held with the lienholder, they are now held at the DMV. Chris was excluded from this because his title was already with the lienholder when this new rule was made. Me? Well, since we just bought the van last year, our title is with, you guessed it, the DMV. So, the lienholder has to contact the DMV, the DMV has to locate and pull my title. Then, they have to mail the title to the lienholder (who happens to be in Arizona), then the lienholder has to mail the title to the BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) in Indiana who in turn will call me and tell me that they have the title and I can come in and register the vehicle. This is all fine and dandy but my VA plates expire on March 31st and since I no longer am a registered VA Driver, I can't renew them, I've been "purged" from the DMV.

So, what's the solution you ask? Let me show you...

For a whopping $16.75, I had to get a temporary permit for the van.

A simple piece of paper. It's not even laminated. Nevermind the fact that I had to use tape to adhere it to the windshield. Seriously? I could have typed this on my computer and saved the money! It's so official that it's handwritten on the back with all the vehicle information. Yep, leave it to the midwest to have a fancy system for temporary permits!!!!

Maybe the Dog isn't so dumb?

Now that we have a backyard more conducive for the dogs, I've decided that it's time that at least one of them learned to fetch. Ok Ok OK, I know many of you that are dog lovers are wondering why in the world our dogs don't already know this. Well, if you think back to the yard at our home in Richmond, they weren't contained so they weren't able to just run free hence the run area Chris created. Our house in Fort Wayne has a nice sized fenced in area that the dogs can run in or as Red likes to do, sun bathe. I must say, it's really nice to be able to open the door and let them out and a few minutes later, let them back in. They are so spoiled these days.


OK, back to the game of fetch. I did some research and found an idea to use a ball that you can put treats inside. The concept is that the dog will want to get the ball because it has the treat but then they can't get the treat out. So off I went to PetCo and after spending a whopping $4.99 was back on my way home to see what I could do.

Out to the backyard I went with dogs in tow and as I introduced the ball to them, I quickly realized that this was going to be a fighting match for the ball rather than a learning session to play fetch. At that point, the decision was made and Red was sent inside. I'm sure the old tale is true, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks but at this point in the game, Bacardi will learn much faster and since I want instant gratification, Red was sent in with Chris.


I started simple with just introducing the ball and everytime Bacardi touched it with her nose, she got praise and a small treat. Then, we worked up to her running after the ball and again, when she touched it with her nose, she received praise and a treat. Slowly but surely, we worked up to throwing the ball and her returning it to me to earn more praise and another treat. After several successful throws, we began just using praise upon the return of the ball. Low and behold, after just a little while, Bacardi started running after the ball and bringing it back. Of course, once Red was let back outside, the game was over but I was still thrilled! Is it possible that Bacardi isn't as "dumb" as we once thought she was? They do say german shepherd's are smart, I mean they are used as police dogs so maybe ours just needed a little one on one time to bring out the smarts in her? Either way, it's great to have the time and energy to spend with the pups...I wonder if she'll remember what to do tomorrow?

Sometimes the "Mom" moments are just hard...

Matthew has been trying for several years to figure out how to ride his bike. Unfortunetly the child grew too tall too fast to ever benefit from a bike with training wheels. Chris and I have been trying for a couple years now to get him confident enough to ride. Everytime the practice session ended in tears and frustration on Matthew's part. Well, I have to say, he's turned over a new leaf! I'm so proud of him.

Yesterday he decided he wanted to "master this thing" as he put it. He pulled the bike out of the garage and worked with it for a little while. Then, after dinner, he and I took a ride to a local park and we worked on it together. He's just inches from riding on his own. I'm barely holding onto the seat when he's riding and when I let go, he can go a few feet and then he wobbles. I can remember when I was younger teaching my brother to ride a two wheel bike in the backyard. I don't recall doing anything special, I just held the back and told him to start pedaling. I must have done something right because he figured it out. Matthew is a different story. First he was scared of falling and now we've overcome that but now with him being older, he has a new set of frustrations. To quote him last night when he told Chris how it went at the park, "I'm just so frustrated! Not at my bike, or the situation, but at myself for not accomplishing this sooner". Such big words for a 10 year old huh? He's so close I just want it to happen for him. Bless his heart, he tried and tried and tried on his own yesterday and he's just a pedal away from taking off. The boy can rollerblade and ice skate, he can master this!!! As his mom, I just want him to take off and see that big grin on his face, that grin that says, Look Mom, I DID IT!

I know that I would have gotten so frustrated yesterday but he didn't. I'm not sure if it's because he's grown up a little or because now HE wants to learn instead of Chris and I wanting him to learn. I'm just so proud of him. At one point yesterday he paused for a brief moment before taking off. He had his head down, and his eyes closed and was saying a quick prayer for strength from above to master this skill. Wow. That makes me even prouder. To know that in times of frustration and disappointment, my son looks up to the Lord for guidance and strength. It was so hard to hold back the tears but I did and off we went, Matthew pedaling away and Mom running along beside.

These are the moments that being the Mom is hard. You want for your kids to master everything they do now, not later, not tomorrow, not next week but now, today. You want them to feel like they accomplished the task at hand. I know that day will come and who knows, it may be this afternoon but either way, I'm going to enjoy every minute that I'm there watching Matthew learn to ride his bike. I would imagine that when he does get that first long solo ride down on his own, you'll hear the whooping and hollaring of excitement all the way on the east coast!


UPDATE 3/19/10 at 4:00pm

As of the writing of this addition to the post above, hold on to your jockey shorts....Matthew is riding his bike!!!! We went to the park right after school and I helped one time, just one and off he went. After that, I was told I wasn't needed anymore and that he could do it on his own. And believe it or not, HE DID!!!! He's out on the neighborhood street riding away so much that I had to create boundaries so he doesn't go around the neighborhood without me knowing. He can go to the stop sign and to the lightpost without me outside. I'm so proud of him! I'll post pictures as soon as Chris gets home with the camera. Chris hasn't even seen him yet. I'm so proud!!! My boy is determined when he wants to be. It took him 2 days to master the task at hand. MMMmm, I wonder, does he get that trait from me???

Reading Across America Day

Today I had the honor of going into Matthew's school and reading the book, OH The Places You'll Go by Dr. Suess. I also got to wear my special Dr. Suess T-shirt and Hat (which matched Matthew's shirt and hat...yep, we were twins!!!). While I was unsuccessful at getting a picture of me reading, I was able to snap off a shot of me in my hat so everyone can see. Aren't I a cutie???

I had a really good time and had forgotten how much I love being around kids. They were all such good listeners and there was one little girl who was mouthing the words right along with me. So much fun!!!! My favorite part though was when one little boy raised his hand at the end of the story and Matthew's teacher, Mrs. Rahrer (pronounced Rare) said, yes, you have a question? To which the little boy replied, um, yes, Mrs. Evoy, do you have any baby pictures of Matthew? To which I replied ever so nicely, NOPE- Matthew told me I'm not supposed to embarrass him. Matthew just grinned that sheepish grin he has. I wish I could have stayed and read another story but they were off to a special musical presentation in the gym when I left. I can't wait to hear about Matthew's day when I pick him up!

It's good to be missed sometimes...

As a mom, you always wonder if when you're gone your kids miss you. Well, I can answer that question with a confident HECK YEAH! It does feel good to be missed doesn't it? I took a long weekend go drive over to Clinton, Iowa to visit with my Grandpa and keep my Grandma company. I'm so glad I took the time to do that and I wish I could have stayed longer. For those of you wondering, Grandpa is doing better and getting stronger everyday. We just have to keep stimulating his brain and sparking his memory. I think once he's out of the rehab center and home he'll start remembering a lot more. Grandma is doing great and hanging in there best she can. She's ready for Grandpa to be home but understands that he can't come home until he's ready. It will come in time. I wonder if when God started us out on the journey to Fort Wayne if he knew that down the road, me being only a few hours from my Grandparents would be a gift that all of us could and would appreciate? Either way, I am thankful to be able to be this close to them and thankful to be able to have the opportunity to help out.

So, back to the part of being missed in Indiana. I called Matthew yesterday to say goodnight and all of a sudden all I heard on the phone was sobbing. My little man was sad I was gone and wanted me home. While it broke my heart that he was that upset, I knew he was in good hands with Chris. I haven't gotten such a big hug from the little guy in a long time. It felt good to know that he missed me and was happy that I was back home where I belong. It makes a moms heart melt when her kids beam with excitement to see them. As our children get older, we often don't get to see that level of excitement for just seeing us. I miss it. I miss the days when Matthew was younger and I could walk into a room and his eyes would light up. He's so much older now and getting bigger and more independent every day. It's hard being a mom and wanting that little hand to take yours when you go on walks but ya know what? I'll treasure little moments like today always for I know that I'm loved by the most precious gift I could have ever been given. While I may feel the need to still be in Iowa helping out, I'm glad that I'm home to see that twinkle in my son's eyes...

There IS grass in Indiana...

Believe it or not...Indiana has grass. I know, I know, it's amazing! Chris and I think it is so funny that now that the temperature has gone up and the sun is shining, we are beginning to see our neighbors come out of hybernation. Granted, it's still only 38 degrees, but we are seeing people walking around in tank tops and shorts. We haven't quite figured that out yet.

And since the sun is shining, Chris has begun a project. You know he has to have something to keep him busy so he is building a floating deck of sorts. Just a really quick and really inexpensive set of decking to sit along the covered patio so that the dogs don't keep dragging mud and gunk into the house. Hopefully this will eliminate a lot of future frustrations.



Don't think Chris is the only one out enjoying the sunshine and green grass!!!



Matthew is out as well. Since the snow has melted, we can now find the dog poo. Guess who is now on poop patrol? Yep, you guessed it. Everyone has responsibilities around the house, this just happens to fall onto his list. As you can see, he is enjoying it oooo soooo much....

Lastly, in other news, our neighbors are moving. Chris went over yesterday to introduce himself and when we came home a few hours later, there was a for sale sign in the front yard. I gave Chris a hard time telling him he shouldn't have gone over. He's scaring all the neighbors away...Ha ha ha...

We are all settled into our new surroundings and are beginning to find our way around town without the help of Betsy, our GPS system. I'm personally looking forward to a weekend trip to Iowa next weekend to see my grandparents and to some special houseguests towards the end of this month and next month. By then, I should know my way around well enough to impress everyone!!! (Well, we hope so at least)


Like Chris and I said before, the Evoy Bed & Breakfast is open and taking reservations...no security deposit necessary and you'll always get breakfast with a smile.