Austin is still playing hockey and doing quite well with it I should add. He is coming right along and has improved dramatically since we started back up in October. Next weekend he'll play in his first special hockey tournament. There are five teams coming in for it and we're looking forward to seeing him play in some real games. I'm sure he'll be a nervous wreck. Joe will tell you that the team is really starting to look like a team. They'll be doing line matching for sure which is good because the spectrum of our team is so huge. We have some really good players that can skate well and shoot well and some that are still really struggling just to stand up out there. That is Austin's biggest struggle is he needs help getting back up when he falls down or gets bumped over. I'm sure a coach will be there to assist him. Joe believes he is getting really close to being able to get up on his own.
Bless Joe's heart because when we haven't had to be somewhere else because of Tommy's hockey he has taken Austin down. I so appreciate not having to leave the house at 7:00 so he can be on the ice at 9:00. I have to give Joe kudos; Austin too. He sent me this video today and I was so impressed, Tommy even gave it an "oh my gosh" when he saw it. So proud! We're excited for next weekend. We'll be down in Frasier and Livonia - rinks we're already familiar with thanks to Tommy. Who's the travel hockey player now?
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
A Pet Peeve Revisited
I wrote about the National Anthem back in July you can read it HERE if you've forgotten what I had to say back then. Well once again I'm back touting my love of our National Anthem and just how crazy it makes me when people disrespect our anthem. I find that the best spectators are at the Saginaw Spirit games. If you have a good singer (and they often have a regular performer) then the crowd will sing along proudly with both the Canadian and American National Anthems. No one tries to get to their seats, they simply stop where they are at and show respect to the countries not to mention the folks performing. The Red Wings games are also very nicely done for now, until the whole lets scream the word RED when "rocket's red glare" craze finds it's way here. See the Washington Capitals if you want more on that. Or Dallas for their screaming of "whose broad stripes and bright STARS!"
I won't dwell on and on about people driving me crazy during our anthem because it simply will not do any good. But what does make me feel better is this clip from Slap Shot. What a classic hockey movie; be warned that they drop the F-bomb in this clip. And I loathe the very overused and pretty much desensitized F word but I thought it was pretty funny during this part of the movie. And for the record my kids will not be watching this movie anytime soon; they can stick with The Mighty Ducks series.
I won't dwell on and on about people driving me crazy during our anthem because it simply will not do any good. But what does make me feel better is this clip from Slap Shot. What a classic hockey movie; be warned that they drop the F-bomb in this clip. And I loathe the very overused and pretty much desensitized F word but I thought it was pretty funny during this part of the movie. And for the record my kids will not be watching this movie anytime soon; they can stick with The Mighty Ducks series.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
And the Oscar goes to...
Thomas Andrew - Oh my dear boy whose life is full of drama. Joe and I always joke after basketball games that we're glad we can't see his face on the ice during hockey games because I'm sure he plays with as much if not more emotion in hockey than he does in basketball. He'll scowl during botched shots, roll his eyes, stare in disbelief with his arms wide apart, I think sometimes he even growls. It's embarrassing. On the flip side Tommy will also say to us he's glad he can't hear us in hockey because we're "embarrassing." ;) *snickers* He has turned to me on the basketball court and actually conversed with me during a game "MOM, I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!" I know I'm not supposed to but it's hard not to coach from the stands. I'm working on it.
Yesterday Tommy had two games and he found himself in foul trouble early on in both games. They had won the first game pretty solidly but the 2nd game they were behind pretty much from the start but kept it close. At one point before halftime he was boxed in tight and is pivoting trying to protect the ball and he couldn't get rid of it and his opponent was all over him and finally Tommy stiff arms him getting called for his 3rd. Off the court in tears he goes and he was still sulking on the bench all through halftime when we finally pulled him over to talk him through it. He played with less emotion in the 2nd half but did finally foul out with about 2 minutes to go in the game. The team only lost by 4 and I'm proud to say Tommy did not cry when he fouled out.
All this to say, he's almost 11 years old, I know the real stormy days are coming. But these little blips of emotional craziness while I laugh at them a bit, they also scare me. So the drama.
Yesterday Tommy had two games and he found himself in foul trouble early on in both games. They had won the first game pretty solidly but the 2nd game they were behind pretty much from the start but kept it close. At one point before halftime he was boxed in tight and is pivoting trying to protect the ball and he couldn't get rid of it and his opponent was all over him and finally Tommy stiff arms him getting called for his 3rd. Off the court in tears he goes and he was still sulking on the bench all through halftime when we finally pulled him over to talk him through it. He played with less emotion in the 2nd half but did finally foul out with about 2 minutes to go in the game. The team only lost by 4 and I'm proud to say Tommy did not cry when he fouled out.
All this to say, he's almost 11 years old, I know the real stormy days are coming. But these little blips of emotional craziness while I laugh at them a bit, they also scare me. So the drama.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Happy New Year!
It's that time of year again. The Top 11 Events of 2011! I'd have to rank 2011 a 9 out of 10 stars. Nothing outrageous happened but it was a great year with more ups than downs that is for sure. I guess it was a pretty typical year. We continue to be blessed with a nice home with wonderful neighbors, good jobs, good friends, our health (minus some Aus issues), and a great life.
11. Ashley's extracurriculars - She's still doing great in Honeybees but also started taking jazz and ballet. She's in the big girl room at school now and is definitely not a baby anymore.
10 - Austin made his altar serving debut. I was so proud of him and Tommy was so great helping him out not to mention our wonderful priest Fr. Tipton making him feel comfortable. I still get nervous when he's up there.
9. Cedar Point & Michigan's Adventure - We bought season passes this year and spent many days in Sandusky, OH and Muskegon, MI riding such thrills as the Millennium Force, Top Thrill Dragster and that corny tilt-a-whirl. We also soaked up some sun in the water parks there. I can't wait to go back!
8. Reese Rocket Baseball - Tommy & Austin both played Little League and did well. Tommy played for the 10U travel team and were 1st place champs in 3 of the 4 tournaments they entered. Tommy had some struggles at the plate initially but finished the season well. Austin did great not ever needing the tee. Next year will be interesting when they start counting outs, keeping score, and he faces live pitching from the players.
7. Tommy started playing the trumpet. He's following in his parent's footsteps. :) Jury is still out on how it's going. Some days he loves it other days he wishes he could quit. After spending $700 on a trumpet I'm hoping he sticks it out for a few years. Spoiled beast, Joe's hand me down cornet just wasn't cutting it.
6. Austin's hockey - After a slow start he is doing pretty good with his little team in Ann Arbor. These kids (and some young adults) all have some sort of difficulty be it CP like Austin, or Down's Syndrome, many are on the autism spectrum it's just a mixed bag. I can't thank the good people that have given Austin and those other kids this wonderful opportunity to play the sport we love so much.
5. Jeff & Shannon got engaged - And I'm so excited I get to be a bridesmaid! The big day is April 28th I can't wait and I wish them many, many years of wedded bliss.
4. Dad's 60th birthday party - He knew that our little family was going to the Tiger game with him to celebrate but he didn't know that 25 more of his friends and family would also be joining him. I think he was very surprised and it wasn't too over the top for the shy guy.
3. Joe's job switch- He made the jump to Dow Chemical in August and seems to be happy he made the move.
2. Tommy's hockey - Yup, it still ranks pretty high up there but only because this year the Bay County Blizzard won the MAHA State Title. That's right a State Title, granted it took some luck as they started out 1-1-1 in pool play but somehow they came out on top. Tommy's hockey also took us to Chicago for a AAA tourney which was fun.
1. Austin's 1st Communion and Confirmation ~ My little boy is growing up. We had a fabulous event with Bishop Cistone celebrating his Confirmation and Tommy got to altar serve. Then the following week we had Fr. Bill give Austin his 1st Holy Communion. We had a nice party at the house with over 60 people visiting.
Honorable Mention
Katie & Adam's wedding
St. Elizabeth Golf Outing - Team JoDa & KeMi took home the toilet paper. We so suck at golf.
Theresa K's 40th birthday party - So awesome, especially when we toilet papered their house with the above TP winnings.
Grandpa Moon died :(
Austin started SE basketball & Tommy played another Bball season
K of C Bingo
$100 Dinner Dance
My hockey! I still love it.
Very happy holidays.
No Disney vacation - Unbelievable!
We said goodbye to Fr. Bill & hello to Fr. Prentice
Numerous parties (I need a vacation after this Christmas vacation)
11. Ashley's extracurriculars - She's still doing great in Honeybees but also started taking jazz and ballet. She's in the big girl room at school now and is definitely not a baby anymore.
10 - Austin made his altar serving debut. I was so proud of him and Tommy was so great helping him out not to mention our wonderful priest Fr. Tipton making him feel comfortable. I still get nervous when he's up there.
9. Cedar Point & Michigan's Adventure - We bought season passes this year and spent many days in Sandusky, OH and Muskegon, MI riding such thrills as the Millennium Force, Top Thrill Dragster and that corny tilt-a-whirl. We also soaked up some sun in the water parks there. I can't wait to go back!
8. Reese Rocket Baseball - Tommy & Austin both played Little League and did well. Tommy played for the 10U travel team and were 1st place champs in 3 of the 4 tournaments they entered. Tommy had some struggles at the plate initially but finished the season well. Austin did great not ever needing the tee. Next year will be interesting when they start counting outs, keeping score, and he faces live pitching from the players.
7. Tommy started playing the trumpet. He's following in his parent's footsteps. :) Jury is still out on how it's going. Some days he loves it other days he wishes he could quit. After spending $700 on a trumpet I'm hoping he sticks it out for a few years. Spoiled beast, Joe's hand me down cornet just wasn't cutting it.
6. Austin's hockey - After a slow start he is doing pretty good with his little team in Ann Arbor. These kids (and some young adults) all have some sort of difficulty be it CP like Austin, or Down's Syndrome, many are on the autism spectrum it's just a mixed bag. I can't thank the good people that have given Austin and those other kids this wonderful opportunity to play the sport we love so much.
5. Jeff & Shannon got engaged - And I'm so excited I get to be a bridesmaid! The big day is April 28th I can't wait and I wish them many, many years of wedded bliss.
4. Dad's 60th birthday party - He knew that our little family was going to the Tiger game with him to celebrate but he didn't know that 25 more of his friends and family would also be joining him. I think he was very surprised and it wasn't too over the top for the shy guy.
3. Joe's job switch- He made the jump to Dow Chemical in August and seems to be happy he made the move.
2. Tommy's hockey - Yup, it still ranks pretty high up there but only because this year the Bay County Blizzard won the MAHA State Title. That's right a State Title, granted it took some luck as they started out 1-1-1 in pool play but somehow they came out on top. Tommy's hockey also took us to Chicago for a AAA tourney which was fun.
1. Austin's 1st Communion and Confirmation ~ My little boy is growing up. We had a fabulous event with Bishop Cistone celebrating his Confirmation and Tommy got to altar serve. Then the following week we had Fr. Bill give Austin his 1st Holy Communion. We had a nice party at the house with over 60 people visiting.
Honorable Mention
Katie & Adam's wedding
St. Elizabeth Golf Outing - Team JoDa & KeMi took home the toilet paper. We so suck at golf.
Theresa K's 40th birthday party - So awesome, especially when we toilet papered their house with the above TP winnings.
Grandpa Moon died :(
Austin started SE basketball & Tommy played another Bball season
K of C Bingo
$100 Dinner Dance
My hockey! I still love it.
Very happy holidays.
No Disney vacation - Unbelievable!
We said goodbye to Fr. Bill & hello to Fr. Prentice
Numerous parties (I need a vacation after this Christmas vacation)
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Merry Christmas 2011
But speaking of official cards, they'll be late. Monday, I quickly ordered from Sam's hoping to pick them up that night even. Well due to printer problems I didn't get them until today but got a decent discount. Guess I'm writing out cards tonight, impressive as I didn't get them out at all last year. Kudos to me!! And again, MERRY CHRISTMAS to YOU!
Friday, December 2, 2011
Ok - A post
It's been almost three months. I guess my love affair with the great blog has fizzled. I really feel like I blinked and December was here. My absolutely favorite time of the year. I love the lights, the trees, the snow, the different songs and such at mass. I just LOVE the holidays.
Tommy - He has played in four tournaments since my last post including one in Chicago. The miles are really piling up on the van. Two of them were AAA invitational tourney's and the team played well though they didn't bring home any hardware. He'll start basketball next week and continue with the hockey. I'm especially proud to say that he made the Bishop's Honor Roll which means he got a perfect 4.0. He was the only student to achieve that in the 1st marking period so to say we are proud is an understatement.
Austin - He's had a momentous few months. He started altar serving at church in a limited capacity. It's great to see him go up there but I think everyone is always just a little bit nervous for him. I know that first mass I think the whole congregation held their collective breaths hoping he would do okay. He also got to play on his school coed basketball team. He has one more game tomorrow. He runs up and down that court and tries really hard. It's a learning league and I'm thankful he's gotten the chance to play. This Mama who sometimes thinks winning is everything (though I know that it's not) has learned a lot. He's actually touched the ball maybe 3 times and only made one significant play, the ball squirted out and rolled to him, he picked it up and being you can't full court press in the league he actually got to throw the ball to his guard off the turnover. He got so much applause. It was sweet.
Austin has been having some med issues though with his bladder and bowels. We're on meds and trying to get him fixed up but it might take a while. It's been rough at times but thankfully we haven't had any public accidents that we haven't been able to discreetly take care of. Our new Priest Fr. Tipton surprised the heck out of me today. Last night I was telling him a bit about Austin's current struggles and today after communion during mass he had called me up and asked me if we could do an "Anointing of the Sick" for Austin. After mass he called Austin up, Tommy and I also joined him and I don't think the kids in the school have ever been that quiet for so long as Father did his prayers and anointing. It was very special, I was of course tearing up and Tommy was having a bit of trouble too. As much as he drives us crazy, it hard to watch him go through so much continually. And I know overall he is one of the lucky ones. Anyhoo, it was very special today but selfish me when I was up there with was praying that maybe this would do the trick and together with the medicine and the doctors, and the power of prayer maybe he will be fixed up once and for all.
And shame on me and this blog fail. He had his 8th birthday in October. My how time certainly flies.
School's been another struggle for Austin. He's a big 3rd grader now, though the youngest in his class. I'm really regretting not holding him back in kindergarten now. His comprehension is just so bad. Joe and I work with him every night and no doubt he would quite possibly be failing in just about everything if we didn't. We study and study and study and he just doesn't remember. I don't think he's in danger of not passing 3rd grade but I just wish he was doing better. I guess I need to be thankful that he likes school and does his homework without too many complaints and hopefully he'll get better.
Oh and a quickie on hockey. He's started up again and isn't doing great but isn't doing terrible either. He hasn't cried as much as last year but he's still not making much progress. Some of these kids are just flying now. Of course many of these kids have different issues and not CP. One Mom said once that if we put all the kids diagnosis' and struggles in a hat and passed it around we'd probably all still choose to deal with what we have been dealt. Good point.
Ashley - Ashley is still doing well in school. She also is doing great at Honeybees. We started her in dance classes on Tuesday's and it seems like she never gets a nap on Tuesday's and will sleep all the way there then flip out when it's time to go. Some days she does better than the other days but usually it's a lot of crying and clinging "I don't wanna go dance class." But she'll go with her teachers and always seems happy when she gets done. We aren't allowed to stay and watch but the ladies always say she does awesome and she will then show off her moves at home throughout the week. Jazz and ballet are her classes. I can't for the recital, she'll look beautiful but I doubt she'll perform. Maybe she'll surprise me. She's definitely a lot of fun that is for sure.
So there is the recap of life in our home for the past three months; it's a tribute to all three of the Papesh kids but mostly Austin. ;)
Tommy - He has played in four tournaments since my last post including one in Chicago. The miles are really piling up on the van. Two of them were AAA invitational tourney's and the team played well though they didn't bring home any hardware. He'll start basketball next week and continue with the hockey. I'm especially proud to say that he made the Bishop's Honor Roll which means he got a perfect 4.0. He was the only student to achieve that in the 1st marking period so to say we are proud is an understatement.
Austin - He's had a momentous few months. He started altar serving at church in a limited capacity. It's great to see him go up there but I think everyone is always just a little bit nervous for him. I know that first mass I think the whole congregation held their collective breaths hoping he would do okay. He also got to play on his school coed basketball team. He has one more game tomorrow. He runs up and down that court and tries really hard. It's a learning league and I'm thankful he's gotten the chance to play. This Mama who sometimes thinks winning is everything (though I know that it's not) has learned a lot. He's actually touched the ball maybe 3 times and only made one significant play, the ball squirted out and rolled to him, he picked it up and being you can't full court press in the league he actually got to throw the ball to his guard off the turnover. He got so much applause. It was sweet.
Austin has been having some med issues though with his bladder and bowels. We're on meds and trying to get him fixed up but it might take a while. It's been rough at times but thankfully we haven't had any public accidents that we haven't been able to discreetly take care of. Our new Priest Fr. Tipton surprised the heck out of me today. Last night I was telling him a bit about Austin's current struggles and today after communion during mass he had called me up and asked me if we could do an "Anointing of the Sick" for Austin. After mass he called Austin up, Tommy and I also joined him and I don't think the kids in the school have ever been that quiet for so long as Father did his prayers and anointing. It was very special, I was of course tearing up and Tommy was having a bit of trouble too. As much as he drives us crazy, it hard to watch him go through so much continually. And I know overall he is one of the lucky ones. Anyhoo, it was very special today but selfish me when I was up there with was praying that maybe this would do the trick and together with the medicine and the doctors, and the power of prayer maybe he will be fixed up once and for all.
And shame on me and this blog fail. He had his 8th birthday in October. My how time certainly flies.
School's been another struggle for Austin. He's a big 3rd grader now, though the youngest in his class. I'm really regretting not holding him back in kindergarten now. His comprehension is just so bad. Joe and I work with him every night and no doubt he would quite possibly be failing in just about everything if we didn't. We study and study and study and he just doesn't remember. I don't think he's in danger of not passing 3rd grade but I just wish he was doing better. I guess I need to be thankful that he likes school and does his homework without too many complaints and hopefully he'll get better.
Oh and a quickie on hockey. He's started up again and isn't doing great but isn't doing terrible either. He hasn't cried as much as last year but he's still not making much progress. Some of these kids are just flying now. Of course many of these kids have different issues and not CP. One Mom said once that if we put all the kids diagnosis' and struggles in a hat and passed it around we'd probably all still choose to deal with what we have been dealt. Good point.
Ashley - Ashley is still doing well in school. She also is doing great at Honeybees. We started her in dance classes on Tuesday's and it seems like she never gets a nap on Tuesday's and will sleep all the way there then flip out when it's time to go. Some days she does better than the other days but usually it's a lot of crying and clinging "I don't wanna go dance class." But she'll go with her teachers and always seems happy when she gets done. We aren't allowed to stay and watch but the ladies always say she does awesome and she will then show off her moves at home throughout the week. Jazz and ballet are her classes. I can't for the recital, she'll look beautiful but I doubt she'll perform. Maybe she'll surprise me. She's definitely a lot of fun that is for sure.
So there is the recap of life in our home for the past three months; it's a tribute to all three of the Papesh kids but mostly Austin. ;)
Sunday, September 11, 2011
School Survival
After the best summer ever we all have headed back to school. Everyone is doing great! We all worked hard last week and are being extra lazy this weekend. Every kid moved on this year as we are in odd years, Tommy in 5th grade, Austin in 3rd and Ashley has moved on to the big kid room in the daycare. Tommy likes his teacher and Austin is happy to have his teacher he had in kindergarten again (Tommy was a bit sad to have to move on but he's cool and will do great). Tommy has also told me he is enjoying Science (with me) so kudos to me. Austin will crack me up telling me very seriously about DEAR time how they have to stop whatever they are doing and read. Ashley lets everyone know that she is not a baby anymore, she's a big girl. And that was ever apparent as I spotted her in the room using SCISSORS!!! And properly I should add. My oh my!
1st day of school!
2nd day of school; it pained me to erase my snoopy and woodstock.
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