Kman ROCKS!!!

As I mentioned last week, Kristian's lacrosse team played in the Section X Finals Friday night. They lost in a very intense hard fought game. But, Kristian "won". In the off season before his Junior year, Kristian busted his tail to get in shape and improve his stick skills. But, his work wasn't recognized and he sat most of the season. He didn't give up though. He worked even harder this year. In the beginning of the season it looked like he would be disappointed again and see little time. But he fought through it. Two games into the season Kristian's hard work was rewarded with a starting position. He had a wonderful season. He plays defense and when they played a team with a hot shooter, Kristian was the one that the coach called on to shut the shooter down. He has been assigned to a few All Americans this year. All of whom will be playing D1 lacrosse at the likes of Syracuse and Maryland. Friday was no different. He was assigned to defend All American. Kristian held him pointless. NO GOALS NO ASSISTS. Kristian could have laid his stick down after last season,but he chose to be a winner. We are so proud of his perseverance.

Another Dear Friend Gone

I was home on a brief vacation a few weeks ago. Liz and the kids were on Spring Break and we were busy cleaning the yard. My German Wirehaired pointer would not leave my side. She was constantly following me even though I could tell that she was tired. She was diagnosed right after Christmas with lymphoma. I was hoping that this was not the beginning of the end. I mentioned to Liz that I didn't think that Tiggi would make it through the Summer. She thought I was being overly optimistic and said she would be surprised if she made it through the Spring. I woke up the next day and headed out to get some more yard work done. A few minutes later Liz came out and I could tell on her face that something was wrong. "Tiggi isn't doing well." She gently told me. "I think it is time." We had been assured by the vet staff that we would know when it was time to put her down. I wasn't ready. I had too many more hunts I wanted to make with her. Too many more balls to throw. Too many more swims in the river. I reluctantly loaded her into the car and took her to the vet where they quietly assured me that she was ready and that anything else would only be prolonging her agony. I sat on the floor of the vets sobbing as Tiggi and I waited. A kind woman came to me and offered a stranger (me) a tissue. I bet she has never seen a 300lb grown man sobbing on the floor before. They called for us and they took her in. It was painless for her and I took her home and buried her under the same white birch that I buried Cocoa just months before. Tiggi was a hard one to let go. I had bought her as a pup. I still remember picking her up from the airport.She was a wonderful dog and a great friend. She will be missed.

I'm Still Alive

I emailed my mom the other day with some pictures of my two eldest, Mackenzie and Kristian. They had recently attended their prom. So I wanted to send the pictures to her. She was excited to get them. I sent her another email the next day telling her of some of the children's recent accomplishments. She, again, was very proud and excited. But the last sentence of her email smacked me. She has been reminding me of how neglectful I have been with my blog. My response is usually "I have nothing to share." Well her last sentence told me that I did have a lot to share. So, here goes.

As I said before, Mackenzie and Kristian had their prom. It was a fun night for both. Mackenzie was beautiful and Kristian was handsome.

Mackenzie recently returned from her senior trip to New York City. This was a huge step for her since she is not one who ventures too far away from the nest. She had a wonderful time.

Kristian has just about finished his Senior year of lacrosse. He is a starter this year. We are very proud that he has stuck with it. He was discouraged after last year. He didn't see much time at all but he trained hard and pushed himself in the off season. He has made a huge impact shoring up the defense. They play for the Section X Championship tonight. The winner moves on to the State Championship Tournament.

Devon tried out for the Spring musical earlier in the year. He did such a wonderful job that the Choir Director urged him to try out for chorus. He did and he became second Tenor. He more recently tried out for Select Chorus and made it. We are very proud of him and how he too has stepped out of his comfort zone.

Maddie has been playing lacrosse for several years. Last year she moved up to Modified (7th and 8th grade) and her coach has not seen fit to give Maddie much playing time. She has played defense up to this point and has done well but for some reason the coach doesn't play her much (I say this biting my tongue). Well a few days ago Maddie approached the coach and aske to be moved to attack (an offensive position). After a few days of thought her coach moved her. In her first game at attack Maddie scored!!! We are proud of Maddie for scoring but even prouder of her standing up for herself.

Peyton has been playing the alto sax for 2 years now. His instructor recently asked him to play in the 7th and 8th grade Jazz ensemble next year. This is something for him to be proud of since he will only be in 6th grade next year and it is a select ensemble.

I hope that this doesn't sound like one of those Christmas family bragging letters that we all get and cringe over. I am just very proud of my children and what they have done. They aren't perfect. They have failed (sometimes scholastically) at times but they have always picked themselves up and dusted off and pressed on.

Short but sweet

Liz's sister invited us to spend Thanksgiving with her and her family. So we packed our bags and headed South for a long weekend. When we go home, we usually stay with my folks. Mom and Dad have been very generous with their house and have a standing invite for us to stay there. When we stay there we don't see Liz's family much. Her family is usually working and we can't go to her father's house for too long because of health reasons.

We arrived at Mark and Theressa's Wednesday night and had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Liz's brother and his family and her father were over. We ate (too much) and laughed (never enough) all day. What a wonderful time.

Friday we went to Liz's Friend's house for a quick lunch and then headed over to my parents. We had a wonderful meal (mom you need to send me the recipe for the chicken). Then 13 of us played Bunko (actually 12 - mom was the referee/coach). We had so much fun. Dad was a hoot and I loved seeing him have such a great time with his grandkids. What a GREAT evening. I wish I could have seen more of them but this trip wouldn't allow for it.

We left Theressa's Sunday morning and had a beautiful trip back home. I am thankful for my family, my children, my wife, my parents, my brother and sister and their families, and Liz's family.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month -better late than never

I have NEVER talked about a patient of mine on this blog but after my last patient I am moved to do so.

I met this nice 44 y/o lady a couple of days ago. She was in for a scan to monitor her chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. She is very upbeat considering her story. She was diagnosed earlier this year. She started treatment in March. Since March she has had two pulmonary embolisms (blood clots in the lungs-AKA: PE). PE's come from clot fragments that usually form in the legs and/or pelvis. Part of the clot breaks off and travels up into the lungs where it/they get trapped in the small vessels. They can be life threatening depending on how much lung is affected. PE's are not uncommon during the treatment of cancer. After her first PE the doctors decided to place a filter in her that should prevent any other clots from passing up into her lungs. Well it didn't. She was hospitalized again to tree the PE. But her story doesn't end there.

When I went to the waiting area this morning to get her, she had a young girl with her that had a baby. I asked the patient if the women that was with her was her daughter.

"Yes, and that is my 1 month old granddaughter that is with her"

I told her that it was nice of her daughter to come with her to the appointment.

"Well she was diagnosed two months ago with breast cancer too"

WHAT?!?! This 22y/o girl that had a baby one month ago has breast cancer?!? I was speechless. How tragic. What an ordeal that these two women have to endure.

I have been blessed that I have not been personally impacted from the ravages of this disease. I hope and pray that I will never have to.

October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But, just because the month is over doesn't mean that the threat is. Most doctors suggest that women 40 y/o and older should have annual mammograms. If you haven't had yours, get it scheduled today. There is a plethora of information out there. Get informed today!!

A Joke to Help You Smile

A woman and a man are involved in a car accident, Both of their cars are totally demolished but amazingly neither of them are hurt.

After they crawl out of their cars, the woman says, "Wow, just look at our cars! There's nothing left but fortunately we are not hurt. This must be a sign from God that we should meet and be really good friends."

The man thinking their might be a bright side to this, replied, "I agree with you completely."

The woman continued, "And look at this, here's another miracle. My car is completely demolished but this bottle of wine didn't break. Surely we must drink this wine and celebrate our good fortune."

Then she hands the bottle to the man. The man shakes his head in agreement, opens it and takes a few very large swigs from the bottle and then hands it back to the woman.

The woman takes the bottle, immediately puts the cap back on, and hands it back to the man. The man asks, "Aren't you having any?"

The woman replies, "No. I think I'll just wait for the police."

A New Friend

I would like to take a sec and recognize a new reader. Welcome Beck. Beck has a Blog over at "Frog and Toad are Still Friends". She writes about her family, posts some wonderful recipes, and shares some heart warming stories. Stop by her blog and say "howdy!"

A Cheerful receiver

Have you ever wondered why God created you? Why did He take the time out of His busy schedule to create you? I've often pondered this. Knowing ahead of time that I would make so many bad choices in my life, why did He mold me?

Many of you may know that I carve decoys. As an artist/carver I would NEVER waste my time on a piece of work that I knew ahead of time was going to be flawed. Why would I set out on a carving that I knew was going to sink? It would be pointless. But God knows all of our flaws and failures before He creates us and yet He still creates us. Again, I ask why?

I think I know the answer. Let me start by saying that I do not have a degree in Theology. What I say here is straight from the heart. I think the answer to the previous questions boils down to one word. LOVE. That's it. I think that God IS so much LOVE that He has to have something to love. His nature is so loving that there has to be something that can be the beneficiary of His Love. That's it. He made you and me because He wants to love us. "Warts and all" as my mother would say. Even through all of the flaws and imperfections that we have (and they are all of our doing, by the way) He still loves us. Isn't that awesome?

If you have any "Bible Background", I'm sure that you know the verse "God loves a cheerful giver."2 Corinthians 9:7
While the context of this verse is in relationship to our giving to the church , many have applied it to giving in general, giving a birthday or Christmas gift. I have always thought that there is another part to the concept of being a "cheerful giver", a "cheerful receiver". You see, without a "cheerful receiver" a gift can't be given. If you do not receive a gift cheerfully, you are denying a person the ability to be a cheerful giver. So next time you feel unworthy of God's love remember that He created you so that He could love you. If He didn't want to love you, you wouldn't be here in the first place.

So no more laying a round in self worthlessness for me. He made me warts and all and He loves me warts and all. So know matter how short I fall from all of the other plans that God has for my life I commit myself to being a "cheerful receiver"!!