Mallory Cheering

Yesterday, Mallory cheered at half time of the Zionsville Eagles Varsity Basketball game.  This was the culmination of her (two hour) cheer camp that she participated in earlier in the day.

While recording I lost her in the mass of cheerleaders but found her at about the 2:20 mark of the video.

The URL to watch the video is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKONGgxOtMM

Enjoy!

Grandma's 90th Birthday

Today is my grandmother's 90th birthday.  I have posted some pictures of my fam so that she can see them.

Love ya, Grandma!

Mallory and Mason at Fair Oak Farms in Northern Indiana

Mason and Mallory with their cousin, Henry

The family in Chicago (on Navy Pier)

The Huber Family

Thanksgiving Program at Stonegate Elementary

Today, Mallory's class held their Thanksgiving program.

Enjoy the video (it starts at about 45 seconds in).

If you can't see the video, you can view it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZSWjqh8EMI&list=UU6tbuvo7g9eflQewYlCjvzA&index=1&feature=plcp

Mallory Cheering

On Thursday of last week, Mallory attended a cheer camp, hosted by the Zionsville High School Varsity and Junior Varsity Cheerleading Squads.  After two hours of practice, the girls were ready to cheer Friday night at halftime of the Zionsville-Westfield football game.

The video isn't very clear, but Mallory is near the center of the picture in pink leggings.

Mallory's Loft

Once in a while I get the urge to build something.  Not because I am particularly good at it, but because I enjoy building stuff and learning how it all goes together.  Plus it gives me an excuse to go to Lowe's and pick up something new.

A few days ago, I was flipping through a book called Show Me How, where I saw some basic instructions on how to build a loft bed.  Noel and I were trying to think of ways to maximize the space in Mallory's room and this seemed to fit.  So, instead of relaxing on this July 4th, I set out to Lowe's to buy some lumber and some hardware.

You can see the results below.  Happy Birthday, America.

The ladder being assembled in the garage

My trusty compound miter saw

The bed frame installed before adding the 2x4s and the 1/4" plywood for support

The ladder installed

Mallory and Mason enjoying the new loft bed

Only in America ...

From a recent article on the new Bowl Championship Series playoff ... the article discusses who the winners and 'losers' are in the proposed system.  I direct your attention to the discussion on losers (emphasis is mine):

LOSERS: As much as the BCS seemed stacked against the so-called little guys - those teams from conferences outside the six founding member leagues - a playoff-driven postseason could widen the gap between the haves and have-nots. While a playoff will increase the amount of revenue the postseason generates, those funds might be distributed more unevenly. Leagues such as the Mountain West, Conference USA and the Sun Belt will make more money in total, but could get a smaller percentage of the pie. And if schedule strength is going to be emphasized for picking the playoff participants, how do those teams fortify their schedules to match what the teams from power leagues already have built-in?

Only in America would we consider someone a 'loser' in a system where the amount of money they stand to make off a deal goes up.

A Note to My Grandmother

A week ago, Saturday, we held a memorial service for my grandmother, how passed away earlier this year.

I barely made it through my eulogy, so I decided to post it here, so that people attending could actually understand what I was trying to say.  And for those of you that weren't there, you can see a glimpse of how my grandmother touched my life.

I’d like to thank everyone for coming today. It is an honor to be a part of a service to remember such an amazing woman. Since I learned that we would be here today, I have been thinking a great deal about Grandma and what she meant to me, and everyone here.

Over the past few months, I have been reflecting on a song that I enjoy. The song is from the musical Wicked. The title is “For Good”. The character is singing about how she has been changed for the better … For Good. But also about how she has been changed for good … Forever.

Throughout our lives, people are brought into our lives for many different reasons. Some to teach us, some inspire to us, others to nurture us and help us grow. Both Grandma and Grandpa were brought closer to us to help our family through a very difficult time. With my own family now, I can only imagine what Dad went through. And, without so much as a second thought, Grandma and Grandpa packed up their car and moved to Cincinnati to take care of three boys and help run a household.

Using what Dr. Dobson calls the left hand of love and the right hand of discipline, Grandma began to shape me and change me For Good. There were many days, readying me for kindergarten, carpooling with Tim Hunter and Jason Mayes. There were many nights perched at the top of the stairs (with knitting needles in hand), that she kept watch for ne’er-do-well boys who were thinking about sneaking out of their bedroom after lights-out. There were countless times she dragged a comb through my hair before shuffling off to Crestview Presbyterian. Grandma was dressed in her light blue Sunday outfit; Grandpa in his sport coat and fedora. Never a complaint; always with a hug and a kiss.

Both she and Grandpa have left an indelible mark on me, and all of those they touched throughout their lives. She has, Forever, left her hand print on both my heart and soul. I know we will meet again someday (although I am hoping it isn’t too soon!). And when I do, I’ll let her know that so much of me was made from what I learned from her.

Have I been changed For Good? You bet I have.

Have I been changed Forever? Without a doubt.

I’ll never forget you, Grandma. I love you.

Another Soccer Season in the Books

There is another soccer season in the books for the Zionsville Youth Soccer Association recreational league.  Mallory had her first run at it while Mason continued to enjoy the game, playing in his 7th season.  He will be trying out for the travel team at the beginning of June.

Mason, fourth from the right, with his soccer team after their final game.