Soccer Referees

My youngest daughter passed her test to be certified as a grade 9 soccer referee. She will be the fifth soccer referee in the family. We have a recreational soccer league in the area that we have been involved in for many years. Since '96 I think. I'm in charge of the referees again this year, so I'm always grateful to have a larger pool of refs to pull from.

Most of my kids, including my youngest, have played since they were little so they are very familiar with how to play the game. Ref'ing the game is a different story. The only time a ref gets any attention is when he makes a questionable call. (I've made my share)

Refs, like anybody else, need practice to get better and more confident in what they see and how they call the game. I think ref'ing for the younger ones helps to develop self confidence and leadership skills - or maybe I just need more ref's to fill the schedule. Either way, I'm happy!

Grease Monkeys

I never thought I would say that I was looking forward to working on a truck but...I am! My son recently bought an old '82 Chevy pickup that needs some work. We worked on it together last Saturday changing the oil and replacing the speedometer cable. I really enjoyed working with my son and showing him what I know and fixing things together. This Saturday, we plan on fixing the door window cranks on both doors and maybe a broken passenger side mirror. Maybe change the spark plugs. I used to work on my vehicles all the time, but its been a long time since I bloodied a knuckle under the hood. Sounds crazy, but I'm looking forward to it!

Missing My Dad

On March 27, 1992 at 2:07pm my Dad died from tramatic injuries suffered from a farm accident. That has been a little over 16 years ago. I was 28 at the time. I still feel the pain of that day standing by his bedside and watching him die while I held his left hand. My Mom, my middle brother and I had made the descision to take him off of life support and let him go. There few things harder in this life than making that descision. I still miss him so much. He was a calm, gentle, wise man who had little to say with words, but volumes to say with character and example. Happy Fathers Day, Dad!

Rain, Rain, Go Away. Come Again Some Other...

My son and I were getting ready to leave for work a little before 6am this morning and sure enough, the rain started to fall. It was a deluge that soaks you in about 5 seconds. I don't know for sure how much rain we have recieved recently, but several roads were fooded on our way to work. Can you even imagine what Noah and his kids must have been thinking?

My New Baby Has Arrived

I'm so excited to finally get a Taylor Guitar. I've wanted one for years but the circumstances have never been quite right. They are pretty expensive as guitars go. Well, the other day the opportunity presented itself to buy a 314CE and I got it. I really enjoy playing the guitar, especially this one. Unfortunatley, my son is much better at playing than I am. I sure he'll get the opportunity to play it often.

God Is Good!

God is good, no matter how we feel! I'm sure glad that God goodness is not dependent on our feelings. I've said many times that God is worthy to be praised for his goodness no matter how we feel!