Tired....

Well, we made it, we just got back from Grand Forks, Bailey had a great tournament, well lets back up just a little...



Life as we know it has been pretty good, Bailey is adjusting to life out here, school is good, meeting some friends and the snow is gone. He's had a few skates at my rink thanks to our head program co ordinater, and he's thoroughly enjoyed that. We left on the 18th for Grand Forks is Sams car and headed to Altona to pick up Jennifer, after a couple of hugs from kaleigh and cramming Jen's suitcase into the trunk, we squished the kids into the back seat and off we went. OH and on a quick side note, when we drove through Altona it happened to be Chris' birthday so we dropped by The Hut to wish him a Happy Birthday in person!

Ok so across the border we went and there was next to no water anywhere so the flood watch was low, we hit the hotel with two other families and after a quick trip to Target for some goggles and trunks it was off to the hot tub for a cold beer and a soak....much needed after 10 hours on the road.



Friday at noon was the first game and don't you know it, it was at The Ralph (http://www.theralph.com/) one of the nicest rinks I'll ever step foot in. The game was a bit of a romp as it was against a gold team from Kenora but that's ok because that put us on the B side which is a little easier....that set up the next game for Saturday morning against Mcdonald of all teams, the team we lost to against in the league finals. This was a redemption game for the boys and for Bay who didn't get to play against them, and the boys came out firing, laying a licking and a win on. This win meant we had two more games for sure and one more in The Ralph. In the semi finals we met Winkler of all teams and were hanging with them until a coaching error in changing goalies to allow fair play led to our butts being handed to us leaving us without a chance at the B side Championships. So we had one game left Sunday morning and the goal was, win this one for Bay, and they did with Bailey walking away from the Tourney with an assist and his goal was at least a point. The final game was pretty emotional for me, watching Bailey play his last game in a Maroons sweater. The Maroons mean a lot to the both of us and has been a big part of our lives for the last 11 years.

Also that weekend thanks to Greg Harris and a phone call we got an inside tour of The Ralph, down into the UND weight room, dressing room, lounge, places they don't take people anymore and we learnt a little more about Ralph Engelsted, some of the history and what it takes to actually become a member of The Fighting Sioux and let me tell you it's not easy but totally worth it.

As expensive as the weekend was we had a great time, enjoyed the weekend with Jennifer and wouldn't have changed it for anything. We headed home on Sunday, stopping in Altona to unfortunately drop off Jennifer and after a few tears and a broken window we were on our way to Winkler to take the girls out for supper and listen to them ask if they could move to Saskatoon. Bay then went to get a little mom time while we visited with the girls and then headed to their place so they could show us a thing or two, Bay could kick a little more butt in soccer and it was time to head home....The trip was good, uneventful but about an hour away from home Bay said he had a question for me.....well I won't get into any details but he was pretty open with me about life without me in Altona, life here in Stoon, and pressures that were put on him before he moved and I must say I'm ashamed for so many adults....things were said to him from my family and others and he told me exactly what that did to him. So many people said he had a nervous stomach, sick, he was broken because I was making him move...what it turned out to be was people telling him he was gonna regret moving here with his dad and away from his friends and I was appalled.....how do you tell and 11 year old that he's gonna regret moving with his dad. As much as I'd like to discuss this with the guilty parties....why would I waste the time or energy...if you'd see my boy, he's happy, yes we don't have the girls close by but we're sure making efforts, he loves being with me, I love having him with me as I always have and in a perfect world they'd all be with me, I love and miss them so much so we'll continue making the efforts that we have and we will survive and make the most out of all the times and opportunities we get together.

He asked me about stress, what it was and if I was ever stressed...I laughed and said everyday and told him what exactly stresses me out and what I worry about everyday.....so many have said how I've only made this move for myself, but this was so much more than that, and I worry everyday that Sam won't regret it, that Bailey is happy and I won't lose my mind without my girls closer....so much of my life is better because of the past, as much as people think I haven't grown, once they let go of the past they will be able to see it, but Sam see's it and benefits from it as do the kids....I love her so very much, she makes my life, my stresses, doable because she supports me, stands by me, cheers for me AND all the kids....she's an unbelievable and amazing person and is gonna be such a success in life I can't wait to see it.....

So now that I've blathered and gotten a little bit of stuff off my chest I'm gonna sign off, put this headache to bed and head to work in the morning.....looking forward to the next 50 years of my life and hope you are as well....

see ya when I see ya!