Getting Back into it! and Africa

Ok, that's it!  Break's over!  Well, for the most part anyway... Vacations ARE already scheduled.  But work has begun again.

I've been home, I've traveled to two softball tournaments.  I've been to a couple LSU baseball games and now a couple of Zephyr baseball games (my first ever!).  I've visited a handful of important people, but there are several still to cover.  It's been about three weeks since I've done a basketball work out, and it about killed me!!!!!  I've done weights a couple of times and jogged a couple of times, but there is no substitute for a 2 and a half to 3 hour basketball workout, complete with quick (hopefully!) full-speed offensive moves and a whole lot of jumping that just isn't in the normal daily routine otherwise.  Needless to say, the "quads" are killing me!  And it's all thanks to Eddie Palubinskas today.  He's been my shooting coach since high school, and although I give so much credit for developing me as a person and a player to my CLA coach, Coach Dallimore, Ed gets "props" as well.  His passion for the game, and his ridiculous confidence in me as a player are just contagious, and I LOVE going to work out in his clinics.  It's SO crucial to have people believe in you, even when you don't feel like you deserve it sometimes.  I've said it before that I have a lot of work to do, and I do, so here it is.  Not every player improves over every summer, but I make it a point to.  It's so exciting to get better isn't it???!!!

Also, Morgan, my fiance is over in Africa right now on a church missions trip, so we are missing him, and praying for him.  Please do one or the other (preferably prayer!) for him :)  I'm so proud of him and the team for raising all that money to go over there and make a difference for that church over in Mozambique.  I only wish that I will have an opportunity one day soon to make it on a missions trip of my own.

Summer!

Ok, Jodi's team lost in their regional... but not before she made some pretty gutsy plays to keep her team alive!  She had the game winning run in their second to last game to keep them alive, and then she got on base again in their season's final inning of play, and then beat out a throw to second base to again keep them alive.  We're proud of her!

So now, we are all home, and the summer has officially begun.  We both have a bunch of unpacking and organizing still to do.  Vacations are planned, and promises are made to better both of ourselves for next season.

On another note, the team I signed a contract with for next season won the Italian Championship!!!!  That is so exciting for them, and it means they will play in an additional league next year with the best teams in the world.  It will be with the best teams in the world, so I have a lot of improving, but a lot of motivation to get better this summer as well.  I will be playing in the big games next year.  The big ones that everyone in the basketball world cares about and watches on TV around Europe and Russia and all over.  Honestly, it is a little scary, but isn't that what playing is all about?  Getting to the big games and pushing yourself to the limits to see what you are made of???  I'm grateful for the opportunity, and I hope and pray that I can stay healthy, and that I take advantage of my opportunities to perform to the best of my ability.  That's how John Wooden defines success anyway: "Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming"

So that includes my preparation this summer.

LC Conference Tournament

I wish I had great news from the reason I detoured my flights to instead of home, but I only have good news.  Jodi's team made it to the championship game of the NCAA Division-III ASC Conference Championship, but got rained out.  If they would have went to any other tie-breaker method other than the one used, they would have won anyway... but they didn't...

They were cheated out of a chance for another ring, partially because of weather and playing field, but also from the conference officials.  I'm sorry for them, but they are tough kids and should get a bid for a regional anyway because of their national ranking.  We find out in a day or two where they would play if they do get that bid.

Jodi wouldn't say she was happy with her performance, but she did earn $50 from the pops for a big double in the semifinal game!  I'm against this type of reinforcement, but obviously Jodi's happy to get some cash :)

I'll keep everyone posted!