Stars on Ice

Evan (my Evan) Lysacek - Olympic Gold champion, world champion, two time US champion

To Evan (my Evan ) I wanted to say, "I LOVED watching you in the Olympics! You definitely deserved to beat that Russian guy. He was full of himself anyway. So what if he could do a quad. You worked harder than anyone to get to where you are and you are beautiful to watch." Instead I said, "Oh I am so sorry Evan, I would love to go out for drinks with you, but I am a married woman." Ha! Ha! I did gush to Evan a little (ok a lot!), but I don't remember what I said. ( Matt would have been mortified! ) He was so nice and I couldn't breathe afterwards. Brooke's eight year old friend, Meghan, said to me, "What is wrong with you?! You need to calm down!! Just chill out!" And to top it off he skated to "Roxanne Tango" from the movie, "Moulin Rouge" which is one of my favorite parts in that awesome movie!!

Todd Eldredge - World champion, six time US champion

Joannie Rochette - Olympic bronze medalist, world silver medalist, six time Canadian champion

To Todd I wanted to say, "I always rooted for you in the Olympics! It is too bad that you always fell and it cost you the gold because you should have gotten it!" But instead I said, "I loved the show."

To Joannie I wanted to say, "I cried with you when your mom died the day before you were to perform at the Olympics. I am still amazed at the grace you showed and how beautifully you skated as you were dealing with such grief. You are a true champion." Instead I just said, "You skate beautifully."

Jamie Sale and David Pelletier - Olympic Gold medalists, world champions, and three time Canadian champions

To them I wanted to say, "I am soooo glad that those dumb judges decided to give you the gold medal, too, along with those Russians because they fell and you didn't!" But instead I said, "I loved the show."

Kurt Browning - Four time world champion, four time Canadian champion

He is still a great skater at age 44 and so much fun to watch. After this picture was taken he asked me to help him up off the floor! Why, of course, Kurt!

Scott Hamilton - Olympic gold medalist

To Scott I did say, "I watched you win the gold in 1984 and thought you were amazing." To which he replied, "Wow, you must have been a baby!" I was 12, but thanks for the compliment - sincere, or not! I really wanted to add that I remember that he was wearing blue and I loved how his hair would flare out to the side as he spun around so fast.

Sasha Cohen- Olympic silver medalist, two time world silver medalist, US champion

To Sasha I wanted to say, "I love that move you do when you pull your leg up to your head and spin around and around. That is truly amazing! And you really look like a china doll. And when you were in your first Olympics I skipped out on a girls night out so I could stay home and watch you." Instead I just said, "I loved your Cabaret number."

Ekaterina Gordeeva - two time olympic medalist, four time world pair champion

To Ekaterina I wanted to say, "I watched you and Sergei Grinkov in the Olympics and thought you two were the most beautiful skating pair I had ever seen. I cried when Sergei died and I read the book you wrote, My Sergei, on an airplane and was crying so hard that the person next to me thought I was totally insane." Instead I just told her I loved the show.

Michael Weiss - Two-time world bronze medalist, three time US Champion. He is so fun to watch!!

Ben Agosto - Olympic silver medalist, two time world silver medalist, five time US champion - Tanith's ice dancing partner

The beautiful Tanith Belbin. Olympic silver medalist

Brooke and I had the privilege of going to the Smuckers Stars on Ice show again this year. Our old neighbor works for Smuckers and lucky for us they invited us yet again. Not only do we get to watch a great show, but then we get to meet the skaters after the show which is so exciting for me!! When I heard that Evan Lysacek and Ekaterina Gordeeva were going to be there I got chills! Then I got nervous! I have this unfortunate problem of becoming completely starstruck when I meet Olympic athletes. It really only happens when I meet gymnasts, and in this case ice skaters. I remember meeting Bart Connor and Nadia Comeneci in 1994 at a mall in St. Louis. I brought my huge gymnastics picture book that I had had since I was 13. I met them, had them sign the glossy pages, and then floated on air for the rest of the night. I couldn't even feel my feet as I walked out of the mall. I worshipped Nadia growing up. I could find Romania on a globe at age 4. I used to write her letters and put all my pennies in the letters. I wanted to give her something! I don't remember what I said to her that night, but I am sure I sounded like a fool. Matt loves to tell the story of how in 2002 we met (I met) Olympic gymnast Shannon Miller at a movie theater in Houston. Matt spotted her across the room. Then he reluctantly pointed her out to me because he knew what would come next. His wife would make a complete fool of herself gushing to Shannon about how incredible I thought she was. As Matt walked across the theater pretending he had no idea who I was, I marched right up to her and asked for her autograph, and of course, blubbered on about how amazing I thought she was, blah, blah, blah. I just can't help it. I love the Olympics and am enamored with the athletes who compete. I can never get enough of the gymnastics and ice skating. Which is why it was so special for me to meet all of these Olympians. It is a dream come true!!! There was so much I wanted to say to all of them, but lucky for them there were so many people that I didn't get to really say what I wanted to. If we go back next year I am sure they are going to wonder, "Who is this crazy mom that is stalking us!" Since I am the only mom that has to get in the pictures with her kid.

Spring in Ohio

A spring snowfall covering my daffodils. My daffodils in bloom just three days later.

We got about three inches of snow on March 30th. Luckily I had just spent some really good time with God and had been praying for a content heart. So when I saw the dreaded white stuff starting to fall from the sky I just laughed and was glad that at that moment I was peaceful and content even though all I really wanted was a warm spring day. The snow ended up being beautiful. It was a wet snow where it clung to the trees and our neighborhood looked like Narnia. It all melted the next day and three days later our daffodils sprang up! That is Ohio in the spring for you!

Spring Break 2011

My wonderful family that I miss and love so much!! Brooke had Dad wear a birthday crown. She loves her Squeezy and he loves her!

Presenting dad with his birthday gift.

This is the Bob White painting that Dad has been wanting for a long time. It shows a man fly fishing (of course!) at sunset.

In my happy place feeding sweet Marielle.

Brooke teaching Marielle to dance.

All we heard all week long was, "I want to hold baby Marielle!"

The Fam!

One of the rooms in the beautiful Armstrong Browning Library at Baylor. The kids thought it was cool that I used to study there. Really, I did!

Us with my cousin Brian who is a freshman at Baylor this year. And to think this very tall young man was my ring bearer in my wedding!

Sic Em Bears!

Matt giving Louie Mueller BBQ in Taylor, TX a thumbs up. (I still like the Salt Lick better.)

So much of our visits revolve around the food.

I don't usually find my name up north so I had to snap this.

Brooke and her Emily goofing around.

You would never know this happy baby Marielle had a fever all day.

More food pictures -this time at Shady Grove in Austin. The green chile cheese fries are the BEST!! I love this place.

Luke and Brooke braving the cold waters at Barton Springs. Matt and I did too - promise we did! We went all the way under!

One of our favorite spots at Barton Springs.

Getting ready to go in!

Is there any greater delight to a kid (or an adult for that matter) than skipping stones? I don't think so.

I can't walk yet so I will just sit in the rocks and try not to eat them.

Our hike down to the San Gabriel River near my parent's house.

One of the girls' many sleepovers. Crowns were a must. Where is yours, Anneke?

Luke enjoying a Mexican coke. We had lots of those and drank Dr. Pepper like water.

Our wonderful friends from Sugar Land, the Blazeks. We were so fortunate to be able to spend a little time with them and meet their sweet newly adopted daughter, Hope.

Brooke and Hope. We were so excited to finally meet her!

This year the week leading up to spring break was insane. It was one of those crazy weeks where in addition to me working that week, I dealt with being sick, squeezing in a quick overnight trip to Akron, and the kids had a zillion things going on each evening. So it was one sweet moment when the plane took off and we were on our way. This year we had the the PERFECT weather. After our long winter, temps in the 80s never felt so good! It was one of those trips when I say to myself, "Now why don't we live in Texas?" I mean my family is here as well as bluebonnets, Bluebell ice cream, BBQ, loads of friendly people, Tex-Mex, pick-up trucks, lots of country music, Baylor, the list goes on. Then I have to remind myself, "May, June, July, August, and most of September." We couldn't handle the heat so we got out of the kitchen. But when we are "old and cold" we will be back. After all, it is my native state. Yes, we will be back someday.

Luke's 10th Birthday

Good thing this cookie cake freezes since we had to cancel the first party. I can't believe my boy is TEN! Luke and his party buddies out exploring after his party

Luke's favorite gift - an automatic air soft gun.

I can't believe my Luke is one decade! Double Digits! Two whole hands! How did that happen??? This year Luke's birthday turned out to be a week long celebration. It began with cinnamon for breakfast and then Matt brought him lunch (City BBQ) at school. I was subbing that day and just happened to have the same lunchtime so I was able to eat with Matt and Luke, too. How special and rare! He chose to go to Olive Garden for his birthday dinner, but since we didn't have time on the night on his actual birthday he chose Steak N Shake - just like his sister. Then poor Luke got sick for his birthday party which we rescheduled for the following week. His party consisted of going to Laser Craze and then having the boys come back here for cookie cake and ice cream. Luckily it was a nice day and they were able to play outside for the rest of the afternoon. The night after his party he finally got his Olive Garden. Yes, it was a week long celebration!!

Cub scouts

Andrew receiving his Arrow of Light Andrew crossing over for a second time with his current den

Luke receiving some achievement awards

Pinewood Derby 2011

Don't let the trophies fool you. Their cars did not win - again! This troubles Matt much more than it does the boys.

Andrew crossing over in Copley with his den he had been with since 2nd grade. His old scout leader was so wonderful to organize it so he could come back and crossover with his buddies. It was so special to be back around all of the scout families we have journeyed with.

I can't believe that both boys will soon be boy scouts! Andrew oficially crossed over into boy scouts in January and Luke will crossover next year. It was Andrew's last year to do the Pinewood Derby which is always a highlight. As Andrew enters boy scout I am just hoping that the boy scout motto, "BE PREPARED" will really resonate with him this year. He is always the last one out the door in our house because he is NEVER PREPARED!! I am proud of my scouts and all they do!