Networking

So a lot has happened since my last post. I made it through the holidays alive (That is always a feet in itself).

Christmas was good! It's always good to see family & friends & whether you want to accept it or choose to realize it, December is by far the happiest time of the year. People are always friendlier & every time you walk into a store they tend to greet you with "MERRY CHRISTMAS" opposed to a short little "hi". People are laughing, people are smiling, everyone is dressed in holiday gear! It's great!

The new year was great. It was a little different this year. I was in Seattle for 4 days with our basketball team, but my wife got to come this time which made it completely more enjoyable. We celebrated her birthday on the way back from Seattle & what was nice was just spending the evening with each other. It wasn't a grand thing, we just went shopping for her & then relaxed together with some food she wanted & cuddled why we watched TV. It was a special birthday for our first year of marriage. We did the same thing the next night on New Years Eve as we were both a tad sick, so we skipped out on 2 parties & stayed home which we both decided was the best New Years Eve we'd ever had.

As I scooted through the holidays, I started to think about my life & where it was going. My life was starting to take shape right in front of my eyes! It's kinda weird when you always hear the things about "writing your own legacy" & "deciding what is right for YOUR life". Well it's a bit odd when you realize how your life is working out & how it's already taking form. For some of you that might not be strange, but it was a little eye opener for me.

To think of where I am in my life, brought one word to my mind.....NETWORKING. I am who I am today because of the wonderful people in my life. When I'm 80 years old, I want to tell my grand kids & great-grand kids that I am who I am today, because of the people that were in my life. I have an amazing family....both my natural family, my new extended family, & my church family. I have people that love me, support me no matter what the decision, I have people who trust me & my judgement, I have people who have my back no matter what the outcome! Then I started thinking of my friends both work friends, close friends, basketball friends, etc. I have such an amazing network of people around me.

It appears every time I need something, I know someone who does it. I need a mortgage? Got it. I need a car? Got it. I need some money? Got it. I need help moving? Got it. I need someone to hang out with me? Got it. I could literally go on forever! God has placed such amazing people around me that I am in awe! The Bible says "How good & how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity." Well I always knew what that meant for the 'Church' but it hits home now for my personal life. To live in unity with my "network". How GOOD & how peaceful/pleasant it is. My life is streamlining right now. No drama, strictly peace.

God has been so faithful to Sara & I, for which I am so thankful. Each day I find new ways she challenges me & sharpens me. Each day I find new things about her that I love (& maybe occasionally things that annoy me =)). She is an amazing wife & very special gift for which I am daily thankful. To see how hard she works teaching & how she dedicates herself to it to be the best she can be & yet still finds time to bless me at home or take time out of her relaxing evening to make dinner or bring me coffee. She is one of a kind & I am extremely proud I snatched her up when I did! =)

Well before I end this post, let me update you on basketball. My JV team is clicking on all cylinders right now. We have won 5 straight & are now 13-3. My boys are starting to grow & become better ball players. It's always rewarding for a coach when his players buy into what he's preaching. My players have done that & most of them hinge on every word I say. My core group of guys would run through a wall for me which is something that any coach desires. A couple guys are floating up to varsity already & 4 of them have a great chance to make varsity full time next year. If you don't know much about basketball & how a program works, that means I'm doing my job & it's a successful season whenever anyone moves up!

As far as varsity goes, they have hit some bumps in the road, but are starting to click now. We beat a VERY good East Linn team last night 10 & have some great showdowns coming in 2 weeks with Salem Academy & Blanchet! Should be a lot of fun!!! We need to make a push to make it to state. We'll see how it turns out, but I think our young varsity team is starting to understand what it takes to win & that is simply play as a unit of 5 instead of 5 individuals. A key element that many great teams/players miss.

Lastly, HOW ABOUT THOSE BLAZERS!!!???!!! I'm an AVID Blazers fan & always has been. i remember watching games in my dads lap when I was 4 & 5. We've won 17 of 18 now & are in 1st place!!! If you haven't caught the fever yet, they play on Sunday vs. Toronto at 9:30 am. What an amazing turnaround & they are playing great! I'm excited to see what else happens.

Well I'm off to basketball practice....