Alex Gets Daddy Back...

It's my turn to post now that lacrosse season is over. Alex is excited every time I come home now that it's before 7:30pm every night. She's been nice enough to tolerate all of the extra time spent on the road and at practice with the team.

This year has been one of overcoming both personal and team adversity. During the year, I dealt with all of the off-the-field problems that I could handle, and then some. To add to the problems that the boys created for me, I had a few of my own problems to contend with. I've considered hanging up my whistle. But, now that the season is complete, I've realized that I can't. That said, both myself and the team emerged stronger than when we started.

The beginning of the month of May brought Lindenwood's fourth consecutive conference championship, and fourth consecutive bid to the MCLA National Tournament. The team swept the annual conference awards winning Defender of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, and myself winning Coach of the Year for the first time during my tenure at Lindenwood. I'm very proud of that one.



While the team was in Dallas for the National Tournament, I received a call from St. Louis informing me that I'd been named Man of the Year by the Missouri Scholastic Lacrosse Association. I'm still not sure why I won the award; but, I believe that it may stand for all of the work I've tried to do to promote HS lacrosse in St. Louis in hopes of recruiting better players. We'll actually be getting babysitter and going to the awards dinner.

To cap off a fun season coaching, I just returned from Dallas, TX where I made my debut as a color analyst on ESPN360 for Major League Lacrosse. I called the game between the Philadelphia Barrage and the Long Island Lizards from Texas Stadium. It was exciting to be in the press box and sit in the same chair where Troy Aikman sat during the NFL season. There are a few clips of me up on http://www.laxunited.com/ if you'd care to see my "work".

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1507884388/bclid1508311775/bctid1573216985

I'll be doing another game in St. Louis on June 14th between Philadelphia and Chicago. The production crew told me that I did quite well as a "rookie" broadcaster. But, as usual, I'm my own worst critic. I'm getting geared up to do a better job on the STL game. I hope this will lead to more broadcasting work and more notoriety for my program at Lindenwood.

So, with all of this lacrosse activity, why did I title the post "Alex Gets Daddy Back"? We were able to get together during our camping trip to Branson. As you can see from the entry before this one, she has a HUGE effect on me. She actually got me on a rollercoaster!! That never happens!! I enjoyed lighting fires at the campsite and taking her on the rides at all of the theme parks. She's very much her own person, and for that, I am most proud.

Rowan

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Branson Vacation

We spent 3 days in Branson camping, which Alex has been dying to do. She had a blast camping. She had fun gathering sticks for the fire and sleeping looking up at the stars through the tent top. We went on the Ducks which is the aqua vehicle that goes from on the road to on the river and she even got to drive! We went to the amusement parks and water parks which were fun but I think we've been spoiled by Disney. To top off our Branson trip, we grabbed breakfast on the last day at a local diner which much to our surprise had an Elvis impersonator performing at 8:30 in the morning-only in Branson (and maybe Vegas)!.

Beauty Blooms

We went to the Gardens for the Chinese Cultural Festival and took in the new Niki exhibit which Alex really loved.

Teddy Bear Picnic

We spent an evening at the Teddy Bear Picnic held at her school. Alex had a fun couple of hours doing teddy bear art projects, playing vet with her teddy and what picnic would be complete without ice cream.

Sew Sweet

Just showing off a few dresses I've made for Alex, including the dress she wore to Dan Zanes with Mary which she had a blast at.