Parowan High School Volleyball

When I started this blog back in May I made a few statements about where my life would be heading next and that I was looking forward to the new adventures. My first new adventure came up quickly after that statement and it was one that I hadn't expected or was even really sure I wanted. But as life goes sometimes we come to a crossroads and we are asked to do things that we think to ourselves "How is the....am I going to do this". Well such a situation arose when the Head Volleyball coach at my school came open and I was the most logical and qualified person to take the job. After some serious and I mean serious thought (so much so I cracked a tooth and wore a hole in my stomach trying to make this decision) after the interview I agreed to take on the job. I knew this job would be stressful, I knew all the things I would have to do in order to be successful, I'd lived with a head coach my entire growing up life. I knew what I was getting into. My family had to learn to take a somewhat neutral position because Beaver is the big volleyball rivalry. In preparation for this event I got some T-Shirts for my parents. Here is what they said:

Well I thought it was appropriate anyway.



 My family was pretty supportive. Brandon wore the Parowan hat I got him to the Beaver game. Mom and dad were diligent in wearing their t-shirts, and LeeAnn game to more games than anyone. My first home game was on the 1st day of school and I literally thought my head and heart was going to explode from all the stress and worry of getting through my classes, and getting the gym set up and ready and as if that wasn't enough I had Back to School Night after the game. Right in the middle of me about ready to explode I got a little present brought down from the office.

Yep I was sent flowers from my mom and dad. I was totally surprised. They both couldn't make it to my game that night and they just wanted to wish me good luck. After that I calmed down and went to work. Echoing in my head was one of dads famous sayings "Quit your worring and get the JOB DONE!" So that is what I did. Two good things happened: We won the ballgame against Grantsville and the game took so long that I missed Back to School Night...darn (I hate when that happens). The season got off to a good start. I couldn't have asked for more. The following week my girls won the North Sevier Tournament. We had some rough patches during the middle of our season but my girls battled back and came up with some big wins. We ended up third in our region and we headed off to state. The State Tournament just wasn't our weekend. We had a rough first game with North Summit which we didn't win and a BATTLE with Kanab in our second. So my team didn't take state...they didn't even place. I guess I could measure the success of this team by their win/loss record but I just don't think I can. I had girls on my team learn and play new positions, fight though injuries, improve their skills 110%, work hard everyday in practice, build each other up when one person was down, love and enjoy each other's company and we LAUGHED!!! I love every single one of the girls on my team. I forgot that among all the stress, anxiety and ulcers that the reward in the end are the relationship that have been built during the season on and off the court. Absolutely priceless. I was and am blessed for having this opportunity to coach and to rub shoulders with some top athletes in the state of Utah. My team is truly AMAZING!!! Thanks girls for making this experience worth it!

I LOVE this picture! This is my entire team and it is a true representation of how interconnected they were.

This is my Varsity team!

This is the J.V. team with my assistant coach Brooke Bakker.

This is my freshman team with my other assistant coach Colton Reinholtz.

CAN'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THIS!

Playing with the Nephews

Brandon and Jeanette decided to go to Lake Powell for their anniversary, in August (I know I'm a bit behind in my posts). So I got to play with Payton, Tyce, Cort and Gage for a day and night. Saturday afternoon Gage was bored, Cort went swimming with his friends, and that left Payton and Tyce to play with Gage. Gage wanted to go swimming, but he got told the infamous phrase that Gage hates "You're too little and you need your mom to go with you". Well as if that was the most devastating thing to say to a 3 year old...a serious campaign was waged to convince Payton to take Gage outside and run through the sprinklers (not an easy task). Reluctantly Payton agreed, changed and took Gage outside. Tyce comes home and joins the fun. I was in the house and I hear this laughing and screaming and I look out the window to make sure everyone is OK and this is the scene I come upon. Payton and Gage are on the trampoline and Tyce is squirting them with the hose. They are having the best time, so I grab my camera and head out take pictures. After issuing serious threats to Payton and Tyce about getting me wet I started taking pictures. While I was laughing and having fun, Gage decided that he wanted to squirt the hose while Payton and Tyce were on the tramp. I had to help him and how him how to do it....and then that little stinker Gage turned the hose on ME!!!! He is his father's child through and through. It wasn't enough to just get me wet...NO...Gage chased me into the house. I was soaking wet! Of course Payton and Tyce were no help they were too busy laughing hysterically on the tramp. It's hard to stay mad at Gage for too long. After a while he came into the house and I put him in the bath, where he stayed for a good 20 minutes and only came out because he got soap in his eye. After the crisis was averted and we got him out and dress. Gage curled up on my lap with his blanket and fell asleep. Yep...hard to stay mad when he is so stinking cute...asleep! Not that I was really mad to start with. We all had a GREAT weekend! I love ALL my nephews and neice and I'm so blessed to be their aunt!!! Here are some pictures of all our fun.

Now Jeanette before you freak out...we did stop Gage before he was able to start the flow of water in his mouth. But you can see where he learns it from....