Monday, January 27, 2014

Rooster @ Roseau…


Colton's hair has always had a cowlick in back that makes the back of his head look like a mini-Dennis the Menace.  Or maybe Alfalfa from The Little Rascals.  He takes great pleasure in showering before bed and waking up to see how "high" his rooster tail is for the day.

I'd say he earned his nickname from his coach honestly.  Rooster it is.  

This mom delighted in all his Rooster ways this weekend in Roseau, MN which is merely miles away from the Canadian border.  Its legendary when it comes to its hockey history and continues to draw crowds to its tournaments every weekend.  



Friday morning we loaded up the bus and arrived in Roseau about 3 hours later, just in time to get our boys ready for their first game that night against Lake of the Woods. We played in the North rink which has the same reputation as our own North rink- much colder than the South rink.  

What it is about riding the bus and getting off to go and play hockey, and then you can't find your legs? Our boys were there in spirit, but their feet and minds had clearly been "frozen" somewhere along the way.  We lost our first game.


Day 2 we awoke to sunshine and cold with the promise of snow arriving later in the evening. 



This time we got to play on the South side and boy did that bring us some luck.  Luke, the other goalie,  got to be in net and our boys came from a deficit all the way back to a tie game.  But instead of playing overtime, we went straight to a shootout! I felt so much for Tara, the mother of Luke. Its so hard to see your child feel the pressure of making sure no goals get past them in a 1 on 1 situation.  

But Luke, The Wall, did just that.  And our forwards buried one more puck on the other side than the other team did on our side, so we won in the shootout, over Hermantown, who was rumored to be a ranked team.  Those wins always feel extra good. 


"The barn."  Full of hockey history and nostalgia. 



That afternoon it was Colton's turn to be back in the net.  I shuddered as we got down by two goals almost right away.  We were going to have to play "come from behind" hockey again and that is so nerve wracking to watch.  But come from behind we did, and with seconds left in the second period we were all tied up.  


Although I wasn't quite fast enough to capture it, when we finally went up 3 -2, Colton celebrated by doing a snow angel out on the ice.  Oh my stars, that kid, so cracks me up.  


And this little sweet one?  Watches Colton's every move.  So when he was down on the ice doing his angel?  She laid right down and did her own version in the stands- the crowd loved every second of it.  Her little eyes, seek out Colton, and light up every time she sees him.  Its almost too cute for words.   


After 2 big wins, an afternoon spaghetti feed at the Legion, and entertainment provided by the "Hanson Brothers," we were off for some fun with bowling.




Colton's coach entered his name as "Rooster," and the kid was literally beaming.  He bowled, danced and sang with the music and clearly had a wonderful time.  It was a pure joy to get to see him so thoroughly enjoying himself.



And I got to hang out with so many fun people.  This is my friend and neighbor, Anne, and I love that we have our boys on the same team this year.  Anne watches out for me always and is a true angel - as were so many other people this weekend.  Whether they helped carry in our bags, or helped get food, or encouraged Colton, or simply asked if I needed anything, it was all so deeply appreciated by Colton and I.  We are extremely grateful for the love and support we felt and continue to feel by our hockey family.


Sunday morning, after out final game and a bummer of a loss, we hit the road knowing we were about to run into blizzard conditions.  We had no idea how far we would make it before maybe having to stop and find a place to stay, but we were determined to head out.

This was our view most of the way back.  White.  Everywhere you look, the wind simply whipped the fallen snow into a frenzy of wispy, whirling, white, that clouded our vision and ability to see the sides of the roads.  


This was my view- and its not because the bus windows were dirty.  It was simply that white outside.





While every highway around us was officially closed, somehow we managed to get onto Highway 10 without running into a barrier of any kind.  We could actually see the road and the sun was eerily shining through all the haze and fog of the snow.  Had we been in a car or truck, I don't know that we could have made it through.  But the bus, and our driver, were unstoppable and we made it through a harrowing ride home safely.  



Colton and I wrapped in warm blankets and hunkered down in bed to watch tv and rest.  Our heat was turned down to 62, as there was a gas-line explosion in Canada that affected the supply of gas to our area.  We all need to conserve until they can get the supply back up to meet demand.  Its unfortunate the weather is so cold- well below zero- but we are bundling up as much as possible.  



Mom seemed to have a good weekend.  I talked to her several times throughout.  She even managed to figure out how to go off the third floor , and go down the elevator to the main floor.  She got her mail, and walked around a bit.  She also loved having her sisters come visit, and one of my cousins.  She loves the company and the distraction to the monotony she feels.  I could hear in her voice that some energy has returned, and maybe even some strength.

Will look forward to visiting her soon.  

Infusion, Dr. P, tomorrow, surgery still planned for Friday.  






30 comments:

  1. Glad you and Colton had a nice weekend and made it safely home! And, to hear that your Mom is doing better is wonderful news too.Thoughts and payers as always. Sending warm hugs! Eileen

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    1. Thank you Eileen- sending those warm hugs right back to you!

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  2. I loved reading about your wonderful weekend - and breathed a sigh of relief when I knew your journey home was safe and not interrupted. God bless your week. :-)

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  3. I love the joy you get in these hockey weekends away. And how awesome you are capable considering everything. I would love such a snow storm myself, I'm a little jealous. Being from Holland and all I can't wait for life to stop because of snow.
    X

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    1. Thank you Maddy Christine- am looking forward to coming and catching up with you!

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  4. So glad to hear of your fun and safe weekend!

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  5. Oh Vicky.... What a time you're having. Sending love and spoons!! Know I am thinking of you and lifting you up.

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    1. Thankful for your love and spoons!! Blessings to you sweet friend!

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  6. Glad you had a wonderful weekend and made it home safely in that mess. (I would have been terrified) Stay warm!

    Thoughts and prayers, as always!

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    1. Ms. A- continually thinking of you and Michael. Prayers and more prayers!

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  7. You look beautiful (and so youthful) in these photos - sounds like a great time . . . with the exception of that drive home. Oh, my stars!!

    I somehow missed your surgery is Friday - will be praying. I'm having surgery Friday myself - tonsils and adenoids out.

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    1. Melissa- after numerous texts and emails, I realized I didn't mention the surgery!! I was so caught up with mom, I never came back to say what the plan was… and now here it is… will be thinking of you and praying you have a good outcome and lots of popsicles and a speedy recovery!

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  8. Gosh you guys have a lot of snow!
    Here even our mountains are bare.Not much in terms of skiing.

    I thought this would interest you:
    Combo of experimental therapies kills cancer cells, Ottawa researchers find

    QMI Agency

    First posted: Monday, January 27, 2014 10:36 AM EST | Updated: Monday, January 27, 2014 10:58 AM EST
    Image removed by sender. Cancer trreatment(Petrik - Fotolia.com)

    Ottawa researchers say they’ve found a combination of experimental therapies that kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue.
    The researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) combined a therapy that targets cancer-causing genes, called SMAC Mimetics, with a live virus or non-viral immune stimulators to create a new tumour-killing therapy.
    “I firmly believe that it’s not a matter of ‘if’ this will help cancer patients — but ‘when’ this therapy becomes a standard of care,” researcher Robert Korneluk said in a press release. “The results of our combination exceeded expectations — and furthermore, no harm was done to the surrounding healthy tissue when we eradicated tumours.”
    In some cases, tumours required 10,000-times less virus to kill a cancer cell when a SMAC mimetic was added, the study found.
    Korneluk said the next step will be using the therapy in clinical trials as soon as possible.
    The research was published Monday in the journal Nature Biotechnology.

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    Replies
    1. Yes- this is exactly the kinds of treatments we all want more and more of- targeted therapies that don't damage our healthy cells. Thanks for sharing this with me Vic!

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  9. What an awesome weekend.. and a COLD ONE! I will not complain about the cold here!

    Good luck on Friday, so glad your mom is getting the care and respite she needs..and YOU TOO!

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  10. That whole post made my heart smile! What a fabulous and fun weekend for both you and your son! And that barn? So awesome. We are football people, and I know nothing about hockey, but even I can tell, that was a great place to be! Continued blessings.

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    1. Thank you Kellie- it was a fun weekend- and yes that barn- is awesome! Thanks for the continued blessings and I send the same back to you!

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  11. I'm so glad you had a fun weekend including some special one-on-one time with Colton, aka Rooster. :) That picture of the two of you is precious! I thought about you many times on Sunday, thinking for sure you wouldn't make it back that day. Glad you made it safely!

    I will be thinking of you and sending up prayers for you on Friday. Take care!

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    1. Thankful for those prayers Steph- Colton has been a little worried. We will try to get word to you if I am done before school is out!

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  12. Sounds like a great weekend Vicky. Very nice photos too. Glad you and Colton had fun

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  13. I'm glad the heat's back up again, Vicky! Loved the photos and the story but so glad you made it home safely, as did my guys, who were at winter camp and were turned away due to winter. ;) I love keeping up with your beautiful family. Let's get together on the first warm day you're feeling well. Praying for you for Friday and whatever else is needed. Love, Roxane

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    1. So scary to think of a winter camp in the works with weather such as this! Glad, that they too, made it home safely. Yes- the first warm day sounds like a plan! Thankful for your prayers- always. Blessings on your day!

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  14. My dear friend,
    Oh, how wonderful to hear about your amazing weekend with Colton. May you always remember in your heart-of-hearts, when things are tough, the smile on his face as he sits next to you in the picture of the two of you. He is BEAMING being next to his precious Momma.

    And after seeing those photos of fog, wind and snow, how relieved I am that you you made it home safely. You are in my prayers as you approach this Friday's surgery. Please know that,
    as always, you are marinated in prayer by all of us who love you so.

    God Bless, dear Vicky. Love you to the moon and back!
    Linda

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  15. Vicky,
    It's Friday morning, on your surgery day, and I just wanted you to know you're in my prayers today. May God's grace guide your surgeon and may you have peace of mind going into this procedure. All will be well, dear friend. All will be well.
    God's got you!
    Loves, hugs and prayers for a swift recovery.
    Love you to the moon and back!
    Linda

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    1. Was so pleasantly surprised to see this in my email alerts early this morning. Thankful for your comfort providing words of assurance! Thankful for you, friend!

      Much love to you, always~

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  16. I love "living in the moment" with you--seeing your sights, imagining what it's like to be surrounded by cold and snow. And something else that always, always comes through your posts. JOY. Deep abiding Joy. Thank you for sharing.

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I welcome what you have to say. Thanks for taking the time to grace me with your thoughts and words!

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