Sunday, November 30, 2008

They will rattle the stars

Its bssketball season and thou its been now 2 years since I have been apart of Packer Basketball I have found I miss it more and more as time goes by. Being a part of Packer ball gave my life true meaning and purpose. I felt like my time was being served with making a difference and mattering. Not just a coach for basketball but also a coach for life...ya it was mainly about the x and o's of the sport but I have always felt that where I truly made an impact had more to deal with the being than the player. I cared more about their lives after sports than I did for that moment. Don't get me wrong I am a highly competitive person and I want to work hard and win. But I know that other things weigh heavier than wins or losses.

Thru coaching I have gained the honor of knowin some pretty amazing gals. I am proud to say I have a special bond with each and every player I coached. In fact I still know all their names and faces and better yet I am still in contact with over hundreds that I have coached in volleyball softball and basketball. I still get emails messages calls and cards giving me updates and asking for advice. I take great pride in the fact that the bonds I have with these girls didn't end with the turning of the seasons or graduation. In fact they only flourish from there. And all of those girls know that it will cont to be just that until I take my last breath in this life...why do I want to stay in touch with all of them like that??? Simple...because each and everyone of them is worth it! Because they bring such deep meaning into my life...in ways I will never be able to explain. I am more because when they trust in me and look to me for advice and guidence I am built up to be more of the person I am meant to be. I am better for knowing them and I am honored to be apart of their lives as people not just their lives in sports. I look forward to watchin them each rattle even the stars!!

They see greatness in me...in ways I don't see...but what they over look and never see is the greatness that lies inside of them! They will make a difference and matter not just in my life but in countless others...just watch and seem

Thursday, November 27, 2008

A time to be THANKFUL

Today millions of Americans will gather around the table with their loved ones eat way too much and watch football.And most important give thanks to the blessings they have in their life.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! Because it involved two simple things okay maybe three...family-loved ones, being thankful and of course food. Many other holidays it gets out of hand and people get caught up in the maddness of the holiday. With thanksgiving is simply just a time to reflect and take notice of the blessings you have in your life and be grateful for those blessings.

My life is no different from Suzie Tommy Jane or Dave. In fact the things that I am grateful prolli fall in the same pattern theirs do. Which makes being thankful so great....because it involves the simplest of things!

Today I am grateful to have two parents who support me love me and believe in me. They see greatness in me even when I don't show it or when I mess up. They love me at my best and even more at my worse. I am thankful for two brothers who have given me so much strenght and test my limits to make me more. They hold my childhood and my strenght. A huge part of who I am is a reflection of having the simple blessing of calling them my brothers.

I am thankful to have a sister in Jami who has filled my life with so much joy and happiness. She has always made me feel important and that I make a difference even if its only in her life.

I am thankful to be a Koch Goldmann Harris and Kautzman. I am blessed to be a part of a massive strange crazy loving family. I am thankful to be the granddaughter of Florian and Miranda Goldmann and Jacob and Tillie Koch. To have the blessing of calling those four my grandparents is one of the best blessings that I have ever had! Thou two of them arew gone there isn't a day that goes by that I am not thankful or that I don't miss them. They have always shown me by example on how to live and love this life.

I am thankful for all those that I call my friends! For the life memories I have created shared and had with all of them. For all the smiles laughter tears fears dreams and memories that they hold. I kno when I see my friends how amazing they are and how lucky I am to have them all in my life....how I got to be so lucky I never think I will know!

I am thankful for all the girls that I have coached over the years in softball volleyball and esp basketball. I know and see the difference they have brought to my life. They have given my life meaning in ways I will never truly be able to explain.

I am thankful for living in a country that allows me to be free, where I can work, vote and be heard. Where I am not judged on my skin faith or political views. Where we can all have our own thoughts and not be wrong or right for having them.

I am thankful to the millions of people that walk in and out of my life who bring small blessings into my life...a smile a thank you a hello from a stranger. A person who takes an extra step for me who really has no reason to at all.those who take the time to help me and most of the time have no gain in return other than a thank you coming from me. These moments are the best moments to be thankful for because it shows the light of humanity that people have in a world that can and is filled of darkness. That in the end kindness understanding caring and love trumps all.

And this thanksgiving I find thnaks in Michaela and Alice. For having them here. To be able to smile and laugh with them again. For my friends and family having the chance to meet two people who helped me find myself...grow into myself...and above all love myself. For that's what Australia helped me finally find....myself. And these two girls are a huge part of that.

And lastly I am thankful for Lindsey and her family for opening up their doors and always making me feel I am a part of their family! They are simple just great!

So this thanksgiving may you find the simple life blessings you have that bring love into your life and make loving this life the greatest ride of all. Happy Gooble Gooble Day!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Flying Squrriels....

I have found something in a bar I never thought I would see...FLYING SQURRIELS...two of them to be exact....what is goin on in Montana Bars??? It was highly entertaining and to be honest I just couldn't wrap my head around the fact that these two little furry animals were running the bar table and crawling all over the customers...they arrive with their owner via a crown royal purple bag and munched on peanuts all night. It was WILD!

The highlight came when I was capturing the memory for Michaela while it just hung out on her shoulder. I stood two feet away and while I was taking the photo, the flying fur flew into the air at me. The only reason it didn't smack me in the face was the fact that my phone was covering it. However I still screamed a high pitch girl scream that even Michaela agrees she has never heard come out of me. It was a lasting memory due to the fact that Alice and Michaela witness the entire thing and to hear their deep belly laughs and the massive smiles made it a moment that I know I will never forget even if I had an animal fly and latch onto and scare me half to death...WILD

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Cats-Griz fun

I spent one of the ending days of November in Missoula attending the Cats Griz game with Michaela Lindsey Molly Nicole and many others. And it must be said it was one of the best nights out I had in a long time in fact it was one of the best Saturdays all together.

Mainly it had to do with experiencing with Michaela her first college football game...tailgating and with it being held outside in the cold and snow- gave us an added bonus. She loved it! And thankfully had heaps of fun! How could it not be with a sea of dark red and heaps of drinkers...let's just say the people watching was out of control!!

After the Griz smashed the Cats we made our way to Reds and the morning of drinking was pulled thru an afternoon of drinking and then into an evening event. Started around 10:30 am and lasted until 4 am after a meal at denny's. Which found us at six bars including a x rated club that linds thought would be a grand idea to experience w all of her friends...she was a ball FULL of fun and trouble...but not all plans carry thru in which she set out and she found that ideas do back fire BUT it was still a night to remember.

The best part of my night found Lindsey and Michaela making very fast friends! In fact I love the two of them but together they are trouble...mostly in gaining up on me. All in good fun thou...I think. But it was just great seeing Michaela laughing and having fun with Lindsey and Molly. Two worlds coming together and with them each meeting each other I feel they know me more! And the best part is there are more times like this to come!! And they will only be better since Alice will be added in of the fun and trouble..she was a bit under the weather but thanksgiving will be another story as we make our way to Great Falls and spending the holiday with the Grahams. Will be a holiday to remember!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

she is making a difference!

Have you ever just had a friend that has left you in just amazement? Just how giving they are? And you find yourself just feeling complete blessed because they are in your life!! You feel more as a person and being because of them and what they bring into your life! You find yourself changed all for the better!

My friend Lindsey has been nothing but just that and WAY MORE! I haved waited for her and the friendship I have with her...welll basicailly all my life. And I find myself just being so honored to call her my friend.

She has no idea how great she is and even more so the greatness that lies within her being. She is making a difference...a HUGE differenece in so so many lives! More than she will ever know! I wish she saw it all...I wish she could see what her giving caring and taking the time does to the lives she touches!

The change and difference she has brought into my life is well seen everywhere because I am more in so many ways because she takes the time to show me that I matter. Thank you friend...I am one lucky girl to call you one of my best friends!! And thank you for stirring me up and changing me all for the better! And the best part...well I just think you are just getting started! The change and difference you make is just warming up and gettin ready to take off...can't wait to see it all unfold. I am honor to be with you on this journey!

Saturday, November 8, 2008

THEY ARE COMING!!!

Its been official for a couple of weeks actually...I have been slacking and haven't posted the great news...Alice and Michaela are in the United States! And in about a week's time I will find them with me everyday until the 26th of December. And well I couldn't be more excited because well these two mates are not half bad. Many of my family and friends will get to meet these two Aussies and well I couldn't be more proud to share them with all that I know and love. They are two of the best things-people that I found in Australia...and the friendship and bond I have with the two of them is truly remarkable...I have never met two people who bring out my belly laugh --so loud, so much and so often. Because of these two and so many others back in Australia I found a piece of myself...a huge piece of myself that was missing...I have been waiting to see these two the moment I left them...And I can't wait to play endless games of would you rather and other pointless games for countless hours with them. I can't wait for them to make fun of my accent. I can't wait to quote stupid movie lines and watch aussie shows again. I can't wait for them to see snow and goin boardin and skiin...I can't wait to show them the world's largest figures we have all across ND...I can't wait to take them to run down bars and for them to understand the true meaning of HICK...I can't wait to see their faces and hear their laughs....But most of all I can't wait for the person they bring out of me when I am with the two of them. I can't wait for so many to meet them...for they will know in one second why I love the land downunder and why with all my heart and soul I want to go back. They are two amazing characters who I know will take Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota by storm (all the places they will travel with me to). Watch out...they are a little wild a whole lot of crazy and heaps of fun...And thru their zest for life you will find yourself learning all sorts of things on how to life your own life...Ya there will be times you will have no clue what they are sayin due to their heavy aussie slang and fast talking skills but I will promise you this...you will LOVE them!! And thru them get just a piece of why Australia is so amazing. And why its a must place to go (in my case live--someday--still working on it but it WILL happen, just don't know when.)...Its almost time and with each day that passes I grow more and more excited...and one day closer to seeing their aussie faces with a smile spread wide across my face and prolli even a few tears of happiness escaping my eyes....Just wait...for most who read this blog will in fact meet them and get to know them pretty darn well....I can't wait so you will know just what I am talking about!! Alice and Michaela...coming to a city near you...SOON!! ps you might want to prepare your liver...just a heads up...don't say I didn't warn you.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

I have a dream!...comes finally true.

"I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream
that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream
that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."
And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!
Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!
But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"....

This summer I stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial...As I looked out onto to the Reflecting Pool, World War II Memorial, Washington Momument, across the Mall to the Capitol...I was over come with strong emotions...I had always dreamed of standing on those very steps and taking in that very view...I tried to picture the sea of faces of Americans taking in a speech given by a man who wanted more from America...not for himself but for his children and his fellow Americans...He wanted more for you and for me...He dreamed not for himself but for his nation...45 years 2 months and 7 days ago Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech that changed America...he had a dream...a dream he would never see come true...A dream that started to become even more of reality tonight with the election win of the 44th President of the United States...Barack Obama...I think of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Ronald Reagan, RFK, JRK, FDR...MLK...so many leaders who had a dream for our nation...Who fought for that dream, died for that dream, believed-hoped and had faith, and gave up so much for that dream...Tonight for the first time in a long time so many Americans are believein, hoping and having faith in those very dreams again. I am filled with pride for all those men and women who gave of themselves...for you and for me...for a better life for all of us! May Abe, Martin, John, Robert and so many others be smiling...and filled with peace knowing that their sweat, tears, blood, time and even lives mattered and made a difference.

I am not a very politcal person, in fact you will prolli never hear me standing from my soap box but for the first time in my adult life I feel I have found someone to believe in...in the same way so many Americans believed in JFK and RFK...some people might not agree with me...which is well...great...thats the great thing about America...we are free to have our own views and thoughts...It doesn't make me right or you right...it just makes us Americans...the only title that truly matters and counts. I look forward to seeing where Obama leads this country and more important what the people of America will dream of and achieve next....its the dawning of a new age...a new America.