IN-COURAGE: July 2011

Monday, July 25, 2011

8 Seasons

Coach and I have been the “home team” for eight BIG ONES today! In eight seasons we have had double the laundry, double the directions and double the trouble. In those 2,912 days we have in no way lost sight of the ultimate goal, Teamwork. Today on our car ride to the Quad cities we made a list of all the things "Team Keene" and teamwork has accomplished in the last 8 years.

-two little ones, our best corporation yet
-3 careers for momma bear and 3 teams for coach
-moved 4 times
-have drove 8 vehicles
-tripled our income
-sight seed 3 countries
-coach has had 11 assistant coaches
-both moved our parents
-experienced our child's first day of school tears
-got a cat
-bought a swingset
-survived a terrible illness
-1 of us in a wheelchair for 6 weeks (that was rocky)
-4 regional titles, 1 sectional titles, 1 super sectional and 1 state trophy
-Named coach of the year 12 times
-started a division one program from the ground up to 3rd in conference
-Lost a grandparent
-been to Notre Dame, U of I, Illinois State, Tennessee twice, North Carolina, Duke, LSU, Tulane and Michigan State for camps
-a cancer scare
-been in 39 airports
-spent over 4 months total in Vegas, New york and New Jersey
-sleepless child filled nights
-exhaustion (still here)
-sibling got married
-child lost this first tooth
-experienced playing Santa, the Easter bunny and tooth fairy
-put toys together on Christmas Eve wondering WHY we didn't pay the extra money for the store to do it
-planted a garden
-helped 24 families at Christmas
-raised money for 7 non for profit organizations
-shared our faith
-saw Hoosier gym
-served Thanksgiving dinner
-12 all state players, 21 all conference players and 3 IL Miss Basketball top ten finalist
-never went to bed angry :) Even during season
-put 500 hours on the mower with boys
-put up our first hoop in the driveway
-survived a construction project
-featured in the paper for my blog
-addicted to twitter and facebook
-eat dinner every night as a family
-read books to the boys every night
-Coach and I have read over 100 books

A happy marriage is what happens while two good people are busy trying to make it through another year of paying their bills, raising their kids, doing their chores, keeping sight of their dreams, and somehow, always finding the time to show how much they care. The Keene way is always busy, and though we may not show our heart each day, what really matters is the secret to our success, teamwork. Happy Anniversary to my best friend. I only anticipate what the next 8 years will bring. xoxo

Friday, July 15, 2011

Bottom Line

"Whatever you are, be a good one. Success is always built on doing well the job that's in front of you today. I've found that people who are always worried about the next move in the chess game of their life never quite get at that move. Don't think that way because, if you're always worrying about the next step, it will compromise your ability to do your current job well."

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

21 Days Till My Vaca With Coach Keene...WHOO HOO!!

The Scoop On July

I heart July--Seriously! Why? Because unlike the Bible's 40 days and 40 nights of rain its all rainbows and downtime in Keeneville. Did you hear that, I just said DOWNTIME! Here's the scoop...

Daddy daycare starts as soon as the big basketball trip is over. The boys are thrilled to have Coach home everyday-all day. From breakfast to doctor appointments to play dates daddy does it all. I must also mention that by July 2nd he has a new appreciation of the Grandma's who work their butt off daily with our kidos. Its not an easy job, but the rewards are endless. Not to mention that Justice goes to school this year. The window of time is so short when they are little and what a great experience to say they spent that time with Grandma. Can't ever get those days back. Precious.

Anyhoo, I heart July beyond words. Having Coach home frees my evenings up a ton. I dont have to prepare tomorrows lunch for the boys, pick up and make it appear I can handle all this crazy. Not to mention school clothes, and my AM shuttle of who is going where. (exhale) My evenings are sitting on the front porch watching the boys play in the sprinkler or shooting hoops with daddy who thinks hes still "the man."

Did I mention I love July? Normally, I have one child standing next to me while I am getting ready for work and another one yelling into the monitor. In July, they both just come down and snuggle with daddy for some morning cartoons. I can actually put mascara on both eyes without interruptions. Small miracles.

Another July favorite is daddy cooks supper. Coach is an excellent chef. Normally, I am throwing something together the night before in the crock pot so when we both arrive home dinner is served. In July its something off the grill every night. You never know whats cooking, but you can smell the aroma as soon as you get out of the car...

I could go on and on about reasons I love July, but I will spare you the details. This coach's wife is so thankful for this month out of the year. Till we meet again July, but I will cherish you as we approach the half way mark!

Cameron Driving His Radius Mower

Justice Is A John Deere Man

Tebow Parenting Tips

Coach was sharing that he read Tim Tebow's parents gave him a dollar if they received praise from someone about his character or humility. How cool is that. In case you don't know who Tim Tebow is he's the quarterback for the Denver Broncos. He was drafted by the Broncos as the 25th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida.

We believe that character starts at home around the dinner table. We eat every meal together, with no TV, every night. Well, with the expectation of basketball season, due to daddy being in the gym. Justice and Cameron are both accustomed to "the question" that starts out each meal. Justice will say, "How was your day?" Even Cameron shares his experience at the ripe age of 22 months. He will say, "Papa" or "tractor" or even "Dana, drive." This is the best time of my day.

We Keene's just may adopt the Tebow family philosophy on praise. We won't pay our kids for good grades or doing chores. Those are already expected. Work hard in all you do. Maybe when we hear from an outside source our kids made the right choice
that just might be worthy of a bill or two! Thanks for the parenting tips Tebow's...

Shhhh, You Hear That? Some Quiet Time...

Not Only Did Coach Keene Blow In From LSU, But So Did A Tornado Within Seconds Of One Another. 1 Swingset & A Roof Later We Called Our Insurance Agent

The Champ Is Here

If you don’t think you have what it takes to be a champion, think again. Champions aren’t born. They are shaped and molded. And as iron sharpens iron you can develop your mindset and the mindset of your team with the right thinking, beliefs and expectations that lead to powerful actions. Here's five important CHAMPION characterize...

1. Champions Expect to Win - When they walk on the court, on the field, into a meeting or in a classroom they expect to win. In fact they are surprised when they don't win. They expect success and their positive beliefs often lead to positive actions and outcomes. They win in their mind first and then they win in the hearts and minds of their customers, students or fans.

2. Champions Celebrate the Small Wins - By celebrating the small wins champions gain the confidence to go after the big wins. Big wins and big success happen through the accumulation of many small victories. This doesn't mean champions become complacent. Rather, with the right kind of celebration and reinforcement, champions work harder, practice more and believe they can do greater things.

3. Champions Don't Make Excuses When They Don't Win - They don't focus on the faults of others. They focus on what they can do better. They see their mistakes and defeats as opportunities for growth. As a result they become stronger, wiser and better.

4. Champions Focus on What They Get To Do, Not What They Have To Do - They see their life and work as a gift not an obligation. They know that if they want to achieve a certain outcome they must commit to and appreciate the process. They may not love every minute of their journey but their attitude and will helps them develop their skill.

5. Champions Believe They Will Experience More Wins in the Future - Their faith is greater than their fear. Their positive energy is greater than the chorus of negativity. Their certainty is greater than all the doubt. Their passion and purpose are greater than their challenges. In spite of their situation champions believe their best days are ahead of them, not behind them.

Do you have the CHAMPION mindset?