Got Heart?

Heart, can't live without out it.

After all the love songs have been played and chocolate candy has been eaten; it’s time to call it a day. Even though my Valentine is experiencing all stages of grief this week he managed to dig down deep and make it unique. Not a lot of details ladies--but diamonds ARE a girl’s best friend, not to mention flowers, a special note, a stolen moment with deep conversations and time with the boys. We have an “inside out” theory as a coaching family. We take care of the people inside our circle. As a couple we do find balance--we have one hobby, and that's our kids. We rarely do date nights. We don't go on boys or girls weekends. We don't go out with other couples. We do things with our kids. Call it crazy. Call it whatever you want, it works for us. And our kids reap the reward of precious time. Our family Valentine’s evening ended with one sick and one with a fever, romantic.

The heart of one five year I know is pretty special. After the loss on Monday night he was broken. In the moment of a soft embrace with big crocodile tears rolling down his face he said, “I just don’t want to cry, but it hurts to lose.” Losing is never easy Justice Keene, but think of all the lessons we learn along the way. In the morning light post-loss on our way to school he proclaims in the back seat of Air Force One, “Mom, we are young. We did our best last night. That’s all that matters. And mom…what time will daddy be home”. (With a BIG GRIN)

Everything counts when it comes to the heart. I asked Cameron, how do you make everything count when you spend time with daddy? He says, "Wrestle, books, ball, and swim in the bath and wet the floor..like a flood, don't tell mommy!" Note to self—This must be why they use four towels for such a small child.

Speaking of heart, Keene’s have experienced three Gronewold girls move up the ranks to Seniorhood. All three have special places in our family’s recollection. The fourth daughter was the earliest adapter to embrace the Keene’s six years ago. My little starburst buddy. Biggest heart of the lineup, Lauren Gronewold. Do you know who the last person to leave the gym Monday night was? Lauren. Who was also the player that took heat from Coach; only pushed to be better? Lauren. Who shared a moment of tears and thank you’s after the game to all the coaches, the book keeper, and their families? Lauren. Big things are in your future. You have developed as a player and a person over the last four years. Your heart is a champion. Now, dream big. Find your place in this world. Take the life lessons and embrace adversity. Chin up. And if you ever need a good chewing, I know Coach will always have the heart to lead you in the right direction.

The heart of the matter in Keeneville is something changed this year. I don’t know if its related to maturity or a found inner peace. I don't want to say it’s a mind-set change -- I'm not sure that's the word – Coach has an incredible faith in God that only he can know his heart. Basketball does not define Keene. God defines him. This year I have witnessed Coach worry so much that it almost engulfs his spirit. It’s hard to watch someone you love go through. Technology, the Internet, message boards, texts-People feel they have an entitlement to rip everything. After the loss on Monday night in the quiet of the passenger seat he tweeted this message.

“To all the supporters this year, thanks for believing. For all the haters and doubters, thanks for pushing to make me a better coach.”

This packages up season nine nicely with a orange and blue bow. As for unwrapping season ten, that box is a mystery.

CONGRATS to Ashley and Tyler---ENGAGED!! Whooo hooo

Sunday Fun At Home---Daddy's Watching Game Film and the Boys Are Playing In The Rice With Bugs and Insects.

A Regional Title-A Great Week At Work AND My Sister Got ENGAGED--Can it get any better? How About A Sectional Title this week....Stay Tuned!

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious…

..WOW, what a game!

It’s never too late to start heading in the right direction. Post season is a beautiful thing. Clear the past. One game at a time. Survive and advance. There is a valuable life lesson somewhere in tournament time. How often do we slow down and celebrate the victories—be in the moment—before preparing the next day of life?

Winning is important to our family, but what brings us real joy is the experience of being fully engaged in whatever we are doing. It's not human nature to be great. It's human nature to survive, to be average and do what you have to do to get by. That is normal. When you have something good happen, it's the special people that can stay focused and keep paying attention to detail, working to get better and not being satisfied with what they have accomplished.

Top 10 Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious moments from behind the bench during the regional championship game—

10-Scouring after work to feed, bath, and pack my two kids, my mother, and mother-in-law in Air Force One (also known as our SUV) BIG EXHALE-I rallied back once I hit the four lane.

9-Cameron screaming “DIRTY--DIRTY” at the top of his lungs when the gentleman at the pass gate made a black mark on his hand to enter in the game. Note to self—tell the sectional gatekeeper we will pass on Cameron’s stamp.

8-When my mother said, “Wow, have we ever had the lead an entire game this year?” And the two superstitious coaches wives—also known as me and my mother-in-law—reprimanded her for saying that out loud.

7-Wrestling Cameron behind the bench. He just wanted to sit by Justice. Every time Justice would move, Cameron would move. It was like being wallered by 30 pounds of determination.

6-Getting hit in the head by a 12 wheeled John Deere tractor with 4:12 left in the 4th quarter because someone wanted a fruit chewy NOW.

5-Justice constantly creeping closer to the score table knowing he had orders from daddy he was not to sit there tonight. He ended up on the bench and in the huddle. Go figure…

4-Getting the “wink” at half time. Our secret code for relax—we got this win.

3-The celebration when the buzzer ignited the crowd for the victory. Love how hard the players have worked for this one. Bitter Sweet.

2-Again, the celebration when the buzzer ignited. Silence the critics and the doubters for that one moment in time. Super Sweet.

1-Full post game celebration, everyone wanted the attention of Coach Keene. He came directly to the bench for an emotional hug that lasted for a solid 30 seconds. We lose together and we win together.

In the wee hours of the victory Coach and I were in full celebration mode talking about our favorite basketball memories. This win tonight ranks right up there in the top three. The players have been great this year. They did everything asked of them. Tonight was their reward. It’s often the adults that can take the breath out of the experience. Moments like this renew the competitive fire within for anyone, including naysayers. Walk with pride and hold your chin high chargers. Slow down and celebrate the victory. Be in the moment, for these moments are special for everyone.

Can you SEE the stress in Justice's face with 3 mins to go in the 4th?

"Good Morning Beautiful" Justice greeted the game ball early this AM!

Justice Made A Shrine Next To His Bed Last Night

Back to Back Champs!

Victory Never Felt So Good

84 Feet of Marriage

2012 Chargers with Justice and Cameron...

Serious Business from JC at the table...

Best looking smile at the game....

Senior Night---In honor of Daddy we wore our ties!!

Team Bonding Pratice--Bowling. Justice went too. Cried for two days because he didnt win. He bowled a 41...not to shabby!

The boys took a glow bath while daddy was gone to a game...Oh the things to keep the natives calm!

Justice made a "Stat Book Shop"....one customer, Cameron.

CHARGE--IT!

Justice pretending to be the radio comentator calling the basketball game! Watch out Keith, he wants your job!

Coaching is a difficult job, and there is no clear way to succeed in it. One cannot copy another who is a winner, for there seems to be some subtle, secret chemistry of personality that enables a person to lead successfully, and no one really knows what it is. Those who have succeeded and those who have failed represent all kinds – young and old, inexperienced and experienced, hard and soft, tough and gentle, good-natured and foul-tempered, proud and profane, articulate and inarticulate, even dedicated and casual. Most are dedicated, some more than others, but dedication alone is not enough. Some are smarter than others, but intelligence is not enough. All want to win, but some want to win more than others, and just wanting is not enough in any event. Even winning is often not enough. Losers almost always get fired, but winners get fired, too.

He is out in the open being judged publicly almost every day or night for six, seven, or eight months a year by those who may or may not be qualified to judge him. And every victory and every defeat is recorded constantly in print or on the air and periodically totaled up.

The coach has no place to hide. He cannot just let the job go for a while or do a bad job and assume no one will notice as most of us can. He cannot satisfy everyone. Seldom can he even satisfy very many. Rarely can he even satisfy himself. If he wins once, he must win the next time, too. In the end, almost certainly, he will be fired.

They plot victories, suffer defeats, endure criticism from within and without, and brook rumors that they are on their way in here and out there. They neglect their families, travel endlessly, and live alone in a spotlight surrounded by others.

Theirs may be the worst profession – unreasonably demanding and insecure and full of unrelenting pressures. Why do they put up with it? Why do they do it? A few retire, but most hang on desperately, almost unreasoningly. Why? Having seen them hired and hailed as geniuses at gaudy party-like press conferences and having seen them fired with pat phrases such as “fool” or “incompetent,” I have wondered about them. Having seen them exultant in victory and depressed by defeat, I have sympathized with them. Having seen some broken by the job and others die from it, I have been moved to write this blog.

We are just one coaching family. We care more than you will ever imagine. Some players see that instantly. Others reflect upon graduation. Some have taken 10 years to say, “wow, he's not so bad.” No matter how many haters there are in the crowd, we will always look past you. Keene's will carry on for the love of the game. No matter the record we will always be winners.

Pirates Protecting Keene Island--See Below

Conscience Effort

When I first met Coach we had nothing but fun. Couples that hung out with us, I think for the most part, would agree we knew how to kick back. Somewhere between I-Do, two children and job stability we got real serious. Serious like 97% of the time. Recently we vowed to make a conscience effort to play more. This play encompasses the classroom, the gym, my work place and most importantly neutral territory--home.

Friday I called a round table with the boys. While munching on the after school snack of choice Justice, Cameron and I plotted a way to kick off the weekend. Justice said, "lets pretend we are pirates on our own island." Sounds good. Cameron said, "guns." From this deep family meeting we decided to summon daddy to a fight on our island when he got home from practice. I wrote the note while Justice told me what to say. Around six o'clock the garage door went up and the boys were in action. While hiding in the tropical lagoon (also known as the entryway) I am pretty sure Cameron peed his pull up. Potty training is for the weak. Who cares. He was a pirate.

The hall was dark. We figured the forbidden stranger was reading our note on the door to Keene Ko Mo. All of a sudden the door downstairs and pow--pow---pow. There was more laughing and giggling at the bottom of the stairs than I had heard in months. Success--Play more, even if you must make a conscience effort!

P.S. Heard they had ice cream in practice Friday too...must have been something in the air.

Fake It

Yep, I fake it. I fake it all the time.


As leaders we often have to appear interested in our employee’s information, when in actuality we could care less. It’s my time to be a Golden Globe actress with the art of professionalism. Like Nike says, just do it. It makes everyone engage. It only takes a second to stop. Even when you don’t feel like speaking in the hallway, smile and fake it. When an employee gets a “win”, congratulate 'em. When someone is eating lunch alone, you invite then to your table. Sometimes taking the extra second to just act interested can engage an employee to pass it on. Before you know it, you might not have to fake it anymore.


I fake it with my kids. I sing good morning songs to Justice and Cameron every morning—even when I don’t feel like sunshine and rainbows. Sometime faking it can trick yourself into feeling it. I get to perform the role of strong and not tired on a nightly basis. I fake being a good cook with the tricks I pick up from the Internet. I also get to fake having things under control, when in reality I am swirling from the within.

Faking it also plays a role in behind the bench. I get to pretend I don’t hear downbeat comments. I get to close my eyes to dagger looks across the gym. I also get to fake I am not effected by rumors. I get to fake when I know people are purposely ignoring me. But your right, the program is probably that interesting or you needed to stare at your watch when I walked by to make eye contact. I would say--coward. And that's not faking. I get to fake being excited about hate mail. I get to make excuses why Justice cant get the mail anymore, just in case. I also get to fake not knowing exactly who sent it. I am smiling in the gym, and faking it right now.

After graduating top of the class from faking 101; I heard a sermon while driving Justice to Lincoln Elementary. The preacher was challenging Christians to pray for your enemies. What? Pray for people who cause pain and adversity? At first I was faking to be listening, but then I tuned in deeper. Pray for my enemies.... I got quiet on Jackson Street. Tears went down my cheeks. Justice asked, "Mom, are you praying again? Did Jesus just spank you?" It was like a weight being lifted off my shoulders. Two people I never have to be fake with, Coach and God. It was like he whispered to me in that very moment, "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." That's exactly what I am going to do. Set an example to my children to love our enemies. I asked Justice who the meanest kid at school was...and we prayed for him before we got out of the car. Yep, eyes closed, head bowed and neither of us were faking....

2012, its finally here. Isn't this supposed to be the year to end all years? Only if your Mayan, wait a second--aren't they all gone anyway?

Keene's rang in the new year at Fun City. We had a great time. Watersides, pizza, games and together time only 45 short minutes away from home. The boys were, brace yourself, abnormally perfect the entire time. After the hustle and bustle of the holidays-not to metion the tournament- its always nice to let your guard down and just be.

First stop was the water park. Justice was like an dolphin. Cameron;alittle more shy. He wanted to hold my hand everywhere. The only hand Justice wanted to hold was these six little girls celebrating a 6th birthday. He was in rare show-off form. He braved it up and went down the yellow enclosed water slide. I could not believe he wanted to take this tunnel of darkness. Off he went. Yes, waiting at the bottom like a freaked out expected mother--SLASH--he came out of the midnight with a huge grin. Probably Justice's proudest moment to date. Grandpa Dana WOULD have had a heart attack. On a side bar he is afraid of water--let alone a water slide. Sorry Dad--outed ya. Anyhoo. When my brave JC came out of the water I asked him if he was scared in the darkness? "Nope mom. Jesus held my hand all the way down." Now THIS was my proudest moment.

Speaking of Praise God--my Fun City experience finallied with a surprise appointment at the spa. Yes, Coach Keene always has something up his sleeve. The quiet smell of rosemary and mint entered my senses as soon as my body entered the door. One word, amazing. I had 90 minutes of experience from aromatherapy to scrubs to hot stones to massage. Just thinking of it makes me want to go back. If you ever get to Fun City--make a stop at the spa. It could be my "fun city ritual" now...

A 2011 ritual that I am taking into the new year starts when my garage door goes up. Every morning on my way to work I spend 8 minuetes of time with God. This is my time to pray for peace, pray for my family, ask for guidance, and submit him to set me free from areas that consume me. I can't tell you all the answered testimonies I have encoutered during this eight minuetes of highway.

Lastly, speaking of testimones--NBA players, Artist, and Olympian Christians have been finding ways in their game to honor God forever. I have to wonder if Tim Tebow was Muslim or Jewish would his religion be so controversial? I witnessed tonight's ESPN commentator's mocking his post touchdown prayer with a huge smirk on all five of their faces. Why are Christian's not allowed to publically surrender to God, but we as a country allow so many other religions the freedom to practice? Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

I have often wondered in the quiet of the Star Spangled Banner right before tip off what conversation is going on with Coach and God. His head is always bowed. He eyes closed tight. Even Justice follows this lead. I have to think he is praying for the saftey of his players, peace to lead his troops, and heart to motivate them in the right way. This is his quiet highway. Maybe God is holding his hand like Justice in the tunnel.

Justice Ringing In The New Year With a Splash...

Cameron Was Daddy's Co-Pilot Saying, "Faster..." The Entire Time!!

Life In The Fast Lane With Justice At Fun CIty!!

CHEESE!!!!!

Cameron Lovin The Frog Slide