For Better or Worse

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, or so the song goes. I must declare that Team Keene is rock solid after this year of marriage. Just when you think you have life under control a major change alters all your thoughts and feelings. I am very proud of the way Coach and I developed an even deeper companionship over heart ache. Looking back, and yes hind sight is always more vivid, I wouldn’t change it. The time we spent in crisis, in the privacy of our own home, was a reflection of our connection. The late night consultations and early morning tears were there, but we had each other. Someone who knew exactly how you felt. Out of the darkness and into the light of hope we had a new answer. God knew we needed a change. Now we get to start another story right here in our own town, together. How lucky are we? The kids are happy. The grandparents are happy. My job is happy. It’s a perfect match, in so many ways. 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 BIG NINE to my best friend.

First week of basketball camp down. Wow, I had no idea how much easier life would be coaching and living in the same town. Incredible. Justice was a gym junkie this week and spent his AM’s doing drills with the younger kids. His love for basketball is so Coach Keene. Coach asked the girls what some of their goals were for this year. On a side bar this exercise was a little like deer in headlights to the players. Not sure they have ever thought about their hopes and dreams beyond the pregame warm up. Justice was real quick to say HIS goal was redbird area! He’s six and he gets it. Now I am sure some people look at our family and think—yep, fanatical—but I beg to differ. We are living life lessons right in front of our children. Coach and I are not interested in being our kids best friend, we are in tune to teaching them life IS their best friend! If you push yourself, even sometimes when it’s not popular-- the end result will always be worth the struggle. Speaking of the wedding end in mind—my sister is getting married in 13 days. I have spent the last six months holding the title of Matron of Honor. She is going to be a stunning bride. Long Blonde hair with the prefect amount of curl, dress fits like it was made for her, blue eyes with the perfect amount of makeup, and her adorable blue shoes. I have been searching for just the right words to toast her and her new husband at the wedding for weeks. Every time I put my pen to paper, I change my angle. I guess time will tell; I work best under pressure. Not to mention the pressure of the wedding day getting my six, two and thirty two year old “ceremony ready”. That will be a blog of its own; I am convinced. I am exhausted just thinking about it…quick, somebody get the smelling salt. Speaking of pressure, I get the pleasure of being audited by the state this week. Ready or not, but I am ready. Nothing freaks a person out most then being scoped and probed with a fine tooth comb. I am very fortunate to have a top notch staff that makes me look good on a daily basis. I only anticipate this week for us to shine like the Dominican Sun. Man, I miss that sun. Busy next two weeks, the wedding, a baby shower, basketball camp, and our anniversary. Nine years of wedded bliss and basketball. Wonder how many star spangled banners I have heard in nine years? The BIG question is, how many in a lifetime?

Ready Or Not---SEASON 10!! Excited to be ORANGE AND BLACK!

Fifty Shades

I am not sure if you have heard the hype of Fifty Shades of Grey, but wowzers! I am pretty sure every woman at the resort was reading this steamy book. Upon recommendation of my colleagues; I also caved and purchased. I was blushing the entire trip. I decided the certified book of the Dominican Republic was none other than this sweltering trilogy. Perfect read for 100 degree days by the pool. Anyhoo--Fifty shades of sunshine did the Keene's very well. The Dominican Republic is a beautiful place to have some quiet time. It did take me 24 full hours to melt into vacation mode, but once I got there...wow, was it nice. Coach and I read, relaxed, took a five mile walk everyday on the beach, had a slushy drink in our hand almost hourly, napped, read some more, had deep conversations and congratulated ourselves on making it the last six months. Let me say this again, Coach and I needed this time away more than ever before. Big kudos to our family for watching the boys. The kids had a full few days too equipped with swimming, campouts, more swimming, parks, cookouts and endless snuggles. Speaking of Fifty Shades, I am pretty sure Coach Keene hit all fifty drinks offered in the tropical menu this trip. Every year he declares a challenge upon arrival at our tropical destination. On another note, this is the first trip in nine seasons that was not consumed with Fifty Shades of basketball. Yes, I know--shocker! He did spend some time reading and writing like a stenographer, but not the entire trip. We set some professional and personal goals and did a lot of snoring poolside. Well, maybe I was the one snoring, He rested quietly. It’s often hard for me to not feel I am in Fifty Shades of competition with Coach. Sometimes I feel my success is invisible to his. Being recognized nationally in my profession was not enough this year to overcome questions about “what’s next for your husband?” Yes, I realize inquiring minds want to know, but there are two Keene’s trying to change the world. Often I am juggling so many aspects of life; I forget to enjoy my own. The bible says a wife should be a compliment to her husband, not in competition. I do my best to make his weakness, my strengths. I can honestly say his strengths are my weaknesses. Match made in heaven. Lastly, I am looking forward to Fifty Shades of Bomber Basketball that will start our Season 10 next week. Season 10--where does the time go? Its gonna be a great year. I'll bet Fifty Shades of sunshine on it...

Nope, He never takes a break...

Two Tickets to Paradise....

Yes, we are packing our bags and leaving today....whooo hooo!

Just finished four great days in St. Louis with the boys. Went went to the City Museum, Fitz's root beer, hit the casino for dinner, Magic house, mall, Cheesecake Factory, Water park, watched a movie and much more. It was a blast and the boys were excellent. I am pretty proud of myself for coming home with a mound of laundry and having it all washed and repacked in less than a few hours. Thats efficent! The boys are going in three directions for the next few days. Yes, I made a map in case they get lost! Coach and I are putting together our reading material for our four day adventure to Punta Cana pool/beach side. This trip is different. Normally we are comming off a 30 days of basketball madness. This trip is the calm before the storm. He's got an agenda on this getaway to create some hype around Macomb basketball. Yes--Believe the Hype people, its gonna be BIG! I am looking forward to quiet rest, not to mention not cutting little peoples food up or wiping faces for a few days. My biggest treat is escaping technology. Cell Phones, facebook, twitter, text---exhausting. Coach is a slave to that stuff--his phone buzzes and whistles all night long, everynight. Officially unplugging---see you in a few days.

Justice had a great time dancing the night away...

Congratulations! UBUNTU--Always

Kurt and Whitney's Wedding--What a fun day!

Justice at T-Ball--NOT his favorite sport....

Words of Wisdom from Cameron at T-Ball

Cam and Dad--best buddies

Justice at the City Museum

Water Room at the Magic House

Can you see who is "directing" all the kids in the Magic Market?

Dr. Keene taking care of all the new babies

Dr. Keene at the Childrens Hosptial in the Magic House

Magic House in STL

Magic House Masterpiece

Fitz's Rootbeer Factory--Of Course we had rootbeer floats!

City Museum in STL

One Sleep Away...

(BIG—BIG—EXHALE) I am on the brink of a two week vacation. We are taking the boys to St. Louis for three days. The agenda is jammed packed with a water park, the city museums, Fitz’s Root Beer Factory, the zoo, and much more. The boys are pumped. On a side bar, this has been the best summer. The boys have been in heaven having Coach around. Practices, camps and shootouts seem like nothing when it’s only a four minute ride the gym. Last Sunday, we all jumped in Air force One, took a ride to the gym and brainstormed ideas to enhance the atmosphere. Here we are, all four of us, laying on the gym floor throwing out ideas. Justice said, “We should put in a spot light.” Cameron’s idea was, “Snacks.” Coach thought it would be really cool to paint the bleachers and I was looking at motivational ideas for the locker room. Believe me; we came up with a list. For the first time, in a long time, we are all genuinely excited. You can’t put a price on that. After we play hard with the boys for a few days—and recover—Coach and I will board a plane to the Dominican Republic. Yes, All inclusive-- Adults only--six golden apples--tropical paradise getaway! We went to the Dominican for our honeymoon nine short years ago and thought it would be a great place to venture back to for refection. Not to mention the crystal blue water and the sandy white beach. We both need this vacation more than any other trip we have taken. There is something about getting fired publically that makes days seem like years. Honestly, I am on empty. One a positive note, it only made Team Keene stronger. Sure seems like all these attempts to hurt our family really backfired. Anyhoo—Now, to work on my book selection for the beach and the pool….

NEW COAT, NEW LIFE

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is about Joseph. Joseph had eleven brothers. Joseph was very special to his father Jacob and he spent a great deal of time with him. So Jacob had a special robe made for Joseph. It was very beautiful and had every color you could imagine in it. All of Joseph's older brothers saw this and they got very jealous. They got so jealous they couldn't even say a kind word to him. One day Joseph had a dream, and he went to go tell his brothers. He said, "Guess what? Last night I had a strange dream. We were tying up bunches of grain out in the field when suddenly my bunch stood up, while all of yours gathered around and bowed to me." The brothers looked at each other in disgust, but Joseph continued. "Then I had another dream that the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed down to me." "Who do you think you are?" The brothers said. "Do you think that you are better than all of us? Do you think that we would ever bow down to you?" This made the brothers dislike Joseph even more. The brothers made a plan to kill Joseph. So when Joseph came to them, they took off his beautiful robe and they threw him in an empty well. A little while later a group of people came by that were wanting to sell some things in Egypt. One of the brothers spoke up, "Why don't we sell him to these people, this way we never have to see him again, and we don't have to kill him." The rest of the brothers took Joseph's beautiful robe and dipped it in animal blood and took it back to their father. When the father saw this he cried, "Some animal has killed my son." And he cried for many days, so much that nobody could comfort him. In our darkest hour, God has a plan. He had a plan for the Keene's. Look at Joseph--jealousy, enslaved, backstabbing, evilness, and jail--pretty grim circumstances for a child of God. Just like Joseph, the Keene's continued to pray. The last few months have been very difficult in our very public battle. I have tried to keep my emotions quiet, but I have publically cried more than most people understand. Mourning the loss of orange and blue has been touch and go daily, sometimes hourly. My 6 year old lost sleep, my two year old went from potty trained to diapers again--it was like a death in our family with a never ending public funeral. As for Coach, he’s been a rock---on the outside. This year has made us all stronger. Justice asks, "Mom, we will always love the IW girls, right?" Yes, Justice. "Mom, the girl’s didn’t fire daddy, right?" No, Justice. "I am going to miss them..." with big tears down his face. As for the four board members and a few other nameless souls, just like Joseph's brothers--they too had personal vendetta’s against a loyal family member. As Joseph continued to lean on God in times of hardship he was rewarded and eventually, as the story goes--BECAME KING! Like Joseph, we Keene's will continue to follow our dreams. I only hope that someday when IW needs something, like Joseph, Coach Keene will show you mercy unlike you did for him. God has JOSEPH-SIZE plans for the Keene's. Tick Tock......Looks like we have a new coat of many colors--ORANGE AND BLACK! P.S. Its better then we had ever imagined!

Thank you for the hundreds of notes, letters, posts, tweets, calls, highlights, interviews and articles of support to our family. So Very touched!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

P.S. Don't Stop Believin...

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?