Lycoming women’s lacrosse beats Manhattanville Wallenhorst breaks all-time points record |
3/29/08
Wallenhorst had three goals and an assist for the afternoon, while sophomore Christi Karr (Lansdale, Pa.) recorded four goals and an assist. Junior Sarah Wingerden (Macedon, N.Y.) scored three goals with two assists and Kelly Mack (New Egypt, N.J.) had three goals and one assist. Goalie Kristina Peacock (Webster, N.Y.) took the win with 16 saves and four ground balls in 55:43. Wallenhorst’s record-breaking goal put Lycoming up 1-0. Manhattanville’s Cory Alcorn, who finished the game with five goals and an assist, scored 14 seconds later to tie the game. But consecutive goals by Justine Titko (Wrightstown, N.J.), Laura Carpenter (Lewes, Del.), Sammi Jo Bell (Maple Shade, N.J.) and Mack put the Lady Warriors ahead to stay. For the game, Titko and Carpenter had two goals, as did Crystal Cody (Rochester, N.Y.). Sophomore Michelle Murray (Media, Pa.) scored the final goal of the game off of an assist from Ashley Collins (Westminster, Md.) with nine seconds left on the clock. Coming into the game, Wallenhorst was tied with former Lady Warrior Brenda MacPhail on Lycoming’s all-time points list. Wallenhorst, who broke the all-time goals record last season, scored the 200th goal of her career on March 21 against St. John Fisher. The Lady Warriors travel to King’s College on Wednesday, April 2 for a 4 p.m. start. It will be their third conference game of the season. Congratulations to Lycoming head coach Kara Reber and assistant coach Matthew Reber on the birth of their daughter Kylie Lynn. |
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Lyco wins for the new baby!
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.—Lycoming’s women’s lacrosse team (5-3, 2-0) defeated Middle Atlantic Conference opponent Manhattanville (3-4, 0-1) by a score of
Manhattanville scored just once more in the first half and Lycoming went into halftime leading 12-2.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Kara has her baby!
Alex's lacrosse coach had her baby on Thursday morning. A beautiful baby girl. Details will follow, but here are some pictures. I'm sure that's she's glad it is here! There should never be any problems finding a baby sitter with 30+ girls involved with the team. Chris was so pleased to hear that Kara was expecting and I'm sure she would have been going to the very next game to see her!
CONGRATULATIONS TO KARA AND HER HUSBAND MATTHEW!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
After Easter
Well this was a very hectic weekend! Started on Friday, I flew to Buffalo, NY in the morning, drove over to Rochester and hooked up with my good friend Rich. We then went to watch Alex's lacrosse game against St. John Fisher. It was a bad game for Lyco as they lost quite bad. It was a non-conference game but it still hit them hard. It was great because I got to see Alex start the game too!Afterwards Alex came with us back to Rich's and we spent some time there and eventually went out for some wings later that evening. We then met up with her coach and Alex road back to school that evening. I flew home Saturday afternoon and then Alex and Jon (one N) drove home for Easter.
We had some family come over to the house on Sunday. Michael really wanted to be home and have baskets and all that. The day was very sunny but cool. It was nice getting together. Alex and Jon drove back Monday morning and I got back to work. Tyler and Mike have off again today... They've been busy around the house. In fact, Michael spend 5 hours doing laundry yesterday!
The pictures here are from the Lycoming Relay for Life program that was held last weekend. The lacrosse team had a table set up and there were luminaries set u around the indoor track. The placed on in honor of Chris.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Holy Thursday
After my meeting it really hit me that when I got home no one was going to be there and it would be me all alone. This loneliness is really starting to creep into my life at times. Last night especially. I left my meeting and went to a restaurant for dinner. I finally got home and did some work on the pc and internet and eventually made it upstairs to bed. I laid there for quite awhile. It was really hard.
Tonight Ty was selected to have his feet washed as part of the Holy Thursday celebration at church. It is quite an honor to be one of 12 out of a huge congregation. Mass was nice and really makes you realize what Easter is all about.
Tomorrow I fly to Rochester NY to watch Alex play at St. John Fisher. I'm staying overnight with Rich and flying home Saturday.
I actually called Rich from the bar last night and talked to him for awhile. It helped.
Happy Easter to all...
Monday, March 17, 2008
Alex makes the writeup!
Lady Warriors win first conference game at Arcadia |
3/16/08
Senior Megan Wallenhorst (Rochester, N.Y.) led all scorers with five goals, while adding five assists and 3 draw controls. Senior Heather Suit (Annapolis, Md.) notched six assists for the afternoon. The Lady Warriors rushed to a 7-0 lead seven minutes into the game, including two goals each by junior Sarah Wingerden (Macedon, N.Y.) and sophomore Justine Titko (Wrightstown, N.J.). Arcadia found the net at 23:01, but Lycoming sophomore Megan McIntyre netted her second goal of the day just 15 seconds later. The Lady Warriors scored three more times before the half, including goals by sophomore Alex DeWitt (Frederick, Md.) and freshman Laura Carpenter (Lewes, Del.). At halftime the score was 11-2 in favor of Lycoming. Arcadia opened the second-half scoring with two goals, but Wallenhorst scored three times in just under four minutes to put Lycoming up 14-5 at 19:02. Carpenter scored again and dished two assists down the stretch, while Titko scored back-to-back goals on assists from Carpenter and Wallenhorst. Titko finished with four goals, while Carpenter had two goals and three assists. Lycoming goalie Brittany Bryan (Petersburg, N.J.) played the entire game between the pipes, recording the win with 13 saves. The Lady Warriors host Susquehanna on Wednesday, March 19 at 4:30 at Shangraw Athletic Complex. |
GLENSIDE, Pa.—Lycoming’s women’s lacrosse team (3-2) won its first Middle Atlantic Conference game of the season by defeating Arcadia University (1-1) by a score of 19-8 on Sunday. Buff State Write up
Lady Warriors defeat Buffalo State, even record | |
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.—Lycoming’s women’s lacrosse team (2-2) defeated Buffalo State (1-1) by a score of 18-13 on Saturday at Shangraw Athletic Complex. It was the first home win of the season for the Lady Warriors. Senior Megan Wallenhorst (Rochester, N.Y.) and junior Kelly Mack (New Egypt, N.J.) scored four goals each for Lycoming, while junior Sarah Wingerden (Macedon, N.Y.) had three goals. Wallenhorst, Wingerden and sophomore Megan McIntyre (Baltimore, Md.) notched two assists apiece to share the team lead. Buffalo State started the scoring less than five minutes into the game, but two quick goals by Lycoming’s Heather Suit (Annapolis, Md.) and Wingerden made the score 2-1 in favor of the blue and gold. The Lady Bengals answered, but consecutive scores by McIntyre put the Lady Warriors up for good, 5-4, with 16 minutes remaining in the first half. Mack increased Lycoming’s lead with a strong move and a goal at 15:31, but Buffalo State scored less than three minutes later to keep it within one at 6-5. Then the Lady Warriors went on a run, scoring five consecutive times. Wingerden converted off of a Wallenhorst pass and Wallenhorst herself scored twice in a row, on assists from McIntyre and Wingerden. Mack scored with just under eight minutes left in the half and Wallenhorst converted a free-position shot to make the score 11-5 with 6:43 to go in the first.
Justine Titko (Wrightstown, N.J.) and Mack made free-position goals early in the second half, while Sammi Jo Bell (Maple Shade, N.J.) scored off of a McIntyre assist to re-establish Lycoming’s biggest lead of the game at 16-10. Mack again showed athletic determination, shaking a defender and bearing down on the goalie before finding the net at 8:41. Wallenhorst scored with 2:35 remaining to make the final tally 18-13. The Lady Warriors travel to Arcadia for their first conference contest tomorrow at 1 p.m. |
3/15/08
After a brief drought, Buffalo State’s Shantel Ackley made a successful free-position shot which was quickly answered by Lycoming’s Christi Karr (Lansdale, Pa.) at 1:42. Lady Bengal Katie Henderson scored on another free-position opportunity, but Wallenhorst found the net just 18 seconds later. Ackley then hit Buffalo State’s third-straight free-position goal to make the difference 13-8 Lady Warriors at halftime.Tribute to Chris
This comes a day after I drove up to Arcadia University on Sunday. The boys did not want to go to watch Alex play lacrosse again, but I did. And as a parent with a child in collegiate sports you do whatever you can to get there. So I left them at home with a long list of chores and drove the 3 hours over to North Philadelphia by myself.Alex played quite a bit. She also plays defense and rarely has a chance to go past the restraining line. Yesterday another defender stole the ball near the goal, cleared it out to the side and Alex broke to the center of the field for another clearing pass. S
he got it and turned and started to run up field, and run, and run, and run.... She didn't stop. Went through a few defenders and shot and scored! The entire bench erupted in cheers. I was so excited to get a chance to witness her goal. I couldn't hold back the tears though because I know that Chris would have bee elated on the sideline. This goal was for her!!!As you can see Alex wears pink shoelaces in her cleats in honor of her Mom. She's easy to pick out in the crowd of people that are fighting for the ball. This just goes to show you that if you can make it to a game, then you go. If I had missed this I would be so upset. Seeing it brought a ray of joy into my life.
More pictures can be found here on my Web Album.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Lyco wins on Saturday
Lady Warriors defeat Buffalo State, even record |
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.—Lycoming’s women’s lacrosse team (2-2) defeated Buffalo State (1-1) by a score of 18-13 on Saturday at Shangraw Athletic Complex. It was the first home win of the season for the Lady Warriors. Senior Megan Wallenhorst (Rochester, N.Y.) and junior Kelly Mack (New Egypt, N.J.) scored four goals each for Lycoming, while junior Sarah Wingerden (Macedon, N.Y.) had three goals. Wallenhorst, Wingerden and sophomore Megan McIntyre (Baltimore, Md.) notched two assists apiece to share the team lead. Buffalo State started the scoring less than five minutes into the game, but two quick goals by Lycoming’s Heather Suit (Annapolis, Md.) and Wingerden made the score 2-1 in favor of the blue and gold. The Lady Bengals answered, but consecutive scores by McIntyre put the Lady Warriors up for good, 5-4, with 16 minutes remaining in the first half. Mack increased Lycoming’s lead with a strong move and a goal at 15:31, but Buffalo State scored less than three minutes later to keep it within one at 6-5. Then the Lady Warriors went on a run, scoring five consecutive times. Wingerden converted off of a Wallenhorst pass and Wallenhorst herself scored twice in a row, on assists from McIntyre and Wingerden. Mack scored with just under eight minutes left in the half and Wallenhorst converted a free-position shot to make the score 11-5 with 6:43 to go in the first.
Justine Titko (Wrightstown, N.J.) and Mack made free-position goals early in the second half, while Sammi Jo Bell (Maple Shade, N.J.) scored off of a McIntyre assist to re-establish Lycoming’s biggest lead of the game at 16-10. Mack again showed athletic determination, shaking a defender and bearing down on the goalie before finding the net at 8:41. Wallenhorst scored with 2:35 remaining to make the final tally 18-13. The Lady Warriors travel to Arcadia for their first conference contest tomorrow at 1 p.m. |
Friday, March 14, 2008
Hoping to go see Alex
Lady Warriors edge Eastern for first win of season |
ST. DAVID'S. Pa.—Lycoming’s women’s lacrosse team (1-2) edged Eastern University (0-1) on Wednesday by a score of 11-10. It was the first win of the season for the Lady Warriors. Senior Megan Wallenhorst (Rochester, N.Y.) led Lycoming with three goals and an assist. Junior Sarah Wingerden (Macedon, N.Y.) scored two goals, while senior Heather Suit (Annapolis, Md.) had a goal and an assist. The game was Eastern’s first of the season and their first since the graduation of All-American Kate Hoy. Nonetheless, the Lady Eagles were the pre-season pick to win the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference, much like the Lady Warriors were the favorites to win the Middle Atlantic Conference. Midway through the first half, the score was knotted 3-3 until Eastern found the net at 6:06. However, Lycoming reeled off six-straight goals into the second half, including two by Wallenhorst, to secure a 9-4 lead with 25 minutes left. The Lady Eagles scored twice before Wallenhorst hit her third of the day to make it 10-6.
Eastern's Erin Reimel had three goals on the day, while Jessie Basch and Grace Griffith had two goals and two assists apiece. The Lady Warriors host |
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Six Months....
We miss you sweetheart and want you to know that Alex is doing well, Tyler and Michael are making progress, and I'm doing the best I can with what you taught me! Time will tell but for now we take each day as it comes.
We love you.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
A lacrosse present for Chris
Went by the cemetery today and was thrilled to see that someone had gone by and left a present for her. A TJ Teddy Bear wearing a Go Patriots T-shirt was left there and around it's neck was a scarf made of Red White and Blue.Well I know exactly who left this (Jan!) and it is a wonderful gesture. The scarf is actually a small piece from a larger scarf that Chris made for Jan back a few years ago when Alex was playing high school lacrosse.
I know a lot of you are still thinking about Chris as I know that I do! The 6-month anniversary of her passing is coming up in a few days. Not necessarily something you celebrate but certainly a day that you make sure to think of Chris and the impact that she made on your life, and the community...
Lyco loses 2nd in a row!!
3/8/08
Sophomore Amanda Baker (Media, Pa.) led the Lady Warriors with three goals. Megan Wallenhorst (Rochester, N.Y.), Heather Suit (Annapolis, Md.) and Kelly Mack (New Egypt, N.J.) each scored two goals for Lycoming.
Montclair drew first blood, but back-to-back goals by Sarah Wingerden (Macedon, N.Y.) and Suit gave the Lady Warriors an early 2-1 lead. Montclair regained the advantage with two quick goals, but Wallenhorst tied the game off of a Wingerden assist at 17:52 in the first half.
Lycoming sophomore Christi Karr (Lansdale, Pa.) found the net off of a McIntyre feed to tie the game early in the second period. But four straight Lady Red Hawk goals put Montclair up for good.
The Lady Warriors never gave up, with Baker scoring at 12:16 and Mack converting twice in the final eight minutes. Sophomore Justine Titko (Wrightstown, N.J.) made it a one-point contest with 24 seconds remaining, but Montclair scored 11 seconds later to put the game on ice.
Lycoming travels to Eastern on Wednesday, March 12 for a 4:30 face-off.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Lacrosse takes over the household!
Michael plays lacrosse on 2 teams. The 1st is the Spires Lacrosse . He is in his 3rd year playing in this league. I'm the president of the club and have been pretty busy with registrations, uniforms, and regular team meetings. I like being able to see the club grow. This year we have close to 200 players! Up from 155 last year. His games are on Saturdays with practices on Mon/Wed. His 2'nd team is a select team called FastLax from the Frederick area. He practices on Sunday afternoons and is really enjoying this. It's more physical but the skill level is much higher and that helps him a lot. Games will be on Sunday after the season begins in April.
After a month of preseason practices and a week of tryouts Tyler found out yesterday that he was one of about 6 or 7 Freshman that made the JV Lacrosse team at his high school. He worked really hard to make the team and this was a great sense of accomplishment for him. Of course that means practice and/or games every day of the week!!!
So as you can see Spring will be a very busy time for me here. Sometimes I just can't be in 2 places at one time and many parents have helped out by bringing the boys to or from practice.
Me? I'm okay. Busy. Feeling a little better but in dire need of losing some weight. I guess I'll try and squeeze that in sometime...
See you...
Lycoming Loses Season Opener in Double OT
Lycoming was led by senior Megan Wallenhorst’s (Rochester, N.Y.) six goals, including four of the Lady Warriors’ final six goals. Sophomore Megan McIntyre (Baltimore, Md.) had three goals, while juniors Sarah Wingerden (Macedon, N.Y.) and Kelly Mack (New Egypt, N.J.) scored two goals apiece. Senior goalie Kristina Peacock (Webster, N.Y.) recorded an impressive 26 saves for the game, including 12 in each half of regulation.
For Ursinus, Elizabeth Cannon had six goals, while Lisa Clark had five. But Catie Cameron’s goal 2:49 into the “sudden death” second overtime period ended the back and forth battle.
The Lady Warriors started the game with two quick goals. McIntyre took the opening draw and scored unassisted just 18 seconds in, then Wallenhorst found the net 18 seconds later off of a feed from Heather Suit (Annapolis, Md.). Almost seven minutes later, Wingerden converted a free-position shot to put Lyco up 3-0.
But the Lady Bears did not give up, as Clark scored twice within a minute, then Cannon scored to tie the game before the halfway mark of the first period. Goals by Lycoming’s Amanda Baker (Media, Pa.) and McIntyre were both answered by Clark and, with 10 minutes left in the half, the score was locked at five.
In the first seven minutes of the second half, Cannon scored twice and Clark scored, but Mack kept Lycoming close with a goal at 27:58. A Wallenhorst goal and another Ursinus goal set the score at 11-9 for nearly 10 minutes until Wallenhorst converted twice in the last two minutes of regulation to send the game into overtime.
Ursinus led 14-12 with 1:38 left in overtime and, shortly after, Lycoming got its fourth yellow card of the contest, forcing the Lady Warriors to play down a player for the remainder of the game. Head coach Kara Reber pulled her goalie and focused on offense. The plan worked, as McIntyre scored with 45 seconds remaining and Mack converted 16 seconds later to make it 14-14.
The eighth tie of the game set up a 3-minute “golden goal” second overtime. Still outnumbered, the Lady Warriors held off the Lady Bears for 2:49 before Cameron's game-winning goal found the net.
Lycoming’s next game is against Montclair on Saturday, March 8 at noon at Shangraw Athletic Complex.Monday, March 3, 2008
Lyco ranked 1st in preseason poll!
This came in on my birthday. A nice surprise! Their 1st game is Wednesday and the boys and I are hoping to go up and watch Saturday's game in Williamsport.
2/19/08
Lycoming landed five first-place votes and 67 total points to earn the top spot in the preseason ranking. The Lady Warriors went 14-4 overall and 8-3 in the MAC last season for third place in the conference.
Lycoming defeated Scranton 25-13 in the first round of the conference tournament, setting a school post-season scoring record. The Lady Warriors then lost a tight 14-12 game in the semi-finals to the eventual MAC champions Drew University.
After graduating just one senior last year, Lycoming added six newcomers to a roster of seasoned stars. Returning first-team regional All-Americans Megan Wallenhorst (senior, attack, 66 goals, 14 assist) and Sarah Wingerden (junior, midfield, 43 goals, 13 assists) will lead the blue and gold attack. Solid depth and talented youth will be keys to the 2008 Lady Warriors’ success.
Elizabethtown (13-4) and Messiah (7-9) were the only other MAC squads to receive first-place votes. E-town was selected second in the coaches’ poll with 65 votes and three first-place votes, while Messiah received 56 points and one first-place vote. In 2007, Elizabethtown went a perfect 10-0 in the conference, before falling to FDU-Florham, 11-10 in overtime, in the conference tournament.
2008 MAC Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Poll
1. Lycoming 67 pts. (5)
2. Elizabethtown 65 pts. (3)
3. FDU-Florham 62 pts.
4. Messiah 56 pts. (1)
5. King’s 43 pts.
6. Widener 39 pts.
7. Manhattanville 28 pts.
8. Wilkes 25 pts.
9. Arcadia 20 pts.Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Birthday Blues
Last Tuesday was my birthday. It was not all that great. Another one of those firsts that come around that really stinks. Chris and I never made a big deal out events like birthdays but would always make sure the kids got out and did something. Her parents came over on my birthday and took the boys and I out to dinner at a Japanese steakhouse. We had a good time and dinner was very good.
Before that however I went to pay my respects to Father Wayne. It was and continues to be a huge loss for me and the entire community. I spoke with several people at the church and all told me that he continued to keep our family in his prayers and he asked about us frequently.
I've been busy with our local lacrosse program. www.spireslacrosse.org if you want to check out what I'm doing there. We have a big parent meeting tonight that I have to present at. Practice starts on Saturday for this club. Michael plays in that and on another team as well. He's been practicing on Sunday afternoons for that already. Tyler's high school team begins Saturday and he's been staying after for the preseason practices already.
Alex came home last Saturday and brought her friend / teammate. I took them to the airport on Saturday. Their team is in Clearwater Beach for spring break. They'll be back on Saturday and then off to school on Sunday.
I finally went to the Dr. yesterday. Been having a huge problem with my upper back. Stress related so she says. On muscle relaxers and ibuprofen. Hopefully that will help. I'm going to be going back for a physical and all that soon as well. I have to take care of myself so I've been told.
Ty and I have been busy working in the basement. We are remodelling the whole thing and have a little construction going on. It's a work in progress.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
God has taken a wonderful man to be with Chris.
This morning I found out that Father Wayne passed away yesterday. Father Wayne had been battling cancer for awhile now and was the priest that was so helpful to me and my family when Chris passed away. He was the one who performed the wonderful mass that we will all remember forever. Just 3 weeks ago I saw him on the way out of the church after 11am mass. (See my Sunday, Jan. 20'th post)
He smiled and told me that he was praying for my family. He then gave me a very big and sincere embrace. One that I will remember for the rest of my lift. I've lost a new friend. But I know that he and Chris are now together and looking after us now.
Father Wayne Funk
Father Wayne G. Funk, 70, pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Frederick, died peacefully Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008 at the Frederick Memorial Hospital.Born Jan. 6, 1938 in Baltimore, he was a son of Clara I. Lambert Funk, of Catonsville and the late Alfred H. Funk. Father Funk was ordained Dec. 19, 1962 at the Church of Christ the King, Rome, Italy and was first assigned to Saint Agnes Parish in Catonsville. He was later appointed to the faculty of the Pontifical North American Collegein Rome, where he served until returning to Baltimore as Associate Pastor of St. Matthew's Parish. He faithfully served the Parish until his appointment as director of clergy personnel for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. He later returned to Saint Matthew's Parish, where he served as pastor until he assumed the same position with St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Frederick where he has served for many years.
He is survived by two brothers, Alfred H. Funk Jr. and wife, Seldra and John W. Funk and his faithful friend, Gloria Scherer, all of Baltimore; a nephew, Donald W. Funk and wife, Ann; greatnephew, Paul E. Funk and wife, Jennifer; and great-greatnephew, Samuel C. Funk.
His body will be prayerfully received at 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 18, at St. John the Evangelist RomanCatholic Church, 118 E. Second St., Frederick, where friends may call until 9 p.m. and where a Wake Service will be offered at 7 p.m. by the Most Rev. W. Francis Malooly, Vicar of Western Maryland for the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
Friends and parishioners are also welcome to vist during a vigil from 1 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, February 19. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20 from the church, with the Most Rev. Archbishop William D. Borders, as principal celebrant, with commendation by His Excellency Edwin F.O'Brien, Archbishop of the Baltimore Diocese.
Interment will be in SaintJohn's Cemetery, Frederick.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are to be sent to St Matthews Parish, 5401 Loch Raven Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21239; to Cardinal Shenan School, 5407 Loch Raven Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21239; Saint John's Regional Catholic School, 8414 OpossumtownPike, Frederick, MD 21702; or to Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 112 E. Second St., Frederick, MD 21701.
Arrangements are by Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church St., Frederick, and online condolences may be shared wih his family at www.keeneybasford.com.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day?
I went by the cemetery yesterday. I am finding it a bit easier to go there now. I find a bit peace when I'm there. I'm finalizing some things for her headstone and hopefully can get that ordered next week. That's my goal anyways.
My neighbor Sharon stopped by and gave me a box of truffles from Randy's place. He just opened it at the end of the year and yesterday was a big day. I bought the boys some candy and they received a few cards in the mail too. We sent a box to Alex with some goodies in it too. She sent us a card. It was addressed to the "DeWitt Men"...
The boys went to ski club last night and I spent the day at home working. Been pretty busy with that. I went to the high school hockey game last night and eventually went out to dinner with Ray and Cheryl (neighbors across the street) as their son was playing in the game. It was nice to be out on this day.
Alex comes home next Friday for spring break. She'll only be home until Saturday though as she is going to Tampa with her lacrosse team.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Blue Man Group
Last weekend the boys and I went to a concert at the Patriot Center on the campus of George Mason University in Virginia. We saw the Blue Man Group. A Vegas icon for sure. I've always wanted to see them myself and this was an excellent chance.We had great seats and the show was really entertaining. I took the picture you see with my phone and the youtube videos are some samples of what they do. Highly recommended especially for families.
I know a lot of you have been wondering "how we're doing"... The answer to that all depends on how you look at it I guess. Alex seems to be doing pretty well. College life is pretty good to her. Lacrosse is now in full swing and her practices keep her pretty busy. She comes home next Friday for 1 night and then flies to Florida for spring break with her team. They return the following Saturday and back to school on Sunday. Her 1st game is the following weekend. I am going to try so very hard to see as many as I can. Chris was so proud of Alex and proud to be her lacrosse mom. I too always had a rush when I saw her step out onto the collegiate field. I will do my best to continue that this year as well.
Last Friday Tyler skipped school and went to the PA Outdoorsman Show with his Uncle Ken and his grandfather. They were gone all day and he was exhausted. He really enjoyed it and had a good time getting out of the house. Lacrosse practice has started for him as well. It's been cold but he's working hard and looking forward to the season. He is doing well in school both socially and academically.
Michael is having a tough time in school. His grades have suffered considerably but we are working very hard to try and keep him focused and on track. It is so much work for me trying to keep on top of all that has to be done, not only with him but the entire household as well.
So that leaves me... I've been very busy with work recently. That's been good but very tiring. I had to go to Philadelphia for the day last week and I really was upset a little about leaving. I got home at 7:30 and the boys actually weren't home. Our friend Billie came and got them and took them to her house on the other side of town. They had a great time and it made me feel a lot better.
I find myself waking up in the middle of the night sometimes and not falling back to sleep. Even the dog looks at me like I'm crazy. I usually lay there and eventually just get up. I've been to a couple of grief counselor meetings. It's sort of good to be able to talk to someone about what's really going on inside, but I find it hard to get motivated to go.
The last few years I played in a pool league with my brothers-in-law Ken, and Joey and my father in law too. I quit going back in September and dropped in once or twice in the last 5 months. Well Ken called me and talked me in to coming back full time (or "more" time). I asked the boys and they didn't mind. It is really good to get out of the house and actually have some time for myself. I really miss the adult conversation that I always had when Chris was here. We all take things for granted and that was certainly one of things that I miss the most.
Tonight we went to the high school hockey game to watch our neighbor play . They won and play again Thursday. Afterwards, the boys and I went to Chris's favorite restaurant, La Paz, in downtown Frederick. We had a nice dinner and when we got our drinks we had a toast to our "Mom".
I really miss her.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Lycoming goes Pink
http://www.lycoming.edu/athletics/07WBasketball/ThinkPink.htm
Lycoming College's Women's basketball team is also doing a special breast cancer fundraiser this Saturday. It's really nice to see how the college has stepped up and allowed teams to do this type of event!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Almost February
Hi. Well tomorrow is February 1st and the year is starting to fly by. I won't sugar coat it. The grief that everyone talks about is truly starting to creep in. I miss Chris more and more every day. We all continue to move on, no matter how difficult it is.We went to the Auto Show in Washington, DC last week. Spent the entire afternoon there. Afterwards, the boys and I walked to the ESPN Zone for dinner. After that we stayed a couple hours and played video games in the arcade. Bonding I guess!
We try to keep busy and have been doing a good job of that. We're starting to plan our summer. Alex will be away for 2 weeks in Australia and we're going to the beach and some other places too. Gotta get away. Alex started lacrosse practice last week and is looking forward to this season. A lot of people plan on going to the Pink fundraiser game in April.
Michel came by on Monday and brought us dinner which was very welcomed. I think the boys are getting tired of my cooking already! I guess it's time for some classes.
The boys are going to Ski Club tonight. That means they won't be home at all until 10:30 or so. I've started looking for things to do or places to go. These nights are the most difficult for me. I work from home and I'm alone all day. That''s not a problem at all. But in the evenings when it's quiet that is when things start to weigh on me. This is part of the process and I'm working through it. There's bad days and not so bad days. Maybe a sprinkling of good days too. Although those are hard to find.
Keep us in your thoughts and thanks for checking in with us!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Lycoming Lacrosse Plans “Pink Out” in April
See it on the Lycoming website here.WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.—Lycoming’s women’s lacrosse team will be holding its inaugural Breast Cancer Awareness Lacrosse Game vs. Widener University at 1 p.m. at Robert L. Shangraw Athletic Complex on Saturday, April 12, 2008.
This game will be played in remembrance of Christine A. DeWitt, one of our players’ mothers who lost her life to breast cancer this past September. The lacrosse team is selling T-shirts in order to raise funds for Climb for Hope, a division of breast cancer research that Christine believed in very strongly.
To purchase a pink Lycoming Lacrosse T-shirt, please contact Kara Reber at reber@lycoming.edu or by phone at 570-321-4254. Shirts are $10 a piece, plus you may make an additional donation. Pre-sale orders are due by March 17, 2008. There will be additional shirts available at the game for sale.
The Lady Warriors would like everyone to wear their pink T-shirt to the April 12th game in order to “pink-out” the stadium. The goal is to raise over $3000.00 for Climb for Hope.
Climb for Hope was organized to raise and channel funds towards targeted and promising research in the fight against breast cancer. Its mission is to find a viable treatment for breast cancer by 2009. The goal for 2008 is to raise $300,000 that will go directly towards a vaccine being developed at Johns Hopkins University by Dr. Leisha Emens. This research will one day allow patients to successfully battle the disease using a specialized vaccine in conjunction with lower doses of chemotherapy. Not only does the vaccine address some of the most aggressive and lethal forms of Breast Cancer, but the research is expected to derive advances for many forms of cancer as well. Please visit www.climbforhope.com for more information.
Along with raising breast cancer awareness, Lycoming women’s lacrosse will celebrate Senior Day at the Widener game. Afterward, Lady Warrior lacrosse alumni will play an alumni game. April 12 will also be Faculty/Staff Recognition Day, as each current Lycoming player will recognize someone at the College for their positive influence and mentorship.
Please join Lady Warrior lacrosse for this event and help support a cause that affects many of our lives.
-----------------------------
I know a lot of you are planning on attending this game. If you would like to spend the night you can stay at the Fairfield Inn at the following:
- Fairfield Inn and Suites
- 104 Maynard Street
- Williamsport, Pennsylvania 17701 USA
- Phone: 1-570-601-9200
- Reference the "PinkRibbonLacrosse" group
- Rate should be $71/night
Rooms are reserved for both Friday, 4/11 and Saturday, 4/12 under Lycoming College Women's Lacrosse.
2 Double beds $72.85
King $81.85
Queen Suite $90.85
I think I am staying at the Genetti as it is in the middle of downtown across from the Bull Frog Brewery! Let me know when you make reservations so I'll know where to find you all.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Tubing!
Last night I took all the kids to Liberty Mountain for some fun. We dropped Tyler and Michael off at the lift side and they went snowboarding. Alex, Jon, and I then went to the other side of the mountain and went tubing. It was pretty fun and wasn't too crowded. They have a moving platform to take you to the top which was kind of nice. After a couple of hours we went back and met the boys over at the lodge and had dinner. After that we came home and played a game before I finally called it quits and went to bed.
This morning Alex, Jon and I went to church at St. John's. Well here's your sign!!! Father Funk was the priest this morning AND on top of that the entrance song was "Here I am Lord"!!! It's funny because I was talking to Chris's mother yesterday and we were just talking about Father Funk and wondering how he was doing. He started up chemotherapy a couple of months ago for a recurrence of cancer that he has been fighting for some time now. I spoke briefly with him on the way out of church and he and I gave each other a big hug! What a wonderful man he is.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Some New Pictures
This past week I received a bunch of pictures that were taken of Chris over the last 5 or so years while working at COMSTAR. Some are of her at their annual holiday party that they used to have. It was always a good time and you can see by the photos that she enjoyed the dancing! Me too, I guess.I've posted all of them in my Picassa album so you can get to them all by clicking here. I hope you enjoy them as much as I am.
Friday, January 18, 2008
End of school term
Well it's been a little over a week since my last post. Not a whole lot is going on to tell you the truth. It's just the boys and I and they are in school and I'm working from home. It's sort of nice in a way to get back into a routine!The routine is over though for now as their school term ended today. No school on Mon,Tues, or Wed next week either! Ty's done pretty well in school. Michael is doing okay but really needs to start focusing better. He just has a hard time in some of his classes.
Last Monday I went to the Hospices grief counseling drop in session. I've been feeling pretty crappy since Christmas and thought I would give it a try. I'm not sure if that is the best venue for me at this point as it is an open forum for people with varying types of grief. They have an 8-week session coming up in February that is only for grieving spouses and that may be a little better. They have a financial workshop coming up too which may be of some help. There are lots of resources available to me and I'm going to start looking into them. Also, Michael will start a session at school in March as well.
Alex and Jon (1-n) are coming home tonight for a couple days. It's the last time she can come home for the entire school year as lacrosse starts next week and that will take all her weekends. We're going to try and go skiing/sledding tomorrow depending on the weather. We got 5" or so of snow yesterday!
Oh yeah we had a guy come last week and install an invisible fence around our entire property. This will hopefully help keep the dog from wandering around in the neighbors yard. I can also leave her out and not worry about her anymore too. One less thing to have to worry about...
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
No problem there...
This past weekend I posted a couple of ads on Craig's list to sell some items out of the basement. We're going to do some painting and remodeling down there and wanted to get rid of some items. One was a desk that we had set up for Chris for days that she would work from home. All the computers and such were given back awhile ago so we decided to sell it. Well someone came to the house this afternoon and bought it and took it away. No problem there.
I also had an ad for a treadmill that I was getting rid of and a nice guy named Mark from Frederick emailed me and said he was very interested. We communicated by phone today and he said he would come by tonight to look at it and take it if he liked it. No problem there. He called about 8pm and said he was running a little late. I was down in my office cleaning up a huge mess and hanging one of Chris's pictures that she had in her office at COMSTAR and the doorbell rang. It was Mark. No problem there.
I went upstairs and went to the door and Mark and a friend was standing there. I opened the door and we shook hands and said hello. As he started to come in the house I looked out into the driveway and saw the vehicle that he drove up in. PROBLEM HERE!!! You see the vehicle was a black paneled van with a small logo on the side that said..... Keeney and Bassford Funeral Home. Yup that's right.
After a quick chat with Mark, I find out that he works at the Funeral home and Mark along with the Funeral Director Rick were the ones who came to our house the day that Chris passed away. This was the SAME van used that day...
Mark was very, very nice and once again extended his sincerest condolences to us. We went downstairs and then brought the treadmill up to put in the van. It was very strange but I held it together pretty well. He was a nice kid. In fact I just looked at their website and his name is listed there with a little bio too. Check it out.
Afterwards I talked to the boys a little bit about it and we all chuckled a bit. I then called a special friend to talk about it. That helped a lot.
So, that's the story. I'm not sure why but it happened exactly this way for a reason. I'm still trying get my hands around things but these things really throw me for a loop.
G'night.
Monday, January 7, 2008
New Breast Cancer Site
Breast Cancer Research Program Director Nancy Davidson and Avon Foundation Breast Center Administrative Director Lillie Shockney discuss the latest in breast cancer on ABC News' On Call web site. Also read answers from Johns Hopkins experts to viewers' breast cancer questions.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/OnCallPlus
Lyco Lax Schedule
Alex went back to school yesterday and her classes begin today. Her lacrosse team has posted their 2008 schedule. I am hoping to continue on the tradition that Chris and I set last year of attending at least 1/2 or more of the games. It's not easy since the boys are both playing lacrosse too but I'm hoping that I can swing it. Here is the schedule for you to see:
2008 Lycoming Women's Lacrosse Schedule
| March | 5 | Ursinus | Home | 4:00pm |
| 8 | Montclair | Home | 3:00pm | |
| 12 | Eastern | Away | 4:30pm | |
| 15 | Buffalo State College | Home | 1:00pm | |
| 16 | Arcadia | Away | 1:00pm | |
| 19 | Susquehanna | Home | 4:30pm | |
| 21 | St. John Fisher | Away | 1:00pm | |
| 29 | Manhattanville | Home | 2:00pm | |
| April | 2 | King's | Away | 4:00pm |
| 5 | William Smith | Away | 11:00am | |
| 6 | Colorado College at William Smith | Away | 11:00am | |
| 10 | Elizabethtown | Home | 4:00pm | |
| 12 | Widener | Home | 1:00pm | |
| 15 | Messiah | Away | 7:00pm | |
| 19 | FDU-Florham | Away | 3:00pm | |
| 26 | Wilkes | Home | 3:00pm | |
| 29 | MAC-Playoffs | TBA | TBA | |
| May | 1 | MAC-Semi-Finals | TBA | TBA |
| 3 | MAC-Finals | TBA | TBA |
I did map out the away games and there are some close ones as well. Here they are:
Eastern - Near Harrisburg, PA
Arcadia - North of Philadelphia
ST. John Fisher - Rochester, NY
Kings - Wilkes Barre, PA
William Smith - Geneva, NY
Messiah - South of Harrisburg, PA
That 's the update for now. Not much else is happening. Christmas, and New Year's are over. A very difficult time for me for sure. A lot harder than I had prepared for. The decorations are put away and we are trying to get into a routine now.
Take care...
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
A Climb for Hope Message
This is a wonderful site and a great tribute to Chris.
I'm so sorry for your loss. That's why I started Climb for Hope so families won't have to deal with the horror of losing a loved one to breast cancer.
We'll be sure to carry Chris's memory to the summits of Cotopaxi and Kilimanjaro in 2008. And, we'll work hard to raise money so Dr. Emens will find the next viable treatment for advanced breast cancer
Andrew Buerger
Founder
Climb for Hope
http://www.climbforhope.com/index.php/cfh/
Climb for Hope raises money primarily for the research of Dr. Emens at Johns Hopkins. Her clinical trial for stage IV breast cancer patients was the one that Chris worked so very hard to get into, only to be in it for just a month. She felt so very strongly about Dr. Emens and this project that I have made it a point than all my future cancer donations will go to them to help Dr. Emens speed up her research. I would ask everyone else to do the same if possible.
Andrew Buerger also sent me a personal email as well and explained a little more as to why he is so involved with the program. They just set out on an expedition yesterday to Ecuador and very soon they are off to Mount Kilamanjaro. Dr. Emens herself is going on that one! She went on the Ecuador trip last year at this time.
