Saturday, December 17, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
TAU
Our football season has gotten off to a rough start. Our Varsity team is 0-4 for the season, and 0-1 in district. Last week's game was - by far - the most exciting I have been to in quite a while. Our boys played hard and fought hard, right to the final buzzer. The scoreboard showed us losing 21-14, but in my opinion, those boys were winners that night! I am, of course, always saddened when we are not the victors, but to see those boys crying down on the field broke my heart. I am not so old that I can't remember nights like that as an athlete. I remember the pain and disappointment and anger and despair and resignation.
These kids, and their coaches, need a boost. They need to know that no matter what the scoreboard show WE support them. WE love them. WE believe in them.
There is something that we - the community - can do for our team:
Show your support for our Lions in any way you can:
The most important thing you can do is just BELIEVE in our team. Don't pick the other team (*cough, cough HERALD BANNER PICK-IT LINE cough, cough*). There is nothing more important than letting these boys know that their hometown supports them and believes in them.
These kids, and their coaches, need a boost. They need to know that no matter what the scoreboard show WE support them. WE love them. WE believe in them.
There is something that we - the community - can do for our team:
MAKE SOME NOISE
FOR OUR BOYS!
Show your support for our Lions in any way you can:
- Get your body in the bleachers. Show up for a game, any Friday night at 7:30.
- Wear our team colors. Wearing RED, WHITE, and BLACK is a great way to visably show our boys you believe in them.
- If you have a business, put a sign in the window that shows you are proud to back the Lions.
- Paint your pride on your car windows.
- If you know a player, tell 'em that you believe in them. You will be amazed at what a few positive words will do for a kid's attitude.
- If you are at the game, YELL! CHEER! ENCOURAGE! PRAISE!
The most important thing you can do is just BELIEVE in our team. Don't pick the other team (*cough, cough HERALD BANNER PICK-IT LINE cough, cough*). There is nothing more important than letting these boys know that their hometown supports them and believes in them.
I BELIEVE IN THEM.
Let's Go Lions!
TAU!!!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
The Impact of a Coach
Coaching is not just a job. Coaching is a calling, a mission, a ministry.
I have watched my own husband, Coach Jeff Wheat, guide thousands of young men as they embark upon the path to becoming men of character. We have come to realize that quite often coaches are the only positive male role models these boys ever have. As a coaching couple, we know that our marriage may be the only example of how husbands and wives should treat each other. We always make a special effort (it actually just comes naturally) to show love and respect to each other when we are in the presence of these young men. If one young man can be positively impacted by this behavior, then the long hours, stress, and worry that Jeff (and all the other coaches) put in are completely worth it.
I love the fact that my husband is a coach, and that he has a heart for these young men. I especially love that our son has the privilege of being coached by his dad. What an honor for both of them! As I sit in the bleachers each week and watch all of "my boys" down on the field, I am honored to be a part of their lives, and especially to be Jeff's wife.
Please take a few minutes to read the story below. It was taken from the Coaches Outreach home page. The mission statement of Coaches Outreach is this: "Coaches Outreach seeks to build coaches of conviction by encouraging and equipping coaches and their spouses to have Christ-like character through practical application of biblical truth."
Consider the brutal verbal - and sometimes even physical - assaults that coaches subject themselves to each week. Why do they do it? Is it for the love of the game? Sometimes. But more often it's because they know they have been called to lead and guide our student athletes as they become men and women of character.
If you are fortunate enough to know a coach, take a moment to thank him or her...for everything.
Before I begin, I know as umpires we are not to go out of our way to show emotion or expression, but I would like to personally thank the two varsity coaches – Robb Jensen (Jersey Village) and especially Scott Gierzak (Cy Springs) for allowing this to take place the way it did.
Ok, now the story. Doug Griffith and I just completed the JV game and preparing for the Varsity game when we notice there is a JROTC color guard, huge inflatable falcon used for players to go through and tons of parents on the field - quickly we realize it is senior night for Jersey Village and they are preparing for pregame activities.
While this is taking place, Doug and I check the equipment in both dugouts and finished at about the same time they are finishing announcing all the senior players (and manager) along with their parents. The senior players are lined up in order by their jersey number and at the end of the line is #29, the Varsity Manager – Manny Zaragoza.
For any umpire who has umpired a Jersey Village game in the past four years, Manny is the team manager who is approximately 5'3" or so and is autistic. From the get go, one cannot help but notice what Manny brings to the team. He was cheering and motivating the team from the start. Every half inning, he was down the left field line warming up the left fielder and during innings, he was in the dugout talking with players and doing what the coach needed done. I'm quite sure at times his fellow team mates have made fun of him and laughed and joked due to his demeanor and autism, but I can promise you this - they truly love their Manny and not one of them will ever forget tonight or the name of their manager - Manny Zaragoza.
Now fast forward to the top of the fifth inning. At this point in the game Jersey Village is winning their last home game of the season 9-0 against Cy Springs. Robb changes out his pitcher with an outgoing senior along with two or three other positions with outgoing seniors to allow them to play in their last home game of their high school careers.
After each pitcher strikes out (or Jersey Village gets an out), Robb changes pitchers to allow for another senior pitcher to get playing time. Now there are three outs and Robb comes to me between halves to inform me of all his changes coming in to bat.
He tells me to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning is no other than his manager – Manny Zaragoza, who has been with the team all four years and has never played in a game. From what I observed from the sidelines while Cy Springs was warming up, Manny had no idea he was about to play in his first varsity game ever. He was on the on-deck circle surrounded by every one of his team mates (who was going to tell them they all needed to be in the dugout). Everyone in the entire stands (it seems to include all the Cy Springs fans also) was cheering Manny, Manny, Manny.
Scott requested I allow him to talk to his pitcher without being charged a visit so he could let him know to pitch to Manny – which I granted (again, who was going to say no). And here we are – across the PA system…..”Now batting for your Jersey Village Falcons, Senior Manager, Manny
ZZZZAAAARRRRRAAAAAGGGGGOOOOOOZZZZZAAAAA”. The fans are going wild….
MANNY, MANNY, MANNY. The dugout was going wild, MANNY, MANNY, MANNY.
Not sure, but if I would have looked over, I’m sure the Cy Springs dugout was clapping and saying Manny also. NOW THE PRESSURE IS ON. Manny gets into position in the batter’s box, batting left-handed and looks back into the stands and points with the mostest, largest, hugest grin I have ever seen on a batter.
Cy Springs pitcher #12, Juan Mata begins his wind-up and makes his pitch…..eight inches inside…..”BALL”. Mata winds-up again and released a high pitch and Manny takes a swing, makes contact….”FOUL” – foul ball in front of the press box. Again, Mata winds-up and releases, pitch coming down the middle, I see Manny begin to load on the pitch, he shifted his weight to his back leg, he raised his front leg for extra power, I see the barrel of the Demarini Voodoo Bat begin to come around….the only thing I was thinking was, “Mike, you can’t call a strike”….
I didn’t have to worry about ever coming across that scenario – Manny hit the ball between the first and second basemen which pulled the first baseman off the bag, the pitcher quickly ran to cover first base, not in time – Manny is safe on first!!! I was hoping to see Manny run the bases also, but I can understand the pressure Robb had to face – he could not afford to let him stay in the game, not due to his autism and inexperience in base running, but time was running short and Manny had to get back to the dugout to autograph baseballs for the other senior teammates so they could all have one. Manny ended his high school varsity career batting 1.000 and was given the ball he had hit which all his team mates gladly autographed.
After serving 22 years of military service to the greatest nation in the world and knowing several of my friends who have been killed in combat or died and having attending several military funerals, I’m not sure if I teared-up as much then as I did tonight when this took place and reflecting back on it as I write this. Like serving my country, I am just glad and honored to have been part of tonight’s game and witnessing such a great display of professionalism and sportsmanship from the Cy Springs team; the Jersey Village team; Jersey Village coach, Robb Jensen for honoring his team manager (and his team) by allowing Manny to play in a game and giving not only him something to remember, but everyone who was there to witness it. And last but not least, Coach Scott Gierzak for being a part of allowing this to take place the way it did during a district game and helping Manny have a memory forever. All I can say is class act Coach Gierzak – thanks Coach!!!!
Mike Grein
I have watched my own husband, Coach Jeff Wheat, guide thousands of young men as they embark upon the path to becoming men of character. We have come to realize that quite often coaches are the only positive male role models these boys ever have. As a coaching couple, we know that our marriage may be the only example of how husbands and wives should treat each other. We always make a special effort (it actually just comes naturally) to show love and respect to each other when we are in the presence of these young men. If one young man can be positively impacted by this behavior, then the long hours, stress, and worry that Jeff (and all the other coaches) put in are completely worth it.
I love the fact that my husband is a coach, and that he has a heart for these young men. I especially love that our son has the privilege of being coached by his dad. What an honor for both of them! As I sit in the bleachers each week and watch all of "my boys" down on the field, I am honored to be a part of their lives, and especially to be Jeff's wife.
Please take a few minutes to read the story below. It was taken from the Coaches Outreach home page. The mission statement of Coaches Outreach is this: "Coaches Outreach seeks to build coaches of conviction by encouraging and equipping coaches and their spouses to have Christ-like character through practical application of biblical truth."
Consider the brutal verbal - and sometimes even physical - assaults that coaches subject themselves to each week. Why do they do it? Is it for the love of the game? Sometimes. But more often it's because they know they have been called to lead and guide our student athletes as they become men and women of character.
If you are fortunate enough to know a coach, take a moment to thank him or her...for everything.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Manny Zaragoza at the Plate
Before I begin, I know as umpires we are not to go out of our way to show emotion or expression, but I would like to personally thank the two varsity coaches – Robb Jensen (Jersey Village) and especially Scott Gierzak (Cy Springs) for allowing this to take place the way it did.
Ok, now the story. Doug Griffith and I just completed the JV game and preparing for the Varsity game when we notice there is a JROTC color guard, huge inflatable falcon used for players to go through and tons of parents on the field - quickly we realize it is senior night for Jersey Village and they are preparing for pregame activities.
While this is taking place, Doug and I check the equipment in both dugouts and finished at about the same time they are finishing announcing all the senior players (and manager) along with their parents. The senior players are lined up in order by their jersey number and at the end of the line is #29, the Varsity Manager – Manny Zaragoza.
For any umpire who has umpired a Jersey Village game in the past four years, Manny is the team manager who is approximately 5'3" or so and is autistic. From the get go, one cannot help but notice what Manny brings to the team. He was cheering and motivating the team from the start. Every half inning, he was down the left field line warming up the left fielder and during innings, he was in the dugout talking with players and doing what the coach needed done. I'm quite sure at times his fellow team mates have made fun of him and laughed and joked due to his demeanor and autism, but I can promise you this - they truly love their Manny and not one of them will ever forget tonight or the name of their manager - Manny Zaragoza.
Now fast forward to the top of the fifth inning. At this point in the game Jersey Village is winning their last home game of the season 9-0 against Cy Springs. Robb changes out his pitcher with an outgoing senior along with two or three other positions with outgoing seniors to allow them to play in their last home game of their high school careers.
After each pitcher strikes out (or Jersey Village gets an out), Robb changes pitchers to allow for another senior pitcher to get playing time. Now there are three outs and Robb comes to me between halves to inform me of all his changes coming in to bat.
He tells me to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning is no other than his manager – Manny Zaragoza, who has been with the team all four years and has never played in a game. From what I observed from the sidelines while Cy Springs was warming up, Manny had no idea he was about to play in his first varsity game ever. He was on the on-deck circle surrounded by every one of his team mates (who was going to tell them they all needed to be in the dugout). Everyone in the entire stands (it seems to include all the Cy Springs fans also) was cheering Manny, Manny, Manny.
Scott requested I allow him to talk to his pitcher without being charged a visit so he could let him know to pitch to Manny – which I granted (again, who was going to say no). And here we are – across the PA system…..”Now batting for your Jersey Village Falcons, Senior Manager, Manny
ZZZZAAAARRRRRAAAAAGGGGGOOOOOOZZZZZAAAAA”. The fans are going wild….
MANNY, MANNY, MANNY. The dugout was going wild, MANNY, MANNY, MANNY.
Not sure, but if I would have looked over, I’m sure the Cy Springs dugout was clapping and saying Manny also. NOW THE PRESSURE IS ON. Manny gets into position in the batter’s box, batting left-handed and looks back into the stands and points with the mostest, largest, hugest grin I have ever seen on a batter.
Cy Springs pitcher #12, Juan Mata begins his wind-up and makes his pitch…..eight inches inside…..”BALL”. Mata winds-up again and released a high pitch and Manny takes a swing, makes contact….”FOUL” – foul ball in front of the press box. Again, Mata winds-up and releases, pitch coming down the middle, I see Manny begin to load on the pitch, he shifted his weight to his back leg, he raised his front leg for extra power, I see the barrel of the Demarini Voodoo Bat begin to come around….the only thing I was thinking was, “Mike, you can’t call a strike”….
I didn’t have to worry about ever coming across that scenario – Manny hit the ball between the first and second basemen which pulled the first baseman off the bag, the pitcher quickly ran to cover first base, not in time – Manny is safe on first!!! I was hoping to see Manny run the bases also, but I can understand the pressure Robb had to face – he could not afford to let him stay in the game, not due to his autism and inexperience in base running, but time was running short and Manny had to get back to the dugout to autograph baseballs for the other senior teammates so they could all have one. Manny ended his high school varsity career batting 1.000 and was given the ball he had hit which all his team mates gladly autographed.
After serving 22 years of military service to the greatest nation in the world and knowing several of my friends who have been killed in combat or died and having attending several military funerals, I’m not sure if I teared-up as much then as I did tonight when this took place and reflecting back on it as I write this. Like serving my country, I am just glad and honored to have been part of tonight’s game and witnessing such a great display of professionalism and sportsmanship from the Cy Springs team; the Jersey Village team; Jersey Village coach, Robb Jensen for honoring his team manager (and his team) by allowing Manny to play in a game and giving not only him something to remember, but everyone who was there to witness it. And last but not least, Coach Scott Gierzak for being a part of allowing this to take place the way it did during a district game and helping Manny have a memory forever. All I can say is class act Coach Gierzak – thanks Coach!!!!
Mike Grein
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
With Honors
I received a letter from the university today stating that I will graduateMAGNA CUM LAUDE!!
Trust me, I am anal enough about my grades that I knew this information already, but to actually see it in print, on the university's letterhead totally made it real for me!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
One of those days...
Have you ever had one of those days? You know, the kind of day when all you want to do is lay on the couch and cry your eyes out? Sob until you get the hiccups? Weep and wail and gnash your teeth? Yeah, I'm having one of those SEMESTERS. Actually, I'm having one of those CLASSES in the midst of a pretty good semester.
I know that everyone (and by everyone I mean my family, friends, co-workers, strangers on the street, cashiers at Wal-Mart, you get the picture...) is tired of me whining. Hell, I'm tired of me whining. If I can just make it through the next month, maybe life will finally gain some normalcy. And the swelling will go down around my eyes.
Until then, I may need to buy some stock in Kleenex and Visine.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
On the hunt...
Sorry about the quality of this photo. I took it surreptitiously with my phone during the Teacher Job Fair held at Texas A&M - Commerce. There were about 23 schools represented, but very few of them were actually hiring.
Le sigh.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
A Star is Born
On Friday, April 1st, between 7:30am - 7:40am, EVERYONE should tune into Star 95.9/96.9. My sweet - precious - funny - happy - charming - beautiful - adorable - brilliant - amazing
Mallory
is being featured as the STAR STUDENT of the day!!
She is so excited, and we couldn't be more proud!!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
More Signs of Spring
Beautiful wisteria growing beside Highway 11, near the Sulphur River.
A tiny little clump of Indian paintbrushes growning out by our county road.
The only spot of color in a sea of rye grass.
The first Indian Paintbrushes I have seen this season. My most favorite flowers!!
More of the beautiful wisteria. I love the purple against the bright green!
Things are NOT always as bad as they seem. Thankfully.
I met with one of my profs this morning, and now life is looking up. It seems that I was needlessly worrying, (which I have a major tendency to do). He has assured me that as long as I keep up with the due dates, post on the discussion board as scheduled, and
R-E-L-A-X,
then things will be fine.
What a lovely Friday it is turning out to be. =)
What a lovely Friday it is turning out to be. =)
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Frustrations Abound
I will graduate from college with a Bachelors Degree in English in 52 calendar days. 18 class days. Wanna know how many hours, minutes, seconds??? I could totally tell you. Seriously. I have reached the point in my educational career where I practically do not care any more. Learning is for the birds. Ugh.
OK, those of you who actually know me know that is a load of crap. I desperately want make good grades. I have busted my butt for the last four years to get straight A's. The two B's on my transcript make me want to weep whenever I see them. I have resigned myself to making a B in my Spanish class. That won't affect my GPA enough to ruin my chance to graduate with honors.
That being said...
I currently have Bs in three - yes, THREE - of my classes!!
OK, those of you who actually know me know that is a load of crap. I desperately want make good grades. I have busted my butt for the last four years to get straight A's. The two B's on my transcript make me want to weep whenever I see them. I have resigned myself to making a B in my Spanish class. That won't affect my GPA enough to ruin my chance to graduate with honors.
That being said...
I currently have Bs in three - yes, THREE - of my classes!!
*insert wailing and gnashing of teeth*
In all honesty, these are not really my fault. I am having some serious issues with two of my professors. The problems are nothing I can control, and I need to just let them go and move on, but that's not really how I roll. Unfortunately.
I need to figure out a way to make my head and my heart understand that it is ok if I do not graduate with highest honors.
But it's really not. ='o(
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Long time, no see...er, blog.
Well, it's been ELEVEN months since I last posted. Why such a long time, you ask? I'll tell you, but you've got to promise there will be no eye rolling, nor muttering under your breath, OK? Thank you.
You see, it all started when I logged onto my blog one day and discovered that my super cute zebra stripe with a red ribbon and blingy sparkles background had disappeared! Not being quite the blogging pro some of you are, I figured I had done something, or should have done something, or meant to do something, that made my super cute zebra stripe with a red ribbon and blingy sparkles background disappear like that. After much investigating (read: going to their website) I discovered that my blog background "provider" had closed up shop. I spent the better part of the morning searching for another super cute zebra stripe with a red ribbon and blingy sparkles background, but to no avail. Alas.
I was so ticked off by this turn of events that I just simply stopped blogging. I suppose you could call it a cyber-pout.
So, why am I back now, you ask? I'll tell you, but please hold your applause until I finish, OK? Thank you.
I discovered that I can automatically upload pictures from my photo software directly to my blog!!
*insert happy dancing and jazz hands, (along with creepy Jack Nicholson voice)*
I'M BACK!!!
You see, it all started when I logged onto my blog one day and discovered that my super cute zebra stripe with a red ribbon and blingy sparkles background had disappeared! Not being quite the blogging pro some of you are, I figured I had done something, or should have done something, or meant to do something, that made my super cute zebra stripe with a red ribbon and blingy sparkles background disappear like that. After much investigating (read: going to their website) I discovered that my blog background "provider" had closed up shop. I spent the better part of the morning searching for another super cute zebra stripe with a red ribbon and blingy sparkles background, but to no avail. Alas.
I was so ticked off by this turn of events that I just simply stopped blogging. I suppose you could call it a cyber-pout.
So, why am I back now, you ask? I'll tell you, but please hold your applause until I finish, OK? Thank you.
I discovered that I can automatically upload pictures from my photo software directly to my blog!!
*
I'M BACK!!!
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