Mattix Montoge

So I know it is not supposed to matter, but I am going to say it anyways... Last night we played the team I used to play for. We played them about a month ago and lost. After that game I decided that next time we played I would work to be better. I bought a book on goaltending, practiced about 2-3x a week and replaced some equipment. So tonight we played them again, and even though we were down 3-1 in the first period, we came back and ended up winning 8-3. My goaltending was not incredible, but it was good enough. Yes, I know it is just adult league hockey, but I am going to enjoy the win for a day...I am thankful that I have the chance to play.

Here are the girls getting a piece of beach washed up wood that I plan to make into a sign for our house. It was a prefect day to just sit and feel the warmth and the wind...

SO, i want to stop for a moment and wish everyone a happy thanksgiving. These pictures are from the sunrise this morning. There are a few more people around for the holidays, but it is still very quiet. I am thankful for my family, my wife, but most of all, for all the Lord continues to teach me and that I can learn from him. Happy Thanksgiving!

So I know this is not supposed to be a hockey blog, but my goalie catching glove was getting a little old. I had the original glove for over a year and it was on its last leg. The problem is that goalie equipment is expensive. A new glove for ice would cost about $200-$500. So off to play it again sports where I found a used glove that had lots of life in it but was in need of some repairs. I bought it for $30 and for the past two weekends I spent about 10 hours repairing it. I replaced the webbing, used my leather tool to repair a rip and then put new ribbing on the outside edges. It looks really great and since it a professional model, it should last for several years. I also did the same for a blocker I bought used. So after the work I did on both of them my $80 investment would likely sell for $200-$300 on eBay. But these puppies are going to stay firmly attached to my paws and hopefully be sources of frustration for offensive players...

So, we are on the home from our trip to the south. It was a good trip and we really enjoyed the time with Don and Cheryl, and Dave and Renee. The girls had a great time with their Grandparents, and I had fun playing with them too. So we are going back to Virginia Beach and the Ocean, and I have to say I have missed the smell of salt. Thank you Meints Family for your hospitality and allowing us to come. It was a special trip.

So how did they get so pretty.. I just do not know. They must take after their Mom.. I am in trouble when they get older.... I better start hanging guns around the house.... This picture is at a spring at Shiloh.

We went to the Shiloh battlefield where over 22,000 people died in the Civil War battle. As I sat back for a moment to try and reflect a little on what it would have been like to be there, I could not help but think that the soldiers would have prayed that it would be like this some day. No bullets, no guns, no smell of death. Just pretty leaves and open fields. It is a grim reminder on how fragile democracy is. This is picture of the battlefield that took place in some peach orchards.

So we went to visit Chris brother Dave and his family. They have a beautiful family that is growing up fast, and in the midst of the cookout, we paused a minute to take a picture. They both are good looking and I personally favor Chris for obvious reasons of self interest.

We are so sorry Daisy, Anna has a new friend, this is David and Rene's dog, and even though it outweighs Anna by probably 15-20 lbs. She has a new friend...

While in Jonesboro we thougth we would drive by the house that we used to call "The Ranch" that served as a grazing ground for local cattle, a 30-30 range and par 3 golf course...

So we thought we would go by where originally married at Central Baptist Church. The church has since moved and the building has been sold to a local buisness that will turn it into something else. But we took a minute to have some fun where our marriage first started.

So Anna is on a plane ride with Mommy and her sisters now. Before she left she told Chris that she would like to hold Mommy's hand when the plane "blasts off.". Funny funny. In other news we won our hockey game 11-1 (and the one goal was scored on me by my own team). So, we are off to Corinth Miss, for some time with Chris' parents. They do not have a starbucks in Corinth, but I am taking it one day at a time......

So, we went tricker treating tonight. In the past year or two I have not been able to join the girls, but this year I got off at 4:30 and off we went. It was so funny that once Anna (Super Girl) figured out that when she went to the houses they gave her candy, she beat her sisters to almost every door and was even the first to knock... She got the hang of it and no one was going to stand in her way. It was so funny. Along those lines, going trick or treating with the girls reminded me that i should live a life of no regrets. Spending time with the girls is part of that, I dont want to look back and thing"wow, i should have done this or done that." I just need to make time for the family, they are whatt matters..