Overtime Win!

We watched a nail biter last night as the Glacier Nationals took on the Yellowstone Quake here at home. Our team has struggled with passing, taking shots on goal and maintaining momentum so the season has been rough so far. The boys finally came out and showed what they were capable of. They kept up in shots on goal for the first two periods, but fell behind in the third. None-the-less they were able to tie it up and win the game in overtime. A much needed boost to the boys. Hoping they can keep the momentum!

Hockey Players 3-2-1-2-1

We started the season with three players living with us, as in a previous post. Then we went to two when housing opened up for Austin. Trevor got traded at the beginning of November, so that left us with just Paul for a week or so. Then Austin got himself suspended for fighting and we needed a backup goalie. So Riley Poe joined our family for two weeks. Eighteen years old from Boise, Idaho. This is his first year of junior A hockey. He started with the Butte Roughriders, but that team folded. So our owners had him come up to play relief for Austin's suspension. He left this morning and we miss him. We hope he finds a team to pick him up so he can chase his dream.

Riley showing off the bruise Paul gave him. He blocked a shot during practice and ended up with this puck shaped bruise!

I told Luke, the team owners middle child, that I would pay him $5 to take Riley down during open skate. He never got Riley down, but did manage to take down the starting goalie, Tanner Bradison, so he got his $5!

11/5/11-First Snow

It wasn't much, but we still were delighted with the first snow of the year. The novelty of a new season is so much fun but every winter, after Christmas, we start pining for summer!

Girl Time

I am usually am running in circles so much that I forget to do simple things with the kids that bring so much joy. Rita asked me one morning if we had any "sparkles for your nails". She meant nail polish. I realized I had never painted her nails and that she probably observed polish on Katelyn's nails on one of our visits. So I found my only bottle of nail polish I own and the three girls got their nails polished. Above is a picture of three generations of Henshaw women with our pretty hands.

Halloween 2011

Occupy Reality

HICKS: Some belated parental advice to protesters - Washington Times

Be Not Afraid

This is a picture of the bravest person I have ever met. I know her parents and family better than I ever knew her. We have been praying for her since January, 2010 when she was diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroblastoma, a cancer of the nervous system. She was just four years old at that time. She was a fierce fighter and always had this infectious smile on her face. She endured more in these 20 months than most of us ever will and she taught all of us who came to love her how to live with what we have, how to continue to give to others during our own trials, and how to suffer with faith, grace and dignity.

I had the honor to be asked to help her family care for her at home in her last days. They did not want hospice care, just a friend nurse to help them with questions, keep them informed of her condition and communicate with her pediatrician for medical needs. They moved heaven and earth so that she could be home, in her own room, surrounded by her loved ones when Jesus took her hand. Her family is amazing and cared for her so well and completely and lovingly. It was a privilege to visit her every day and keep the family updated on her condition. On Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 3:30 a.m., I got the call that I had been waiting for and dreading, to come quickly as she seemed to be going. The day was long and full of sadness, but I fell to my knees at the end as I felt the overwhelming presence of God in her room, with her family and our priest with her. This is the post her grandmother wrote on her Caring Bridge blog:

Katelyn MacKenzie Roker

born into eternal life at 8:47 p.m. . . .

. . . . . . surrounded by her loving family. She had a peaceful and restful death. Thank you all for praying her to heaven.

She was waiting for Fr. Rod, who administered Last Rites. Shortly after, she took her last breath. We now have an advocate in Heaven for us and everyone.

May I ask that you continue your prayers for Jaime, Brian and the boys Zach and Alex. Difficult times are not over.

I want to express my love of you all, many of whom I don't know. This has been an honor and privilege to do these posts and to read all your wonderful, encouraging messages of hope and love. Your words have meant more than you know in helping us get through these past two years.

With tears and much love,

Pat and family

Be Not Afraid. Thanks for showing us exactly what this means Katelyn.