Deaf in the NFL

I have been trying to write a post for a couple weeks about Derrick Coleman but every time my emotions get the best of me and I have to stop.  If you do not know who Derrick Coleman is do me a favor and google him.  There are numerous articles and stories about this fine young man.  He is the first legally deaf player to ever play in the NFL and he is going to the Superbowl.  Needless to say, our house will be cheering for the Seahawks on Sunday because we would love nothing more than to see Derrick Coleman achieve his dream.  He is an inspiration to kids everywhere.  Kids with normal hearing and kids that cannot hear anything have a lot they can learn from him.  He gives credit to his mom and dad, family, friends and God.  And for all of them, I am thankful. 

From one mother of a hard of hearing child to another, Mrs. Coleman - thank you.  Thank you for paving the way for me and for raising such a fine young man that not only do I look up to but my daughter can as well.  For now I will leave it at that.  Below you will find a few videos about Derrick. 

I showed the girls the Duracell commercial.  Elizabeth was so excited to see someone with hearing aids like her.  I know she doesn't fully understand or comprehend the magnitude of this yet but one day she will.  She kept point to her hearing aid and clapping.  My favorite line "They told me it was over, but I've been deaf since I was three so I didn't listen." 

Duracell Commercial 

More on Derrick

Surprises Twin Girls

Confessions of a Laker Fan

I became a die-hard Laker fan in the 1980s.  When I was young, I started following the Lakers back when Pat Riley was the coach and Magic Johnson ran the point guard position.  It was easy to be a fan back then.  Pat Riley left and Mike Dunleavy became the coach - that didn't bother me.  I'll forever remember the day that Magic announced his retirement.  My love for the Lakers never wavered when Sedale Threatt took over the point, followed by Nick Van Exel and Derek Fisher.  Each one of them played the "1" for my team, and I believed in them.  When Mike Dunlevey was replaced by Randy Pfund, who was followed by Magic Johnson and (my favorite) Del Harris, I remained a very, very proud Laker-fan.  I was a die-hard apologist for the Lakers throughout it all.  I have followed the Lakers through thick and thin.  It was fun when we won, but I was just as strong of a fan when we lost.  The Lakers were my team during the eras of Magic, James Worthy, A.C. Green, Vlade Divac, Elden Campbell, Eddie Jones, Doug Christie, Shaq and Kobe.  During the Phil Jackson era, we were spoiled with years of consistently having an excellent team.

Unfortunately, my commitment to the Lakers is being challenged during this current dark period for the Lakers.  Frankly, I'm worried my commitment to the Lakers may not survive this storm.  Last season the Lakers were pretty bad.  This season they are terrible.  But it's not the losing that bothers me.  For decades, the one constant with the Lakers was Jerry Buss, the Lakers owner.  I, along with most Laker fans, thought he was a great owner.  I believed in his vision.  I trusted him to make the best decisions for the Lakers.  But then he died, and his children took over.  Jimmy Buss now runs the show.  I wanted to believe in his vision, but I don't.  I wanted to trust that that he would make the best decision for the Lakers, but my trust has been shattered, and, I'm afraid, is beyond repair.  Every time I see Mike D'Antoni walk along the sidelines, I question why I should continue to be a Laker fan.

The Laker foundation has crumbled, and I'm not sure that it can ever be repaired.  The Lakers have a history that is the envy of the sports world.  It appears that in the future, they will be the laughing stock of the sports world.  I really, really hope that I'm wrong.

I'm not demanding that they win now; I just want to see basketball decisions that I can believe in.

Daddy's Girls

Swinging with friends!

The Beauty of Central Park

More Residents of Central Park

Who needs toys?

Where is Katie?

Summer playing inside!

Hello, Katie!

Hello, Elizabeth!

Splish, Splash!

Remembering when it was warm....

  

Special guest appearance by our friend and neighbor, Julia.

Wet Hair

Katie Goes to Church

This morning, Elizabeth woke up a little ill, so I got to take Katie to church by myself.  For a few reasons, I decided to take Katie to "big" church with me.

When we sat down at church, Katie turned to me and explained, "I am kinda a big girl now, but, you know, I'm not really a grown up yet."  Glad to know she recognizes that.

After church, I asked Katie her thoughts on the grown-up service.  She thoughtfully responded, "It was good, but it wasn't really Katie-appropriate."  Hey, truth be told, she didn't squirm around as much as some of the adults around us.

As we walked home, Katie began pleading for me to take her to a restaurant.  I explained that restaurants are expensive, and we only go to restaurants on special occasions.  Without missing a beat, Katie responded, "But, Daddy, it is a special occasion, I went to grown-up church with you.  It's a VERY special occasion."

Needless to say, this kid is growing up.

Photographing strangers in Central Park

Residents of Central Park

What is so captivating?

Chair?

I love how the buildings peak through the trees.

The soundtrack of Central Park

Hanging in the shade

Elizabeth is great at posing too!

She is a little too good at this!

She had fun.

Katie volunteered to model so I could test out my new backdrop

Sister Dressup

Dressup

Dancing on tables!

Katie's Quotes of the Day

Oh, our daughter....

Quote 1 (speaking loudly while standing up tall in the living room):  "Mommy, Daddy, I have a statement to make.   I LOVE Paw Patrol." (A new children's television program).

Quote 2 (while looking at our wedding pictures):  "Daddy, you looked so young!  What happened?"  (I may or may not have changed the identity of the parent she was speaking about...we'll never say.)

She is pretty silly!