Opening Day...

"Here you go Uncle Kevin - let me show you how it's done!"

With one swing of the bat, a new little league season has begun and Nolan is playing t-ball.

...and just as Nolan has been a faithful fan for Uncle Kevin and the Colonials all spring - Kevin was in the stands this morning at 9 a.m. routing on Nolan (which is saying a lot for a high school senior on a Saturday morning).

A Tough Week in South Bend...

This city has been in mourning for a week and today, we bury one of our own. So many questions left unanswered - so many lives affected - so many hearts broken.

I did not know Scott Severns, but my older children did. Our family has quite a few good friends on the South Bend Police Force - Tim Lancaster, Dave (Bub) Ryans, Derek Dieter, and Josh Gobel (Kevin's high school baseball assistant coach).

Last weekend, Carrie and I were out of town when the shooting took place and we awoke early on Saturday morning to the news. The broadcast was not releasing the officer's name. I called home to a friend who I knew would have some information - and she did. I was relieved to hear that our friends were safe. I didn't recognize the name, but as I repeated the name I saw the look on Carrie's face and knew she recognized it.

On Saturday night, we huddled in our hotel room and watched the news - learning that he was in extrememly critical condition. Upon arriving home on Sunday, we learned that he had passed away. As we watched the news on Sunday evening, they released the name and photo of the 17 year old accused of pulling the trigger and Kevin solemnly stated - "he's in my 3rd hour class". Now, Kevin's not one to ever go into much detail on anything. All he really told us was that the kid was new - recently moved here from Atlanta (which was confirmed in an email we received from the high school principal on Monday).

As I type this entry, the family and friends of Scott Severns are gathered at St. Matthew's Cathedral for the funeral mass. Thousands of officers from all over the country have arrived for the tribute to a fallen officer. Our flags are flying at half staff and our hearts are heavy.

God Bless You Scott Severns. May you rest in peace.

Bring Your Game...

It's a beautiful sunny day and the sky is bright blue!!!!

This afternoon, it's the

Clay Colonials
vs. the
Washington Panthers

in a HUGE Northern Indiana Conference baseball contest.


LET'S GO CLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Scrapbook Retreat

Spent the weekend at a Scrapbook Retreat in Shipshewana - and I'm still trying to recover from the lack of sleep. It's just SO hard to stop working on a layout and MAKE yourself go to bed!!

Besides getting a lot of my family book caught up, it was an opportunity to get away with my daughter Carrie. After all winter with three little kids - she was definately in need of this time away. My sister in law (the other Patty Knight) also drove all the way from Iowa to join us - 3 days of laughing, eating, shopping and scrapbooking!!!

I did have to leave for a few hours to drive back to South Bend to watch Kelli's school performance of Aladdin - and then as I drove back to Shipshewana, I spent 15 minutes on the phone with Bob during Clay's extra inning nerve-wracking loss to Penn. Nothing like getting the play-by-play on a cell phone on the bypass.

So, here's a few of the layouts I completed over the weekend...

Good Week for the Clay Colonials (so far)...

The Clay baseball team has come out on top of two exciting NIC games this week - coming from behind in both games.

On Monday night we trailed the entire game, but broke things open in the top of the 7th and then held Adams in the bottom half of the inning to win 4-3.

Last night was pretty much the same thing - started off losing 2-0 - until the 4th inning, when we took the lead on a homerun by our favorite first basemen Nate Nadjek. Elkhart Central threatened in the 6th, but we pulled out another one run victory - 5-4. That win puts us at 6-2 overall, and 3-1 in the Northern Indiana Conference.

Tomorrow night, things will get a little tougher - at Penn. Just once (before Kevin graduates), I'd love to beat them. If it's going to happen, Clay has the team to do it this year.

I won't be there - Kelli is performing in "ALADDIN" at Corpus Christi and I will be supporting her, while Bob deals with the Colonials and the Kingsmen.

I may be humming with the Genie, Aladdin and Jasmine, but my heart will be on the field at Penn.

Going - Going...

...but not quite gone. We were all satisfied with "off the fence". Can't believe I actually caught this shot off of Kevin's bat Saturday afternoon against Concord. Normally, when I pull out my camera, he either walks or strikes out - but not this time. He had a great day - some nice hits, a couple of RBI's and another great defensive game - including a diving catch in center field.

Next up this week - Adams, Elkhart Central and Penn. 

Let the Hunt Begin...

Last Easter, she had to be carried through the yard in search of the eggs - but not this year. Even though she found only one to her brother's ten, she was on her own, and very satisfied with the results. 

Just wanted to say...

HAPPY EASTER!! 

It Must Be Spring...

Temperatures are in the 70's, the sun is shining, the grass is turning green, and the ball gloves have been brought out. From the looks of these photos, Nolan's got a new ball glove just in time for his first t-ball practice, and from the smile on his face, it looks like he's ready for a fun summer.

Hopefully the Urbanski/Knight baseball blood will run through his veins. His dad and his Uncle Johnny should turn him into quite the pitcher some day!

This will be Kelli's last year to play Little League - at the Junior Level, and now we'll be starting all over again - watching our grandchildren!!

Spring Smells...

I love SPRING! I woke up this morning - turned on the television and smiled when I saw that temperature - 60 degrees at 6:00 a.m.!!! I didn't even mind the occasional thunder clap and lightening bolt.

When I walked outside at 7:30, the sky was a beautiful mix of blue and storm clouds and the SMELL!!!! Everything smelled so clean and fresh - washing away the winter and bringing us bright green grass, tulips and daffodils.

... a new season is upon here in northern Indiana.

The Cruiser is Home....

Kelli arrived home at 10:00 on Friday night - smiling and tan.

She had the best time - telling me stories well into the night - the food, the ice sculptures, the "sea belts" on the bed, bartering for a purse in the Bahamas.

It was an experience I know she'll remember her entire life!!

I look at this photo and have to laugh. According to Maggie's parents, Kelli was the calming force of the three - always watching out for the other two and "trying to keep them in line."

Hmmm...maybe she's her mother's daughter after all.

GOOD KNIGHT - LMC Softball

SOFTBALL
Good Knight
LMC Women Sweep Glen Oaks on a Pair of Shutouts

by Darren Phillips - Herald Palladium Sports Writer

Katie Knight has been to the top of Lake Michigan College as a player - now she wants to get there as a coach. Knight, the Indians' first year head coach, played for the LMC team that finished fourth nationally in 2000. She hopes to instill the confidence that such a run is possible in her team. "It helps to be able to say, 'I did it, you guys can do it,' " Knight said.

If the Indians are to make any kind of run, pitching should be a strong point. Lake Michigan College hurlers Mandi Rodriquez and Courtney Goldschmeding threw a pair of shutouts Thursday as the Indians blanked Glen Oaks 7-0 and 8-0. Rodriguez, a freshman from St. Joseph, threw a four-hitter and struck out 13 in the opener. Goldschmeding gave up four hits in the first two innings of the second game but stranded the four runners. After yielding a leadoff single in the third, she retired the Vikings' final nine batters. The game ended after five innings on the college softball eight-run mercy rule.

"That's how we usually work," Knight said. "Mandi will throw the first game and Courtney will throw the second. Mandi has speed and a good riseball I think that's what half her strikeouts were on. Her riseball is actually faster than her fastball because she pushes off harder on it. It's good to have a hard thrower and then come back with someone who doesn't throw as hard. Courtney hits the corners really well."

The matchup with Glen Oaks was an enjoyable one for Knight and the Indians in another way, as the Vikings are coached by LMC graduate Holly Seales. Knight and Seales both played for the Indians in 1999 for head coach Kathy Leitke, who now coaches at Western Michigan. "We were roommates too," Knight said. "We still have a great friendship." Seales was the first baseman for the Indians and Knight was the catcher.

The current Indians showed some strong hitting to support the pitching on Thursday. Loren Westlake drove doubles into the left-center field gap in both games and Jessica Frucci had six hits in six at-bats hitting in the No. 9 spot. "I have her down there for a reason," Knight said. "I would say we have a pretty solid lineup." Thursday's shutouts were the fourth and fifth of the season for the Indians, who improved to 10 and 8 and host Ancilla College on Saturday.

Knight, of course, will be there to guide the Indians, something she hopes to keep doing for a considerable time. "This is my dream job," Knight said. "I love it. Hopefully I'll be here for a while. I can't imagine doing anything else, and it's a good group of girls to coach. We only have 11 girls, and it helps that we gel together really well.

Looking Back to Last Month...

...at least the sun is shining here now - but how beautiful was it to stand on this beach with a warm breeze and an even warmer sun just a few weeks ago?

There's just something about the sounds of the waves crashing on the beach and the smell of the ocean air.

It always calls me back for one more look...

I Miss This Face....

She'll be gone for a week and I already miss the hustle and bustle that a 14 year old daughter brings to our household.

She's on a cruise with her best friend and I miss the constant phone calls to my office asking if Maggie can spend the night or if I can pick them up from the mall or take them to a movie.

I miss hearing the excitement in her voice when she called me from the ship to tell me "we're here and we're eating ice cream and pizza!!"

She's only been gone for 4 days and I miss this face.

On Friday....I can kiss this face again!!