If this is OLD age, take it back!

Shawn worked hard on scoring, keeping the brackets up and everything else it takes to put on a successful tournament.

This past weekend we put on a racquetball tournament at The Ridge. It was so fun, we had a great turn out of lots of local talent. Shawn even added a Novice division and I thought it would be fun to play. I practiced every day last week with Jenaee, she entered also, and was feeling pretty good about at least not making to big of a fool of myself. I didn't play until Friday night at 9:00 pm. The guy, Aaron Smith, that I was supposed to play was a Rexburg police officer. I guess the other police officers in the tournament had told him that I was some state ranked player so he was all worried. It was kind of funny. Anyway, game time came and we were pretty well matched. I was serving 8 to 5 and went up to the front wall for a kill shot, as I went for the shot, I felt this horrible popping sound in my knee. I swear I could hear it to, but I probably just felt it, as soon as that happened my knee collapsed on me. It hurt really bad, but I was hoping it was just a twisted knee or something. Then I tried to move it and it wouldn't move, I still wanted to play and I was so mad I just remember pounding my hand on the floor in frustration. When they helped me up I tried to put weight on it and it just collapsed at that point I was pretty sure it was more than a sprain.

A really bad picture of me with my crutches, Berta should warn me to smile.

Signing people up, keeping food out, and drawing prizes was my job.

Shawn and the kids really helped me out all weekend by cleaning the house, making dinner and such. They are very concerned, Aspen even walks backward and guides me through the house, telling me which way to go. It's pretty cute! Today I was able to walk around without crutches, actually it's more of a slow hobble. I have to be very careful not to turn quickly or pivot. My knee doesn't straighten or bend more than about 45 degrees.

Shawn took me into Doc. Andary today. He is a knee and shoulder specialist and highly referred by many people. He asked a few questions, got me on the table, did a few bends & pulls and announced it was without a doubt my ACL. He showed Shawn how it moved about an inch when he pulled on it, Shawn was pretty grossed out. He said I could get an MRI but he had no question that my ACL was torn. He said the way it felt he wanted to get me in pretty quick because he could tell there was no stability there. Surgery is scheduled for Thursday.

I can tell Shawn is really stressed out about the financial part of it. He wouldn't say because he didn't want me to feel bad. I told him I was sorry and he said it wasn't my fault it was his, for not being able to make more money. I wish I could take some of the stress away, the doc just said there was no other option, it would not heal itself. Shawn has been so concerned and supportive and I know we will get through this. We were hoping to use our tax returns for the kids braces, but they might have to wait a little longer or maybe just one of them can get them. At any rate, I know it will work out.

Shade and Shawn did really good in their play. Shawn played in the British racquetball division. It was a round robin where they had to play everyone. They played 3 out of 5 games each match. Each of them had to play two matches on a day. All of Shawn's games went to at least 4 most of them 5. He was so tired, it is amazing how those guys can run like that, when they can barely breath. He ended up getting 2nd place in the tournament. Gene Hayes, the person who got them started on this British racquetball, won. He can out last them all, he is in such good shape, in fact, one day he played 4 matches right in a row. They were trying to get him tired out. In all of those matches he only lost one game.

Shawn going for a shot against Gene Hayes.

Kevin Bott with a dive. These guys are crazy, they are not afraid to go for anything even at 40+.

Shade played in the C division. It was his 1st tournament and he did really well. His 1st game was against Duffy McFarland (who ended up winning). He played really hard but lost 15-14, 15-12. His second game didn't go so well. It was the last day of snowboarding so he went snowboarding all day and came back just in time for his game at 5. He was beat and lost both games.

Shade with a shot against Duffy. Everyone kept commenting on what an amazing forehand he has.

Shade with a serve.

Shade and Duffy