A poem I once ignored but seem to understand it now.

Splendour in the Grass

 What though the radiance
 which was once so bright
 Be now for ever taken from my sight,
 Though nothing can bring back the hour
 Of splendour in the grass,
 of glory in the flower,
 We will grieve not, rather find
 Strength in what remains behind;
 In the primal sympathy
 Which having been must ever be;
 In the soothing thoughts that spring
 Out of human suffering;
 In the faith that looks through death,
 In years that bring the philosophic mind.

-- William Wordsworth

Had a wonderful Thanksgiving visit and dinner at Steins and Nicolette's new home. Keira is just getting beautiful as she keeps growing. It is enjoyable to watch my son be a dad and demonstrate the care and caution it takes to raise a child.  Nicolette is an amazing cook and the dinner was very good. Looking forward to having the entire Stoddard family at the house this Christmas. Good Times!

Summer recap-
Been in school for two weeks, turned 57, and I was wondering why I was so tired. Then I started to think about all the things that happened this summer and decided to give myself a break and  rejoice in the fantastic events that I enjoyed and experienced these last few months. Starr's graduation, Skye's graduation, ,finished my first year as Athletic Director, Shoulder Surgery, Keira's birth and resultant stay in the hospital,Trip to Australia two weeks later, a few weeks off and then off to Kjell's graduation in Phoenix, after Kjell gave birth to Ryu a week previously.Moved Starr to Fremont for her new job-yes she got a raise!( Got to experience first hand the 49ers and Raider's rivalry with Stein.) Skye back to San Jose State to teach!!!
Obviously, my family and close friends just read this blog so I want you all to know how proud of you I am and, this pride goes out  JC and Nicolette, who joined the Stoddard's sphere of reckoning. Hang in there.:)  Anyway, love you all and the next experience is going to the Utah /BYU football game in Provo on the 16th of September. Go Cougs!!! Stein is going too, and of course Alex.

MORE SUMMER 2011 BLISS

THE STODDARD FAMILY WELCOMED TO THE WORLD KEIRA RAYNE AND RYU EVERETTE

Dad's Tremendously Big Summer

STARR,SKYE AND KJELL GOT THEIR MASTERS

KEIRA IN THE HOUSE!!!!!

Here is the first picture of Keira in the hospital;she is home with her dad and mom getting excited about their new home.

Les Mis

Life, misfortune, isolation, abandonment, poverty, are the fields of battle which have their heroes; obscure heroes, who are, sometimes, grander than the heroes who win renown.  Chapter -Marius the Indigent

After seeing Les Miserables again with my daughters Skye and Starr (my second time) I felt inclined to finally read the book. I am half way. I like this quote because of the tiniest battles against everyday problems of life happen and we all fight ""the good fight." Perhaps we are all heroes.

AUSTRALIA AGAIN 2011

A DAY  IN SYDNEY AND THE "WEST COAST CHAMPIONS"

COACH STODDARD ON THE BEACH IN SURFER'S PARADISE

Starr and Skye celebrating at the Oakland game watching those .........Yankees defeat the A's 5-0. We had a great time and this leaves Kathy and I just two more games to go (Dodgers and Angels) to complete our goal of attending the all five MLB teams in California. This picture is funny because it would annoy  people trying to watching the ball going across home plate . Of course Starr loved the attention. One more degree to go -Kjell- and two grand babies this summer. We're getting older and cross roads are all over the place.


How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
Anne Frank

Here is Skye Summer Stoddard. MA in Public Health. We are really proud of her and feel overwhelmed by the continued success of our children. She knocked this degree out of the park. ( Darn Yankees!) Kathy, Starr and I  really enjoyed her commencement activities and were amazed at the awards she received. What a great kid.

Introducing Starr Rebecca Stoddard who achieved a Masters Degree. I an so proud of her for her diligence and "sticking to it" power. Despite our differences in opinion I think we both agree upon the worth of each individual in the whole realm of things. Starr has empowered herself to do what many of us just think about doing-that is helping others daily to overcome fear and self doubt. As her dad I an extremely proud of her and know of the hard work and dedication it took for her to accomplish this degree. As your Mom echoed throughout the The Save Mart Center as your received your recognition "You Go Girl!!!"

It's Mother's day and I miss my mother. I get a longing feeling for my mom and I am extremely, not jealous, but overwhelmingly melancholy when people, my age, still have their parents around them. I would love to be able to talk to my mother and get her advice and discuss with her the things that I have learned in the last thirty years of life. I also find it amazing that there are many who do not appreciate their mothers and take them for granted. As for me, I loved my mother and wish I would have talked to her more and listened intensely. She was a teacher-a good one, who managed to be a mother of four boys while becoming qualified to be a teacher and still took care of us and cared for us boys, despite our differences. I believe my children's mother is like that as well. She is a Mother first and foremost and never has neglected her duty as a mother. I love her for that and hope my children will always remember the dedication and love she has for them.

Here we are at the Giants game. Go Dodgers! But boy, do I love the watching baseball in San Francisco.

Me and the Love of My Life

LaVell Edwards, Dave Kragthorpe, Kasia Crowe, and Jake Heaps, not necessarily in that order. I had a great trip to revisit my "O" line coach and get a little "BYU" fix. I saw a rugby game, volleyball game, Q and A with Bronco Mendenhall, spring football practice, a trip to Park City, and a whole lot of time with Kasia an Kjell and  Priesthood meeting with J.C.  It was a wonderful time capped of with a spring snow storm the day I left.

Kasia loves the River.

Jimmer Fredette POY! Let's hear it for Football Independence!!!!!!!

Kasia running from Grandma after Grandpa-Provo River

Kasia has been great for these ten days. We got a piece of Kjell and JC's world. Felt like "Ground Hog Day" everyday,however we mixed it up with trips to the river, mall, Aunt Connie, walks, showers, putting coins in her bank, watching "Pottie Power" and "Elmo's Potty Time" and of course "Training Your Dragon." She sings,laughs,screams like grandma,dances up a storm, stubborn as any two year old should be, loves wawa=water, loves her cat Kojo, dolls(baby) and kitties-bear. don't forget Elmo. As you can see she knows how to sit on the milk box at Costco. Took lots of pictures-mostly of Kasia. With two more grandchildren on the way, we can only hope they are as cool as Kasia.

So I am walking with Kasia to Timpview Park to slide and swing. After she pooped and peed her pants we went home-long walk. Kathy has taught me to pick up recyclable cans and bottles. Kasia wanted to carry them and I let her. I was about ten feet in front on the sidewalk and she says"Gandpa where's the bottles?" She had them behind her back and the resulting picture occurred. She's a kick.

Kasia in her dream state after watching "How to Train a Dragon."

                             

Kasia pinching grandma's toe with the bag pincher.

Kasia,Ashleigh and gandma

Today we set up my new account on an old blogspot. Took us two hours. Skye, my daughter, wouldn't help me-she is flirting. Kasia surprised us today by singing the words to "Don't Stop Believing."We have decided that she is a an incredible talent. After watching her dad dance at Kjell's reunion, we now know where she gets her groove from.  We have had a lot of good times already with that little girl. I hope you enjoy the picture.

Kasia not in Poland