Back in the Game (Arkansas Democrat Gazette-today)

In case you don't get the 'Tri-Lakes' edition of the Arkansas Dem-Gaz, here's an article featuring our very own Papaw. (only here's a tip, don't call him that in the gym. He likes to stick to 'coach' around players. ;) )

Coach comes out of retirement for challenge
By Eric Moore STAFF WRITER
For the past three years, Gary Shoptaw, 58, has been enjoying the perks of retirement. Whether it is being able to spend time with his wife of 36 years, Charlotte, who retired at the same time he did, or playing dominoes at the local store in Prattsville, retirement came easy for Shoptaw. Without the rigors of a basketball season on his mind, the former Poyen coach was even able to make twice monthly trips to Birmingham to see his grandchildren. Then a funny thing happened. He heard about the opening at Glen Rose High School. “I’ve entertained thoughts [of coming out of retirement], but in the past I had gotten over it qu ick ly,” Shopt aw said. “I had never given it more than a fleeting thought, but I couldn’t find anything to discourage me, to dim my enthusiasm [about this job].” Just seven years removed from an undefeated, championship season at nearby rival Poyen, and three years into retirement, the thought of coaching again was just too appealing for Shoptaw. Couple that with the reception he has received at Glen Rose, and it’s no wonder why he will be roaming the sidelines once again. “Everyone here has been really positive and encouraging,” Shoptaw said. “I appreciate the challenge, and anything worth doing is challenging.” The upcoming season will be Shoptaw’s 32nd year in the profession, and most of the time he was able to stay close to his hometown of Prattsville in Grant County. Other than the 14 years he spent at Pulaski Academy, he never had to travel more than 30 minutes from home. After graduating from Henderson State University, Shoptaw got a job with Pulaski Academy as an assistant head coach. In just three years, however, he wa s promoted to head coach and other schools came calling. When the Sheridan head coaching position opened up, it was an opportunity for him to be closer to home. After three years in Sheridan, Shoptaw spent a year as an assistant coach at Bryant before becoming the head coach at Pulaski Academy again. For 10 years, he lead the Bruins before his dream job opened up. He would finally get to coach his alma mater, but two years into his tenure, the school shut down and he accepted the head coaching position at Prattsville’s biggest rival, Poyen. At Poyen he had unrivaled success. In his second year, he took them to the state tournament and then a state championship just a few years later. With much of his life devoted to basketball, it was surprising to many of those around him when he retired, and he was often asked by his former players what he was doing with all that free time. “I asked them what they did on Saturdays,” Shoptaw said. “I’ve had three years of Saturdays.” The Glen Rose job will be like many of the others Shoptaw has taken — a rebuilding project. Fans of Glen Rose basketball can take solace in the fact that nearly everywhere Shoptaw has been, he was able to turn around a program in short order. At Pulaski Academy, in his second year he led the team to a 20 -win season for the first time. It is his team’s ability to exceed expectations that makes coaching basketball such a joy for Shoptaw. “That’s one of the most gratifying things,” Shoptaw said. “Seeing them exceed their, their parents and fans’ expectations.” Shoptaw will bring an uptempo offense and an in-yourface defense to Glen Rose that he hopes will bring excitement to the basketball program, which in turn means more numbers. With his style of play, many players are needed to field a team. Shoptaw talks about his past with a smile, but he is always looking ahead. As much as he enjoyed the stops he made previous to Glen Rose, the Beavers are the important thing to him now. “The most important team to me is in that locker room,” Shoptaw said. “I’m looking forward to doing all I can to help them win in the years to come.”

PHOTO BY GREG BENENATI Just seven years removed from a state championship and even fewer years since he retired, head coach Gary Shoptaw will be prowling the sidelines again, this time for the Glen Rose Beavers.

Soccer rules!

This morning was Taylor's first experience with soccer ever. We have 20 minute practices followed by a thirty minute game. It was the most fun I've had in a while. She LOVED it! As much as she loves ballet, she said this was even more fun. Since this was her first 'sport' it is Shannon's first chance to be a dad/fan. It was hilarious. He was constantly yelling for her. "Go get it Taylor! Way to go Taylor! Good Job Taylor" Anabelle was also super proud of her sister. Each time Taylor got a break from the action, Anabelle had to go give her a hug. She even scored 3 'shots' as she called it. I probably had almost as much fun watching some of the other kids. One little boy layed down on the ground for almost the entire 20 minute practice. During the game two little girls on the other team, just walked around the 'court?/field?' holding hands. If you ever get a chance, a 4/5yr old soccer game is a great place to be on Sat morning at 8am.

This is Taylor's game face. Any running or kicking involved this face...so cute!

I have to post a video at Papaw's request. Watch for taylor to get plowed down by one of the coaches and get a great high five from another coach!

Arkansas

We have been in Arkansas for the week. Rob is preaching the revivial at Mom and Dad's church, so we came back to be here. Is it odd to travel across two states to go to a revival? Oh well. It has been great. Tonight is the last night, so if you are in the area and want to come, call me and I'll give you directions.

We got to see most of the Hutchins (minus Brody-I think they've given him away or something) and get our swimming fix in for the week.
Coach Shoptaw and Gran and the girls...yes I said Coach. More to come on that soon.

No, this picture has nothing to do with this post. I just thought it was funny. I found it on my memory stick just a minute ago. I assure you that I didn't take it and I'm pretty sure that Shannon didn't either.
I want to take you on a journey....Close your eyes and imagine with me...A Mom making her way thru Target (sorry Jared, I know I'm a traitor, but it's so great!) with two relatively small children in tow. The kids are eating popcorn as the Mom TRIES to get some light shopping done. Behind them through each and every aisle are two small trails of popcorn. One child is coughing incessantly and continually spouting, "Mommy, Anabelle is...(place one of millions of phrases here)." The younger one is alternating between, "I'M CRAZY!!" and "peeepol ti ti on fwoor in Tawget baffroom." You see the mom make not one but two mad dashes to the 'potty.' It's almost as if she's numb as the toddler goes hurdling thru the air jumping from the cart (the kind with seats for small kids not the regular kind). You hear her defeated voice repeatedly utter, "we are almost done girls, just keep eating your popcorn and quit touching each other." You see her finally leave the store after everyone has hugged all the big red balls and is successfully holding hands to cross the parking lot. You think to yourself, "I bet she'll be glad to be home." Then, suddenly she's coming back thru the doors with the two girls holding hands walking (as slow as humanly possible) along side her. Oh, she's been charged twice for something and Dave Ramsey would blow a gasket if he knew she didn't go back inside to get it straightened out.

After the target trip from you know where...we were on our way home and I guess Taylor could tell I was worn out. She said, "Mommy, next time it is my special day, I am going to give it to you and it will be your special day." I do not deserve this kid. Maybe I deserve her sister, but I don't deserve her. :)


*A couple of quick explanations... I told the girls that they were driving me crazy which prompted Anabelle to continually shout at the top of her lungs, "I'M CRAZY! I'M CRAZY!"
**Also, on what was our second trip to the bathroom, I was explaining why sitting on the floor of the bathroom was not a good idea. I told them that sometimes people might accidentally titi on the floor, so we want to try not to touch the floor with anything but our shoes. (Don't judge me. It's the best explanation I could come up with. I couldn't just say, 'your mom's a major germ-o-phobe.') Anabelle found that amusing and wanted to share it with everyone we came into contact with. My only prayer is that most people couldn't understand what this crazy little pigtailed two year old was saying!!

Have I mentioned that I really do love my life?

It's HOT in Alabama!!!

We took the girls to the park today and we didn't last long. Everyone was red-faced by the time we left, but they did have a good time. These pictures were taken by Shannon's new iphone, aka his third child. I think he loves it just as much.

Staying at Home

We've been staying home all week while Taylor gets over a little bug. I am going a little stir crazy, but the girls are doing just fine with it. I had to beg them to leave the house today just to go by and see Shannon. I was just a little ashamed as I said, "don't you want to go to Burger King and get breakfast? I burned the biscuits I made this morning so they won't be very good." They said they wanted to eat the burnt biscuits just b/c they didn't want to leave!?!?!?! CRAZY!

We've been reading lots! We got a couple of 'chapter books' at the library last week and Taylor has fallen in love with The Littles. Remember them? We also got a great book to help her practice 'reading.' The Little Critters Picture Dictionary is published by McGraw Hill and it is really wonderful. She and Anabelle are constantly just going thru it as she tries to teach Anabelle to read. You can imagine how fun that is to overhear.

Anabelle's new line: "me tell ew a cigarette (secret)"

***Yes, I see the pint sized hand print on the window behind the girls and I'm ok with it, so you should be too!!! :)

Visitors!!

We had guests this week and boy was it fun. Papaw and Gran got here on Wednesday and Rob Carla and Emily got here Fri night. The girls absorbed every bit of attention they could get from Papaw and Gran this week. Anabelle has been introduced to rock, paper, scissors. She really has it down. She may start by counting to 9 or so instead of 3 but she can ALWAYS win. Even if it requires her to tell Papaw (or whoever) what they need to do in order for her to win...
















The girls LOVE the Leonards. Poor Rob couldn't eat anything without Anabelle standing there waiting for a bite. He is always so patient. He fed her whatever she wanted. :) Carla even got in the floor to try to teach Taylor had to play with her new jacks. They were constantly jumping into Emily's lap. (many times without warning!) I am pretty sure that her attention was what they wanted most! We had a great time staying up late visiting. It still wasn't a long enough visit, but we'll catch up again soon. Everyone left this morning, so it is really quiet around our house about now.