The Patriots Do Us Proud | Mount Forest Patriots Jr C Hockey Team

Our 1st weekend since September we did not have a Pats game… I won’t lie it was nice to be able to kick back and relax, but of course we do miss the hockey action. This past week our local Mount Forest Confederate newspaper has a Feature on the team, starting with a letter to the editor by Chris Clark, the sports man!

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The 4 page feature was awesome! Recognition the team deserves and needs!

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(I missed the first two lines on the pages before, my bad!)

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Now that hockey is over, which in the past few winter months has been a lot of my photography, spring fever is setting in! I cannot wait to get outside in some awesome warm light and get shooting :)

I did get to burn off some photo energy after our good friend and I kicked our hubby’s assessment in euchre and they had to take the kids saucers for a trip down the lil hill haha! Those poor sore men of ours ;)

We may have missed hockey this weekend but our lil man played and we enjoyed some much needed time with friends, who are more like family! This month for the camera club is Angles… I’m excited to play with this challenge inside and out!

Some of my favourite PATS photographic angle shots…

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Jr C may be over but our lil man still has a few weeks left!

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Planning for a princess party!

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It’s almost hard to believe that our little girl’s 5th birthday is coming to up!!!

It’s huge excitement in our house and I’m actually ahead in my planning this year ;) Lots of pink princess decorations have been bought, a few more to still pick up, very excited to meet some of her new school friends, see some of her “old school” friends and of course our family!

Lucky for our lil sweetie is that it’s not just her birthday party, the weekend is very much for her and spending as a family. Hopefully it all goes smooth, lol knowing me I’ll be stressed about getting things just right and worrying about keeping all the kids busy, making way too many snacks, heck we all know excited girls do not eat much lol and then my moment to shine and truly enjoy as I’m not a baker, or a decorator, but I shine behind my camera and I am so excited to capture of lil lady’s special celebration :)

Which of course will be ended with a well deserved glass of wine lol!

The weather we have now with the beautiful snow falling down, was almost like it was 5 years ago ensuring we could leave the hospital exactly at 24 hours and drove home in crazy snow, lol small town living at its best!

Any PRINCESS party ideas? I would love to hear…

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One of those days, when everything fits, or does it?

It doesn’t happen everyday, sometimes not every week, but you know that feeling when everything seems to just fit. That was my day today. Extra thankful that hubs was able to take our boy to hockey practice and then meet my family at the arena. A day where everyone woke up well rested, happy and we all got out the door on time. A day where I felt and was very productive at work with things taken care of. Where even after two kids sports I could still take 2 children to pick up some groceries peacefully. Being able to prepare our home made pizzas for dinner while the Littles prepared themselves for bed after showers. To eat happily with my children and snuggle up for a book together. Tucking our babies into bed and heading up to my office to download and edit the photos from this past weekends big Patriots games, enjoying my pvr’d Young & The Restless, lunches prepared in the fridge… And blogging from bed.

A day where everything fits? Or a dose of reality. Because this doesn’t happen everyday. So why is it a dose of reality.

1. Hubby isn’t home as he has school bright and early in KW tomorrow… I can never get to sleep in good time when he isn’t home. When he isn’t home I always become sappy and typically pictures are involved ;)

2. Our babies are growing up. So. Fast.

Many moments of frustration, stress or walking through a cluttered hall will all matter in some way differently to each parent. As a parent who personally suffered from Infertility,  each moment forward we make with them, each challenge that is not taught but navigated through together, it seriously reminds me just how lucky I am to have them. As a mother who still has and feels the physical pain of infertility, I can become a sentimental sap just thinking of how thankful I am. Thinking of a couple parenting/children frustrations we’ve been dealing with for many months now, I can finally see the light, wow its refreshing!

That is what a day like today does, as I lay here thinking that life has certainly not been easy, we’ve most definitely has our share of ups and downs, trials and tests, but it’s all led us to where we are today.

Now for it to hopefully continue tomorrow… I must get some sleep ;)

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It’s been a very long time, very long, but really have I ever felt this content and able to enjoy life, to truly enjoy our kids, with all of the happiness and stress that comes with it?

I honestly don’t think I have, it’s been a long time coming, it feels good. Life sure is not perfect, I’m most likely jinxing myself for a morning from he’ll tomorrow ;) Ah well. Today I earned it.

The Pink Dress [Your Angel Is Always Watching Over You]

I received an email early this week that has been circulating around. Reading it gave me goosebumps and I wanted to share.

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The Pink Dress

There was this little girl sitting by herself in the park.

Everyone passed by her and never stopped to see why she looked so sad.

Dressed in a worn pink dress, barefoot and dirty, the girl just sat And watched the people go by..

She never tried to speak.

She never said a word.

Many people passed by her, but no one would stop.

The next day I decided to go back to the park in curiosity to see If the little girl would still be there.

Yes, she was there, right in the very spot where she was Yesterday, and still with the same sad look in her eyes

Today I was to make my own move and walk over to the little girl.

For as we all know, a park full of strange people is not a place for young children to play alone.

As I got closer I could see the back of the little girl’s dress.

It was grotesquely shaped.

I figured that was the reason people just passed by and made no Effort to speak to her.

Deformities are a low blow to our society and, heaven forbid if you make a step toward assisting someone who is different.

As I got closer, the little girl lowered her eyes slightly to Avoid my intent stare.

As I approached her, I could see the shape of her back more clearly.
She was grotesquely shaped in a humped over form.

I smiled to let her know it was OK; I was there to help, to talk.

I sat down beside her and opened with a simple, ‘Hello’

The little girl acted shocked, and stammered a ‘hi ‘; after a long stare into my eyes.

I smiled and she shyly smiled back.

We talked until darkness fell and the park was completely empty.

I asked the girl why she was so sad.

The little girl looked at me with a sad face said, ‘Because, I’m Different…’

I immediately said, ‘That you are!’; and smiled.

The little girl acted even sadder and said, ‘I know.’

‘Little girl,’ I said, ‘you remind me of an angel, sweet and innocent.’

She looked at me and smiled, then slowly she got to her feet and Said, ‘Really?’

‘Yes, you’re like a little Guardian Angel sent to watch over all the people walking by.’

She nodded her head yes, and smiled.
 
With that she opened the back of her pink dress and allowed her Wings to spread, then she said ‘I am.’

‘I’m your Guardian Angel,’ with a twinkle in her eye.

I was speechless — sure I was seeing things.

She said,  ‘For once you thought of someone other than yourself.

My job here is done’..

I got to my feet and said, ‘Wait, why did no one stop to help an Angel?’

She looked at me, smiled, and said, ‘You’re the only one that could see me,’ and then she was gone.

And with that, my life was changed dramatically.

So, when you think you’re all you have, remember, your angel is Always watching over you.

Like the story says, we all need someone…

And, every one of your friends is an Angel in their own way.

The value of a friend is measured in the heart.

I hope your Guardian Angel watches over you always.

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Mount Forest Patriots Jr C – SEMI FINAL PLAYOFF’s

These next 2 games are extremely important!

As the team photographer I am SO proud of these boys!
At various times during the games I capture both the game and the boys and coaches, trainers etc on the bench… its intense, its encouraging, its truly for the love of the game! Hearing the boys talk each other up, encouraging words, cheers, its amazingly uplifting and I am SO proud to be a part of it!

We would love for you to join the fans to cheer on the Mount Forest Patriots!

On behalf of the Patriots I would also like to extend my own thanks to all the Sponsors! We have two three sponsors who have very genorously donated prizes for tomorrow nights games.

Coburn Insurance of Mount Forest – Donated 2 $25 gift certificates for restaurants in Mount Forest!
Pike Lake Golf Course – 3 sets of a pair of Green Fee’s – one pair to be given out during each period!
WW Electric – Thermos and Lunch box!

And… as much as my dad (Jamie McLellan) does not want recognition at all, I have to give him props for the unbelievable amount of time he has put into this team for the years he has been involved and especially these past two years. He truly is someone I look up to and admire simply for this dedication and amazing business knowledge. Even though every minute he spends working for the team in any way, he is doing it entirely as a volunteer and for the community! He stepped up when the team was near the end, he has dedicated many long nights, has spent a lot of time to gain sponsors and get things organized. I am SO thankful now that the team has made it into the Playoff’s to see the smile on his face and gratitude towards the community for their support during these past (intense) few weeks. Of course as much as dad does put in a lot of time, so does the rest of the executive, who also are extremely appreciated and Cherie and Mike Noble have been involved since the beginning, as well as Heather and Stu – so greatly appreciated and have been involved for years!

This team is FOR the community.

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Tonight in Walkerton 830 pm… fans be sure to dress warm! Its coooold in the Walkerton Arena

Wear green to support the team Saturday night back at home 8pm in Mount Forest!

We would also like to thank Derek Bridgewater for providing trivia questions and a ticket giveaway on the Mount Forest Minor Hockey website!

For some extra exposure for the sponsors… thank you!!!

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For anyone wondering or interested in being a part of the Mount Forest Patriots team I would be happy to pass on your info or tell you some of the logistics…

1. The Mount Forest Patriots Hockey Team is a NOT For Profit – which means there is zero profit made by anyone. Its not about that, its about a community sports team.

2. The team operation relies entirely with financials through sponsors and game admission. Expenses for the team can be quite large with Referee’s (many games there are 4), Ice, Equipment, Plumeroom rental, and more…

3. Everyone that helps out with the Patriots hockey team are all extremely dedicated volunteers.

4. The Mount Forest Patriots Jr C Hockey Team has been playing since 1986. I personally remember spending many weekends in high school at the games.

5. We are always looking for more truly dedicated, giving, energetic, people to join the executive and/or sponsor listing. For those who would like to help out there… must work together as a team ;)

Patriots are ahead in the Semi-Finals Playoffs!

February 17, 2013

The 2011-2012 Hockey Season for the Mount Forest Patriots was their best season in 10 years, this continues into the 2012-2013 season with the team not only winning a playoff game but making it into the semi-finals!!!

We are 2 games into the semi-finals series and the Patriots are leading 2-0 with game 3 today! Last night the arena was PACKED! Another history making moment!

View the slideshow by clicking on the image above or going to this link!

My Photography – Specializing in Natural Light Lifestyle Newborn, Children & Family!

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Photography, a set on Flickr.

My portfolio was due for an update :) These photos are just a select few of my collection over the past 3 years specializing in Newborn, Children & Family Photography in our Mount Forest and surrounding area.

To view my portfolio as a full screen slideshow please click on the image below. The images will show in full quality if viewed outside of the slideshow within my Flickr Portfolio.

Newborns

Mount Forest Patriots Jr C Hockey Team

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Check out photos of the Mount Forest Patriots Hockey Team during the 2012-2013 year! In over 10 years not only did the Mount Forest Patriots coaches receive Coaches of the Year Award and one of our players, Brad Larkin received the Ideal Supply Scholarship Bursary, but they have made it not only INTO the Playoff’s but now into the Semi Finals!!!!!!!!!!GO PATS GO!!!!!!!!!!

Mount Forest Patriots In the Playoff’s Semi-Finals!

SO proud of these boys! They have played their hearts out this year and especially during the playoffs! Game 1 is tonight… they are currently in the 3rd period with the Walkerton Hawks who JUST tied it up… At the end of the 2nd we were winning 2-1 (end of the 1st it was 0-1 for Walkerton). Go Pats Go!!! Cannot wait to shoot more tomorrow night :) Saturday night at home in Mount Forest 8pm! Be there!!!

Your Life As Art Photography by Pam

Artist & Intuitive | Pamela Zmija

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