Passion

by Tyler J. Kopp
3/29/10

Passion is a symbol of life
A symbol that means fierce
Fierce as in the moment when you become a star
When you come out of your shell to see who you really are

Passion means love
The love you get when you do something great
The moment when you fulfill your fate

Passion is eagerness
The eagerness to crush the ball
To do your best and give it your all.

Passion is willingness
Willingness to do anything that you desire
To do the same as the people you admire

Passion is a lot in life
It is everything you think you might
It can mean fierce or desire
Or anything that you require

Freedom

by Tyler J. Kopp

Freedom is when everyone is free
When people get freedom it's called liberty
Freedom is like a time to do what you want
When you are free to go to a restaurant

The bald eagle is a sign of freedom
A symbol for no racism
No one should be a victim
Of a very rare symptom

Free to pull a tantrum
and look like a dum-dum
you also feel numb-numb
Because you are a bum-bum

The star-spangled banner is our anthem
A song that has a good rhythm
A song full of wisdom
A song for our freedom!

Off to the races...

Whew! Tryouts are over and done with for another year.

Well…for softball and baseball at least. Ang was more than stressed but has survived in case anyone was wondering.

Kels is still happy with the team she made for the Mankato Peppers. She is looking forward to the opportunity to earn more playing time and work on her pitching this summer. With a female, non-parent coach and a fresh set of players/parents, Kels is hoping this will be her best season yet.

Lil’ TK made the “AA” Maroon team. He is absolutely ecstatic to have his hero/mentor/idol as a coach – Dean Bowyer. Coach Dean coached the MSU Mavericks for 30 years and has been a wonderful influence for Lil’ TK. Helping to make this an even better deal is having several of his closest friends on the team with him. He is looking forward to working on 2nd base and pitching skills and can’t wait for the season to start.

Ang is trying to get organized for all the tournaments and practices that are looming. It is a daunting task with all the duties she has for MAYBA (Mankato Area Youth Baseball Assoc.) right now but is up for the challenge. With Big TK working retail hours at PA, it will be up to Ang to get the kids to and from where they need to be. It’s never easy but the chaos is all worth it to watch the Kels and Lil’ TK play the sports they love.

God Bless…

Easter Tidings

Lil’ TK is gearing up for baseball tryouts on 4/10 & 4/11. This year it’s AAA or AA for him. Considering the coaches they’ve selected for both levels…he’s a winner either way. Fingers crossed he makes one of the teams…

Kels had tryouts for Peppers March 28th. She had hoped to do well enough to move up and play on the A-level team with some of her best friends this summer. She worked hard during the winter and was really looking tough with the bat and better with the pitching but, unfortunately, she wasn't selected for that upper level team and was placed on the B-level team again for this summer. She is happy with the placement, however, as a couple of her other good friends are on the team and she is hoping she will get a lot of playing time. They’ve already had one practice with some of the pitchers and catchers so everyone seems to be excited to get the season going.

Big TK is enjoying learning the pawn business as a “Coach in Training” at Pawn America. He is working lots of hours and got his first full paycheck this week. Talk about motivation.

Ang will be spring cleaning this weekend in preparation for Easter. Anita is having people over for Easter dinner and since she is cooking…Ang gets to do the cleaning.

The Kopp Crew will be hosting the brother of Alyssa Sandeen the week after Easter. She had a heart transplant when she was like 7 or 8 and now needed a kidney transplant which happened in Rochester on 3/31. Her mother was the donor! Alyssa’s youngest brother and sister are twins and in Kels and Lil’ TK’s school so he will be staying with us while his mom and sister recover. So happy to be able to help this incredible family.

Abby is doing what she does best…being a dog. She is starting to shed like she does every spring and has several white spots showing up. She is loving the warmer weather and has started sleeping in her favorite place, right in front of the patio door with the afternoon sun beating down on her. Oh – the life of a mutt. Lucky Dog.

Happy Easter! Jesus is the reason for the season…well Him and Cadbury Eggs. ;o}