Dreams Don't Work Unless You Do

Always Believe You Will Succeed

NEW Thirty-one Lake Fenton Bags

So excited about our Thirty-one bags embroidered with Lake Fenton and your favorite sport, club, etc!

If  you are interested in a bag please cotact us at goboat5@rocketmail.com.

You can also check out the Thirty-one website for more great ideas.

The LF logo is not however stitched through Thirty-one. You will need to contact us for that stitch.

www.mythirtyone.com/227520

Awesome Thirty-one Customer November Holiday Special

We all know wrestling season is starting soon! 

And when is there time to cram in your holiday shopping? 

 Here is a little help! 

Thirty-one has an awesome Customer Special running

 November 1-26, 2012. 

Our wrestling team has all matching Thirty-one attire! 

Great ways to pack and organize for those long wrestling days!

www.mythirtyone.com/227520

I can send you a catalog and specials fliers.  Great fundraising opportunities too!

Best of all...you get to pick out free items from Thirty-one while making money for your club.

Contact me for more information. 

goboat5@rocketmail.com

(810)519-8018

Madelon Corcoran

Zach Stevens All American Wrestler from University of Michigan

Our wrestling team has had some great wrestlers running our programs for our youth this summer and again this fall.  Through the summer we had Zach Corcoran a Michigan State Wrestler who is a Sophmore there this year and two University of Michigan wrestlers who are also sophmores, Connor Brancheau and Brandon Hill.  Now joining our roster is All American wrestler from University of Michigan Zach Stevens. 

He has been running our off season practices since Labor Day and will continue with the youth during our upcoming wrestling season.  We have some very dedicated members who are giving our wrestlers some great opportunites to grow and become awesome wrestlers.  Best of all...the off season programs were all free.  Our club wasn't about making money off this kids at a clinic.  We fundraised to be able to provide this training at no cost to our wrestlers and opened the room up the entire off season to anyone from any club who wanted to join us. 

Thank you again Lake Fenton Wrestling Boosters for making this off season the best ever!  Can't wait to see the payoff when the season starts!

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE?

Everyone Needs A Battle Buddy!

Everyone needs a "Battle Buddy!"

These little guys are forming a friendship that is going to last a lifetime!

Drew and Carsen are the cutest battle buddies ever!

Seafood Corn Chowder Recipe

Fall is here!  The Detroit Lions game is today and our family is meeting up with some other wrestling families to watch the game.   So I thought it fitting to have our favorite Wrestling Season Comfort Food....Seafood Corn Chowder!!! Yumm-O!!  Here is the recipe below!

Prep Time 15 Minutes Cook 20 Minutes Makes 4/5 Servings(I double this for our family)

1 14 oz can chicken broth
1 cup sliced celery about 2 stalks
1 cup chopped onion or 1 large
1/2 cup sliced carrots or 1 medium
1 14.75 oz can of cream-style corn
2 sprigs of thyme
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
Few dashes to taste of hot pepper sauce
10-12 oz cooked shrimp and or crabmeat
(we use for a dble batch 2 small packages crab meat immitation and 1 bag of 40-50 lrge shrimp)

We use oyster crackers or saltines to go with this and sometimes put potatoes in our soup also.  We mix it up some.  If you like more heat add red pepper flakes.

First in a medium saucepan combine broth, celery, onion, and carrot.  Bring this to a boil and reduce the heat.  Simmer, covered for about 20 minutes or until vegetables are fork tender.  Cool Slightly.

Transfer 1/2 the broth vege mixture to a blender or food processor.  Cover and blend until smooth.  Repeat with the remaining mixture and then pour that back into your saucepan.  Then stir in your corn, add sprigs of thyme, pepper, whipping cream, crab meat and/or shrimp.  Heat through. 

Out Of Difficulties Grow Miracles

Did you know?

Thirty-one Has Great "Wrestling Gear" Just For Mom's

If you are looking for ways to keep organized during wrestling season or any sports season?  You can't go wrong with Thrity-one.  From personalized cinche bags to thermal coolers, you can find everything you need.  Best of all you can personalize your items and support your club or organization. 

I use the Large Utility Tote for grocery shopping, shopping at Target, Walmart, boating, wrestling, laundry, you name it you can use this versatile tote for everythying. 



Thirty-one offers a Spirit Collection which includes starting September 1st a new collegiate line!

You have to check it out!  They are having a special until the end of August for every $31.00 you spend you receive 50% off a Spirit Collection item.  I have placed the link below.

Watch in coming posts about great fundraising opportunites for Thirty-one!

www.mythirtyonegifts.com/227520



P.A.C.E Positive Attitudes Change Everything

P.A.C.E.

Positive Attitudes Change Everything!

  

My Son Bryce Hopkins Performing with the Silver Lake Show Ski Team

Silver Lake Show Ski Team

My son Bryce was a member this summer with the Silver Lake Show Ski Team.  At one time my family had 22 of our family members on the team.  Everyone from my parents, sisters, nieces, nephews, my kids, my brother and sister in law.  It was so much fun. 

My son Bryce Hopkins, my brother-in-law Eric Corcoran, and my niece Kailee Corcoran are still members.  This summer they competed 3 different times all out of state.  This last time they took 3rd place in Rock Island, Illinois.  It takes many hours of practice not only on land but also water time and LOTS of fundraising to allow this ski team to flourish.  Bryce loves to ski and barefoot. 

Even wrestlers ski!  Connor Brancheau who is a D1 wrestler for MICHIGAN and many former and high school wrestlers all are members of this team.  This is a great bunch of people!

Bryce performing is straps he is the 2nd one in from the right.

This is an old picture from 2010 of my son Bryce Hopkins, Connor Brancheau, Brady Morton, Hunter Corcoran (another one of my sons) and my nephew Layne Swartz.  Handsome bunch of guys!

Bryce after perfroming his barefoot flier act.





Love this picture of Bryce with his grandparents.  Donna Corcoran, Joyce Lifsey, Bryce Hopkins and Al Lifsey.  They love to come watch the kids peform.

Cure For Stinky Wrestling Shoes and Work Out Clothes

Do you ever look around your house wondering where that funky smell is coming from?  In my house with 5 boys....it is usually either their nasty wrestling shoes, sweaty work out clothes, disgusting socks that can walk by themselves or tennis shoes.  Regardless of what it may be I have help.

During the end of the season last year I started to make my own laundry detergent.  I bought a plastic container with a lid from the hardware store and a meat grinder from a second hand store in town.  I use the recipe I have listed below to make my own powder detergent.  The meat grinder grinds the soap and is much easier than grating it with an old cheese grater.  Tried that and didn't have knuckles left.  Mix all the ingredients. 

It’s only four ingredients!

1  (4 pound) box of Super Washing Soda

(Note:  If you can not find washing soda you can take baking soda and put it in a pan on 400 degrees until the soda has turned a dull color.  Mix it occasionally while baking it. )

1 (4pound) box of Baking Soda

1 (4 pound) box of Borax

3 bars of Kirk’s Castile soap–Shredded

(you can use Fels Naptha, Zote, or Ivory soaps)

Mix well in a large container.

Add two heaping tablespoons to each load of laundry.

I swear by this recipe.  My laundry is whiter, brighter, towels and laundry fluffier, and you have none of that sour smell.  This combination truly helps get that funk out of your laundry.

In the rinse cycle I also add 1/4 cup of vinegar.  I know it sounds crazy, but it is a great softener.

This too helps eliminate the funky smell. 

Best of all....it costs pennies to do my laundry! 

Summer Wrestling Practices, Conditioning and Weightlifting

Can't believe we are down to the last month of summer vacation here in Michigan before the new school year starts. I have two sons in college starting their sophmore year, Bryce attends Central Michigan, Zachary attends Michigan State where he wrestles, Jared is starting his Junior year of high school, Hunter is starting his 8th grade year in Middle School and last but not least Drew is starting his 2nd grade year in Elementary.  My younger boys all attend Lake Fenton Community Schools. 

This summer the boys trained all summer with the Lake Fenton Youth Wrestling Program.  Monday and Wednesdays they had conditioning and weight lifting and Tuesdays and Thursdays they had wrestling practice.  Our club brought in 3 Division 1 college wrestlers.  Our son Zachary Corcoran from Michigan State, Connor Brancheau from Michigan and Brandon Hill from Michigan.   Wow!  What a difference these free practices and conditioning has made.  The wrestling room was packed all summer with kids from around our area and kids which came from as far as an 1 1/2 hours away just to train.  Our club made all of these practices available for all wrestlers from any club or school, just not our own.  In addition to these practices the club put on 2 free mini camps on a couple different Saturdays that ran from 9-1pm approximately for anyone who was interested.  The same three college wrestlers ran these programs. 

The training doesn't stop here for the off season for the boys.  The boys will keep training this summer and then after Labor Day we have an All American Wrestler , Zach Stevens, from Michigan who will be joining our coaching staff.  When the actual wrestling season starts he will then run the youth program with my husband Vance Corcoran, who is also the head  wrestling coach at Lake Fenton High School.

What a great opportunity for all the boys and the friends they wrestled with all summer.  Our club was able to offer these free clinics and pay for the coaches they brought in by having our parents work the Poker Palace in Flint, Michigan.  They schedule non profit organizations to work tables selling poker chips.  It was an excellent way to make money for the club and best off all we were able to offer this great opportunity this summer to the wrestlers. 

Well, the boys have a good handle on their wrestling...now to get ready for school and get a handle on studying! 

FYI ... If you want to check out what our club is doing, pictures, schedules and fundraising...be sure to check us out on Facebook at Lake Fenton Wrestling.

Our D1 College Wrestling Coaches this summer

Zachary Corcoran Michigan State, Brandon Hill  Michigan and Connor Brancheau Michigan

Rotisserie Chicken Tortilla Soup

Rotisserie Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients:

1 Routisserie Chicken Shredded Skin Off

1 Large Jar Rondell Mixed Beans

1 Jar Salsa ( Mild/Medium or Hot)

1 1/2 Teaspoons Cumin

1 Teaspoon Chili Powder (or to taste depending on the heat you want)

1 - 2 Cloves of Garlic (or to taste depending on the heat and spice you want, I usually buy the minced garlic in the store, quick and easy)

32 Oz of Low Sodium Chicken Broth

Mexican Shredded Cheese

Tortilla Chips

In a pinch for time or looking for a new crockpot recipe....this is a sure hit for your family.  My kids love rotisserie chicken (and so do Vance and I) and this healthy recipe satisfies my families tummys.  I have also doubled this recipe and served it at wrestling tournaments to the wrestlers at our food table.  I have even taken the ingredients I could buy ahead to overnight tournaments.  I the stop by the local grocery store and buy some rotisserire chickens and prepared it in the crockpots at the tournament.  The first thing I do is shred my chicken, then add it to my pot or crockpot with all the other ingredients except for the tortilla chips and mexican cheese.  I bring my pot to a boil and then turn it down and simmer for 45 minutes.  In my crockpot I put all my ingredients together and then set it on low for 6-8 hours.    Easy, quick and yummy!  I then add cheese and tortillas to each dish when I serve it.  I sometimes buy the bags of tortilla strips for salads they usually come in black and red strips.  Just to add a little fun to the dish.



Wrestling Mom Quote

Olympic Wrestling London 2012

Great Summer Read For Wrestlers Or Any Athlete No Excuses by Kyle Maynard

Your wrestler or any athlete needs to read this book!  This is a great read!  My three older sons have all read this book and now my 13 year old is reading it.  Whenever my kids are having a bad day, whether it be in school or sports I always refer back to this book.   No Excuses!  Kyle Maynard is an amazing young man! If he can do it, anyone can achieve and exceed their goals! 

Wrestling Scrapbook Page by Out On A Limb

I never can find scrapbooking supplies for Wrestling.  I just saw this pin on Pinterest that Out On A Limb which is an internet based scrapbooking store has this premade page available for purchase.  I love it...not my schools colors, but still very cute.

A Favorite Quote...

Summer 2012 - Wrestling Parents Having Fun

Lake Fenton Wrestling Goofballs

Lake Fenton Moose Club Golf Outing

Tony Slatton, Mike Demember, Dave Lewis and Vance Corcoran

Lake Fenton - Lake Day

Tiger Baseball Game

Lori Demember, Madelon Corcoran, Andrea Lewis, Lauren Jones and Jill Carr

 Lake Fenton - Lake Day

Doyle Russ (Davison Wrestling Club)

 Lake Fenton - Lake Day

Mike Demember, Vance Corcoran and Dave Lewis

Byram Lake

Ok...the kids get in on the action too. If they aren't wrestling, they are still playing together!

If you are from Lake Fenton, wrestling doesn't ever seem to end.  We are lucky enough to have a great bunch of parents and coaches who put in  lots of hours in and out of season to ensure our kids have the best training available.  It is always fun to hang out with the adults.  Here are a few photos from some of our outings we had this summer. 

Grilled Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken

Easy...Grilled Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken

Not the greatest picture, but oh my gosh this chicken is the best!

Everything is better with bacon!

I preheat the grill (or oven to 400 degrees)

I take thick chicken breasts, about 5 of them, then tenderize the meat by pounding the breasts down and then cutting the breasts into strips.  Usually I cut 3 per breast. 

Salt and pepper each strip to taste.

Wrap a strip of bacon around each chicken strip.

Place your strips in a mixture of 2 to 3 cups of brown sugar, depending on how many strips you are making, add garlic and chili powder to taste.  If you like it spicy add more chili powder.

Press the brown sugar/garlic/chili powder onto the chicken to be sure it sticks.

Sometimes I get my mixture ready and add the chicken to it and place it on my preheated grill.

I always put down the non stick tin foil because it does make a mess as the brown sugar carmalizes onto the chicken.  Quick and easy.  Cook until inside temperature of chicken reaches 160 degreees.

I have also made this recipe in the oven, you can use a glass dish or put tin foil onto a baking sheet.

Cook in the oven at 400 degrees  for 30 to 40 minutes.

Again...this picture doesn't do this justice!  This recipe is so good! 

Welcome to my new blog Wrestling Moms.  This blog will have postings for great ideas for meals for wrestling families, food table recipes, crafty ideas for wrestling moms, motivational ideas, fundraising ideas, and much more.  As a working mother of 5 boys, all of which are or have been wrestlers, and a wife of a high school wrestling coach, I hope to give you tips on how to make your season fun and successful.  Wrestling is one of the sports which lasts for many months and scheduling and planning ahead can help you through it.  The mother's behind a wresling family are what bring it together.  Please check back often for great tips and ideas!