Awkward I Was Not

I once was a teenager.

But I was never awkward.

Or obnoxious.  In ANY way.  

Clearly...I had a fashion sense beyond anyone's understanding.  I was cool before puffy clown suits were cool.  

Some would say I "had it going on" with my high waisted shorts and my red scrunchy socks.  Note the fanned out sides of my hair.  

Awkward just wasn't really a problem for me.  

I expressed this to Coach on our walk last night as our sweet, loving, Big has turned into a bit of an awkward teenager.  I said..."you are going to have to deal with this because one, you deal with awkward teens every day in your job, and two, I never went through that awkward stage as a child."  He laughed and rolled his eyes.  

Okay, okay...so perhaps there were a few years in my childhood where I said stupid things and made poor choices.  Perhaps I didn't always walk with the cool factor I do today.  That's right...the van...the sports mom gear...the yoga pants and sparkly shirts...it all says cool.  

Perhaps I chose to speak in a language that was foreign to my parents at times saying things like...

"Like totally"

"You're so cool"

"That's BAD"

"As if"

But when my Big got in the car from football the other night, he really was speaking a language I couldn't understand.  He then proceeded to roll down the window and yell goodbye to one of his friends as we are rolling out of the parking lot.  I had to pull his shirt and say..."Get in the car!"  I'm not used to the outspoken, awkward nature of this child that has for the most part been shy and reserved.  Not so much anymore.  

Seeing how I experienced this awkwardness on such a small level...I guess I'll read a book about it and try to do the best that I can.  I know that with every single word that I type, my parents are cringing.  They know.  They know what an awful teenager I was.  They remember the clothes, the hair, the language, the attitude, and the awkwardness of my every move.  

My plan is this...to pray for patience...understanding...and a good memory.  I know I went through these times and I know I annoyed most adults that I spent time with from the age of 13 to...?16ish?  Here's to hoping Big cruises through these times faster than I did.  

What I have learned this week, is that I am thankful for him beyond my understanding.  I know that I know that I know...that no matter what, I'll appreciate every moment of his life...good and bad.  And I'll be praying for those who would give anything to have those awkward moments back.  

Big plays his very first middle school football game tonight.  I am proud of him and will deal with his obnoxious tendencies with a smile on my face.  I will do it.  I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

Have a blessed day!

Referee of 3 (including one awkward teen)

Forgive & Love Them Well...

I learned two things on my way to work today.  Well three...but, two that are relevant to your lives as well as mine. 

I heard on the Way Fm or K-Love this morning (can't remember which one) a story about a Dad and his son.  The son came in after a piano lesson with tears in his eyes.  The son was seventeen years old and had just started with a new piano teacher that day.  He got confused driving to his house and ended up being five minutes late to the lesson.  The teacher berated him for being late (life lesson...I get it) and then continued to tell him as he played that he was terrible and wouldn't amount to anything when it came to his music.  (paraphrase)  The son came in to share the story with his Dad and the Dad was furious.  Furious that someone would be so mean...and say such soul crushing things to his child.  When the father asked if he could contact the teacher to let him know this was unacceptable, the son said "No".  The father then asked the son what he wanted to do with this situation and the son said..."forgive".  "Now?", asked the father?  "No, not yet.", said the son.  The father then told the son to take it up with God before he went to sleep and find a way to forgive the teacher for his lack of understanding and compassion in life.  He then reminded his son of the saying "hurtful people hurt". 

Hurtful people hurt. 

So true...hurtful people hurt...meaning this.  People who hurt others with their words and their actions, usually are hurting deeper and beyond the moment that involves you.  So often we forget that.  Selfishly, we think their anger is all about us.  Truth be told, something is hurting them from within...and when our souls get crushed by their actions, we should forgive them.  Because we too have been forgiven.  It doesn't mean we have to continually be walked on.  We cannot control how others respond to us.  To think that we can is just crazy.  What we can control is how we react to their response.  We are human meaning we are imperfect.  But we are made in his image and should reflect how He would treat others.  We know that means forgiving.

Love Them Well...

I write on this blog for two reasons.  One, to put my thoughts on "paper".  I make sense of what is happening in my head by writing posts on this blog.  Two, I write this blog so that others can maybe find peace where I find it.  I love writing and I love seeing how it helps others.  But I need help as much as the next person.  I read several blogs and one in particular I wanted to share with you today.  I know this will shock you, but I was crying by the end.  It is so very true and well written.  After reading this post, make it your goal this week to live life loving well.  Love Them Well

The third thing I learned today is that raising teenagers is going to be more difficult than I thought.  More on this later.  For now I will forgive him and love him well. 

I would like to ask for prayers for a family in need.  Some friends of ours from Derby had a child involved in a horrendous accident over the weekend.  The accident left their eighteen year old son Colby losing both of his legs below the knee.  Their life has changed drastically in the last few days and I just wanted to ask you to lift them up as they find their new normal.  Colby is alive and this alone is a great blessing.  The family has a long road ahead and I know it will take moments when they survive on those who continue to pray for their strength.  Please lift up the Liston family in prayer.  Thank you!

Have a blessed day!
Referee of 3

Thoughts for Today

I started a new semester for school.  The last one before I student teach.  So far the classes haven't been too hard, but I know its coming for me.  I can feel it.  One of the classes I am enrolled in is called Critical Issues in Health.  I should have known this would be a challenge, but I kind of figured it would be just learning about health.

I was wrong.

This class is about learning about health...and then about how we can better ourselves by balancing our mind, body, and soul.

Fabulous.

This week's assignment is to take a physical fitness test to assess your current level of fitness.

Again...fabulous.  Let me also add a super great in here.

Super great and fabulous.

This evening, I have to take a push up test, a one mile walking test, and have to log my body composition.  One mile walking I can totally do.  I do this all of the time with friends and with Coach to relieve stress and to pretend I am on some kind of a fitness regimen.  The push ups will be a challenge.  If I had to pick the weakest part of my entire body...it would be my arms.  I can lift five hundred grocery sacks at once, but cannot lift weights to save myself.  And I have a bad attitude about push ups because I already know they are not fun and I cannot do them.

Coach can do push ups standing on his head.  Really.  It is quite impressive.

I cannot.  I like to do them angled from the wall.  Or on my knees.  (I am of course using the term "like" loosely in this context)

Body composition...is not my friend.  Not only do I not want to measure myself, but I don't want to see the measurements or send them to my instructor.

One of the measurements we are to take is our "girth".  Isn't that a lovely word?  Girth?  I mean...seriously.  My girth is none of your business.  Girth...sheesh.

And so...

My six week journey to physical fitness begins.  Coach is thrilled.  This man that I married almost 14 years ago has more drive and determination than I can imagine.  I have...less than none.  But now...this is for a grade.  I need to up my physical fitness for my health and wellness...of this I am certain.  I am being held accountable by my six week fitness and eating journal.  This should be a real eye opener.  I have a feeling my teacher might see the significance of cookie dough in my life if I am honest in the "what I ate today" portion of my journal.

Part II

I cleaned out my van today.  I learned a few things that I wanted to share with you.

1. I want a new car.  More than you know.  But...I have determined that if I purchase a new car, none of my children will be allowed to ride in it.  None.  So I will need volunteers to help me get them from place to place.
2. Seeing how number one is not feasible...I will be purchasing my new car with red dirt and dead grass colored interior.  This will prevent me from having to spend one hour vacuuming it on a Sunday afternoon. 
3. There will never be another sunflower seed allowed in my car again.  (This is not true as I cannot get through baseball season without my own three month supply of dill pickle sunflower seeds)
4. Why wasn't cleaning out a minivan on the fitness assessment?  I sweat more doing this today than I have ever sweat in a workout scenario.  You are not a real sports mom until you have lost 2.3 pounds sweating in the back of the van while sweeping up a yard worth of dead grass, red dirt, and turf pellets.  I'll show you girth.....

Finally...Coach and I overslept today.  We went out with friends last night and had a great time.  We have the best friends.  I laughed so hard my stomach muscles hurt.  (Shouldn't that count for something on my fitness assessment?)  But I wonder something.  Why is it so easy to make the decision to skip church, but so hard to shake the feeling of guilt for the rest of the day?  We should have been there.  I know it...God knows it.  Part of this health and wellness kick is about being spiritually well.  I missed the boat today.  And believe you me...God was in my ear about it the entire time I vacuumed the van.  

Big Sigh.  

Someday, I'll have this all figured out.  I just know it.  For now, I'll continue with classes...football...and life as we know it.  While we were home this morning though...Coach and I watched a segment on ESPN (you are shocked...I know).  It was about a little boy with Cerebral palsy.  It was an amazing story that touched my heart.  It made me realize yet again, how blessed we are, and how special some people are.  Take a minute to watch and have a blessed day!  http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=8296170&categoryid=5595394

Referee of 3

Are You Ready For Some FOOTBALL?

Tonight is the Green & White Scrimmage here in the big town of Mulvane.  We have a new football field and the boys are just itching to play on it.  My sister took this picture and I think it is just so cool!

To many, this will seem insignificant.  But to some of the people in our small town...this is BIG.

Middle came in last night and said..."we are going to be the first kids to play on the turf!  How cool is that?"

Pretty cool Middle...pretty cool.

As most of you know, I am not a sports fan.  I get that the ball has to get in the end zone to score a touchdown.  I get that in order to win, we need to have more touchdowns than the other team.  I get that defense is as important as offense and that it takes the whole team to win.  I seem to be able to follow the game better when the quarterback throws the ball because I can see that happening.  When they run a "trick" play...I am hopeless.  I have no idea where the ball is...and usually miss the play completely.

Coach has tried...AND tried to explain this madness to me.  He has drawn the plays for me on a whiteboard.  He has moved the x's and drawn arrows like they used to do on TV...and still...nothing.

But to my kids...this is a BIG deal.  They love football.  (They love sports in general)  They are excited to get their feet on the new field and play for the first time all year.  I can't wait to watch them.

What I love the most about tonight is how our community comes together. There is something about a hometown football game that brings everyone to the same place.  After a long week, we are looking forward to seeing friends and watching the boys play and the girls cheer.  Yep...I said it.  I will be watching the cheerleaders when I can't find the ball.  (I am easily distracted and I used to be one)

So...happy Friday all!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Referee of 3

I did it

With Big and Middle on the night before Kindergarten, I read them a special story called The Kissing Hand. I loved this book and the story that went along with it.  On the next to last page of the story, my voice would crack and my son would look over and start to giggle at my quivering lip.  I would finish the book in tears and answer questions about why I started crying.  But they both handled my emotional breakdown really well.

Little is a bit of a challenge in this department.  Since he was able to speak, he has had some anxiety.  Knowing this, I knew I wouldn't be able to read this book to him on the night before Kindergarten.  I knew my emotions were running high and my control was low.  I didn't want to freak him out completely so we opted for a new, upbeat book called Kindergarten, Here I Come.

Yesterday morning he hopped out of bed, had breakfast, and was ready to go on time.  He seemed excited. I was glad to see his enthusiasm as we got in the car and headed for the school.  We walked in and got all the way to the doors of the gym before he stopped.  I felt his hand tug on my arm and I looked back to see him shaking his head back and forth.  It was very muted, but I could hear what he was saying loud and clear.

"I am NOT going in there.  Don't make me go in there."

In my heart I was saying...Okay little guy...I won't!  You don't have to go!

Somehow, out of my mouth, came the words...

"You have to go and you'll be fine!  Let's go find a friend!"

From that point on, my tears were RIGHT there.  I knew if he lost it, I would too.  He was very brave and went to find his friend.  After a few minutes of prying his fingers from my hand, I was able to walk away.  One of the teachers saw me walking out and gave me a smile.  She then said, "Oh Mom...today is the first day of the rest of his life!"

I didn't know whether to smile, cry, or run like a mad person out of the school.  You'll never guess what happened next.

I cried.  Then I ran out of the school.  (I didn't actually run...but in my mind I was sprinting.)

I avoided eye contact with all people until I got to the van.  Then I unleashed the tears that had been building up since Little shook his head.

This is a child that was not in my master plan.  This is a child that I have been joking about going to Kindergarten since he was two years old.  This is a child that needs to be in school and needs to be around children his own age more than even I can understand.

But this...is my baby.  Almost six years ago, I was finishing up a nursery I had never intended to have.  I was having a baby shower holding new baby things.  Coach was putting together a new high chair because just a year before we had drug ours to the street for the trash man to pick up.  I remember we both did a little happy dance when we got rid of the baby stuff the first time.  We were ready to move on to the next phase in our lives.

And then came Little.

He is sweet, caring, and hilarious.  He is strong willed, anxious, and a bit of a handful from time to time.  He loves sports, the color green, his dog that doesn't love him back, and has a vocabulary like no one's business.  I always tell people that when we were finishing up paperwork for his preschool last year, the last question said this.

Name your child's biggest strengths.

I wrote that he had a very big and mature vocabulary.  Which he does and has since he was very small.

The next question was Name your child's biggest weakness.

My answer was that he had a very big and mature vocabulary.

Little has been one of the brightest stars in my life.  He surprised us all in ways we never thought possible.  And I know he'll do the same for others as he moves through school.  Don't get me wrong...that child can wear a Momma out.  But we love him so much.  Letting go was so hard, but he had a GREAT day.  He is excited to return to school, and I no longer have to worry about facing the first day of Kindergarten.

We did it.

He did it.

I did it.

Why does being a Mom have to be soooo ridiculously hard sometimes?

THANK GOODNESS...for cookie dough.

Referee of 3

Out with the Old...Settlers

Old Settlers just might be my second favorite time of the year.

Until now.

I used to love the chaos.  I loved the busy-ness.  I loved the people and the crowds.  I loved buying new clothes and seeing old friends.

I think I still love it, but I am too tired to remember.  Let me show you why.

Reason number one.

Big.

He'll be 13 in a month.  He has a 13 year old brain.  He doesn't think before he does anything.  He stayed the night with a friend last night and by the time I got to him this morning, he was having a full on allergy attack due to the fact that he forgot his medicine.  He had no money...and he was tired from lack of sleep.  I couldn't decide if he was my favorite or my least favorite child this morning dealing with all of their antics.

Reason number two.  

He's 10 going on 22.  He has my personality and attitude.  He thinks with a 10 year old brain that I am all too familiar with.  He left with his friends this morning forgetting to take his money.  Which meant us trying to make arrangements to get him what he needed while we were running around like chickens getting allergy medicine, money for brother, and a diet Pepsi to calm my nerves.  It was now a tie between this one and the older one as to which one was my least favorite.

Reason number three.

And then there is this one.  He's five.  He had a nightmare that woke us up at 4am.  I was tired as a result.  He was afraid as a result.  We were dealing with the brothers and all of their antics trying to enjoy the turtle races.  I missed the race of the turtle and Little refused to participate in kid races.  

In realizing one of my most favorite times of the year isn't going to be my favorite with two growing boys and a five year old...I did the only thing I could think to do.  I took a nap and called my Mom.  

"How did you do it when Chele and I were this age?"

She laughed.  She said those were some of the hardest years of  her life.  

Fabulous.  

I remember this time being fun because I was in complete control of my children.  Even though they were little and had total meltdowns over juice and spilled goldfish, they were right there.  They didn't need money.  They didn't want to leave and "hang" with their friends.  They needed their Momma.  And they could be trapped in a stroller.  Oh how I miss the stroller.

I guess change comes with life.  I will deal.  I will find a new way to love Old Settlers again.

Perhaps a super taco and a funnel cake will help?  

Have a great day!

Referee of 3

Back in the Saddle

I've never been a cowgirl kind of person.

Unless you count that one summer before my Freshman year of high school.  I got myself some boots...some Rocky Mountain jeans...and a real "country" attitude.  I would sing to Reba and Garth like no body's business as I ratted my hair and got ready for the rodeo at Old Settlers.

Other than that...I've never been a cowgirl kind of person.  I am also not a huge fan of horses.  I rode one...once.  I hated every second of it.  I am sure you grow to love it when you aren't as stiff as a board.  I just wanted off.  It was at a park and I believe my horse was tethered to a pole.  It just went around in a circle, but I still wasn't a fan.

I do love country music.  I like watching horses from a distance.  I think the rodeo is a fascinating thing even though I would be lying if I said I didn't feel sorry for the calves and little sheep.  I know...I know.  That is silly.  I've seen my kids "rope" our dog before I felt sorry for her too.  I am a softy when it comes to animals.

Why am I going into great detail about being country?  I have no clue.  This post was supposed to be about getting back in the saddle of life.  I'll move on...

This week has already been a cluster.  But it has been great in every sense of the word.  Middle started his 5th grade year this past Monday.  I was so proud of him.  He got himself up, showered, and ready for school.  He had a great day because he decided he would.  I can tell he is growing up...and I like it.  It makes me nervous though.  Because he is our middle, his life gets lost in the shuffle sometimes.  Big is doing all new things...and Little is doing all things for the first time and our last time.  Middle sometimes just blends in.  But this year...he is changing and I can see it.  He is the big guy at his school, and he is starting to take his own path.  Having an older brother, he likes to follow directly in those footsteps.  I have an older sister so I get this completely.  But I can also remember starting to branch out and be my own person.  Middle is there and I like it!

Big started 7th grade yesterday.  I can hardly believe it.  He has a locker...he has real football gear...and he still walked right beside me the whole way through the open house.  He threw his arm around my shoulder and I beamed.  This was of course until I realized he was just trying to measure himself against my height...or lack there of.  I'll take what I can get though.

And Little...he went to his first half day of school.  He had Kindergarten testing and he had a great day.  He starts his full days on Monday...and then I will be done.  I'll stop here as I cannot talk about this without crying.

Life is moving in the general direction of our future at a rapid pace.  Somehow, all the things I worried about last week are taken care of, and we are back in the saddle with ease.  I think back to my one and only horse ride and how tense and scared I was.  I would imagine by the end of that ride, I had relaxed a little.  I had most likely eased into the ride and rode like the wind.  By this I mean, in a circle, slowly following other horses.  But whatever.  I got the experience.

Happy back to school...back to normal (whatever that means)...and to all my Mulvanian friends...Happy Old Settlers!  Have a blessed day!

Yee-haw,
Referee of 3

125 N. Tracy

I would say I handle hard situations fairly well.

But then I would be lying.

I am probably the worst bad situation handler in the land.  Okay, maybe not in the "land", but around here.  I am for sure the worst situation handler in my family.  There are many reasons for this, but I blame genetics, defective tear ducts, and an inability to cope with sadness.

My Grandpa moved out of his house this weekend.  The house he has lived in since 1954(I think...).  The house where we went as kids and spent many weekends watching Hee Haw and listening to KFDI.  We played for hours on end outside in the yard and drank as much Shasta as we wanted.  Grandma pretended to monitor our intake, but we all knew we could have as many as we wanted.  We played anything from football to house with all of my cousins.  We sat at the same table eating our meals, and sat on the same furniture in the living room that was still there a month ago.  I am quite certain NOTHING has changed.  Okay...maybe their bedspread a couple of times.  But other than that...not much.

My Grandma passed away when I was 19.  I was in my first year of college and I'll never forget Christmas break that year.  She went into the hospital at Christmas, and died just a few weeks later.  She had emphysema.  She was a smoker.  I found one of her cigarette cases today going through old stuff.  It was turquoise blue and even had a fancy little pocket for the lighter.  Aside from being a smoker, she was a spit fire.  She was little bitty and you didn't dare sass her.  Neither did Grandpa.  She always had hard candy at her house and loved to sit on the porch swing to wave at passer byers.  (my own word)

I have many memories of her and I miss her like crazy.  I know my Dad misses her too.  She was wonderful and we all loved her very much.  Her life was cut short and it (for lack of a better word) stinks.  The house was big and too much for Grandpa to take care of anymore.  It needed a severe cleaning and a family to live there that would give it TLC.

Going down today almost did me in.  I have been avoiding trips to this house since I was nineteen.  I have made them...but reluctantly to say the least.  I love my Grandpa, but seeing the house always made me miss her more.  Sometimes more than I could even handle.  Today, I had to face the house one last time.  I picked up a few things of Grandma's that I knew I couldn't live without.  An old scarf and a cream and sugar holder.  As insignificant as they might be to anyone else, I just needed something I could walk away with and know it was hers.  I also brought home some old baseball bats from my Dad.  The boys loved them as soon as they laid eyes on them.

I know this will surprise you, but I cried driving down.  I cried going into the house, through the house, leaving the house, and driving back home.  I cried when I saw the pictures my sweet cousin put on Facebook, and I can still feel the tears stinging at my eyes.  The house is no longer part of my life.  It will eventually belong to someone else.  But the memories will always be there.  And the porch swing will be at my cousin's house not far from its' original home.

Letting go can be so difficult.  Knowing I'll be with her again someday gives me peace, but for now, I have her hot pink scarf.  I can drive by whenever I need a quick peak at the old house and know she is smiling down on all of us.

So long 125 N. Tracy...so long.

Have a blessed day!
Referee of 3

Please take a moment to watch this video I've made about our memories.  We have such a great time at the Twilight Walk and I want to personally invite each and every one of you to join us on Saturday, September 15th, 2012.  You can register at http://kyriefoundation.dojiggy.com/

Have a Blessed Day!
Referee of 3

My Plate

I have used this analogy before, but I am having "knocked over file cabinet brain" this week.  Allow me to explain.  

I say file cabinet because I TRY really hard to be organized.  I really do have my life organized in ways that most likely only I can understand.  But it is organized none the less.  And then...the winds of life come and blow my file cabinet over.   Files are everywhere, with no organization what so ever.  I am most generally looking for a very specific file of which I have color coded and put in a section called..."place I am sure to remember".  Even though I cannot recall the color of the file or the place in which I put it.  

This is my life to date.  

This week alone, we have first football practices, finals for me, school supply organization, meet the teacher, birthday parties, football meetings and equipment checkout for the high school team, and a Kyrie Foundation meeting.  Even if I tried to remember all of the things I am supposed to be remembering...I fall short.  I make lists...and then forget where I put them.  I gather important paperwork and put it where I am sure to NEVER forget.  And then immediately forget its' location.  This is unfortunate...and is what ultimately inspires me to comfort myself in a bag of Twizzlers and the occasional spoonful of cookie dough.  On my way home from class last night, I was mentally making a list of things to do, eating Twizzlers, listening to the best of the 90's, and wondering how Middle's meet the teacher night went.  I say I am not a multi-tasker, but I totally am.  ;)

The words I could use to describe the feelings were frustrated, sad (that I missed meet the teacher), overwhelmed, and confused.  And then I realize how fortunate I am to have a husband that fills in, a friend that is always there to help me get Middle from here to there, a sister who is willing to take Little whenever we can't be around, and that all of us are healthy.  Health is something we take for granted too often.  I complain because my hair won 't do what I want.  I get frustrated because my clothes don't fit...(self inflicted...I get it).  I get overwhelmed when I can't find the right file in the mess in my head and forget things. I say things like..."we are just too busy"...or "how is one person expected to do all of this?"  We are busy, and I am not expected to do all of this on my own.  I have the above mentioned people to help me whenever they can...and it always gets done.  My mother is always a phone call away.  I take that for granted.  When I need to vent...to be sad...to be happy...she is right there for me.  I love that about us.  And she is always willing to organize my file cabinet.  ;)  My mother in law told me the other day that in her bible study, she read that we are equipped only to handle what we have in our lives and we shouldn't want for more.  We shouldn't want for those things because we aren't equipped to handle them.  But we ARE equipped to handle what is happening in our lives.  

So...two things I know for certain...

1.  Twizzlers make me happy.  

2.  I am equipped to handle life as I know it.  I am equipped to handle everything on my plate.  I am equipped to get all done not by myself, but with the help of others...and I will.  

The 5th Annual Kyrie Foundation Twilight Walk is coming up in a little over a month.  I would love for my friends to be a part of this with me.  It is a cause I am passionate about and I promise you it will be a night you'll never forget.  We invite families and have activities for all ages.  If you are interested, you can contact me on facebook or via email @ amynelsonmom.nelson@gmail.com.  You can also register for the walk at http://kyriefoundation.dojiggy.com/  

Also, we have a new prayer request.  An "old" friend of mine from school has a niece who needs to be lifted up.  Her name is Bella and she has a brain tumor.  She has been accepted to the Dana-Farber Children's Hospital Cancer Center in Boston and will start testing on Wednesday and Thursday.  This is very recent and I am asking for lots of prayers for this family, for Bella and for her doctors.  Bella is 18 months old and her parents names are Josh and Jennifer Bush.  Thank you!!! 

School, Crock Pot, Football (and cookie dough)

School is starting and football shadows that.  We have supplies all over our living room and clothes, shoes, backpacks, and schedules ready for next week.  I am DREADING sending Little to Kindergarten, but I know it is the best place for him.  I made Coach write his name on all of his supplies and pack them in his bag.  I couldn't do it.  I am going to need sugary reinforcements to get him through the doors.  No...let me rephrase that.  I am going to need sugary reinforcements to get me back out of the doors.  I think Little will be just fine.  He'll be happy to see his friends and his new teacher.  And I will be sad all the way to the van.  I am not a fan of the first day of Kindergarten.  With Big, I was too naive to even think it would happen.  I dropped him off and confidently walked out of the building.  When the door closed, I was overwhelmed with emotion that I didn't see coming.  I sobbed all the way home and cried when I got back to the house.  This very well could have been the start of my cookie dough addiction.  

With Middle, I knew it was coming.  To be honest, he had a teacher that frightened me a little.  She had that no nonsense look that said...you WILL NOT cry.  Do you understand me?  YOU WILL NOT CRY.  I could see it in her eyes.  So I dropped him off, waved, and left...without a tear in my eye.  The outside of the building had a different effect though.  I cried and cried...all the way to the van.  And then I had a headache from trying not to cry in front of the intimidating teacher.  

So we'll see what happens.  Prayers would be appreciated, and cookie dough would be a must.  

The Crock Pot.  This invention will become one of my biggest allies this football season.  I will dig it out from the cabinet under the bar, and will use and abuse it for the next four months.  (at least)  It allows me to plan ahead, start dinner in the morning, and have it ready for not one, not two, not three...but all five of our schedules for the night.  We'll have Big coming from middle school practice at about the time Middle is leaving for 5th grade practice.  Somewhere in between, we'll have Little's flag football practice and Coach will get home when he gets home.  I will tag out and head to class as Coach tags in for showers and bed time.  I learned a long time ago not even to ask what time practice is over.  It doesn't matter.  When I can no longer hear the whistles on the practice field, I know we have at least another 30 to 45 minutes before he'll roll in.  I used to get FURIOUS with this, but my schedule has become as busy as his.  Before the kids schedules were so crazy, I would get annoyed.  Now that I have their lives and my school to focus on, I see Coach whenever we get done.  The picture below is my support staff during this time.  We are football wives and that is how we roll.  

To all the busy moms out there who are fellow crock pot lovers, here are a couple of helpful links.  Pinterest has some great recipes for the crock pot and I am excited to try some of these myself.  Also, the Crock Pot Website offers some wonderful recipes that I might have in one of my many crock pot cookbooks.  

Football practice started last night.  I didn't realize we were this close to the season until 4:00pm rolled around.  Middle had his first practice scheduled for 7:00pm.  By 4:00, he had all of his gear on, ready to go.  He and Little were throwing a football around in the living room while I was trying to finish a paper for one of my finals.  I was fine with it until the football hit my clock.  I might have lost my cool.  But SERIOUSLY.  It was then that I realized, football season was really happening.  After a search through the pantry and a couple of comfort sugar wafers, I found myself ready to "tackle" the preparations.  

• Practice and Game Schedules posted and given to family members
• Weekly menus made
• Weekend schedules cleared through November to allow for multiple football games Thurs. through Sun.
• Water coolers washed and stored where they can be found...easily.  
• Mouth pieces boiled and ready.
• Hoodies and cookie dough easily accessible.  (Don't judge me.)

This is just what I can remember for now.  There are so many things I need to do to get ready for this time of year.  

Stressed, but blessed.  That is how I am choosing to look at the upcoming schedule.  We are crazy.  We are busy.  We have each other and I am blessed.  I will proudly wear my sparkly football Mom shirt and hoodie.  I will prepare meals and will not worry about the house.  I will work my hardest to get through my baby going to school, my big playing middle school football, my middle growing up, my Coach being gone, my last semester of school starting, and my life changing.  Who's with me?  Cookie dough on three...

1.

2.

3.

Yes Please.

Have a blessed day!
Referee of 3

Also-prayers would be greatly appreciated for a couple of friends of mine in the loss of their mom.  Lena Grill and family, and Janelle  Durham and family.  Thank you!