unplugged

I married an outdoorsy guy.  And we proceeded to have three outdoorsy boys.  I, however, am not outdoorsy.  I prefer soft carpet to rugged terrain.  I enjoy air conditioning instead of heat and sweat.  I like sitting in a comfy chair reading a book and not hiking up and down rocky trails in the woods.

But this weekend, I decided to forgo my likes and trudge on through my list of dislikes.  And surprisingly enough, some of my dislikes became likes.

We loaded up our three rugged boys and our super hyper dog and drove to some pretty fun hiking trails in our city.  We had a blast.  No cell phones, no ipods, no computers or TVS.  Just us.  Just God's amazing creation.  Just the woods all around us.  Oh and turtles, snakes and armadillos.   

Our failed attempt to get a "good" family shot

 

 Four of the greatest people ever born

prepared

Lots of pictures to remember one special night...his first football game as a high school student.  He's been preparing for this game since he could walk.  His first word was ball and he hasn't stopped throwing one since his tiny hands could hold it.  As a little boy, he spent countless hours in his daddy's lap watching the game on television.  And now it's his turn.  His turn to do what he's been mentally and physically preparing for for years.  And as we watched on the edge of our seats, we did not see a little boy run onto the field.  We saw a leader.  An eager young man ready to lead his team on to victory.  And that's just what he did.  With the help of an extremely dedicated coach and some very loyal teammates, the Pirates took the Wildcats 47-14.  Not bad for your first game.

I am one proud gal tonight.  Not because he played well and they won.  I am proud because he put the time, effort, energy and mental strength into getting ready for this game.  Playing a sport isn't something you just put on a uniform and do.  It's something you work at, you practice until your body can't stand up any longer, you study play after play until you know them better than your own name, you push yourself in ways you didn't think were possible.  And it pays off.

The Procter and Gamble commercial that was played many times during the Olympics was my favorite....Behind every great athlete there is a mom.

Hi.  That would be me.

the first day of school

Here I sit at my computer.  I've taken all three kids to school.  Had a nice breakfast alone with my husband. Cleaned the whole house.  The whole quiet house.  It's quiet here.  I didn't realize it could be so quiet.  After having three boys here for 14 years it's finally quiet.  I am not sure how I feel about it.  I like quiet sometimes.  I like being alone sometimes.  But I am not sure I like quiet and alone all the time.

I was just thinking about my life and how I gave up all my dreams and goals for myself so that I could have 14 years of noise.  14 years of wrestling in the house.  14 years of arguing and competition over a nerf basketball hoop.  14 years of lunches at the kitchen table.  14 years of play dates and sleep overs.

And now it's quiet.  I took all three of my kids, the ones I've been raising, the ones I've invested in, the ones I've poured a foundation for and left them in the hands of someone else.  Does she know how much I've put into them?  Does she know how much I've prayed for them?  Does she know how treasured they are?  Does she know how much they are missed today?

Yesterday, Will got mad, real mad at Graham and told him "I am gonna kill you!" And so yesterday I was real real ready for school to start.

But not today.  Today I miss them.  And all their noise.  And all their arguing.  And all their competitiveness.  And all their hugs.  And all their smiles.

Be still

Many years ago an 18 year old high school graduate left home for the summer for an adventure that only a loving God could orchestrate. And in that young man, a dream was formed, one that would hopefully be filled in the lives of his own boys. And I am so grateful that the dream was fulfilled and a legacy of grace, adventure, putting others before yourself, and serving that loving God has been placed on the hearts of three little men who sleep down the hall from that former 18 year old who first had the dream. So bring on the days of canoeing and nature walking, whiffle ball playing and tournament wrestling, rich bible study and serving your cabin mates all while having the greatest weeks of your lives. *there is a cute picture to go with this very creatively written post, but it won't upload. Disappointing.

baseball is life

this is pretty much what we do in the summer.  some people go to the beach.  some people go to Disneyworld.  some people have family reunions. we are the exception.  we get up early on saturdays.  pack picnics and lots and lots of snacks.  and we still stop at gas stations for additional snacks.  we drive to some remote ball park.  we set up chairs.  in the shade.  we snack, we cheer, we clap.  we hug and congratulate.  we drive home.  we pray for a late game so we can got to church on sunday.  we do it all over again the next weekend.

i wouldn't trade this life for anything in the world.

friday night lights

Even though it is summer, football is just around the corner.  And with football, comes high school.  My firstborn is going to high school.  How can that be?  Wasn't I just in high school?  Didn't I just make the drill team and aren't I just today preparing for my first Friday night game on the big field?

Where has all this time gone?  Even though there is no answer to that question, the time has still come for that sweet baby who made me a mama, to go to high school.  Freshman year.  Be still my heart.

Football is his game.  He loves it.  It's bred into that boy.  Even though he wasn't born in Texas, Friday night football is in his blood.  And so even though the freshmen play on Monday nights, you'll be able to find us in the stands on Friday nights too.  Our freshman will be suited up with the varsity as he is one of the back up quarterbacks for the senior.  I will be forever indebted to that senior.  He's taken our boy under his wing, taught him what he can and treats him like a friend.  Not like an underclassman.  Like an equal.  And isn't that how we all wanted to be treated.  Thanks, Chandler.  We are big fans of yours.




Let's all pray that Chandler stays strong and healthy this season.  I really do not want my 102 pound quarterback anywhere near that field on Friday nights.  The sidelines are plenty to start out with this year.

Would you please pass the protein?

busy

This is my picture blog and even though I love recording our lives through pics,sometimes I just need to type out my thoughts in hopes that it will help me think more clearly. I am not looking for someone's comments to help me fix it, I am just trying to sort it all out. I have a lot on my heart and mind today. At this phase of motherhood, life seems out of control. Out of my control at least. I never thought I would be the parent who's summer schedule would be determined by the high school coaches. But I am. I am the one who has all good intentions to take my kids swimming and make homemade sidewalk chalk and plan fun sprinkler parties in our yard. I have all these fun ideas running through my head yet I know better than anyone that I'll never have enough time or energy or motivation to carry it out. I am overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by our schedule. By the calendar. By the choices we've made. By not spending enough time on the things most important. How can I teach my children how to set boundaries for their lives if I cannot do it for myself? How do I know when enough is enough? When do I finally say no more? Why do we have to make choices in ninth grade that effect twelfth grade? And how do I know what is right or wrong? Every little decision I make affects my kids. And making a decision for one child always affects the other two. I want to be a wise mother. I want someone to say of me once I am gone that "she loved her family deeply and it showed". I want to teach my boys how to juggle their calendars and that it's okay to say no. That it's okay not to go to every party you are invited to. That it's okay to miss a week of practice to visit your grandparents or go on vacation. That it's okay to break free from friendships that are unhealthy. That being the best at your sport is not the goal, but doing your best is. That being loved and giving love is the best gift you can offer someone. At the end of the day, I just want to be a good example to my boys. I want them to look back on their lives in our home and tell their children how much fun we had. And how special their parents made them feel. And how no matter how busy our family was, they were never overlooked or forgotten, but always fully loved. So in this extremely busy season of life, I pray I can remember what I want for my children and make it happen. I would go to the ends of the earth for them and for their happiness. But hopefully I've showed them where true happiness can be found. In Christ and in family. And not in a full calendar.

preschool graduation

kindergarten is calling.  i may not answer.

last junior high assembly

student council, national jr honor society, student of the month, pe medal, honor roll

thank you, lord, for making my children so much more than i ever was.  thank you for blessing me with kids far beyond what i deserve.  it is an honor to serve you as their mother.

mother's day tournament

 Sweet boys.  Thoughtful husband.  Amazing family.  Loyal friends.  Merciful Savior.
I heart my life.

mother's day tea with willie

COC Champs!