Basketball Winddown

Leah has been having a lot of fun this year at basketball.  She is actually pretty good.  Her team has not won one game yet. I know why but when I try to tell them what to do I only have 4 out of 10 kids that listen.  Everyone wants to take the ball down, everyone wants to dribble, and everyone wants to shoot.   I will seriously sometimes have all 5 players under the opponents basket for a pass in saying 'Give it to me, give it to me'.  Then they all follow the person down saying 'Pass it here'. I don't know they think is going to be under the basket.  And lots of over the head backwards lobs.  No chest pass or bounce pass.  The other team gets it every time.  Really I don't know why they should listen to me, I am only the coach:)

Cora has been my assistant coach.  After two practices Dave decided that the kids were too annoying and didn't want to help anymore.  Despite all the frustration I do enjoy it.  Anything to do with basketball is great.  I think next year I would request not to be Leah's coach. She has some potential there but am afraid anything I do will come across as favoring her.  She actually plays a little less then all her teammates.  She is great at defense and rebounds.

The final tournament is on Friday, then we are going straight into the last Pronghorn game at 8 (anybody want to come along?)  After that our basketball season will be done. I'm little sad:(

Out and About and Home Again

Last week Blake wanted to know how to change the background wallpaper of my computer.  So I randomly picked this picture and look how cute.  They were so young and fresh faced.  No glasses or braces.  They were a little sun kissed and happy.  I love this picture.

Blake was invited to a birthday party this week.  For the activity, instead of renting the bowling alley or a movie the mom rented a limo.  They all got picked up from school and drove around for an hour.  I guess it was a blast.  I did feel bad for the limo driver:)

After much research on Pinterest this is what Blake made to give out for Valentine's day.  There were so many cute ideas but none very appropriate for boys to give boys.  My favorite was a drawing of a mason jar and then you taped a plastic bug on it and said 'Happy Valentine Love Bug'  I thought boys would love bugs.  I am going to see if next year I can think of a good saying to use that anyways.  Dave suggested 'you don't bug me at all':)

Cora's final basketball tournament was this weekend.  They placed fourth.  The last couple of weeks the team has really come together.  They are using each other, passing, and playing as a team.  It was really great to see.  They won Friday, but Saturday morning was a very disappointing game.  The score keepers put up 2 extra points on the other teams board.  I watched them do it but when we tried to get it changed they didn't listen.  Another team was watching and they told us what happened.  We said we knew but they wouldn't change it.  Then after the game parents that had been sitting on the other side asked us why they had added the 2 point.  The dad I was sitting beside tried to tell the scorekeepers what happened and was threatened to get thrown out.  We lost by 2.  Very frustrating.  We may have got our butts kicked in overtime but if we won we would have gone to zones.

I made this scripture bag for Blake.  I thought about how I would do it and planned it all out.  But when it came right down to it, it was far beyond my sewing ability.  Just made it through and I don't plan to ever do one again.  There was a bit of unpicking and some mistakes that I just didn't care about at the end.  He likes it and that is what matters.

This week we have Leah's final basketball tournament.  Then our lives should settle down a bit.  It has been a great season and we have loved every minute of it.  Cora says she can't wait to play next year.  YIPEEEEE!!!!

Through my friend Christal Bevans I found this scripture study called 'Armor Your Children'  We started about a week ago and I love it. It is one short scripture that you read to your kids and then discuss it.  Your kids then have something specific to think about all day.  One day was kindness, one forgiveness etc.  Sometimes we discuss on the way to school and sometimes at home depending on the time we have.  This has been a great addition to our regular scripture reading and I was thinking if you aren't in that habit yet or if your kids are small it is a great start.  It takes so little time and makes them think.  If you are interested just google 'Armor Your Children' and print off the guideline.  

Pronghorns

Cora's tournament was cancelled this weekend.  Due to a JV tournament and to many injuries on her team they would have only had 4 players.  So Dave decided to take us all to a U of L Pronghorn game.  We have been talking about putting Cora in a basketball camp this summer for a while and we thought it would be good for her to see them play. (Since the players put on the camp)  It was absolutely fascinating. Very close game but we won in the end.  Exciting.  A great game to take the kids to.  Blake got a few shots in during half time.  He had a fun time.  He was really cheering the team on.  Leah loved it and was cheering with Blake.  Cora was amazed.  Such good ball.  She was watching how they passed and used all of the team.  She kept saying, "I wish my team would do that"  Number 7 was my favorite player.  He looked short out there but when we looked it up he was 6 foot.  I guess when everyone around you is over 6'5" that is what happens.  He was so quick and really aware of all his team mates.  He had a lot of really fabulous moves.  Cora is very excited to go to basketball camp now.  I hope the timing works and we can do it.  After we took them out for donuts and hot chocolate.

Obviously not at the basketball game.:)  It was Cora's turn to go to the farm on Saturday.  She is such a good worker.  Everyday she amazes me with her willingness.  She will often see that something needs to be done and just does it.  She only avoids vacuuming because she hates it.  She is also the only one of my kids that really WANTS to move to the farm.  But she will really miss Meghan.  I think she will be able to keep in contact with her.  She is much better at that then both Dave and I.

Unexpected Lessons from Basketball

Over the last couple of month I have had the opportunity to run kids around for many games.  As I sit in the front and listen to the kids talk this is what I have observed and learned.  Keep in mind as you read this that I am NOT a perfect mother or have perfect kids.  I am still raising them, they have their agency and anything could still happen.  I also don't know what goes on in every persons home or head, this is just from listening to kids talk.
1. Spend time with your kids:  When my kids were little we took them almost everywhere.  Mostly I did this because I hated babysitting when I was young and didn't want to put anyone through that.  Yes it is a pain to take them to the grocery store, the movie, the restaurant, the doctor and so on, and yes sometimes you need a break.  But how are they supposed to learn to behave at the store etc. if they never or rarely go. If you always need to get away and have a break and don't talk to the kids when they are 2 or 6 why do we expect them to not want a break or talk to us when they are 16 or 20.  If I don't put in the hard work and endure through the rough patches now, how can I expect to gain the reward of a close relationship later when they really need it as teenagers and after. (Also on a side note when they are with you they learn patience, to budget, proper behavior, and social skills, just to name a few)
2.  Family Support:  We have made it a priority that sibling attend each others events.  Whether games, concerts, or recitals.  Many times they are bored.  Blake does not enjoy sitting in a car for an hour for piano then straight to YW every Tuesday.  Sometimes I don't enjoy him sitting there either. Cora would rather be climbing trees than watching soccer. We also know a handicapped boy that can not mentally or physically sit through an entire game. The world seems determined to beat these young kids down, sometimes even their 'friends' aren't that kind or supportive.  Sometimes these kids I hear talking don't even get encouragement from their parents.  Where are they going to go looking for that?  What are they going to turn to?  In an ever downward spiraling world my kids need the love, support, encouragement, and cheering from their family. It might be the only place they get it.
3.  Do I know my kids??:  Once again I hear how they kids talk.  About themselves, others and things they have done.  You then talk to the parents and hear how kind, loving and amazing their children are.  You should never talk bad about your kids because they will become what you say they are.  (Leah has got a bad rap from what I have jokingly said to others and I am trying to improve on that) Whether positive or negative.  But at the same time I don't want my head buried in the sand.  I don't think some parents have a clue what their kids do or say.  Do I?  Do I really know my kids?  Are they way different in public or at a friends house than I think?  I will continue to rely on the Spirit to direct me and hope that I am moving in the right direction.

I would love to do/have/see

This is no way a I-want-to-do-before-I-die list.  Most of these are impossible either because of expense, practicality, or the biggest one FEAR.  I am doing this a day early since I will be gone all day tomorrow. I have early morning meetings then we are headed to my parents house for dinner. It should be a great day. OK here is this years list.
1.  I would love to visit every temple in the world
2.  I want to visit every state, province, and territory in North America (except defiantly not Mexico)
3.  Go skydiving
4.  Have a personal hairdresser.  I have no idea how to do my own hair.
5.  Have a personal seamstress and shoe maker.  I would never have to fix a pair of pants again. And all the awesome shoes I see, I could just get them make for me.
6.  See Ireland, Scotland, England, and Australia
7.  A world trip with my family, the kids could learn and see so much
8.  Not get sick on a roller coaster
9.  Ski without being petrified the whole time
10.Go caving. (Way to claustrophobic for this one)
11. Play the violin
12. Get Leah to understand that when you take off a pair of pants, read a book, etc put it away immediately and it will save her grief after.  Chores will not kill us.  And everyone has to do their part.
13. Do the splits
14. Sew amazingly
15. Knit and croquet
16.Learn a second language
17. Sometimes I would like a personal chef.  I actually enjoy cooking, but sometimes it would be nice to come home to a hot meal, I would probably eat healthier, and I would not have to make all the decision about what to make. (Cora is making me breakfast as I type this, maybe that is the same thing, yesterday I came home and Dave had a hamburger already for me with my avocado and spinach smoothie)
18. I would LOVE to be able to draw.  That is one talent I really wish I had
19. Always know the right thing to say to my kids when they ask a question
20. Have beautiful penmanship
21. Have my kids fly on an airplane for a vacation
22. Be a good gardener.  I can't keep anything alive and I am terrible at weeding.  I really don't think we would have a garden or flower if it was not for Dave.
23. Visit Prince Edward Island
24. Run a 8 K in under an hour
25. Go up in a hot air balloon again
26. Drive down the coast to California and visit everything along the way.
27. See the giant Red Woods
28. Have a photographic memory
29. See the Statue of Liberty
30. Do the Tower to Tunnel 5 K run in New York
31. Write a cookbook
32. Write children's stories
33. Have my husband and kids see Africa
34. Take my family to Germany and see where Dave served
35. I want to be able to lay down on the ground and do a sit-up straight to standing like she does in Soul Surfer, that is my abs fitness goal.
36. Not come in last this year at the Fort Macleod triathlon.

Fantastic Fourteen

I knew awhile ago and found it amusing that Dave and I would not spend our anniversary together.  He is trying to be more helpful at the farm and Tuesday is his day to feed cows.  Also that day is our piano/YW/Activity Day Girls day.  YW and AD was cancelled because of final exams which meant we only had piano and I didn't have to work yesterday.  Well work at the post office.  I made a couple batches of bread, cinnamon buns, pizza crusts, buns, cookies, and oatmeal bars to freeze.  Deep cleaned the shower, Tahoe and Little Greened my stairs, and did laundry.  Dave called me about 1-ish.  He said, "I wasn't going to tell you this, but I think I am going to have to.  I talked to Jared...."  I was really worried thinking what in the world does he need to tell me.  Turns out he had talked to Jared about the feeding and he was staying home to take me out for our anniversary.  He laughed when he heard I was nervous he had not meant to do that at all.  Just before we left for piano, Myrna came by with a quick hello and a gift for us.  Very thoughtful of her, we will put it to good use.  Thank you.  Dave met us at piano and took everyone out to eat after.  We then came home and had our cinnamon buns and the kids gave us the best present.  Apparently since Christmas, while we are both working, they have been working on this little number.  They sang and had actions to the 'When I'm 64' song by the Beatles.  This was by far the best yet.  If you are ever together with my 3 kids you really should get them to do it for you. (Unless you really don't want to of course:)) They had Dave and I laughing and clapping.  So good and fun.  Dave and I then went to see Les Miserables.  They only had an 8 o'clock showing and we got back late.  We had got the tickets online before hand and it was a good thing because we were 40 minutes early and barely found a seat.  It was a wonderful day and even better since I actually spent it with my husband.  I can't believe it has been 14 years but I also can't believe that that is all it is.  We are so in sink it just seems like we have been together always.  If that makes sense to anyone.  Here is to another fourteen thousand, or so, years.

HIGHLY Inappropriate

HIGHLY Inappropriate 

Setting:  Early morning in the kitchen

Characters:  Mom, Cora, Leah, and Blake

Cora: Mom, can you get me a sports bra?

Mom:  Oh yeah I guess we should.  Leah did your new bra's fit or do you need a different size.

Leah: No, they were a little big and I don't like the bow in front.

Mom: Can you girls go run and look at the sizes you need so I can put it on the grocery list?
Blake: (puts his spoon down and sighs)Mom!!  I am a 7 year old boy.  I do not need to hear about my sister's bras and underwear.  That is not appropriate.

Mom: Sorry Blake I did not know that offended you.

(Girls come back up and give their sizes. Leah asks about the bow and if we can cut them off)

Blake:  I am trying to eat here. I don't want to hear about it.

Mom: Just a few weeks ago you ran around the house showing off your new underwear because you thought is was so cool.

Blake: (eye roll)

(A few minutes later)

Leah: Mom, I think Blake plugged the toilet.

Blake (big sigh of exasperation) Really guys that is highly inappropriate.  HIGHLY!

Today in church Leah turned to me in a panic. She wanted to know if she was allowed to take the sacrament.  My first thought was 'my word why not?'  I realized she was talking about her retainer.  I guess we are still getting used to it.:)