And So It Begins....

The crazy soccer schedule that is.  Both boys are in soccer - William is actually one two teams at the moment....not sure what craziness I was processing to allow that!  Although, I didn't think they would over-lap by anymore than a week.

Oh, how I was wrong.

Today William is to start "conditioning" with the high school team while on a local team.....tomorrow should be fun with two hours of conditioning with the high school and ninety minutes of practice with the local team. Yeah  - some how get his homework done in there some where.  But we'll give it a try for at least for a day or two and see how he does.  He may be missing practice with the local team....hopefully, he'll still get to play in the games.

Ben was to have practice tonight, but came home from school with a tummy-ache, head-ache, throat -ache.  He's been home for two hours and has been asleep the WHOLE time!!  No fever, though.  Hopefully, he'll wake up fine and dandy.

Melissa had a cross-country meet Saturday. It was close to my parents' house, so we drove over Friday night to spend some time with them and stay the night. Over all, she did well - 8:44 for a hilly one mile.  Not the best - but oh, so, much better than I could do! For a first time meet on an unfamiliar course, I think she did great. This weekend her meet will be two miles. She thinks she'll do better at this longer distance.  Hope so - we shall see!

Week in Review

It's been a busy week! It didn't really start out that way, but when I work it does.  I subbed for one of the PE teachers here at a local school.  As far as subbing goes, it was an easy day - the kids did all the work and I just called out the time for their mile run.

Sooo glad I wasn't the one running.

I really don't like to run.

Yesterday, I taught Bible study, then meet with a friend to go over another Bible study book. Loved both  of those!

Then ran  back and forth to Melissa's art class. Today  Melissa tested for what they call here "gifted art". Sad to say, she didn't qualify.  Not sure how exactly you qualify, but she did not. She had to take a test of art terms, then finish a few pictures (like half of a box would be there and she would draw the other half) then she was directed to draw hand in the fist position.  She walked out saying she didn't think she made it because it was so hard.

But she will continue to take art lessons from her private teacher. Art is something she really enjoys.

Next week she and William will both test for "gifted music".  I'm really hoping that one or both makes it for piano.  If so, then they will quit taking lessons from their current teacher and I can save some money!!! And have more free time in the afternoons.

Which we need since soccer has started. For both boys.  Busy times, busy times.

The big news here is that we gave the older kids cell phone is last night.  Deep sigh.  I have mixed feelings about this, but I know it was time.

Tomorrow will be just as busy - soccer, cross-country meet, and a girls church event....Thankfully, Sunday is a day of rest....it will be enjoyed!

The Problem with this World

Hypocrisy. Yep. That's the problem with this world. If people do what they say, say what they mean, and live it - this world would be a much better place.

The  hypocrisy that hit me this morning was what people say they stand for but yet what they celebrate.

Case in Point: Bullying and Glee.

Of late Andersen Cooper has been promoting and asking people to take an anti-bulling pledge.  And rightfully, so! So, many kid (and adults!) have to deal with a bully every day at school or work.  Several have ended their lives instead of exposing themselves to the continued  terror.   Many every-day people as well as celebraties have signed this pledge of Andersen Cooper. I say "good for them!"  None of us should allow another person to suffer at the hands of a bully.

But then there's the other end of things.  What is one of the most celebrated shows on TV?  Glee.  What's one of the most popular characters on this show? A bully.

I watched the first two episodes when the show premiered in 2009.  While I LOVED the music on the show, I was TOTALLY turned off by the story lines of bullies, drugs (sold by a teacher, no less), and the rampant sexual promiscuity. I refuse to watch it any more.

Such a contradictory in this world:  Let's teach our kids not to be bullies, but yet let's celebrate and enjoy a teacher as she makes snarky comments  that degrade students and fellow teachers.

If we (you, me, the world - no matter what faith you practice) actually lived what we believe in where we put our time and money, the world would be a much better place.

I'm done venting now.

Seven Days in Utopia

Saturday Drew and I went to the movies to see "Seven Days in Utopia". Wow.  What an unexceptive great movie! While I had seen the name on a list of movies playing, I really didn't look into it or give it much thought until our pastor made a comment about it - which got Drew intersted in it.

While it was about a golf player and how to play the game, the lessons can be applied to life - to anyone's life.  The movie is based on a book and there will be a squeal to the book - not sure if they will make another movie, but I will be read the book. Check it out! So worth your money!

Quote of the Day....or Not

Saturday morning as we were getting ready for the day, Drew and I had the TV on. A reporter was interviewing one of the college football coaches - asking him what his strategy for the day's game.

"...to keep possession and control of the ball and put points on the board."

Drew and I just looked at each other, "Well, duh!!"  Isn't that the main goal of just about all ball games???

High School Football

Last Friday night Drew and I went to William's high school football game.    We did go to one game last year, but it was not a home game. Several things was very interesting.....

1- Melissa and her friends were all about looking cute and who they could see. I honestly don't think Melissa sat and watched one play of the game. Too many people to see!! Too many people to talk to!!!

2- Ben watched the game intently....until he realized we would not be winning....or scoring...at all.

3 - Purple cow bells make no sense to me.

4 - Melissa was not the only one who was there to socialize.   I just hope all those young adults (couldn't tell if they were currently seniors or had graduated and were now in college) behaved after the game. 

5 - Love how my boys have no problems wearing their Ole Miss shirts anywhere!  Hotty Toddy!!

A Proud Moment

This past Saturday night we had some friends over for dinner. It was a really a fun night.  It turns out that their youngest - a 10th grader - has a class with William.  After dinner the adults were sitting in the living room talking while the kids were playing cards at the dinning room table.

I was very pleased at how well our boys got along - especially William. It takes him awhile to warm up to people. Most of the time he would rather read a book than interact with real people.  But he was the one to get the deck of cards out. My boys taught their boys how to play "slap-jack". Sort of like war where  you everyone lays down one card at a time, but in this game when a jack appears, the winner is the one who slaps it first.

Yeah, boys love this game.

Physical violence at every turn of the card.

A little while later as the couple was getting ready to leave, I paid a little more attention to what the boys were playing now.  I could  only hear snippets of their conversation and just couldn't make out what they were doing.  So, I asked.

"21", William says proudly.

Oh, my.

Then I realized that the small clear stones in my centerpiece were what they were using to gamble with.

Oh, so, lovely.

The next morning the family came to visit our church.   In the middle of the sermon, the pastor made some reference to how bad gambling was.

Oh, yeah....proud moment.....

A Day of Remembering

I never intend to go so long without posting, but frankly - sometimes it's hard to get a turn on a computer around here!!  I love checking my email and facebook on my smartphone, but writing a post?  Not so much.  With a husband and kids that all seems to be on both computers at the same time, I seem to have to fight for a turn. And sometimes, it's easier not to. So, here's what's been going on around here:

1-  Last weekend Drew and I went to Washington, DC to check on our rent house.  Renovations had been completed that we needed to check on.  It looks amazing!  Very happy!  Even with all the reno's, there was still a ton of stuff we needed to do. Mainly, yard work - and I do mean a lot!   I don't think either Drew or I had done that much physical labor in a LOOONNNGGG time.  It hurt and we ached. But in the end, it was all worth it.  We have shown the house two times so far.  Prayerfully, soon we'll get another wonderful family living there. (Wonderful as in paying rent!)

2 - The best part of a weekend in DC?  Seeing friends!! Oh, so good to see their faces!!! I needed a good dose of them.

3 - The bad part of a weekend in DC? Not seeing other friends.  Several we're out of town....bad timing. But maybe this just means I need another trip to DC???

4 - Suzi taking pity on me and bringing me my  Chocolate Covered Coffee beans from Trader Joe's.   I knew that we would not have time for that, but she stopped and pick up four boxes for me. It's just a chocolate coffee heaven. I'm so blessed to have such a good friend.

5 - My parents keeping the kids - love that they love having my kids! My in-laws kept the kids in July and my mom last weekend - how blessed is that??!! Amazing!  After living away from family for so long, Drew and I are so loving being this close to them.

6 - Not only getting to see my parents upon returning, but Drew's parents as well. They were traveling back to their house after seeing great-grand baby.

7 - A huge blessing in our family is the birth of Drew's niece's baby - the first of another generation.  Margot is beautiful  and Drew, the kids and I are looking forward to meeting her soon.

8 - Getting back to work!!!  I was asked three times to sub at Ben's school - I had to turn down the first two times, but was able to teach third grade last Thursday. It was a sweet class. Hopefully, the teacher will call me again in the future.

9 - Teaching Bible study again. This coming Thursday will be the start date.  I have not heard of the author before, but so far I am enjoying the book.  While I was not able to pick the book, I'm hoping that next time either I will be able to or whomever will be teaching will be able to.

10 - Lots of emotions today..... 9/11 ten years later....  I have to admit that I have purposely avoided watching any of the TV shows concerning anything to do with it.  Our life totally changed that day. We still feel the pain.  My husband has missed two Christmas' (and other Holiday's, birthdays, and too many days to count) because of the events of that day. Being a military family with wars going on is heat-wrenching. I don't need a special day to remember, we live it.