Bring on the Pain...

Now that Spring is almost upon us, it is time for soccer. Now I have never played soccer but knew that one day my son would play. My husband was not thrilled at the thought. "Soccer players are jerks!" he would say. And while I have to admit most of the soccer players I knew were, I wasn't going to let that deter me. "We'll let him decide" (winkwink) I said. Luckily when the time came he chose soccer over Tball! Flash forward to what is now our 3rd season (we started 1 year ago). I have now become the quintessential soccer mom complete with my own travel chair and matching bag filled with snacks and water bottles. I chat with the other moms and quietly observe their soccer "momness" so that I may better settle into the my role. I shift around my schedule, replacing my favorite workout class with soccer skill sessions, moving work around team practices, and reinventing my Sat mornings to work around the games. I get really "revved up" about this, almost as much as my son. Which brings me to my point. Today was our first skills practice. Skills is just what it sounds like: Two teams get together with the 'paid' soccer instructor to learn techniques that can be applied during team practice. No problem. We arrived at the field. Water. check. Bag filled with snacks. check. Travel chair. check. We are ready to go. Five minutes later- my son is practicing kicks with the others and gets a ball right to the eye. Here comes the tears. Now I should mention that when my son gets hurt, it's almost like the horns that call the volunteer firemen. It's quite intense. But after a few minutes of tears, a couple of I wanna go home's, he's back in there. At this point the sun goes away and the wind that wasn't noticeable before is now bitterly cold. Now I sit there with my snacks and freeze, while the"team mom" zips up her adorable (belted) winter coat, complete with gloves, and sips on something I could only imagine is hot cocoa. It's no problem, I'm into this and next week I'll be better prepared. I smile and think this until five minutes before we leave when I look out and watch my son get kicked in the hand. Jeez! We were almost out of there. While we walk to our car, with tears flowing and sirens ablazing, I think I am a Soccer Mom, we can do this. Bring it on...

Time goes by

Where does the time go?
Just 6 months ago, my adorable naive little son asked what a fart was. I admit I giggled as I told him only because it clued me into how sheltered he really is. (Which I love by the way) But the other day when my son was snuggling into his Star War sheets he told me about Angelyne, the wh*re, at his school. After picking up my jaw, I found out that he had just learned this new word from his "girl friend". When I asked why she would say this, his response was "she has a lot of crazy things in her family. Period" Well, period indeed! After a 15 minute conversation, that included metaphors and real life scenarios, about why we shouldn't use words we don't know, I felt that my point was made. While I'm sure this won't be the last time we deal with this, it just seems too soon! Time goes by too fast!

Suprising romance?

I hate to be cliche, but it's true : You don't have to spend a lot of money for romance! Last week was my Nine year anniversary. It did not hold a lot of promise for romance. Middle of the week, soccer practice til 8:00, no fancy dinner in the oven to speak of. But all was not lost! My husband joined us at the soccer field, late. I was not angry as he does work hard everyday and sometimes that cuts into our nights together. I had thought about having dinner for us ready as the kids had already eaten theirs, but alas I didn't. No worries, it is our anniversary, we can order take out! As we were leaving the fields, I suggested Hibachi, which we LOVE. He agrees and the task is on! We work as a team through kids baths, tooth brushing and bedtime stories. Once the kiddos are tucked in, we call in our order! I forgot to mention that when we got home, there was a beautiful vase of Daisies sitting on my table with new candles and a very sweet card. I tell you now because this was my catalyst to bring on the romance. While my beloved hubby went to get takeout ( which by the way is way cheaper than going b/c we can split one order and still have leftovers), I went into overdrive. I pulled out table linens and our china. I set the table to include the 3 delicious courses that I did not make! I opened the wine and set out the stemware. After a quick check of the hair and makeup (well at least the mascara I had put on) I squeezed into some heels and a cocktail dress I hadn't worn in a while. My husband was super smiley when he returned, and he quickly tuned the radio into some Jazz. While we ate our scrumptious dinner, we felt true togetherness, even as we realized the Jazz station was really a Gospel station. We had good conversation and felt true romance in the situation.

New Courage?

My kids and I saw a terrific movie called the Tales of Despereaux. It is about a little mouse who was special because he was brave and truthful, just as every gentleman should be. This was part of a free movie summer series that our theater offered.
After the movie was over, my six year old son came up to me and stated I can't believe he was a kid. I said yes and thought of the implication of that for him. Even though I saw a movie about a brave mouse, he saw a movie about a kid, just like him. This was a kid who chose to be brave and truthful. I just smiled, thinking, even a mouse make for a fine role model.

Sweetness!!!

No I am not talking about candy! Although candy is becoming more of an intruder to my once candyless home. But I am referring to the sweetness of people. I have been doubly blessed to have 2 amazingly SWEET children. Now I am not referring to when the might be having a tantrum at the grocery store, but when they feel happy and safe in our home.

My 2 year old wonderful, spirited little girl can be suprisingly in an instant. She will become my "snuggle bunny" as she calls it and lays it on. She grasps my face and rubs her cheeks next to mine. Gives me a nose nuzzle and says "Your the best mommy in the whole world". She is very tactile and likes touching my face a lot. I love these moments and will stop numerous times a day to receive one of these snuggle sessions.

My 5 year old tender, bright son is in Kindergarten for much of the day. When he gets home mostly we begin a bargaining session of how much computer or Tv time is going to be allotted to the day. But he cares for people, in general, quite a bit. I sometime wonder what altruistic profession he might choose one day. So for my husband and I, we get a LOT of love back from him. He is very expressive and makes sure that no one leaves the house without a hug and a kiss. Life lessons to be learned from a 5 year old for sure. And just last night while tucking him in to bed, I teared up while I told him how proud we were of him and his reading. And a moment later, he had tears of "joy" while he said he had the "greatest mom and dad ever".

It is this sweetness from both of them that I remember whenever those tantrums arrive. Yes, even in the grocery store!

Yikes!

Sorry it has been too long on the blogging front. But there have been new changes in the Work AT Home front. I have become a guide at ChaCha which is really fun! You can learn more about it at ChaCha.com. Also, I have become involved with MommyMixer, which I am super excited about. See MommyMixer.com for details. There are a couple of other opportunities that I'm working on, but I'll let you know how those pan out.

Hallomaybe???

Well. We are about to embark on the fun filled night of Halloweening. My son is ready to to adorn his Black Spiderman costume, which he has already played in, slept in, you name it. And my daughter will be Herself?!? In her closet will be this gorgeous Snow White dress, never worn, and she will be wearing regular clothes. Why will she not wear it? Who knows, she's only 2 (or maybe that is the reason) Suffice it to say I will be hoping against all hope that tomorrow will be different. Maybe the enticement of all the candy will be enough. We will just have to see.