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I find myself sitting at my computer on a Saturday morning with a few minutes to spare and I feel quite guilty. After all, I should be busy doing SOMETHING, right? But, my house is clean (that is relative, I suppose), the laundry is caught up (well, close enough), the kids are busy playing with friends, I have read my bible and I don't feel like running on my treadmill quite yet.
I am always suprised, when I slow down to breathe, how quickly I rush to find things I SHOULD do. I am sure most women, mothers and wives suffer, to some degree, with this illness. This, 'I must have a "to-do" list' mentality. Or, 'I must be planning to do something in the very near future, if not immediately' kind of stress.
So, right now, I am going to rebel. I am going to grab a couple more Jelly-Belly's and dabble in this blogging thing. I might actually waste a half hour. But, is it wasting? Oh well, that is for another blog...
Monday, July 28, 2008
A View of the Past: June 2006
Fun Family News!Over the course of the past couple months, my kids have been coming home from school and updating us on their track and field qualification attempts. As many parents can agree, sometimes, when you don't exactly understand the whole scope of what your kids are explaining, you just listen and nod and say "good job". (which I really, truly meant because it sounded like they were doing a good job)
Last week though, a permission slip, a time schedule and a shirt purchase form came home and I thought...'huh, this looks like fun'. Both my kids had qualified to run in the 100 yard dash, and since my husband and I are both former tracksters, we thought this was going to be "cute".
Well, both kids raced home from school this last Thursday and we all scrambled and rushed to get to the track field on time. (this scrambling and rushing thing is a whole other blog) Anyway, when we got to Mission Hills High School we were quite suprised to see the stands full of parents, spectators, and teeming with with students from 9 area schools. At this point, I am finally realizing what a big deal this whole thing is. And, I am recalling my nonchalant nods to their frenetic updates on track stats and I can't help but smile. They really were serious.
My daughter Grace, who is 8 and in third grade was the first one to race. You have to understand that this is a former "back-pocket" child. Meaning, she spent a good portion of her young life clinging to my back-pocket and hiding behind me. She turned a lovely shade of green last year when she tried out for basketball in front of about 50 people. Now, she was lining up against 8 other kids, strangers no less, and preparing to race in front of 100's of people. I think I was the lovely shade of green. I had the largest amount of empathetic stress to date, as a parent. I was half laughing and about to cry as I watched my little pony-tailed girl line up at the starting line. 'Dear God, just let her run hard and finish well.'When the gun (yes, gun....this is serious) sounded she took off with the most incredible determination I have ever seen from her. (We have watched the video at least 5 times now and yes, it is the most determintation ever)
Well...she didn't start out first but, about somewhere mid-race she pulled ahead and I thought...'oh my lord'. Wouldn't you know, she got FIRST! I was shocked, her dad was shocked, but, man we were proud. And, if you know Grace you would know her response. A huge smile and a really red face. Nothing else. She just smiles ( a large grin actually, showing no teeth) and her face turns red.Her brother Noah, who is 10 and in fourth grade, ran an awesome race as well. He placed fourth and had some tough competition. Two days prior he had a game winning 2 run single in baseball so, today was apparently his sister's day to shine. He took it in stride and was genuinely happy to take a picture next to his blue-ribbon sister. How awesome when a brother, or a sister, celebrates a victory with you. I am so proud of both my kids. 'Thank you Lord.'
Last week though, a permission slip, a time schedule and a shirt purchase form came home and I thought...'huh, this looks like fun'. Both my kids had qualified to run in the 100 yard dash, and since my husband and I are both former tracksters, we thought this was going to be "cute".
Well, both kids raced home from school this last Thursday and we all scrambled and rushed to get to the track field on time. (this scrambling and rushing thing is a whole other blog) Anyway, when we got to Mission Hills High School we were quite suprised to see the stands full of parents, spectators, and teeming with with students from 9 area schools. At this point, I am finally realizing what a big deal this whole thing is. And, I am recalling my nonchalant nods to their frenetic updates on track stats and I can't help but smile. They really were serious.
My daughter Grace, who is 8 and in third grade was the first one to race. You have to understand that this is a former "back-pocket" child. Meaning, she spent a good portion of her young life clinging to my back-pocket and hiding behind me. She turned a lovely shade of green last year when she tried out for basketball in front of about 50 people. Now, she was lining up against 8 other kids, strangers no less, and preparing to race in front of 100's of people. I think I was the lovely shade of green. I had the largest amount of empathetic stress to date, as a parent. I was half laughing and about to cry as I watched my little pony-tailed girl line up at the starting line. 'Dear God, just let her run hard and finish well.'When the gun (yes, gun....this is serious) sounded she took off with the most incredible determination I have ever seen from her. (We have watched the video at least 5 times now and yes, it is the most determintation ever)
Well...she didn't start out first but, about somewhere mid-race she pulled ahead and I thought...'oh my lord'. Wouldn't you know, she got FIRST! I was shocked, her dad was shocked, but, man we were proud. And, if you know Grace you would know her response. A huge smile and a really red face. Nothing else. She just smiles ( a large grin actually, showing no teeth) and her face turns red.Her brother Noah, who is 10 and in fourth grade, ran an awesome race as well. He placed fourth and had some tough competition. Two days prior he had a game winning 2 run single in baseball so, today was apparently his sister's day to shine. He took it in stride and was genuinely happy to take a picture next to his blue-ribbon sister. How awesome when a brother, or a sister, celebrates a victory with you. I am so proud of both my kids. 'Thank you Lord.'
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