The first of many stories of why I won't make Mother of the Year in 2011....

I think today should go down in the books as recognition as to why I will NOT be making mother of the year this year. See I only made it through January before I lost out, this is so not fair!!

So what did I do?? Well, it was great mostly, I ran to the store earlier to pick a few things up needed to help make our dinner of which I was making extra for my sister in law Amy and her family.

I had the chicken started in the crock pot, so it was done by early afternoon. That was fine. I got my kids to school on time this morning, no problem there.

So I made up three pans of chicken enchiladas one of which was going to my sister in laws family. It took a while to assemble all three pans and get it all ready. I covered all three pans with foil. Still going good.

Gathered the few things that I needed to take with me to drop off at Amy's house for their dinner, and then grabbed Ethan and we left. Got to Amy's house, see that my in laws are there, which happen to be her parents. And they answered the door and Grandpa was holding the baby who is sick. And Amy was up taking a nap. That's fine, she was tired and needed some extra sleep.

So I lay the food on the the counter. And I say bye and leave.

**** Okay, here's where it starts *****

I drive to the school which isn't too far away, but not a straight shot because of a river that I have to drive over. I get to the school and no sign of my kids outside. I think okay. They must be in the gym because that's where they normally meet me at when we have practice. But today I had to take the girls home because they had achievement days. When I discovered that they weren't in the gym waiting for me, I then walk all over the building. No signs of them anywhere. I go to the front desk and have the kids paged to the front. I waited. and waited. Still no kids.

Now this whole time I'm running around I left my sleeping 3 year old in the car in the parking lot. I spent 20 minutes in the school looking for this crazy kids of mine. And then ... the thought hit me!!!

Maybe they are at Amy's house. Since that's where they normally walk to if we don't have practice to go to. So I run to the van jump in, start the car, drive around the blocks to get to her house. Knock on the door and VOILA... my son is answering her door! Relief swept over my body, my kids were all complaining, " What took you so long?" and stuff like, " FINALLY MOM!"

So the time was 3:45 and the girls had achievement days (a program in our church for girls that are 8 - 11 years old) at 4pm. So we had a few minutes to spare. I get home drop of the girls and then Thomas starts complaining because he didn't want to go back to the school for practice. Of which I've missed a lot of today. (Oops-- luckily the other coach was there and taking over)

I run over to my neighbors house and ask if he would hang with the boys for a little while. Ethan was asleep and so we laid him on the bed and covered him up. He went right back to sleep. And Thomas would come over in a few after he changed. So thanks to my neighbor I felt like I had control over the afternoon again.

Definitely not an hour I want to repeat anytime soon. So I must have just missed my kids walking to their aunt's house but I didn't think to look that way, and went the other way instead.

So note to self. ALWAYS CHECK FOR MY KIDS WALKING BEFORE I ASSUME THEY ARE STILL WAITING AT THE SCHOOL.

The kids then had the nerve to tell their dad that I MADE them walk in this COLD weather. Geesh.... I need to go to bed!! But I won't get there for a little longer.

New Adventures

Wow!! Seems like I've been waiting for this time in my life forever. But yet here it is right NOW!! That's right, I said I've finally arrived to the point I've always dreamed about.

Don't ask. Okay I'll answer anyways. I've finally found an outlet of sorts and a way to kind of reconnect to the "life of sports" I once had. And a time in my life where I can develop some of my talents more fully.

Okay so in case you haven't heard, I've VOLUNTEERED to be the head volleyball coach at the school my kids attend. Remember it's called Freedom Academy. Well this team consists of 7th and 8th grade boys and girls.

The long and short of it all.... last week we held tryouts. Wasn't quite sure what to do but I had lots of help and support from some of the faculty that have been coaches before but couldn't do it this year.

Day 1 : There were 39 kids that showed up, and they were either in 7th or 8th grade. Lots of boys and girls, and some of the kids really wanted to make the team, but just have fully developed the skills necessary yet, like SERVING. These poor little kids look so fragile that I was afraid they would break. But they really had some heart, so I hope that they practice throughout this year and try out again next year for those that are in 7th grade this year. It was so NOISY. But with the magic power of a whistle, I was able to quickly gain control over these kids. It feels GREAT!! I know I'm lame, but I really am enjoying this.

Day 2: We dropped to 32 kids, and I had a few faculty members help for the first half hour and then I was on my own. YIKES... It was kind of scary, but exciting at the same time.

Day 3: We were up to 33 kids. By this day I had narrowed down my list of choices and had grade reports run on them and discussed the choices and options with a few of the teachers. They gave suggestions, and I really liked their advice. Because they really know these kids more then I do since they have them in class nearly every day. We also announced the TEAM at the conclusion of the practice.

Day 4: First day of practice with just the team which consisted of 14 players. Four kids weren't able to make it that day, because of prior commitments, and that was fine, they let me know.

Day 5: Monday the 20th of September I show up for practice to have one of my supposed players waiting to greet me and tell me that she couldn't be on the team. She had too many other things that she was committed to before the team. She quit. WHAT??!! Are you kidding me, why did you try out then. And I was informed that one of my 7th grade boys quit as well. Turns out he only tried out because his "girlfriend" was trying out and since she didn't make it, and practicing everyday was too much for him ... he threw in the towel as well. So now I'm down to 12 players.

Day 6: Tuesday the 21st of September -- was a great day and I can already see lots of improvement in the team. There are a few people however that I wish were a little more "into" the game. Maybe it'll happen with time. But I'm not counting on it. I know it sounds pretty full of doubt, huh?

The other great thing... I'm coming home in the evening and I'm BUSHED!! I'm so tired and can't stay awake ... it's really getting me worked out too, and I'm starting to lose some of this excess weight I've been meaning to get rid of, but for whatever reason I haven't.


And to end this entry I'd like to post a collage of a recent photo shoot that I did, and I had so much fun during the shoot, and then afterward playing with the photos I captured.