Day 4- "laissez les bon temps rouler" & Day 5- "Growing"

friends since they were young

laissez les bon temps rouler

but there when they don't

To know what these kids have gone through, good and bad, and to see how they stick by each other makes me believe it is something that will never change.  

This year we will see the girls graduate and head to college, every time I think I understand the term "bittersweet" it is redefined as my kids grow...this is one of them, I will miss their smiling faces together and just their being right around the corner from each other.

Day 21- "Balm for the Soul"

When I think of balm I think soothing and comforting, and soul is deep within...I often tell "him" he is my serenity.  Except when he is acting in a way that made my son tell me the song "True Love" reminds him of us because he spends half his life irked at someone or something.  I don't get it but I also don't tend to let it get to me.  So, in no particular order...the things that just make my soul feel the best would be...

This not my favorite picture of myself but one where he is obviously cracking himself up...but he is my serenity.

So is the very little bit of time I get with cousins and NC family, there is nothing like it!

& our Maryland kids...nieces and nephews included!  

There. just. never. is. enough. time.

But they are all balm for my soul when I do get to.  So maybe the true balm for my soul is my family.  If only I could fit them all into one of those little egg shaped lip balms and bring them out when I have time...

There are a few girls in my life who do the same thing, even though I don't see them enough...hmmm...now I feel like we are narrowing it down to anything that isn't work :)...I just know I am lucky!

Familiar Phrases

Day 14, "familiar phrases..."~"The Redskins are ahead!  The Redskins are ahead again!  The Redskins are still ahead with only 2 minutes left!  The Redskins lost..."  We hear it week after week, season after season.  It can be tough to be a sports fan, especially when you are a loyal 15 year old.  What he doesn't know is that I cherish the Sundays of Red Zone and Redskins games too, as I sit with him (he doesn't even care if I am doing other things, just as long as I am there and interact with him too), watch with him, and hang on the edge of the seat with him (gotta admit, I love the last two minutes of a good game)...and enjoy having him want to do it with me for as long as he will.  As I have said before, meet the kids where they are and it will make your relationships with them stronger.

"Something Blue"- Day 12

 

Keeping it simple...UHS colors...all of the schools in this district have been the best for my kids and I am so proud to see them get involved, cheer each other on, and feel part of the community.  This year the motto "One Team, One Urbana" was adopted, and the kids really try to live up to it.   

Day 10- "Persist"

I keep finding  myself back to my kids, but I cannot help it!  Neither of my children grew up playing sports...they grew up playing.  On the playground. In the dirt. In the creek.  At grandma's.  Dressing up in the basement.  Building blanket forts.  Meanwhile, most of their counterparts were in competitive sports from very young ages.  Fast forward to their freshman years; one decided to try out for JV Cheer, having never cheered a day in her life; the other went out for the freshman football team, having never played tackle football in his life, or been tackled for that matter.  I immediately thought, "Oh no, they are going to be disappointed, so many kids have so much more experience."  You know what?  I was so wrong.  She just had her senior cheer banquet last night, after four years of having fun, making friends, having something to look forward to and keep herself busy.  She will never be the flyer or the highest jumper or best tumbler, but she is constantly recognized for her spirit and kindness.  He stuck through a season where he had about 4 minutes total play time; while frustrated, he stuck with it and was in the weight room the day after the season ended, focused on growing stronger for next year; his attitude and sincerity blows away most kids his age.  These two showed persistence to a level that makes me so proud to be their mother and so happy that I didn't push them young and instead let them decide when they got older.  Don't be afraid to go against the crowd who spend Saturdays and Sundays at sports starting by age 4 or 5...I promise you your kids will find their fun, find their passion, and be successful, and they will learn to do it on their terms and will see the power of their persistence in controlling their destiny.