The Agony of Defeat

I have to admit sometimes it is really hard being a mom. Especially when your kids are struggling and you don't really know what to say. Let me elaborate.

This is the second year that our son, Matthew, has played football. Flag last year and tackle this year. He has played a total of fourteen games. His teams have won a grand total of one (that was last year). After 5 games this year, we are 0-5. And we've had some close ones. Last week, we had the first lead of the season. Last night we had our first half time lead. And we still lost.

A little history...Matthew played soccer for four years as a small child and his team was very good. They won a lot more than they lost. Therefore, he is used to winning. He loves playing football now, especially tackle. I have a son who loves to hit people (it sounds so barbaric, doesn't it?). He's playing defense and loves it. I think he would much rather be the one doing the tackling than the one getting tackled. But the losing is really starting to wear on him. I'm the kind of person who thinks that losing can be a good thing sometimes. I think it can build character and teaches you how to lose gracefully, but it's even beginning to wear on me. Week after week, I watch these boys play their hearts out only to have their hopes dashed. To their credit, they keep after it and do show improvement every week. Matthew has done very well this year playing his position and has been able to take away some good feelings from his performance. But last night was too much for him.

I always try to find something positive to say no matter how bad the loss was, but last night Matthew wouldn't listen to anything I said. He didn't have a great game but he did okay. Being an emotional person (as I know alot of us females are), I'm learning that sometimes you just have to back off and let them have their pity party. He was better by the time he went to bed and seemed to have shaken it off.

My hope is that he will learn from these experiences. Losing is tough but it does build character. It should make the wins that much sweeter when they do come. I also hope that he learns that you can't be the star all the time. The fact is that in life, you win some and you lose some and you have to roll with whatever life throws at you. Sometimes you have to let other people have the spotlight and have the great performance while you take a backseat. I will learn to stand back and let him vent his frustrations (in a healthy manner) because they will eventually blow over. He will learn to let it roll off and look forward to the next game. I will continue to stand on the sideline and cheer him on in wins and in losses. And just maybe, I'll learn to keep my mouth shut because sometimes he just needs me be to be silent.

A Trip to the Zoo

Today I got to go on a field trip with my daughter, Mackenzie, and her kindergarten class. Marlee went with us and we enjoyed a beautiful day at the zoo and then we got to enjoy lunch at the local football stadium. The kids got to run around on the field and had a great time. We're a little worn out but happy that I got to go with her.

Here are a few pictures of our adventure.

Mackenzie and Marlee waiting to go into the zoo.

 

Me and my girls.

 

Hanging out under the goal post.

 

Marlee trying to be a cheerleader.

 

Nice surprises

We had a nice surprise last night. Last week in Matthew's football game, he had like 5 sacks, 2 of which resulted in fumbles, so he did very well. He was not able to go to practice last night because he sprained his ankle at church on Sunday (looks pretty gross). One of his coaches called after practice was over and wanted to come over and make a presentation. They receive stars for their helmets (they are the Cowboys) for good play. Well, he received one for his numerous tackles but also received one for being the overall best defensive player of the game. We thought that was pretty special. Now if we can just get the ankle healed up for the game this week (doubtful).

Life Moves Way Too Fast

Sometimes I sit and look at my children and wonder where has all the time gone? I remember being a child and wishing I was all grown up and my mother telling me to be patient. Life moves faster the older you get. How right she was.

I have four beautiful children ranging in age from 3 to 14. My oldest, Mariah, is now in that stage of wanting to be older than she is and I find myself telling her the same thing. It seems like yesterday that we were bringing her home from the hospital and now she is a freshman in high school. I have at most, 4 more summers with her and she will move off into the world of young adulthood. I realize now how short a time that is. She has her first homecoming dance this Saturday. We went shopping yesterday for her first dress. It made me feel a little sad watching her try on all of these dresses and to realize how grown up she really is. She is a beautiful girl and she looks amazing in her dress (I'll post pictures after the dance). Somehow it made me long for the days when I was the one picking out her clothes and fixing her hair. Now she does those things on her own and doesn't need me as much, which is the way it should be.

It also makes me remember how precious every minute is and how, even when the daily grind gets me down, I need to cherish every minute because I will blink twice and they will all have moved on. I will be left with only memories so it is my job to make as many as I can while I have them home.

This is the Day...

Psalm 118:24
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

This is my verse for the day. I should claim this verse everyday, I know, but it is especially true today. Everything in my world, for the moment, is very, very good.

My husband is currently at training for his new job. He is excited, as we all are, about what the future holds. When my husband is happy, I am happy. It has been a long road for him, but he has been a true picture of what integrity and faith look like. I believe God has led us to this place for a reason and I am extremely optimistic about the future.

I wrote last week about my sick child, Marlee. Well, she is finally fever free after 4 days and feeling like her old self again. I have to admit, I kind of like how snuggly she is when she doesn't feel well because she isn't normally like that. However, the misery she was feeling wasn't worth it and I'm glad she is feeling better. All of my children are doing well and feeling good and that makes today a good day as well.

And to top it all off, Marlee and I went shopping today and bought real big girl panties!! She is finally potty-trained and our bank account should be able to feel the difference very soon.

So, needless to say, life in my little corner of the world today is very good. This IS the day that the Lord has made. I choose to rejoice and be glad in it.

Pulled in Different Directions

With four children it is inevitable that I will have to be two (or more) places at the same time or have to choose which child will get my presence when it is required by more than one. Tonight is one of those occasions.

Matthew has his second football game of the season tonight but I have a child (Marlee) who has been running fever all day and doesn't feel well. Therefore, it is not advisable for her to be outside running around while I desire to cheer my son on. So, I had to make the difficult decision between two children who I want to believe need me equally. I know that in reality Matthew is a big boy and he understands the situation. Blake is there watching him play so it's not as if he is all alone. I know that with my brood there is no way under Heaven that I will ever be able to attend all of the activities my children are involved in, but as a mother, my heart desires to be there to support them and cheer for them whenever I can. Tonight it is much more necessary for me to be home tending to my sick child, so why do I still feel so torn?

I think as mothers, we desire to be superwomen who can do 50 different tasks exceptionally well and take care of everyone who resides under our roof with a smile always on our face. The reality is if we try to devote ourselves to perfection in every area we will fall miserably short. We can only do so much before we lose our sanity or make ourselves ill.

My heart longs to be cheering my son on the football field tonight, but my baby needs me at home. So I will accept the situation for what it is, wish my son good luck and pray that everyone will be well next Thursday night.

Tackle Football

My son, Matthew, played his first tackle football game last night. I have to admit that I always dreaded that day. I was afraid I would be the kind of mom that worried over every little bump and bruise and would totally freak out if I saw my son leveled to the ground. I have to say I surprised myself.

Here's my handsome little man in his uniform before the game.

 

And with his game face on...

 

Matthew plays on defense which basically means he's the one trying to do the tackling rather than getting tackled like if he was the quarterback or something else. That greatly helped me keep my cool. I have to say I was very proud of him. His team lost (badly), but he never gave up. He is loving this game and it showed last night. He had 1 sack of the quarterback, 2 quarterback hurries and 1 assisted tackle. I think this game can teach him alot about life. That even in adversity, we keep our head held high and continue to do what we are called to do without giving up. Look for the finish line (or goal line in this case) and never let up before you get there and the final whistle blows. I'm sure that I will have some nerve wracking moments as he continues to play, but as a mom, I am so excited to see him excelling at something that brings him so much happiness. He's my little man that isn't so little anymore. It's time to start standing on the sidelines and cheering him on as he finds his way in this world.

He's number 2..