Thankful

I am reminded this month to recognize those things we are most thankful for.

I am forever thankful for my children, and everyday that I have to tell them how much I love them. Everyday that I get to hug them, speak with them, spend every moment of time I can with them. I am thankful for all those hours I spend at their practices being able to watch them move, and be, to see them live their lives.

This has been a rough week in our community. My oldest son had some friends that were killed in a car accident, two died and two were seriously hurt. It has been a huge reminder to me of what is truly important in life, the people you love. It is amazing how many lives are affected by this, it is like a spider web that spreads through out the community. It has touched so many different people.

Losing a child is tragic, heartbreaking. The hardest funerals I have ever attended involved those under 20 years old. It just is not natural. And so wrenching to the heart of every parent. My heart is crying for those parents that lost their sons. They were good boys, and the light of their parents lives. I can only imagine what I would feel if my son had been in that car. It is a horrible feeling to feel relief that your child is okay, when someone else has lost their precious child. I long for their children to be okay also.

It is painful to understand, let alone explain these deaths to my younger children. Hard to let your kids walk out the door out of your sight. I feel like I have to call Anthony everyday just to hear his voice and know that he is Okay. I am sad that his life will be forever changed by these events. This is the first death of a friend that he has experienced. It is always that first tragic event that changes your whole being. He will never be that young carefree kid that doesn't know this pain. It makes me cry for his group of friends that will feel this loss for so long.

It was a huge wake up call for me. I question the things I find myself focusing on. Does it really matter if Coltons soccer team sucks this year. Will it change things if they don't do the dishes the way I would like them done. Does it really matter that they forgot for TWO weeks to put out the garbage can (BUT MAN WAS I MAD BEFORE THIS!). Or when they ate the last jar of canned peaches that I really, really wanted. I realized that these are such minor things and really will be lost in the big picture of this thing we call life.

So here I sit praying that these families have the strength to make it through their tragedy. Hope that they will have the support they need. Hope that they find a way to make it through all of this with their sanity intact, because that is what I feel I would lose if it was me. And forever and ever thankful for every single minute (even the arguments where I want to duct tape their mouths shut) that I have with my children.

My moto this month is: Hug your children and tell them you love them every single day, you don't know how long you have them for.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, I know mine will be spent reflecting on the important things in my life. I hope yours is a happy one also!

SOCCER, SOCCER, SOCCER

Mariah said she feels like she lives at the soccer field in this picture.

Colton wishes he lived on a soccer field!

So this soccer season has been a real challenge for me. First off, I have discovered that I am more competitive than I would like my siblings to know.... SHHHH! Both my younger kids are in a select soccer program. Colton has been obsessed with soccer since he was a baby. All those years of being on the sideline for his brothers soccer games gave him a true love of the game. There is rarely a time that boy does not have a ball at his feet. He would dribble the ball up and down the sideline while his brother was on the field. He kicks it through my house (even though the rule is no balls in the house!!) annoying his sister at every turn/kick. Mariah loves soccer, sometimes I think only because her brothers do, but still it is the only sport she wants to play.

In my house the kids are required to be involved in some sport or physical activity. Each of them has chosen soccer as their activity, after trying multiple other sports, and dancing for Mariah. For all of you with kids in sports or any activity you know about the politics involved. The higher the competition the more politics it seems to involve. It is horrible being the parent and trying to navigate through this mess we adults create, there should really be some guide to help us out. Colton is my first child involved in select so it has been a true learning experience these past few years. This is Mariah's first year in the program and she is loving it, especially her coach.

The only club Colton has wanted to play for since starting select is the one he is at. He is on the B team, but striving for the A team. We have had a lot of problems on his team this year. It is like the A team is the all important team and the B team is the forgotten kids. There was a high turn over rate, players not really meshing together and the other usual team problems. As in every club (I am discovering) promises were made at the beginning of the season and not followed through on. Promises that they would move players between teams, and practice both squads together to help the B team prepare to move up. The usual things these clubs promise, others are just better at following through on them.

Those of you who know me, know that I am a bit of an ostrich when it comes to confronting issues. I really don't like to complain, it makes me uneasy. I like to bury my head, and hope upon all hope, it will fix itself. That will last for only so long, and then it is like an explosion, and my head pops off and starts spinning around....I am sure that is what my family sees. Especially if you are messing with my kids. So after listening to all the Dads on the team bitch and moan about the issues, I couldn't take it any more. I did the last thing I really like to do. I confronted the issues with our coach and the Directors of our club.

Thanks to a little motivation from my husband, my Mom and my sister Kim. I forced myself to compose a letter. Kim helped me revise it and I got the courage (that was probably more the anger) up and emailed the letter off. I addressed the issues I saw happening and some specific ones that involved Colton, and the position he plays. I am always hesitant to do this just because I worry that it will be Colton that is punished in the end. I was very skeptical that it would even make a difference. My experience so far had been that they just blow you off and tell you they are the coaches and they make the decisions, even though I am the person paying their salary!

I would like to say I am very happy with the results, thus far. A few other parents spoke up (but not the most vocal complainers!) and voiced their opinions, and backed up what I had to say. Our coach actually answered back and said sorry that he was unapproachable. He told me that Colton is a real trouper and willing to play whatever position he is asked. He acknowledged that Colton has been asking to play a different position, which is huge. I tried to address him last year and got the response listed above. The players Director and the A team coach actually contacted me and the other parents. It actually looks like they will be following through on some of their promises to these boys. That is MY biggest complaint, don't make promises or suggestions and then not follow through with kids. They take this to heart and get so disappointed and less trusting when that happens.

I can't express enough how much happier I am now. For me it is a huge deal that I actually stood up and said my peace. The older I get the better I am getting at doing this. I am a people pleaser and I don't like to make waves. I want everyone to be happy, but I have discovered that if I am not happy than it really doesn't matter if the others are happy or not. I feel like now I can face this losing soccer season and be happy with the progress each of my children are making in their sport.

Ahhhh so much better than being angry every time I leave the soccer field. Especially seems that I am spending 5 out of the 7 days of my week at the fields. Makes everyone in my house a little happier too, just ask my husband!

CAMPING

Well our annual family camping trip went great! Never mind the 5 hours we were stuck at Vantage rest area on the hottest day, it was over 100 degrees. Our old motor home does NOT like that kind of heat, who can blame it, we were not loving it ourselves! We kept getting vapor locking, but that was our only problem on the 6 hour drive that took 12 hours. It was great people watching time at the rest area, we played Yahtzee and watched a movie and all the other people overheating from the heat. There was a little Mexican couple selling watermelons for $5 a piece. The watermelon looked yummy, but way to hot and sticky for that. They sold quite a few while we were there. We got quite a laugh when they pulled out their umbrella. We thought they were finally going to need some shade to sit in, but instead they covered their watermelon to shield them from the sun. The important things in life you know.



A whole week spent with all of my immediate family, cousins and more than a few of our friends. No major arguments. Instead we all passed around the Norovirus (for all that don't know it is the stomach flu, it comes out both ends!). That was awesome.....NOT!!! Even that could not ruin our good times, we made it through. I have never spent so much time discussing our bodily functions as an adult....actually I don't remember discussing it that much as a kid either. It was rather funny, after I started feeling better. It is quite amazing how quickly and randomly it makes its way through a group of people.



It was very strange being at the lake this year without my oldest son. It is the first time in 20 years that he was not with me at Curlew. It was a different vacation all around for me. Both my younger two are old enough to do so much by themselves. Strange not to have a little one to hang on me or to chase after. It was nice but a little sad also.



The kids all had a great time as usual. The four boy cousins had a great time. Lots of fishing, wake boarding, surfing and of course inner-tubing! Mariah lucked out and one of our friends with twin girls her age were there. It was a nice surprise for her, usually she is the lone older girl.



Mariah learned to surf this year, she is amazing. She made wake boarding look so easy, up and out of the water like she has been doing it for years! She is going to keep up with those boys if it kills her. This year she loved inner-tubing, she even wanted to go fast and furious, so different from last year.



Colton was amazing as usual. He is so hard on himself, never thinking he is as good as the older boys. I remind him (and his Aunt Kim does also) that he is almost two years younger than the other boys. He did a butter slide on the wake board, he is very excited about that. He looked awesome when he surfed and had so much fun riding the tube. One of our friends Aaron brought his stand up jet ski for the boys to ride. I was leery about letting Colton ride it, but his Aunt Kim said go ahead. All the other boys were taking turns. Next year Colton and Joe and hopefully Austin and Alex will all have their boating permits so I won't have to worry as much about them riding the ski's or driving the boats.



The water was amazing, so warm. We swam almost every day. Darrel, Dad, Troy and the boys did awesome fishing. Spent lots time playing Yahtzee. Mom and Rob had a little water fight during our late night Yahtzee, it was hilarious and everyone ended up with either water or someones drink on them. Our poor neighbors, we laughed forever.



Thankfully the trip home was uneventful. I hate to say it but it was nice to come home to the cooler weather for a few days, I missed the rain this summer, happy to see some of it. My lawn and plants are especially happy too.



Vacation is awesome but it is amazing how nice it feels to be home. Our kitty Ms Olivia missed us and has been on her best behavior since we came back. Amazing for her.

Happy Birthday Mariah

Today is my baby girls birthday, she is 10. She shares her birthday with her cousin Joe who is turning 15 today. Today my last child is leaving the single digit numbers, I feel very sad! I am not ready for her to grow up.....

I am thankful to have such a beautiful girl in my life. She brings such joy and love to us all. Funny how each day they can find every which way to drive you crazy, but in the end melt your heart with their smiles and laughter.

Mariah... so many things to be said about her. She is a very strong willed child (some days the battle of wills about does me in!!). She is so determined to do her best, a perfectionist in so many ways. She is loving, caring and thoughtful. So super smart it scares me. She is an artist beyond anything I ever imagined I could be. She is such a good reader, reading at above a 6th grade level in 3rd grade. She is a good daughter, sister, cousin and friend. She brings light into each day with her sense of humor, smile and hugs and kisses.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY my gorgeous 10 year old girl!!

Happy Birthday my nephew Joe!! He is Mariah's other brother in all senses of the word. He spent much of his growing up years at our house. Darrel and I consider ourselves his second parents. And believe me if you have ever been at my house they all fight just like siblings do!!

Joe has overcome a lot in life. He started school with a learning disability and taking medication. He has overcome that and no longer needs the medication or extra help. He is thriving in high school. You can see him becoming such a grown up young man. I can't believe he is 15 yrs old. His mom has done a great job with him. We are so proud of all of his accomplishments. He is very smart, and determined to do the very best. He made his high school soccer team, out of 70+ kids that tried out, no small feat!!

Happy Birthday Joe!!!

THE BIRTHDAY KIDS!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Northwest Weather

You just have to love the weather around here lately. You never know what you will get! A few Sundays ago we did our annual family snow picnic and sledding up on the pass. I myself could totally of passed on it this year with as much snow as we had at our house. But nooooooo, my cute cousin Matthew could not live without it, nor could my children, so up we went! As you can see by the pictures some of us felt like popsicles, while others of us were having a blast!

The nice thing was not allot of people at the hill because the forecast was for 2 feet of snow that weekend. Needless to say, we went, some sledded, some watched, we ate, and we left.

Colton had another soccer game, we are in state cup qualification time right now. And I just want to say Colton scored his first goal of the season at the our first qualification game. Against a team ranked 7th in state. He was so excited!

We left the mountain and went to Colton's next soccer game and here is what our weather looked like there. Needless to say we did not have on any sunscreen and Darrel got sunburned, oops!!

You have to love the Great Northwest Weather!!!! You can go from city to city and never know what to expect!!!

Government Bailout

Here is my open letter I am sending off to as many Government emails as I can. I am so discouraged each day I turn on the news and hear of another mismangment of our TAXPAYER Money. That is my childrens childrens children that will be paying for this. How can we saddle future generations with this kind of debt and let it be mismanged so badly!!! I know I said that I was going to be positive for Lent, but this is eating away at me everyday that I have to hear about it, the latest being AIG. If I get any sort of response from anyone I will post it here for you all to read what they say. Sorry if you disagree with my opinion.

If you do disagree with me, please remember my favorite saying :
"An opinion is just an opinion, it is neither right nor wrong, but just my opinion."

I as a taxpayer would like to know what you in the (insert whichever government personel, this one happened to be to our Senator Patty Murray) are doing to protect my families interest! I am so disgusted by this whole bailout of these companies that are using OUR TAXPAYER MONEY to make themselves RICHER, while my family struggles from paycheck to paycheck.

This is ridiculous, these companies have no MORALS, and you in the Senate keep bailing them out. Please tell me how this is helping us? The banks are keeping our money, not lending to regular people, AND giving big bonuses to the people who have caused the issues to begin with. Where is this helping us the everyday American.

We the American people look like IDIOTS around the world. We give our money to companies that are poorly managed and let the same management stay in power.

Please tell me how the Government is going to fix this. I do not want to hear about bailing out any more poorly managed companies. The government does not bail me out if I miss manage my finances, so why are you doing this for the Multi Millionaires. Is the Government getting something more out of this than we the people can see? Is the Government going to manage my other money in the same way?

Please let us everyday Americans know why we should continue to trust in you and the Government. I am waiting for something that will strike me as honest and in my best interest. I am having a hard time teaching my children that the Government is there for us the People, and not just for the Multi Millionaire People. I am more and more discouraged by the whole fiasco we call The United States Government and those that are in charge of this never ending bailout of irresponsible companies.

I will be sending this letter out to as many emails in the Government that I can, and I am anxious to hear what you have to say. I will be posting your response on my blog for all to read your answers.

A Sincere US Citizen

Thankful

From now until Easter I have decided to write things I am thankful for. I am done complaining about others and their actions. I am going to focus on the positive things in my life.

I was reminded when reading Texan Mama how much I have to be thankful for my husband. He really is a great guy. He is a huge redneck, and a big male chauvinist neither of which is charming on its own, but his personality more than makes up for those other traits. He is awesome in so many ways. This week he is researching a SLR Camera for me, just because I mentioned I want one and to take a photo class. That is one of the thoughtful things he will do just because.

We have been married for 21 years in June. It has been an up and down ride, but finally we have smoothed out to an even flow. Looking back on all those years, it is nice to be in such a great place now. Nice to see that we grew up together, we still share the same hopes and dreams (some of us more elaborate than others!). The best part is being able to say I still love him and I still like him most of the time.

One of the most important thing I have learned over these years of wedded bliss and not so bliss is this:

You cannot live with people 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year and like them all the time. At least I myself cannot. Just because you don't like them does not mean you do not love them. And yes it really can be days, weeks, months (shhh, maybe even a year).

I am so happy to be able to say I love my husband!! And to know that he still feels the same way about me.