"Mom, how many days NOW until Christmas," says Youngest on his way home from school yesterday.
"Well, Youngest, we now have five days to go," I patiently informed him.
"Tell me what we do for Christmas. Tell me how it goes."
"No problem, buddy. We go to church service on Christmas Eve. When we come home we get to open one Christmas present each. Then we go to bed and in the morning when we wake up it's Christmas and we open all the presents."
"Mom, you should have written my name on more of those presents that are under the tree right now. You should have written my name on lots of them. My name is only on, like, one or two."
"Don't worry, buddy. Daddy and I are going to do some more shopping. We'll get you some more presents."
"Good! Can I come?"
"No, buddy. The presents are a surprise. I can't take you with me!"
"I can pretend. I can pretend like I don't know what the presents are. Please? I want to come shopping with you."
"No, buddy. It has to be a surprise."
"Well, I can forget. After we go shopping I can just forget what you bought. I can be really surprised when I open them!"
Well, friends. You really can't argue with the determined logic of a five-year old. I can tell you he didn't convince me, but he DOES make a great case.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Another "W"
Fun, fun time at Bball Girl's game on Saturday. We brought the Ma-In-Law, just for kicks. She no doubt, added spice to the event. She did point out one bit of interesting information that neither the Hub nor I had yet noticed...Bball Girl is shooting for baskets with her left hand. She's right-handed but both the Hub and I are lefties. Interesting.
The girls earned another win, finishing 25-22 with a strong 6 points from Bball Girl. That's up 2 points from last week's game. She's progressing nicely. She had two excellent steals and many attempts. Her team pretty much dominated the scoreboard throughout the game.
The part that I couldn't make up to you if I tried would be about the opposing team. I promise you this coach/dad coaches his team to pass the ball, at all times, to his daughter. And with good reason, friends. Everytime she shot the ball she made the basket. Still...I'm so glad my daughter is not on that team. There was no shame in his game. Loudly, from the sidelines, he would tell her to take the ball all the way, so no chance of passing it, and tell the other girls to get the ball to her. I am quite sure all of their 22 points can be attributed to his daughter. Well, friends, that's just yucky. I mean, what in the world is this teaching the rest of his team. And what is it teaching his daughter? Well, we found out. At the buzzer, his daughter burst into tears. Apparently they were undefeated until they met us. She wasn't prepared to lose. What a setup.
Bball Girl, on the other hand, had a fire in her eyes. She figured out in the last three minutes of the game that the only way to stop them from scoring was to keep this other girl from shooting. Hence, the two beautiful steals. Never mind that this wasn't the girl she was supposed to be covering. Hey, who are we to call her out on that? The girl was determined. Maybe a bit too determined? The coaches went ahead and benched her for a few minutes. Probably a good thing, she turned up the aggressive volume to maximum.
On another note, our church FCFC, had a lovely Christmas lunch yesterday. These are some of the most amazing people. We even had a few guests from our past and it was simply a pleasure to dine and visit with them. You can check out some of the pictures here. In your life, I hope there is a time when you can reflect and say "this was really fun." Not work, just fun. No pretending, just relaxed and being yourself. For us, our not frequent enough visits with our families is like that. Our lunch yesterday can be placed in that same category. Fun. We opted to not exchange gifts this year and exchange a card of blessing instead. Some of these thoughts put down on paper were far more priceless than any gift that could have been bought. This is a special group of people and we are so blessed to have them in our lives.
The girls earned another win, finishing 25-22 with a strong 6 points from Bball Girl. That's up 2 points from last week's game. She's progressing nicely. She had two excellent steals and many attempts. Her team pretty much dominated the scoreboard throughout the game.
The part that I couldn't make up to you if I tried would be about the opposing team. I promise you this coach/dad coaches his team to pass the ball, at all times, to his daughter. And with good reason, friends. Everytime she shot the ball she made the basket. Still...I'm so glad my daughter is not on that team. There was no shame in his game. Loudly, from the sidelines, he would tell her to take the ball all the way, so no chance of passing it, and tell the other girls to get the ball to her. I am quite sure all of their 22 points can be attributed to his daughter. Well, friends, that's just yucky. I mean, what in the world is this teaching the rest of his team. And what is it teaching his daughter? Well, we found out. At the buzzer, his daughter burst into tears. Apparently they were undefeated until they met us. She wasn't prepared to lose. What a setup.
Bball Girl, on the other hand, had a fire in her eyes. She figured out in the last three minutes of the game that the only way to stop them from scoring was to keep this other girl from shooting. Hence, the two beautiful steals. Never mind that this wasn't the girl she was supposed to be covering. Hey, who are we to call her out on that? The girl was determined. Maybe a bit too determined? The coaches went ahead and benched her for a few minutes. Probably a good thing, she turned up the aggressive volume to maximum.
On another note, our church FCFC, had a lovely Christmas lunch yesterday. These are some of the most amazing people. We even had a few guests from our past and it was simply a pleasure to dine and visit with them. You can check out some of the pictures here. In your life, I hope there is a time when you can reflect and say "this was really fun." Not work, just fun. No pretending, just relaxed and being yourself. For us, our not frequent enough visits with our families is like that. Our lunch yesterday can be placed in that same category. Fun. We opted to not exchange gifts this year and exchange a card of blessing instead. Some of these thoughts put down on paper were far more priceless than any gift that could have been bought. This is a special group of people and we are so blessed to have them in our lives.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
These Are The Days
Youngest has been home sick with a fever everyday this week. His idea of a sick day:
This morning I wake up and come out of my room to find him sitting on the edge of his bed. Wide awake. Just parked there, by the door...waiting. Waiting for someone, anyone else in the house to get up so he can announce: "there's no snow out there." The boy has been waiting. He heard the weather rumor mill like the rest of the family and he's been waiting. Friends, it was a little Twilight Zone-ish.
Last night we had the distinct privilege of attending the football banquet for the Chantilly Chargers. If you've never been a part of a team of some sort, let me just tell you that watching these boys eat together, laugh and share good times, genuinely have a connection and enjoy their time together, it was touching. Moving, actually. This really is a family and I get the connection. Their bond represents such a special time in their lives. It will never be replaced or duplicated. And they know this.
My boy, Oldest, won the award for Most Improved Defensive Player. The coach's comments in presenting the award were: "This player has improved the most from freshman to senior year, constantly working out, and 'everyday is a bicep day, coach' was his motto. He's had the most improvement of any player I have EVER coached." Wow, friends. Big rounds of applause. You would have been proud of me. I kept it together, straight faced (okay, big smile) but NO tears. Didn't want to embarrass the big guy.
The banquet conclusion was watching a highlight film DVD that the coach was kind enough to make and to provide copies to each senior boy. The boys fell silent and you could sense in the air that the seniors were just soaking it all in. Enjoying watching it again, but a little melancholy that this is the last of their high school football days. The Hub likes to make fun of me for my Friday Night Lights loving self, but what I love is the connection those characters, and these football boys, have with each other. It becomes a family. They are tied by it, they watch each other's back, they understand each other, and they live for their Friday night games.
As we are leaving the banquet, walking through the parking lot I could sense the heaviness of my Oldest. All I got a chance to say was "you okay, Oldest?" and friends, the tears flowed. Hollywood could not have paid someone to show the feeling of this moment better. The Hub stepped right in and gave him a big hug as we walked to the car. Now you know, I didn't bother to hold anything else together after that. Sigh...I almost broke out in song, singing Boys II Men's "It's So Hard To Say Goodbye...To Yesterday." You know you want to sing it with me. This was no episode of Glee, so I didn't break into the song that the moment called for, but it was tempting. It's so hard for him to say goodbye to this time in his life. Change is hard. Especially when it involves leaving behind something you treasure so greatly.
Now, this morning Oldest tells me he was teary-eyed when he got his award. Really? Man, I could have had my moment too, then. I was trying to be tough for him. And looky here, I think I got jipped of an emotional moment! Today as he went off to school he wore his Letterman's jacket for the first time. You know he wouldn't let me take a picture. Besides looking oh-so-handsome, he was walking proud. He has loved this team, loved this season and he worked hard for success.
Have I mentioned that he's trying out for Lacrosse in the spring. Stay tuned to the athletic channel here, friends. This will be a whole new world for me.
On another note, I was truly blessed with a video camera for my birthday. Truly blessed! The outside world has no idea what they are going to get a glimpse of now. I WILL be filming Bball Girl's game on Saturday. And getting Youngest on film doing anything? Priceless
This morning I wake up and come out of my room to find him sitting on the edge of his bed. Wide awake. Just parked there, by the door...waiting. Waiting for someone, anyone else in the house to get up so he can announce: "there's no snow out there." The boy has been waiting. He heard the weather rumor mill like the rest of the family and he's been waiting. Friends, it was a little Twilight Zone-ish.
After the usual morning hustle and bustle to get the girls ready for school, Youngest was complaining about his ailments. I laid him on my bed and not two minutes later he was fast asleep. As in snoring, asleep. That kind of deep breathing stuff that had me thinking he would be there for awhile. I go downstairs to do some laundry. I have a large mirror over the staircase that when downstairs will show you the top landing of upstairs. As I hit the stairs to come up I see Youngest's feet planted squarely in the center of the landing. Again, a little Twilight Zone-ish, friends. Picture seeing just this:
Last night we had the distinct privilege of attending the football banquet for the Chantilly Chargers. If you've never been a part of a team of some sort, let me just tell you that watching these boys eat together, laugh and share good times, genuinely have a connection and enjoy their time together, it was touching. Moving, actually. This really is a family and I get the connection. Their bond represents such a special time in their lives. It will never be replaced or duplicated. And they know this.
My boy, Oldest, won the award for Most Improved Defensive Player. The coach's comments in presenting the award were: "This player has improved the most from freshman to senior year, constantly working out, and 'everyday is a bicep day, coach' was his motto. He's had the most improvement of any player I have EVER coached." Wow, friends. Big rounds of applause. You would have been proud of me. I kept it together, straight faced (okay, big smile) but NO tears. Didn't want to embarrass the big guy.
The banquet conclusion was watching a highlight film DVD that the coach was kind enough to make and to provide copies to each senior boy. The boys fell silent and you could sense in the air that the seniors were just soaking it all in. Enjoying watching it again, but a little melancholy that this is the last of their high school football days. The Hub likes to make fun of me for my Friday Night Lights loving self, but what I love is the connection those characters, and these football boys, have with each other. It becomes a family. They are tied by it, they watch each other's back, they understand each other, and they live for their Friday night games.
As we are leaving the banquet, walking through the parking lot I could sense the heaviness of my Oldest. All I got a chance to say was "you okay, Oldest?" and friends, the tears flowed. Hollywood could not have paid someone to show the feeling of this moment better. The Hub stepped right in and gave him a big hug as we walked to the car. Now you know, I didn't bother to hold anything else together after that. Sigh...I almost broke out in song, singing Boys II Men's "It's So Hard To Say Goodbye...To Yesterday." You know you want to sing it with me. This was no episode of Glee, so I didn't break into the song that the moment called for, but it was tempting. It's so hard for him to say goodbye to this time in his life. Change is hard. Especially when it involves leaving behind something you treasure so greatly.
Now, this morning Oldest tells me he was teary-eyed when he got his award. Really? Man, I could have had my moment too, then. I was trying to be tough for him. And looky here, I think I got jipped of an emotional moment! Today as he went off to school he wore his Letterman's jacket for the first time. You know he wouldn't let me take a picture. Besides looking oh-so-handsome, he was walking proud. He has loved this team, loved this season and he worked hard for success.
Have I mentioned that he's trying out for Lacrosse in the spring. Stay tuned to the athletic channel here, friends. This will be a whole new world for me.
On another note, I was truly blessed with a video camera for my birthday. Truly blessed! The outside world has no idea what they are going to get a glimpse of now. I WILL be filming Bball Girl's game on Saturday. And getting Youngest on film doing anything? Priceless
Monday, December 13, 2010
It's Just A Game
Friends, so happy to relay the positive results of Bball Girl's 2nd basketball game. My friends, I must now admit that I was getting a bit concerned. My girl was developing a nasty habit of being a passer. Every time her hands touched that ball she was looking for a way to get rid of it. Now, mama didn't raise no scaredy cat so I was puzzling as to why she would be demonstrating this fear and intimidation. After several stern talks about being confident on the court, our girl came out and played her heart out. The Fury won 24-16, with four of those delicious points coming from none other than Bball Chick. She was looking hot out there, dipping and diving, dribbling and (finally) shooting.
My favorite scenario is her fast break, dribble up the court and take the shot. With more practice this girl is going to be dangerous. I know you think I am obligated to pump her up just so, and perhaps that's true. But seriously. The hardest part about watching these games is the constant self-reminder to breath deep and remember it's just a game.
With the Christmas season upon us, we have been inundated with the joys of warm fires, happy, cuddly families on the tv screen. They almost always include snow. Youngest would like to know "when's it going to snow in our world?" I'd like to know that too.
And in true Copeland fashion I thought I would create an-around the dinner table fun game last night. "Let's all take a turn saying one thing we love about someone else here." Amidst eye rolls and heavy sighs, I forced these lovely people to participate. Several of my favorite family members were kind enough to choose me. Am I the bomb enough to be so worthy? I couldn't help laughing hysterically. "That was my plan, family. Get some Rach props for my birthday!"
"Cheap move mom," says Bball Girl.
"Yeah mom, that was just dirty," says Soccer Chick.
"Really Rach? Pitiful," says the Hub.
Hey, if we can't have fun, what can we have?
My favorite scenario is her fast break, dribble up the court and take the shot. With more practice this girl is going to be dangerous. I know you think I am obligated to pump her up just so, and perhaps that's true. But seriously. The hardest part about watching these games is the constant self-reminder to breath deep and remember it's just a game.
With the Christmas season upon us, we have been inundated with the joys of warm fires, happy, cuddly families on the tv screen. They almost always include snow. Youngest would like to know "when's it going to snow in our world?" I'd like to know that too.
And in true Copeland fashion I thought I would create an-around the dinner table fun game last night. "Let's all take a turn saying one thing we love about someone else here." Amidst eye rolls and heavy sighs, I forced these lovely people to participate. Several of my favorite family members were kind enough to choose me. Am I the bomb enough to be so worthy? I couldn't help laughing hysterically. "That was my plan, family. Get some Rach props for my birthday!"
"Cheap move mom," says Bball Girl.
"Yeah mom, that was just dirty," says Soccer Chick.
"Really Rach? Pitiful," says the Hub.
Hey, if we can't have fun, what can we have?
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Don't Do As David Does
If you check out the near end of David's life in 2 Samuel of the Bible, you will discover a lonely, sad, disheartened man. This is the great King David? This is the man who paved the way for the temple to be built in Jerusalem? Surely, there's a piece missing. That piece? His personal choices.
We can read all about David's successes in his professional life. The man was a good king. But what about his personal life. We can count at least 8 wives and numerous concubines. What's up with that David? Now you and I know God never told David he could have all them ladies. Obviously, they kept him busy. David had countless children. While David was busying doing what David was doing, he had children at war with each other. You know about Amnon and Tamar? You know about Absalom absolving his sister's name and bringing a quick end to what used to be Amnon? David's children duking it out. Where was king David? The great and powerful king? Weeping alone. David chose not to respond to the chaos that was brewing. The outcome? David's house was a wreck.
There are tons of modern day Davids. Rich, powerful, seeming to have it all together. Yet, a closer, microscopic look would show what goes on behind closed doors. The things we do not want to see on the 6 o'clock news.
What about your house? Are you successful at work but the home life is not so much so? If you succeed at work but don't succeed at home with your family do you really succeed at all? God would place our focus on our families; those that have been entrusted to us for a time. Let's be introspective for a minute. What's the state of the relationships with your loved ones? Is it all good? Or is there trouble there that shouldn't be ignored? Perhaps your spouse and/or children are having a "beef"...resolve it. Perhaps you have a loved one you have broken communication with...fix it. If that news camera came into your home and saw how you and your special folks interacted what would that look like?
Don't be like David and live a glorious public life and a damaged, broken and pitiful home life. It catches up to us. David, ousted from the kingdom by his own son, enters the last season of his great life being destitute, homeless, without a wife or child to love him. Alone. Because of his choices. If we live as if God sees everything and every day matters, we'll work just as hard to perfect our family life as we do to perfect our careers. It's hard work, but then...God never said it would be easy.
On that note, Youngest would like to know what "nog" is. As I contemplated what in the world he was asking us this morning, the Hub said "oh, as in egg nog?" That's exactly what the boy was thinking. "Yes Dad! Exactly. I know what makes the egg part but I can't figure out what makes the nog." Stumped again my friends, stumped again.
We can read all about David's successes in his professional life. The man was a good king. But what about his personal life. We can count at least 8 wives and numerous concubines. What's up with that David? Now you and I know God never told David he could have all them ladies. Obviously, they kept him busy. David had countless children. While David was busying doing what David was doing, he had children at war with each other. You know about Amnon and Tamar? You know about Absalom absolving his sister's name and bringing a quick end to what used to be Amnon? David's children duking it out. Where was king David? The great and powerful king? Weeping alone. David chose not to respond to the chaos that was brewing. The outcome? David's house was a wreck.
There are tons of modern day Davids. Rich, powerful, seeming to have it all together. Yet, a closer, microscopic look would show what goes on behind closed doors. The things we do not want to see on the 6 o'clock news.
What about your house? Are you successful at work but the home life is not so much so? If you succeed at work but don't succeed at home with your family do you really succeed at all? God would place our focus on our families; those that have been entrusted to us for a time. Let's be introspective for a minute. What's the state of the relationships with your loved ones? Is it all good? Or is there trouble there that shouldn't be ignored? Perhaps your spouse and/or children are having a "beef"...resolve it. Perhaps you have a loved one you have broken communication with...fix it. If that news camera came into your home and saw how you and your special folks interacted what would that look like?
Don't be like David and live a glorious public life and a damaged, broken and pitiful home life. It catches up to us. David, ousted from the kingdom by his own son, enters the last season of his great life being destitute, homeless, without a wife or child to love him. Alone. Because of his choices. If we live as if God sees everything and every day matters, we'll work just as hard to perfect our family life as we do to perfect our careers. It's hard work, but then...God never said it would be easy.
On that note, Youngest would like to know what "nog" is. As I contemplated what in the world he was asking us this morning, the Hub said "oh, as in egg nog?" That's exactly what the boy was thinking. "Yes Dad! Exactly. I know what makes the egg part but I can't figure out what makes the nog." Stumped again my friends, stumped again.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
The Legend Begins
As I close the chapter on my dearest Oldest's football days, I gleefully open a brand-new chapter on Baseball Chick's newest endeavor...basketball! Last night, my dearest Baseball Chick had her very first practice. Friends! The girl is a natural. Not that I am surprised. We've watched her on the hoop outside our house for a whole year, shaking our heads, saying "this girl needs to play basketball." She's quick, she's aggressive and she makes baskets. I'm smelling a point guard.
Girlfriend was clearly a whole foot smaller than all the girls on her team. As I sat on the side watching her learn some ins and outs, I marveled at how much smaller she is. I'm guessing parents of particularly tall girls tend to think basketball will be a good thing for their kid. We look at our Baseball Chick and say her small height, incredible speed and surprising aggressive play is going to be the ticket for her.
Speaking of "her", her name must now officially change. I think we have fallen in love with a new sport. Her new name will naturally be "Bball Girl." To be fair, we're talking 8 year olds here. But even with that, my girl was doing her thing. There was the skill practice and warm ups and then the fun of a scrimmaging another team. Now this, friends, was delightful. To be clear, there was a point where Bball Girl's team had the ball and Bball Girl should have been trying to make herself open for a pass. What she was actually doing was blocking the defender. The Hub, smirking, said "um...that's not what she is supposed to be doing." True, but the best part of it would be the skill with which she was blocking. She was all over that player. The poor girl couldn't get past Bball Girl. Okay, so she has to figure out when to do what, but that will come with practice and game play time. The beauty was certainly in her natural ability to move over that court. The girl has found a home for her heart.
The very best part of the evening would have to be Bball Girl's ridiculous steal from the opposing team. Coach blew the whistle and explained to the team there's no stealing allowed (at this age level). Well, shoot! Clearly, if they let her steal she's going to be all over that ball. This sport is not ready for this girl. After practice the coach's only question was has she played before. And her only statement was "she's good."
Friends, I think this will help me to get over my football-mom grief. Just a bit. First basketball game on Saturday. Can. Not. Wait.
Girlfriend was clearly a whole foot smaller than all the girls on her team. As I sat on the side watching her learn some ins and outs, I marveled at how much smaller she is. I'm guessing parents of particularly tall girls tend to think basketball will be a good thing for their kid. We look at our Baseball Chick and say her small height, incredible speed and surprising aggressive play is going to be the ticket for her.
Speaking of "her", her name must now officially change. I think we have fallen in love with a new sport. Her new name will naturally be "Bball Girl." To be fair, we're talking 8 year olds here. But even with that, my girl was doing her thing. There was the skill practice and warm ups and then the fun of a scrimmaging another team. Now this, friends, was delightful. To be clear, there was a point where Bball Girl's team had the ball and Bball Girl should have been trying to make herself open for a pass. What she was actually doing was blocking the defender. The Hub, smirking, said "um...that's not what she is supposed to be doing." True, but the best part of it would be the skill with which she was blocking. She was all over that player. The poor girl couldn't get past Bball Girl. Okay, so she has to figure out when to do what, but that will come with practice and game play time. The beauty was certainly in her natural ability to move over that court. The girl has found a home for her heart.
The very best part of the evening would have to be Bball Girl's ridiculous steal from the opposing team. Coach blew the whistle and explained to the team there's no stealing allowed (at this age level). Well, shoot! Clearly, if they let her steal she's going to be all over that ball. This sport is not ready for this girl. After practice the coach's only question was has she played before. And her only statement was "she's good."
Friends, I think this will help me to get over my football-mom grief. Just a bit. First basketball game on Saturday. Can. Not. Wait.
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