It's On The Way

The Hub was honored to be given the opportunity to preach at a friend's church in Charlottesville this past Saturday. This was just "right" on so many levels. The kids stayed home, so it was a lot like a date for us. Two hours in the car; I stayed awake; lots of convo and quality time. The service was delightful and the Hub's message was entitled "It's On The Way". He preached about Hannah and how she prayed, fasted and wailed before God for Him to fulfill the desires of her heart...give her a son. God remembered her prayer and gave her a son, Samuel.

The Hub encouraged the congregation to keep focused and choose to believe that "It's On The Way". Just keep praying and believing and don't give up too quickly. I was there as the supportive pastor's wife. But let me tell you friends, God was speaking to me too. As church planters, there are lots of discouraging days. We don't see the things happening that we think should be happening. We pray, we work, we love and we wait for the results to come through. It's a tough, lonely road. Yet, I sat there listening to the Hub preach and thought, "thanks God. You are taking this one small moment to encourage me to keep praying, believing and NOT give up." God is faithful and I want to be too.

This morning I decided to hit the vending machine for a cup of spiced Chai. I've cut out coffee. No worries friends, I have not murdered anyone or broken any furniture or children. I've detoxed from my coffee habit pretty nicely so far. In any case, wanted something nice and hot this morning so I hit the machine. As my cup is brewing, the digital reader on the vending machine is scrolling the following message: "It's On The Way." Just like that. I love when God confirms His message. I love when I am alert enough to see it (it is Monday after all). I love that He has told me not once, but twice, in the last three days, that He has not forgotten me and my prayers. I'll keep praying, folks. Ya'll do the same.

Game Life

Rushed out of work yesterday to head straight home to pick up the fam and head to the final scrimmage of the season for Oldest. This is great news; now we can get the regular season rolling. Somehow we missed the kickoff again. I am so determined to see the FULL game for each game we attend this season. I mean, who wouldn't want to get that pumped up feeling along with the boys as they run out on the field?

The boys played tremendously. They versed Annandale High and although I'm not sure what they are doing over there, they are producing some big boys. Despite being bigger, they were clearly not better. Without a scoreboard to confirm, I can say that the score was at least 14 to 7. And Oldest got his fair share of playing time and performance. Then they put the 2nd string in. TOUCHDOWN for Annandale. "There goes the 2nd string," I tell the Hub. Good thing it was a scrimmage because that may well have been their first and last chance to play.

It was a good game. The other kids were bored to death and enjoyed the rocks and pebbles at their feet for two hours. My favorite part of the evening: the Defensive Line coach is talking with Oldest, just as he is about to board the bus. Right about the same time we are walking down the sidewalk. He asks Oldest how he felt he played and they conversed for a few minutes as we approached. Oldest tells his coach he had 2 men on him at all times and they were holding. The coach tells the Hub that Oldest has been playing very, very well and that he is the most improved player on the team. Major beams coming out of my face. So sweet to see how hard Oldest has worked and to see all his hard effort is paying off. The coach likes him, he's playing well, he's showing maddening improvement. It shall be a good season folks. I'm very proud!

Still Summer

Well friends and family, many of you have happily returned your lovely children to school. Happy, bright, loving their new school clothes, new shoes, seeing their friends again. My lovely children are home wondering what they will do for the remainder of this week and ALL of next week, until the FOLLOWING Tuesday. Suggestions welcome...

We are anxiously awaiting the emails placing our lovely Soccer Chick and Baseball Chick on their fall teams. Seems that when we have reached this time of year, every second feels like a year. No word yet, but we are definitely excited to get this ball rolling. The girls are ready to begin practices, meet their coaches, see their teams and receive their ever-exciting uniforms. But alas, we wait.

We almost had the Hub roped into coaching Soccer Chick's season this fall. After the third email pleading for one more coach to step up arrived in our inbox one of her friend's mother and I decided the Hub definitely had time to take this on. Thank God He knows more than we do. By the time I sent the email that the Hub would do it, another gentleman had stepped up. The Hub has, however, graciously volunteered to man the grill at all home games for Oldest's football team meals. Just him, 100 football playing kids, a bunch of overgrown, outdated man-coaches and sports moms. He's gonna have a blast. Just his kind of scene.

Football scrimmage number 3 and last non-official game of the season commences tonight. I'm doing my best to stop watching the clock this afternoon. Game time is 5pm. We're pretty psyched up about it. Oldest is listed on the school roster as 6'0, 210 pounds. Highest # on the team, #92. Game time baby, as he would say.

The Hub says we would be doing a big disservice to ourselves and to Youngest if we didn't get that character on tv somewhere. If God opens that door I know it will be Him. This kid is destine for stardom. I can't tell you how many teenage fans he has. At 4 years of age he has more friends than me. That's not saying a whole lot, but in perspective, what 4 year old engages in conversation and warms the hearts of teenage girls like this one? There's only one Youngest. World beware...

All Hail Sports Season

I simply must update you on the fantastical scrimmage Oldest had on Friday night. I do know fantastical is not even a word, BUT, so appropriate to encapsulate my excitement. Let me just tell you it was in Woodbridge, so it was a hike of a hike. Took ridiculously long to get there and we didn't arrive until half time. Despite that disappointing news, we sat down in the bleachers and were promptly informed of what a tremendous game Oldest had played so far. Neighbor-father told us that Oldest had at least two tremendous quarterback sacks and 2nd half commenced. He did, indeed, play a good game. We witnessed at least one additional sack and several that he was a prominent part of.

He has worked so hard for this one season; all that work is paying off. Football season ends in November and about that time last year, he began his incredible push towards senior year season. He did workouts and conditioning nearly every day of the week from November through June. I believe the boy said he had a 99% attendance record. When most boys were off doing other sports or lounging in the off season, Oldest was working his hardest. You know it too, you've seen the bulging muscles. As soon as June hit, the workouts and conditioning became official for the upcoming team and it got even more serious for Oldest. Now here we are in August, two-a-day practices and it is game time for this guy. He is so pumped. He says that a bunch of the boys are getting mohawks for the first game. Oh, goodness me.

Chantilly won that scrimmage about 20 to 7 or so. Strangely, the scoreboard stopped working right about half time. Both sides were set at 0 for some reason. When we arrived it was 20 to zip, Chantilly and the other team scored once I believe. At one point Baseball Chick asks me what the down marker was for. I just stared at her with that "did anyone hear her ask me that?" look. I am hoping none of the other parents picked up on my not answering her, out of a sheer lack of knowledge. With that experience behind me I decided to ask the Hub to give me simple explanations. I get the point, and the plays, pretty much. But I really couldn't say I understand the whole "down" system. Yesterday I asked for some assistance and the Hub joyfully pulled out some chalk on the driveway and gave me a good run through. I think now I could answer Baseball Chick's question. Loudly and proudly, if I had to.

We are truly looking forward to this season and hoping for the boys that they can win a state championship. Oldest says the coach says this is the best looking team he's had in awhile. "Doesn't he say that every year to you guys?" I say. Oldest says no. He played varsity last year and he hasn't heard the coach talk this way yet. So we are very hopeful.

On another note, we are getting desperate pleas for an additional soccer coach for Soccer Chick's season. Do these people know they really don't want me to coach? I really, truly wish I could take this on. I have the time, and the energy and the excitement for sure. But...hmmm. coaching? You have to really understand the game and the positions, or else what good are you? I fear I would cause more damage than good. I don't think I could survive a parent like the kind of parent that I am, on the sidelines, flipping out over my poor coaching job. I'm much better suited to only half way knowing what I'm talking about, from the sidelines. So, we're hoping someone will step up. The Hub surely doesn't have the time to fit it in, although I know he'd like to do it. We'll just be praying some other family has a parent that can do this for the girls.

Oldest has another scrimmage Thursday night. We are so pumped for this. The boys are pumped too. "Game time baby" is Oldest's walk around the house slogan. Well, that and "Rach, I'm hungry."

Just Plain Cute

I love to share with you the authentic antics of Youngest. His thought processes really do amaze me. Last night I am catching up on emails at my desk. Doing the whole distracted parent thing when Youngest comes in to show me two small cuts on his wrist. In his most "I'm amazed and appalled" voice he says "Mom! Look at these two cuts on my wrist!" I ask him where they came from, without even looking at them. You know how moms can do it. He responds by saying "I don't know. But do you know what will help them get better? Gum. White gum in a container," as he eyes the white gum in a container on my desk.

Needless to say I stopped typing and looked down at him as he presented me with his most innocent - or "I'm trying to look innocent" face. "Really mom. Seriously." Needless to say he got the gum.

On another note, have you checked out my sister's blog? www.fromcvillewithlove.blogspot.com. She is simply the most amazing and creative person I know. She recently completed a trade show for her jewelry (yes, folks, that she makes and sells) and posted pictures of her booth. I've always been amazed and proud of her. But I must confess reading her post this morning brought tears to my eyes. I couldn't put a finger on any particular reason why I would be feeling more emotional than normal so I'm pretty confident in saying her booth looked that amazing. I was really having a hard time saying this was created by my younger sister. NOT that she is not capable. But totally because this is seriously talented stuff. Like famous-people kind of stuff. If you have time check out her photos and her blog post. She is a funny gal and you will enjoy the reading.

Scrimmage Success

Last night we had the distinct privilege of attending Chantilly's first scrimmage of the season. Does it matter that the team scrimmages itself? Well, come now friends. Not if you are a Chantilly Charger it doesn't. I suppose that if you are outside of this reality it make seem a bit odd to get excited over something so internal and silly. But, isn't that the fun of being part of a team, or a fan of a team? I am definitely that. Did I pay much attention to the other three's tireless boredom pleas. Nah, not so much.

Oldest is 1st string O line. For my non-football speaking friends that simply means he's in the group that goes out to play first, as in the top/best players on the team and he play on Offensive line. Now don't get crafty and ask me what position he plays because that may simply be beyond my knowledge of understanding. I asked Oldest to explain to me some very simple stuff the other day. I am hoping that since this season is such a big deal to him I might actually cheer and clap at the right time. That being dependent on understanding the game, naturally. Which I can tell you now, is not where I am. BUT! I am working on it and I do want to learn it. I am capable of some complex things so surely I can get the gist of this thing.

Well friends, despite my asking Oldest wouldn't budge. Tells me it would be a waste of time for him to explain it to me because I wouldn't get it. This from the kid who seeks me out for the simplest of "complex" things he has to do in his 17 year old life. I love that he thinks I can't comprehend the game of football. I mean, I haven't figured it out yet and I was a cheerleader in high school and have been going to his games since he was 7. But, friends, that's not the point. Surely I was distracted from focusing and understanding. In fact, I'm pretty sure the Hub gives me the same response that Oldest did when I have asked him to explain to me. What's a gal to do.

I do want to tell you that I can remember cheer leading and not knowing what the plays meant. That should be a mandatory lesson as part of the cheer leading practice. It seemed that everyone around me knew what was happening, but I clearly didn't. So I cheered when they cheered; clapped when they clapped. And like all things in life, you can't fake it 'til you make it. Because here I am, umpteen years later and not a football scholar am I. Now, that said, I plan to get better this season. I still have Youngest to see through those priceless youth football days.

The scrimmage itself went very well. The boys looked pretty good. Ha! I say this after telling you that I really don't know what I'm talking about. I'll keep you updated as the season rolls along. I know how to read a scoreboard and that's all that really matters. My boy got a few sacks and was doing big things out there. He came home looking like he had been hit by a mac truck. He barely could walk up the steps. We did have to make a cleat purchasing run to the sports store, at which we were delighted to find a middle aged store employee who delighted himself in putting Oldest on the spot. I suppose Oldest set himself up by not having the energy to change out of his uniform. But regardless, you gotta love a grown man who thinks he has to call a kid out about playing football. He talked way too loud. I mean, who's attention was he trying to get? And friends, HE was the grown up working at a sport store, giving Oldest the third degree about colleges and playing time and 1st string or 2nd string and positions and performance, and some sort of "Alright, you better do something out there. I'm going to come check out your games." And no, friends, we do not know this man. At all. When we walked away Oldest summed it up pretty well, I thought: "okay, loser grown man harassing kids. Dusch bag."

Oldest has another scrimmage on Friday night. Now this is when the Friday Night lights fever will really begin to set in. The Hub and I feeling the heat rising. The rest of the kids look at us like we're crazy but you know we don't care. And did I mention that at the scrimmage yesterday Youngest so no less than 3 teenage girls that are fans of his. I suppose they didn't see the rest of us. He is the cutest thing walking, and thus, all that matters, apparently.

4 in 1

The emails are trickling in and the excitement is building. Our sports season is about to be upon us. You know how we Copelands do it, lots of sports means lots to blog about! I'm so excited friends, about this upcoming season. Brace yourself...we'll have four playing in one season. Let me get your good and ready:

Oldest, as you may know, never stopped working out from last football season. Completed all the off-season workouts and non-mandatory conditioning and here we are at August when the actual real season has arrived. The Chantilly football team is now doing their "two-a-days". For my friends that are not sports enthusiasts that simply means two practices a day. I'll try to break it down for you whenever I can. That said, I can't give you play-by-plays of the game because I don't actually know how to play. Nevertheless, in a few short weeks there I will be on Friday nights, sitting in the stands, rooting for that big guy. His arms measure the second biggest of anyone on the team and he says the dude with the biggest doesn't count because he's just sloppy. So my big guy will be out there, hopefully doing some big things. And prayerfully, some college football team somewhere will notice him and invite him to come chat. You better believe I will be specifically praying for this before each and every game. God tells us to pray specifically, and that's what I intend to do.

I've gotten an email about Soccer Chick's season. This year they will be playing girls from other leagues. This takes the soccer game to a whole other level. No more house league team against same house league team. It means no more local playing fields every week, so a bit more travel for us but it also means a higher level of competition and skill. That same email asked for coaches as they have found themselves short. I wish that I could transport my brother-in-law, known as Cute Husband on my sister's blog (www.). I know that he would be a fantastic coach. Since he lives a whopping two hours away, I couldn't sign him up. I am confident they don't want me to coach. That, friends, would be disasterous. As you know I get way too emotionally involved in game time. I am much better suited for the sidelines.

Haven't heard anything about Baseball Chick yet. I am certain we will be hearing soon. I'm guessing she will be on a team with all boys again. And that will be just fine with her. Hopefully with a coach that gives me plenty to blog about.

And the most exciting news...Youngest is officially registered to play on his first team. If you know him, you know this is major. The boy is a balled up container of energy, running on maximum constantly. I can foresee him leading the ball and scoring multiple goals in each game. I look forward to keeping you updated on this guy. He's excited to have a jersey with a real number. He's such an old soul in a little guy's body. When I told him he was registered, he took it in stride...."When do I start practice?" As if he's David Beckham or something. At this age, there's no such thing; just games on Saturdays. But the little man intends to do business on the field so we won't stand in his way.

So yes, folks, we will have four teams to juggle during one 3 month period. Ya'll pray for us that we can manage the scheduling. We're praying for not too much overlapping and a miracle of scheduling that allows us to balance the three youngest's games on Saturdays. All things are possible with God...even this!