Happy 60th Jos

Not trying to put my mama out there and broadcast her age to the world. But in light of this weekend's festivities, it's completely necessary. My dear sisters and I, and our husbands and boyfriend put together the neatest surprise party ever. My dear mama, sweet as she can be, had a full morning of manicures and pedicures and was breathing those deep sighs of satisfaction as we trotted on over to her house. She was, to say the least, completely surprised. So much love and good feelings in that air. It was really sweet. The food wasn't bad either.

It was especially nice for me to see people I hadn't seen in a long, long time. Like the CPS worker who once investigated us in a situation with Oldest, prior to our having custody days, when his mama was, oh...let's just say not a happy camper. So neat to see her, and say "hey, you wouldn't believe how great Oldest is doing!" And to see my other "big sister". The big sister of my best friend who died when she and I were just young middle schoolers. I could have sat with her for hours and just thrown memories out on the floor one by one. Picked each one up and turned it around; studied it from every angle. Fascinating. But, alas, time was not on my side. And to sit with my crazy niece who is me in a much more beautiful package and hear her rant and rave, in her description manner that only she and I (and maybe Baseball Chick) have the gift to do. It's like watching a home video of me. I've always been me so while it's interesting for me to watch this girl do her thing, for those who have known me since I was her age, it must be like deja vu. or maybe just creepy.

I must, however, recap Friday night's football game for ya. If you're my facebook friend, then you should know that Chantilly now stands a tall 5-0. It's so neat to see these boys have this season in front of them. I can remember way too many youth football games when Oldest was given the secure position of Left Bench. And many, many games when he didn't see 1 minute of playing time. Not one minute. So here we are Friday night, at Hayfield in Alexandria and we're thinking this will be a tough one. It became clear very early on these referrees were on dope. Seriously doped out. I'm kidding, of course. They weren't really under any influence, except the influence of bitterness. We couldn't figure out why we were getting flags left and right. Literally every other play was a flag. Those of us fans in the stands had a few choice words to say. From our perspective all we could see was the referees kept throwing a flag and then taking 2 or 3 minutes in a huddle like they were deciding what the penalty would be. It was certainly frustrating.

The inside scoop goes like this: Pre-season our coach apparently black-balled at least 2 of these referees from ref'ing his games. Whatever the history and basis for that move, I don't know. So here we are Friday night with 2 refs that know they have been ousted from our friendship huddle. They were thinking payback time. A teammate of Oldest's informed him that a few times he walked by the ref huddle to see what was going on...and heard one ref say "I saw this..." and another ref say "What? When? I didn't see that." And that is pretty much how the night progressed. But, even with that ridiculous drama our boys were unstoppable. Final score 24-6. Oldest did not play as his coach was concerned about him getting re-injured. You already know Oldest is not happy about this and is working diligently to get back into action.

As far back as we can think and research Chantilly has never had a 5-0 season of football. This Friday: Robinson. Can we make it 6-0? I believe we can. I believe we can. Let's Go Chargers.

Facing Your Giants

Our church's small group is reading Facing Your Giants, by the terrific author and pastor Max Lucado. I would love to say we are about half way through, taking it one chapter at a time, but I think to be honest, we have many more chapters to go. That said, I must say, this has been a great experience so far.

Facing those life giants...not such an easy task, to say the least. Most, if not all of us, look to avoid giants; run from them even. I know a few people looking to self-destruct that head straight for some giants, but those not-so-sane, sane ones of us, are trying not to face our fears, problems, troubles and hurdles.

This week's chapter has to do with rest for the weary. Is that such a bad thing? We tend to treat it as if it equals surrender, but truly, as Christians should know, it's way better to allow people to stop and take that rest when needed. Little old mama me has been feeling mighty weary lately. Perhaps it's the four kids, going in nine different directions...at all times. Maybe it's the preparation to get ready to see my oldest graduate. Maybe it's the (sigh inserted) fact that my youngest is not so young anymore. Maybe it's the combo of these things, and working full time and taking care of a great family, developing a community church and being the best sports mom I care to be. I am thinking that's it. It's a combo thing. Many factors intertwined, to make one tired lady. I think it's okay that I stop and rest a bit. Catch my breath and do some strength building.

One of those weary moments came just a few days ago when Baseball Chick hugged me goodbye as I left for work: "Mom, just once I would like you to not go to work. Okay, I mean, you can go to work but be home when I get home from school." Yes, Baseball Chick, I would like that too. Just once. Now, in reality, it does happen "just once". We've had a couple of "just onces" but I get what she means. Oh, how I wish that were the case. Many working moms would relish that same set up. I get it Baseball Chick. And I heartily concur.

Yet, here I read this week's small group chapter and remind myself that it's okay to stop and take a breather...deep lung-filling breather and prepare for the next step. Whatever God wants to do next, I know He'll prepare me, strengthen me in my pit-stop. I'll be ready for the changes and growth in my children as they continue to need me less and know everything more. I'll be ready when God opens the doors for our church to grow in our community. I'll be ready for whatever is next.

In reality, I won't be ready. Much of life is that "get ready now because it's already happening" type of deal. And that's okay too. Knowing that God is by my side and that He knew what was coming before I did is comforting and strengthening. So, friends, my prayer for you, as you ready today's post, is that you will be ready to not be ready too. God is right there in the mix of it, holding your hand and guiding your way. Take your breather, gather your strength and let's keep moving together.

Weekend Sports Update

What a tremendous weekend for Copeland athletes. We kicked off Friday night with that heavily anticipated Homecoming football game. Can I just brag a minute? Chantilly is really kicking some butt. Three touchdowns within two minutes of the game. For the packed bleachers, this was fuel for our fire! Being a little particular it was a little too close for comfort. I mean, it's a football game; who wants to have people's knees in their backs. That personal-space violation aside, this was a fun, fun game. We entered the half 45 to 0 and believed this to be a shut out. Our boys seemed to have a celebratory party in the locker room and decided to come back on to the field without interrupting a heavy slumber. Many of our well-spoken dads in the stands didn't have any problem kindly and courteously alerting their boys to their nap-time needing to end. During our "nap" we managed to let these guys score a few times and what should have been a shut out now was just a well-played victory. The boys won 45-19...once they woke up. That makes us 4-0 and well into a very good season.

Oldest, as you know, was restricted from play. You know that he, with his bull-headed self, was fully dressed on the sidelines. Although he knew his restrictions, he was determined to get that one play of his Homecoming game. Twice we saw him trot out on to the field w/ his squad and the Athletic Trainers waving him back frantically. Just as we began to think he was serious, you could see he was laughing. "He's playing with them," we realized. Toying with them, even. Yet somehow, in the 4th quarter there he was...really out on the field...playing free safety. A position the Hub assures me is one the coaches knew would amount to nothing for him, at this stage of the game. His determination was to get in one play...and one play he did get in.

We started out Saturday morning with a lovely, long baseball game. It was hotter than late September should ever be, without a drop of shade. Two long hours to watch this:

Miss Baseball Chick played a fabulous game; gave us some catchy, clever winks and waves as she smacked that ball sweetly. I believe she had two singles and a nice play at pitcher.

And then on to soccer. Miss Soccer Chick is still recoving from her plaguing cough so she did her best not to get winded and stay well hydrated. They did, unfortunately, lose 2-1. But, I'm happy to say the 1 goal scored was by none other than Soccer Chick. I only caught 15 minutes of the game as I had to usher Youngest to his game. I was there to catch the pop up tent being ripped up from the ground in a gust of wind, fly over the girls and land on the field, during the game. Even the pre-teen referees were stunned. It was a miracle that a girl wasn't clobbered with is. Baseball Chick was aghast, "You only see that kind of stuff on TV! And we're not even on TV!" Thankfully, no one was hurt and they figured out it wasn't such a good idea to have them up on a windy day any longer.

Now Youngest...he's an event to watch all by himself. When I tell you the boy's hips were shaking and moving as he ran after the ball, it doesn't even begin to capture the reality of what this looks like. How can a boy dance and play soccer at the same time? I think it's that he truly has rhythm and movement in every inch of his body so he just moves constantly. And boy, does he move. He didn't get any goals this time, but watching him play was probably better than several goals. His expression here says it all:

Progress

Which would you like first, bad news or good news? If you're a "just give it to me straight" kind of person, here you go.:The outcome of Oldest's injury and latest Orthopedic Surgeon visit, is a resounding "NO". Poor guy has not been cleared to play his senior year Homecoming football game. You can imagine his disappointment. Naturally, he's pretty ticked off. We were all hoping that the doctor would give him the a-okay and he could get right in there. However, healing hasn't quite finished yet. His ankle is still a little swollen and he's still having range of movement pain. So, Oldest will be on the side, still looking good in those amazing Homecoming jerseys they have...WITH their names on the back.

You know when the Hub saw that on the floor in a pile in Oldest's room, it was game time! The Hub put that thing on and ran around the house in full "let's play football" mode. It is pretty sweet, I must admit. I'm thinking how I can swipe it from him when Homecoming is over. Kind of nice for us bleacher folks to be able to see the last name of all these huge boys, and know who's who.

So, for us we'll be heading to the game tonight. Who knows, maybe Oldest can get in there for one play! He's worked so hard, and this game means so much to them. We're thinking their record is going to 4-0 tonight, for sure. And the coach's love him. Naturally, I think they should. But from a more objective perspective, if I were a football coach and I had a kid this determined, committed and passionate about playing for me, I'd like him a whole lot too. One coach is also a teacher for Oldest this year, and at Back to School Night this week, we tried to steer the conversation towards his academic performance in the class. But whadya know? Coach wants to talk to us about how impressed he has been with Oldest's development in his sport, and those "guns" he toting around.

Seems like pretty much everyone wrote this squad off as a "developing year" and yet, here we are with a team looking some kind of fierce out there. The difference, I think, is the heart of these kids. They play well together and they are woven together tightly in their desire to play hard as a team.

And on to the good news. The other three all have games tomorrow. This week we have some kind of reprieve. Believe it or not, the games are spaced in such a way that both the Hub and I will be able to attend all three games...together! Miracles do happen.

Weekend Update

I had to change this week's blog title just a smidgen. We had a little, teeny tiny birthday party that was big enough to exhaust the best of us, thrown in the middle of all our planned sports events. It was a marathon weekend to say the least. If ever I wanted to know what I was made of, I figured it out this weekend. Pure stamina and staying power. I survived over 10 kids ages 4-10 in a backyard moonbounce. Red, flushed faces, smelly, sweaty bodies and pure kid-fun. Now if you can handle that, you're with me!

Let's back it up a bit. Oldest had to sit out of this week's game. Sore as he was about that predicament, he was able to stand on the sidelines as his team took West Potomac easily. Another victory for Chantilly. 3-0 is our season standing right now and friends, we're looking good for a playoff spot. Wouldn't it be divine if this team took a state championship this year? A team that many thought would not be able to carry it's own and this would be a training year at best. Turns out, they are a pretty good squad. They seem to work well together and the whole team has a lot of heart. As the Hub would say, football is won and lost depending on the state of mind of the players.

This week is Homecoming. Oldest is determined to be cleared by the doctor and to be out on that field representing his team. While several young ladies are requesting to wear his Homecoming Jersey, Oldest has taken his sweet time making a decision. "You want to wear it Rach?" Now, heart aflutter, friends. He is a mama's boy indeed. I have managed to play it cool and offer a "sure, if you want me to." in response.

Soccer Chick has been terribly under the weather these past few days. Even that couldn't stop her from being ready for her soccer game. Or so she thought. Poor thing, 2 minutes into the game, she makes an attempt, the ball hits the goal post and bounces off and a coughing spell hits her. She can't stop coughing and starts throwing up on the field. That's it, friends. No more soccer for her this morning. I, meanwhile, am at Youngest's soccer game. When I arrive to Soccer Chick's location, she is rested and "ready" to get back in the game. Coach won't let her (smart man) so she sits on the side, seriously not happy. Good news is the girls played hard and fought for a comeback to tie the game at 2-2. Overall record now stands at 0-1-1.

Baseball Chick had her game, pre-birthday party festivities. She's not quite jelled to this team yet. She has some acquaintances but you can see that she's not got any "buds" on there. She struck out twice. (The pitching machine is set too fast, says the Hub). And on her birthday none the less. She did hit a single and because she's so fast, there was no way 1st baseman couldn't have touched her. Overall, she seemed disinterested. Could it be? Friends, could we be parting with our love of baseball. Oh, gasp! I'll be so heartbroken...

Youngest. Ah, Youngest. What a package of fun and entertainment. I must confessed I set up a bribe for him. After last week's dramatic hand gestures and foot-shuffling on the field. I informed him that if he didn't play in the game he wouldn't be able to participate in the snack afterwards. I realize that this is like telling a fish he can't have water, but friends, I had to make it plain. The boy responds to food. Hey, it seems logical to me. If you don't play, what would you need a snack for? I know, my conscious felt a tiny bit bad about the setup...but not really.

Needless to say Youngest did his thing. He's fast, just like Baseball Chick. He dominated the ball and did score a goal. Because he is such a package of entertainment there were still hand gestures and facial expressions through the entire event. Now, that's what's funny. This kid was running and playing his heart out and yet, he has these hysterical looks on his face when the ball would get kicked away, or when his team scored a goal. I know they don't keep track in pee-wee soccer, but for the record, my record, his team won 6-2. There is another player on his team about 6 inches taller and I must confess, this young man scored about 4 of the 6 goals. However, Youngest did great. My favorite moment of the game: Coach crouches down to address his 3 on 3 squad with a game plan before a kickoff. Youngest, in all his seriousness, reaches over and places a hand on the man's shoulder. As if to say, "yeah, Coach. I'm in. Let's do this!" Even his serious moments are hysterical. And needless to say, Youngest got every bit of that snack. He certainly earned it.

Character

Chantilly has done it again, friends. I'm so excited at the way this season is shaping up. They now stand at 3-0, having played very well at every one of those games. Last night's game was a "no-show" for us as we attended back to school night for Soccer and Baseball Chick. We were fortunate enough to come home and listen to the 4th quarter through the awesome website http://www.gamedaymagazine.com/. Far away friends, it's worth the membership fee for a couple days pass to listen, occasionally watch and definitely read what Chantilly is doing over there.

Chantilly took West Potomac for a 35-16 ride. Nicely done boys. This morning Oldest filled me in on his moment. Let me just tell you, the fact that he doesn't read my blog allows me to share with you the details of his pre-game pep talk. You already know Oldest is out, for thankfully, and hopefully, just one game...last night's game. As he sat in the locker room with the team preparing their minds for the victory, he started to cry. Now, lest you think he is "soft" (he would be quick to prove to you he's not), football just does something to a teenage boy. He is definitely moved by football. As a coach saw him sitting there, unable to play this game, he suggested that Oldest address the team.

Let me tell you, Oldest is not an "address" anyone type of guy. He has had a lifelong struggle with stuttering and has worked extra hard to overcome it. As you may know, even if you can control your weakness, doesn't mean you aren't self-conscious about it. So...public speaking is pretty much out. In this case, Oldest was so moved, he did it. Here's the speech as he relayed it to me this morning:

"Team, I've worked hard for an entire year to get to this point. I've worked harder than probably anyone in here. And tonight I can not play. I have worked for this moment and I didn't know going into last week's game that I would get hurt. I want you all to win tonight. I want you to play hard. One play can change your life."

Are your eyes still dry? I kept my composure this morning. It was difficult, but he thinks I'm a straight up sap, so I did my best not to get mushy. Friends, you have to appreciate his quiet nature to know this was true character. Leadership skills emerge from the passion of a heart. Something he never thought he could do, he did beautifully. This, guys, is the heart of football.

Moving on to this weekend...birthday party for Baseball Chick. Can we all handle her and 8 other screaming 8 year olds? If I post on Monday then you'll have your answer. Pre-birthday party is a rack of sports games.

Youngest is beyond ready...

Happy News

First, friends and loved ones of mine, I want to share with you this incredibly tender picture from game night Friday. Whoever captured this photo...I love you. The view from the stands was moving as a fellow lineman/good friend came up to Oldest to express his mutual frustration and disappointment at the recent events leaving Oldest on the sidelines and out for at least this game. Now, I thought the view from the stands was moving. This picture that Oldest shared with me captures the moment exceptionally well. This, I believe, is why boys play football. It's all about the team. I asked Oldest what he said to him at that moment and it went something like "I love you man. We are now playing for Oldest." And as I told you, friends, the momentum of the game changed after this. Chantilly played with tremendous heart and stopped Langley from scoring at the 1 yard line. 1 Yard Line! Unthinkable. Those boys fought hard for that win and they pulled it out beautifully.

Meanwhile, back at the Copelands...Oldest has been struggling to come out of shock at his injury and come to terms with what this means for his football season. We got the Orthopedic appointment yesterday afternoon and let me now tell you...I love the Orthopedic Surgeon. He walked in, looked at the x-rays, looked at Oldest and said "you're one of us. Let's get you back in the game fast." A fellow Chantilly-man, we loved him immediately. And his next news just put the icing on the cake. "It's not broken, son. You have a chipped bone. You have intense pain right now and lots of swelling but you get no cast today." I thought Oldest would do backflips on the table right then and there. "You're looking at 7-10 days wearing an ankle brace and then you're back in action." Now, we are definitely getting ready to do backflips. He hooked Oldest up with the footbrace, told him to stay on the crutches until he's comfortable walking on his braced-up foot and sent us on our way.

Can I tell you that God is really something? Oldest knows that God was trying to get his 17-year old-I-know-pretty-much-everything- attention. As this young man sat on that table I think he started to get it. God grabbed his attention where it would have the most affect and then in God's graciousness made what could have been a difficult circumstances not so major after all. Isn't that just the way God is. He's so gracious. He will allow us to mess up all over the place and then He will grab out attention when need be. He speaks our language, whatever that language might be. Yet, His desire is not to punish us. It's just to wake us up and get us back on track. Oldest is singing for serious joy right now. One of his biggest upsets with this was not being able to play in the Homecoming game. Exactly, 14 days from now. Friends, it's looking like he will be back in action two days before Homecoming. God knows our heart; our disappointments; our frustrations and He loves us enough to only let us get so far before waking us up. It's looking like in this case Oldest may miss one game. One single game. We went from 4-6 weeks possible to one single game. "Are you ready for some football!!!"