The Agony of Victory

 

Church basketball.  What is it about it?  It has a tendency to bring out, what I like to call, "The Mommy Lion". You know.... the ferociousness.  Not me, of course.  I just sit peacefully in the stands and cheer on my little girls. But some mommas...

This year, our church did not have a team for Caroline's age group.  Thankfully, through some prayer and some "orchestrating" on the part of another mom, Caroline was able to play ball with her two "besties"  on another team at another church.

All was well until we found out that, because of a shortage of teams in each age group, the league decided to combine the 11 and under and 13 and under girls teams and have them play one another.  This, of course, meant my two girls would play each other.  Lovely.

Well, last Thursday was the big night.  And surprisingly, the score was neck and neck most of the way through the game, but, in the end, the older sister triumphed.  

Obligatory "Congrats" were exchanged and we got into a solemn car.  No one said anything. 

It's not that much fun beating your sister.

We decided to run by the grocery store and get some Ben and Jerrys.  The girls walked in quietly together and headed for the freezer section.  Daddy and I went to get some other essentials.  When we all united at the ice cream, the girls were laughing and giggling.  

Today

 I was a nice teacher.  "Nice" is the operative word.  Remember when you were little and your teacher was short-tempered and grouchy?  Well, my third graders have had about three days of that.

I took great delight in cleaning my house and vacuumed behind things that don't normally get vacuumed behind.

I made coffee concentrate for future "afternoon iced coffee" and I can hardly wait!

I enjoyed (rather than fretting over) my husbands lighter work load because we were able to go on a long afternoon family walk with the dog and everyone laughed and had a splendid time!

I painted a new red chalkboard for my kitchen.

(And these pics are from a couple of weeks ago....an evening walk around the college where the girls decided to rollerblade.  They can't rollerblade.  Can't.  I ended up dragging them home.  Daddy just went on ahead with the dog.  Today's walk was much more light and pleasant.)

A Science Project and Some Blessings

Today, I was driving down the road feeling like the weather....dreary.  So, I decided to count my blessings.

1067.  Learning the story You are weaving through Your Word.

1068.  My "coffee talk" with Jennifer...learning together how to rest in You.

1069.  Craft Night with Caroline and making a "SOF" for a Science Project.  (Funnest Assignment EVER, Mrs. Smith!!!)

1070.  Little bits of good news along the way this past week and how Andy acknowledges it and is thankful.

1071.  My trip to Bargain Foods with Suzanne...who knew!

1072.  A cold sore short lived!!!

1073.  Cleared up dry, irritated eyes and Dr. Dean.

1074.  Going "make-up free" all week. 

1075.  Watching Anna Locke fall asleep on her momma's shoulder Sunday morning at church and how her cheek squished up and her cute baby lips.

1076.  Abigail Elizabeth Dance and her healthy arrival.

1077.  How Andy takes my hand.

1078.  Downton Abbey!

1079.  A Sunday afternoon walk around the block with my sweetheart and our dog.....and pop rocks!

1080.  An unexpected Superbowl night at John and Jen's with all the "young folk"...and holding baby Caroline Bass.

1081. How Buddy got out and wondered around the neighborhood while we were gone and how Andy discovered him missing at 11:00pm and how he went looking and we both prayed and the sweet girl who called who had him at the college.

1082.   Monday pick-up with just Caroline and our conversation about the day.

1083.  Texts that share God's Word.

1085.  Reading Chicka Chicka Boom Boom to Lillian and seeing Cely Kay take steps.

1086.  Reading about Alexander the Great (who wasn't so great) to Caroline on her bed while she changed out of school clothes to shorts for basketball practice.

1087.  Her request while doing homework...."How many feet are in a yard???"

1088.  Creating a little gift....to make someone happy.

1089.  Ten minutes of rest on the couch.

1090.  Waking to the sunshine.

Craft Day

Crafty moms produce crafty kids.  I don't know if it is a blessing...or a curse! 

These two schemed up a plan and declared Tuesdays "Craft Day"!

This week's project.... a little hoop art!

Look at that cute crafter!

Poor Jake....go figure.... hoop art is not really his thing.

 And this little booger?  Well she just likes to eat Cheerios.

But I'd say all-in-all...."Craft Tuesday" was a success!

Won't be long before these two little tikes can join in the fun!

February 1st

It's Day One of "The Season of Love" so I decided to be a little "cheesy" 
and surprise my sweetheart with a little treat:

 (This is what he found on his dresser tonight.)

And here are some of the treats he'll find in the next few days...

Oh so much fun!!!  If you would like to be cheesy and surprise your sweetheart too, 
you can find these dandy little doo-dads here.  

Shhhh!  Don't tell.