Saturday, August 29, 2015
Eye opening
As I suspected, last night's cross country meet was very eye opening. It confirmed one thing I already knew...our team is not at all good. We had not one single male runner who finished in the top half of the race. Robert set a new personal best, but he came in sixth on our team alone...and finished in the bottom 1/5 of the overall field. The third mile really does him in. He's winning the sprint challenges at practice and he can win the two mile competitions, but that third mile, yikes. It was a good experience for him to see where he really is and hopefully give him some ideas for where he will want to be!
Friday, August 28, 2015
Cross country begins tonight
I have changed my blogs to show runners...tonight is our first cross country meet. Very difficult to believe that in these parts where football is KING, there is a Friday night cross country meet. This is reality though, and we are very excited about it!
Robert worked hard on his running this summer. He was pretty devastated that his poor choices led to us not allowing him to swim, and our routine during many of the kids' evening practices involved him running three miles...the same distance as a cross country race. He wasn't running for times, he was just out there running. During most of the summer he ran at least four days a week. We were aware of the fact that between the seniors who graduated and a family with a superstar runner who had moved to another state, Robert was probably going to be one of the top 7 (considered varsity) runners. However, some others that had consistently finished ahead of Robert last year decided not to run this year, and we were certain his races would now count toward team points. We were astounded however, when he came home from practices and was telling us that he was winning every single challenge his team was having. Between those who did not return, and Robert's hard work this summer, he is currently the top runner on the team! However, his times are no where near where we would need them to be for him to be considered competitive. This is why we are so excited about tonight's race. He feels part of his time is the fact that there isn't really anyone on the team who is challenging him, and that he isn't giving it his all. Tonight is going to be a huge meet, and we are really looking forward to seeing where he stacks up against others. To be totally honest, I don't expect him to be among the top runners finishing. However, I believe he will be #1 or #2 from our school, and I'm looking forward to him having a legitimate picture at what kind of time he needs to achieve. We are really excited about this season!
Robert worked hard on his running this summer. He was pretty devastated that his poor choices led to us not allowing him to swim, and our routine during many of the kids' evening practices involved him running three miles...the same distance as a cross country race. He wasn't running for times, he was just out there running. During most of the summer he ran at least four days a week. We were aware of the fact that between the seniors who graduated and a family with a superstar runner who had moved to another state, Robert was probably going to be one of the top 7 (considered varsity) runners. However, some others that had consistently finished ahead of Robert last year decided not to run this year, and we were certain his races would now count toward team points. We were astounded however, when he came home from practices and was telling us that he was winning every single challenge his team was having. Between those who did not return, and Robert's hard work this summer, he is currently the top runner on the team! However, his times are no where near where we would need them to be for him to be considered competitive. This is why we are so excited about tonight's race. He feels part of his time is the fact that there isn't really anyone on the team who is challenging him, and that he isn't giving it his all. Tonight is going to be a huge meet, and we are really looking forward to seeing where he stacks up against others. To be totally honest, I don't expect him to be among the top runners finishing. However, I believe he will be #1 or #2 from our school, and I'm looking forward to him having a legitimate picture at what kind of time he needs to achieve. We are really excited about this season!
Thursday, August 27, 2015
An unexpectedly emotional evening
Since the weather is absolutely gorgeous, I asked Andrew if he would go with me to our high school girls' field hockey game when we took Robert to band practice. My cousin plays on the team and I wanted to see her play at least once. We went up to chat with her afterwards and just wanted to let her know that we are here for her. Her father (my first cousin) has essentially abandoned her to go off and have the time of his life with his new girlfriend. In addition, her grandfather (my uncle - dad's sister's husband) is not speaking to her. I completely acknowledge that Emily said some things she shouldn't have said, but Uncle Darrell has to be the adult in the situation and reach out to her. This poor girl has really been through the wringer with this side of the family in the past year. She lives with her mom which is about a half hour away, but has open enrolled here in our school district so she can finish out her last year of school. We reminded her this evening that she is welcome to crash with us any time at all that she would like to do so...and as she thanked us profusely, she began to cry as she said she just doesn't have anyone here. I, of course, cried right along with her as I gave her a hug and told her I loved her. She does not deserve the way the adults in her life have treated her.
After that, since it was still very early, Andrew and I decided to walk over to the volleyball game. I was really looking forward to the varsity match, but wanted to call and check on Catherine and Thomas to make sure all was okay at home. Thomas answered the phone, and he was very upset. Those two have spent the summer at our neighbor's house playing with the new kittens. One of the kittens isn't going to make it much longer, and the neighbor kids decided to bring that kitten over so that Thomas and Catherine could have one last moment. I've written before how my little guy loves all animals, and his heart was broken. I asked if he needed us to come home, and he said he did. He actually told me that he wanted a hug from his mom. I got home and he crawled up in my lap and the tears filled his eyes...and of course mine too!
I know that we are all going to be okay, but it's been a much more emotional evening than I expected!
After that, since it was still very early, Andrew and I decided to walk over to the volleyball game. I was really looking forward to the varsity match, but wanted to call and check on Catherine and Thomas to make sure all was okay at home. Thomas answered the phone, and he was very upset. Those two have spent the summer at our neighbor's house playing with the new kittens. One of the kittens isn't going to make it much longer, and the neighbor kids decided to bring that kitten over so that Thomas and Catherine could have one last moment. I've written before how my little guy loves all animals, and his heart was broken. I asked if he needed us to come home, and he said he did. He actually told me that he wanted a hug from his mom. I got home and he crawled up in my lap and the tears filled his eyes...and of course mine too!
I know that we are all going to be okay, but it's been a much more emotional evening than I expected!
One more day this week
We have already reached the point of the year where the weekends are sooooo necessary. We have nine days in...169 to go! Not wishing it away though!
We have a very busy weekend planned, but nothing compared to the weekends when cross country AND marching band are going to be in full force. The crazy schedule is just about the only thing I don't like about this time of year. The weather is gorgeous right now, and fall festivities are beginning. I'm holding on to this sense of peace for as long as I can!
We have a very busy weekend planned, but nothing compared to the weekends when cross country AND marching band are going to be in full force. The crazy schedule is just about the only thing I don't like about this time of year. The weather is gorgeous right now, and fall festivities are beginning. I'm holding on to this sense of peace for as long as I can!
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
National Dog Day
I had to change my blog design today in honor of National Dog Day! We don't have a dog ourselves, and to be honest, I am much more of a cat person, but Thomas loves ALL things dog in a way that I can't even describe. So today, this blog is for the dogs!
Candle weather
I love the fact that it is currently cool enough to have a candle lit. To me, candles are so cozy, and I just can't bring myself to have them lit when it is hot outside. As soon as it turns cooler though, I have often light a candle, and Yankee candles are among my favorites. I especially love the fall scents, and a few of the winter/candle scents, but I'm not crazy about floral or summer scents. That's probably another reason I don't light them much in the summer!
I also love the fact that we've been able to pull out the sweatshirts and the overnights are just so comfy! I know this weather isn't going to last, but I am certainly going to enjoy it while it does!
I also love the fact that we've been able to pull out the sweatshirts and the overnights are just so comfy! I know this weather isn't going to last, but I am certainly going to enjoy it while it does!
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Another one of "those" days
I vividly remember December 17, 2013. On that day, Thomas was home sick from school, we had a major behavioral issue with Robert, Catherine threw such a temper tantrum that she picked up a plate of spaghetti and hurled it across the room hitting a dining room wall, Andrew's mother was admitted to the hospital, our laundry room flooded, and our sun room flooded...all of this while still dealing with Andrew's brother rehabbing from a stroke suffered the day after my father had died...just 33 days before. It is one of those days that you get through by the grace of God, and you look back on and laugh about one day. FYI, I am not sure we are there yet. :)
Yesterday was one of those days...although in many ways not nearly as bad. At the same time, it will ultimately prove to be much more expensive, most likely. It was a Monday of week 2, and everyone was just a little less pleasant about everything. No one was rude or misbehaving, but it wasn't exactly our best morning ever. I understand that this is the first time in our family that five people are up and at 'em at 6AM. This is an adjustment that we ALL need to make and we ALL need to work on it. Since I was up I decided to get an early start on my laundry. After all, I had put it off all weekend and it needed to be done! As I was hanging the first (and what turned out to be only) load of the day, I noticed ink stains on some of the clothing. Sure enough, Robert had managed to get a blue ink pen into the washer, and some of my clothing was ruined. I was grateful though, that it wasn't the entire load, and mostly it was just clothes I wear only around the house anyway. Unfortunately, I had also noticed during the wash cycles that the water was backing up into the sink. Not the first time we've had this problem! I tried a few "home remedy" fixes and when they didn't work, I let Andrew know that he needed to rent a pipe snake on the way home. We got to work with that as soon as he arrived home. After a great deal of time, we thought perhaps we had been successful in that we heard water running. And there it was running right into the undersink cabinet...perfectly crystal clear, clean, fresh water. How is that even possible?? We were working in the DRAIN PIPE!!! Needless to say Andrew quickly turned off the main water line. We did some experimenting and we have absolutely no idea what may have happened. We have no idea if this is related to the back up or if somehow we managed to put a hole in both our drain pipe and incoming line. All we know is that we are currently functioning without any water, although we are able to turn it on for VERY quick showers as long as we have a bucket under the sink. That's actually helpful though, as we can then use that bucket of water to flush our toilets. Fortunately, the plumber is able to come out this afternoon. Hopefully we will have running water again by this evening!
Much less dramatic, although equally frustrating, was an issue with Robert and his schedule. In the fall he is involved in both marching band and cross country. He is not the only one, and both the band director and cross country coach are aware and things seem to work out. This Friday though, was the first major conflict we've had in our two years. There is both an away football game and meet. I wasn't concerned though, because not all band members go to all of the away games...you are simply assigned to two of them. I put in writing back in the spring about this conflict, and the director and I even had a conversation about it, so I wasn't worried about Robert being assigned this game. Unfortunately, not only was he assigned to the game, but he claims the directors almost didn't believe him (Friday meets are VERY rare) and told him he'd have to find his own replacement. Needless to say, I am very frustrated. What is the point of communication and doing the right thing if it isn't going to matter? He simply never should've been assigned to this game in the first place. I have an email into the director and am hoping this can be easily resolved. Trust me when I tell you that one person is NOT going to make or break a pep band at a football game. I know in the big scheme of things this is minor, but we have so many dramatic issues with Robert that I find it very frustrating to have to deal with one that never should have occurred in the first place.
At the end of the day though, I felt so much peace. These aren't the worst things that have happened to us this year, and for the most part everything should be resolved. A hassle is just a obstacle on the way to a resolution!
Yesterday was one of those days...although in many ways not nearly as bad. At the same time, it will ultimately prove to be much more expensive, most likely. It was a Monday of week 2, and everyone was just a little less pleasant about everything. No one was rude or misbehaving, but it wasn't exactly our best morning ever. I understand that this is the first time in our family that five people are up and at 'em at 6AM. This is an adjustment that we ALL need to make and we ALL need to work on it. Since I was up I decided to get an early start on my laundry. After all, I had put it off all weekend and it needed to be done! As I was hanging the first (and what turned out to be only) load of the day, I noticed ink stains on some of the clothing. Sure enough, Robert had managed to get a blue ink pen into the washer, and some of my clothing was ruined. I was grateful though, that it wasn't the entire load, and mostly it was just clothes I wear only around the house anyway. Unfortunately, I had also noticed during the wash cycles that the water was backing up into the sink. Not the first time we've had this problem! I tried a few "home remedy" fixes and when they didn't work, I let Andrew know that he needed to rent a pipe snake on the way home. We got to work with that as soon as he arrived home. After a great deal of time, we thought perhaps we had been successful in that we heard water running. And there it was running right into the undersink cabinet...perfectly crystal clear, clean, fresh water. How is that even possible?? We were working in the DRAIN PIPE!!! Needless to say Andrew quickly turned off the main water line. We did some experimenting and we have absolutely no idea what may have happened. We have no idea if this is related to the back up or if somehow we managed to put a hole in both our drain pipe and incoming line. All we know is that we are currently functioning without any water, although we are able to turn it on for VERY quick showers as long as we have a bucket under the sink. That's actually helpful though, as we can then use that bucket of water to flush our toilets. Fortunately, the plumber is able to come out this afternoon. Hopefully we will have running water again by this evening!
Much less dramatic, although equally frustrating, was an issue with Robert and his schedule. In the fall he is involved in both marching band and cross country. He is not the only one, and both the band director and cross country coach are aware and things seem to work out. This Friday though, was the first major conflict we've had in our two years. There is both an away football game and meet. I wasn't concerned though, because not all band members go to all of the away games...you are simply assigned to two of them. I put in writing back in the spring about this conflict, and the director and I even had a conversation about it, so I wasn't worried about Robert being assigned this game. Unfortunately, not only was he assigned to the game, but he claims the directors almost didn't believe him (Friday meets are VERY rare) and told him he'd have to find his own replacement. Needless to say, I am very frustrated. What is the point of communication and doing the right thing if it isn't going to matter? He simply never should've been assigned to this game in the first place. I have an email into the director and am hoping this can be easily resolved. Trust me when I tell you that one person is NOT going to make or break a pep band at a football game. I know in the big scheme of things this is minor, but we have so many dramatic issues with Robert that I find it very frustrating to have to deal with one that never should have occurred in the first place.
At the end of the day though, I felt so much peace. These aren't the worst things that have happened to us this year, and for the most part everything should be resolved. A hassle is just a obstacle on the way to a resolution!
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