Not Their Lucky Day

Sometimes it doesn't matter how prepared you are.  Sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce your way.

Today Caleb's football team played in the semi-finals.  They were up against the Nomads, undoubtedly the best team in the league.  They hadn't lost a game all season, and most wins were by 30 points or more.  Only a couple of teams had managed to score against this team.  They're big.  No, not big.  Huge.  I don't know what they feed their kids in the North End, but they grow 'em big.

Yes, he's as big as he looks.

Our coaches had done their homework.  They watched game tape, analyzed plays, figured out the tendencies and tells.  By the way, these are volunteer coaches.  They do this just for the love of the game, and give their players their all, expecting the same back.

The players had watched game tape.  They learned new plays designed to take advantage of the Nomads' defensive weaknesses.  The defence learned the Nomads' plays, putting their "tells" to memory so they would be able to counter their strong offence.  They knew who to watch, and how to stop them.

There's no doubt.  Our team did what they could.  They went into the game as underdogs, but knowing that they had the capability to come out on top.

One of our star players

The first quarter was scoreless.  The defences were coming up strong.  Then, the Nomads scored.  We countered by running the ball back to the 1-yd line.  That's when lady luck snubbed her nose in our faces.  The ball was fumbled.  Some of our guys thought we had crossed the line before the fumble, but we won't know that until we see game tape, and even then, it might not show it.  Regardless, the refs said nope.  And the Nomads did what they do best - give the ball to #15 and let him run the field.  14-0.

That's my boy - #72

We came back with a TD, and the score was 14-6 for a long time, but in the last few minutes the Nomads manages to get two more touchdowns, both by #15.  (This kid is big.  And fast.  If you don't stop him in the back field, you're not going to catch him.  I'm sure that over the next few years, other kids will catch up to him in height and speed, but right now, he's a dominating player.)

Almost stripped the ball here.

So we lost.  28-6.  The game was not nearly as lopsided as the score.  I dare say we gave them more of a run for their money than any other team has this year.  I even think they might have been a little scared.  But they played their game and we played ours, and today, theirs won.

I have to say that I was impressed with both sides.  The Nomads are known to have tough teams, and tough often means dirty.  These guys weren't.  Were they completely clean?  I doubt it.  But there were no glaring dirty hits (other than one from one of ours guys who let his frustration get the better of him on the last TD), no real cheap talk.  Their fans were loud.  So were ours.  But all was good-natured.  Just out there cheering for our teams.

A nice run.

Beautiful catch by Hassar.

It was a good game.  In my opinion, it should have been the final.  It left everyone on the sidelines proud of the hard work their kids put in.  It left one team cheering as they walked off the field, and the other in tears as they realized their season had come to an end.  One team goes on to the championship game, one team goes home.  That's just how it goes.

Don't Judge Me By Who I Follow

I joined Twitter a few weeks back for one reason and one reason only - my teenager has an account and spends WAY too much time on it.  I decided that the responsible thing to do would be to get my own account and follow her.

I really don't like Twitter that much.  There's little to no interaction.  No privacy settings.  Just random tweets that often have more hashtags and mentions than real content, which make them really irritating to read, in my humble opinion.

At any rate, if you go to my account and see who I follow, you will see an inordinate number of people usually relegated to teens and preteens.  Cody Simpson, Alli Simpson, One Direction, each individual member of 1D, Justin Bieber, Justin Bieber's manager (or something)...  The list goes on.  "Why?" you may ask.  The answer is really quite simple.  I don't sign out of my account, and when Charisma goes on my computer, she gets her kicks out of following people who interest her.  I'd say she is responsible for clicking on a good third of the people I follow.

Now, I know what you're thinking - why not just unfollow them?  It's a simple click, and then I wouldn't have to read all of Justin Bieber's tweets, and I wouldn't know that Harry Styles ate a sandwich until Charisma told me.  It's not like they would notice that their numbers went down by one. I wouldn't be hurting anyone's feelings.

You see, it's like this.  Now I can see what interests my teen, which really was the reason I signed up in the first place.  I can find out for myself what the public life of the people she admires is like.  And when she asks, "So you know what the boys did today?" I can tell her.  And I sometimes know before she finds out, which kind of ticks her off and makes me smile just a little.

And yes, sometimes I respond to these tweets that I read.  I mean, once in awhile, they're actually quite interesting.

So don't judge me by who I follow.  I'm not trying to be young again.  I'm not fangirling.  I'm just trying to be a part of my daughter's life.  And that, my friends, is worth it.

Not Single Parenting

Darryl's not home.  He left early this morning and won't return until Wednesday evening.  Work trip.  Lots of wives out there know what those are like - the men travel, they stay at home and do the house things.  (Not saying it doesn't go the other way, too.  This is just more common.)  One of my biggest pet peeves is when I hear these women (or men) comment that they are "single parenting this week."  No, no you're not.

Yes, life here is harder when Darryl is gone.  Suddenly I'm responsible for supper clean-up, baby baths, and all the other things he does when he's home.  I am very blessed to have an incredibly helpful husband, and I miss that when he's gone.  I also don't have his arms wrapped around me, don't get to kiss him goodnight, can't just talk the way we do when he's home.  I miss all these things, and more.

But it doesn't come close to single parenting.

I don't have to suddenly come up with the money to pay the bills and put food on the table.  Heck, I still HAVE a mortgage.  I'm not paying someone else's because I don't qualify for one.  I can still text him during the day, talk to him on the phone, Skype him before bed.  I know that even though he's not here, he's still supporting me.  And I know that this time of being alone with the house and the kids will come to an end in a few days.

I won't always be the one putting all the kids to bed.

I won't always have to do all the housework, or at least whatever I can get done.

I won't always have to be the only one in charge of discipline.

I won't always go to bed alone.

It's just a few days.

So, ladies (and men), next time your spouse is out of town and you're tempted to tell everyone how you have to "single parent," please don't insult the true single parents out there by trying to equate the next few days (or even weeks) to what they do every day.  Because it may be tougher, but it doesn't even come close.

One Year Down...

It's our first anniversary today.  One year ago we walked down the aisle in the room where we first met and vowed to spend the rest of our lives side by side.  It was a lovely day, full of joy, laughter and promise.  I can't think of many better days in my life.  No, I'll correct that.  I can't think of any better days. Some that equalled it in greatness, but none that can truly match it.

It's been a good year.  There have been challenges, to be sure.  Blending families is as difficult as they say.  There have been some tense moments, days even.  There have been days of annoyance, moments of anger, times of deep hurt.  But we have always moved through them and on from them, and I think I can honestly say that we have always done so while maintaining mutual respect.

There have been far more good days.  Days of celebration.  Days of showing the love that we have for each other.  Yes, good days.

And today, even more than a year ago, I truly love the man I stand beside.  He is a good man.  He is patient and kind.  He treats me well.  He loves me.  He loves our children - his, mine and ours.  Whenever I look at him, whether through my eyes or in my mind, I know that I have found the man of my dreams.  He is not perfect, but he is perfect for me.  He is all I need in a husband, and so much more.  He is my love.

As I look forward to the many years I hope we will have together, I have many dreams for us.  Some we will fulfill, I'm sure.  Others will remain as dreams.  We will have many adventures, though they may not be the ones we had planned.  What is important is that we stay as a team, standing strong side by side, ready to face whatever life may throw our way.  And at the end of the day, that we always choose to say, "I love you."

I love you, Darryl.  I loved you then, I love you now, I always will.

Happy anniversary, my love.

6 Reasons I Love Being a Mom

Mother's Day is coming to a close.  It has been a good day.  I came home with my hubby after spending a weekend celebrating our first anniversary (which is tomorrow) to a bunch of kids excited to see me and give me their tokens of love.  I always look forward to seeing what they have come up with.  It's a good feeling to know I am loved by the ones who are so important to me.  So let me tell you a bit about the six reasons I love being a mom.

1) Charisma.  She is, and always will be, my firstborn.  Charisma is the classic Type A personality, striving for perfection in everything that she does.  She is passionate, goofy and driven.  And an amazing source for information about Cody Simpson and One Direction.  Charisma challenges me to become a better person.  She also cares about people and will stand by and encourage anyone who is going through a rough time.

2) Hailey.  Hailey is my step-daughter and I'm still getting to know her.  Don't let the picture fool you though - she loves to laugh.  She has a sort of fun innocence that makes me smile.  She is creative and enjoys making things for her friends.  It has been neat seeing her come into her own in this family, and in life.

3) Caleb.  Caleb has a true soft spot for others.  He has always been sensitive to those around him, even though I think he sometimes tries to hide it.  It bothers him when others are upset, when he sees an injustice.  He is not afraid to speak up for others.  He also still gives me hugs, and I hope he always will.

4) Daniele.  Truly inquisitive, Daniele thirsts after all kinds of knowledge.  She simply loves to learn.  She is always willing to give you another chance, allowing herself to be vulnerable in the process.  She has a dynamic personality that draws people in.  An open, loving person who lets that shine through.

5) Justin.  My little monkey.  He makes me laugh with the things that he comes up with.  He loves books and cuddle time.  His never-ending energy astounds me.  Justin is always willing to help with any task, from baking to diaper changing.  And he definitely loves both his families.

6) Tessera.  My newest bundle of joy.  All she has to do is smile and my heart melts.  I cannot wait to see who she will become.

There they are.  Six amazing kids.  Six amazing reasons to love being a mom.  And I sure do love it.

Welcome to the World, Tessera

Tessera, you are now a week old.  Almost exactly.  I meant to write this much sooner, but somehow life is very busy with a newborn.

Moments after birth

You came into this world with pretty good timing.  I was able to finish my teaching term without finding a sub for the last day(s), but you didn't make us wait too much longer.

Waiting.  Nine months of waiting.  Then realizing that today will be the day we meet you.  And waiting.  There was a houseful here, waiting for your arrival.  All your siblings - Charisma, Hailey, Caleb, Daniele, and Justin.  All four grandparents.  Auntie Elli and Auntie Rina.  Then knowing the time was imminent.  Two midwives and a midwifery student.  Yes, a houseful.

And then you arrived.  Waiting for you to cry.  Realizing we hadn't thought to check if you were a boy or a girl.  Getting to be the first person to call you by name.  "Hi, Tessera." 

Tessera: "a small piece (as of marble, glass, or tile) used in mosaic work."  Your dad and I first heard the word at ICTN training camp last year.  Your dad thought it would make a beautiful name, and the symbolism was appropriate.  

We chose your name shortly after confirming that I was pregnant.  Tessera Beverley Damaris.  Tessera, the name bestowed upon you by your father.  Beverley after Grandma Nanka.  Damaris was my contribution.  When I was young I read a book called A Woman Named Damaris by Janette Oke.  It was about a girl who, among other things, is searching for the meaning behind her name.  All she knows is that her name comes from the Bible (which she has never read), and that for some reason it is special.  She is given a Bible and reads to find her name.  The story and the name always stuck with me, and I always wanted the chance to include Damaris in my daughter's name.  I waited for the opportunity, and thought that it would never come.  But it did.

Tessera Beverley Damaris, you have arrived in this world.  You are a beautiful piece in the mosaic of our family, of the world.  But the waiting has not ended.  We now wait to see who you will become.  What will you like?  Who will you be?  Will we be the guides that you need in life?  Will you be treated as the jewel you are?  "You is smart.  You is kind.  You is important."

The waiting never ends.  You will learn this.  So learn patience too, my darling.  Live your life well.  We will make many mistakes as we raise you, but know this.  You are loved.  By many.  If you only know one thing, know that.  We love you.

Welcome to the world, Tessera.

She's Powered by God

Imagine a 1.5 km swim, followed by a 31 km mountain bike ride, and then an 8.2 km trail run.  Now imagine that this takes place in Guam, where the bike ride has a total of 2400 feet of climbing, and the run is through the jungle.  The fastest racer completes this race on this day in 2:29:42, and the fastest woman in 2:46:11.  Now imagine that you are competing in this race with only one glute muscle and minus one sciatic nerve.

Jamie on her bike - XTerra Guam 2012

Jamie Whitmore won this race in 2006, and this year she came back to challenge it again, this time as a disabled athlete.  She finished the race in 4:52:09, coming in 86th out of 143 athletes.  Oh, and the other 142 were able-bodied.

Jamie blows me away all the time.  I met her in January of 2007 at a training camp in Arizona.  Her dynamic personality made it impossible to do anything but admire her.  I chatted with her briefly at the end of camp that year, and completely admired who she was.  The next year, I saw her again, and the thing that amazed me was that she actually remembered me.  Shortly after that training camp, she was diagnosed with cancer.

Like every other challenge that comes Jamie's way, she went after this one with a vengeance.  Even when it seemed like the cancer was kicking her butt, she kept fighting.  I won't share the whole story, but if you want, you can read about it here.

Now Jamie has come back to the sport that she loves - XTerra triathlon.  She has not only beaten cancer (we all hope for good!) but she has fought against all odds to go back to biking and "running."  Oh, and did I mention that she and her husband have 2-yr old twin boys?  And he was out there racing, too - placed 4th in his age category to boot.

This woman amazes me.  Motivates me.  Reminds me that life is there to live.  Reach out and grab it.  And don't ever quit.

Guam race write up can be read here.