Random stuff

I have a bunch of random things to post so here we go!

Every morning the girls and I take Teddy for a walk before school starts. It's a great way to get the blood flowing, get Teddy's energy out and connect. We talk about funny things mostly. I'm enjoying our time together in the mornings especially. We eat breakfast together and have a short devotional and prayer. I know when they go back to school this will be cut short so I am soaking it up while I can. 

Sally and Paige are always finding fun creatures in the yard and they love playing together. I am so proud of how they handle themselves during school and it's fun to hear their giggles during the day. They set up a picnic in the garage when we had Hurricane Sally come through. Teddy wanted nothing with going outside!

Look how long my hair has gotten! This is what happens when you don't get a cut for months. I wear it up 100% of the time and it's a time saver in the morning when things are so casual around here. 

This past weekend we celebrated CC's birthday with friends and of course, Teddy. She's our favorite doggy friends and Teddy just LOVES her. They wrestle and play hard when they are together. Look at this cute cake Ashley made for the humans. We got her a puzzle toy and plan to switch with the Powells when the pups need something new. 

My peppers did so well in the garden this year! 

Anna made the newspaper for her running last week. :) 

And check out my prayer request a year ago at my Bible study. Hmm...big things happen when you pray!

Welcome Morgan Kathryn!

 I'm an aunt again! Jessi and John welcomed Morgan Kathryn to the world on September 22nd at 12:17 AM. It was really strange to tell people she was born tomorrow because of the time change. It was still September 21st here! Jessi had a very easy labor and delivery and everybody is healthy and well. They are already back home. 

I am so excited to get my hands on this baby, but alas it will be awhile. They live in England in a pandemic so I am just not sure when we will get to see her. For now, I will settle for lots of pictures and Facetime. 

We already love you so much Morgan!

The weird time warp that is XC

I had the chance to go to Anna's cross country meet last night. This was the second one she ran, but the first I got to see of her on the actual team. It was such a strange experience for me as her mom! I've seen her run races before and cheered for her, but it was always her and Patrick doing their thing. Maybe we had some friends or grandparents cheering, but usually it's just me and Paige on the sideline running to the next spot to catch them. 

This time was different. First, I showed up to the high school where I have seen and helped at many a race in the past. It felt very deja vu, despite having to wear masks. Parents were standing around talking. Kids were stretching and warming up. I chatted with a few people I knew, but there were lots I didn't know. I helped direct runners on the course and cheered for them while keeping an eye on Paige. All these things were like second nature after years of acting as "Mrs. Coach."

The part that felt strange was watching Anna. She warmed up with the team, laughed easily with teammates who talked to her, ignored me as most teenagers do and acted like she knew exactly what she was doing, because she did. Then she got on the starting line with all these clearly taller girls. She's always been my peanut, but seeing her next to girls who were far more developed was so funny. If you had been placing bets before the race on who would win, she would not have been my pick based on size alone. 

Patrick shot off the gun and she came around the first turn with a couple of the opposing runners. The other team's cheering squad were yelling at them to beat her, but I knew it was only a matter of time before she started increasing the gap, so I just yelled a couple of encouragements as she passed by. I loved watching Patrick coach her from the side and seeing her look at him to know what to do. Then I ran to the next spot. This is where it got surreal. Along come the boys who had just run and they are busting it to make it to Anna to cheer for her. They even joked and said, "See, I told you we wouldn't make it in time!" Then they started yelling her name and I was taken aback like how do these kids know my kid's name?! I mean of course they would, but it was a realization that she has a whole other life with people who know her and cheer for her and I have no idea who they are! This included other parents who knew her and yelled for her. It was just wild!

It was fun to watch her confidence and ease, as she knew exactly what to do in her race. She really didn't have any competition (it was a small race between their team and another school in the district) so she just chased the bike in front of her. I could hear Patrick yelling at her at different points. He wanted her to meet a particular goal so he was being firm with his commands to pick it up. I guess she responds to that sort of thing well.  

Then toward the end of the race as she could clearly be seen up front with nobody behind her, I start hearing spectators that don't know her start asking, "Who is that?! What grade is she in?!" And they were looking at their watches like wow, she's fast! I mean I knew she was fast and she would be out front, but it was just strange hearing strangers start talking about her. So Paige and I did what we always do and yelled her into the finish line. She won the meet and PRed at 21:57 which was almost a full minute off her time last week. 

Afterward, she went straight to cheering for her teammates. She didn't stop until they were all across the line. The 2nd place finisher was a minute and a half behind Anna. The funniest part was when she was cooling down and put on her XC sweatshirt. This was one she confiscated from Patrick's closet which he had from years before when coaching. It's like a dress on her it's so big. Another girl asked her where she had gotten it from because she liked it. Anna replied, "well this is vintage, like before I was born!"

I left with a smile on my face and just in awe that we're at this point now. I love looking through the photos and seeing her smile and interact with her teammates even though they are years older and feet taller than her. It's just one of those moments as a mom you stop and take stock that we're in a different phase now and it's sweet. I have a feeling we'll have many more races in front of us, although I am just happy cheering her on in whatever she pursues. Run, Anna run!

Soccer Paige

 Due to all the rain this week, Anna's cross country meet was cancelled, which means we could all go cheer Paige on at soccer. I might be her mama, but she's a good little player. Very aggressive and determined on the field. She can stick with the other team's best player and break up his plays. She has great speed and footwork as well as uses her body to block others. Honestly, I am surprise at what a good player she is. 

Today she was chosen to play goalie and she did not let the other team score on her. She was quick and aggressive in grabbing the ball before a shot could be made. It's funny to watch her in the goal because she can't sit still. If you watch while the ball is on the other side of the field she is doing a little dance or talking to herself. She's pretty cute even if she's making her "DESTROY!" face. 

The rest of the game she played defense and had some great steals, throw ins and clears. If there was a break away from the other team, she was on it and chased them down. It's fun to watch her determined face. Speaking of face, she got nailed today (the whole sideline said "ohhh!"), but she kept right on going and gave us a thumbs up with the ball was cleared. I was surprised she handled it so well!

I was glad we could all go and cheer her on in something she feels good about. We may have joked about painting up, bringing our cow bells, waving our Paige Big Heads and such. While we got the eyeball on those ideas, she was glad to have us there. Way to go Paige!