He shoots...

My son is 7 years old. He is a smart kid...impressively smart. He is in piano lessons. He has played for a bit over a year. He is not bad. My son is in Junior Bible Quiz. He is GOOD. It is amazing to see what this little guy remembers. My boy has some of the nicest handwriting for a second grade boy. My child does his homework quickly and correctly. My oldest makes good grades. He is in Royal Rangers, which is like boy scouts, and has so many patches, his vest is almost full. On top of that, he is a good big brother and an all-round great kid. I love my boy. I'm proud of my boy.

Now let's talk about organized sports. For the past two years, this same child played soccer. He is not much for being yelled (read screamed ) at from a sideline....like last year's coach did. It took him awhile to learn what he was really supposed to be doing. He is a perfectionist...which I am learning is both good and bad. It is good because this child will be a darn good leader when he grows up...if we can train him properly. It is bad because he gets painfully embarrassed when he does not succeed. My child has trouble with sports.

The trouble comes because for one thing, he does want and expect to do everything right the first time. Another problem is that he is all limbs and feet right now. His body hasn't caught up with his legs...so he flails around a bit. An even bigger problem is that one of his younger brothers, my 2nd son, has a natural sportsman's talent. Things come easier for him. I watch my first-born and I want him to succeed, just like any mother wants her child to succeed. When I say it is painful to watch, I mean that with all the love that fills my heart and causes it to swell with pride. I ache for his need, and my desire, for him to be good at what he does.

So this year, he played basketball. We have had about eight games. There are ten children on the team, so my son plays for two quarters, or 16 minutes per game. We go to practice once a week. He is really good at passing the ball. He doesn't jump in an intercept any pass, because the ball wasn't meant for him. (He is pretty legalistic.) He doesn't rebound often, because he's not aggressive. He doesn't run and dribble like an NBA star because....well, he's not. He has only shot a few times...and one of those times was at the wrong goal. *sigh* I love my son. I'm proud of my son. I want him...I NEED him to feel successful and proud of himself.

So yesterday was the last game. It is a long 32 minutes of 6 and 7 year olds bouncing the ball and missing baskets. My son played in the second quarter and the fourth quarter. In the second quarter, a child on the opposite team lost the ball. My son picked it up. Normally, he freezes and then passes it. (I told you...he's a good passer...he knows it and has capitalized on his talent.) As soon as he stopped, all hunched over, protecting the ball, I hollered in my half-teacher/half-mom voice (pretty loud.) "RUN!" "RUN!"

He ran toward the basket (the right one, I must add) and stopped to pass the ball. In the same voice that I used just seconds before (and using as much support that my diaphragm could muster) I yell, "SHOOT"!"

He shoots.....

For what seemed like minutes, the ball just hung there. I said the quickest prayer I could utter in only two words, "PLEASE, GOD!"

HE SCORES!!!!

I had tears of delight; tears of unadulterated joy. My son, whom I would give my life for, the one that I protect physically and emotionally, made his first points EVER in a game. Not only that, but he made another basket in the fourth quarter.

We lost every game this season. I don't care. My boy made two baskets in his last basketball game. He is so awesome. The smile on his face; the tears in my eyes; THAT, my friend, is priceless.

House stuff

1. Aprons – Y/N?
Yes, but only if I'm going to have company and need to remain presentable.

2. Baking – Favorite thing to bake:
Cheesecake, banana bread, coconut cream pie, cookies

3. Clothesline – Y/N?
Never used one in my life. Seen 'em. My grandma used 'em, but that's all I know about 'em.

4. Donuts – Have you ever made them?
With Krispy Kreme around? LOL!!!!

5. Every day – One homemaking thing you do every day:
Clean the kitchen.

6. Freezer – Do you have a separate deep freeze?
Yes...LOVE IT!

7. Garbage Disposal – Y/N?
Used to, but on a septic system, disposals are bad news.

8. Handbook – What is your favorite homemaking resource?
I have a book given to me by a dear friend called The Art and Science of Housekeeping.

9. Ironing – Love it or hate it?
ROFL!!!!! I don't iron. I use a wonderful spray by Downy that releases wrinkles...I also throw things into the dryer.

10. Junk drawer – Y/N? Where is it?
A few....kitchen

11. Kitchen: Design & Decorating?
I don't know. White appliances, blue and white stuff, fruit on the dishes....

12. Love: What is your favorite part of homemaking?
Cooking and grocery shopping...I guess any kitchen duties.

13. Mop - Y/N?
Swiffer

14. Nylons - Wash by hand or in the washing machine?
AGAIN...ROFL!!!!

15. Oven - Do you use the window, or open the door to check?
I crack the door. I have a window, but I usually have to poke or prod on something to assess "doneness."

16. Pizza - What do you put on yours?
PEPPERONI!!! And salsa...sometimes ranch. YUM!

17. Quiet - What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment?
Coupon, work on my lists, blog, nap, read.

18. Recipe card box - Y/N?
Yepper and MANY books!

19. Style of house
One story, 4 BR, 2 bath, FP, 2CG

20. Tablecloths and napkins - Y/N?
Yes....my table is GORGEOUS! I have 4 boys that love Hot Wheels. I have to keep the table covered for protection.

21. Under the kitchen sink - Organized or toxic wasteland?
Yes.....It is organized chaos of all deadly toxins that should be in every home :D

22. Vacuum - How many times per week?
Anywhere from 1-5

23. Wash - How many loads of laundry do you do a week?
a week? Are you kidding? I do 2-4 loads a day...forever and ever and ever and ever

24. X's - Do you keep a daily list of things to do and cross them off?
Yes. That keeps me sane.

25. Yard - Who does what?
I mowed for the first time EVER this past summer. We have a bit over 1/2 acre. I ride the tractor mower, do the garden, DH does everything else that we might want done.

26. Zzz's - What is your last homemaking task for the day before going to bed?

MOMMYSPICE....YOU'RE IT!!!

I'M BACK!

OK...I'm not foolish enough to think that everyone was keeping up with my schedule. In fact, of the 2 or 3 people who consistently check this site (and see that I haven't updated since the 6th) well, you are wondering where I have been.

I was in Mexico. It was a wonderful trip. I went on a missions trip with a group from my church. We were in Miguel Aleman, just across the border from Roma, TX. It was such a neat trip. We went to help them with building a church.

I fully expected to be helping with the building...the pouring of concrete and such, but it ended up that I helped in the clinic part. I'm glad, because I got to really work with and among the people. I spoke enough Spanish to be entertaining to the Mexicans and impressive to the gringos. (It was not very good.)

We saw a total of about 160 people in the clinic. We had a tent service and passed out goodies to about 300 people. We saw dozens give their heart to the Lord. And I even got to sing in Spanish....really. I can carry a tune, but doing so in a different language is challenging, but fun!

I am now on the road to recovery...in many ways. I brought back a sinus infection, my hubby is about to go back to work (after a 6 month "break") and I have laundry to do.

My trip to Mexico showed me all I have to be thankful for. It made me aware of little things and hyper-sensitive to the big things. I have some new beginnings to look forward to, as well as some REbeginnings. I've noticed trees starting to bud. The temps are warming. It is a good time to be alive.

SAYING GOODBYE

It started out easy enough. For my oldest son's 3rd birthday, we decided to get him a fish tank. What a soothing and educational gift...don't you think? Anyway, buy a tank, some rocks, a few fish and that's really it. There are a few maintenance items that have to be tended to about twice a month like vacuuming the rocks, changing the filter and replacing the water. But other than that, and feeding the docile creatures, it is really easy.

So we start with a 10 gallon tank a few neon fish, some painted glass fish and a sucker fish we named "Slurpee." (He was named after "Slippery Soap" on Blue's Clues.) The little fish didn't last too long. The idea of having pets with little to no work was dashed after discovering things like my 2nd son trying to make a seaplane out of a small plastic airplane. Hot Wheels don't float and neither do coins. Slurpee DID survive and managed to grow from his original 2 inches long to about 6 inches.

When we moved to our new house, we painstakingly fished out all finned critters and bagged them. We emptied the tank. Upon arriving at our new home, we washed the tank, replaced the rocks and plants, "doctored" the water and transferred the fish. All but Slurpee croaked. We went to the pet store and bought half a dozen bright orange fish that we soon found out were sword tails.

The sword tails seemed to adapt well enough. So well, in fact, that they (the fish) deemed it appropriate to participate in a little AHP (aqua-hanky-panky.) When it was discovered that there were about 20 babies, we decided to get rid of them. I didn't flush them. Even though I never feel attached to things such as fish, I'm a bit too tender hearted to quash any type of life. SO, I scooped them out and donated them to a science teacher.

Imagine my surprise when I came home and discovered one lone baby. I had isolated the 2 known males (evidenced by their black, sword-like tails). I prayed that the little fella would soon sport a tail of his own. A few months later realized that our 50/50 odds fell on the side of female. A few months after that, EVERYTHING orange (around 40) was donated to a pet store.

Since Slurpee was alone, we decided to get ONE FISH. What can ONE FISH do alone? (The thoughts are a bit disturbing, but reality is reassuring.) My oldest decided to get a Siamese Fighting Betta. He was a beautiful fish. He was purple with flowing fins. He got along well with Slurpee....seeing as how Slurpee was a good 5 times bigger....and they coexisted nicely.

We purchased Betta food and replaced plants. AND, because my son is how he is, we named him Betta....that was the name on the container. Get it? ANYWAY, Betta was with us for about 2 1/2 years....until a few weeks ago.

We knew something was wrong when we went to feed the fish and noticed Betta lying on the rocks. Dead! So, DH got the net and went to fish him out. Pun intended. As soon as the net brushed him, he took off. It was weird. I mean, he didn't look right, but still...he's alive. We can't flush a live fish. That is cruel.

I don't know if it's possible to bond with a fish. If so, I guess I bonded as well as one could. When I turned on the light, he would swim to the top to wait for food. He would come to the glass when I would tap it. He would float close enough to the top to be touched, and when I did, he didn't flit off like one might expect.

No, we gave Betta all the time he needed to expire. Finally, after about a week of not seeing him (he was in the cave), DH went, net in hand, to try to rouse him again. What he discovered was not a purple fish, but a scaleless white DEAD FISH! EWWWWW!!!!

I was not really sad. I had no feeling, really. The thought is gross, to be sure, but I guess that is the way of things. So, in a few weeks, we will go the pet store for more fish. I don't know the kind or how many, but a few things are for sure. One, it won't be a Betta. I'm sure my 2nd son will want to pick one, so we need to have 2 fish that can cohabitate with each other and with a large sucker fish. Second, they CANNOT have babies. I don't know what we'll do about that one, but we will try.

Goodbye, Betta. It was nice knowing you. I hope you are enjoying swimming in that great fish tank in the sky.