It's Time for Some Football

                              

It's that time of the year, once again.  School has started back up, which means it's time for some FOOTBALL.  I am not a NFL football fan.  Don't have a favorite pro team, not interested in pro games, and you'll never catch any form of pro football playing on my TV.  But high school and Jr. high ball?  That's where my heart is.  I LOVE watching some football played when I'm right there in the stands, cheering on kids that I know and love.

One of those kiddos will be Butter.  His first game is September 11th, but the high school kicks off their season tonight.  I won't be at that game, unfortunately, but there's plenty more that I'll be attending over the course of the season.

I don't know what it is about local football, but it's so much more exciting (in my opinion) than watching a game on TV.  You can feel the dedication, the support, the sportsmanship.  It's great to sit side-by-side with other parents and fans and cheer on our home team.  

This year, I also get to experience some college ball.  Not just ANY college ball... but MY alma mater:  The Arkansas Razorbacks.  

Now, I'm not a big Razorback sport watcher, but I consider myself a Razorback fan.  Because I keep my support driven towards the college where I earned my degree.  I spent four years being a Razorback, so it's only right that I continue my support for the team where I once called my home away from home.  

But this year?  This year, I get the opportunity to be at EVERY home Razorback football game.  However, I won't be there watching the games, I'll be there working in the concession stands and listening to the game.  

As apart of the high school show choir fundraising efforts, the booster club has the opportunity to run a concession stand at the Razorback football games in order to earn some money for the choir.  Not only did I jump on that opportunity when it was presented, but I was also volunteered to be the parent in charge of the whole thing and be at EVERY home game.  

Each parent is responsible for volunteering for two or three games or events over the course of the school year, to help raise money for their child that is in show choir... I'll be going to six games.  And, I'm OK with that.  I told myself that I wasn't going to start volunteering to take on too much this year, because I'm going back to school and the kids keep me plenty busy running them to practices, games, and performances anyway.  But, I couldn't pass up a chance of going to every Razorback home football game, and making some money for the choir in the process.

Which is why I didn't feel the slightest bit guilty for not signing up for anything else to do over the year.  I think the time I'm volunteering during those six games is more than enough.  Especially being that I'll be working from around 3PM to around midnight each Saturday that I work.  

The Fall is always the time of year I love the most, because I'm always so dang busy.  Usually it's football and volleyball.  But, being that Peanut decided against volleyball this year, it's going to be football, football, and more football.  The last half of my weeks are going to be CRAZY busy.  I'll be in school for 4 hours each and every Wednesday night, Butter has his games on Thursday nights, the varsity team play on Friday nights, and then there will be the Razorback games on Saturdays.  Thankfully, I'll only be going to the home games for the varsity and Razorbacks, so it won't be EVERY weekend.  I'll get a couple of Friday nights and Saturdays off here and there.  

If I had any hope of getting and staying organized, it's going to have to happen now.  Being in college for my Master's Degree is going to be a tough endeavor.  Throw in all the extra-curriculars, and it's going to be an exhausting ride.  I'm going to have to really make sure I manage my time wisely, and stay on top of all of my school demands in order to make it all work.  There won't be any room for procrastination and just waiting until the last minute to get everything done.  Cause there may not be a last minute.  Each minute is going to have to be carefully planned out and accounted for.  

But, I'm energized and ready to take it all on.

This past week, I've been happier than I've been in a long time.  The last couple of weeks of summer break were boring, and I got lazy and moody.  I hated sitting around the house, twiddling my thumbs, trying to come up with something that would keep me occupied.  Now that I'm back to work, and getting my crazy, busy life back... I'm feeling happy, energized, and ready to keep piling it on.  

Even though some people think I take on too much and stretch myself too thin, I don't look at it that way.  I look at it as making memories.  Making each moment with my kids count.  When they are all grown up, with kids of their own, I'll be able to reminisce with them about their childhood, how I was at all their games, working at fundraisers, driving them here, there, and everywhere.  My life is all about them.  I am their number one fan...and that's how it should be.  It's just an added bonus that I love doing it so much.

I work hard so they have everything they need, and plenty that they want.  It's just a bonus that I have the job that I've always wanted and love doing.  I willingly give up all my free time to attend their games and performances.  It's just a bonus that I absolutely love watching them play and perform.  I gladly accept not getting home until after 6:30PM so that they can attend practices each and every night.  It's just a bonus that I get to use that time working in my classroom.  And, I'll gladly give up my weekends to work in a hot concession stand for 8-9 hours so that my child and the whole choir has money to buy the supplies that they need.  It's just a bonus that I get to listen to the football games while I'm doing it. 

And, it's not like I don't ever take time for myself.  I occasionally get to go out with a friend, or lay on the couch all day.  I'm going back to school, which is something I'm doing for myself.  Every once in a while I'll sleep in, or go shopping alone, or sit out on the patio and read.  

But, at the end of the day, I'm most happy when I'm doing something for or with my kids.  Because, that's what being a mother is all about - and it's just a bonus I absolutely LOVE doing exactly that.  My kids will never be able to grow up and say that I wasn't there for them.  They'll never have to struggle to think back to a time where I was there for them.  In fact, they'll have to struggle with thinking of a time I wasn't there... because that will never happen.

My relationship with my kids is everything to me.  I got to have my childhood, I've got to experience life without the burden of work and bills.  And now it's my kids turn to have all of that.  I'm just making sure that I'm a part of it.  I want to be a part of those memories that my kids hold on to.  

And, that's something I will always cherish.

Have a great Friday, everyone!!

When It Rains, It Pours

Not a very happy camper, at the moment.

We have no water in the house.  And I'm not sure when we'll actually have water.  

Yesterday, Hubby and my brother spent several hours trying to locate the source of the leak that was causing water to run underneath the house.  They found it.  It was a giant split in the main water line that leads in to the house.  Right where it goes under the foundation of the house.

However, because of there being so much water and mud, they weren't able to dig out enough of the pipe in order to fix it.  Because a large section of the pipe needs to be replaced, and they're not exactly sure how they are going to dig it all out and get a new piece of piping under the house... because the crawl space that has the broken part of the pipe under the house is too small to reach.

UGH!!

Last night, they were able to come up with a solution that they think they are going to try, but it was too late to do it then.  So, they are going to do it today.  I just pray to all things holy that they do get it fixed and we're able to have running water again by this evening.  Of course, there's a good chance for rain today.  Isn't that just the way the cookie crumbles?  If it rains, it's going to be extremely hard to take care of a broken water pipe.

I just don't know what it is with us and leaks.  We have some sort of leak curse.  No matter where we go, we end up with some kind of water problem.  I thought that once we ditched our old house, we left the curse behind.  Yeah, not so much.  In this house, it started with our bathroom.  The shower in our bathroom is broken, and we're not using it at the moment until we can afford to replace the whole shower.  Could be awhile.

I don't even want to think about what our water bill is going to be like next month.  Who knows how long that leak has been there, especially since Hubby just happened to notice the water running out of the area where the air conditioner sits...and it dawned on him that the AC hasn't been used in several days.  He decided to check it out, and that's when he found a puddle of standing water under the house and water running down one side of crawl space.

I'm hoping that if we report the leak, the water company will work with us on the bill.  Not sure if they will do that, but I remember several years ago that we had some kind of leak in an old house and the water company adjusted our bill once they knew we had a leak.

Besides having no water, I'm ready for this week to get started.  I'm excited about the fact that I only have one night of traveling planned.  For the rest of the week, I will be able to come home at a somewhat reasonable hour.  Tonight is Peanut's last volleyball game - I think - and then the volleyball season will be over.  Of course, I thought that last Thursday, and then found out that the girls had a tournament tonight.  If, by some miracle, the girls win tonight... I'm sure there's a possibility they'll play again this week.  

I got to see Butter for a little while yesterday.  He's doing well.  His poor hand is swollen something silly, and he's very nervous about anyone or anything getting anywhere near him because the slightest bump causes severe pain.  I'm going to try and call the doctor today about getting him in for his hard cast, and hopefully he'll be able to come home tonight.  If not, he'll be out again tomorrow until it's taken care of.

The main priority with him is pain management.  He needs some pain pills that will help with the pain, but won't knock him out.  He can't very well go back to school either being in a lot of pain or taking medicine that makes him sleep.  Either way, he wouldn't be able to function.  So, my mom and I think that once the hard cast goes on, the doctor may be able to give him a more mild pain reliever.  One that doesn't affect him enough to keep him out of school any longer.

Of course, the only thing Butter is worried about is how much homework he's going to have being off so many days.  I can understand why that's a concern.  He was lucky that he didn't break the wrist of the hand he writes with, but trying to spend a lot of time writing or sitting at a desk to get work done will be uncomfortable for a little while.

Seriously, when it rains, it pours around here.  There can't ever be one obstacle at a time.  It's always a ton of obstacles thrown my way at one time.  First juggling volleyball and football.  Then, when that gets to be easy...a broken wrist is thrown in the mix.  Then, when I think I have a handle on that situation, I'm graced with a broken shower....and then a few days later a major water leak under the house.  

Can't I just have a "normal" life for a little while?

These next few weeks will be anything but, I'm sure.  Next week gives me fall break, then the week after is Halloween and a fall carnival at work.  Then, a few weeks after that Thanksgiving....it's that time of year where everything will fall down on me so quickly.  Will I even be prepared for any of it?

Of course I will!!

I always am.  I'm no stranger to this type of lifestyle. Anyone that's read this blog for any amount of time will know this.  In my world, there's no such things as a normal life.  It's ALWAYS one obstacle after another...and you'd think by now, I'd be a pro at it.  But, I will never be able to say that my life was boring, that's for sure.

OK, it's that time for me to start getting ready for work.

Have an awesome Monday, everyone!!

Ready to Be Back in My Room

I'm so tired.  So, so tired.  Tired enough that I didn't get out of bed until 5:10 this morning... meaning I hit the snooze button a total of 4 times.

About 3 more than I usually do.

It's not surprising.  I mean, I didn't get home and in bed until almost 1AM on Wednesday night...or Thursday morning..however you want to look at it.  I got up at 5AM and went to work, yesterday.  Didn't get home until 9:30 last night thanks to a volleyball and football game (Peanut's friend's game).  

Tonight, I am taking Peanut to watch a college volleyball game.  It's arranged for the entire volleyball team to go, and it just happens to be at my alma mater.  The University of Arkansas.  It'll be nice to see the volleyball Lady Razorbacks in action, but I know it's going to be a very tough drive home.  I'll be so tired, I will undoubtably pass out the minute I step through the front door...and who knows when I'll wake up tomorrow.

Yesterday, I had to attend a day long training on common core math.  I figured it would be yet another day of learning what common core is, what the standards are, and the changes that will be put in to place once we make the complete conversion next year.  It started out that way, but in the end the focus was on strategies, tools, and lessons that could be applied to the classroom.  Those types of trainings I actually enjoy.  I like to walk away with new ideas and stuff for my tool bag to implement in the classroom.  

I was able to text my mom a few times throughout the day, yesterday, to check in on Butter.  He was in a lot of pain, but was able to rest with some pain medicine.  I finally spoke to him last night, and I felt sad knowing that he was in so much pain...and I wasn't there to comfort him.  He was in good spirits, though, and was enjoying his time being doted over by Grandma.  

My brother has also been a great help.  He's been acting as Butter's nurse, helping him dress and undress, clean up, and stuff like that.  It means a lot to me that my mom has some help, and that my brother is willing to step up and help out.  Which doesn't surprise me at all.  He really adores Butter, and I knew he was pretty upset by the whole situation of Butter hurting himself.  

When I got back to the school after the training, I was able to see the substitute on her way out..and she told me that the kids had been awesome.  They had worked hard, behaved well, and she had enjoyed her day working with them.  That always makes me feel good.  Knowing that when I'm not there, my kids are able to behave and represent me in a positive way.

I spent a little time going through some of the stacks of papers on my desk, and then it was time to head out to Peanut's volleyball game.  The game was pretty good, but they lost.  Again.  The last game of the season. I just have to make it through a tournament on Monday, and that's it. Volleyball season is over.  I am relieved.  As much as I love watching Peanut play volleyball, I'm also very excited by the fact that starting next week, I'll be able to come home much earlier.  No more waiting around until 5:30 or 6PM for practice to be over, no more driving here there and everywhere for games.  Of course, I still have Butter's games to attend...even if he can't actually play in them.  It means a lot to Butter to be on the sidelines supporting his team, and so I'll make the drive to the two remaining destinations in order for him to do that.  I just hope we are able to get Butter in for his hard cast before we do that on Tuesday... cause I'm not sure I'll be OK with him riding the bus without the proper support he needs on his arm.

Anywho, after the volleyball game, I took Peanut to watch her friend play football.  I had another one of her friends with me, and they met up with more friends once we got there.  They all sat with me, and we had a good time laughing and watching and sharing stuff that had been going on with their day.

After the game, I was able to speak to the player that tackled Butter, resulting in the broken wrist.  My intent was to tease him a little... but I couldn't do it when I saw the look on his face when he realized who was standing next to him.  The player just happened to be one of my kiddos from summer school.  He doesn't go to our school, but visited summer school from another school in the county.  He's usually one of those kids that thinks he's too cool for anything, and makes it appear that nothing bothers him.  Our first meeting, he'd acted like a real toot...until he realized I wasn't a teacher that was going to put up with his shenanigans.  In the end, we had a very good time at summer school.  He started to show some respect for me, and being that football is his passion, was ecstatic when I started having the kids play frisbee football.  We've seen each other a few times since, at games and such, and he's always greeted me respectfully... to the shock of people around him.

Last night, when I expected him to brush off the accident as no big deal, I figured I'd mess with him a little...make him stew a little.  But, I couldn't do it.  When he looked at me, his eyes immediately fell to the ground and I saw genuine sadness and concern on his face.  It melted my heart.  I couldn't tease him or give him a hard time.  He asked me how Butter was doing.  I told him that Butter was hurting a little, but OK.  All I could say after that was that neither Butter nor I were mad at him.  We knew it was an accident, and there was no hard feelings for what had happened.  The look of relief and appreciation that crossed his face made me feel good.  It goes to show how a little gesture can have a big effect.

Today, I'm ready to get back in to my classroom and end the week on a high note.  My kids have more tests today, and they've all promised me that they will - once again - pass them.  I am staying optimistic, but with me not being there yesterday to help them study... I'm not holding my breath.  It will be awesome if they are all able to pass their tests again, but being that they were so well behaved for the sub yesterday - they'll still get their extra recess time.

OK, it's that time once again.  For me to head in and get ready for work.

T.G.I.F.  Right?

Spending an Evening at the E.R.

I would go out on a limb and say that one of a mother's worst nightmares is to receive a phone call that their child has been injured and needs to go to the hospital.

Another one would be getting a call from your significant other telling you that they are on the way to pick up your child, because YOU didn't answer your phone when someone was trying to contact you to tell you that your child has been injured and needs to go to the hospital.

Both of which happened to me yesterday afternoon.

It just so happened to be my one and only evening this week that didn't involve any games, traveling, or late nights home.  I was busy working in my classroom preparing for a substitute I'm having today because I'm going to a training workshop.  The kids were going to ride the activity bus back to the school when they were finished with practice.

I was all over my classroom cleaning and organizing, when I hear my phone vibrating.  I take a look and notice that I've missed 5 calls before this call coming in from a number I don't know...and the call coming in is from Hubby.  He's calling to tell me that he's on his way to pick up Butter, because SOMEBODY didn't answer their phone....and he'd been hurt at football practice.

I tell him not to drive all that way, I'll go and pick him up.  Just as I finish up with the call from Hubby, another call comes in from the number that had shown up on my phone five times prior.  It's Butter.  Calling to tell me that the athletic trainer thinks he's broken his wrist, and needs to go to the hospital.

I, in my best I WILL NOT PANIC attitude, grab up Jelly and we head to the high school to pick up Butter.  When we get there, we're met by his coach and the trainer.  Butter is all splinted up, and looks pretty miserable.  I decide to drive the girls home and then head straight to the hospital to have the wrist checked out.

Because of the trek from the high school in Missouri to the hospital in the insurance network in Arkansas, we don't arrive at the hospital until a little after 7:30PM.  Thankfully, there was only one other person in the ER.  We get checked in and are called back immediately.  The nurse checks him out, and gets all the details and vitals, and we are shown back to a room.  X-rays are requested, and it's not long before a technician and a traveling X-ray machine show up at the room.

I was quite impressed.  Every other hospital I've ever had to go to had someone come and take a person back to X-ray.  Now, it's all done in the same triage room.  

The X-ray is taken, and then we sit and wait.  And wait.  Poor Butter is so tired, he can barely keep his eyes open...

                              

Around 8:30PM, the doctor walks in the room, takes one look at the splint on Butter's arm, and walks out of the room.  I hear him say something to the nurse about him not having time to "deal" with taking off a splint, and someone needs to take care of it.  Thanks to the splint still being on his arm, and the whole 30 seconds it takes for the nurse to remove it, we are bumped to the bottom of the line...and there are several more people that have made their way in to the hospital.  We don't see the doctor again until after 10PM.

I was not a happy camper.  The nurse had left the splint on Butter because he didn't know how long it would take for the doctor to come, and he didn't want Butter to be in too much pain.  Once the splint was off, my poor boy had to sit for over an hour without anything on his wrist...and that caused a lot of discomfort.

                             

When the doctor did finally arrive, for the second time, he came in, wiggled a few fingers around, told me he was going to go and take a look at the X-rays, and disappeared again.  Butter and I, AGAIN, waited and waited.  Finally, the doctor came back about 30 minutes later and asked for me to step out of the room.

I will say right now, that no mother ever wants a doctor to pull them out of a room to discuss their child's injury.  You just know that the minute they ask you to step out that it's not good.  If it was going to be OK, they'd tell you right there in front of your child...never out in the hallway.

He takes me over to his computer so that he can show me the X-rays.  On his way there, he says "It's not good".  Urm...OK.  Thanks for that.  Now I get to be all panicked and decide to freak out a little.  I had been just comforting Butter telling him that it didn't look so bad, and that there was still a possibility that it wasn't broken.  Now, I'm being dragged off by the doctor who tells me something is not good.

He directs me to the computer and begins to show me the damage.  Butter had fractured his wrist, but he'd also dislodged his growth plate located in the wrist joint.  The doctor explains that it is very serious, because if not properly taken care of could lead to no further growth in the wrist or any function in the wrist.  He tells me it won't be as simple as casting him up and sending him on his way, and that he was waiting for an orthopedic specialist to call him for a consult.

In my dazed and panicked mode, I just ask him what that means.  He tells me there's a strong possibility that the specialist will want to repair the damage that night.  Surgery or placement setting are both options.  I have no idea what placement setting is, but I already feel like that's the option I want.  He tells me that as soon as he hears back from the specialist, he'll let me know.

I go back to the room to lock eyes with my very scared little boy.  He's not stupid.  He also knew that me being dragged out of the room could not be good for him.  I tell him what the doctor had told me, and he immediately begins to cry.

He's scared.  And I don't blame him.

Not just that, but he was worried about his football career.  His biggest fear was upsetting and disappointing his coach.  I try my best to calm him down, and then call my mom to fill her in on what's going on.  She immediately decides to drive up to be with us.

Right after I get off the phone with my mom, two nurses come in to the room.  They inform Butter and I that he needs to be moved in to another room.  The nurse tells him that they are going to fix his wrist.  Of course, he starts panicking again.  How are they going to fix it?  Is he going for surgery, or the other option?  Did the specialist call back, and what did he say?

When we get to the new room, I start firing off questions.  I'm told that the specialist did call back, looked at the X-rays, and decided that he needed to come in to perform an emergency placement setting immediately.  With the growth plate being out of place, and the pooling of blood that was occurring around the fracture, there was no time to waste in getting the plate back to where it should be.

Butter found out he was going to be put under for the procedure...and he starts having a panic attack. Butter is TERRIFIED of needles, and the nurse had just told him that he'd need an IV.  

Looking in to the eyes of my scared little boy was heartbreaking.  I tried to comfort him.  I tried to tell him that everything was going to be OK.  All the while, trying to keep my own panic and fear contained.  This was supposed to just be a simple break.  A quick cast, and back to school the next day kinda thing.  Now, I'm hearing terms I don't know, and people are rushing around as if major surgery is going to be performed.  

Another nurse comes in to explain everything that's going to happen.  The doctor is going to attempt to "pop" the growth plate back in to place.  It required Butter being put out, because the pain would be too immense for him to be awake for the procedure.  The doctor would put the plate back in to place, and a temporary splint would be placed on his arm for a few days.  He would then require a hard cast be put on for about 6 weeks.  

The doctor arrived, and so did my mom and brother.  My mom had enough time to say "hi" and "bye" before they were ushering her out of the room to perform the procedure.  Butter was given the medicine to knock him out, and we waited for him to go under.

The procedure took all of 10 minutes.  The doctor did a quick pop of Butter's wrist, and then sat and manipulated and pulled on his arm.  The nurse then wrapped Butter's arm in a splint, and another X-ray was taken.  The doctor told me he was all finished, and my mom was allowed to come back in to the room.  

I was told it would be about 15 minutes before the medicine keeping Butter knocked out would start to wear off...and that it was imperative that the first person's voice he heard was mine.  The anesthesia was known to cause paranoia and panic attacks in children, and the only way of avoiding that was to be by Butter's ear the minute he started to come to...reassuring him that everything was OK.

While we were waiting, the doctor came back to let me know the procedure had been a success...and the X-ray had shown that the plate was back in place.  With the hard cast, and about 6 weeks of healing, he should make a full recovery.  He'll require some physical therapy after the six weeks to get the function back in to his arm... but other than that, he'd be fine.  Football was done for the season.  He wouldn't be fit to return to any activity for at least 8-10 weeks.  

Butter slowly started to come out of his anesthesia, and I was there to assure him everything was OK.  Despite all the nervousness and fear and anxiety I'd been through in the past 30 minutes, it was HILARIOUS going through him coming out of anesthesia.  He was totally out of it.  He recognized who I was, and my mom, and my brother.  He told us about a dream he'd had about playing football, scoring a touchdown that earned him 46 points, and being tackled by a giant.  An actual giant...not a big player.  Who just happened to be a girl.

We had to wait another 15 minutes or so, just to make sure he was coming out OK before being allowed to go home.

Due to the demands of work, and getting the girls to school, my mom volunteered to take Butter home for a couple of days so that she could take care of him.  I was very thankful.  As much as I wanted to stay home with my baby boy, I still had to drive the girls to school.  It was nice knowing that my mom would be able to nurse Butter while I was taking care of the other two children.

I didn't make it home until around 1AM.  Knowing that I had only a couple of hours to sleep, I went swiftly to bed.  And that leads me to right now.  

I got about 3 hours of sleep.  I'm exhausted.  But, I'm OK.  I feel good knowing that Butter is in good hands, and I will be calling him several times today to check in on him.  

It was such a nerve wracking, long night.  I will be honest and say that going to a day long training is NOT how I want to spend my day.  But, I do what I gotta do.  It doesn't help that Peanut has a volleyball game tonight, so it's going to be another very late night for me.

But, I'll sleep this weekend.

Maybe.

Everyone have a terrific day!!

We've Got Spirit, Yes We Do!

                                    

What an awesome, wonderful, long, tiring day yesterday was.

There must be something to being pumped with school spirit, because it coursed through my veins and the veins of my students pretty much all day yesterday.

Peanut and I made sure to do our part to be dressed up for the day.  Even though you can't see it in the picture, the back of my hair was all sprayed and bright red.  So was Peanut's bun.  She opted for a red bandana that we bought the night before, and I went with basic red and black ribbons in my hair.  My fingernails are also painted black and red, and the tips of Peanut's are painted black and red.

My day got underway, and students in my class know that regardless of what special activity is going on - Friday is test day.

Almost every Friday, the kids have their spelling test, their grammar test, and their reading test.  It also worked out for them that they'd be taking a science test yesterday afternoon - but those don't usually fall on a Friday, just whenever we're done with a unit of study.  And yesterday was that day.

So, the poor things had four tests to battle through...on top of being all pumped and excited about it being homecoming day.

In eight weeks of school, there has been four reading tests and two science tests.  Not a SINGLE time has the whole class passed either test.  Even though we discuss all the material on the test, and they are able to use their books to take the tests.  It's a frustrating scenario each and every week as I grade.  In fact, it's been a pretty even split of kids that pass versus kids that fail the tests.  

I ALWAYS point out before each and every test that they should look up their answers, even if they think they already know the answer.  But, up until yesterday, that never happened.  Several kids would work through the multiple choice questions randomly picking a letter that looked good to them...and some of the essay type questions wouldn't even really go with what the question asked.  

This week has been a frustrating week all around.  Lots of changes has been taking place in the classroom - like the introduction of station teaching - and it's been hard on the kids and me.  I have a co-teacher for 30 minutes of reading, but when my reading block is 90 minutes long... I have to juggle the stations on my own after she leaves.  And I also have to accommodate the kids that have special needs or have trouble reading questions, etc.

Something happened inside of me yesterday that filled me with positivity.  I gave my kids a big pep talk before the reading test - similar to what a coach might give his team before heading out on to the football field, I suppose.  I told them to do their best.  Give me all they've got.  There were no prizes for being the first one finished... I was looking for kids that could stay the course, and verify and check all of their answers.  Use their time wisely.  Ask for help if they needed it.  And so on.

The kids finished, it was time for lunch, and they all felt really good about how they did.

When the kids went off to specials, I took the opportunity to grade their reading tests.  I started grading, and noticed I wasn't checking off as many wrong answers as I usually did.  I got through a few more, and noticed several kids had only missed one or two...and then there was the first 100% that had ever happened...then another.  I had written several A's, a few B's, a couple of C's....but I hadn't come to a single F from the kids in my class.  On I went with my grading, and when I was finished... I had not given anyone in my class a single F.  WHAT THE WHAT?  

I checked through the stack again.  Lots of A's.  A few B's. A couple of C's.  And two D's.  Out of twenty kids.  I was shocked.  And ecstatic.

I immediately took myself down to Mrs. P's office and told her my exciting news.  Now, I know that some of you are probably thinking "big whoop, all her kids passed a test".  But, this is HUGE.  I have several kids in my class that struggle with reading.  It's extremely difficult for them.  Either because of language barriers, reading several grade levels behind, or special needs.  To have every single kid in my class pass that test was a major victory for us.

I asked Mrs. P if I could reward my class with some extra recess time, and she agreed - and handed me a package of Smarties for each kid to give them from her.  

I think this is a great time to point out that all of my kids have also been rockstars in all of their specials classes this week.  Another BIG WIN for my class, after the problems I was having.  I fixed the issues this week by handing out two homework passes to the two students that the specials teacher believed to be the most behaved or helpful or respectful from the whole class.  It worked, apparently.  

The kids came back from specials, I gave them their Smarties, and told them that once the science test was over, we'd have some extra recess time.  But, then I threw them a curveball.  In order to prevent them from flying through the science test in order to have their extra recess time, I told them the recess time came with a stipulation.  Everyone in the class had to make a C or higher on the test.  The science test is always pretty simple - finding definitions to the vocabulary, answer a couple of multiple choice questions, read some information off of a chart, and answer one essay question.  Again, the students have their books to use.  But, like I said before, not a single time has the entire class passed a science test - let alone all of them make higher than a C.  In fact, I shared with them that on the last science test there was only one A in the entire class, a few B's, and the rest were D's and F's.  Over half the class had failed the last science test.

The students took the test, everyone finished, and we took the time to grade.  As I read each answer, I was met with several cheers...they were getting them right.  The end results?  FOURTEEN A's, FIVE B's, and one C.  They did it!!!

It goes to show what they can do when there's a very coveted reward dangling over their head.  Right?

Our extra recess was a great way to end the day.  They were so happy and proud with themselves.  We ended our very frustrating and long week on an extremely high positive note.  And I couldn't have been any more proud or happy with them.

After school, Hubby came to pick up Jelly.  I spent a little time working in my classroom, and then it was time to get ready to go pick up Peanut and Butter from practice, so we could go to the game.

Do you remember those Jr. High kids that I spoke so much about during summer school?  Well, since school has been back in, there have been a couple of them that I have stayed very close with.  They come and see me in my room pretty much every single day, and we've created a very strong bond.  In fact, one of the boys has now become one of Peanut's best friends.  Which is funny, being that they didn't even talk to each other last year.  

They don't get out to do much, so I volunteered to take a couple of them with me to the homecoming game.  It was quite a sight leaving the school yesterday with four kids that didn't belong to me.  But, it felt really great knowing that I was going to give them a night out...with proper supervision... knowing they'd be safe, and having fun.  

When I got to Butter's practice, he asked if he could go off with a friend until the game started, and Peanut and her other best friend joined the four kids I already had.  That meant I had six giant jr. high kids in my car.  Talk about crowded!  Luckily, we only had to drive a block up the road to our dinner destination.

I opted on buying the bunch two jumbo pizzas, and we all sat together, ate dinner, and had a few laughs while waiting for the game.  You have no idea how much it means to me that these kids - now Peanut's good friends - actually WANT me to be there, apart of their fun.  I could have sat at another table, which was my intent.. but they saved me a spot right in the middle of all of them.  They weren't embarrassed by an "old lady" - a teacher at that - sitting right there with them.  Makes my heart all warm and proud.

Even at the game, I told them all where to meet me when the game was over, fully expecting them to go off with their friends and enjoy the game in their own way.  But, the boys from summer school met up with a few more kids that were in my summer school classes from another school...and they all chose to sit right by me through the entire game.  Even after Peanut decided to go off with her friends. It felt just like summer school all over again.  We watched the game, reminiscing our Frisbee Football games, laughing, and having one of the best times I've had in ages.

We didn't make it home until after 11PM last night, and I was exhausted.  I had to take a shower and wash the red spray paint from my hair, but then I was straight to bed...and passed out before my head touched the pillow.

Today, I'm off to go see some of my 4th grade boys play some football.  I think it's a big deal when a teacher goes out to support her kiddos in their extra curricular activities.  They are my kids, right?

OK... definitely time for me to run, or I'll be late to their game.

Have an amazing Saturday...and thanks if you managed to make it through this very long post.

Today is Saturday, Right?

It's currently 5:11AM, and my alarm was set and first went off at 4:30 this morning.  Which is the time I usually get up when I'm going to work.

But, it's not a work day.  It's Saturday.

So, what the heck??

Well, apparently, getting up at 4:30AM isn't just for teachers who blog.  It's also for mothers who have daughters that play volleyball.  

That's right.  I'm up at this ungodly hour because Peanut has a volleyball tournament this morning and we have to be there by 7:30AM.  And it takes almost an hour to get to the high school where the tournament is taking place.

Not only did I have to go to work on a day when my kids all got to stay home, but I also get to spend my Saturday sitting in a gym.  For around five hours.  Fun, right?  Sitting on those bleachers is usually painful enough after one volleyball game...not sure how I'm going to feel after sitting there that long.

While I'm cursing and stomping my foot like a spoiled little five year old about having to get up so early and spend my day watching volleyball, I'm also super relieved that I'm doing it.  Well, not that I'm doing it... that Peanut is doing it.  She definitely needs something to focus on today, and take her mind off of her recent heartbreak.

She spent the day with my mom, yesterday, and I received word while I was at work that she was doing much better.  She hadn't slept much the night before, had been up early talking to me, but had then taken a shower and gotten some sleep.  When she woke up, she was able to manage to eat and laugh a little.

That was how it was when I went to pick her up last night.  In the car we talked, and she told me that she'd spoken to her best friend on and off all day, and that he had really helped her keep her mind off of stuff.  She got a little tearful in the car, sharing some of the sweet words of encouragement her best friend had given.  

It made me really think about how lucky she was to have such a good friend.  Especially of the opposite sex.  In fact, they had started out as really good friends and then tried a brief attempt at dating.  It hadn't worked out that way, but they were lucky enough to rebuild their strong friendship after the fact..and he is now a very important person in her life.  She shares everything with him, and he is the one person (besides me) that she can really count on.  We had a long discussion about how much she appreciates him in her life, and that is important for her to know that she can have such a strong friendship with a boy and it not be anything more than said friendship.  

One thing about her relationship with her recent boyfriend that she didn't like was the fact that he didn't like her being so friendly with an ex.  It actually put a strain on Peanut's relationship with her best friend.  And she told me that if she should decide to date again, it was her top priority that a new boyfriend would be OK with her best friend being a guy.  

She's learning already.  Using those mistakes and lessons from the past to move forward in the future. That's my girl.  As long as it's not for a while.

On the way home, we had to make a stop at Walmart to buy stuff for her tournament today, as they are putting on a spread for the players, coaches, and bus drivers.... breakfast and lunch spread.  Each player was responsible for buying a few items for that spread.

However, I did what any other person does when someone close to them is hurting...especially over a heartbreak.  I bought Peanut a tub of ice-cream.  She thought the cliche was humorous, and selected her ice-cream with the complete and utter intention of using it for what it was being bought for.

In fact, when we got home, I didn't even have a chance to get it in the freezer before she was preparing a bowl for herself.  

The family all decided to sit down and watch a movie.  Despite the fact that it was already after 9PM, and Peanut and I were getting up at the butt crack of dawn.  Hubby had gone out and rented Epic.  A family friendly, funny movie.

The movie was great, but neither Peanut nor Jelly made it through the entire thing before falling asleep.  When the movie was almost over, I woke Peanut up to go to bed.  She went, but as the movie was wrapping up, I heard a familiar sound coming from her bedroom:  Crying.

I went in to Peanut and found her lying on her bed in tears.  Being alone in her room had been hard, and the silence had just ripped the scab off her very thin scar she was starting to form.  

I just decided to lay next to her and hold her.  Let her let it out.  Rub her head, make soothing sounds, and hope that it would help.  Eventually, she just cried herself to sleep.  In my arms.  

Heartbreaking.

I don't think it fair nor right that a 13 year old girl should be going through these kinds of emotions.  She's so young, so fragile.  To think that she's had her first experience at love gives me the heeby jeebies.  But, then I know that I was in a similar situation when I was her age.  Older than my years, more mature.  When I gave myself to a relationship - either a friendship or a boyfriend - it was everything to me.  And if I wasn't at the control seat at ending the relationship, it felt like my whole world was ripped out from under me.

Just like she feels right now.

I could tell her that she's too young to worry about stuff like this.  I could tell her that she's going to have lots of boyfriends and just as many heartbreaks.  I could tell her to just forget having a boyfriend altogether for a few years and focus on other aspects of her life...and I have... but it doesn't help the pain that's she's feeling right now.

Being a mother is tough.  I know that.  I've known that since the first day I became a mother.  But, the tough parts came from nursing a sick child, watching them and helping them through losing sporting events, teaching them and nurturing them through difficult situations at school, to be tough but kind, to be fair, to play nice with others.  Not mending broken hearts.  That wasn't on the agenda.  Not this early.  

And that's why I'm glad that we'll be out today, with Peanut focusing on playing ball and being a part of a team.  To know that her mother is in the stands cheering her on, rooting for her.  The one person that will never turn her back away from her, deliberately hurt her, or ever make her feel alone.  

That's something positive for me to focus on during all of this.  That it has brought Peanut and I closer. We were already very close... but to know that I'm the one that she can cry to, cry on, cry with.  Talk about anything and everything with.  Knowing there is no judgement, no lectures, no harsh words.  Just an ear for her to vent in to.  A few words of advice.  And lots and lots of love and support.

It's those things that make the toughness of being a mom worth it.  My baby girl needs me, and I'm there.  Period.  

OK, time to get ready....

Ready for Another Crazy Busy Week

Today kicks off the beginning of a short week.  Not for me... but for the kiddos.  On Friday, they won't be going to school.  I will be, and I'll be spending the day at a Professional Development Workshop.

Before I can think about getting to Friday, though, I have to think about getting through the rest of the hurdles standing in my way.

Tonight, it's an away volleyball game.  Tomorrow it's a home football game.  Thursday it's a home volleyball game.

So, three of the four school nights... I'll be traveling to games, and getting home super late.  

Awesome, right?

This week I also have afternoon car duty, which means I will have to figure out a way to get all of my stuff ready to go before I head out to do it.  In order to make it to Peanut's game tonight, I will have to leave the school by 4PM.  Sometimes car duty doesn't get over until 3:45PM.  It will be quite the mad dash to get everything packed up and out the door...so I don't end up arriving late to Peanut's game and have her mad at me for the rest of the night.  Tomorrow night, I volunteered to work the ticket counter at the football game, so I have to be there by 4:30PM.  Luckily, Thursday, I don't have to be there until 5PM..so that gives me at least a little time to pack up before I head out.

I was really hoping that after my restful weekend, this week wouldn't be too much of a challenge.  That was until I went to bed at 10PM last night, and couldn't sleep.  I drifted in and out of sleep until midnight, and then again until 2AM.  Then I was awake for almost an hour...and drifted back again for another 30 minutes.  I looked at the clock again at 3:56AM.  My alarm goes off at 4:30AM.  And wouldn't you know, that last time I looked at the clock was when I actually went to sleep.  When the alarm did wake me up at 4:30, I hit the snooze button several times.

And the sad thing was, the not being able to sleep was my own fault.  I thought it was a smart idea to drink a cup of coffee at 9PM.  It was getting pretty chilly outside, and I thought a nice cup of vanilla caramel coffee on the porch would be a nice way to relax by myself before bed time.

A few months ago, a cup of coffee right before bed would NEVER have kept me awake.  In fact, I drank about a pot of coffee each and every morning, and during Fall and Winter I would drink another pot of coffee in the evenings.  But, when I started losing weight again a couple of months ago, I cut my coffee intake down to one cup a morning during the week and two cups on the weekend.  I've now cut the caffeine down so much, that it's started to affect me if I drink it any other time but right when I get up.  

Lesson learned...no more coffee before bed for me!

So, now I get to head in to this week sluggish and sleep deprived.  Which I should really be getting used to, because it's how I've spent the last couple of weeks.

I really don't have much more to write about this morning.  My mind is kinda fuzzy...and I don't want to sit here and just keep rambling on for nothing.

Have a good Monday, everyone!!

I'm Now an Official Football Mom

                                 

Oh yeah.  That's one very proud Momma, right there.  Even though it looks more like I'm photo bombing rather than taking a proud picture with my son.  He was hot and sweaty and stinky, so I was trying to get a good picture of the both of us, without me having to rub up too much to the football uniform.

Oh, and please excuse my terrible hair in the picture.  It had rained at the beginning of the game, and my hair was flat and gross looking from it.

But, enough about me....let's talk some FOOTBALL!

Not really.  We're still totally going to talk about me, and the fact that I am one super proud Football Momma.

It's been something I've waited for since I first gave birth to my son twelve years ago.  While most dads look in to the eyes of their newborn sons and envision football jerseys, baseball bats, and basketballs... I was the Momma that did those things.

It's been a long time coming.

To be honest, I always had this inkling that Peanut was going to be sporty her whole life.  The way she is, her personality... I just kinda knew that she'd be the kid that enjoyed pretty much all extra-curricular activities, but would eventually hone in on sports.

Butter on the other hand?  I wasn't so sure.  Not at all because I doubted his sporting ability, but I just thought he'd never really find a desire to play competitive sports...it wasn't really his nature, regardless of how much I was told by people that he'd be great at it.

And finally, he's realized that he's great at it...and has taken to football with everything he's got.

My little Butter is the center for the B team.  His grade has two football teams, just like Peanut.  Because the teams are made up with kids from the entire district, and it gives many more boys the opportunity to play.  Being that it's his first year playing, he was placed on the B team...and was totally fine with that.

I sat through the first game.  The opposing team were strong and came out victorious with a 36-0 score against us.

Then it was my Butter's team up.  And within a first few minutes?  Their first touchdown.  I haven't yelled that much in a long time.  It was such a great feeling to know that it meant so much for him to have his team score...and regardless of the outcome, they could all rest easy knowing they had some numbers up on the score board.

The entire game was awesome.  Butter was the only center through the entire game, and after he hiked the ball, he stayed on a GIANT opposing player.  I was amazed at how well Butter held back a player that towered over him.  

The opposing team scored, and then we scored, and then the opposing team scored again...and made their two point conversion.  Giving them a two point lead, which ended up giving them the win at the end of the game.  Butter's team may have lost, but they did us mighty proud on that field.

Here's a few pics from the night...

Butter the first time he takes the field...

Butter immediately after the game...

                              

Butter and Momma...

                              

I tell ya what, this school year has been totally different thanks to football.  

It started out kinda rough.  He got in to some trouble in a couple of his classes.  He received his first report card, and it had an F on it hidden among the rest being C's..  And I did what any concerned Football Momma would do...went straight to his coach.

I'm lucky enough to work with Butter's head football coach.  The coaches for the various sports are selected from the coaches from the district, and I'm lucky enough that the football coach for the Junior High is from my school.

He's a great guy...a guy that Butter both respects and likes.  Two qualities that are rarely heard from Butter about a teacher.  

Due to Butter's...urm... "struggles" that he's had in school, he's a little skeptical when it comes to building relationships with teachers.  He likes the teachers at our school, but he still holds a lot of doubt that they like him back.

The same can not be said about his coach.  That's one guy Brayden REALLY likes, and will basically do whatever he asks Butter to do.

A lot of that has to do with the way his coach treats him.  His coach gives him motivation, a focus, and doesn't ever show any doubt in Butter's abilities.  And the proof is definitely in the pudding on how much his coach impacts him.

I went and saw his coach when the "issues" were taking place with Butter in some of his classes and with his F... which is a quick death sentence in the ability to play in football games.

Within one week, I kid you not, Butter had fixed the issues with the classes and brought home a new report card... this time with all A's and one B.  The B came from the class that one week before had been an F.

Yesterday, I find out that Butter has also been selected to be a member of a committee being put together by the school counselor that's focused on anti-bullying strategies.  The letter I received told me that Butter had been selected due to his "leadership qualities".  Two words I never expected any school faculty to use when describing Butter.  

Butter has always been a follower.  He likes to please others, usually at the cost of getting himself in to trouble.  But, since playing football, he's turned that all around.  He is starting to step up more as being a leader and taking initiative to avoid situations that could get him in to trouble.

Last week, he actually stood up to a boy that was picking on another boy.  Butter thought it might get him in to trouble, but when he's coach reassured him that he'd done the right thing... it filled Butter with pride, and again, reinforced the changes that Butter's making within himself.

Football season may be over in October, but with his football coach being right there in the school with us - I'm filled with hope that Butter is reinventing himself this year.  He's going to leave all of his troubles in his past, and live up to the potential that he has.

And that makes for one SUPER proud Momma.

It goes to show that school sports really can have a much great affect on a student than just exercise.  It can shape them both physically AND mentally.  And it's just what my Butter needed.  

I couldn't be any more grateful of the coach.  He has really had an amazing affect on my boy...and I owe him a lot for it.

I wish I could keep going with my pride and support, but it's time for me to get ready for work.  

Have an Awesome Wednesday!

Till next time...

Never Been More Happy About Seeing Friday

                         

I know that I've celebrated it being Friday many, MANY times, but I don't think I've ever been more happy for this day to come this time around.

This has been one CRAZY week, and how I'm not on the verge of being comatose and hooked up to a caffeine IV is beyond me.  

It has been the longest week, and the last time I went this long with hardly any sleep was back when I was in college spending all my time studying and working on homework.  

Each and every night this week, I've gotten about 4-5 hours of sleep.  Some sleep is better than no sleep, but 4-5 hours a night for four nights in a row catches up with me REAL quick.  

Monday, first volleyball game.  Home around 9PM.  Showers, dinner, bedtime stories, down time for me, and in bed around 11PM.  

Tuesday, Peanut's boyfriend's football game in Oklahoma.  Trip to ER because he got injured.  Home after 11PM.  Quickly shoving all kids in bed, grabbing a quick bite to eat, and in bed around midnight.

Wednesday, trip to Oklahoma to pick up injured boyfriend so he can spend a few days with Peanut.  And then trip to Walmart to buy food for volleyball team.  Home around 9:30PM.  Showers, bedtime stories, down time for me, and in bed around 11:30PM.

Last night, first away volleyball game.  Home around 9PM.  Showers, bedtime stories, down time for me, and in bed around 10:30PM.

I get up at 4:30AM each and every morning.  It takes me about 30 minutes to go to sleep, because I usually put the TV on and watch it for a few minutes before passing out.  So, Monday...5 hours of sleep.  Tuesday...4 hours of sleep.  Wednesday...4 1/2 hours.  Last night.. 6 hours, because there was absolutely NO TV, and I passed out almost immediately.

No wonder I'm so freakin' tired!

Especially since I'm the person that (on normal work nights) is in bed by 9PM so I can get a good, solid 7 hours of sleep in each night.  This week, I'm off of that mark by almost 9 hours..meaning, I'm lacking about 9 hours of sleep that I'm used to getting.

UGH!!

Thankfully, I have absolutely NOTHING planned after school today...except waiting for the kids to get back from practice.  I should be home around 7PM, and it wouldn't surprise me a bit if I'm passed out on the couch by 8PM.  

And I'm pretty mad about the game I went to last night.  Hubby brought Peanut's boyfriend to me after school yesterday (after boyfriend had spend the day with Hubby while we were all at school) so that he would get a chance to see Peanut play.  We dashed off so that we could be there in time to see her play.  Peanut had called me ahead of time to tell me that they would be playing at the high school of the particular town they were playing.  We get there, and then a person at the high school tells me that the girls are actually playing at the middle school - all the way across town.  We dash over to the middle school.  Only to find out that, in fact, the middle school is hosting the 7th grade teams and that the 8th graders are, indeed, playing at the high school - in the Jr. High gym which is located at the other end of the high school.

I was a hot, blazing mess of angry by this time.  

We ended up arriving to Peanut's game - after finally finding the right place - 30 minutes late..and only getting to see Peanut play for about 5 minutes.  

Talk about one ticked off Momma.

And, of course, Peanut was devastated.  It was the one and only chance her boyfriend would be able to see her play, and he only got a tiny glimpse of what she can do on a volleyball court.  

Unfortunately, Peanut's team lost.  By quite a bit, this time.  So, it was like salt on Peanut's wounds.  Thankfully, she was over being mad at me by the time the second set of games were over (the B team, that she doesn't play for).  And, she just appreciated the fact that her boyfriend was there and then we all went and had dinner together.

OK, that's just about it for me today.  I'm hoping that I can come up with something a bit better to talk about this weekend than just my lack of sleep woes.  Especially since I have no intention of getting out of bed tomorrow morning until I wake up.  Which may be early afternoon for all I know.  That's how tired I feel..I could probably sleep all day tomorrow.  

But, lack of sleep or not, I love being able to be there for my kiddos..and their significant others.  I'd do the same stuff every single week if I have to.  Which I basically will have to do until the end of October.  But, by then, I'll probably be used to the lack of sleep and won't have to whine about it so much.

Alright....

Have a Great Friday!!

Well, That Was a Nice Little Scare to Add to My Night

Well, I'm starting another day...once again...with not enough sleep.  It's becoming the story of my life.  I'm convinced that in a few months, I'll be a pro at getting only 4-5 hours of sleep each night and being able to function perfectly.

But, at the moment, going on 4 1/2 hours of sleep is EXHAUSTING!!

And that's exactly how my day is going to go today, because that's all the sleep I got last night.

You'll remember that Monday night was Peanut's first volleyball game.  Thus meaning I didn't get home that night until after 9PM and didn't get in to bed until after 10PM.  So, OK, that night going to bed around 10:15 or whatever still gave me 6 hours of sleep.  Peanut doesn't have another volleyball game until tomorrow night, so I figured I'd at least have last night and tonight to get rested up.

That was until Peanut asked me if we could go and watch her boyfriend play football last night.  

At first I was against it.  I was tired and thinking about my already hectic week.  But the future lawyer (and man is she going to be good at it) plead her case that with Butter's football season starting next week, there would be no other chance for us to go and see her boyfriend play.  All of his games fall on Butter's football game nights or her volleyball game nights.  

Wanting to see some evidence, I pulled up his football schedule online and compared it to our already jam packed schedule.  She was right.  Almost.  The only time we could actually pull off watching him play would be his very last game of the season which happens the week after Butter's football season ends.  But asking Peanut to wait until the end of October to watch her beau play was like asking her to  hold her breath for 15 minutes.  She looked devastated that I would even consider such a thing.

So, reluctantly, I agreed to take her to his game.  Which meant having to shoot off the minute Peanut and Butter got back from their practices, drive an hour and and fifteen minutes (from our school in Missouri) all the way to Oklahoma, and pray that we got there in time.  

His game was supposed to start at 7PM.  We didn't get there until 7:30, but thankfully the game before ended later than originally expected, so they didn't kick off until about 7:35PM.  

Despite being a little tired, I was actually glad we got to go.  I like Peanut's boyfriend, and I know it meant a lot to him to see us sitting in the stands.  He really didn't think we'd make it in time, so it was nice to see his smile of relief when we got there.

The game was a good one.  His team got two touchdowns by the 4th quarter, with the opposing team yet to score.  Then, at the beginning of the 4th quarter, Jelly started getting a little cranky.  I was trying to deal with her when I noticed that a player on the field had been injured.  The football players had all taken a knee and Peanut and I watched to see what was going on.  Because of Jelly's problems, both Peanut and I had missed seeing what had actually happened to the player.

Looking at the players legs (all that could be seen because of the coaches surrounding the down player), my stomach did a flip.  That was Peanut's boyfriend laying on the ground.  I sat there frozen.  Finally, he was helped up by two coaches and the crowd clapped...glad that he was OK.  Yet, he wasn't OK.  It took two coaches to help him off the field, and he was limping really badly.  Paramedics were called on to the field.

I immediately told the kids to grab their stuff, and we headed down to the field to see what was going on.  We got there just as his grandmother did.  Peanut was teary eyed and looked extremely nervous.. and I knew how she felt.  

The coach explained to us and the paramedics that it was his hip that was hurt.  The paramedics talked to his grandma and suggested he be taken to the hospital for an X-ray.  Because he wasn't able to stand unassisted, and he was in a lot of pain, the paramedics didn't want to take any chances that something wasn't broken or out of place.  

His grandmother dashed off to grab her truck, and Peanut and I (and Butter and Jelly) stayed with the paramedics as he was carried off of the field to the ambulance.  His grandmother was going to drive him to the hospital.

Peanut, of course, was upset.  She wanted to go with.  I couldn't say no.  So, I let Peanut tag along with him and his grandmother in her truck, and we followed in my car.

When we got to the hospital, he was taken back for X-rays.  Thankfully, he was in good spirits and seemed to be happy and relieved that I had let Peanut go along.  While we sat in the waiting room, Peanut and her boyfriend sat holding hands...her in a chair, and him in a wheelchair.  My heart had to melt at the sight.  For kids, they sure do care about one another.  And I couldn't be more happy about her choice in a boyfriend.  He's so nice..and I know that I could not have gone home from that game without going to the hospital.  He means a lot to Peanut - and our whole family.  We've all grown to love him.

After a long wait, it was finally determined that he pulled a ligament.  Nothing major, thank goodness.  It will require two weeks of no playing football, but that's better than being out for the entire season.  His team doesn't have another game for two weeks, so he was super relieved that he should be fit to play by then.

So, quite a scare.. but good news in the end.  But, we didn't get home until 11PM.  

By the time I got Jelly to bed and Butter fed (poor guy hadn't even eaten dinner yet), it was close to midnight before I could call it a night.

And then I was up at 4:30 this morning.

I know...call me crazy.  But, you do what you gotta do, right?

No doubt it's going to be one long day.  But tonight, I'm coming home from work, eating dinner, and then putting my behind to bed.  Hopefully around 8PM.  So I can catch up on some sleep.  It's the only night I get to, because tomorrow night I'll be traveling to Peanut's first away game.  And no doubt, once again, another night of not getting home until around 10PM.  

I guess it's about that time for me to go and wake up the children.  No doubt they'll be good and tired and cranky today.  But, early nights are in order for them tonight too!  Especially Jelly.  Thank goodness she slept from school to the game and from the hospital home last night.  She at least got a couple hours sleep before coming home and going to bed.  Let's just hope that she's not too cranky for school today.

Fingers crossed.

Have a good Wednesday!!

Another Day, Another Duty

                               

I'm not near as tired this morning as I thought I'd be.  But, then again, I just woke up.  I'm sure in a few hours, the lack of sleep and extremely long day I had yesterday will start to creep up on me and I'll be like a walking zombie by the end of the day.

To make matters worse, I have a day long training to attend today.  So, rather than keeping myself awake by being up on my feet teaching all day, I'll be sitting at a table listening to a speaker trying everything in my power not to snore out loud.

But enough whining about how tired I am.  It's only Monday, I have a long way to go before this week is over and more games and stuff....so I haven't even begun to feel what tired is like just yet.

Peanut's game last night was very exciting.

Jelly and I got there while the girls were warming up.  Butter was still at football practice, but was going to come join us when he was finished.  

The coach started to make the pre-game preparations...find someone to do the game book, find two parents to line judge...that kinda stuff.  The game book job was filled quickly, but then she stood in front of the bleachers asking for a couple of volunteers to line judge.

I kept quiet.  There were plenty of parents there, and I was there with a 5 year old.  Alone.  I couldn't just get up and leave her so that I could stand on the volleyball court all night.  Surely, someone else would volunteer.

The poor coach stood there looking up at us...and you could hear crickets chirp.  I felt so bad for her.  I knew that we had to provide line judges being that it was a home game...and without them, we're in some kind of violation.

She walked over to a guy that was standing up against the wall, and he agreed to do it.. but then I saw her go to the umpire and tell him that we didn't have a second line judge.  Immediately, I raised my hand and told her I'd do it.  I line judged a few games last year, so I knew how to do it.  I was just a little miffed that with all those people there, several in groups together, I had to be the one to leave my 5 year old unsupervised so that the team wouldn't be in any kind of trouble.

Thankfully, I have a 5 year old that's a pro at being at games...and she knows how to behave.

And in case anyone is wondering, the line judge is a person that stands at one corner of the volleyball court, and calls if the ball is in or out of the side or back lines.  There are two umpires that stand across from each other at the net, but they often can't see the ball when it hits the back line...so a line judge is needed to help determine whether a play is in or out of bounds.

The job also required me to be on my feet during the entire two sets of games.  Five games in total.  

The first set of games got started - and that would be Peanut's team.  The A team.  And within a few minutes, wouldn't you know that I made a call that got a few huffs and puffs from spectators.  

The ball was served from our girls.  It hit just outside the line.  I called it out...point against our team.  I heard our coach yell (from the opposite side of the court and the net) that it was in.  I had made my call, and the umpire had to honor it.  But, if I'm going to be a line judge - I have to be fair.  The ball was out.  

And the way I look at it, if the spectators don't like my calls...they are more than free to volunteer next time to do the job themselves!  

Peanut's first game was so close all the way through.  Right at the end we lost by one point.  I tried not to think about the fact that the one point could be the call I made against them.  But, again, fair is fair.  I'm not going to make bad calls for the sake of a win...that's not really winning if I do.  The second game in the set went the same way.  Seat gripping until the very end.  The girls went back and forth getting a point, losing a point to the other team.  Up until the very end, when the other team took the last winning point.

That's the one part I don't like about line judging (other than standing all night long), is the fact that I can't whoop and holler and cheer for our team.  I'm not supposed to, but that didn't stop me each time Peanut made an excellent serve or play that scored a point.  And there were several of those situations.  I'm so stinkin' proud of her!

In the end, we lost... but by the skin of our teeth.  It was so close.  Both teams played extremely well, and our girls have come leaps and bounds since last year.  I was so proud of their teamwork, their skills, and motivation.  Unfortunately we came up a little short... but I know that this is just the start to the season.  They are going to continue getting better, and are going to whip up on some teams that they play in the near future.

The second set of games were just as hair raising.  The B team are the newbies.  Either just starting out playing volleyball for the first year, or are still working very hard on developing some skills.  The serves aren't as strong, the teamwork isn't as strong, and they are still a little confused about where they're supposed to be on the court.  For both teams - home and away.

But regardless, the first game was close all the way through.  We won the first game by one point.  The second we lost by a couple of points.  The tie breaking game was a nail biting battle to the end...with us coming out victorious by only 2 points.  Which was a great boost to the self-esteem of the B team, I'm sure.  They played one heck of a game.  

I even let out a big jump and yell when we got our last point of victory....very "unprofessional" but who gives a rat's behind?  I'm a team mom...there's no way I can stand that long not making any noise.  

When it was all over, I was so ready to head home.  My feet were swollen from standing for so long.  My back ached.  I'm convinced that it had been pure adrenaline from the exciting games that had kept me up for that long...and the minute the game was over, I could have collapsed.  I just wanted my bed.

We got home around 9PM.  We all made some sandwiches to eat, being that none of us had eaten any dinner, and it was straight to bed for the kiddos.  Despite Jelly being absolutely exhausted, she still insisted on me reading her a bedtime story.  I didn't mind.  It's one new tradition that I'm growing to love.  Pretty soon, I'm sure she'll be reading to me at bedtime.  I couldn't go to bed once I was finished reading, however.  I had to wait up a little longer because Jelly finally lost the tooth that's been hanging by a thread for the past several days.

The "tooth fairy" was finally able to make her pick-up around 10PM...after Jelly had been in bed for all of about 15 minutes, and then I called it a night.  I don't even remember my head touching the pillow...I was out that fast.

Speaking of Jelly...another great week got started yesterday morning.  I didn't even have any car duty, and Jelly still insisted on going to Mrs. P's office before having to go get on the bus.  She was excited and happy to do so.  Jelly has also ditched the taking lunch thing, and now prefers getting a tray from the cafeteria.  It's so nice to see her each afternoon and hear about how much fun she had at school that day...no more worries, no more fear, it's all behind her.  She's now the kid I knew she would be - one that LOVES school.

So, happy, happy all around here.  Tired, but happy.

Well, I better go get all dressed up for my training day.  I am planning on packing some toothpicks in my bag so that I can use them to keep my eyes open.  

Have a great Tuesday!!

First Game of the Season

                               

Oh yes.  Today is the day.  This evening, Peanut will be playing in her first volleyball game of the season.

Just when I started to get used to getting home at 7PM each night, I can now look forward to getting home around 9PM..at least.. a few nights a week.  Until the middle of October, anyway.

Awesome.

And, let's not forget that Butter's football season starts next week.  But, I'll give him his own post when that happens.

Despite the major lack of sleep I'll be getting, and the lack of time I'll be spending at home.. I actually really enjoy watching volleyball games.  Well, the games that Peanut plays.  You're not going to catch me watching volleyball on TV or anything, but there's something amazingly special about seeing your own child on a court participating in a competitive sport.

It gets the pulse racing.  It gets my competitive edge flaring.  

Yes. I'm one of those moms that sits in the bleachers and yells and whoops and hollers.

And I really enjoy every minute of it.

This is Peanut's second year on the volleyball court.  And she's advanced so much.

Last year, she was just starting out and was placed on the B team.  The county has two teams per grade..an A team and a B team.  The A team is made up of the more experienced players, and the B team is more for beginners.  

This year, my Peanut takes her place on the A team, and she couldn't be more happy about it.  Neither can I.  She had one heck of a season last year proving to herself that she could definitely play some volleyball.

In fact, at the one game I didn't attend, Peanut managed to consecutively serve 23 times that resulted in points for their team.  When their team was looking at a scoreboard of 24-0, match point for the other team, Peanut pulled the team up to 24-23 before the other team made their winning shot.

And, it just so happened that the 8th grade coach was in attendance for that game.

This year, she's worked her tail off at learning some new techniques and positions on the court.  Last year, she didn't really have a designated position that she played...she rotated around the court playing all of the positions.  As did all of her teammates.  This year, the coach has put them in to positions, and has been teaching them the skills they need to work together and cover their spots.  

I'm excited to see the differences the team has on the court this year.

This is one of two games I'll be attending this week.  She has another game on Thursday.  That's her first away game, and thankfully the town she's playing in is only a 15 minute drive from the high school.  It's the closest of all of her away games.  

The only downside to teaching in a different state is the traveling that occurs for away games.  In Missouri, the schools are divided up by counties.  So, unlike Arkansas, one town doesn't play another town.  A county plays another county.  Meaning that my drives to away games will be around 45 minutes to an hour away from the school I teach in.  That doesn't even include the 30 minute drive home once we get back to our school.  There is one game I won't be attending, and that's because it's two hours away...and even if I did make the drive, the game would be over by the time I got there.

Thankfully, that game happens on a night of one of Butter's home football games.. so I can go to his game and then pick Peanut up after, when she gets back.

But, one of the good things about having an entire county come together to make up the sporting teams is that the kids get to meet other kids from different schools.  So, by the time they head off to high school (next year for Peanut), they already know several people other than just the kids they go to school with now.  All the kids they've played sports with will be attending the same high school as them, so it won't be so daunting and scary to think about 6 jr. high schools that come together to make up the high school.

I'm just really happy that my kids have decided to participate in competitive sports.  I wasn't really a sports person in jr. high or high school.  I was in the band.  I loved the band.  I lived for band.  But, Peanut and Butter both tried that route, and really haven't enjoyed it.  Their hearts belong to sports, and I'm OK with that.  More than OK.  They are active, are learning a lot about discipline and team work, and have a focus on something fun and engaging.  

And, deep down, I've always wanted to be a sports mom.  No mini-van, though.  I'll keep my SUV.  But, I live to drive all over Southwest Missouri if I have to in order to watch my kiddos compete.  

Butter has already resigned from band, and Peanut wants to make this year her last year.  She kinda wishes she hadn't participated in band this year, but she did..and she plans on sticking it out until at least Christmas.  I am in full support of their decisions.  My only requirement for them to join band was that they at least give it a good try.  Peanut has been playing the clarinet since 5th grade, and Butter had his first year last year.  They both gave it a good run before coming to the decisions that band wasn't for either one of them - sports are what they want to do.

As much as I whine and complain about not being home much or having to travel so much, at the end of the day I'll do all of it because I'd much rather be complaining about those things than having two kids that sit on the couch all day and night and never do anything.

I want my kids to be active.  I want them to be involved in extra-curricular activities.  And it doesn't matter one bit how much I have to do in order for that to happen.  It's my job.  It's what parents do.  

I read an awesome quote about this very thing the other day...a quote I try to live by...

"Children shouldn't have to sacrifice so that you can have the life you want.  You make sacrifices so your children can have the life they deserve."

So true.

OK, time to go get ready for work.

Have a great Monday, everyone!!