Sunday, January 31, 2010

Basketball Mom

I admit it. During football season - I sit nicely in the stands while my honey is coaching and my son and step sons are out on the field. I cheer my butt off, but never really get frustrated. Sure, I love to see my boys score TD's..but I don't get too emotional.



But when my son steps on the basketball court, I morph into this totally emotional, cheering, ref-hating (half the time), basketball-momzilla. I'm not proud of it, and I don't make an ass out of myself or embarrass him (and boy, some parents do!) but I feel it boiling inside of me. Must be because I'm truly a "basketball mom" and my son is truely a basketball player who happens to play football too.



I am glad he loves basketball. He is just as frustrated as me this season because he moved up an age level and now is one of the youngest. He is easily among the two strongest players on the team, but the coach is not utilizing him to his potential. He has been playing point since he was 4, he can really handle the ball and bring it up, and he has HEART. Sure, he has a lot to learn, but he has such talent. This season he is playing wing - Not going so hot (yet). I get that he needs to play other positions, but when the consequence of the coach's position choices (not just my son) is causing us 32-6 losses - OUCH. Last year my step-daughter (who is a senior on the Varsity Womens team at the HS) coached his team, boy do I miss her right now!



I know, I know, its ONLY rec ball (thats what Tony always reminds me)..and that just confirms that I missed the boat having Isaiah try out of AAU this year. I will make sure we do that next season. I want him having fun, and improving his game - I fear he isn't doing either this season. I will concentrate on the positive and his love for the game. The one thing he knows is that when he leaves the court after a loss, I am SO proud of him and the way he played, just as if he won.



I'm planning the end of season party/awards again this year for several teams..I love the whole thing, the Saturday games, the community coming together, the kids, and the end of season party is such a fun way to leave on a fabulous note until next season.



I LOVE being a basketball mom!

Friday, January 29, 2010

Mom, what DO you DO at work all day??

I had a particularly rough week with my kids calling me at work this week. It drives me bananas! As much as I love them to pieces, and understand that they want to call now and then, this week..was a DOOZY! My four year old is at preschool until I get off work leaving the older ones to do homework, clean up their messes (hah!), watch tv or play on the pc for a short time until either Anthony or I get home. He works 5 minutes away so most days he pops in after school to make sure everybody is on homework and after school snacks. They find 350 reasons to call me, sometimes for the same thing twice. Why, oh, Why did I give them my work number??

My kids ask me this all the time..what do I do at work?? Usually on the 43rd consecutive phone call from one of them asking if they can make a quesadilla after school or tattling that someone called them a name or took their prized posession. Evidently they think that I don't do ANYTHING at work, and I can leave at any moment because a) they forgot their homework or pe clothes at home (tough luck, kemosabe!), b) they need a ride home from school (those shoes are made for walkin!), or c) they are bored.

I arrive at work where I research, organize, write, correct, badger providers, hold hands, push paper, crunch budgets, unjumble regulations, gather data, and so much more for our various provider contracts. In other words, I wait for my kids to call so I can take care of whatever issue is on their mind at the moment.

The first thing I see upon entering my cube..work piling up. I swear it doesnt look like this when I leave in the evening...little elves come out of their hiding places and leave tons of stuff to greet me in the morning. I think its their way of showing me they love me - like your cat bringing you a dead bird and leaving it on your doorstep. Thanks.


Ah, the part of my cube that makes me happy! I have my little shrine to remember my loving family (because they dont call QUITE enough).


Oh wait, cant forget behind me..more room to stack work that I will get to..after I explain to my daughter how to make a grilled cheese sandwhich, for the 137th time. My cube is kind of like a mullet..party in the front, and all business in the back.


Ahh finally working..wait...Brrrring!
"Contracts, Heather speaking.."
"MOM?...."


Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Another new creature in the house!

First it was Isaiah with his aquatic turtle, Yoshi. Then Cece got her Guinea Pig, Noodle. Now, Sadie got a Python! It should get to be about 5 feet long or so. I'm not too fond of snakes but the kids are very intrigued by "JAS" - She named it in honor of her and her best buddies, Alexis and Jenna. Sadie is pretty scared of it herself...but Josh is not nervous about JAS at all! In fact he wanted to hold it (with Anthony's help) over..and over and over. :) Sedrick also thought it was pretty cool!





Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Welcome!

We have been planning to create a family website, and that got me thinking that I wanted a place to share what we're up to, photos, etc..as well as the random tings I sometimes just feel like discussing!

Anthony and I have 8  kids~ Josh, Isaiah, Sedrick, Celeste, Anthony, Drew, Sadie, and Tonysha ~ both of us bringing 4 from a previous marriage. It is not always easy blending a family of this size, with all of our busy schedules and endless activities, jobs, school-work, house-work, and everything in between! I'm always looking for ideas about running a big household, menu planning, organization, etc. We are both sort of planners by nature. I love digital design and digital scrapbooking but havent been able to find time as much as I used to, same with traditional scrapbooking. Usually when I have a free moment, I try to grab a good book! Right now Im reading two, What is the What by David Eggers and Obama's book..I believe its called Dreams from my Father.

As for Today, Happy 10th Birthday to my son, Isaiah! It's hard to believe that its has been a decade since he was born - the years are flying by! He had his "friends" birthday party on Saturday at Johns Incredible Pizza..we had so much fun. Anthony is taking cupcakes up to his class today, and we will have our family birthday dinner tonight at Mongolian BBQ (Isaiah's choice!).



February will be a big birthday month for us, with Tonysha turning 18(!!!), Sedrick turning 10, and then Big Anthony at the end of the month..just in time for our Reno Trip (no kids).  We'll also be super busy with girls Basketball (both Varsity and JV), Isaiah's Basketball thru the park, Cece gearing up to start Indoor Soccer, and the boys' off-season Football work-outs. Stay tuned...