Dribble it! Pass it! We want a basket!

We did it!! I did it!! I got my children through an entire season of Upward basketball! I'm so proud. We didn't miss a game, (except the one where we were snowed in, and the valley wasn't). I made it through two months of weekend games at 9 a.m. every week. I did this on my own, as the hubster was usually working. I, a mother of three, got us there in the proper uniform color, at the proper gym, on the proper day... and now, WE ARE D. O. N. E.

I'm so proud of the girls. They learned so much, and the middle child in particular has grown as a person. They've learned the art of winning and loosing well (although they don't keep score). They've learned to take a ball to the face with the best of them. They've learned to clean the gym floor with their bare knees, and still get up and play some more.

I've learned that it's worth every minute of a messier house because my Saturday was taken. I've learned that it's worth every gallon of extra gas to get them there. I've learned that the baby can have a blast with no toys but a metal chair to bang on.

Now, I've been asked to coach next year. Will that be worth it too? I'm not sure...

On your mark. Get set. CLEAN!

Monday. I know it's so overdone to hate on Monday, but seriously, it's rough. Whatever gets done on the weekend seems to get all undone on Monday alone. Does anyone else share this experience? Please tell me I'm not alone.

Anyway... I began my freaking out when my neighbor came to my door after the bomb had already gone off for the day. After he walked out the door, I literally walked to the fridge to bang my head against it. WHY?! of all days do people think that just dropping in is ok? It's not, just so you know. I do not run a drop in house. I run a call and stall for five minutes to give me a chance to at least clear a path to the door kind of house.

So, after seeing my mortification, all my peeps pitched in. I was blown away with how much got done in such a short period of time. My kids can clean? Who knew! I usually expect their cleaning to consist of mostly complaining and very little productive work, but today they rocked my socks! Hubby grabbed the broom and scrubbed the stove top. The girls cleared the table and scrubbed random surfaces with Clorox wipes. In the end, I realized there is hope. I've been toying with the idea of getting a cleaning lady, but what do you know, I've got an extra two cleaning gals who will work for room and board. HA!

Sushi!

I went on a date. DO you hear me? A date, with no children or any other reason to be going to the "big city" except to be courted! It was fan-flippin'-tastic!

For the first time ever, I ate sushi. Not just a roll containing sushi, but a real slab of red fish. It was not so bad. I actually would do it again. More than anything I'm super proud of myself for my choices. I ordered scallops instead of steak or chicken. I had tuna, smoked salmon, California roll, and some other roll. I also did all of this with no liquid courage! Something I never thought I would do, especially stone cold sober. HA! No, I really don't drink THAT much, but it doesn't take a lot for me to feel pretty brave.

My husband and I were discussing when we last went out, and I say it was before we were married. He thinks surely we went on at least one date in the last two plus years, but I beg to differ! But all that being said, I kept my Lent commitment! I know it's been less than a week, but still, I'm excited!

Lent

No, not "You lint licker!" (click to watch) from the commercial. Lent, the liturgical season prior to Easter to set your mind on things above. That's my definition anyway. I'm not Catholic, or Orthodox anything, but I'm marking Lent this year as a personal offering. It's not going to be easy. I'm giving up drinking calories so to speak. No alcohol, no soda, no sugary beverage. OUCH.

It only 40ish days, right? Well, if Jesus could go into the desert for that long (with no soda) I can live here with no soda! HA!

I didn't have coffee this morning either because as I start this I want to do a week without adding sugar to things either. I'm trying to take this opportunity to spring clean the temple so to speak. I just got back from the grocery store with mostly fruits and veggies, no red meat, and tofu. Yep, I said it, tofu. We'll see what the hubster has to say about this.

So, anyone else need an accountability partner for this Lenten season? I'd love to hear what you're giving up.

Crock Pot Woes

I made chili in my crock pot yesterday. I left it on for my husband who wasn't at home for dinner. I went to bed early. I woke to find my chili fused to the bottom of the crock pot. I believe I killed it.

Calling all Cooks

I need some inspiration in the kitchen. If I can't spice things up somewhere in my life, I'm likely to do something crazy like cut off all my hair which I will sorely regret at this point.

I work. I have three small children. I don't have time for much, but I still cook when I get home. I don't really have GOOD recipes for my crock pot, and frankly I don't want to fill it up with a bunch of stuff that end up tasting yucky. I'm not a planner when it comes to food. I buy what's on sale. ONLY. I have the standard pantry items, but no, I do not have tahini paste. If you can deal with my limits, hit me up with some food ideas!

Comments people, comments!

When you Wish upon a Star

Last week, I stayed up late and feverishly crunched numbers for the IRS. Okay, who am I kidding?! I'm an English major; I let Turbo Tax crunch for me, and I hit submit. But anyway, I got all excited to start thinking about all the money I was going to get back.

Oh, the options! I could take the family to Disney World.

I could re-do my kitchen. It's much needed!

I could pay to get the roof redone. It's very prone to leak.

There's this spot in the bathroom floor that's been damaged by water, and really the entire floor must get ripped out.

All of a sudden, it doesn't feel like all that much money. Especially when I put it up against my debt. If I can owe for it, I probably do. We've had a rough few years, and now it's all piled up.

So, there will be no trip. Stay strong Mickey; I will come see you again someday.

There will be no kitchen makeover. Stay strong Candice Olson; I'll call you for your Divine Design as soon as possible.

There will be more roof patching. Stay strong Dad! I need your roofing skills.

The floor will continue in sponginess. Stay strong floor surrounding the spot! PLEASE don't fall through!

The IRS will send me money, and I will pay it forward... to those I owe. Not fun, but obedient. I'm slowly going to buy myself back from slavery. I'm not going to wish on a star; I'm going to pray. I'm not sure my dreams will all come true, but I'm hopeful God will bless this.

"The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender's slave" (Proverbs 22:7)

Hey, Momma!

At school today, I began an introduction to the novel The Outsiders. To give the students some framework for the time period, I played a clip from Hairspray. The kids got a kick out of John Travolta mainly, but I wanted them to have a visual of popular culture during the 60's.

We then went to the library and listened to two ladies talk about their childhood memories of the decade. The kids were truly unable to fathom all that they lived without. The kids then had to find some 60's slang words, popular foods, world leaders, racially motivated events, and so on.

First of all, these kids have no concept of the world outside of themselves. It's sad really. They are totally out of touch with how the world was before they came along. So, when in doubt, I'm proud to say they ask. It's taken until this point in the year to convince these kids that they need to ask, but really, I thought I might have to hit someone today.

More than one time, at least once a period, I would have a kid say, "Mrs. Kelly, when you were growing up in the 60's..." Can I just say, WHAT? REALLY?! I'm 30! What is wrong with these kids? Clearly they are both historically and mathematically challenged.

Anyway, here's for you to enjoy.

The Little Things

I'm copying Kelly's Korner because simple pleasures are what get me through!

This week I'm especially thankful for power. Electricity is something you take for granted until you loose for over 50 hours. But the ice and snow was pretty! Oh, another simple pleasure- SNOW DAYS!!

I love seeing D'arcy's proud face when she's figured out something new... even if it's how to make a mess! Ha!

I love butterflies. They are my reminder that God loves me and can transform the ugly into the beautiful.

Other things I love-

I love to get into clean, warm sheets. Even better, getting into clean, warm sheets with a window open and a spring breeze.

I love the anticipation of a new school year. Buying school supplies was my favorite time of the year, and now it's my girls' favorite.

Hot cocoa with marshmallows.

An unexpected note from my husband.

Being with family, playing games, and making memories.