An amazing 2 seconds

Amazing is the only word to describe this play. I laugh at the excitement and wonder of this D3 football teams win. Winston Churchill would agree that this team never never (add 13 more nevers) gave up! Miraculous is a word many use, yet I was always taught that if it is possible it is not a miracle. But this Liberty TX team sure did defy logic and odds.

I love hearing the excitement of this team Dad as he commentates the play. I have listened to Caleb talk this week about secret plays and his team pulling out all the stops for their final game this Friday night. I thought about this play and I doubt very seriously any coach would try 15 laterals. But, the never give up effort is there and the win follows it:) I hope our Tigers pull out a victory like this team of Tigers did!!

ELLISON SMOTHERMAN night:)

You might as well be screaming it, because all my kids always get so excited about it:) Saturday night the Ellison's came to our house(this was out year to host) and we had another fun night. The kids (big little or middle) favorite thing is bobbin for apples(and oranges and limes and lemons). It is always cold and it takes a strong will to pull out the win! This year Stuart went first (oldest to youngest) with 47 points, John came along with 48 and Jacob followed with 49. Then out of the blue Doug spit out a big 54 points. I have to say that it is harder to bob early on when the fruit is fresh, but I think I would take my chances earlier rather than bob for that poor abused mushy fruit that make me a tad bit sick to my stomach:) lol

We do bob in two buckets, one big people and one little people. Daniel ruled the little people tub this year:)

NHS

National Honor Society inducted new members Sunday afternoon. Sarah is an officer and spoke at the induction. Sarah does such a great job speaking. I am sure much of it is being in Radio, and much of it is simply that she does it a lot. Sarah was President of Student Council in middle school and now in High School and the more a person speaks in public the better they get (lol..hopefully). Sarah is a neat girl:)

The first picture is of Sarah and the NHS officers, then presenting to her friend Jessica and one with Patrick her boyfriend. NHS is tough to get into. Grades alone will not get you there!

Lifetime commitments

I committed to parenting more than 20 years ago. A commitment I entered into with excitement and great expectations. I have now been parenting as long as I was a "person". An odd feeling. I have spent half my life nurturing and caring for my family. I am extremely proud of them all. I think so often of an old movie where the mother tells the daughter "you always make me proud". I have children like that. They are entering into adulthood and doing it with a faith and purpose that I love. I think back to my early years of parenting and while they were hard and my life constant movement, they were nowhere as hard as they are today on many many levels. As mom's to young children we are so tickled when they master simple tasks (when they call us by name or wave goodbye to us). Our expectations are always there for our children. As they grow our expectations grow as well. I am not nearly as excited when my teenager yells my name or waves goodbye. I have higher expectations. Last Sunday Seth was sitting in my lap during worship and I was rocking him. It is not to often my big boy will let me rock him anymore. Mid rock he stopped me and whispered "Mom, be still." I did and he laid his head back on my chest, listened a minute and looked up at me saying "You're beeping". Those moments just don't happen with teenagers. I find it sometimes very hard to see the respect in their actions. They are demanding, expectant, and have no time for mom. I do have a couple, but for the most part my teens are no where as funny anymore. They do funny things, but usually Scott and I laugh about them, they would likely not find the humor:)
Parenting is now long and strenuous for me. Some days longer than others. Sometimes the weight of pulling my children through a day it tough. Tough to carry alone. I always have Scott, but his work and mine sometimes simply run parallel to one another, picking up at pivotal points. I try to live in the moment and not worry about what I cannot do, yet some moments are really tough. Dealing with Sam and Zack and Carlton are hard.
My teens take me for granted. I imagine it is an normal thing for teens. Yet it makes me sad. I can remember my teenage years. My mother always sick and my dad always working or caring for her and the family. I cheered a year in high school, my parents never saw a game. I drove my self to the school for away games so I would have a way home when I got back. I did not even have a drivers license. I never took for granted the moments when my parents attended something. I was on homecoming court and they came, I was so happy. I never wanted my child to feel alone or not supported. I have always made it a supreme priority to attend events. Scott or I are nearly always there. But, my children, who are blessed, have no understanding of that blessing. They take it for granted. Mine and Scott's "fun" revolves around soccer games, basketball games, football games, cross country, and other things the kids are involved in. I catch myself feeling bad for expecting my children to be glad I was there. But it is human nature, we want our children to want us there, we want them to be thankful, happy. I find my kiddos get in the car, sometimes mad, sometimes whining, sometimes excited, but rarely saying "thanks for being there mom/dad".
As I continue to parent I never want regrets. I know I will have plenty, but do not want to add any unnecessarily. Those things I want to change, I need to change.
I have had a hard week, actually a hard two weeks. I have been sad and overwhelmed. I feel unappreciated and while that sounds whiny (lol...I hate whiny)....it is true. As high as my expectations are for my children, theirs for me are higher.

Today I was thinking ..... if our children are disrespectful and disobedient, they just are. They hurt my feelings and I am sad. If I stop being a good mom? It's a crime. Somehow that just does not seem right. I have decided my children need an overhaul. Serious fine tuning. I started today, the ramifications they have yet to truly feel. I intend to be happy and a loving and respectful family will go a long way in fulfilling that.

My grandmother

My grandmother, whom I have always called Granny, is a very funny lady. Yesterday Chelsea and I picked her up for the parade and had an hour and a half in the car with her visiting. She was happy to have Chelsea there. She misses the children in the nursing home. I joke that I will just enjoy the quiet should that time in my life arrive, the time I need help to make it through my days. But I know that it is just a joke. For those who spend time with loved ones and children, coming and going as they please, it is hard to be in the nursing home. I took her by the church, where we have been taking church directory pictures and we took hers yesterday. She laughed about women who use "old" (her exact words were 20 year old pictures) in the directory. She said that if someone came to visit her expecting her to look like she did 20 years ago they would never find her:) lol

LaPaglia Swift wedding:)

Today Scott's "little cousin" Laura marries the love of her life, Drew, in North Carolina. Although she is now all grown up and such a wonderful young woman! We were not able to attend the wedding, but Scott's parents are there and I hope to hear all about it. Weddings make such beautiful days. This morning Laura and Drew are in my prayers......I pray that their day is everything they dreamed of....and a little bit more:)

Kicking perfectly

Caleb had another wonderful night kicking! Tigers winning 52-0. Caleb was perfect 7 for 7 PATs and 1 for 1 field goal. Not many things in life can we do "perfectly", yet if Caleb gets that football between the uprights he is doing his thing perfectly:) A great night for football, although just about freezing in temperature!

This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago, but I laugh every time I see it! This is a "eat your words" picture......As a young mother, before I realized you should never say never, I made the statement "My boys will never play football. Any game where the ambulance waits at the end of the field for the players is not what my boys will play!" As I took this picture, with the ambulance clearly in the background I laughed to myself. I really hate eating my words:) But, it happens...

Zack

I am fighting a losing battle with my tough pair. I am at my wits end. Yesterday my 18 year old explained to me why I needed to do "something about them" after our after school (usual) chaos with the boys. I am frustrated. We are searching for help. We are in counseling, modifying behavior, we have security measures, constant supervision, yet those things are not enough. There is nothing we have tried to curb their acting out or redirect their anger.

This morning in the van Sam and Zack literally fist fought on the way to school. Ryan said, "Just leave them alone". Thankfully he and my little ones have figured that out....there is no getting between them....there is no redirection for peers that works. I got to school and let everyone else get out, holding them in the van until school actually started (as in a minute til). I quiet talking about their behavior on the way. Zack in great anger kicked Sam off the seat. I say that and it sounds mild. Like he shoved him off or pushed with hands. Yet he kicked him off with two feet, hard. Being that Sam began the argument this morning it is always hard to feel terribly sorry for the injured from their fighting. But, Sam moved to the front of the van and sat calmly as Zack screamed and yelled and threw things and twisted up his glasses and broke them in half. At 5 til I let Sam go on in. Zack spouted normal words :You love everyone but me, you only love your precious children, you don't care about me, Sam gets me in trouble all the time....on and on. There is no answer to his yelling. There is no calming him down. After he threw the pieces of the glasses at me I drove home. Got out and had Zack come in. Now I have his attention, in spite of his behavior or lack of good performance at school, he loves school. Back peddling so I will take him back he apologizes. But still believes everything he said. His anger is too much. And I do not blog everything :(

In our search for a therapeutic placement we have found nothing. There are rules in nearly every RTC we have looked at: No low IQ's, no violent behavior, no sexually acting out (which we do not have a problem with), no children on meds.........it goes on the the point that I wonder "WHY?" they have any children in these RTC's at all. If I did not have most of those issues I could effectively parent these guys!!

We continue to work toward help.

How to tell if your boat is too small.....

Verified from snopes.com as authentic. Picture taken off coast of South Africa .

My dear friend Kelly sent this to me today. I love it! I agree that his boat is a tad bit small:) I just want to see the next frame, the picture a minute later! Note to self: When kayaking off the coast of Africa....Don't! lol...Although I was never great at handling a Kayak. My brother Jon could flip it over and pop back up in one fluid motion. I just stayed upside down:) Although with the encouragment of a great white I might just do it:)

Homecoming parade

Today was the homecoming parade:) Scott was off this morning(very nice) and Chelsea came home for a few hours. We all three had a nice lunch together. That does not happen to often making it extra special!

Chelsea and I went to pick up Grannie, who went to the parade with us:) We parked in a great place and she could see the kids. Scott drove Sarah and Jacob rode with them. Caleb and the football team, cheerleaders and dance team rode on the firetrucks. Caleb is very front on top:)

All my little ones and middle ones were able to watch the parade. They were really tickled to have big sister Sarah riding:) Also tickled big brothers were riding too:) But, Sarah and Jacob and dad threw candy, making them really popular:)

rain rain rain

We have had rain for a week. Not that I am complaining about the rain....we need the rain! But I was sad yesterday with all my kiddos were home and I could not take an outside picture. We went inside and they were pretty good..... except the goofy one above:) THIS is the picture my kids want to use for Christmas! lol Although to be fair, it looks a lot more "normal" than the sweet smiling still one I liked!

Cake for Chels and Caleb

Tonight we had cake (cupcakes) for Chelesa and Caleb. It is always a sweet sight for a mother to watch her children at happy times. I could sit back and watch them be silly all night long. I know people say"If momma ain't happy ain't nobody happy", but it makes me so very happy when my family is happy:)

I took Victoria and Mary Lita to the eye doctor this morning. Both had failed the screenings at school and needed appointments. We went and both girls have 20/20 vision. Mary Lita tried to "trick" the doctor into thinking she needed glasses. That really does not work, as she found out after they dilated her eyes. She is the only child I have ever had to cry for glasses. Green grass is such a tremendous obstacle at times!! While there I had Zack's glasses replaced....I know we are into the 100's on replacement glasses. I am just so thankful that those 2 year warranties are not excluding Smothermans yet! lol

Today is take two for our Christmas card picture. I was not going to take it again, but all my children will be home this evening, so I cannot let the opportunity pass. Thank you to Kelsey's mom who is bringing her camera for us to use. It is wonderful and with mine still sent off to outer Siberia I am very thankful:)

Last night three of my teens (Sarah, Caleb and Doug) watched one of my favorite movies, Meet the Robinson's. They did not go see it at the theater with me and my little ones. I love the movie. I love his "family". I cannot think of a sweeter adoption story! I can cry just listening to the theme song. A funny, sad, wonderful movie which just happens to be a cartoon:)

Clean and Clear

There are a couple of companies I really should buy stock in....Wal-Mart....Kroger.....Clean & Clear (aka Johnson & Johnson)...lol. With 11 kids between 12 and 20 I am always buying face wash, face pads, acne gels....you name it!

This week is the homecoming parade and spirit week, held over from Homecoming several weeks ago due to the loss of a classmate. Rescheduled for this week. Over the weekend a Senior had a terrible accident and is in ICU. The school facing a loss again this week. No matter how much planning or preparations....life is not "clean & clear"....it is messy and sporadic, at worst and wonderful and sweet, at best. Hopefully our kids will not loose another classmate!

Hand Foot Mouth

Sounds like someone really said something bad:) Yesterday the school nurse called and said she thought Daniel had Hand Foot Mouth disease. I picked him up and the soonest the Doctor could see him was this morning. Alas, Daniel does not have the dreaded disease. Instead he has viral tonsillitis. Not a whole lot better, still contagious. Dan just has to relax and rest. I need one of those orders from the Doctor:) As long as I did not have to be sick to get it!

Happy Birthday Chelsea!!

October is a big birthday month for us:) Today Chelsea turns 20. A beautiful, intelligent, loving, faithful young lady! Chelsea was born when I was 21, nearly half of my life I have spent loving her! Easily loving her. Chelsea is always a joy and always a blessing. Happy Birthday Chelsea:)

Getting it together

I am sometimes in awe of how smoothly my house runs. In the midst of my crew there is a common thread..... and that thread leads to smooth. And sometimes, as in the pictures above, no matter how we try everyone seems to be marching to a different drum. I am all about individuality. I love that about my family. I love the unique people who all live under one roof in this family. Just so long as they drums they beat are on the playing field:)

Sarah tried forever (lol...or at least 20 times) to get these little girls to jump at the same time. She counted, they knew when to jump, yet it just did not happen. Pretty funny.

This morning I talked for about an hour to Chelsea. She was telling me about a situation at school that is very sad. A poor choice, or I should say the last of many poor choices, has brought about a lot of pain for others. I talk about consequences all the time. Victoria threw a baseball through Jacob's window yesterday, "through" indicating that Jake's window is very heavily ventilated now. There are consequences to every big or small choice we make. Even harder is when those consequences devastate Innocent bystanders. There are some places our loved ones will go that we cannot, and at that point, perhaps before that point, we need to pray! Before, during and after prayer. You can't help but wonder at what point a Christian losses touch with reality and leaves the straight and narrow? Chelsea also sent me this video. I cried. The video bringing home hope...... in the midst of great loss and hardship, this is the truth: God is always there!!

Happy Birthday Caleb!!

My Caleb is 17 years old today. Goodness how time flies!! I can remember this morning 17 years ago, about this time, that morning, my Dad came by the hospital on his way to work to see Caleb for the first time. Caleb was a chubby swollen splotchy little guy. My dad's words were "He's a fine boy". Meaning "I can't say he's pretty" LOL.

Caleb was one of the absolute sweetest babies I have ever had. He is a very unique guy. Talented is almost an understatement with this guy. You name the sport: football, basketball, tennis, soccer. Artistic as can be! I have lots of great hope for Caleb's future:)

Weekends

I love weekends, wish we had more of them:) At my house they are busy and loud, but never boring!

Jacob had to be at the farm this morning at 7am to work for Papa. He and I left home at 6:30 and sat and ate with Clara Ruth and Dad. This is their anniversary weekend and they are leaving tomorrow for a week in Kentucky.

Sarah was in Jackson early this morning for a 6 hours ACT prep class. Guaranteed to bring your scores up....lol...we will see:) Right now Sarah is looking at a near full ride to a college of her choice....that sure does sound good to her mom and dad!

My 13 littles ones and I drove to Florence to Best Buy to have my camera sent off. I wish it did not take so long to get my camera fixed! Seven to ten business days seems like a long time!

I have listened to Sarah talk about a Senior trip to Italy....she wants me to go. A nice thought.

Caleb is planning to travel to see a graduate of Hardin County and fellow kicker play college ball in Pennsylvania this November.

Jacob is trying to find a ride home from the beach at Christmas to go skiing with Kelsey's family in West Virgina.

Stuart is taking a short course in New York the first of the year.

I'm simply looking for the tree somewhere in my yard that must be sprouting mega bucks:)

Of all days....

As we were going to the van Wednesday morning Seth came out with this hair do!! I could have shot Sarah! Never had she done this to Seth before and you would know she would choose the morning of the field trip to Mohawk his head! It was hard to be too upset when Seth proudly proclaimed that Sarah put "stuff in my hair and it will not come down for 100 hours!" Well, it did not last a 100 hours, but it lasted a long time:)

pumpkin patch

I went with Seth's class to the pumpkin patch on Wednesday. A couple in Corinth has a great farm. Pumpkin patches, play ground, horses, train rides, petting zoo, put put golf and more:) It was a really nice day!

On the way I was at the end of the line following the buses and did not know which way the buses were going. I got far enough behind that I went the short way to Corinth hoping to beat the bus there. Two moms followed me.....I suppose they thought I knew where I was going....rofl.. ...I did not. I did call ahead and get directions from the ranch and we did arrive before the buses. I was afraid I would not be there when the bus let the children off and Seth would be upset....in truth, he had no idea I was not following, so all ended well.

Hard-headed kids:)

I am perhaps the most hard-headed person who lives at our house. I am strong-willed and truly dislike being wrong. But, that said, I do listen, I do reign my will in, and I can admit and apologize when I am wrong.

This morning Isabella, who is likely gonna rival me someday (lol...not yet though), was as hard-headed as they come. I handed her some clean jeans that fit (the girl is growing like a weed!). She put them on and stomped to go get a shirt. My first clue she did not like the jeans. I have spent a lot of time with Bella and Tasha (and my girls....do not seem to have these issues with my guys) talking about communication. About "how you get what you want".....stomping is not an avenue to success. Not at my house. I let her stomp. 10 minutes later she had Sarah find her something else to wear because today was "dress-up day". I calmly explained that next week was red ribbon week and dress-up was next week. A sister was being helpful and said, "this is just for Bella's class today". Bella nodded and I simply told her that if today was not dress-up day she would not participate in red ribbon week. Was she sure? Hard headed she said "yes!". She then stomped to her room to find shoes and cried about her jumper (a very cute one I might add). She cried and screamed and I yelled "to the van". No Bella. I left her with Sarah and took everyone to school. I came back to find her still crying and shoeless. I have bought (I am not exaggerating) 3 pair of black flats in the last month for Bella. Each she says fits until I take all the tags off and we wear them once, and suddenly.....to small! Sarah has reaped the losses. I asked Bella to get the latest pair, only to have the toe torn out of them (a tough feat with leather shoes). So flip flops with her jumper. I picked up a muffin on the way out the door and we left for school. Now with Bella crying that she was going to starve. Not very likely, but I calmly explained that she chose to miss breakfast and through a fit instead. The choice was hers.....she could eat the muffin on the way to school or wait for lunch. She, in the epitome of hard-headiness exclaimed "I hate chocolate". It is many time so hard for the to not just laugh at my children in the midst of "cutting off your nose to spite your face". Then, smartly switching subjects she began to yell that her hair was not brushed, true. Hard to brush your hair in the midst of tantrums. Again, a choice, Bella's choice. Her chocolate chip muffin left in the van as we arrived at school. I stopped and talked to her about choices....her choices.....and walked her into school. She got a late slip and slid on to class. I walked to talk to her classroom to speak to her teacher. When sweet Mrs Jones stepped out of the classroom in her jeans and shirt I just smiled. I explained our problem this morning. I also went ahead and explain that Bella would not likely be participating in red ribbon week. Mrs Jones, who I do love, smiled and said "okay". A great handle she has on Bella! I was so worried that a first yer teacher would be undermined by my way to smart Bella, but thankfully she student taught in Bella's class last year and has been way-way on top of things:) She is a big blessing to me and an even bigger one to Bella, although it might be a long time until Bella figures that one out!

perspectives

Last night Jacob, Kelsey, Seth and I all went to see Caleb play football in Jackson. All the soccer games were canceled so Kelly came to babysit and we went to watch football:) On the way Jacob was asking Seth a lot of silly questions, truthfully just laughing at Seth's response. My favorite was when Jacob asked Seth "Is your glass half empty or half full?" Seth looked at him a minute and replied "I don't look at the glass". rofl...I love it. A neat point. And quiet frankly, true. Perhaps we should get busy living and not worry about whether we are half ready or half not?

Btw, we won the game. A massive storm rolled through right at half time and we sat in the van for an hour and 15 minutes. The longest half time I have ever sat through! The storm passed on and we commenced play. The game ending at 11:30!! Caleb kicked 2 for 3 (and was very frustrated at the one 12 inch miss!). Mom thought in tornado weather (truly played with warnings)2 of 3 was good:)

No pictures as mine and Sarah's cameras are incapacitated!

Sarah's camera

Silliness happens to Sarah, I am not always sure why? She has managed to do something, and I say something because Sony and I cannot figure out what, to her camera. All her pictures are now in files with symbols. It is the craziest thing. My computers cannot read them, the Kodak machine at Wal-Mart cannot read them. You can see them all the pictures taken on her camera, can actually scroll through the gazillion she has and see them, but they cannot be opened. lol...Only Sarah!

So if I learn to read " %$@" ( and a bunch of symbols my computer cannot even make) I might be able to figure out what it is. I have laughed because I always wonder who would use that Webdings font, well apparently Sarah's camera is a close cousin! That or it is cussing a whole lot:)

Be a letter writter!

I am always telling my children to "write a letter". Some smile at me (like their mother is a tad bit crazy) and some tell me outright "I am not a letter writer mom!" and some are blank boards(I am not sure they ever heard me to begin with). I have yet to have a child say, "Wow mom, what a great idea!" I firmly believe that no matter what you are trying to convey, it can be as you wish it to be in a letter. If you are frustrated....you need the time and words to help you convey your thoughts calmly. If you are sharing happiness? Someone will always appreciate having it in writing to look back on. I am a letter writer, I have a billion and one I have never sent:) A few I manage to follow through on. This week I wrote to the Principal at New Hope High School. I googled and found an email. I had blogged about how his Cross Country team impressed me here, yet after much thought decided I needed to send it to someone at the school. What a team this school has! The principal email back his thanks in a very nice email. Today I received this from one of the coaches. I have added it for me, much as I added the picture of the team running. But also for my children, you just never know who you will touch or encourage with well placed praise. It is times like this that make me, all the more(to my children chagrin) say "Be a letter writer"!

The letter is below, what a wonderful teacher and coach this team has! Did I mention she's a letter writer? lol...I love it!



Amanda Smotherman~

I wanted to take a minute to express my gratitude for your recognition and your wonderful e-mail. I am New Hope's assistant cross country coach and this is my first year coaching the sport. This is my first year teaching as well, and although I was hesitant on taking on the responsibility of the coaching role,what you saw in the Corinth meet is what makes my decision the right one.

My team is a blessing. We have a plethora of runners, and Coach Handcock and I like the diversity. We have runners that place in the top ten each week and runners that bring up the rear consistently. No matter where they place, they are congratulated, praised, and accepted as a commodity to the team. We did not have cuts, everyone that wants to run, will. And I believe the positive atmosphere, knowledge of importance, and all around having wonderful kids with amazing character makes New Hope Cross Country a blessing to everyone who experiences it.

I had tears in my eyes at the meet when I saw two Tupelo boys run along side Michael Brocksmith, then my boys joined for a group effort of support and love.That is how they are, practice or meet, my kids constantly pat each other on the back and make sure everyone knows they are doing well and they are important. I thanked the two boys from Tupelo, and smiled and patted my boys on the back. Each kid on my team gets plenty of hugs and praise from me. (I am the softy of the group!) Your letter brought tears to my eyes. My principal presented it to me during one of my classes, and it made me melt. Coach Handcock and I see it everyday, and we are proud to coach such wonderful kids,but it is nice to get recognition from outsiders as well.

To rap up, I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to write that e-mail.It is going to be read at the faculty meeting today, and I am thrilled. I am not sure if cross country is taken seriously at your school, but at ours, it is not. And as you witnessed, we have amazing kids with a great since of teamwork,true role models for every sport in the school, and your letter might help others recognize that. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. This is why I am a coach.

Brooke Malool
New Hope high
School English II


p.s. Could you e-mail me a copy of the picture? I would love to have a copy!

Missing Dad

Scott is 3 days into his 10 day absence and we are missing him. Note I say "we"! lol:) Always always I have a greater appreciation for all Scott is and does as a Dad and husband when he is away! I appreciate it everyday, yet as with most things in life, I reeeaallly appreciate it now.

Last night I had Joseph at work by 5, three soccer games (6pm,6pm,6:30pm), soccer refs that had to be at the field. Sarah kept Sam and Zack until she left for Patrick's, bringing them to me at the field at the last moment(allowing me time to get everyone situated and sat down before they arrived). Doug sat at the middle field and watched my kiddos, I sat at the big field until half time and then took Seth to his game. I left the big kids without a "watcher", yet both the refs on that field are brothers (Jacob and Caleb) so they did have "in game watchers". Everyone finished up and found me at the little field in time to watch the last quarter of Seth's game. Seth scored for his team and was tickled (you could tell my his grinning and thumbs up at sister and brothers) to have everyone watching. I came home to a late dinner, something we almost never do, and sent people to bed. Caleb sat with sleepers while I went back to pick up John. Doug picked up Joseph for me from Burger King at 10. I am thankful for my big helpers....and they can be really big helpers!

Sadly my camera broke at the game last night! I lost the button that snaps the shots. Sam, Zack and another little boy I cannot name (didn't know) looked for the button. Unknown child found it! Thank goodness! I purchased insurance on my camera (good), but have to drive to Best Buy to have it fixed or replaced. The shortest distance to a store is Florence Alabama and I try to never go out of town when Scott is out. So I will likely be sadly camera-less for a while.

The picture above is Daniel, my power kicker, and John (the middle field ref ) watching.

Radio

Sarah is a senior member in radio at the high school. She does little commercial and adds for the daily program as well as the morning program that our local radio station has for high school news every morning. This morning Sarah was on the program, so she spent yesterday (as she usually does) retyping and planning her script. Yesterday afternoon Seth sat beside Doug (who was working on Spanish current events) and typed. When Doug asked what he was doing Seth told him it was his radio show...lol. I took this picture as he followed his type reading the "show" back to Doug. Pretty funny guy. But perhaps the most interesting thing for my big people is the whole idea that he knew what Sarah was working on and he imitated it perfectly.....an awesome and yet scary thought:)

Thankfulness

Last night after church Regina, my friend of nearly 20 years, told me she had some clothes for the boys. Her son is the same age as Caleb, although Jacob usually gets his hand-me -downs. I wish Regina was here is truly see how excited Jacob was! Jacob tried on 28 shirts, 23 fitting him....he also got a Hollister coat (he really loved) and shoes. Caleb walked away with a jacket, shirt and a pair of jeans. Jacob comments, "I really really needed these" were heartfelt. Yes, I would buy him clothes for this fall, yet not the kind Regina passed to him. They were all brands and styles he loved. It seems this fall that nearly all my children have been blessed with the gifts and kindness of others. I am, as always, very thankful for my friends and church family:)

dedication

I am always blogging about Sarah and her adventures. She is outspoken and knows exactly what she wants from life. Sarah is fair, a rule follower, diligent in her work, self-motivated, she is Sarah.

Sarah works hard and I know it is not for show or honor, she does so because "that is what you do", you give your best. The humor and outrageousness are a lovely addition to her personality. Today we were talking about ACT testing and college when Sarah told me she talked to her guidance counselor this week. Sarah is (currently) ranked 16th in her class of 269 students. Sarah has taken all the tough classes, not looking for easy A's, preparing for her future. I am so proud of her, proud of her will power and dedication. Neat girl my Sarah!

CNN watch out:)

I am not sure who should be most concerned? CNN or the Comedy Channel?? Sarah and Jessica have been videoing crowd response during the the football games. They are really pretty funny! Above is one picture where they managed to get two of our coaches to stop and talk ....into Jessica's imaginary microphone! Funniest still is the ref who was trying to figure out what they were doing:) The second picture is closing comments after the game. I am not to sure that the video has anything to do with football:) It will be fun to watch later!

Missouri

I should live in Missouri!!

I have had to redirect Carlton seemingly too many times this week for things he knows. Today as he asked to go play football (unsupervised with my teens and their friends) I explained that he had not earned it. His behavior chart not reflecting the appropriate points to even be asking for any extended privileges, but certainly not ones we have not negotiated. Carlton said "I'll be good"...My words, the ones I seem to always be speaking lately, were "Show me". Don't tell me....don't promise....don't whine....don't try to talk to me into it.....just show me! Show me a higher level of trust.....show me respect......show me!! I wonder if kids in Missouri understand this?? lol...probably not:) Must be a parent thing:)

5 for 5 again!!

Caleb had a great game lat night! He kicked 5 for 5 again! He is now 2 for 2 field goals and 23 for 27 extra points. He loves it..... I love watching:)

Also pictured are Kelsey and Jacob hold stadium chairs. These same two chairs did not make it home last night with the backs on them. I was sick, the goofy chairs cost enough that they are not something you would easily run out and buy more of, and they would not be too great with no back! Listening to the sports talk show this morning they announced that someone found the back to two stadium chairs, a plain one and one with a "w". Yeah!! Caleb ran down and got them before they even finished taping the radio show. Thank you KK!

Mississippi ballgames!

Today Jacob, Papa and Clara Ruth are at the Ole Miss - Alabama ballgame. Jacob is a big Alabama fan. This is his first game to see in person:) I met dad this morning at 7:10 with Jacob.

Also in Mississippi at a game today is Chelsea! She and some friends had tickets for the Tennessee Mississippi State game.

Today is a big day in Mississippi for a couple of my kiddos!

Mary and soccer

Mary is one of my sweetest funniest children. She plays soccer and loves it, but with no competitiveness at all! She has a great time, no matter if she is sitting as goalie, stopping to smile mid game at mom, switching shin-guards because she lost hers, or running (the child could run for miles)!!

cake walking

The elementary school had our Harvest Festival last night. I made 10 cakes for the cake walk. I made them in my spare time.....lol....which means between 12am and 4:30 am yesterday morning. I work very had to not over commit.....haha ...sounds like I just lied, but I am not able to help out in to many ways with the festival. It seems that baking is pretty simple. Although our weeks right now with football, cross country and soccer (humm...did I mention school?) are pretty full. So last night I took my 13 littles to enjoy. We played games, painted hair and had a nice time. We cake walked before we left. We walked 7 times and won 5 cakes. The cake winners are above proudly holding their cakes:)

Chelsea's traveling

Chelsea traveled this week with Dr A. Her first big trip since her admissions internship began. They were in East Tennessee doing college fair for the first part of the week. Chelsea had a great time. She is well suited (a mom's opinion...lol) for this kind of work:) I can't wait to hear all about it!

Looking through pictures for one a good one to go with the post I found this picture! Not so much going with the post, but "I can't believe how much they have grown". This was taken a couple of years ago when Chelsea was a Freshman! She has not changed nearly as much at "the babies" of the family who are no longer babies!

Doug's finger

I had one of those moments that make mom's a little sick the other day......Doug came in from playing football with some guys, his middle finger on his right hand was hurt. Doug thought he broke it. I said, "If it was broken it would be three times that size Doug". We put ice on it and it did not change in size. That night he slept over at a friends and came home to hold up his hand and that finger looked awful! Black and blue from the base to the tip and a good double the normal size. I though I might have to eat my words, feeling a little (or lot) sick that we did not have it looked at the day before. Doug and Scott went to the ER. After x-rays the Dr. proclaimed it hurt...not broken. For the next two weeks Doug has a big splint on his finger!