School + Work + Football + Volleyball = One Tired, Busy Family

Hello there. It seems like I have been away from my computer for a complete lunar cycle but, alas, it has only been 3 days. Not a lot to tell. Ren had her first football game this past Friday night. For those of you joining us in progress, Ren is one of the water girls for her high school football team. She really does enjoy it and I think she is doing an excellent job...probably the best water girl in the history of the sport (of course, I guess I'm biased).

Today, was her first volleyball game. She loves this sport. Thankfully, she is now considered part of the varsity team so once the main game is over she can leave. Last year, the team was so small in number varsity and JV were practically the same so she had to stay for both. This made for some late nights.

Though we love to see her participate in these things it sure does leave little time for many other family chores and activities. And it can also be hard on one's back side if you know what I mean, and I think you do.

As for John-Heath's day, it seems he "got a yellow card, then a red card, but then I got a green card again so it was all okay and I got to play." The kindergarten classes use a discipline system in which the children start out with a green card each day. When they misbehave, etc. they must turn or pull a card. It goes from green to yellow to red to black - which is for one really terrible thing or a whole lot of little things. John and I are taking bets on how long it will be before Mr. Black Card reveals himself.

Tonight, John went into his room where he saw pieces of paper laid out on the floor. When he asked about this John-Heath informed him that these were his students' papers. He was playing school. When John asked his name he replied, "Miss Angel", which is his teacher. John left the room but continued to listen in and heard the newest educator in our family conduct a lesson with his pupils saying things like "boys and girls, I need you to get out your paper" and "no, I need you to do this now", as he corrected some unruly child (I wonder who his inspiration was for that role?).

Well, I'm tired. Please overlook grammatical errors and the like as I don't feel inclined to go back and proofread. Headed to bed, my friends.

Be on the Lookout!

Happy Friday, everyone!

This has really been one do nothing day and I am bored. Ren had football this morning. She is loving the whole water girl experience. Though I don't think she loved the whole help-clean-out-the-locker-room bit today.

At this very moment she is at a road block with her volleyball team trying to raise funds for new uniforms. Hey, I think I may leave and go snap a quick picture of her. Hold on..............................................................Okay. I'm back. Seriously, I really did just leave and go take a picture.

Doesn't she look cute in her little caution vest? By the looks of her milk jug I'm guessing the uniforms won't get ordered tonight.

Tomorrow the football team has a play day at another school and she and John will be making that trip. John is so not looking forward to sitting in the hot sun all day.

Tomorrow night we are attending the wedding of our friends' son. I think some of the wedding and/or reception will be outdoors. I hope the weather cooperates. It is thundering in the distance here now.

Have a great weekend! See you back here Monday.


P.S. I noticed where I am fast approaching my 100th post. I am thinking that I would like to do something to celebrate the fact that I have actually been somewhat consistent in keeping up with this little online experiment of mine. I'm not sure just yet how I will do that, but I know I want the faithful few of you that stop by from time to time to be a part of it. I'm thinking some sort of GIVE AWAY. More details to come, so check back in the next few days. Unless you check in every day - that's waaaay better.

The Weekend - Where Did It Go and Why Am I So Tired?

John-Heath and cousin Dylan after playing against each other. Unfortunately, team orange was victorious.

John and I both feel wiped out. And it's not even because we've had that busy a weekend. Ren and I went to the graduation Saturday and then John-Heath had a soccer game that day too, but other than that there was nothing else causing us to rush through the weekend.

John-Heath with his first trophy. He thought getting one was pretty cool and told Ren she could set it up on the shelf in her bedroom with all of hers.

John thinks it may be the mowing and weedeating of 5 acres every week. And, though he has always maintained that he would never enjoy living in a subdivision, even a posh one like Fairvue, he freely admits it would have its advantages and even suggested selling everything and moving some place with a smaller yard. Of course, we won't. Not until the kids are both out of school, at least. And since our little surprise is not yet 5 it looks like we'll be here for about 13 more years.


Anyway, with no energy to write anything else I'll just have to settle for posting a few pics from the weekend.

Ren and one of her friends at the graduation ceremony - just three more years and they'll be walking the line (hopefully)

Here's looking forward to the last week of school.

Ren and her cousin playing around before church this morning.

Serving Up Some High Quality H2O

Photograph by Touchstone Pictures

I found myself in a somewhat unusual place this afternoon around 5:30ish. I was parked in a car outside the football practice field waiting for practice to end so that I could pick up my DAUGHTER. Yep, Ren had football practice today.

Yesterday, she and a friend were approached by the school's head coach during lunch and asked if they would be interested in being the team's water girls. Apparently a couple friends on the team had recommended them. Of course, they would be interested!!!

She was soooo excited when I picked her up from school. What ensued was a game of "Guess What". You know how that one is played...


"Mom, Guess what?"

"What?"

"Guess!"

"I don't know. So and So asked you out?"

"No. Keep guessin." (we in the south tend to drop our g's quite frequently in conversation)

"So and So #2 asked you out?"

"I wish, but no. Come on. Guess!"

"You're doing better in Spanish?"

"Well, yeah, a little. But that's not it. Come on! Guess! Guess! Guess!"

"Ren, I Don't Know. What is it?"



And that's how I was informed.


We had a long talk about it at home last night weighing the issues. Conflicts with volleyball. Less time for school work. The heat. Day after day of practice. The heat. Does one really want to wait on a bunch of hot, sweaty, dirty guys hand and foot and get hot, sweaty and dirty yourself in the process? The hot, sweaty, dirty guys part was one of the pros for Ren. Oh, and throw in shirtless. The heat. We kept trying to point out that it will be a lot of work and require a lot of time. And, the heat. Tennessee summer heat. Hot, humid, hair-kinking, muggy heat.


Anyway, we've still not decided whether or not we'll let her do it. There are still some questions that need to be answered. But, in the meantime, we've agreed to let her help them out until we find out some more details and are able to make a final decision.


I have to say that, during the time I was able to watch she was doing a really good job. I know it's just filling squirt bottles, but that little bit of non-mom-choreographed -responsibility might just be good for her.


When I asked her how she liked it she said she loved it, but that she heard sounds she really doesn't want to hear again. I'd say that will be the least of it. I'm sure there are many sights, sounds, and smells that she'll be able to add to her base of knowledge should she stay long enough.