Hockey, Brothers, Boys!

I am home from hockey, finally.  I have half an hour of my friday night left.
My broken bum is extremely sore.
I am tired.


I had a good day, though.  Josh and I went to visit two friends of his and the bonus is that their moms are my friends too.  


We came home and since Sanj was off pretty much within half an hour of getting home, supper was a simple affair for the boys and I.


I had the funniest evening with the boys.  Sammy went with Sanj  to help coach.  The other boys were laughing so loud.  I could hear Max talking on the phone.  Weird.  I thought this could only be trouble.


Sammy had downloaded his contacts from his phone on the computer.  Sammy's younger brothers were up to no good.  They were calling girls from his contact.  They were saying that they were Sammy's brother, Cornelius and Alfred.


Then they had these conversations with the girls.  It was so funny.  Some of the girls added them as their friend on Facebook.


It was that typical little brothers bugging the older brother's friend.  Except they were brave because Sammy wasn't home! lol


I saw it as the start of all that is coming.  Little brothers snooping on big brothers zone. 
I warned both of them, they have younger brothers to do the same to them!
Oh the fun!


Did you see the cutie pie picture of the little boy in my previous blog?  I realized something about me...
I really do not have a desire to adopt a girl.  The whole girl thing... maybe I just wanted a mini me. (Guess the good Lord knew better and spared me!)


Yet if we were to adopt, I think my pick would be a boy.  If I win the lotto... yes, I do play occasional... 
It's kind of my vice.  I know you aren't judging, right, as we will have some?


My point is if I came into money... the extra kind...  I would bring home a bunch of kids.  I would need help, of course, but money wouldn't be an issue.  So I would just have to love them and mother them.
It breaks my heart to think of some so many kids with no love and no hugs from a mom and dad.  


This has always been a dream of mine.  Apparently it still is.

It's Friday Night!

It is Friday evening!  Yah!   I love being home.  I love the quietness that usually comes with everyone home from a busy week, tired and doing this or that.  I love being in bed with a kid or two, snuggling, reading or watching a movie.

It's Friday night.  To be exact, it is 6:18 p.m. and I am home.  My broken butt is yearning for my bed and my book.  Is that going to happen?  NO!

Why?  I'll tell you why.  My sweet, ever loving, hockey freak husband realized that  he needs to be in Warsaw (40+ minutes away) to coach a select team that NONE of our children are even on because there is apparently no one else.

Here's the thing... It's Friday night!!!  He may choose to do this.... I am cool with that.  Forget about him being GONE all week.  Forget that he can't say NO to folks.  Forget that it's Friday night!

Not only is it Friday night but because he is gone and he didn't realize Max has a game tonight too at 7:30 p.m..  Jordan has a game at 8:30 p.m..  He will make it back for Jordan's game but I will have to go back out, risk injuring other body parts, get Jordan's skates sharpened, take Max to his game, zoom Jordan over to his arena and then run over to Max's to pick him up.

Did I mention it is Friday night?
I love hockey!  Yeah Hockey!
Give me a H!
Give me a O!
Give me a C!
Give me a K!
Give me a E!
Give me a Y!
What does is spell?   *&(**&%%^$^$#%$!!!

Hum... maybe I should go get some firewood too while I am out!
Did I tell you Friday Nights are my favorite nights?

Too Much... Too Little...

Do you ever get tired of the rush?  I am tired of the rush.  It is that time where we should be getting into the van to be on-time for school.  Yet then I will be yelling and yapping that endless sing song I do ever morning that really has no impact.


I can't wait for break.  Any kind of break.  No alarm clock, which is actually pretty useless since I just shut it off and sleep another hour!


Oh well... this is the kind of life we live ... it comes with the perks of education, the luxuries of food, money and comforts.  I am not in the midst of rubble, wondering if it is worth it.... wondering where I will find water... Can you imagine 4500 children will die in one day from water related issues?


As Josh was brushing his teeth, wondering around, waiting for his toothbrush to say, "Good Job,"  the sink  has water running non stop.


Last night as I got home, reminded the kids for the umpteen time  to take in their backpack, mitts, hats... another sing song that means nothing... I went to the back of the vehicle to grab a handfull of bags.
It was one of those moments that happened in slow motion in my head.  Yet before I could even utter a four letter word, I felt my feet give way and I found myself doing a major butt plant on the ice.


OK... it was a hard fall.  I was pretty sure I broke my butt.  I couldn't move.  I wasn't sure if I was even alive.  The boys come rushing out... Mommy!!!  Some go into the house, "Daddy!!! Mommy fell!"
After 6 kids, you know what happens to your bladder when you laugh or go on the trampoline?  Well then, you can imagine what the force of my not so light frame did to my bladder.  Sanj thought it was snow.  Nope.


Yet as I hobbled up the stairs to change and take inventory of my body parts, I couldn't help think of the little ones pulled out of the rubble, with no where to go.


Yes, it is a rushed, fast pace busy life.  Yet, how can I complain?  I can't.
 I can only be grateful.  I have so much that makes my life full.
We have too much at times.
Then they have too little.
What is there to complain about?


How I could just bring this little boy home!  He looks like a perfect fit add to the craziness of my boys!

The Bestest Day!

Today was the bestest day I had in a while.  

(Really, bestest should be a word!)

The people of Haiti have been on my heart.

Yet, I didn't have much to donate.

 God reminded me  that if everyone thought that way, no one would help.

Thus came about Hot Lunch for Haiti.

A $3 minimum donation for a bowl of spaghetti for lunch for the kids at school.

Mr. Bouzinelos, from The Pizza Factory,

not only donated all the food but prepared it.

There was no worry for a messed up sauce!

I forgot how much I love this kind of thing.

I forgot how doing for others is medicine for the soul.

I forgot how being part of Good Neighbor makes me feel.

Then you add being in one of my favorite places,

the boys school, 

and working along side the most lovely ladies.

I have to admit it really was too much fun to be called work.

It was so great!

OK... and then you have to add the money.

(I always have a goal... mine was $1000 yet I was too embarrassed to say it out loud, thinking just be grateful for whatever comes in).

Yet God knows me.

He is SO GOOD!

We made $1010.91

I loved that the children brought their change from their piggy banks.

I love that it isn't stopping here.

As it ended, someone said, what else are we going to do?

Don't you love it?

Popcorn... next week.

It is about every little bit  counts.  It is about doing for others.

It is about Loving Our Neighbor.

It's about Being A Good Neighbor.

So... I am challenging you...

Yeah, YOU!

What are you going to do?

I dare you... match us or beat us 

and let us know!

If you want to match our funds...

give me a shout!

Where is our money going?

Check out this site:

http://www.newhopesoshaiti.blogspot.com


I had the bestest day today!

Me...

It's supper time... Tyler has a couple of friends over for supper and then they will head off to Youth Group.  Sanj is on his way home... he is picking up take out for me for supper from one of our favourite Indian restaurants.  Jordan is away with is class till Friday.


Our house feels different with one gone.  Sammy is off somewhere napping.  It is what he does a lot.  Josh is walking around with his wet pants because he couldn't bother getting up and going to the bathroom.


I wanted to clarify something, since I have been asked a few times about it.  Please know when I write about my sweet, wonderful, dearly loved husband, it is with his full consent.  It is usually in jest and fun.  He usually laughs and supports my blogs.


I also want to say that I am fine even when I am venting about the woes of my children or life in general... I am just writing and sharing my journey.  It is what I do.  I really hope that I am not coming off as whining.  That would be bad.  I am blogging life as I live it.  I love all your comments and thoughts and prayers.  The good Lord knows I need all the help I can get.


That said, I had a day that was spent with ladies.  Friends.   Girl friends.  One of my friends told me to lean on my girl friends.  I realize that this is  probably where I do lack.  One of the things I really struggle with as a mom of all boys is related to interests.


Here's what I mean... I have already said many a time, I am not athletic.  It is not  an interest or passion.  Yet I have 6 (soon to be 7) males that love the sports.  As I go to games, I see these moms there, they never miss a game.  They don't want to miss a game.  They bring all their kids, not matter what hour, to the games.  They love it.


Me, if the truth be told, I really don't love it.  I barely like it.  I do love watching the boys play on occasion.  I love the tournaments.  I love the finals.  It's like the NHL or NFL... I hate the games all season.  But I will pick a team at playoff and cheer them on.  I can handle it in bits.


At the boys hockey games, I do love watching them play.  They are really good players in their various areas.  I really don't care to watch the whole game... kids I really don't know... and I usually take a book.  I have my system. I know who to sit by.  I know which parent coaches the kids through the glass and doesn't seem to realize they can't hear.   So I know when my kid is on, I'll hear them coaching them.


I love when they score a goal.  I feel their delight.  I feel their frustration when they miss.  I feel the game for them.  Do I love it?  Um, honestly, no.  Sigh.  I wish I could love sports.  I really do.  


Take golf, I find putting and hitting a ball into a hole that one can't even see, pointless.  Yet, I love driving  the cart and putting on the cute outfits.  I love that the boys have a passion for a sport that will serve them well in the real world, someday.


So, I struggle with being thrilled that my boys love hockey, golf, basketball, etc yet feeling guilty that I am not one of those moms that can really be called a true hockey mom.  For me, there really is such a thing as TOO MUCH HOCKEY.


I feel bad for not sharing the passion that they do.  I can only handle it in small dosages.


So, I realize that so often, living with 7 males, as much as I love and adore them, I lose myself.  Would I pick Indiana Jones?  No, I'd rather watch Pretty Woman again.  Would I like a meal of ribs and steak?  No, I would prefer a wrap.  Do I want to wrestle till someone is hurt? No, I'd rather cuddle.  Yup, I said it, cuddle!  


I love doing many things that they will never have a interest in.   I am thankful that they like to shop, especially when it is all about them.  I have some that like scrap-booking, when we find that time to do so.  I have some that love to cuddle and watch a movie.


I guess what I am saying is sometimes the girlie me gets lost.  I forget about her.  I guess that is where the advice of hanging on to my girlfriends comes up...  I need to make time to allow that girl in me to breath... with out the smell of hockey equipment suffocating me.


So on this note... I am off to work on plans for a Women's Retreat with the ladies at our school.  (March 26-28th... mark your calenders)!

It's Going To Be A Good Day!

Today is a morning that my babes are tired.  My eyes are burning from waking up too early!  I would be tempted to let them sleep in and go to school later if Jordan wasn't leaving on a class trip this morning.

Last night while I took Sammy and Tyler to their hockey game, I went and indulged in a Baskins & Robbin's mint chocolate chip sundae with hot fudge, whipping cream and pecans.  Yum!  A fix for the  blues I was feeling!  You can see why I am a diabetic, eh?

Today is going to be a better day.  First of all, Sanj comes home.  That alone makes it all better!

Second, I know what we will have for supper tonight, so that is a check of the list.  Salmon with Caesar Salad. Now, if only I could fit a nap in there, it would be perfect! lol

Last night at hockey, I heard another story of a mom that up and left her kids.  She just left them... there is not a father in the picture either.  People from church took the children in and are raising them.  How does that happen?

I guess if a mom (or parent in general) can walk away like that, the child is better off without them.  Maybe.

Tomorrow we are having a Hot Lunch for Haiti at the boys school.  It is a simple way to allow everyone to help.  The food is being donated by Mr. Bouzelos from The Pizza Factory.  Such generosity!  If you need a day off from cooking please check The Pizza Factory  out!  So tomorrow, for a minimum donation of $3 the kiddies get a bowl of spaghetti and a roll and parents get the day off making a lunch!

It is all good.  Life is good.  Today is going to be a good day!

Not Qualified!

I am feeling really sad right now.  In the 2 hours in which I picked up my oldest, I feel I have aged 10 years.  I feel wrinkles and a tumor coming on.


I went on my Facebook page and there were these moms writing about the gratitude of their children and how wonderful they are.  I am not feeling this.

Food is a constant factor.  From the moment I pick Sammy up, he is hungry.  Fine, I get that.  What he fails to mention is that he wants a 2 Cheeseburger Combo from McD EVERY DAY.  Another other snack, he turns down.  Then the attitude begins.

Today it was ugly.  Ugly words were said.  I said some back.  I am so angry.  I do not like this child of mine.  How could such a selfish being come from me?  I am hurt.  I am so tired of his view that sees only how things are not about him.  He never seems to see the zillion and one things that we do or buy or provide for him.


My oldest and my youngest are 100% certified spoiled brats.  I am obviously so not cut out to do this job.
Where can I turn in my resignation?


Sometime in the couple of weeks, I saw a mom I knew years ago.  She had twins and a couple of kids.  Apparently she decided one day that she did not want to be a mom.  She left.  Wow... was that an option?
Sometimes, like today, I wonder if they would not be better without me?


I suck at parenting.  I am so reactionary.  I REACT immediately.  I am so emotional.  If I could count to 10 before I react... it may be more effective.  I usually say something, yes, that I mean at that moment, and then the situation explodes.


Sammy got food into him and then calmed down.  I said something and he responds, "I am trying to be nice now."


What he doesn't understand is that while the pasta  defused his raging teen hormones, I am still fuming.  I am hurt.  I am not quite as quick about pulling my emotions together.


Who is this child?  Where is that boy that I knew?  Unfortunately for me, Sammy has always been an emotional roller-coaster.


Maybe I need counseling.  Maybe there is a pill that I can pop.  Maybe there is the option of just running away.  Maybe I need to just quit being mom!


Being a mom was something I always felt I was cut out to be.  It is so disheartening to find that it is not in my qualifications.


Maybe I should give knitting another go...   I am so discouraged today.  In the midst of other people being delighted about the kids God has blessed them with, how can I voice my truth?


What is the truth?  I am qualified to raise amazing spoiled brats.


In case you doubt it, I do love them.  Don't they say there is a fine line between love....


Father, God, Jesus....  Please help me.  Help me help them. Please.