Sports

So, anyone who knows our family knows that we are a big sports family. Well, specifically soccer. Soccer has pretty much been our life. (Kyra quit so now we are adding tumbling into the mix).

During the offseason of soccer we still stay busy with indoor soccer and futsal (a form of indoor soccer). The last couple of years one of the soccer dads put together a Jr. Jazz basketball team of just soccer kids. It's been just for fun and it's a rec league. Last year Tanner did NOT have fun. So, I'm not sure how our friend talked him in to playing again this year.

We all know it's just for fun to play. But this year is different for some reason. It seems that every team they have played is a comp team. They have seriously had their butts kicked in every game. The boys don't care if they win or lose, they are just there to have fun. They know that basketball is not their strength. They really are just having fun. However, the opposing teams are NOT there for fun! As parents we sit and watch how intense the other team's players, coaches and parents get during these games. Then we think...is that what WE look like during a soccer game?

After tonights game, I think our boys are about done for this year. We played a team that was so intense it was ridiculous. The more frustrating part was the refereeing (sp?) It seemed that every time the other team got the basketball the whistle was blowing for a foul on our boys. Remember, our boys don't play basketball so their technical skills aren't the best.

Here's the kicker though. Again, true to form, Tanner got 3 really quick fouls. So at the end of the 1st (yes 1st) quarter he was benched. At halftime one of our players had to leave. So, Tanner followed him out and changed jersey's with him. That player only had 1 foul while Tanner had 3. Yes, technically that is cheating, but it's a rec league. Good grief! (not trying to justify it, though). As soon as I figured out what had happened I told one of our parents...this isn't even going to last 5 minutes. Sure enough, Tanner got called for a foul. Nothing was said, then all of a sudden the coach went balistic! He went screaming at the scorer's table and the referee and at our coach. So, they asked Tanner if he switched jersey's and he honestly answered, yes. So the referee blew his whistle, technical foul, Tanner's kicked out and game on. Then when one of our other boys was close to 5 fouls the coach came unglued again asking the scorer's table how many fouls he had. Ok, dude...you are kicking our butts by 25 points. Chill out! Needless to say...1) I would like to challenge that team to a soccer game any day! and 2)I don't think our boys will be signing up for jr. jazz next year. I think we'll stick to what we do best....soccer.

I'm a Lucky Mom

Last week I was talking with some other moms and they were comparing their teenage boys. They both agreed that teenage boys can be mouthy and rude and disrespectful, etc etc. I just kind of stood there for a minute and said, "Tanner isn't like that". Their response was, "you just wait". As I've thought of this over the last week I realized how blessed I was that my teenage son isn't like that. I know that there are a lot of boys who are, but mine isn't one of them. Tanner is the sweetest, most empathetic boy I know. Yes, he has his moments just like anyone, but he's never really been rude or disrespectful towards me or his father. He has had attitude issues about outside things (school, church, scouts), but never anything towards us directly. He is such a good boy. I was watching him during his game this week and I realized that Tanner was the one that would go and high five the boys during the breaks. He was the one patting them on the back to say "good job". He will go out of his way to tell you "good job". He also VERY huggy. Every night he comes and searches for me to give me a hug, say good night and say "I love you". How many 13 year old's do that? I KNOW that I'm a lucky mom! Here are some examples of Tanner and his hugs! He LOVES his grandparents!

(This picture was taken at Thanksgiving time at Papa & Gramms house)

(I should probably explain that the reason for the headlight lamp was because the power was out for 3 1/2 hours on Christmas day. So, this picture is Grandpa Dunkley reading to Tanner and Kyra in the dark)

Life with My ADHD Child

If I really wanted to, I could just make this entire blog about the everyday life as a mom of a child with ADHD. Everyone knows the stereotypes of ADHD (hyper), but not only is their body going a million miles a minute, so is their brain. My daughter is ALWAYS thinking. Case in point, when she was little we would tell her when she had a cold that her voice sounded hoarse. Then she would go around telling people that she had a horse in her throat. Now, her explanation is that "when I was 5 and i was in Montana, I swallowed the hair off of a horse." (she has a little cold right now, so her voice is hoarse). Then today we were trying to teach her a lesson about not always asking for things. We were at Tanner's soccer game and there is a concession stand. She started in on me right when we walked in the door. I told her no at least 100 times. Well, dad went out in the lobby and caved. So, he bought her a candy. As we were driving home we told her that she had to stop begging because it gets expensive. We explained that we won't always have cash with us. Her response, "well use your credit card!" Well, duh, dad!

She can quote you lines from movies. Her new favorite is from Bedtime Stories. No, it's not something sweet that the uncle is saying to the kids. It's "I see London, I see France, I see some Golden Underpants!". Oh my. Tonight she told us that a boy she saw was really cute "like me!" Don't have to worry about her self esteem. She has the memory of an elephant. She realized that today was the 20th. "Oh, today is when Igor is in the redbox machine!"

Yes, you have to get up way to early to stay one step ahead of her. She is always thinking and sometimes that gets her into trouble. You can see the wheels turning at times with "what happens if I do this?" (example, "ooh, this green spray paint is really pretty. I'm going to spray it on the driveway to see what it looks like") (or better yet " I want some popcorn, so I'll do it myself." No, popcorn doesn't take 30 minutes to cook. Only 3)

However, with all of the business and sometimes stress she creates, she is also the sweetest, most caring little girl. (as evidenced with her Student of the Month award) She is truly a joy in our lives. She is a busy one, but I honestly don't think I would have it any other way.

Groundhog Day

Is it only me or do other people feel like their lives are the same day in and day out? I thought this blog idea would be great to let some insight into our lives, but I'm realizing that we live very boring lives. Yes we stay busy with "stuff", but it's the same "stuff" all the time. I was updating our family calendar today and started inputting stuff on the Feb & March calendars and realized something. I could fill up the whole month with things that happen on a weekly basis. There's bball practice on Mon; soccer (futsal & indoor) on Tues; Scouts on Wed; tutoring on thurs; tumbling on Fri; and bball games & soccer training (for dad) on Sat. Then we start all over again. It sounds chaotic, but it's actually very manageable. The only thing that seems to send our world off balance is when we try to throw something else in the mix. Fortunately, we haven't had to add anything in awhile. Still gives time for homework and play time for the kids.

Speaking of school...Tanner finished his first semester of jr. high last week. The first quarter he got all A's and 1 B. This quarter he dropped just a bit and will end up with straight B's. We are very proud of him and his efforts. Kyra goes 'off track' next week. She will be home for 3 weeks. Hopefully, we can have some good quality time together. Until next time...

Hardware Ranch

Shock of shocks...we didn't have anything going on Saturday, so we went up to Hardware Ranch (just past Hyrum). It was so much fun. We went on a sleigh ride through this herd of Elk. Then we went sledding (well, the kids did). Kyra wasn't sure about the sledding thing right at the beginning. She sort of crashed and burned and it brought back lots of horrible memories for her. Of course, you couldn't get Tanner off the hill. He was soaked by the time he was done. The weather was perfect! We had a ton of fun!

Being Organized

This will come as a shock to most people who know me...but I actually spent most of the week completing projects and getting organized! I know..me! I FINALLY got a picture of my in-laws enlarged (it's been sitting in a cupboard for about 3 years) and got it in a frame. I re-arranged my dishes in the kitchen. I cleaned out the linen closet and organized all of the medicines (couldn't ever find any cold medicine so I would just buy more) and everything else in there. I went to the cannery on Tuesday and so I cleaned out the storage room to make room for the new boxes. (note to self....before you can certain things KNOW what you already have.) I also got other things done. Everyone has clean clothes this week. YEAH! I even organized Tanner's closet (that was SCARY). I'm not sure what got into me. I think that part of the motivating factor was that Scott has been bringing home things from the office that they don't need anymore (i.e. table, filing cabinets). He snatched 2 filing cabinets to put in his "new den" (new because it's clean!). To make room for those, we had to clean everything up. Well it sort of became a domino affect. To get everything organized meant that I had to organize other things. No, nothing from the den went into the linen/medicine closet that was a spur of the moment clean! The things in the den need to be put away in the storage room (disorganized disaster), craft room (just disorganized), or in the filing cabinets (too full). So, I had no choice but to start cleaning things out. It felt kind of good to finally get some of this done.

It's Over!

I'm not sure if I'm glad 2008 is over. I'm glad the chaos of the holiday season is. This is the part I DON'T like...the taking down of the decorations, etc. It seems that I'm never caught up. Scott took the week off of work so that we could get a few projects done. Now ask how many we have done....none! We keep saying...tomorrow.

The kids actually cleaned the toy room on Sunday. That was considered a real chore! Tanner had 2 garbage bags of stuff to throw out! It was clean for a whole 24 hours. Well, maybe 48.

Scott and Stacy (and kids), Spencer & Susie (and kids) all came over one night to just "hang". We had a really good time just sitting at the table telling stories and laughing..hard!

I haven't taken time to try to do any resolutions, but hopefully I can continue to improve myself during 2009. According to the Wii Fit I have 4 lbs to lose before I'm at my "ideal" weight. Here are some pictures from the the last week.

The princess..posing in her new jammies!

The whole gang! (minus papa & gramm)