Makes My Heart Swoon ...

So we had some professional pictures done of Kolt with his football team during his season this year and I guess since I got those and loved them, I forgot all about snapping these myself. I found them on the computer last night and well, this kid made my heart swoon a little. 

Lord I love him. 

Thank you God for blessing us with Kolt. 

Swoon on Ladies, swoon on ...

A Win or a Relationship?

Gear up readers. Get your comfortable blanket, grab your coffee. This is going to be a long one. So, here goes ...

Are there ever things you just know about yourself? There are some things I have known about me since I was a kid, things I embraced as a teen and things I am still learning about myself as an adult. Here are a few of them: I know that I am not a confrontational person. I am a total people pleaser and am still learning that I can't please everyone. I do not give up on people, yet I must stand firm on the things I believe in. And throughout Kolt's football season this year, all of these traits have surfaced and have been made very raw.

Travis and I have always encouraged our boys when they have shown a great amount of  interest in activities. Some have worked out and some have not. Whether they thrive in the activity or not - we support them, encourage them to always follow through and to never quit, to make new friends, to be an encouragement to those around them and to not ever forget to have fun. Winning feels nice, but it's the relationships that are made that mean the most.

Right? 

Our football season for Kolt has come to an end. Abruptly and a little early I might add. 

I originally sat here and typed most of the junk I've gone through this season. And then I erased it all. That's just not me. Quite frankly, it just isn't worthy of your time. What should be known is that from August to October, I have been disrespected immensely by the man who coaches my son and 15 other five and six year old boys, my family has endured stress over the issues and most importantly things were said about my son that would make you sick to your stomach. And just when you think other parents, coaches and members of the board will think the behavior is revolting, no one says anything. I was not the only Momma who went through the ringer either. One player told another player that the coach said he wasn't picking him next year because he wasn't playing as good as he should be. In one of the after game huddles, one player was told he lost the game for the rest of the team, by the head coach. And yet, for the sake of my son's love for the game, I kept my mouth closed, bit my tongue and stuck out the season.

We played our last game of the season last Saturday. I watched my kid play his heart out like he does every game. In my eyes, he's a star. In other's eyes, he's just another kid. A kid who is ordinary, nothing great. Okay, I get that. We all see our kids to be All-Stars. We're supposed to, we're their parents. I don't expect my kid to be treated any certain way, these boys are a team. They are supposed to be taught to work together. A quarterback can't run a play unless he is blocked. If our line isn't blocking, we're not scoring. A team effort, always. Football is not a One-Man-Show. Or so you would think. 

We went to practice on Monday, like any other practice day. I was in no way planning to leave his gear on the sideline and walk away. A close friend of mine, who has struggled greatly this season with the coach's disrespect and bullying as well, was told her son would be sat for half of our Play Off game for missing one practice that week. For a funeral. A funeral people! And let me add the director of the association agreed with this. Who in the world wants to explain to their son he has to sit for half of one of the most important games of the season because he attended a funeral? Um, no one. My friend decided to pull her son from the team. Enough had been enough. Even still, I planned to keep Kolt there. This kid eats, sleeps and breathes the game of football. As their coach passed us by, my friend's Mom had stopped by to let him know her grandson wouldn't be returning. He walked straight by her as she tried to speak to him. Nothing other than "I'm sorry you feel that way." I sat there dumbfounded. He didn't have enough decency to stop and even look at her. 

Have you ever had your heart whisper to you? At that moment, mine did. Who the heck am I allowing to influence my kid? That thought raced, raced, raced through my mind. What is more important? Pride or the way people are treated? And what am I standing for by remaining here?

The boys began a scrimmage game and of course, like always, Kolt was sat on the sidelines first. I watched him sit there and watch the other kids play. I walked over to Kolt, kneeled down next to him and whispered in his ear, "Do you want to just be done?" I was shocked when he said, "Yea. Sure Mommy." Nothing more was said. I unsnapped his helmet, removed his mouthpiece and chin strap, took off his jersey, unbuckled and unlaced his shoulder pads and left them on the sidelines and walked away. I gave Kolt the opportunity to tell his coach good bye and he opted not to. And that was that. We walked away. I explained to Kolt he completed his season and that these games were just extra. Was that entirely the truth? Not really, but I didn't want Kolt perceiving us leaving that night as quitting. There is a difference in standing up for what you believe in and quitting, I just didn't have the words to tell him that Monday night. 

I got home that night, laid the boys down and cried of course. Kolt was okay with it though and that helped me a ton. I have never seen a kid give so much heart in a game as much as he did. He was always the smallest one and it never stopped him. I have some great videos of him flattening boys that are twice his size. And I love it. I love watching that kid play the game, brings me a joy that is unspeakable. And I am for certain this is where my tears came from. 

So here is the confirmation of why I left and what I am standing for. Remember my friend? My friend who pulled her son as well, did I mention her son is a beast for a five year old and plays a huge role on the team both offensively and defensively. Yea, her. One of the assistant coaches contacted her to ask about her son coming back. No one ever called me about Kolt. He called to ask her about why she left. No one ever called me to ask why I left. He called to make sure her kid would be able to come to the banquet still, no one called me to ask if Kolt would be there. I am on no high horse here, but do you see where I am getting at? These coaches are more concerned about the better player coming back to play because they are worried about losing their Play Off game. They are in no way concerned about the feelings of others or the relationships that have been established. And I don't even know why I'm so disheartened about it all. Why am I even surprised? 

Maybe I grew up in a world full of unicorns and rainbows, but I do not treat people that way and I don't expect to be treated that way. And I certainly am not more concerned about a dang Tiny Mite football game win over the expense of another family's feelings. 

Who the heck is coaching our kids these days? I am appalled that the association has allowed this to go on and done nothing more than a 'slap on the wrist' for the behaviors. I am saying all of this to say please know who is coaching your children. Please know that they have the best intentions for them, not for a win. Please know they are influencing your child internally and more than likely your child will place them upon a pedestal. 

And please teach your children that people are more important than things. What's a win if you've lost a relationship in the end? 

Please feel free to leave your thoughts and comments below ...

Friday Thru Sunday ...

What a Friday.

 What a Saturday. 

What a Sunday. 

Friday morning we headed to my Pop's house bright and early (bright and early meaning 10:30) to see if he could work some of his magic on the 'ole Quest. After a good assessment, he figured it was a hose. One that, of course, goes for miles and causes you to have to take a bunch of other stuff off to get to it and change the darn thing. And in these "newer" cars (anything 2000 and up, according to my Pops, is a "newer" car) you have to have a "special" tool to get the darn thing apart. So I headed up to an old car place in Hampton, I say the longer a car repair place has been open, the better and more honest they must be. Pretty smart logic, huh? Anyway, he gave me a total on what it would cost ... yea, we'll just leave it at that. 

My two views on Friday morning made me thankful for four healthy boys and a Daddy who who is always there when my car makes a funny sound. 

And if I'm going to be required to be bathed, dressed and have all my children out of the house before 10:00 on a Friday morning, I'm treating myself to the very best Bacon, Egg and Cheese biscuit on the face of the earth from a little hole in the wall in Hampton, Pop's Place that is. 

Two extra gems I happened to snap and happened to find while walking my old homefront:

Later that afternoon my cousin Hannah, myself and the boys headed to Conyers so I could make a, what  I thought would be, quick trip into the massive Tykes, Tots and Teens sale. I got tons of great stuff and was so thankful for a cousin who didn't mind entertaining my brood while I shopped. She was such a trooper and organized a short walk to see horses and thousands of games of tag. I'm telling you -  my village is irreplaceable. Friday night brought us to karate for Kollin to get in a little extra practice for Stripe Testing. And then, we pretty much pooped out when we got home. 

Saturday morning the husband and Kollin headed out on their first Royal Rangers trip with our church. I woke up Kollin about 7:00 and he seriously woke up with a smile on his face. This trip has been something very much anticipated in our house for the last couple months. They went to the USS Alabama Battleship, did some exploring, learning and actually camped out on the battleship. The husband, who was stationed to sleep next to the bathrooms and another deacon who snores, got little to no sleep. Kollin, however, slept through it all. He came home with a mouthful to say - I'm planning to blog soon on their trip and post the pictures he took with his trusty Kodak. 

Saturday morning for me was spent at the football field losing my voice. Kolt and his teammates played an excellent, close game with a team from North Henry who beat us in our last game against one another. With 3 seconds left and the opponents on the goal line, we held them and won 7-6. Whew, we Mommas about lost it. I love, love, love watching that kid play the game. 

After the game we headed to DQ for a nice, little celebration. We got home and it wasn't long before we were out again. I got a gift card to Hobby Lobby for my birthday and it has been burning a hole in my pocket. Me and Momma somehow squeezed Kolt, Kruz and Kohen into two buggies and shopped. And shopped. And shopped. All the Fall scenery drove us to WalMart for mums galore. I love my Momma living so much closer now. For a while, she lived up in Fairburn, and well - that was just too far for me. Now she is just a phone call away for spur-of-the-moment trips to Hobby Lobby. I am loving it!

Sunday was a Sunday. Full of church, good food at MawMaw's and a little bit of rest. And you know food made in your MawMaw's kitchen always tastes a little better. Plus you get snapshots like this one. Kohen loves his MawMaw - she was in the kitchen cutting up tomatoes and he crawls in there and lays his little head across her feet - giving her love until she picked him up. Talk about making a MawMaw melt. And a Momma too.  

First Day

I think I should explain before you scroll ...

 

Our day was filled with Mommy working photo sessions all morning, Daddy taking the kiddos to Christmas Play practice, an awesome birthday bash ... and that's where I should explain.

 

Some of our closest friends had their son's first birthday bash Saturday, The Dad is Filipino, so they cooked some Filipino food. Including ... well, you'll have to scroll to see :p

 

We also had some friends over for the SEC Championship Game too!

Great First Day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Linking up to Journey To Josie for First Day!