Another Soccer Player Emerges

Today was the Cy-Guy's first soccer game! As a passionate soccer player myself, today was an exciting day in our household. Cy's only ever played around with me in the yard or at parks. Organized soccer, here we come.

Cy is #11 for Team Lightning in the U6 Division for the indoor league. His number is special because it's right behind mine (10).

Cy was cool and collected from the moment we walked into the gym. He waited with a few of his fellow teammates to play the first portion of the first half. When they called for subs, he went in as goalie. Out of the 4 shots taken on him, he only let one slip by. Not bad for a kid who's never played keep.

My little Cy-Guy, fellow soccer player!

After halftime, he went in on the court. He's a fast runner, and his head is on a swivel. Natural instincts, I tell ya. He had a couple of breaks and stopped a few plays from the other team.

All in all, he had fun, and did awesome! I'm so glad he enjoys the game and hopes he continues to find sports just as fun as his mom did (and if he sticks with soccer, I won't lie, I'd be overjoyed!)

Here's a couple of short videos I took during his game. (Warning! I'm still learning how to record and cheer at the same time.)

This one is part of his goalie time.

This one is him on the court

I'm such a proud mom right now!!! Let the soccer tradition continue!

Sitting in FUNK-y Town

I get in funks often ( a bit too often for my liking). Usually I'm over-trained, over-scheduled, over-everything, and they usually happen when I'm due for a rest day anyway. After a day or two off, some extra rest, and a glass or tow (or heck, maybe a bottle) of wine, I'm golden. I firmly believe in sweating bad moods out.

But the past couple of weeks, I can't shake it. Normally, I would just go ahead and get out the door no matter what, but it's like the inner drive is gone. I feel lost. I don't know what it's like to not have that inner drive. Am I burned out? Maybe. Not from training, though. Just burned out on everything. I've been "on" basically every day since May 1st if not before. "Off" time is a luxury right now it seems. It's definitely vacation time, and vacation time isn't even on the calendar right now. I need to get out of the funk though.

Here's my plan:

Take the holiday weekend off. If I get runs in, great. If not, whatever. Tuesday starts the "working out even if every cell in your body doesn't want to" phase.

Share with me how you get out of your funks.

Six of One, Half a Dozen of Another

That's how I feel about the past 12 years. Today is T's birthday, and the last 12 years have past almost too fast, but not quick enough at the same time. Yet, 12 years have passed. I could have been a bad parent, a so-so parent, or a good parent. 12 years passed no matter what kind of parent I decided to be when my first child was born.

T & I at his 2nd birthday party

12 years ago, I was a 21 year-old young woman, less than two years away from getting my Bachelor's degree. Four days prior, I finished one part-time job and took official leave from my full time job. The semester was over, and even though I knew I was taking the summer semesters off, I knew nothing of what my future had in store except there would always be someone who called me "Mommy". I only knew time would pass no matter what type of decisions I made for myself and my child.

I could have decided to not finish my degree, not worked hard to do my part to support our new family, not put everything I was into being a damn good mother. HAve I always been the best mother? No. Could I have done some things better? Probably. But I look at T and I see me...really, we are so similar in both looks and especially, personalities. I pray every day he sees the same similarities and has high hopes for his future.

T getting his red belt 05/19/12

I pray in 12 years he will look back and say my mom was the best mom I could have had. I pray he says, "She gave me the example I needed in all areas of my life." I pray he says, "She had strength, compassion, and even (oh, I really hope) grace under pressure." I pray when he looks forward in his life he uses my life as a pathway for his own dreams.

Finally, I pray when his first child is 12, he provides the same example I have tried to provide for him, sets pathways for his child's dreams. I pray he finds his own strength and courage in an easier way than I have, and he develops an undying compassion for his fellow man so he may pass those on to his family.

Yes, 12 years have passed. They were hard years, but good years because no matter what, T led me on my path to find the dreams I never knew I wanted.

T

Three Things Thursday: My Family

While I seem to still be on the recouping list from this kidney situation, I thought it would be appropriate to brag tell you about the three people I hold fiercely near and dear to my heart, who also happen to support me in all my crazy running adventures.

1. P:
   My husband of 12+ years, who's ridden (sometimes by the whites of his knuckles) on the roller coaster of our life and marriage. This guy works hard by day, rocks by night, and still manages to be a pretty great husband and dad. This is also the guy who barely left my side for four days while my body went through kidney hell and is still stepping up in immeasurable ways to make sure I recover completely.
   
   





2. T:
   My amazing 11-year-old. This kid really can do it all. He's terribly brilliant academically (three years ago, his I.Q. had surpassed mine by 4 points already, and I'm a pretty smart chica). T not only has a penchant for the physics and know-how of things, he also inherited the musical talent from both of his parents. With a thirst for the rhythm and the opportunities for expression, his vocal and instrumental talents encompass different genres of music as well as different avenues of creating his music. He's even voiced the possibility of a violin centered rock band on several occasions. To top it off, he's created his athletic niche within the martial arts arena. Now as an Advanced Second Degree Purple belt, he loves to spar and utilize the fast and furious techniques in the ring.
   
   





3. The Cy-Guy:
   My 4-year-old wonder. This little guy is one clever dude. He's irresistibly charming and makes everyone I know, including myself, smile (even despite his temper tantrums and scowls). He truly brings joy to everyone he meets and knows. He has a knack for making friends and loves adventure. Although his daredevil ways refuse to join us at mealtime, he rarely finds obstacles that can't be jumped, swung from, slid into, climbed on, you name it. He makes me wonder if Evel Knievel was in our blood lines somewhere. He will be the one that shocks and awes us in everything he does. I cannot wait to see the type of person this little guy will grow up to be in 2 years, 5 years, 10 years, and more!