Keeping Busy and Dealing With Disappointment

So, we're nine days into May and this is my first post of the month....geez!
I subbed at the elmentary school last Thursday and Friday and then again on Monday and Tuesday.
It was for the same teacher...so it was nice to have the same schedule of classes and work with same groups of kids.  Today I am enjoying being at home in my sweat pants!  I have laundry to catch up on and we're in desperate need of some groceries.

It's been rainy the last two evenings and nothing on our schedule....can I tell you how much I love that?  The boys tennis season has ended...and I finally have my family back!  We have snuggled on the couch, enjoyed dinner together, and not rushed through homework.  After dinner last night Brady and I read together for an hour and fifteen minutes.  Then, the three of us played a couple games of Yahtzee.  I'm not a fan of being super busy and on the go all the time...but that seems to be where this stage of life has us.  It makes me appreciate the simple quiet times all the more....even if they are few and far between.


Last Sunday when we finally got home after a long weekend on the go...I was in the back room checking my emails when I heard Brady yelling for me to hurry up and come....I needed to see something quick!  So, I hurried into the kitchen to find him pointing to this.....

Can you believe it mom?!  Why are all of these dishes on the counter and in the sink?  Where did they come from?  Did you know about this?

I was cracking up!  He was so serious.  I guess we don't usually have dishes piled up like this...but we weren't around all weekend and we were out of dishwasher soap for a couple of days!  So you see, I'm not only slacking on the blog end...I'm also slacking on the homefront!

I wasn't planning to blog about Brady's tournament this past weekend.  I think it's something he definitely would like to forget about.  But, some of you have asked...and I would like Brady to remember that life doesn't always go perfectly...and there are disappointments along the way.

Brady had such high hopes going into this exciting tournament.  The Little Mo is a tournament that brings the best players in your state and in your age group together.  Brady was able to play against other boys who are also 9 years old.  The finalist move on to Illonois....and then the national tournament ends in Texas.   Brady really wanted to compete in Illonois this summer...his bags were all but packed.

But, that's not how it went down.  Brady lost in the semi-final.  3-6, 4-6.  The other boy played really well...and Brady did not play his best.  I think that's where the real disappointment comes in.  Knowing you could have won the tournament...but didn't.  We watched the other boys play....I'm almost positive Brady would have won the final.  Brady was devastated.  He held it together long enough to get from the tennis court to the van.  Eric was there to console him....I went to the bathroom and cried for my boy.  Seeing your child work so hard for something and then to be so disappointed is really heartbreaking.  It was a long ride home from Philadelphia...Brady turned mad, decided he was quitting tennis, then blamed Eric for the way he played.  It wasn't pretty.  However, by that evening, Brady came to the conclusion that he's not a quitter. 

The size of your succes is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dreams; and how you handle disappointment along the way.  ~Robert Kiyosaki

He Made It To The Finals!

I never want to sound like I'm bragging over here on my blog...but I also use this space to record things I always want to remember.  And I definitely want to remember this weekend.  So, if you'll excuse me....

Brady's weekend was filled with tennis highs.

He was in a tournament in Hershey on Friday night.  He plays in the 12 & under category.  He could play in the 10 & under group that plays on a smaller court and uses special tennis balls (that make it easier for younger kids to keep the ball in play)...but he has never played in this group and doesn't want to.  Instead he plays kids that are usually 11 & 12. 

Brady won his first match on Friday 6-1, 6-0.  This was a first!  He has never won a first round before!  He was advancing on to the next round!

Later that night he played again.   He lost the first set 3-6 and then won the second set 6-0.  The match would be determined by a tie break.  Eric and I were so nervous for him!  Brady knew if he won this match, he would advance to the finals.  This is something he has dreamed about for the last few years.  The first player to 10 wins.  Brady won 10-3.  

 The final was played on Saturday morning.  He wasn't nervous at all on the drive back up to Hershey.  I think he felt like he had already won.   It was a great match.  The boy Brady played was a left hander and in the 6th grade...and he said some very kind words to Brady after the match.  Brady lost 3-6, 3-6.

But most importantly, Brady won his 1st trophy!!

He was so excited about it!  If he never does another thing in his tennis career...at least he got a trophy!  I think he feels like he has made it!

On Sunday, Brady had his first team tennis match of the season.

The league is for 6th, 7th & 8th graders....and maybe one 3rd grader! :)  There's 3 boys and 3 girls on each team. 

It's fun a league.  Everyone gets a chance to play singles and mixed doubles.  I love the "team" part of it since tennis is such an individual sport.  The match rules are easy.  The first player/ doubles to win 6 games is the winner. 

Brady's first match was mixed doubles.  He and his partner won 6-0.

His 2nd match was also mixed doubles and they won 6-0.

Brady's last match was singles.  I was a little nervous for him...I had watched all the other players on the other team and I saw Brady was going to be playing their best player.  It's funny though, Brady never seems nervous...he goes out and plays the same regardless of who he's up against.  I don't think this is something you're taught.  This confidence definitely doesn't hurt him though!  He went out and beat the other boy 6-0.  The boy didn't win one game. 

As you know, we have never put our emphasis on winning and neither has Brady.  I knew someday Brady would start to have some success...I just didn't expect it to happen this soon. 

We're so proud of him.  He has always had to play 'up' in the competition and lost more matches than he has ever won.  It's fun to see him turn the corner.  He didn't give up.  He puts the time in.  He works really really hard....harder than anyone would ever believe.   We tried to tell him last night how proud we are of him...but he doesn't really want to hear it.  He's thinking about his next tournament next weekend...the one he has looked forward to for almost a year now! 

Have a great week my friends!

Around The House

I was dusting Brady's room this morning and noticed gum wrappers on his corkboard.

Really?  Is this a new collection or is he just too lazy to find a garbage can somewhere?  You don't have to tell me...I already know the answer.  Does he think pinning them on this board is quicker than throwing them away?  Interesting.  When we re-did his bedroom, we got rid of his little waste basket...so I guess I should put another one in there.

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Speaking of Brady's room....do you remember the desk Eric built a couple of years ago?



Well, it's not working out.  It doesn't fit in Brady's room with the double bed and dresser.  We have it in the spare room for the time being....but we're turning that room into a t.v./hangout/game room for Brady.  (When I say "we're turning it into," I mean we haven't done a thing yet.)  Brady has only sat at the desk a handful of times.  He prefers to do his homework at the kitchen table.   I feel bad that Eric made it...but I'm putting it in our garage sale next month!  I hope I can at least get half of what it cost to make it.  Probably not.

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I took my ugly lacy curtain thingys off the side windows near the front door this afternoon to wash them. 

 I love the extra light that comes in through these windows with just the silky curtain...but I hate the look of the silky curtain.  I would love to replace them with something else.  Do these two little windows by the door have a name?  I looked on Pinterest to see if I could get some ideas...but couldn't find anything.  I would really like to redo our foyer...area rug, bench, table, etc.  My husband has asked that we wait on these things until we get our kitchen done.  Oh, didn't you know we're updating our kitchen?  Yep, as soon as we get the truck repaired, the van windshield replaced, tennis camps, dentist appointments, a trip to the beach and who knows what else!  Maybe someday I'll have that kitchen reveal on my blog...until then, I've got nothing!

Happy Wednesday!



 

I'm Not Just A Pinner....

I was joking with my sister-in-law the other day about Pinterest.

I told her I am not just a pinner...because I have tried so many of the things I have pinned.

My sister-in-law pins lots of recipes...but I'm not sure she's ever made a single one.

Anyway, with blogs and Pinterest,  I will probably never need to buy another cookbook again!

My recent favorite is this spicey spaghetti squash.

We loved it so much...I have made it twice in the last three weeks.

It was just too good not to share!



You can find the recipe HERE.  It's really a quick and easy healthy meal.

Let me know if you try it!

You can find me on Pinterest HERE.

There's No Place He'd Rather Be...

The boys last home match was on Monday.  We had pizza afterwards with the parents and the team.   It's been a windy and chilly season....so we were all pretty excited that it was 85 and sunny.   After pizza, some of the guys stuck around to play tennis and asked Brady to play.  These high school boys have been really good to him.  It melts my heart when I see one of the guys put their arm around him or ask him to sit in the back of the bus with everyone.  I think it helps that he can hold his own out on the tennis court...and they think that is pretty cool.  ( I won't tell you how many guys Brady has challenged to a match and beaten.. you never know who is reading my blog!)

It's been a great 7 weeks for Brady...getting to know these guys and being a part of the team. 

His enthusiasm doesn't go unnoticed.  If you need someone to keep stats, get a ball, help with a drill,  refill water or a hitting partner...he is right there ready to go.  I love that he gets to do something everyday that he loves to do.   Tennis is on his mind from the time he opens his eyes in the morning and until he crawls in bed at night.  I think there's a very thin line between passion and obsession...and as his mom, I work hard to bring balance to his life.  It's not always easy trying to talk him into doing other things...but I do my best! 

Foto Friday



Today was dress up day at school. 

Brady wanted to wear one of Eric's ties.

When he left this morning....he was as proud as a boy could be.

When I told Eric later on the phone how excited Brady was this

morning, Eric said it was probably because he wanted to be

like his teacher.  Yep, that was probably it.  Mr. B. wears a tie

to school everyday...so cute.

Today has been one of those days.  Maybe because it's a beautiful day.  Maybe because it's Friday and I'm excited about the week-

end.  Maybe it's because we had a good morning together and he looked so darn handsome.  I have been teary several times today

thinking about how blessed and fortunate I am to be a mom.  Brady's mom.  I sometimes think what if...and then I am overcome with such gratitude for the gifts I have been given. 

Anyway, it's time to get my 3rd grader off the bus!

I wonder if he'll look as cute as he did this morning?!

Happy weekend everyone!



 

Catching Up

I am thinking it's time to check back into my blog!
Your emails wondering where I've been have really touched me.
There's even been some funny ones...like,
are you and Eric okay?  Why do you still have your March header up?
Several of you really thought something was up when I didn't participate in 10 on 10.
I didn't plan to take a break...it just happened.
We've been so busy...and I haven't really felt like blogging.
Tennis takes up a big part of our everyday.
Sometimes I get so bored with tennis. Mentally.
We've also been busy doing yardwork and getting our flower beds ready for mulch.
I've been doing a little spring cleaning.
Brady and I did a 1/2 way trip to visit my mom and sisters for my mom's birthday.
And, I've been planning our summer...trying to fit in a vacation and some fun things...
in between Brady's tennis camps and schedule.


Anway, I did take 10 pictures on the 10th....I thought that would get me back into the blogging
spirit.  But then, I was too tired that evening to upload them. 

Here they are....

We had a nice quiet Easter at home....just the three of us.

I made ham for dinner.  It was so nice not to have any plans for once.  We spent a good bit of our day outside doing yardwork.  And of course, Brady begged us to go to the courts later in the day.





Speaking of yardwork, Brady has been such a big help with getting our flower beds cleared out.
It has taken me half the time this spring to get things in order because of the extra hands helping me.
Brady loves a good project, that's for sure.





I can't forget Eric..he does a pretty good job of keeping up with our big yard.  Mowing and trimming are not at the top of his list of things he enjoys doing.  On Easter, he removed a couple of bushes we had at the side of our house.  We don't get a lot of sunlight on that side...and the weeds have always been hard to keep up with over there.  We decided to get rid of the mess and plant grass.  I was worried it would look really bare....and until the grass comes in, I won't know for sure.  But, I think it looks much better than it did before. 







Every spring we have this green mossy gross stuff on the side of our house.



And here's how it looks now....





 I'm thinking a flower box under that window

might look nice.   My husband doesn't seem to agree with me.

(Something about drilling holes into the siding??? Whatever!)

Brady was off school on Monday....so we went and played mini golf and went out to lunch.  I got beat by 8 strokes!  It's much more fun to play now that we're on even an playing field.  I think it's funny that Brady holds his golf club like he is hitting a backhand in tennis.  We've tried to show him the right way...but he insists on doing it his way. 





So, that's what we've been up to.  Not a whole lot going on other than tennis matches, tennis clinics, tennis practice and tennis lessons.  In a couple of weeks, Brady will start playing on a middle school travel tennis team.  He is also in a tennis tournament the next two out of three weekends.  And, he's excited to train to be a ball boy in a pro tournament that is coming to our area this summer.  Lots of exciting things going on for him.  However, it doesn't make for much exciting blog material!  I will try and do better with this little blog of mine!  Thanks so much for checking in on me.  Even if I don't always comment on your blog...please know that I read your blog first thing in the morning...before I get Brady up for school.  Some people start their day with coffee...I start my day with my favorite blogs!