Lent

Thanks Kris for the photo!


It is amazing to me how God works. I struggle every year with "what are you going to give up for lent this year?"....and yes, I know, do something extra instead!! Well, I really try to pick out things that are going to hurt, and things that I will frequently visit or use. In that way I will be reminded of the most precious gift to us all and the greatest sacrifice ever...Jesus' life.

Apparently God had something in mind to get me ready for this sacrificial season. I am calling it my "pre-lent" sacrifice. Our computer has been so messed (wanted to use the "J" word here but knew that Kar and Krick would freak) up lately .....like click on internet...wait 30 minutes...with a "waiting for google image to download" in the text box. Yes, friends, I mean the WORD google came in ONE line at a line (from top to bottom). No email checking, no posting, and most meaningful to me... no READING of friend's or family's posts! Couple of things crossed my mind....blowing up the computer out back was one of them! Verizon thinks it's the modem, Mike doesn't really know what is wrong with it, YET, and of course Tod thinks "just get a new one!" Anyway, thank you, Lord, for giving me so many opportunites to practice patience. And you know what...I learned from this "pre-Lent" sacrifice.....I'm NOT giving up the computer!! Or cleaning.

The change in background is not one of my favorites, however, it is a constant reminder to me of Lent. Now if I could just get the black ash cross that is put on all Catholic foreheads today surrounded by His crown of thorns... placed on the background, too,.....that would be perfect. Need a photo Kris!

Dear friends, I encourage you all to go to the "desert". I know it is in that quiet place that Christ awaits us and longs to be with us.... Meanwhile, I pray that our journeys over these next forty days are Spirit filled.

Basketball Game

Went to a basketball game this weekend. One of the boys was playing so it was a family affair. We were playing a team that beat us by 20 the last time we played, so everyone was expecting the worst. Turned out to be a great game. My son played very well and we stayed close. In the fourth quarter he made a couple steals, hit a few baskets and we ended up with a tie. Quite an improvement over last time! After the game a gentleman came up to me, shook my hand and introduced himself. He said, “Your son had a great game. Your son’s got a lot of talent, I like the way he plays” I thanked him. He then handed me a business card with his organizations name on it and told me he’d love to have my son play for his team next year when he moved up.

Now, normally that kind of overture would have me bursting with pride, but did I mention that it was Cole who was playing (he’s 7!) and the game was at the YMCA!?! Yes, that’s right. Some dude is building an 8-under basketball dynasty at the YMCA! What’s this world coming to…

I have coached youth sports for a long time and personally, I do not like to lose. But youth sports is not about the coaches, it’s about the kids. Our #1 rule for every sport is to have FUN. My belief is that if a kid is not having fun at 7, he won’t be playing when he’s 13. If the kids are having fun and learning how to play the sport, the winning takes care of itself. I am proud of the fact that every soccer and baseball team I have ever coached has had a winning record, but I am more proud when parents tell me that playing on my team was the most fun their child ever had or that it was where they learned the most. And to think, I’ve done it all without recruiting.

LOVES of my life!

Photos by David Leaser

Never Enough.....

If I had to tag my teenhood with one of its many and varied themes, "never enough" would surely be one of them. And who knows, it could be that never enough is just part of the numerous frustrating characteristics of teenagers. What I do know is that my mother worked so incredibly hard. During my teenage years she, basically, was a single parent (though married...dad worked overseas) to four children and worked full time. I remember vividly....coming home from school and immediately thinking about what I could do to help mom before she walked through the door...usually around 5:15-5:30. I would vaccum, put laundry away, start laundry, and often would get dinner started. By dinner started I mean I would get everything ready....table set, potatoes peeled and in a pan with water, vegetables in their pan with lid, mixer out with tee-tiny pan to heat milk in (for mashed pototoes)....etc. Kim, sadly, did not get the master chef "food network" cooking ability that Karen has....but I sure can get you started. This sounds so negative...and truly I don't feel burdened of this now...but for the most part I would do all that to help ease the load my mom carried....and it was never enough. And you know what? I get it. Lately I've been spending a lot of time thinking about what is there never enough of...? I have my top two. Time...and Money. No doubt my mom was thinking the same thing.

Money...no matter what you make, there is not enough. We are so blessed to have our jobs...especially ones we enjoy....and especially considering today's economy. Regardless of how diligent we are....life happens and I'm constantly responding to it with, "How are we gonna do that?" Never thought I would ever use the cliche mom always used..."money doesn't grow on trees!" with my children because I hated it as a child...but I have!! And Tod, I am convinced, still doesn't get it. Funny, he told me the other day that the online bank activity was wrong. Money, to me, equals stress. Perhaps that is the reason that God has not blessed me with a ton of it! :)

Time is amazing. I am eternally blessed everyday by the amount of time God gifts me....and yet I never seem to get enough of it. I laugh,rage, and vent often, at how little time I have to myself and with the ones I love most. I literally laughed out loud at my ob-gyn's appointment when I was told...your good cholesterol is too low....exercise is what is going to make that better! Funny! When? Up at 5am, work by 7am, leave promptly at 3 to get boys by 3:25, home to start laundry, start dinner, assist on homework, get ready for the next day, get someone to some kind of practice or game, dinner...clean up...baths...bed. When is the exercise???? (instead of this post I guess!!)

I know the root of all this....and I know he wants nothing more than to rob us of our joy and especially our time. Thankfully Mike and I both are not good losers. God willing we will win this time/money battle with flying colors....as will all of our loved ones who struggle day in and day out with the same issues.

Thank God Lent is approaching....I long for the desert.

Basketball Game

Went to a basketball game this weekend. One of the boys was playing so it was a family affair. We were playing a team that beat us by 20 the last time we played, so everyone was expecting the worst. Turned out to be a great game. My son played very well and we stayed close. In the fourth quarter he made a couple steals, hit a few baskets and we ended up with a tie. Quite an improvement over last time! After the game a gentleman came up to me, shook my hand and introduced himself. He said, “Your son had a great game. Your son’s got a lot of talent, I like the way he plays” I thanked him. He then handed me a business card with his organizations name on it and told me he’d love to have my son play for his team next year when he moved up.

Now, normally that kind of overture would have me bursting with pride, but did I mention that it was Cole who was playing (he’s 7!) and the game was at the YMCA!?! Yes, that’s right. Some dude is building an 8-under basketball dynasty at the YMCA! What’s this world coming to…

I have coached youth sports for a long time and personally, I do not like to lose. But youth sports is not about the coaches, it’s about the kids. Our #1 rule for every sport is to have FUN. My belief is that if a kid is not having fun at 7, he won’t be playing when he’s 13. If the kids are having fun and learning how to play the sport, the winning takes care of itself. I am proud of the fact that every soccer and baseball team I have ever coached has had a winning record, but I am more proud when parents tell me that playing on my team was the most fun their child ever had or that it was where they learned the most. And to think, I’ve done it all without recruiting.

114 more days til summer......

One of those days.....

I have been told that many of my posts are "heavy." Not really sure what that might mean...is it (1)a compliment or slam, and/or (2) is it a good "think about things" kind of heavy or just "ahhhh, to burdensome to read" kind of heavy?? Either way, I decided to be a little more honest tonight! I am a little apprehensive to share...as I may frighten some of you...but no worries, trust me, I am okay. And yes, Cole, Craig, and Reed are alive and unharmed, well maybe slightly harmed.

In preparation for this post, I looked all over the house this afternoon/evening for a card I actually bought years ago for Karen and never sent. I was, as usual, too excited about it and read it to her over the phone so there was no need to send it! Instead of trashing it, I decided to keep it for myself. Every now and again I take it out and read it. Scary to think that it truly makes me feel better....just reading the words. Well, this afternoon was one of those "READ THE CARD" kind of afternoons. If you are wondering why, it is because I have two of the most killer-pitbull-like fighter sons on the planet. And, Reed is coming up the ranks right behind them. Now, before any of you who know my children well say..."Craig???? He is the sweetest...... or "Not Cole, he is so happy...." They ARE that...to everyone in God's Creation...except each other. They are creating a health hazard (instant blood pressure issues, cracked teeth from clenching, anger management issues, etc.) for me, and marital issues for Mike and I. Marital issues like...can we divorce our own children...and often blank stare "What the heck have we done wrong...he is just like you...no just like you!!" Those kinds of issues. I am not a big "spanker"...which has history and is a good thing...just ask those who know me well...however, my resulting antics are more injurying than being hit... I am convinced. And let's just add more honesty to this post and admit that our younger siblings...poor Steve and Kris....were antagonized and injured by Mike and myself to the point of ridiculousness! Mom warned me. Several times. "Kimberly Ann, my pay back will come when you get your turn raising a child just like YOU someday." Now Mom, you've been paid back ten fold! Please...you're with GOD, I need angels to come shut the mouths of your arguing grandchildren!! It worked with the Lions in the den!

Here is the card:

Ahhhh, just the thought de-stresses me....