Weekend Soccer Tournament

Chelsea played more minutes in game one than she has played in all other games combined. She played well and was excited and happy. She played in the second game too. She did not have as many minutes, but still had fun. Day one of the tournament was fun for her and I was so happy. Day two was a different story. She had about 4 minutes total in the game and was angry. I will say this, it was a great four minutes. All of the parents cheered for her. She did deserve to play more in game three. All of the kids deserved better coaching in game three though. The score was tied and we should have won by at least two. So, the weekend results were a win, a tie and a loss.

On a different but important note, Chelsea brought home straight “A’s” on her progress report. We praised her for this great accomplishment and told her how proud we are. And we are. She practices four nights a week and has games on the weekends and she still manages great grades. She is a terrific kid with a good heart. What a blessing.

Getting your “just desserts”

Last weekend Chelsea invited her friend to the progressive dinner for the Glory group. She really was excited to have her friend come along. The friend seemed to have a good time and blend in well with what was going on. I know her parents and knew she would be well behaved. I also know they attend church, so the whole devotional idea would not be something completely foreign to her. The friend willingly participated in the food, fun and games. From the outside looking in, I concluded the girls had fun. I saw the friend’s Mom a couple of times last week and so I decided to ask about the friend’s reaction. The Mom replied, “I know she did. She has not stopped talking about the apple dessert!” So much for the devo …

Let’s Remember

Weekend Soccer

Three games. One hundred and eighty minutes. Chelsea played a total of seven. And all of those came in the second and third games. I was proud of her in her seven minutes; she worked her butt off. Too bad the coach missed both of those games and was unable to see it. I experienced a lot of emotions this past weekend. Before this season is over, I may have to attend anger management classes.

Getting Old

Maybe I’m not getting old, maybe kids these days just don’t know how to behave. Last night Scotty and I attended the progressive dinner with the Glory (middle school) Group. This was Chelsea’s first official Glory event. Four families graciously opened their homes to these loud mouthed, ungrateful children. Oops, did I write that out loud? I was so amazed at their behavior. I mentioned to the youth minister’s wife that I must be getting old because I was unable to tolerate the behavior. I mentioned to Scotty that we were so much younger (10 + years) when we worked with the Glory group before. I spent the evening thinking about the event I am in charge of in November. I was thinking it would be a lot of fun and easy to pull off, now I’m not so sure. Scotty and I planned our event on the car ride from house to house. I’m going to start with a list today of who I need as helpers and lay out the law. Did I say that out loud? I meant, lay out a plan. Most of the evening I reminded myself someone who used to work youth events with us. She was a little older than me and had children of her own. She was usually in the back ground and unhappy with the kid’s behavior. Last night I was thinking to myself, “Calm down Lisa, remember *****?” (you thought I was going to name her, didn’t you?) I do love these kids. I do want them to grow in their walk with the Lord and to grow up with each other as good friends. I want them to encourage each other and end up with friendships like I have from my youth group. So, the evening progressed (ha! couldn’t help that one) and I was really ready to go and process the whole thing (because that is the way my brain works). We left the last house with Chelsea and her guest (yea! she invited a friend!) in tow. We were about 2 minutes from the house when our cell phones rang. We forgot a child! We were supposed to be giving her a ride home! The sad part is (I mean, aside from the fact that we totally forgot her) is that her Mother has been giving Chelsea a ride home from school every day this year. Forgot her. Still not over it. We did go back and get her. Man, I’m getting old….

There are no dumb questions…

There are no dumb questions, just dumb coaches. If you read my previous post, you know Chelsea was planning on gathering her courage and asking the coach what she needed to do to get more playing time. Well, she did that. She went up to him at the beginning of practice and asked, and his reply was, “I told your parents at the beginning of the season that is a dumb question”. The other thing he said to her was she did not have a passion for the game. Before I begin my ranting, I should mention that he did answer her question and he coached her throughout practice.

Now the ranting. WHO on earth would tell an eleven year old kid that she asked a dumb question? What coach in the universe would not give the kid at least a little respect for having the guts to come and ask such a question? As an adult, why in the world would you immediately trample on a kid’s courage? Hello! The scene here is a young child asking a coach for guidance. The response should be coaching and guidance, right? Next, I must address the “no passion” issue. The kid shows up for every practice (15 minutes early) and every game. She studies soccer, covers her wall with soccer stuff and eats her cereal out of a bowl that looks like a soccer ball. He has not spent any individual time with her and has no idea what her passion is. If he is basing that on the fact that she will not shove her opponent in the back (like another kid on her team does) then maybe he thinks she doesn’t have passion. If he would ask her about soccer – if he would watch her facial expressions – if he would dare take an interest, he would recognize the passion.

Not a happy soccer Mom today. But, I am a very proud Mom. I know it took every ounce of courage in her little system and then some to ask him that question. It was a big step for her. I am sorry the coach was so crappy (yes, I said crappy).

Three games scheduled for this weekend. Check back on Monday …

Love? Being a Soccer Mom

I only thought I loved everything about being a soccer Mom. I do not love to watch my child sit on the bench! I really don’t like to watch her sit the bench when there is no reason for it. I know, you think I’m one of “those Moms” who thinks their kid is the best. Well, I am one of those Moms, but that is not my point. I am always shocked to discover how political this whole club soccer experience is. Anyway, back to my point. My child sat the bench for 53 of 60 minutes today and I am unhappy about it. Three of the parents on our team even mentioned to me that Chelsea was a good player and they didn’t know why she was sitting. They all tried to be encouraging and I appreciate that, but I’m still angry. Chelsea was disappointed, but is determined to stick it out and practice hard so she can play. She was more mature than I was about it today. My heart just hurt for her. It was so hard to sit across the field from her and watch her sit there. I could tell by the look on her face and by her posture that she was feeling defeated and there was not one thing I could do about it. She says she is going to try to gather her courage and tell the coach at the next practice that she wants to play and ask what she has to do to get more playing time. I hope she is able to do it and I hope he treats her with respect when she does it.

Pizza Personality

Pepperoni Pizza

Robust and dominant.When you go for something, you go full force.You tend to take control of situations easily.And in return, you get a ton of respect.

What’s” Your Pizza Personality?

Well, I wish I could deny this little description of my personality but I cannot. Who knew a computer would know so much about me just by asking about my pizza? Have a great weekend.