Cloudy With A Chance Of- Boring

Sitting in traffic on the # 1 Highway is never any fun. Especially on a gorgeous day that was meant for gardening or anything other type of outdoor activity.

My kids made the best of it. Cayden was testing Jonah in timed math quizzes and Peyton practiced writing her name. Or at least practiced the letters of her name. I'm not sure if she has quite got the concept of putting them in order yet. But whatever kept her amused was fine by me.

Meanwhile, I was enjoying listening to a Mark Clark Podcast about something of interest to stretch my mind just a little bit. The topic of Predestination vs Arminianism was more interesting than I thought and maybe a tad bit controversial for some.

Interestingly, the clouds in the sky caught my attention in a way they never have. I often look up to see if its grey and rainy or clear and sunny. But never does a cloud actually interest me.

This cloud reminded me of one that is often drawn in a good old Archie Comic. Round, fluffy, white and floating freely in the sky. I was so in awe of how beautiful that I had to share my enthusiasm. So I told Peyton to look at the most amazing and beautiful cloud outside!

Her response. 'Mom. That's boring.'

Wow. Was I disappointed by my my little 4 year olds lack of enthusiasm. But then again... I've never really been all that interested either I suppose.

These Chicks Get Wings

It wouldn't be Spring Soccer without a few post-game wing nights at the local pub.  And after getting almost half way through the season, we finally made our first night out happen.

The players sitting around the table enjoying a drink and plate of amazingly tasty wings looks just a little bit different every year.  Yeah, I know we get older every year:)   But it's not the only thing that changes.

Every season our team loses some great teammates.  And every season we gain some new ones.  The great thing about becoming a 'Chicks That Kick' team member, is that you never fully get let go of by the team. We have had some amazing women be part of our circle of friends but unfortunately 'life' gets in the way. Some ladies move.  Some get hurt.  And some simply can no longer juggle the activities of the other family busyness.  And that's just the way life is.

So, when we sit around the table with new teammates and old, we often share stories and laugh at all those great memories of times past. Some of those memories include nursing babies on the sidelines, Fireball, speediness of our littles, Kelly and Julie.  Cindy's one play, take it right up the middle and score and  Cheryl's stories of Sweaty Crotch.  Oh there are so many more after 9 years of being a Chicks That Kick.

Our team never 'replaces' a player when they leave the team.  We simply 'add' a player.  Another newcomer that has different skills and other life experiences to share. And then we make more wonderful memories to share and laugh at.

It's the connecting and meeting of new women that I truly enjoy with our little team.  Well, this comes in at a close second to actually playing the game.  Best wishes to my past and present Chicks That Kick teammates!

Retreat From Everyday Chaos

This past weekend I took an opportunity to get off life's crazy train for just a short period of time.  And it was worth every minute of pre-planning kids pick-ups, drop-offs, food and all the other stuff mom's are responsible in our everyday life.  The time away at lakeside Kawkawa Lake Camp was absolutely amazing.

Imagine one hundred women taking part in camp-fire songs, Ga Ga Ball, Scavenger hunts, Kayaking, Hiking, Mission Impossible and shooting guns.  Ok, not every one took part in every activity.  But we all did sleep on those thin mattresses that had our poor womanly hips hitting the plywood on the beds. But hey, all part of the camp experience right? 

The speaker, Krista Penner, was outstanding.  She shared stories we could laugh at and relate to.  She was passionate about what she spoke to  us about.   One moment we were laughing and the next we may have had a tear in our eye. Much of the discussion and the theme of the weekend surrounded the topic of Legacy.  What is the Legacy we are leaving for our families and people around us?  

To top the weekend off, our outspoken leader Sarah shared something so... yikes.  I really don't even know how to describe it and I certainly will not be the person to repeat it. It was so random that it left many in shock and awe.  Jaws dropped and some really did fall out of chairs in laughter. All I can say is that what is shared at a women's retreat, stays at a women's retreat:)

Grateful is the word to describe how I feel.  Grateful to be surrounded by so many inspiring and strong women.  And grateful for my family that lets me get away sometimes.