Shinguard findin', uniform washin', gatorade gettin', carpool drivin', picture takin', always cheerin' SOCCER MOM! :)

It's funny to look back to posts from this time last year and see how much of an adjustment it was for me to accept the fact that I have become a shinguard findin', uniform washin', gatorade gettin', carpool drivin', picture takin', always cheerin' SOCCER MOM! :)


My boys are doing so well by the way. Eric has even moved up to a higher level team. He has a lot of playing time and both have become excellent soccer players. I truly enjoy watching every moment of them playing, the determination in their faces, the motivation behind every kick... getting metals at tournaments because their teams have given it their all to win.

We have made the most of all of the soccer practice hours and driving that we do behind the scenes of a game.  Tuesday nights we travel approximately 70 miles round trip to take Eric to one of his weekly practices. While he practices, Kevin and I enjoy date night, which normally consists of salsa, chips and chimichangas.  On the nights that I am taking him to his dad's house after practice, I get to sneak in one more kiss and hug from Jacob before heading home.   The driving to and from one field to another gives me a chance to talk to my busy growing boys, catch up on what's going on.

We spend lots of time on the soccer fields, but we enjoy every minute of it :)

Standing on side lines, stinky soccer jerseys... oh yeh, and a 9-6 job. Maybe I can also squeeze in a glass of wine!

I know I've blogged about soccer before, but today, this is me officially accepting my role as a soccer mom. That role involves standing on the side lines for hours, in all kinds of weather, filling up gas tanks more than any normal person should, stopping for quick coffee to wake me up for that game that starts at 8:00am, scattering all over the house looking for one cleat or shinguard that somehow has escaped from the soccer bag, and making sure all uniforms are washed and ready the next day. While others are relaxing or enjoying their weekend with their family, we are rolling with the schedules that come our way.  Game after game, from one field to the other. I can't say that I don't enjoy watching my boys play soccer, score goals or win tournaments. It makes me so proud, and I am THAT mom on the side lines that makes it known how proud I am of them.

I should have known the day that after giving birth to my first son that I was going to be watching him play sports eventually. After giving birth to my second son, it was inevitable. I've had numerous conversations with my sister, my friends, my parents, most of who are within an arm's reach, about how we don't get to see each other much. I always respond, "well, we are so busy with soccer."  I hope that because this is always my response, people don't come to believe that this has become an excuse.  But the reality is, those boys come first, they are my priority, and they have chosen for us to live the life of a soccer family.

It hit me today the hardest. Eric will be 13 this week. We had planned to celebrate with a family dinner. This dinner would be with my parents, my sister and her family and of course my own. This is something that we haven't done in quite awhile, so needless to say, it is well deserved. The plan was to eat together this Sunday, until.... soccer. Hmmmm, I was so excited about our family dinner, I forgot to check the soccer schedule. Jacob has a tournament this weekend, and although Jacob technically doesn't have to be a part of our dinner, it is the first time we've all been together in awhile, so I really want us to all be there. I spoke with him about not being at the tournament for Sunday but that crushed him.  He has to be there for his team, they can't do it without him.  So, change of plans... can we reschedule dinner? Sad that we all have to do that...

But needless to say, soccer won. So as I accept that I am officially a working soccer mom, I tell you that it is not easy. Caring for a house, running errands, being a taxi driver for soccer, cooking meals, helping with homework, and oh yeh, I work 9-6 everyday. Don't forget all of those that matter in our lives that are not under our roof. We will see them eventually. I am a busy, working soccer mom. Didn't I mention something in the title of this blog about a glass of wine?

Here Comes Angry Annie… Run!

If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate something about your size?  ~Sydney J. Harris

This morning I had a Resident call me, who we are going to call Annie in this blog. Despite my morning routine being interrupted by my husband who decided to wake up early (which could be another blog in itself), I was having a good day. Annie called to speak with me about her pollen allergies. I can totally relate to her allergies, I have been battling with the nasty yellow stuff for about three weeks now. I was completely taken back when instead of starting our conversation off with a friendly “Hi, how are you,” (as most of my Residents do), I was greeted with Angry Annie who started our conversation at about 180 decibels. Keep in mind a jet engine is about 140 decibels.  I wanted to tell her “Let me connect you to Mother Nature, she’ll be happy to help you from there,” but instead I continued to listen at a distance of about 18” from my ear for 10 minutes because I knew eventually, she and I would part ways. As the time manifested, I got the last words in… “Thanks and have a great day!”

Unbelievable.  I know that impossible people do exist. They make it hard to believe that it’s not your fault because they have completely mastered blaming skills. Maybe those outbursts of wrath, bitterness, or malice give people a sense of power.  But whatever happened to being nice? Doesn’t that get you anywhere anymore? According to Green Day, it doesn’t.  At least that is what they were singing about in their song “Nice Guys Finish Last” as I’m driving a few minutes after this flare up. Despite what they sing about, I promise you one thing, bad attitudes are going to get you NOWHERE with me. 

I had a fortune cookie once that read “Due to your overwhelming kindness, good fortune will surely come your way.” I still believe that there is power behind kindness.  Sometimes being nice works, and sometimes it doesn’t. I’m not saying you should refrain from ever blowing your top, a person can only take so much, but shouldn’t it at least start there?  Nice is a small word but it’s got a big impact.

~Nancy~