The Sideline Mom

Snap out of it!

 Ever heard anyone say that? Snap out of it? Well, I'm trying. It's not easy sometimes. When I was younger so much younger than todaaaay, I never needed anybody's help in any.... oh nevermind I won't sing you a Beatles song (unless you really want me to) but when I was younger, so very, very much younger, I could bounce back so much easier. You see... I fell.

I fell hard.

 Yes, these would be my elbows. won't even show you my right knee. I didn't take a picture of it anyway. It was gut-wrenching. (sorry for the graphic-nature of these photos-it happens sometimes-graphic-ness that is) Is graphic-ness a word. I didn't think so.

 

Anyway, I was skateboarding. Naw, not really, actually I was doing what you can find me doing most days in my little world. I was taking pictures. Yep!  I was shooting pics of these lovely, fine ledgendary country music stars. They were getting inducted onto the Country Music walk of Fame. This would be Dolly. I love her. I love her in so many, many ways. She is epic. Beautiful. Wise. Funny. I love me some funny now. And she brings lots of good to others. I think that's what I love best about her. Yep it is. She's the carrier and deliverer of so much good. So I was taking pics of her. Cause I like her. She's nice.

 

Man those are big! I'm talking about her fingernails of course. Get your mind out of the gutter people.

 

I was also taking pictures of this guy before I fell.  He had a run-in with the devil once. You see the devil came down to Georgia and was lookin for a soul to steal. Charlie Daniels soul. He didn't get it. Charlie Daniels was there with his soul I might add and he also got a star on the walk of fame. I took his picture also. See.

 

Then this guy. Kid Rock. I think he's a bit more rock than country. But us country folks are gracious if nothing else so I suppose he can be on our country music walk of fame. But just this once.

 

And my family. They were visiting from Georgia and Arizona. They wanted to see them some country music stars and stuff.  

 

And then I fell. I fell like a steel ball. I was trying to get a few more shots of Dolly and I stood up on a wall that was about 2 feet tall. When I turned to jump off, my knee gave out. Smack! I hit the ground like nobody's business. It was about as fun as sitting in an insurance seminar next to Marylin Manson. Or pulling my teeth out one at a time with pliers. Everyone should give it a go sometime. Really.

 I was trying to "save"  the camera from possible damage so my elbow's took the brunt of the fall. And my knee. My poor mangled knee.

My family was horrified, I was in shock and the country music stars were embarrased for me. Just kidding the stars didn't even know I was there.

So it's been a long road back. I've been trying to snap out of it for over a week. But I think I'm finally coming around. 

My boys learned something very valuable...

This is why you wear your elbow and knee pads while skateboarding.  why their mother will NEVER take no for an answer when telling them to put them on before skating.

 

Funny how I have not had one bit of back talk when I tell them to get their pads on since this day.

Hmmmm. Vetty, vetty interesting.

Here's a lesson boys and girls.  Take it from me. Please. When you are boarding, skating, biking WEAR YOUR PADS ! Heck even if you're snapping pics of famous people while standing on concrete walls put them on. 

Just in case.

Love and giggles.

Over and out.

The Sideline Mom.  
   

 
 
 
 
  

Hi there, Hello, How are you? (a very random post here folks)

Seems as if it has been forever since I blogged. But not really. It has actually only been a few days since I last babbled on about my own personal useless information.  Here I go again.

The last week has been filled with boys, school lessons, household duties, yummy recipies, bite of more than you can chew projects and Halloween. I think I need a vacation. But then again I always think I need a vacation. It's how I roll.

 

 Well, hello there Austin and Blaze! My dog believe's he is human. See him here relaxing on the ottoman with boy #1 as if he's just one of the guys? He is completely oblivious to the fact he is in truth of the canine variety when it comes to living species. He thinks he's human. Totally. That's how he roll's. The nerve. 

 Actually he has us all rolling in hysterics on a regular basis. I love him and (minus the white hair his body seems to spew like a fountain hourly) I don't know what in the world I would do without him. Honestly. 

 

Next. A project of epic proportions. Re-upholstery. Not for the faint of heart.

Be afraid. Be totally, completely and completely and totally afraid. 

Actually, it was not as bad as it looks. Just very time consuming. I'll tell you all about the heinous act later and show you the outcome. But only if your nice to me.  

 

We carved pumpkins. (I have no idea what Austin is doing in the background this pic. I believe he is staring at a piece of furniture for no reason. Just don't ask-I have no time to explain)

 
Why is it again that we do this every year? Oh yeah, it's because we all need to spend 13 dollars on large orange gourds that you cut and gut and sit on your porch for one solitary evening and then throw them all away. "Eeet's for fun". (name that movie)

I made Paster Ryan's Mexican Lasagna posted here in the cooking section and unless you are planning on feeding a small country, cut the recipe in half. Cause it makes enough to feed a small country. It was umm, umm good.  *burp*

 

Then I made Apple Crisp. Cause it was like the next step in doing the right thing on a daily basis. I like doing the right thing on daily basis. It's fun. * burp* (the ice cream is optional, but only if you are not very smart)

 
 

Next, I decided to do one more project because I am like 15 kinds of crazy and like I told you earlier, I need a vacation and you know what they say?  Well, what they say is that "Art is an escape without ever leaving your home". Or something like that. Yep, that is what they say. Even though I have no idea who they are.  But I like they. They are smart.

Three canvas's. Painted black. 

 

I then enlarged some of my favorite floral photo's I've taken in the past and placed them on the canvas's. That way, no matter if I have fresh flowers in the house or not, I can gaze upon these precious petal's any ol' time my heart desires.

 

These images move me, soothe me and make me realize how perfectly life is designed. There really are no mistakes. It's all designed just perfectly. 

 I think. Yep. I'm sure of it. Kinda.

 

There will be three. I will hang them so I can see them from my bed. I love them.

"Just what I always wanted. I will name him George. I will hug him and pet him and squeeze him.."(name that cartoon)

Can't wait to hang them. A little piece of sanity in a world that's gone mad. Dramatic much?  

 

And lastly but most assuredly not least.

My greatest creation. The Volturi. Well, actually not the Volturi, but my children as the Volturi (aka the Vampires from the Twilight saga) I heart the Twilight saga, Great, great story.  I made most of A's costume. It was kinda fun. A little.

 

We tricked. We treated. We also trick or treated. Nevermind. I have no idea what I am saying here.

 

 

We also aquired large amount's of candy. And  as usual, if consumed in it's entirety will inflict bodily harm. 

 

So, just like the large orange gourds, it will be thrown away soon.

Ain't Halloween fun? 

That's all for now folks. My sister is coming to visit this week and I'm like excited the the 3 degree.  

So until next time. What project are you working on this fall? I'd love to know.

Much love and pretty leaves everywhere,

The Side line momma.  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  

 

Trash or Treasure?

About a week of so ago I decided to tackle the 5 boxes of greeting cards and other memorbilia that had been sitting and gathering dust in my house since 1842. Alright, I have not really been alive that long (just feels like that some days)  but the contents of several of the box's did actually date back to the late 80's and had not been touched or looked at since about never. I also inherited lots of my mother's stuff. It's called the passing on of the junk phenomenon.

Here are just a few of the boxes.

 And I do mean hundred's of greeting cards. Several hundred. Filling several boxes. That just sat there in my house doing nothing. Like a rock. Or a man watching football. For E V E R! I decided it was time to rid the house of it all. Or most of it at least.  I also believe that the general rule on keeping stuff goes something like this:

If the item has not been used, worn or sat on in the last six months and does not serve a specific purpose, it's time to pitch that sucker to the hill's. Or something like that. 

 

Herein lies the only problem with that. I'm a sentimentalist. (is that a real word?) I have a hard time throwing items away that I believe to have meaning or are useful in rekindling a beneficial memory of some sort. It's silly issue and I have oodles of junk I don't really need because of it. I've just always been that way. Why? I'd like to know. Someone please tell me now! Oh, nevermind. 

Next I asked myself outloud "Self, how often will you really sit down and look at all of this stuff again, if ever?" I answered with a loud "Never! I will never, ever look at this stuff".  I talk to myself often. My boys have finally gotten use to this little quiky trait about their mother and by now have stopped asking who I'm talking to, which I am thankful for because I was running out of things to say. Things like "Oh, I'm just talking with my inner child sweetie, she was lonely" or "I was just singing, very slowly" or my personal favorite  "I was just practicing my lines in case I'm ever in a movie". They never really bought any of those. Not really.

Anyway, I started rummaging through the stuff and decided on this method of keeping/tossing things:

• If it's a greeting card with a long message or letter - KEEP. (reading written words from a loved one is fun)  
• If it's a greeting card with one name signed inside. EX. Love, Aunt Willameena - TOSS. (it was a nice thought)
• If it's a thought you have jotted down or favorite quote - KEEP. ( you can plan on making a book of your favorite quotes to look at from time to time-or not)
• If it's a letter you've previously written to someone and you've since inherited  back - KEEP. (it's wonderful to see how far you've come since moving off to some unknown city when you were naive enough to think you knew it all and had it all figured out and wrote home about brillant you were. Or thought you were. Entertaining reading for sure.)
• If it's old notes and "how to's" on the perfect diet and how to stay super skinny forever - refer to bulletpoint #2   
• If you come across something like what I'm about to show you below- KEEP KEEP KEEP. Keep it I say! Keep it forever and look at it 5 time's a day like I have since finding it two weeks ago. Then frame it like so you can continue to read it everyday til infinity.

A note of my mother's. I have never seen it before now. In her beautiful handwriting. With her perfectly looped g's and f's and y's  that I loved so much.

It's a list. Of things she had loved. I thought... when did she write this? There is no date what-so-ever to be found. The paper is old, aged. Was she twenty five? Thirty five? 

 I sat mesmerized as I read through each one. Like a little, super short glimpse of her life on paper. The things she LOVED. Did I ever really know ALL of the thing she loved? She was a lover of life. Really she was.

I couldn't help but think these thing as I read certain items:

pipe smoke - her gradfather smoked a pipe and I can alway remember her talking about the wonderful smell of his pipe when she was a child. She truly loved this.

butterfly's- one of her favorite things on earth. Truly!

hot coffee -  me too mama, me too!

brown eyes - mine perhaps? (smile)

new shoes - I didn't know she loved new shoes!

dimples - her very favorite thing about my Austin

What a treasure I found. For a sentimentalist (there's that word again), junk keeping, scrapbooking, detailed sap like me, I had just hit a goldmind. Most of the rest of the stuff could be tossed at this point. I'd found a keeper. Loved it!

Such a sweetie she was.

 

Now, what things have I loved? Truly loved? I will ponder.

It's good to clean out the junk and get organized.

 What I've learned from this experience... the gold/treasure that lies within a pile of junk can be found if your willing to take the time to sift through it all.

"Really, really." (name that movie)

Try it you'll like it.

I think.

Over and out.

The SLM

 

Halloween Sneak Peek (kinda)

It is really, really, really, really, really hard to try and convince the little brother

to not want to be just like the big brother.

 

And so ladies and gentlemen... even though I have yet to come across a real life Edward Cullen, I most certainly have the Volturi. Like in my household. Sorta.

More bone chillin pics to come.

Oh and be careful... your neck is showing.

 

Now please eat drink and be scary, life's to short not to.

The SLM

 

Misery. (and all that it encompasses)

Long story short here peeps. Or at least I'm gonna try real hard to make it short. But I have a feeling that it won't come out that way. Short that is. Here goes. I've felt bad lately. Real, real bad. Thought I had the flu. Started last thursday at 3:42pm. I realize you are not my doctor and I am not sitting in an exam room (like I was yesterday) needing to tell you specifics, but I must. It's necessary. Kinda.

Anyway, thought it was the flu. Nausea, fever, chill's, ache's, pain's, and lethargy. (always wanted to type the word lethargy) I immediately thought FLU. Possibly H1N1. We all know that Matt Lauer is doing his job really, really well when all of a sudden one day when you are not feeling oh so very well, the first thing you blurt out is "HOLY MOLY I have swine flu". Yes, we all throughly have the *bleep* scared out of us and it's all Matt's fault. Thanks Matt! Just kidding, I don't watch Matt Lauer.

But seriously wouldn't you think flu? That's what I would think. That's what I thought. It's how I thunk. (forgive me)

But... I was still functioning and since I was still able to somewhat function I thought perhaps it was not the flu. And then I moved onward. I tend to do that even when faced with serious health symptoms. I just keep on keepin on. I'm weird like that.

Here are several example's of how I truly think, do, or roll when something like this happens: 

1. Been shivering since friday.   -  I think I better make several loaf's of bread, a double layer cake and a chicken spaghetti casserole for the boys. 

2.Feeling nothing but bone crushing fatigue.  -  Went and walked two mile's with the dog, did my Jillian Michael's 20 minute shred workout video and 50 push-up's. Cause I thought it would help.

3.Head feel's as if it might explode into nothingness.  -  Today I shall paint a replica of Michelango's Creation of Adam from the Sistine Chapel on my bathroom ceiling today. 

Yes, this is how I operate. Why? Why do I ignore? Ignore and move forward despite being two step's away from hospitalization.

"You won't be happy unless you're going mock2 with you're hair on fire" (name that movie) This is me. I just can't help it.

 This is also by the way where my youngest offspring get his non-stop-ness. Non-stop-ness? Yes, peeps it's a true inherited trait.  A sad trait to inherit, but true indeed.

Anyway, the symptoms got worse and my behavior as well. I yelled at the kids, snapped at the dog, and told the mail man to get a life. Not really on that last one, but I wanted to.

Still could not put my finger on just what was going on with me, myself and me.

Then, while I lay there thinking to myself that having baboo shoots run under my fingernails would be less uncomfortable than this, it dawned on me. Like a revelation the size of Texas I realized that I was feeling exactly the way I felt four years and 18 days ago in December (I think it was a tuesday) when I woke one dark and stormy morning, stood up out of my bed and fell completely over. My entire body just toppled over and hit the wall. I was DIZ-EE. Then I went to the walk-in-clinic. After someone drove me there of course. Then after one urine test and a game of 50 questions they proceeded to tell me I could go immediately to the ER or they could start a IV right there because I was the proud owner of an out of control urinary tract infection. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Festive Kwanza for that matter! It was horrible. 

All that said. I have one again. A UTI.  Make's you feel like you are dying. Really does. No happy feeling's here. Just croaking. You just feel like totally and completely keeling over. But good new's! Once I realized what was wrong I was 15 kinds of happy. Like I had won the lottery. Even if my body still felt like it wa going through a pasta press. It was such a relief because I realized I wasn't dying from swine flu, toe nail cancer, or a rare form of mongolian chicken pox. Which several times a month I'm convined I am dying from. I realize I'm weird. Just accept it and go on. I have.

But the kids did have fresh baked bread to eat. See?

 

They were not affected one little bit by my illness.

 

And the dog got walked. He did not suffer either.

 

Nope just me and my urinary tract. Alone in our misery. Aren't you so glad I told you this?

Thought so.

Until next time. (Halloween Sneak Peek coming up)

Over and Out

The  Sideline Mom (with the vunerable urinary tract apparently)

 

 

Kiddo's has them some skillz. (or something like that)

Remember this?. The skate competition the boys participated in this past September.

First it was originally scheduled for July. Then it was cancelled due to rain here in Middle Tennessee (imagine that)

Then the boys got really upset when they heard the news and acted badly.

Then I decided I was moving to Bermuda. Alone. I do this on a regular basis.  The reason being...I live with boys. Don't judge me. I'm entitled. Or not.

Then they rescheduled the competition for September.

Then in September the boys participated and had a marvelous time.  Mo won this. A skateboard. He won it for having the most beat up board on the ramps that day. And for being fearless. Or competing despite being fearful. However you would like to look at it.

 

But neither one placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd.

Where did they place we asked? They said they would post the scores later.

So we waited.

And watched.

And checked. Here www.franklinskateshop.com

And waited some more..

And then... this.

 

So close.

And yet so very far.

Morgan 4th

Austin   9th

Out of seventeen competitors.... it's not a bad place to land. For either of them.

And yes Mo did beat out his bother (4 year's his senior) 

In fact he beat out most of the other's who were well into they're teens.

We were happy for them.

 

Here's what knowledge we gained from the experience. 

Get out there and do something scary.

 

It's fun.

It's worth it. 

I Promise.

 

 

Over and out.

The SLM 
 
  
  

And the winner is....

So this nifty Fusion Graffiti backpack goes to...

Comment #4 Posted by: Charlie who said:

I was that kid not to long ago. I skated with broken wrists, shattered coller bones and even an ruptured appendix. I had my fair share of  sprained and broken ankles too. While waiting on the application process for the US Marshal Service to complete (99% done!!), Irecently graduated college andn took on the role of assistant coach to the towns Dixie Youth baseball league, coaching a minor league team (4th and 5th graders). I'd still coach baseball with a broken foot. Getting out there and enjoying the sport I love with a group of 14 boys who love it just as much as I did when I was there age (and through highschool) really brightens up my week. There isn't much to do now that friends have moved on and the job you want to get still hasn't knocked on the door, and being out there on the field, helping the guys hone the skills they need to furthur themselves  in the hobby that I love is something I wouldn't give up right now, reguardless of the situation

Well Charlie, you sound as if you have the same demeanor as my overly eager, super tenacious Morgan. (God bless your mother, I feel her exhaustion) Sounds like nothing hold's you back and you must certainly have the determination of a herd of wild horses. Keep up the good work. Hope the backpack come's in handy. Oh and keep up the coaching as long as you can. The world needs more young guys like you with a passion to help those gangly, adolesent boys who eat, sleep and breath the game of baseball. God speed and more power to ya.

 E-mail your address. I want to get that backpack to you as soon as possible. 

And I must say, this first  giveaway was mighty enjoyable. I think I'll do it again. Soon. And I promise the next one will be just as  spectacular. 

Watch for it.

Over and out.

The Sideline Mom  

This particular child and Sidelinemom's first giveaway

How do you solve a problem like my Morgan?

How do catch a cloud and pin it down?

How do you find a word that means "this child"?

A flibbity jibbit, a will-of-the wisp, a clown.

Many a thing you know you'd like to tell him.

Many a thing he ought to understand.

But how do you make him stay and listen to all you say?

How do you keep a wave upon the sand.

 

My answer. You can't. I've tried.

I said "Mo, your foot is broken, you are wearing a boot and you cannot skateboard"! I found him in the garage on his ramp doing that very thing anyway. Yes, skateboarding. Then I said again "You can't do that"! and he says with nothing but total enthusiam in his voice "Yes I can! Watch Mom"! while performing a rock-to-fakie, super-de-duper skate board trick. What ever that is. Then I whacked my head on the garage wall three times. It makes me feel better. And then I said "I give up!" There simply is not a way to stop this child.

Do you see my delimma? Feel my pain? Have one just like him? Maybe we can share strategy. It could ease the tension possibly.

This would be him. In his boot. And yes! At the skatepark! Doing his stuff.

 

There was a skate clinic. He went. He skated. He succeeded. (as well as you can succeed with a big boot on your foot) 

You can't, as they say, keep a good boy down.

 

So in honor of overcoming adversity, facing a problem by plowing right over it or just plainly refusing to give up (or in my case finally giving up) I though this would be a great time to give something away for thee very first time here at The Sidelinemom.

 The wonderful people at www.Toysandgamesonline.com  are helping The Sideline Mom with that very thing.  Toys and games online is a great website and I might add not only limited to toys and games but also cool things like kids sporty room decor, bikes, backpacks, wall art, crib bedding and some really great furniture like twin beds found on one of ToyandGamesOnline's sister site's.  Which, I myself was hoping Mo would be in right now. His bed that is. Perferrably with his foot elevated at this particular time.

 But as they say, That ain't ever gonna happen"!

 I've lost that battle people. I've lost it in the worst kind of way. But let's not wallow in defeat okay? 

So!

Today we are giving away... 

The Fusion Backpack

In Graffiti.

Every skater needs one. Or football player. Or golfer for that matter. It would also make a great Christmas present for you're little whipper snapper. Or your husband. Even your wife. Boyfriend, girlfriend, boss or Aunt Mildred in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Like Totally dude. Or not.

Or yourself. That would work also.

You'll look totally rad I'm sure.

 

If you would like a chance to win this totally rad Graffiti backpack, with it's three zippered sections, music port and lightweight, super strong material, in the comments and in the name of all that is right and good in the world just tell me one crazy thing.

If you had a broken foot what's the one thing you would continue to do despite the pain and bulkiness of the whole situation?

Winner will be chosen by 8:00 pm wednesday night. Limited to US residents only at this time. 

 

Oh and one last thing.

How do you solve a problem like my Morgan?

How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?

Over and out.

The Sideline Mom

   

My kind of gift wrapping.

Hey guys SideLine Mom here.

 I made something.

 I thought I would share.

I can tell you're excited. Or not. Ok, here goes anyway.

Little story first. Real quick I promise.

Not only does my littlest punkster have a October birthday but guess what!... so do several of his friends. Three on the same day. (actually one is the very next day-but they are all squished together) They all love each other.(most of the time) It's spectacular and stuff

 Here are the little knuckle heads. (I mean that in the most loving of terms) Birds of a feather flock together so they say. These guys are a lot alike in personality. Almost too alike sometimes. Too many chiefs, not enough indians. Get my drift. But they actually thrive, enjoy and benefit from being in one another's company. It's fun to watch. Plus they are just super duper cute. Super Duper.

Ok, done with my story now.

 
So when you have a best bud's birthday party to attend any ol' giftwrap and greeting card just won't do. You gotta kind of pump up the volume so to speak.

So I gathered a few things.  Here's what you do. Or what I do. Or whoever want's to do it.

 
The gift being presented was a gift card and large candy bar. Because everybody need's one. A large candy bar that is. Or a gift card for that matter. I personally would love both myself. Like, right now please. Thank you.

 
Ok, so. You will need a little bag. I save these particular bags from scrapbooking supplies that I purchase from time to time. I re-use them alot. They can be opened and resealed at the bottom. I have a million and 1. You can borrow some if you like.  

 
I then measure and cut a piece of red cardstock or blue cardstock or magenta or chartruse or any other color that floats your boat or matches your team's jersey's or birthday party theme to fit inside the resealable bag. How's that for a run on sentence? Geez Louise!

Then adhere the candy and gift card to the cardstock and slip it into the bag.

After that you need pictures, another piece of cardstock, (white preferably) and this will now create you're bag topper. Well, IT won't create the topper for you. You must do it. No lazy peeps round these parts.  

 

 Next , square punch the photo's you have chosen. Or just cut them. But oh how I love my square punch. I love it as big as the sky. I'm sorry, I exaggerate way to much. Onward!

  
Then adhere them to your topper with a few scraps of colored paper. For color. Of course.

 

Then it's time for an embellishment. Cause we all need a little embellishment.

"The  only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize." (name that movie)  

This would be a box of chipboard embellishments. I love chipboard. I love it as big as ... oh never mind, you get it by now.

 
I'm going to use this one I think. It called to me from deep within the package. I listened.

 
But it was plain and colorless. Sort of like my wardrobe at this present time. THAT is for sure another story for another time.

You may color it if you so choose. I so choose.

 
Then I adhered blue paper to the back and cut it around it.

 

Then adhere it to the topper. I will add this little guy's jersey # here into the center in a minute. Please be patient.

 

Next staple the topper to the bag like so.

 

And there you have it. Almost.

 

To hide the  staples we need a little somethin, somethin. Ah yes, ribbon. It will also work well for my tag.

 
My tag works as my greeting card and extra embellishment for the gift. It's a multi-tasker like me. I heart multi-taskers.

Make a very simple tag with a picture and coordinating papers.

 
Add a greeting. Greeting's are nice. Kinda.

 
Hole punch!  "TOE PICK!" (name that movie) So sorry, so very, very sorry. I'm a movie fanatic.

 
This leads me to a accidental idea.When I spotted (no pun intended) the hole punched holes that had fallen after I punched them I thought, CONFETTI!

 
So, I went there.

Then I opened up the re-sealble bag and dropped them in. They looked so very cute. I promise. 

 
After we wrote on the back of the tag and properly attached it we had a cute and nifty gift.

 

His little buddy will treasure it for years to come. Or at least I know his mother will.

 

Now, go make something!

Over and Out.

The Sideline Mum , Mom, Mama Ceeta or Mom. (you can call me what ever you want just don't cal  lme late for dinner) hee hee ho ho I crack myself up.

Bye.

 
 
  

 

 

 

 

Celebrating 8

We started with a homemade cake. Nothing tastes better. Plus I would never deprive my children of licking the beaters as I was allowed to do so many, many times as an itty bitty punk.

 

There is always one goofball in the mix. (No pun intended)

 

I also bought myself a pasty bag and I wanted to use to use it real bad. This is what I got. It was major fun.

 

A few gifts

 

A lot of excitement.

 

One brothers last baseball game. "Are we really at the all field on my birthday mom?" 

 
 Actually he was fine with it.

I was the one having a problem with it. Oh yea, I'm smiling on the outside alright, but on the inside I'm just a boiling cesspool of frustration and angst. I don't care if I'm The Sideline Mom, I'm done with baseball people!

 

A quick dinner out with the fam.

 

One birthday wish. Shhhh don't tell anyone or it won't come true. (Did you say that as a kid?)

 

A great  time was had by all.

Happy Birthday to my

Intense

Thrill Seeking

Fearless

Adventure Loving

Dirt Magnet

of a boy.

Happy Birthday to you. (and many more)

Over and out.

The SLM
  

 
 
   

Last day of being Seven.

He's leaving his seventh year.

 
 Never to return. Today IS the last day of his sevenhood. Sevenhood?

 
It was a fun year.

 
Full of adventure.

 
Broken bones.

 
His typical Craziness.

 

On occasion, desperation (due to the fact that his mother is his school teacher) "Write your spelling words boy"!! (sorry, that just sorta slipped out)   

 

Hey Mo you do realize that when you turn eight it means everyday you must wake up at 8:00 am. No exceptions.  This would be his "What cho talkin bout Willis" face.

 

"Mom, are you serious"?!! (this is where my evil cackle escapes me) "No, I joke, I joke kiddo"! 

 

"You are so funny mom"! And weird. (he tell's me I'm weird on a regular basis)

 
Ahhh yes seven. You've been wonderful to him. We are grateful.  For every second of every minute of every day of every week of every month of this past year. So very grateful.

 

Tomorrow we gotta "CEL-LEE-BRATE GOOD TIMES, COME ON! So I'm off to bake a cake. I'll have a piece for you alrighty?!!

Over and Out 

The SLM.
  

 

 

 
  

I have a few things to do.

Do I dare start another post with "I'm busy"? Probably not. Wait a second... maybe I just did anyway. Well.... ok, I am. Busy that is. Just like all of you, I'm sure. BUSY! It's how we roll here in the 21 st century. Right? Busy also make's it hard to keep up with some of the things we love to do. As a general rule, women rarely take time for themselves and let's not even mention doing thing's that we truly love. Ok, lets DO mention it. A few of those for me would be blogging and scrapbooking. I could also add to the list painting, shopping, watching movies, reading, organizing, cooking, baking and candlestick making. Just kidding on that last one. Actually I'm  not. I have issues. But there are so many things. So, so many, that I love, love, love to do. But of course I cannot do them all. At least not all the same time. Now that would be a sight wouldn't it? I have been trying to balance it all for awhile now. Love that word. Balance. It rolls off the tongue so nicely. Say it with me. B A L A N C E.  Ahhh, beautiful, beautiful word indeed.

 

Here are a few of the things I'm trying to balance right now.

Things Sideline Mom does on a daily/weekly/monthly basis

• Eating right and exercise. (I have come to learn you can't give this one up)
• Walking the dog (this does not always count as exercise-unless I have not excercised then it does)
• Homeschool (Two grade levels I might add-Heaven help me-notice one empty chair...that would mean my youngest offspring is still asleep, one of the many reasons why we now homeschool)
•  
• Laundry (can't the kids just run around naked like in ancient days)
• Cleaning out the car (at times I could have fed a third world country with what was in the floors of mine- not really )
• Folding laundry (can't I just let them dig out what they need from the basket)
• Time by myself (ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha)
• Dishes (run the dang dishwasher twice most days)
• Grocery shopping (only shopping I have time for these days so.. I like it) 
• Cooking ( I like this one-most days)
• Cleaning (dusting, vacumn, toilets, trash, etc. times infinity)
• Painting my toe nails (ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ) 
• Organizing (it's a must and a continual project as your family grows and changes unless youwant to end up like one of those family's on CLEAN HOUSE - that would be embarrassing. Would it be overly dramatic to state that this shelf below completely, unconditionally and irrevocably saved my life "He saved me, in every way that a person can be saved" - name that movie  )
• Time with boys (homeschooling does not apply here - unless I have not spent time with them then it does)
• sports (for the boys of course.  I gave up water polo a long time ago. Here is half of a scrapbook layout of Mo doing just that-sports. I'll show the whole layout later, I promise)
• Haircuts (I have not had one in a year but the boys start to look a little freaky after awhile. Ok..., so do I. )
• Doctor appointment's (not to mention the unexpected ones-By the way Mo broke his foot AGAIN this past weekend, They truly know us all by our first names at the orthopedist. You think I'm kidding. I so would not kid bout this one. Like totally ) Picture taken from last broken foot.
• Dentist/Ortho appointment's
• scrapbooking (it matters-this little project shown below I am SOOO excited about. I'll show it to you later. I promise. )
• Photography (can't scrapbook without it, hello)
•  Blogging (now what would you do if you could not read the insanity of my life on a weekly basis)
• I could go on but I'll stop for now. I know you are glad.

So, I know really that everyone leads a busy life. I know this. I really do. It also help's to write it all down at times. An unexamined life is not worth living so they say. So just wondering. What does your list look like. Have you  written it down lately. It's helpful. It really, really is. Just saying

Over and out.

Love and giggles.

The Sideline Mom 

 

 

 

  

A serving of random-ness.

I've been busy. Life is busy. It's ok, I like busy. Kinda. What I am trying to say is a busy life is just fine with me. Never mind. I really don't know what I am trying to say. Let's just move on shall we.

Here's what's going on.

I went back to Cincinnati this past weekend. With the boys.  We did this for two reasons.

First,  I told these cuties here

 that I would come back soon and bring they're so-called "cousins" for a fun visit. I am a woman of my word if nothing else.

Second, with the monsoon type atmosphere that we have found ourselves in over the last couple of weeks here in our lovely Middle Tennessee area, most of these

 

 have been cancelled.  So we did not miss any games in taking a quick trip up north. I am a woman who demands that my children to be in perfect attendance while playing on any ball team if nothing else. It's just how I roll. I'm crazy like that and stuff.

It was a fun trip. I'll tell you all about it later. I promise. Or not.

Homeschool: Off to a great start. Following a more regimented plan this year. It can get a little stuffy. I might have to change it up a bit here an there. Don't want to be boring teacher or anything. That would be as bad as... well I don't know, but it could be really bad. 

 

Next: More scrapbook pages.

One for A-Train

 

One for Mo.

 

I've set a goal. A 100 layout's by December 2010. It's approximately 2 layout's a week.   T o t a l l y   do-able. I'm gonna go for it man.

Next: I have weird kids. This is I how I found Austin walking around the house a few days ago. You think I'm kidding. I so do not kid about weird-ness.  He was just going about his business in this manner. Weird. I have no better word for it.

 

As you may know, he has a brother who want's to do everything just like his weird brother. He want's to be one of the weird ones. What can I say?  "ANDY... YOU GOONIE!!" (name that movie-and who screams the line?-I watched it 1 million times as a kid)

 This copy-cat thing is a problem. But, I am choosing the battles I wish to partake in these day's and this is not one of them. Let the weirdness fly I say.

Next: the Skateboarding fetish: It a strong one peeps. This one want's to show me skating gear 24 hour's a day. He follow's me around. I can't get away. (plz look away from the junk on my counter in the background of this pic- it happens)

 He show's me all sorts of things. Board's, decks, wheels, grip's, bearing's, ...     "Sporto's, motorheads, geeks, dweebs, bloods, wastoids, dweebies" (again, name that movie) 

It's starting to drive me a little insane (scuse me while I go  wack my head against the wall a few times) **short pause** Ok, I'm back. I feel better now.

 

Anyway, he just love's the stuff. He's got his eye on this particular deck right here. I just personally have a hard time finding all of it interesting. But I'm a good listener if I'm nothing else, or at least I try to be.

 

 

And finally the last bit of this crazy post of complete random-ness.

2 more pics and

1 overwhelming thought.

Pic #1      Austin & Sabrina

 

Pic #2     Austin & Sabrina

Now for the overwhelming thought: WHEN IN THE WORLD DID THIS HAPPEN?!!! 

Somebody? Anybody? Tell me exactly  HOW  do they grow this lightening fast?!

I realize I am suppose to be celebrating the fact that my first born is growing, maturing and moving forward in life., but right now I just want  someone to please return to me the breath that was just sucked out of my lungs as I compared these two photos.  

We're we not JUST dressing them up for the first photo above a few weeks ago? I'm sure we were. Sure of it! 

Excuse me while I go...    go....  do something. I don't know what. I need a moment or five.

Have a beautiful day.

Over and out.

Bye.

The potentially stable (somewhere in the future I hope)  Side Line Mom 

 

Because it matters.

I scrapbook. Rather sporadically, but I do scrapbook. The stories are important to me even if they are not full/complete stories so to speak and even if they don't always have facts specific to that particular event or situation. Take this recent layout for example:

  

Just a quick jot down of the day Mo got a new set of wheels on his skateboard. Not really a very detailed memory but a reminder that getting new wheels is fun and important to him. To me. To us.  I like the layout enough (going to work on page design a bit also) but I think I will start adding more details to future layouts. (if I can remember to remind myself to do this)

I recently took stock of my past scrap-booking experiences and layouts and I was not fully satisfied with what I had accomplished. (or not) Not really happy at all.

 The pages were not horribly lacking in documentation, I just would have liked to have more info for the boys to read later in life. More journaling of they're personal histories. So, I am going to go a little deeper. Keep up the scrap-booking (I was thinking of giving it up all together) but get better at getting the details in the mix. Just better overall documentation. I have lots of pics. I just don't have the specific info I want. I can be so un-specific. It's just me. Unspecific. Alway's have been a "fly-by-the-seat of my pant's kind of girl, ya know, moment to moment". So here is the question... can me, myself and me, the unspecific, vague and hazy Sonja really be more specific in my scrap-booking endeavors? This will be interesting to find out. And...   this, I guess you could say is a very, pre-new year's resolution statement from me. How's that for an early bird? I let you know. Or not.

Did any of this make sense?

Cause it matters peeps. It really does matter.

 

Over and out.

Go do something creative.

The SLM

Quick update and a bit about Mo feeling tingly.

I don't feel as if I have time to blog. But I'm going to. Because I like it. It's fun.   Also, I may go insane if I don't. So, onward we go.  

I don't have much time at the moment because the schedule for homeschool does not allow much extra time for anything. Who's idea was this whole homeschool thing again? Mine? Oh yea, ok, nevermind.

This is would be Austin's schedule. Part of it. I must keep record of his completed lessons. Or I will go loony toons on everyone. His are highlighted in orange.

 

Mo's also. Well, actually they are in yellow. Someday it will all make sense. I'm sure of it.

 

In other news: The skate competition. At our YMCA. The boys participated.  It was great. They had a good turnout. The boys did well. Meaning they both skated at they're personal best. There were a lot of kids there.

The competition had a beginner, intermediate and advanced group.  Both A and Mo were in the beginners catagory since they have only skated for about a year now. And Mo is only 7 (although soon to be 8-the countdown is on)

Austin here. He completed a few narly tricks and felt good about his efforts. Is it still cool to use the word narly? I didn't think so.

 

Mo. Well, he did his thing. He is fearless as they say. It's just the way he rolls. Just before the competition he said "Mom...I'm feeling kinda tingly" (he also said it before bed the night before) In other words..he was nervous. I like the word tingly much better don't you? 

  This would be an 8 foot "drop in" ramp folks. Strait down. And I'm just gonna throw out there for the record that I pray a lot. A whole, whole lot.  You are free to do this also if you are so inclined. Thank you very much for your participation in this matter.

 

Neither of the boys placed but Morgan did walk away with a little somethin, somethin. See his board here. It's just about as beat up as his own body is on any given day after several hours at the skate park. Yes, this little guy is as hard on his board as he is on his body and it shows. The thing is nearly torn to bits on both ends.

 

At end of the competition this guy here who own's the local skate shop and who was a pro himself    (skated with Tony Hawk-also held the worlds record for highest olley at one time-if you don't know what that is there's a Learn the Skateboard trick names and they're definitions here  at 8:00pm )     asked the crowd of competitors who they thought had the most beat up board. Mo won by a long shot. Plus, he said Morgan was pretty fearless for a 7 yr old. Here is the new board.

 

From that smile and gleam of total awe radiating from his face one would think he had just won the Heisman and that the board was made of pure gold.

 He. 

Was. 

Thrilled.

He was just ridiculously happy people. And after riding this one for so long...

 

who could blame him.

Only problem now.... he thinks he can do this. 

 

This would be one of the advanced competitors and actually he skated at the X Games this year. He is a pro from Nashville. Morgan thinks he hung the moon.  And again... he thinks with the new board this stunt is a possibility. Does anyone have a few bottles of vodka calming words for his mother. I would be forever indebted.

Anyway, a great time was had by all.

  

Oh and this smile

 

went to bed with him that night. Never has one lasted so long.

Until next time peeps.

Over and out.

The SLM

 

Homeschool, baseball and my sanity. (or lack thereof, not in that particular order)

School has started, fall ball is in full swing (no pun intended) the laundry, dishes, grocery shopping and other misc. nightmare chores that call my name on daily hourly basis are not looking as if they plan on setting sail anytime soon. Sidelinemom is tired. I just am. So the story goes people. I totally realize that you've heard it all before. But really, I am fatigued in a permanent way. Suppose it comes with the territory. Just felt it necessary to state that for the record for some reason. And, just a quick reminder: the holidays are on their way. Ya know Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas. Not to depress you or anything, but they are coming. Lovely.

Pics below for Dad (sorry I have not called-I will this weekend-Love you) Do you think it odd that I leave messages to my father via my blog posts? Is that just weird?  I have to fit in tidbits of communication anywhere I can folks. I'm a busy woman.

They are the Durham Bulls this season. In the fall, the uniforms sport minor league team logos. Veddy, veddy interesting. The team names are interesting I mean. Here are a few.  You have the Lookouts,  Casper Ghosts, Nuts, (yes there is a team called the Nuts) Iron Pigs, (yep) Sand Nats, and Lake Monsters. Like I said veddy, veddy interesting. Go figure, cause I can't. Just to weird.

Nice swing. He's been working on it specifically. It shows.

   

Pitching. He loves to pitch. So very, very much.

 

This is still his best position.

 

But in fall ball it's all about trying new things. Like this.

 

Catching for the first time. He never wanted to try it before now. But, spontaneously, he does.

Then there's this little guy here. Good golly miss molly.

  

He has his mom's heart COM-pletely. He just does.

 

And everywhere he goes, that heart of mine goes with him. Yep, sure does. It  travels right along. Around bases, diving for baseballs, flying full speed down skateboard ramps. He's got it and..... um...     let me just say one thing ahead of time here to my future daughter-in-law.(should she happen to be reading this)   I apologize.   I apologize for the fact that,    well....   he's mine. It's gonna be interesting. Just sayin.

I know. I have issues. Just hush alright. 

Here he is with his guys. Ya know, his amigos, buddies, pals, homies. We, (their mothers and I- ok just me really) like to call them The Three Musketeers, The Holy Trinity, Larry, Curly and Mo, The Triple Threat or on particular days The Knuckleheads. Whatever fits at that time. They have been playing football and baseball together since thay were babies. Wait! They are still babies. Nevermind. I don't know what I'm talking about. Anyway, they work together like internal gears of a fine swiss watch, like a well oiled machine, like, like, like a trio of 7 yrs olds who really just "get" one another. Heck, I don't  know what to compare the compability they have with one another too really, but it's just ridiculously fun to watch, if you know what I mean.  It really is. 

  

 

Now on a much, much more personal note. Kinda. These next few pics will give you a visual on my present reality. If I could please have a moment of silence from ya'll.

The homeschool curriculum arrived a week ago. Fed Ex man had to carry them in. He did not look real pleased. I mean it is his job for crying out loud. Right?!! Sorry, little touchy these days. 

 

After the boxes were unpacked

 

This is what was very apparent to me, myself and me . I am in trouble.

 

 Big, huge, ginormous trouble. 

 

And with instructor manuals that look like this. It only spelled one thing.

More trouble. I can hear Travis Tritt singing it right now "I smell T R O U B L E." Yes, I smell it too. Like my dog on the floor in front of me, who has not been bathed in nearly 2 months. Stinky man.

 

Can I get a valium prayer from you sisters out there? I could really use one. Naw, actually, I really think it will all be ok.

I've also taken up enough of your time at this point, so before I make even more of a fool out of myself I will go. Go and crawl into a dark and drafty corner somewhere and rock violently back and forth while pulling my hair's out one at a time until I feel a little better. Don't worry bout me, I'll be just fine, really.

More updates from the homeschool front later. *honest little secret* the impending doom of being a homeschool mom is not nearly as bad as it seems. I promise. I think.

Until next time.

Over and out.

Thanks for listening.

The Sidelinemom

 

 

Organization. (I realize most of you will never read past this title-It's ok, I love you anyway)

I promise this will be very short and tolerable sweet. Had to get things in order man. I was being suffocated by stuff. Not really. But we did have quite a few things I just did not have a storage place for. Nice home, just not enough storage space. Story of my life. It's gut wrenching. Again, not really.

Stuff.

 I had been comtemplating what in the world to do about this stuff for a long time. Far to long. A long, long, super long time. It was stuff that had to be  kept/stored. Plus about 5 boxes of books in the garage. Read much? I couldn't just throw it away. I have thrown a lot away already. Plus homeschooling books and supplies. Eeek! What to do? Here is my final answer Regis. I went to Ikea. It was a quick fix. As opposed to a built-in. And more cost effective too. But we do not have a local Ikea.

Drove to Cincinnati to pick it up. Shipping was ridiculous. Plus my BFF is there. Why not? Can you believe we don't have Ikea here in Nashville. Why? It's a tragedy of epic proportions. Ikea, why ever won't you come to us?

But I got to see these beauties in the process. My BFF's offspring. Worth every mile I drove.

Found a bookcase/wall unit. Actually I spent hours online at they're website, so I knew just what to get. Walked in. Bought the darn thing. Brought it home already.

First I had to put it together. This is one of my least favorite things about Ikea. You must assemble the stuff. I'll get over it I suppose. Maybe not.  Look at the chaos.

 

Then I did what I do most day's when faced with something this heinous and frightening. I made Molten Chocolate cake with real whipped cream. Then I ate it. It was undisputably and totally the right thing to do. *Burp*

 

After the cake, I put my big girl panties on and proceeded onward.  29 hours and 93 minutes later I had this. Is proceeded a word? I didn't think so.

 

Sweet baby Jesus!

I spent the next 24 hours sorting stuff and loading it up. Almost did not make it out breathing. Oh and those beautiful black storage boxes hold a multitude of sins. And no one can see them. It's inspiring, really it is.

 

Lots of room to  spare. As Martha would say "It's a good thing" Now homeschool does not seems so life sucking. Actually I think it is just the stuff that was lifesucking. Organization is a beautiful thing. It is. Do it. Go for it. It's a must. Oh, so is the Molten Chocolate cake. You can find it here. www.tastykitchen.com You will never regret it. I promise.

Over and out.

Until the next goofy story, go get organized! I'll set you free. Promise.

he Sideline Mom.

 

Wanna get away?

My little Mo. He's a different bird. Marches to the beat of a different drum. Always has. Just the way he rolls. Despite the fact that he has a spectacular bedroom with numerous nifty toys, bookshelfs full of books and a comfy cool set of bunk bed he has decided that he does not want to exhist there for now. He has decided that it would be much more fun to destroy his mothers living room and make a fort for shelter from the elements. Or from his brother, I'm not sure which. But he has most certainly devoured this room with his creative appetite . See? (his dad also helped)

   

Quite an elaborate set up I might add.

 

It consists of every couch cushion I own plus the couple from the oversized chair. Two ottoman's for extra support and it sports a tricky sleeping bag roof. With a few throw pillows "thrown" in for good measure.

 

Oh and one very happy boy resides there. Now he is not so very bored while awaiting our homeschool curriculum to arrive for this year.

 

He is camped out. Even has reading material and a lantern. (and a few baseball caps-gotta have those) Smart boy. Yesterday he even recieved (in his fort mailbox) a letter from the chick who is his teacher for this year. She sound like a really cool lady. I think he is going to like her. I may even like her too.

Actually I've been invited in a time or two. You should see the way in which my body must contort to get in the place. Ummm.. actually...on second thought...no you shouldn't. It would ruin your day, or your appetite. Possibly both.

 

Really I'm just glad the child is entertained. I can only be a one-woman Disney Land for so long man.

 

Then I must morph into a teacher. Perhaps that's why I'm up to two glasses of wine in the evenings. I kid. (or not)

Just keepin it real.

Love and giggles,

 The Sideline Mum

"I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn." -Albert Einstein

"I have never let school intervere with my education." -Mark Twain

"School is a building, education is where you are."

"Education is not sitting in a school house. Education is learning and that can be done anytime and anywhere - as long as the mind is willing." - Mentor Graham Abraham Lincon's teacher 

 

 

To much work and no camera to take pics of it makes Sideline Mom a boring girl.

So my camera is in New Jersey. At the Canon factory. Getting cleaned and repaired. (I hope) Yep, it's true.  I hate it. Being in this particular pinch make's me feel a little like a fish without water, a flower without sun, the child without the mother, the goth teenager without they're black eyeliner. I'll stop there before it all goes you know where in a hand basket. But you get my drift. It's plain horrible being without a camera when you... well... take pictures nearly everyday of your life. But, due to the fact that I do take picture's nearly everday of my life I have plenty just hanging around for times just like these. Times when I am completely and utterly camera-less. It that a word? Camera-less?

Onward. While on our spur of the moment day trip to the Highlands of North Carolina a few weekends ago we passed this beauty of a place. The Highlands Country Club.

 

It's just plain gorgeous. It is. While driving past it's not unlikely to involuntairly slam on your breaks in order to gaze upon it's lovelyness in silent awe for a few extra moments. Your foot just hits the pedal. Can't help it much.

 It's also dangerous. And none of this is helped by the fact that you are rapidly climbing to the  top of a 4,118 foot mountain, on a very curvy two lane road. Scared the dickens out of me. And I don't even know what a dickens is. But it was scary and beautiful all at the same time. Kinda like a vampire. But that's another story for another time. Makes you just want to stop and drool. You just do. Maybe not the drool part.

  

But, stop and drool we did. My sister Jen who was so kindly driving us this particular afternoon pulled over on the side of the road so that I could jump out and get these shots. She's a darling like that.

 

I had to stand on the side of the busy, steep, car laden two lane road to get decent photos, but it was worth it. A car or five nearly clipped me while I stood there fearlessy snapping away. But that's just the way I roll. I like to live on the edge from time to time. Not really.

    

This place is beloved. You could just feel it.  It draws people in. And although I did not have time to inquire about it's history I am sure it has a intersting one. The most distinct quality I noticed was the tranquility. It was so very peaceful.

  

Even the swans floating on the serene water seemed oblivious to the mayheim of the deadly busy road I was shooting from.

 

They had no clue a crazy picture taking chick from Nashville was risking life and limb to capture they're essence. No idea whatsoever. But the park ranger did.  He watched me the whole time. He slowly pulled up beside us just after he watched me sprint across the dangerous backtop and hop back in the car. I felt like a kid who had just found her Christmas presents in the closet a week too early. 

 

His disgruntled look conveyed to us that what we had just done was ... um... not necessary. He said "Ladies you are more than welcome to pull in right over there at the club parking lot to get out and take pictures. Where all those other people are taking pictures. It's also much safer. " 

 

Ooops. We did not see the lot or all those people snapping pics like I was. We drove over anyway just to show our thanks for his kind words of advice. I even snapped a few more shots from the car to show my appreciation. But if truth be told, my shots would not have been near as good without the risk involved. Sometimes you just have to throw in a little danger for good measure. It makes for a much better story.

  

Kinda.

 

Over and out.

Be safe.

The SLM

Highlands, North Carolina. (one of the prettiest places on earth - I promise).

This past weekend the boys and I headed up yonder to Georgia to see my sister Jenni and professional chef brother in law Jason for the weekend.  It's always a fun time and the boys love they're Aunt Jenni and Uncle Jason. Really love them. One of the main reason's being that Jenni and Jason are WAY cooler than they're Dad and I. That's just the way it is. But that's another story for another time. Anyway, sometime during Jenni and I's convo about what to do with ourselves for the weekend she suggested the Highlands.  A really cool (literally- it does not get much above 75 to 80 in the summer with elevation at 4,118 feet above sea level), North Carolina www.highlandschamber.org town just across the GA. border. I said "Let's go for it"! She said "ok"!

We hit the road.          

 

She drove.

Mo danced to Justin Timberlake. (Sonja was thankful to God that it wasn't JoeBros or Miley-I'm just plain tired of it people)

 

Austin...well .. I'm not sure what he was doing. He is back there somewhere. Hiding apparently. I myself, well.... I took picture's as usual. It's my thaaang.

 

We drove about an hour and a half to get there. This is what started to appear. Gorgeous waterfall's dotted the mountainside landscape  as we made our way to the top. (this one is a bit difficult to see) 

  

Then we hit town. We started to see amazing things like this.

 

And this.

 

And THIS! I will be staying here next time I visit. I must!

 

Then we decided to get something to eat. We were starved. We ate at a place called Wild Thyme. And it was a wild time. I got my pic taken with my boys. I never do this. I don't know why. Wait... I'm always taking pics of them that's why! Whoo hoo. It was great. I like to try different things. Ya know, living on the edge every once in awhile.

 

Then one cute shot with Mo and his Aunt Jenni. Austin was MIA. Not sure where. Aren't they cute?!!!

 

Then we got ice cream cones and walked the ridiculously gorgeous town. Well I did not get ice cream, cause I did not need ice cream and plus who would take the pictures? Can't take picture's with ice cream in your hand, right? There's a weight loss tip for ya. Buy a camera! Sorry. I am such and enabler. Oh and if I'm being honest, I bought pralines instead. So much for the weight loss tip. ha!

 

 Here's a REAL weight loss tip. HIKE! Just do it people. We did. See?

 

We hiked long and hard. Mo had a blast. He embraces life at every turn. It's the way he roll's.

 

It was steep at times. And "Miss Olympian leader" up there was sprinting I believe. I was also hauling a camera backpack. A heavy camera backpack. Those praline calories didn't stand a chance I tell ya.

 

At when we reached the top, (now at 4,543 feet above sea level) this is the view we found ourselves gazing upon.

 

Mountain's as far as the eye can see. BEE-U-TI-FUL! We had a summer shower pass over so we got rained on a bit. There were several bunches of heavy clouds overhead, but it just added to the beauty of it all if you ask me.

 

Morgan could NOT have been any happier. Not one bit.

 

We all were happy. It was one spectacular trip.

 

Thanks Jen, you really know how to show your peeps a good time. We love ya! SMOOCH!

 

Until next time.(and next time I'll show you another unbelievable Highland attraction-you will be amazed)

The Sideline Mom.

I love my life that's why I celebrate it!

 

 

A first in seven years.

Football season is upon us. And normally we would be at the fields every night for the next couple weeks getting ready for the upcoming season of block's, hit's, tackles and touchdowns. But not this year. This is a first for us. In seven season's.

   

I wish I could say I'm ok with this but I'm not. At least not completely. I realize the boys wanting to do other things this fall is perfectly ok but at the same time I know and love what football teaches them every season they have a chance to be out there. 

 It helps them understand what being part of team means. Never giving up. Staying in it when the going gets tough and working towards a common goal. I love the comraderie they have with the other teammates and coaches. Working together in all things. Helping them become what I know that they can be. Winners no matter what the outcome of any game.

 

But this season looks as if  it will take a different turn. They will play fall baseball and participate in a few skateboard competions instead. Both at which they are good at and I know they will do well, I just feel that football has such invaluable lessons for us all.

 

Or maybe it's just that I will miss taking the pictures of them in action. Sports photography is my weakness ya know? But in all truth I know that it's the right thing to do this season it's just that I can't help wondering if perhaps we might regret it just a little. As we all know, we regret the things in life that we do not do more than the one's we do. 

So it's with a touch of saddness that I write this post because I know we will miss all the fun parts about football this year. The great families we have come to know and love, the kids, the excitement, the cool uniform's and the being involved with a great football organization like the one we have here in Brentwood. But truth be told we will even miss the difficult and unsavory aspects of it as well. The tough commitment, long hot practices, hard hits, heavy equipment and sometimes continuous losses. At least I know I will.

 

Just for the record Mo did spend about a day really thinking he wanted to play  this season after he had a sleepover with a buddy he played with last year. This friend was again playing this season and it put Mo in a tailspin. He said much to my surprise "I think I won't play fall baseball and not skateboard for now and go ahead and play football mom"! He said, "I really want to skateboard but I want to play football too." He's never been very good at decision making (something we are working on)

 

All in all that lasted about 2 days and he ultimately decided to stick with the original plan, and wait til next year to go back to football. Even at this age there are hard decisions to be made.

 

As for the A-train he is such a good pitcher that it's all he wants to do these days. So the decision was not quite as difficult for him. All in all I suppose it's the right choice for this year. So for now, high five's for all our peeps. We will miss you terribly. But we'll be out there to catch a game I promise.

 

We will be out there next season. Ready to Hit, Hustle and Never quit. You can count on it!

Over and out.

The Sideline Mama

"You must be willing to do the things that are not fun". - Pat Summit UT Basketball

"You have to be tough." -Mike Ditka Chicago Bears

"Play sports with passion, but always maintain balance in your life." -Sharron Backus UCLA softball

"Football is life with the volume turned up" -Unknown

 

 

This dude.

Yesterday I was going about my own business and for some reason I stopped and looked at Morgan and I mean I REALLY looked at him and I realized in a bigger way than usual that he was SO not a baby anymore. I already know this but it seemed to really hit me. First I wimpered, then I wailed then I ate a Twinkie. Just kidding I haven't bought twinkies in 17 years. Honestly.  I have issues, I realize this, but anyway he so looked like such a big boy to me. In every way. So I did what I usually do in those situations. I grabbed my camera. It calms my nerve's. Usually. 

See what I mean! He's got his typical trademark toughface going on here and all, but why does he look so much bigger to me? Perhaps it's because the round baby face is slowly disappearing, or his neck. It's thicker. Told you I have issues. Or quite possibly it's because he'll be 8 in a few months. I don't know.

  

 

Anyway you look at it my baby's growing up and I somehow must learn to celebrate this rather than mourn it.

It's life.

Have a wonderful celebrated day.

The SLM

Late Night Skate.. because they can.

The boys love to skateboard. No secret there. It's just that they want to skate 24/7. It can get exhausting. Not for them. For me. Especially when you have wonderful places like our local YMCA that think up nifty cool events like Late Night Skate nights that allow the kids to skate from 7-11pm on friday nights . I am so excited I can barley contain myself. 

Here are the boys having a totally rad time. As you may notice, Morgan would be the smallest of the bunch. But don't tell him that. Although if you did it wouldn't matter much because he think's he's just as big as the rest of them.  (yep, he is that tiny one right there in front) And to be very strait-forward and honest here folks, he can almost outskate all of them.  No lie. It's really fun to watch.

 

They skated non-stop. Nearly the whole 4 hours without a break. That's just the way they roll.

 

Luckily due to a cold-front that wafted down from Canada, or New Zealand or some other foreign country it was a really cool 65-70 degrees. I actually got a little chilly myself and they stayed much cooler than if it would have been the normal 85.

This one in the middle  had a good time also. He conquered the 8 ft ramp for the first time and continues to face his fears to do the things he so wants to accomplish out there on the ramps. I was really happy for him. And proud.

 

This one I have to tell NOT to try certain things just yet.(kinda like this crazy trick here below) For me it's a total "opposite ends of the spectrum" situation. Two boys on completely different ends of the fear meter. It's God's way of having a little fun at my expense. I'm convinced.

 

Although, I must say for the record that it's not that Mo lacks fear, it's just that he does not allow it to stop him for very long when there is something he want's to do. I think there is a lesson here in all of this but it's for another place and time. 

 So we are doing a lot of skating and shredding-aka lots of cool tricks and riding, and for me, sitting at skateparks. Sometime's late at night. Cause I'm the Sideline Mom right? It's what I do peeps.

 

So until next time, here's a question for ya... How long do you let fear stop you from doing what you know you're suppose to do? A week, a year, a day, a minute, forever? Pardon me while I go comtemplate this myself.

  

Hope you have a spectacularly fearless day!

Over and Out.

The SLM

 

 

 

My great summer find.

Most of you know I love flowers. If you don't know that...  hey peeps, I love me some flowers. They are one of my things. Always have been. So when I hit the market each week, I look.  I may not buy. But I always look for sure dude's and dudette's. So this week as I sauntered by the floral department to what do my wandering eyes should appear.. these babies!

 

Gladiolas. And glad they did make me. But the price was even more spectacular. Try like 20 stems for the nifty, thrifty price of 6 bucks. Say what? (Whole Foods-Franklin for you locals) You got that right.  I had to double check, but tis true. Two bunches for 6 daa-la! Only thing I love more than flowers... a bargain. And perhaps camera equipment. I digress.

Anyway they are beautiful in every single way, so those babies came home with mama and have been blessing my eyes ever since.

 

The color is so beautiful it's hard to describe. A rosy, pinkish coral with just the slightest hint of purple. Spectacular! They're disposition, elegant, strong yet tender.

 

And the petals so exquisite I could stare all day. That is if I didn't have 18 loads of laundry, 68 piles of dishes and 1893 other things I have to get done. I never exaggerate much.

 

Even the colorless white one's made my heart go pitter-pat. They just do, don't ask me how or why. I don't know. 

I said to the check out girl. These beauties just made my whole month! The bagger said "Wow, doesn't take much to make you happy does it?" Nope I don't suppose it does. If you think flowers are not much. But to me they really are something.

May your day flower with beauty.

Much love,

The Sideline Mom

Flowers have an expression of countenance as much as men or animals. Some seem to smile, some have a sad expression, some are pensive and diffident, others again are plain, honest and upright. -Henry Ward Beecher

Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light. -Theodore Roethke

 

 

Funny face I love you.

Mo has taken it upon himself to make sure I get in a more photos here and there. It's his new mission. He's not a bad photographer I must admit. Maybe just another way he is taking after his mama. (smile)

So I suppose you'll be seeing a lot more of me round these parts. So here goes. (there is a black smudge on the bottom of my lense I did not know about til after 4 days of taking pics-nice)

 

Quite composed here I must say. So nice and serene. Then...

 

we got a little nutty.

 

Then we headed into crazy territory.

 

Oh my. Then our nice peaceful lake snapshots all went to hell in a hand basket.

 

I suppose that's enough for now folks. We'll try again next year.

 

Have a wonderful funny face day.

The SLM.

Bye.

 

Yesterday we said our goodbyes.

"You wear grief as a badge of how well you loved, grief is an expression that you loved well." - Elizabeth Lesser

Our whole city is grieving. Grieving like never before. We lost a Titan. THE Titan. The Ultimate. The mammoth warrior Steve McNair and it is such a huge loss. We are grieving here in Tennessee and the world over. 

It was hard not to love him. Nearly impossible. With a smile and attitude so radiant it could warm the most glacier like football fan's on the coldest of game day's. He grinned and the glow from those pearly whites lit up the entire vicinity in which he stood. I think that's how he stole our heart's from the beginning. That smile. A winners smile. There was also his love of community, people and the kids. His graciousness in giving back. All of it was heartfelt and he made it look effortless. He was a true giver. Then of course there was his ability on the field. I had never been so mesmerized by a football player. Never really watched much football before the time the Titans and Steve came to town. Steve McNair was the first quarterback, first player, I ever really watched intently. Perhaps it interested me because just a few months prior to the Titans coming to town I had my first son and I just instinctively gravitated towards what I thought or knew my boy would someday be interested in.  Football and the centerpiece of football. The quarterback.

 

Steve holding Austin at 6 months old. I think he said something like it was good practice for him since his wife was soon expecting they're first son. I think Keith also told Steve to try not to "pass" Austin if he could help it. We all laughed. It was a good day.

 

Perhaps it was because the NFL had come to my town and I felt an certain connection or ownership to the organization and I thought of him as my quarterback. 

 

Titans Superbowl parade. Downtown Nashville. We were excited!

Perhaps it's a combination of all of these things but more than anything now I think it was more about who he was personally and the way he played the game.

 

Watching Steve McNair and the Titans preseason practices at TSU before they had they're own practice facilities. First season they came to town. Here Eddie George and Kevin Dyson are taking a breather and being interviewed before they signed autographs.

I remember most of all loving the moments when he would be in a tough spot and had to run the ball. The scramble, the determination, the tenacity, the skill and ultimately the victory. The heart. He had it and a lot of it. That is what we loved so much about him and that is why we hurt so much today. We loved him well.

He was the beauty of life in motion. He won us over with the love he had for us. Love of his family, friends and fans. He did what he did on that field for the people he loved and he did it in a way that showed us just how much he loved us. He loved us well also. All of Tennessee will be forever grateful for that. It's said that gratitude is the heart's memory. I, one solitary fan am grateful for his time with us and that we had the chance to love and know him. I know I forever will be grateful for that. We will miss him much. In our hearts he will forever be our beloved #9.

All my prayers and thoughts are with his boys, family and loved ones. May they find peace through all of this.

Over and out.

The Sideline Mom

 

 

1,2,3 jump!

And that's what they did. ALL weekend. Just got back from 4th of July trip to North Carolina to Keith parents house. It's along trip but I think while there everyone enjoy's themselves. The boys love this most of all...

jumping off the dock. Big fun.

 

And diving.

 

Oh, and flipping too.

 

And then more diving , of course.

 

Then a pose

 

or two, for good measure. Goofballs.

 

And then swimming until they smelled mostly like fish.

  

I think I spotted gills forming on Mo's back.

But a good time was had and that's what counts right?

More stories to come.

Over and out.

The SLM

 

 

The kid likes to jam.

 

For his birthday he recieved what he had been dreaming of, longing for and requesting for months. A Les Paul 100. That was it. That's was the only thing he asked for. The only thing. Cause the kid likes to jam.

 

AS soon as he walked around the corner on the night of his birthday and saw it sitting there he picked it up and started to play. He entertained us all. (he also recieved a new amp along with it)

 

He sang his newest creation "Raining Hard" which he wrote a few months before recieving new guitar. (on his old guitar,  it's a beginners Peavey)

Then he performed a few Christmas songs. The 12 Days of Christmas he had taught himself and practiced the entire month of December, so it was perfect in time to play it on his new "toy". WE all enjoyed it.

 

He enjoyed it as well. Because he loves guitars. The kid likes to jam. So it was no surprise to me that when we saw the Plain W T's in concert he said "Mom, quick get a picture of those guitars"!! So I did. Cause I like to take pics. It's my thing, right?

 

 

The really amazing thing was, as each guitar was used, he could tell me what kind of guitar it was. I really did not know he knew as much as he did, and perhaps he did not have all the names correct but I was amazed that he knew the names of so many guitar's anyway.

He would say things like "Mom that's a Les Paul SG, or Mom, that one is a Firebird". To which I exclaimed "Groovy babe". Then he would say things like THAT is one of the best guitar you can get or do you KNOW how much that guitar cost's mom"!? To which I would reply "Ummm... No sweetie I don't"

 

Personally, I liked the drums myself. They were vintage and ridiculously cool.

While I rambled on and on about how amazing the band's harmonies were, he could not stop talking guitars.

Even these guys had cool guitars according to Austin. This was one of the bands that opened that night. Their name is Days Difference. They were really good. Very young with still a long way to go but fun and entertaining.

 

Austin thought they were neat because they dressed cool and were so young. And if you've seen the Hanna Montana Movie, they are the actual band  that play while Miley is singing at Lilly's Birthday party. Didn't know I knew so much about the teen scene did ya? I'm the ultimate cool mom like that. Or not.

 

Anyway, while I continued to go on and on about how amazing the Plain W T's were (till I was almost blue in the face) Austin went on about the guitars.

It also inspired him to come home and hit his guitar really hard. He's been playing  more than ever and ummm... louder than usual. And for some strange reason he usually starts this at about 10:00pm. While I sit wondering what the neighbors are thinking I just try and remind myself not to worry to terribly much cause...

the kid likes to jam. It makes him happy. And I am totally ok with that. 

 

Over and out til later.

The SLM

I don't know.

 

 I don't know what was more painful. Hearing what these little pieces of metal and wire would cost or seeing my first born baby boy get them cemented to his teeth.

Why is it again that they HAVE to grow up?  **big sigh**

 

We've had bad luck with our kids - they've all grown up. - Christopher Morley

The great cathedral space which was childhood. - Virginia Woolf

 

Until next time.

The (misty eyed, somewhat  somber) Sideline Dude -ette

Have you ever....

Have you ever been so happy you did something you thought maybe you shouldn't do? Or maybe I should say, have you ever made a decision to do something that you were not quite sure was going to be worth your while but it turned out to be one of the best things you ever done? Well for one, I hope you do get a chance to do that sometime in the near future because it's a spectacular feeling and two I'm going to make more of the gut instinct decisions myself more often because they do pay off from time to time. Really. Here's what I'm talking about.

Yesterday I was checking the skateboarding schedule at this place here for none other than the soon to be next Tony Hawk shown here below. (at least that's what he has his heart set on) Because this kid wants to skate 28 hours out of the day and drives me crazy asking when he can go to the skatepark. Lately it's been to hot to skate outdoors and Rockettown offers inside air conditioned skating.

 

So when I pulled up the Rockettown skating schedule, I noticed a large picture of the band the Plain White T's advertising that they would be playing there soon. You see, Austin loves this band and has watched they're apperance on the kids show ICarly 290,345 times. And I will admit, I myself even love they're Grammy Award nominated song Hey There Delilah and  if I'm being really honest I also love they're songs Take You There as well as Write You a Song. REALLY love those few songs I confess. But to be truthful, those 3 songs are the only songs I am familiar with that they perform and I did not know if they're other material would be worth seeing. Plus they were playing that night. (last night) Father's Day night. Like in (5 hours from now) last night. We went anyway. Small enough venue to not have to fight  to much of a crowd. So we trucked it.

Very happy boy here.

 

Actually we were both grinning from ear to ear. We were excited. I hoped it was not all for nothing.

 

It was not all for nothing.

These guys are good. No, not just good they are really, really great! And no doubt will be around for a seriously long time. Live they sound awesome and I personally don't think there was one song I did not love or relate to in some way. Very good writing. 

He is a amazing performer. Really.

 

The entire band, they're harmonies, they're sound...really, really GOOD! Have I said that already?

 

No one was more surprised than me. I thought I would take my 11 year old son to  a concert and enjoy a few of the songs myself in the process and be done, but what we got was a top notch entertainment experience.

 

Did I just say top notch? I don't even think that sums it up properly. They were just great and if you don't believe me go see them for yourself. You will not be disappointed. I promise.

 

And when it was all over, we were sad. We wanted more. They could have sung for another hour and we wouldn't have budged. Heck they could have sung for two more days and we would still be there. These guys will go the distance. But of course we had to go home. Bummer. Good Night everyone.
Don't like goodbye's. Or goodnights.

 

But thats when one of the best highlight's of the evening took place. Who would of thunk? We got in the car started to make our way home and as we rounded the building to hit the interstate, just who do you think we spotted hanging out behind the backstage doors.

This guy. Mr. Tom Higginson himself. (lead singer) We jumped out of the car and I of course grabbed my camera. Yes people, we ran over to meet him. I suppose you could call us dweebs. Nerds. Groupies perhaps? Just plain goofy really. But it was SO MUCH FUN! And I'm a firm believer that you just have to have some fun every once in awhile. Right? Right!

Austin told him "Great show". He told Austin "Thanks and I like your vest, that's a cool vest".  Austin grinned from ear to ear. needless to say

 

And so there you go. Next time you think maybe you should be spontaneous and do something out of the norm. GO FOR IT! It's just may be worth it. You'll never know unless you try.  And yes, we will be seeing these guys again. Any chance we get.

Over and out.

The SLM.