The Extra Mile

Some Thoughts... related to soccer, of course

Two things happened in the past few weeks that really made me think.

1. I spoke to the dad of a guy we play soccer with. Dave still comes to watch his boys play soccer - even rec soccer... and his boys are 20 and 23. I love seeing Dave at games. He loves his boys and he loves to watch them play soccer. He told me to cherish every game I get to see my kids play. Every game. He said he wished he could trade places with me and raise his boys all over again. I love to watch my kids play soccer. I don't know what I will do when my last kid is all done playing and I don't have games to watch anymore. Dave made me think. He made me think about my kids and how much I love them and how much I want to cherish where they are at right now. They are growing up way too fast.

2. David Otai died in a plane crash. We played soccer against David on Friday night (the same Friday night I talked to Dave about cherishing time with my kids) and less than 2 days later, on Sunday morning, he was gone. David played soccer like I want to live my life. David played with joy. David had a HUGE smile on his face all the time. Seriously. I don't remember seeing him without a smile. Everyone I talked to who knew David or played against David all said the same thing. David loved soccer. David loved life. David always made others smile. David was only 23 years old.

So, my head has been spinning.

Spinning with thoughts about my kids.

Spinning with thoughts about my life.

Here is my boy and his friend... who I think of like another son... and the only reason they met was because of soccer - and that makes me smile

Me & My Crock Pot

I have a confession.

I love my crock pot.

I don't even think my mom owned a crock pot - if she did, I don't remember ever seeing it.

When we got one as a wedding present, I didn't even know what to do with it. I was 100% sure we didn't register for it!

I tried to return it, but there wasn't a gift receipt so we were stuck with it. I don't think I even tried to use it for about 3 or 4 years.

(This is the crock pot I still use.)

I love my crock pot.

I am pretty sure I could use it for a few weeks solid and not repeat a recipe - years of collecting. ;)

Photo of the Day

Pumpkin Chip Bread... or Muffins

I love to bake and cook - nothing fancy or complicated.... and if I try to cook/bake while on the phone, the end result is never good.

One of my favorite muffin recipes is pumpkin chip - who doesn't like chocolate added to almost anything?

Pumpkin Chip Muffins/Bread

4 eggs

16 oz solid pack pumpkin

2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups oil (I use olive)

3 cups flour (I use 1.5 cups regular and 1.5 cups white whole wheat)

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet minis work best)

Mix eggs, sugar, pumpkin and oil until smooth. Combine flour and other dry ingredients. Add to pumpkin mixture and mix well. Fill paper lined cups 2/3 full and bake at 375 for approx. 15-20 minutes. Makes 30-36 muffins or a combo of muffins and mini-bread. One batch made 24 regular muffins, 24 mini muffins, and 1 mini loaf. These are so very yummy and freeze well!

Is a Reading Addiction Hereditary?

When I was growing up, I read constantly.

Often I read [secretly] until well past midnight when I was in junior high.

I hid a book behind my textbook during class in high school - possible connection here with my biology grade?

I am pretty sure my parents loved that I read in the car - really cut down on fighting between my brother and I.

My kids read constantly.

If we plan to be in the vehicle for more than 5 minutes, all three kids cannot leave the house without a book.

I might be the only parent in the country who makes her kids STOP reading.

Here is a prime example of the reading obsession at our house - this was taken at about 6:45 am.

Pay It Forward

A cool thing happened to me this weekend.

The girls and I were waiting in line at the check out at Sears to buy a 50% off Lands End jacket.

A young couple approached us and asked if we would like to have the balance on their gift card. The guy said it was no big deal - they never shopped at Sears and it was only about $7.

Very cool. The gesture (and cash) completely made my day.

I thanked them profusely.

The perfect teaching moment dropped right in my lap.

Pay it forward.

2010 - A New Year - A New Resolve... to blog?

I haven't blogged in months.

July, I believe, was the last month I blogged in. Yikes.

I have kept up with my photos every day - taking them at least. I haven't missed a day since June 22, 2009. My plan for 2010 is to start my numbering over and make it the entire year.

The first 3 photos from 2010 are below. My kids are not little and doing cute things all the time anymore. Most of the time they are at school. The things I choose for a certain day's photo might be something as boring as what we had for dinner. Hey, the fact that dinner even gets cooked is a minor miracle around here.

001/365 - my super clean office with my brand new 27.5 inch iMac. Yes, it is huge.

 

002/365 - a fun afternoon and evening spent with Julie and Alex. Beltline Bar - enough said.

 

003/365 - Scattergories. This game might possibly become our new family addiction. Although once vacation is over, who as time for games??