What if…he wasn’t the starting pitcher that day?

What if…the center fielder had not made some great diving catches in the second inning?

What if…the catcher had overthrown first base when trying to cover a bunt?

What if…the first baseman had not caught all the balls thrown to get the runners out?

What if…the coach had kept him under 40 pitches to keep him available for another game?

What if…the second baseman had not made an incredible stop to throw out the 18th batter?

What if…I had not been there to witness it myself?

These are all the questions that have been floating around in my head for the last month or so.  I have started to write this post so many times these last few weeks, but never could quite get my thoughts together, not that what I write tonight will do the event justice.

Saturday morning, May 17th, 2008, 3 days after turning 12, Big J did something on the baseball field that just doesn’t happen very often.  I still don’t think I quite grasp the rarity of the feat…HE PITCHED A PERFECT GAME!!!  He faced 18 batters in 6 innings, striking out 10.  He had 2 strikeouts every inning except for the second inning.  The team he faced was a very good team, which included a lot of his classmates.  He’s a good pitcher, but never did I imagine that he could pull this off. 

It’s funny that he and I were talking over breakfast that morning about the possibility of him being the starting pitcher for the game.  He is normally a closer, and usually doesn’t pitch more than two or three innings per outing due to pitch count rules.  He told me he was a little nervous, as he had not started a game all year (the season was about half over at this point).  I told him his job was to go out and throw strikes, and it was my job to be nervous (little did I know how true that would be).  Anyone who knows me, knows how sick to my stomach I am whenever he’s on the mound.  He’s cool as a cucumber, but I’m the nervous wreck!!  Every inning that he came to mound, I kept thinking to myself, “when’s the coach going to end my misery and put someone else in to pitch”??  I was busy visiting with other parents, and my Mom and Aunt happen to come to the game that morning, when their other plans fell thru.  It had not really registered to me that there had not been any base runners up to that point.  It was not until the 4th inning or so, that I heard one of the dads mention that he was “working on a perfect game”. 

That phrase changed my outlook on the game for the remaining three innings.  Not only were the parents in the stands becoming aware of what might happen, word was spreading to other baseball fields.  With each pitch that he threw, the more I sat on the edge of my seat.  (I was so nervous at one point, I broke down and used the port-o-potty, because I just couldn’t stand it any longer).  The game just kept unfolding like the happy ending of a movie.  Something like this just doesn’t happen…until that day.  As soon as the last batter was thrown out at first base, my face went numb, and I couldn’t get my hands to stop shaking.  I know I had tears in my eyes, but I just could not stop smiling!  The son of one of our good friends’ was on the other team, and I think his dad was just as proud as I was…he gave me the biggest bear hug.  The son was bragging about how cool it was to strike out twice during the game…what a great display of sportsmanship.

Even though a month or so has past, I am still looking back on that Saturday morning asking “What if…”  I may not exactly be humble about this event, but Big J still is, partially I think because he doesn’t really get how rare it is to throw a perfect game.  He is still just a regular kid who likes to play baseball…his attitute has not changed one bit.  Sometimes I almost feel bad that the pitcher gets all the credit for such a feat, but this pitcher could not have accomplished it without some great backup in the field.  Almost half of the outs came from great fielding efforts.

Long after the years of little league have past, I hope he will look back on that day with fond memories.  I know I will, but what if…

 

Happy Belated Mothers’ Day to all the moms out there.  I feel that I have been blessed with the best kids in the world.  (I hope I am not the only one to feel that way)!!  There are days that I would like to give them back, but for the most part, I am the luckiest mom.  I have to ask myself sometimes “what did I do to deserve such great kids…how did I get so lucky?”  I truly feel I have a great guardian angel looking out for me and my family.

Mother’s Day has dual significance for me, as it falls very close to my first child’s birthday.  “J” will be celebrating his 12th birthday on Wednesday of this week.  I am still in awe that he has grown to be such a sweet young man.  There are days that I want to just freeze him, so I won’t have to face the upcoming rebellious teenage years.  Because he is so sweet, I know it will break my heart when he REALLY starts sassing me and rolling his eyes.  He still sincerely apologizes to me when we have an argument, unlike his younger sister, CC, who just shrugs her shoulders and says “Whatever”.  (Of course, that’s what I love about her).  However, I feel that I hold him to a different standard because he is so genuine and gentle.  (Unfortunately, I can see a lot of girls just walking all over him as he gets older because he is so nice)!!

My Mothers’ Day was very low key.  Believe it or not, my husband managed to be in Vegas for CPE training for most of the prior week, and did not even get home until late afternoon yesterday…just in time for dinner.  (He did bring home a great gift, so it made the trip worthwhile).  CC kept asking me what we were doing for dinner, and I told her we just needed to wait for daddy to get home because I was not planning to cook.  J spent the afternoon at the Nationals game as a guest of one of his friends.  Since it was just the two of us, I had planned to spend the day getting caught up on laundry, cleaning, and bank account reconciliations.  However, I thought better of that idea and spent time playing Wii with her, and napping on the couch.  It was a great day for that since it was cold and rainy. 

We did go out for dinner, and had a good meal.  The kids are at such a great age now, that it’s so easy to eat out without it being a big production.  The booth we sat in backed to a table with 5 or 6 little kids, and all I have to say is that I am glad my kids are out of that stage.  I can not stand when kids turn around and stare at my table, and it REALLY gets on my nerves when they start kicking the booth.  Of course, the loud screams are always enjoyable as well.  Needless to say, I was happy to see that table clear out!

After dinner, we went home and all enjoyed a few rounds of Mario Kart, and then watched the Survivor season finale.  My kind of day!!  The problem is, now that Mothers’ Day is over, the mommy guilts are back because I put all my chores off for another day.  Why can’t they just go away??? 

 

A few years ago we discovered my son, J, has allergies.  He must have gotten that from my husband, because I have never been allergic to anything (except vegetables wink-wink).  I actually took him to an allergist, and she performed the scratch test up and down his arm to determine to what things it is that J is allergic.  Of course, I was petrified that he would be allergic to cats, my favorite animal, or worse, dust.  Dusting is my least favorite chore because as soon as you dust, you need to do it all over again.  I think I would rather clean toilets…but I digress.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, he is allergic to some kinds of trees and grasses.  It’s good in the sense that it’s nothing that I can control in the house, so I don’t have to be an immaculate house keeper, and I didn’t have to give away the family pet.  However, it is bad because he is so miserable this time of year as the pollen makes it way onto the scene.  I could see it floating in the air these past few days. 

During this time his eyes have been getting red and itchy, but we have been able to help him with eye drops, and his nightly Zyrtec.  However, yesterday evening was a whole new ballgame…his left eye did something I’ve never seen before, and I hope to never see again (no pun intended)!!

Instead of his eyelids getting puffy and swollen, the whites of his eye started to swell up like a blister.  Instead if looking bloodshot, the whites were very cloudy looking.  My husband and I started to freak-out a little, as neither of us deal very well with eye issues.  Fortunately, the on-call eye doctor called me back in less than 10 minutes, and he calmed my fears that J would not be going blind, and that we should give him a dose of Benadryl.  I did so immediately, and by the time he went to bed a few hours later, I could already see a difference, even though the eye was still swollen and discolored.   

By giving him the Benadryl, I created a new problem because I then had to worry about a possible drug interaction with his nightly Zyrtec.  I called the 24 hour nurse line offered by our insurance company, and again, my worries were put to rest.  The nurse said not to give him the Zyrtec, and to just stay with the Benadryl thru the morning, and then he could take the Zyrtec tonight, as usual. 

I did not allow J to wear his contacts to school today, and I don’t think I’ll let him tomorrow either.  I think the pollen was getting into his eye, irritating the contacts, and that’s when the trouble started.  The eyes are too precious to mess around, so to me, it’s not worth the risk by wearing the contacts for a few days, just to make sure things are going to be fine.  Of course, try telling that to a sixth grade boy who does not want to go back to wearing glasses to school, even if it’s only for a few days.  The really dilemma comes Thursday night when he is scheduled to pitch during his baseball game.  Does he wear the contacts for the game?  Do I make him go back to wearing the prescription sports goggles he hasn’t worn since last summer?  All of the “what ifs” of parenting…I certainly don’t want to be to blame if he doesn’t pitch well.  I can just hear it now…  “Mommy wouldn’t let me wear my contacts…it’s all her fault”! 

I can’t believe the last time I wrote anything here was March 19th.  If there was anyone actually reading my ramblings, they must be long gone by now.  SORRY!!

 Do you ever feel that you have so much to say that you have nothing to say at all?  I don’t even know where to start with what’s been going on the last few weeks.

 Since I last updated, CC has had another dance competition, (2 in 3 weekends), and J has been having lots of baseball practices and scrimmages.  Opening Day is this coming weekend, but I am beginning to wonder if it will take place since the No. Va. area is supposed to get a ton of rain between tonight, and Saturday.  I would be perfectly happy for the game to be rained out, since I will have to miss it.

This coming weekend is the weekend that my husband and I get to escape to an out of town wedding without our kids.  We have really been looking forward to the time away.  As I said in my last post, 24 hours can really make a difference.  We both need to get away and have a change of scenery.  Not too mention, it will be great to focus on something other than the kids’ activities.  The strange part about this weekend is how many activities have been scheduled, and how many will have to be missed for us to be out of town.  I am not sure if anything else could have been added to the calendar that wasn’t already on it…what is it about the first weekend in April?  Here’s the rundown:

wedding out of town, brother and sister-in-law baby shower, opening day baseball game, make-up bowling session, brownie camping trip, dance workshop, choir practice for upcoming performance for both kids, and who knows what else I am forgetting?!

Funny thing is, once I get back, my Tuesday is just as bad…I have had a commitment to host my Bunco group that night (which I have known about since September or October), and J has his second baseball game, and the second I have to miss…which just kills me!  The kids also have dentist appointments that afternoon right after school, which don’t even start until 4:30!!!  I tried to reschedule those appointments (which I signed up for last October), but the earliest appointment after 4pm was not until July!!  Forget it!!  I will just be stressed to get those teeth cleaned, so I can get home to finish prepping for Bunco.  I guess that is the pros and cons of signing up for your next appointment six months in advance.  There usually isn’t anything on the calendar at the time, but boy does that change so quickly.  It’s like the baseball scheduler knows what days I’ll be the busiest, and that’s when J has a game…Does this happen to anyone else?

I also want to say that I often times take my blessed life for granted.  In the grand scheme of things, I live a charmed life.  I can bitch about scheduling conflicts, but in the long run, I have to remind myself that it’s a good problem.  I am so grateful for my health, and for the good health of my children.  For the last few years, I have followed, from afar, many blogs written by parents of children with cancer.  I can’t imagine what I would do if I were in their shoes for even a minute.  These people are some of the strongest and most faithful, and I only hope I can learn from their example to not take one second of one day for granted.  I can honestly say that after reading one of their updates, I come home and hug my children longer than I normally do, and I almost ache for them to get off the bus.  I am so lucky to be the mom of my kids, and I often wonder how I was chosen to be their mom.  What did I do to deserve my two precious gifts?  After my little fits with them tonight (I yelled at each of them for different reasons) I wonder why I continue to be so lucky.  My husband is out of town for the night, and this always seems to happen when he’s away…why is that?  Do the kids act differently when he’s gone, or is it me?  There is always an edge, and I never can explain why.

Sorry this has just taken so many twists and turns.  Like I said earlier, I have so much to say, but nothing to say at all.  Thanks for listening tonight!

Beginning last Friday, our kids began their annual spring break.  Because we went to Disney back in January, we are staying home for the week, and the kids are attending camps at a local Rec center.  Disney in January is cheaper and less crowded (or so we thought), and I will be posting some highlights soon.

This past weekend my daughter’s dance group traveled to the Eastern Shore to perform in a competition Sunday morning.  We didn’t have to be at the location until 9am, so we could have easily gotten up and driven that morning since we only live a little more than an hour away.  Last year was the first year she competed, and we stayed in a hotel near the competition site since we had to be there as early as 8am, and didn’t want to take any chances on being late/getting lost/having car troubles, etc.  We had so much fun last year, we decided to stay over again this year. 

We left on Saturday afternoon, after my husband and son had baseball practice, and arrived at the hotel around 3pm.  Fortunately, the hotel is located about 10 minutes from a Prime Outlets shopping center, and basically across the street from a few really good seafood restaurants.  We spent the afternoon shopping, and then rounded up a few of the other dancers and moms and headed to dinner around 6:30.  The kids did really well shopping, even though we were there over three hours.  They both got to buy some books, and they each got well needed new sneakers.  They also got rewarded with treats from Harry and David, so that always helps!

For dinner, we had a party of 10.  Four moms, four dancers, my husband and son.  Not a bad ratio for either of them!  I ate a lot of fried food, as I just love crab cakes, onion rings, and hush puppies.  I don’t normally eat that poorly, but I was on vacation, and I at least started off with a garden salad.  (Who says I don’t like veggies)??  The atmosphere was totally casual and very festive since it was St. Patrick’s Day weekend, and there were multiple basketball games on for the pre-NCAA tournament. 

I think the best part of all was that we had nothing else to do!  There was absolutely no rush.  How often do you get the chance to just sit back, relax, and totally enjoy the moment without having to worry about rushing off to some other event?  The only thing we had left to do was to head back to the hotel, get ready for bed, and read/watch TV.  It was so nice not worring about what I was not getting done at home (BTW, I still have not done my taxes yet…shocker)!!!

Of course, the worrying for me began very early Sunday morning.  I woke up way before the 6am alarm, since I was afraid of oversleeping.  CC also woke up early, as she was very eager to get her game face (I mean make-up) on for the competition.  Two of the other moms had rooms on either side of ours, so we were back and forth helping each other with hair and make-up.  My friend is great with getting CC’s hair up in a tight ponytail, especially since she uses that “glue” stuff to make it all stay in place.  I helped her daughter, TW,  with make-up, since she doesn’t like to wear it.  This brings me to the big drama of the weekend…

CC’s friend, TW, had been complaining at dinner that her stomach hurt.  Her mom didn’t really pay too much attention since she thought it might just be nerves.  Well, guess what?!  She wasn’t kidding!!!  In the middle of the night TW started throwing up!!  GREAT!!  She continued to throw up after breakfast.  She even threw up in the car on the way from the hotel to the competition.  Now what?  TW’s mom was convinced that she was not going to perform, as you could just take one look at her and tell that she felt like crap.  However, what do you say to a nine year old that has just spent the past few months working hard to learn and perfect this routine that she now can not perform as part of the group.  Not to mention, the dance instructor only had about half an hour to figure out how to make the routine work without one of the dancers!!  Plus, the girls are not experienced enough to figure out how to pretend that she’s not there.  So what happened…she pulled thru and went out on stage with the rest of the team and performed.  I think everyone that knew how terrible she felt was holding their breath for her to get through the performance with out tossing her cookies on stage.  CC asked my husband and me what to do if she got sick on stage…being the smart alecks that we are, we told her not to step in it!  Nice, right?!?

I was quite impressed at how well all the girls performed and they looked great on stage.  They were not perfect, but they performed their hearts out, and had fun.  We had seen them practice the routine a number of times at the studio, but until I saw them on stage, I really could not appreciate the choreography because I was always so close and basically eye to eye with the dancers.  Once I saw it from a distance, it looked so much better.  I was a nervous wreck, and I noticed that my hand was shaking even after they got off stage.  Their performance was #14 of 34, so we had 20 more routines to wait thru before we got the results.  The girls were awarded a gold medal, and they tied for second overall high score for their age group.  Congrats, girls!!  Not bad considering they didn’t even start practicing until January, and one of the dancers was sick as a dog.  Many of the other groups in the competition had been working since last July!!

After the awards ceremony, we headed out and stopped for lunch on the way.  We arrived home about 24 hours after leaving, and it really felt like we had been gone a lot longer.  The best part about that was we didn’t have too much to unpack, and we had done most of the laundry prior to the trip.  We still had a good portion of the day to accomplish things we needed to do.  But why start then?

We had a great “mini” vacation, and I definitely think we need to take little trips like that more often.  Fortunately, my husband and I have an upcoming out of town wedding in a few weeks.  This time, we will be traveling without the kids…I have a feeling we will be spending that 24 hours a little differently this time…hmmm!

I can’t believe it has been almost a week since my last update.  I get disappointed when the blogs I read on a regular basis are not updated, and now I get it!  As I wrote in my Procrastination post, I have so many things around the house that need to be accomplished, so I almost feel guilty taking the time to write when all my chores are not complete.  Oh well!

My husband found out yesterday at the last minute that he needed to leave town for a few days for work.  That adds a whole new dimension to life…being a temporary single parent.  (I know I have no room to complain, as there are permanent single parents, and many military families dealing with spouses that are deployed for months and years at a time).  My husband had to remind me that I would need to rearrange the kids’ afterschool activities because both needed to be picked up at 5pm, and I can not be in two places at once.  It was a lot easier to cancel my son’s weekly tutoring session because his tutor is very flexible, and the lessons are not paid for in advance like my daughter’s tennis lessons.  J was very disappointed that he was not staying afterschool, and wanted to know why he and the tutor couldn’t wait until I got there.  I just don’t think it’s fair to expect someone to wait an additional 10-15 minutes.  I guess I could have asked for J’s session to end early, but with gas being over $3/gallon, I don’t think it’s practical to run back and forth.  So, I took the easy way out.

I also decided to not attend our weekly church activites.  I have guilt over that decision because my priorities should be based around those activities instead of secular activities, but, again, I took the easy way out.  I needed the time to deliver GS cookies, take out the trash and recycling, cook and clean up from dinner, run the dishwasher, fold a load of laundry from last night, help CC shower, and then head over to my neighbor’s house so she could hem my daughter’s competition dance costume.  AGAIN! (THANKS QB)!!! 

This was the second set of alterations she had to do because the instructor didn’t think the first set was enough.  I know how to put in a hem, but it’s been a long time, and I am very hesitant to mess with a $60 costume that will need to look uniform with 9 other dancers, and could possibly have a negative impact on the judging.  No thanks…I decided to leave that job to my neighbor the expert. 

It’s very ironic that the Bible study I participate in on Wednesdays is “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World”.  It’s about the story of the sisters, Mary and Martha, and the time Jesus comes to visit their home.  Martha is very busy preparing food while Mary is not helping her, but rather sitting at the feet of Jesus.  Martha complains, but Jesus says Mary is doing what she should be doing, not Martha.  I can so relate to Martha, it’s not even funny.  I guess today is one of those “Martha days”, and I had to miss the discussion.

I guess I better try to get some sleep, since I know tomorrow will be another day like today.  It’s no wonder why the time just flies by…

This week all 6th grade parents are invited to attend and participate in one of two music classes with our child.  Since my son has music first thing on Monday morning, I decided to drive the kids to school, attend the 40 minute class, then go on to work.  The timing worked out great, since this week is also the week my son’s broadcast team was in charge of morning announcements.  I got to kill two birds with one stone since it’s rare that I am in the school during the day.  My part time work schedule is set up so I don’t go into work until I put them on the bus, and then I leave just in time to get home before they get off the bus.  I work everyday, with reduced hours, so it leaves me very few opportunities to actually visit school during regular hours of instruction.

It was neat to see J deliver the sports report, and I was surprised at how comfortable he was in front of the camera.  I guess it helps when he’s talking about a subject he really likes…sports!  Right after that, he and I headed off to his music class, which is just up the hall.  We were mingling with all of the sixth graders as they headed out in different directions…some to music, some to PE, and some to enrichment.  It was really weird for me to see how many of these kids are taller than me.  What are kids eating nowadays?  However, I am still a little bit taller than J, but I know it’s not for long!

During class, the teacher had the parents participating right along with the kids.  And don’t you know, she was teaching us how to drum (bongo style), and then on other instruments that you play with mallets (I can’t remember what these instruments are called).  She really challenged me to be a good listener.  It was a lot of fun, but I am glad that I don’t have to do that anymore.  It was hard, and I reconfirmed that I have absolutely no rhythm.  However, I did enjoy it, and my son at least acted like he was not too embarrassed that I was with him.

Then, I had to go to work…

Is it just me, or does anyone else eat without being hungry?  I am involved with two different Bunco groups, each meeting once a month.  In both groups, there are three tables of four (12 people), and during the course of the game players rotate among different playing partners and travel from table to table.  Hostesses for both groups provide drinks, dessert, and snacks.  Usually, there is one sweet snack and one salty snack on each table, and then dessert is served either midway thru the game, or right at the end of the evening.  Half the fun of the game is moving to a new table for the first time to see what goodies I get to eat next.  For some reason, I can not seem to help myself when it comes to controlling what I eat during the evening.  I could have just finished a four course meal, and still be “hungry” when I get to Bunco.  Why is that???  Just tonight, my husband and I both “yelled” at my son when he claimed to be hungry about 30 minutes after finishing a nice ziti dinner (if I do say so myself) complete with bread and salad.  (Do as I say, not as I do)!!

I have tried experimenting to see if eating dinner right before going out will prevent me from snacking less than if I don’t eat dinner.  Shocker, it doesn’t!  I just feel even worse because I am already full from the meal, but I just can’t deprive myself of all the good snacks.  I usually eat dessert, too!  It’s like I justify all the eating because I only do it twice a month!  However, last night I discovered that my lack of willpower is not isolated to Bunco at other peoples’ houses.  My husband hosted an evening of poker with some of the other Bunco husbands.  Guess what?  After eating two slices of Pizza Hut Pan Pizza, I proceeded to munch on all the goodies he had out for his buddies.  It wasn’t just a handful, oh no, I continued to graze all night.  Not because I was hungry, but just because it was there!!  Then I have the nerve to wonder why some of my clothes don’t fit like they used to…DUH!

So much for the exercise I did this week…

I have admired my daughter from the minute she was born.  First of all, I’m her mother and I’m biased, but secondly, she seems to have been born with that another gene I missed out on…Confidence. 

From a very young age, I knew I was dealing with someone much different from me, even though I am often told how much she resembles me in the appearance department.  Again, being her mother, I take that as a huge compliment.  My mother has often commented that if I had been like my daughter, I would not be alive, and my mother would be on death row! :)  All kiding aside, it can be hard for her to know when to turn it on an off, considering she is now only 9 years old.  I know this will serve her very well in the future, and I hope it’s something she never loses.

She can talk to anyone of any age from infant up thru senior adult.  Many of my friends that only have boys love to have her around.  They like that she will talk to them as a friend.  I have offered on many occasions to rent her out to them! :) 

The kids have had the same bus driver (Ms R) now for three years, and my daughter (I’ll call her CC) has always liked to sit up front in order to visit with Ms. R and her young daughter.  The other day, Ms. R was not there, so there was a substitute driver.  Instead of being sad and disappointed that Ms. R was not there, CC looked to the bright side.  Instead of not sitting in her usual spot because she didn’t know the driver, she sat down and immediately began talking to him.  I just know she was thinking “here’s somone who doesn’t know me yet!!  I better sit where I usually do so I can be sure he knows exactly where to go, and where all the bus stops are along the route.”  The poor sub never saw it coming…he didn’t stand a chance!

 I hope I can learn a few things from her…

Last night was a big night for us.  My son and I attended “Curriculum Night” for rising 7th graders.  I can’t believe I am old enought to have a child that will be entering middle school.  In fact, one of the faculty mentioned that my son’s class will be the “Class of 2014″.  HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE???  Where has the time gone?  I remember his first day of day care like it was yesterday.   My friend said the next thing we’ll know, we will be attending HS graduation and sending them off to college!

 He will be attending a very large school in Northern Virginia, and from all accounts, it has a great reputation for academics and athletics.  However, it’s huge, and can be very intimidating to parents.  I have no doubt that he will be fine as far as school work goes, but is he really ready for all of the “social issues” that go along with middle school?  He’s a very genuine and sweet boy, and I don’t want to see him lose those qualities, but I know he can’t stay my baby forever!  I have to let him go sometime…right?  Why does it happen so soon?

There are at least four different elementary schools that feed into his middle school, so I was really surprised by how many kids we recognized from other schools last night.  He has met a lot of kids from different sports teams and summer camp programs.  I think if he knows at least one other kid in each one of his classes, he should be fine. 

Another surprise I had last night was a big hug my son got from one of his “girl” friends.  I had heard him talk about this girl before, but never thought it a big deal because she’s been in school with him since kindergarten.  He really is starting to grow up, whether I want him to or not.  One of my friends mentioned that she had seen the hug, and asked what was that all about with a big grin on her face!  I have always encouraged him to be nice to everyone, including girls, because you can never have too many friends.  Maybe I’ll cut back on that now…

 I know I am glad I’m out of the baby stages, and can never go back to that, but I also know I am not ready to move forward.  Has anyone discovered a way to freeze time yet?  It would really come in handy about now!!!