Check Me Out. . .

Check me out, I have moved.  In case you did not see the last post please check out my new home of my new blog. 

laxmom.net

Moving, Moving, Moving. . . .

My Blog is moving to a new location,  please check me out at

http://laxmom.net

I decided to move my blog to a Word Press platform.  Please check it out and leave a comment to let me know you found me. 
There will be lots going on in these coming months:  Lacrosse season is gearing up for both boys and the hubbs and I will be traveling to see Sprat play in Maine. 

Tidbits. . This, That, and the Other. . .

Some days. . . are just hard. . .  Whether you just do not get enough sleep or you hit unbelievable traffic trying to get to work, or the pesky migraine that makes the most mundane task next to impossible.  Yes, it was one of those days last night.  I worked night shift last night and it was a busy night shift.  When I woke up this afternoon Sprat was just coming in, he had been to work out at the gym and gone to get his hair cut.  He looked so handsome, he came in the kitchen where I was trying to find caffeine for the migraine that followed me home from work, he said, "you up now?"  I nodded groggily.  He sat on the couch shopping for his text books for next semester.  He is home for a few more days and then back to school.  He has a busy semester, with lacrosse season and his classes he will be taking in his major and a new "girlfriend."  See how I used quotes around the girlfriend, they just realized that they liked each other three days before leaving for Christmas break, she is now in England doing a week abroad for school.  He is not calling her a girlfriend at this point or at least that is the story I am told.
Every now and then you see glimpses through your kids that you did a good job raising them.  Remember I said every now and then sometimes it takes longer to see.  I got to go to breakfast with Sprat the other day, that is kind of our thing.  We go to breakfast and talk about whatever is going on with him.  I found out the story behind the last girl that he was interested in, it turns out there was an old boyfriend that she had feelings for.  When the old boyfriend finally gave her the brush off she came back to my sweet Sprat to say she could go out with him now.  This was a proud mama moment, when the hussy came crawling back because the old boyfriend did not want her, my very sweet boy told her he was nobody's second choice.   My heart was a little broken for him but at the same time I was so very proud that he stood up for his heart that he was confident enough in himself to tell her to keep walking.   The new girl has been in a few of his classes this past semester so they have been hanging out as friends. I am a firm believer in being friends first and everything else will fall in to place, that is how the hubbs and I got together.  We worked together and hung out as friends before we started dating. 
Made our plans to go visit Sprat later in the Lax season, I am so excited to see him play in his first real college lacrosse game.  He did not get a true season last year and in fact since his school closed last year they gave him his year of eligibility back so he could play in his year of his Masters if he wants to. 

Lax, Lax, and more Lax Weekend. . . .

Big T had a big weekend with four games and four big wins for the team!!  I am so glad I was able to see him play with this group of boys.  The gentleman that heads this group up is awesome and he said it best when he said; "Unselfish, hardworking,young men from 12 different high schools came together as a team," on Saturday to win Big!!    These boys have had maybe 3 practices together as a team and they played so well together yesterday, it was great.  I love watching these kids play, they are a young team and they each have so much potential.   I look forward to seeing these boys play in the future. 
It was an extremely hot yesterday and we played on turf, whew, that made it very hot.  Those boys played their hearts out and they left everything on the field.   It was a great day to be a Lax Brah. 

Big T with a nasty poke check 

Big T with some great air for the blocked pass!!

Whirl Wind Weekend. . . Weddings, Family, and Lots of Lacrosse. . .

The hubbs nephew got married and the hubbs and I went to the wedding and Sprat took Big T to his lacrosse tournament.  Sprat played Lax Dad on Saturday, keeping up with a cooler, advil, and snacks for Big T and himself.  So proud of Sprat for stepping up and looking after his brother and encouraging him through some pain and loss over three games and a thunderstorm.  The hubbs and I had a good time at the Wedding festivities.  Big T played three games on Saturday and two games on Sunday, the hubbs and I got to see him play on Sunday. I do love watching my boys play lacrosse, they play with their whole heart.  No matter what team they are playing on.  Big T played on a travel team this weekend, they have practiced two times before this weekend and yet they played well together.  They played against teams that have been together for years and beat them.  This group of boys were well coached.  I wish this team could stay together but unfortunately they all go to different schools.  It was an exciting afternoon at the Lax tournament. 
Sprat also had games on Sunday, so  I got to see both the boys play this weekend.  I hope when Sprat starts school and gets started in his new season of lacrosse at college we will get to see him play there too.  Here are some highlights from the weekend:

Big T in the middle with the clear!!

Sprat in the middle, black helmet, blocking the shot!!

It was an exciting weekend all the way around!!  Lax on !!!!

Doctors and D Poles. . .

Update on my many doctors' appointments, this is part of my self care routine.  I have neglected myself for the last 14 years while keeping up with the kids and the house.  I got a good report on my pap and my routine physical, got a good report on my Cologuard test so no colonoscopy for this girl.  Yesterday I had a visit with a doctor about my migraines.  He is an OB/Gyn but has personal experience with women with what I call menstrual migraines, those migraine like headaches that happen after your cycle that migraine medicine does not seem to help.  Mine are bad and have been for some time but, these last few years they seem to have gotten worse.  I had a nice visit with this doctor and funny thing his wife has gone through this same thing and here I thought I was all alone.  It was nice to talk with someone that you knew understood what you were saying.  I came away from that visit feeling like I may be on a path to remedy.  We have a plan and a follow up in 3 months to see how it helps. 
Big T had his last lacrosse game he played well and I am happy and sad to see the season end.  They played a really good team last night and several of the kids Big T had played against and with when he played Summer league.  It was funny to see him talking with his friends on the other team. This teams coach had also coached him in Summer league so that was kinda funny too.  Big T has decided to play with Sprats' wooden D pole.  To play with a wooden D pole is a lot different than playing with the light weight aluminum, titanium, or scandium.  The wooden D pole is heavier and packs a punch when you hit someone with it.  Sprat abused the offense when he played with his D pole but Sprat was a little bigger than Big T is.  Sprat had no trouble wielding that D pole, he broke four poles last year over kids bodies.  It was fun watching Big T play with his brothers' pole last night.  He had several good hits and stopped several shots on goal. I was a little worried about how he would do with the heavier pole but he did great. I did not get to see him play on Tuesday night but he used it then too.   We did not get the W but it was great watching him play. 

Looking Forward to the Weekend. . .

It has been a busy week at work, I know, what else is new.  Everyone is on vacation at our office so I have worked a lot this week, I am not complaining, we can use the extra cash to go toward college.  I was asked yesterday if I wanted to go full time rather than part time.  I said no, I like my weeks where I may work a day or two and have several days off.  I do not mind the weeks that I do work more because like I said we can use the cash to go toward college.   Yes, Sprat does have a scholarship but that money does not pay for trips home or trips to see him.  It also does not pay to feed this growing boy while living the college life.  This next year he is going to have to have a car, so these extra hours at work will really come in handy.  He signed his scholarship acceptance letter this week so it is official, he will be back in Boston in the Fall.  I got to talk to Sprat yesterday, actually talk no just text back and fourth.  He said his new lacrosse coach called him and invited him to a tournament the two days before his orientation at the new college.  We will be planning a four or five day trip this summer for the orientation and the tournament.  Cannot wait to see my boy play college lacrosse, he had a short Fall season with his current school but we were not able to go and watch any games.  

One more night of work and off for a day or two to celebrate Easter with the family.   I have to say my drive in to work these last few days has been quite enjoyable, it seems everyone is on vacation this week.    Happy Easter to you all and stay tuned as we prepare for our road trip to Boston.  

Lax Season is Upon Us. . . .

So sad that Sprat will not have a Spring lacrosse season this year but, Big T's lacrosse season is in full swing with three games this week.  The first one was a bad loss, the other team was very good and had been playing together for several years.  Big T's team has not been playing together more than a few weeks.  The second game also a loss but they fought hard, they stayed close through half time and unfortunately lost in the second half.  Big T was so excited when he came home, I had to work that night so I did not get to see the game.  He was bursting with excitement when he came through the door that night.  I love seeing him that excited and beaming with confidence.  I have not seen him this way since last lax season.  Looking forward to watching him play this year.
Sprat is getting ready to come home for Spring break, I cannot wait to see him.  He said they got a lot of snow this past week.  For a kid that did not want to go to school where it snowed a lot and was very cold he sure has enjoyed his time in Boston and is looking forward to and hoping to go back in the Spring.  He cannot wait to watch his little brother play lacrosse while he is home on break. 
Big T is getting ready to go to his first Prom.  We have the tux and his date has her dress now we have to get flowers and the hubbs and I will be chauffeur since Big T has no drivers license. 
Stay tuned for lots of Prom and Lax pictures. . .

Leaping into Technology. . .

This week I leaped into technology by creating a snap chat account.  My younger hipper co workers helped me set up my account so that I could face time with my son in Boston.  He played in his first college lacrosse scrimmage this past weekend and on Wednesday last week he texts me to inform me he may have a concussion.  He said he had the worst headache he has ever had.  He has migraines and I had a migraine that same weekend for about three days.  I thought ok, this is a bad migraine.  He then informs me that he got leveled at the scrimmage with head contact.  Now is when mom drive goes into overdrive.  That is why I did the snapchat, I needed to see his face.  I felt like if I could see that face I would know one way or the other if it was a concussion or migraine. 
My co workers are the best, I was able to face time him and see that face that I have not seen since September 2nd.  I felt some better after seeing him, he did not seem loopy or disoriented or in severe pain like  I thought he could have been.  He is still having a headache and he text his dad today and told him that he saw the trainer again today and they would not let him go back to practice and that their main concern was to get him back in class.  That is troublesome too, that he has missed class because of this. 
Needless to say there has not been a lot of sleep for me.  When I worry I do not sleep.  Work keeps my mind off of everything so I have been working more filling in for folks when they need it.  Things are winding down and we will get to see him in person the week of Thanksgiving.  Cannot wait to see him.  Praying he has stayed on top of his grades, otherwise he will be home for good.  Low grades means no scholarship, means the boy comes home.  Praying he has stayed focused and diligent in his studies.
Update on Big T he made A honor roll this semester and made an A in his college class he was taking.  He did a tour of the Community College since he will be making trips there next semester for classes.  Up to this point his college classes have been online so he has not had to go to campus for anything.  Things are getting very exciting at our house. 
Update on 100 days of Real Food, I fell off the wagon, so I will attempt a re-start soon.  I was talking with a friend who is a PA and she was talking about processed food and headaches and migraines and other physical ailments that we have in common and I was telling her about this book.  We had both come to the conclusion that processed food is bad and we should be eating "Real" food.  This journey is on going at our house. 
Stay tuned as the college kid comes home and the Real Food journey starts again.

Look Out Boston... Here Comes Sprat. . .

Road trip!!!!  We got the package and it is a full academic scholarship and we met with the lacrosse coach this week.
We always talk about how we want our kids to grow and go out in the world and do great things, I just never thought my sweet baby would go 13 hours away to start.
We met the coach on Friday for a tour and to see if this was going to be a good fit for Sprat. The school is small but it is only a short distance from Fenway Park.  I like the coach and his philosophy on things.  This coach is very smart. He took us on a tour of the school then showed us how easy it is to get into the city from school.  We took the subway into the city, three short stops, to the Bleacher Bar in the outfield of Fenway Park. We ate lunch and talked at length about how the coach saw Sprat impacting his program.  After lunch we took the subway by some of the local college hangouts for this college as well as Boston College.  The dorm rooms are pretty big for a dorm room and this college has a culinary school, so many times the culinary students are cooking in the school cafeteria.  No cars on campus, the blackberry stays at home.  All of his Lax gear is provided except for his stick and cleats. Since this is their inaugural Lax program these boys get to help design their uniforms. 
Sprat ' s only concern was the fact that we are 13+ hours away.  On a positive note they do live stream the games, so I will not miss them.  The coach also pointed out Sprat would have 19 new brothers, some coming much farther away than Sprat.
I have been praying about all of this and praying that God's hand will be in this decision that he makes.  It is a very exciting time to see your kid be excited about his future.

I am not sure I am ready for all of this.  A whole lot of changes working in our family right now.

Lax practice fields 

Campus

It Just Got Real!!!!

Things just got real!  We just celebrated Senior night for lacrosse, and I just realized I have a a senior.  Really???   Are we sure, because I really believe he is only a freshman, sophomore or maybe a junior.  He cannot really be a senior, can he?  I see a lot of ugly crying in my future, you know the kind I am talking about.  I am talking UGLY crying. 
We got the cap and gown, I sent the announcements and we are preparing for Summer orientation at my dear Sprats College of choice.  Now here comes the monkey wrench.  My son loves the game of lacrosse and I wish he had found it sooner.   He has spent last year and this year falling in love with this sport.  He eats, breathes, and lives for this sport and being the Mom that I am I tried to help him find a way to be able to play lacrosse in college.  His college of choice does not have a men's lacrosse team so, I created a profile  for my son on "berecruited " to see if any colleges would be interested.  To my surprise he has had a lot of interest and a couple that sent email and one that called.  The unfortunate part of this all is that the one that is most interested is located in Boston, we are in NC.  This school is small and does offer his program of choice which is unusual because not many schools do offer it. 
Sprat has applied to this school, he has talked with the coach and we will probably go for a visit sometime in the near future.  This school does not offer athletic scholarships but it does offer academic scholarships and we are waiting to hear about all of that.  When all of this came out about me setting up the "berecruited" profile for Sprat, Big T said, "Mom you have to set one up for me, I want to go to Maryland and play lacrosse."  And there ya go. . . Big T has been playing lacrosse for three years now and he also loves the sport as much as his big brother.  Whole lot of changes coming down the road for our house.  Stay tuned, oh and do not forget the UGLY crying too. . .

Exciting News. . .

I received a text from my very sweet hubby yesterday telling me to pack my bags, we were going on a trip. He won this trip for his sales last year, after being laid off in 2016. This could not have come at a better time.  We will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary this year and what better way to celebrate than a free trip to an exotic locale.  We celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary in Vegas on "the company" and took the boys to Disney four years later again on "the company."  They did away with that particular award and now they only send the top 14 sales representatives on this trip and with spouses or significant others only.  It is unfortunate that the boys will not be able to go with us but it will be nice to get away with my hubbs by ourselves.  I am so excited and a little nervous.  The company is already talking another re alignment (in code means lay offs).  We are much more prepared for possible lay offs this time than we were in 2016. 
On the lacrosse front, the boys are in a wining season after three games they are 2 and 1.  It is very exciting to watch the boys on the same field working together.   They're game last night was really intense and very exciting.  I was on the edge of my seat, covered in blankets watching last night.  It was a big win and a close game. 
Stay tuned for LAX news, Prom news, exotic trip news, and last but not least college news. . .

Lacrosse Begins. . . LAX On. . .

This is going to be a very exciting season of lacrosse, my boys will be playing on the same team.  They have never played on the same team before for anything.   They are both D poles and are playing varsity lacrosse at their high school.  We had our first scrimmage Saturday, and bless Big T he did not  get to go.   Big T woke up sick late Thursday night and missed school on Friday and practice on Friday.  He was a little disheartened to miss the scrimmage but he still did not feel well.  As for Sprat he was wired and ready to go.  They played three games back to back and we had a little rain Saturday too.   They played well in the first game but by the third game they were pretty wiped out.   Sprat had a kid break his stick over his shoulder in that last game. 
I cannot wait to see my boys out on that field together racking heads and blocking shots.  Be ready for lots of pictures this lacrosse season.  Sprat's team is in white jerseys with black shorts.  Sprat is #26  in the first and second picture is clearing the ball to our attack players.  The third picture Sprat is getting ready to try and block a kids shot. As a D pole Sprat cannot cross the white line, unless an offensive player stays back.

Cannot wait to get some pictures with both boys on the field together.  Stay tuned. . .  this may turn into a photo blog for a short period of time. 

Driving with Teens. . .

Driver's education has started again at our house.  Big T is driving this week well, he is driving for the next four days.  I really think Sprat drove longer than four days when he did his driving.  Big T is so funny, he came home and was sharing his driving experience.  He said he hit a trash can with the side mirror when he was driving but, that the instructor did not have to grab the wheel or hit the OS (oh sh!!$) brake.  He said the little girl that was driving with them did get the wheel grabbed at least one time.  I worked on Sunday so the the hubbs took Big T to practice driving in the parking lot, just to get him warmed up. 
Remember we are on a roller coaster this year lots things happening, 2018 is going to be very exciting. The boys first lacrosse scrimmage is this weekend, it is going to be very exciting watching my boys play on the same team. 

Updates and More. . .

Work has been a little hectic lately so sorry for the gap between posts.  We have been a little crazy these last many weeks with school finishing and lacrosse starting and my job going crazy.  You know what, it's Summer, what happened to Spring?  I just blinked and we were finishing lacrosse and now here we are hot and sweaty in the Summer.
Big T and I have been suffering majorly from some kind of crazy viral upper respiratory something or other and we both have been on three rounds of antibiotics.  We have been battling this super crazy infection since Easter but I think we have put it behind us now.  That was another reason for the huge gap in my posts, I have just felt like crap.
The boys have started a Summer Hott Lax program and they are really enjoying it.  Sprat has started his psychology class that he is taking this Summer at the community college.   It is online so when we go to the beach this Summer he can take his work with him.  LOl!!  I know he is thrilled about that one.  Sprat will have his work cut out for him his Senior year, he is only taking three classes at the high school and the rest of his classes (5) will be at the community college.  Oh yeah, did I mention that I now have a Senior and a Freshman in high school.  Shhhh, do not spread that around, surely I am not old enough to have kids that old.  I keep thinking of myself as a MOP (mother of a pre schooler).
Sprat will start those college applications soon and he still is not 100% sure where he wants to go, he is sure where he does not want to go.   Big T just got his schedule for his new school, he will be attending a STEM type school starting in August.  This is going to be very interesting because they have a little different schedule than the high school. The STEM school starts almost three weeks before the high school starts and of course that is going to drive both kids batty.   The great thing about this new school for Big T is that he will still be able to play lacrosse for the high school.
Yep, you guessed it my boys will be on the same team for lacrosse.
Stay tuned this is going to be an awesome Summer and a loaded school year to come.  I am going to try and do better with my posts.

Big T in action at D Pole

Coaches and Their Responsibility. . .

Please forgive my rant this morning.   I am so sick and tired of coaches that think it is ok to put a student down in front of other students or to the student themselves.  I really wish people would grow up and act like adults instead of middle school playground bullies.  I posted earlier this year that Sprat was not going to be playing football in his senior year due mostly to the coaches and how they acted to the players.  In my dear son's words "they sucked the fun out of football."  We have always told our kids when a sport becomes more of a job than a sport and they are no longer having fun participating, it is time to move on.  Sprat made this decision on his own and has moved on to Lacrosse.  He is absolutely loving lacrosse and loves his coaches.  He comes home every night with a smile on his face and bruised from head to toe, but he is loving this sport.  I am so thankful for the men and the other students that are helping to coach this team, they are wonderful!!  
Now as for football I am beyond done and so is Sprat.  The football coach had to open the locker room the other day for the lacrosse team to get in.  This coach saw Sprat and called him by name in front of his peers and asked if he was going to sit the bench in this sport too.  I cannot tell you the restraint that it took as a mom to not go and have a prayer meeting with this two bit you know what. My son being the amazing kid that he is replied in true fashion of our family,  "that is a real knee slapper coach."  I cannot tell you how proud of my son I am because he repeatedly deals with this two bit you know what and he repeatedly proves that he is the better person and more of an adult than this two bit you know what will ever be in his wildest dreams.    Yesterday one of Sprat's teammates told him what another football coach said to him about my son.  Why is this coach talking to another student about my kid when he is not even involved in lacrosse or involved in any fashion with my son.  Can we please grow up and quit acting like children and start setting a better example for our kids.  Why would a "teacher," and I use that term very loosely, talk to anther student like that?
Now I am going to rave over the coaches that are working with this lacrosse team.  They are wonderful and they are setting a great example on how to be a man.  Again, I cannot say enough how thankful I am for these men and Lacrosse.  This sport has come at a time when my child needed someone and something to shoot for.  He said the other night that how much he is loving this sport and he even said how much he likes his coaches and how supportive they have been of him.  He has never played this sport before and with their encouragement and support and help he is doing really well.  He has also taken on the very difficult position of goalie and usually nobody wants to play goalie because you get his with balls coming at you at 90+ miles an hour.   My poor baby has the bruises to prove it, but he is very proud of everyone of his bruises.
If you are reading this and you are a coach please take what I have said to heart.  No matter what you think of a player do not, I repeat, do not talk about them to another player or anyone else for that matter unless you are raving about how good they are.  It will get back to them and their parents and their mom may not have as much restraint as I.  

Lacrosse All Around. . .

Both the boys are playing lacrosse this year.  Big T is with the rec league and Sprat is at the high school.  Our high school made lacrosse a school sport this year and Sprat is trying his hand at goalie. 
Big T had two games on Saturday and two wins.   Sprat played on Friday and had a big win.  Sunday we went to check out a college lacrosse game.  It was really fast paced.  It was really cold yesterday too, so we did not stay for the whole game.  

Stay tuned because we are just getting warmed up.

 

Big T Gearing Up

Sprat as goalie

End of Season. . .

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  We lived in the little moments, unfortunately separated.  The hubbs and Sprat spend All day at Carolina Rebellion and Big T and I spent our Saturday at Lax Fest.  They played four games and won three out of the four.  That is a lot of Lacrosse for one little boy.  We had fun though and he finished his season with three big wins.  We also got to see a few girls college lacrosse championship games too.  Duke, Carolina, Virginia Tech and South Florida were there playing and those that think girls lacrosse is not as physical as the boys have not watched them play.
Sprat and the hubbs were at the concert all day and got to see several bands that they both like.  Spent Sunday at Mom and Dad's celebrating my Mom and my sister and what great mothers they both are.  Enjoyed some wonderful food and spending time with the family.  Big T did not feel real well so we did not get to go see he and Sprats name sake.  My sister named her newest baby goats after my boys.  Big T the goat is quite rambunctious and usually finds trouble.  Sprat the goat is not as much of a trouble seeker.  They are both very cute goats.  
Big T is in black in the middle.  Last set of games for this season, they finished with only two losses.

School is Almost Out. . .

One final down and one to go, I am really excited and relieved to see this semester come to an end.   I will have about a month to decompress and prepare for a wild Summer full of College tours, football workouts, and Lacrosse camps.  I hope we can work in a visit to the beach too.  
Big T is almost done with his season of Lacrosse, he got to play attacker this weekend.  The attackers are the ones that get to shoot and score.  Big T was very nervous and they threw him the ball and caught it clean and turned to shoot but unfortunately the goalie caught it.  The goalie and Big T were both pretty surprised.   They won both games and they were so far ahead in the last game and that is why Big T got to be an attacker.  They were letting the boys play what ever position they wanted.   Their record right now is 13-1-1.
Baseball game was cancelled due to the weather.  My niece has moved into her new apartment up here to start her clinical rotations for her final year of Pharmacy school.  I am so proud of my nieces they are smart, talented, beautiful and are not afraid to step out of their comfort zone to achieve their goals.   I wonder if my sister would mind if I claim her as mine while she is here?  
Back on the books for that final, final exam and then I can cheer my boys through their finals and EOC exams.

Husbands and Wives. . . .

Spent a cold rainy day watching Big T play lacrosse.  They lost their first game but won the second one big.  Big T got his first penalty for hitting a kid in the back.  Lacrosse is kind of like hockey in that he had to sit out for one minute.  He had some very good legit no penalty hits that were awesome.   He played almost the entire second game, except for that pesky penalty.  It was cold as can be but we had a great day.  The hubbs missed all the action, he was fishing a big tournament in South Carolina.  He had a good weekend too, came in second the first day but not too goo the second day.  
Whenever the hubbs is out of town like that over the weekend he takes that Monday off.  This morning we had our breakfast date and then a few errands and back home to relax and recoup.   I can see us doing this more and more as the kids get older and we have more time together, just the two of us.  If you are not dating your hubby I highly recommend it.   Having kids and being consumed by their activities we can sometimes neglect our spouse.  As a wife or a husband we must make a concerted effort to stay connected with each other.   Once your kiddos are living their lives and are more independent you should really step up this effort to be connected.
I lived in the moment this weekend with the kiddos and since it was rainy and bad I did not take my camera so no pictures to share this time.
Lots of exciting things going on with the Clan so stay tuned.