The Sun Came Up

Well, I guess we can safely say the game didn't end up how we would of liked! It is funny to me how people will say, "it is only a game" after a big loss. I know basketball is a game, but it is more than JUST a game to many of us. A rec league basketball game, a game of 4 square at recess, a friendly chess match or t-ball game, those I agree are "just a game." However, when you pour your heart out for 4 months, practice daily, spend time away from your family to scout and coach it becomes a little more. The game becomes a part you and your team a part of your family.

Growing up the daughter of a coach, becoming a coach and marrying a coach I feel like I have a little different perspective than some. I find that sitting in the stands watching my family coach or play I am a bundle of nerves. My stomach is upset and I have butterflies hours before tip-off. I feel uneasy and unsettled until the final buzzer sounds. This is funny because when I coach I get a little nervous, but never feel unsettled. I guess it is the lack of control I feel. As a coach's wife and kid it is hard sitting in the stands listening to those who berate, second-guess and are simply disrespectful to those you love. As a coach you learn quickly you will never make everyone happy and some will never be happy no matter what. Regardless, it doesn't make it easier. 

We coach to win games and championships, but we also coach to develop young athletes and build relationships with them. The kids on our teams mean more to us than just being a point guard or a post. We try to teach them lessons that will last long after they are done playing basketball. Basketball is, "more than just a game" because of all of those things! Losing stinks and I hate it, I won't lie. As the sun comes up this morning I realize that because what we teach is more than just shooting and dribbling our "season" really isn't over, it is just beginning!

All about FAMILY

Tonight I missed my husband's first round sub-state game. Although it made me feel physically ill, I had a previous appointment to show houses and had to stick to it! To many it seems strange to hear someone talk about missing a basketball game like that. Some would even say that it was ridiculous to feel that way, but I have to disagree. I love sports, I love basketball, but my strong feelings about missing the game don't just stem from those reasons! It is all about FAMILY!

I was raised going to all sorts of games. Mom drug us around to all of dad's football and basketball games and track meets. We all grew up playing the sports our mom and dad did! The thing that sticks out to me about it all is that we did it together. We didn't always eat dinner around the table, but we always ate it together! I, at times, question dragging my kids to games and keeping them up past their bedtime some nights, but I figure we are at least always together! It is not everyday that your husband is the head coach of the boys team and his assistants are your brother-in-law and first cousin. If that was not enough my brother is also a senior on the team. To complicate matters more my dad is the head girls coach and my brother is his assistant!

I am not one that usually is emotional about things and I am not a crier! However, as this week of basketball begins I feel a little more uptight than usual and yes, dare I say, more emotional as well! I just feel like we have more at stake than winning! I want my family to have great games, feel success, go out winners and just be happy! I do not want them to second guess themselves, feel as if a mistake or loss is their fault or be disappointed! I love them all so much I want to take away their nerves and doubts. Yes, I want to win because that is why we play and coach - to win! But, because I love them I will support them win or lose, great game or not. So as I sit in the stands over the next few days I will be stressed and emotional, but I won't be alone. We will all be together as a family!

Go REDSKINS!!!

 

 

Homemade Yumminess!!

Today I had the fixins for Taco Soup, or so I thought. I got it going and realized I had no tortilla chips or even tortillas to make my own chips. What's a girl to do, make her own of course!!! I looked up a couple recipes and it looked pretty easy. I finally settled on this one, Healthy Handmade Tortillas. I got out the five ingredients and went for it! Talk about EASY, it took minutes to put together. I did wait about 45 minutes to roll them out, the recipe calls for at least 30. After the forty-five minutes I made them into balls and started to roll. 

As you can see mine don't look exactly round, but they didn't need to be! I wasn't putting anything in them, just using them to eat with our Taco Soup. One thing to make sure you do is make them VERY thin! Some of them looked almost transparent and those were the best. They poof up a bit (very scientific term) so you don't want them very thick when you put them on the griddle. I did spray the griddle before putting them on and also sprayed the tops before I flipped them, just to make sure they got a little more color. 

They only took a few minutes on each side and viola, they were ready to eat. I thought they were really yummy! I have always liked my tortillas a bit chewy and these were perfect! Not to thick, not to thin and the taste and consistency was better than store bought! This is one thing I can safely say I will make again. Sorry Mission Tortillas I think you have met your match! I challenge you all to try this, you won't be sorry!

Snow Day Treat

It is hard to believe that we got over a FOOT of SNOW! It seems like forever since we have lots of snow. Yesterday was filled with watching snow fall, playing in it, freezing in it, sledding in it and freezing in it more! What fun!

This morning I decided to make the kids a treat mom used to make us when I was growing up - Biscuit Donuts! Yummy! Of course I never seem to have all the right ingredients or tools when I get a bright idea to make something, but it always seems to work out! I had the right starting ingredient - GRANDS biscuits. When I went to make them into donuts I didn't have anything to cut the hole, so what would any cook use? Why a wine bottle opener of course! It had the exact size hole and everything!

When I went to get the oil I found I had very little, but with my smallest pan on the stove it was just enough! The kids thought they were pretty good, although I am pretty sure there were never any leftovers when I was a kid! Here is the finished product. Not too shabby for a quick snow day treat!

 If you have never made them they are super easy, here's how. You will need......

1 can Grands Biscuits

Sugar

Oil

Pan

 

Then you simply make donut shapes with whatever you have on hand, such as a wine bottle opener. You can also just cut the biscuits in fourths if you don't want a donut shape! Then simply plop them in HOT oil and fry em up! They don't take long, so don't walk off! When they are golden brown on both sides dip them in sugar on both sides. Next step is easy, EAT!!

Octopus For Supper?!?

Well, hot dog octopus, I should say! I never have claimed to be a gourmet chef, but occasionally I try to do something fun for the kids. So tonight I made one of their favorites, hot dog octopus. As you can see it is really hard to do. NOT! Tonight I just threw it over some leftover chili, added cheese and then topped it off with a few corn chips.

I have also done this over mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. Wish I had more time to do fun stuff like this. Maybe I will someday! Love doing fun easy things for the kiddos! I still remember going to Grandma Cordell's and drinking hippopotamus juice (kool aid)! I don't have a whole lot of memories with Grandma Cordell. We lost her to breast cancer when I was only 4, but I do remember some things and hippopotamus juice is one of those. I hope to make memories with my kids and grand-kids like that one day. Miss you Grandma! Hope you all can make time to do something fun for your kids. They might just remember it forever!

Fall on the Farm

What a day. It seems as though we have been running all day long! It started with a trip to the Kansas Barn Sale in Hesston. A teaching friend and I went and checked it out for the first time! If you have never gone I would recommend it! There were tons of fun things and I hope to maybe be a vendor there next year! They really had something for everyone. Save and Share in McPherson was our next stop. Found some fun goodies there to keep our creative juices flowing. Then I was dropped off at Braxton's flag football game. It was cold, raining and did I mention it was COLD! They did great and had fun! I think that this bunch of boys will be fun to watch as they grow! I don't know if they will win a lot of games, but I know they will be a competitive bunch, who will work hard for each other! After football we headed home to take naps and get our food ready for Fall on the Farm!

Fall on the Farm has been a tradition that started a few years back. It is held at my Aunt Susan's and her kids help put it on! We also celebrate my Godson Henry's birthday! It is always a fun night! Great food, cider, hot cocoa, popcorn, pumpkin decorating scavenger hunt, Halloween bowling, witch hat ring toss, pinata, hay rack ride, candy jar guess and FAMILY! Whew, that is a lot of stuff to do in an evening. I love getting together with my family, we are a fun group to hang with, at least we all think so. There are kids running around everywhere and plenty of conversation to go around! I especially like getting to see my cousin Hilarie, who is more like a sister! We are all so busy we don't get to see each other as much as we would like, but it feels like old times whenever we get together! Here is a fun picture we captured together last night!

Before you ask we do have witch masks on! We might resemble them sometimes, but we are acually much cuter without them on, you can take my word for it! Anyway, it was a great night! Kids had fun, we had fun and most importantly many new memories were made!

New Project!

As a teacher and mom of three I believe in good discipline! If there is discipline I firmly believe it will take care of most problems in the classroom and at home! As much as I like to hold kids accountable, I also think it is so important for them to hear about the good things they do! While on Pinterest tonight I found this idea. Yes, it is not rocket science, but it could really help my kiddos at home feel good about doing what is right! Every time we catch them doing something good or kind we can put something in the jar. They suggest cotton balls, pom poms, money, really anything you like! Once it fills up you can do something fun to reward your kids! You can go here, to check out the blog this idea came from.

Maybe if I focus more on my kids positive behaviors and they know we are looking to "catch" them in the act, they will be less apt to be naughty! Will this solve all of our problems? The short answer is NO, but it is always nice to notice the good, not just the bad. I will try to get this done by the weekend and then keep you posted if I think it is helping!