Every year I brace myself for this season. This "basketball has started and football hasn't ended" season. I love it. I hate it. I'm tired.
One of the football dads told me last week (he coaches Daughter #6's basketball team) that he expected nothing less than 24/7 from the Coach preparing for this week's game. He was kidding. Sort of. I just laughed. The Coach was already 24/7 in anticipation of this week's game. For several weeks now.
I'm realizing that I don't just love football because I love the Friday nights in the stands. Or because I love watching my boys play. Or because I love watching my Coach on the sidelines. I enjoy ALL of that and look forward to it every Fall.
But football has taught me a lot, too. About supporting the Coach even when I'm tired and I miss him and I've had enough of the constantly streaming film of next week's opponent in the kitchen every night. About patiently gathering up page after page of sketched out and printed out play diagrams and sheets of plays for practice off the table so we can eat. About realizing he WILL fall asleep if it sits down in a comfy chair after 8 - which is why he will chose the wooden desk chair instead. About not getting frustrated when his alarm goes off at 5:30 on a Saturday so he can get up and break down film before he goes to meet the team - after being up until midnight on Friday. About often eating dinner without him at night and spending most of Saturday without him around.
Sometimes I've just had enough and I let my ugly selfishness take over. I forget all of this. The need for support and patience and understanding.
Last night was one of those times.
I'm just being honest, here. It's not all band music and clapping and cheering and "I'm so happy we won!".
This is real life and it's not always pretty.
I'm not sure how the next few days will even work, truthfully. With two practices and two games, tonight. Two games tomorrow and the BIG game (an hour and a half away, of course). Two games Saturday and the Coach and I trying to get out of here and to the Expo for our half marathon before it closes on Saturday. And then the running of the 13.1 on Sunday.
We're not exactly fresh as daisies around here.
I am thankful. I'm CHOOSING thankful. It doesn't come naturally. I'm tired, cranky, overwhelmed, and wishing for quieter, less busy days.
Have you heard Trace Adkins song, "You're gonna miss this"? Our Internet filter won't let me find a YouTube video for you, so go look it up. I'll wait. . .
See? Besides the fact that Son (#1) has ruined me completely and I actually like some country music, now?
It's all going so quickly and I want to soak it in and enjoy every second and if it takes a third cup of coffee this morning? I'm going to chose to be thankful.
1. My precious, loving, faithful husband. Who took time to read another chapter of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" to the littles last night. He's ever the optimist around here. Always telling me it'll work out and we'll be OK. Even when I'm all doom and despair. Love him.
2. A great football season, which I've enjoyed so much, even without a player out there on the high school team. Week 2 of the playoffs! GO BIG BLUE!
3. The beginning of basketball season. And the hope of having the Coach's help this year with the five players we're keeping up with.
4. Colder weather. A snow day on Monday. And sunshine, today.
5. Every need so graciously met by our loving Heavenly Father. That Christ intercedes on our behalf and continues to pour out His grace.
6. The tail end of this cold I've been fighting all week. And Essential oils.
7. Christmas lists from my kids. Little Man's was priceless.
8. The hope of things to come. Making memories. Enjoying this season.
And now? My morning run is calling.
Happy Thursday.
"According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:" 2 Peter 1:3
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