Not only is he sexy, but he is also a hard working baseball dad and coach. Okay, so I'm going to be honest. I do complain about the time he puts into this VOLUNTEER job as coach. He gets to practice early and stays late. He has to prep the field and clean up afterwards. He spends evenings on the computer scheduling tournaments and searching for hotels, ordering uniforms, and calculating budgets. He spends time coaching other peoples' kids which takes away from extra 1-on-1 time he could be giving to his own son. He deals with disgruntled parents and stresses about friendships and feelings. He loves every single kid on his team. And treats them like his own. And though, in the craziness of our day to day, I often overlook all of this, but I am always aware of his sacrifice. And I love him for all of it. I know this makes him happy. He won't be able to do this forever. Someday, soon, he will have to give up coaching him. And I know Cameron loves having his Dad as a coach. I know he's proud of his Dad, as I am. To him, Dad knows everything about baseball. And how cool is that.
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Way back in 2008, Jackson started playing basketball. He was a Wolverine, go figure. And only 4. The rim was 6 feet tall. Fast forward 10 years. His love for basketball really took off when he was 10. He spent most days afterschool in the driveway shooting hoops. The other day, I was in the kitchen and thought I heard a basketball bouncing outside. I knew Cameron was upstairs and Bella was also inside. I looked at the clock. Yep, Jackson should be walking in the door right now. He didn't even make it inside. His backpack was in the garage; he had grabbed a ball and started shooting. This happens most days. I might yell sometimes, but I secretly don't mind that we can't leave the house without him grabbing the ball and taking a few lay ups while I pack up the car. I'm not naive. I know my son won't play for the NBA. I also know he won't play college basketball. Well, I guess that's too early to say right now. After all, Michael Jordan was cut his first year in high school, right? It's never been about being the best. We just want him to have fun and be proud of himself. It's about wanting something really badly. It's about pushing yourself outside your comfort zone. It's about practice. And passion. He has all of that. Since he turned 10, he has practiced and played and pushed himself and taken chances. And he's gotten better and better. He made his middle school team in 7th and 8th grade. He joined the Jayhawks when he was 11. But, it all started with his rec team. And his biggest fan and his coach, his Dad. This is likely his last year with his rec team. 10 years. What a ride. I've cheered for the Wolverines, the Tarheels, and the Thunder. I have watched most of these boys grow from crying, whiny, tiny little boys who only cared about the after game snacks into sweaty, squeaky-voiced teens who talk trash on the court and get on their cell phones as soon as we get in the car. I wish we could go back and do it all over again.
I really do love the sound of a bouncing basketball outdoors. I know someday, my heart will ache for it when it's gone. He's worked so hard the past 9 years. And it's all paying off. First, he's been accepted into the Governor's STEM Academy at Landstown. Annnnnnd he received the Brandon Middle's Student Athlete award for basketball for 2018 in his last year in middle school. I can't stop thinking about all of it. Some days, I still look at him and have to pinch myself. He's mine. Almost 14 years later, he's still my {big} baby.
"Mom, take another picture! Mom, take a picture of me doing this!!" It was a beautiful 78 degree day in mid February. Our day started off with Jackson's basketball game. Bella & I went to Cam's baseball practice afterwards. Only because it was such a beautiful day. We don't get many >70 degree weather days in February. I took advantage to practice shooting. After taking some shots of practice, I followed Bella around the park for a bit. I don't do many photo shoots with her. Mainly, because of lack of time. There is never enough time for us to do the things we need to do, much less the things we want to do. But, I need to make that time. Somewhere, somehow. She really enjoyed me following her around with my camera. And she was feeling herself.
We had another snow day. This was the night before when it had started snowing and we had just gotten the call that school was canceled the next day. Bella had already fallen asleep, so the 3 of us watched Hacksaw Ridge while Cam hung out upstairs.
This has been my most favorite Christmas to date. For many reasons. Some are hard to explain. The kids are old. It's official. Let's face it; time is not slowing down. And although that makes me sad, we're at a good stage in life. Jackson likes clothes. And shoes. But he gets Christmas. He gets the sentiment. He understands that "some" still believe and encourages that. He is appreciative and fun. And he's still a goofy, somewhat awkward, and oftentimes annoying and downright obnoxious, teenager. Cameron loves the spirit. No matter his age. He reminds me of Josh. He was the first to wake up this year. He chose to wake up Bella and Jackson before waking us up. He gets embarrassed opening up gifts; he doesn't like being the center of attention. He asked for a new baseball glove and got his first phone. We haven't been able to get him off yet. Before I took this picture, without even looking up, Cam says, "Mom, are you going to take the picture or what?" And Bella. She is the one who reminds us all what Christmas means. I think the boys even love watching her and can't help but feel her emotions. She's the one who hugs you after opening each gift. She's the one who exclaims, "How did Santa know? He got my list!!" And then farted because she was so excited. Our tradition begins Christmas Eve with dinner with the grandparents and cousins. And some present opening. And some entertaining. This year, it was scaled down a bit. The 3 boys aren't very interested in performing any more. Sad face. But the girls, especially Bella, still love to dance. Afterwards, we head home to make cookies and get everything ready for Santa. And bed. The boys helped her sprinkle reindeer food in the yard. Jackson was so patient and helped her spell every word for Santa's letter. After all the traditional Christmas Eve festivities, this....they were restless, excited and just being kids. Christmas morning. Present opening. Cinnamon rolls. Nap time. And more family. Which means more present opening. This year, we had a small, mini Thanksgiving dinner. I made the best ham (in a crockpot, shhh). It was a great day. Twas the last day of Christmas...for our family, at least. The day after Christmas we head back to the grandparents for ... yes, more presents. And leftovers. And family time. Because that's what this is all about. I must explain the many buckets. It's a traditional family beach game we play. The boys love it. We finally get our own set of buckets. I spy.... two brothers getting along because the youngest one got a phone and big brother is helping him to set it up and then they're playing a game together and although they're on electronic devices this momma couldn't be happier that they are, well....just together. And so this Christmas was a good Christmas. Yes, my kids are getting older. But they still love Christmas. And they like each other. And they are so good to their little sister when it counts. And when they can't get along all year, but this time of year brings out the best in them and they are so good to one another. And happy to be around family. And their anticipation is infectious And all those little traditions I thought went unnoticed...I'm starting to see how much it means to them. When your 13 year old, who can barely fit under the tree, still gets on his hands and knees to count his presents. Or goes outside shirtless with his little sister in the cold to throw corn kernels in the grass for the reindeer. Or your 10 year old can't wait to get home Christmas Eve to check the "Santa tracker". And your 6 year old figures out Santa knows their name from their stockings because he wrote "Isabella" and not just Bella.
Later on, Christmas day, while we were getting ready for company, Bella says, "I wish it was Christmas." "Bella it is Christmas." "No," she says, "I mean, I wish it was last night and we were going to bed and going to wake up again." "Yes, me too. I wish we could do it over and over again." |
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November 2018
AuthorMy name is Kaci. I am a working mom of 3. Wife to Josh. Mom to Jackson, Cameron & Isabella. My life is dinner, homework, baseball, basketball, grocery lists, laundry, middle school, wine, video games, and schedules. I started this blog because I love taking pictures, and I needed a place to document our life. I wanted a place to write it all down, to remember little details so easily forgotten in the mad rush that is the life of a family of 5. Through my photos and words, I endeavor to capture our story. Categories
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