Oh what a weekend of fun, crazy, intense and exciting sports it was!! Jackson's Pacers played the HRBA in the championship yesterday and it was quite THE game, to say the least. Something I know him or I will never forget. This team had already beaten us by an average of 20 points twice this season. I tried to encourage Jackson beforehand not to go into the game thinking they had already lost. The entire game was a nail biter. The two teams played tough and physical. The Pacers just looked different on the court. Even Jackson pushed his limits. We went back & forth with the lead, never falling further behind than 6 points. At halftime, the scored was tied 21-21. In the final minute, the opposing team had taken the lead. We were down 41-39. With only 4 seconds left, Jack swished a 3 to narrow the lead 43-42. The other team went to the foul line and made 1 of 2 free throws; the score was now 44-42. Only 1 second remaining, and we got the rebound. The ball was passed up court to Jack who took the shot right at the buzzer for a 3 for THE WIN!!!!!! The crowd went nuts. The parents and spectators charged the court but Jack's teammates had already erupted off the bench and surrounded him. People from other courts had been watching the game because it was the championship and such a close game. The entire place was so loud. I stood back and watched Jackson surrounded by his teammates and coaches who were jumping and screaming all around him, bear hugging him and slapping him on the back. The biggest smile ever on his face. Quite possibly one of the best parent moments ever for me. I can't imagine what it felt like for him.
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. Today, it was just me & Cam. The other 2 are still in Hatteras with the grandparents; Josh had to work. He rarely ever gets time with just us. So, I knew I had to make the most of it.
We took our bikes to the beach to ride the board walk. It was a really pretty, and hot, day. We struggled to get both bikes in the back of my car. But he was a huge help. Afterwards (and it took a lot of time and we were both sweating), he fist bumped me. We ate lunch at Waterman's. We had been there once before for his birthday 2 years ago. We sat outside. He ordered a Caesar salad and mozzarella sticks. Watching him eat his salad, I could have cried. Afterwards, he said he could easily take a nap on the deck with the breeze blowing in from the ocean. We rode nearly 30 blocks and turned around. On the way back, I suggested we stop for salt water taffy. He didn't know what it was. He took his time filling up his bag with various flavors. Afterwards, he saw mini buckets filled with taffy with names on them. He picked one out that said "Isabella" and asked if we would get it. "She loves candy", he said. On the ride home, he told me "that was fun". I let him watch basketball videos on my phone, and we rode home in silence. And that was okay. I only got this picture. And that's okay, too, because I was just enjoying this time with him. He rarely smiles and shows his teeth. I wish he did it all the time. You didn't want to wear a tie. I could tell that even though you were a little embarrassed, however, you liked the way you looked. But you drew the line at the dress shoes Dad picked out for you. Thankfully, they didn't fit. And no one can rock Lebrons with a tie better than you. It was the first time I think you've ever worn a tie. Or been to a sports banquet. I'm sure it won't be your last. It was a great night. You sat with your teammates at your own table and went through the buffet line without any parents. We were pretty proud. You sat quietly and respectful during the speeches and awards. And paid more attention than I realized. I might have gotten a little irritated when you wouldn't cooperate during the team picture. But afterwards, I realized, you weren't really sure what to do, and I think I embarrassed you. I'm sorry. Sometimes I don't give you the benefit of the doubt. But I do see that you're growing up and maturing. Every day. You still fight with your sister and tease the crap out of her. You cry when you get embarrassed or angry or really hurt (but try not to let anyone see it, except for me, you always come to me). Despite your toughness, you are sweet, sensitive, and empathetic. You're witty and goofy. And somehow, you always know the right thing to say. On the way home from the banquet that night, you leaned over the seat and gave me a kiss and whispered, "I had a lot of fun tonight". Not as much as I did, kid.
"Dad, I don't know how to tie a tie." You made your middle school basketball team. To say your Dad & I are proud is putting it mildly. You made first cuts. Then second cuts. We were dying; I can't imagine how you were feeling, but you handled it well. You actually seemed pretty confident. Final cuts were the night we were scheduled to leave for Michigan. We were picking you up from tryouts and getting right on the road. I worried that if you didn't make it, it would take some of the air out of our trip. But you came out with a big smile on your face and a sheet of paper in your hand. You have to wear a tie on game days. Dad was happy to show you how to fix your tie and even picked out a new shirt for you. Last night was your first game. We lost, but you had quite a fan club. When your not doing this... ...you're usually doing this... You're pretty attached to your phone. I'm hoping it's a phase. Mostly playing games. But there's been a lot of texting. And girls. Ugh. You've got such a good head on your shoulders, and you've surprised me with your maturity lately. You spend a lot of time in the evenings on the Xbox (playing basketball, of course) with school friends. But I don't stress about that because you are still bringing home straight A's and enjoying school. You are very confident in your own skin and don't really seem to care what others think. The only time you ever get in trouble is when you forget to do something (which happens more often that not) - like when I ask you to bring your laundry downstairs and an hour later, you still haven't done it. And when I ask again, you're like "oh! I forgot!" And when you mumble; it drives your Dad & I crazy. Your teenage years are quickly approaching. I'm as ready as I'm going to get. I hope you stay focused on your grades, basketball, and your friends for a few more years, at least. You say you want to be an engineer, and I think you could be anything you want to be. When you really want something, you put your all into it. You've proven that with basketball. And just maybe, you'll even get your wish.
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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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