September 27, 2010

Monday Night Football

Football season is in full swing at the Cannon house. This is Noah's third year playing flag football with the salvation army program. They usually start the program when they are in second grade but this year the first graders are getting to play. It will be fun to watch Jacob play as well.

I feel that I have pretty fair expectations of how much athletic ability to expect from each age group. I know that the younger guys get board and may be dancing around in the back field. I also know that they will have simple plays and they will be hesitant this year. Each year they seem to grow into their bodies a little more and it sure makes a difference! The last few years Noah has really figured out how to use his long legs when running. Tonight he scored his first touchdown of the season and the only touchdown of the game. He ran for a total of about 110 yards with 85 of those being for his touchdown. It is fun to watch!

That being said I felt like I was going to have a brain aneurysm on the sidelines. I cheer for all of the kids and have been known to clap for either team if they do well. I also am very thankful for the coaches/referees that volunteer, but if you don't know the rules what are you doing on the field?? Most of our game was spent in huddles. There is a time limit on the amount you can spend in a huddle. Also no one knew if they were suppose to change directions at each quarter or just halftime...hello?! Even I knew the answer to that one. One very nice parent did volunteer to referee and he said that he was unsure of the rules, so he had the rule book in his hand and read it as he went.

At one point during the game the other coach did something that was illegal and then said "oh yeah I was suppose to say we were going to punt". smile, smile.

Yes when it comes to games I am a rule follower. Rules are for a reason. They make things fair. If everyone follows the rules then you won/lost fairly. I warned Clint that he may have to be the parent referee at Sat's game. He better brush up on his flag football rules....I will be watching!

September 20, 2010

Remembering Me

October 14th Noah will be 10. For the last 10 years I have had the most amazing job in the world! I have loved motherhood. I have loved my role of shaping these boys. Teaching them right from wrong, teaching them to love family, to care for others, among so many other things. It is a lot of work to raise good husbands and that is my goal. Some of the other roles I play on a daily basis: wife, housekeeper, chauffeur, nurse (at work and home), referee, teacher, hairdresser (mohawk, spiky or handsome), bather, butt wiper, entertainer, silly mama to only name a few.

My typical day off (from my paid job) goes like this: wake up, start coffee, cook breakfast, get Mason from bed and changed (the bigger boys have an alarm clock), take a shower, take Noah and Jake to school, start a load of laundry, eat a little breakfast, find something to entertain Mason, do breakfast dishes, more laundry, check my online banking (and a few minutes on facebook), change Mason's diaper, get Ethan from school, feed Ethan and Mason lunch, try to eat at the same time unless Mason is REALLY fussy, change Mason, put him to bed, do laundry, pick up the living room, (today I painted the dining room during naptime), sweep, laundry, continuing to find something for Ethan to do during quiet time, get Mason up from nap, change his diaper, get Jake from school, snack time and homework for Jake, if the weather is bad pick up Noah, Noah's homework, cook dinner, dishes, football practice, home, bath for Mason, Ethan and Jake shower then Noah showers, quick snack teeth brushing, story, bed.

So during these days I forget about me, I fill sippy cups and make lots of chocolate milk, I wipe butts, sing silly songs and do silly dances for the boys. I just want to start remembering me. Just for a little bit. Obviously this is a little difficult with days off like above and a full time career. Today I started making a list. A list of things I would like to do at some point just for me. Not only am I making the list, but I am going to start crossing things off.

Here are a few things on my list:
  • learn Spanish
  • take a photography class
  • learn to scuba dive
  • swim with a dolphin
  • go sky diving
  • learn to play the piano
  • read 50 books of the BBC list of 100 books
  • learn to make a killer cupcake...from scratch
  • take a cake decorating class - fondant and gum paste

I have many more things on my list and I will continue to add to it as I think of more. I am very excited. I love all of the roles I play, but once in awhile I am going to work on remembering me.

September 12, 2010

Viva paper towels and sausage links

Yesterday I was thinking about Viva paper towels and sausage links. Or more accurately sausage links wrapped in viva paper towels. Crazy I know. The reason I was thinking about this was my Grandma would order an extra side of sausage links and then wrap them in her paper towel to take home. I always miss and think about my Grandma B. but this time of year is especially difficult. Tomorrow would have been her birthday. I wanted to write down a few things that remind me of one of the strongest women I was lucky enough to know and love!
  • ked shoes
  • Flathead lake
  • 5th wheels
  • Cheese ball puffs
  • circus peanuts (the candy)
  • RC cola
  • Talk shows
  • Game Show Network
  • Yard ornaments (particularly burros)
  • Native American dolls
  • crochet blankets
  • romance novels
  • 8-tracks (I always wondered about her fat tapes in the Pontiac)
  • Sweet peas
  • Bright, tacky t-shirts
  • any holiday decoration that sings/dances
  • Halloween cupcakes
  • Big Christmas trees
  • Bon-bons
  • Turkey and mayo sandwiches
  • long fingernails
  • sitting on the couch with your legs tucked underneath
  • wordfinds/crosswords
  • puzzles
  • swap meets

So many more things that I had to stop (I actually can barely see the screen because of the tears).

My Grandma was such a strong, unselfish woman. I have so many wonderful memories from the time I was very little. I spent much of my summer camping with them and countless nights at their house for sleepovers. I know that she is in a better place but I still miss her! I fell blessed that I am her oldest grandchild. I knew her as a child and I also knew her as an adult. She was able to meet and hold 2 of my boys. I wish she could have met the other 2 and all of the other great-grandchildren yet to come (from the other grandkids....we are done :) ).

Thanks to her I have learned to love unconditionally, to care for my family no matter what. I have also learned to do things for myself to make me happy. Grandma you are always in my heart and I miss you!