2 Views on Basketball

Briley was my photographer today! I think she did pretty good considering my short lens is no longer working automatically! Jackson LOVES his basketball team! And for that I am glad. This fun little league has once again made me aware of how competitive Derek and I are. We have decided that we are no longer going to "coach" from the sidelines- every time we leave Jackson is so happy and thrilled about his performance! It's a funny age - 4- In some respects he is a little aggressive with the ball and his passes- that I am sure comes from gym time with his Dad's team- and there are times when he tries to "act" like Jasper- which is really funny, because at such a young age he has a lot of his mannerisms sized up pretty well- But- I digress- this is an "introduction to basketball league" and Derek and I have left a couple of times just thinking "wow! we need to just let him run around!"

A very fitting name here- Jackson the Tornado-

I love this picture because I have one just like it of Jasper-

We have worked on this, and today I was happy to see Jackson watching the game even if for a minute during his time out!

He has the arms up pretty much mastered!!!

And I must say, that he is a good ball handler! I guess that comes from spending hours in the gym!!

There he is... hugging the basket! These are the things that after the game make us chuckle! Not so much during the game :-)

I was talking to another parent today who teaches 3rd grade (a former Pre-K / K teacher) and she told me that Jackson was mild compared to other kids! HA- We need to find those kids. We are excited that we have his asthma under control well enough that he can play! That is such a gift! It's hard to believe our little miracle man is going to be 5 in 4 months! He is so proud that he weighs 43 pounds! He is obsessed with our scale- He weighs himself every time he enters the bathroom!

He has been coming to school with me a lot lately- He really loves that. I have worried about him making that transition so much- really too much! It's amazing how the Devil can creep in and fill all those idle moments with fear. By all accounts he is above where he needs to be- and I need to relax. God has held Jackson from the very beginning and I'm sure he gets frustrated because I worry about him so.

Jackson on the other hand,  is very excited about being with us next year at school. Last night he wrote this sentence "I C A DOG NMD BCKT" (I see a dog named Biscuit)- His future K teacher  was so impressed, she could not understand why I am worried! I don't know... it's probably because his personality is so different from Macey and Briley- I mean he is a BOY!!!

The count down is on for the end of the year. My kids have it plotted out in our room- 3rd nine weeks, progress reports, 4th nine weeks, and the last day! It will be over in a blink- This year has been an adjustment, but a big lesson in empathy and compassion. I can see all the curves I took that made this job easy for me. Each one of my kids have so much to offer the world regardless of their current circumstances! They have taught me so much! I have a student this year that can play music by ear- It has been really neat to give him songs, and have him come in the next day and play the entire song! I stand in awe of the talents we are given.

It's hard to believe that we are at the end of high school basketball! It seems like we were just getting ready for our season and now we are preparing for District playoffs! For us, that means travel ball is right around the corner!! Of course, at these games... we did yell at Jap a little :)

Jasper really had some great games! I am really going to miss him when he leaves for college- We still don't know where he is going or what he is going to play! Maybe before the start of his Senior year we can work all that out! With his high school season ending, we will be hitting the road for some great travel ball tournaments! I try to be neutral with him, but I think deep down he knows that I love the sport of basketball MORE than football. I keep telling him though he is the one going off, so it's up to him- to pick what he wants to play! We are just so proud of him either way.

Derek and I both were really proud of what he accomplished this year in both football and basketball- he was inducted into the NHS last week, so if he keeps it up he will have some really good opportunities.

The girls are great too! I don't have any pictures of them tonight, but they have been dancing every weekend, so I haven't had many opportunities to snap them. We are getting ready to compete a little bit in the next few months and they are very excited about that! I am too! It always amazes me how good they really are!

Life has been crazy. I have really enjoyed reading 7- It has cleared our house and our minds! I have sent it to several of my friends so that they to can "get rid of the junk!" The neat thing about the junk is that it is now residing in the garage- waiting for a yard sale my husband swears that he is going to have- HAVE AT IT!!! I'm just not to much into those- I would rather give to some one that can use! He has until the middle of February and then I will have the junk collectors come and have a field day!

It has really still NOT been cold for more than 2 or 3 days! It was high 70's last week- oh how I long for a COLD snap.... What I would do for a little SNOW.... It's just never winter here and I am not sure why... I mean Florida is always HOT!!!

Goals this week - snap some pictures of the girls! Macey is so tall- her legs are crazy long and she continues to amaze me with her beauty and grace! Briley is sprouting up to, so I will do my best to capture their beauty this week!

Try a little compassion this week- it's amazing what God will give back to YOU!

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little" 

2 Corinthians 8:13-15