OK, so with all the busyness this week, and after hearing all sorts of negative and positive feedback, I have finally found the time to sit and watch the 2 hour interview with Sen. Barrack Obama and Sen. John McCain, hosted by Rick Warren @ his Saddleback church.
I've heard so many different opinions from friends and family. Especially the opinion that Barrack wasn't nearly as commanding and concise with his answers as McCain had been. So, that was my expectation as I sat down to view this event. But, I have to say, after watching the entire program, I don't feel Barrack made a complete fool of himself, as some suggested.
I DO think he skirted the issues an awful lot. And he didn't give very direct answers. I did like the decisiveness I heard from McCain. And his years of experience definitely stood out above his opponents.'
I think it was a very good forum, a very productive time of discussing very tough issues, and I'm very glad I sat and watched it. That's about all I'm gonna say, cuz I'm tired and have lot's to do for the first week of school. So, that's it. xoxo
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Catching Up Part 3
Here are some still shots from when the Kid's Connection band shot a music video earlier this summer, for the song SOLUTION by Hillsong United. We filmed it at various locations, downtown Chicago. It was such a blast! The final video has been shown several times in Kid's Connection, but I'm still waiting to get my hands on a copy so that I can post it online. Till then, here are just a few of the many, many pics that were so artistically taken by Kyle Dern:
My brother, Brandon, sang lead and I did backup vocals. In fact we sang like this for all the Kid's Connection services this summer, as well as for KCU, a Wednesday adult service, and an NXT service. What an experience for me, to sing with someone so talented. I love my brother so much! And, yes, college-aged ladies...not ony is he talented...he's also available! LOL.Catching Up Part 2
This week, Mark had a rough time in football. He missed an entire week of practice while we were away at camp, and the very next day after returning home, he had to play in their first season game. The team seemed a bit unorganized, and they ended up losing the game. Sad day!
When the coaches reviewed the video footage of the game, they noticed that, among other players, Mark had not given much effort at all! So the following week of practice was like boot camp for the team. The coaches seemed to be on a mission to discipline these kids.
A couple of the coaches took it much too far, in my opinion. I don't mind them being tough with the kids, and working them hard so that they grow physically and mentally as players. But a couple of these coaches were using very raw words and were cutting these kids down personally, including Mark. They were saying things like, "Did you leave your brain back at camp?!" and "Come on girls, this isn't dance class!" and "What's wrong with you?! Pay attention!!"
Once in awhile, a comment like that is okay. But to keep hearing those coaches spewing words like that onto 9yr old kids...not cool. WE don't talk that way to our kids. Why would we let someone else?? What resulted was Mark giving almost zero effort in practice all week, and tears as he came off the field, so frustrated with the coaches, and finally, Ryan having to pull the coach aside and tell him to backoff!
Yesterday was game 2. Ryan and I did all we could to pump up Mark before the game. We encouraged him that this game is a chance to show his coaches that we've been practicing at home and that he's ready to be aggressive and focused out on the field. Mark was excited to get out there and show them. Unfortunately, he never got that chance. The coaches ripped his butt off first string and benched him for most of the game. They told him that if he wanted more gametime, he would have to show more effort at practice.
Again, Mark came off the field after the game (and incidentally...another loss), with tears and frustration. I felt so bad for him. But I also took that moment as a teaching tool.
You see, almost everything has come easy to Mark throughout his short lifetime. School is a piece of cake. He rarely has to study for tests and can easily pull off an A. Sports have also come easy for him. His husky size has made him a great lineman, and a first choice for coaches, no matter which team he's played on. He had walked into football as a 7yr old and was immediately placed on first string defense and offense (something the coaches told us they rarely do).
He then entered his 2nd yr of football, the biggest kid on the team who could almost effortlessly push a line of opposing players back off his QB. Now we enter Mark's 3rd season, which has required him to move up to a greater weight class, with new coaches, bigger kids, and a much greater skill level...yet again, they put him on first string offense and defense, while the rest of the 9yr olds that moved up with him are getting very little playtime.
For the first time, Mark is having to work his tail off in order to keep that first-string status. And he's getting benched for lack of effort. I think it's a very good lesson for Mark to learn. To have to work hard, through heat and muscle aches and shouting coaches, in order to obtain a desired priviledge. Kinda cool.
So, I pumped him up again, after yesterday's discouraging loss, and I told him that this next week in practice is another chance for him to blow his coaches away with his effort. He has the chance to earn his play-time back for the next game. And he has the opportunity to show himself what he can accomplish when he truly gives 100%. Our conversation lifted his spirits quite a bit. But I still didn't feel like it was enough, after such a tough, emotional week.
So, after dinner, I suggested that Mark and I hop in the car and return to the football field to catch the end of Varsity's game. When we got there, it was halftime, so we were able to watch quite a bit of the game. He was so excited to see the skill level those kids were at. As we sat there, he kept talking about what it will be like when he gets to that level. I thought that was really neat. It put a taste in his mouth for greater things, and showed his the reward that awaits, if he will only stick it out during these grueling, rough practices.
By fourth quarter, he noticed some of his teammates playing catch over past the bleachers, and he asked if he could go play with them. I said yes, and quietly sat and watched the rest of the Varsity game alone. I knew that it was probably just as beneficial for Mark to play with his teammates, on a friendly basis, and get to know them OFF the field. That will hopefully build comradery and loyalty, that will translate into even greater effort ON the field. He walked away from that day with a renewed excitement for the game of football, for time spent with his team, and heightened spirits that will hopefully bring him through another week of boot camp. LOL.
When the coaches reviewed the video footage of the game, they noticed that, among other players, Mark had not given much effort at all! So the following week of practice was like boot camp for the team. The coaches seemed to be on a mission to discipline these kids.
A couple of the coaches took it much too far, in my opinion. I don't mind them being tough with the kids, and working them hard so that they grow physically and mentally as players. But a couple of these coaches were using very raw words and were cutting these kids down personally, including Mark. They were saying things like, "Did you leave your brain back at camp?!" and "Come on girls, this isn't dance class!" and "What's wrong with you?! Pay attention!!"
Once in awhile, a comment like that is okay. But to keep hearing those coaches spewing words like that onto 9yr old kids...not cool. WE don't talk that way to our kids. Why would we let someone else?? What resulted was Mark giving almost zero effort in practice all week, and tears as he came off the field, so frustrated with the coaches, and finally, Ryan having to pull the coach aside and tell him to backoff!
Yesterday was game 2. Ryan and I did all we could to pump up Mark before the game. We encouraged him that this game is a chance to show his coaches that we've been practicing at home and that he's ready to be aggressive and focused out on the field. Mark was excited to get out there and show them. Unfortunately, he never got that chance. The coaches ripped his butt off first string and benched him for most of the game. They told him that if he wanted more gametime, he would have to show more effort at practice.
Again, Mark came off the field after the game (and incidentally...another loss), with tears and frustration. I felt so bad for him. But I also took that moment as a teaching tool.
You see, almost everything has come easy to Mark throughout his short lifetime. School is a piece of cake. He rarely has to study for tests and can easily pull off an A. Sports have also come easy for him. His husky size has made him a great lineman, and a first choice for coaches, no matter which team he's played on. He had walked into football as a 7yr old and was immediately placed on first string defense and offense (something the coaches told us they rarely do).
He then entered his 2nd yr of football, the biggest kid on the team who could almost effortlessly push a line of opposing players back off his QB. Now we enter Mark's 3rd season, which has required him to move up to a greater weight class, with new coaches, bigger kids, and a much greater skill level...yet again, they put him on first string offense and defense, while the rest of the 9yr olds that moved up with him are getting very little playtime.
For the first time, Mark is having to work his tail off in order to keep that first-string status. And he's getting benched for lack of effort. I think it's a very good lesson for Mark to learn. To have to work hard, through heat and muscle aches and shouting coaches, in order to obtain a desired priviledge. Kinda cool.
So, I pumped him up again, after yesterday's discouraging loss, and I told him that this next week in practice is another chance for him to blow his coaches away with his effort. He has the chance to earn his play-time back for the next game. And he has the opportunity to show himself what he can accomplish when he truly gives 100%. Our conversation lifted his spirits quite a bit. But I still didn't feel like it was enough, after such a tough, emotional week.
So, after dinner, I suggested that Mark and I hop in the car and return to the football field to catch the end of Varsity's game. When we got there, it was halftime, so we were able to watch quite a bit of the game. He was so excited to see the skill level those kids were at. As we sat there, he kept talking about what it will be like when he gets to that level. I thought that was really neat. It put a taste in his mouth for greater things, and showed his the reward that awaits, if he will only stick it out during these grueling, rough practices.
By fourth quarter, he noticed some of his teammates playing catch over past the bleachers, and he asked if he could go play with them. I said yes, and quietly sat and watched the rest of the Varsity game alone. I knew that it was probably just as beneficial for Mark to play with his teammates, on a friendly basis, and get to know them OFF the field. That will hopefully build comradery and loyalty, that will translate into even greater effort ON the field. He walked away from that day with a renewed excitement for the game of football, for time spent with his team, and heightened spirits that will hopefully bring him through another week of boot camp. LOL.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Catching up Part 1
This week has been so super busy! We've been catching up on laundry from camp, fitting in final summer fun before school starts Monday, I've started work again, and we've spent every evening out on the football practice field.
So...I'm very behind on my blogging!
LOL. We spent last Sunday celebrating my mother-in-law's birthday in Chicago.
We enjoyed a tasty brunch onboard the Odyssey, which circled Lake Michigan waters so we could view the Air & Water show. Fun times!
After the cruise, we walked around the city a bit. What a gorgeous day! Happy birthday Mom!
So...I'm very behind on my blogging!
LOL. We spent last Sunday celebrating my mother-in-law's birthday in Chicago.
We enjoyed a tasty brunch onboard the Odyssey, which circled Lake Michigan waters so we could view the Air & Water show. Fun times!
After the cruise, we walked around the city a bit. What a gorgeous day! Happy birthday Mom!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Kid's Camp Rocked!!!
We are back from Kid's Camp!And it was such a blast! I've journaled every day @ http://kidsconnectionevents.blogspot.com/ so check it out!
Here is Mark with his cabin-buddies. 
After one of the field competitions, the winning team sloshed paint water over Ryan's head! And during one of the evening services, Marina and Ava went on stage to sing 'Twinkle Little Star' in the microphone, resulting in loud cheers and applause from all the campers. So cute!Friday, August 8, 2008
Getting Ready 4 Kid's Camp...
We sure are!
Kid's Camp this year is going to be a blast!
We leave for Carlinville, IL on Sunday.
Ryan is the official Activities Director, which means he will be coordinating and running team competitions all week. I will be singing backup vocals with the worship band @ chapel services, and sitting by the pool w/ the kiddies...and going for late night spins with Ryan in the golf cart. LOL.
The theme for the week is PAINT! Nuf said.
I'll be blogging soon. xoxo
PS: This packing thing is getting awfully tedious!
Labeling t-shirts, swimming trunks, socks, underwear, toothbrushes, etc...Phew! I've got one kid down. 4 more of us to go...I'll be packing for awhile!
Kid's Camp this year is going to be a blast!
We leave for Carlinville, IL on Sunday.
Ryan is the official Activities Director, which means he will be coordinating and running team competitions all week. I will be singing backup vocals with the worship band @ chapel services, and sitting by the pool w/ the kiddies...and going for late night spins with Ryan in the golf cart. LOL.
The theme for the week is PAINT! Nuf said.
I'll be blogging soon. xoxo
PS: This packing thing is getting awfully tedious!
Labeling t-shirts, swimming trunks, socks, underwear, toothbrushes, etc...Phew! I've got one kid down. 4 more of us to go...I'll be packing for awhile!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
It's Football Season!!!
Oh yes! It's that exciting time of year! FOOTBALL SEASON! Not only do we look forward to spending our Sunday afternoons cheering on our boy Payton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts...(Ok, fine. The Bears too, since we're from Chicago)...but we also look forward to spending our Saturday afternoons cheering on our own little football star! This is Mark's 3rd season of tackle football. That means hot, sweaty practices every evening; hanging out with other football families out on the practice field, while our tough guys are learning drills and practicing sacks; adorning our vehicles with window chalk, declaring our intent to defeat the opposing team with phrases like, "Take em down Brody!" or "The Panthers are on the Prowl!" It means pumping up our little jock before games til he breathes smoke from his nostrils and is revved up and aggressive; and jumping up and down in the bleachers and stomping our feet loudly as our boys storm the field for another show-down! It means Orange, Blue and White hair scrunchies and Panther Pride sweatshirts and cheerleaders putting on the halftime show and the smell of freshly cut grass, just waiting to be torn up by greedy cleats! I just LOVE football season! And I just LOVE my little athlete. He has moved up to the next weight class this season, which means bigger and older teammates, a much higher level of skill, and a much more exciting game. I am so proud of him for getting in there and playing tough with the big boys! Can't wait to see him storm that field in his first game! His new coaches have already singled him out as a lineman and are prepping him to protect his QB. They also want to use him as a back on defense. So Mark is taking time today to read over the different plays and learn how to call them. What an awesome kid! I absolutely LOVE this time of year! Go COLTS! Go PANTHERS!
