I sense an uprising, and I'm losing!

I'm sending out an SOS. They've taken over my house! Every square inch of my house. Their stuff has even made it's way up to our room. The room I thought would be our "retreat" after a full "work" day.

I'm embarrassed to even post these pictures. But while I've spent time cleaning out closets or emptying the dishwasher, they have managed to destroy whatever room was somewhat clean. No, it's not a rat problem. And we don't even have a dog to blame it on.

No, it's them....the four of them. And they are winning!

I bought these magnets when I went on the Alcatraz Tour and when I looked at them today and thought of my messy basement, my loads of laundry, and the horrible state of the playroom, I couldn't help but laugh.

In a way, I feel like these little "inmates" of mine are taking over. A revolt is brewing and it looks as if they are going to win. At least for now! Little do they know that the chore chart is in it's 2nd revision, that any toy I step on or trip over will be subject to lockdown aka the trash, and that visitation rights from friends will be subject to how kept up their cell, I mean room, and recreation yard, I mean playroom, is!

Welcome to THE ROCK....I mean HOME!

:)

Date Night With Cooper!

A few months ago the boys and I went out to Applebee's and then a play performed by SMC. We called it our Date Night because Eric stayed home with Colton. Ever since then Cooper would ask me when we could go on a "date" just the two of us. So finally, after getting back from our trip to California, Cooper asked Eric if he could watch the kids so we could go.

Once we got the babysitter lined up, it was decided that we'd go to Chili's because he had never been. He couldn't wait to go! He'd ask me every 10 minutes if I was excited because we got to go on our date to Chili's. And if you know Cooper very well, you can hear him say it. He usually begins a sentence with "Aren't you excited?" or "Didn't I do a good job?" or "Aren't you so proud of me?"

By lunch time I hadn't worked out yet, so I still had my hair in a ponytail. And before I dropped Coop off for school, he asked me to wear my hair down, because I looked pretty when I did. (Yes ladies, he will melt your heart!) So I worked out and got dolled up. Well, dolled up by my standards. As soon as he got home from school he asked how much longer till Dad got home. And he continued to ask every half hour. He was so sweet. He must have tried on 4 different shirts before deciding on the red one.
FINALLY Dad got home and we were off to Chili's! We had a GREAT time. The food was great and the conversation even better. Cooper was the perfect gentleman. He told me I was gorgeous, wanted to hold my hand in the parking lot, opened the door for me, and even let me sit down first. But I'm pretty sure that was by accident. We talked about school, the food, his "real" girlfriend, and even where our next date was going to take place. (I get to choose this time!)

After we finished eating, it was decided we'd head to Braums for some ice cream and we'd bring some back for Dad and the brothers. They were kinda jealous that Coop and Mom got some time to themselves. So, it looks like I'll be having regular dates with my boys more often. Can't wait! The boys are so much fun when you get to spend some alone time with them. And I need to take it all in now, because pretty soon they'll be wanting to take someone else on a date.

Oh, and ladies, you'll be happy to know that Cooper and his girlfriend broke up. It was mutual. So he's back on the market. :) Of course, you'll have to win the approval of his Mother! Just a heads up.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

MARCH MADNESS BABY!!!!

It's March 1st and normally at this time I'd be on my computer scouring the KSHSAA website looking at sub-state pairings and potential state tournament match-ups. I LOVE this time of year. And when I took the high school girl's basketball job in 2002, the State Tournament was my ultimate goal. I was fortunate enough to play on the court of Bramlage Coliseum at Kansas State both my junior and senior year. They also made a state appearance the following year, but the girl's team hadn't been back since 1996. I took the job because I wanted to get the program back to where it once was!

I inherited a team that finished the season before at 8-14. My first season as head coach, we not only won our first game, but finished the year at 9-13! The following year we saw a little bit of improvement going 10-12, and then the following season we finished above .500 with a 14-8 record. A winning season!!!! Things began to click and we went 18-5, losing to Sedan in the Championship game of sub-state. That loss hurt the most because we were so close I could taste it!
In '06-'07 we opened the Fieldhouse and found out we were going to host the sub-state. As a player, I played in the first game to open the Activity Center where we beat St. Paul in a nail biter. As a coach, I was there to open the Fieldhouse and watch my girls take it to Jasper! We went in to our sub state the #1 seed with a 19-2 record. Talk about pressure! And with a packed SMC Fieldhouse, our girls brought home the sub-state trophy and a trip of their own to Bramlage. The next 3 years we pretty much dominated. :) And, to-date, have made 4 consecutive trips to the class 2A State Tournament. I was so fortunate to coach for the team I once played for. And since God blessed me with 4 boys, I felt very blessed to have coached many fine young ladies! My eight seasons are memories I will always cherish and look back on with pride.

And while I won't be the one standing in the coach's box tonight to begin sub-state week, you can bet my heart and spirit will be with them! (I'll just yell louder at them from the stands!) Win or lose, they are an amazing group of girls that have accomplished so much. I just hope that the winning tradition we have worked so hard to get back, will continue to get stronger and better as the years go on. Here's wishing the SMC Girl's basketball team and their coaches the best of luck as they go for state appearance #5!

KAWCCPKA TOGETHER!!!!