Day 3 & 4

Since I fell asleep about five minutes after I got home last night, I am lumping the two days into one. Also, I've been in Grand Rapids for most of the weekend, in rinks, restaurants, movie theaters, and oh yeah, a corvette.... going about 100 down the backroads of Byron.

It was two days of friendships, bonding, and hockey.  It's funny... I don't usually get to go on tournament weekends, and when I do, I realize how much I miss out on.  Sharing inside jokes, appetizers, and Motrin, all the while cheering on our boys to play their best.  Sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn't, but always it unites a group of people who might not normally spend the

weekend together.  And it's the moments like watching the MSU v Michigan game, sitting on the floor with all the other mom's in the rink, giggling like we were back in high school, that I am thankful and grateful for being a part of this team.

Day 3/4:  Every May there is a try-out for the next year's hockey team, and even though I'm usually pretty confident that he'll make it, I always say a little prayer for the other players too.  Not just for the boys, but mostly for the other parents on the team.  I want to keep hanging out with this group, laughing, cheering, and occasionally sharing the misery.  Being a hockey mom is definitely a sacrifice, but it is also one of the greatest gifts too.

So yesterday and today... I am grateful for the gift of hockey in our lives...

Go get 'em tomorrow Boys!  We still got some life in this one.  I'll be watching and cheering via Twitter.

Happy weekend!

re-evaluate

Reevaluate:  1. revise or renew one's assessment.

I've had one of those days.  

One of those days when I wonder what the hell kind of life plan is this when I have to miss not one, but two of Blake's games because of work.  I literally had that  thought of 'Is this really what I want people to remember me by... work?

My answer is no.  I have had one of the longest days thinking about life and what it is all supposed to mean, and if I will give one rat's ass what my numbers were for learn to skate in the winter of 2013 when I'm on my death bed.  My answer is no, just in case you're wondering.  But I'm guessing you already knew that by now.  I'm pretty sure you were just waiting patiently for me to figure it out on my own.  

I was sent pictures, texts, tweets, and phone calls today to keep me in the loop (and I am grateful!), but it will never even come close to being there.  This is the second tournament they've won this year that I haven't been to... if you've lost track.  It breaks my heart, even though I know Blakey is just fine without me there.  

Yesterday, they lost their first game 2-1, and was probably their 4th loss all season... if that.  The boys were frustrated, and quite frankly pissed off.  My thought was, even though I would have loved to see them win, a loss is sometimes what you need to make your team stronger.  You have to know what your mistakes are to be able to fix them.

In the game of life, today was a loss for me.  I am frustrated and pissed off, however I can see more clearly what I need to change to make me a better person and mom.  I can see more clearly a picture of what I want my life to be about because I had to go through today.  I know that this day isn't what my life is going to be about and at any point I can change the game plan for more success.

I am seriously hoping you all had a better day than mine :)  Maybe not as good as these guys, but good none the less...

Have a great week!

Finding Gratitude

I'm feeling like I'm in the movie Finding Nemo, and I'm the dad.  And instead of looking for Nemo though, I'm searching for gratitude.  I know, I know, this is what I preach, the base of what I know to be true and real, for the past few years.

And yet I'm searching.

It seems this year has been about growth for me, and growing pains are hell.

With a broken-family Thanksgiving and a hockey tournament on Friday, life seems to be throwing me a curveball.  God is saying "find your gratitude in this mess," and I can finally see that.  I have never been so anxious to get a few days over with, and yet I really don't want to be that person anymore who wishes the days away.  I want to try and enjoy the process of cooking for my family and spending time with them.  I want them to say it was an awesome Thanksgiving, filled with good food and new traditions.

I don't want them to say 'that turkey sucks.'

Life is messy and rarely goes how we planned it.  If we can get through the tough times with gratitude in our hearts, then we can expect to be happier all the time.  And if we can remember to stay in the moment instead of stressing about the future, we will also be happier all the time.

Isn't that really what it's all about... being happier?

My wish for you is to have a wonderful Thanksgiving, spent with those you love, wrapped in a gratitude blanket.

“In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it's wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices.” 
― Elizabeth Gilbert

And just like that, I can see gratitude.

Thank you for reading :)