Reformed Grits

I'm blown over...

We've mentioned that we've struggled with our decision about what to do with Jojo and his future in soccer. 

We've mentioned that we got encouragement and advise out of nowhere, just when we had been praying about what to do. 

We decided to let him tryout, just to see what happened.  We had decided that it was fine if he wanted to play on the 2nd team while he would hopefully grow a bit this year and "catch up" with the guys his age. 

Tryouts were this week and I had told him that nothing was for sure but because of size issues this new coach coming in was going to be looking for "bulk."  I told Jojo that there were more spots than there were guys with "bulk" so if he wanted a spot on the team he was going to have to earn it.  Because our team did so well in state this year, a lot of new kids were coming in hoping for a spot on the gold team in our club for their age. 

Honestly, Mr. G and I had steeled ourselves that we'd be back on the 2nd team and were already looking forward to the comradery with the guys we know there and the hope that Jojo would be a leader on this team.  
Tonight, my sweet Jojo came in after tryouts and said, "Can I talk to you?" to me and his daddy.  With a very solemn face, he said, "Well, the coach told me that I just need to grow some (picture my fists clenching here) and that he really wants me to get bigger this year...

...but he told me I made the gold (1st) team..."

WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just say no...

It's hard to say no. 

Well, I mean, to some things. 

When I was in the Bahamas a few years ago at the straw market and was naively "ooing" and "ahhing" over the cute hand-carved pipes with funny faces, it wasn't hard to say "no" to the Bahamian fellow who noticed my pleasure and wanted to know if I would like some "good weed." 

But it's hard to say "no" to good things.  My dear friend Meg brought this to my attention not long ago and it has resonated within me that there are seasons in life where you have to say no to "good things."  This next week I have actually for the first time ever, had to say "no" to working in VBS.  Ever since the spring and summer became so challenging with work, I have habitually said "yes" to working VBS even though it's my busy season for work and it completely drains and overwhelms me and makes me want to sit in the back of my closet with my blankey, sucking my thumb.  VBS is a "good thing."  But Mr. Grits has assured me that I physically and emotionally can't do both.  He decided for me, laying down the law (which he NEVER does except in situations like this where I can't be relied upon to make a wise decision and I know it) that last year was my last time to work VBS as long as I'm doing this job.  He's right, but it's hard to say no to good things. 

Something that wouldn't surprise most folks but they may not know is that Mr. Grits is a gifted soccer coach.  He has great knowledge of the inner workings of the game, strategy, skills, and what it takes to be a great player.  Not just physically, but he knows when a player is a liability to their team with their attitude and temper and is able to coach this as well.  He coached Jojo's teams for years until Jojo got on a traveling competitive team and then we decided that it would be a "good thing" for him to learn what others had to teach.  Two years ago, it looked as if his team would need a coach so Mr. Grits stepped up and coached him again in the competitive "2nd" team.  By the end of the season, the team found itself playing the club's "first team" in a tournament.  With his leadership and having been under his coaching for 2 seasons, our team dominated the game and almost won-- a last minute corner kick score did us in.  It was a great experience... except for the fact that Mr. Grits is called to full-time ministry and seminary.  That year of coaching, a new baby, and seminary classes almost stressed us to breaking.   I wish we looked back on that year as "good times" but whenever we look back we groan and say, "We will NEVER do that again." 

This summer, Mr. Grits and I have been plotting strategy for him to finish school inside the next 2 years.  We've talked about getting "gazelle intense" with his schooling.  Meanwhile, it looks as though an opportunity would come about to coach again this next year.  This prospect, like the proverbial carrot hanging just out of grasp of the horse's mouth, tempts like a siren.  He's a good coach.  A GREAT coach.  He enjoys it.  He could make a difference.  This opportunity is a good thing.  But it's a good thing we have to say no to. 

I've tried to think about a Biblical basis for this.  Why should I say no to something that's good?  The thing I keep coming back to is how Paul often mentions he had to turn away from trips or opportunities to go visit those he loved to continue on with difficult and challenging ministry opportunities.  In 1 Corinthians 16 he says "...I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.  But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me."  He is delaying the gratification of the "seeing you now" in order to be obedient to what the Lord has actually called him to, with the hope as well that he'll have a longer visit later. 

So basically, it's about obedience.  Our primary call is to get through school and for me to do my job.  (Obviously secondary to The Primary Call of parenting our children and raising them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.)  Coaching soccer, working VBS, volunteering in the kids' classrooms, working in the library, having the kids in music lessons or even playing soccer (yes, there I said it) truly are good things.  We just have to pick and choose which things help us in our call and which ones distract us from it.  Sometimes we don't know.  Sometimes we have to make bad decisions and learn from them.  And sometimes we just have to do the hard thing by saying "no" to "good things."

Nothing worth doing is easy. .

Good news/ Bad News

Well we are home from day one of state cup playoffs and we come home with 2 tough wins.  Yay!  This puts us in the final round for next weekend.  We are really stoked about this great opportunity!

The bad news is that Jojo is out for the count-- during the second game when he went in, he looked awful and played, well, not long.  I noticed that after a while he was sitting with his head in his hands and not looking up.  It was obvious something was wrong.  I eventually went over (I don't think I've EVER gone over to the bench.  I'm not "that kind of mom.") and asked what was wrong.  His eyes were bloodshot and he looked awful.  His hands were shaking like crazy and he said his head was killing him.  He was out of water so I went and got him some and gave him a motrin.  He didn't get back in the game.  :-( 

He slept the whole way home (almost 2 hours) and when we arrived his temp, with motrin, was 101.2. 

So that rules out play for tomorrow.  Even if he's better it's not worth risking getting his teammates sick.  His throat is killing him too, so we are likely going back for another strep test and at the least going to get some stronger cough medicine.  He has a deep rattly cough too.  Not great when you are running for 70 minutes straight. 

So say a prayer for our boy.  He's discouraged and miserable. 

Well... Game four...

We are back home.  Exhausted. Sick of road food.  Tired of being in the car.   But enjoyed our time together and our great weekend.  As you know the Grits family LOVES to win.  We skunked in all our games, which is pretty fun.  When it came to the last game, it was intimidation from the first touch.  It was a very intense game with yellow cards and tempers and yelling.  But when it comes down to it, it was some GREAT soccer.  Our boys played the best this weekend I've seen them play and it was a lot of fun. 
And winning is fun when you give your best.  When you don't have to play hard to win, it's not near as satisfying. 
But that last game?  Oh so very satisfying...
One goal by our team scored in the last minute of the game won us the title for a final score of 1-0. 
Hard won, and those boys had smiles on their faces. 

We are so proud of them.  I'm glad to be home.  It was a great, great weekend. 

Now I must finish giving baths, go start laundry, put kids to bed, and go to the grocery store before bed.

Thanks for following along!

Game three

We were up at 6 this morning to leave bright and early for our 7:30 game.  It was against a team that had already lost twice this tournament but for whatever reason had a grudge against us.  They played angry and their parents were angry too and it made it challenging.  We won 5-0 but their team played hard.  Our team took a while to wake up.  One of our boys made a goal by heading it in.  It was really cool!

We are in the championship game later today.  Continue to pray for our boys-- for their attitudes, safety, and endurance.  We didn't sleep again last night as Sugie had a number of night-terrors last night.  Bee also woke up once crying.  I'm wiped out and the kids are starting to get on my nerves.  Not their fault-- we are doing a lot of waiting, eating a lot of road food and junk food, and we are all running on no sleep.

I really think this will be the last time we take everyone.  The little ones just don't do well without naps, and if anyone is able to sleep their wakefulness from overtiredness ruins it for everyone. 
I'm happy for the boys who have worked hard and played hard and will be in the big game later today!  News to come!  I hear it's a tough team!!

Game two

The second game of the day was a little more exciting... but still a blow-out for our team.  We won 5-0  and have one more regular game in our pool tomorrow morning.  Mr. Grits will be leading a team worship service / devotional before the (eaaarrrrlllyy) morning game and right now we are both sitting in our bed in the suite-- on one side I have 2 children in the fold-out couch plus Bee in her play pen, and on Mr. Grits' side of the bed are the 3 sharing a bed-- he is preparing by the light of his Blackberry and I'm typing in the dark.
Because we have scored more than 3 and shut-out both teams we have played we have earned the max points in our pool and have, it seems, secured the final game.  We will still play our 3rd game in the morning but this team has already lost a game so they are out. 
The team, families, and our family of 8 walked to a restaurant this evening.  It was chaos to say the least.  I will be covered in laundry again when I come home. 
But that's ok.  We're winning.  We're having fun.  We're making memories.  Life's good! 
Hope to post good news tomorrow!

Game one

The first game this morning was at 8:30.  The fields are only about 10 minutes away so it was no big deal for us to get there on time as our kids naturally get up at the crack of dawn, forget about the fact that we are in a new place which makes them pop up before even that! 
Our night was.... Well, let's just say I kept telling myself, "I'm not sleeping, but I AM resting."  I dosed everyone with benedryl without apology.  Call me a bad mom, I don't care, but they all slept.  Well, outside of the ones who talk in their sleep.  At one point, Poo was mumbling and at one point bolted up in bed hollering, "I NEED TO GO TO THE BATHROOM AND I'M SCARED!"  Another time, Sugie woke everyone up by saying out loud, clear as a bell, "You have to have a LOOOONNNGG neck to eat the leaves on the trees!"  We are still teasing her about that.  Neither Mr. Grits or I got any sleep until about 4 or 5.  I think around 3 someone was drag-racing on the street outside our hotel.  He's asleep right now on the bed next to me. 
Oh and the game this morning?  We won, 5-0.  We got max tourney points for goals, shut-out, and a win so that will help us in our pool.  Next game will be later this afternoon. 
We have already driven through some really cool sections of this town and are loving it!  So many neat shops and we can't decide where to have dinner tonight for Jojo's birthday!  We found a "relic" doughnut shop and picked up 2 dozen for tomorrow's breakfast already.  Well, if they last! 
Stay tuned, and keep praying for our safety and success for the team!

We made it

We made it to our hotel in the last half hour or so and all the kids and Mr. Grits got us moved in.   Our suite is really huge (for a big family I highly suggest a handicapped accessible suite!)  We are getting settled so everyone can get some sleep.  I expect I will be up tonight.  Maybe I will be online tonight! 

Our trip was uneventful.  The kids did great!  Sister forgot her PJ's.  Mr. Grits forgot his contacts.  I packed a whole tote bag full of medicine.  Just in case someone has a seizure.  Or a muscle spasm.  Or a sudden sinus infection.  Or a sudden eye fungus.  You never know. 

Let's just hope and pray I have nothing but exciting news of BIG WINS!!!!! 

And tomorrow.... I'm the mother of a teenager. 

Taking you with me

Ok,  I am going to try to sneak my laptop into the car so that I can blog from the tournament this weekend.  Oh what fun!  I'm really looking forward to this trip. 
Pray for our travel, and for us as we will have 8 people in one rented suite.  Yikes.  Good thing my kids are used to sleeping all over top of each other. 

At this moment...

• Poo had an awesome game today.  He played as well as a 7 year old can play!  He scored 2 goals and I enjoyed hearing the other parents say, "That little guy is FAST!  GET IT AWAY FROM HIM!!!"  heh heh heh  Jojo was tickled.  I'm amazed at the improvement in his control and foot skills in one season.
• Jojo's game was cancelled because some clubs actually care about the condition of their fields. 
• Bee is brushing her hair with a Scotch-brite pad.  It's clean.  Actually, it's probably cleaner than she is.
• JD is grounded from the tv.  He decided that reading is boring so he'd just assume have a 0 on his reading log for school, thanks.  Ohh too bad we got Alvin and the Chipmunks in the mail from netflix.  And American Idol is on this week.  Hm.  That's a shame he'll miss that. 
• Sister is finally recovered from her tonsillectomy.  I think she's caught up in her work too from school.  She inspires me. 
• Sugie had her 5 year old check up this week.  She got 4 shots, but she's kindergarten ready!  She's in the 90th percentile for height, thank you very much.  Nice to know that one of my children won't be classified as a "little person" when they grow up. 
• Mr. Grits is cooking dinner, and has just called me to the table so I have to go.  Don't be jealous. 
  Ok, well, you can be.