A Day Of Lacrosse

Saturdays seem to be dedicated to Lacrosse.   They had four 30 minute games at a tournament last weekend in UMASS.   This weekend the team had four 1 hour games in Duxbury.   The weather was sunny and cool so the boys didn't get too overheated.   This Saturday Max played midfield for 3 of the games and attack for 1 of the games.   Midfield is the only position that is allowed to run the ball up the field from defense to offense.    Three people play midfield and are rotated back and forth with a second midfield group to allow for some rest.    The games are fun to watch because it is constant action.   Max made 1 goal and a number of assists.  I've loaded the pictures in the new slideshow gadget I've come across.

First Trip to the Beach of 2008

The weather has been absolutely wonderful this week.   The kids have enjoyed spending time with their friends and their various sports, horse, and cow activities.    On Wednesday the wind was blowing from inland and it was warm enough to spend a couple of hours on the beach.   I found my first sea glass and shells of the year.   Megan went with a friend.   Max had a friend over and I took them.   They ran into friends and played pickle, buried their feet in the sand, and took a quick dunk.   I'm surprised Max went in considering how frigid the water was, but there were 4 buddies in the water urging him on.    It is always surprising when we have the warm days like that where you can actually sit outside and not get goose bumps due to the wind blowing off of the ocean.    The weather energized all of us and in addition to playing we tackled some house projects like cleaning up the garage.    Only 8 more weeks on school left.

The WALL

                                                                                              Seth spent last weekend building Max a LAX practice wall.    Here are some pictures of the building.   Megan also assisted in the building, but Mom and Max were at a LAX tournament and weren't able to take pictures.

Six Months Since We Felt 70 degrees

The best thing about living in New England is that you appreciate nice days, especially the first day when we reach 70 degrees.   Today will be one of the best that I will remember.    

It started with a celebration of my friend Rennan's last radiation therapy.  Her journey began last May with a diagnosis of cancer in both of her breasts, mastectomy in July, chemotherapy from August until February and radiation until today.   Her strength has been amazing through it all.  She has maintained an incredible amount of energy and spirit.   We have tried to help in little ways, but she has really made this journey all by herself.   We celebrated by surprising her at the radiation office wearing pink boas and served a cake decorated with "Our Friendship" "Your Strength".     The nurses and doctors were thrilled with the outpouring of friendship and support that is so important to those experience cancer.

Another little joy that people in the South would have trouble relating to:  I was able to wear a short sleeve shirt without a jacket the entire day.  Including the time I sat with a friend on her porch and visited for a while.

For all those who have misconceptions about how children living in a wealthy suburb of Boston spend their free time -- here is a glimpse of my children's afternoon today.

Max played 4 hours outside with a friend burning their names in leaves using a magnifying glass and the sun and walking about a 1/2 mile to a local playground to play.

Megan spent the afternoon riding a horse, chasing turkeys at a dairy farm, helping friends

walk their calves, cleaning out the dairy barn, and is currently at a friend's house eating pizza and watching a movie with 4 other girls.  

For a while I enjoyed watching Megan and her friends at the Dairy Farm, helping and playing like they have lived every day out there.   I ended the day throwing the ball for our dog and a neighbors and cooking a spring dish of Mediterranean Shrimp pasta.

It is nice to see my children enjoy nature and the simple things in life.   Max has even spent time in the recent weeks creating little stuffed animals by drawing patterns, cutting them out in scrap material, hand sewing them and stuffing them with cotton balls.    This idea came from another friend.    

Yes, Megan and Max also practice musical instruments, Max is involved in 3 sports this spring, and Megan also plays tennis, which includes them in the group of kids around the nation that are on activity overload.   They also enjoy access to the current video gaming systems.  Yet, all of these activities seem to balance with their love for just having fun in the outdoors.   Maybe it is luxury of living in a place where the rural life is still cherished among the million dollar houses.   

I feel very blessed.

 

Capturing a Moment in the Past

In either 1966 or 1967 Dad was President of the Pearland Lions Club and he brought Mom and I to Chicago, IL to participate in the Lions Club International Convention.     I remember Mom speaking about this convention and parade numerous times in my childhood and I could always hear her pride and happiness about being able to participate in this with me.    This is a picture of the parade.  Mom and I walked a lot in the parade, but then someone felt sorry for me and put on one of the horses (with a rider of course).    I remember Mom chuckling at how tired she was (see her heels in the picture) and I didn't seem tired, yet I was the one who got the ride.    Somewhere there is a movie that was published for Lions Club that has me on top of the horse.    We still have the pins that were trade with people from other states and countries.   I know Mom enjoyed meeting the people from the various parts of the world.   

Celebrating Friendships

Last Friday I went to dinner with 6 friends and then attended a celebration event starring Loretta LaRoche who is a stress manager/humorist.   I came across her when looking for "feel good" books to download onto my palm and listen to on my walks.  Her practical advice and dry sense of humor lightened up my days and gave me words of wisdom to face the daily stresses of life.

She recommends that we find joy in our lives every day.  

One article I've read of hers lately has really touched a nerve in my daily life.  I'm in the process of sorting through mementos.    Since Mom has died I have enjoyed sorting through her things and finding little memories in many of them.    Mom saved everything and "yes" too much, which has encouraged me to simplify my life.      Mom had many mementos she couldn't part with during her lifetime.  I find that my most precious moments are captured in the pictures, videos, letters, recipes, stories, and journals.     

I believe that our life is like a puzzle that is planned by God.    Moments in our lives are puzzle pieces that fit into the puzzle.  Sometimes we can fit the pieces together and find a purpose or a picture into our life.  Sometimes we can't really find a place and make sense of the piece.   However, ultimately everything fits into place and we can see a plan.   The picture is up to us, the moments are ours to experience,  how they fit into the plan is up to God.

This blog is way of capturing special moments -- however, I need to make sure its archivable.   Meanwhile, I'll keep sorting through the past and finding a way of sharing it with my family.

To find out more about Loretta LaRoche see: www.lorettalaroche.com.   Also, see if your library has a copy of "The Best of Loretta LaRoche" on cd or audio.    It will light up your life.

Presenting Megan!

Yesterday, Megan presented a visual presentation at Plymouth County 4H Communications Day received an "Award of Excellence" and was selected by a panel of judges to enter the State Competition. Her presentation was on endangered animals.

She has recently gained additional public speaking experience by being selected by the Duxbury Interfaith Council to read an essay she and a friend wrote at the Martin Luther King Day celebration held at Pilgrim Church in Duxbury.