The facts ...
We drove 350 miles yesterday.
We will drive 350 miles home on Sunday.
I made/decorated 9 Team Benjamite t-shirts.
We paid $124 ... yes, $124 ... just to get into the State Track Meet.
Big Brother Jeremiah and Jared are driving probably 9 hours today and another 350 miles home tomorrow night. (They are still on the road tonight, after HUGE traffic delays because of an accident. Took them 3.5 hours to go 78 miles.)
What for ???
To watch Ben run for about 50 seconds. Yep. 50 seconds.
Why would we do that ???
Because we LOVE him. No other reason.
Yes ... we LOVE our kids, and we want to support them in any and all things that they choose to do.
This is my 14th year as a Track Mom. Cassie started track in 4th grade. (When she was in high school I drove 4 hours each way to watch her run for about 25 seconds. You bet I did.) Carissa & Lindsey started track in 7th grade. Josh started running in 10th grade. Ben in 9th grade. Hosanna in 7th grade. I'm sure I've got a LOT of years left as a Track Mom.
I'm also a Baseball Mom. I've been a Baseball Mom for 22 straight years. Gregg started when he was 4 years old. Jeremiah has played baseball/softball for the past 19 consecutive years. Even though he is 23, and doesn't live at home, his weekly games are on my calendar, and we try to go as often as possible. Other baseball players we've had: Cassie, Carissa, Lindsey, Josh, Ben, Hosanna, Josiah, & Elijah. Yes ... we are a baseball playing family!!!
I was an Army Mom for 4.5 years. Couldn't have been more proud of my Army Boy! No ... we didn't travel to Iraq to cheer him on. But ... we flew to Georgia to welcome him home from Iraq. Yes. We. Did.
Now ... I'm a Navy Mom. (For those that don't know, Jeremiah joined the Navy this year.)
I'm also a Missionary Mom. Oh yes. Cassie, Jeremiah, Carissa, and Lindsey have all been missionaries. They've worked for the Lord in Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina, Haiti, The Gambia, Senegal, India, Bangladesh, Germany, Czech Republic, and Jordan. I would have loved to travel along with them on their missionary endeavors, but I had a few young ones I needed to stay home with. (I did, however, spend 2 weeks in Argentina with Carissa, after she decided to stay there long term.)
Yes. We do these things because we love to encourage our kids as they pursue their passions, and the dreams that the Lord has placed in their hearts.
Whether it's a trip across the world ... across the country ... across the state ... or just across town, I would encourage you to be the best cheerleaders your kids could ever hope for. The rewards are immeasurable.
Welcome to Our Journey of Faith. My blog is a place where I share the joys and trials of living a faith-filled life as the mother of an extra large (12 children) homeschooling family, and my prayer is that it brings encouragement to others to live their lives as an adventure of faith, as well.
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The sentence about not traveling to Iraq to cheer Gregg on made me laugh. Where's your commitment, mama? ;)
ReplyDeleteI never really thought about the fact that you travel so far for 50 seconds until a few week ago when I drive 5 hrs roundtrip to watch Hosanna run one leg of a 4x100 relay. And she ended up running the leg on the opposite side of the track from where I was sitting.
Still, I was glad I went and would totally do it all over again. I loved getting to be there and cheering, even if Hosanna couldn't hear me. (But, I'm glad this is only the beginning of her track career and I will have a chance to cheer her on MANY times over the next 5 years).
Have fun cheering today! Enjoy your drive home. I bet there's lots of interesting hitchhikers out on Memorial Day weekend ;)
RUN BEN RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVED catching up a little on your blog and loved reading this because I realized we've been blessed to walk alongside your fam for much of this! Keep this list for when you feel tired so you can look at past years and realize, "oh, THAT might be why I need a nap" ;)
ReplyDeleteLove you all!
Vicky ... yes, I'm sure you will be cheering for Hosanna for many more years. And, no, we didn't find any hitchhikers to pick up today. (The car was a bit full, though, so we didn't have much extra room.)
ReplyDeleteShilo ... so glad you stopped by the blog. Yes, you have been along side of our family as our older kids have pursued their dreams and passions. Always so thankful for you and Sean and the love you have for our Big Kids.
LOVE IT!!! I am right there with ya!!
ReplyDeleteGO mom GO! I think you are amazing! Thanks for all you share; being a mom is such a beautiful thing (although the things we sometimes go through is not always beautiful, lol).
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you, Sheri
Do you homeschool all of your sweet kiddos? And if so, what have you done to get the public school system to allow them to participate in sports? Our school disctrict won't allow homeschoolers to participate in sports.
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy ... yes, we homeschool all of our kids. This is our 20th year of homeschooling, and we have 10 left to go. :)
ReplyDeleteWashington State law requires all public schools to allow homeschooling students access to any and all public school programs. Our kids have played sports, sung in the choir, starred in the school musicals, participated in the Gifted Ed. program, gone to 6th grade camp, etc... all while being homeschooled.
Just getting caught up on your blog! I know I tell you all the time but you are my mentor and I soooo look up to you! Thanks for this blog and for sharing!!!
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