The Springtime Elf

 

Lueeeee

This past week my Dad took me on the best date ever!  We went to a Cavaliers vs Nuggets game.  This is a lovely date even if it were just those teams, but what made it even more amazing was one person.  #fangirl.  Tyronn Lue, my most favorite player in basketball history.  He played for the Huskers when I was in the throes of my basketball-is-life adolescence.  The last time (that I can remember) when I was in an arena with Tyronn and my father I was in my teens, with braces, and awesome bangs.  Tyronn and his fellow men basketball players showed up to a women's basketball game.  We were feet from him and Dad asked me if I wanted to go get his autograph.  I was reluctant, Dad used some love and logic, and soon we were both walking over there.  Dad did the talking, I did the staring.  I don't remember much but Tyronn being excited to sign his signature in the women's program.  Dad remembered that he talked highly of Anna DeForge, quite the baller for the women's team.




Last week, Dad got us awesome seats and we (I) patiently waited for Tyronn to make his entrance.  I proudly wore my Husker shirt that he had signed for me, and Dad sported his Husker gear.  Tryonn finally appeared 6 minutes before tip-off.  All the feels came back!  It wasn't just a crush, it was the nostalgia of what Tryonn meant for me back in the day.  Back then basketball WAS everything.  I played hours on the court daily, that was my job.  That was where my friends were, where I felt confident, where I knew what I was doing.  Tyronn represented to me that shorter people could indeed play college ball.  To anyone that isn't short this doesn't seem like a big deal, but to a shorter person this was everything.  EVERY SINGLE TIME I tell people that I played basketball, their first question is "How? You are so short."  Tryonn, Mugsy, and other shorter ballers reminded me that height didn't have to matter.  I deserved to play just like any other person, short or not.  Hence adopting my motto, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight.  It's the size of the fight in the dog."

At the basketball game, Lebron was there, so was Kyle Korver and Kevin Love.  That was neat.  But Tyronn was the best.  I never got his attention, I never really tried.  I but I soaked the whole experience up.  Tyronn was a guy from Missouri, that wasn't the fanciest or tallest, but managed to play college ball, move onto NBA ball, and now is coaching the Cleveland Cavs who won a CHAMPIONSHP underneath his support.  It doesn't get more inspiring then that!

Thanks Pa for the best experience ever!
#10 always.

Momma

Don't worry

 Dempsey and I are enjoying some alone time together while the boys are doing Ninja camp.  Memory is hard. Especially when a certain little girl kept us up last night. I made an unfavorable noise after I picked  a wrong card. Demps said, "Don't worry Mom. You'll get a match after you get it wrong."

Sweet lady.

Momma

Dad night

Meg has been really busy with all kinds of meetings and extracurricular stuff lately.  I'm happy for her and proud of her, she's getting out there for sure!  But it's also exhausting for her.  

Anyhow, on this Dad-night I cooked some beloved hamburger helper.  Truly, it's one of the kids favorite dishes.  AJ usually gets 3 to 4 helpings.  

Sampling of things I said tonight, and usually say every night during a 15 minute meal:

"Ryker get back in your chair please."

"Demps come and start eating please."

"Guys let's just finish eating."

"Ryker when do we get on tables?"  

"Never"

"Dempsey no yogurt until after you finish your food."

"AJ stop distracting your brother please."

"Ryker get out of the lava and back in your chair please."

"I know there is a fierce Star Wars force battle going on, but let's just finish our dinner please."

And then I joined in by force choking AJ Vader-style across the table.  Then he returned the favor.  Then dinner abruptly ended for the boys when they scarfed down their remaining food and went on to phase 2 of the Star Wars battle in the living room:  Lightsabers.  Then Dempsey spilled her drink, and wiped it up.  Then the dog ate half of Dempsey's plate of food from the table. Then Dempsey finally finished it.

I finally the motivated them to get all of their shoes and sweatshirts on.  Now we're off to DQ!  Spring Break baby!

Early Spring and Grandparents

It's so wonderful having Meg's folks live just up the road in Estes.  They took the kids up on Friday night, then Meg and I caught up with them on Saturday evening.  We are so lucky.  There are certainly lots of young parents in much more stressful life situations that never get a break.  We are very grateful for all the support that we have.

The weather has been unseasonably warm for weeks now, 70's and 80's.  It's nice, but I miss all the big snowfalls that we haven't really gotten this year.  I fear this trend will continue in years to come.

 

Sunrise in Estes Park:

 

Flag Football begins

AJ decided against soccer and to go forward with flag football. Yesterday was his first practice. He did really well! I think he appreciate the short burts of exercise versus the constant running in soccer. His defense was on-point! Let's see what the season brings!

 

I'll Do It!

Dempsey is in the "I'll do it" phase with her seatbelt. While I love her independence, I do not love the time it requires me to wait. However, if I wait long enough she with either buckle herself in or she will ask for my help.  This is most definitely symbolic of life with kids. Giving them the time to learn and do without our help, but being there if they need us.

 

 Love,

Momma

Strategery

"This is so fun Dad!" ...as Ryker beats me 5 games to 4.  And I would've guessed AJ would be our strategy game master.  Your Great Grandad surely has a smile on his face right now, Ryker man...just as I do.

 

Birthday

Dempsey is currently in a conflict with her brothers. She has been screaming, "you are not coming to my birthday."  AJ replies, "Yes I am." Dempsey, "no you aren't!!!!!!!!"

Oh siblings.