Captain of the World

We have a little saying at school.  (So really, like three of us have a saying at school but whatever, it's my story).  When someone is being bossy and kind of sticking their nose into every single rule that has been written we call them "Captain of the World".  It also involves sticking one hand on your hip and the other one out in the stiff-arm-fist-clenched Superman pose sort of way. 

For instance, if there are a bunch of kids in the hall at lunch, when they should be outside one of us will get up, hold the pose and then speed off to right the wrongs.  Or maybe kids are being late to class, so Miss Captain of the World may come up with a solution that ultimately fixes the problem, but also gives her twice the amount of work.  Good idea?  Possibly.  Except that the kids weren't arriving late to her class-she just listened to everyone else complaining about it.  When Captain of the World sees a problem, she's always there to fix it.  Even (and maybe especially) when it's not her problem to begin with. 

More and more, Captain of the World is me.  But this Captain of World does not just clamor for her ideas.  She is willing to put in the work to see it through. Even when her husband tells her she's a fool.  That she should let her colleagues deal with the school problems instead of always offering to help.  And yet, each day, she gathers her sword and shield ready to fight injustice.  Or at the very least, try to teach kids how to show respect, be responsible and be honest.

The sad lesson I learned today is that not everyone needs a Captain of the World.   

Ryan guffawed when I told him my epiphany.  I'm thinking that I'm going to hang up the sword and shield in favor of a raised eyebrow and a "don't know what to tell you" shoulder shrug. I'd like to say that the rest of the world will miss me.  But they probably won't.  Truth be told (and I am saying this with a wry chuckle) they probably won't even notice. 

Because in the end, there is a slight possibility that the Captain of the World, needed them a lot more than they needed her.

PS Don't worry-I will still search the skies over Gotham for the Bat signal....just in case...

Here We Go Again

Once again, a new year begins.  And once again, the kids posed for the annual "first day of school" pictures.

Lauren is headed to 4th grade and her first year at the Middle School.  No more bus rides.  Yea for both of us!  But first Lauren had to promise Tank that she would miss her dearly while she was away at school.

Syd is starting her sophomore year.  She has a busy, busy schedule with Physics, Algebra II, English, World History and Spanish II, with Seminary and Weight Training thrown in as well.  She missed Cade this morning when I dropped her off twenty minutes early.  It seems that last year she and Cade had it timed to make it just before the bell rang.

It was a little melancholy for me as well.  This was our first picture with only two kids.  But tonight, as we were doing homework, signing all of the beginning of the year papers, and going over our schedules, I realized that two was enough to keep me busy! 

He Looks so Sweet Now...

I don't know what it is.  Maybe it's because I'm getting older.  Maybe it's because it's not going to rain.  Maybe it's because it's Tuesday.  Whatever it is, I've been thinking about my own growing up years.  I was just telling Sydney that I think I had a near perfect childhood.  No, I never did get that horse I wanted.  But my days were full of a little bit of work and lots of fun, laughter and love.

After six years, my dad was recently released from his calling of his ward's bishop.  During those years, people constantly stopped to tell me how much they love and appreciate my dad.  Normally, I would solemnly nod my head in agreement.  Until they got to what a sweet, kind man he is.  Then I would do my best not to snort and roll my eyes. 

You see, under all of that sweetness and kindness is a man who loved to tease his kids and watch them squirm.  Now, as a parent, I understand that sometimes, you've just got to create your own entertainment.  But as I kid all I knew was that you'd better be on your toes around him.

His favorite trick (besides the say "sh"  now say "it".  Faster, faster, faster! one) occurred when we would go to the movie theater here in St. Johns.  Trying to save money, we would sneak in our own treats, but still buy a pop from the theater.  M&M's could be easily hidden in my mom's purse.  But what to do about that bulky bag of microwave popcorn?  Oh yes.  Let's have Marcie wear a jacket and she can hide the popcorn under it.  As a complete follower of THE RULES, this mortified me.  But my dad didn't stop there.  We would stand in line, waiting for a pop and my dad would loudly proclaim.

"Hey Marc, it's hot in here.  Why don't you take off that jacket?"
"Uh, no dad." I'd mumble.  "I'm just fine.  Thanks though."
"Nah" he'd persist, "You've got to be burning up.  Let me take it for you."
At some point, he would give up.  Or I'd scurry to find a seat, with or without a Pepsi.

Looking back, my grown-up self would have handed him the jacket and pointed out to the world that he was a breaker of THE RULES.  But my little kid self just took it.  And loved every stinkin' minute of it because he may have just gotten me, but who knew what he could do to torture the other kids!?!  If I just hung in long enough I would get to see that entertainment.

And isn't that what family is all about?

Splish Splash

The rain has been coming down each afternoon.  The adult in me complains (but only a little) about the canyon that is forming in my front drive.  The kid in me took off her shoes and waded down the road with Lauren.  We even found leaves and sticks to send down our river-watching them as they headed out to sea.  Or at least down to Main Street.

Which reminded me of one of my favorite stories:  A few years ago, Kellie and I took a trip to Washington DC.  By night, we stayed with my sister-in-law, Felicia and her family.  By day, we were Queen Tourists of the all Metro System Stops.  One day, Kell and I got caught in a rainstorm right by the White House.  (As a side note-we decided that as the "People's House" they should invite in the people who were stuck outside in a rainstorm.  They don't).  We jogged across Lafayette Park, looking for a place to duck into.  Crossing the street at a light I was grateful that I didn't have to break stride as I deftly (yeah right) leaped over a large puddle in the crosswalk.  Kellie, on the other hand, stopped briefly, looked at the sophisticated and stately surroundings, and jumped, two-footed, straight into the puddle.  And that is one of the reasons I love Kell-Bell.

Sophistication is SO over-rated.

More Softball

We spent the weekend watching Sydney play softball in Prescott.  The weather was perfect, and the scenery was beautiful.  Ryan has even decided that he could be a club softball dad.  These past two weekends he has thoroughly enjoyed laying around in our reclining chairs. If you know Ryan, that is quite an unbelievable statement.  The man never-and I mean never-slows down.  But in this case, he has found a reason to relax. We filled the cooler full of water, fruit and treats, set it between us and kicked back for most of the day. 

It didn't hurt that there was a lot of good softball being played.  Wow!  You can sure see what commitment and practice can do for a player.

Sydney did a great job, both pitching and at the plate.

We were sure grateful that this team let her play with them this summer.  I know that they hoped she could continue competing with them, but other sports are calling... However, they are keeping her on their roster, "just in case".

When the weekend was over, they had won the Consolation bracket.  Not bad for a couple days of work!

You Kinda Had to Be There

Sunday at church the Primary kids and I were talking about favorite colors.  At the beginning of the year, we had each kid fill out a paper of their "favorites".  Then during opening exercises we "Spotlight" a randomly chosen kid.  To begin, we have all the kids stand up, and we read the "favorites".  If it is not them, they sit down.  The idea being that the kid being spotlighted will be the last one standing. 

Obviously, it works better in theory.  But it is pretty fun.  One of my boisterous boys refuses to sit down most of the time, claiming that, "Yep, that's my favorite!"  So this Sunday I was teasing him.  "Gage, are you trying to tell me that every color is your favorite color?!"

"Yeah," he quipped, "I like them all.  Except I HATE black and gold!"

*Truth be told, it's not a funny story unless you are familiar with St. Johns.  And if you are familiar with St. Johns, you are probably familiar with the St. Johns/Round Valley rivalry.  Gage comes from an old SJ family, with strong ties to the school and athletics.  So his true favorite colors are probably red and white.  Black and Gold?  Yep, you guessed it.  The school colors of Round Valley.

Rainstorms at Sunset

This is my favorite time of year.  Each day, I watch eagerly as the clouds begin to build in the southern sky.  The wind picks up (and unlike Spring wind, it has a point)!

When the lightning cracks and the thunder rolls across the sky, you know that it's coming.

Sometimes, the rain comes slowly and gently.  Other times it comes with a force and a fury that pounds the earth.

If I am inside, I through open the winds and breathe in the smells of fresh grass and moist dirt.  If I'm outside, I'll take the time to watch the rain fall and lightning flash.  If I'm being crazy, I'll take a running, laughing spin, letting the rain drench me. 

And if I'm really lucky, I'll finish with a view like this.