CHRISTMAS TIME!

 We try to stay busy and do fun, festive things this time of year. We have done a ton of baking, looking at lights and Storybook Land.

This is little miss SassyPants!
Hope to post more soon...ages 4 and 1.5 together are a handful! You would think they were teenagers they way they antagonize each other! They keep us very busy!

Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda?

Tomorrow will be exactly 4 weeks since we (Whitney and I) submitted our formal complaints against Ken Ball. Whitney just got word that she will receive a response sometime today. I'm not sure if I will get one in regards to my letter or not. As far as I'm concerned, I don't think Ken will tell the truth when asked about what he did/said. I don't think he even knows what the truth is.
Tonight is the post season awards night. I've contemplated in my head about making a statement about the situation. With my grad school acceptance and student teaching looming, I have to tread carefully. It just makes me sick to think back through the whole season...mainly the last seven weeks. I had to sit next to a coach who know very little about the actual game of volleyball, who disregarded my knowledge of the game and my suggestions on how to make the girls better prepared to play the #1 team in the state, who really only mentally prepared the girls on how to handle a loss, showered them with balloons and cupcakes (as if that wins volleyball games).
Now all I have is hindsight. I thought that when this was all said and done I would be proud of myself for sticking out a rough emotional season. For some reason, I'm actually a little more angry. I feel like the ones that suffered the most throughout all of this...the vb girls, Whitney and myself, still have no real resolution. The ones that F'd up in the first place haven't been held responsible. It disgusts me.
At the time of Whit's resignation, the #1 reason I had to stay was for the paycheck. It really is the only reason. I constantly wonder should I have left with Whitney? Put up a united front and stand up for what we believe?! Would it have made a bigger difference in making a difference in how things are done in the administration? Could I have done more? I question all of these things because I still don't feel at peace about any of this. I sat next to Coach Ball for the rest of the season and I feel like maybe I have somehow given off the impression that I stand behind her appointment, stand behind the decisions made by administration...and that is far from truth.
I still struggle emotionally with what I should have, could have and would have done. I regret not fighting for the Interim Head Coach position to finish out Whit's season the right way. I regret not sticking up for myself when Ken Ball practically mocked me. Even now that the season is over I feel like a prisoner who can't fully tell their story. I want everyone involved in the program... athletes, parents, administration, coaches to know that I hate what happened. That it was not easy for me to show up to practice every day and that I wonder if I did the right thing by staying to finish the season.
I'm still so frustrated that I don't even know how to write it in this post...I'm talking in circles. I'M PISSED!!! And I have to come face to face with these people again tonight. Well guess what?! I don't have to stand next to anyone anymore. I don't have to put on a supportive assistant coach face for the girls anymore. The charade is over. I'm done!

This Boy!

This picture sums him up perfectly!

 Things out of this boys mouth lately:

We recently had a talk about how "God lives in our hearts!" The next day while riding in the car he says to me "Mom, I figured out why I'm uncomfortable and itchy!" I say "oh ya? Why is that?"
Nathan: "Because God is living in my heart!"

Eating hotdogs with daddy...
Cass puts another hotdog in the microwave and says "I'm still hungry Nate. I'm gonna get fat."
Nathan: "Then you'll turn into Mommy."
(This stung a little. I had a pity party and then hit the gym.)

We were playing Playdoh yesterday (me, Kendall and Nathan). He wanted me to roll the play doh into little balls. Then I became an immature girl giggling everytime Nathan referred to "his balls." Here are some of the things he said!

"Mom, do you like my balls?"
"Look Kendall! I have big balls."
"Kendall, I have more balls than you."
"One of my balls is bigger than the others."

I kept thinking about the Saturday Night Live "Schweaty Balls" skit...SOOO FUNNY!

In the bathtub I asked him SEVERAL times to pull up the plug and get out. Finally he looks at me and says with conviction...
"I hear what you're saying and I KNOW what I'm doing!" (I guess the kid is aware totally aware of his ability to NOT listen and purposely keep doing what he's doing...grrr.)

The other day he referred to me only as "Honey" for about an hour and a half.

I need to start writing them down sooner because I know I've missed some. 

Kendall on the other had thinks talking is for losers and has only chosen to speak a few select words.
-mamma

-dad

-don't

-up

-poop

However she fully understands what I'm saying and is very good at following directions! Love this little stinker!

What an Ordeal

I have so much to blog about with regards to the family and things that have happened in the last several months. So I find it weird that my last post was about being a volleyball coach and instead of posting about my family, I am updating on being a coach!

Over the last couple months so much has happened. Our head coach (Whitney), one of my best friends, resigned three weeks into the season. The circumstances surrounding her departure left me furious, angry and a little confused! I supported Whitneys decision 100% and still do and I want to write everything that went down...but I would need MUCH more time! In a nutshell, I feel our Principal, who also serves as Athletic Director, failed to do his job correctly. I find him to be arrogant and egotistical. He claims to be very professional but I haven't seen that side of him yet. He left Whitney with two choices...admit to claims that are without merit, untrue and inaccurate and apologize for them, or tender her letter of resignation...and decide by 5pm that evening. So she resigned. I was also victim to his unprofessionalism and have written a letter to the Superintendent...breach of confidentiality, conflict of interest, breaking of board policies...all things commited by this so called professional.
All of this said, I am not willing to put myself in a situation for my name to be dragged through the mud and slandered as Whitney's has. She is battling now to have her name cleared. Parents and student athletes (I should say that some of them) have come to expect a sense of entitlement. If things aren't going their way, all they have to do is make a complaint and things miraculously start turning in their favor. It blows me away. I just don't remember it being that way when I was in school. The coach did their job of making us better athletes and responsible young adults and parents had a job to be spectators and supporters. There is no clear boundaries anymore and its concerning.
I have decided that this is going to be my last season coaching at Philomath High School. Because they have to hire a new head coach, I am not guranteed the assistant coach position...but do not want to be considered. I also will not apply to be the Head Coach. This season was so emotionally draining that I spent a lot of time writing letters and taking time away from my family to deal with the situation. I have missed out on a lot of Nathan's swimming lessons, football camps and other fun things.

Don't get me wrong...I LOVE to coach and I LOVE volleyball. I just can't and won't continue at PHS under the current AD. In a few years I might consider coaching elsewhere but for now I am going to focus on my family!

Volleyball Team Camp

I just got back from two nights with some of the volleyball girls at a team camp down by Grants Pass. They get to work with some great coaches (a former NCAA three time Champion!). I loved being there and watching some amazing volleyball players coach our girls. I also learned a few things about myself while I was there :)

-I have more confidence as a coach. I really do know what I'm talking about! Listening to our coach and hearing her feedback to the girls, I realized I was thinking exactly the same things. Its nice to know that even though I haven't played competitively for a very long time, I know the game, fundamentals and can help the girls be better players.

- Often times I just wanted to take charge...not hard to believe if you know me very well. This made me realize that someday I want to be a head coach instead of assistant.

- Loved getting to know the girls. However, I found out that high school girls are exposed to much more than I ever was...kinda scary.

Had a great time and looking forward to our own Warrior Camp starting on Monday! Let the season begin :)

Summertime Highlights!

 T-5 days until Volleyball season starts for me! Which means the end of my summer with the family and kids! Looking back, we had a great summer. Ran into Kevin Boss at PHS...going to get me a Raiders shirt now!

Nathan has been in swimming lessons all summer and he loves it! Cass and I love to watch...we fight over who gets to take him. We would all go except Kendall does NOT sit still. Too much work, so we take turns!

We got our patio poured! So we spend lots of afternoons hanging out outside.

My cousin Selene came out for a two week visit! I LOVED having her here! She totally makes me laugh as you can tell by her silly picture. (Sorry Selene, I don't have any others!) That pic was taken on our girls night. We went to Applebees and ate yummy desserts!!

We took the kids to the Linn County Fair. Both kids are loving the fun rides! Cass has to take them because I get sick on them...even the Merry Go Round!

We went out to where Papa Tom was camping and let the kids explore the outdoors for a while. Can't wait until next summer...we plan on taking the kids camping and actually staying the night :)

We have more to add since I first put this post together. I have had it pending for a while now. We can no add Enchanted Forrest, a trip to the beach (that was with Selene), I went to volleyball team camp, I went to Las Vegas with some girlfriends, Nathan is turning 4, a week with Maggie and Kelsie.
We've been busy and its been great!

Disneyland!

Back at the end of May, Tiffani and her girls, Cass, the kids and I headed for Disneyland! We spent a few fun filled days at Disneyland and swimming at the pool. My mom and Bob joined us on Thursday. The pic above is the kids waiting for their breakfast with Goofy!

Nathan was so excited (and shy) about seeing all the characters.

Mommy and baby are happy too...mostly because the food was so yummy :)

The kids got their faces painted!

We got to see the new parade...Mickey's Soundsational Parade and it was AWESOME!

Bob and Cass took the kids on most of the rides!

So excited to get to Disneyland!

We spent a lot of time carrying kids, pushing strollers, piggy backs, etc.

Kendall was so good the whole trip!

Do you see how Cass' hand is strategically placed on Nathans knee? That was Nathans doing...he would grab Cass' hand and tell him to put it right there. Daddy made him feel so safe!

Does it get any cuter?

Snack time!

Tiff had to get her turkey leg...she made it look good but I just couldn't get myself to get one.

The last night, Cass, Tiff and I got to go to Disneyland and ride a few big kid rides! So much fun!

Splash Mountain! We literally were soaked from head to toe. Walking in wet jeans and sweatshirts was not fun...so this was the last ride and we headed back.

Catching the shuttle for the last time :( SO glad we went!  I think we will go again in a few years.

I won't mention that we lost Maggie at Disneyland on the 2nd night and that we had all the employees and other Disneyland goers  searching for her. The longest, scariest 10 minutes of my life! Disneyland has the best employees and when we found Maggie, they took her to the front of the line on any ride of her choice. She chose Finding Nemo.

Its official...

Kendall looks like me!

 The pics below are me :)

I seriously have the cutest kids ever.
Kendall had her 1 year check up on Monday...98th% for height, 81st % for weight!! Taking after her dad in height and mom in weight :)
DISNEYLAND in a week and a half and I couldn't be more excited!! Three days after we get back I turn 30!

What a difference a year makes!!!

Happy Birthday sweet baby girl!!!

Mommy, Daddy and Nathan love you SOOOOOOOOOO much!!

Nathanisms

Over the last few weeks, I've written down some things Nathan has said that have made me laugh. He's turning 4 in a few short months and I want to remember everything about this amazing little man!!!

He falls asleep during the day (usually no naps). I hear him whining and kicking around to find him talking in his sleep. When I think I've gotten him awake, I ask him what he wants...
Nathan: I want a Nay Nay show (meaning show for him to watch....like Dora)
Me: Ok, I'll go turn a show on for you
Nathan: NO, I need someone TOUGH to turn it on for me
He doesn't remember this conversation :)

Digging in the dirt with Cass and pulling weeds. He finds a bug and asks me what it is. I say "Oh thats a millipede."
Nathan: "Look dad! A milliPETER!"

I bought Tangled as a surprise so we could have a movie night. He gets so excited and says:
"Now that you know you can buy me Tangled...you can buy me lots of other things too!!"

In the bath with Kendall:
Nathan: "Mom, Kendalls all up in my business!"

While I'm changing Kendalls diaper
Nathan: "You're beautiful Kendall but your poop is weirding me out!"

"Hey mom, lets pretend everything is a sidewalk and we are homeless!"

Me: "Nathan, what should we bake today?"
Nathan: "Speaking of  'bake,' Bacon starts with 'bake'!"

Outside with daddy...
"Daddy, I'm going to go over here and pull these purple weeds."
Daddy: "Ok"
Nathan: "Their gnarly bro!"

I DID IT!!!

I RAN A HALF MARATHON!!! 13.1 Miles!!!

We ran down the chute that the OSU football team runs in to the field and finished on the 50 yd line!

Me, Missy and Deidra!

Here I come!!!

Doing this half marathon was such a personal thing for me. I didn't do it for anyone else. I had 2 goals going in to this.

1- run the whole thing...no walking.

2- finish before 2.5 hours.

I did BOTH!

(I want to remember this journey so if you already know it...feel free not to read)

I decided to do the half in February. I have been doing Iron Fit classes since January and knew that would help me train. Three weeks before the race, Cass and I went out for an attempted 7 mile run. We made it just over 6 and had to stop. My right foot was killing me. The next week was tough to walk. After a stupid doctor, an xray and and MRI...I had fluid surrounding my tendon (tenosynivitis). I kept up with my Iron Fit but no more running. I considered backing out of the race...but my foot started to feel a little better each day.

Day of the race I was feeling positive. SO ready to do it!

I started the first half of the race at a comfortable pace. I wanted to be able to last. There was also a small incline up Bald Hill. It was about half way that I started to feel awesome. I decided it was time to kick it into high gear. Its that Crossfit mentality...go hard or go home:) I picked up my pace and finished the last half faster than the first half. It felt amazing!!

My official time: 2 hrs 16 mins 14 sec

761st out of 1800 runners

66th out of 140 women in my age group.

I'm hooked. I am signing up for another one in September. (I am now nursing an injury on my other foot). In the meantime I am going to keep up with my crossfit workouts, run some smaller races...5k's, 10 k's. In September I want to beat my time and finish a little faster.

I am just getting started :)