Sports: what to do with a large family?

We have 12 children who are all very competitive and my seven boys are very athletic. We have a couple of rules that help tame this problem.

This is a great article here on the Marathon Mom blog:

1. Must be age 9/10 before playing on a game team. (we have let them play on a group activity that involves many of our kids that is mostly for fun...no uniforms, no games...just skills and fun...all on the same field and the same time) We have early dinners and early bedtime so we can sometimes squeeze in dinner before practice then home for showers and bed.

2. We try to find teams that more than one kid can play on...so many of our boys have played up...so finding a coach who is flexible is key...(btw...those boys who play up become the best players!)

3. No travel teams or expensive tournament teams with traveling far away with hotel accommodations.

4. If a coach really wants one of my kids...they find a ride to and from practice and games...this happened with my son who was a great goalie...the coach wanted him so bad that he came and drove him to every practice and most games.

5. The kids have to realize that we just can't be at every game...and if it is too hard to understand than they can wait to play another sport or on a different team. (they always deal with it)

6. I usually ask the coach about commitments prior to team...explain our family dynamic and if they are still on the phone...we try to work something out...like if we have church activities during practice and game time...God Comes First!

7. I always ask for a team list or send an email with our address to see if anyone lives near us to carpool...most of the time I can help another parent who is stuck to and then we have two happy families!

8. We only do a couple of seasons of sports...most of the time it is fall soccer...no winter...really relaxed tennis lesson/tennis team and swim lessons in the summer...spring we are flexible if we find a low committed team. We are very blessed to live in an awesome neighborhood with sports going on everyday.

This is a constant battle and one to take to prayer with your spouse. Many of my friends husbands would die if their kids weren't doing a sport each season...more power to them...no way in our family!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!1 +JMJ+

My Baby is 19!!!

Oh my dear...where did the time go? My dear sweet boy...my easiest labor...my cutest baby...(don't tell the others)! The one who drove me crazy but then brought me flowers and melted my heart!!! You have turned out amazing...a great student, hard worker, and a fine young man. I am so very proud of you and know God is just starting on you...He has a great plan for your life...embrace it!!!

If I were a song writer this is a song I would write for my kids:
(Thanks to the Sidewalk prophets for putting such beautiful words to music)

Three in the morning,
And I'm still awake,
So I picked up a pen and a page,
And I started writing,
Just what I'd say,
If we were face to face,
I'd tell you just what you mean to me,
I'd tell you these simple truths,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,

Last time we spoke,
You said you were hurting,
And I felt your pain in my heart,
I want to tell you,
That I keep on praying,
Love will find you where you are,
I know cause I've already been there,
So please hear these simple truths,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,

From one simple life to another,
I will say,
Come find peace in the Father,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,
These are the words I would say



THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Diet/Food:

Well, for those who have been asking about my 17 day diet...it worked again. In 17 days I lost the baby/Thanksgiving/Christmas weight I gained. (approx 11 lbs)

My hubby sent me this link

The list is pretty sad...I have actually eaten this:

Applebee's Appetizer Sampler Platter

2,510 calories

168 g fat

6,660 mg sodium

"Even if you share this with your table, you are still doing your waistline a disservice. This appetizer is an assortment of all the worst snacks you could eat—put onto one plate."

Source: www.applebees.com

What is even worse, I had to ask for more chips and I was still hungry...I am afraid to say out loud that I might even get it again...ok, I said it. My husband said that is why I was a size 16!

I can't help it, I love food and I love to eat. That is why the 17 day diet worked for me...they didn't tell me I couldn't eat lots of food...it was just different food.

This has a nice review on it here:

Thy Will Be Done!!! +JMJ+

Toy Review Tuesday:

I spent hours on the computer trying to find cool, educational, fun, and lasting toys for my kids for Christmas and our 7 Winter birthdays!


From Sam's Club for about $275 it has been way worth it.

I have never been a big fan of Trampolines, but now that I have so many older teens and tweens I thought it would give them something fun to do outside.

Of course like everything around here...I have a ton of rules to follow.

1. Jobs and school must be done before going on trampoline.
2. 15 min turns (if no one is in line…keep jumping!)
3. No food or drink on the trampoline.
4. Never go under the trampoline when someone else is jumping.
5. Be careful with socks, they can be slippery.
6. No horseplay: pushing or knocking over anyone!
7. Only 2 people or 3 little guys on the tramp at a time.
8. Maintain a clear area around the trampoline at all times.
9. Watch out for double bouncing. It is especially dangerous for larger people to double bounce smaller people.
10. Never land head first on the trampoline.
11. Keep balls and other toys off the trampolines.
12. Make sure you have no objects in your pockets
13. Bounce or aim skills toward the middle
14. Avoid bouncing too high. Stay low until you can control your bounce and repeatedly land in the center of the trampoline.
15. Stop your bounce by flexing your knees as your feet come in contact with the trampoline bed.
16. Do not stand on the trampoline frame or pads while waiting for a turn to bounce. No bouncing or jumping off trampoline
17. Bounce only when the surface of the bed is dry.
18. No somersaults, back handsprings or other difficult skills
19. Keep teeth together and tongue in mouth to avoid biting injuries.

So, so far so good.
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

MOVIE REVIEW MONDAY:

Ramona and Beezus

It is worth the watch...really cute.
Not sure I would buy it...we got it from the library.
My daughters thought it was cute ages (6-17) and even the boys liked it.

Cute review here and I love Common Sense reviews also check out plugged in whenever you need a good review.

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Happy Feast of Epiphany/RIP daddy!!!

Happy Feast of Epiphany...do something fun today...Some coloring pages are here.

Ask the kings to bring you some gifts this New Year!

My New Year wishes:
1. For healing from my miscarriage
2. New baby
3. Self control: especially my mouth, keep quiet, be a better listener, and don't crush my kids with harsh words.



Also, 11 years ago my dear daddy went to be with the Lord. I remember it like it was yesterday. My sister and I were cuddling with him in his hospital bed saying the rosary and singing the divine mercy prayers. It was the closing of the Holy Doors by Pope John Paul II and the graces were pouring on my dad as well as me!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+

Prayer time: make it a treat!

We all struggle with finding time to be with our Lord. Prayer time is tough, but it is even harder for me to sit and listen and enjoy my time with my Best Friend Jesus.

The best way I have found to make prayer time something to look forward to and not feel guilty about not doing it enough...is making it a treat.

Find a special spot and light a candle, put your favorite devotionals in a pretty nearby basket. Be prepared with your favorite books and prayer journal.

If you are a coffee drinker, have this be your special time to have coffee with Our Lord. If you like having a soda, special tea, a hot bath, a piece of chocolate, or a glass of wine...set this time aside to spend with your best friend.

It will be a treat for you, and for Our Lord as well. Enjoy basking in His presence like Mary at his feet taking it all in!!!

THY WILL BE DONE!!!

Movie Review Monday:

Adventures of Tintin:

We had movie passes from Christmas and took ten of our kids (ages 20 to 2), two friends, and a cousin to this.

It was action packed and was really entertaining. The only thing I thought wasn't acceptable was the captain was drinking alot.

Common Sense gave it a good review here, so did Plugged in here.
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+