A MOTHERS DREAM

Looking back at my childhood... I LOVED gymnastics and cheer leading. My parents and Aunts tried to teach me to play the piano, instead, because that's what my mom, aunts, uncles, grandmother, cousins, etc. did. In the end, I am only capable of playing the piano for primary and not one of my children know how to play and I get dizzy if I attempt a cartwheel now . I did try to encourage them though, wishing I had put a little more effort into it when I was young. Poor Mishawn took for about 2-3 years and those were our worst moments together as I pushed the practicing. Mark did, however, play the violin in 5th grade, accomplishing the piece,"Hot Cross Buns". Then he went on to playing the Saxophone in 6th and 7th grade with an occasional drummer number at the concerts (completely a surprise to his parents, we didn't know he played the drums?). We weren't sure he was actually playing the saxophone as we NEVER heard him practice. He may have mastered a lip sync version or something like that. McCall had a loud voice as a young one which we encouraged her to put to good use. So she sings in a choir at school that you have to be selected for. We're so proud! (She hates it.) She put in 2 years and 1 trimester and a couple of years of private lessons. I'm afraid to say it, but I think she's done. I made her promise to sing in the church choir with me and we have been having a good mother/daughter bonding time with that. Michael... I didn't even go there. I figure there just isn't any fight left in me. If he wants to do something like play the piano (women love a man that can play the piano) he'll have to beg me. The reverse psychology hasn't worked.
I realize that a good education and impressive talents are what push you ahead in this competitive world. My children are good students but probably not Harvard bound (although this would be awesome..hint,hint). And since my son-in-law introduced me to the world of politics, I have myself become infactuated with Mitt Romney and I think, "What does a mother do to raise that gifted of an individual?"
With that said, I would like to share Michael's latest physical achievement. He is now the new Bowdish Middle school record holder for the most consecutive sit ups. 600 to be exact! (I'd like to see Mitt do that!) His goal this year was to get his name up on the gym wall since his sister McCall had a record for pull ups. He wasn't sure how he was going to do it, until the opportunity presented itself in the form of sit-ups. He and another kid went for the record, which was 500. The other kid died at about 538 or so and Michael thought what the heck, my stomach is completely numb, I'm going for 600! How cool is that!
Last year Michael did the same thing with running. He set a goal to run 50 miles in nine 45min. sessions. He did that too! What I'm seeing in this young man, is a goal-oriented achiever. Who knows, maybe he'll go to Harvard? (Mitt Romney watch out!)
Another cool physical achievement in our family is Mark's passion for basketball. He defied the size odds. He has an incredible vertical jump at 5'10" (he can dunk). He has also worked hard his whole life, disciplining himself with his workouts and nutrition. He just made the 1st team list in the east division and was selected to play in the All-star game. Pretty Cool!
And McCall is starting track season and looking good. Next year she'll be a senior, and if all goes well she will have lettered all four years in cross country. Way to go!
Mishawn accomplished the ultimate physical achievement ever... she had a baby! Thank goodness for modern meds, right shawn?
I blame all this physical focus on Bob's family! Sports fanatics! When Bob's seventy something year old mother ( my mother-in-law) walks in our door and asks," Have you filled out your brackets yet?"(Only a real sport fan would know what that means). I know I can't win and my dreams of a Mitt Romney clone slip away.

Hats off to the "Chosen Generation"

Today I spent about an hour cruising through blogs. I was trying to avoid doing what I actually was supposed to be doing. There are some blogs that are like chocolate (of which I'm eating right now), I'm just addicted to them. I have to accept that I now am a grandmother (a title that I proudly wear!). I have gray hair which reveals itself about every 6 weeks and an adorable grandson; I qualify.
What I notice in these blogs are how amazing you young mothers know this techno stuff! You truly are a "chosen generation". Chosen to blog, use digital camera's, computers, and whatever else chosen techie people do. What more can I say. My hats off to you!