Posts Tagged ‘Brianna’

The girls played basketball this winter for their school league. Wednesday night practices and Saturday morning games. Two very different girls, two very different games to watch.

I was proud of Brianna, as always a head taller than her teammates,  passing the ball, giving others a chance to score, when she could take it down herself with no contest. 40+ point games and she would score half of those points on her own. In the zone and loving the game.

I was proud of Katie’s quick pace, her willingness to dribble, strangely left-handed, and try to shoot when she had the chance. I cheered loud and clear when she scored her first basket!

The basketball awards were held last night. The teams were all introduced on the stage to upbeat music, clapping and cheering. A basketball entertainer, funny, mesmerizing to watch as well as sharing the message of Christ, it is a Christian school and league. Then came some special awards for most Christ-like referee, coach, and player in each age group/gender, nominated by players and parents.

Brianna received the honor for 3rd grade girls, she went up on stage and smiled broadly accepting her award.

My heart soared and I clapped with a beaming smile on my face and a quiet whisper entered my heart, This will hurt Katie.

We separated, Alex and Brian off to get Brianna and I to Katie.

Each child received a basketball award and Katie smiled, meekly for the one picture she allowed me to take of her team.

As I led her out to the lobby to meet up with the rest of the family, her small hand in mine, I heard her tiny voice, “Why did Brianna get to go on stage and not me?”

“What did you say?” I stalled, my heart breaking at my sensitive little girl’s sadness, her sister being a shining star, again, and Katie feeling not good enough, not-included.

“Nevermind.” She whispered.

Not the oldest who outperforms at just about everything she tries.

Not the youngest, the baby too cute to do wrong and an all-star at sports at such a young age.

Just the middle.

With a tiny voice.

Feeling insignificant.

And I’m scared…

She is 6 and already shows signs of a crushed little spirit.

I don’t want her to feel that way.

Ever.

I do what I can to build her up.

But what if it’s not enough…

 

Our hands intertwined, my large ivory dress, with scarlet trim barely allowing me in the seat as the band started playing. A crumpled damp tissue clenched in my fist, I dabbed my eyes for the hundredth time as I tried to keep the mascara in place. My heart was swollen, still overwhelmed by Brian’s declaration of love. I had cried in front of all of our family and friends, something I never ever would have voluntarily done. Tears were for the shower, when you were alone and the cascading water could drown out the sobs and wash them away down the drain never to be mentioned again. I had been caught off guard, not by the speech, I knew it was planned, what I did not know was the words that would come from deep within his heart, exposed for all to hear, intimate and crafted with care. Never spoken at our first wedding, generic and thrown together within a couple of weeks, filled with regret and sadness. This time, five years later, meaning so much more than our first vows ever would. Our faith came through with every word. God was the center of our marriage now and forever more, the renewal of our vows a testament to what He had done in our lives.  It was important to us, that our girls and our family and friends know our hearts and see the declaration of our souls back to Him, and our love to one another.

You stood before creation

Eternity within Your hand

You spoke the earth into motion

My soul now to stand

You stood before my failure

Carried the Cross for my shame

My sin weighed upon Your shoulders

My soul now to stand

I sang, whisper soft, letting the words wash over me, through me. They penetrated my heart, the events of the day settling in, growing outward in the form of a smile. My hand enclosed in Brian’s, sweaty and familiar.

So what can I say

What can I do

But offer this heart O God

Completely to You

So I'll walk upon salvation

Your Spirit alive in me

This life to declare Your promise

My soul now to stand

So what can I say

What can I do

But offer this heart O God

Completely to You

So I'll stand

With arms high and heart abandoned

In awe of the One who gave it all

I bolted out of my chair, eyes, scrunched shut, the tears streamed. My voice came out loud and strong from deep inside. Our hands no longer clasped, now outstretched upwards toward the heavens. I swayed, cradled by the music, the love I had for Him. He had given me the great gift of Brian I love this man and our two girls Precious beyond belief. I was absolutely in love, filled to the brim with emotions, they churned inside yet with peace and understanding. Thankfulness.

So I'll stand

My soul Lord to You surrendered

All I am is Yours

Everyone, everything melted completely away.

Just me.

Just Him.

I believe.

Immense joy swelled within my heart.

So what can I say

What can I do

But offer this heart O God

Completely to You

This post was written for the prompt over at The Red Dress Club.

“Mom, you need to get up in the morning. Wake up and get dressed instead of sleeping.”

“Katie, I am awake.”

“Why do I always have to wear a long sleeve shirt?”

“It’s winter.”

“Brianna doesn’t have to wear a long sleeve shirt!”

“She’s wearing one.”

“That’s not fair Mom!”

“Katie, it’s freezing outside!”

“Where is my sweater? Is it in the dryer?”

“The only thing in the dryer is the couch slip covers. Is Alex awake?”

“Yes.”

“Darn it. Turn my light on please.”

“You need to buy me more sweaters for school. I don’t have any.”

“You have a closet full of sweaters, you just choose not to wear them.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Yes, you do. You have that navy one that was Addy’s. You said it’s too big, but it is just your size. You have three other sweaters!”

“That’s not true.”

“Katie, just look in your closet!”

“Those aren’t school sweaters. I want my pink one.”

“I don’t know what you did with your pink one.”

“I’m changing!”

“No Katie, you completely match. You look nice. Now stop arguing with me and stay still.”

“Ow Mom, you’re pulling my hair!”

“I’m not doing it on purpose, your hair has knots in it.”

“You’re doing it too fast! Ow!”

“You should have just left it in a pony tail, then it wouldn’t have knots!”

“No Mom! It’s your fault Mom!”

“Just stay still. Stop itching it, you’ll mess it up!”

“It’s itching me Mom!”

“It’s done. Don’t touch it. Get your shoes on, go downstairs and get breakfast.”

“I want a bagel.”

“Brianna! Come up here, I need to do your hair!”

“Katie, we don’t have time for a bagel. Get a fruit bar. Stop touching your hair!”

“You always make us eat fruit bars.”

“Fine, we do have time. I’ll make you a bagel. Now go downstairs and get your shoes on.”

“Brianna, Mom said we can have bagels.”

“Mom, Katie said we can have a bagel. Is she lying?”

“I’ll make bagels but we need to hurry.”

“Yes!”

“Come here so I can get your hair done.”

“Ow.”

“Stop moving away! You’re making it harder.”

“That hurts, you brushed my ear! Ow!”

“Stop moving then! You keep pulling away and it makes it harder to get the knots out!”

“I’m not moving, you keep pulling me that way.”

“Sorry.”

“Mom, my tooth is really wiggly today.”

“Great. Okay done. Go downstairs. Did you put your lunch in your backpack?”

“Yeah.”

“What about Katie’s?”

“Yeah.”

“Good.”

“Alex come upstairs!”

“What Mom?”

“Come upstairs!”

“What Mom?”

“Alex, come upstairs.”

“Hi Mom.”

“Hi Alex. Did Daddy change your diaper?”

“No.”

“Come here. You need to get dressed. We need to go to the store to buy Mommy some medicine.”

“Go store buy medicine?”

“Yes. Just pee, no poop!”

“Just pee!”

“How about your Eagles shirt.”

“Eagles!”

“Okay, pants. Socks. I smell your stinky feet!”

“Stinky feet!”

“Wait, shoes on.”

“I do it.”

“No buddy, Mommy do it. We need to hurry. Get sisters to school. Okay all done. Go downstairs.”

“I have bagel?”

“Yes, but lets go. Come on now.”

“You’re only getting half a bagel girls.”

“I have bagel now?”

“It’s got to cook buddy.”

“I have it now Mom?”

“It needs to go in the toaster.”

“I have it now Mom?”

“Fine.”

“Girls, do you have water bottles?”

“Yeah, I’ll fill it up at school.”

“Mom, Brianna never helps me. She’s always mean to me.”

“That’s not true, she’s just saying that to get me in trouble!”

“Stop girls. Eat your bagel. We got to go. First let me pee.”

“Brianna, you’re a mean girl.”

“Stop Katie.”

“Girls! Get your coats on and get in the van!”

“I go in the van too Mom?”

“Yes Alex.

“It’s cold!”

“I know buddy.”

“Stop kicking, Katie!”

“Katie stop kicking Brianna’s seat!”

“Brianna’s being annoying!”

“Mom, I’m just sitting here!”

“I have a drink Mommy?”

“Girls stop! Geez, enough already! Alex, your cup is at home.”

“Can you put Justin Bieber on?”

“It’s not in the van Katie.”

“Taylor Swift?”

“Nope.”

“Brianna, look at this.”

“Brianna, look at this!”

“Look Bra-nah.”

“Brianna!”

“Mom, Brianna isn’t looking!”

“Brianna just look at your sister! Stop ignoring her!”

“I can’t turn around!”

“Then just say that instead of ignoring her!”

“Fine, I’m looking Katie! What!”

“Remember when. Remember when. Remember when we got these shells. From that place. That place with the water, but the water was gone. That place was fun.”

“Girls, bus! Wait, let me pull up closer.”

“Bye Mom! Bye Alex”

“Bye Mom!”

“Bye girls. Be good. Have a good day at school.”

“School bus!”

“Yep buddy.”

“I go to school?”

“Next year you can go to school! Like a big boy!”

“I go on bus?”

“No buddy, not until you’re older.”

“Okay Mommy.”

“Let’s go to the store. We got to hurry though. Emily will be here soon.”

“I play with Emily?”

“Yep.”

“I like Emily.”

“I need Starbucks.”

“What Mommy?”

“I said I need Starbucks.”

“What?”

“Never mind.”

I started writing this for another post to share a bit of the craziness of getting the kids ready in the morning. I realized I was writing so much dialogue that it was just perfect for this prompt!

-Hemingway was famous for his super sparse writing. He used almost only dialogue in many of his works. Write a piece in which you use ONLY dialogue. Then link up Friday.

Amy from Involuntary Smiles has won that cute little Snowman

I’m a winner too thanks to all of your thoughtful words and encouragement, coupled with an awesome girls night out at Starbucks followed by late night shopping at Walmart as well as a family and friend filled weekend.

My Aunt Jan was in town and the kids had a blast spending time with her. So did I

The kids enjoying the snowfall on Sunday!

I’m a happy camper again!

Which is a huge blessing because Christmas is right around the corner and between babysitting, kid school Christmas parties and getting ready for our trip to PA I have no time to be dragged down into the depths of depression right now.