soccer mom

During the six years in which I wasn't contributing to this blog, a lot of big life things happened.  We moved...four times.  I lost a job that I loved.  I had an amazing kid.  And another one.  I earned my MBA.  We found forever homes for Skittles and Moxii with other families.  My Scooter Bug crossed the rainbow bridge. Jerry deployed to Afghanistan. I had gastric bypass surgery and lost 150 pounds.  We added a new furry family member, Trixie. And perhaps the biggest life thing?  Yesterday I joined the ranks as a soccer mom.

I mean, I knew it was coming.  All the signs were there.  We purchased our Honda Odyssey a couple of years ago...I love our 'loser cruiser'! Seriously, zero shame and 100% excitement for our minivan.   And my wardrobe?  A mix of Lularoe and workout clothes.  Clearly, I was just paving the way to making it official.  And, of course, there's the past five years of my life revolving around my children. Becoming a soccer mom was inevitable.

But last night, I became the real deal.  After two canceled practices (thanks to the freezing weather!), we finally had our first practice.  Despite my great planing to make sure everyone was fed and ready to go on time, Amelie had a last minute diaper full of poop for me to contend with.  Complete with soaked pants, requiring a full change of clothing from the waist down.  Followed by a meltdown because she wanted to bring a ball to practice too.  Clearly I wasn't as prepared as I thought, despite the bag full of soccer equipment, water and snacks.  Now I needed an additional ball.  I frantically searched the ball bag in the garage and found a deflated froggy playground ball....perfect, other than the deflated part.  The kids were totally impressed as I brandished an 'air plump' and got that ball back into commission.  Now we were officially late and the chaotic exit from the house commenced. 

We made it to the fields almost ten minutes late.  I was throwing packaging left and right as I quickly outfitted James in his soccer attire in the dirt parking lot.  And we were off!  James quickly joined his team and immediately got down to business.  Meanwhile Amelie and I were off to the side, enjoying running around the bleachers and catching and kicking the froggy ball (totally worth the extra couple of minutes it took to procure and 'plump' up!).

James ended his practice sweaty, red-cheeked and smiling.  And I was happy.  Happy to have seen James enjoy himself so much.  Happy to have spent such a great time with Amelie.  All day today, Amelie kept telling me about how much fun James had playing soccer with his friends and 'how much fun I had playing with you, Mommy!' 

Yeah, being a soccer mom totally rocks!