Story of My Days
September 20, 2011
It seems like most of my time is spent at one football field or another. Always a practice or a game to attend.
And this boy, oh this boy of mine.
I love to watch him play.
He lives and breathes this game. He loves playing football over anything else. He gets on the field and my sweet, calm, happy go lucky child is replaced by someone who is anything BUT those things.
This photo makes me laugh. I just imagine the kid from the other team looking up and seeing all the white shirts rushing at him and thinking, “Oh, shit!”
And this is where football players differ from normal people, I think, and by normal I mean me, so take that with a grain of salt. But if I were that boy in the maroon jersey I would drop that ball and run in the other direction screaming.
And here he is taking down that kid with the ball. Watching him play is always exciting.
But this photo is by far my favorite. It was half-time and had just found me and his younger siblings sitting in the stands. He scanned the bleachers near us and asked if his oldest brother were there. He had been really excited that his older brothers said they would be coming to his game after their football practice. Before I could answer his brother came running over from the snack bar shouting his name. My 12 yr old son’s face lit up like a little kid with a puppy on Christmas. He was that happy. They stood there and talked for a couple minutes. Even the woman who was sitting next to me on the bleachers commented on how sweet it was.
These are the moments that I treasure above all the others. These are the moments when I feel like I just might be doing something right. That maybe these kids are going to turn out just fine after all.
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That last picture (and the accompanying story) may have brought a tear to my eye. So sweet.
September 21st, 2011 at 11:03 amSweet post. As a mom to a 14 yo girl & 11 yo boy, their interactions when they think I’m not paying attention can be really touching, so that’s why this post brought tears to my eyes… in my cube at work… gonna have to make up some excuse for my co-workers. Wish I wore contacts so I could use that one. Love your blog!
September 21st, 2011 at 11:22 amThat last one is a terrific photo.
September 21st, 2011 at 11:24 amthat’s all we can hope for as parents. i hope my daughter doesn’t make the same mistakes as I did etc etc. Thanks for sharing brought a tear to my eye…
September 21st, 2011 at 11:28 amAwesome picture. Awesome story. Awesome job!
September 21st, 2011 at 11:29 am
September 21st, 2011 at 11:37 am“These are the moments when I feel like I just might be doing something right. That maybe these kids are going to turn out just fine after all.” You should feel pride in your heart of your parenting . . . you’ve got adorable kids!
September 21st, 2011 at 11:43 amThey’re my favorite moments, too, whether of my own family or of yours. Thanks for continuing to share them!
September 21st, 2011 at 11:53 amTyping through my tears…what a beautiful post. Our 12 year old also lives and breathes football. Last year he played club football and all the guys on his team were a full head taller but this kid has such heart and drive and speed and agility and passion and knowledge of the game that he was definitely a contributing player.
Not surprising but, his diminutive size for his age kept him from making the junior high team this year, which was a huge disappoitment for him. We were all pulling for him especially his brother and sister; they too are close siblings. He’s not quitting though…simply joined a club team again this fall.
September 21st, 2011 at 11:58 amMy brother (6 years younger than me) played high school football. I hadn’t understood the game at all before that - to me, football on t.v. had been a signal that it was time to leave the living room.
But watching my brother caused me to fall in love with that game. For as long as we lived in the same state, I never missed a game. I still love the game, because of those years (15 years ago).
September 21st, 2011 at 12:02 pmThat picture is so incredibly sweet. From the look on his face, you would think he was talking to his favorite NFL player.
September 21st, 2011 at 12:03 pmI am with you on the running and screaming front. Good for them for standing their ground. You’d find me under the bleachers “catching my breath” for the entire game…
Your photo is heartwrenchingly sweet. Whatever else happens, siblings have one another (for better or worse!). Keep this photo for a day when they tackle each other in the house or there seems like no end to the constant bickering.
September 21st, 2011 at 12:04 pmLove that! You are doing it right.
September 21st, 2011 at 12:16 pmWhat a sweet thing! I love the look on his face in that last picture; just happiness. Right now, my daughter is playing soccer for her 6th year. My son is playing for his first year. My husband works on Saturdays, and they always have their games on Saturdays. Blessedly, all the games take place on on very large field. But I’m going to do the sprint I’ve seen other mothers do… watch one kid’s game for a bit, run to the other end of the field and watch the other kid’s game. LOL I’m going to get as much exercise as the kids do, I swear it!
September 21st, 2011 at 12:28 pmGreat, just great. I have 3 kids (20, 17 1/2 and 15)who really like each other. The last picture of your boys is just beautiful. When I see things like that in my own family I say the same thing - we must be doing something right!
September 21st, 2011 at 1:09 pmI don’t normally comment, but this post made me smile!
September 21st, 2011 at 1:43 pmThat is so sweet! I agree–the best thing about having kids is watching them love each other. It somehow makes up for all the time they spend smacking each other.
September 21st, 2011 at 1:52 pmYour kids are gonna turn out more than fine!!
September 21st, 2011 at 2:23 pmAwwwww. Yes, you are and yes, they will be.
September 21st, 2011 at 2:35 pmKeep up the good work!
This is the best moment in all of parenthood, to know that our boys will have each other for the rest of their lives.
September 21st, 2011 at 2:41 pmChris,
September 21st, 2011 at 3:16 pmYour kids are really adorable!
Caring and Cute…Life look out.
Moments like that make parenting worth it. Congrats!!!! great success Mom.
September 21st, 2011 at 3:29 pmThat last picture made me cry. You are DEFINITELY doing something right. I’m hoping for some of those same moments as my kids grow.
September 21st, 2011 at 5:41 pmAS a long time reader I think you are doing a lot right!
September 21st, 2011 at 6:47 pmThey hate each other, can’t stand each other, barely tolerate each other, pester and tease each other, are merciless to one another, and yet they are there, backing each other up, watching out for each other, supporting each other - they are brothers. It makes your heart go all mushy, and the little voice in your head say no matter what is said or not said they love one another.
September 21st, 2011 at 8:15 pmKids are tough, it takes a lot to screw them up…..hey mine turned out just fine so I have high hopes for most children!
Hang in there and just let them know they are loved.
September 21st, 2011 at 8:49 pmThose Moments- the “maybe I am doing something right” are the best moments. And Lady- you are definately doing something right~
September 21st, 2011 at 8:56 pmOh, they are, Chris. I think they’ll be more than just fine.
September 21st, 2011 at 10:33 pmMy five will go at it at home like members of feuding gangs, but when they’re OUT there in the real world, they always stick up for each other. Which - as you know! - is so very gratifying. That bond, in the end, is the one thing they will have for the rest of their lives.
September 21st, 2011 at 10:41 pmAwww .. *sniff sniff* brothers .. very sweet.
September 21st, 2011 at 11:13 pmThat last photo has definitely captured a great moment between your boys. I can see the “love” in your 12 yr olds eyes. [sigh]
September 22nd, 2011 at 12:57 amYou caught a precious moment on film (or memory card, or whatever!) in the last shot with the brothers talking at the fence!
September 22nd, 2011 at 8:17 amI love this so much!
September 22nd, 2011 at 9:44 amThis brings tears to my eyes. It’s so wonderful to see them so supportive of each other. My boys love football and turn into tackling machines when that uniform goes on. It’s a real caveman type sport.
You’re doing a great job mom!
September 22nd, 2011 at 9:54 amAwesome part about the interaction of your sons. I love that photo, too. It made me tear up. So sweet.
September 22nd, 2011 at 10:42 amWhen I see these kinds of post’s it makes me sad my son doesn’t have a sibling.
I know it has to be hard sometimes but, You have a lot of love surrounding you. Even if they want to kill each other somedays. I know I wanted to kill my brother and sister somedays but, woudl scratch anyone’s eyes out the looked at them wrong. haha I bet all of yoru kids are like that as well. Always having each others back and cheering each other on. It’s the best.
September 22nd, 2011 at 11:51 amThat made me cry! I love to see the love between siblings. Last night my 16 yr old was holding the 4 mo old and they were both so content. I grabbed the camera, but before I could take a picture the 16 yr old protested and got up. I was so sad I missed getting that picture. My husband had to explain that these pictures are for Seth someday to look back and see how much his older brothers loved him.
September 22nd, 2011 at 12:15 pmI’m almost 27 and I still idolize my older brother and sister. I light up so much you’d think I’m having a conversation with the president.
September 22nd, 2011 at 1:59 pmIt’s obvious that something is right with your family. The older son (I cannot bring myself to refer to this young man as a “boy”) understands how important he is to his little brother, and the adoration and respect in the young one’s face is evident. Raising children who care for each other is the best thing that can be done in this world, and you’ve got the proof right there. Thank you for sharing your family with us!
September 22nd, 2011 at 3:03 pmPrecious - that look on his face. Makes me cry.
September 22nd, 2011 at 4:40 pmof course they’ll turn out fine!!! because you are an amazing mom! btw. I stumbled upon your blog by accident 2 years ago and have been reading it hungrily ever since!!! simply bc i love your humor, perspective and attitude in parenting
September 22nd, 2011 at 5:08 pmI love when they show their love for each other. My youngest, who was 14 at the time, cried when the big sis left for college. Six years later, they are planning on meeting in NYC before coming home for the holiday break. Enjoy these times. You are doing many things right!
September 22nd, 2011 at 7:43 pmAWW I agree best picture!
September 22nd, 2011 at 7:58 pmThat last photo is beautiful. I love the stories of your kids relationships and I so wish that one day my kids will have that. At the moment they are at the “Why do I have to go watch??” whinging/complaining stage and there’s no cheering/support at all, no matter how hard I try. But my oldest is not quite 10yr, so I think maybe I might have time, I hope :).
September 22nd, 2011 at 8:11 pmChris, you have just not raised boys who have brothers, but you are raising men who will love and respect each other. That’s not just a touchdown, but the extra points.
September 23rd, 2011 at 12:46 amChris,
SO sweet. You are definitely raising amazing children.
September 23rd, 2011 at 12:50 amI love to see them light up when they see each other. Mine are separated now due to the oldest being off at college. When we go to visit, they literally run into each other’s arms… it’s so cool!! Enjoy.
September 23rd, 2011 at 7:01 amxo
LBC
So very sweet that look on his face…Chris you rock as a mom. I want to be YOU when I grow up….umm..I’m 52 pretty sure it’s too late.
September 23rd, 2011 at 1:06 pmI worry about myself when I look at pictures of people I don’t even know and cry…great pictures!!
September 23rd, 2011 at 6:26 pmVery envious. I have that with my sibs, but it hasn’t worked out that way for my own kids.It’s great that you recognize it and enjoy it so much.
September 25th, 2011 at 4:01 pmOh those lovely, flowing, golden locks!
September 27th, 2011 at 4:02 pmSuh-weet!
September 28th, 2011 at 12:03 am