My Son, The Sensational Soccer Player

The year is 2010. For 8 seasons now (four years) Caleb has played soccer. He started when he was 6 and he will be 10 in July of this year. He has played fall and spring and has not missed a game. God has kept our family healthy through all the rain, wind, cold and heat.

(David coaching Caleb's soccer team this season)

There have been seasons when we liked the coach and there have been some when we wished he had a different one. But, we have not complained (to anyone other than each other). There have been 2 seasons when David coached. One season, we took 1st Place. This year, we have lost 2 games, so we will not get 1st place but we are having fun, nontheless. We have LOVED our seasons of rec league soccer.

Caleb has played many positions- offense and defense. He likes to move, so forward is his favorite. He's been midfield and he's played defense. He's played them all really. But, he's really good at goalie!

He has expressed a desire to play other sports but in the end, he always chooses soccer. Probably because his father played as a child and they both know the game. Its one thing they have in common.

A love for the sport!

Volunteering

Last fall, David thought we should find somewhere to serve in some capacity with some local organization. I had no idea what that would entail or where the Lord would lead us but we were open to any ideas. At first I was a little leary but the Lord dealt with me spiritually and I knew that it was something I needed to consider as well. Since we homeschool, this was going to be something that involved me and the children.

We found out about an Emergency Food Pantry that was located in Olive Branch, ironically right down the road from where we attend church. I had seen the sign but not thought much about it. David tried to call them several times but we could never reach any one. I decided to just show up one day and see what would happen. That was the Tuesday before Christmas and one of my biggest mistakes. I walked into a VERY busy building with LOTS of volunteers and patrons. I did not speak to anyone in charge that day but was able to leave the food I was donating and my information. The next week, I received a phone call that they needed volunteers. I was able to help. I have been volunteering ever since.

It turns out they have a freezer section that needed some organization. I can organize any thing or any body else's stuff but can't seem to organize my own life or home. Why is that?

So, I go every Monday to organize their freezer section and get the foods and meats ready to give out on Tuesdays. Some times they have upwards of 30 patrons and sometimes its only 10. You never know. I do know that these people need the food. The pantry gets food from the local food bank or the USDA. Sometimes they have an abundance of food and sometimes the shelves are bare.

This morning, I received a call from the lady that runs the Food Pantry. They were going to have a shipment come in two hours and they needed help unloading and shelving the food. So, we stopped doing "school" and did some chores and we got ready to go. I left the house in a total complete mess. I warned my husband before he got home that the house was a disaster!

We helped with the Food Bank delivery at noon and then with the regularly donated food from Kroger at 2:30 pm. Ms. Sheila received a call while we were putting the Kroger food away saying there was going to be another delivery of food at 3:15. That was a HUGE load of food. We were there until 5 pm. I HAD to leave because Caleb had a soccer game. We were at the food pantry from 11:30 am until 5 pm.

I AM EXHAUSTED! But, I am sooo glad that the Lord has given our family the ability to serve!



His Loving Servant!

Family Trees

Recently, I attended a homeschool Mom's Dinner. The host of the dinner was a lady named Helen. During the dinner we got to talking about geneaology. She has www.ancestry.com and began my family tree. It got me thinking about my history.

You see, my husband has some papers that his aunt researched. He found out his family came from Ireland (shocked? our last name is McCrory!) He also found out that an ancestor named James McCrory was a bodyguard to President George Washington. I thought all of this was interesting and have been wanting to research my family history. Ms. Helen has been a great help with that.

My father is also excited about all this. I hardly get to see him because of his work schedule but he came over to our house Thursday morning before he left out on his run (he drives an 18-wheeler) and we tried to answer some questions that were supposed to help Ms. Helen with her research. I also called my Uncle Buddy who already has some research and has told me that I need to just come to his house and visit and he would show me what he had. I think I will give my father a call and we might just take a drive.

Can you say, "Field Trip?" Does that count as school? I do believe so. I call that History. Wouldn't you?

Uncle Buddy said that another relative, through marriage only, has done some research. This relative, from Oklahoma, found some family members that came from Scotland, Wales, and the UK. The fact that we might have come from Scotland does not surprise me. Our children, especially our daughter, looks so Scottish/Irish that it's not funny! Reddish hair and freckles. Very beautiful.

It will be great to find out where I came from. I will keep you posted as to what I find out. That is, if you care!

Do you wish it was 1875?

If my husband had his way, we'd travel back in time and live in the 1800's. He loves living "rough." I, on the other hand, like my internet, people, and electricity. Oh, and indoor plumbing! I think it would be cool to live that way for a little while, but the idea of doing it, actually LIVING it....that does not set well with me.

I have no idea how to cook on a wood stove or over a fire pit. The last time we went camping we tried to cook over the fire. Burned the biscuits!

I can't imagine using a wash board to clean clothes. I do like the clothesline kind of drying but my sinuses do not, even though I am doing it anyway and will just have to take extra garlic.

I have not ever used an outhouse but my sister has. That is a funny story that I will not go into. She would kill me! I got pictures, too. Can you say, "Blackmail"?

I have never seen a real working Colonial-style living farm. I have never been to a place to see one but I think I would enjoy visiting a place like that. I have seen it on TV or pictures on the internet but that's not the same.

Imagine, no heat or air conditioning. Burn wood for heat. No box fan or TV. Oh my! I would not have a fridge! We'd have a root cellar. That might be nice, though because I want one of those now! We wouldn't have a dishwasher, which I could live with. I wouldn't like it but could live with it.

What I would like is living off the land. It would be hard work but we would have to garden for veggies and what we did not grow we would not eat. No bananas or citrus fruits unless we got them from the local general store since they don't grow around here. That's another idea- shopping at the LOCAL store. The money stayed in your community because there wasn't a Wal-Mart. Most items like toys were hand made and not imported from China.

We'd have cows, chickens (we already have 8), and possibly pigs for meat. David would learn how to process those animals or need to take them somewhere. We'd know what we were eating because they grew up in our own back yard. There was no USDA inspected beef, pork, or poultry!

Well, I have rambled on enough! Your thoughts?

Colaiste Ide, Ireland

Does that ring a bell to anyone? Probably not! Well, it's the team that the men's University of Memphis (TN) soccer team played last night. I thought we weren't going to make it to the game- but my wonderful husband worked on the car to get it fixed, then we took his truck to the game.

We sat on the Ireland side, so we were sitting beside a bunch of roudy (I do mean "roudy") young men. They cheered and chanted THE WHOLE TIME during the game. We used to have satellite TV and received Setanta Sports, so we have watched many soccer games on TV. They get pretty crazy about their futbol games in other countries, unlike American spectators.

I forgot my camera (stupid me!) so I wasn't able to get any video or pics on it but I took pics and video on my cell phone. I have no way of uploading any of it to my computer so you are all out of luck unless you live near me then I can show them to you in person.

The Irish guys were hilarious! It reminded me of the stereotypical "Irish pub" chants. They were dancing (crazily, and a bit unbecoming of a young man). I told our daughter she may not marry any of the ones who were acting crazy. Erin asked me how many of the Irish guys I thought were catholic (a no-no for our family). I asked how many do you think really know/care about God? So, I answered her question with a question. We both think we know the answers to each other's questions.

Caleb got his soccer ball signed by most of the Irish team members. He will never "play" with that ball again! It's the second ball that he's gotten signed by team members, the other being the U of M men's team several years ago.

OH, I know this is not very important to many of you, but we were part of history last night. There were 1,584 attendees to the game. The Mike Rose Soccer complex was BUSY! PACKED! CROWDED! We have never seen so many people attend a game like that. We found out later (we were late getting there because of the car) that the money collected went to support Haiti. Good cause and great game.

BTW, they tied 0-0. BOOOO! Even though I live near Memphis, we were rooting for Ireland. The refs, in my humble opinion, did not call the game well. But, then again, I think Memphis could have played better. Many of the Irish players spent more time laying on the ground than playing the game. Not sure what that was all about. Buck up, Ireland! You can do better next time!

Well, gotta go. Need to wash my son's soccer uniform. I pray the weather holds out and we play tonight. I do NOT like making up games!

The Happenings @ the McCrory Household

Yesterday, Erin got braces on her top teeth. I was told earlier that it would be both top and bottom, but that was not the case yesterday. They said it was for the comfort of the patient. I am a little in the middle on my feelings about it. I guess it's best to do one at a time, but part of me says get it over with! But, it's not MY mouth, so that's all I will say about it. She is in pain today but not too bad. She's able to eat and get around. She's not moping about. Life goes on!

Not much else happened yesterday, but today was another story. This morning I took Erin to the local library for a "Jewelry Making Class" which was very informative. I did not sign Caleb up for the class but the lady was nice enough to allow him to make a "manly" necklace and he made me a great pair of earrings. Does my son have a gift of making jewelry? Who knows?

Then, this afternoon I began teaching Latin again to my daughter and another young lady. We started but around the holidays it got REALLY hectic and we quit and never got started back. I wanted to finish the lessons so we started back up. We are trying to do "Prima Latina." We are so close to the end of the book. I am ready to move on to another book that will be more challenging to the ladies who are learning but I think getting bored with this as they are in 7 and 8th grade.

Lastly, we were going to go to the University of Memphis' Men's Soccer game. They were/are playing a team from Ireland. BUT, oooooohhhhhh, I am not happy about this!!!!! The car's spark plugs messed up again. This time a different spark plug but still the same problem. So instead of going to the game we came back home and David will have to fix the car. I am getting sick and tired of that happening when I drive that stupid car! But, I really need to be glad that I have a car to get mad about. The Lord has blessed me and kept me safe all 3 times that it has happened. And the car is 11 years old.

Lord, I am sorry for being ugly. I really am glad that you protect me and keep me. Thank You Lord!

Mouth Full of Bling

Tomorrow is the day! It's the day we take Erin to the orthodontist to get her braces. We had an appointment earlier this month but had to cancel it because of car troubles. We got the car in working order and now it's time to get Erin's teeth corrected.

She has two upper teeth that are not coming in properly. One's actually coming in through the ROOF of her MOUTH! How could that have happened? The orthodontist showed me this really cool video of how they will attach to the tooth and slowly (a process that will take a year or so) move the tooth into its proper place. The whole process is going to take 28 months. We'll see! I pray it's not as painful as some have told her it will be.

Exploring Creation with Botany

Last year, we had our first family garden. Wasn't too much of a success. The kids and I need to weed the garden better. This year, we are trying again. Since I wanted to incorporate a science curriculum, I thought that Apologia's Exploring Creation with Botany would be great. We have never used Apologia's products so we will have to wait and see if we like it or not. Only time will tell!

We had SOOOOO much fun today. I was so tired, after everyone went home around 5 p.m., I went straight to bed. I thought that I would sleep all night but woke up 3 hours later. Now, it's after midnight and I am posting on my blog.

We had church this morning then Erin and I came home to finish cooking and get ready for everyone to come over. They got there around 1 p.m. and we had our traditional Irish dinner. It turned out rather good. I thank http://www.allrecipes.com/ for the recipes. I love cabbage usually no matter how you make it. The think I will just make the corned beef regularly next time. Something was just amiss about the taste of the beef. The potatoes.... I can't decide how I feel about them. They were OK, but I think au gratin would taste better. But, like I said, these are Irish recipes. We aren't used to eating Irish foods. Now that we know a little about our Irish heritage, we might have more Irish foods so that they get passed onto our children.

We also played a few games. I had planned on trying to play them outdoors but the weather had not cooperated the passed few days and the yard was wet and muddy, so we opted for indoor games. We also had 2 three-year-olds so we did games they could be included in. Bummer for big kids, but they can handle it better. We played games like *Pin the clover on the pot of gold *Celtic Musical Chairs *Shamrock Relay

I got some pictures and might try to post some if/when I get a chance.

It's funny, as I am posting this, Erin and I are watching "Celtic Woman" on PBS.

St. Patrick's Day Celebration

Well, I am posting this real fast then I am off the clean- super clean- my house. We have 14 people coming to our home tomorrow. I am excited about it! I love to celebrate and fellowship with fellow Christian friends. This event is for our church, Christ Covenant Church, in Olive Branch, MS, where my husband pastors.

We will be having traditional Irish food, games, and fun! The recipes for the food came from http://www.allrecipes.com/ which is a site I visit regularly! Here are the recipes I chose for tomorrow:

*Guinness Corned Beef

*Irish Potato Casserole

*Irish Heritage Cabbage

*Green Grog (I will be making the NON-alcoholic version for the kids)

*Irish Cream Sugar Cookies

*Irish Tea Cake

Other church members are bringing other food items like Irish Soda bread.

Is it making you hungry yet? It is me.

Well, I'm getting off here. Enjoy the rest of you weekend. I think mine will be plenty busy!

There is absolutely NO WAY!

I was in the bathroom and just for fun stepped on the scales. NO WAY!

I have weighed the same since the birth of my son. Then, last year, I diagnosed myself with Diabetes. I knew something was wrong when I would pass out for no apparent reason. At least I thought it was no reason. It finally dawned on me that it might be my sugar. I'd heard of people going into a diabetic coma but had not experienced it. Again, so I thought. I have researched diabetes more and more since my self-diagnosis.

I had gestational diabetes with both of my pregnancies. I knew that my chances of getting it at a later age were probable since I am overweight. I am not lazy, but I do not exercise like I should. I used to think that my Cappaccino Blasts from Baskin-Robbins every weekend was making me sleep better because of the caffeine. I know think that I was sleeping "better" because I was passing out!

So, last year with that diagnosis, I cut out sugar. I use artificial sweetener in our iced tea. I drink diet sodas, and generally try to watch what I eat. If I don't, I pass out.

I use cinnamon and niacinamide to control my sugar. It seems to be working, so far.

I guess it's working. The bathroom scales say I lost 25 lbs. I won't believe it until I step on one at a doctor's office. I cut out sugar, but by golly----25 lbs???? It just can't be real.

MY SON IS READING!

Well, by golly, my son has finally gotten over the reading hurdle. He can now read on grade level. He continues to progress every day.

You see, when Caleb was 4 NO ONE but his sister could understand him. I was constantly asking her, "What did your brother say?" We called his language, "Caleb-ese." I researched how we could get him tested. We found out that you could test through the public school. I took him in Feb. of 2005 (he would have turned 5 in July). He tested 1%, meaning that in a group of 100 (Caleb being one of them), 99 boys would speak better than him. His speech therapist at the time said that if she wasn't looking at a picture or context, she would not know what he was saying. We took Caleb to 30 minutes of Speech Therapy twice a week (an hour each week). We spent kindergarten trying to just get him to say the sounds of the letters. He just couldn't do it. First grade, the same. Something happened in second grade as he was getting better. He could say the beginnings, middle, and endings of more and more words. But, between driving there and back again, I felt that I could better utilize our time. We decided to end his therapy and work with him at home.

At first, it wasn't hard. I continued to work on the sounds. But putting sounds together was another story. Turns out, I stink at teaching reading. My husband took over in the evenings and we worked on math and other subjects during the day. I still read to him during the day, but did not require him to do any reading unless David asked me.

I don't know if it was maturity or the great work of my husband enstilling in him that he needs to learn to read. Whatever the case, my son finally said to me yesterday, "My favorite thing to do now is read." He also said, "Now, I know how Erin [his sister] feels when she reads a book. Once you start reading, it's hard to put it down."

I am VERY proud of you son!

A Day at the Memphis Zoo

Some people like it, others could care less. I am of the opinion that I LIKE the zoo. Especially if you are enjoying it through the eyes of your children. My children have been to the zoo but it's been a while. We went on Sunday afternoon and was there almost all day. I got some pretty good photos. I am posting a few here for you to enjoy.

The McCrory's visit the zoo

Northwest Passage @ Memphis Zoo

The male panda @ Memphis Zoo

A gorilla @ Memphis Zoo.

I took this picture because he

looked like he was tired of being stared at.

Thought it was funny!

This duck is finding food at bottom of pond.

David, the Super Soccer Coach

Well, we...I guess I should really say Caleb, has played 3 games. And my husband, David, is his coach this year. We have won all 3 games. Tonight's game, we scored 4 goals before halftime. Second half we didn't even put the "good" players in "their" positions. We just put players wherever and we still won 9-1. My husband is a great coach. He doesn't just let the players play the game, he teaches the game. And in the meantime, he makes sure that the kids have fun as well. He is a Super Soccer Coach!

Go Smurfs!

Book Club was cancelled

Well, it turned out that lives got busy and no one was able to make it. I will post our book to read at a later date. Stay tuned!

Book Club tonight

Well, I am about to clean my house and get set up for Aperite Libros Ladies' Book Club. It is our first meeting. I am looking forward to it. The crowd will be small tonight but I am hoping we will become a good, strong group of ladies who attempt to look smart by reading some classics. LOL

There's not much else going on and I better get started. I also have to educate my children and babysit our neighbor. Busy day!

See you bloggers later!

Pain, Pain, Go Away!

It all started about 3 days ago. I woke up with sinus pressure and a sore throat. I'm pretty sure it's because I spent time outside helping coach Caleb's soccer team. David actually coaches them, I just run after the balls! Anyway, practicing in 40 degree weather did not help. David was sick first. I told him he gave me his cold. He said that he didn't have a sore throat. So! It's still your fault!

Yesterday, I felt pretty good. No pressure, no headache, but still had a little sore throat. As you can tell, I am up and about. Life goes on in the McCrory household. I am drinking Chai tea w/ crystallized ginger and taking odorless garlic. I am now out of advil liquigels and only 2 tea bags left. So, I may go to the store tonight before Caleb's game. I won't be able to function if I still have this headache and pressure. I will end up just taking Caleb to the fields and coming home. I have NEVER missed a game- and I'm not starting now!

Go Blue Smurfs (as they named themselves)!

My Husband, the Mechanic

My husband, David, has worked in the automotive parts business for over 20 years. Oh my goodness, I can't believe I just said that! Really, 20 years?? Anyway, let's back to the subject. In 2002, I think, we bought ourselves a 1999 Mazda 626. I love my mazda. But lately, I am having some second thoughts about that vehicle.

Since we have moved to MS I bet we have bought 10 tires. My husband drives to work 30 minutes on back roads 5 days a week. I don't think he's bought 2 tires. I don't understand that. We have spent more money on that vehicle than we want to. But, you have to admit, it's 10 years old. I'm sure it's normal for cars that old.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, my husband has worked in the parts business for a while but he's not a mechanic. However, he works on our car. He has been able to fix our car no matter what happens and if he can't fix it, he knows who to take it to to get it fixed.

The car broke down Monday night in the parking lot of the soccer fields. David spent an hour trying to fix a spark plug that refused to stay in place. David said I could drive it home. "It would drive rough but should make it," he said. So, he followed me to make sure I made it home. We puttered along just fine.

David spent Tuesday night trying to make the spark plug stay in place. Today, we puttered to town because I had things I needed to do. While in town, David brought over a new spark plug wire. That solved all the car troubles. It started purring instead of puttering!

Thank you David! I love you sweetheart!

Perseverance

I have already told y'all that we moved to MS 4 years ago. We lived in Memphis for 10 years in a small house in a subdivision. We did not have any major catastrophes while living there. Our troubles started when we moved.

After 4 years of trials and tribulations coming every 6 months while living in MS, we are wondering the "why" of it. Is God testing us? Is God not happy that we moved to MS? Like Job, is God allowing Satan to test us to see how much we can endure? In our finite minds we cannot understand or reason why these things are happening to us.

Every time we think we are over a hurdle, something else comes our way. We have bought 2 lawnmowers, new roof, new well and pump, new water heater and now we are looking at the possibility of needing a new car.

We were driving to soccer last night and we heard a sound. It's happened before. Erin, our daughter, thought the car was going to blow up. I reassured her it's just a spark plug. We have one particular spark plug that refuses to stay in it's place. We got stranded in Memphis at Goodwill once because of this spark plug. That was an easy fix. Last night, on the other hand, was different. That stubborn spark plug would not stay in. I eventually had to drive the car home on 3 cylinders. Boy, was that noisy! It made it to the house where we could make sure the car was safe, but now David has to figure how to best fix it. If it can't be fixed then.... Oh, I don't even want to think about that right now.

We have not lost our lives, the lives of family, or our livestock like Job. We have not suffered as Christ did on the cross. Our struggles are financial. We had to buy things because they quit working. We had no choice. You have to have a roof, well, water heater and a car. My husband drives a manual transmission truck- which I CANNOT drive. So, we can't go to just one vehicle.

I have heard of perseverance of the saints. I am by no means a saint, but pray the Lord is blessed by our continued faithfulness and that Satan is not! I pray that 10 years from now, we can look back on our trials and laugh or at least know "why" we struggled through them.

For the Love of Futbol

My wonderful huband played soccer growing up. Fields were different back then. The fields we play on in Olive Branch are nice. Some of the nicer ones we've seen and played on.

We moved to Mississippi in the spring of 2006. That fall, we signed Caleb up to play soccer. He has flourished in the game. He has played every position- offense and defense. He has played goalie. He doesn't like it, but he's good at it! His favorite is offense because he gets to try to score. He has played fall and spring seasons every year since then. It's been 4 years now.

This season David is coaching. He coached one other time. We tied for 1st place during that season. We will have to wait and see how this season goes. My husband has played the game so he knows the game. He's a very good coach. He has plans like any good coach should and they work. Even if we don't have a winning season, I KNOW we will have fun! We always do. We enjoy watching Caleb and the others play. I have not missed a game. I have toughed all the weather, hot and cold, to see my son play.

Go Royal Blue!