Winter Voleyball 2016

I never really considered myself to be a "sports mom". Sports were never my thing. I tried dance at a young age, but my total lack of rhythm made me just an awkward, chubby kid in a skin tight costume that my Mom paid too much money for. I enjoyed it...kind of. But as far as skill was concerned- I had none. Then in 8th grade, I apparently had a lapse in judgment and checked the box on the paper that said "athletics" instead of just plain ole PE. I still am not sure what prompted me to do that, other than all of my friends were in athletics, and in 7th grade I was stuck in PE with all of the other severely under-coordinated children and no friends in sight. So- I tackled athletics. The whole experience can be described in one word- disastrous. First- I tackled volleyball. But every time that ball came flying over the net at my face- I froze. Or ducked. Or moved out of the way. Not quite the purpose of the sport. I did get to sub in on the B team for one game. It was the highlight of the year for me. My parents were in the stands, and there I was- out on the court playing a sport! I felt pretty cool. However, my lack of coordination surfaced, and I think I was only rotated in once. Next up was Basketball. And I gave that one my all, just like I attempted to do with volleyball. But it only rendered the exact same result. I was placed on what they called the "intramural" team. Pretty sure that's the fancy word they came up with for the group of people that shared in my lack of coordination and athletic ability. We played games- against each other. And let me just tell ya- it wasn't pretty. I can only imagine what my poor parents thought as they sat in the stands and watched their poor daughter go out on that court and "try" to run and bounce a ball at the same time. Pretty sure I never made a basket. I doubt I ever even tried, to be honest. Then it was on to track. And you know what I found out when track season started? Track involves RUNNING! No lie. They expected us to go out on the track and actually RUN around it. And the worst part? Some people enjoyed it. I still find that crazy. So I promptly signed up for shot/disk. No worries- I stunk at that too. But it was way less embarrassing than being lapped by 99% of the class on the track on a daily basis. Shot/disk successfully ended my attempt at being an "athlete". But God Bless my Mama- she purchased every volleyball and basketball picture I had made that year and proudly displayed them. I guess she figured it was going to be her only chance at being a "sports mom". And she was right! My athletic career started and ended in that 8th grade gym.
So when Brenna wanted to sign up for volleyball last year as a 2nd grader, I was anxious to see how she liked it. (and secretly- I wanted to see if she inherited my amazing athletic abilities....or lack there of). I didn't see it going very far, but I wanted her to like it! Volleyball is an indoor sport- and I was pretty sure I could handle that! No more 8 am soccer games in the 30 deg temps while she cried through most of the game, and no more 3 pm soccer games in the 110 deg heat while she cried through most of the game.... see the trend??
The first season didn't go so well. I'm not sure we won but maybe 1 or 2 games. We improved a little the second time around, and a little more the 3rd season. (there is a fall, winter, and spring season). Then this year, during the fall season, our girls got it figured out! The got better. Their skill improved. Their teamwork improved. Their confidence improved! Our games became something I looked forward to instead of something I walked into hoping that the other team was worse than us! During the fall season, we were undefeated! These girls played their hearts out! And when the tournament came around- they forgot some of that..... they won the first game, and lost the second one, then won the 3rd. Which put them in 3rd place. But hey- that's improvement from the first year!
Then the winter season started. And the girls added to their skill and confidence. We were undefeated...loosing only 2 sets the entire season!! On tournament day, I was a little concerned that I couldn't be there. I had to be in Waco with my FCCLA students for region competition, and we weren't supposed to be back to the school until around 1pm. Her first game was at 11. I tried really hard to be ok with that. I knew they would win the first game. It should be an easy game for them. When we got to the convention center that morning at 8:30 and saw that we didn't place, we headed home! I would like to say that I was upset that we didn't advance to state with FCCLA, but the Mama in me could only focus on being there for Brenna's game! So we drove straight into Weatherford, pulling in at 10:30! I was on cloud 9!
The first game was a bit of a challenge at first. we went down a few points. But I have come to realize that that is about normal for our girls. It takes them a few plays to get their mojo going! For that reason, I like to call them the "Cardiac Pups" instead of the Peaster Pups! But we came back with a vengeance and WON! Wahoo!! Pops, Memaw, Nina, Aunt Kim, Aunt Emily and Wyatt were all there to cheer our girl on- in addition to Mommy, Macie and Daddy! Brenna's fan club is not a small one.
The second game was a bit more of a challenge. In the first 2 sets, we one and lost one. We finally got them in the 3rd tie breaker game. It was a nail biter for sure!! My nerves were SHOT! And we still had the championship game to go! I knew that the girls had to be getting tired, so I took Brenna, Macie and Kallie out for a little sugar rush!

I gave them ice cream AND caffeine! We needed to play this next game before the sugar CRASH! LOL
This picture warmed my heart! Coach Jeff couldn't be there for the tournament, so he face timed the girls before the championship game! They were all SO excited to hear from him!! (And Kristi did a fantastic job of stepping in to coach for the day!)

The game was a TOTAL NAIL BITER! Brenna did a fantastic job serving!

And all of the girls did a great job of playing together! They were volleying that ball and helping each other out. It was awesome to watch! The first game was 25-13. But that second game... oh my goodness. I was just going back to look at my texts that were going on with the group and Jeff. It was crazy. Neck and neck the whole game. 21-22, 21-23, 22-23, 23-23, 23-24...... Then came Kallie's serve! And she NAILED it! Screams erupted and the jumping that the girls did made me tear up! They were so excited- and that is really what it's all about!
Brenna Grace was so excited to get her 1st place medal!

The preciousness of this picture as she patiently waited for her turn to be given her medal just melted me! My Mama heart was so full. Not just because they won. Because even though winning is fun- it's about enjoying it. And learning something along the way. This girl learned a lot of not only skill, but she learned patience, how to loose gracefully and how to win with respect.

Way to go Peaster Pups!

We're NUMBER 1!!!!

I have LOVED watching these two play together this season! By that last game, they were helping each other out and working together to get the ball back over the net. It was A-W-E-S-O-M-E.

I am pretty sure that this grin on her face says it all. She was on cloud 9 all night. After we got home, she went outside to practice VOLLEYBALL. Seriously. After playing since 11am, she was outside at 7pm practicing! I love her dedication. And as I was sitting on the back porch, completely lacking in motivation and dedication, sipping on a cold beverage with my feet propped up, Brenna came over and sat down beside me with a huge grin. I asked her what was up. She said "I just can't quit thinking about it. WE WON, Mom!!" And again, my heart was full.
And as of this morning, she is signed up for the Spring League. And I guess I am now officially a "sports mom". Planning my life around practices and games. Cheering from the stands. Getting mad at the refs/line judges when they don't make the call I could clearly see with my own eyes.....with 20 people in front of me..... from across the room...... Anticipating the next season. Yep- I'm THAT Mom. And I wouldn't have it any other way!
I'm just thankful they inherited their coordination from their father!