Just Call Me Bozo...

it's so true...life is such a juggling act. I'm realizing that it never really gets easier, it's just that as each new ball is added to the loop, you get a little more perfected at your skill. Of course, just when you think you've got it figured out, another is thrown at you from out of no where. I've added a few more balls to my act recently. Of course, there are still the same ones I started with...homeschooling (fieldtrips, schoolwork, playdates...) church activities, family activities, going to the gym, getting completely engrossed in my novels (which can sometimes be combined in the Bible study category, depending on the book :). And now I've added couponing to the act. Sure, it sounds like no big deal, but it has meant some changes in my scheduling department, so that's one more thing to fit in the picture. But the challenge is an addicting game, so combined with the insane deals I've been getting at vons and Target... well, makes it so worth it!). Oh, and can't forget the potty training. It's going much better now, but the last few weeks were pretty *crappy* ... pun intended :) yeah, this act is getting kind of crazy!!

A few weeks ago Christian started baseball again, and we were all looking forward to another season. Unfortunately, when we got the call for practices, both completely interfered with our church schedule!! I tried to get us switched to another team, but it was a no go. ughh... So we decided we'd just try and make it work, even though inside I was getting stressed just thinking about the logistics of it. Then the first practice. The only word I can describe it with is INTENSE. But we thought, "It will be good for him to get the discipline, and things will probably slow down after a few weeks". Then Justin took him to the second practice. He was so distraught he called me the next morning from work. Practice was not just intense, it was insane. Jus said that alot of the kids were already on year round traveling teams, and the kids played better than he did...they were 8!! The coach was pretty much a drill sergeant, and Christian came home utterly exhausted, discouraged, and without any desire to play at all. He was on the verge of tears talking about it, trying to be so big, but completely deflated. So I started praying. And when dad got sick and I was left to juggle the next practice on a church night with 3 kids in tow to a practice in a sketchy part of town, I said forget it and called the coach. We were going to have to miss. Wow, he was rude. I walked in, told Jus what happened, and we looked at each other, already knowing what the other was thinking. Pull him out and go to plan B (which had already been confirmed by 2 different people the day before!). Summer ball with NOR. Yes. that was more like it. Eight weeks of baseball where we learn the necessary ball skills, as well as life lessons... such as how to be a team player, how to be a good loser, AND how not to teach your kids that their sports schedules run the lives of the entire family. Passion meets practicality. Oh, I dread to think what life would be like right now with that extra ball in my juggling act!

Yes, we're constantly adding one more thing to this three ring circus, which makes it necessary to always rethink and reevaluate this game of life. When we step back and look at the big picture, it's usually pretty simple, really. And when I remind myself that life is best lived through being...being with my family, being at home, being in the Lord, being content...well, it's not as hard to decide which balls need to be thrown out of the loop. It's when we compare our ring to the clown next to us that we get distracted and really drop the ball...