365 Days of Team Zybko

Day #59

October 29, 2011

Pictures Worth a Thousand Memories

These pictures may never win first place

but

in this Mommas heart they are worth a thousand smiles.

Diane doing what she does as an older sister and doing it well. Putting up with, and goofing around makes Di-Di #1. While home from college Diane squeezes in 5 sibling soccer games. Never complaining in the heat as the kids fight for her attention. Big sissy, never alone for a second.

With his fishing shirt filled with snacks, a mouth full of sunflower seeds David joins us on the basketball court. What you can't see is his right knee wrapped tightly in a brace. Torn ACL and meniscus, surgery scheduled two weeks out. He quickly steals the ball, spins around on his good leg and proceeds to sink a 3 pointer. How can he still out-play everyone so easily? The rest of us can't help but laugh as he twirls the basketball Globe Trotter style around his pointer finger. His version of a victory dance.

So proud of his new trampoline tricks, Dylan is more that happy to demonstrate a dozen times til my camera timing is right. The only one I know that can bust out back to back flips in khakis and loafers. Our family trampoline was bought by the older kids ten years ago from Sam's for $169. No major accidents except for a badly sprained ankle, ironically enough it was Dylan.

I love Delaney's body language in this one. I have so few pictures capturing the real Delaney. The not posing Delaney. The yes I want to be the next Hannah Montana Delaney or I wanna have a FaceBook so I can use a cheesy pose as a profile picture Delaney. This is harder than you may think. Her dog like hearing can sense the shutter click from a mile away.



This particular soccer day was hot, seriously hot. So hot even Drexel stops moving. He takes a legal time-out from B-BAll and finds a tiny slice of slow moving shade. The now back in style soccer shirt he is wearing was Uncle James'. My brother already in heaven. His grin gives me a warm feeling inside cause just like the shirt from the 70's this sweet look also reminds me of my brother.

I am a big fan of cute little front teeth of a 3 year. In this picture they aren't necessary. This look to me makes all the blah, blah, blah parts of motherhood worth it. Delilah Drama seem to come more frequently these days. I suppose one can say this behavior is spurred on or accurately explained by her birth order. During the good times I thoroughly enjoy when I receive sweet looks like this one.

365 RANDOM DAYS OF TEAM ZYBKO

DAY #87

January 28th 2012

WE LOVE YOU BRI!

Meet Briana....that's her name but I'm not sure I have ever called her that. She prefers BRI, just BRI. That's BREE , pronounced like the cheese but spelled differently. This blog is obviously not a dating service, but right now I wish it was. Bri is a really good catch. Let me explain why.

The picture above is my favorite for sure. Wraps up this 23 year olds personality to a tee. Taken during an impromptu afternoon photo shoot. She pulls into the driveway, let's herself in an inquires about a much needed scrunchy to complete her 80's Halloween outfit.


I love that's how our relationship is. Bri doesn't need to call or text to come over. She knows our family, the code to the garage, she can come right in....anytime....that's how we roll.

My kids pop up and stop whatever they are doing when she enters the room.

Like a big sister kinda love. Even though I am technically old enough to be her mother, let's not do the math.

Bri played soccer with Diane at West but I don't really remember that. I started getting to know her when she was hired at the MACK about a year ago. Seems like longer than that. I had to text her while typing this to double check.

Kids are like animals, they can sense the good people, the people who will treat them well. My kids are similar to Golden Retrievers in may ways. They are supe good at sniffing out the fun people.

Bri is fun and she is also has the ability to poke fun of herself in a healthy way.

This Summer I had a seriously clumsily moment, stepping off a curb wrong at the gym I seriously sprained my ankle. Bri caught wind of this, didn't take long. Small town and it happened in the front parking lot. Yep, I was part of an emergency call that I myself have trained for over the years working at McLeod. Talk about embarrassing. Calling to see how I was and what she could do for me. The next day she came and stayed for hours. Getting me more ice or whatever I needed and of course entertaining the little ones.

Bri is one of my go-to peeps for new music for class Along with Diane, David and Dylan these young whipper snappers keep me in touch with what's dance-able and hopefully clean. Although she is more of a runner girl to keep healthy and stay in shape. I Love Love Love when she can make it to one of my classes. More than a few times she has made it priority to set her alarm and shimmy shimmy co co puff with me at 6:15AM Zumba. I don't know many college kids willing to do that. She can dance too, please don't believe her when she tells you she can't. Whoop whoop!

This fuzzy picture was taken on my cell. It captures and records the first time Bri came to our house. Stopping by really to talk with Delaney about her up coming mission trip. Handing her some hard earned cash she told her she was proud of her. Bri ended up staying for dinner, afterward she offered to watch the kids so baby Daddy and I could have a date night. Are you serious? Oh yea, we left before the dishes were cleared.

Finishing up her schooling this year, she plans on being a counselor. To encourage and help people through times in there life that she herself has lived through. Tough times for families. She gets good grades cause she cares about stuff like that. Did I mention she is never late to anything. Ever. Bri has a wonderful work ethic in all she does, especially coaching soccer.

We check on each other often through out the week like friends do. More often than not I give her Motherly type advice when she asks my opinion about hard core life stuff. Not really sure if she enjoys that part of the gig or not but I can't help it. Like I said, she is like part of the family.

Dress up time with kids one sunny, Summer afternoon. Jenn R and her came over to chill and tie dye shirts with the kids. Oh yea, by the way, thanks girls for more tie dye items in my life. (Please refer to earlier dated post to explain sarcasm)

Ok, so let's review.

Bri is

SMART

FUNNY

HARD WORKING

ATHLETIC

CARING

RESPONSIBLE

DEDICATED

GENEROUS

PRETTY

ADVENTUROUS

and oh one more thing.....

Last but not least.....

BRI LOVES THE LORD!

Yes yes yes she does!

This is my favorite thing about this girl.

Actually, not that exact part but the fact she is not afraid to to share this with people. To share the good news with whomever.

Bri loves her some JESUS!

Iron sharpens iron. We share special verse's to encourage each other. Nothing better than getting a text about God's word that has somehow jumped off the page to her.

I love this!

Bri has helped me be more vocal about God's love.

She probably doesn't know this but It's true.

Bri Bri....Team Zybko is so very blessed to have our in our lives.

This I hope you already knew. If not, come on over I'll make you dinner.
Remember, no need to knock :)

365 RANDOM DAYS of TEAM ZYBKO

DAY #58

OCTOBER 28, 2011

You May Be A Home Schooling Mom If........

If you ask your 9 year old to cut your hair.


Delaney's smile couldn't have been bigger.
Really Mom?
With the super duper, shiny sharp scissors?
What if I mess it up?


My hippy-ish long hair lives in a messy bun 99% of the time. It's worn out ends hadn't been cut in well over a year. I reassure her, there is nothing you can do to mess up that glamous look.
She seems ok with that.
She drops the semi-flat soccer ball her and Dexel were using to play ghost man kick ball. Flipping my legs over the side of the plastic chair I realize I'm still wearing my shark PJ pants. This may also be a time to poke fun of a Home Schooling Moms day. Then again maybe I'm just more relaxed these days. Content, enjoying the warmth of the sun and the happy sound of the kids playing together. The home plate chair I was holding down through 6 innings is magically transformed into a high dollar salon chair.

So glad the half naked 6 year photographer gets some credit too. His reflection is captured beautifully in my huge $5.67 cheesy sunglasses.

20 minutes later my hair is trimmed and dry.

No scheduled apointment.

No money spent.

Job well done.

I do spurlge on a creative tip.

Bedtime has been pushed back 15 minutes.

My favorite hair dresser seems OK with that.

The heavy scissors are put next to first base, to be put away later.

After a shower.

After I put on day clothes.

AND

After the giggles of an afternoon family kick ball game.

Thank you Delaney!

I will put this baggie in my Soccer Mom scrapbook for sure.

365 Random Days of Team Zybko

Day # 57
Back From Peru

October 20, 2011

Fighting the urge to blog about how I feel now, 4 days back from an 8 day Mission Trip to Peru.

I force myself to stay organized with my thoughts, feelings and my small but persistent anal side. Must start with day one. Yes, yes, day one. Good plan I convince myself. Page by page through my ragged out journal should give me plenty of time to sort through my newly re-arranged heart.

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME

ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my dear Brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Trip To Peru

Let the Adventure Begin

The night before our team from Sandhurst is to leave, I can't sleep. I'm a little nervous, super excited and oh yeah.......not packed yet. I really can't explain or have any valid excuse how such an important trip to a foreign country sneaks up on you, in my case it just did. The garage is pitch black and a little creepy by the time I make it down my packing list to a pair of work gloves and bug spray. Oh my stars, it's way past midnight already. How did this happen? I mentally kick myself in the butt as I push forward to find a working flash light and batteries. Extra batteries? Really? I'm thinking I may need a miracle and some strong coffee. Even Baby Daddy is a little annoyed at my lack planning. He seems to be sleeping with one eye open, every ten minutes he mumbles Give it up, it is what it is at this point honey. No way, I'm determined to find a set of sheets for a double bed, extra Ziplocs and four more pair of clean underwear.

Everyone is at the Church by 5:04am. We pray quickly in a hand held circle and say goodbye to loved ones, one last time. I am so not the world traveler so I check for my passport.....again and again and again. Completely OCD about forgetting this important document, I check one last time, not wanting to be that girl.

A talkative ride to Myrtle Beach Airport, a smooth check-in and a short flight to Fort Lauderdale. Just too pumped up to remember how tired I am. The 10 of us seem to gel and make friends quickly as we chit chat over a $12 terminal burger. A few more flights and car rides then it's game on.

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

Greg

Jamie

Callie

Jordan Leigh

Suzi

Jennie

Garrett

Doyle

Alice

We huddle tightly around our Team Leader. Greg speaks softly, in a not everyone needs to hear our biz-nass sort of voice. He gives us a reminder run down of the week ahead, what to except and what not to do. Names of native tribes and customs roll right off his tongue like everyday words. He warns us once in Peru to tone down the energy and noise level. Apparently this can come off pretty AMERICAN ugly in other parts of the world. Some smirk and hold in laughter. Most of the team turn their head in my direction and point. What? Oh sure, blame me......already.

Next stop, touch down in the big city of Lima, only a short 6 hour flight away. 360 straight minutes.Wish I was a travel sleeper, bummer, that's just not me. I'm seated next to Alice. Whoo hoo thats a bonus.

I LOVE ALICE, SHE IS MY FAVORITE.

and she is watching me write, I promised to keep that part IN my journal.

Man she is a pro at reading over my shoulder :)

After take off and few Hail Mary's under my belt we all settle into our very own quiet place. A newly bought best seller, IPOD's or simply the tiny square window filled with nothing but beautiful blue skies. To my left, 11 year old Callie burries her head in the safety of her Momma's side. So sweet. I secretly snap a picture. I miss my kiddies already. Glancing quickly at my pink sports watch I realize that time has also continued back home in Florence. Drexel's soccer game is nearly over, wonder if he scored. I hope Delaney found her freshly cleaned uniform for her out of town tournament. Did I get my debit card back from Dylan? I'm pretty sure Grandpa was gonna make sure David had a ride to his PT appointment's. Diane will be home for Fall Break, hate I miss most of her visit. In my Bible I have tucked away a special drawing from my newly aged 4 year old. "Wheely Mommy, bing it wiff you to Pah-roo. I will miss you."




Even at 30,000 feet I can't relax. How will they survive with out me? The house and all it's normal functioning routines will surely cease to operate. Right? I force my soccer Mom thoughts from my head and steal a few yummy combos from my seatmate.
FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS.
I am on a mission here.
YES, YES, YES
Literally a mission.
Unfolded laundry, missed school work and trash cans put out on Wednesday should not be front and center.

I don't know what to expect in Peru or how God will work my heart over. My first mission trip to Haiti a little over a year ago was life changing. Predicted correctly by many who have been there. Understood completely by those who have been there as well. I don't mean Haiti, I mean a time, a place in time when God takes a hold of your heart, gently reshapes it and puts it back. Just the way HE wants it. Well gee whiz, HE has already done that once. How do you top that? Heck if I know, I'm kinda marveling at the invention of combos right now. They really do taste like pizza. Amazing!




While at the playground a few years ago I overheard/eaves dropped on a very round, not so comfortable pregnant Momma of one. She talks with a serious face to her Starbucks drinking friend.

"But really Jennifer, how can I possibly love this baby as much as Taylor?"

My eyes discreetly scan the area around her feet looking for Taylor. I'm curious to know roughly how old Taylor is and quite honestly if it is a boy or a girl. Sorry, I'm that nosy and that name always seems to trip me up a bit. I almost blurt out an answer. Inside my thought bubble I use a super loud outside voice. You would think both ladies could actually hear my unscripted comments.






Oh you will love this new baby just as much, it's hard to imagine right now, but you will. I promise. Mommas have more than enough love for all her children.

Each time is different.

Each birth is different.

and each special newborn you hold close to your body, a new place in your heart opens up.

God makes more room.

If you are willing to listen to God, the design and capacity of this incredible

EXPAND-O-HEART
is limitless and ever changing.

I suppose this mind boggling process works for mission trips as well.
Don't ask me. Remember, I can't even figure out a baked pretzel snack.





By now Jennifer has pacified her due any minute friend. Lost in my own thoughts I missed her response. I now wonder if she used the

EXPAND-O-HEART example.

Probably not, that's OK, she won't understand it for a least a few more days anyway.




I turn my head slightly to the right to check on Alice. Sound asleep, tuned into her sleep playlist, mouth wide open. I'm tempted to draw a blue sharpie mustache while I have the chance, but quickly decide against it.

Tone it down people, tone it down.






Closing my eyes, I ask God for a safe landing and an open, moldable heart.

Ephesians 2:9

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

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