Soccer Mom Duck Faces 

Day 296

February 20, 2014

Team Zybko

Just what the doctor ordered. A little friend love. Familiar giggles, goofy smiles and duck faces. I am super thankful for these girls, although I may be even more thankful that Face Book and selfies were not even a twinkle in the eye of the 80's generation. As you can see we have some work to do to be current and post worthy. No worries, we aren't loosing any sleep over it. This is as good as it gets and we are cool with that. Well, until we practice some more.....right?....girls.....? :)  

Spring is in the Air

Today I Will....

Day 295

February 19, 2014

Team Zybko

Last Wednesday we were all hunkered down to enjoy a gifted snow day, many hours of family togetherness and Netflix documentaries. What a difference a week can make. The computer is now shut down and the windows flung wide open. During school breaks I'm looking for shorts cause spring is in the air. An overwhelming feeling of newness brings a big smile to my face as I breathe in the warmer temperatures.

Nothing is gonna slow me down!

Today I will.....

Welcome the fresh breeze sweeping through the house

Play at our favorite park with a skip in my step

Dance while killing time at soccer practice

Kick my feet up high on a swing

Hum along in tune with the happy birdies in the trees

Grin at the patches of hiding snow 

Praise the Lord for such a day

Kiss Baby Daddy extra sweet
Send a package to a kid already out of the nest

Encourage another sister/brother with a meaningful verse

Compliment a stranger

Pay it forward
Call a friend to simply say hi!

Laugh at myself
Memorize some of God's Word
Learn from others

Pat someone on the back

Send love via snail mail

Speak kindly
Teach myself a new word

Sing out loud in traffic

Wave to the kid getting paid to dress as the Statue of Liberty

Remember to shave my legs

(only if I find the box with my shorts) 

Snow Cuisine

Dirty Treats Made With LOVE

Day 294

Team Zybko

When your children smile proudly and serve you a treat prepared by their own hands it can be difficult to stifle the questions whirling around your brain. 

Uh, what is in this?

Did you wash your hands after you went to the bathroom?

Did you get these mushy blueberries out of the trash?

You didn't use yellow snow did you?

No way was I going to be snow day buzz kill, so instead I bellied up to a freshly made bowl of SNUSHY. Pepsi + fluffy white southern snow = snushy. The first couple of bites were totally refreshing. I closed my eyes as I dreamt of a warmer season, a season lined with consecutive days stuffed full of hot, biking, playing and hiking outdoor fun. Good times. These adventures are nearly always followed up with a quick run to the nearest 7-11 for a Coke Slurpee treat. Yes,  I thought, this tastes exactly like an awesome summer day! Why haven't we ever done this before?  

Well, my dreams were quickly crushed. Unfortunately a funky taste crept into my soccer mom mouth each slurp thereafter. The unfamiliar yet distinct taste of dirt became clearer and clearer. Oh dear, there is no way I can finish this. 

Think...think....think.

Oh, wow kids, mommy is full. I better save the rest for later. Great job on the snow menu. Elsa sure would be proud of you too! 

I placed the cold plastic bowl on the bottom shelf on the fridge, bad move. Later in the evening as I pulled food leftovers out for dinner my eyes fell onto the melted contents of my half eaten treat. The snow had long since melted, leaving the accidental mystery ingredients in plain view. 

Grass, brown sludge and what looked like crushed gravel.        

So the next day when I was politely approached by two young winter chefs and a new dish I pretended to fall asleep mid answer. They didn't buy it so I declared I heard my mom calling me from 2 states away and ran out of the room. I have to admit the fruit salad placed ever so gently in the homemade ice bowl was pretty awesome. I can't say how it tasted but Baby Daddy thankfully wasn't any worse for the wear the next day. 

Made with love. 

What more can you ask for?

 Maybe love and a side of mouthwash.   

Determination

This Girl Has Got It

Day 293

February 16, 2014

Team Zybko

Pretty sure I tell this player the same thing after every game.
You have got such determination! 
I may use other words to get my point across but that is the underlying message. 

Faithful fans love the few moments when the sweaty tired players, whether they secured a "W" or not integrate with parents on the opposite side of the field. In some cases we know them better than they know us so compliments like wow, your feet were on fire today or you played the best game I've ever seen may be a tidy tad awkward. Oh, well. To some I am simply know as Delaney's mom. I am cool with that but it doesn't stop me from complimenting in a personal way. 

For us soccer moms on the sidelines it's impossible not have favorites outside of our own child. Others may deny but I won't. Watching the same girls week after week, game after game, half after half it becomes a natural progression of the season.   

So to this girl who proudly wears the # 4 on her back for Charlotte United, I say to you as the chairs are being packed up and pats on the back are given out....you never, ever give up, even when you are fouled, pushed down, you bounce back up, dust off your cleats and jump back into the play.

Determination is worn on this young ladies face during every minute of the game.  

While sorting and editing the weekend pictures, I mentally place certain frames aside to send to her mom. A friend of mine and the team manager (thank you by the way for all your time spent doing this job nobody else really wants to do)  I realized quickly the plays captured are more of a blog post than an e-mail with a bunch of heavy attachments.

Determination as defined in an on-line dictionary

de·ter·mi·na·tion

diˌtərməˈnāSHən/

noun

1. 1.

   firmness of purpose; resoluteness.

   "he advanced with an unflinching determination"

   synonyms:

   resolution, resolve, willpower, strength of character, single-mindedness, purposefulness, intentness; staunchness, perseverance, persistence, tenacity, staying power; strong-mindedness, backbone;  stubbornness, doggedness, obstinacy; spirit, courage, pluck, grit, stout-heartedness;  informalguts, spunk, moxie;  formalpertinacity "it took great determination to win"

Morgan, I certainly hope this compliment doesn't embarrass you. I suppose I will only know if you successfully avoid this soccer mom the next few months of the spring season. Ha! Just thought it important to give you a shout out as an example to others. Of course your parents whom I have only know for a short time may have something to do with it. Hhhhmmmm. As I piece it all together, the younger brother, one of Drexel's buddies is the same way. So I conclude it must trickle down from daily living and examples shown in the house. Whoop whoop. Way to go mom and dad! I look forward to many more games cheering along side of you and routing for our kids, on and off the field.  

Boogie Boards to Snow Boards

A Season for Everything

Day 291

February 13, 2014

Team Zybko

While frolicking in the multiple inches of snow that winter storm Pax so graciously gifted us with I couldn't help but think of a picture taken 6 months earlier. It's lame, I know but that is how my brain works these days. A new picture snapped sparks a reminder of an old picture which in turn reminds me of seasons already past, which prompts my brain to look up an old blog post and avoid the toilet that needs scrubbing.

"If you give a Soccer Mom a Camera, a Laptop, a Few Snow Days and Wi-Fi Connection" 

Look for this new book at Barnes and Noble, coming soon.

A season and time for everything.

One of my favorites posts I am trying hard to remember and put into practice. All seasons aren't a bunch of kicks and giggles or a string of happy days. Fake it til you make can only take you so far. To be real and raw is hard. The snow will soon melt and the hot and humid days will take over. Sunny blue skies and beach days are in our future. Thankful for the ice and days inside the cabin but also long for a change.  

I'm hanging on, a new season is right around the corner. It may not be in orderly 3 month increments but the times they are a changing.

click below to view....yep right there. 

http://justawomanwithasharpie.blogspot.com/2012/04/365-random-days-of-team-zybko-day-115.html

Snow Day Priorities
It's Bo Time

Day 290

February 12, 2014

Team Zybko

It was earlier today before the conditions of Winter Storm Pax got too crazy. 3 inches of snow ago we ventured out into the cold wilderness of a main road in our jam jamz and messy hair. It was Bo Berry Biscuits time and in the south nothin' says Valentines Day like heart shaped biscuits with a delicate drizzle of icing. Drive farther into the Bible Belt and you might even find these treats deep fried to perfection.

 We certainly had adequate food in the house to chow down on but just couldn't resist the wintry adventure. Don't worry mom, Bojangles is literally right around the corner from us. Delaney was craving gravy biscuits, I do what I can. La La wasn't sure about any of it and Drexel informed me every 5 seconds, Daddy probably wouldn't think this was a good idea mom. I told him not to worry as I slid the back end of the gold mini van around, performing a complete donut in the abandoned, slippery parking lot. HA! Of course that is an exaggeration but my nine year did appear a little impressed even it wasn't perfect. But the company  and my heart shaped dessert for breakfast was.

Love/ Un-Love iPhone Relationship
Do You Have an Addiction Too?

Day 289

February 11, 2014

Team Zybko

Love how it keeps me in touch

Un-love how I'm never unplugged

Love how the local temperature pops up in 2 seconds flat

Un-love how I don't just walk outside 

Love how easily I can look up anything for home school

Un-love how I don't go old school with reference books

Love how emails can be returned anywhere

Un-love how I return emails everywhere

Love how quick texting is compared to calling

Un-love how dialing a friends # isn't quite quick enough

Love how a moment can be captured with a push of a finger

Un-love how I can ruin a moment while trying to document it 

Love how I feel connected while scrolling the news feed
Un-Love how it makes my kids feel neglected

Love how my GPS app can get me to the ends of the earth
Un-love how the navigational part of my brain is now dead 

Love catching up on news with simple swipes of my fingers
Un-love how my hands haven't held a newspaper in years 

Love how it entertains the little ones in a pinch
Un-love how I allow no brainer games to bond with them daily 

Love how I always know where it is
Un-love how I care about knowing where it always  

I am waist deep in efforts, hoping and searching for a way out. Fighting off this ugly technology dependency is harder than I thought it would be. Ugh. Too much time with my smart phone. Convicted to share because I can't be alone I know I'm not alone.
I see it everywhere I go. Phone distracted people. At the park, grocery stores, car lines, soccer fields, dinner tables, play dates, date-dates, living rooms, airports, church. E V E R Y W H E R E! I feel slightly panicked when it's misplaced. I feel naked when it isn't tucked safely away in my sports bra or my sweatshirt front pocket. I check it periodically even if it doesn't vibrate or ding. Do these symptoms sound familiar? Smart phones are so ugly when misused. The other day my six year old asked me to try a phone free day. Great idea honey but I just couldn't. I made excuses until she got bored and left the room. Boo me :( 
BUT....BUT.... BUT
 but I am checking up on people
 but I am finding out the weather 
but I am listening to Daily Audio Bible
but I am seeing if soccer practice is cancelled
but I am researching the symptoms of....(fill in the blank)
but I need to see if Daddy has left work yet
but I am texting a Bible verse to a friend
but I am so curious about who sings this awesome song
but I am taking a picture of dinner cause it was so good
but I creeping on a lady from High School I haven't seen in years
the excuses seemed to get worse as the minutes ticked by. 

I just shut er down.
Pushed the small button on the top right.
I can do this. 
One day at a time. 
We are all home for a snow day.
Perfect.
If you don't hear from me, don't panic.
Just kicking the chain-swiping iphone problem to the curb.
Ready....set.... go. 

Snaps of Real Life

Keeping it Simple

Day 288

February 10, 2014

Team Zybko