15 Years Old!

Yesterday Miranda turned 15. For some reason this was hard for me. I am not the Mom who cries every time my child passes a milestone. Oh, I always have that bitter-sweet feeling, but for the most part I am excited for them to move on to the next stage. This time however, I was very, very, very sad. All day I was thinking things like:

On Friday, she's going to have her driver's permit.

If I'm 34 and she's 15, I've had her in my life for almost half of it! How is that possible?

In one year she'll have her licence.

In three years she'll be 18! An adult!

The first 15 years went so fast what will the next 15 bring? Graduation! College! Weddings?
Kids?

I don't want anyone to worry, today I have my head back on. I AM excited for these new stages. Seriously, I'm never driving again - I hate to drive! Miranda is growing into this strong independent woman, who is going to go so far in life. She is everything I hoped she would be and more.

I just needed one day to cry for my baby girl.

It Really Doesn't Have To Be First Place

Friday was track and field day at school. I knew about this at the beginning of the school year and with several reminders from James, I took the day off to watch. Dover - Eyota is getting so big(100+ children per class) that they could only choose three events. A couple days before, James tells me that he chose: the high jump, the long jump, and the softball throw. Now... not that I am not enthusiastic about whatever he decides, this is not what I was expecting. I thought that I would be sitting in my chair, chatting with the moms and watching James run a couple races. Nope. It turns out that they do the high jump during class to save time, so he only participated in two events that day. I stood in line with him for 20 minutes for the softball throw and....yep, he went ahead and threw it. Then we went and stood in line for the long jump, not quite as long but long enough for me to get antsy. They may need to rethink this track and field thing. To me, it looked like there were way more kids doing the field thing than the track thing. Anyway, James gets to the front of the line and runs down and ....jumps! I was rather impressed! It was an eight foot jump so he ended up tying for 5th place. Fifth place gets a ribbon so his world was complete. He lovingly held that ribbon all the way home with a huge smile on his face. I may have taken a whole day off to see him participate in Track and Field for a total of 58 seconds, but it was worth it!

Waiting in line.

Waiting in line.

About to jump!

(I've once again doubled up on my pics and can't get it off the blog.)

Look at him go!

Presents From God

Last summer, James was in the front yard dribbling his soccer ball around and practicing his "moves". He stopped and looked up at us and said, "I have lots of presents." Being quite a few months from his birthday and even longer from Christmas - we weren't sure what he meant. "You know, soccer and video games." I realized that he meant "gift". I have said on many occasions, "James, you truly have a gift" when he tells me how far he got in a video game or when he's playing soccer. (Seriously, I don't know how many games he has finished, when I can't even get my guy to throw the damn ball - I hate video games). We told him that he has many gifts and will receive many, many more in his lifetime.

Last night, we were in the car (as we always are) and James brought it up again, "Soccer is one of my presents."

"Gift, buddy."

"Gifts - presents whatever, they mean the same thing."

He was quiet for a while, and said, "I'm your present from God - right mom?"

I told him he was absolutely right!

Springtime

I am always saying that we are so busy. And we are - but ESPECIALLY in the spring. It goes past busy into almost physically impossibe to manage. I have to tell myself, "Ok, this is the fun stuff, no complaining!" I just figured out that I drove 787 miles in one week - that's not counting the drive to work and back. Here are pictures of Miranda at a tournament and James at practice.

Working hard behind the plate.

Throwing down to second - she was out!

Shooting! James' favorite part of the game, when asked why, he says that he feels "cool". Well I have to agree - he looks cool!

Playing the game he loves!

Sometimes I am so amazed by these kids! How did I get so lucky?

Morning Chaos

I watch commercials on TV with families eating breakfast, smiling at each other, grabbing backpacks yelling "Love you Mom!" as they run out the door. The Mom stands at the table with a smile on her face that tells us all is well.

This portrait of morning routines has never happened at my house. This morning was one of the worst. James actually got up early. (A good start!) He dragged his feet and wouldn't get moving. Ten times I had to tell him to get dressed. Finally he snapped and yelled at the top of his lungs, "I AM! STOP TELLING ME THAT!" I came around the corner, and he said, "Sorrysorrysorrysorrysorry." A mini lecture about respect and how we talk to our parents followed.

Meanwhile, Miranda has changed 5 times, getting all pouty and pissy and asking where her soccer sweatshirt is. A mini lecture about how it's not Mom's job to take care of a 14 year old girls sweatshirt followed.

James is ready, standing in the living room watching TV. He had his coat, hat, mittens and backpack on. I asked if he brushed his teeth - he growled at me and stomped off. I let him go yelling about how I shouldn't have to tell a 10 year old to brush his teeth.

Miranda is still pouting, she told me that James is going to miss the bus. I tell her that if he does we will deal with it, she needs to worry about herself. More pouting and stomping off.

This puts me over the edge and start yelling, Things like:

"You two are old enough to get ready for school without pouting like 2 year olds. "

"I'm sick and tired of doing this every morning, I think maybe I'll cancel cable until you can take care of all your responsibilities. (What?) This sends both into tears.

And my absolute favorite, "I am not your maid!"

They both have tears in their eyes when they went out to the bus. I felt terrible. I told them I loved them and to have a good day. Miranda wouldn't look at me as she said, love you and James said a very sad "ok".

A few minutes later I get a text from Miranda saying sorry about this morning that she loves me and that I should have a good day. I send her one back and marvel about what a mature girl she is.

I get one more text that says James is sorry too. I send another one back to James telling him that i love him.

All is well.

Sibling Rivalry

I always knew I wanted two children. I dreamed of two kids, the best of friends, telling each other secrets, laughing and giggling. (Just like me my sister!) I was blessed with two beautiful children, who light up my life every day.

Now... the best of friends they are not. They both know exactly what to do and say to drive the other up the wall! James shows off when Miranda's friends are over. He runs around the house yelling, "MIRAN - DUH!" He digs through her stuff, tells on her, tries to get her in trouble, you know - normal little brother behavior.

Miranda will "boss" James around, try to discipline him, and the absolute worst thing: "How come Miranda always gets to: (fill in the blank). " It's tough being the little one sometimes.

They do love each other very much. They support each other, are proud of each other, and every once in a while, have fun together. One night, after a basketball game, they were all wound up and started wrestling. I of course started yelling things like: Someone is going to get hurt! Be careful! OK enough! I eventually gave up and went and got my camera. Mike and I watched and laughed for about 20 minutes while they were laughing and giggling and genuinely enjoying each other.

Ok so maybe the secrets will come later.

Wrestling Part 2

P.S. Just to let you know, no child was harmed during the wrestling match.

Two Different Kids

Another quarter is over - I'm always shocked at how fast these school years go. Their freshman and 4th grade years are half over. Miranda ended up on the B honor roll again, we're very proud of course. We always tell her that a hard earned C is just as good as an A. She did get a C+ in Science, that was such a hard class. I'm really impressed with what she can accomplish and learn. We saw her study for hours and hours for that class.

Now Mr. James. He ended up with three C's and 2 B's. He came home with his report card and was over the moon about it. "Isn't it good? Are you proud of me? You always tell Miranda that a C is OK." I was treading on thin ice. Do you tell a child that it wasn't so great? Do you say you got these grades because you didn't try? Do you say to a 10 year old this isn't good enough? He is so different, I'm in a new territory here. He has so much potential but doesn't care or want to put in the work. Let me tell you it's frustrating!

So I asked, "Did you do your best?"
James: Yes
Mom: Did you study hard for every test?
James: Yes
Mom: Did you bring all your homework home?
James: Yes

The correct answers to these questions is no. Honestly, he really thinks he did a great job. Now, I do not expect perfection from either of them. I don't want to sound like I'm psycho mom or anything, but I do want them to do their best. James did not do that here.

I'm very confused as to what I'm supposed to do with my sweet baby James. There should be a manual for these things. Maybe I'll write one. Of course, I need to figure out a solution first!

Teenage Drive Time

I carpool with four other families who live in our area on basketball practice nights. It is wonderful, instead of driving three nights a week we only have to drive once every other week. Heaven! Tonight was my turn, and maybe because it's so infrequent now, I really look forward to it.

I always arrive at the school early and peek in at the end of practice. Today Miranda yells from across the gym, "Hey Mom!" Acknowledgement! Every mother of a teenager knows what a treat this is! The girls were all revved up and stopped to say "Hey" (apparently NO ONE says Hi anymore) on their way to the locker room. They grabbed all their bags (an unbelievable ammount) and headed out to the car laughing and talking all the way.

There's a demand of "Ooh turn this up!" No matter what song is on the radio, it's someone's favorite. Then the girls started talking, the coach is a dork, the algebra teacher is a dork, the science teacher is a mean dork, etc. There seems to be a pattern. I finally got an opening and added that I had their algebra teacher when I was in school, which caused another fit of laughter. (I'm not sure why, but I'm not going to focus on that!)

There's such a feeling of happiness when they all get together, giggling and enjoying each other, each one trying to be funnier than the last, acting like teenagers are supposed to. I'm very grateful that they let me be a part of it once in a while!

Miss Miranda Boettcher

Miranda is involved in three sports, and I have said before that we are constantly running around, back and forth, to and from everyday. I have realized that Miranda has learned and is learning valuable life lessons from this.

Organization: I've never seen a kid like her. She has a separate bag for each sport, filled with equipment, headbands, lotion, contact solution, etc. She will never be unprepared for any game, practice, or tournament. This is also carried over into her academics, her planner is impeccable, she does not forget assignments, or books at school. She obviously does not get this from me.

Hard work: Whether it's on a court or field or classroom, Miranda works so hard to do her very best. She enjoys doing well! She wants to do well! It matters to her! Talking with other parents, this is very rare.

Time management: If Miranda has late practice (5:30-7:30) she will bring books home the weekend before to read ahead, do vocab that wasn't assigned, study for tests scheduled in the following week. So that when she does get home, she can shower and go to bed.

Team Work: She has learned that in life, people depend on you, and you depend on others to reach a common goal. She has felt the wonderful feeling of what happens when you win as a team, and the disappointment of coming up short as a team.

Decision Making: I think this is the hardest lesson of all. Sometimes there isn't a right or wrong choice. Sometimes you have an easy route and a hard route. Sometimes Mom and Dad don't always agree. The lesson she is learning, is that she just has to come to a decision and live with it without regret. If she can do that, she is far more self assured than I ever was at 14!

Life is not fair: This lesson has popped up recently, sometimes you can work hard and be very deserving and not receive what is fair. We all know what a horrible feeling this is. She and I have had lots of tears and long talks about this. She is realizing that she can be proud of herself and her hard work even though the outcome wasn't exactly what she thought it should be.

I am so proud of this kid who is turning into a young woman right before my eyes.

One month and 23 days later...

Yep, I counted. I would like to say we've been busy, but really when aren't we? To be honest, I just haven't posted. So there.

Things have been busy, the kids finished up their 1st quarter at school and both did very well. Miranda was on the B honor roll and James was thrilled with the letter grades on his report card for the first time. He ended up with 4 B's and a C+. Yea James!!

Both kids are in basketball right now and are loving it. James has practice on Saturdays and Miranda is going every day of the week. Sometimes just for fun the schedule ends up like this: James: 8:00am - 9:30am in Eyota; Miranda: 7:00am bus time in Eyota, 8:00am game time in Stewartville. No worries, Supermom makes these things happen with the flurry of calls and carpool swaps.

Miranda made her 1st three pointer in a game last night. She makes them all the time outside and in practice, but in a game - it's another thing entirely!

James has a demonstration speech due on Friday. I remember Miranda doing it, and thinking she's getting so old. All I can think about James is, "Isn't he a little young to be doing this?" He is going to demo, "How to make a milkshake." He practiced last night and I think it's going to be great. Of course, we are going to practice tonight and tomorrow - yum!

Ah, Vacation Daze

How great was MEA? A four day weekend with nothing to do! When they were little, I had to plan events and possibly take time off work for daycare reasons. My kids are older now and are planning their weekends with a flourish!

Miranda and her 6 friends planned a whole day consisting with an afternoon at the mall then to see a movie, after that a sleepover at Alyssa's house. All this was planned with the hum of cell phones to parents and aunts coordinating rides and permission with all the parents. I think I speak for all the Moms that it was less overwhelming and easier when we did all the planning. However, Miranda and the girls are very responsible and they had a great time.

With Miranda gone James and Kaleb had no choice but to go to the Boys and Girls club. He was a little sad, but Mr. Easy-Going went along with it. He had a great time and came home and said, "Holy cow Mom, some dude got his head cracked by a pool ball." Apparently this was the highlight of the day. Mike said, "Holy cow James, watch your back and duck!" After we picked them up, the boys talked me into a sleepover, and they stayed up until who knows when playing Playstation. Good Times!

Mike and Jackie went to work.

The Important Things About High School

I went to conferences Tuesday and Miranda is doing very well in all her classes. Four A's and a B. However, we all know that these things are not important, Homecoming week is. Wednesday was Color War day, and the Freshman were wearing orange. Powderpuff Football is a great honor but Miranda did not play because of her knee. This did not stop her from getting into the spirit, or wanting the $10 for the t-shirt. (See previous post)

And of course, James needed his picture taken too -

$93.70 and a couple 'a quarters

I am always astounded by the cash that I walk out with after work. I love that part of my job. (Who wouldn't). However, there are 3 people that I live with that enjoy it too.

Miranda informs me that she needs lunch money. At the rate that my two children go through the money in their lunch accounts, I am positive that I could feed a third world country for a month. Unbelievable. $52.00 - twenty five for each of them with a $2.00 convenience fee. Convenient for who, I ask you?

James is in the 4th grade and has come home with the paper that I have been dreading. The recorder. I have to pay $2.50 for a torture device. Mike asked if Miranda still had hers and of course she does - why wouldn't she? James is adamant about NOT using his sisters and really, I'm fine with that. Mike thinks this is ridiculous. Whatever. I dig out the $2.50 and sign the sheet and realize that Mrs. McDonald is "Strongly recommending the safety strap". Why in the HELL do you need a safety strap to play a recorder? Mike says it's so the parents won't go over and grab the recorder and throw it out the window. The child will be stuck to it so "That would really slow ya down." Nice. $1.20 for the Safety Strap.

Soccer pictures are today, I ordered the "Star player" package. Plenty of wallets for my ginormous family. Buttons for mom and dad. Buddy pics with cousin Katie. $38.00.

On the way out the door James asked for a couple 'a quarters. What for? "Oh, I don't know".

Absolutely not.

Sweet Baby James

James is going to be 10 in a few weeks. It's hard to believe sometimes, but he is showing me all the time that he really is a pre-teen boy. He is doing his homework without being asked. He is growing his hair out (and taking care of it) so he will look "cool". He gets up in the morning without any whining. Basically, he is becoming more independent every day.

Last night, when I was tucking him in and talking, he snuggled up to his beloved "Michael" (a stuffed black bear that he still sleeps with) and asked, "Mama - will you sing me a song?" He fell asleep while I was singing all his old favorites (James Taylor is high on his list). Watching him breathe in and out I could still see that baby I rocked not too long ago. Maybe he knew I needed a glimpse of that Sweet Baby James.

Why Boettcher Daze?

I told my family that I was going to start this blog and asked, "What should we call it?"

Mike: Can you make Boettcher look like the Sopranos?
(I'm not sure why we need the R to look like a gun, although some days I'm glad we don't own one)

Jackie: How about "The Boettcher Follies?"
(This was vetoed right away - understandably)

Jackie: "This is based on a true story?"

Mike: Ooh - we could post them all like a CSI episode.
(Mike may watch too much TV)

Mike: "Boettcherass!"

Jackie: Giggle, Giggle

Jackie: "Days of Our Lives?"

Mike: Is Days spelled with a z?

Jackie: Giggle, Giggle

Mike: "Dazed and Confused."

So there you have it - "Boettcher Daze"