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I’m sitting in the sun. I’m relaxed on the bleachers. And my eyes are experiencing joy and real delight as I sit and watch my buddies play soccer. My buddies.
I haven’t told you about my buddies yet, you better just go ahead and start smiling with me now.
Victor is 9. He makes me laugh. And when he laughs, he sounds like a bird, a happy bird. He has a sweet heart and a strong, SO STRONG, personality.
And Henry. Oh my gosh, do I love Henry to the moon and back. I like how he says my name as soon as he sees me, “Hi Nicole!” okay, typing it doesn’t actually do it justice. But it’s the sweetest voice. I like how he says please and thank you, and I even love his cute little whine when I ask him to do something he doesn’t want to do.
Victor has a louder whine…but I know how to beat it. I throw a pillow at him. Sometimes he throws back, and harder, and then it knocks me onto the couch, but I grab him and pull him down with me. And we laugh. We laugh a fierce, good laugh that has us breathless. And then I see his dimples. And then I look to Henry and see the window in his mouth where his two front teeth are growing in. That’s my favorite part of being seven…sorry if he knew I was writing this, I’d hear some words. He’s “ALMOST EIGHT!” 10 more days…. How could I forget? He’s going to play laser tag and kick some booty doing it… He was the #1 player one time. I found that out on our walk home from school today.
These are my buddies. My new buddies. 2. Oh wait….
I’ve added 3 more. No, God has. No really, this is so God. SO GOD!
Ryan is 6. He snuggles up next to me when I read him stories and talk about horses. He loves horses. And he just loves. A perfect fit for me.
And then there’s Keri. She’s 4 and fondly admires my pink nail polish. She’s a girl through and through—a perfect fit for me. She really hates that she has an entire room to herself, hence she’s offered to share it with me, “kind of.”
Shoot. Ethan! He’s 2. “Hold me, icole… I go potty, icole. BIGGGGG POOP icole. BIGGG POOOOP!” And if I celebrated big poops, he’d be a perfect fit for me too. Instead, I’ll just hold him and be perfect for him.
These are the men in my life (and little woman). They’re my newest life changers, cherished and loved just as much. Let me tell you what makes these 5 so perfect though: the pillow fights, and building forts, and driving to soccer practice, and preschool, and reading stories, and snuggling, and doing homework, and serving chicken nuggets for dinner, and loving them the way my heart was made to love, like a flowing river of love that pours smiles and warmth ALL OVER THEM!
The life changer called me a “rent-a-soccer mom.” You know what I say? I say it looks good on me. Damn good. Because it does. Shoot. You better start wearing sunglasses when you see me because this has me brighter than the sun. (Actually, Henry says that if I’m brighter than the sun, you better be careful and not get too close to me or else you might melt) …you love him too, don’t you?!
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I’ve decided it’s okay to love my life; to adore with every breath my God that is moving and working for His glory. He’s still calling me only that faint whisper that I once saw as a mystery is screaming Love, making me feel worthy, His everything. Our love collided. Finally. And it is beautiful.
“God only knows, how to play this game called life and LIVE IT”
I’m excited to share in more detail about my “news.”
Two weeks ago I turned down an opportunity to move back to Omaha to stay near my family here in Virginia. To conquer the fight that was in it’s last round. Guess what, I’m so glad I chose to stay because I’ve won!
I started taking classes 2 days later. They’re pre-requisites at NOVA (the area community college) for my graduate program at George Mason. In case you missed it, I’ll be studying Counseling and Development with an emphasis on School Counseling. I start my grad classes in January. I can’t wait. I’m smiling at the thought of it. No really, I’m swinging these pink socked feet of mine in excitement, because I AM GOING TO GRAD SCHOOL!
Must insert here that Henry just came to tell me he’s losing…and NOT having fun. Score is 7-0. But I’m proud of him. Telling a child you’re proud of them never gets old. Do it tomorrow if you can. I promise their smile when they hear those words will give you a special kind of gratification. I wish it for you…
Got to sign off now…the rent-a-soccer-mom duties continue. Time to go to 7-Eleven for some “I’m so proud of you and just love you” slurpees.
peace out yo. and smile too. and shine a little brighter. and if you’re daring enough, shine brighter than the sun because this has GOT to be the good life. Let it take you over.
