Lent, Rugby, Babies Oh My...

Where has the time gone? I'm sorry I've left you all for so long. It has been a crazy few months, but who am i kidding, that's my life now!

Rugby has taken over our household. Austin is thriving in it and has really absorbed the sport. I've learned to toughen up so I dont get squeamish at the sight of blood, bruises, swelling, sprains, concussion or broken ribs. Not, not all on Austin, but most of those. We've been to Urgent Care twice already for Austin. And we've had about 4 broken limbs, 2 concussions, 1 set of broken ribs, dislocated shoulders, 2 surgeries, ripped open knees with blood pouring down legs, tore open sides from being cleated by players on field, and that's just a few on the JV and Varsity teams. But each one of the kids are grinning, and asking to be put back in. Several of the boys wont tell their coaches they are hurt, so they can keep playing. I dont know what it is about this sport that has them loving it so much, but they play with all heart.

And did I mention that I'm the Team Mom for the JV? Yep, so for every home game, I get to cook dinner for 50 people and bring it to the games. Main meal, side and cold drinks. Thank goodness for my mama who comes and helps me every friday prepare and wrap all the food. But I am the most favorite person to all these boys when i roll up with all my loot of food. They are so polite and appreciative, i dont mind at all doing it for them. We feed the opposing team, our team, all coaches, and the Refs. And when we are at away games, that home team cooks for our boys. Pretty neat idea. And they work so hard for it in the games.

Did I mention that my BFF, Kaci over at Ellyphant had her sweet baby girl??? She's a lil over 2 weeks old now, and I'm so excited that I get to "leave on a jet plane" this week to see her!!! I get to stay for a week and spoil both those adorable girls of hers and see Kaci! It's been 3 years since I've seen her last...way too long. I'm super duper excited. Definately gonna be GIRL time! :)

Ok, so being Catholic...it's Lent season right now. And during Lent, you have to give up something that you "couldn't live without" to resemble what Jesus and the Disciples went thru during the 40 days. Now most people give up Candy, or swearing, or something like eating fast food. And then some people (dodo head here) decide to give up FACEBOOK!!! For 40 days!!! Now let me remind you that I am a SAHM, whose only connection to real life is thru FB, and what do i do? I decide to cut my own right arm off by giving up FB!

I recieved a lot of grief when i announced on FB that i was doing this. People begged, pleaded, and cried for me not too. And i recieved emails, texts and calls asking if I was sick or something. But i decided to go ahead with it, and see if it really makes a difference.

A few weeks before I had this big revelation, I had busted my teenage son on the phone past his curfew and sneaking it in the dark under his covers. So as I was having the conversation with him about how grounded he was and that he didnt HAVE to make himself available to the whole world ALL of the time, that it's ok to not be on his cell phone, computer, Ipod, Skype or Xbox LIVE chatting, i realized that was exactly what i was doing myself. And it wasn't until a few days later when my son pointed out that every time he tried to tell me something i was distracted with the Ipod and FB.

So when it came time to pick something for Lent, i decided i needed to do this "detox" to prove to myself I could live without, show my son that I could "unplug" and hopefully gain some more free time to spend with the kids.

The day before the official unplug day, I paniced. I mean, anxiety galore. What if i missed important information being posted? What if someone had an emergency? What if, what if, what if??? And then, the next morning, I woke up, went to the computer, and turned my FB page off completely. Turned the computer off, and went on with my day. Now, I know that habit is hard to break, which is why i turned my page off, vs just leaving it there. I knew i'd grab the Ipod without thinking and tap that icon, and i did about 6 times the first day. I also knew the first 24 hours would be rough, so i planned a lot of errands that day to keep me out of the house and not thinking about it. And honestly, each day got easier. It's been 1-1/2 weeks, and i honestly rarely think about it now. Mostly i just wonder how certain friends are doing and what they are posting. But i have several other friends who constantly text me to keep me in the loop of stuff and check up on me. I still get a lot of grief from family and friends. I have been the butt of a lot of jokes. But you know what, it's been the best thing! My mood has been better, I feel more energized and have gotten several projects around the house done.

And my son? Well, let's just say he's the worst teaser of them all to me. But i did catch a glimmer of pride in his eye when my sister was over teasing me again and I took it all, knowing exacly why I was doing this. My kids are my world, not the people on FB. And somehow I was giving their lives more importance then my own children. Not anymore.

I haven't decided if I will come back to FB when Lent is over. I probably will, but my time will be much more limited on it. But there is definitely something very freeing about not having it.

What can you give up for 40 days???

XOXO