I'm a cheer mom. I absolutely love it. You've heard of soccer moms, baseball moms, and even dance moms, but I'm a cheer mom. My kids spend 5 hours at the gym every week working on cartweels, roundoffs, back-handsprings, and they're even being introduced to back tucks. It's amazing at age 6 and 8 that they are capable of the discipline necessary for this sport. Yes, I called cheerleading a sport. No longer does cheerleading amount to a few "rah rahs" on the sidelines while looking cute. Now it requires intense gymnastics skills paired with dance and rhythm. Today my kids are competing in their first regional competition of the year. I wish I could be there, but part of the "problem" with competitions is that they frequently occur on Sundays, my day of work. I've come to accept it and to cheer them on from home. I'm including a picture of their whole team on the blog today. If you know my kids you'll find them on there. If you don't, just enjoy all of the cuties. I can proudly say that I made all of the bows for the gym (and now have to make all of the backup cheerbows) and the girls were really proud of their mommy. (my mom helped with the ironing so I'm really proud of MY mom). I also made the braided headband for the junior coach in the back. You never knew I was that talented, did you? I'm most impressed by the progress my kids are making. My youngest pulls her foot over her head in a stunt without even a flinch. My oldest is so close to sticking a back handspring on her own. And both of them give it all their best. OK, I'm rattling on. I'm just proud of my kids.

In my "spare" time

I know, I know, pastors just don't have spare time. And when the pastor also homeschools her kids, "spare" time is even harder to come by. But here's the thing . . . I feel very strong about taking care of myself and one way I do that is through my hobbie, bow making. It's quick and easy and fun and I have something to show for my time within minutes (unlike sermons which take a bit more preparation). I get instant gratification, so to speak, when I can twist a bow that I KNOW will make a little girl happy. This year is my second year of being asked to make the cheerleading competition bows for my girls' gym. I've been asked to make 150 of these babies and I just finished my first one. I'm really proud of it because it's a new technique and I think it looks AWESOME.
These buggers are BIG! The greatest thing going in cheerleading competitions are Texas-sized bows and that's what I'm making. The crazy thing is that these guys retail for $20 each. You do the math for 150 of these. It's NOT cheap! Which is why it's so fun for me to do. Sure, I have regular pastor things to do like visiting, attending meetings (a bunch this week including one out of town), guiding leaders, Bible study, preparing and presenting each Sunday's service, and then I have the typical homeschool crazy schedule which includes 4 hours/day teaching my kids, but when it's finally "me" time, this is what I enjoy. (I also weave headbands now and that's really fun too!) I may have a lot more "me" time this week if I don't get well. That swollen gland beneath my jaw is really tender today and I also have a bit of a sore throat and a low grade fever. I'd appreciate your prayers.

This is the news from Arbuckle Creek where the pastor withholds hugs when she doesn't feel well, the hospitals don't call to tell you when a parishioner is in the hospital (that's HIPPA for you!) and there's a gator trap in the canal behind the pastor's house (that happens when there's a big one lurking)

Yet Another Great Sebring Hang Out!

It's true! I've discovered another social hang out amidst the wasteland. Well, it's not really wasteland . . . just swampland but anyhoo! I can't believe I hadn't put it in my "top 4" in the earlier post because seriously, during the school year, it is THE place to be. The EDGE Cheer Center is my second home (or maybe my 3rd since I spend an awful lot of time at the church). My girls are cheerleaders and lest you "poo poo" this sport with your conception of flirty girls in short skirts with pom poms and absolutely no talent, let me tell you, this place makes the kids WORK! It's a real sport complete with conditioning, running laps, push ups (the boy kind) sit ups and other ab crunches, tumbling passes that are on their way to the Nadia Comeniche level, and little people thrown up in the air in tight muscled jumps and caught by a couple other little people on the ground. This is not your grandma's cheerleading squad! (Potatoes! Tomatoes! Beans & Squash! Navasota Navasota Yes, by Gosh!) No, this is a team sport that requires skill, not looks (though a big smile does help). Just recently, they decided to call cheerleading a sport (finally) (though why they took tennis off the list I'll never know because it too requires skill.) So, now that I have completely gone off on a tangent, I'll return to the social reason for my writing. The EDGE Cheer Center is a great social hangout -- not just for the kids who, whether they are a part of a team or just love to play in the gym, can "hang out" at open gym on Wednesdays and Fridays or whether you are a parent who loves to watch your kid and cheer them on exuberantly (or in my case, cheer on the inside while giving a thumbs up) this is the place to be. I should know, I spent 2 1/2 hours there today and now my kids are sleeping like babies. The coach is awesome with the desire to inspire the kids while keeping everything (music and uniforms included) nice and "clean." With little ones starting tumbling at age 3, teaching respect for others is a key element and so I applaud our all-star cheerleaders and recommend this place HIGHLY to Arbuckle Creek neighbors (Sebring included).

So this is the news from Arbuckle Creek where all the women drive golf carts, the men are blatant carnivores (Beef, it's what's for dinner!) and the children watch for alligators in their backyards (and sometimes play in the sandpits on the golf course! I saw that the other day! Adorable!)