The End of a Chapter....

As you all know we have been playing basketball since late October. Not we to include me in the physical part of the game but we that includes time and money spent on the road, in the bleachers and washing uniforms! It is my favorite of all the sport seasons, and we have certainly been on both ends of the win-loss column with our kids this year.

The boys have had a great season and I believe they have been part of a rare team experience. There is no selfishness, no fighting, no playing for the number on the jersey. They made a decision from game one to play with one theme - "one body, many parts" - and they have had a season where we have seen teenage boys live that out better than many churches!

I grew up going to the State Tournament, both as a spectator and as a part of a team. God did not see fit to bless me with a talent for the game, but a love for it was put deep into my heart because I had parents who have gave me great exposure. I knew I would want my kids to have similar experiences and all three of them have been dribbling a ball as long as I can remember. So, this year our boys reached one of their goals which was going to the State Tournament. While I understand our small, private 1A school version is a far cry from the Texas State Tournament I grew up with I also know for our boys this was as big of an accomplishment as any I had seen or been a part of. And last night we played in the second round of the tournament as one of the top 8 teams in the state!

The boys had every opportunity to be intimidated, scared or uncertain as they took the court. To be honest I was all of that and more in the stands!! The team we played included a 6'7" post in addition to some quick guards. However, true to their team motto the boys came out as one body using their many talents to play a tough game. A win seemed well within reach until the final 3 minutes of the game and in the end we came up short.

There are things I want to protect our kids from, when I would choose to be the one to feel the hurt feelings or face the disappointment or rejection. I know this is part of life but it doesn't make it any easier for me as their mother. When Kamdyn experienced loss after loss this season, when other girls called her names, when her boyfriend broke up with her because another girl in her class was "prettier" I wanted to take it all away. When the clock hit 0:00 last night, I wanted to be the one to feel that pain and disappointment instead of our boys. I wanted the them to win, to continue on their journey making school history, to make memories that would last forever but it wasn't going to happen.

My job as their mom has been to pick up the pieces but what do you say to your son who has played his final game after playing for the school since 7th grade? When you see him pull the jersey over his face to hide his tears, you want to run to the court and pick him up like you could when he was 2 years old and he lost his pacifier. {Do not judge my mothering by the fact that I did in fact let Brendan have a pacifier until he was 2!} There is nothing you can say, no words that bring comfort because loosing a game in the state tournament is nothing you can fix! I wanted to stop time, to reverse time, to run out and tip the ball in as it spun around the rim and out but you know, LACK OF TALENT. A mother doesn't do well with the feeling of helplessness because it is her job to take care of things, to fix things, to protect and last night I could do none of those.

And so the Bailey's are ending a chapter. It's time for me to unpack the candy/first aid bag that I have been carrying all over this state since August. I'll get back to running and cooking and being home at night to see TV live instead of on the DVR. But then there is also the end of another chapter, the one where Brian and I have seen our boys on the court together...

...the one where they hold up trophies together and win together and even loose together and in the end that is what this has all been about. I am truly thankful God wove a love of basketball into our family story and every mile we have driven, dollar we have spent and minute in the stands has been worth every bit of it.

I should also say a HUGE thank you to Gran and Aunt Glenda for coming to see the boys play in the State Tournament!! They got to see a great game and the kids, or maybe just Koby, provided them enough comic relief to last until next time. We were so glad y'all could make the trip over!!

So maybe now I will be a more faithful blogger and to be honest I do have lots to share but first I'll adjust to being home and maybe college basketball! Talk to you soon...

Basketball

I realize that I might have a much more faithful audience of readers if I myself were more faithful in posting. However, there is something called life that continues to keep me on the go. At times, I feel like I am living in a real life comedy show - three teenagers, a husband, two dogs and a season of winter that will not stop! I even heard today that this winter rivals the winter of 1982 and while I was alive in '82 I couldn't tell you anything about that winter. If it was as cold and rainy/snowy as what we continue to witness then I think it might be best I have it out of my memory!

We have been on the road for basketball and that is why I have posted very little in the last week or so. I should tell you that Kamdyn's team is done after getting beat in the play-in game of the district tournament. It was a great game because her team scored 41 points, which was their season high! They only lost by three points but to Kamdyn that was like getting beat thirty points. She had a great game and after 24 hours she was over the loss but not over the season.

The boys are still playing out their season! We were on the road last Thursday and Saturday with them in the district tournament and I can say their hard work paid off....

...because they brought home the district championship trophy! To say these boys were excited is an understatement! And, since I haven't posted too many pictures from the end of the season I thought I would do that on the blog tonight because I am all caught up on laundry, dishes and TV since we have a had snow day!! Lucky you....

Koby and Brendan both put up double digits during the tournament. Koby ended the game on Saturday with a busted tongue and I think it was a great war wound to him. I took this picture of Brendan and his best friend seconds before the final buzzer rang...

At this point the coach had pulled them from the game and they knew they were about to win the championship, which was a goal the two of them set as seniors for the team. They went ahead and put their #1 up to practice for all the pictures that were to come! Jaelin will be going with Brendan to Guatemala later in the spring for a mission trip and I am so thankful that God has provided such a great friend for Brendan.

Brendan was also selected to the All Tournament team, which was announced after the game. I think the getting the win was important and the All Tournament selection was icing on the cake! After the boys came out of the dressing room someone snapped this family picture for us...

Earlier in the afternoon Kamdyn painted herself a shirt to wear. Through the season the boys have worn #2 and #3 and she has worn #1. It would be too much to think they had coordinated this so please know it was clearly by chance that it worked out they would be #1, #2 and #3. But she came up with a play on the numbers and painted herself a shirt. They let me take this picture before we left the house for the game...

And that's what has been going on with us! The kids enjoyed Winter Jam Sunday and we have truly been thankful for a day out of school because of this winter storm 2014 part 1, 2 AND 3!! It snowed right after we got home from school today and we canceled church. Once the boys got in from practice Koby changed into something warm and he and Johnny got by the fire...

Yes, those would be footed pajamas!!

Tomorrow we hit the road to play in the next round of the playoffs. We are praying for a win and I'll keep you updated. STAY WARM Y'ALL!