Teenagers are the Best

May I say I love my kids and my kid's friends?! I am so blessed both my children have made such awesome friend choices. I am also blessed they "let me" hang out with them.  Of course, Brendan being 13 doesn't really have a choice if he wants me to take him somewhere!
This was a weekend with Brendan and his crazy fun friends. It started with dinner at Chipolte (Bren's and my first time and was it delicious), followed by several hours at the mall. Don't worry, I am not a helicopter mom, hovering over him all the time. I enjoyed some down time at 15 minute intervals and then would find them again to make sure all was right. Gosh teenage boys eat! They had dippin' dots then milkshakes!  We got home and hung out until I was begged to take them to IHOP at 11:30 p.m. Hey, it's pumpkin pancake season so of course I will go to IHOP.
Here is the crazy part of the night. At 3:00 a.m. they were all asleep with no pillows or blankets and all their electronics plugged in) while I was wide awake. No fair. This mom needs her beauty sleep. 
Once the boys were up, it was time to pump a little more sugar into them before I returned the friends to their parents. The boys were playing football in our driveway so they enjoyed breakfast in the end zone.
It was a super fun time with some pretty awesome teenagers. I am still catching up on my sleep, though.

An amazing story of one player

Another win/win tonight as Temple won the game but both teams won in sportsmanship and character.  See my other football post for more details on exactly what I mean.

Here is the amazing story about tonight's game.  During the first game of the season, one of the players was seriously injured and had to be taken away by ambulance to the local children's hospital.  We were given reports that this young man could not feel his legs.  Everyone that knew him prayed.  They asked others they knew to pray.  Still in the middle of the night, the young man was not improving.  Morning came and something happened.  He started gaining feeling back in his legs.  I believe it was a miracle and so many parents and student's faith was strengthened.

He has been resting for the past month.  His heart has been with his team.  Tonight, this young man was back on the field.  He didn't play the entire game but the plays he was in, he did an incredible job.  I think he and his family were able to show the fans that they serve a God that not only can heal, but can take away fear of the future.  We are not guaranteed tomorrow.  We only have right now and tonight's right now was pretty amazing.

Friday Night Football: Both Teams Won???

I tried to get to my son's football game on time.  Really I did.  I just didn't take into account Friday night traffic or construction or my gps getting me lost (yes, I blame my gps!).  But get there I did and wow what an incredible finish to a (supposedly) great game.  Although the score reflected our team won this game, I witnessed something far better than a score on the scoreboard and consider both teams winners. 

First, we have an awesome junior high cheerleading squad.  Win or lose, they support those boys by cheering them on and encouraging them.  Those girls work really hard day in and day out and give up their social lives to support a group of boys.  After every game, they rally around the boys and do some game end cheer (top left pic).

Secondly, both teams gathered mid-field and prayed together.  Yes, I said that correct.  Junior high boys and their coaches praying on a football fied on a Friday night.  This is the pic on the top right.

Thirdly, the cheerleaders then joined them and prayed.  Awesome.  Pic is on the bottom left.

Finally, the boys and girls and coaches do something called Eagle Jacks...jumping jacks at the end of the game.  Aren't these kids tired enough?  Nope, I guess this is some end-of-the-game bonding ritual.  I probably would be passing out from exhaustion at that point, but not the team.  They did their ealge jacks (bottom right pic) and called it a game.

Seriously, what a cool thing to watch on a Friday night.  Two teams trying to win but in the end joining hands and thanking God that we exist, breathe and enjoyed a night of football.  I say that is success at its best.