Mom, the family cheerleader

Sitting at my daughter's basball game today, I realized that I am THE family cheerleader. I was the only one on the sidelines cheering for her, all others were doing their own thing. I frequently am THE support "team." Honestly, there is no where else I want to be. I was sitting on the bleachers, shivering a little from the cool breeze but enjoying the warm sun on my back and the look of enjoyment on my daughter's face as she hit the ball. Ok, so it was a foul ball but still she hit it and she was proud, and so is momma!


It has only been in recent years that I have had to start choosing which events to attend. I used to do them all. I want to do them all. Did you read my introduction? I gots 7 kids, yes seven. No, I'm not Catholic, I do not homeschool and I am also not LDS/Mormon. We just have a big family. Oh and yes we CHOSE to have a lot of kids and were then blessed with one more. As you might imagine the kids have varied interests, which sometimes happen to fall at the same time, so sadly, sometimes I have to choose.


There was no need for a choice today. I was able to go to the game. Parts of me wondered if it was good that I was the only one cheering Merce on. Other families have siblings, grandparents and other various family members watching. Wait, nope, not always watching. Sitting and chatting, chasing the bored toddler, buying snacks for the "starving" siblings. Being there alone, I am able to focus on her. And what a "her" she is! Gosh she is awesome! She is SO her own person! She doesn't worry about not meeting societies expectations - she is out there in a pixie/boyish haircut, wearing athletic shorts bought in the boys section, playing with the sand/dirt and having a great time! She's never liked dolls or dresses and that is OK. I know she sometimes get teased for playing with the boys and being a "scrappy girl" but she exudes such self-confidence, she is one of my heros. And I don't tell her that nearly enough.


Ok, so where was I? Oh yeah, the baseball game and wanting to be there. Well, that pretty much sums it all up. I want to be at every event each of my children is involved in. And quite frankly, I don't get those moms who don't want to be there. Oh yes, I get needing a break - I mentioned I have seven kids and my hubby works long hours, right? Hell yeah, I need a break sometimes, but my desire to cheer my kids on is stronger than my desire to take a couple hours off.