Brainwashing

It would make sense for me to try to brainwash her into becoming an Iowa Hawkeye (my alma mater) or a Wisconsin Badger (my hometown team).  It makes little to no sense for me to spend so much of my time and energy trying to turn her into an Aggie.

This took me an entire dinner hour - "thumbs up" is a tough hand signal for a two-year-old to make, especially on command - but at least I'm making progress.

Just as long as she doesn't end up a Longhorn.

Hi-Ya!

This post might be better suited for our family blog, since it includes A LOT of pictures and videos of Will doing karate, but I decided to post it here instead because I wanted to share - along with the pictures - a bit about the positive impact karate has had on Will in case parents out there are considering enrolling their kids in karate lessons.

Will started "karate chopping" furniture, stuffed animals, and his sister years ago, but it wasn't until last summer that he inquired about taking karate lessons. I had absolutely no interest in becoming a karate mom - odd, considering how much I enjoy my own mixed martial arts/kickboxing/Muay Thai fitness classes - so when Will asked to take lessons I dodged his request. To be honest, I suspected that either 1) the instructors wouldn't teach the "cool" skills to children Will's age and as a result he'd grow bored quickly; or 2) the instructors would teach the "cool" skills but then Will would inappropriately use them at school or around the house. I mean, Hallie can hold her own against a physically unprepared and unarmed Will, but I'm not sure how she would do against a round-house-kicking and nunchucks-wielding Will...

When nearly six months passed and Will's enthusiasm for karate and interest in taking lessons hadn't diminished in the slightest, I gave in.

I signed Will up for a free trial class, and as much as I hate to write it...Will looked completely ridiculous that first day. He walked in - as I'm sure many little boys do - feeling like a karate rockstar, but quickly discovered that his personal brand of karate looked absolutely nothing like real deal. Over the span of 30 minutes, Will transitioned from confident to confused and overwhelmed, and I assumed that at the end of his first class he'd walk off the mat and declare himself finished.

Instead, Will couldn't wait to go back. So we signed up for the reduced-fee, month-long trial, and at the end of the trial, Will again couldn't wait to go back. So we signed up for six more months, and now here we are, five months in and still committed to twice-weekly karate lessons.

Interestingly, Will seems to have a knack for karate.  Will typically learns new things - at least physical activities - slowly. It took him months, if not years, to become comfortable with swimming, soccer, bike riding, and catching a baseball, so you can imagine our surprise when after a handful of lessons Will looked like he'd been on the mat for much longer than a few weeks. In less than three months he graduated from a white belt to an orange belt, and I expect him to graduate from an orange belt to a yellow belt within the next month or so.

But throughout the last five months I've discovered that karate lessons aren't just about karate. Oh, they are to Will. He loves kicks and punches and knife-hand strikes, he lives for breaking boards (special plastic boards designed for developing these skills, but boards just the same), and he defends with his nunchucks like his life depends on it. But they aren't to me.

Though I had no idea going in, I quickly discovered that karate lessons at our gym (and for kids of Will's age) are as much about developing social skills and self-discipline, learning about and understanding responsibility and courtesy, setting goals, and above all, showing respect as they are about learning martial arts. And over the course of the five months Will has been enrolled, I have witnessed significant growth - growth that is noticeable on the karate mat, but also on the baseball field, in the classroom, and at home - in all of these areas.

Here's a glimpse into Will's world of karate, first by way of his white belt graduation, and then by way of his first tournament.

Graduation warm up: punches 
(which they count in Japanese).

Graduation warm-up: "Yes Sir!"

Graduation warm-up: tiger push-ups.

When you finish a tiger push-up you have to roar.

Graduation forms: knife-hand strike.

Graduation forms: step and punch.

Graduation forms: side kick.

Graduation one step: high block. 

Graduation two step: step back, low block.

Graduation: waiting for his orange belt.

Graduation: receiving his orange belt.

The graduates.

Tournament forms: standing at attention.

Tournament forms: outer form block.

Tournament forms: knife-hand strike.

Tournament forms: back fist.

Tournament forms: receiving his evaluation.

Tournament weapons: beginning his nunchucks routine.

Tournament weapons: hip, hip, shoulder triangle strike.

Tournament weapons: right before he 
whacked himself in the face with his nunchucks.

Will earned the trophy for competing in 
forms and the medal for competing in weapons.

Proud of his "bling".

I'll leave you with the Tiny Tiger (the youngest group of karate participants) pledge, which sums up both the foundation of Tiny Tigers karate and why I want Will to be involved.

What Does It Mean to be a Tiny Tiger?
"To be a good person; to have knowledge in the mind, honesty in the heart, and strength in the body; to make good friends; to have a black belt attitude; and to be a leader."

Notes:

• All terminology for this blog post was provided by a six-year-old. My apologies if any of the terms are spelled incorrectly or are incorrect all together.
• I have purposely not shared the name of the gym where Will takes karate, but I would be happy to pass the name along and answer any additional questions you might have about karate lessons at our gym with you via email. Please don't hesitate to email me at erin@chasingroots.com.

How to Help

Yesterday a massive tornado, classified as an EF4 with wind speeds between 166 and 200 miles per hour, swept through Oklahoma, killing more than 50 people and destroying entire communities.

The American Red Cross is already on the ground in Oklahoma, as well as in many other states that have suffered at the hands of this horrific storm, assessing the damage and providing support based on the immediate needs of the communities. In the affected areas and as of Monday night, four shelters are open and others will be open within the next few hours. Volunteers are out providing food and supplies to first responders. More than 25 Emergency Response Vehicles, as well as kitchen support trailers, will move in at first light on Tuesday to provide meals to those displaced from their homes.

But this is just the beginning.

I am not asking you to donate your hard-earned money to the American Red Cross. But because I believe strongly in their mission and have seen firsthand the amazing work they do in the face of disaster and tragedy, I'm going to share with you how you can make a financial contribution - should you feel compelled to do so - to the organization's efforts to support these devastated communities.

Visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-REDCROSS, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a quick and easy $10 donation.

Additionally, here are three pieces of Red Cross-related information I believe are important enough to share here today:

Shelters
If you are in immediate need of a shelter, click here to view a map of the shelters available in your area. (This map is updated every 30 minutes by the National Shelter System.)

Safe and Well
If you have been affected or displaced by the tornadoes, register your status on the American Red Cross Safe and Well website so that your family members and friends will know where you are and how to contact you (if possible).

If you are concerned about a loved one who may have been affected or displaced by the tornadoes, search for that person on the Safe and Well website.

Safe and Well is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is accessible in both English and Spanish.

Tornado App
If you live in a tornado-prone area, consider downloading the free American Red Cross Tornado app for any iOS or Android device. This app provides tips on what to do before, during, and after a tornado strikes and includes a warning siren and watch/warning weather alerts.

My thoughts and prayers are with all those whose lives have been affected by these tornadoes, as well as with the first responders and volunteers who have put their lives on hold to be there for those in need.

They Wore Itsy Bitsy, Teeny Weeny, Matching Yellow Raincoats

Just like the heat follows me to Wisconsin, the rain follows my sister to Texas. Last year, when drought-suffering Texas hadn't received precipitation of any kind in MONTHS, Sara and her family came to visit and it rained three out of the six days they were here. I felt badly because when she'd called to ask me about bringing rain coats and boots, I responded, "don't worry about rain gear - it literally never rains here". Oops.

Sara brought the rain to Texas once again last week; it rained three out of the six days she, my mom, my niece, and my nephew were here.

The rain gave us a little extra time to spend together - one of Will's baseball games and Hallie's soccer practice were cancelled - and provided a fantastic play area for the kids (the little kids AND the big kids) outside our house. And by "play area", I mean puddles in the street.

At first it was just wet outside...

...and then the rain really started coming down. Yes, the girls are just 
wearing their underwear. And yes, Will is doing karate in the street.

A very wet boy.

Listening to Uncle Tom explain how the noodle races would work.

Supervising the noodle races.

Sword fighting.

Their umbrellas did little to block the rain, but they looked cute. 

Jumping in puddles.

Drinking from puddles. No, really. In the next second she 
put that hand into her mouth and licked the water off of it.

Love this girl.

Kicking water at Daddy and Will.

Love this little girl too.

My new favorite picture of Lily.

At some point I ran inside to grab a difference lens for my camera and found a completely-forgotten-about - but still smiling - Carter, sitting all alone in the living room. After I snapped his picture I brought him outside so he could experience the rain as well.

Smiley boy.

Headed out into the rain with his mama.

Splashing in his very first puddle.

We'd previously made plans to go shopping at the (outdoor) outlet mall outside of Houston one of the days everyone was here, and we weren't about to let a little wind and rain - after all, the weather report predicted the severe weather would blow over by the time we'd arrive at the mall - stop us.

But as is usually the case, the weather report was wrong, and we spent the first two hours running from awning to awning and popping in and out of stores we had little-to-no interest in, just to keep the kids dry. The silver lining in this cloud of gloom and doom was that we found and my mom bought adorable little yellow ponchos for the girls, who were FREEZING in their matching damp tank tops and skirts.

These two sweet little cousins remind me of two sisters - their mamas - many, many years ago.

Weekly Wrap-Up (5.17.13)

After crazy busy weeks like the one we just survived (which was crazy busy in a good way), I almost always need a little time to decompress. A few days to get my house, my chores, my work, my body, and my thoughts back in order. Trouble is, I usually don't usually have a few days. If I'm lucky, I have a few hours. A few hours to collect myself, refocus my energy, and jump back in the game.

So how do I make it happen? I sit down at my computer and write. And if the words won't travel from my brain to my fingertips, I read and reread my favorite quotations and stories written by those who've at one time stood where I stand and felt what I feel.

When I feel conflicted...

And old Cherokee told his grandson, "My son, there is a battle between two wolves inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy, and truth."

The boy thought about it, and asked, "Grandfather, which wolf wins?"

The old man quietly replied, "The one you feed."

~ Author Unknown

When I feel indifferent...

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.

~ Dr. Seuss

When I feel confused...

You are free to choose, but you are not free from the consequence of your choice.

~ A Universal Paradox

When I feel emotional...

Being tender and open is beautiful. As a woman, I feel continually shhh'ed. Too sensitive. Too mushy.  Too wishy washy. Blah blah. Don't let someone steal your tenderness. Don't allow the coldness and fear of others to tarnish your perfectly vulnerable beating heart. Nothing is more powerful than allowing yourself to truly be affected by things. Whether it's a song, a stranger, a mountain, a rain drop, a tea kettle, an article, a sentence, a footstep, feel it all - look around you. All of this is for you. Take it and have gratitude. Give it and feel love.

~ Zooey Deschanel

When I feel sad...

If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.

~ Roald Dahl

When I feel lonely...

I'll miss you, kiss you, give you my coat when you are cold. Need you, feed you, I'll even let you hold the remote control. So let me do the dishes in our kitchen sink, put you to bed when you've had too much to drink. All I wanna do is grow old with you.

~ The Wedding Singer

And when I need a good laugh...

There are 3 kinds of people in this world. Those who are good at math, and those who aren't.

~ The Internet

Happy weekend, friends - make it a great one, even if it's crazy busy!

If Patience Was a Super Power, These Two Would Wear Capes

One night back in January, while sitting outside on the patio with beers in hand, Tom and I, along with our friends, Stacey and Aaron, began discussing the upcoming tee-ball season. On that evening and perhaps after one beer too many, we came up with what, at the time, seemed like our best idea to-date: Tom and Aaron should co-coach Will and Logan's tee-ball team. Our families would get to hang out together more often, and Will and Logan would be guaranteed placement on the same team.

The following morning the idea seemed slightly less great, but rockstar dads that they are, Tom and Aaron both agreed to follow through with the plan. (I REALLY wanted Tom and Aaron to coach - I knew they'd be just awesome - so I made a deal with them. If they handled all of the baseball, I'd handle everything else: communication with the team, communication with the league, uniforms, snacks, trophies, etc.) None of us knew what we were getting ourselves into.

On good days, coaching a tee-ball team comprised of 11 five- and six-year-old little boys could be compared to herding cats. On bad days, coaching a tee-ball team comprised of 11 five- and six-year-old little boys could be compared to herding hungry, angry, soaking wet cats whose tails have just been pulled by screaming toddlers with sticky hands.

Coaching youth soccer was physically and mentally challenging, but tee-ball? Tee-ball is an entirely different ball game. Soccer teams (at least when the kids are in preschool/kindergarten) have six or seven players. Tee-ball teams have 11 players. Soccer games generally "work" as long as kids kick the ball and run in the right direction. Tee-ball requires kids to throw and catch and swing a slender bat, that in some cases weighs as much as they do, in hopes of making contact a teeny, tiny ball. (Whoever thought it would be a good idea to give METAL STICKS to preschool and kindergarten boys clearly never parented or coached preschool or kindergarten boys.) Tee-ball requires kids to run in four different directions and at specified times. I mean, at our first practice, when Tom and Aaron introduced the bases and asked the kids to "run home", one kid took off toward his car so that he could go HOME.

But Tom and Aaron, and a another dad who stepped up to help out, have been - as I knew they'd be - just awesome.  I'm so proud of them, not only because they totally keep their cool out there (one parent actually asked me what Tom and Aaron "take" in order to survive/smile through the hour-long games), but because they're making a difference in the lives of these little boys. Yes, they're teaching baseball skills. But they're also promoting physical fitness, exemplifying good sportsmanship, and making baseball FUN.

And in the eyes of these two, they're also superheroes.