Olympics!

So I've been (kind of obsessively) watching the Olympic games.

I love the Olympics. I've never even heard of some of these sports before! Or maybe haven't watched them in the last four years. Let's join together and cheer for athletes we've just learned exist!

Unfortunately, I live in the US. This means I can a) wait to watch the highly edited recaps shown at night or b) watch live streams on the NBC app! Woo!! Live events, no edits. Just watch them all!

Such a great solution. Except you have to have paid-for television and the ability to sign in to the app with the cable or satellite login. Which I don't have....

What's a girl to do?!

Thanks to the awesomeness of my brother living in China, I've learned about something called a VPN. I won't go into the details describing how it works or what VPN stands for. Mostly because I have no earthy idea how it actually works. Basically you turn it on and it tricks the internet to think you are in a different place.

So my iPad has spent time thinking it is in the UK so I can watch BBC.

Actually, it's pretty fun. British accents, different views on the commentary, entire event.

I've been cheering on the curlers, skaters, skiers, biathletes and generally people who are about 1308x's more in shape than I am.

Sidebar: I think most people don't understand curling but watch it because...let's face it...it's the only sport in all of the Olympics that seems like we might be actually able to do it. It is actually harder than it looks because there is apparently strategy and getting the right speed/spin....yeah. But I digress.

I have to confess: I don't always cheer for the Americans. When it comes to hockey-Canada all the way. Then it just depends. I like the underdogs. I like the good stories. Victor Ahn from Russia (via South Korea)? Awesome. So, I pick many to cheer for. We don't hold the patent on thrilling victories or agonizing defeats here in 'Murica!

This post is really random and rambling. Sorry.

Let me digress again....how ridiculously in shape are some of these people?! Speed skaters. Their thighs are obscene. Basically squatting for long periods of time. What?!

And those who ski cross country (sometimes uphill...). Aren't they just running with long pieces of wood strapped to their feet? And on snow? Probably a really good inner thigh exercise. Oh. then sometimes they shoot targets mid race. 

Who thinks of these things?! Seriously.

Do all of the downhill/ski jump/super g/obstacle avoiding skiers just preschedule regular knee repair surgeries? They might as well. They won't be able to walk in 20 years. They will have no knees left on which to walk.

Figure skaters.



I rest my case.

(Though I totally want Nathaniel to have Charlie White's hair! Wouldn't he be so cute with longish curls?!)

 




I'm not sure I can find my way back to the point of the post. Which probably didn't exist anyway.

One last thing I love: seeing the atheletes congratulate each other. I love realizing that they are probably closer to people from other countries because they share a sport, than they are to other athletes from their own country. I love seeing the hugs, the cheers (most of the time), for a job well done.

I just wanted to express my enjoyment of the Olympic games and some of my incredulity that human bodies can do some of those things. The thrill of victory. The agony of defeat.

It is coming to an end, though. We will stop watching some of these sports for the next 4 years. I look forward to 2018 in Pyeonchang, South Korea. When the world gets together to try to beat each other for God (or not) and country. And I'll probably find a way to watch live sports events from other countries' stations.

In the meantime, anyone know of a nearby curling club?

-Lisa

Sometimes I Am A Bad Mom

It's true. Sometimes I'm a bad mom.

(I'm also a bad blogger but that's neither here nor here right now!)

Some days I'm a great mom! I read and cuddle and play and respond well to all the drama. But not every day.

Today is a great example of bad parenting. Nathaniel has a cold and as a result of that (and possibly other things? Who knows) was very grumpy. How did I deal with that and all the toddler exploration? Sometimes I scolded him. Sometimes I let out a yell to get his attention to try and make him stop. Sometimes I went along with it.

Why is it that I could just let him remove the leftover flour breading from the bowl onto the counter, clean floor, and his stool, 1/2 tsp at a time? Why that, when right before and right after I got angry for other different, but equally annoying things he was doing?

When I analyze it later, the only thing I can think of is : I am human.

I get annoyed. I get irritated that what I just cleaned can't stay clean. It is inconvenient for me that Nathaniel is curious, likes to climb, and likes to move things around for the purpose of using them as step stools.

But, as a human, I can also celebrate that he is curious; it's how we learn. I can celebrate that Nathaniel likes to play and run and climb. I can celebrate his love and hugs and kisses.

I am so thankful that, even though I sometimes am a bad mom, Nathaniel still loves me. He still gives kisses and hugs and is glad to see me. His forgiveness seems to know no bounds. (Let's see how that goes in about 15 years!)  I am so grateful for this!

Mercy. It's a great thing. I try to extend mercy and grace to myself, while balancing that mercy with trying to make a better choice in a difficult moment. Trying to get better at being a mom.

So, tomorrow, I will try to take breath before freaking out at another mess. I will remember that these moments with him are not interruptions, but opportunities that won't last forever. I will try to be just a little bit better mom.

Just don't expect me to be a Pinterest perfect mom. Those wonderful projects and school snacks to do with or for kids ain't never gonna happen with me. Sorry kid.

-Lisa