Cheer Mom

Exhaustion - who said it has to be bad?

2010-08-24T05:37:00.000-07:00

Work, football, cheerleading, church, housework, repeat.

This season of my life seems to be busier than normal. Don't get me wrong, it would be silly of me to complain about being busy as that is part of my identify. I thrive when stretched thin, I do my best work when I am faced with a deadline. This late summer/early fall is definitely a new level of busy for my family and I am LOVING IT!

My day job is heading into an abnormally busy season as we end our fiscal year and enter our annual planning and review season. Fun times, earlier starts on my day keep me from staying up late and wasting too much time on Facebook or random web searches.

My#3 son is playing football for 5 Star and he is really flourishing with an excellent coaching staff. I couldn't have hand picked a better group of kids, parents and coaches for his particular personality and needs. Plus, I LOVE football. Probably more than I should love a sport, maybe even more than cheerleading. Did I say that outloud? Shhh, don't tell anyone.

Son #1 heads off to his sophomore year in high school, gasp, 10th grade - oy vey. He is doing wonderfully well and, sigh, very adulty now. Certainly not mamma's little boy any more.

Son #2 is starting tennis, a sport I believe he will excel at, I just wish there was more for him to do in this sport at this age. High School will provide more opportunity, but for now it is shuttling him to private lessons and giving him some of my time to beat me on the court.

Cheerleading Team #1 - LBSS - I love these kids. Camp was great, a stretch for our team - a new opportunity to grow and experience coaching from a different perspective and choreography at a new pace. Season is just starting and Coach Rosie is back to help kick us into gear! We are returning national champions and expect our competition to hit it hard. We have only one way to go - UP and we don't have any opportunity for complacency.

Cheerleading Team #2 - yes I said it, number two. I didn't have enough going on so I decided to take on a recreation team that cheers for the 5 Star Football program. 26 girls, most of them are 13, we are just getting started and I know what you are thinking :) - But we do not have any drama, dissension or discord at all. This is a team of girls who have little cheer experience and are working their buns off to get ready for football season. I am honored to lead them this year together with two coordinators (who are awesomely fun) and expect GREATNESS from them.

That is enough rambling for today, but I am sharing this to encourage you to get off the COUCH! Start pursuing those things that matter. Engage in the lives of those around you - make a difference. It is possible to be a mom and have a life of your own. I wish I had a little more time to clean my house and cook regular meals every night, but nobody has ever died from a few cob webs and semi-home cooked meals, right?

Live, dream - DO IT, don't wait for the right time. Make a difference in the life of a young person this year. Do that thing God has been whispering into your ear. You are not too old or too young or too busy. You can! I believe it. There is nothing wrong with falling into bed exhausted every day. You will sleep soundly - I do, every night.

Lead with Optimism

2010-05-27T08:43:00.000-07:00

Love this link from Harvard Business Review!
Lead with Optimism

Smiling in My Own Mirror

2010-01-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

I was reading a book this morning, Yesterday, I Cried by Iyanla Vanzant. There is a passion that stirred me and warrants printing here:

"I had forgotten to celebrate my strength and my victories. I thought that would be selfish... I had never thanked my Self for all that I had gotten me through... I know there are far too many people suffering alone from experiences that are common to us all. Experiences that we have come through with flying colors but are ashamed to talk about and afraid to celebrate. After all, what would people think should we be caught smiling in our own mirror?"

Hmmm. What a unique way to view life, isn't it? I can certainly celebrate for surviving some things in my past. We all can, right? Have I characterized self celebration as arrogance? Probably. I want to look myself in the mirror each day and smile, not because I am so great, but because with God all things are possible. He has used the broken places in my life for His glory. What the enemy meant for destruction, God has used for good.

I can hold the hand of a young, single mother and know that she needs a babysitter for Saturday morning so she can go to the grocery store alone, some extra cash and a new pair of sassy shoes. I don't have to ask. I can comfort the broken hearts of divorcees. I can pray without asking for some of these needs because I have been there. I understand the needs of parents with high energy children. I can see the value in children who talk too much and move too frequently. It isn't an issue because I HAVE BEEN THERE!

Sandra Bullock has got this right!

2009-11-04T00:40:00.001-08:00

Sandra Bullock Sick of Society's Rules, Has Message For Little Girls - FOXNews.com

Posted using ShareThis

Running

2009-09-19T10:05:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday several Belles, their moms, Coach Rosie and I decided to run the Aflac IronGirl 5K. We have all been training for the last couple of months. In all honesty, due to some busyness (laziness) on my part and a small injury, I hadn't trained to the point that I had actually ran the whole 3.1 miles before. I was nervous.

I arrived at the park and joined up with the ladies from Victory Get Fit Club. The trainers were all buzzing with excitement and the veteran runners were chatting and milling about. I alternated pacing, faking a confident smile to my cheerleaders and standing in line yet again for the porta potties.

I lined up with Coach Rosie. We conservatively chose the 12 minute mile line up station. Inwardly I wanted to run the whole 5K. I barely slept the night before and spent the time praying and praising God. I decided to just run my race, not worry about anyone around me and not try to keep up with anyone.

The race started and put in my headphones. Soon I was picking my way around walkers and slower runners. I kept my pace slow and controlled my breathing. I eventually came alongside Coach Rosie and ran along with her, still not making any predictions about my endurance. We passed the 1 mile mark - I felt good. Grabbed a cup of water and kept going.

At this point I thought, wow I just ran that first mile in under 10 minutes and I feel pretty good. About this point I came alongside a teenage friend of mine. She was on my dance team several years prior. She was beginning to struggle and wanted to stop and walk. I grabbed her arm and brought her along with us. At the 1.5 mile point, Coach Rosie says, "I think we are going to be able to do this." I finally allow myself to commit to it too. I can run this thing!

While shifting my attention to my little friend and encouraging her to push past her wall, I felt renewed strength. We continued the run to the 2 mile mark and Rose and I again remarked, "we're doing it!" Not only was I going to run the whole 5K, I was going to finish with my friend Rose and my young dancer.

The race route was littered with husbands, sons and fathers holding signs and encouraging their racing women. The atmosphere was so empowering and encouraging. There was no contest, it was all about finishing and helping the women around you to finish.

We began to hear the music from the finish line. We quickened our pace. We were full stride now, no longer jogging, but running. We were doing it! It felt so good. I crossed the finish line and fought tears. I was so proud of myself. I cannot recall the last time I felt truly proud of myself. I was also proud of everyone else who finished their race too.

So, I have been bitten by the running bug. Coach Rosie and I plan to run a race every other month or so. I cannot pass up the high that comes from crossing the finish line.

Next year the IronGirl is mandatory for all of our junior cheerleaders - they need to feel the high too!

Cheer Camp 2009

2009-09-02T21:36:00.000-07:00

2009 Belles summer cheer camp was a smashing success!! I have never had so much fun with my staff and with my cheerleaders. It is with relief I state this, if you read last years post about camp you know already that it wasn't a grand time. http://kindrabeauprey.blogspot.com/2008/08/cheerleading-camp.html

We learned from that and planned a whole new game this year. I am so glad we were humble enough to admit defeat and try another road. Coach Rose and I had a heart to heart, made a game plan for this year and we asked for favors from people who support our program.

We called in the big guns from the south, NV Elite - University Place http://www.naturalvenom.com/. Coach Liz, Coach Christoff and Coach Branden were just the antidote to our cheer camp aversion! We love these guys! They challenged us, they didn't take themselves seriously and they weren't condescending. Thank you! MWAH!

One of our cheer moms took time off work to be mommy, caterer, cheerleader and guardian angel to us for three days. I know she was exhausted, but she never mentioned it. I know she drove 800 miles that weekend, but she acted like it was part of her mission in life. I know we irritated her, but she never stopped smiling. The girls made up a cheer just for her - it brought some tears, gotta love that.

MISS JAC - our hero!

We chose to have a private camp this year. That means it is just our team versus the 200 or so other teams we usually attend camp with. The girls learn so much from the older cheerleaders at camp. We didn't want to eliminate that time. So, we called on another team to ambush the girls with a surprise visit and challenge project. Renton High School cheerleaders are our girls! The project runway team challenge was hilarious too!

I chose the glamorous tour for a camp theme. It was entirely based on a quote I read from Beyonce in Glamour Magazine. Basically she said that true glamour is when a woman is confident, aware of her strengths and weaknesses and skilled in showing off her strengths. We want to carry that whole idea into this season - we know what we can do, we are going to be confident every time we hit the floor. This year will be different, GLAMOROUS baby!

At the end of the camp, I left energized for the rest of the season. We finally have the right mix of girls, with the right attitudes to make all of the hard work worth it!

First day of...

2009-09-01T22:07:00.000-07:00

The 1st of September. The end of summer and the beginning of so many things. Tomorrow my oldest son will start High School! I cannot hardly believe this day is here. I am so grateful for the man that he is and for the faith and integrity he has and maybe for all that he has taught me over the last 14 years. It has been a long road, he was a WILD little boy, which makes me treasure him even more.

September is also the start of competition season for Liberty Belles. Coach Rosie and I finished up making a practice video this evening after working until 1:00am the night before. This is the longest and most difficult routine we have put together. The music is the cleanest we have ever done and the stunting more aggressive.

This is the season of new beginnings, new adventures and new expectations. I believe that my son is going to turn a corner in school this year. I believe that my cheerleaders are going to make a sharp right turn this year and also increase exponentially in their skill level, commitment, physical strength and team work.

This is the time for something new - I can't wait!

Tae Kwon Do - The Black Belts

2009-06-23T21:53:00.000-07:00

It was with great excitement that my boys and I entered Kim's Tae Kwon Do this evening. We recently graduated from the beginner class and tonight would be our first "real" class. I must admit that Monday night I chose to observe the first few minutes of the adult class and then leave overcome with intimidation without joining in.

My first mistake was asking another mom-type if it was much different than the beginner class. The look on her face and her resulting instruction for the free form sparing, "maintain eye contact at all times, never back up, and if THEY HIT YOU it is their fault not yours." Um, hit me? Really? I thought it was all non-contact. So, I snuck out and went home to chores and bills.

Tuesday - I was determined not to be intimidated (that is not in my regular nature anyway). Traffic was light, I swung by home to pick up the boys, suited up in my incredibly unflattering white uniform and arrived to watch my two youngest in their children's class. It was enjoyable and my kids performed well.

As the children's class was ending my oldest son and I exchanged nervous glances. The adult class followed the children's class. Finally he said, "I guess we're up." I said, "Yep, you nervous?" Him: "Oh yeah." Master Henkel the kind, no-nonsense instructor required us to line up in the class by rank - we get the back row- woo hoo!

After a ridiculously fast warm-up session which feels more like whiplash and softshoe, Master Henkel began shouting sounds which replaced the beginner class' commands: front kick, low block, etc. The rest of the class understood these words because evidently learning Korean is part of the training process (shoot, should have read that handbook we got the first night). My son and I couldn't help but laugh as the rest of the class blocked and kicked and pivoted on command "Shi bah dum di sah" (or whatever) and then we face the back. "Kah bum da bum di doy" (or whatever) and everyone is performing reverse kicks I have never seen before. Okie dokie...

We kept up but then Master Henkel assigned us to the top two black belts in the class for the rest of the night. Bless these two young people. They were patient and gracious, but I imagine that teaching a newbie, white belt wearing, green horn ranked right up there with fighting a sweaty sumo wrestler in the TKD scheme of things. My partner and I practiced kicks, her foot precisely tapping my hand (the target) every time with a powerful, rapid, fluid motion. Me flailing about, trying not to fall down while trying to make my body obey the commands I was hearing:

Step forward on your right foot
Turn your left foot backward and step down - is it supposed to do that?
Pick up your right foot and kick out quickly while pulling your toes backward and extending the ball of your foot - does that require acupuncture?
Take your bottom lip and pull it up over your face while shouting Kiya

OK so that last part is an exaggeration, but only slightly.

Next up was the part I dreaded and so did every black belt in the room who might be paired with me. Free form sparing...
The Black Belts are no joke - they punch and kick and jump and turn so quickly and it looks like fun, but nobody wants to be the one in the class that holds everything up, right?

They perform kicks and blocks and punches gracefully dancing around the room. I bob and weave and kick and throw in a few cheerleader jumps... I was a wild woman. As I danced near my son awaiting his turn he says, "Go mom!" God bless him, we felt each other's fear and pain. I accidentally kicked a blue belt dude in the chest. Another pair of sparing partners shoved me as I got too close to their group. I got schooled by a kid who cannot be more than 6.

BUT I DID IT. My son and I left proud, a little sore, VERY tired and closer for having endured the black belts. To their dismay, I will return to work out with them again. To learn from them regardless of their irritance at my interloping.

Thank you Master Henkel for your encouragement and patience!

Wake-up call

2009-02-01T00:12:00.000-08:00

It was a hint that things on my plate are starting to overflow onto the table...

Early in the morning, I rushed out to my car, with enough time to allow it to warm-up and defrost while I apply my make-up in the visor mirror. I was looking forward to my day as I had spent the previous day in bed ill (been years since I have been ill). I was leaving early, ready to attack my day. I inserted my keys into the inigtion, turned on the defrost and then began applying my make-up.

A few moments later my windshield was clear and my face ready for the office. I spent the next 10 minutes looking for my car keys - in my purse, around my lap, the scary place between the seats, even back inside to check the kitchen counter. I returned to my car, which was still running, to discover - YOU GUESSED IT - that my keys were right where I put them, in the ignition.

Embarrassed, I looked around to be sure that none of my neighbors were outside. As if they could know what I as doing while my car was running.

So, I have too many thoughts going through my brain right now. Whatever, I will deal with that as soon as I can...later.

There was a glimmer

2009-01-06T18:38:00.000-08:00

Saturday was a grueling practice. One of our squads was needing a little TLC from coaching staff. We started with an hour of extra tumbling practice, followed by a two hour non-stop practice session that involved repeatedly performing the same routine over and over. There were tears and the cheerleaders were getting frustrated too. [ha!]

Then, during the last 30 minutes of practice, I saw it. There was a glimmer of fight that passed over one of the girl's faces. She was angry - I loved it. Am I crazy? No! It was the first piece of passion I have seen from this group of girls. I thought, "come on baby, use that energy." She did, she wiped away tears and fought harder to get it right. Her squad picked up on it - a huge jump in their technique followed.

We praised them, they gave a little more. The couple of parents in the room cheered - they brightened and gave some more. At the end of that practice, they had improved by 80%, at least.

The potential I saw on Saturday energized me to the core. It caused me to prance into the office on Monday with an extra spring in my step.

"Come on my baby girls - I can't wait to see you this Saturday. I can't wait for your parents to see you on the 17th at the competition. Use that frustration (it is just passion bottled up) to make you better. Show me how good you really are. Now is the time to let it out - don't be afraid, I BEE-lieve in you. Don't forget."

When I am old

2009-01-06T18:22:00.000-08:00

I have decided that my relationships are too important to allow pride issues to interfere with them. For example, we are blessed people but we live in an average home. It was built in the late eighties and still has its original flooring, kitchen and baths. The original owner didn't opt for quality when selecting the finishes either. We have three boys that live with us - you get the picture, right? It could stand to be updated and in some cases overhauled. This year instead of worrying about our old carpet or plastic-wood trim, I am going to enjoy my friends and serve them as guests in my home. [OK, so if you know me you know that I don't wait on guests, you are only a guest for about 10 minutes and then you should just kick off your shoes and open up the fridge yourself!]

So my friends, I will be sending many dinner party invites this year. Please don't look at the soiled carpets, the smudged walls, the knife marks in the linoleum [yes they are knife marks - don't ask] or ask what the funny smell is in the upstairs bathroom [no amount of bleach or scrubbing will make it go away]. Come in, kick off your shoes, grab a Diet Pepsi from the fridge, eat some of my semi-homemade hoover-doovers, be prepared to compete in a card game or share some funny stories.

Likewise do the same - don't hold back. You aren't too busy. Invite, attend, we all have some wisdom, acceptance, love or humor to share. God didn't place us on this earth to be islands right?

Persevere in the New Year

2009-01-01T09:31:00.000-08:00

I am posting a daily email I receive from Summit Christian Center (Rick Godwin's church). Too great not to share. You can sign up to receive these too by visiting: www.summitsa.com.

“We will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIVThis year – persevere (1)Perseverance means: (1) Succeeding because you’re determined to, not because you’re entitled to. Achievers don’t sit back and wait for success because they think the world “owes them.” No, if you’re wise you’ll ask God for direction, stand firm on the Word He has given you, go forward and refuse to quit. You must adopt the attitude of the man who said, “We are determined to win. We’ll fight them until hell freezes over, and if we have to, we’ll fight them on ice.” Recalling the trials he’d faced, Paul said: “I started, and I’m going to finish. I’ve worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death’s door…And that’s not the half of it” (2Co 11:23-28 TM). One word describes Paul – relentless.

(2) Recognizing that life is not one long race, but many short ones in succession. Each task has its own challenges and each day its own events. You have to get out of bed the next morning and run again, but it’s never exactly the same race. To be successful you must keep plugging away. It’s said that Columbus faced incredible difficulties while sailing west in search of a passage to Asia. He encountered storms, experienced hunger, deprivation and extreme discouragement. The crews of his three ships were near mutiny. But his account of the journey says the same thing over and over: “Today, we sailed on.” And his perseverance paid off. He didn’t discover a fast route to the spice-rich Indies; instead he found a new continent. The scriptural key to success is – running the race each day (See Heb 12:1-2).

So, this year – persevere.

These snowy days

2008-12-22T07:08:00.001-08:00

Seattle has been blessed with a record snowfall over the last several days. This is a heavenly gift for me. It reminds me of home.

I awoke this morning to find my two youngest boys sleeping on the living room floor, dart guns and light sabers littered around them. I assume they were looking to sleep near the Christmas tree. As I adjusted their blankets and added an additional layer to keep them toasty (and sleeping), I stepped on an action figure and tried to keep a wimper from escaping my lips. I nearly fell onto one of the boys and instead performed some accidental acrobatics worthy of Cirque.

I gingerly pulled myself to a standing position and smiled gratefully. I love raising boys. There will come a day when I will never have to pick up an action figure, toy gun or stinky tennis shoe. I will miss the hubbub and chaos of these days. I have faith that my boys will grow into amazing men - conquerors, mighty heroes of this day, faithful husbands and fathers.

Thank you Father for these days.

Do you Bee-lieve?

2008-12-21T07:11:00.000-08:00

This is the text that was included inside a bumble bee back-pack charm I made for my cheerleaders and girls in my Bible study group:

According to the law of aerodynamics a bumble bee cannot fly. Its body is too heavy in proportion to its wings. The bumble bee does not know that it is not supposed to be able to fly, and so it goes ahead and flies anyway.

You are capable of AMAZING things because you were created for greatness. Do not listen when people say it cannot be done. You are courageous, beautiful and powerful!
Psalm 139:14, Romans 8:37, Ephesians 2:10

I am posting it here because I know there are many of us grown women who need to hear it too.

Have a very Merry Christmas. May you enjoy the abundance of God's peace and grace as you spend time with friends and family this season.

John

2008-09-29T11:06:00.000-07:00

I am currently working my way through the book of John in the Bible. In the past, I have stayed away from this book because it was confusing to me, but I must be in a different place personally because I am so encouraged by it lately.

Anyway, I was at my favorite Starbucks this morning reading and came across the story in chapter 9 where Jesus encounters a man who was born blind. In the process of healing him, Jesus spits into the dirt on the ground and makes some mud (um, odd to anyone else?). He takes this mud and rubs in onto the man's eyes. Then, he instructs the man to go wash in a pool. The man returns home to his family able to see for the first time in his life. A miracle, awesome right?

However, as you read on you find that the Pharisees badgered this once-blind man regarding his relationship with Jesus and his "sins" before he was healed. Eventually this leads to the Pharisees throwing him out of the city. Now, here is the really cool part. In verse 35 the Bible says that Jesus heard of this and came back to find him. JESUS CAME TO FIND HIM after hearing of his calamity. I remember the spit-mud on the eyes part of this Bible story from memory, many of us probably do. I don't ever recall reading the latter section of the story. Jesus heard he was struggling then came personally and affirmed his faith (verse 38).

This week ends a season of calamity for my family. I am so grateful for being delivered out of it. However, I can recount throughout this season Jesus affirming me that He was right by my side. "I am here, you are not alone, do not fear..." Just like this blind man, Jesus didn't ignore my struggle, he just affirmed my faith. He is so faithful.

Be encouraged and blessed!

in the middle of it all

2008-09-25T07:29:00.000-07:00

I was just doing some Bible reading this morning and came across John 6, the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. We have all read this before but this morning a couple of pieces just jumped out at me (which seems to be how God speaks to me lately, or the way I am willing to listen).

All of these people are assembled to hear Jesus speak or to receive miraculous healing. Realizing the physical needs of this multitude, Jesus asks one of his disciples where they can buy bread to feed them all. So here are these disciples, not entirely yet sure who Jesus is, young, not wealthy faced with feeding 5,000+ people. I have done enough event planning to know that even with a team of caterers, this is no small task. The noise level involved with feeding that large of a group without a PA system, would be daunting alone. Then, verse 6 says, "He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what he was going to do."

I thought, "Hmmm, here I am in my life faced with some large tasks just ahead of me and I bet that God knows already what he is going to do about them." I need to just relax a bit, ease up on my reigns and seek Him a bit more to find out how we are going to handle this. HE ALREADY HAS A PLAN.

Then, just after that in verses 16-21 the disciples are in a boat heading to Jesus' next speaking engagement in Capernaum. :) [I am so funny I know.] There was a strong wind and the waters were rough. They were ROWING (thank you Father for motorized boats) for 3 to 3.5 miles and then they saw Jesus approaching, walking on the water. So just like I would have, they freaked out and were afraid. But then Jesus spoke to them and said, "It is I; don't be afraid.". Verse 21 was the interesting one to me, "Then they were willing to take Him into the boat,". OK, so I assume that before that they were like, "Row faster, he's catching up." Right? But, it was the voice of God that quited them down so they were able to receive Him.

Boy, this is me right now, rowing and rowing and rowing just trying to get out of the storm and away from the things that scare me, when I just need to hear the voice of God to understand and receive. Thank you Father for your word, for my church so that I can receive of you and not be in fear.

Hopefully this encourages you as it has me this morning. SLOW DOWN AND LISTEN, GOD ALREADY HAS A PLAN. And, stop rowing so quickly... aren't you tired?

Pajamas

2008-09-18T10:14:00.001-07:00

This past Saturday our Junior squad spent an evening at my house for a pajama party. It was a great last fun time before the riggors of competition season begin. I was so proud of the girls as I watched them interact and mingle. I laughed at their answers during the games we played. I was frightened at times by the volume and ferocity of their interactions. I apologized to my neighbors the next morning.

Growing up with a brother, these girl sessions are sometimes foreign to me. I find that I watch them with the detail of a scientist or wildlife expert watching animals in the wild. "Hmm, wonder what that means? Is that aggressive or friendly behavior? Should I keep hidden or run for my life?"

In all seriousness this is a great group of girls and we are going to be fierce competitors this season!

Fighting for Peace

2008-08-30T22:51:00.000-07:00

School is about to start. The first day of school can be the biggest stressor for a young person. One of my sons deals with this stress by behaving in outlandish ways. I get it, but I am sure my neighbors don't understand his need to urinate in the backyard (God bless his little self). Now I am not a boy, hence I would probably deal with that kind of stress with chocolate or being a little cranky to those around me. I guess when you have an "outty" it becomes your primary means for expressing yourself.

I can only guess at what kind of stress my little doggie has. Evidently, the overactive squirrels preparing for hibernation are too much for her. She has taken to collecting rocks in a pile underneath my bed. Cute, right? Well, I recently noticed that the decorative rocks displayed in a glass bowl on my dining room table have become additions to her pile. So tell me, how does my hoarding pooch get those rocks? She is up on our dining room table when we are not home! Gag.

God has called us to live in peace. Throughout the Bible we read of God's promise to bring us peace. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter. Why, then, am I fighting daily to keep myself in peace? Because I am human and, if I am honest, a bit of a control freak. Thankfully, my loving Father God is patient.

Sometimes I think I have things under control. I am a rather capable woman. I can usually walk with more than my share of balls in the air. It is this gift that gets me in trouble. I get over-confident and starting thinking it is ME that is so great. BUT, it is not about me. My life must glorify God, not my ability to handle stress.

Ugh, so as a warrior chick (thank you Holly Wagner) I am drawing my sword. Enemy beware! I will fight for peace because God promises it. I am more than a conqueror in the arms of my Father, I can speak to my circumstances and declare victory because I serve an Almighty God. I know that my needs (all of them) are met because the Bible says so.

Hoo-Rah (or however that goes).

Mini's on Football

2008-08-18T16:40:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday our Mini Belles squad (ages 8 and under) manned the sidelines for a King County Jaguars football game. AND THEY KILLED IT! I am so proud of them.

It happened to be one of the hottest days of the summer, but we were perky and cute in our uniforms anyway. We have a repertoire of 5 cheers and we cheered for half of the second quarter followed by a halftime performance. I must say, I could never have done that at 4 years old. Not only did we perform the cheers, but we offered a mean rally and even managed to get the crowd to participate with us. It was tons of fun.

Go MINIs!!!

Cheerleading Camp

2008-08-08T13:17:00.001-07:00

What was I thinking? This is usually what goes through my head during day 1-3 of cheerleading camp. Repeatedly, during sleep or wake, "What was I thinking?" "We could be at home right now sleeping in real beds without bugs, in showers that do not require flip flops, with food that permits digestion and normal excrement from the body." [Father help me not to accidentally hurl myself from this 3rd floor bedroom window.] Thankfully, because God is very wise, the windows are not operable. Thank you Joy for the brownies, they got us through Night 1 and 2.

Day 1. I arrive nice and early. All of our veteran parents know that I like to arrive first, get a lay of the land, pray and prepare myself to greet girls and intelligently answer questions. God bless them for understanding my craziness. I check in and realize that they have placed our girls all together in one hallway on floor 3 and both of the coaches together on floor 2!!! Hello, we are the youngest girls at camp. Do you want me to have to sleep on the floor in the bathroom to be near them at night? A few walkie talkies and a promise to be on the couch in the common area until midnight does the trick. It is hot, some vomit, tears and a mediocre display of cheerleader spirit. Not perfect, but we survive.

Day 2. The girls gather in their cute pink t-shirts looking perky and hungry for breakfast. The captains accidentally woke the girls 45 minutes earlier than we planned - YIKES! Eight year olds need sleep, as much as possible. This day leads to a near breakdown from our fearless leader - ME! At lunchtime there is an issue with one of our girls. It is heartbreaking, frustrating and I cannot get my heart and head around it. The lunchroom is ridiculously overcrowded, stifling hot and the only food lines within reason are for spicy food. I am sitting too close to too many bodies and I start to feel myself want to scream very loud. What is wrong with me? I reluctantly excuse myself to take a quick shower upstairs alone. I cry in the stall. [Father help me. I don't feel capable of this task I was so excited for. I'm not doing it well. I need You to shine through me.] We finish the night with evaluations [Father thank you for the NCA staff that were assigned to us. We could not have done this without them.] Five of our girls were nominated for All American. What? We are so much younger than the rest of the squads - what an honor! The girls start to show some more cheerleader spirit - you go girls!

Day 3. We wake the girls a little late. A quick scramble to get ready for Fun Day at camp. We are wearing a camo theme. The black face make-up I purchased doesn't dry so we cannot wear the black lines under our eyes - DANG! Our stunting is really coming along! The goal was to get at least 2 single legged stunts, we got 3! The youth squad also has 2 stunts groups that can load to a prep, reload and bring it back up safely. Woo Hoo! We got some extra down time today to hang out, watch a movie and relax this afternoon. [thank you Jesus!] Three of the five girls nominated for All American tryout in front of a large group of cheerleaders. Wow, I cannot be more proud of them. It is harder than it looks. [Father, help me to stop sobbing like an idiot.] We performed our We Run This dance during the evening camp talent show and the crowd went WILD! That was so great for our esteem.

Day 4. We get to go home. Our parents are coming! We need hugs and our mommies - where is mine anyway? We get through final evaluations. The girls do great. We compete for junior top team chant and are competitive. Considering that we are younger than any other team by several years, we kicked butt! We didn't win, but we played to the crowd and that was goal #2 for the camp. We take home a spirit stick, four excellent ribbons and two superior. We SURVIVED!

The things I learned at camp this year:

Exactly 24 cheerleaders and 2 coaches with backpacks can fit into the elevators in Haggett Hall.
Young girls will not claim any undergarments left in bathrooms regardless of the discretion used to compel them to do so - even if their names are written on them.
It takes about eight 24oz bottles of Diet Pepsi over ice to keep 2 coaches alive during 2 full days and 2 half days of camp.
Little girls can go to the bathroom 10 times each in a four hour period.
Never underestimate the sweet smile and innocent eyes of two ten year olds in the bathroom at 12:30am.
Red licorice can heal homesickness in a pinch.
I am so lucky to have such great kids in our program.

OK, OK, it wasn't that bad. The physical and emotional exhaustion cannot compare to the examples of spirit and determination I saw in those few days. Some brought me to tears (not pretty ones trickling down my face, but the loud, snotty kind). I am so lucky to have this opportunity, however exhausting. I love these girls and I believe I will reap the rewards as I get to watch them grow up and accomplish AMAZING things in years to come.

Giving

2008-08-02T11:24:00.000-07:00

Last night at about 10:00pm I was exiting Walmart. Now, I know better than to shop at this particular Walmart at this particular hour, but somehow that knowledge slipped my mind. As I exited the store I watched a little boy no older than 8 walk up to a man in front of me and ask for a dollar. The man refused without looking at the boy and kept walking. The little boy was clean and well-kept, not your typical pan-handler.

I watched him walk back behind a column to his mother and older brother. I proceeded about 10 more feet and then turned around. I approached the mother and asked her what she needed a dollar for. Her answer did not satisfy my need to know that my cash wouldn't support a drug habit. The story involved a need for $30 to help their family return to their home in West Virginia. How could $30 get them that far? It certainly did not add up. Further questioning increased my suspicions.

I could not fathom utilizing my children in this manner, regardless of my circumstances. I wanted to be angry with the mother. I wanted to shake her and demand that she shield her children from this matter. Protect them! Then, I decided, at that moment, that I wanted the boys to remember not the shame of asking strangers for money, but that there are good people in the world.

I gathered all of the cash I had in my wallet, which wasn't much, and offered it to the little brother. His face lit up and he jumped up slightly! That made the situation worse from where I stood. I smiled brightly to the boys, looked each one in the face hoping to impart their value in taking the time to acknowledge them. The mother didn't thank me.

I walked to my car wondering if I should have done more. Could I have filled their gas tank? Did they have a car? Should I have re-entered the store and bought some food? Should I have questioned the mother further? I probably didn't do enough. However, for a moment I know those little boys felt like valuable little people. I prayed for that family as I drove home. "Father protect those boys, bring others to them to help raise them up in the way they should go. Help them to realize their potential and value to this world. Father, bless me abundantly so that in the future I can make a bigger difference in this situation."

Accidental Hobo

2008-08-01T16:39:00.000-07:00

It was a comical turn of events. My sons regularly travel to Portland on a train to visit family. Somehow I have never known that a train station exists closer to my home than Seattle. I was excited to try out this new station and save the drive to downtown. Very early this morning we headed to the train station for their departure. I had packed each of my kids a snack sack with individual favorites for each child. Each also had a selection of activities to keep him busy for 3 hour plus ride.

We greeted the car attendant at the station and she allowed me to board the train briefly to get the boys settled into their seats. She was not exaggerating when she said brief! I had just helped the boys stow their luggage when I felt the train lurch forward. I rushed to the car entrance to see instant panic flash across the attendant's face as she realized that I was still on board - really it was less than 3 minutes! She grabbed my arm as I attempted to jump from the moving train - barely moving!

Minor chaos ensued, which involved my kids rushing to find me and being forced to remain seated, me sequestered in a nearby car and trying to remain civil as the conductor was summoned to speak with me and the car attendant trying to find a solution that didn't involve her receiving blame. I was then informed that I was stuck on the train until the next stop - TACOMA! "But," she smiled "we won't charge you for that leg." You bet your sweet smile you won't. [help me Father not to react poorly] I am a Hobo - illegally on a train.

The conductor chastised me, yes chastised ME, that unaccompanied minors were not allowed to board at the last station. Like I was trying to be sneaky or something - I just didn't want to drive into Seattle. Who knew this train station rule? Was it posted? Did the website address it? Maybe, somewhere, but why was I allowed to purchase the tickets?

So, I have the new found pleasure of taking an early morning trip to Tacoma. Woo Hoo! Did I mention that I was in my jammies? I doubt I locked my car which is now miles behind us at the station. [another quick prayer] I return to my children who are faking calm. I call and wake my husband and plead with him to come and get me in Tacoma at the train station. I try to keep my mind fixed on the things above - "Help me Jesus not to hit, yell or cuss." So my saintly, sleepy, unshaven and un-coffee'd husband sets off to rescue me - mind you this was rush hour by now.

The car attendant, bless this poor woman, calls ahead to the next station to fix the unaccompanied minor issue and asks the next station attendant to prepare the necessary paperwork for me to sign upon my arrival. At this same time, a supervisor somewhere gets wind of this whole incident and decides that me and my kids - such villains - should depart the train in Tacoma and find "alternate transportation" to Portland. WHAT!? We prepare to depart. One of my boys is now crying [help me Father].

The train stops, we exit the train, the car attendant (remember her - the reason why I am stuck on the train in the first place?) calls her boss on her personal cell phone and gets the whole debacle cleared up in a manner of minutes - villains to VIP's! [Thank you Father!]

Morning rush hour, waiting in a train station with the other Hobo's (translate: a handful of business-types, a transvestite, a man with a very large cart and a loud belching issue, and a young woman with an apple in each hand) - what an adventure! I will make the 40 minute drive downtown in the future and hope my credentials are not posted on some train station website as a possible Hobo.

Transition

2008-07-24T21:48:00.000-07:00

Transition. Change. Inevitable.

Recently our Belles Junior and Youth squads voted on new captains for the 08-09 season. We have been served so well by our original captains, Lisa and Kali, since our inception THREE YEARS ago. We felt it was time for other Belles to have a chance at captain and to allow Kali and Lisa a break from the added responsibility. They voted... so wisely. We have four new captains to take over the reigns: Mckenna, Alesha, Catherine and Marissa. I know these four young ladies will serve their squads well and I look forward to this season working with them. The best part about this transition, because it would be easier for the coaches if the existing captains remained, was the response of Kali and Lisa. They were given the task of notifying the new captains of their positions. They were so proud to do this. I was so proud of them. We have such great girls on our squad.

My husband is currently in a transitional phase professionally. It is requiring that we reinvent our relationship and our homelife. It isn't comfortable or easy. Part of growing together. All for the better, but still change.

Then, just last night one of my very best friends got engaged! I am so happy for her and so excited for her future with her new husband. I know it is God's will for them. Hooray! However, as happens when every woman marries, her friendships with her female friends will experience transition.

I make myself absorb changes of all kinds. It isn't always comfortable. I walked around last evening for a little too long while it was a little too dark. I donned my sneakers and stepped off my front porch determined to convince God that these changes, er transitions were not necessary right now. Just like wishing for summer to linger and autumn to delay, this was futile!

As I walked, prayed and listened I felt the comfort and peace of God. The transitions in my life are necessary just as the flow of water is necessary to keep bodies of water from becoming swamps. How self-centered I am sometimes seeing everything from my me-glasses. My Father God reminded me that I am bigger than that.

I woke this morning a little sore - I must have been walking aggressively! I am so thankful for the transitions in my life. They are part of the process that keeps me from being stagnant and stinky.

Liberty Classic Spring 2008

2008-06-21T08:54:00.000-07:00

Saturday, June 14th was our Spring Liberty Classic. We had all of our current classes come together to compete at a cheerleading competition. It was a great day!

Our new Belles squads performed for the first time before several hundred spectators. Our Angels (the special needs program we began in Maple Valley) performed for the first time together too. I WAS SO PROUD of the efforts each young lady made.

One little girl (who is only 4) was tearful just before her performance. With encouragement from mom and coach she braved the performance floor. Through her tears she began her dance and by the end was smiling and confident. I know each time she performs she will learn to overcome the anxiety and embrace courage. Each time will be easier.

My hope is that each of the girls who performed on Saturday will recall that process, overcoming anxiety and embracing courage, throughout their lives. That is the crux of my business!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. " Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

Pictures coming soon...

In season

2008-06-09T07:46:00.000-07:00

Mark 11:12-14
Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it.

These scriptures are cautionary in the use of our words. Be careful what you say because words are powerful as demonstrated by Jesus cursing this tree.

My pastor used this scripture on Sunday as he was teaching on faith. As he was teaching I noticed a piece of the scripture that I have never "seen" before. "For it was not the season for figs" Jesus walked over to the tree EXPECTING to receive fruit to eat even though figs were not in season at that time.

Right now the season of our economy is such that one should expect lack and shortage - high gas and grocery prices, a sluggish real estate market and fear running rampant in consumers. However, being formed in the image of Christ, we should have the same expectation - fruit to be available to us even when the "season" isn't right.

We should expect to have more than enough because GOD is our source, our businesses should be growing and thriving, our pantries should be stocked, our investment accounts should be holding. We can expect it just as Jesus did.

They Know Me

2008-05-21T08:41:00.003-07:00

This past Sunday I was setting up a post church luncheon for our youth bible study group. I needed to carry a large amount of food from the refrigerator to the eating area and asked a staff member to borrow a cart from her supply area. She looked me in the eyes and said very seriously, "Do you promise you are not going to put any kids on there for a game?" I laughed and promised and went along my way. Well, she must know me.

Then, as I was walking with the cart through the hallways of the children's area I saw looks of concern from some parents and excited expectation from their kids. I guess maybe, they know me. I had to chuckle because maybe once or twice I have been known to have some over-the-top games during my Kids Church lessons. BUT, I guess I wasn't aware that there might be some stigma attached. Ha - kidding. I have to say that I like things on the wild side and I guess they know me.

Funny that the same day during my small group bible study I shared with the young ladies about Psalm 139 - God knows you and all your ways, even before you were born, even the bad stuff. He still loves you - even if you are a little on the wild side like me. He REALLY KNOWS YOU.

Be blessed!

Some People Can't

2008-05-14T09:56:00.001-07:00

CAN'T, this is a word that is forbidden in my home and in my cheerleading classes. It simply isn't necessary when describing oneself. It can be used to describe objects, "the nail cannot hold the picture". I was listening to a radio talk show today and heard the host say this sentence, "Some people can't." Shockingly, I agreed.

I agree with this sentence when you are in a position of rationalizing OTHER PEOPLE'S behavior or lack thereof. In other words, have a realistic expectation of other people's behavior based upon their past actions, NOT based upon your personal feelings. For example, my girlfriend will likely be late because she always is, but not my girlfriend will likely be late because nobody thinks I am important. Get it?

There were two analogies the host used that I thought were useful:

Do you take your cat on a walk with a leash? No because cats don't like that.
You can't use a bone dry sponge to soak up water, it has to be slightly wet.

Sometimes we expect people to do something that they historically have chosen not to do and then we are upset because they don't. The cat? Or maybe we expect people to be able to do something that they have no skills to do and then we are upset that they cannot. The sponge?

The talk show host was speaking of adult child-parent relationships in both of these matters. Sad that so many people suffer in their adult lives expecting something from a parent that has never happened and likely will never happen. We cannot expect an absent father to suddenly want to be involved in our lives. We cannot expect emotionally unavailable mothers to suddenly become that. If we have a reasonable expectation of people and get our needs met through other relationships in our lives, we can find peace.

Ask God to bring you a father-person or mother-person (or whoever-person) to fill a need in your life. Don't set yourself up for continual hurt by having unrealistic expectations from loved ones.

FIND PEACE because some people can't.

Who are we?

2008-05-12T09:08:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday, our Youth and Junior Belles were having a hoo-hum practice. Spring fever? Actual fever? Fear? Ambivalence? I wasn't sure and my patience level was waning quickly. So we sat the girls down and explained our purpose as coaches - to help them accomplish something difficult through practice and preparation. Simple. I then asked the girls to shout out a list of 5 things that describes The Belles, they came up with the following, much longer list. If I didn't know before, I do know now - they are BRILLIANT young ladies.

Belles Are:

Respectful
Strong physically and in spirit
Kind
Hard workers at home and at practice
Courageous
Obedient
Good examples
Make good choices (smart)
Modest
Leaders
Friends
Fun

Well, out of the mouths of babes our vision is established... I just love this thing called coaching!

Seed and Bread

2008-05-07T16:47:00.000-07:00

This Sunday I listened to my pastor deliver a sermon that was incredibly inspirational and useful. He read a scripture from 2 Cor 9 and I happened to notice a verse just below the one he referenced.

Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 2 cor 9:10-11.

This is a great verse which explains God's plan for providing for us. However, the first part of verse 10 just jumped off the page to me, "He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food". When we are experiencing lack in our lives we need to take a look these two separate areas: what you have to give for a purpose and what you have to sustain you.

Easy to discern and apply in the financial realm of our lives, right? Just check the credit card account balance, are you using more that what you have to sustain you (e.g bread for food)? Check your tax return, are you giving enough for a specific purpose (sowing): church, charity, gifts, etc.

We can also apply these same principles to the other areas of our lives. When I feel overwhelmed and exhausted it might just be because I am spending too much time on either the sowing or sustaining part of my life. Maybe I have over committed myself to volunteering at church or school and not enough time reading my bible, working out or just resting. Or, the converse can be true too, I am using all of my emotional and time resources on myself and not giving enough to others. Is my husband cranky and my kids wild beasts? Maybe I need to spend some time at home just chilling with my peeps. Do I feel tired and my skin looks bad? Maybe I need to get to the gym and devote some time to myself (when was the last time I breathed fresh air, anyway?).

It can be a delicate balancing act, but one in which God is involved as He notes here in verse 10. Don't eat your seed, don't neglect your personal needs either.

As we near Mother's Day, every mother can take something from these wise words from our Lord. Keep the balance - what you say no to will probably lead to more success than what you say yes to. Take care of yourself, but give yourself away too. Find that balance between the two that provides peace for you and your home.

Angels

2008-04-28T08:41:00.000-07:00

This Tuesday, Liberty Bells will begin a new piece of our program - Angels. Angels is a program for special needs cheerleaders. I am so thankful for the volunteers and some of our Belles who have offered to come and be "coaches". I can't wait to meet this squad of girls and start preparing for our first performance in June!

At this age

2008-04-24T10:02:00.001-07:00

I recently celebrated my birthday. Not a milestone, just another year. Each year I feel a sense of relief as I move away from my twenties. Many blessings came from those years - namely, three amazing boys. During my twenties I made several catastrophic judgement errors (I don't like the word "mistake") that lead to much pain. So, as I march away from that decade I am always excited to see what new adventures lie in store for me.

I also heard an interview of Maria Shriver as she was marketing her new book. She said something that was interesting to me. DISCLAIMER: I have not read her book, nor do I know of Maria's stance on any political or social views. But she is a woman older than me who has gained some knowledge in her years and that is why I would listen to her. She remarked on her relationship with her mother as being good, but emotionally distant. Now as her mother is progressing in age and requires some "mothering" from Maria she said that she had the "opportunity AT THIS AGE to be something different than what her mom was to her".

I thought, "Wow, me too!" At this age, I can break free from the examples lead before me and choose to be something different if I want. It is an act of my will (although a very difficult venture at times) to change my behavior and thought patterns to be the person I want to be.

So I think at this age that I will choose to be positive (I will have to work HARD), healthy, happy, and prosperous. I will choose to have friendships with people who make me better. I will choose to let people be themselves and let loose of my desire to control (ouch again). What will you choose to be AT THIS AGE?

The Poison of "-er"

2008-04-14T11:53:00.000-07:00

While folding laundry the other day I overheard a portion of a talk show. I do not know the topic of the day, but I was struck by a young woman being interviewed. She was not famous, had not written a book, nor do I know her name. However, her insight slapped me upside the head and has had me pondering it over the last couple of weeks.

She shared that she had struggled with her weight her entire life. She said that one day it occurred to her that when she had successfully rid herself of the extra weight it was motivated by comparison - trying to be thinner or prettier than some else. Once she realized this and embraced the folly of it, she has not struggled with her weight since. The last sentence she spoke was the most poignant, "I realized that I don't have to be "er" than anyone else." Prettier, smarter, thinner, faster, better, richer... The poison of comparison holds us all at times.

Later that same day I sat in a mid-week church service and heard my pastor teach on the book of Galatians. Specifically, Gal 1:15 Paul mentions that from birth God had called him, even before Paul chose to serve God. It was if Heaven opened just then and God leaned down and gave me that father wink, "Did you get that honey, it was for you."

GOD CALLED ME to do certain things with my strengths and weaknesses. What the person next to me has or does is irrelevant because GOD CALLED ME from birth to be a wife, mom, cheerleading coach, Sunday School teacher and friend. Who I am must be different because I have a specific purpose. I need to excel in the areas that help me to accomplish my calling and not my husband's, sister's or friends. I don't need to be as thin as her or as smart as him or as patient as her or as -er to anybody. I just need to run my own race, right?

WOO HOO! What freedom there is in that. Comparison trips up the young women in our country. Eating disorders, cutting, suicide, drugs, etc. all motivated because we wish we were more like "her". BUT GOD, "who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace" Gal 1:15b, has ordained a purpose for you that has nothing to do with "her". Meditate on that and make yourself believe it!

Welcome New Belles

2008-03-31T12:36:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday we held tryouts for our competitive cheerleading squad - Liberty Belles. It was a great day and I was so proud of all of the girls. We now have three different levels in our program and Coach Rose and I are so excited to begin to know the new girls and continue to know the veterans.

Draw your sword

2008-03-31T11:51:00.001-07:00

On Sunday I entered church at 8:30am mentally anticipating my day: church service until 11:00, teaching kids' church until 1:00, a quick meeting for a women's event until 1:15, a meeting with my kids' connect group until 2:15, calling the cheerleaders to deliver the tryout results until 4:00, quick dinner and then running out to the Sonics game at 5:00pm - whew! I was trying not to get overwhelmed as I found my seat. I turned to quickly greet a woman I have recently begun to know and noticed that her spirit was troubled.

I asked her how she was and with some gentle prodding she shared with me a hurt she had experienced over the last week. Her story was so similar to those I hear often from my female friends. The micro details vary greatly but the overriding theme is similar, "I have always struggled to feel like I measure up to other women. I sometimes don't feel valuable." I too have struggled and still do struggle with this issue. I battle it with prayer, the Word and faith confession, "I am who God says I am. I was created by my Heavenly Father in my mother's womb. He knew the good works I would do before I was born. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. God loved me so much that He sacrificed His own son just so that we could have relationship."

It was during my conversation with her that I was reminded about the greatness of God. There are billions of people in the world, but my dear friend at church was so valuable that He saw fit to place us together weeks ago so we might begin a friendship. She is so valuable that this Sunday the Holy Spirit dropped her right into my lap so that together we might encourage one another as two women who fight the same battle. As I listened and then spoke I heard the woman next to me quietly praying. Her knowing glance let me know that she was asking God for wisdom on my behalf. Unbeknownst to the people around us, there were three women in church drawing their swords and fighting off the enemy.

The enemy attacks women because he knows the power we have to encourage, to love, to bring healing to the world. Our husbands, our children and our girlfriends need strong women who know their value to encourage them through life's difficulties. A women has the power in her tongue to make her husband feel like a king or a mouse (in just a few words!). The creative power of women has immeasurable value to the business world. If the enemy keeps women fighting each other instead of fighting together against a common enemy - the victory will be elusive.

Gather your girlfriends and draw your swords!

Patient, Consistent, Faithful

2008-03-24T08:50:00.000-07:00

This past week I reviewed the vision I wrote for myself and my business for 2008. As we move into the 2nd quarter, I wanted to reflect on my vision and adjust my direction if necessary. At the bottom of the list of items that will define my year I wrote these three words: Patient, Consistent, Faithful. Now before you laugh let me acknowledge, to those of you who know me, that this is my goal for this year.

Patient, consistent faithful. Big words. Big vision and goal. I believe Liberty Bell Spirit Squad is achieving these words and I am working on it.

As we approach our next tryouts this Saturday, March 29th I am so excited to meet the new faces of our Belles. Patient, consistent and faithful are traits I would use to characterize our 07-08 Belles. I can't wait to see how the veteran squad members function as examples to new members. Years down the road, I hope these cheerleaders look back on their time on a competitive cheerleading squad and use the triumphs, disappointments and relationships to help them have victory in their lives.

Patient, consistent, faithful.

Big Day - March 15th

2008-03-17T12:55:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday our cheerleading classes participated in the Seattle St. Patrick's Day Parade (link to picture). It was great fun and unlike last year, IT DIDN'T RAIN! We are so blessed to have a great coaching staff and wonderful parent volunteers to help us pull off a very safe parade experience for our little cheerleaders.

It makes me chuckle to think back to our first year at the St. Pat's parade when we had 8 actual cheerleaders and 12 of my dance team pretending to be cheerleaders to give us some volume! I was the only coach and I coerced my dear friends to walk with us and act like coaches too. Ha! My how times have changed.

Also on Saturday our Belles squad competed at the Galaxy Challenge Cheerleading Competition in Covington. I was unable to be there, but Coach Rosie informed me that this was their best performance yet. [maybe I should miss more of them?] What a great way to end a season full of victory! They took first in their division and earned almost 70 more points than the last time they performed in the same setting and division. WOW!

I can't wait to see what the Belles do next year - better watch out for us!

Belles Season Ends

2008-03-10T11:08:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday the Belles junior level 2 squad met for our last practice as an intact team. Our last competition of the season will be Saturday March 15, 2008 at the Galaxy Challenge. Coach Rose and I watched this group of girls interact on Saturday with such pride. We had the girls perform the competition routine in small groups of 5-7. It was under this level of scrutiny that I noticed how much each of them had achieved during this season.

One particular girl danced nearly alone in her small group. She smiled and gave it her all as she danced in front of the rest of the squad. I recalled during her tryout a year ago how she would only look at the floor in front of her and how she would bite her lower lip. I was amazed at her showmanship on Saturday. She made eye contact with her audience and smiled while she danced. This is VICTORY in my eyes!

I am so grateful to be a part of each girl's life if only for a short while. More than the competition, I LOVE this part of coaching. More than any awards, the achievements that each girl made this year are so valuable. I hope they cherish the achievements as I cherish being a spectator to the process.

KZ Connectz

2008-03-03T16:53:00.000-08:00

Recently my church has begun a small group Bible study in our 3rd-5th grade program. I am fortunate enough to lead a handful of young ladies once a month in fellowship, prayer and some great lunch. I have 3 boys of my own and two stepdaughters, but I feel like these young women are additions to my family. They are as different as they come and I ADORE each of them. My hope is to help each of these women come to the knowledge that she has immeasurable value simply because she was born.

I want to encourage you to reach out to kids beyond your family. You have something precious you can pass along to another generation. We are called to be examples (although imperfect) to the next generation.

Belles Update

2008-03-03T16:41:00.001-08:00

Once again, I have let far too much time pass since I posted. However, I wanted to share a little bit about what is going on with Liberty Bells.

The biggest change is that our Belles program is expanding to four squads: Tiny, Mini, Youth and Junior. We are so excited! The tryout for the older girls will take place on March 29, 2008. Interested parties can email me: kindra@libertybells.net.

We began our competitive squad two years ago as a test. Could we offer something low cost, only practicing 2-3 times per month and still be competitive with the rest of the all-star community? The answer is yes! We recently placed 4th at the PacWest Sonics Cheerleading Competitive at Junior Level 2. This is our first year, so we can only go up from here! You can check out how we did: http://www.youtube.com/user/CoachKindra.

I can't wait for next season!

Camp

2007-08-12T20:23:00.000-07:00

Our Belles squad returned from NCA camp last weekend. I could not be more proud of that group of young ladies. Each person grew as a cheerleader, as a squad member and as an individual. Coach Rosie and I learned a lot as coaches too. It was so beneficial.

We were able to take video of the girls on their first day and then each subsequent day until final evaluations. The progress they made as a team was so apparent and exceeded my expectations. We were the youngest group there and we had to really give 100% - and they did.

We established two technical goals as a squad for improvement and we achieved both of them. We established as a squad that we would be an example to the rest of the teams in attitude and we were. We established as a squad that we would not complain and we did not. Every parent of every one of the Belles would have been so proud of the way their child conducted herself over the four days.

It was a triumph! GREAT JOB ladies!

-Coach Kindra

Why Liberty Bells?

2007-07-22T16:26:00.000-07:00

So, I have been asked by many people why I chose the name Liberty Bell Spirit Squad. It is a story from LONG ago! At the end of junior high school, my entire friend base went to another high school - Heritage High School. I went to another local high school - Littleton High School. Most of my friends tried out and made the cheerleading squad at Heritage and I at Littleton. I moved on, made new friends, and have lost touch with my old friends at Heritage. But I always envied the cheerleading program at Heritage. Their mascot was an eagle, but their pom squad, who I envied so much, was called the Belles. So - somehow I put that all together and thought up Liberty Bell Spirit Squad.

That's it - the ugly truth, it was envy. :)

I am sure that Heritage, although not my high school, still has a great cheerleading and pom program. http://www.littletonpublicschools.net/heritage/GENERAL/tabid/1586/Default.aspx

Clue from the Princes

2007-07-02T13:56:00.000-07:00

I recently watched Matt Lauer interview Prince William and Prince Harry. I was amazed at the poise and grace of these two young men so much that I needed to share my observations here, with my lucky readers. :)

Obviously William and Harry have been groomed since birth to become world leaders. They have not been denied any desire or need. However, probably due to their mother's influence, they are grounded and aware of the lack in others' lives. It occurred to me that as a parent I need to instill within my own young sons a sense of princehood - a devine purpose for which they were created.

My own children are not denied their needs: food, shelter, etc. For which, I am grateful. However, I wonder how many of their desires, spoken or unspoken, are not met due to a lack of resources on my part.

My brother and I were raised by a single parent. She provided for us the best she could. Our needs were always met, but most "extra's" were not a possibility for us. I never felt worried about our finances, or lack thereof. But I knew not to ask for certain things - name brands, expensive new fad toys, etc. I didn't feel bad, I just never ASKED. I was probably trying to be a "good little girl" and not ask. However, I want to reprogram myself and thus my own kids to realize that we are not limited by our opportunities, but by our ability to create opportunities.

BELIEVE BIG! There is nothing impossible for you because God is ultimately your source - not your parents, not your race, not your geography. Ask God for the desires of your heart and He will grant them to you. We hear this in church and read it in the Bible, but do we live it? In all honesty, I do not always.

Prince William and Harry are not limited by resources for "things". They have influence in the world to assist them in achieving their calling, too. They are not superior or "chosen", they were born into it. Does difficulty, for those of us not of royal birth, make us stop? "Oh, it will be too hard." Is that the unopenable door for you?

I, for one, am not going to allow my perceived lack or inadequacy to dictate my influence, purpose and success. My dreams are what lies in my heart, not what I think I can easily do. How about you?

Months pass on...

2007-05-24T09:14:00.001-07:00

So months pass by so quickly. Has it really been this long since I have posted?

Update: We have created some new things at Liberty Bell Spirit Squad.

We transitioned our old Silver Squad to Belles. This is the new name for the competitive arm of Liberty Bell Spirit Squad.
Silver Squad is now a stepping stone between or regular, weekly classes and Belles. This is for those girls who have been with Liberty Bell Spirit Squad for at least two sessions and who would like some extra credit or who are interested in refining their skills so they can tryout for Belles.

I am very excited about this change.

Our Belles squad is improving by leaps and bounds. We are preparing for camp this summer as well as beginning our competition routine for this season. Our first competition will be in December. So we are getting ready! I am so proud of those girls and their hard work. Coach Rosie does such a wonderful job I am very grateful for her.

Cheers,

Coach Kindra

It is up to us

2007-02-05T22:33:00.000-08:00

Again and again I feel electrofied by the thought that we, as a church, as a society, are failing at our job of helping one another along through life. WE ARE CALLED to bear with each other. Why do we shy away from "messy" people? People who are going through difficult times or who don't act like we act? Why don't we help? Love? Care? Be there? I am going to explore this thought and would love your feedback.

What has been the most difficult thing you have endured in life? How did the people closest to you react during that season in your life? How did it affect you?

What has been the best thing that has happened in your life? How did the people closest to you react during that season in your life? How did it affect you

You Are Chosen

2006-11-27T19:47:00.000-08:00

So many kids (of all ages) have been touched in one way or another by divorce. My parents were divorced when I was a baby. I never knew how married couples behaved from close proximity.

Recently at a women's conference at my church I heard a phrase that really struck me, "You were chosen." Regardless of what your parents did or didn't do, regardless of what you look like or even how you feel about yourself - You were chosen! God chose you before you were born. I knew this, of course, but that night I really heard it.

Over the last few weeks, I have been trying to let that reality simmer into my bones. I say it aloud and write it down so that it will become part of my identity.

I felt led to share this reality to my 5th grade, Wednesday night bible study class as well. As I shared briefly my history and the importance of this short phrase, I looked into the faces of 15 boys and girls and saw tears in the eyes of two of those faces.

Divorce is a death in a family and one of the scars left by this death is the thought that somehow we are no longer important. That our lives are broken and not as valuable as before the divorce. Odd, isn't it? Just another way our enemy tries to keep us from victory.

This has further reinforced my passion to instill value and excellence into the kids I teach. "YOU ARE CHOSEN! I choose to be your dance/cheerleading/Sunday School/bible study teacher. I don't have to, I just want to. You are valuable. God formed you individually, and specifically for a purpose. Go for it! Try hard, do your best. Take chances - I'll be there to cheer you on!"

Warehouse Expansion

2006-10-04T09:28:00.000-07:00

Busting at the seams and finally decided to add some space to my "office", a nook in our garage. I have to park in the driveway when my husband is in town, but I now have work space and storage space.

Our First Performance

2006-10-02T20:26:00.000-07:00

Our Silver Squad performed for the first time as a team on September 24th at the WSCJA judges training. Way to go girls! Look out, we can only go up from here!

Mini Is Born!

2006-09-17T21:03:00.000-07:00

Once again, we are growing and branching out! Liberty Bell Spirit Squad introduces MINI - cheerleading classes for the preschooler. We are so excited to start this "mini" Liberty Bell program. The classes will be fast-paced and fun; right in step with the preschool attention span. Our coaches will travel to area preschools to teach this cheerleading class to 3-5 year olds during their current preschool day.

www.libertybells.net/Mini.htm

What are you believing for?

2006-09-07T08:53:00.000-07:00

A wise man recently asked my husband seriously during a casual conversation, "What are you believing for?" My husband was taken aback slightly and fumbled with an answer. Later as we discussed it together I thought, boy isn't this how many of us fail to achieve our dreams? We forget to keep them at the forefront of our minds.

What are YOU believing for? What are you working toward? What is your next biggest adventure? What changes are you working on in yourself, in your business, in your marriage, in your finances?

We serve a BIG God, why not trust Him and dream big?

Adding a Dance Team

2006-09-05T16:51:00.000-07:00

So, as Liberty Bell Spirit Squad is continually looking to grow and service more of our community, we will add Fuzion Dance Team to our program offering in late Fall 2006! Fuzion will be dance classes offered around the Puget Sound area for BOYS and girls ages 8-14. The style will be a "fusion" of hip hop and team dance styles.

New Location

2006-08-26T10:51:00.001-07:00

I am so excited about the growth in Liberty Bells. The Silver Bells are up and running. They are getting confident and catching the vision of the program. We are adding another location soon in West Seattle. Very exciting!

Getting there

2006-08-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

To my Silver Squad cheerleaders. I am so proud of your hard work. I know we are really making progress and I thank you for practicing at home. I was really proud of our last practice and can see the routine coming together nicely. Way to go!

Coach Kindra

Sleep Overs

2006-08-14T11:01:00.000-07:00

Recently one of my coaches and I invited our entire competitive squad to sleep over at my house: 15 girls participated. Contrary to what one might think, this was not a hectic emotional mess of a time. IT WAS FUN! I so enjoyed seeing the girls interrelate and was fascinated by their actions. Not having sisters growing up, most of this was completely foreign to me.

All of my years as a cheerleader and some things just don't change. Junk food, videos, nail polish, make-up, dancing, secrets and sleeping bags. Does it get any better than that?

I do love this thing called coaching.

Growth

2006-06-21T21:04:00.000-07:00

So, it is time. Time for me to stand in faith FOR REAL for Liberty Bells. Time to grow the business from a hobby to something that is really making a difference in the community. Impacting the lives of hundreds of young people one cheerleading class at a time.

Believe with me. I am going to be pushing hard this summer for additional locations and putting together a better program. It will be a challenge. I am ready. Expect to hear great reports in the months to come. Send me your ideas too, I need all the help and support I can get.

Cheers!

Sick

2006-06-13T12:12:00.000-07:00

I received a phone call late in the morning from the school nurse saying that #3 was in the clinic with a low grade fever. Ugh, this morning and last night he was in my room saying his tummy hurt. I looked him in the eyes, no glassiness; felt his head, normal then hugged him and sent him to bed and then off to school the next morning. A little regret. Did I miss something?

Is he sick? NO. I know that, he knows that, the nurse probably knows that. BUT for one day, my little kiddo would rather be home with mom than at school with buddies. I would be lying if I said I didn't like it. So, I will watch the email and try to "support" my CFO charges from the living room this afternoon while I hold my boy. Hmmm, life doesn't get better than this.

Good Friends

2006-06-04T22:00:00.000-07:00

I recently spent an evening with some of my favorite people. It is such a good feeling to be around people who like you because they choose to. I am so grateful to have a handful of people in my life from which I gain so much energy.

Thank you Doug, Dodie, Nina, Travis, Kim, et al!

The boys

2006-06-04T21:58:00.000-07:00

Time goes so fast. Here are the boys, can you believe how big they are? Tyler 11, Andrew 8, Spencer 6.

Ending

2006-05-04T13:58:00.000-07:00

Last night was the end of something very dear to me. It was my last night as dance teacher for the Kids on a Mission dance team at Christian Faith Center. Wow, how fun it has been to watch the program grow into something that builds and influences kids. How blessed I am to have been used by God in this way. It is sad to walk away.

HOWEVER, my family is relieved to see one thing drop off my plate.

Best wishes to the dance team as they finish a great year. It has been awesome over the last 4 years.

Tattoo!

2006-04-24T12:19:00.000-07:00

So, I have been contemplating...
Should I? Shouldn't I? A little cheerleader (Liberty Bell's logo) on the back of my left shoulder. A little nervous, still. Leaning toward the yes-side.

Yikes!

Turning 30

2006-04-24T12:16:00.000-07:00

Recently I spent an evening with some close friends to celebrate me turning 30. What an exciting turning of the page. I am relieved to be past the mistakes and bad choices I made in my twenties and excited for the next 10 years as I use my gained wisdom to blaze a new trail! So grateful for the beautiful kids that are the fruit of my last 10 years.

The Director

2006-02-22T22:53:00.000-08:00

Here I am playing Director at our competition. Did I really stand like that? Maybe I had to go potty?

Dreams

2006-02-21T08:01:00.000-08:00

Saturday, February 18th was an evening of fruit. For years I had dreamed of a cheerleading program that was life changing for little girls. I had imagined myself standing before a crowd of people and speaking. Saturday my little fledgling cheer program hosted its first cheer competition. How great it was to see my dreams coming true!

What started as 8 girls in January 2005 was grown to 85 girls as of this month with a total of 160 kids coming through our program. Over 200 parents and friends showed up to watch the cheerleaders perform. The "staff" on that night were my close friends, regardless of their interest in cheerleading. How blessed I felt to have that kind of support.

If you have a dream, if you are passionate about something - step out with great courage and make it happen. It is scary. It takes enough courage to be willing to fail. It will cost you financially, emotionally and physically. You will grow and it is worth it!

Don't be content to let life happen around you. Set your vision and ask God for your dreams.

Excellence

2006-02-17T20:23:00.000-08:00

How great is it to challenge a young person to excellence in our society? We spend so much time making everything fair for our young people that we have forgotten what joy comes when you work really hard for something and achieve it. How much better is it to stand in the stage wings of life, be a cheerleader to a scared and intimidated young person and watch them achieve something they were sure was not possible? I would rather be a cheerleader!