my reign ends

my time as young women's president has ended.  admittedly, at the start of my 4th year, i began feeling ready for a release.  as one of the busiest callings i've ever had, simply put, i began wanting some of the heart and soul i'd been investing for 3 plus years put to another good use.  (my own kids' needs, a return to social work, cycling) but that didn't stop the flood of emotions i experienced when i was released.  for a week, i cried when i thought of leaving my much younger friends.  the sociality we shared has been an unspeakable joy and light in my life and i can easily recognize the growth i've had from this calling:
i'd say the biggest stretch i made was learning to quiet my need for precision and anticipation and instead welcome spontaneity and flexibility.  (no matter how hard i tried, there were always last minute changes because that is the nature of working with teenagers.)
i also recognized opportunities with my own children to give them more input in their activities and decisions.  (i particularly remember realizing that kindin was very capable of planning for her baptism day.)
i also learned something about not taking offense.  as a people pleaser who is also serving as yw president, it's impossible to please everyone because i found that almost everyone has and shares their opinion about what the youth should be doing.
i like to think that i learned something about fashion during my stint there because every week felt like a fashion show. (i will really miss having stylists at my disposal.)
as i asked them to complete personal progress by example, i rediscovered the joy of goal setting in my own life.  it was at a yw activity that i vowed to begin losing weight.  and i attribute my new hobby of cycling to being around so much goal-orientation.
and finally, if we're talking resume building, i also realized just how much estrogen there can be in a group of 7 women and 24 teenage girls and gained confidence in managing it!
i am so grateful to my heavenly father for trusting me to 'lead' these fine spirits.  though taxing at times, i gained so much and will treasure these very special years.  it was fitting that the yw planned a princess themed new beginnings this year... perfectly timed for the end of my 'reign'.

sidenote: since being released, i am shocked at how much less my phone gets used! (and i welcome it - though for a bit there i kept checking and re-checking to ensure i wasn't missing anything.)  and i already miss the automatic social club i shared with these 6 fantastic leaders!

"here mom, here's your note"

words of affirmation is the love language of the girls.  so periodically, i try to remember to cater to that.  (after all, kindin has drawn me pictures since she could hold a crayon.  and now she sends me texts with subject lines titled 'hey skinny girl')  i can relate to their tastes!  i keep a file of the notes, texts, and emails i've treasured over the years.  so, the other day, after watching old home videos, i wrote these notes attached to their favorite candy. 

Dalia,  I love that video of you as a baby not just because it's funny but because it shows how you have always been so good at keeping up with your older brother and sister.  Heavenly Father must've known how smart and adaptable you'd be.  I love our fun Fridays and i appreciate how you truly have grown up to be my little helper.  

Kindin,  Watching those old videos of you and your sweet voice had me realizing just how special your spirit has always been.  From the day you were born,  you have been sensitive,  kind,  and full of gratitude.  You are a wonderful example to your brother and sister and dad and I rely so much on that- because of your obedience and desire to do what's right,  everyone at our house wants that too!  I love you so very much.  

as a mother, what you do for one, you do for all... (love language or not)

Jack,  Watching those videos of you as a baby had me remembering just how much I have always loved you.  As a baby,  your smile was just as wonderful as it is now.  And you have a fun but safe sense of adventure just like your dad that I admire!   It truly is a joy to be your mother.  I love you my Mr Jack!  

immediately after reading his note, jack thanked me and said, "here mom.  here's your note."  ready to give his away without another thought, affirmation is clearly not his love language.  

the exceptional coach

Please share the following positively with the kids as I want to encourage their individual skills and development over the season.
I think two words can describe this team, "Scrappy" and " Aggressive". I think with the early game the boys might not have been completely awake for the 1st part of the 1st quarter as we came out a little flat. But that falls on me for not taking a timeout earlier on to get them focused. I was very impressed with how the kids fought back and although we didn't win, we came real close. The boys improved their passing this week which is a direct reflection on the work we did at practice on Wednesday. I think had we been able to rebound better on both sides of the court, the outcome would have been different.
My goal for the 1st 3 games was to get the boys' confidence built up in driving to the hoop, dribbling the ball, knowing where to be and seeing where each boy excels at on the court. This will help me going forward as I have a better idea of where to put them position wise. While the skills and concepts mentioned above always need more practice, I feel we have a good solid base to work from. With the talent this team has cumulative, I feel we have as good of an opportunity to be in each and every game we play. Therefore, starting next week I think we will work on specific positions and responsibilites on the court of where each boy needs to be to help maximize their potential.
Again please share the following positively with them.
Holden: Another great job shooting and driving to the hoop. Much better job of getting a pass from your teammates instead of doing "hand-offs" that we all as a team have have struggled with in the past.  Carter: Great job rebounding, dribbling and being aggressive towards to the hoop. Good job of not being afraid to shoot the ball.Brady: I think Point Guard is a natural fit for you. You have great command of the floor, dribbling and driving to the hoop. Btw that aggressiveness drew a foul and allowed you to make a free throw. I counted at least 3 steals.Marcus: Good job when playing point and bringing the ball up. I counted two strong passes which shows you understood what we practiced on Wednesday.. Great great job!!!Zach: Another solid game of being aggressive on dribbling and shooting the ball. Good job rebounding as well and once we put you on their more aggressive player, you pretty much shut him down. Awesome defense.Ryder: Not in attendance, hope you feel better bud!Will: Your developing a name for yourself as being a defensive specialist in my opinion. Also was glad to see you take the ball and dribble it, however we put you in a tough spot and ended up losing the ball. That one is on me though as I should have called timeout to help you. Also 3 good passes to your teammates!Cooper: Very happy with you showing more confidence in driving to the hoop and taking a shot, while we didn't get a basket, your confidence is building. Nice rebounding and defense today as well.Lincoln: Good job finding your man and staying on him even though he put his wristband up by his shirt making it hard for you to find him. Good rebounding and you were in position many times to get the ball. Don't be afraid to put your hands up and grab that ball. We will work on that with you this week.Jack: Great improvement on being more aggressive with the ball and look what happened, you got not only your 1st basket, but 2 baskets of the year! Great job bud, the dribbling you showed was under control and you found the open lane and got rewarded for the efforts.
This week in practice we will work on positioning and where to be on the court, REBOUNDING and doing "picks" on offense. This last part I feel with how good our team is at driving the ball I think if we get this part of the game down will be a huge opportunity for improved scoring opportunities.
Lastly, I know this is a longer email my apologies, but next week Holdens dad is going to bring snacks and I will take care of snacks for the last game of the year. I believe Carters parents have offered for two weeks out, so if anyone can help out with the other weeks I would be greatly appreciated. I know some have mentioned healthier snacks would be preferred, but whatever you are able to bring when its your day is appreciated.
Thanks again parents and see you Wednesday,
Drew

That ^^^ is just one of a weekly email sent by jack's ymca basketball coach!