Toby has been saying for a while (at least since the release of the last Karate Kid Movie) that he wants to take lessons. Well, over Holiday Break, Toby was putting on the moves. I was shocked at his ability to kick and punch, so I figured I better look into it! Well, he had his first lesson today and he LOVED it!! It was so darn cute! Very proud momma here!! Listening to him repeat the Korean count was awesome! He did so well! Love this kid!!
The story of the Mills' Family. Nate and Carol have been married since 1997. Taylor was born in 1998, Drew was born in 2001 and Toby was born in 2005 and joined our family forever in 2007. Here is our journey, where God leads us, we will go. That is my prayer.
Showing posts with label Toby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toby. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Frustration of a 21st Century Sports Parent
This weekend ends the fall seasons for the kids sports! Taylor had her last regional soccer game, Toby had his last parks and rec soccer games and Drew had his last football game! Taylor also got to cheer her last football game at the Varsity game this weekend! Tomorrow night she will play her last travel game for the season as well! What a busy fall we have had!!
You know, I love every minute of watching my kids play. I enjoy watching them grow with each game. I enjoy seeing a light come on when they make a play that they have missed many times before. I enjoy the smile on their face when they are enjoying being a part of a team! I LOVE watching them win, and I even find joy when the loose! I just LOVE WATCHING THEM PLAY!!
So what is the frustration you may ask? The coaches and the parents!! UGH!! Taylor is 13 and we have been sitting at sporting events since she was 3 years old, so with 10 years behind us, I think I have a right to vent a little. Why is it parents these days care more about the games than the kids. Does anyone else see anything wrong with this? Now, I know I get excited at games, but I hope that I am an example to my kids! I love to cheer them on, I even enjoy cheering for the other team when they do something great! "Great save goalie!" Yeah, I wish it went in, but hey, that was an awesome save! Or "great block O Line", Do I wish we had stopped them, heck yes, but you can't stop them when the blocks are there! These kids are KIDS!!! Why do parents and coaches have to be so negative? And sadly, most of these kids will all be on the same team in the near future! Why can't we encourage them all? Instead we hold grudges against them, and when they hit Jr. High, it becomes hard to form a team!
It nearly makes me cry sometimes to hear how these parents yell at their kids (and some of them how they yell at kids that aren't even theirs!) And Grandparents? What? At a football game recently, a grandmother was yelling about how our team only used one player? And how unfair it was! HUH? We have 11 players on the field, and while that one is very good, he can't do it alone! He can't snap the ball to himself. He can't block for himself! Please just be quiet! And you want to yell at the refs? Really? These are 9 and 10 year old boys learning a game of football. I won't even call it playing, because they have a LOT TO LEARN!
And what about coaches? I have a confession to make! My son tried out for football this fall and we were lead to believe he was going to be "picked" by a certain team. We don't know what happened at the draft, but he wasn't picked by that team. He was picked by the team that was going to be coached by two gentleman I swore I would never let my child play for. The things I had heard (and some things I had seen with my own eyes) lead me to believe that Drew playing for them would not be a good thing. I even prayed about it "Lord, any team but THAT team!" But as always, God had something to teach us! When we got the call from one of the coaches, I was very disappointed. Nate said to me, I'm going to coach with them, so let's give it a try! So we did, reluctantly! I could never have been more wrong! These guys that I had tagged as monsters were very good to my boy! Nate was there, he saw everything, and while there were times they got on the boys, they were also very encouraging!! Drew had the best season! He learned so much, his passion for the game increased and they succeeded!
We were told that these guys coached dirty... but we never saw it! I had a parent from another team ask which team Drew played on. When I told her she said "oh, our coach said your coaches teach your players to play dirty!" WHAT? Why would a coach say that to the parents? Nate was at every practice and every game, we never saw that! Some coaches just love to create drama!
Drew played in the championship game tonight, and they lost! It was tough after an undefeated season! But the game they played on the field I couldn't have been prouder! The refs seemed a little one sided! There were some horrible calls! The players for the other team played rough (Drew has fingernail scratches down his arms, and he doesn't carry the ball!) but our boys played well, played fair and played by the rules! So proud!
But being a sports parent these days is tough! Parents of 8 year olds are already talking about scholarships! They don't care how it happens, they just want their kids to be #1. Sad, sad, sad!! Let's let kids be kids! Let them play a game! Let them learn what it means to be a team! Let them get some exercise! Let them learn what it means to win, and more importantly, what it means to lose sometimes! It happens in life. We win some, we lose some! Kids aren't learning that these days. They only learn they either win, or they were cheated out of a win.
I know I have a long road ahead of me! I just hope I can continue to be supportive and encouraging not only to my kids, but all the kids on the field (or court), because some of these kids may not see it from anyone else!
You know, I love every minute of watching my kids play. I enjoy watching them grow with each game. I enjoy seeing a light come on when they make a play that they have missed many times before. I enjoy the smile on their face when they are enjoying being a part of a team! I LOVE watching them win, and I even find joy when the loose! I just LOVE WATCHING THEM PLAY!!
So what is the frustration you may ask? The coaches and the parents!! UGH!! Taylor is 13 and we have been sitting at sporting events since she was 3 years old, so with 10 years behind us, I think I have a right to vent a little. Why is it parents these days care more about the games than the kids. Does anyone else see anything wrong with this? Now, I know I get excited at games, but I hope that I am an example to my kids! I love to cheer them on, I even enjoy cheering for the other team when they do something great! "Great save goalie!" Yeah, I wish it went in, but hey, that was an awesome save! Or "great block O Line", Do I wish we had stopped them, heck yes, but you can't stop them when the blocks are there! These kids are KIDS!!! Why do parents and coaches have to be so negative? And sadly, most of these kids will all be on the same team in the near future! Why can't we encourage them all? Instead we hold grudges against them, and when they hit Jr. High, it becomes hard to form a team!
It nearly makes me cry sometimes to hear how these parents yell at their kids (and some of them how they yell at kids that aren't even theirs!) And Grandparents? What? At a football game recently, a grandmother was yelling about how our team only used one player? And how unfair it was! HUH? We have 11 players on the field, and while that one is very good, he can't do it alone! He can't snap the ball to himself. He can't block for himself! Please just be quiet! And you want to yell at the refs? Really? These are 9 and 10 year old boys learning a game of football. I won't even call it playing, because they have a LOT TO LEARN!
And what about coaches? I have a confession to make! My son tried out for football this fall and we were lead to believe he was going to be "picked" by a certain team. We don't know what happened at the draft, but he wasn't picked by that team. He was picked by the team that was going to be coached by two gentleman I swore I would never let my child play for. The things I had heard (and some things I had seen with my own eyes) lead me to believe that Drew playing for them would not be a good thing. I even prayed about it "Lord, any team but THAT team!" But as always, God had something to teach us! When we got the call from one of the coaches, I was very disappointed. Nate said to me, I'm going to coach with them, so let's give it a try! So we did, reluctantly! I could never have been more wrong! These guys that I had tagged as monsters were very good to my boy! Nate was there, he saw everything, and while there were times they got on the boys, they were also very encouraging!! Drew had the best season! He learned so much, his passion for the game increased and they succeeded!
We were told that these guys coached dirty... but we never saw it! I had a parent from another team ask which team Drew played on. When I told her she said "oh, our coach said your coaches teach your players to play dirty!" WHAT? Why would a coach say that to the parents? Nate was at every practice and every game, we never saw that! Some coaches just love to create drama!
Drew played in the championship game tonight, and they lost! It was tough after an undefeated season! But the game they played on the field I couldn't have been prouder! The refs seemed a little one sided! There were some horrible calls! The players for the other team played rough (Drew has fingernail scratches down his arms, and he doesn't carry the ball!) but our boys played well, played fair and played by the rules! So proud!
But being a sports parent these days is tough! Parents of 8 year olds are already talking about scholarships! They don't care how it happens, they just want their kids to be #1. Sad, sad, sad!! Let's let kids be kids! Let them play a game! Let them learn what it means to be a team! Let them get some exercise! Let them learn what it means to win, and more importantly, what it means to lose sometimes! It happens in life. We win some, we lose some! Kids aren't learning that these days. They only learn they either win, or they were cheated out of a win.
I know I have a long road ahead of me! I just hope I can continue to be supportive and encouraging not only to my kids, but all the kids on the field (or court), because some of these kids may not see it from anyone else!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Asian Festival 2011
This year, we could not find any Pot Stickers for Toby! He was disappointed! He did get some egg rolls and noodles so he was happy! We did all our usual stuff, watched some dancers, played in the kids zone, and hung out at the water fall. Franklin Park is so pretty! And just up the road from COSI! Highly recommend stopping by if you are in the area.
And next year, if you don't have plans Memorial Day weekend, check out the Asian Festival!
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Saturday, April 30, 2011
A little windy?
This was Toby singing "Wind, go away, come another day" at Taylors soccer game last week! It was crazy wicked windy!
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Monday, April 18, 2011
Toby's Party
Toby wanted his party at Chuck E Cheese this year, so we asked him who he wanted to have come along and he was quick to answer Dawson and Aidan! Here are a few photos from his party. Unfortunately, our camera has pretty much taken a dump, so the photos aren't the best, but here is Toby, Dawson and Chuck E
Toby and his buddies eating their pizza dinners
Toby blowing out his candles
The boys with the cake
The party people!
The boys LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this thing. It was a roller coaster simulator. They must have added a dozen or more coins.
Toby and Dawson playing Air Hockey. This lasted about 2 minutes!
Happy Birthday Buddy! We love you!
Toby and his buddies eating their pizza dinners
Toby blowing out his candles
The boys with the cake
The party people!
The boys LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this thing. It was a roller coaster simulator. They must have added a dozen or more coins.
Toby and Dawson playing Air Hockey. This lasted about 2 minutes!
Happy Birthday Buddy! We love you!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Six Years Ago...
Six years ago tonight, Nate and I took off for a Steven Curtis Chapman Concert in Columbus. We spent the evening together, enjoying the music, and hearing wonderful stories of how Adoption can change your life! The ride home was quite, but when we did speak, it was just one of those moments, you know where you both start to talk at the same time, and as you talk, you realize your thoughts are identical! We both knew that we had to move forward with adoption. It was something we always wanted to do! We decided that night to seriously move forward, and we did!
Little did we know.... HERE'S THE GOD PART!!... Half way around the world, a courageous young woman was in a hospital in Seoul preparing to give birth to the most amazing little boy!!
Our adoption journey was long, windy and sometimes difficult, but there is NO DOUBT that God had it all planned out from the very beginning!!!
HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY (April 14th) TOBY JOON SUK MILLS!!! We love you so very much, and so does a courageous young woman, half way around the world!
Little did we know.... HERE'S THE GOD PART!!... Half way around the world, a courageous young woman was in a hospital in Seoul preparing to give birth to the most amazing little boy!!
Our adoption journey was long, windy and sometimes difficult, but there is NO DOUBT that God had it all planned out from the very beginning!!!
HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY (April 14th) TOBY JOON SUK MILLS!!! We love you so very much, and so does a courageous young woman, half way around the world!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
September
Another month has flown by!! Here are a few photos of our September.
Drew started Football. His team, along with the other WYFF teams, got to be a part of the Homecoming Parade! Dew had a lot of fun with his buddies!
Toby is playing soccer! He's been wanting to do it for months, so I finally was able to sign him up for a Coach Chico clinic. He's had his first week and he is loving it!
As usual, Taylor is still playing soccer. She is on the Wooster Edge team this season, but is working hard to get back on the OSU team next year.
Taylor had the opportunity to sing with the Middle School Ministries (MSM) worship band. She did very well, and hopes to do this more often!
And it wouldn't be September without the Wayne County Fair. We spent most of our time this year waiting in lines for rides. I guess that's what happens as the kids get older! They had a great time. They all three road the scrambler, and we couldn't see Toby, but we could hear him. We couldn't tell if he was screaming in fear or excitement. As it turns out it was EXCITEMENT!! He road this 3 times!
Now onto Fall!! What a beautiful time! More Football and Soccer, Drew's birthday and of course trick or treating. Sadly there will be no photos from the Secrest Arboretum this year, as the Tornado wiped it out! I'm sure we will find somewhere to take a nice fall hike!
God is Good!
Drew started Football. His team, along with the other WYFF teams, got to be a part of the Homecoming Parade! Dew had a lot of fun with his buddies!
Toby is playing soccer! He's been wanting to do it for months, so I finally was able to sign him up for a Coach Chico clinic. He's had his first week and he is loving it!
As usual, Taylor is still playing soccer. She is on the Wooster Edge team this season, but is working hard to get back on the OSU team next year.
Taylor had the opportunity to sing with the Middle School Ministries (MSM) worship band. She did very well, and hopes to do this more often!
And it wouldn't be September without the Wayne County Fair. We spent most of our time this year waiting in lines for rides. I guess that's what happens as the kids get older! They had a great time. They all three road the scrambler, and we couldn't see Toby, but we could hear him. We couldn't tell if he was screaming in fear or excitement. As it turns out it was EXCITEMENT!! He road this 3 times!
Now onto Fall!! What a beautiful time! More Football and Soccer, Drew's birthday and of course trick or treating. Sadly there will be no photos from the Secrest Arboretum this year, as the Tornado wiped it out! I'm sure we will find somewhere to take a nice fall hike!
God is Good!
Friday, August 27, 2010
First Day of School
I know this is over due for those family that check in. But here are our first day of school photos! Taylor and Drew both had their first day on Monday. Taylor is now at the Jr. High in 7th grade, and Drew is entering 3rd grade. We had them get dressed the night before for photos because Taylor leaves much earlier than the others. Toby doesn't start until next week, but we had him put his first day outfit on too. Why can't they all just start at the same time?
Preschooler
3rd Grader
7th Grader
God is Good
End of Summer Outing
It went too fast, it usually does! All of the sudden I realized I was running out of time, so I made plans to have an outing with the kids. We found a day that was free of other events (which is never easy) we packed some lunches and headed out the door for COSI! We have been there many times, but it never seems to get old. The kids just love it! Here are a few photos of our last summer break trip!
He is so darn adorable, even when he's being rotten!
Toby was so proud of himself. He pulled himself all the way tot he top!
Concentrating...
Building...
I think he was cooling off here. It was a pretty warm day and these "Pipe Organs" were blowing air and he kept putting his head over it :)
Their absolute favorite part...playing in the "Ocean"
Me and my boys :)
God is Good!
He is so darn adorable, even when he's being rotten!
Toby was so proud of himself. He pulled himself all the way tot he top!
Concentrating...
Building...
I think he was cooling off here. It was a pretty warm day and these "Pipe Organs" were blowing air and he kept putting his head over it :)
Their absolute favorite part...playing in the "Ocean"
Me and my boys :)
God is Good!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Toby's Swimming Lessons
Playing around with editing photos, and thought I would share these from Toby's first swimming lessons. On the last day, he said he was going to go off the diving board... see what happens...
He made it back to safe land and was fine, but has not shown much interest in trying again.
God is Good!
He made it back to safe land and was fine, but has not shown much interest in trying again.God is Good!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Taylor's final VBS!!
This was Taylor's final VBS! In a way it was sad, but mostly, I'm just excited about what is ahead for her. Here is a video of her final VBS performance!!
And though I tried to upload Drew's it was giving me problems. For his sake, I will keep trying and hopefully get it up again soon.
Toby was able to sing two songs. While they are very redundent, it is fun to watch the kids!
This one cracked me up, how the teacher kept pulling him up and pushing him down!! Too funny!
God is Good!
And though I tried to upload Drew's it was giving me problems. For his sake, I will keep trying and hopefully get it up again soon.
Toby was able to sing two songs. While they are very redundent, it is fun to watch the kids!
This one cracked me up, how the teacher kept pulling him up and pushing him down!! Too funny!
God is Good!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Asian Festival!
For the third straight year, we made it a point to head to Columbus Memorial Day weekend to attend the Asian Festival. If you've never been, I highly recommend taking a trip down! It is a lot of fun! This year, my batteries in my camera ran out about 15 minutes after we got there, so I don't have many pictures, but here are a few from our time. The first is from a parade of nations of sort that we stumbled upon! There were many dragons and one, this one actually, scared Toby and he spilled the sauce from his Pot Stickers all down his leg, so this is our only picture as I had to clean him up. By the way, he ate a huge Veggie Egg Roll and 4 pot stickers all by himself! I need to learn how to cook for the poor kid!
It was HOT! But we had lots of water and many Maui Wowi's and that kept us going! Looking forward to next year!
God is Good
Friday, May 28, 2010
Another year of Preschool!
I had the chance once again to attend Toby's end of year preschool picnic. While we have decided to keep him in preschool for another year, it is still sad to see another year pass us by!
We had a great time at the park, and enjoyed a nice picnic lunch! Toby loved the slide!
And playing hide and seek with mommy!
He even sent Daddy a little love via text message!
But he did say goodbye to two wonderful teachers! He LOVED LOVED LOVED Miss Michelle and Miss Kathy, but we have chosen to enroll him in the other class at a different time of day to try and switch things up for him. He was getting very comfortable with them, and while they did an absolutely wonderful job with him, I think they were a little soft on him, keeping in mind his adoption and trying to be careful not to harm his attachment or transition! They were just what he needed the last two years, but I think he needs a little challenge and a new classroom and new teachers might just be what he needs!
God is Good!
We had a great time at the park, and enjoyed a nice picnic lunch! Toby loved the slide!
And playing hide and seek with mommy!
He even sent Daddy a little love via text message!
But he did say goodbye to two wonderful teachers! He LOVED LOVED LOVED Miss Michelle and Miss Kathy, but we have chosen to enroll him in the other class at a different time of day to try and switch things up for him. He was getting very comfortable with them, and while they did an absolutely wonderful job with him, I think they were a little soft on him, keeping in mind his adoption and trying to be careful not to harm his attachment or transition! They were just what he needed the last two years, but I think he needs a little challenge and a new classroom and new teachers might just be what he needs!
God is Good!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Toby's Turning 5
Well, Toby turns 5 on Wednesday! I CAN NOT believe it!! How in the world did he go from 2 to 5 in the blink of an eye? Because that is exactly what has happened!! Its hard to believe we no longer have any "babies" in the house! Wish I could change that, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen any time soon, so instead, I mourn that season, and look forward to celebrating what is ahead!!
Since Toby's birthday is on a Wednesday, and our Wednesdays are totally packed, we celebrated over the weekend!! With our basement still in a state of disarray from the water damage (we are getting closer) we can't have a party at our place, so sadly there will be no big 5th birthday bash :( Instead, we decided to celebrate as a family at the Curios George Live show!! We didn't tell Toby about it until we were just a few days away, but he was SO EXCITED! Our day was full, with baseball practice and a soccer game, but then we headed straight for Cleveland and the Palace Theater.
We had cheap seats, but still had a very good view of the show! We got there early, and Toby could not wait for the show to begin!
Here are a few photos from the show. It was cute, but rather long for the many, MANY young children in the audience. I could hardly hear the show over the whining and crying and moving around of all the kids. Toby didn't seem to mind though. He was glued to the show!
And after the show, we decided to stop off for Ice Cream, but realized it was nearly 6PM, so we hit Friendly's and got dinner and ice cream. I hadn't been to a Friendly's in quite a while. It was fun to tell the kids about the one we USED to have in Wooster and how mommy and daddy went there on dates (imagine, me going to an ice cream place for a date!!). And I talked about how I remembered going as a kid with my grandmother and Great Grandmother and as a kid, all I wanted was desert, too! So I couldn't blame them for rushing through their dinner! Toby didn't eat much of dinner, but he sure did lick his ice cream bowl clean!!
So on Wednesday, we may use the kids coupons for kids meals at Bob Evans before church, and give Toby his other gifts. Even without a party, I'm sure this will be a birthday Toby will remember!! OMG He's FIVE!!!!
God is Good!
Since Toby's birthday is on a Wednesday, and our Wednesdays are totally packed, we celebrated over the weekend!! With our basement still in a state of disarray from the water damage (we are getting closer) we can't have a party at our place, so sadly there will be no big 5th birthday bash :( Instead, we decided to celebrate as a family at the Curios George Live show!! We didn't tell Toby about it until we were just a few days away, but he was SO EXCITED! Our day was full, with baseball practice and a soccer game, but then we headed straight for Cleveland and the Palace Theater.
We had cheap seats, but still had a very good view of the show! We got there early, and Toby could not wait for the show to begin!
Here are a few photos from the show. It was cute, but rather long for the many, MANY young children in the audience. I could hardly hear the show over the whining and crying and moving around of all the kids. Toby didn't seem to mind though. He was glued to the show!
And after the show, we decided to stop off for Ice Cream, but realized it was nearly 6PM, so we hit Friendly's and got dinner and ice cream. I hadn't been to a Friendly's in quite a while. It was fun to tell the kids about the one we USED to have in Wooster and how mommy and daddy went there on dates (imagine, me going to an ice cream place for a date!!). And I talked about how I remembered going as a kid with my grandmother and Great Grandmother and as a kid, all I wanted was desert, too! So I couldn't blame them for rushing through their dinner! Toby didn't eat much of dinner, but he sure did lick his ice cream bowl clean!!
So on Wednesday, we may use the kids coupons for kids meals at Bob Evans before church, and give Toby his other gifts. Even without a party, I'm sure this will be a birthday Toby will remember!! OMG He's FIVE!!!!
God is Good!
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