Photos above taken at AVP Long Beach 2007 - by Chuck Graham1) digging 2 & 3) serving 4& 5) hitting
That's my boy.
Welcome to the Beach.
And the AVP Santa Barbara Open Volleyball Tournament
Early last week my eldest son, Kyle, called me and said he would be playing. Kyle, now a "former pro" would be coming home to Santa Barbara to be in this tournament, although he hasn't been on the tour for a couple years now.We were thrilled at the news.
That would sound funny to some who know me (my kids included) since the last 30 years of my life have been all about volleyball, many times too much volleyball. It began with their Dad, a pro player. As each one of my babies were born (with a volleyball in their hands) our commitment and participation grew and grew. It was definitely not an all love relationship.
But if you were to ask any of my kids I think they would say it's all been worth it and then some. Volleyball has taught them many lessons and opened many doors. School scholarships, travel experiences, life lessons I could never have given them.
Kyle didn't qualify and was out on Thursday, but we spent some time at the beach anyway cheering on some of his friends. If your interested in learning more about the AVP , Association of Volleyball Professionals , here is their website. (there are some great videos and photos). And an interview with my son Kyle (which he forgot to tell me about).
When he asked if he could come up and stay he brought five others with him (he asked). There were three large AVP guys and three AVP loving girls. We don't have a very big house and only one spare bedroom, can you imagine the mayhem (fun) here for five days??
little owen finally met his match.
♥ lori
*It's hard to write a post like this, I debated whether to keep it in in my private journal, but my mothering pride won out. I hope Kyle will understand, and you will too :)
Dear Lori .... count me your number one fan when it comes to sharing your children with us! I love it!
ReplyDeleteWhat's up with those volley ball players' bodies .... OMG!
You have every reason to be a proud mama! How fantastic that you have such a wonderful and athletic family. Wow, I can't imagine how FUN your house is with all those guests. Have a great time, Lori!
ReplyDeleteAgain, I would have loved to mingle into your crowd (with my magic hood on, nobody would notice me) and just look and share! There are so many facettes in your life, and then each of your children has an extra portion, with more excitements and friends and things to tell. You are quite a revelation, Lori! Thanks for letting us see your photos!
ReplyDeletePhew what gorgeous looking young men!!
ReplyDeleteJustifiably proud mum
Volleyball, eh? You need good knees and good shoulders for that, so I'm out! The funniest part of the Summer Olympics is the beach volleyball though.
ReplyDeleteThe first pics reminded me of Durban beachfront a bit - its been a while since i was there though. wow your house must have been ful of fun-chaos; hehe Owen!!
ReplyDeleteYou have so much to be proud of Lori
xx
V
Lori I completely understand you sharing this wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteYou have an awesome family.
You're a great Mum.
big love to you and the beautiful family that you have helped create.
Robyn xx
It's always good to share things about our wonderful kids. Even if they wouldn't particularly like it if they knew. I think we should all give a big cheer for Mother's Pride!
ReplyDeletexx
I'm glad you decided to share this with us.I have only visited you a few times and I am so inspired by you,your love of family,and gift for storytelling!!Warmest Regards,Cat
ReplyDeleteNever apologize for being a proud Mom ! Parenting is HARD work and you have earned the right to be proud. Thanks for sharing these photos ~ a little eye candy first thing in the morning is not a bad thing ! Glad you had fun cleebrating and being together. I love it when my gang all arrives home. Enjoy !
ReplyDeleteLori - it's about time you did some proud mama bragging! (I do it all of the time as you must have noticed). What wonderful pictures and I can just imagine the craziness that went on in your house!! Isn't it amazing how quickly the house shrinks once all of the kids and co. are back under the roof. I am glad you shared mama!
ReplyDeleteSo happy you shared.
ReplyDeleteAnd seeing Kyle's picture again just made my day. Jaw-dropping.
Imagining the laughs (and Margaritas) you're all having together makes me want to jump on that plane...
I love you, proud mama
Lola xx
Hi Lori
ReplyDeleteYou have good reason to be proud, great that you keep on updating this journal of yours :) Glad you had some mother/daughter time earlier, too. Hope Owen enjoyed all the people? He sounds like such a little character!
dear helen,
ReplyDeletethank you, that made me feel much better! haha! it's a healthy lifestyle (for the most part), beach volleyball is a fantastic workout.
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dear bella,
i LOVE when the kids come home, we only wish we had room for every friend!! it is really really fun.
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dear geli,
when i look at things i write i laugh, we really have a good life. i could write and write and write, with five kids there is no end. yes! please put on your magic cloak and come!
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dear janet,
i really am so amazed that once i rocked that one to sleep. he towers over me now. amazing.
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dear snowbrush,
true, and a lot of stamina, beach volleyball is strenuous! the last two photos are of the gold medal winners (2008) that my son is playing against. He lost (my son) but i was so proud of him. we were so glad to see vball was finally added to the olympics.
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dear val,
long beach is a LOT bigger town than where we live. it was fun for a tournament though. thank you! owen was dazed, heehee.
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dear robyn,
thank you very much. i truly appreciate so much understanding, i will wait for you to tell us all the fantastic things your boy does too! big love back to you dear.
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dear mandy,
i like that! cheers to mother's pride! i try not to share too much about mine, but sometimes you just have to!
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dear cat,
thank you so much for such lovely words, i am so appreciative of them.
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dear deb,
haha! is it strange to think that about your own child?? he is indeed beatiful and fit.
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dear lyn,
it's funny when i read about everyones else's kids i think HOW GREAT! but when i write about mine i get really shy. thanks for the sweet words, i really appreciate them!
A proud Mom needs a place to shout out. Glad to hear about Kyle.
ReplyDeleteAwe.... you should be so proud!! I also keep posting Alex!! I have that mother's pride just like you!!
ReplyDeletedear lola,
ReplyDeletei think you should hop on your magic carpet and pick up geli too, wouldn't that be something? thank you sweetheart.
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dear karen,
this is a life long habit, journaling (well, blogging is kind of new to me)i love to keep one. i don't know if my kids will ever read it, but maybe one of my grandchildren someday. owen was adorable, but very overwhelmed. haha.
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rosaria,
thank you, i know all of us who are mother's know that feeling.
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manon,
i know, your right! and i am so appreciative of everyones support!
Kyle, I would like for you to meet Emily, my daughter! tee hee!
ReplyDeletejanis,
ReplyDeleteyou are so cute (and emily too). alas, kyle already has a vanessa, my "daughter in love" who i love dearly.
Beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteSometimes writing personal things on a public blog makes life so much better. Like me writing about my last days at the Eastbury on mine. Everyone was so chuffed with my words they didn't mind that I'd revealed who they were :o)
Dear Lori, I completely agree with you about posting our "kids" adventures because we are so proud of them.
ReplyDeleteSo I guess you are all having fun in your cozy home and I can imagine Owen´s happiness, too!!!
Have a joyful weekend and love to you,
Mina
Doesn't matter how old they get, they are still your babies and you have every right to be a proud mama. I love hearing about the kids:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful family and love to hear about them...you're such a great Mom!
ReplyDeletesammi,
ReplyDeleteyou are right, that's a great story, i'm glad you shared it with me!
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mina,
thank you! i hope you have a lovely, creative, funfilled weekend too! love to you!
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natsy,
yep! you are right, thanks much my friend! love to you!
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nan,
thank you very much, i so appreciate your words!
Wow! What gorgeous shots of equally gorgeous folks! Once a proud mom, always a proud mom - and completely understandable with such good looks and athleticism in your family!! Hope you enjoyed every minute of your full house!! xo Amanda
ReplyDeleteWhat a handsome son you have - wow a pro-vollyball player? That is definitely worth telling us! I can just imagine how much fun you had with the house full. I love having my house full. I'll bet Owen was in seventh heaven!
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