this weekend we kicked off our february vacation week and could not be more excited. we have been counting down the days since we both went back to school after christmas break. luckily for us, maine schools have a week off in february and another off in april. every february break the state of maine goes nuts for high school basketball tournaments. if you've never lived here, it's hard to explain. but if you have, you get it. all the games are played at the bangor auditorium this weird shaped landmark in downtown bangor that was built in 1955. it's referred to as the "mecca" of high school basketball and is the home of countless memories for those of us that were privileged to play there.
my dad was a very talented (recognized at an all state level) basketball player when he was in high school, and lead his team to many victories on the floor of the bangor auditorium. i attended a small christian high school and since we didn't have a large enough gymnasium where we could play our home games, we played them all at the auditorium. i'll never forget the first time we had practice there... dad came in with me and wanted to see me make my first shot on that floor. he stayed to shoot around with me for a bit before practice. it sounds totally cheesy, but it was really special for both of us. not only had he played there when he was in high school, but he always took me to tournament games when i was growing up; i think the first one i went to with him i was only three or four.
i've told you how nostalgic i am, right?? such memories.
i hadn't been to a tournament game in a while, and i'd only told nick about how fun this week was in the state of maine. the atmosphere, the excitement, the pep bands and smell of popcorn. the boys team from the high school he teaches at played friday night, so we packed up bella and went as a family. it was one of my favorite times the three of us have spent together. being there opened such a floodgate of memories for me...everything reminded me of the years i had played there. and also of my dad; i wished he could've been there with us. he would've loved taking his granddaughter to her first tournament game.
bella was mesmerized; for the entire first quarter she sat perfectly still, clapping her hands when the crowd cheered and just staring in awe at everything going on. i took her to get fruit snacks at the concession stand when the game went into overtime and she couldn't wait to get back to our seats "ohhhh go watch football, mama!" (she calls every sport football... we're working on it)
as i watched her sitting in her seat, her legs swinging with excitement, her little face lit up as she took everything in, it struck me how much she is looking like a little girl. she isn't our baby anymore. after the game, we went out to one of our favorite local pizza places for dinner. my heart felt so full. i realized i was savoring every moment so much because in less than two months, it will never be just us and bella again. as excited and overjoyed as i am to meet emmy and have her join our family, i am growing increasingly aware of the fact that our time as a family of three is coming closer and closer to it's end.
so i'm making every effort to savor every moment. to make memories with bella in the weeks to come. and as ready as i am to not be pregnant anymore, to enjoy and treasure the time we have left with just her before we welcome another sweet baby girl into this world :)
"yay! clap your hands!"
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