Soccer Stars

Papa on the field as a ref. He sure got in his cardio workout!

McKenna handling the ball down the field.

Caleb dribbling the ball down the field.

This past Saturday was an exciting day at the soccer fields. Both Caleb and McKenna's teams won their games, AND both Caleb and McKenna scored goals! This is Caleb's fourth year to play Upward soccer, and McKenna's third year to play. They started when they were 4 years old, and I am amazed at the improvement they have both made since their very first year! This year, they are able to control the soccer ball more, pass the ball to teammates, and keep up on the field.

I love Upward sports! If you aren't familiar with Upward, it is a faith-based sports program. So, at the practices each week, not only do the kids learn soccer skills, they learn about Jesus. For a lot of kids, this is their first exposure to the Gospel. What a fabulous venue to reach kids whose families won't darken the door of a church! And while the coaches teach skills, they also invest in the children's lives. They are asking the kids how their week is going, how school is going, and offering to pray for them. The atmosphere at the games is encouraging, as parents are not only cheering for their own children, but all the other children (yes, even those on the other team!) No crazy yelling parents allowed (my dad is a 'bouncer' who will go have a talk with anyone who doesn't get it).

I feel so blessed for my children to participate in this program. Are they future olympic stars?? Who knows, but what I do know is that they are having FUN and they are surrounded by great people!!

Busy Days

Well, tonight I'm sitting still on the couch and enjoying two episodes of Modern Family and the DVR episodes of DWTS. I haven't been this still (except for when I'm sleeping) for the past 2 weeks or longer. I'd better enjoy it tonight, because I've got a full to-do list for the next 8 days that I'm off work.

Topping the list is my latest home improvement project--painting baseboards. UGH!! When we bought this house, part of the baseboards were white and the others where the original wood-stained color. I have to say that you don't realize how many doors and baseboards are in the house until you start painting them! I began the project on my last stretch of off days, but during that time we had the kids' birthday and Greg's back episode. I'm optimistically hopeful that I can complete this job before returning to work next Friday. I'll keep you updated.

Soccer has started for this kids, and their first game was last Saturday. I was working, so I missed it. This week, I'll be there...the mom with the camera running between two fields snapping pictures of my little soccer players! I'll write a little blog about the games and post pics this weekend.

I'm excited for this weekend, not only because it's my weekend off, but because Greg and I are having date night Saturday night! With school starting, Greg's new schedule with his extra responsibilities at school, and just being busy with projects, we haven't been on a date in awhile. I love date night!

Well, here's to finishing off DWTS results show...I've managed to not hear who was kicked off the show this week yet! There are several couples who I'd like to see dance next week...I just love this show! Secretly, I wish I could be on the show. I think it would be sooooo fun!

Our joke of the day

I pack Caleb and McKenna's lunches for school on most days, and like a lot of moms, I somtimes put a little note in their lunches...something simple, like "Love You" with hearts all over. A few days into the school year, the kids made a request. They wanted me to start writing a joke everyday and put it in their lunches. My first thought was, "Okay, I don't know a whole lot of jokes...lI hope I can find something online!!"

The first day of the "Joke of the Day" was a big hit. For those inquiring minds, here was our first joke: Why did Tigger look in the toilet? He was looking for Pooh! You would have thought I was the funniest person on earth. That day after school when the kids got in the car, they re-told the joke at least 10 times! Since that first day, every morning, the kids make sure I've written a new joke for them. This week, it became a little more difficult. They asked that I write two jokes: one for each of them. Apparently, the lunch monitors at school read the jokes over the mic to the whole lunch crowd. So now I've been tasked with finding two jokes per day. Thank heavens for the internet!!!

It amazes me how the most simple things make my children so happy! It doesn't take much effort, but such a little thing brings a smile to their faces. And that makes me smile.
It's the little things!

School Days

Wow...school is in its first full week for our children, and Greg is in his fourth week of school (OKC has gone to a continous learning calendar, starting Aug 1). Since I completely LOVE summer, the beginning of the school year is bittersweet. I love the unscheduled-ness of summer, but after 2 1/2 months of Caleb & McKenna being together constantly, they need some time without their beloved sibling!

First grade is off to a running start. Routines are beginning to set in again, and the normalcy of school has returned to tame our "summer non-scheduled" lives. So far, both Caleb & McKenna are enjoying school, meeting new friends in their classes and reconnecting with other friends from kindergarten who have different first grade teachers. Now that they have been at the same school since pre-k, when they walk in the doors, they act like they own the place. We are so blessed that our children are independent, confident, and able to adjust to new situations quickly.

This year, Greg is facing a new challenge as assistant principal at Roosevelt Middle school in OKC. The past three weeks has been very hectic for him as he learns his new role, all the responsibilities and duties that come with being an AP. As with everything Greg does, he steps up to the task with excellence and does whatever it takes to do the job right. I am so proud of him and his ability to connect with the kids at his school to really make an impact in their lives!

The beginning of the school year also reminds me of the years that I was a teacher. At times, I am so torn. I really enjoyed teaching, and at the beginning of each year, I think about what I would be doing in my classroom to prepare for my 8th graders. I also think about how much FUN I had teaching science and how much fun it was to see kids who didn't think they liked science too much really learn to enjoy it. I sometimes wonder if I could still hack it as a science teacher, and feel a little challenge to return to the classroom again. Who knows....

Just Breathe

This weekend was unusual for us, and I have to admit it was incredibly refreshing. On Saturday, we didn't have to be anywhere or do anything in any particular time frame. So, we took advantage and had a lazy morning, complete with pancake breakfast, lounging around in our PJs and a morning Disney movie. Wow! The rest of our day was nothing elaborate or thrilling; just hanging around the house, kids playing outside (yes, I put coats and hats on them), and oh yeah, Greg had to work on a paper. Don't get me wrong, I did accomplish some things...a little house cleaning and bookkeeping, but it was at MY pace. We capped off the day with some homemade chocolate chip cookies and family Wii game night: Mario Kart racing (Caleb's choice) and Bowling (McKenna's choice).

While our activities on Saturday were nothing notable or exciting, I was so grateful to have a day just to 'be'...especially this time of year when we all get so busy doing things for Christmas, running errands, buying gifts, etc. It was just nice to take in a deep breath and enjoy home life.

My take-away lesson from this weekend: take time to just breathe. It makes life so much more enjoyable!

Be Thankful

Today was one of those days...frustrating. Kids not wanting to listen, lots of things to accomplish, not accomplishing as much as I wanted. It is really easy to get bogged down when things aren't going the way I planned. (I AM a planner, you know.) I'm sure I didn't handle every situation as gracefully and calmly as I would like. But, instead of focusing on the frustrations of today, I am choosing to be thankful.

Thanksgiving is just one short week away, and while the holiday is set aside for giving thanks, it should not be the only day or time of the year that we reflect on our blessings. I strive to thank God for His blessings each and every day of my life. When I start thinking about my life, my list of blessings could go on forever! And while I may not do everything perfectly and my plans may not always turn out the way I want, everything works together exactly the way God planned.

So, here is my top 10 list of things for which I am thankful:

1. First and foremost, I am thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ!

2. I am thankful for my wonderful husband, Greg. I cannot imagine doing life without him!

3. I am thankful for my children. Many of you know that Greg and I had 3 1/2 years of fertility issues before becoming pregnant. (Some days, Greg reminds me how I cried for them...especially on days when they are testing my patience!)

4. I am thankful for my health. One of the instructors at the gym says, "Thousands of people WISH they could do what you are doing right now!" So, on the days I really don't want to go work out, I remember that I am blessed to be able to exercise!

5. I am thankful for our families.

6. I am thankful that both Greg and I have careers that we enjoy.

7. I am thankful for our wonderful friends all around the country and the world.

8. I am thankful for our church and the diversity that we find there. I am thankful that our children are surrounded by people from all walks of life who love God.

9. I am thankful for our freedom in this country.

10. I am thankful for every person in my life who has guided, mentored, and taught me what it means to love God and to love people.

Today and every day, I choose to be thankful. It is a conscience effort because it is way too easy to get grumpy and complain about all that is going wrong. So, if you see me in a bad mood, it's okay to gently remind me to give thanks!

R & R at Sunset Beach

What a great week at the beach! The kids and I left on Saturday, Oct 10th, and flew from OKC to North Carolina. Yes, I flew solo with 2 kids and we did fine. It's amazing how accomodating people are when they see you with 2 preschoolers coming their way on the airplane. Anyway, Greg had to stay in OKC until Wednesday night to work, then he flew to NC after school late Wednesday night.

First of all, Caleb and McKenna were super-excited about the beach, the ocean, finding sea shells, and seeing their cousins from Arizona (pic on the left). The five of them had soooo much fun at the beach together. We played mini-golf, jumped waves in the ocean, built sand castles, buried everyone in the sand, and I taught them how to 'ride a wave.' We also had fun riding bikes on the beach one day and three of the kids made it all the way to the end of Sunset Beach--Bird Island (picture above).

In addition to the Arizona cousins, Mimi, Papa, Aunt Melissa and Uncle Rob were also at the beach. It was so fun to hang out with the whole family, play at the beach, and eat dinner together every night. The kids call Sunset Beach "Mimi's beach" because we stay at Mimi's beach house. It's really cute because they'll ask me questions like, "Are there jelly fish at Mimi's beach?"

Several times, we spotted dolphins just off shore, feeding. It was usually in the late afternoon. A couple of times, the dolphins gave us a little show by jumping up out of the water. How cool is that??

Thursday was the first full day at the beach with daddy. It was a little less warm that day, but still warm enough to get in the ocean and play! Surprisingly, even when the weather was a bit cooler (upper 60s), the ocean still felt warm--almost like a warm bath. Greg and the kids worked hard building a sand castle (nothing grand) and forming a large moat around it to protect it from high tide. However, it eventually fell victim to the waves....

The week was relaxing and fun for all of us...just what we needed. When I look at the beauty of the ocean, the waves, perfectly formed sea shells and sand dollars, and the beautiful colors in the sky, it reminds me how awesome God is! He created every intricate detail and He made it to share with us. The beach is definitely one of my favorite places to refresh. I am so glad that my children have the chance to see God's creation beyond our little corner of the world. It is an experience they will never forget.