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....