a day at the ballpark

Well, our rainy, muddy Saturday last weekend began with birthday parties and Miss S's first soccer game. On more than one occasion, she told me that it was the best day of her life (no, no drama with S, none at all, right). She was so excited to have two birthday parties to attend before her soccer game at lunch. She had a busy day planned and couldn't wait to enjoy it. Look at this smile...so ready to hit the field! She was so tough. I was pleasantly surprised at how hard she played and how she stayed right with the ball - even after getting hurt once. Check out that footwork! I was so proud of our soccer girl! My big guy had a baseball game too - yes, in the rain also for a little while. Those boys didn't care a bit. He has so much fun out there! He is getting better each game - so fun watching him grow and improve!And, a win sure helped in the "fun" department! Way to go, Cardinals! Two games in a row and a lot of rain....make for a very happy, very dirty little boy! He gave "puddle hopping" a whole new meaning!! Twice, he wanted to get on the field and play too - so sprinting, I (or the third base coach) caught him entering the field. I finally took him to a neighbor field to do this: So, that was our day! Full of fun and filth! Needless to say, baths and an early bedtime were must have's!!

moments from March

E and the kids had a backyard campout with firepit hotdogs then smores - best dad ever to take the big kids out to sleep in the tent for the night. They had such a good time - didn't get a great night's sleep, but loved it nonetheless! (sorry for the poor picture quality - phone camera and a one year old on the hip) Miss S had her picture taken at school and my sweet friend shared the pictures...not quite sure what was on her face - pbj maybe? Oh, I see this face so many times a day! "Mom, give me that back! I want my milk!" Just fill in the blank...he will fuss about it. Sometimes, I love him only with a mama's love, you know what I am saying? Sweet boy, hee hee... And, this guy has been living at the baseball field so much lately - so glad he likes it!

heading out to San Francisco...

With the help of two wonderful sets of grandparents taking care of three crazy kiddos, E and I were able to spend 5 whole days in not-so-sunny California at the beginning of Spring Break. We could have cared less that it was rainy and cool. We loved our time exploring and resting and just being with each other. We had three days to vacation before E's work conference began. When he went to work, I slept so much! I walked around the city and shopped a little. I read a book. I watched tv - not Disney...but real movies and shows. I missed my sweet babies a bunch. But, oh, this mama enjoyed some time with her man and felt renewed by having some time to herself! Here are a few pictures...We asked a friendly Asian man to snap this one of us after we drove over the Golden Gate Bridge. Eric posing on the ever-so popular Pier 39 in front of Alcatraz Island. We stopped by Pebble Beach Golf Course as the sun was setting...so beautiful! We drove down Lombard Street...so curvy! but had a great view of Coit Tower and the city. We drove the coast of California one day down to Carmel...this was a stop along the way of the cliffs, rocks, and waves of the coastline. Japan was hit by a tsunami the day before causing us to see some amazing waves on some of our drive....

We had a wonderful trip and couldn't wait to get home to see our littles! Thanks again, "Grands", for taking such good care of them while we were gone.

more Disney?

Well, I totally forgot I had Disney pictures on my small purse camera. E and I spent a few days in California last week for a work conference. I took my small camera only and found some Disney snapshots while I was there....totally forgot about them! So, I just had to post a re-cap: We had breakfast with Pooh and the Gang! Yummy and so much fun... My kiddos love a good parade!
I love these guys! They are getting so big....not to big for Mickey and Disney World though!
And, we had to have the picture in front of the Toontown Fair sign - so sad that it closed for good the weekend we were there. Toontown is no more...awe.

Thanks for letting me share my "finds"!

a life lesson

Life changes pretty quickly. I have noticed the wrinkles. I have acknowledged the added difficulty in losing weight. My skin is always dry - all of a sudden. I am tired by 8:00 every night - me? the night owl? Yes, life has changed...

Well, on our way to run carpool one day the week before Spring Break, my life hit me square in my 36 year old face. Here I was, in my Mom-mobile, with my two youngest children on our way to pick up my oldest child plus two more. I consider myself a pretty fun mom - most days. We had the windows down (well, mine and S's - not the Bear's - he was likely to throw something out the window). Anyway, we had the windows down, were listening to some kid praise music, and were singing to the top of our lungs. Bear was even squealing and loving it! As we stopped at a stop sign, I watched a little Jeep with two high school girls drive by me. They were singing and laughing - not to kid praise music, mind you. They were wearing matching uniforms of some sort. They had ponytails and fresh lip gloss. They were too cute - AND SIXTEEN.

All of a sudden, I realized twenty years had passed in a blink of an eye. I thought back to when I was one of those girls...wasn't I sixteen yesterday? Wasn't I leaving cheerleading practice with my buddies in my Altima listening to Bon Jovi just last week? I felt so old all of a sudden...so flabbergasted that twenty years (TWENTY!!) had passed so quickly. In five seconds flat, I quickly considered all the changes. My arms are not toned anymore. My tummy is not flat. My nails are never done. My ponytails are not kept neat but are more a necessity in a world with diaper changes and laundry. I talk on the phone for information giving/gathering and play date planning...not for recreation. The size of my vehicle has doubled as well as my jean size. Life has definitely changed.

Then, that little ball of sunshine in my backseat yelled so loudly, "Give me a J (I gotcha J, I gotcha J)." She spelled out Jesus all the way through that chorus as happily as she could. Life to her is a gift ready to be opened, a party ready to happen. All I could do was smile (and drive). It took me a few more seconds to join back in on the "E, S, U, S" of our song. I looked back at that sweet little face smiling back at me. She sang all the way to school that day. I marveled at all that had changed for me in twenty years. That child back there was mine...my gift...my little girl!

I am blessed beyond measure. God has been so, so good. I wouldn't trade my life now for anything. My wrinkles are from years of smiling. My frizzy ponytails are my reward after a day of work and play. My flabby belly is a gift from my three children. I love my long mom car being filled with silly kiddos. When I am tired at night, I can be thankful for another day He has given me. I can kiss my precious husband good night and know I am right where I am supposed to be. My life has changed...yes, it has! But, my Lord has not. He is the same - yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is the giver of Life. I am so excited to see how He changes me over the next twenty years....

I pray for more moments where He will show me where He has brought me, remind me of my blessings, and point me to my future...hopefully better than I was before.