Birthday Boy

12 years ago we were blessed with a baby boy. He was big and he was healthy. 9lb9oz! I don't think my husband believed he had a boy (he wasn't in the room - c-section - I was asleep, he couldn't handle it!) I think he thought he might have to wait until baby #6 like his grandfather did. Nope! Good thing, too. We stopped at 4. Andrew has been an amazing teacher to me. I have learned the most, I think about being a mother, by him. At least the most about being a mother to a boy!

Our new family of 4 ~ 8/96

He STILL loves to run around naked. Even in the snow!

He still loves a ball.

He was hitting off a tee by the time he was 18 mos old. Would only hit if we pitched it to him by the time he was 2.

Birthday #9. Hard to have a summer bday. Only friend that could come! Made it easy on me :)

Bday # 10

He has become a little man. I am so grateful that he and his dad have such a great relationship. His father is a good person for him to take after! I love my boys!

Andrew has decided to receive the Aaronic Priesthood. He will be ordained next week. I wasn't sure if this day would ever come. Because of his father's willingness to live the gospel and hold the priesthood, my son will be a holder of the priesthood. What an amazing day!

I love you, Bud!

ahhhhhhhhh.....

I am home alone. I just got back from a dear friends home, whom I work with. She is also a licensed cosmetologist. She loves to give facials for free, among other things... 

So one of the girls at the office was going to her house for a leg waxing and I said I wanted one too. I know, I'm crazy.  Mark is gone with ALL the kids to Rebecca's game, they should be home soon. 

I went to her home and got my legs waxed!!! OWWWW WEEEE. But now feels so good. She also gave me a face peel and massage with scrub. Oh yeah, she said my feet were looking not so good and put me in a foot spa and now they feel so smooth and fresh. My face feels tight and clean and my legs are tan and smooth!

Thanks, Andrea. You are the best!!! xoxo

(she won't let me pay for anything, either. SO I gotta come up with something really good for her!)

Why is it.....

I was dealing with a troubling issue with one of my children and I was discussing this with my mom. She quoted a friend from years ago who said:

" I always take credit for the bad things my kids do, (bad choices they make, wrong direction they go.....). It's my fault. It must've been something I did. I wouldn't dream of taking credit for the good things they do (good choices, right directions....)"

I'm sure they were discussing motherhood and mothering, and being under appreciated. I am always taking the blame for my kids. I beat myself up if they don't behave or do what I have taught them to do. 

I am going to start taking credit for the GOOD things they do, say or what ever. I won't steal their thunder, but I will glow with pride. I'm sure our Heavenly Father glows with pride when we make good choices, do good things, go in the right direction....... 

I am a good mother and I am raising children of my Father in Heaven. I can not do it with out Him. Nor would I want to!

What I've been up to...

(by the way, you gals are so smart! And my mom and I did discuss how long it would be this nice.... I'll keep you posted)

On to me and my family. I've been hesitant to post about our on goings since school has been out because you'll all think I'm totally bonkers.... Maybe I am.

The last few weekends have been spent doing this:

This was a tournament Rebecca played in.  In San Jose. 1 hour away. 2 days. $$. Hot. R got sick on 2nd day. Still had fun! Girls travel ball is different than boys. Although they are only 8, the parents are sure competitive. I LOVE to watch my children play ball. And with traveling ball, you don't have all the responsibilities as you do during league. It a bit more relaxed and the parents on this team know how to party! All kinds of food and fun!

R had another one this weekend, in Redwood City. She only played on Saturday, and Daddy took her cause I was doing a wedding! I really miss church. Between the 2 kids traveling, it's taking it's toll on our "spirituality". Her team came in 3rd! (there's another one next weekend!)

This was Andrew's tournament. It was the USSSA State tournament. These boys are awesome! They took 1st. They are ranked 1st in Northern CA and 3rd in the country! They qualified awhile ago for the world series in Louisiana(?), I think, but I pray we don't go :) Their goal this year has always been the Cal Ripkin State Tourney (7/9 ~ 7/16 in Rohnert Park). If they take 1st in that, they go onto the Western Regionals - in Bakersfield CA. We'll see what happens. 

Of course all of this has to be done around us making final decisions to move and get the heck out of dodge!

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS?

It has totally changed my opinion of this place. I'm gonna move here, just so I can do all my shopping here. It about as good as the 2 story Target I went to a couple weeks ago!!! I didn't know that even existed!

Happy Father's Day, babe!

I am a very lucky woman. I am married to a man who loves me so unconditionally that it makes me feel a little guilty, sometimes. If a voice is ever raised, it's usually mine. He works hard for our family and sacrifices a lot.

I know he wants to be the best father he can be. He didn't have a very good example of HOW to be a good father, more of how not to be a good dad. He learned more of what he wanted to be by his dad, who did the best he knew how. 

I am so very thankful for his desire to do right by his children. And me! I am so very thankful for his desire to have an eternal family with me. It took a few years, but we got there!

I am grateful for his determination in his life. 

 

I am so glad that he is like a kid (most of the times). I love to laugh with him. He has a fun sense of humor, which he shares with our kids. I don't think we can have dinner with out the word "fart" coming up - or the sound either! We have a ton of fun together.

I love him very much and I am eternally grateful for him. I am so thrilled to spend eternity with him. I can't wait for the next many years to live life with him and our kids!

 I know he loves the Lord and honors Him. He is a spiritual giant and doesn't even know it.

The best is yet to come (very soon).

I love you, babe! Thanks for who you are!

Happy last day of school!

This is the order in which they left for school today:

"Why do you need a picture, Mom?"

"Do I look ok?"

"I love school!"

This is where I will find my husband for a couple of weeks as he sleeps of the school year. Then he'll get down to business! Emma was happy to sleep in, too.

Andrew's season in review!

1 smiley boy! (I mean my husband)

11 crazy boys (see the cake? They proceeded to smear it all over each other!)

1 happy mom :)

I love to watch him bat. He loves the high pitch. He is an amazing ball player, I just wish he believed that about himself!

When he was 4 & 5 he would only hit them off the ground, you know, like golf.

I am very proud of my boy. Especially the fact that he got back behind the plate to catch. In the state tournament last year, he was hit in the elbow by a batter. He fractured his growth plate. He's been hesitant to get back there, but he did and his dad and I are very proud of him for facing his fear!

yes, yes.....

IT'S OFFICIALLY OVER! 

Well, the house league is. We still have travel ball with Andrew and Rebecca, but I DO enjoy that. I don't have any responsibilities and I get to hang out, sit in the sun, and watch my kids play ball. That is joy to me!

She is a Champion, too!

This is a pretty good way to end your "rec league" ball, before High School! 

(yes, she starts high school in the fall! How did I get here?)

She is a Champion!

            (like the smeared eye black? I hate that stuff! But, what ever!)
They won the playoffs! They had to win the last 2 games against the same team. They did! We are so proud :) It's Katelynn's turn tomorrow! Go Cardinals!!!

Emma's softball season in review!

Our little SUPERSTAR.......

Yesterday was E's team party. We had a blast, thanks to the family that opened their home to 10 little girls and their families! (they had the pool) 

I can/can't believe the season is over. This was E's second softball season. The difference from last year was amazing. 

(this was last year)

She was 4 last year, and did pretty well, but this year she was smokin! She hit doubles all the time. She even got a triple (woulda been a home run but her legs just aren't long enough!) She paid attention, which is not very common in 5 yr olds. Most are usually saving the lady bugs in the outfield. Her determination was amazing. She cried when the other girls got her out. It mad her mad! I tried to help her understand that that was their job, just like it was hers. Her team didn't make the playoffs, (hooray only 3 of 4 did) but she had a great year and I can't wait to see her rippin the ball again next year. 

Batter up!

Almost an out at 1st base

Her coach, one of my best friends, Hillari

Way to go catcher!

UNTIL NEXT YEAR.......

Isn't she lovely....

And she's wonderful, too!