Soccer Season Fall '09

Our two oldest daughters - Rachel and Samantha - otherwise known as the big ladies - have started their soccer seasons for the Fall '09. At least this year practices are on the same days of the week. Different field locations and times, but, the same days.
Rachel is playing for the rec league in our little town and her team name is the Bulldogs. She was unsure this season as to whether or not to play, but, her buddies from church are on her team, and she is playing goalie, which she really enjoys. The first game was a victory. Rachel told me her goalie strategy on the way home after the game: "Mom, I let one go in for the other team. That way, I get mad and aggressive." Okay?! At least it worked... the won the game.
Samantha is on a more competitive level of team, called a traveling team. Her team - the Predators - represents our town and they will travel as far as three hours away to play their games. The coaching is more precise, more is expected of the girls and they have really bonded more. Samantha seems to enjoy the game more, since it is more intense. She always has been a fighter! Their first game ended in a loss. Just the beginning!

Primary Reason

Last weekend our Primary President did something amazing. She assembled sixty-four children from our ward primary in front of the Memphis Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a group shot. She's amazing. That's why she's the Primary President.

What a great trip. We drove up as a family. We got lost. We almost ran out of gas. We got lost again. We asked for directions, we googled directions, we called our also-traveling friends; we got lost anyway.

But once we arrived, we set to work. I was in the nursery with twelve well-behaved toddlers and my friend who prepared a lesson and singing time for the kids. The older kids had mini-classes to go to and games and a speaker and cookies in the shape of a sun, moon and stars. She is so amazing that she even arranged, I don't know HOW, for each of the kids to bring home a piece of the temple - a piece of solid marble. (Anyone who has some project ideas for temple marble, please send them my way....)

After all the activities we ate our picnic lunches in the gym. Our family was on to the second phase of our trip - Beale Street.

We strolled in the warm sun and listened to the blues. Each shop, cafe or bar had a different musician or band. We watched street performers turn flips down the middle of the street and then ask for tips. We had ice cream on the veranda. We even treated ourselves to a carriage ride through town as we enjoyed the Birthplace of the Blues.

But, with all this fun, our Primary reason for going to Memphis was to visit the temple. Our family was sealed in the Washington DC temple when Rachel was just a baby. This visit was to talk about the temple and blessings it brings to each of us. I am thankful for the eternal relationships I may enjoy with my family. I am thankful for the perspective that eternity brings to my daily life.

SCORE !!!

My most favorite-est cereal in the whole wide wonderful world is Quaker Oat Squares. I don't know exactly why I love it so much, but, I just DO. I don't buy it very often because it is also one of the most expensive cereals on the shelf. Today, I was at the store and I looked over at my Quaker Oat Squares section and I saw it - A SALE!!!

I bought three boxes and I'm gonna eat all three. I might share. Maybe.

Thank you friends!

Earlier this week, my friend Emilee went to the Memphis temple with her husband, so I offered to watch her little ones, ages 3 and 4. No problem for me. I'm home, Jay needs kids to play with, and they are good kids. Bring on the kiddos.

Today, I had the pleasure of watching my friend Becca's children, ages 4 and nineteen months. Her little girl, Q, is two weeks older than Jay, so they have been "friends" their whole lives. My 4 year old was not at home to play with K, her little boy, so I got to play Lego Star Wars and Lego Batman with him while my friend did some errands. Her husband has been deployed and is coming home on Saturday, so she is a busy woman these days. (Yeah for Becca and family!)

My friends drop their kids at my house all the time. It just makes sense. I'm here. I'm happy to do it and my kids love having their friends over.

No payback is necessary, but, look what my friends did for me:

The produce is from Becca. At the store, they were going to throw this OUT! Aaahhh! Not with Becca around. Grab it make make fajitas! The banana bread is from Emilee. She makes so many delicious things, but, this one in particular I think will be especially delicious since she altered her recipe just so Jay could eat it - no walnuts, extra sugar!

My friends are wonderful. And this is just two of you. The rest of you know who you are. You are fantastic and such a blessing to me and my family. Thank you all!

Oh, and speaking of friends, look at us:

The Monday Morning Stroller Brigade

If your beautiful face is not in this picture - again, you know who you are - come join us!

My Speed Bump

I have plenty to do all day. This castle, this heaven on earth, this safe harbor from the storm, this refuge for my family ... this home, doesn't keep itself clean, people. I now have four out of five kids in school and you would think that our house would be spotless 24/7. Nope. It still takes a lot of work to keep up my less-than-perfect idea of a clean house. Enough about me and my days, enter Jay. He is home with me and loves to shadow my every move. He slows me down and he keeps me from buzzing through my chores, I mean my responsibilities, quickly. He is my speed bump. This is a shot of Jay putting the clothes in the dryer. This job would not take me more than two minutes, but, with Jay "helping", it easily can take ten minutes. He examines the clothes, drops stuff, and holds me up in general. But look at him helping! What a sweetheart. What a big boy to be a part of it all. And what a great chance for me to show him all the love and patience I can muster. I need to remember Mosiah 4:15 - But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another. That's what I should be doing. That what my children do for me everyday. I need to teach them, not just rip through the days to-do list. Teach them to serve and to love, and, to love to serve.

Allergy Update

Our youngest, Jay, has allergies. Mainly, he's allergic to all nuts, eggs and dogs. These are three quite common things at our house, but, we're adjusting. I wanted to share a before and after picture, because he's just getting so dang handsome...

Before: (at the doctor's office, actually) in July 09
A happy boy, but, blotchy and looking like the chicken pox, plus he was always in those footed PJs, just so he couldn't scratch his sores. You can't see it here, but, he's covered in open sores. The doctors say his face is actually one of the best areas on him, since the skin there regenerates so quickly.



After: one month & four prescriptions later, Aug 09
Still happy and clearing up nicely!

I'm not one to run to the doctor, but, Jay is really responding to the prescriptions. He still has breakouts whenever he gets too close to dogs or eats various foods, so maybe everything is not yet isolated. He's made lots of progress and we just have to keep on top of what he eats.

And don't you just LOVE the hair! Sweet little Deuce.

Proud Mom-ent

I had a proud mom moment today. Hence the new word that has just now entered the English language - a mom-ent. I have to share.

Charlotte is our six year old first grader. She reported to me today that they are allowed to watch TV for a while in class, some sort of down time about mid-day.

Me: What did you watch?
C: Nothing, Mom. You wouldn't let me.
Me: Oh?
C: It was Cartoon Network, so I'm not allowed.
Me: (thinking - yep, that's the rule) So what did you tell your teacher?
C: I told her I'm not allowed to watch Cartoon Network. So she said I could just read on the pillows.

Aaahhhh. Good girl, Charlie.

I am so thankful for obedient children. And daughters who love to read!

This Mom-ent has been brought to you by Charlotte, at age six.