Junior High South Soccer Update

Rachel was thrilled to make the Junior High South soccer team as a seventh grader. She has played goalie in the local small town rec league for the last three years, so she wanted the goalie spot for her school team, too. Being a seventh grader, she knew she would be back up, since the back up goalie from last year was now the eight grader with more experience. She is riding the bench most games, but, she has had some time in goal - and a few good saves to boot! Rachel has even had some field time as defense and forward, but, she says she'd rather be in the goal! The team travels to away games and rides the school bus. I can remember the same thing in seventh grade (except I played field hockey) and it was a big deal. Fun memories of school! So far, the team has had a great season - with a record of 5 wins, 2 losses. The season has just one more game to go - against cross town rival Junior High North!

I love this snapshot of Rachel's fans! The kids love the games. Jay shouts, "Kick it Rachel", whether Rae is on the field or on the bench. So cute.

Spring Break 2011

Since I'm now working and James is home and not feeling well at all, we didn't have much chance to to travel for spring break. Instead, we broke in spring at home. Here are some highlights of our week in pictures:

We took goofy pictures with Mom's phone!

Rachel spent three days at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch with friends! Samantha took horseback riding lessons (and loved every minute)! We went out for ice cream - on a school night! Samantha went to Pinnacle Mountain with her bud, Laura! Swimming at the community pool - indoors! See how Jay is holding his toes? Cuteness. We slept late, we played in the backyard and we played at friend's houses. Yeah, we played and played. And spring is officially broken in!

Fourteen Years

Fourteen years ago today at 4 in the afternoon of warmish spring day, James and I were married. Here's a story from that day: James and I were sitting up on the pulpit at the church. He was sitting on one side of the aisle and I was sitting on the other. We stood to agree to our vows, with the Bishop standing between us. After we finished, James kissed his new bride, and we sat back down on opposite sides of the aisle. The Bishop said few more words to the congregation and James smiled at me from his seat - over there. Two seconds later, James jumped up, cut across the aisle, sat down next to me and kissed me again. The congregation watched it all. A sweet giggle spread through the crowd. The Bishop didn't quite know what was so funny, until he turned to sit down, and saw that James had switched seats. He turned back to the congregation and announced, "I don't blame him!" More laughter and the beginning of a new life.

Today, to celebrate, we ate out - TWICE! My folks sent us a gift card to Olive Garden, which we used for lunch - thanks to Melissa for keeping Jay! - and for supper we went to Chili's, using a gift card we were given by a secret Santa at Christmas. It was nice to spend time together - one long date, interspersed with the reality of children, but, still a great date.

James ordered ribs at Chili's. (He ordered ribs on our first date, too. Ribs go down big in BallTeam family lore.) And after supper - a stroll in dreamland. James and I checked out the 2011 Chevy Camaro Convertible. We left it on the lot.....

A Game

I grew up watching public television. Ah, the days of Electric Company, New Zoo Review and Sesame Street. (Anyone remember Mulligan's Stew, or HR Puffinstuff? I can still sing those songs in my head...)

So let's play a game.... One of things doesn't belong - Can you guess which one? And why?

pumpkin pie, a dozen long stemmed roses, homemade shamrock cookies, and Quaker Oat Squares in the mail..... give up? They ALL belong together!!

white

This is a made to order Tina Ball birthday celebration - I'll explain: no birthday cake, instead, my friend Mandy made me a pumpkin pie - my FAVORITE!! My parents are too far to celebrate in person - so I got roses at the office!! Shamrocks on my cookies, homemade by another dear friend, because my birthday is March 17th - St. Patrick's Day - and the cereal from my dear friend who remembered my favorites and sent it to me half way across the country!!

Also, not pictured, another friend sent me kits to make cards - LOVE THEM - and another friend gave me a pretty basket full of fresh fruit and chocolate! My kids and husband took me out to eat and I got a gift card from my folks! Plenty of texts and FaceBook greetings - I love my birthday, THANK YOU!!

Rachel, the teenager!

Rachel turned 13 this week. Wow. Poor girl. Our first teenager. One week into it and so far it's going well. At 13, Rae is in the seventh grade. She doesn't love school for the academics, but, her grades are great. Rachel is busy with her class at church, she made the Junior High soccer team and she is a big help at home. Rachel is funny, in dry and witty kind of way. She is ambitious and works hard. Rachel loves to be with her friends, has become a pro at texting, and has recently proven herself at being independent. Rachel loves to bake, and she's really good at it! Rachel's brother and sisters know she can handle herself and they look up to her, whether they know that yet or not. As her parents, we can count her and we are proud of her. Rachel loves to write and dream. She can create a world with words and pull you right in with her. We all love you, Rachel; keep up the good work!

New Apron! (it's reversible!) ::: Game day (with Lindsey, left)

Fitness Challenge

Samantha is in the sixth grade and the school sponsered a Fitness Challenge, with the students participating in various fitness tests - the point being to test their fitness levels. Students could choose their events - everyone did three. The choices were: basketball (most baskets in a minute), hula hooping (longest time with a hoop in motion), pull-ups (most pull ups), jump-rope (longest time, and most jumps in a minute). Girls were a separate category from boys. In sixth grade girls, Samantha brought home three ribbons - one for every event she entered! She won second place in Strongest Man (Pull-ups) with three pull ups in a minute. Samantha took first place for Hula Hoop; she kept the hoop in motion for 15 minutes, 8 seconds. Her time set a new school record! Samantha also took first place in Speed Jump; in just one minute, she jumped rope 140 times, without missing. Wow. Way to go, Samantha. We are not worried about your fitness level!

Jay is Three

Three years have flown. Literally flown. Jay Michael went from a fragile little NICU baby to a full fledged B-O-Y, reeking havoc in his wake. Actually, he is quite sweet and tender. He'll hurl a ball at you with no mercy, mind you, but, he'll kiss you on the head where he hit you.

His birthday was low key. Just the ladies as party goers:

Some presents from the family, which Jay Michael knew exactly how to handle. (Open bag. Look at it, show Momma and smile for the picture.)

a new big-boy backpack for his allergy meds. Chillin...

New hot wheels and a cross stitch from Grandmom!

Jay Michael gave us a present for his birthday - he's potty trained! Thanks, Jay, it's just what we wanted! At three, Jay is a pro at the church nursery scene. He walks right in (usually) and loves singing time. He's always so proud of his picture when they color. Jay Michael will tell you "I Jay Miiiiiicool", with a sweet southern draw, when you ask him what his name is. If you ask how old are you? He answers, "I tree." He can dress himself, knows where everything in the house needs to be put away, and he loves the trampoline. He can feed the dogs, help set the table and loves to "help" Momma unload the dishwasher. Jay Michael can sing his ABC's through around H, after that it gets a little messy. He still loves any kind of ball - from footballs to lemons (which really get some distance; be careful). He eats everything, and if gets too close to anything nutty, he'll tell you "No, that tickles me".

Sweet, boisterous little prince...we love you Jay Michael.