Confessions of a "Soccer Mom"

(Am I actually confessing this?)
"I love being a soccer mom!"
Yes, it is true!
(Although I have not purchased a mini-van, nor have any soccer stickers on my car, nor have soccer balls hanging from my rear view mirror...)
I love to watch my little boos (as Amy calls them) play soccer. It is so much fun...more fun than I ever thought.

• I love to watch the excitement in the faces when they score a goal.
• I love to watch the determination in their eyes as they focus.
• I love to watch as they finally "get" the game.
• I love to watch as they master a new skill.
• I love to watch them beam as they run through the "parent bridge" as they finish a game.
• I love to watch my husband get so intense about the game (especially since he is the LEAST competitive person I know...it makes me laugh).

I am soaking life up right now!

More Clues

Jeffrey's 40th Birthday Trip

Can you guess where we went? It was where he said he wanted to go the first night I met him.....

Yeah!! He lost his tooth tonight!!

Oh!! We are so excited over here. Will just lost his first "real" tooth (the other 2 were pulled that he lost before). He's been working on that loose tooth for over a month and finally wiggled it out! I was so glad it happened before we left town. Ty, Will's cousin, lost his today at lunch when we were together. The tooth fairy will be busy tonight!!!

My heart aches!

Tomorrow morning, Jeffrey and I leave for his "40th Birthday Trip" (6 weeks early...I think we are going to have a Marathon 40th Birthday). Although I am thrilled to get away and be with my sweet husband, my heart is aching for I have to leave my two monkeys behind. I've just been sad all day. When I think of leaving them, I tear up. What? I know that is crazy and totally unlike me! I love to get away but for some reason my heart is sad to leave them. They are in GREAT care but I feel like I need to be there for them. Will is probably going to lose his tooth this week. Jake is probably going to need me to kiss a "boo boo". I won't be there for either. "Please, Lord, help me release control to you and put them in your hands. Comfort them! Love on them while I am away!"

Mega Play date!!!

So, I am now recuperating from having 43 women and over 50 children at our house this morning!! Yes, the Play Group kick off party was at our house today. It was very fun...not to mention, VERY crazy! Thankfully, are carpets are already kid proof (a.k.a. stained beyond repair) so it was perfect...no stresses here! I am less Martha Stewart these days and loving it! I'm comfortable with the fact my house won't be spotless and I can't do everything (well, it is still a battle but I'm getting better?). There is a lot of freedom in not being perfect (the Lord is constantly teaching me that...especially through the "carpet episodes"...Did you know the professional painter even spilled some paint in the living room?)
There were people every where. Jake had so much fun. There are 6+ boys his age and he thought he was in heaven. It was fun to see new mommies (there were babies who were 6 weeks old here!!!) and veteran mommies (am I a veteran...I guess I am?) having a great time. Stay at home mommies desperately need fellowship (not to use a somewhat "churchy" term) with other mommies...it helps us keep sane!!!

Another Crazy Weekend!

(I apologize for the long blog...feel free to just look at pictures)
Friday Night- The boys and I went to the Family Worship Night at our church. We arrived early so I could help with registration. I sent the boys out to play on the playground. As I rounded the corner to get them, I could hear Jake crying and Will consoling him (I immediately thought...Will's trying to make Jake laugh so we won't tattle tale on him!). I found Jake crying with blood gushing from his mouth (then I thought, here we go to our first emergency room visit). I calmly walked over to him and looked in his mouth. He had bitten his tongue very badly that was where all the blood was coming from. No broken teeth, no head injuries...just a few scratches and lots of blood. Through his tears, he explained to me he fell off the "outside" of the slide (which he wasn't supposed to be climbing on). He threw up and then I took his shirt off (sorry to be so graphic...life with boys!). I cleaned him up and his tongue stopped bleeding. We left the church and took care of his tongue. He was fine when we got home. Will kept saying, "I'm so sorry, Jake, that happened to you." I told Will how thankful I was that he was showing compassion to his brother. He told me, "I love my brother, mom. I just feel so bad for him." It made me tear up. They're getting it!!!
Saturday-
Double Header! Will had his first game at 10:30am vs. the Pirhanas. He did fantastic! 3 goals! He really is understanding the game and also gaining skill (but did wiggle his loose tooth during the whole game). However, he complains and I think this will be his last season. Chaney, Amy, Bob, & Jo were there to cheer him on.
Jake had his first game at 4pm. Amy's whole family was there to cheer for him and so was Bob & Jo. He did great!!! 2 goals! Have you ever seen 4 year olds play soccer? It is hilarious!! I really wish we had brought our video camera.
After the game, we all went to eat dinner and then went to Graham's game. Graham scored a touchdown while we were there but it was revoked b/c of holding. We left after half time...then he scored again...we missed it!!! We were so tired last night! We only have 2 more months of soccer to go!
Sunday-
Jeffrey and I just returned from watching the Cowboys game at a co-worker's house, Shah. They are from Iran and are so nice. We had pistachios from Iran, tea from Iran, bakery goodies from Iran, and then dinner from Iran. It was my first "Persian" experience. I feel very cultured! Did you know Iran has 4 seasons? Did you know Persian rugs are made from hand and take 9 months to create? Did you know Persians put a cube of sugar in their mouths while drinking hot tea? Did you know people from Iran speak Farcie (spelling?)? Did you know you call things from Iran "Persian"?....Now YOU have some culture!
Now, I'm sure I have bored you to tears...sorry! There was just a lot to cover!

Jake's First Day of School

Cute smile...wet shirt (typical boy! You can't keep them clean for a SECOND!)


Jake w/Bob the Turtle...his new friend
Today, Jake started his first day at his new preschool (CCDC). His teacher is Mrs. Geisel and she has a funny turtle named Bob. Jake was super hyper after school...I think he had an awesome day!

Labor Day Weekend

This weekend, we went down to Houston to visit my parents. The boys had so much fun and didn't want to come home. Here are a few pictures from the boys' first Astros game. We had GREAT seats!

When my dad was sick last January, I pleaded to the Lord for his life. I told the Lord, "He hasn't gotten to take them to an Astros game yet!" Thank you, Lord for answering my prayer!

"Just Singing (and Dancing ) In The Rain"

Yeah! It finally rained! We've been having an awful drought here. The lake is 14 feet below normal. We need rain!
The boys decided to play in the rain after dinner. Their neighbor friends joined in the fun! I remember doing the same when I was their age. Great memories!

Monica's

Last night, we went to Deep Ellum to eat at Monica's (Jeffrey's favorite place). Lots of bachelorettes go there (decked out in interesting attire like necklaces w/male body parts on them!!!). Stephen & Star went with us. We didn't join the congo line (although I think secretly Jeffrey wanted to...Just Kidding!!!) but enjoyed the music...especially the segway from the salsa music to "Sweet Home Alabama"....very funny! After dinner, we drove Stephen and Star around town (they just moved here from Houston). What a great night (but not the best picture of Jeffrey & me)!!!!

Skeptic

Will woke up this morning very tired. He got dressed and told me his throat hurt. He wanted to go back to bed b/c he was so tired (Will has NEVER gone back to bed...he HATES to go to bed). So, I sent him to his bed. When he got up an hour later, he complained of a sore throat and stomach ache. I was a little skeptical. He was chasing his brother around the house...was he really sick??? I decided to take him to the doctor to make sure I was right that he was not sick and he was "pulling my leg". Well, the doctor made the verdict...he is indeed sick! He has a double ear infection and a viral infection causing his throat to be swollen and infected. Oops! I was wrong. You would never know he was sick. He was acting like normal!!! He is now on Zithromax (b/c I can never remember to do antibiotics for 10 days) for 5 days. The Dr. said he could go back to school tomorrow. Jeffrey and I have been sick all week w/cold like symptoms and sore throats. We (or rather, I) act sick! He must have a high pain tolerance (or is easily destracted by his little brother!)!!!

Like Father Like Son

Yesterday, I took Will Sonic (that is what he wants every week) to school and ate lunch with him. We were talking about how he was riding the bus.
.....I know, I know. I said I would NEVER let my kid ride the bus. They have made it sooo hard to drive the kids that it is virtually impossible not to ride the bus now. There is lots of drama concerning the drop-off/pick-up at Heritage...don't want to go into it. They do, however, have assigned seating so that makes us feel better. Our neighborhood has so many kids that they have to have 2 buses for our neighborhood.
Ok, back to the story...Will asked me yesterday as we were chatting not to meet him at the bus. He said, "The other moms just wait inside. Can you do that?" Oh, No! My first grader is already embarassed of his mom. I'm a COOL mom...why would he be embarassed of ME? I gathered up my pride and told him that I wouldn't cross the street but would wait on our lawn. I asked him if that was ok and if he would be embarassed by that. He said that was, "OK."
So, it reminded me of a Jeffrey story. Jo (Jeffrey's mom) told me that when Jeffrey was in first grade, he wouldn't let her walk him to his class. He just wanted to be dropped off. He convinced her that he could do it on his own. She reluctantly agreeed and he walked himself in, found his name on the roster posted on the door, and entered the classroom. Jo recalls that she cried all day long as her "baby" (the oldest of 3) was in 1st grade and she didn't walk him to his class.
As Will asked me not to wait outside, I realized that he was EXACTLY like his dad. Independent to the core. At least I was able to walk him into his class his first day of 1st grade!

Feliz Cupleanos, Emilio!

Yesterday, the boys and I went to our first "Mexican" birthday party. Our friends had a party for their 3 year old. I was one of 3 adults there who didn't speak Spanish. It was awesome!!!! We had a great time. They sure know how to throw a party. I think there were 27 kids and probably 26 adults!!!
The party started at 1pm. The kids played outside in the blow up swimming pools. It was HOT but there was lots of shade. We had taquitos, rice, & beans for lunch (So yummy!!!). After lunch, they hit the pinata. It was a huge one (but small for Mexican pinatas...did you know in Mexico they are lifesize?)!! They sang a Mexican song while each child took three swings. The boys joined in (even though they didn't know what they were singing). What fun!
It was great to meet new people. I loved listening to them speak. I want to learn spanish!!! As I listened to them, I wondered what it would be like to live in a foreign country. They all met each other b/c they were from Mexico City and were so excited to meet someone who was from their country...and spoke Spanish! I've been doing the Daniel study by Beth Moore. Daniel and his family were captured (with the other jewish people) and taken to Babylon. They didn't speak the same language and he had to learn their language along with their customs because he was one of 4 boys who were sent to the palace to do so. During the study we thought of how sad he must have been to leave his homeland.
As I sat there not understanding what the people at the party were saying, I thought of Daniel in a new way. Maybe it was sad to leave his home but I also wonder if he felt a sense of adventure? Obviously, he was smart so he probably loved learning new things. He was probably like a sponge soaking everything in. I think now he might of seen it as a sense of adventure.
In the midst of our fear of change, do we ever relish the fact that it could be an awesome adventure that will change us (for the good) forever? Or, are we too gripped by fear and tunnel vision to look for the bigger picture? Sure, I bet the Mexican families wish they were home and miss the comforts of it. But...what an adventure!

Jake's First Day of Soccer

We are an official soccer family! Jake started soccer today. He was very excited!! We bought him a red ball, red socks, and red shoes (well, the shoes were left over from Will). His coach used to play professional soccer! We're going to have a great team!

Boys' Back To School Bash

Well, it's not a bash...just a few kids over to play. 7 boys at my house right now. That's a lot of boys! Will is just like me...can't invite 1 person, it's got to be everyone!
Here they are taking a break from chase to play Nintendo. Boys are weird about video games! No tea parties or make up application here!

"My dad rules the world"

So, Will wanted to wear the t-shirt we made for Father's Day today. It says, "My dad rules the world". I thought it was so funny. What do you think people thought who saw him wear it today? They probably think we are a little weird...which we are! I had to take a picture of him walking up to school in it!
The shirts made for Father's Day said:
Mine...."My husband rocks"
Jake's..."My dad is cool" (which now says "coo" because the L fell off"
Jeffrey's..."I am the bomb"
Yes, we wear them in public. And, yes people look at us funny!!! We like to wear them to: Pancho's, Wal-mart, Cracker Barrel, the lake, Babe's Chicken House and places similar so we don't get as many stares. Maybe we could wear them to Nascar if we ever go!

Jake's Play date

So, Jake needs a friend now that Will is in school. We had our friend Barrett (from church) over. Barrett has an older brother as well so I thought it would be a perfect match. When Barrett arrived, neither boy knew what to do. There was no older brother bossing them around. Barrett's mom (Lea) and I laughed. Poor second children! They come out of the womb being bossed around (sorry John Mark). Finally, they got in a groove and had a great time. It just took them a while to think for themselves. We need more play dates!

Sore Throat?

How do you tell when your child is "stretching the truth" about being sick? Yesterday, Will woke and said his head hurt (to his dad) and then he told me (later) his throat hurt. Which one was it? And then, he said, "I never get to stay home. I never get a break." (he's been in school 2 days at this point) Hmmm....I think he has realized that Jake is getting to stay home with me and do fun things. So, I sent him to school yesterday, alerting the teacher that he "may" be sick. No call from the school nurse.
So, this morning at 5:45am (which brought back horrible memories of being up with small children...don't think I could do that again...I am so not a morning person) he woke up again with a sore throat. I didn't believe him again but then he started to sniffle. I think he's got drainage. Anyway, maybe he did have a sore throat. Maybe I'm the world's worst mom for thinking he was faking it! I took him Sonic for lunch. He seems to be doing better. I'll let you know what happens tomorrow morning.

Will's First Day of First Grade

Kindergarten



First Grade












I think I'll have to hold back tears all day long. Will is at school. We just dropped him off and we are sad.
Here are a few pictures from this morning. Don't they look old? They have grown up so much!
Will was very excited about school and he is going to have a great day. Jake says he gets to hug Will first when we pick him up because he is his brother. I guess I'll have to hug him second! Would it be too smothering to take him lunch today? Ok...I'll wait. What about Wednesday? Do I have to wait until Friday?