Game on

I never played soccer.  I ran track and I was a cheerleader. But now all of my kids play soccer.  It is huge down here.  Ella has been playing on the Academy/Travel team.  This is her second year.  Keelin plays in the Recreation League in the same organization because she said and I quote, "I want to have a life."  An Academy schedule is pretty much a full time commitment!  Ella practices twice a week for 1.5 hours each. She then CHOOSES to go to goalie training twice a week for hour long sessions and then a n extra skills session for an hour a week.  The weekend is reserved for games.  Yes, this is JUST Ella.  Keelin's practices have not started yet but they are twice a week for 2 hours and games on Saturday.  Max is starting on a team this year.  Josh is coaching :)  He has an hour long practice and then a game on Saturday.  Got all that?  I email Josh on a weekly basis so we are on the same page about who is picking up or dropping off who and where!  I also have a color coded schedule on the refrigerator door.  Oh I forgot, Keelin also has voice lessons and Josh starts with basketball in October.  Then it REALLY gets fun for me!  Anyway, Ella started her season today.  She and her team are in a tournament in Atlanta.  They lost the first game 2 to 1.  It was a little heartbreaking.  Ella played goalie first half and she did not allow a goal.  Then there was a direct penalty kick and really weak goal for the second half goalie.  The girls tried hard but didn't really gel.  The second game they won 11 to 1.  Ella, again, did not allow a goal the first half.  It blows my mind how much she can process in her 8 year old brain.  We were so proud of her.  She was a leader, directing her defense and she did well in offense, calling for the ball when open and just overall impressing us.  It opened my eyes to how much she has learned.  I know she is competitive....she is my kid! and Josh's...she stood no chance! We have a game in the am which will determine the final. We are optimistic:)  Go UFA! 

xo~M

 

Down for the Count....

So we are back at school less than a week and Max picks up a little cold.  He plows right on, sounds a little congested but no worse for the wear.  He still has endless energy and needs coersion to go to bed.  I catch Max's cold....and I feel like I was hit with a ton of bricks.  No fever, no aches....just a runny nose then congestion.  But boy was I wiped.  I got up on Saturday, but just barely.  We had plans to go to dinner.  A real live date night!  We had a sitter and I was not giving THAT up!  So I laid in bed alternately reading and watching TV with a kleenex sticking out of my nose, because I was sick of blowing it.  I  know, sexy right?  Oh and I did throw a few cat naps in.  I dragged myself out of bed at 6:00 pm to shower and we left the house at 6:45....armed with a dose of sudafed.  Had a great time:)  Again dragged myself out of bed to get to church on Sunday.  The girls love their church groups and I know Josh doesn't LOVE taking them alone so we went to church.  But then this girl was on the couch all day.  I realize the body needs rest but it seemed super unfair to wake up feeling so much better JUST to go back to work!  Don't get me wrong, I am extremely greatful to be healthy.  I just covet my weekend/family time so much.  Plus I barely took pictures this weekend.  I will add a few of my daisies though....so HAPPY they are growing here.  They are my happy flower.  Onward to the 2nd fill week of school and to a hopefully illness free one too....

xo~M



8-9-12
Growing up....
I don't remember my first day of middle school, but I remember middle school.  When I was in school middle school didn't start until 7th grade.  Today, my first baby-Keelin started middle school as a 6th grader. 

She is so excited that she came home today not being able to wait to go back tomorrow.  (I definately do not remember feeling like that!) She is in a school that houses 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.  I have heard about all of her classes and teachers, including one who was a tomboy (big plus) and another who is a lover of comic books and super heroes (another plus!).  Keelin helped her locker neighbor with her locker and made it through her 7 period (every time she says it - she giggles) day.  Josh is trying to get her to call them class periods instead of "periods."  Ha ha...
I have caught Keelin's excitement.  I am so glad that this new part of her life excites her and makes her happy.  I would love to re-live middle school through Keelin.  I spent 6th, 7th, and 8th in three different schools in three different towns.  This seems much better:) Plus being at daddy's school is a big help. 
Ella began her school year as a 3rd grader and the only one at my school with me.  She had a great day and loves her teacher.  Max is in PK at a nearby school.  His biggest complaint:  uniforms and having to sleep on a cot , which he says is "like being in the baby class."  Not a fan!  It did not hinder him from passing out on said cot for nap time though....

Have a great school year:)

xo~M

She's only happy when she's....BUSY

I love summer vacation.  I love having flexibility.  BUT I find myself getting cranky when I am sedentary.  I will sit down to read a book and then get through a few pages, get up and find a project whether it be laundry or just wiping up counter tops.  My favorite time to read is when I go up to bed.  Then I sit still.  This week - just getting back from vacation, I enrolled Ella in soccer camp (because she is happier when she is busy too), sent Keelin to a sleepover, did loads of laundry, set up buckets of shells to bleach, uploaded my 900+ pictures that I took, and THEN decided I needed to tear apart my half bath. So...I tore off the factory installed glued mirror.  I washed the walls and the baseboards.  I patched all the holes.  Then I had fun and went shopping (with the whole family...ok maybe not THAT much fun!) So here are my befores and afters!  Now I think my kitchen needs re-painting.....

xo~M
Before:

And After:

Now I lay me down to sleep....

I found out yesterday that a girl that I went to high school with was killed.  She was a girl when I knew her.  She had since become a wife, mom, teacher, triathlete, cyclist, and more than I even know. I knew her because my best friend's sister was her best friend.  I knew her because we were in marching band together.  I knew her because I cheered for her when she was diving because one of my other good friends dove too.  I found out that others had lost a friend, sister, daughter, mom, wife, teacher, mentor.....because two other people had chosen to drive drunk.  At 7:45. in. the. morning.  I didn't sleep well last night.  I thought about Heather and her family all day.  I thought about her 4 year old and 7 year old children.  Tonight I had to go pick up Ella from soccer.  Max was crying when I left.  I talked to Josh on my way home.  He told me Max cried, I want mommy!  I want Mommy! and he told him "mommy will be home in a few minutes".  Then he told me at that moment, when he said that to Max, he immediately thought of Heather's husband (whom we never met) and how he will have to tuck in his kids when they are crying and asking for their mommy.  Josh said he couldn't even comprehend that feeling of loss.  I thought about Heather and her children...and now her husband.  It breaks my heart.  I can physically feel a weight in my chest thinking about them.  Just an overwhelming sadness over the loss of a woman who was (this was what I remember most) kind.  When I say my prayers, I will pray for Heather's family.  I will keep posted on the blogs and threads on facebook and do what I can to support from afar.  Even if it is just to buy a t shirt to support the movement now to bring awareness to the tragic nature of Heather's death. 
You will be missed, Heather....
xo~M

Deadliest Catch....(LOL)
Every year at the beach we go crabbing.   I have gone each year except when Max was a tiny baby and we stayed back at the beach house.  My participation ranges from child chaser to snack distributor to photographer.  We have caught dozens and we have caught one!  This year was mid-range, I think about 16.  The difference today was that I was an ACTIVE participant in that I caught my VERY FIRST CRAB!  Josh and I partnered- with me pulling up the line while he caught the crabs in the net.  But one time, I pulled up the line AND scooped it into the net!  All by myself!  It was so exciting and the kids jumped around and got so excited like I created a new ice cream flavor or something!  It was very cool.  I totally get why the kids like to do it and why they get so excited when they catch them.  I don't even eat crabs-but it WAS fun to catch them :) Here are some shots of our morning crabbing at the Whalehead Club.

xo~M

 My first crab!



OBX-our home away from home...
There is nothing we look forward to as a family more than our trip to OBX each year.  Not even Christmas.  We meet up with our best friends from Buffalo and settle into a routine like we had just seen each other yesterday.  We have a laid back schedule which includes mornings at the beach and afternoons in our pool.  Wine on the beach and freezie pops by the pool.  Dolphin shows from our beach chairs, digging for mole crabs, and floating in the ocean waves.  Evenings in the hot tub and movie nights.  For the kids it is an extended sleep over.  For Josh and I it is life without watches or alarm clocks.  It is bliss....

Stay tuned for more from the OBX....

xo~M