Flash Back Friday...

I am a big fan of Instagram and if there is one thing I see today, it's the number of people posting #FBF (Flash back Friday) photos.  So I decided to jump on the bandwagon and join in.

Here are a few flashback photos, that bring up a lot of memories for me.

The photo above is one of the last "family" pictures Jarrett and I have before we became parents.  This was taken on Jarrett's 30th birthday at Disneyland.  If this picture doesn't show just what kind of a dad he was going to be, I'm not sure what would show.  He's such a wonderful man who gives everything he can do his family, works so hard to provide for us and who always reminds us to make time for fun.  Hard to believe it's been  more than 5 years already.

And here's one of our first family pictures with the boys.  It was the first time the boys met their awesome Uncle Nolan and they were completely thrilled.  I hardly recognize Gabriel and Michael and honestly don't remember them being this little.  Thank goodness for pictures to help remind me, they indeed were little once.

They had endless energy from day one and thats one thing that hasn't changed.  Don't they look like babies in this picture?  Michael was, in this picture, about the same age Isabelle is now.  And Gabriel still looks like a toddler almost.  I remember he changed looks right away, so we only have a few pictures of him when he still looked like he had his baby cheeks and hands.  This picture was taken only a few days after the boys came home.  They are still wearing the same clothes and shoes they brought with them from their life before us.

Fast forward a few years...

Here are the boys thrilled to be big brothers.  They were so excited to have a baby in our house and finally their sister.  Here Isabelle is just over a week old.  

This is one of the first times I got to feed her.  I remember thinking her bottle (I believe it was 2 ounces total) was so tiny and that my hand was bigger than her head.  How quickly she grew as she's now almost 30 pounds.  Holding Isabelle and getting to meet her when she was only hours old was truly a gift I thought I'd never get to experience as a mom.  I will always feel blessed we were with her from the beginning.

Such a precious baby girl... Oh how I miss those days.

Jarrett and I were talking this morning about our lives and how much things have changed in 6 years.  Back then we would have longed for the chaos, the stress of trying to balance it all, and even the fighting among the kids.  While our lives are busier than we could have ever imagined and sometimes more stressful than I'd like to admit, the truth is, we've never been happier, felt more blessed, and found more joy in life.  Oh for flash back Friday, a great reminder of how wonderful life has been.

Until next time,
Angie

President Gabriel...

Today is a big day at school for our oldest boy.  For the past month at school he has been working on a large research project where they are learning about the presidents.  He was assigned/picked (not quite sure) to research former President Bill Clinton.  Every time he refers to his project as a "history" project, it makes me pause.. to me history is the 1800's or early 1900's, not 1992 (another sign I'm getting old).

Anyway, so as a part of his project he had to complete a huge written research project at school and at home, work on a display board and his speech he will give today at school.  Its a big deal as the entire school is invited along with parents and family members to watch.

During the speech he has to pretend that he is President Bill Clinton and when someone touches him on the arm, he comes alive and gives an 'autobiography' of his life.  The goal was to play the part in addition to knowing all the details.

Last night we had Gabriel practice what he was going to say, much to his dismay.  He said he'd practice at school, but as someone who gives speeches or presents publicly as a part of their job, I told him practicing ahead of time is really important.  So once again, big bad mom, made him do something he wasn't too interested in.  (I hope some day, he'll realize my reason for it).

This morning he got all dressed for school, and of course as a proud mom, I made him take some pictures.  I look forward to listening to him this afternoon to see how it goes as I know he worked very hard on this project..

Here's a few photos that capture our President Clinton for the day...

Giving me a quick me a quick run through about what is on his poster board.

 While we attempted to make him look like the current Bill Clinton and his hair, with jet black hair, we couldn't add enough powder to give him a truly distinguished look.  But seriously, doesn't he look so much older with salt and pepper hair?  I feel in a way, I'm looking at a senior citizen Gabriel sans wrinkles.

The "I-have-serious-business-to-do-presidential look"

And our usual Gabriel smile... I told him this would be a great campaign smile.


Until next time,
Angie

Flag Football...

This winter sports season we signed the boys up for flag football.  Its something they, especially Gabriel, have been begging to do for, well, years.  Thanks to a recommendation from a great friend, we found a league that has a great program.  To us a great program is one that is focused on the kids having fun, being safe (as safe as you can be with football) and doesn't require a ton of time on our end.  I think we found a winner.

The boys are on the same team and practice once a week along with their games only on Saturday mornings.  This league specializes in making sure everyone plays and gets to rotate both on offense and on defense.  It is a beginner group so they are open to common rookie mistakes and show the kids positive feedback in all areas of play.  I am very thankful for that.

The boys seem to be loving football.  They look forward to it everyday, Michael asks if today is a football day every morning.  Unlike Gabriel who's a planner like his mom, and knows what day of week it is an what is going on for the next three days; Michael has never seemed interested in keeping track of what day it is.  He simply goes with the flow and wakes up to ask if he needs to get ready for school of it is a day he can stay home.  While living like that would stress the crap out of me, it seems for him, living like I live, stresses him out.  So we agree to disagree in how we plan our days.

Wow, sorry for that side note.  Anyway back to football.  If it is a day that we can answer yes to Michael's inquiry about it being a football day, he moves with more ambition that we ever see.  And then there's Gabriel who's been counting down the minutes in his sleep til he can wake up (at the very earliest minute possible), get dressed, mouth guard in place, pacing the house ready to leave.  I don't need to say it, but I will anyway, they are only a tiny bit excited about playing football.  And that's even before we get to the field.

While they get to play on both sides of the ball, Gabriel's favorite position to play is quarterback (no surprise), and Michael enjoys playing defensive end (at least I think that's what the position is).  Given the fact that Gabriel has only played one season of flag football and Michael has zero experience playing, I am proud of how they've picked up the sport.

The season has gone by very quickly and next week starts play offs.  If they win, they will play for another week and that's just the perfect amount of time, because spring baseball starts this week and I am only a one sport mom--- meaning Mom can only handle running the kids to one activity at a time.
Here are a few highlights from their winter football season...

Gabriel is number 19 and he's the quarterback kneeling down to get the ball from his center.  I always thought when you kneel down with the ball that was considered the end of play, but they let it go, so I just keep my mouth shut. I'm just a mom, so I don't really know anything anyway.  And if you don't believe me, I have two boys who will tell you that's the truth.  

Michael is number 14 and running an action play on offense.

Here's a shot of Gabriel and Michael both on defense, trying to get the flag from their opponent.

 Above and below are the boys getting ready to go back and run another play.  As I look at these pictures, I'm reminded how tall they've become.  It won't be very long before Gabriel is towering over me.

 Its been really fun to watch the boys play on the same team together.  This is the first time they've been put on the same team.  Its been nice to hear and see them cheer each other on.  It makes me want to put them in the same sports, and on the same team more often; and not only because it is less running for me!

And here's a final video highlight of Gabriel throwing a touchdown pass...

Until next time,
Angie

Big Bed... Big day!

Today Isabelle transitioned from her crib into a big bed.  And I don't mean a toddler bed, I mean a really big bed.  Tonight she is sleeping in a twin bed and to say she looks miniature would be an understatement.

Then again, I feel like it was just yesterday when we brought her home from the hospital and she looked miniature in the crib.  My how quickly time passes.

As I look at her sleeping peacefully in her big girl bed, I can't help but realize that my baby girl is not a baby but really a girl.  Those three years went by so quickly, I feel soon she'll be 6 and I'll think back, wasn't she just three.

I hope the night goes well and she sleeps as peacefully as she did in her crib.  She never seemed to not want to sleep in the crib but we knew it was time to make the transition.

Sweet dreams baby  big girl.  Mommy and Daddy can't believe just how fast you're growing up.

Until next time,
Angie

Their great dad...

Gabriel, Michael and Isabelle have a wonderful dad and this morning as I was getting ready for the day, I was reminded just how great he is.

I had just bathed Isabelle and while I was in the shower, Jarrett finished getting her ready.  Just as it is every other day, of course Isabelle wanted to wear her Elsa dress (we've given in and let her wear it everyday- it isn't worth the battle).  After getting her dress on, the next request was for her Elsa braid.  I listened to Jarrett talk with her as I finished getting the shampoo out of my hair.  Jarrett put detangler in her hair, then proceeded to comb it.  Meanwhile Isabelle just repeated over and over again, "Please can I have an Elsa braid?", "Please Dad."  I knew I had only a minute left before Isabelle would be opening my shower door telling me to get out so I could braid her hair.

When the minute passed and I didn't hear the shower door open, I wiped the glass shower door and saw this...

Yes, while you can't see Jarrett standing there, that it is him braiding her hair.  

I'll be honest, I definitely took a a second look and wiped my eyes again.  And then I couldn't help but smile.  Then I jumped out of the shower, ran across the bathroom to our bedroom, grabbed my phone, snapped a couple of pictures before hopping back into the shower.  Some moments are worth a ton of water all across one's floor.  

In watching Jarrett do his best at attempting to braid Isabelle's hair, I couldn't help but be reminded of just how lucky I am.  I am married to a wonderful man who works extremely hard to provide for us,  who jumps right in to help with the kids (and the dog) the minute he walks through the door and who is the perfect partner for me.

With Valentine's Day coming up Jarrett and I made an agreement we won't be spending any money or going out to a fancy dinner.  While roses are nice and a date night out as adults is wonderful, I'm thankful for the small gifts I get... like watching my partner jump in and braid his daughter's hair (even though he didn't really know what he was doing).  Sometimes, the simple things he does to take a little bit of the load off of me, are the best gifts I could get.

Thanks Jarrett for being such a wonderful dad.  The kid are blessed and so am I.

Until next time,

Angie

Nana and Papa's Anniversary

When we were at Disneyland a few weeks ago Nana and Papa celebrated their anniversary.  What a fun place to celebrate right?

Before the trip, the kids and I were talking about the trip and that we should do something special to help them celebrate.  That's when one of the boys came up with the idea to make them a "really big card" After talking about some of their ideas we came to the conclusion we'd make them a really big anniversary sign and then decorate their hotel room door with balloons and the sign.

So we got to work...

 Gabriel went to work drawing the bubble letters and Isabelle started right away to color them in.

 At first Gabriel wasn't so sure he liked the idea of his sister coloring the sign... but mom, she doesn't know how to stay in the lines.  I told him I don't think Papa and Nana would mind a few mistakes of color outside of the lines and that they'd enjoy it more if everyone had a part of making it.

 All the kids helped to make the sign special.  And after coloring in the letters, each person drew a special picture (Mickey ears, balloons, a heart for example) to show their extra special touch of care.  And then everyone wrote a special note.  When I mean everyone, there may have been even a special note or drawing touch added by a neighbor kid or two.

 On the morning of their anniversary the kids quickly got up and dressed in the hopes of helping me decorate their door.  It turns out Papa woke up a tad bit earlier than we thought he would and so we didn't get to decorate the door as we planned.

It was okay though as they kids held the sign when he opened the door and shouted Happy Anniversary.  I think they liked it just the same.

It was fun getting to celebrate their special day with them and we hope they know just how much they are loved.  We sure did put a lot of it into our little (okay, big) sign. 

Until next time,

Angie

How can it be.... our baby is 3!

 Yep, that's right Isabelle today you turn three.

Its hard for mom to believe you are such a big girl.

As I look into your beautiful blue eyes and are blessed by your contagious smile, I see its true.

You're turning into such a big girl, right in front of my eyes.

You are such a happy child, with a laugh that always causes more....

You've perfected the "cheeze" smile with a grit of your teeth and the clench of your fists.

Your zest for life is heart-warming, with curiosity that never sleeps.

Where once I saw a little baby, I now see a little girl.  

Isabelle, you are smart, funny, caring and loving.  Just some of the many reasons why you are loved so much.

As I look at this picture, I can't believe how tall you are.  Those legs don't seem to end! Mom wishes for your height.  

I don't know if you know this or not, but at night when we sit, rock in the chair and read together, I often gaze into your eye lashes, I study your cheeks and those beautiful lips.  I try to capture your innocence, your beauty, who you are now, so I never forget just how you looked at each and every age.

You've become such a talkative little girl who loves to sing songs, tell stories and talk about ANYTHING Frozen!

I love your expressions, for they are always big and your emotions clear.  Whether its saying hi to a bird in the sky (see above), so singing your songs, always clear, always big, always a blessing.

Isabelle, as you turn three, I look forward to seeing you grow, to watching you learn new things and to sharing more and more of who you are with us.

I hope you always look at life with the same zest you have now.

I hope you never loose your sense of wonder.

And I hope you always know how much you are loved.  

We wish you the happiest 3rd birthday and a wonderful year.

Let the world celebrate---- for now you are three!

Until next time,
Angie