March... out like a lamb!

I sadly only blogged a couple of times this month.  Of the whopping three times I blogged, one of them I started off by saying, March…In Like A Lion.

Thankfully, I’m happy to say March Is leaving like a lamb.  The truth is, I’m so ready for April.  I can’t wait until I turn the calendar page on March and see the light pink pastel color of April plastered across my wall.  It has been a hard month.  A busy month.  A month filled with sickness, spring break, more sickness, a new second part time job, baseball and the wrap up of football.  Not to mention it was Michael’s birthday somewhere in there.    As the middle child, thankfully he doesn’t demand a huge celebration… we got away this year with taking him to the Marvel Super Hero experience, in exchange for having what has become our traditional play date celebration at the park. 

I’m happy to see March go.  Wait, I think I’ve said that.  After being sick for what seemed like every day of the month (in reality it wasn’t that bad), I finally went to the doctor and found out sinus infection was to blame for the constant hacking attacks.  But now I’m on antibiotics so I hope we’re on the upside of that downhill. 

This week, actualy in the last two days, I’ve found a fire to light under my tush so I’m determined to catch up on some of the highlights of this month.  Here are a few…

St. Patrick came to visit…. Yes, indeed, St. Patrick made his annual appearance again on St. Patrick’s day.  The boys have a great memory when it comes to St. Patrick’s day and were Johnny on the Spot on the morning before St. Patrick’s day.  Michael said, “Mom, does St. Patrick come today or tomorrow?”  “Um, tomorrow Michael, I’m pretty sure it’s tomorrow.”  “Whew, am I thankful they remembered.  The silly little leprechaun made a rainbow of coins in the boy’s bedroom and left Isabelle a heart shaped collection of coins.  Sadly, St. Patrick forgot about Mom and Dad’s room.  Funny how he only brings stuff for the kids.  Maybe someday he’ll bring us a huge pot of money. 

Swing Batter Batter…. Baseball season is well underway, and I’m that horrible mom that doesn’t even have a single picture to show.  The boys are on two different teams this year, which unlike football, means twice the running, twice the practices and double the games.  It’s a crazy season but thankfully we lucked out this year and the boys have 5 games that overlap.  Thankfully the fields are literally back to back from one another, so we can “watch” both at the same time.  That’s much better than spending 5 hours at the ball park, like we did last Friday night.  Thankfully it was a gorgeous night, so it was a lot of fun to watching them.  And I will make sure to get pictures... note to do on my April task list. 

Scooby Doobie Do!... Isabelle as of late has been completely into Scooby Doobie Doobie Doobie Do.  Yes, that is exactly how she says the name.  She's so into it, that she requests, more like demands, to watch it every afternoon and morning.  She doesn't care that it is the same DVD with the same episodes, she loves it all the same.  At first I was learly of her watching it because I was afraid she would be afraid of the monsters.  Turns out she isn't afraid, she talks about them like they are real people but not scary.  I hope it stays that way.  And in other Isabelle news, she still wears her Elsa dress and wants to eat out of the pretend bowls, and plates she has from her kitchen.  

 Singing in the sunshine!

Do you know how many times we have to fill up this bowl with cereal in the morning?  Just a few... like 10! And look at her spoon... seriously 2 Rice Krispies will fit on that spoon with each bite.

With Easter coming up this weekend, I am very excited to welcome April.  Just like the spring back in the mid-west (it already feels like summer here, already 95 plus).  The spring brings with it a sense of new beginnings, of a fresh start and of things just beginning to grow.  Oh April, I look forward to seeing what you bring.

Until next time,

Angie

Michael is 8!

Today my baby boy is 8.  To say baby anymore sounds strange.  He hasn't been a baby for a very long time and yet, I can hardly believe he is 8.  Where did the three year old boy with the high pitched voice and the words we couldn't understand go?

Now standing in front of me is a wildly intelligent, constantly one thought ahead of me, active boy with endless energy, whit and determination.

Today Michael turns 8 and to see that number next to his age makes me realize just how quickly the time is going.

Michael's interest in life is never-ending, constantly questioning, always intrigued by the hows and why's of the world.

If there is a question to ask, Michael's sure to think of it.  And inquire he will.  That's actually one of the qualities I admire about him.  Never afraid to ask the question.  He seeks knowledge and just like his dad, once told, will seal that information in the steel trap of endless details stored in that intelligent brain.

Jarrett and I know Michael's surely to achieve greatness in his future because he's the most stubborn person we've ever met.  While sometimes this means we butt our heads and don't see eye to eye, this also means he not one to quit.   Determination is very important in life, and I feel confident knowing that as an adult, even when he faces challenges he's sure to keep pressing on. So I applaud your stubborn quality... you're mom's been known to be stubborn on occasion too.

As I watch Michael grow and change in front of my eyes, I see his unique personality thriving as he works on building, creating and designing.  He loves to create masterpieces out of Lego's and I see a blooming engineer.  This summer he will take a beginner lego robotics course and I think it will be the spark he needs in finding his passion.

I look forward to Michael stepping out of the shadow of his older brother and taking on new challenges in interests purely his own.  For then I think we will see Michael really bloom, in his confidence, in his passion and in his personality.

I'm excited to watch Michael grow and change this year.

Michael, here's to your 8th year, being the one where you really break out of your shell.

Where you find your passion, where your confidence in yourself, matches the confidence we have in you.

And the world sees the amazing person you are.

Dad and I feel so proud to be your parents.  You have taught us more in parenting than we ever could have imagined.  You push us to be our best and you challenge us to do more, to do better and to care more than we had the day before.

Michael, you are a truly special young man. I hope you know we are always proud of you.  We LOVE you more than you will ever know.  We wish complete happiness for you and we want you to know we will be there to support you all the way.  Happy birthday to my precious Michael.

Love you always,
Mom

Spring Break Week...

Two weeks ago, the kids enjoyed a week of spring break.  For Jarrett and I, it was business like normal, and if we are really being honest, it was an really hectic week.

To help us watch the kids, my dad and Grandpa made the 1700 mile haul for the week.  Simply put, it was a great week.

The bummer was Dad and Grandpa brought a nasty cold/virus with them and while the weather here was sunny and warm, they spent most of the week fighting off the sickness.  By the end of the week, after deciding they weren't get better, we made a trip to the Minute Clinic where Dad and Grandpa finally got some prescription... the turning point for them.

Thankfully, we didn't have much planned for the week, just a lot of playing.  The kids LOVED the week, and still talk about how much fun they had with Grandpa Chip (my dad) and Grandpa Ray (my grandpa and my dad's dad).  While Jarrett and I were at work, the kids and the Grandpa's watched movies (lots and lots of old western John Wayne movies), they played at the park (the train park which was Isabelle's favorite) and the boys spent hours outside with their neighbor friends building forts in the front yard, playing cops and robbers and just being boys.

It turns out, it was actually perfect to have the Grandpa's watch them because the boys were in need of a low key (and by low key, I mean as low as you can go) schedule.  There was nothing planned each day, not even lunch.  And what made the boys love it even more is that they weren't even directed by their bossy mom about what they could or couldn't eat for lunch.

I believe one day, I learned after coming home from work that no one was really "hungry" for lunch.  As I inquired more, I learned they each had consumed a few Twinkies, some cheese and about 4-5 cookies.  After that, why would anyone want to eat a sandwich or some fruit?  Now doesn't that sound like a bachelor meal or what?    The boys were in pure Heaven.

And so was Isabelle.  Grandpa Chip brought out for Isabelle the Strawberry Shortcake kitchen set I used to have as a child.  Now this set is 30 plus years old and while it needed some minor repairs, Isabelle thought it was the best thing ever, right next to her Elsa dress.

Grandpa Chip and Isabelle worked on repairing the needed fixes and soon enough Isabelle was cooking away.  In the 7 days Grandpa and Grandpa were here, we ate pretend ice cream, coffee, milk, candy, cereal, cookies, lots and lots of food.  Isabelle spent hours and hours each day cooking away.

I'm so thankful Dad brought it out as it makes me happy when toys can last the ages.  Plus seeing Isabelle enjoy cooking as much as I do, makes me look forward to the hours we will get to spend together in the kitchen as she continues to grow.

Here Isabelle is telling Grandpa how to fix her oven.  Getting to watch my dad interact with my daughter fills my heart with happiness and so much love.

The language of love is truly present in the picture below... without even the utter of a single sound.

And I have to say I love the fact that Isabelle wanted to jump right in and help fix her toys.

So thankful.  Just completely thankful.

Before we knew it, the week of relaxation and fun was over and it was time for the boys and Isabelle to head back to school.

The following pictures were taking on the morning Grandpa and Grandpa had to leave.  It was a sad morning for all of us.  We took turns giving hugs and saying good bye, and then the kids and I loaded up in the car to leave.

As we backed out of the driveway and drove down the street, all three kids sobbed.  In between the deep inhale breaths of trying to stop crying Gabriel said, "I wish they didn't have to leave."  To which Michael added in, "I love them so much.  I wish we lived close to them."  To which I did my best to hold it all together.

I tried to reassure the kids, we would plan something soon to get a firm date on the calendar. Sometimes just knowing when the next time will be, helps to get through the hardest parts of saying good bye.

I told the boys, as I dropped them off at school, still sobbing and trying to catch their breath, that it was just as hard for Grandpa and Grandpa to leave us as it is for us to leave them.  I said, they love you very much boys and we'll get to see them again soon.

As I dropped the kids off at school and headed on my way to work, I texted Dad and told him it was really hard to say goodbye.  I thanked him for everything and told them to have a safe trip back.

I could tell having to say goodbye was especially difficult for the kids.  I think honestly, it gets harder and harder each time.  For our boys, who are typical boys, to see them sobbing uncontrollably, made me realize we need to do even more to make sure they get time with their grandparents.  Speaking from my experience, and the bond I have with my Grandparents, I think getting to spend quality time with my grandparents was one of the greatest gifts my parents gave me.  There is a special bond between grandchildren and grandkids and to see how much my kids long to have that with their grandparents, tells me, we need to find a way to make sure they get those times as much as they can.

Now here we are almost two weeks later, and Isabelle still asks me every single day, "Where Grandpa go?" And Michael continues to have moments of sadness where he tells me how much he misses Grandpa Chip and Grandpa Ray.

The week of spring break was as low key as one could get, and yet, if you'd ask my kids about their week of holiday, they'd tell you it was the most amazing spring break yet. We are so thankful that Grandpa and Grandpa came out to spend the week with us.  Their showered the kids with love and attention and they gave of one of life's most prizes possessions... their time.  It left a huge impact on the hearts and minds of the three little people in my life.   I'm forever thankful.

Until next time,
Angie

March... In like a lion.

To be honest, I don't know where I've been the past few weeks.  Okay, so I actually know where I've been but I don't have any real good excuse for why I haven't been posting.  I guess if I'm being honest and totally relying upon excuses (those that I tell my boys not to use), the truth is it is has just been crazy.

I feel like March has totally entered in like a lion.  I remember in elementary school, seeing our teacher's calendars and for the month of March I always remember there being a picture of a lion and a lamb.  I'm guessing teachers probably don't have the same calendars these days but I surely remember it clear as anything.  And so, as the saying goes, March for us has come in like a lion.  Which can only mean it has to leave like a lamb right? :-) I'm hoping!

In addition to baseball starting a few weeks ago, the boy's football team has continued to do well.  In fact they are playing in the championship game this weekend.  I'm pretty bummed to be missing it, as I have a work training on Saturday, but I sure hope they do well.  At the last game, their team trailed by at least a touch down the entire game.  As the minutes on the clock ticked by, we were really excited that Gabriel threw an-end-of-game touchdown pass that tied the game.  Then their team went for 2 and actually got it, so they ended up winning the game by one point.  It was really exciting and the boys considered it a "miracle". I'm not quite ready to consider it a miracle, but I'm sure for their perspective in life, it probably felt like it.  Here's to hoping this week goes well.

Oh and little did I know, the championship game isn't actually the final game.  It turns out there is another series of championship games after the one this weekend, and if they win they continue to play other teams in the valley until the ultimate game "SUPER BOWL" where they kids get to run through a paper banner.  It seems to me the boys are more excited about the possibility of getting to run through a paper banner than actually playing in a game called the "SUPER BOWL!"  We shall see how it goes, one game at a time.

For this one-limit-sport mom, trying to balance two sports and three different teams, is a bit hectic.  Thankfully Jarrett has really taken on the burden (did I actually say that) of getting to run them around.  So thankful again for my supportive husband.

In other news, our house has also been dealing with the crud that seems to be floating around.  A week and a half ago, two of the three kids were diagnosed with Strep Throat on the same day.  While it was nice not to have to take off different days off from work, might as well have them all sick at the same time, dealing with two sickies is twice as much work right?  And just when I figured the third kiddo would come down with strep, it turns out the kids surprised me again, and decided to get the flu.  So now we are dealing with the flu bug.

Thankfully Nana and Papa have moved closer to us and they have been lifesavers!!!! Honestly, I don't know how we made it through without their help.  Yesterday when the school called me about Michael being sick, I thought, oh no, I'll have to leave work again.  Instead Papa volunteered to go get him, take him home and care for the germ-infested boy.  And he cleaned up after him for me.  I mean how lucky did I get? I am so thankful for the extra help.

So there's a quick summary of where things are for us as March has started.  I feel more behind on my to do list than ever and I just can't seem to find the energy to attempt to catch up.  I'll get there someday, but for now I'm going to give myself some slack.  See if there's one thing motherhood has taught me is that there is NEVER a shortage of things to do.  So in my lazy-mindset, I've decided why not just let a few of the to do items stay on the list a bit longer. I'm not ready to add on any more new items.... at least not today.

Until next time,
Angie

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