The Story of My Life

Each Summer I do my Little Man a poster for his bedroom. Above are 2007- his Black Belt Portrait on the beach the day he was awarded it- the day we got on the plane to move from Florida. The next one, 2008, is the RipStik craze in our hood. ((And before you dis my photos, MY CAMERA IS IN THE SHOP FOR 4 WEEKS! I do not even know how to take a photo with a view-finder.)) Here is the 2009 version..... I call it the Riverwoods Terrorists- Paintball is the current craze- and they go through thousands of balls a week....! All 20X30....All so cool if I do say so myself! Anyone want to order one? I need more money for paintballs. Hmmm......what will next year's be! Hello blogging world.... I Am Back!!!

I love this time of year! I have been trying to teach my children Christmas carols and remind them the reason for the season- Jesus' birth. I am trying to teach them about giving and not just wanting and getting. We attended a Christmas play at CCB church this weekend. Any child who wanted to participate had a time to arrive for a fitting for a chosen costume and participate. Kinda an impromptu Christmas play! A few older kids had the parts that told the story from the animals' point of view and the other kids were ALL the animals. Baby girl was all about it. Little man, not so much. He dressed in his stylin' new clothes and said he would "look" at the costumes to see the choices but would rather just watch his sister. I said that was fine and just wanted us to all go as a family to celebrate Christmas together, secretly wanting my little man to still be my baby boy and be in the play. We arrived and Baby girl chose a cute little bunny costume with ears and t...

I remember being in a spelling bee- several times. I was always a good speller. Little Man, not so much as I have written of before. He is getting better this year with an EXCELLENT teacher and some maturity and initiative. He wants to be in his class spelling bee and as much as I discouraged him like the good parent I am, he insists. We studied some words tonight. Biscuit. I said that I remembered how that word troubled me as a child. He said, "OH MOM, that one is so easy." Ready...... Bisget . Of course. Bis-GET. Just like it sounds.

We are enjoying the football. Making lots of new great friends- kids and parents alike. While I still do not know all the positions and struggle with my limited knowledge of the rules, we are having a good time! And of course, our rules are kinda weird.....I just figured out last night that they were not really punting. I thought I was just not paying attention. And our team does not have a quarterback.....and we have a bearcrawler . Go figure. I am NO sports genius, but No wonder I am confused. I did team pictures last night, in my spare time. Here are a few for you took check out! GO WILDCATS!!!!

Way to go 105 lb. Wildcats!!!!!

Wildcats put up a Hard fight against the Warriors. It was my Little Man's first real game and he was so excited. He got to play more than the 2 plays each player is guaranteed by the rules, so I take it as a success! He had a great time and is getting better all the time. He is under that pile somewhere- I see his leg. I took hundreds of pictures, of course. I will spare you. They all look pretty much the same. GO LITTLE MAN and Go WILDCATS! I wanted to get a t-shirt with his picture and "MY SON IS #..." on it. He said..... " I don't think so MOM!" I love you, baby!!!!!

My little man set foot on the football field for the first of many times this weekend. I was so nervous- but he didn't seem to be at all- Pelham's football complex seemed to be a Pro dome as he stepped out onto the field for the first play--Such a big place compared the to practice field they have been on! Helena beat Pelham in the scrimmage game at the Green and Gold football jamboree! There were lots of families from Helena there to enjoy the night. We have a great group of boys, parents and coaches. It is going to be a fun season. Way to go little Wildcats!!!

"Hey Mom! I got to say "The Lord's Prayer" after football practice." "Oh, baby! That is great!" "Yeah, Coach said I hit someone so hard that I made them cry- so I got to lead the prayer!"

First Days of School are always a big day! I have tortured my son each and every year with a photo shoot before he heads out. Look how he has grown! His feet grew 2 shoe sizes just over the summer and he put on 8 lbs and a grew a couple of inches. I Love you, my Little Man! Godspeed.

Are they both preparing for their future careers????? I think Little Man slept in his full football gear! He is so excited!

No, not really..... but you would think. Little Man had never played football but is very athletic and broad shouldered and definitley built for it. But his over protective mother would not have it. I preferered him to take nice, calm, quiet Tae Kwon Do and do skate boarding. Go figure. Like you can't get hurt at either of those sports. He reacher Black Belt and tested trained for a year and three ranks to his 2nd degree. And wanted to "take a break' so he can play football. So his father took him to sign ups.......take note of that sentence. And we began this week. 3 nights a week. And the parent must stay. At. Practice. So, I, who barely know a touchdown from a touchback from a sacrifice fly, have been to the parent meeting and all practices. HE LOVES IT. And gets his new UnderArmour cleats on about 3 hours prior to practice, along with his practice uniform and walks around on my hardwood floors. And believe me, coaches and parents alike feel the deep importance of foot...

Our last night in Colorado, we went to Hooters, my kids favorite restaurant.....in Westminster Colorado. The kids got to spend one last evening with their big brother. We told our waitress that it was almost my son's birthday and they gave him a birthday treat. His face was really red....he acted embarrassed but I know he loved it. Afterwards, my babies were completely worn out from our week of adventure..... We caught a plane the next morning and headed back to Sweet Home. What a wonderful vacation!

Tonight my dearest friend and I celebrated the birthdays of our little men. We lived across the street from each other when they were born and the day we met, both VERY pregnant, we discovered we were due on the same day. Thus began a long and amazing friendship. Our sons share a great friendship as well! While the boys ended up being born 5 days apart, they have shared many good times in the last 9 years ...and so have their Moms! Happy Birthday C & A...... I love you both! And my friend Princess..... You are truly one of a kind and I love you, sister.

Joy and Julie of Sweet Tea Photo did an editorial photo shoot at my home and have a few proofs for me that I had to pass along. They are not done with the finishing touches on some more of my skater boy, but the ones they sent so far are AWESOME! How will I ever choose. I have almost the same camera as they do, but as my son pointed out.... "Mama, why does their camera take such better pictures than yours???" They were my students in high school and I would love to say I taught them everything they know, but NOT. Now the student has become the teacher as I will be getting some lessons from these talented girls very soon. I will post some more of my little man soon. If you are interested in an editorial shoot for your family, let me know, or check out the website. They have been in NYC but are doing some local shoots for a bit. Some of my children are also posted in their portfolio under portraits as well.......