Soccer- How I will Miss You!

I think you guys know by now that we are a soccer family. If not, read about hubby's obsession with soccer jerseys or how he liked to brainwash our baby to love soccer. Yeah, I'm married to that guy.

Sissy has played 10 seasons of soccer (that's a lot of games!) and has grown to love it! She is becoming quite the little defensive player. Brody has not played as much- he picked his nose and laid down on the field refusing to play his first year. So we waited until her was a little older to start. He still isn't crazy about it- every once and awhile he "gets" it and plays really well. But the other 75% of the time....not so much. But, he likes it and enjoys playing and that is all that matters. Really, it is more about our kids being a part of a team and getting some exercise. At least, that is what we like to tell ourselves!

Soccer season wraps up this week for the fall. And I am a little sad about it- I really have come to enjoy these games. Watching Sis get competitive and upset if she makes a mistake or seeing her exuberance when they win has become a real joy. Of course, watching Brody's funny faces when he kicks the ball has become just as much fun:

What's with the tongue?

Of course, we now have weekends free- that is until indoor soccer starts in January- Yay!

Disney World- Here we come!

We leave for Christmas in Walt Disney World in a little less than a month from now. And we are ecstatic- I mean the kids are....Matt & I happen to be a little more reserved about the whole thing. I jumped on the vacation planning back in August when I got a good price and thought how fun it would be to go at Christmas time. And I didn't really think about the consequences. How am I going to take the kids out of school for that long? What about Ian? Take him? Leave him behind? And is it sensible to go to WDW right before Christmas????

Well, it is a little too late for that! The trip is booked and paid for and we are going! My sweet momma is going to watch the baby (which makes my heart palpatate each time I think about it- not my mom watching Bubba, just me being apart from him for 7 days...ahhhhhhhhh!!) It will be great, I know- it isn't sensible to bring a 6 month old and this way we can spend some quality time with the older two. He is going to do great with my mom and not cry each night missing me (that will be me!!). And this will be our Christmas present to the kids- fun, right?

Our tickets arrived last week and we started a countdown:

We took a trip in 2006 when the kids were 5 & 4 and it was a magical time. At that age, you are so excited to meet the characters and see all the "magic" that Walt Disney World has to offer. As a countdown to the trip, I thought it would be fun to highlight some of my favorites pictures from that trip. We can start in the Magic Kingdom:

Taking the ferry from Wilderness Lodge over to The Magic Kingdom our first day. Look how tiny they were!

Cindi's castle all light up at night- so pretty- the best fireworks show I have ever seen is put on here each night.

One of several character meals- character meals are the best way to get one-on-one character interaction. This one was at Liberty Tree Tavern- the pic says it all.

Sissy getting to call out "All Aboard"on the Walt Disney Railroad- Brody is fascinated by trains but was too chicken to call it out- maybe this time?

Sissy playing "Mother May I" with Snow White, Alice, & the Mad Hatter during Extra Magic Hours one morning. She also played "Red LIght, Green Light" with Peter Pan, Wendy, and Captain Hook- was the highlight of her trip!

Brody would rather fly on Dumbo than play with the characters!

Brody was enamored with Show White after she gave him a little kiss!

So, I am not a Disney fanatic, but I do like to get a little prepared for the trip. I make my ADRs (advance dining reservations) at some fun restaurants, check on the park schedule and plan our days, and spend time reading about all the fun "hidden magic" Walt Disney World seems to hold.

I put a lot of planning into our last trip and it made for such a wonderful vacation. We went nuts last time (attempting to do everything!) and were exhausted by the end of the trip, so for this one, we plan on taking our time and enjoying each and everything we stumble across. The kids are not wanting to try to meet every character (they think they are too old for that now!), so that will free up a lot of our time to enjoy other things.

As nervous as this Momma is to leave my baby behind, I am looking forward to seeing the joy on my kids faces as they are having so much fun in such a magical land!

Have you been? What was your favorite thing to see or do?

Little Mommy- Take 2

Sissy has always been a "little mommy" to Bubba, but in the past few weeks, she has stepped it up a notch. Feeding him bottles, picking out clothes, dressing him, and even (gasp) changing diapers (wet ones only- were working on the dirty ones!).

I even caught her last week doing this:

Oh, how I love this girl...and so does her little brother!

Thank a Veteran Today

My grandfather served in the United States Air Force for many years and I grew up going to the base PX, swimming at the OC pool, and having Sunday brunch at the OC. I thought nothing of the privilege of it it.

As an adult, I see differently.

When I was in my early twenties, I met this handsome fellow in uniform at a AF Squadron Christmas Party. I was smitten by his looks, but the neatness of him in a uniform helped as well. I started dating him and was invited into the camaraderie of his AF buddies. They were like a family together and I had fun. Being in the service was fun.

As an adult, I see differently.

Being in the military is not just a grand brunch at the Officer's Club or hanging out with fun people, it is hard work. It is sacrifice. It is a way of life. These men and women are giving so much of their lives to guarantee the freedom of mine. They are away from their families, working hard to protect ours. And for their sacrifice, I am grateful.

For the past 2 years, we have been honored to attend the Veteran's Day assembly at the kid's school. It is a modest little program where the boy scouts present the flag, the veteran's are honored, the kids all sing a wonderful song about America (all 1020 of them!), and the principal reads a poem. It is quick, but oh so poignant. It gives my kids an opportunity to reflect not only on the service their father made to our country, but all the veterans who served our country. It gives them time to reflect and in light of what happened an hour away from us at Ft. Hood last week, we need to teach our children the importance of honoring those who have sacrificed so much.

Hubby is in the light blue, being honored with many other Daddies, Uncles, and Papas.

All the kiddos singing "This is America"

Evan Bubba enjoyed the singing (ok, I'll admit, I couldn't go one post without a picture of him in it!!)

This picture is from last year. Brody ran over to Matt after the assembly to give him a big hug- he was so proud of his Daddy. I just love this picture.

Remember, to thank a Veteran today.

He's Learning....

He's becoming mobile!! About a month and a half ago, sweet Bubba Boy learned how to flip from his belly to his back. But he only did it on rare occasions, and definitely never in front of a camera.

A few weeks ago, as we were sitting around doing homework, he surprised us! I had left him playing under his jungle gym on his back with my back to him. Not 5 minutes later, he is on his belly on the complete opposite side of the mat. How'd he do that?? So we flipped him over and watched him- it was like watching a pot full of water try to boil. He just looked at us with smiles, clearly enjoying all of us staring at him. Did he turn? Nope. Not until we went back to doing homework....

I took these next few movies the next day to see if I could catch him. This is from a few weeks ago- his first few flips. Now he rolls......

Here he is attempting to move and jibber-jabbering a little- he is becoming quite vocal too!

Darling Memories- A new Ad-venture!

Almost a year ago, I became unemployed. The company I was working for for the last 11 years laid off 30,000 people and I was one of them. I was devastated for only a short time- I was 5 months pregnant and looking forward to taking time off with my new baby. I knew that it was in God's plan to allow me this time to be a mommy- not only to the baby, but to the older ones as well. My plan was to take the summer off with all 3 of them and then go back to work in the fall.

Well, the fall is here. And I'm still home. And everyday I ask myself if I am doing the right thing. I enjoy working and did not think I would enjoy being home all day. There are days that I struggle with this. It is all encompassing - I think on it all day - "what to do?" I know that staying home with the baby is a blessing that I never had with the other 2 and I should savor every moment. But there is a little creeping fear of $$$ that always invades my thoughts.

So, "what to do?" Do I enjoy being alone all day with no adults to talk to - sometimes. Do I enjoy mopping, cleaning toilets, laundry, cooking dinner- not really (but who does?). Do I enjoy the smiles Bubba Boy gives me ALL DAY LONG- absolutely! Do I enjoy being there for my kids when they get off the bus- Yes I do! So, how do I get the best of both worlds? An income and being at home? Well, I had to get creative.

I have been working on a few ideas to own my own business and have started one of them. I love to make movies on my Mac using pictures and music- a photo slideshow. There is nothing more stirring than seeing the pictures you cherish tell your story. Add in a wonderful heart-stirring song, and there is not a dry eye in the house! I love making movies of my family and in the past year, I started making them for friends.

So, enter "Darling Memories"- I am making photo slideshows for you! For the birth of a baby, the 40th wedding anniversary, the 60th birthday, the best birthday party for your 7 year old, the baptism of your baby, and much more. I love putting these together- there is no better gift to give your parents, your spouse, your kids, or your best friend.

Take a second and visit my site and if you are so inclined, keep me in mind of any of your friends or family would like something like this- maybe a great Christmas present for a spouse or parent? The best form of advertisement is word of mouth!

Darling Memories

I put this together for the site, but I think it is adorable- and it gives you the sense of sentiment I like to make in my movies:

My hope is that I am busy enough to have fun with this. It allows me to do something I enjoy and be home with my children and that is what matters the most. It also allows me to concentrate on some other ideas I have to be able to stay at home- I know that this is God's plan for our lives right now and ultimately trust in him to be successful.

Thanks for all your support!

Halloween Fun!

Fun was had by all, as we set out Trick or Treating last night with a Solider, a Violet Fairy and an adorable little pumpkin.

We started as a group with most of the families on the street.....
"Make a Halloween Face!"



My solider with a scuba diver and a Blue Angel.


One pooped pumpkin!