Soccer Camp

We asked her if she wanted to try it out.

And did she ever!


Over-the-top excited for a four-evening soccer camp a few weeks ago...

Bought her cleats, shin guards, socks, and a ball. She spent several afternoons in the back yard with her Daddy-O (who, in her mind, is a soccer pro after she spotted his trophies and senior soccer photo at Grandma's house), dribbling, practicing, and trying to keep away from her sporty little brother.

Oh, the cuteness!

Last Day of School

It was 183 school days ago when many of us mamas had to let go of our fears and anxieties, trust that God would keep them safe, and let our Kindergartners start their journey...

First day of Kindergarten - August 2011

...and today is the last day of my Kindergartner's 1st grader's school year!

Last day of Kindergarten - June 2012

What a journey it has been! So much growth in just 9.5 months, and so many lessons learned. I loved watching my daughter conquer a few of her fears and try new things. My heart swelled when she lovingly gave her own things to her classmates, making her own decisions to show them love through little acts. I hurt along with her when friends said or did hurtful things, trying to navigate through this thing called friendships. It's all part of growing up, developing the character within.


 This morning we had the honor of watching our daughter (along with many other students, hand-picked by their own teachers) receive a Character Education Award (translation - our school district has "Traits of the Month" that are discussed in each school, and the Award went to students who displayed those traits all the time in their daily lives).

The Award was a surprise to Danae, and she didn't know we were going to be there to see her.

We are beyond proud of our girly girl! I might not want her to grow up, but wow - is she ever becoming a beautiful little lady, inside and out!

busyness and slowing down

Somewhere in the past few months - between the deadlines and the emails, the phone calls and the charts, the feeling of working constantly and the guilt of not finishing it all - I pushed aside the things I love to do (baking, reading, playing, running on a normal schedule, writing) and busyness latched itself on. 

I should have seen it coming. When prep time for the busy summer lacrosse season hits (usually February-May), I work a ton more hours than normal. But I didn't figure in the other hats I took on within the past year and how it would all fit.

Completely.my.fault. 

And completely in need of a change.

We are now learning to pull back. To do a bit less. To put aside a few hats for a bit. To slow down. To start saying "No" and not feel guilty about it. To stay home more and just "be".

And I'm completely fine with that.

Grief and Prayers

I'll cut right to the chase: it's been a difficult week, my friends.


I didn't even know her and never had the privilege of meeting her. But the grief has been strong at times throughout the week.


A family that we know...that we share friendship connections with...some of whom we go to church with...is burying their two-year-old little girl this afternoon after she accidentally drowned outside of their home on Tuesday evening. A tragic, horrible accident...and a family, with deep, long-stretching roots, forever changed.


We know the grandparents, spend quality time with an aunt and uncle, have a friendship and used to work with a cousin...and we know (to a very small degree) what they are feeling. Hearing the news just brought forth emotions within me, sobs and yelling at Jesus and asking why, and at the same time, praying for this family. It didn't matter than I never met this little girl and that I barely know her parents - my mother's heart just ached all week, the same feelings of missing my son coming to the surface and knowing their pain is at a much, much deeper level.


Her viewing was this morning, and I went while Hubby stayed home with the kids. My intentions were to see the families we knew, hug them tight, and be on my way.


The receiving line was long. Really long. This family is so loved and being prayed for that it's amazing. Friends. Families that attend church with them. Distant cousins. Neighbors. Work-related acquaintances. Childhood buddies. I heard so many conversations, put together numerous connections. Tears came and went (from myself and all others) throughout the 45-minute stand in line. Especially when the child in front of me, being held by her daddy, pointed to one of the little girl's beautiful photos and said, "There's my friend! There's my friend!" My heart collapsed, along with the other hearts who heard her.


In the end, I stayed in line and managed to see the parents and siblings. So much grief and pain. They know Jesus, and they know that this little girl is with Him, but it's painful. It's a rollercoaster. And it will be for quite some time, even after everyone goes home and a new "normal" begins for them.


Prayers. That's all I ask. Please pray for this entire family, their protection, the guilt and "what if's" and anger that most certainly are on their way, if they aren't there already.

Losing Teeth and The Tooth (Mommy) Fairy

Another milestone reached in our home...

Where could that have come from??

Ahh, I see...


Her first lost tooth, which came out on the first day of Spring. (Yes, I'm completely aware that was last week. Can you tell I'm a little behind these days??)


Note her poor little puffy eyes, lashes still wet with tears. Lots of screaming and crying and dramaticness in our house that night. (Not from me...well, maybe a little bit.)

Another change for my baby little girl. Another reminder of growth and letting go and leaving babyhood behind. *sigh* At least she looks as cute as ever! :o)


Danae informed me that she knows there's no such thing as the "Tooth Fairy". That I'm the one who would leave something under her pillow, if anything. That she would not be leaving her tooth for me to take. No.Thank.You.


She also wrote a lovely note, just in case I can't take direct verbal orders:

 Ahh, it's true. One of my offspring is turning out as controlling as me. ;o)



Since I'm an obliging Fairy, (and since she did put "please" twice in her note), I did as she wished.

2011 Birthday Photos

Welcome, Spring! :)


Again, another one-month break from blogging. Please pardon the interruption - while I am missing the "down time" to get my thoughts out and just write, things have been quite busy, and I've been trying to make my little ones a priority when I'm home. I'm thinking the 6+ friends who are having babies from this past December through May are making me miss those sweet, quickly-passing baby years and desiring more time with my babes. I continuously tell Danae and Caedon to stop growing up, but they don't seem to be listening! :o)


Speaking of growing up...last year our neighbor/friend photographed Danae (when she turned 6) and Caedon (when he turned 3) for us. (I promised - several months ago - to share the photos...better late than never!)



Sweet smiles...

...crazy boyish ways...

...curiosity at its best...

...and a little personality

Preston is a high school senior who will be going to a terrific photography school in Philly this fall. He photographed my kiddos shortly after each of their birthdays, patiently following them around our two backyards and getting them to actually look at the camera...something that they don't do easily for me!  

If you are interested in giving Preston more experience and work, check out his website (Preston Sean Photography) and contact him!

Priorities

Please pardon my almost one-month hiatus from blogging. It's not that I didn't want to be writing...I was simply stepping back and re-assessing priorities. Going through needs vs. wants. Figuring out what's more important, and trying to restore balance in the home and life. Those sorts of things.



The past month was chock full of time spent with the kiddos instead of time spent online. Full of board games, reading TONS of Junie B. Jones books (my daughter is slightly addicted), a trip to Hands on House (thanks to Uncle James and Aunt Christa!), some Playdoh time, movies together, etc. With Curt's and my increase in responsibilities outside of the home, intentionally spending time together has been necessary and very rewarding! Well, minus the few days we spent puking and feeling sick together. I can't see the reward in that one.


So, if I'm writing less, just understand that busyness set in, my family must come first, and something's got to go for a little bit.

For now, I'll leave you with a thought from my 3.5 year old little man:

"Hey, Mom...what's that cool ring you got on your hand?" I explained that Daddy-O gave it to me because he loves me and asked me to marry him, then I asked if he will give a ring to someone someday. "Yeah, I'll give a ring...but I'm not gonna ask them to marry. I don't waaant tooo!"


:o)