Planting seeds

So my ten year old is having his friend A spend the night while his brother stays the night at a friends house. All night I keep asking them if they need anything. So now I am laying in bed a couple hours later and M comes in and says , "Mom, do you need anything?"

Planting seeds! So proud!

Freckles

So my 7 yr old and I were laying in bed and he asks me how do you get rid of freckles. ( sad silent sigh to myself only) I tell him the story of how I didn't like my freckles when I was little like him but how he is so handsome why does it bother him. He says but mom you don't have them on your nose like me. It amazes me that I am covered in freckles but he notices they are not on my nose. So I tell him that since he was born I have always kissed every freckle he gets that is new so how could they not be handsome. Of course he's heard this story many times so he just smiles but I tell him all the girls look at him like he's handsome when I'm in his classroom. And he does something that surprises me. He says who? And he looks embarrassed and happy. I tell him I still don't know all the girls names but there are alot of them . He again looks happy and surprised and turns red and gets embarassed and rolls over. The difference between the past and present is he looks happy about this and actually shocked girls are looking at him. I just can't even explain how sweet his face was. I pray his freckles don't bother him again. I remember so much how I hated mine so I've always made a point since he was little to kiss them and yl him how special and handsome they are. I adore his freckles.

Thanksgiving

My 10 year old said the prayer again this year. I am always do proud of him. He is such a good boy who wants to please those he cares about. He' s sweet and considerate of others feelings. Nana cooked up a big dinner and then Friday GG did Japanese Shabu Shabu that's a special treat! Tonight I made lasagna and garlic bread. We played UNO. So happy to spend fsmily time. We stayed a day later because we didn't want to leave. We were supposed to put up Christmas tree tomorrow but not going to happen now but family is priority and with Grandad being sick.

November day

Today was back to basketball season. We've had a nice couple of weeks off from baseball so I was ready to check out our new team hubby and Tracy are coaching. Now B is asleep next to me after a short half day if school, a play date I organized with his 2 nd grade class and then a play date ( without me for first time!) at his new classroom friends house. They played football and video games and he wAs in heaven. They met us at bball practice. M got to hang with me while we shopped (they hate) for basketball shoes, glasses fixed, car washed and vacuumed etc. so we had dinner just us two at Fazolis. That's the kids and my place. We love it and I always have coupons!

An update

I am sitting here watching my boys play baseball at the park with their friends Mason and Mackenzie that I take home from school. Today is a gorgeous day and probably one of the last of our pretty fall days. What better way to spend it. I walked while they played tag. Then into baseball which more and more kids keep joining their game.

This weekend B had a tournament so we spent two games Saturday and then 3 games to win 2 nd in tournament on Sunday. 7 hours we were at ballpark Sunday. The weekend before that we spent 10 hrs at a tournament. Another one we got 2 nd place in. B has been playing less of shortstop and more of center this weekend. His coach came up to him after game and told him he's his best wherever he puts him whether its short, first or center but that he may have to start looking for him to play a corner so I'm thinking third may be in his future. This was the last tournament of the season so now his travel team will just have winter batting practice.

Both boys start basketball in a couple if weeks and M continues to get better at piano. It amazes me his fingers on a piano.

Football Buddy

Dad, i'm your biggest football buddy, right? (From the 7 yr old)

Reading

Alot of times my kids want to fall asleep in my bed because they honestly fall asleep faster. I don't mind because I like to cuddle and I know they won't want to do that soon since their getting older. So tonight b fell asleep while m and I were reading the 4 th Harry Potter book. I finished it before he did though! So when m had to go to bed I had to get their dad to move b to his bed so m had room to fall asleep. Then when their dad goes to bed he can move m to his bed. M and I are loving reading these books and then watching the movies together. Good bonding! Love my boys!

Breakfast

7 year old - " I ate more eggs then you did."
9 year old- "Geesh, its not a competition." Delay. "But no you didn't"

I always love to hear their funny conversations when I am in a different room. Lol!

Email

My dad wrote me the sweetest email yesterday telling me what a good mom I am. That meant so much to me. As a mom you go thru life trying to do what you think is right and praying to God you will do some things right. Praying your kids will know how much they are loved and praying they will be big hearted, giving, confident, strong people. Laying here tonight in my big king sized bed with my two sweet boys makes me think mabey I'm doing a few things right that they still choose to be so close to me. (And I mean close because I have about 5 inches of the bed!)

First day

Tomorrow my children will journey down the halls of their school to their new teachers and classroom filled with old and new friends. I pray this year goes more smoothly. I pray the tutoring he had this summer will give him confidence in himself with reading and writing. I pray for them to have good friendships. A new school year is a new adventure.

A weekend with grandad

Tonight I am sad because one of my closest friends is moving tomorrow. I also found out tonight that a friend of mines father has only been given a few days to live. So I lay here in bed with my heart hurting. But I also lay here looking at my 7 year old asleep and knowing that I should remember every day is a gift with someone you love that should not be taken for granted. I know God put me on this earth to raise my boys and every day I have with them is a gift. I have so much to teach them about love, responsibility, being kind and so much more.

We are a very busy family that is always going and I am reminded to slow down and look around me after being with my in laws and husbands grandfather. We've been able to just relax together and breathe. We don't do that much at home. So its been wonderful to eat together, play in the pool and just lay on the couch and read.  So my goals when we get home will be to slow down and enjoy what is around me. Appreciate and love my family in front of me .

Summer

It's hard for me to think that the summer is ending. I will miss all the time my kids and I get to spend together all day most days. I am very thankful my hubby lets me work part time do I can have all these wonderful moments and memories. I will always cherish them. We're also blessed he works from home most days do he is around even when he has to work late nights.

Update on our crazy summer

The boys this summer at the Lego Discovery Center in Ga. The Powers grandparents took the boys and I and they had a great time. We also got to visit Stone Mountain. Lots of great memories!

It has been the best summer yet. The boys and I have gone to Nashvilles Shores (Grandma Powers best gift!), swimming with friends, bowling, jumpy place, the baseball park (MOST OF THE SUMMER).

B has played travel ball all summer so that has kept us busy ALL summer every weekend of the summer except one I think. And he still hasn't played enough ball he says! LOL!  He's had a great season. Started out at first and worked over to shortstop. By the end of season was hitting homeruns. As a family we had a great time watching, cheering etc.

Summer Play

M is laying in my bed studying his lines to his play he has on Friday. I am so proud of him. He has the lead role in his summer camp play. He has so many lines I can't believe it. But he has such a great memory that I know he will do great. He is memorizing a part at a time and then I do it with him. We worked on it before B's baseball game tonight and he memorized 1 of the 4 sections of it. Now he has to have the other 3 memorized by tomorrow. Seems like ALOT to me for him to have to be responsible for learning in one day. He kept telling me , "That's alot to memorize when you're only 9". He was pretty nervous about it but so excited about it. But now he is grinning proudly saying he knows he will learn it all tonight. He just makes me so proud. He's such a sweet, smart boy. At B's game tonight he bought a chocolate bar with his own money and told me he was going to give some of it to his Dad since he knows he loves chocolate bars.

Bday

Wow it's been a busy first week of summer break.  They've been to the Y to swim with friends, the water park, and definitely the ball park!  B had a great birthday day full of fun. He kept singing a song he made up about it being his bday and how his Daddy was making him steak. His Dad always lets him pick his dinner on his bday which has always been steak. He picked corn on the cob too. We started the day off having milkshakes at Steak and Shake and then going to Toys R Us to use their Christmas gift cards. Then after dinner B had a ball game. He got a homerun on his bday. He also got one on Mothers Day so M said we should have a holiday for every game so B will always get a homerun. M was so sweet for B bday that he made up these coupons for him. Some of them were "I will play basketball with you for 30min." "I will give you a quarter at the machine if I have one ", "I will do something for you", "I will play a game with you". I thought that was so sweet and he also gave him $5!  I could tell B had the best day by the grin on his face all day. I hated for the day to end!

1st day of summer-chased by aliens

My kids have always gone gone gone everywhere. I don't mean from the "lets spend money" way, but from the "sometimes spend money for like piano lessons but mostly from the "lets go to the park" way!
B is the main one who constantly wants to know where we are going even if we just got home from somewhere and usually before we've even finished what we are doing.  I try to do a lot of free things or cheap things. We do the 1.50 theatre during the summer, visit parks, swim with friends at their house, bring our lunches and do picnics, etc. But they are always wanting to go. So today which I guess would technically be our first day of summer but also a holiday, Memorial Day this is what we did. I made eggs, breakfast burritos and bacon. Then I took the kids and picked up their two friends to go to the park. We walked and then they played on the play ground. On our walk it was funny because we walked thru the woods in part of the park. It looks somewhat creepy as you walk thru it and B commented on that to the other kids. So it got us all started on our mysterious adventure. We started talking about being in a scary movie. (imagine the imagination of a 6, 8, 9 and 11 yr old) Somehow we decided we were being chased by aliens since we found these bug eggs??? on leaves on the ground.  But what was the funniest was when we arrived at the playground after our 20 min walk thru the park. There were two teens that had painted themselves GREEN ( for a football game they were going too) so we got a great kick out of them being aliens. We then went to Sonic for 50Cent slushies and dropped their friends off at home. The boys and I went to the grocery store, ended up they didn't have ANY hot dog buns and we got a pizza for dinner and headed home. But it doesn't end there. Their friends  C and G came over while their parents had their anniversary dinner. So they played baseball, basketball and now are laughing at the videos they are watching on their ipads.  I hope some day they can look back at all of the fun they had with their Mom and it isn't in fast motion but in slow motion.

Our Purpose

Everything I do is for my kids. Every decision I make is for my kids.  I truly believe that my purpose in life is to raise my kids.

End of Year play

M is such a comedian, such a creative bird.  He enjoys showing off.  But at his play tonight he said he gets really nervous when he stands in front of people for stuff like that. His Dad and I told him that is very normal but good job that he can do it. That he can CHOOSE to try out for big parts at his school plays. He sang a rap as a famous composer and he rocked it out.  He looked down at the floor the whole time but he rocked it.  He probably knew everyones lines in the play. He has such a good memory. We were so proud. Grandma J came to both of the boys plays. Afterwards B had a game so we rushed over there to see him win by one point. He's having a hard time with his new pitching and hitting but he's played short stop good. Still trying to get use to the position since he's used to first. But they one by one point so they were some happy boys (and girl). Today I took them to Sweet Cicis since that is our "after play" treat and we didnt have time to do it before. Love those boys. I am so happy the year is almost over. They make me proud. But I know they need a break now!  So we are going to enjoy this summer so we can all start August on a new slate.

Confidence

I know we always say how proud of our children we are about things. And we are. But tonight I am shining proud of B.  He was so nervous originally about being in his 1st gr play.  If he didnt have a speaking part he was going to have to dance and sing.  So he tried out for a speaking part. He thought this would

be better. I told  his music teacher to give him as little of lines as possible. I looked thru the window of the room he tried out in and the music teacher was laughing at something B said impressively when trying out.  So he ended up with 5 whole lines.  Not one, like he was wanting. I was a little nervous about it and we practiced ALOT.  We practiced how slow to say it and when to blow his horn and the words etc.  And tonight he did PERFECT.  My heart was so happy that he looked so proud of himself. Because that is what matters. That our children have confidence in themselves.

Some memories I want to always remember

Yesterday the boys had Field Day at their school. B (age 6) hugged on me during some of it which makes a moms heart grow. M (age 9) doesn't hug me in public anymore but I enjoyed watching him running around with the other boys in his class laughing. He is always smiling and happy and carefree. His brain is always working. He's constantly telling me stories he has made up.  I keep telling him he should write a book. He reminds me of me when I was his age. Always reading a book. (his Dad did when he was young too he says) He can read a book in a day or two just like I did at that age. I was always writing stories down. He likes to tell them but I keep telling him to write them down.  He has such a wonderful attitude. He loves to pick at his brother constantly but other then that he is such a happy, laid back, aims to please you child.

 B and his buddies in his class were wild. Running around exherting all kinds of energy. They can't hardly stand next to each other without touching one another wrestling , tickling, or hitting each other with their water bottles.  One of the dads was helping and he was showing the boys a magic trick B said. He was showing them how he could lose half his finger and then get it back. Oh my, the joys of being 6. I watched the dad with 5 boys crowded around him showing them the trick and the look on their faces trying to figure out how he did it was priceless.

B is such a sweet boy when I drop him off at school in the morning. He gets out of the car with his backpack and lunchbox and he blows me kisses all the way to the school. Keeps looking back at me as we keep blowing each other kisses. I will always treasure that.

After field day we went to the strawberry patch with some friends. We've picked strawberries together every year since the boys were really little. We've picked blueberries every year since before B was born. It was a beautiful May day. We sat on the picnic table afterwards and dug into them. Usually B says he doesnt like strawberries but he ate a bunch of them. Then the boys ate PBJ sandwiches I packed them on the way to B's baseball practice.  B's arm when he throws is amazing. He's playing shortstop and he dives to catch balls and then soars the ball to first base right in the glove. He loves baseball. We are certainly a baseball family as much time as we spend at the ballpark.

Today M got an award at school for Honor Roll for the whole year. We are so proud of those boys.

B is laying next to me asleep now as I type this. M fell asleep first so B came into my room to see if he could sleep in my bed. I  am not good at saying no so I usually let them and their Dad will put them in their bed when he goes to sleep. When they are having a hard time going to sleep it is easier for them to lay in my bed and in five minutes they usually are asleep. I love to look at their sweet faces when they are sleeping.  

Finally an Update!

I know we've been terribly busy when I dont take the time to update this site.  The boys have been playing lots of baseball. They have a few more weeks left of school.  So lots to do. They have their plays at school, field day, award day, parties, etc.  May will fly by.  And then we will enjoy our summer.  I know I am as ready as the kids are for the summer to begin. Its been an interesting year. 

(this picture is of B at school doing an eggsperiment with me and his class.  We blew the inside of the egg out of it with a straw. The kids thought it was very cool.)

Funny story tonight

So basketball is over and baseball has begun for rec league.  We practice every day this week except today so we went to visit Nanoo.  I was bathed and in bed by 7. Exhausted. I can't say the same for the boys though!  I just heard the boys Dad counting to 10 and I thought uh oh the boys are getting in big trouble and then he kept counting....I realized he's counting the boys doing pushups!!!!

Sports update

Both the boys won their basketball games this week in the tournament which puts them in the semifinals this weekend.  M did awesome defensively. When he's not in there you can tell.  I am so proud of him and how far he has come this year. He's had the same coach for 3yrs and he says M has really grown in confidence this year. He also scored.  He stole balls and had probably 11 rebounds.

B scored 3 baskets and stole the ball alot.  I think its so sweet because M has recorded the last three games every shot that B has made for him.  I tried to get M scoring on tape but wasnt able to.

B read to me tonight and I am so proud of him with how far he has come with his reading. He is not a fan of school and we are getting him a tutor this summer (one of his teacher aides he had in kindergarten that is really sweet) to help him with his confidence level in school.  He is very willing to do the homework with me but not really happy to do it with anyone else.

Update

Lifes been so busy I have been forgetting to write in my blog. This is how our week normally goes.
Monday- scouts, tuesday- baseball, wed- piano, thurs- basketball, fri- basketball, sat- basketball. Meanwhile we fit in homework and the Y in there and a little dinner.  :  )
B had his tooth pulled this past weekend at Toots. Janet pulled it while we were sitting there waiting to get a table with a bunch of friends we've been going to dinner with the last few Saturdays.  He was really proud once it was out and he looks so darn cute.  I keep taking pictures with my cell phone instead of my regular camera so I will attach his picture in my next update.

Our weekly update

This has been a very busy week. Monday the kids were out of school for MLK day so I took them to the Y and I walked and then the kids got to swim.  Tuesday we had dermatologist appt and travel ball practice. Wed we had piano. Thurs we had basketball practice.  I made two big baskets for the kids school fundraiser and two cakes for their winter carnival. Then Friday I helped at the teacher appreciation luncheon. I made a yummy chicken chili with creme cheese. That night we took the boys to their Winter carnival at school which they loved.  Saturday we had ball games and pictures and then that night we met friends at Toots for dinner.  We were home a total of 2 1/2 hrs that day .  But we did have a great time with our friends. We had a kids table, mens table and womans table!  Then Sunday I decided it was time for a PJ day where we all rested.  I cuddled on the couch with the boys watching movies. We had cinnamon rolls, milk shakes and pizza that day.  And the boys played video games with their Dad.  And we never got out of our pj's till bath time!  Sometimes you need to just relax and rest!  But it was a nice family day.

Great job M!

I love this picture of M at his game Saturday. He had his best game ever. He had so many steals, rebounds, and setting screens that I can't even count. And he scored 2points.  He was a defensive machine.  We were so proud of him. The whole game he was on fire.

Weekly update

This pic was taken when we celebrated our Christmas with the J family.  Great pic!  Update on our week.

Monday-watched the big ND game with our friends.  (we won't talk about how bad it was) Tuesday we had travel ball practice. Thurs- basketball practice. Fri- same and the boys and I looked at new mattresses. They were cracking me up because they were in love with this bed that had a remote and it went up and down by the remote. You can imagine a 9 and 6 yr old with control of this. Everytime I think about it , i can't help but laugh. Saturday we went after basketball game and bought a Tempurpedic. I am sooooo happy about it.  My back has been bothering me so much and I have done alot of research on how great these are.  Last night was my first night with it and i was jumping up and down with excitement like when you are a kid and waiting for Christmas.  So far so good!  Today M and I watched our Anubis show and cuddled on the couch while B and his Dad watched football. Now it is time to read to both boys. B got a new mattress too so the boys bedroom looks really cute with both of their double beds and Titans stuff.  B didnt want his new mattress because he doesnt like change at all but after one night he likes it!

Great day

We had a great day today watching the boys play basketball with my mom and dad. So happy they came here to watch!  Then we had a great dinner at the Mexican restaurant.  Just so happy I got to spend the day with them.  B scored 12 points and M had a good defensive game. Both boys won their games.  I know M would've loved to have scored for Grandma and Grandpa today but I know they got to see how much he's improved in the last year and that is what is important!

Hubby has 4 friends over and they have been watching football with B and now they are playing the Xbox.  It made me proud of my husband that he chose to have his friends come here (with us here rather then go to a friends house) and sit in the living room with us (rather then his office alone) not to mention he has been including us in the event with his friends.  That makes me smile.  That means alot to me.  I appreciate that gesture.  B has been having the men throw him the football as he runs across the living room catching it midair.  That kid is something.  I can't imagine him not excelling in all sports he puts his mind to.

I am also so proud of M for his piano playing, his good work at school and his willingness to always be everyones friend.

Just a few things on my mind tonight.  I have been stressing alot lately about work, my kids, my back etc. so it is nice to have a calm feeling tonight of peace.

January 2013

I ordered my yearly blog printed out just like I always do. I think this is 3rd year maybe?  I want the kids to have it. But life is getting so busy the older the kids get that I am having a harder time writing it on a daily basis.  So i am thinking maybe I should write it once a week and then update it for the week?  I dont know I am thinking out loud. If I take the pressure off myself writing it daily then maybe I will be able to do it more haha.  So today I had to miss work due to my car not running. It is at the shop now.  And I took my kids to school even though they dont start till tomorrow. I apparently wrote the wrong day on the calendar.  I think my brain is on overload.  Between baseball, basketball, piano, church, school, working out, etc and the holidays I am going to blame it on that!  But the kids were excited. I mean how many kids go to school and find out that they DONT have to be there.  That is a dream!  And that is what happened today !  I pull up and theres hardly any cars there. So we came home and I got lots done and they got to go to the Jumpy Place tonight and Fazolis with me after I got to get hubbys car.  We will find out the verdict on my car tomorrow.  Then B and I played Uno, M played Legos and then their Dad played video games with them. All star kid day!  My fav part was the kids and I telling stories at Fazolis of all the fun stuff we have done over the years that they will tell their kids some day! (just like I tell stories of my parents)  Then when it was bedtime I taught the kids how to relax your body from your head to your toes just like my Dad taught me when I was a kid.