Fifteenth Annual Shamrock Classic - Day One

So today I was completely torn. A childhood friend who I love dearly was having her baby shower today, let me rephrase I was helping to host it. Danny was also in his first basketball tournament. Mom was also a host and assured me that it was okay that I should go to the game. I hope that Aubrey understands how much I love her and that had it not been for my own children I would have been there for her.

The Shamrock tournament is double elimination and lasts for two days. We were hoping to be the champions, but we had to survive day one first.

Our first game was against one of the two Prince of Peace teams. We won! It was a great game and the first lost for the Prince of Peace team. This game was at 2.

Now we wait till 5 for game 2 for us for the tournament. If we win this one we play tomorrow at 7:10, if we lose tomorrow at 6:10. Considering the tournament is at St. Patrick's in Adamsville 7:10 would be much easier for everyone.

While waiting John Michael made friends at the concession stand. He was a great customer for them, and after Danny's game they announced that he had just had a birthday and everyone sang Happy Birthday to him. He is so full of personality and I am so thankful that he is as outgoing as he is. He seriously cracks me up all of the time!

Game 2 for us is the other Prince of Peace team. We are both currently undefeated. I am super pumped to say that we won! YAY!!! Go Saints! It is so much fun to watch these boys who are so pumped do amazing and feel good about the games that they have played.

We headed home for showers and bed. It was a long day in Adamsville, but definitely a great one.

Girl Baby and A Yard Again!!!

Today started off great. We went to Mass at 8:30 this morning, which is my favorite Mass. I am not sure why, but it always has been. I love starting Sundays off right! The boys' were excellent which is always nice!

We came home and I started to get everything ready for Amanda's Baby shower. We are finally getting a girl in the family, it has been a long time. Amanda is a pretty pregnant, and I know that she is ready, but she really does have that mommy glow. The shower was pink and lime green. I cannot wait to get to work on the pictures.

Of course there are a few session in front of hers, but I will get there. I plan to work my tail off to get caught back up! Of course I am very thankful to be so busy though, and I am hoping that it stays that way. I love what I do and I am loving every minute of working, which is a wonderful feeling.

Amanda got a lot of really nice things, all the pink was so great to see! Alexa is not going to want for anything that is a definite. I cannot wait to take some newborn pictures. My aunt made a cake and cupcakes, and while I could not eat the strawberry cake, the cupcakes were delicious. She also made the fondant and it was very good! Seriously like eating marshmallows, and that you cannot go wrong with.

I came home and Brandon had been working in the yard, in fact you could tell that we had a yard again. He has been able to cut it, but not weed eat so some areas were tough to handle. He did not cut today, but got all of the weed eating done and now he can cut when in the afternoons when he gets home. It looked great and I was super appreciative.

Well, I am off to bed. I finished editing one birthday party's photographs and started on the next today so hopefully I can wrap it up tomorrow night. Not holding my breath though, there is a lot to do to get ready for school, and tomorrow is doctor day for both boys and John Michael's meeting with the Kindergarten teachers. Hopefully it will be a no waiting kind of day though, that is the worst part about the doctor's office!

Know that you are all in my prayers tonight. I hope that there were many blessings for each of you this weekend. If you live close the rain tonight, was a definite needed blessing for us all!

Happy Mother's Day

I know that I am blessed because I am a mom! I love my boys and can honestly say that they have made me whole. When I was impatiently waiting for Danny to be born I had so many expectations about being a mom. I was also terrified. I admit that I am still terrified, there are so many times when I feel I do not measure up to what I should be as a wife and as a mom. The minute that Danny was born and I held him in my arms I knew right then that I was holding my heart. I never knew that it was possible until that minute. When he opened his eyes and looked at me I knew then that I would spend the rest of my life trying to be as amazing as he thought that I was. My experience was no different with John Michael. My heart grew even larger, my fears were more intense, and everyday these emotions and feelings continue to grow.

Brandon is my soul mate and my other half. He is who completes me. He is who gave me my children. He is the reason that our family is complete. While we all have our bad days, we grow together in our faith, in our love for each other, and in knowledge every day.

I love being a wife and a mom. I truly feel that these are two things that I am good at and I love to do them. They are the reasons that I get up and am determined that each day will be special (even when they are frustrating). They are the reason that I am always working on making myself better. There are so many things about be a mom that are special and personal and truly make me feel like I can do anything.

While today my children were not on their best behavior it was a day that we all spent together and for the most part it was fun. We went to Mass this morning and the boys presented flowers to our Blessed Mother Mary. Then after Children's Church they carried the donation basket up with the gifts. This made John Michael feel like such a big boy. I was so proud of them both. St. Francis gave all of us moms a carnation after Mass. I love carnations and truly appreciated this act. Today's Mass for me was also a little sad as it Danny's last Sunday Mass without receiving Communion. I cannot believe that my little boy has grown up so quickly.

After Mass it was home and a pretty normal routine. I am working on several photography projects and I did that instead of laundry, but I will have to double up tomorrow because of it. Oh well, I got a good bit accomplished.

Then we went to Homestead Hollow to take Brandon's mom some more hamburger meat and buns. It was so slow it was sad. I did get my cousin's baby something. I cannot wait for her baby shower (which I am having for her) and this was just a meant to have it thing. I love it and I hope that she does too!

Then it was home again for some more work. I do not think there is such thing as a day off, but it was a good day. Danny had gotten a coupon from Zaxby's and really wanted to take me there for dinner. It worked for me because it meant I did not have to cook. At least that much was a break. We went there and then came home again to get some more work done and showers and bed time.

While it has not been a slow day it has been a good one. Danny gave me a bracelet and John Michael have me a picture that they made and a card. I love them all. Anything from my boys means so much to me and this was no exception. A hug and kiss and a happy Mother's Day first thing this morning made my day!

Well, now I am off to bed. Tomorrow is going to be fun and busy! I cannot wait! I will say a prayer for all of my friends and family. For all of you who are moms I hope that today and everyday is full of blessings! There is a lot about being a mom that is hard, in fact more is hard than is easy, but it is all a blessing and all amazing!