SFX vs. Mt. Brook

This morning started early with John Michel's first soccer game.  He was so excited.  The boys' both love sports, which makes me happy.  Even though we stay slammed all year,  I know the day we will come that they will be on their own and we will be bored.  so for today and until that day comes I am thankful for the craziness that is my life. 
The game was atBrookwood Forrest Elementary, which to us is about as convienent as sandpaper for toilet paper, but hey it is what is it is.  This is going to be a little rant about the new league that the school joined.  First, too much mass chaos at that field...13 games at one time.  Seriously.....too much going on.  Second, there are NO refs.  Third, there are NO bathrooms.  Fourth, the parking is horrible, it would be bad with two games going on with 13, cars are parked down South Brookwood Road, it is pathetic.  I am not really sure what the leauge uses the funds that they collect for since Refs are not provided.  Anyway, just irritating.  Now to the game.
The boys played great, they had a great time too.  The Mountain Brook team was rough and they lost, but they will get better and they had fun and in my opinion that is really what matters.  The kids are enjoying it and they are learning and that is what we all should want for our babies. 

We headed home after the game to watch Auburn and Louisianna Monroe.  It was a great game, and we finaly got a W under our belts, even though it was a field goal in OT.  I am so proud of the Auburn Tigers.  Of course I always am because they are playing hard.  It is all new this year so they have to find their groove. They will soon.  WAR EAGLE!!!

Craig, Liz, Lydia, and Mallechi came over to eat Brandon's hamburgers and hotdogs, and just hang out.  It was so great catching up with them and it not being at work or right at 8:00 in the morning when we are dropping the babies off at school.  It is nice to be able to enjoy the house and have guests, and not have to stress about how bad everything looks.  We laughed, and caught up and just had a good time.  After they left the boys passed out.  They had been going non stop and seriously I think they were asleep before Craig and Liz made it to the Interstate. 

T is for Tornado

Fridays are always a lot of fun and always super busy. With Brandon being off most Fridays we try to get a lot squeezed into one day.

Today was show and tell and they were supposed to bring something that started or ended with the letter T. John Michael chose to take Tornado his beanie baby horse. He said that everyone really liked him, especially his name. I am so glad that they have to think about what they bring instead of just grabbing whatever. It is great for John Michael.

We thought that DirecTV was coming today, but we later realized it is next Friday. Now it is not going to happen until October. There is always a better way to get things done and while we have to wait a little longer to get them out here, this way should save us a little money, not much but $3 is $3. It will also save us a lot of hassle, which is always a positive in my books.

I had a shoot with a month old baby this morning. Avery, and she is precious. I hope to do more pictures with her as she is absolutely adorable. Like most babies she was not a fan of the tutu, but we were able to get some super cute pictures. For more on these watch my photography blog on http://www.monicaannephotography.com/ I love followers so check it out.

Tonight we went to Brittany's soccer game. They were playing at Clay so we were glad to get by there. She did really good and the boys, especially John Michael, thought that it was cool to watch Aunt B play soccer. Unfortunately they did not win, but they played good and I was glad that she was out on the field. After her game she played a little with the boys, which is always a treat for them. Hopefully we can start getting together more with Aunt B.

Danny is starting to sell boyscut popcorn for the cubscouts!

Well, I am working on pictures and homework and probably not too long for bed. I am tired. Know that you are all in my prayers. I hope that everyone makes memories this weekend.

Soccer Begins and Alexa Arrives

Today was a crazy day. I am so piled up with school work and photographs to edit that I feel like I am neglecting the house again. I will get better, this class and the next one are killers but once I get through them I think I will be okay. The biggest thing is I have to get my office in operable order. My dining room serving as an office is old, not to mention that I like to have Thanksgiving at my house and without a dining room, that is not going to happen. Not even close. Of course without a new stove that might be harder that I would like anyway, but I will make due.

The boys had a great day at school today.

I have to say that Thursday's homework with Danny is not going to be much fun. They get Thursdays papers and they have to correct everything that is incorrect. I think that it is good that it gives them more determination to do better throughout the week. The thing is Danny did great on everything, but it was two and a half weeks worth of work so it was a lot to go through and make sure that everything was perfect. Needless to say it was a lot of fun.

John Michael had his very first soccer practice today. He absolutely loved it! It was HOT...102 in the shade, and there is obviously no shade on a soccer field. He went through 2 bottles of water and Danny and I went through 1, only because we did not have any more. Next week there will be a cooler with us! Especially if it is still over 100. It was great to see him out there with his friends learning all about soccer! He is so ready for a game it is cracking me up. Serious thanks to Kristin for coaching these guys! Of course anything that is needed I am always glad to help out.

Also today was a very important day and will be from now on. My cousin Amanda had her baby. Alexa Nicole's birthday is today and will be always be remembered because of her amazing birth. Mom and baby are doing well! Thank you everyone who has prayed for them!

Well, I of course managed to get behind again, so I am off to write about Friday! Thursday was amazing though!

Gearing Up

Today was sort of progressive for me but also has me a little more stressed out than I like to be. I am going to continue to pray for answers to what is needed and go from there.

I was able to get Amanda's second maternity session done, check out my blog at http://www.monicaannephotography.com/ for more on that. I was glad to get it done for her though as it looks like Alexa could arrive any day! It is just a waiting for now. Praying for a healthy and happy mom and baby!

The boys had a great day at school, which makes me feel really good. John Michael drew a self portrait and it was so cute! Danny had a lot of homework, but came home and got it done, which really made me feel good. John Michael ended up with a yellow face today, which meant he was in trouble when he came home. He was not happy about it, but did understand. This time it was for talking...no surprise there! At least it was not hitting someone with his lunchbox again. Tuesdays seem to be his yellow days which make mommy a little sad. Hopefully tomorrow we will be back to green smiley faces, those make us all happy. He did get his homework done with no problems. His favorite part of course is reading, which I love to do so that is always great. Today was Dr. Suess "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut." This is a great one! Of course I am a huge Dr. Suess fan, always have been!

I have to get my office cleaned out, but I am also having to focus on the fact that tomorrow night is Scout Night. Hoping for a lot of new guys to join us! Say a little pray for our pack to continue to grow!

John Michael is playing soccer at St. Francis! This is something he has been so ready to do and now is his turn. His first practice is Thursday. With Scout Night tomorrow night, we went tonight and got his shoes. He was so excited, Academy had the shoes, shin guards, and a ball all packaged together. He was so cute, and cannot wait to go to practice. I am really excited too! Probably because he is...soccer is not really my thing, but I can and will learn. He was so funny when we got home and he wanted to try it all on again, and then he wanted his regular socks and could not decide if he should wear them over or under his shin guards....funny guy!

Well, I am off hopefully to bed soon. Going to work on a few pictures and some homework and then get to bed. I have a super busy week on all levels so I am thinking sleep might have to be deprived. Know that you will all always be in my thoughts and prayers.

Time with Family

Sunday was an amazing day at the lake. I am writing in past tense because I am behind. When we got home Sunday night it was time for bed! But here is a recap of the day!

Brandon's Mom, more commonly known as Meme came to the lake today. Meemaw and Pop came with her. It was so great to spend the day with them all. We have all been so busy that getting together and just relaxing has not been easy. We hope to do it a lot more! he brought some delicious hamburgers to grill from the Chopping Block. If you have not been by the butcher shop in Springville, I would definitely head that way!

John Michael's floatie also managed to pop, so we have to make sure we remember his shark next time we venture to the lake! Hopefully soon, probably Labor Day weekend. If you want to join us let me know!

We had a wonderful time and we were glad to have Brittany Ann stop by and spend some time with us too! We have a date to get together next month, so hopefully it will work out. She is playing soccer again though so who knows. It is seriously that we are all that busy we have to plan out a date to get together.

Sunday was wonderful. The boys passed out before we even got to 231. I could not believe it. Needless to say we got home, put them in their beds and followed! I hope that you all had an amazing weekend!

Hot Dog Social

So today we started out early again, about 6:45 I woke the boys up and had them get going. I need them on a better routine and this seems to be working so we are going to stick to it!

I had to meet with Crystal from Crystal's Creations to pick up a wreath that she made for me for my cousin's baby shower. I also figure that it can be hung on the hospital door and on he wall close to the baby's crib. I hope that Amanda likes it as much as I do. If I had a girl, I would have a hard time giving this one away! I am definitely going to use her for a lot of things that I am working on, she is truly amazing! If you have not seen her work, please go check her out on FaceBook!

I also got the last few things that we needed for the shower. I love what I found too. I hope that Amanda does. It is lime green and hot pink and those are the colors she was aiming for! Girl, wait till Sunday, it is going to be great.

The hot dog social, which is sort of like the kick off to the school year was tonight. I cannot believe it, which seemed to be the consensus of everyone there. Seriously? School? Already? It was a lot of fun, the boosterthon DJ's were there and the boys, especially John Michael were having a ball. Danny is not much of a dancer, he got those shoes from Brandon but John Michael is like me, if there is music you dance! They also got to see their friends and teachers and other people from the school. It was really a lot of fun and it is something that I am glad the Home and School board does each year.

Danny went home with Chandler. This is his first spend the night away night and momma is a little nervous. I think he will do fine though. He is a good boy and was so excited. I am excited for him too. Chandler is his best friend and he has been wanting to spend the night for a while, so I am glad it all finally worked out. I promised him we would have Chandler over soon, but we have something every weekend this month! We will do it soon though, no doubt!

I also signed John Michael up for soccer. Danny wants to do fall ball, so needless to say we will be running all fall, but it is good and I am excited.

Brandon and I watched our wedding video tonight. It is the first time we have watched it in years. I laughed a lot, there were some funny things and to only be 10 years old it is dated, it is amazing how much has changed in 10 years. I also cried a lot because I got to see my daddy and hear his voice.

Well, I am off too bed. Tomorrow is going to be a long one, wedding tomorrow night, pray it all goes well! I am excited, but I always get a little nervous before weddings! You are all in my thoughts and prayers tonight as I go to bed!

John Michael is 5

So today my baby boy turned 5 years old. I cannot believe it! It does not seem like five years has gone by since that sweet newborn cry surged through the house in the middle of the night, since I changed those tiny diapers. It seems like yesterday I was convinced he would be headed to high school in diapers because he did not want to use a potty. I thought the pacifier was going to be stashed in his pillow case for college, because he loved it. The waddle walk does not seem like years ago, yet now he can run as fast as lightening. He is almost done with pre-school and is headed to kindergarten this fall. He plays baseball and cannot wait to add soccer and chess to his after school activities. Five years seems like a long time, but in all honesty if you blink it is gone and all I have is amazing memories and some great pictures!

We had a great day. This morning he woke up in the best of the moods. He wanted Cheese Whiz and Chicken Biscuit Crackers for breakfast so that is what the boys had. I do not think I could stomach that before 7 am. Brandon took a half a day at work so was able to surprise him when we picked him up from school. He is so used to it just being mom. He took blue and yellow batman cupcakes to school, and he was blue after school. I love icing dye. It was so cute. Danny took a blue one for snack and he even had a blue mouth after school. He was quite surprised to have mom and dad there on a Wednesday too! We went to Party City to get goody bags and just random party supplies for this weekend. Books-A-Million was added to the stops and he got a Super Mario Brothers Yahtzee game and Danny got a new Diary of a Wimpy Kid book. Dinner at Cici's was the next stop where the boys spent abut $15 in the games. He wanted desert at Logan's with a Yee-Haw and he got it. He even had a surprise visitor, his Aunt B and her friend Katie! He loved it. They even brought him a few surprises, including a balloon which he loves! Now if we could get him to sleep. He has had a bath and yet he will not give it up, and momma and daddy are ready to go to bed! I guess the sugar high is still in effect. I am just thankful for an amazing day with my family. I am also very thankful that John Michael had "the best birthday day ever." It made my day when he told me that!

Well, it is definitely not before 9, in fact we are creeping up on 11, but a day like today was well worth a late night! Before I go to bed I will remember all of my friends and family in my prayers. I hope that you remember what a gift each day is that is why we refer to it as the present. Cherish the little things and always hold onto all of the memories!