Photo Shoot and Peanuts

Well it is the first day of Spring and it is a beautiful day! I am LOVING this warm weather! It just makes me a very happy person!
The boys knew that we would be working for Spring Break and they were okay with it as long as we had some fun too. Today I had a photo shoot on Morris Ave. It was for Senior pictures and they were gorgeous! Stay tuned for more on this shoot at http://www.monicaannephotography.com/ I will be updating that blog soon. I just need some more time to get it all done.
After the photo shoot I took the boys to The Peanut Depot. We bought some peanuts, which are SO good. They watched them make some and we are going to try to get something together for the Cub Scouts to head down there this summer. It should be a lot of fun and I cannot wait. We will see what happens.
We decided to go to Subway for lunch, John Michael shocked me and ate all of his 6" usually he just eats a little.

We had to stop for gas on our way home and while we were pumping Santa pulled up. It was awesome and the boys days were made complete! This they should be talking about for days! They were even given cards from him. It was perfect!!!
It was a great day and even though we are not taking a great vacation I hope that the boys are enjoying their Spring Break. I am enjoying the time with them!

The Last Day of Winter

So I have admitted several times and will continue to do so, I do not like Winter at all! I loved the fact that today was the last day of Winter and was 87 degrees! Now that is a winter I can handle. I also will openly admit that I hope the temperatures remain high....no need to back down now!!!
I was supposed to have a shoot this morning and the lady had to cancel. No big deal, I understand all to well that stuff happens. I just hope that they were able to get everything taken care of I know how stressful some situations can be.
Today was Spring Break Monday and the boys and I decided to take the stuff that I needed to back to Academy and get them pants and shoes that fit. Pants were too big, shoes were too small. Go figure, I tried to get it done, but it decided to bite me. Oh well, we managed to get it all taken care of. Danny had to get Adult Cleats. I cannot believe how big my little man is getting.
They both had practice tonight and both did very well! I was definitely a proud momma. Some of the chatter on the teams is seriously on my nerves. I am not sure who is behind it all, but I do have to say....seriously people Grow Up!
Well, good night! My Spring Break starts Tuesday and I will be able to enjoy time off school, not work with my little men!

Spring Break Friday

Today was the last official day of Spring Break, of course we have the weekend, but it has been a great week. Except that it is more than obvious I have completely neglected my daily chores of cleaning! I wanted to enjoy time with the boys, and while I could not stop with the laundry everything else went by the wayside, that is what next week is for right?!

Today was an exceptional lazy day. I was actually looking forward to laying out on the back deck. I want to shield as many as I can from me in a bathing suit. Anyway, when I went outside today I was run off by red wasps on a mission to destroy. I thought I had wasp spray so I could turn their mission into a suicide one, but I was wrong. I will be investing in some though as I love the sun and will not be kept away by some crazy creatures. On tomorrow's to do list.

We decided to take advantage of the day, and I scrapbooked almost all day and worked on pictures that needed to be edited. It was great to be able to get some things done that I have wanted to do and not had the time. Well, the pictures I have been working on, but scrapbooking is a different story. I have so much stuff to get into books that our office in unusable until I get it done. I actually completed one book...2008's year in review and moved onto the Christmas 2008 album. I love Christmas so it always gets a book to itself. I am still working on it. I completed the pictures of Morgan Makenzie's Baptism. Brandon completed the editing of the Baptism video and those are ready to be delivered. Hopefully I will be able to get in touch with Kimy and we can get them to her this weekend. Danny even helped me with scrapbooking which was a lot of fun for both of us.

Baseball practice was canceled tonight, which I have to admit I was okay with. I have been up their every night this week so a night off was a nice change.

Well, I am off to bed since it is almost tomorrow and I have a long day ahead of me. John Michael has practice, we have a Birthday party to go to, Danny has a practice game and then Brandon is videoing a play and I am doing photographs. It will be a great day with lots of pictures! Before I go to bed tonight I am saying a prayer for all of my friends and family. I am also saying a special prayer that this project is the beginning of many doors opening for Brandon and myself. We are ready for great changes!

Spring Break Thursday and Happy St. Patrick's Day

Spring Break is almost over and I have to admit I am a little sad. I do not feel like we have done anything really. I wanted to go somewhere so bad, and so did the boys. Next year I will have to plan better and try to save so we can make a trip, even if it is a short one.

Today was also St. Patrick's Day. I love this holiday and I think it is because it is all fun. Unfortunately there was no green beer for me. I thought about adding some food coloring to my wine, but decided against it since it was just me and the boys. Brandon got home not that long ago from his long day at work.

The boys and I dressed in our green, I had to shield us from the pinching leprechauns! We had a fun day. Danny got some new shorts. He had none. Well, one pair that I bought him before a birthday party a few weekends ago, but that was it. The downside to cleaning out the closets. I also took the boys to CVS, they have been begging to go. Danny got a telescope, if he is still into it we have a nicer one that we got a few years ago put up for him. It might workout for Christmas this year. John Michael got Play-Doh and a zhu-zhu puppy. Boys will be boys. They had a blast playing. I felt like they needed a special surprise.

I did manage to lay out for about thirty minutes. Not long but definitely some much needed Vitamin D. I so love the sun. I am hoping to get at least an hour in tomorrow, but we shall see. I also finished editing one set of the three I have to do. While I was laying out I started to read Charlie St. Cloud. I have wanted to see the movie for a while, but had to read the book first. Well, I have read it all, could not put it down. All I know is I need a new box of tissues before I get the movie, I used the one I had with the book.

After playing with the new goodies it was baseball time! Seems like that is going to be a major part of my life through at least May. Again it is a good thing I love it! John Michael had another night of watching his brother, he doesn't have practice until Saturday morning. He brought a few things to play with and was great.

We came home to look at the moon for a little while with the new telescope then showers and bed time. Now it is almost midnight and I am headed to bed! Before I go to bed I will be praying for all of my friends and family. I am also saying a special prayer tonight for several people. One is baby Jemma who is continuing to improve every day. The second is for my friend Terri. So many things happen and while they might seem small they can also seem like mountains that we must climb. Know that all mountains can be climbed, but do not ever go alone. Arm yourself with God, and with the support of family and friends. I love you all! Thank you for always making my mountains seem smaller.

Spring Break Tuesday

Tuesday of Spring Break has come and is almost gone. Sort of sad how quick this week always goes by. I wish that we would have had the money for a short trip, but it is what it is. Maybe later this year we will be able to do something.

John Michael's black eye is continuing to iprove. Poor little guy.

This morning the boys and I went to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens for a photo shoot that I had. It was a great shoot with two wonderful boys and even a few with mom and dad too! It is always nice to get the family in for a shoot or two! Watch the Photography blog for more on this great family and their session.

This was the first time the boys had been to the gardens, with the exception of for a wedding. They really seemed to have a good time. I cannot wait to take them back once everything is in bloom and colorful. The tuplis were gorgeous though. They seemed to be pretty excited about going back as well. We shall see how that plays out.

Well, we came home and I got dinner ready, a load of laundry done, and then Brandon came home we ate and headed out for the ballpark. John Michael had practice tonight. It went well. He seems to be having a blast and so does Brandon. Tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday Danny has practice and then Saturday John Michael has practice and Danny has a practice game.

Today was Elliott's birthday and we hope that he had an amazing day. We cannot wait to be at his party on Saturday. I hate that we are not going to be able to stay long, but that is the law of the ballpark these days! We are excited to celebrate the big 5 with him!

NOT happy with the local weather man. He just decided to talk about a cold snap in early April...all I can say is NO!!!!!!!

Well, I am so tired. I am hoping that I can get to sleep soon instead of running 1000 things through my min as soon as my head hits the pillow. We shall see. Before I go to bed I will say a special prayer for all of my family and friends. I am also praying for all of those traveling during Spring Break. We are staying around the house, and I am hoping that I can make the week special for the boys. Till tomorrow!

A Much Needed Day of Rest

So time changed, and even though I remembered last night, I so forgot to change the clocks that I have to change. Usually we have the alarm on our phones set so we would have been okay, but not this morning. We slept late, REALLY late, but so did the boys and they really needed it. Praying that everyone gets back on schedule tomorrow. Even though it is Spring Break it is our only day with Daddy home so we are going to see Rango.

We really had a relaxing day, we just lounged around and enjoyed the day. We went in the back yard and threw the ball around for a little while. The boys had a blast and so did I. I think Brandon was glad to get his arm worked out after two days and three practices of throwing the ball. Playing made me really miss softball, but seriously, there is not any time for that. Maybe one day I will get on an adult team. For now I am going to enjoy being at the park for my boys!

Danny was really excited to drink an Auburn Coke!

John Michael's face is looking a little better as far as the swelling, but the bruise is starting to look worse. I know it is part of it getting better, but it breaks my heart.

We did try to find some knee savers this evening for our catcher boy Danny, but no such luck. Come on Academy we need these!!! We are going to check a few places tomorrow including online. You would think these would be as easy to find as catching gear...considering they go together. What do I know though.

So on the news tonight I saw that there is an average of $18,000 a year spent on every prisoner and an average of $3,800 a year spent on each student. Does anyone else see the problem here. This is why I want to get into politics. Something needs to be done about this. I am all for stale bread and water for their meals....why exactly do they deserve more? Hell, that is more than some American families live on. SAD SAD SAD!

So it is 11:30 and I am way past my bedtime! I am headed there as soon as I post this! Before I go to bed I want all of my friends and family to know that I am praying for them. I would also like to ask you all to pray for an old friend of mine Kim and her baby Jemma and who is in NICU at Children's, as well as their family. Thank you all so much. We all know that God has amazing hands and I just want this family to feel His presence and see His miracles!

Today I am 30!

Well, I am officially 30 and well I feel like I did when I was 29. I am excited though. I cannot really explain it, but I truly feel like this will be an amazing time in my life. I have an amazing husband and two wonderful boys and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us. I received so many e-mails, texts, phone calls, FB posts, and in person happy birthdays today. Thank each one of you for the birthday wishes.

John Michael had practice today at 10. It was such a difference in temperature that it was wonderful. I was a Popsicle last night and even though there was some wind today in comparison to last night it was great. The boys all did very well. Poor John Michael's swollen lip and bruised cheek did produce a black eye this morning. He looks pitiful but acts like it does not bother him. I will say he has stayed away from the press boxes since Thursday night though.

Jacobs birthday party was today at Lightening Strikes. The boys were so excited, because they finally got to go bowling. They have been wanting to go and we just have not been able to. Now they cannot wait to go back. I actually am excited about taking them back. I used to bowl in a league and I really enjoyed it. It is a fun sport and I hope that we can make it work so that we all go more.

After Jacob's party it was time for Danny to go to practice. He also had a great practice. The boys all did very well and seemed to really be getting into it. I am so ready for game time for both boys, of course I am sure that the coaches are looking forward to a little more practice.

After the ballpark Brandon and the boys took me to dinner. It was so nice to have a nice dinner with the family. The best part was I did not have to cook it or clean up after it. We went to Outback and it was very good. I was so proud of how sweet the boys were, but I think a lot of it was simply because they were so tired.

Well, it is definitely after 9 and with the time change that is coming it is going to feel even later in the morning. Oh well, maybe with Spring Break and baseball I can get the boys and myself on a better schedule. I do think we are going to use our Sunday for a day of rest, we might venture up to the lake if the water is still rising just to check on things. We shall see.

As always before I head to bed I will be remembering all of you in my thoughts and prayers. Special prayers are still going up for all of those in Japan and across the world who are effected by the earthquakes and tsunamis that took place. I am also saying a special prayer that the boys sleep in a little tomorrow. We are planning on the later Mass so we can all rest and they really need it! Thank you all again for the many Birthday Wishes!

Report Cards, Baseball and Busted Lips

Today was John Michael's last day of school before Spring Break. Needless to say he was excited. He was not thrilled that the beach was not in our plans. If we had the means though it would be! He is so much like me when it comes to the beach...LOVE IT!!!

Danny has tomorrow to go but did get a special out of uniform day for raising over $35 for Jump Rope for Heart. It was also 3rd quarter report cards. I was so proud of him. He is reading over 100 words a minute and had all A's and 2 B's. His Conduct and all that jazz was superb. All over the board a VERY happy momma and daddy! BTW...if he was in public school it would be all A's. Tougher scale in private school which is good.

Tonight was Danny's first baseball practice. It was great to be back on the fields with my boys. It would have been better had it not been so bitterly cold. Danny did great, and was really glad to be back out there. Tonight's was a basic practice just to get the boys back in the swing of things.

John Michael fell after practice and busted his lip. It is so swollen, and just breaks my heart. I hate it when the boys are hurt, and for him to have cried as long and as hard as he did I know that it hurt. It looks like there is a possible black eye too, but I guess we will have to see what the morning brings. I just hope that it does not hurt anymore. He has his first practice tomorrow night.

So it seems that there is some flooding taking place at the lake so after we drop Danny off at school we will be heading that way. If it is not here it is there. What can you do though?

Well it is after 10 again, and I am just now heading to bed but it is what it is. Maybe I should start aiming for 10 instead of 9....things to think about. Tomorrow is my last day in my 20's so I am planning on having a good day and am really looking forward to scrapbooking with Amy! It has been too long and I am so far behind! Anyway. I am off to bed. Before I go to bed I will be praying for all of my friends and family. I am also saying a special prayer for my friend Terri....she needs a "Hey I am ok."