The Rebels

Caleb getting ready for his game!

This game was played in Sedona on the nicest field ever! It was so beautiful with the Red Rocks surrounding us on every side!

Caleb sat out the first quarter so he watched the game from the sidelines with his coach. He is number 13 this year!

Caleb heading to get directions from his coach.

Playing defense with his good friend Carson!

Nice kick Caleb!

Look at that form! Way to go goalie!

Playing goalie is either exciting or boring. Sometimes you have to just watch and wait for the ball to come back down your way.

Talking with the coaches after the game.

Caleb's team won this game 4 to 2. Good game. Good game.

Wearing the goalie shirt!

Grandma Debi came to the games this day. It's always fun to have family cheering you on!

Way to go Caleb!

First Field Trip

Derek had his first school field trip a couple weeks ago. He got to ride in the school van with all his other classmates. 

He was SO excited because they were going to one of his favorite places....

HOME DEPOT!!

They got to tour the store and make a special project! They also were given a Home Depot orange apron! How fun!

Derek shared his "flower pot" creation with Mommy and Daddy!!

A Birthday Party

We celebrated Nate's birthday this week.

We did things a little different this year. Normally we have a small party with a few friends, but mostly family, including brothers and sisters, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and whatever family might be in town at the time. 

This year Nate decided to do a BBQ with some of our good friends!

It was a fun evening of food and fellowship. The kids had fun playing in the backyard together.

The "men folk" did a great job with the grilling! Look at how focused they all are! :)

Everyone brought something yummy to share. Our awesome friend Melanie made this delicious Texas sheet cake and provided the cool birthday candles!

We all sang happy birthday to Nate.

And we even got the guys to pose for some pictures together!

Even with 13 kids running around crazy it turned out to be a really fun evening! The food was great and the time with friends even better!

Thanks friends for making Nate's birthday extra special this year!

Silly Kids

How many kids CAN you fit in one tiny little play truck?

I love how they can be having fun even when they are all squished together in the back of a truck!

Soccer Star

Soccer season is in full swing! Saturdays are spent donning uniforms, cleats and shin guards and spending the day in the heat and sunshine!

Levi is doing great this year and really getting in to the game.

This last Saturday Levi had a great game and scored two goals!!

He is definitely one of the go getters on the field. If the ball is anywhere in his vicinity he is after it!

Whether he is throwing the ball from the sidelines or playing goalie he gives it his all!

I feel kinda bad for the other teams goalie...he didn't know what hit him.

It's fun to watch Levi because you can just see the determination in every move he makes.

I love how the teams always give each other high fives at the end of the game! Good game, good game!

Boy in a goalies uniform!

Soccer season is a busy time of year, getting each child to his or her practices and games and team pictures but it is fun to watch them play and learn to be a team! I'm just thankful for portable chairs and umbrellas, boy does it get hot out there!!

Striving For

Things I'm learning and trying to do better

To find joy in the small things

To trust God with every area of my life

To stick to our budget

To be a better mom

To just let the house be a mess sometimes

To be a better wife

To pray often and passionately

To read my bible daily

To be a better friend

To be the best nurse I can be

To spend more quality time with my kids

To laugh more often

To exercise more

To drink more water

To appreciate every moment

To slow down

To tell my husband often that I appreciate him

To look for positives in my children

To not be so hard on myself

To look for God's blessings

I'm sure the list could go on and on…this is just what came to mind today! I wish I could say that I am just doing all of these things perfectly! Ha! And most likely I won't even be able to attain them all but that's okay! I'm learning to rely on God and his direction in my life and looking to Him for guidance!

Happy Birthday Nate!!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband Nate!! I Love You Babe!!!

School Fun

Derek has been having a fun time at school. Here is his name badge to show where he sits each day. His teacher mixes them up, so they are in a new spot everyday!

At Derek's open house he had to show me where the colors were. He showed me which color he wanted to be on! Green of course! To read more about this "stoplight" tool, read this post!

Derek's classroom is full of fun things to play with and learn with! He showed us all the fun toys he likes. He loved the little cash register toy!!

This is where Derek hangs his bag up. We are still working on trying to figure out which spot is his each day but I think he is finally recognizing his name!

Cross Country Cheetah

This is the second year that Caleb has run cross country. For some strange reason that I don't understand at all, he loves it. I am not a runner, don't like it, never have liked it, and I'm guessing I never will!

Caleb however, loves it!

Waiting for the race to start...

On your mark...

Get Set...

GO!!

Cousin Lacey came to watch him race. Grandma Debi and Grandpa Kim also came!

Almost done....Caleb heading to the finish line.

Waiting in line to get his ribbon. He placed 21st out of all the group of boys his age!

He amazes me how he can practice every day after school in the sweltering heat and still say, "it was good" when I pick him up after practice and ask him how it went!

I may not like running, but I sure love supporting my boy.