Soccer Mom

It's official. I have become one of "those" soccer moms. The one you see driving her mini van at least 10 miles over the posted speed limit, windows down, kids hanging out the windows with Justin Beiber blaring out the speakers! My van contains fast food wrappers, first-aid kit, random articles of clothing, barbies, book bags, jackets, dog leash, books, bottled water, potty seat, and there could possibly be a mouse loose in there! Someone is usually arguing with a sibling or I am issuing threats to someone about picking up dog poop in the backyard when we get home!  But, when you see the picture below, you will see one of the reasons that melts my heart and makes all the madness worth it. From now until the middle of May-we will be living out at the soccer fields on the weekends with 2 games each Saturday. So, if you see a white Toyota Sienna coming your way-watch out..the mouse may have landed in my lap and you could be in danger!

BTF's!!

We have the greatest neighbors who live right next door to us! They moved here from British Columbia, Canada. We feel special just having the pleasure of knowing them. They have that way of making you feel like you have known them your entire life.
They have 3 kids, we have 3 kids. Their daughter Jaida is Riley's age and the two of them are 2 Peas in a Pod! They go through withdrawals if they don't see each other every day. When they are apart, they draw each other pictures. Sweet, really. They call each other BFF's....actually Jaida calls them "BTF's" which cracks me up! She even bought Riley a matching shirt!
I even think Riley would move in with them if she could. Great people we are so thankful to have in our lives!

Getting Cre8tive!

Delaney brought home a paint recipe from school, so we decided to try it. Edible paint! Who knew powdered sugar, water and food coloring could make art?! Plus the kids were thrilled they could lick their paint brushes! Do you blame them?!

Don't Blink....

I can not believe that it is already October! I knew life would be particularly hectic this school year, but nothing prepared me for "how" hectic it truly would be! True, the girls are getting older and I thought easier, but in reality it seems I am more busy now than when they were demanding babies and toddlers. At least then they would take naps! Now our lives are consumed with soccer practice and games, guitar lessons, car pools, church activities, school acitivities, and lots and lots of homework! On top of that, this is my very first year teaching preschool! Silly me for thinking that 3 year olds would be easy to teach! Quite the contrary! They are little midgets of never ending energy and constantly talking and asking questions! They WANT to learn! So, I spend A.L.O.T. of time planning lessons and activities and crafts. The little shits darlings are sponges and want something new and exciting to do! And they insist that "Miss Neese" play too! They have no concept of "no really, my butt will NOT fit down that slide!"...

At the end of the day when life has calmed down a bit, I really do count my blessings. My heart is full of joy and contentment. God has blessed me in so many ways. His Love and Mercy are always falling down on me. Always providing. Always forgiving. Always guiding. Always getting me through the days. God is Good!

There is a Kenny Chesney song called, "Don't Blink". Here are just a few lyrics.....

"Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don't blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did
Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half"
Of fifty years is there in bed
And you're praying God takes you instead
Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think
So don't blink"
Helps put it all into perspective a bit for me!

The rat race begins..

My favorite time of year has begun! Back to school time! Our days our filled with purpose. We have schedules to follow once again. After a long, hot summer filled with days of sleeping in and staying up late, lounging by the pool, staying in our pajamas all day, it is time to give it all up and let the rat race begin! My day now begins at 6am and pretty much goes non-stop until the kids head to their rooms for bedtime at 8pm. Packing lunches, checking homework, car-pooling, volleyball practice, church activities, playdates, pre-school, making meals, soccer practice, girl scouts, housework, grocery shopping, laundry, oh! and my new part-time job teaching pre-school! Whew! No wonder I am beat at the end of the week! But, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. maybe a month long vacation to Belize.



Maddie is an 8th grader this year and starting her first year of volleyball! I am anxious to see how she does! She is growing up so fast, which scares me to death! I thank God that we are close and can talk like friends, but she soon remembers who the Mama is when sometimes crosses that line!

Delaney is a big 2nd grader! She is involved in Girl Scouts and soccer. Soon to start Hip Hop dance classes. She is a little social butterfly, enjoys yakking on the telephone with her friends and playing internet games. She wants to constantly be on the go and is always asking how she can earn money.



Riley is in pre-school. She goes everyday now for a couple of hours and loves it! She is such an easy going kid. I am so thankful for that! She will be starting dance classes soon. She is my little side-kick, who is always into my make-up and wanting me to line her lips! She loves to have her hair "did" and has no problem telling people how beautiful she is.





Cupcake Party

Delaney had her sweet little friend Bella over for the afternoon, so we decided to bake some cupcakes. I love this age! They are so easy to entertain. Sprinkles, frosting and cupcakes! Here we go!

Final Summer Birthday

My sweet, brown eyed baby girl turned 4. This is very hard for me! Waaaaaaaaa. Ok. I'm over it. It is bittersweet. My girls are growing up and turning into such amazing little people. I guess that means we as their parents, are doing a somewhat good job. At the same time, I miss being needed 100%. I am their mommy. Forever and ever. Being their mom is who I am. It defines me. I love everything about it. Even the stressful, hair pulling days. When they are gone, I wander around like a lost puppy. I have one more year before all 3 girls are completely in school full time, every day all day. Riley and I are going to make the most of her last year of preschool. Lots of mommy and Riley time.

Riley got to kick off her 4th birthday with opening lots of presents...

Her Nana and Papa came to town for her special day!

And the birthday girl got to go to the Build A Bear Workshop for the very first time!

Then took a little ride and stopped for a cookie...or 2.

We finished off the day with the Birthday girl requesting a special dinner at McDonald's and finishing it off with a nice big piece of cake! Happy Birthday to my beautiful, sweet Riley girl.



Silly girls

It has been so hot here this summer! We have set records for the most consecutive days over 100 since the early 1900's. When it is this hot, you are limited to outdoor activities. Swimming. Lots of swimming! That is about it. We have to wait until 9:00pm to go outside. By then, this mama is ready for bed-not playing outside! Bless my girls-they have had to tap into their creative sides this summer. This particular day,  I am not sure what provoked this particular activity. Heat stroke maybe? We all got a good laugh at least. Here goes...

Yum-o Snack

The kids are constantly hungry. And of course, they never want to eat what I suggest. Like typical kids, they want cookies, ice cream, sweets, etc. If it was up to Delaney she would survive completely on Nutella sandwiches. I guess there could be worse things...Then there is Riley, she would eat Macaroni and Cheese all day. Madison is the healthiest eater of them all, but she has these weird quirks about her food. It can't touch each other on her plate, she can only eat one item at a time, if there is too much fat on meat-she pokes at it and then refuses to eat it. She only likes cheese on pizza-NOTHING else. So,needless to say, coming up with somewhat healthy snacks is hard around here. Finally, I found something that makes everyone happy for the most part.

 Banana Nutella Grahams! Very low in fat and yummy! The kids get their sweet fix and I am satisfied knowing I got some fruit in their system. Win. Win.