Lightning...Team Pictures!

Picture Day! Surprisingly, the boys did good and cooperated for the Team picture.  And, of course, we had to take some pictures of our own. So far the season is going good. Lots of work, coaching, being Team Mom...but just to see Jake have so much fun, makes it all worth it. They are getting better and better...I love watching their progress every week. Although, I can't keep the snacks in the dugout because all they want to know is, "what's for snack?", "when are we gonna have snack?". And Miss Sophie, the little mascot thinks she can boss all the boys around, and when they go to the outfield she goes through their stuff and tries all their drinks. And, she says, "READY SET GO!". Jake is getting better at running to 1st after he hits the ball. And, last weekend it was his turn to be catcher...the mask was too big and heavy...he couldn't even see the ball coming at him. It was funny. GO LIGHTNING! 

Jake was the photographer

Just like her big brother...

The boys...Adam, Hunington, Jake & Ethan

Coach Pa, Derrick, Emilio, Isaiah, Reyes, Ethan, Coach Deon
Adam, Jude, Hunington & Jake

GO BLUE! 

Little Slugger!

We love Nana

It's always nice to have our Nana around...esp. because she gives us ice-cream! Spring is definitely here...they were enjoying a nice cool treat and hanging out in the backyard. We love you Nana & Grandpa Bob...thanks for coming to visit us! We love you and can't wait until you come back. 

Happy Birthday Sophie



Such a Princess...she left her birthday hat on the whole time.




Family picture...too bad Jake was looking somewhere else.



My beautiful daughter

Sophie hanging out with her friend, Memphis

Grandpa Bob & Nana Pat enjoying their time at Chuck E. Cheese (wink wink)



Helping the kids grab all the tickets...



Coco got lots of tickets too...that's Jake's hand, full of tickets...I think he ended up with 800+

The Ticket Blaster. Jake went in for Sophie...because she was too little. Deon coached him (at the time I didn't know). He told Jake "only pick up the coupons, no tickets". Little did I know, the coupons were worth 100 tickets each...I think Jake got 4 or 5. Smart!

Chuck, Nana & Sophie

PRESENTS! She got this cute little dress and had to put it on immediately...such a girl.

We had fun...even though, as usual, the place was crazy packed and hot. But, the most important thing was that Sophie had fun. I think she was little too young for a Chuck E. Cheese party, but I'm sure we'll be back at some point for future birthday parties. Sophie is an amazing little miss. She is very loving, funny and sweet. She loves anything girlie...jewelry, hair ties, makeup, shoes, etc. Bob & Nana came to visit and Sophie kept hearing my Mom call me Bobbi. So, Sophie decided to start calling Bob, 'Bobby'. He didn't like that so much, but we all thought it was so cute. And for "yes", she has always said, "aye". So, the whole time my parents were here, they would say, "aye?" and Sophie would say, "Sess". So cute. She loves her some Jake. She always has to know where he's at, what he's doing and copies everything he does. I feel like she gets more beautiful as the days pass. And, as the days pass...I'm thinking she'll be 16 before I know it. Just remember to cherish every day, every moment with your kids. I know mine will be older soon, too busy for me or too cool to hang out with Mom. So, for now...I'm LOVING mine with all my heart. HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY to my baby girl. I love you 

Opening Day!

Jake & Hunington standing proud in front of our team banner

The fire department was at opening day and you know Jake...he had to check out the cool ladder truck

J

Let's play ball

Pep talk from the coaches

Warm up

Knock it out of the park Jake! 

Home Run! 

You're almost there...hey, what's with the tongue?

Little sisters, Sophie & Reina...hanging out in the dugout sharing jewelry while their brothers play baseball.

Good game Lightning!

WOW...what a weekend! PBR, TeeBall Opening Day and Sophie's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. It was so exciting to see Jake in his baseball uniform. He did so good...they all did pretty good for the first game. They are so cute out there. So much fun! And, the coaches did great too, esp. Deon...you can tell he really loves his son. Such a good Dad!
I felt so emotional watching Jake out there...I was so proud of him. He really tried and he had fun too. Only 20 games left...

Ride em' cowboy

Professional Bull Riders came to town...and my little cowboy just had to be there. He was so excited...he even made sure his cowboy shirt was ironed. He was so excited and of course, posed for some pictures. He had a blast! They got to see real life cowboys, bull riders and BULLS! Deon, Pa & Jake were very impressed and said we should have all gone. Um, I'm not sure if that's something I want to see. Maybe it's a guy thang....

Jake & Woody...always ready for a picture

The girls are going out to dinner

Girly girl.

Nice smile cowboy

The guys...gettin' ready for the rodeo

And...my absolute favorite picture

Sophie turns 2

SOPHIE LYNN

THE BIRTHDAY PRINCESS

The princess has to ride in style...

Cupcakes for the princess...Mmmmmm! 

Jake was giving Sophie a push...

Working boy...Jake calls this his construction site.

Jake & Pa. Happy Birthday Pa...his birthday is the day after Sophie's. 

This is Sophie's Magnolia tree...we planted  when she was born...it blooms the prettiest pinkish flowers . 

Whoa! Jake did you push her? 

This is Sophie's new thing...she pulls her shirt over her head

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOPHIE! We love you. 

Our precious princess is 2 years old...ALREADY! She's so amazing. She is copying everything we say and do. She has the silliest personality, she loves her brother and she's trying to go potty little by little. I put chonies on her the other day and she just wanted to be in her chonies and t-shirt and she had to run to her Daddy to show him. She says, "Good Night", "I love you"and a long list of other cute stuff. We have to read 2 books now at bedtime (just like Jake). Except Sophie turns to the pages she likes best and then tells me when we're done by saying "the end".  Oh, and she's taking after her Nana Pat already...she always wants to go "bye bye". If we say we're going somewhere, she already knows to grab her jacket...the girls ready to go. She also likes to pull her shirt half way over her head and walk around like that. Sophie has done surprisingly well since I've returned to work. Although, she refuses to take naps at Coco's. So, she comes home exhausted. I hope that's just an adjustment thing, because she really needs her beauty sleep. Happy Birthday to my little girl. The celebration continues next weekend with a party at Chuck E. Cheese. Nana Pat & Grandpa Bob will be here too. We also have opening day next weekend for Jake's T-Ball team, Go Lightening! GO JAKE! 

Back to the grind...

"The key to change... is to let go of fear."

Ok, ok...so I did it...I returned to work after being a stay-at-home wife and Mom for 2 years. It was tough...I was afraid of the change... I'm not going to lie. Monday morning was emotional for me. But, I did it! Or should I say, we did it. Deon has always been a very involved Dad...but he really stepped it up this week to help me. The kids are going through an adjustment. I thought Sophie was going to have the issues...but it's Jake. He's not used to being a part from me. I guess I just have them spoiled. I miss them, every minute of every day...but when I get home and they run to me and give me hugs, kisses and love...I feel so special. Jake has also been sick so that might be why he was so emotional this week too. I was stressing about the mornings...getting myself ready, getting them ready and over to Coco's and make it to work by 8am. But, it's all good. The getting up early part, I'm used to...since my kids get up at the crack of dawn anyway. I still have to get Sophie to sleep ALL NIGHT! And, we're still getting started on potty training. But, overall...they are great kids. I'm so thankful for the 2 years we had at home together. I miss my kids, but I also like being out in the workforce again, using my brain, having ADULT conversations, plus...I get to talk and brag about my kids to other people. I think this job is going to be good. It's a good opportunity to start something great for myself and the company. I look forward to taking ownership of this position and making a difference. So far, everyone seems really nice and easy to work with. So, we'll see how it goes. 


4 years ago...I had a baby...and he changed my life forever. Jake is the most special boy. The love we have for each other is amazing and the bond we share is unexplainable. When I look at him, I still remember when he had to stay in the hospital for the first 28 days of his life. I would go visit him everyday and when I would leave him there, it hurt so bad. But, he finally came home and has been healthy and happy ever since. 


Then 2 years later...my little Princess Sophie came along. Sophie is so beautiful. But, she's going to be my tough girl. Already defending herself against her brother. She is fearless! She's so smart, funny and loving. It's nice to know she'll be 'my girl' for the rest of my life. 


And, before I close...I must give a shot out to my mother-in-law. The woman who is there when I can't be [for my kids]. She NOT ONLY watched the kids, drove Jake to school and back, but she did my laundry, ironed some clothes and made us dinner one night. Thank you Suegra, Coco Sue...you are the best mother-in-law ever. I am truly grateful and I love you.


Thank you to God for blessing me and having favor on my life! I feel really lucky to have landed a good job in these trying times. And, I feel even more lucky to have such enormous love and support from my family. 


Special thoughts and prayers to the people in Japan. The people who had to endure the terrible earthquake, tsunami and volcano. My heart goes out to them, esp, when I see the devastation on the news. God, please give them the strength to move on, rebuild and recover.