Crazy Mother's Day

Yea I know, Mother's Day was a week ago. I usually blog on Sunday nights after my kids go to bed and last Sunday I was just not up to it! I have to recap my Mother's Day.

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I want to preface that I do not have pictures documenting my day. My camera bit the dust and I have not gotten around to buying a new one. I know, me who takes a million pictures has not bought one! Trust me, I have scoured the internet looking at a ton and now I can't make up my mind. So I had a disposable camera for the day and I have not taken all of the alloted pictures to get it developed. So this blog, and a few after this will be just words, no pics. Sorry!

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My day started off well, both kids slept in! Well, Sammi didn't but she turns on the TV in the morning and watches cartoons until I get up, which is normally not long. I set the dish channel to be on her guide the night before so she can do this. Anywhoo, Mr. Josh slept in which is a big deal! He doesn't wake up early, but when he is up, he is up! Jason wanted us to go to the Ft. Worth Nature Center & Refuge for the day. Perfect, I wanted to spend the day with the kids and Jason. And if I was asked, I would have loved a day just alone watching movies...uninterrupted!

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As we were leaving, Jason got a call from his security dept that his office was broken into and he needed to go up there to do inventory. LONG story short, I went without him with the kids. We went straight to the building at the nature refuge for information and look at some animals indoors. We were walking out and the kids started to run off. Naturally, Joshua fell down. That kid falls so much that I didn't freak out. Then as I saw him hit the ground, he immediately started to scream. I ran after him and as he stood up, there was a lot of blood gushing from his head. I scooped him up and looked to see where it was coming from. A lot kept coming and coming so fast that I couldn't see where it was coming from, his face and hair was covered in blood. Sammi was freaking out so I had to try and remain calm for her all the while Joshua is screaming and blood is gushing from his head or face somewhere.

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I ran inside holding him to ask for help and a first aid kit. I ran back outside to keep the blood from getting everywhere and found some baby wipes out of my backpack. I was quickly wiping his face to see if it was coming from his scalp, nose, mouth, etc. I was able to see it was on his forehead and put the wipe there. A woman saw all of this and came out with wet papertowels saying "I am sure the wipes are hurting him". Please don't take this wrong and think I wasn't grateful, but after that comment, I wanted to say "no kidding, but this is all I have to stop the bleeding!". I know she meant well. We ran into the bathroom to clean him up and put on a butterfly bandage. That alone wasn't easy....he did NOT want anyone to touch his forehead. As the woman that worked there helped bandage him up she said "when kids cut their forehead, they bleed like a stuck pig!" Now that was funny to hear!

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After going through a ton of wet paper towels to clean him up, the waste basket looked like it came from a murder scene. It was nasty! As we were walking out, Sammi told me that I had blood on me. I looked in the mirror and it was all on my neck, clothes, feet...you name it, I had blood on me. I started to worry wondering if I needed to take him to the hospital in case he lost too much blood. The cut alone was tiny! I asked the women that came to help since they all had kids and they all said that was normal! And after we got home and throughout the week when I told others, most told me that when kids cut their foreheads, they bleed a lot because of all of the blood vessels there and their thin skin. Who knew??

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I decided to take them on a small trail since that is what we came for! Sammi then tells me that her tummy hurt. I talked and asked her questions to figure out why it hurt, and come to find out, it was because of all of the blood she saw. It really freaked her out. Poor girl! She decided she was ok and could go on a trail. Not a few feet later, Joshua tripped and fell again! He didn't hurt himself, but it was enough for me to say "alright, let's go!". So off we went.

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Jason had a ton to deal with the break in and didn't get home until 6. But he brought me dinner and I laid in bed the rest of the night watching a movie...uninterrupted! I never get to do that! It wasn't the Mother's Day I had in my head, but life doesn't always go the way we want it to sometimes.

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I hope you all had a great Mother's Day!

My Daughter, the Graduate

Today Samantha had a graduation ceremony for her Pre-Kindergarten class. Her class practiced for several weeks and that is just about all we heard about as well. Not about the lesson for the week, books she is learning to read, or words she is writing. Graduation. That's it. This week was even count down to Friday everyday. And I mean, everyday. Every morning. Every night. You get the picture. She was just so excited!

All of them sang 6 songs, some mixed with sign language and one in Spanish. Each was asked to stand up and tell us what they wanted to be when they grew up. Samantha proudly said "an astronaut and a professional soccer player!". That's my girl! One boy said he wanted to be a doctor AND dentist. I like his goals! Some said Batman or Spiderman, and there were several cheerleaders, sports players, and some ologist. We couldn't understand what she said, other than some big word that we never heard of that ended in "ologist".

When did it become the trend to have a graduation for Pre-K? I myself didn't have one since I didn't go to preschool. But I don't remember ever hearing of them until the last few years. Maybe I just never paid attention before I had kids?? In fact, I didn't have one in Kindergarten either and I think most schools have a graduation then as well. My first cap and gown was at 18, not 5! But, they sure look adorable in their tiny gown and tassel hanging to the side of their cap. They got to keep their tassel.....and no, I don't plan on hanging it from my rearview mirror in case you were wondering. :)

As soon as I can get them to work (I am impatient tonight!) I will post the videos of her singing some songs. But here are a few of my favorite pictures.

The graduate with her diploma. And for those few of you that know THE mother of all stories of Samantha in class this year, THE Blake is sitting to her right. Now you have a face with the name.

The proud parents...

Trent, John, & Samantha. Trent has a big crush on Samantha, but she only has eyes for John. :) But if you ask her, John is NOT her boyfriend! Since the first day she started attending Ivy Glen, she has been by John's side. For awhile, she would get upset if someone else sat next to him. Ah, young puppy love....

Samantha and her best girlfriends....Taryn, Katie, Olivia R, and Olivia B.

Ms. Shirley, Samantha's teacher. I love Ms. Shirley and will miss having her as Samantha's teacher. She had Samantha pegged from Day 1 and knew just the right way in handling her and how to keep her focused (she is a major talker. I wonder where she gets that?).

Scruffy daddy (that's just 1 day from not shaving!) and his favorite girl.

After the ceremony they had cake and punch in another room and made it very clear that they needed to remove their cap and gown. I wonder why?? Here is Samantha with one of her best friends, Olivia R. There are two Olivia's and we are always asking her "which Olivia?" when she talks about them.

And if you are wondering, yes, I did cry. Just a little in the beginning. I wasn't planning on it and honestly didn't think I would feel sad. But as I sat there reading the program and thinking about all that she has learned in preschool, it hit me! She is slowly breaking away from "my little girl" mold. I keep telling her that she will always be my little girl when she corrects me and says "I am NOT a little girl! I am a big girl!" Even when she is 30 or 40, I will call her my little girl. Right? Geez, how will I be when she graduates high school and college? I am sure not as bad as I will be when she becomes an astronaut or a professional soccer player. :)

Amy & Jacob's Wedding

This blog is a little late, but I couldn't not write about this and show the amazing pictures my sister Meredith and her husband Greg took. One of my most closest, dearest friends Amy got married a few weeks ago. She met the perfect match for her....Jacob! He is an amazing person that loves her unconditionally, as all true love should, and loves her two beautiful kids as though they are his own. Watching their relationship blossom and see the four of them together really brought tears to my eyes. Tears of joy that my friend found someone that loved the three of them. I prayed for this and God answered!

They were married outside at the Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens and it was beautiful! The colors of the grass, flowers, plants were so vibrant. And Amy was a beautiful bride. Thankfully I got there early because I was asked to drive back to her house to pick up the flowers they forgot. I got back just in the nick of time for the wedding to start! I was SO glad there were no cops to and from because I broke many traffic laws! Sorry, but I had the bouquet! :)

Enough of my rambling...on with the pictures!

Ella & Jackson, Amy's two gorgeous kids. Aren't they? Jackson was Sammi's first "boyfriend". As babies, they crawled on the floor together and we even caught Jackson patting her thick, diapered bottom. He started young. :)

The wedding party...I love the shade of green they had!

Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Bryant

So cute...

Jason & I at the reception.

Me & Amy. I just couldn't stop hugging her, I was just so happy for her!

The happy couple!

Amy, I love you and couldn't be happier that Jacob is in your life. I pray that God continues to bless the four of you!

My First Real Adult Birthday Party!

For the first time in my adult life, I had a real birthday party! Ok, so there wasn't a cake, but it was a party! Jason had the idea, then I took it and ran with it. We started off with dinner at my most favorite Mexican restaurants, Cantina Laredo. Then we went to Pete's Dueling Piano Bar. If any of you have never been to a dueling piano bar, you must go! It is so fun and will keep you laughing all night. It's like two comedians on two pianos.

I lost my camera (thankfully it has since been found!) so all of these pictures are compliments of Marcia and Amy. Thank you both for bringing your cameras! Most of the pictures below speak for themselves....I clearly had a fun night! So many of my close friends were there to celebrate for me, which was humbling knowing they came out for me. I'm not used to that! It was a night I will never forget, thanks to my fabulous friends!

Isn't Todd & Marcia such a cute couple? She is so freaking pretty.

They had all that served in the armed forces come to the front and sing "Proud to be an American". I was in the LONG line at the bathroom and missed it. I would have cried though, that song always makes me cry! And because I'm proud of my soldier. Thanks, Marcia for taking this!

My good friend Sergio ended up coming with his wife Lisa. I didn't think they were coming, so I was happy to see them! I think this was like the 10th hug I gave him...you can tell by the look on his face he is thinking "yeeeaaaahhhh Alli, I love you too. Uh-huh, ok, thaaaanks for the 10th hug!"

mmm....I love apple martinis!

Me & Kristi, my birthday twin. What? You don't think we look like twins? We share the same birthday, but she likes to remind me every year that I am 1 year older. Thanks!

Me & Marcia....we had so much fun together!! She started off as Jason's cousin when I first met her 14 years ago, but she is by far one of the best friends a girl can have!

Ah, Jason & Todd. They share a deep passion for NASCAR, fishing, and yes, each other. They make a cute couple!

I love this picture Marcia took of us.

I found something really funny, didn't I? I told you that place would have you laughing!

For those of you who might find this offensive, sorry. That's just how my husband is. He is a typical man...just checking to make sure they are still there. :)

Bluebonnets

Tis the season for bluebonnets! I missed taking the kids annual bluebonnets pictures last year, so I made it a point to NOT miss it this year. I grew up with my mom taking pictures of Meredith and I in the bluebonnets. When I reached a certain age, I didn't find it amusing to sit in the flowers with Meredith. But now I love looking back at those pictures. I hope my kids do the same when they are grown.

It was a windy day, but thank goodness Joshua was in a good mood and said "cheeeeeese" many times for me.

As always, Sammi smiled perfectly for me.

All Joshua really wanted to do was run! So I let him....

....running some more!

Sammi taking the time to smell the flowers. I love this picture of her.

Sammi took this picture. Isn't it good?

My beautiful girl.

Fun in the field of flowers. I was so careful to not have them step or sit on any of the flowers, but I am pretty sure I failed this time. :(

Isn't he cute like this? He never stays in one place very long, so I had to snap fast!

Cheeese!!!

Me and my baby boy. Another picture that Sammi took. I am glad now to have someone be so willing to take my picture! I am usually never on the other side of the camera. :)

Ah, the good 'ol college days....

This past week I was in Austin at UT for a few days doing various recruiting events. Being there in the different buildings, on campus, and talking with the graduating seniors made me miss being in college.

I miss the days when I woke up just in time to throw on clothes and a baseball hat to run to class. Great naps in World Lit, running into friends on campus, joining different causes or groups, going to the library or another place to study with friends, and the parties! For those that went to a really liberal school like I did at UNT, you just loved (sometimes not!) listening to the various people or evangelists coming to the square to preach or talk about what was on their mind or their cause. Having to walk past the many groups passing out fliers for whatever they wanted you to join or read about. I know I ticked off several because I didn't want them. Oh well.

In Denton, we had a place that was half a laundromat and half bar called This Suds For You. Not kidding. But we loved it! I remember having to scour my car floorboards to get enough change to do my laundry. But I ALWAYS had money for beer while we waited for our laundry to be done. Ah, the days of messed up priorities! :)

While I was at a career fair at UT, I talked to so many seniors. Some that knew exactly what they wanted in life and some had absolutely no clue what they wanted to do. Some had their resume filled with internships and tons of organizations they were heavily envolved in, all while maintaining a 3.75 GPA (those made me feel like such a slacker when I was in college!). Some did not. Those that did not and knew I was noticing that, I made sure to tell them that just by graduating they are now in the 25% of the US that has a college degree, which they should be proud of.

That night, I sent Jason a text message about me missing the college days. He replied with: "send me all of your money, trade vehicles with a homeless person, turn off your cell" Oh yea, now I remember the yucky part of being in college....being broke!

Sammi's Big Turnaround Soccer Game

Sammi had a soccer game on Saturday. Let's just say that the past few games did not indicate that she had or wanted a future in pro soccer. She played a great wing man! But when the ball came anywhere near her, she did nothing. At all. As if she was scared of the ball or afraid to be aggressive against anyone. Her first season she had no problem kicking a ball from someone or getting in the middle to at least be in the group by the ball. But not this season. I know I know, she is only 5. Jason nor I ever said anything, but we were left scratching our heads as to why now she didn't even want to kick the ball. Jason turned things around for her because she has no problem running and is pretty fast. He told her to go down to the other goal and pretty much play goalie, even though they don't have that position yet. It worked! So this past game, she kicked the ball. A lot! She was so excited. Most of the time she also runs and looks at her shadow or looks at us. It cracks us up! They play 3 on 3, so for the most part it is a pack of 6 girls running around the ball. It seriously is the funniest thing.

I promise, I won't blog about her game every week or bore you with tons of pics each week. But just this once I'll post some "action" shots since for the most part, they look the same each week. :) Other than one of us chasing Joshua as he runs onto the field, it is fun family time for us.

Sammi kicking the ball! Check out that grass....I for sure did not play soccer on a field like that! I think it was mowed down weeds. And the uniforms! Did you see the Inaria brand socks and shorts? And the jersey? Really. I had a t-shirt with the name and number printed on it at the local Forney print store (aka our neighbor's garage) worn with whatever shorts our parents put us in, whether they matched or not, and whatever tube socks. I guess that's the difference between Forney Youth Soccer and Keller Youth Soccer. I get enough jokes from Jason about that!

Check out that form! She's so stinking cute when she runs. For her size, she is fast. I wonder if they have 5 year old track and field? Just kidding!

Thank goodness my mom found this shake & go truck that we left at her house. It kept Joshua occupied for awhile...in 2 year old terms that is about 5 minutes. But I'll take it!

In action. Can't you see the fear in the little redhead's face? Yeah, she's scared. I just know it.

Sammi & Grandpa....probably the most faithful watcher of Sammi's "skillz" every week besides her mom and dad! He LOVES his grandkids.

Sammi and her #1 fan (tied with her daddy). It's rare I'm ever photographed. I actually thought to have my mom take this. Selfishly, I did it on purpose because I actually had make up on, although you can't tell. :)

Sammi's favorite part of soccer is at half time and after the game. For the snacks! And as always, she has to share with Joshua or we all hear him screaming. I thought I was smart to bring his own. Nope, doesn't work when she gets something completely different.

After the game we went out to lunch. Here is Lito (my amazing, wonderful, most patient stepdad!), Sammi, & Joshua.

Sammi & Joshua pretending to sleep. Of course they opened up their eyes when I took the picture.

Again, I promise not to bore you with soccer action pictures each week. But if I get her on video running down the field with the ball and into a goal, you bet I'll post it!