Spring Break...Not really a break at all!!!

Being a teacher is really hard work, but it doe come with its perks. One of those perks is two weeks off for Spring Break. Pre-kids this was a time for me to lounge on the couch, go to a movie, and maybe head out for a relaxing day at the spa! Now post-kids it is anything but a break!! Spring Break is now filled with fun filled activities from start to finish. Jillian and Brayden were lucky that they got to spend four of those days with their cousins, Austin and Courtney. While the cousins were here we took a trip to Seaworld and Pump it Up. My sister, Holly, has nicknamed me the PM(professional mom) because of all the things I do with the kids. So when she was here I need to live up to my nickname. We had a great time and the kids can't wait for our next adventure!

Jillian's first soccer Game

Go Green Snakes! That is what you heard from all the family and friends that were gathered on the sidelines to watch the first soccer game of the season. Not only was this this the first game of the season, it was also Jillian's first game ever! WOW! Did she impress us. One of the things that I have learned about Jillian in these past four years, is that she takes a long time to warm up to new things. I like to believe that she is an observer and likes to take it all in before she jumps right in. Well soccer was not different. The first practice she clung to my leg bawling! I wasn't sure if I would even get her onto the field. Reluctantly she stayed the whole practice and attempted to have a good time. So...I wasn't sure what to expect on game day. When we got to the field she was amazed (as were we) at how many kids that were playing. At our time there must have been about 50-60 games going on. We found our spot and she wanted to go and kick her ball around. I was thinking, "yes, this isn't going to be as bad as I thought it would be!" Well once the game started, she didn't really want to go out and play. I knew how excited she was about the snack that the team mom had brought, so I did a little fibbing and told her that she needed to play to get the snack. That was all the motivation that she needed. She went out and seemed to have a fun time. I wouldn't say that she is Mia Hamm yet, but she made it on the field and that is all that mattered! :)

Let the Soccer Madness Begin

Well it is official, I have now become a soccer mom! Jillian is now old enough to play soccer in the AYSO league. From what I have been told our old life will cease to exist! Jillian and Brayden both swim on Monday nights, but we have now added two nights of soccer practice and games on Saturdays.

Well Jillian needed the proper gear so we thought we could just head out to the local Big 5 and pick out some cleats. We got there and they told us that they did not have her size, but we could just have her wear a few pairs of socks. Ugh...NO! Hello does he not know my safety issues! :) So on Saturday we hit up our local soccer shop (Who knew there was such a thing). The lady there was fantastic! She measured Jillian's foot and got her a few pairs to choose from. Jillian chose the ones with pink butterflies on them, of course! The lady then took the pressure off me and had Jillian try on the matching butterfly shin guards and put her cleats on. This was a relief for me because Jillian can be a little disagreeable when it comes to trying things on. Jillian got to run around the store and try out her new gear. She loved it so much that she wore them right out of the store.

After our very enjoyable shopping experience we headed out to the park where Jillian could show off her skills! I am very excited to see how this soccer thing pans out. I will keep you posted!

Brayden turns the big 2!!!

I can hardly believe that my baby boy is two years old. It seems like yesterday, I was standing in front of the fridge packing my lunch for school and feeling a gush of liquid, as my water broke almost one month early!! That began an exciting yet scary birth adventure. Brayden was born at 5:02pm and came out screaming! It is the best sound ever. Shortly after the Dr.'s started to notice that he was struggling with his breathing. Before long they had decided that he needed to be admitted to the NICU. Words cannot express the helpless feeling that you have seeing your tiny bundle of joy being hooked up to tiny tubes and not being able to do a darn thing! After almost two long weeks, a collapsed lung, a central line, and many chest x-rays Brayden was able to join Todd, Jillian, and me at home. What an exciting day that was. At that point we thought that worst was behind us. Little did we know that two weeks later he would be back in the hospital to have a laproscopic surgery that had nothing to do with any of his breathing issues! This was only a short stay, soon he was home with us for good.

It is amazing to look at him now! He is beautiful little boy

that is full of

life. He loves to run, jump, and play with anything that

has wheels. He has such a fun laid back personality. We had a

three day celebration starting with his birthday, February 25th. Todd and I both had to work that day so Jillian and Brayden spent the day with "Umma" Margaret. When we got to Grandma's house at 7:00am. She had hung balloons and had a wrap

ped gift for him to open. She is so amazing! When I returned open we had dinner and birthday cake made by Jillian and Grandma. The second celebration was a BBQ with family and a few friends. Brayden was so excited to play with the kids and loved his homemade dump truck cake made by "Umma" Linda. It was a fa

ntastic night filled with food, fun, and lots of new

trucks, trains, and motorcycles! The last day of the three day celebration took place at the local Pump it Up. Brayden, Jillian, Todd, Margaret, and I spent the morning: jumping, sliding, climbing and laughing. It was so fun to see the look on the kids faces as

they slide down the huge inflatable slide. The day ended with bean burritos on the patio at one of favorite restaurants.

I love these moments and can't wait for the years to come! Although I would like it to slow down just a little! :)