Bug is Growing Up

Birthdays for us are kinda crazy. We have birthdays in December, January, February, March, April, and July. It gets a little stressful to figure out whose birthday is in the month we're in when I can't remember what month it is to begin with!

But, March is Bugs' birthday. She is FOUR YEARS OLD this month. I just can't believe it. She has grown so much from the first day we met her. She was 9mo old and such a little thing. We have had her for three years now and we can't imagine life without her. The kids were talking and they don't actually remember our family without her! She is a sweet addition to our family.

She is a handful sometimes though! She definitely keeps us on our toes and trying to guess what she is going to do next. She keeps us laughing constantly. We love her so very much.

Happy Birthday, Bug. You are a challenge and a joy. You are loved.

 

 

 

Conditioning

Soccer this year for our Homeschool Organization is starting early. Ok, not technically. They are starting Conditioning practices to help the girls get in shape after the long, dormant winter.

Practices are two hours long and consist of a 15 min run, 10 strength exercises, dynamic stretching, running, drills, running, extra sit-ups and pushups and running for missed passes/goals, and a bit more running! Three days a week.

The girls worked hard for the entire month of February and we can see the difference in them. They are definitely in better shape and ready to start the season.

This year Bethany is playing again for the High School team as well as Sarah. She joined late and didn't get as many of the conditioning practices but is catching up. Hannah decided to join the Junior High team this year and is doing well.

Now that the regular season has started we are having practices three days a week for two hours a day. The girls are responsible for doing their workouts on the off days as well and if they don't there is more running!

I can't wait to play our first game--I am Assistant Coach for Junior High and Varsity(second or third assistant!) But I am helping and loving it. The girls that embraced Bethany last year and helped her so much are amazing young women and I am blessed to be part of their lives.

Go Warriors!!

 

The.best.dance.ever

Bug started dancing at the basketball games last week.  Sarah was cheering and we were watching.  It was a long process!  Bug was amazing but was getting a little tired towards the end of the night.  This is an epic dance video.  You do not want to miss it!!

ugh the blogger app won't let me upload a video...youtube won't upload it bc it's the wrong format...blogsy is crashing...

trying this...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202270296350659

it's a link to my facebook where it DID post.  *sigh*

did that work?  I just can't catch a break with this.  

Waiting 'till the last minute

Our homeschool group has been putting on plays for the last three years(this one included.) Well, that's not exactly true. Our group's founder Mrs. L used to write plays for our group that were sweet and wonderful. Then we quit doing them for a while. I'm not sure why exactly bu t we did.

Then a few years ago we started having a choir class. We performed a few times and it went really well despite resistance from the kids! But a few years of that and the kids refused to sing anymore. ;-) So, we found a script and put on our first play.

It was fantastic. I'm not exagerating either. The kids were awesome. The next year was even better with cosutmes and lights. They nailed it. We weren't sure about it towards the end and were pretty nervous but they pulled out all the stops and did a fantastic job.

This year was one of the hardest years yet. We had Seniors that were taking classes at college, sports schedules, vacations, etc. to work around and ended up not having a practice with all cast members there for over a month. It was maddening. Three weeks before the show went up they were still needing line cues. A lot of them.

To say we were terrified and frustrated was putting it mildly. We talked about postponing but couldn't find a date. We talked about canceling but had already paid quite a bit to put it on. We were stuck rehearsing a play that was causing the directors no end of stress and grief. It was not a fun experience for the most part. Of course there were fun, silly moments that helped us limp along and kept us going.

The kids did end up doing a really good job but I have to wonder how much better it would have been if they had showed up and worked harder. (isn't that the question for a lot of things in life?)The directors can only do so much and then it is up to the actors.

I was very glad when it was over this time. More so than usual. The kids are great and are so talented and this play was stinkin' hard. I give them props for learning so many lines and stage directions. They are a great group of kids to work with. Let's just avoid talking about next year's play for a while!

 

Another Birthday

So my oldest turned 16 this year. Ugh. Time is going so quickly. But, there was another birthday in February that has me gasping and clutching my heart.

Naomi turned 9 this month. NINE!! My little Bean is growing up way more quickly than I could have ever imagined.

She is such a tender-hearted young lady and has a deep desire to help people. I love that she cries when she is happy and sad and that she can cry with those that cry. She is a joy to our entire family.

I can't wait to see what God has in store for her.

 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Bean. I love you so much.

 

Soccer, Why do You do This?

Bethany was playing indoor soccer with a great team. They lost every game but improved so much they didn't look like the same team at the end of the season. AND the girls were so positive and kept their heads up even though they lost. They learned something at every game and gave 110% every time.

But...Bethany was finally able to play after her injury during the fall of AYSO and was enjoying it pretty well when a girl kicked Beth from behind and caused her to roll her ankle.

It immediately started swelling and bruising. It didn't look good. And of course the game was at 10pm so the only option was the emergency room. Not gonna happen unless there is blood or a limb is hanging on by a thread. Sorry.

We iced it and took her home. It got worse. It got bigger. And uglier. I was worried.

We waited until Monday when we could see our doctor. The soccer season was getting ready to start in a few weeks and she needed to be ready for it. But it didn't look like that was going to happen.

Thankfully the doctor told us it was just a bad sprain\strain. She would be fine would have to stay off of it for several weeks.

You can imagine the groaning and gnashing of teeth that took place when he said that! We are counting our blessings though and not going to complain...much!