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Again I let time get away from me and it's been *gulp* over a month since I've blogged!!!! I have all the usual excuses, so I'll just spare you from them. We've have so much going on. I guess I'll just bullet point to try and catch up.
~ Emery has declared that Halloween and Christmas are her favorite holidays, so she is in heaven this time of year. For Halloween she was Doc McStuffins and Chase was a Ghostbuster. It amazes me how things that were popular when I was younger are now popular again.
Can't believe she's 4... bittersweet!
I think I will just accept the fact that I simply can't keep up with it all and blogging is on the back burner... obviously. Life is just so busy! Fall Ball has started, Emery is busy with dance (Winter recital is going to be SO cute), school has already been going on for six weeks, you get the picture. Both Emery and Chase are having a fantastic school year and I'm so thankful. They love their teachers, have made plenty of friends (and still have the old) and are just overall happy to go most mornings which helps a lot! This weekend alone we had two birthday parties and we went with family to see the Astros vs. Yankees in Houston. I think I could use an extra 24 hours in the day and I still wouldn't be able to keep up! The next week doesn't really have us slowing down any. Today was dance and baseball, baseball tomorrow, Chase is having to have his toenail removed on Wednesday (he got a staph infection that led to a nasty ingrown toenail, gross, I know), birthday party planning (I can't believe my princess is about to turn 4)... is just goes on and on! At least I have some cute pics to post!! ;o) Well, I was going to, but blogger is having nothing to do with it. Guess I will try again later.
****I am grateful for
1) cooler weather
2) Chase having a great baseball season
3) Emery and dance, so cute and her teacher is awesome
4) six weeks of the school year down... almost
5) naps, I love them
Our school district has a high school dance team called The Sweethearts. Each year they do a "Future Sweetheart" clinic and this year was the first year Emery was able to go. Her little friend Rylee has an aunt that is a Sweetheart and had to recruit two girls, so who better than Rylee and Emery! It was so stinking cute! I was really impressed that she attempted the whole dance (they had ONE practice the night before) and boy does she whip that ponytail around. I have no doubt she'll be a Sweetheart down the road!!
I can't believe we have a PreK Princess and a big old third grader, so bitter sweet!
Today makes 5 years since we said goodbye to our precious twins. At times it feels like a lifetime ago, but my heart still aches like it were yesterday.
****I am grateful for
1) my rainbow baby
2) my oldest baby
3) love
4) those things that make us stronger
5) saying goodbye and knowing that one day we'll again say hello
Back in February (I think) Chase qualified for the 2013 Junior Olympics in cup stacking. If you don't know what cup stacking is, google it. It's a speed sport and there are some absolutely amazingly fast kids out there!!! As awesome as it is to have qualified the Jr. Olympics were in Detroit, MI. You know, way up North, by Canada. We live in SE Texas. You know, as in way down South, by Mexico. So, 22 hours away. 22 hours there, 22 hours back. But, I love Chase and felt like this would be an awesome experience for him. I mean really, how many kids get to participate in the Junior Olympics? So, last Tuesday, we packed up the car and Duchess (my mom), Chase, Emery and I hit the road. Thursday afternoon we arrived in Detroit and what an experience it was! One of my students, L, also qualified and her dad is a pilot, so they agreed to go too. Her and Chase started "training" in April as doubles partners. So, it was neat that they got to go together. They both did amazing and while neither placed for a medal, they beat their personal bests with was what we our goal was. Other than their qualifying event, this was only their 2nd tournaments, so this was quite the accomplishment. We are already looking at getting a relay team together from our school for next year and L and Chase will continue on as doubles partners. So exciting and fun! Here are some pics and a video of Chase and L doing their doubles stack. This kid never ceases to amaze me!!!
I know every mother says this, but where does the time go??? Chase has always had his hair cut high and tight, think military style, and has always been adorable. But lately he's been mentioning fohawks. Not the full ugly kind, but the kind where it's just on top. Mrs. Crystal has cut his hair since he was 2 and when we went last week, I think even she was a little hesitant to change that sweet boy's haircut because we are so used to the other. But we did what he wanted and boy is it cute! The only thing is it means he's growing up and making his own choices. That makes me a little sad. I wish I could keep him my baby forever!
Oh my gosh time flies!!! It's been almost a month since I posted, I really had no clue. At least I know it's not just me because my blog roll has been pretty slow lately too. Let's see what's up:
Emery had her first dance recital last weekend. She did awesome! That girl is not shy on stage at all and I'm thankful she is so outgoing.
Chase had his 2nd grade awards today and he got EIGHT awards! I was blown away! When she announced he received the reading award, she followed it by saying that he was one of her top readers with the highest reading average! I'm so proud of him!
Baseball season is over, our Rangers took third place which is pretty good in my book. Chase was in the outfield this season, so he didn't get a lot of field time, but when he did, he rocked it. He's come a long way and is looking forward to next season. He'll be moving up to kid pitch and is pretty excited.
We have decided to put our FET on hold for a little while. I am having surgery on the 19th of June (more to come on that), and it means that we'll have to wait for the FET, but I'm OK with it. Not thrilled, but accepting.
My school year has been absolutely fantastic and I'm so happy where I am. I'm happy with my administration, my co-workers, how Chase is doing and how happy he is. I'll be staying right where I am for next year and am perfectly content with that.
Speaking of school, tomorrow is our last day before summer break!!! This last week has been a killer, but it looks like we're gonna make it! Teachers are actually supposed to work Monday but I have a comp day and then they said regardless, if we are done by tomorrow at 4:05, we don't have to come back! I can guarantee you that this girl will be done!
We have a busy weekend ahead full of parties, family, and fun! Hope everyone else is doing well!
****I am thankful for
1) summer break is almost here
2) the rain we got today, my yard loves it
3) it actually cooled off after the rain, it's going to be a hot summer
4) a wonderful school year for Chase and I!
5) exciting things on the horizon
My oh my, it's been a while since I posted!
~ Chase ended his Spring Ball Season with the Rangers last night and we took third place. Closing ceremonies aren't until the 31st, but we are set in this spot. He was stuck in outfield all season (except one game of pitcher and 1/2 a game at third base) and despite getting little field playing time, he improved so much! His batting has gotten really good and he likes baseball. Hoping our next season we have a coach that's more intersted in all the boys learning and less about being number one. Sad thing is, had they switched players around, we could have been number 1. Lesson learned there. Good news is we are moving on to kid pitch, Chase is super excited!
~ Only 9 days of school left and I am so thankful. My patience is gone, the kids are done. We all need a break desperately.
~ Emery's dance recital is a week from Saturday. They look so cute, I can't wait. We are changing dance studios after the recital and I'm really excited about that. I think the new one will be a lot better and she can move on to competition when she's five.
~ Chase and Emery will both be going to summer camp this year. Turns out that even though they have to be in kinder, if a parent is volunteering, there is a wee camp for the little ones. So, even though I really need a break from kids, I'm volunteering so the Princess can go to.
~ Still love my job, principal, school, grade, etc and still so very thankful that this move turned out the way it did.
~ Chase has stayed on the A/B honor roll all year and is a full year ahead in reading. Have I said how proud I am of him?
~ My cousin just found out she is having a baby girl in October, so excited for her!!! There is just something about girls in our family. Out of the 12 grandkids, 10 are girls, and out of the 14 great-grandkids, 11 are girls. I'm so thankful to have one of each.
~ Speaking of babies, we just paid the $500 to store our totsicles for another year. We were seriously looking at a FET this summer, but life is full of surprises and there is a major life change coming June 18th. Funny thing, June 18 is our 9 year anniversary of Chase's retrieval. Guess that will always be a lucky one for us!! (more to come on that later, don't want to jinx anything)
~ We have decided to take Emery to Disney World for her 5th birthday in 2014. 5th sounds so crazy. Of course, Chase will go too! My cousin and her three girls will meet us and then perhaps some other cousins. It's going to be awesome (although it seems so far away).
~ Getting my highlights done tomorrow, I look so rough.
~ Two birthday parties this weekend, it's going to be busy. So thankful to be off on Monday. I'd say we'd relax, but there are a million things to do.
Hope everyone has a spectacular weekend and wonderful Memorial Day!
****I am grateful for
1) days off
2) 9 days until summer vacation
3) a/c, it's gonna be a hot summer in TX
4) fresh mowed grass
5) ice cold water
I think if Emery were bigger and could get out of her car seat, she would have car-jacked me today! She was a little mad that I wouldn't let her go home with Duchess so as we're leaving I hear, "Momma, get of the car and give me your keys! I'm driving!" I told her if I did that the cops would come, her response, "I'll fight those cops!" Oh my, I think we're in for it with this one!
****I am grateful for
1) little imaginations
2) tough girls
3) love
4) determination
5) the stars
I was looking through old posts on the blog and I used to be so much better about posting. I laughed and cried as I read post after post. So many memories, good, bad, funny, sad. What has happened to me? I have got to get better about journaling and posting, even if it's just for my benefit. *Mental Note - even when busy, make time to write down your memories.... they fade so fast!*
***I am grateful for
1) smiles
2) laughter
3) tears of joy
4) tears of sorrow, they remind us to be thankful
5) memories
not in heaven. Not a day goes by that I (we) don't think of our sweet twins (or Chase's twin). What would they look like, what would their personalities be like, what things would they love? But our story was written long ago and so was theirs. We were meant to be here and they were meant to be angels. I know without their loss, we wouldn't have Emery and that's a thought I can't bare, but I sure would've loved to have had them all.
****I am grateful for
1) my angels, here and on Earth
2) stories that were written long ago
3) cuddles
4) the rain
5) we are under 50 days until summer vacation = time w/my sweet ones
Exactly 8 years ago, I held my firstborn in my arms for the first time after what seemed like an eternity of waiting, wishing, praying, and dreaming. I know it's sounds cliche, but I can't believe it's been 8 years. Where has the time gone and how the heck do I slow it down? We had a little family dinner and he has his big party on Saturday. He is so excited that he can barely stand it! We went ahead and gave him our gifts tonight and I'm pretty sure that we did good. He was pretty thrilled with the iTu.nes gift cards and the video game goodies, but the mini iPad... that was the icing on the cake!
My Dearest Chase,
For so long Daddy and I dreamed of what you would be like and said many prayers that one day we would finally get to hold you in our arms. We had so many hopes and dreams for you. So many wants for you. 8 years ago today, our dreams finally came true and you have given us so much more than we ever thought was possible. Not a day goes by that you don't make us proud and thankful to be your parents. You are a blessing to us and so many others. The world is full of people that love you and know just how special you are. You are a wonderful son and the best big brother we could ever hope to have for your little sister. Never forget just how loved you are, just how special you are, just how wanted you are, and just how needed you are. May today only be the beginning of many more great things to come! Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!!! We love you!
Mommy (and Daddy)
So I'm not sure if cup stacking is popular everywhere, but our district does it and Chase absolutely loves it. He really got into it last year and Coach Blake (who Chase is pretty close to) gave him a set of cups, a mat, and a timer. Then he got more cups from Santa for Christmas in orange, his favorite color. They do a district competition, but apparently we missed that memo last year so he didn't compete. However, this year he was all about it.
Coach Hooten and Johnson have been working with the kids that would be competing which is just icing to the cake for Chase, because if he could go to PE every day of the week, he would. I have been super impressed with out hard he's worked and how into the cup stacking he has really become. Apparently this is a major sport and highly competitive, who knew?!
Wednesday night the district wide tournament finally arrived and Chase was so ready. He competed in three different forms? Stacks? Not really sure what they are called. He was a little nervous, but we got lucky and he got Coach Hooten as his official timer and I think that helped.
Due to computer issues, we didn't get official ranks until yesterday afternoon, but can I just say he rocked it! Out of all the 7 year old boys to compete in the district he got 2nd in 3-3-3, 8th in 3-6-3, and 5th in the full cycle. Wowsers!!!! We are so, so proud of him!
However, there's more! This morning Coach came to my class to tell me that he had been invited to AAU Junior Olympic Games Sport Stacking Championships in July that will be held in Michigan! How do we say no to that??? So, guess where we are going this summer with our little Junior Olympian??!?!! Words do not even come close to saying how proud we are, I knew this little boy was destined for great things!
I love teaching and I love that my child is at my school. However, last year was rough. VERY rough. To the point I had told Jeff that if I had to do another year like that, I would leave the profession. I dreaded going to work, Chase dreaded going to school. It was just awful. Then, things were changed. I didn't ask for it and was not the happiest at first, but sometimes we just have to go with it. And I am so very thankful we did. This year has been so much better. I love my school, I'm back in first, my principal is awesome and most importantly, Chase is happy. His teacher is wonderful. He has made new friends. He is rocking the grades. One day I will learn that I can't be in control of everything and that things happen for a reason. ;o)
Every six weeks we have an academic pep rally and this six weeks was themed Western. Jeff even got to come up. Chase absolutely loves these, so do all the other kids. I think it's great the school
does them. They are a lot of work and our specials' teachers go all out. My two favorite guys!
So we haven't done a pageant since last July because we were busy and then her December pageant was cancelled and well, life just happens. So, we jumped back in a few weekends ago and Emery loved it just as much as ever. She absolutely loves dressing up and playing with all the other little girls and I'm so thankful that the pageant world isn't like what you see on Toddlers.and.Tiaras. Don't get me wrong, I've seen some crazy things, but that show is so not realistic. Although you could tell we'd been off the stage for 6 months, I still think Emery did pretty good. She came home with 7 crowns and 2 satin sashes. I can't even remember what all she got, but I know she got Christmas Star (this was the pageant that was supposed to be in December so it was still Christmas themed), Overall Natural Photogenic, most beautiful, best eyes, top model, natural beauty and a ton of other stuff. I think she rocked it. Now, that being said, I think our pageant days are drawing to a close. While she loves them, they get expensive and can be a little frustrating. Plus, I think we are going to move to a different dance studio this summer and put her on a competition dance team. I'm SUPER excited about the possibility! Here are some pics from the pageant (sorry, they are out of order but I figure I'm doing good just to get them on here)!
