Weekending

The last few weekends I have...

 worked on projects like a HUGE planet Jupiter sugar cookie with Coleman.

Yum yum!

Cheered TJ on at Basketball games ...and as a sidenote this boy delivered 18 points last game--WOO HOO!!

 Ran errands with these two cool cats--oh yeah! 
 Bridger rediscovered his sunglasses on Saturday while cleaning out his drawers and was very excited about  wearing  them again, and insisted that Brad do the same:)
 

But most of my time on weekends has been spent at wrestling tournaments for my oldest 3 boys. 

 Wrestling was not my favorite sport, but I am learning to appreciate it. Wrestling is TOUGH and it produces some seriously good things in boys, like an incrdibly hard work ethic, physical strength and stamina, mental toughness and lots self discipline to name a few.  Not bad, huh?

This is Coleman's first year and he is LOVING it.  I forsee many many years of cheering on wrestlers in my future.  See the guy in black hollering?  That is one of his coaches--and he is awesome!  So glad my boys have such great coaches that donate their time and experience to help them be successful!

Connor medaled 4th in both his High School tournamants this year--and he shared the glory with his little brother:)  I could not be happier with his efforts.  He never wrestled a day in his life until we moved here.  It was hard to learn and he did not have any success for the first year or so--but he worked so hard and never gave up and it is paying off! 

And TJ medaled FIRST this last weekend in the final Middle School JV regional Tournament! 

 I love that my boys have this to share. TJ was always so happy when Connor was there for his matches.  He really respects his big brother and Connor is so supportive of him--never missed a match unless he was wrestling too! 

I made him pose for a shot with all of his medals:) Two from this year and two from last.

Coleman has regionals left this weekend and that will wrap up wrestling season. 

 I never thought I would say this, but I will miss it!  And what will we do with all our free time now:)

Bird Chirping and Little Boy Wisdom

Source
Last week, I was trying to hurry my littlest man out the door for preschool one morning but he was in no rush as he leisurly strolled to the car in the driveway totally oblivious to my "schedule".  It was an unusually warm winter day and he seemed to be soaking in the bright sunshine, grinning ear to ear. 

 I finally got him in the car and as we pulled out he asked me to please turn off the radio so he could hear the "birds chirping in the trees!" How sweet is that?!

I was feeling a bit discouraged about something that day, but in that moment I felt some joy sink in and crack that hard candy shell  on my heart:). I slowed the car, rolled down all the windows, and we happily listened to the chirping birds together.

  lt was such a gift to have that sweet reminder to enjoy the small and simple beauties that God has so lovingly created.

It brought to my memory a time when Bridger was a toddler and would exclaim in the car "It is a BOOTIFUL day, huh Mommy?"  It always made me laugh and then stop and think--'my gosh he is right, it is a beautiful day!',  feeling a little shocked that I hadn't really noticed myself.  Melted my heart everytime!  How blessed I am to have these little side kicks to help me focus on the good. 

 I had that feeling that I have felt before as a Mother...
 that these children entrusted to our care are really just 
 wise little souls in chubby toddler bodies.

I hope you have a happy week and take the time (depending on your climate:) to

 ... listen to chirping birds,

... or enjoy a beautiful sunset,

... or the soft falling snow

...or the sweet words of a child

and allow the love of God to fill your heart!

In these simple moments you will know that you are LOVED!

Happy Monday!

Valentines 2012

Due to a wrestling match that we had on Valentines night, our festivities started a day early  with our traditional dinner of heart shaped pizza, the ever popular LOVE POTION, candles and (fake) rose petals....I know, I know a little girly for this rough and tumble boy family--but, what can I say? I am that kind of girl...I can't help it:) My boys have learned to live with it! To be honest, I don't think they even noticed the petals --they were too busy trying to blow the fog at each other and snarf down the pizza.

 Then the ding door ditchings of homemade Valentines began...with Brad starting off with some sweet roses for me:)  We had decided to celebrate sans boys this weekend, so this was a big surprise!

 We soon had a big pile of love...

 And I knew it was time to quit when we started getting fake Valentines like this one...

They thought they were so hilarious!:

 I was happy to see that ALL of my boys still LOVE this tradition and I was pleasantly surprised with my older boys witty, but heartfelt messages.

Cannon was absolutely delighted with the whole idea of leaving love notes with treats and ringing the doorbell. For days he continued doing it at the most inopportune times,  until all of his treats from his preschool valentine bag had been sweetly re gifted to all of us.  It may have been a little annoying ...but so darn cute that everyone loved it:)

On the actual day I was able to help out in my Elementary School boys' class parties.

What a treat!

Bridger and his darling kindergarten teacher Mrs Chamberlain.

 And we wrapped up the night cheering on our boy TJ at a wrestling match.  His coach needed him to wrestle Varsity in a weight class 10 pounds over his weight that night.

It was a very exciting match--probably his toughest one this season--it was very hard fought---but he WON!

The crowd was on the edge of their seats and everyone was yelling...it was awesome:)

(TJ in green)

Valentines Day with boys--never a dull moment!

Valentine's Day Tradtions: Heart Attack

We have added something new  to our Family Valentine Traditions:

THE HEART ATTACK

 In the middle of the kitchen table, I put a bowl with a whole bunch of pink and red construction paper hearts ,a couple of bags of Valentine candy and some markers.

 I told my family to enjoy a piece of candy whenever they compose a loving note on one of the hearts.  I also suggested that everyone  could write at least one for each family member.

The boys have loved this...and I am loving the results:)
There are some suprisingly sweet sentiments covering my kitchen cabinets!

 For the rest of our Valentine's Day Traditions click here.

And for some yummy Valentine treats click here.

How do you celebrate?

Hope your Valentines Day is sweet!