I Can't Believe...

I Can NOT believe that ...

I have another teenager in the house!

And I just realized that this picture is very similiar to last year--ha!

What?!!  How could this sweet boy of mine be 13!

It was so fun to celebrate him --starting with looking through his baby book together in the sun room bathed with morning light. I think it is a moment I won't forget:)  Looking at those pictures and reading my words about his birth were special. We were laughing about his funny baby expressions and I was able to express to him how happy I was the day he was born, and what a gift it is to be his Mother!

 I have a habit of randomly sharing stories and funny memories of my boys when they were little, whenever they pop into my heard (which is often:).  Luckily, they seem to love it and never tire of hearing about themselves:)  I, of course, completely enjoy recalling all those sweet moments with them, but I really hope that it serves a more important purpose.  I want my sons to grow up knowing without a doubt how very loved and cherished they are.  That is the goal and with boys you have to find a non-mushy way to express that, you know?!  

And more UNBELIEVABLE events:

I caught these two guys READING!

Seriously they actually had a book cracked open!  Sweet!

Brad was so impressed with a book gifted to TJ for his birthday (from us--yes I do the shopping:).  We highly recommend this book and this one too! (I got Connor the blue one for Christmas this year) 

They are perfect for teenagers--helping they understand the doctrines of the gospel in fun and interesting ways.

In other shocking news... 

We went to the dentist this week and I could not believe that both of my little boys had a cavity! 

What?!!!  I felt like the biggest loser Momma!  Now we have a timer and we are brushing and flossing very carefully from here on out! 
I am blaming this on Brad and the older boys though--Come to find out, that when they do the bedtime routine (about half the time) with these little guys, they just say 'go brush'.  Well, obviously they need some guidance and supervision to make sure it happens!  AURGH!!

I also can't believe what a fabulous painter my hubby is!

With 5 boys he has become a master touch-up-the-walls painter!

Thank you baby!

And I CAN NOT BELIEVE that we are selling our home! 

 (Thus all the painting:)

Yes, that's right--we were going to put in a pool and then decided that before we make that investment we better get in the right house that we can stay in for a LONG time, you know?!

We are going to try to sell it ourselves first since we are not in a rush. This is a little bitter sweet for us because there is so much we love about this place.   So, if you need a home in Chattanooga, TN--let me know:)  We will hook you up with a great deal!

Let the Madness Begin

Around here March is a very exciting month! 

 Do you have your brackets filled out yet?  We are filling them out for our family home evening activity tonight.  I think I will serve as our treat Sugar Gems (sugar cookies that you don't roll out and cut) decorated like basketballs...simply orange frosting and sprinkles:) 

Printable 2012 bracket here

Guide with tips and tricks to help pick your brackets here

Speaking of Championships ~ Did I mention that TJ's team were Champions of their youth league this year?!  It was awesome, please excuse the not so awesome Iphone shot:)

Have a great Monday and good luck with your brackets!

7th Grade Football in all it's Glory

TJ (#17) loved playing football this year and his team went UNDEFEATED. 

 Not just undefeated, but UNDEFEATED--as in seriously whooping every team they played.  Awesome!

Last nights score was 44-6!

TJ plays free safety and corner back. ...which honestly I am not sure what that means, but I do know that he looked great!  He was fast and aggressive!
  In fact, he was so quick that I seemed to be unable to get his great plays on film!  I was too busy cheering...and trying to figure out which player was mine so I could zoom my camera in on the right boy all the while handing out snacks with one hand and keeping little boys from tumbling down the bleachers with the other!

  Phew--it is really crazy fun at those games for me!

But I did get a shot of the cute cheerleaders:)

That is something I understand!

What sweet, I mean TOUGH  Football players!

Don't you just love 7th graders?! 

Sometimes, I look at TJ and I can still clearly see a cute little toddler running around the house clutching a mini football like it was yesterday. My heart wants to burst with love for this boy and a longing to slow down time!

How did he get so big and grown up already?!

I am trying to soak up every minute with these boys of mine because my goodness their childhood is racing by!

My Graduation Boy

(TJ is the 4th from the left)

Last week I attended TJ's 5th grade graduation. I still can not believe that my 11 year old will be going off to the Jr High next year. That is weird for me to think about...but I know he will do great! TJ has always been very mature for his age. He is also very charismatic and friendly--just like his Daddy:) He genuinely likes people and it shows. He was voted by his class to receive the "Good Citizen Award" (for always being nice and kind to others and good behavior thru out the year). I thought that was an especially neat honor since he was the "new kid" this year.
He also received a pin for getting on the Presidential list for straight A's.

Way to go TJ--keep up the good work!!

( Don't they look sharp in their ties and graduation medals?)

TJ--Megan--Joseph

This was a shot choreographed by the Mommas:)So our kids just grin and bear it!

We are all friends from church and sadly Megan's family is moving this summer.

That little Megan is such a cutie. I think the boys agree:)

Banana Olympics

Does anybody need a good party game?

For TJ's Friends Birthday party we played a very fun relay game that I thought I would share with you...Banana Olympics--it was a winner. I laughed so hard watching I nearly cried...really it was hilarious! I LOVE watching children doing what they do best...enjoying life with all their heart!

Such a happy sight!

The party goers

Let the Olympics begin

After they played the couple of games I had planned they all took off to the school yard down the road from our home and played jungle gym tag and a spirited game of soccer. They came back red faced and beaming! I think they enjoyed their own games more than mine:) I love this age!

The night ended with TJ's favorite Poppyseed Cake and ice cream.

Only one more birthday celebration left...dinner date with Mom and Dad to Applebees (his choice) this Saturday night--can't wait!

How I love this birthday boy of mine!

Banana Olympics Required: Bananas
Players: Small to large groups

Divide the group into teams of 5-10 players and give each team a banana. Each team will complete several series of different relays using their banana. Here are some ideas for those relays.

The banana under your armpit and hopping on one leg down a field and back.
Place the banana between the knees and hop down a field and back.
Two teammates tossing the banana back and forth down the field and back.
Place the banana on the ground and each teammate must roll across the banana.
Teammates line up in leapfrog formation and first player hops over players while holding banana and then tosses banana to next player in line to do the same.
Show the players all the relays that they’ll have to complete for the Olympics. You may have to write them on a large white board so that all players will know what relay is next. Once a team has completed all these relays someone on the team must eat the banana and the team that is done first is the winner. Use your own ideas, add to the list or use only a few ideas. You can adjust this game to all types of players including the disabled.
Created by R. Scheel, Fun-Attic,

11 years ago today...

Tanner Johnn was born.

My heart filled with love & happiness the moment I held this sweet little bundle in my arms.

I remember I also felt the great strength of his spirit.

I will never forget that.

I have come to realize that it was a blessing to have a little "heads up" about his personality. From the start it has been evident that he is passionate, strong and energetic. It has not always been easy ... he was my most challenging baby and toddler. Oh boy do I ever have some stories!

I now can cleary see that he is a natural leader, and has a good and kind heart that always shines through.

What a blessing he is in our family.

We started the celebrations on Monday night with a family party, since Brad is out of town for the rest of the week. Some of his gifts this year included:

*The Diary of a Wimpy Kid book

*a Fishing Pole with all the bells and whistles

*The Princess Bride movie

*ASU Football Tshirt (Brad's alumni)

*Axe bodaywash, a twix and a pack of gum

Today I got up early to make roll up pancakes, his favorite breakfast--yum.

I brought the requested Little Debbie Oatmeal Pies and bags of Skittles (aka serious JUNK) to hand out to his class for his birthday.
Then I checked him out for a little lunch date with me.

He chose Subway (shockingly healthy after his treat choice:) It was so fun to spend a little time with my birthday boy. He really is growing up to be a fun and interesting person to hang out with. It was a treat to be there with him!

The party continues this weekend with a friends party on Friday night and a special dinner date with just Mom & Dad on Saturday night. He has already requested Applebees. We just like to drag out this celebrating stuff as long as possible!!

Happy Birthday my darling son. I love you TJ!

My new Birthday banner debuted this morning. I had fun putting it together while watching American Idol last night! I love that show!

Rock on Valentine

Last night after TJ's {awesome}basketball game

{our little point guard scored 12 points of his teams 22--and also had some perfect passes and great rebounds--woo-hoo!}

we stayed up past our usual bedtime to come up with a cool Valentine mailbox for his class party. There is a candy prize being offered for the best mailbox--which is very inspiring for a 5th grader:)

We had so much fun together creating this little number.

I realized that this is TJ's LAST year in elementary school--his LAST class valentine party--the LAST time I get to help him with a silly valentine mailbox.

My heart ached a little ...my little boy is growing up!

I am so busy all the time with my 5 boys--but this evening I realized it is such a short time that they need me.

I know I am going to cherish these crazy, busy, SWEET days forever!

SPEED RACER

TJ and the boys from our school warming up for the big race


TJ was inspired by Connor to try out for a one time 5th grade Cross Country Meet. Each elementary school in the greater Chattanooga area could send their fastest 15 boys and girls to this event.

There were over 300 boys in this starting line up! Crazy!



TJ was SPEEDY and came in 17th! Way to GO Tanner Johnn!

Speaking of racing, does anyone feel like they are constantly racing around all day...and sometimes in circles?? Lately, I have been crazy busy and I wonder if I am doing the most important things or just getting caught up in the "thick of thin things" as President Monson said. It reminded me of this quote from one of his recent conference addresses-

"We [can] become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we’re doing, we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the “thick of thin things.” In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes"

I went back and read his talk "What Have I Done For Someone Today?"{click on the title to read it too} I love this talk! It really inspired me to plan my days better so that I am making room for what is most important and not just RACING around crazy all day!

Going out with some GOALS!!

TJ played in his last tournament with his beloved competition soccer team. He has played with these boys for about 3 years. They have gotten really good and so fun to watch. TJ played forward and scored 5 goals during the 3 day tournament. He was on fire! He is really going to miss this team and Grant their wonderful coach.

TJ and his number 1 fan :)