Soccer Stars

I never loved soccer before I had children. For some reason it has become one of our sports. This year three of our four girls are playing. This means we spend all day Saturday at the soccer filed, which I love. We are outside, we are all together and it is just simple fun........(except now Jaden "cares" about her team record).

Saturday we had unprecedented 100 degree weather. I still loved it! :)

This girl plays all positions, but she can block some amazing goals!!!!!!!!!!!! (the ball siting in the picture was not the play ball)


#10 ROCKS!!!!



My Naomi, she plays forward....she scored about 5 goals and truly dominates on the filed. This is so funny to Diondray and I. At home she is sooooo sensitive and super sweet. But she will use her elbow on the field! We just have to giggle! The first game she played, we looked at each other like "WHO IS That GIRL?" ;)


Watch out for #7


Brynn plays in the mommy/daddy and me program. She doesn't get the "team" concept. Hence, she NEVER passes - I think she gets the "team" concept, but she wants to be the only one to score :)




IT WAS HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Soccer star in the making....she can kick the ball, but I couldn't get a picture!!!!!!!!!!!!!




After spending 5 hours in an open filed in excruciating weather...we hit Grandma's pool. I LOVE THIS PICTURE: Jaden is holding Kamryn's hand. Jaden loves this litter sister of hers and it is so heart warming to watch...as she will tell you, "my other sisters get on my nerves"- I bet one day this one will too!:)





It was another GREAT day!



NOTE for me: From June 12-Aug 5, I broke three (yes THREE) digital cameras. One, was dropped while I was taking a picture of Naomi riding her bike for the first time w/out training wheels. One, was slammed in the door of the car...don't ask. One, I took to the beach, who knew sand could ruin a digital camera????????? I haven't had the courage to buy another one, so the iPhone it is. Even for Kamryn and Naomi's birthday ! I know one day I will look back and wonder why these pictures are just blah....that is why. The reality is, I am no photographer anyway......:)

Melting my heart

On the way to school, before we sing as loud as we can to Barney (or Mary J. Blige-which if I new how I would have some of her songs playing on my blog), the girls and I discuss the day ahead and what activities they have after school.

I the middle of my monologue, "Jaden and Naomi, you will go to drama club right after school today, Brynn I will pick you up from preschool and we have....." Brynn interrupts me-

"Mom, mom"

I pause mid-sentence, "Yes, Brynn"

"Mom, I love you."

Driving, my heart starts to melt. Before I could say anything Jaden says "Mom, I love you too."

I look at them in my review mirror (all 4 of them), I can't stop smiling and the feeling is incredible!

It was one of those moments. You just feel all warm inside and you can't stop smiling.

Then, Jaden says, "Naomi must not love you , because she didn't say it"----it didn't ruin my moment, but it sure made me laugh.

the everyday

I enjoy the every day in life. The simple things that occur in the midst of all the chaos. The things that really matter. I find myself taking time to really notice. To stop.

So today, when Naomi and Brynn wanted their nails polished, and I needed to be making dinner, I polished their nails (mine too). I have become very conscious of the moment and being present. It's strange because I always thought I was. However, I had no happiness for a year after Kamryn was born. I don't like to type that, but it's the truth. I faked happy and that was hard and exhausting. I never thought I would be grateful for that first year of my journey. The struggle to get up, the struggle to smile, the struggle to feel. But I am. Because I find I appreciate being happy even more. And it feels so goooooood to be happy!


Today after school, these two decided to "surf"-I didn't try it, but how fun is that?!








and last night they put on a "show" for me. I giggled inside because they set up all those chairs for the audience and it was just me. :) (Diondray was at work and Kamryn decided to sit on the couch.)



This made me smile too. Now I am not obsessed with being neat. As you will see from picture one: The play room. But I have four girls, so some organization is required. Every day after school I say the same thing, "Empty your back pack and put it on the bench, hang your jacket, put your shoes in the closet, empty your lunch and put your lunch box on the counter....." for some reason those things don't always happen?! But today, one did. And I JUST SMILED:)!






This is just exciting! She drinks from a cup and look at that face!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Time

I know I am not the only mom who needs more hours in the day. I'm definitely tired by the end of the day. I'm using every minute I have, yet it is still not enough. The days feel like they are slipping through my hands and I don't have a chance to grasp them. I can't stand it.

I can't stand that Jaden and Naomi seem to be gone so much. They are still so little, but gone so much. Monday - Friday in school for 6 hours. Once home, it's homework, at least one of them has an activity to get to-by the time we are back.....dinner, baths, story, bed. Sometimes, I feel like I barley get to "see" them.

We are busy. School, homework, dance, soccer, swimming, PT, OT, ST, work(the job that pays me :), playing, laundry-(is there a trick to this?), cleaning, stopping at the park-just 20 minutes mom?!, reading, dinner-that would also mean cooking. The list goes on and on and most of us have the same list.

Maybe I don't need more time in a day, maybe I need another day added to the week? I just wish I had more time to soak them up.....these four girls of mine who are growing way to fast. Who make me smile (and frustrate me too:). Who have made me such a better person and made my life so much more exciting. Who continue to teach me new things and transform me. These girls, who I am so lucky to have in my life. And I am so grateful for.

More time might be good, but we had today and it was a beautiful day....And I'm looking forward to all of tomorrow too!

Naomi Bear

Naomi Bear, I can't believe you are 7!!!!!!!!! It was two weeks ago today we had your "Barbi Bash" birthday celebration......the actual day of your birthday you and I had pedicures together (what a treat for me!) and a scrumptious birthday dinner-per your request: breaded pork chops, large green salad, garlic bread and broccoli-cheese rice casserole. You have taste when it comes to clothes and FOOD!!!!!!!!!

You are growing up way to fast and amaze me daily. You were a calm, easy-going, bundle of joy as a baby and haven't changed. You are constantly putting a smile on my face! I am sooooooooo glad God gave me you! I love you!!!!!!!!! Happy Birthday Naomi Bear.

Birthday Morning
B


At the "spa"





"Barbi Bash"



Sister love......at the end of a great party