Courage...

Changes are happening around the house...
Some wanted...
Others not...

Many require stepping into the unknown...

One that has been nagging at me for quiet a while...

One that  brings me "present"...

to my children...
to my husband...
to myself...

A step off a cliff...

I will not be teaching next year...

I'm going to be MOM, WIFE, and ME...

How grateful I am to have a loving Heavenly Father who prods me, and at times forces me to look at the big picture.  He has and will continue to guide me, I just need to listen...

What's important...

Wow, it has been a long time...
and truth be told,  I am Okay with that...
I seem to be letting a lot of things slide...
some I am not Okay with...
I should pick a new word this year, but I'm thinking "present" needs to sink in a tad bit more...

Life around here is crazy, and it doesn't show any signs of changing...
at least for a while...

Last month life has given me a chance to reflect and take notice of what is truly important...

A funeral of a sweet friend, a young wife, a mom. She leaves five children, two who are still babies, and a grieving husband...
I asked why...
Other stresses in life were put into perspective as I watched her family grieve for their wife and mother...

What is important...
A bigger and better home? a new car? a larger bank account? all the debt that goes with it?

What is important...
Two things...
Two things that at times have bounced around on the "to do" list because I know that they will always be there...
Two things...

My relationship with the Savior Jesus Christ...
My Family...
These are the things that matter...
These are what make me be a better person, friend, wife, and mother...
Changes have and will be made...
As I ponder a bit more on this subject enjoy a moment in time of what is important to me...

A New Season...

...soccer! 

...brothers are excited...

...Marra, not so much... 

how she spent her time during practice

...the long walk to the field...

ready to play

 ...it helps when you have such a cute ref...

coin flip, princess or pirates

 ...yes most of the game was spent crying...

coach dad ends her pain, at least for a quarter

 ...even tried to get a hug from the ref...

thinking about kicking it

 ...the tears ended...

...thinking it was the snacks...

...having your brother for the ref helps a little...

go nate

A begining and an end...

... I knew this day would come.
I was ready...
I soon realized,  I wasn't prepared at all.
I have a senior and a kindergartner.
CRAZY!!!
Where one begins, another one ends.
And...
I cried.
Yep, I cried.
Now before you lump me with all the moms and dads who cling to their children while they are entering the classroom,
I dealt with my drama...
alone.
It started at 3 a.m.
I did manage to get myself together by the time I needed to get them all off to school.
It's going to be a great year.

Much growth can be expected.

And not a glimpse into our morning. 

Kindergarten

4th grade

6th grade, first year of middle school

9th grade, first year of high school

                                                     the senior even let me take his picture.

SENIOR

play dough always makes the start of any day great

Ready for a great year!

Hip hip horray for Mr. Touchdown and a little lightning...

We have seen our fair share of sports around these parts...

football,

basketball,

soccer,

karate,

 and even baseball.

But after months of training...

a new sport has made it way into the testosterone veins of the household

New sport shoes were purchased,

a new uniform too...

with a bit of sparkle...

 a ruffle or two...

add in a few team mates,

 and a star is born!

Mr. Touchdown

 our star is on the right...

Grease Lightning

 don't forget the flowers...

 and brothers who cheered her on.

 It was a good game for all.

I am sure this sport is here to stay.

After all the sporting events sis has endured in her five years,

I think brothers can put up with one concert a year.

I think the teenagers actually enjoyed themselves.

We have entered a new era...

...Prom

Crazy, I know.
 I didn't think I was old enough for this yet,

apparently I am,

or at least that is what my sweet son keeps telling me.

prom is simple...

flowers,

few handsome young men.

some gorgeous girls,

all adds up to a great night with friends.

Now it's on to finding a summer job so a certain prom patron can afford his dating life and college. 

I knew I would miss those days....

I have taken a three day vacation from work,
and have discovered that I am not very good at this staying home bit. 
I can honestly say I am BORED!!!
That is not to say I have nothing to do.
 I have plenty,
laundry to put away...
unload the dishwasher...again...
dust...
clean a toilet...again...
ohhhh the list goes on.
I have only been home from work for two days and  at 10:30 this morning, I am ready to go back.
Back to the business of my day.
I did all the stuff I needed to do for the day by 10:00 a.m. 
That includes dinner, dishes, and laundry. 
Marra is ready to be with her friends at school...
I am ready to be around a few adults...
It's funny to think that just a few years ago when my kids where little I seemed to be busy, at home, all the time and nothing seemed to get done around the house.
Now there are no noses to wipe, no diapers to change, no nap times to work around, no boo boo to kiss, and no stories to read over and over again, (that happens when they are all reading on their own).  
Yes,I miss those days.
I knew I would, just didn't think it would be so soon.
For now I will look forward to going back to work on Thursday, and leave a few pictures for grandma and papa to enjoy from our never boring weekends.

Nate with his choir

Cam and flag football

Running the track at football

Mase and a little singing

A bit of guitar

I love the smell of cleaning in the morning

Now that the kids are all home from school it is not so quiet and plenty of crazy to enjoy...

Karate, basketball, football, and homework never gets old..

Right?