Happy Birthday Sheppy.

The world is pretty amazing through your eyes.  You are a cup half full kind of person.  Everyday (for the most part) is a "good day" or "the best day."  You will often just sit and talk to me about how good of a day it really is. 

Your smile is so full of life.  It is not mischievous though.  I guess I could sum it up by describing it as joy full.  You are so full of joy and happiness.  Of course, you have your moods but for the most part, you are happy.

Your major vice right now is being whiny with your brothers... namely Ashton.  You are such a big helper with Bennett and you two have really started playing well together for long stretches of time.  You and Ashton play a lot together too but it is mixed with part laughing and part yelling/ fighting and part crying.  You go to Hunter for help with problems- not so much playing. 









You are reading pretty good for a 5 year old.  We don't hit it very hard but for the amount of effort you put in, the reading is going great.  You LOVE legos and can put together the smaller kits by yourself.  In another year or two, you will not need me even for the big ones--- kind of makes me sad as we just put this big sucker together and I loved it!

Your birthday this year was low key just celebrating with our family and GrandmaDean.  We invaded GrandmaDean's house because of new floors going down (more on that later-- speaking of joy). 

You wanted a Carolina Panthers cake.  I have no idea why as you don't even watch football.  But since you requested it, I did my best.  I have been assured by multiple sources that it does resemble a Panther.  haha.  You got some great presents from money, to legos, to an easel, shoes, clothes, markers/ paints, and other things. 

 My Panther. :)  haha

Fancy... blue inside. 

His presents from Papa Hub and Grandma (legos above). We have already built both kits and they are sooo fun. His present from Queenie and Mantis (easel, paints, markers, and money).  He has created a couple "masterpieces for me already.  He loved it all!  Thank you. 

You continue to be my special kid.  You are unique and funny and smart and kind.  You have a quirky edge that is contagious.  I love being weird with you- from our serious sing alongs to dancing in the kitchen- you make me so happy.

 

I love you a ridiculous amount!

Happy Birthday Shep

Fall Soccer and Football Successes

Wow!  The boys had awesome years this year on the soccer pitch. 

Hunter moved up to the U10 division.  I am always amazed at the difference a year or two makes in talent.  Though he wasn't an all-star, he had a good year.  He actually scored the first goal on his team on the first game and added a couple more goals throughout the season.  Being one of the youngest out there, I know that over the next year he will just get better and better.  His team played for the championship game last night.  They lost, but were ranked 2nd (out of 11 teams) for regular season and then the tournament as well.

Hunter's team accepting their Runner's Up medal.



My number 5.

Ashton was on U8 again, though he played U8 last year, this was the first year where he was actually old enough to do so.  He is flat out awesome.  The ball loves him and sticks to him. He needs power behind his shot and pass, but once he has that, he will be quite the force.  No idea how many goals he had this season but I would say it was around 20.  His team was undefeated in the regular season and the tournament, so obviously the "were the champions."

Ashton in traffic... 5 v1

He dribbled through them all and scored.  You can barely see his legs past the goalie.

Shepherd did soooo much better this year.  He played U6 and had a really good coach.  His coach was totally over qualified but you could tell that the coach knew the game. ; ) Shepherd had to bribed to score his first goal with a Toys R Us run, but once he did score, he added 4 more throughout the season.  Let's just say that first goal set me back $30.  Once he figures out how to control those big ol' paws of his with his large frame, I think he could be ok. 

And, about his coach.  Obviously, that was me.  haha.  I was persuaded to coach and was not looking forward it, but a friend of ours said he would help and so we did it.  Jay and I really enjoyed the kids.  They were funny and they listened and I have to say they got a whole lot better.  By the end of year, they did not look like a bunch of kids just running after the ball, but would actually pass to eachother.  Makes a coach proud.  We were also undefeated. Our closest game was 3-0.

My little team.... The Quakes

Unfortunately, since I coached, I never got any pics of Shep playing.  But he enjoyed the snacks more than the games anyway.

And lastly, my dear husband and his Blue Eagles football team.  Another year of improvement. Though the goal was to make the playoffs, which they missed by just one win, this team made some really big strides.  They won 3 games and had the opportunity to win at least 4 others only losing by 8 points or less.  They lost to their rival team tonight which always sucks especially when that was the decider of a playoff birth. 
Just some props to Chad though.  He POURS himself into his job.  80-90 + hours a week is typical for him from July to November.  He doesn't complain about the amount of work.  Though I know he misses the boys (and me :), I think we both know that his reach goes so deep within the community and within the high schoolers that he has immersed himself in. 
As I watched him encourage a player who dropped a punt, dash onto the field to voice "concern" over a call, speak to a kid losing his cool, see his players bear hug him after the game, and see his passion and emotion over the end of a season,  I know that our sacrifice at home is worth it.  It does help that I am pretty awesome and can hold down the fort for a few months out of the year on my own.  :)
We are proud of you hun.  I know you hear it ALL THE TIME but they are getting better, you are making a difference.  Hang in there!
But most importantly, we love you!

I should have taken more pics this year but didn't even think about it until tonight.  Hunt and Ash were both ball boys for the football team and did such a great job.  They were adorable.

Kicking off. Chad is the 2nd navy coat from the left.

After the game, players line up for alma mater.  Some tears shed (not mine)... :(  I hate losing

And this is what Shepherd thought of the game- crashed out the entire second half... as did Bennett though once he fell asleep on me, Grandma took him off my hands.

 
So proud of these boys.  They all worked hard and made this competitive soccer mom proud!

 

 

 

7 lbs 14 oz of baby love

Niece #4 arrived yesterday with perfect timing allowing for me to sneak away this morning and meet her.  Being election day, Chad had the morning off and could keep the boys while I met my newest niece.

Josephine (Joey) Ann

November 3, 2014

7 lb 14 oz

20"

She is a doll baby.  I don't know how it is possible to forget how small new babies are or how they just mold to you. 

 

 

Congratulations to Tommy, Sandee, Charlee, and Sami on the arrival of this precious little girl!

When You Are as Awesome as Ashton

Seven years ago I held this perfect baby boy with blonde hair.  I actually don't know if  I have ever seen as much blonde hair on a newborn.... lots of dark hair, sure... but not blonde.  But, Ashton had it this shiny platinum hair.  And, he still does.  Anytime I try to find him in a crowd, it only takes a second to spot his white head. 

The day he was born.

6 months old... one of my favorite pictures. :)





Right after his party.  We all look tired from our busy party day but had such a good time.

Ironically, though his hair is the lightest, I would say his eyes are the least bright in their blue color.  Often taking a greyish blue tint.  His eyes also tell everything about his mood.  He gets dark circles under his eyes if he is tired.  When really tired, the circle spread deep under his eye.  His eyes squint up when he is mad and sparkle when his is being feisty. He is an infectious laugh... one that when I hear it, I normally tense up as I know that whatever he is laughing at is probably totally inappropriate. However, I cant help but laugh with him (normally.)

The birthday boy waiting in line at Carowinds.

Speaking of his laugh, he is mouthy... always wanting to get the last word whether with his brothers, his parents, or on the soccer field.  He is soooo smart.  I always called him my athlete, but the kid has some brains up their too.  After his parent/ teacher conferences last week, we saw his MAP scores were in the 90% for reading and 92% for math.  He is reading at a "J" which is where he should be reading at the end of 1st grade.  His comprehension is great as well as he can explain to me everything he is reading.  He has started to read his Bible story at night to me and Shepherd.  He is loving a book series called, Amulet.  Hunter introduced him to it and he will sit for an hour reading.... I love it as I can (and totally do) the same thing.

As I mentioned, he still loves sports and will talk on and on about football (from high school to college to professional).  Soccer is also one of his loves and he is amazing.  The ball sticks to his foot like it is glued there and he moves like the ball is apart of him.  He is fun to watch.  He has scored countless goals this year. 

 

 

---------------------------------------------------------

This was Ashton's year for the big party.  We had a Tailgating Football party at our house last Saturday.  Thankfully, we were able to get most people here.  We had over 20 adults and 19 kids (from 7 months to 9 years old).  I think it was a success as Ashton said it was the best birthday party ever. 



Here are some pictures from the day.  I didn't take that many which as someone said is a sign that I was enjoying myself... which was true. 

 

 

All the kids.  These kids are seriously the best of the best! Kids (and adults) were asked to wear their team colors... as you can see, lots of Clemson fans.
Front (L to R)- Seth, Caelum, Owen, Esme, Ashton, North, Bennett
Back (L to R)- Shepherd, Charlee, Sami, Logan, Luke, Noah H, Hunter, Noah T, Kaleb, Lydia, Carly, Miller

 

The boys idea of play

The girls (and in this case, Shepherd's ) idea of play

The adults idea of play

Singing Happy Birthday

Blowing out the candles

 A couple of the little ones.... Bennett and Carly

Pinata pile up

The boys after the party

 

And for his actual birthday today, the boys and I went to Carowinds after church... Chad works Sundays from 2 - 8 so he couldn't come.  We let him open his presents and all yesterday so Carowinds was the last big birthday treat (except for taking doughnuts to his class tomorrow.)

Here are a couple Carowinds pics.



On the balloon ride.  Bennett and I went in one and the other three went in the other. 


Ashton and his brothers on his birthday.


Seven years ago Smash changed my world.  He has brought me so much laughter and joy.  He has also managed to make me more angry than the other three probably combined (though Shepherd is starting to give him a run).  Though we often butt heads, it is because he is a strong, opinionated man in the making. 

I know that he is a covenant child of the Most High God.  He is chosen and I am so grateful that I get to witness where God takes this beautiful blondie that we call Smash.

Happy Birthday kiddo!  I love you so much.

Curtain Farms

Shepherd's preschool took a field trip to a working beef farm this week.

If I understand correctly, this is the first year this farm has decided to do "tours" of their farm.  And it was so well done.  I learned a lot so I am sure that the kids got some cool stuff from it too.  Unlike some other pumpkin farm field trips, this one was set up to actually teach them about what happens in a farm while being very interactive and fun.

One of Shepherd's best buddies at school... Owen.

They had 4, 25 minute sessions. 
Session 1- Learning all about pumpkins.  When to plant them, how they grown, etc.  We got this lesson in the top of a hayloft.  And then finished it off with pumpkin muffins (which we all loved) and juice/ water.

Session 2- Tour of the animals.  They obviously have a ton of cows since that is their money maker.  They also had chickens, turkeys, horses, miniature horses, peacocks/ peahens, goats, pigs, and alpacas.  The alpacas were so cool (more on them later.)

Turkeys and Bennett

Amazed by the up close and personal cows.

The guide was so really sweet yet kept the kids in line.... feeding the horse apples.

Some of the alpacas.

Cows and B

Dufus...

Session 3-  A tractor hayride around the land.  The owner talked about how he bought the land and other interesting pieces of information.

On the hayride.  Bennett loved all the tractors.  He just wanted to turn back around and watch the tractor.



Attempt 1 of a group picture- FAIL

Attempt 2 at group picture- FAIL

Session 4- A weaving lesson.  Now, this was so cool.  The owner's wife actually shears her alpacas once a year. And then brushes out the wool/ fleece until smooth.  She recently bought a spinning wheel and then spins her own yarn from her alpacas.  Then she knits scarves and other cool pieces.  She had her spinning wheel out in the barn and showed us the whole process.  It was really cool and the kids actually enjoyed it too.  This session ended with the kids going over to a play area where there were games and a hay maze (which I did lose Bennett in for a couple minutes). 

Talking about the alpaca's fleece.

She is at the spinning wheel turning the fleece into yarn. 

I highly recommend this tour.  The people are great and it is fun and educational.