Field day 2015

Allison had her field day May 13th.  4th grade and up participate in a tri-school competition at the old stadium.  Allison was super excited about this especially since the school we were competing against she new several kids from soccer and church.  Allison made the track team and was the fastest runner and 4th and 5th grade, the PE coach made her the team captain for the relay race.  We were really worried for her to compete because her heel had especially been bothering her after practicing with her elite team and then a intense soccer game.  Allison insisted on running, so we kept her out of soccer practice and had her rest as much as possible.  Wednesday morning it had been raining for hours, the forecast said then rain would stop by 9 with sunshine and a high in the 80's.  Parents and students on buses waited at the stadium parking lot for half an hour until the rain stopped.  The rain finally stopped and we were able to get the started!  I brought towels, snacks, blankets, and a umbrella.  We were set to watch and even found some friends to sit with!  Allison had been limping all week and I was very concerned.  Each school had two teams compete in the relay a total of 6 kids, Allison's team was dead last starting off.  The next student didn't catch up either and I am watching Allison get the baton dead last and she runs her heart out catching up to second place!  She was so proud, and I loved watching her run!  Beckett had my phone the whole time so I got no pictures tell the day was over, bummer!  The hours went by quick and field day was over, the kids had a blast!  Later on that night I made the boys dinner and Allison and I went out to Jason's deli after her church activity.  It was so fun to chat and have such a calm atmosphere, we have to do that more often!

Cooper had his field day on Tuesday. It was a warm day!  Beckett and I brought chairs and moved from station to station for two hours.  I was so thankful for a seat I can't stand for very long these days.  Beckett was my lil buddy and never really left my side.  Cooper had a blast, he had a huge smile from ear to ear!  I even stayed to have lunch with both the kids after field day.

Girls weekend continued!

My sister Heather didn't make it in tell  A little before lunch time Saturday.  My mom made plans to take us in to the stock yards to watch a long horn cattle run and of course to do some shopping.  The cattle run was entertaining, the long horns were beautiful.  There were also a million bbq and food joints all around us.  Plus several family oriented things to do like a train ride around the stock yards and a petting zoo.  But my favorite part was the shopping.  We went into some of the neatest shops from authentic jewelry, to souvenir shops, and boot/clothing boutiques.  I managed to do a little shopping while I was there.  But best of all it was so fun chatting and slowly shopping and looking around with my mom and sisters.  It even rained on us for a little bit.  We drove back to my moms and dropped off my sisters car and picked up my stepdad and went out for some delicious bbq for lunch.  I also meet up with my best friend Dana while she was in town for a wedding, it was surreal seeing her and her kiddos.  I was sad it was such a short visit but felt blessed to have seen her.  After lunch we got our nails done.  Four women getting pedicures lets just say it took a while but it was nice to get pampered.  Afterwards my sister Heather and I did some shopping for our kids at a near by Oshkosh!  We did dinner at home which my sister Jamie cooked her favorite meal for us.  Then we went out in the rain to get me preggo a milkshake.  Let's just say the gps got us a little turned around and a ten minute quick trip turned into an hour adventure in the pouring rain! 

The next two days went quick Sunday we went to church with my mom, cooked many meals together, stayed up late chatting, looked at old photos and letters, went shopping at the mall, and went to a movie.  We were shopping for a particular shoe for my mom and we were on the hunt, after three stores we were successful.  We all went nuts in this jewelry store, that was sooooooo much fun.  Shopping with kids you have to run in and out but gosh I sure enjoyed all our shopping trips together with my mom and sister. 

Funny story when we were at the stockyards I picked out a shirt for after pregnancy and apparently my sisters liked it and since we don't live in the same town they both decided to buy it.  Also my older sister Jamie had the cutest watch and when we were jewelry shopping I bought one very similar and my younger sister Heather got one.  I forgot to mention my mom bought one for my mom too.  We had such a good laugh about how we all have the same taste in clothing and jewelry.  We later went online and bought the shirt and watch for my sister in Florida so we can all 5 have the same shirt and watch!  So look out Ann it's coming your way!

I had such a great time words aren't enough, I plan to make this a yearly thing.  I love being a mom and wife but some times it's good to recharge your batteries.  I rarely feel like Stacey and mainly feel like Alli, Cooper, and Beckett's mom.  Richard and I try to do date nights but this weekends get away was perfect! 

Girls Weekend!

When I was visiting my mom during spring break my mom told me my sister Jamie was coming for a visit in May for a week.  I mentioned how I wished I could see her, since it's been 18 months since the last time I saw her.  My mom thought it was a brilliant idea and we looked at our schedule and Richard would be off that weekend.  Then the wheels turned and we thought about my other sisters and mentioned to them about a possible girls trip.  It turned out that my sister Courtney couldn't come but my sister Heather could. 

I left to Fort Worth after my doctors appointment Friday and made it in before dinner.  My sister Jamie flew in the night before on Thursday.  When I pulled in I didn't see my moms car, thankful my stepdad was there.  I had to pee, I had seriously considered asking the neighbor.  My mom and sister were at the store and made it back shortly.  I can't tell you how nice it was to chat uninterrupted and eat uninterrupted!  After dinner we even went for a walk!  Catching up with my older sister was fun, I love hearing about her life in California!  We didn't stay up to late chatting because I was exhausted.  I have never driven father than two hours by myself, I don't care for driving.  Plus being pregnant was way uncomfortable driving, but the drive up to Fort Worth flew by thanks to a nice long chat with my sister Courtney.  Up next some of our adventures!

33 weeks

Having bi weekly doctor appointments now.  I had my appointment this past Friday, I will be 34 weeks tomorrow.  The doctor was at a delivery so we waited for over an hour.  No weight gain, good heartbeat, and low blood pressure.  No swelling, I've never had that problem, still wearing my wedding ring.  We scheduled the induction, and it didn't work out to my advantage.  Looks like the only due date I wanted and got was with Cooper.  Because my doctor moved my original due date back a week, my due date is now July 8.  Inducing a week early would be Wednesday July 1.  The issue is my doctor with be leaving town Friday July 3, so he is booked the 1st and 2nd.  He wanted to induce me on Beckett's birthday the 6th.  I personally don't want the boys birthday close or on the same day!  The doctor was available to induce the 8th my actual due date but that's still to close.  My doctor also didn't want me going to far past my due date so we settled on the 10th for an Induction.  My hope is this little guy will come on his own before Beckett's birthday!  I guess time will tell!!


So here's how I am feeling these days.  Baby's movement is extremely active and kinda painful.  Sometimes I hate sitting because he feels so high in my organs it hurts and I can't breath. I lay down periodically just to get relief from the weight.  He normal hangs out by my belly button making me look huge!  This month has flown by, every May tends to pass quickly it has always been a busy month. We did some shopping a few weeks ago and bought some last minute things for Camden.  I finally bought the double stroller too!  I still have some projects to finish, times running out!  I've finished sewing the comforter and half the bumper pad but I ran out of fabric.  It's also been pretty cool weather wise which I am supper thankful for!  I am definitely ready to be done but not feeling miserable yet. 

Saturday Adventures

This past Saturday we had another double header a game at 10 and 3.  Richard was working but took half the day off to make it to the last game.  The first game was awful we played the roughest team in our league.  Poor Allison got knocked off her feet in the first five minutes.  Lucky one of the girls on the team scored a goal off the penalty caused on Allison.  Most teams know she is the lead scorer and they triple team players against her, which causes a lot of fouls sometimes.   Allison tied up the game and we managed that until the end of the second half.  The fouls the other team were causing were extreme.  Allison has nail marks and her hair had been pulled out!  It's sad when you try to win a game like that.  We lost!  The second game went a lot smoother Allison was on fire she scored 4 goals!  We were tied and Allison made a goal from a penalty shot it was so beautiful I screamed and woke up a sleeping Beckett!

After the game we were invited to a birthday party.  A huge water slide it was perfect for the hot day.  The hours went by even Beckett had a blast.  Cooper lost one of his front teeth a few weeks ago but his other front tooth was lose.  Like it was barely hanging on.  One of the times he went down the slide he lost his tooth.  We could not find it!! 

Mother's Day 2015

This mothers day didn't go exactly how I planned.  Sometimes life is to busy to make good plans. Although I enjoyed the messages given a church.  One particularly stuck out to me.  It was talk about the generations of a few women in a family.  How they experienced hardships in there life some very difficult things but we're dedicated to there children/spouses/religion.  The talk went on to stress that we should be the best moms we know how with our talents and not compare our selves to others.  Today I was thinking about how blessed I am to be a stay at home mom.  I've been to my kids school five times this week, and that's not including regular dropping and picking up. I am
able to take them to doctor visits, field day, and lunches.  My talents aren't as physical or musical but most of the time I have unlimited patience.  I love teaching my children and talking them through things.  In my mind teaching opportunities are endless.  Our children are essentially blank pages needing instruction, guidance, love, understanding, structure, and patience.  I truly enjoy being a mother it's the most time consuming heart wrenching thing I've ever done.  I can honest say I love each one of my babies evenly.  They bring me so much joy.  I also think about my own mother and my childhood and how our relationship has grown.  My mom often lends an ear to issues, triumphs, and normal everyday things.  I appreciate her advice and expansive knowledge.  She is my favorite shopping partner whither it's clothes or decor.  It's brilliant how her mind works and I am constantly stunned by her interior decorating choices and vision.  Nobody can make yard glow like my mom well maybe her sister my aunt.  Those ladies have a green thumbs.  I love my mom very much and I am most thankful for the gift she gave me through my sister.  I can't leave out my mother in law, she has never turned down a babysitting job for us, and is so quick to help our family!  She loves her son and grand babies so much and goes above and beyond all the time!  I also have to mention how much I love my California mommy Steffer, my aunt.  She is always there for me and a quick phone call, email, or text message away.  She is so involved in my life and my kids lives.  I am thankful I've had so many female motherly figures in my life.

Cousin visit and a soccer game

My sister came into midland with her family Friday.  Her brother in law and sister in law were graduating from college and her father in law was in town. My nephew asked to spend the night with us.  We took the kids out for ice cream and to play at the park.  Richard left later to take Allison to her competitive soccer practice. Cooper was ecstatic to have his cousin Zachary over, they stayed up late.  Richard woke up early the next day to get donuts!  Later that afternoon Allison had a soccer game.  It was a hot game!!  Allison played so hard scoring three goals!  We lost 4-5, we should have won that game.  It was a hard loss, but after the game we took the kids to Bahama Bucks.  My nephew left back to San Angelo around 5pm.  The kids were sad to see him go but we are planning on him staying with us for a few days this summer. 

31 weeks and counting

I had my sonogram on Friday!  Richard was off and Beckett was with us.  It is so fun to see how baby is doing and growing.  He has such a personality already.  Baby is head down but had his feet close to his head playing with his toes.  Which is why we didn't get a good picture of him because his feet and hands were in his face.  Everything is measuring on time, and all body parts look healthy.  The most interesting thing about the sonogram was he had hair!  We've never seen hair in a sonogram before, it will be fun to see how much hair he actually has.  My regular appointment was normal good blood pressure, and I only gained two pounds.  My next appointment is in two weeks.  I feel like I have still so long to go.  I just want to reach June and then I'll feel like I am making progress.  I still have good energy levels, still walking everyday, and still feeling plenty of movement.  This month is so busy which I think it will go by fast.  I am getting nervous about all the projects I still need to finish but hopefully I'll find time to get them done.     

She's 10!!!!!

 

 

 

 Our sweet daughter is official in the double digits.  It truly blows my mind we've been parents for a decade.  It seems like yesterday we found out we were expecting a daughter.  I remember her birth very clearly, feeling as if I had been hit by a car.  But being absolutely head over heels in love with our newborn.  Dressing her tiny body and caring for her every need.  Those first few months were some of my favorite memories.  Days, months, and years have passed.  Bringing lots of changes to our family.  Your first born brings you all your first as parents.  We were definitely blessed with an easy newborn, a extreme tolerant toddler, and determined preschooler.  Not to say we haven't faced challenges but they've been manageable.  Allison's determined mindset has made learn achievements reachable.  Her loving and caring attitude has been such a blessing to me in the mist of my other two rowdy sons.  Allison is helpful, she sees a need and no questions asked she is filling that need.  Discipline is a breeze she is so quick to ask for forgiveness.  I have most loved watching her love for soccer and watching heart talent increase.  There is no sport that child can't play well!  Her athletic personality surprised me I guess because it's unlike me.  She has a love for outdoors and animals that is so tender.  Allison definitely has her own personality when it comes to her clothes, hair, and her style.  I love our alone time together and cherish every moment of it, I try to make it happen often.  Happy birthday to my Alli-cat your dad and I love you very much.

Birthday party

Allison's big party!!  I had invited 20 of her girlfriends and only had 6 rsvp, 18 showed!  It was a huge turn out, my house was full of girls!  We quickly took the party outside!  Allison and I came up with this crazy party idea for a color party!  Allison saw a color run and wanted to recreate it for her party.  I found on Pinterest how to make the color powder cornstarch, water, and gel food coloring.  We made three colors and had to let them dry for three days.  We played a ton of games like freeze tag and decorated bandanas at the party.  Later the girls just went crazy hitting each other, I wish I caught a picture of how colorful everyone was!  We also made lava lamps in glass jars.  Between Richard and I and 18 girls it was a little crazy but super fun to make.  I also made several dozen confetti eggs and we play a few games with those.  Then the girls had a free for all throwing them at everybody.  After all the games we ate pizza and snow cones.  The snow cones were a hit I think we made over 60!  It was such a huge success, I have never slept so good this pregnancy that night.

 

Double Header

Saturday was a full day!  We had two soccer games and we hosted Allison's bday party at our house.  It was perfect weather for a soccer game sun out slight wind.  First game was interesting.  We had a few girls get hurt one hit squat in the face with the ball!  A bunch of bad calls by the referee, throwing Allison's goal out.  We lost but the girls played so hard.  We grabbed lunch quickly and stopped by the house.  Beckett I guess was tired climbed in his bed and went to sleep.  My in laws stopped by to drop off the cooler and decided to stay and watch Beckett so I could go to the game.  Cooper also decided to stay.  Allison loved the attention, and I loved being able to watch a full game uninterrupted.  We played the hardest team in our league, we kept up with them pretty good.  We lost 1-5, Allison scored.