Ten On Tuesday

1. The last two days my left arm has fallen asleep at night time. It's rather uncomfortable and I don't know what the deal is.

2. I haven't had much time to get to the gym. It really makes a difference in my energy level.

3. The sermon this Sunday was about work. It convicted me because I tend to have a bad attitude toward my boss and my drive to and from work sometimes. The Bible says "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man." So every time I'm asked to do something I don't want to do I'll do it for Him! I mean, it's right there in the Bible so it's time to shape up Steph, time for a 'tude change.

4. I'm going to volunteer in Kayley's classroom every other Friday. I didn't have time to do it last year so I'm really looking forward to helping out!

5. I can't believe that tomorrow is the first of September. Time flies, man.

6. Grandma's funeral is this Saturday. It's a hard thing explaining death to my kids. I think that I will allow them to see her in the viewing room if they choose to. My counselor said not to force them but kids usually don't get bothered by it if they want to see her. I'm pretty sure I'll cry (since I'm almost crying while I'm writing this).

The other day we had dinner with Grandpa Frank and Cole leaned over to me and whispered "does Grandpa know that Grandma went to heaven?"

7. Rachel's shower is also this Saturday. I don't know if I'll be able to go, it depends on the timing of the funeral. Only five more weeks until the wedding!

8. I'm happy my sis has jumped on the blogging bandwagon. Check out her blog here.

9. Kayley is loving school! She does great with me dropping her off in front of her classroom every day. Next Tuesday she will start walking from the circle driveway. I told her that we would have a party and cupcakes when she does it like a big girl. She said "mom, I want to get over being afraid of walking to class. It needs to become a habit."

10. Tomorrow we will welcome our brand new friend, Noah, to the world!

First Soccer Game

Kayley's first game has come and gone. She was nervous for a second but got out there and did great! She got lots of kicks in there and played really well! The other team had girls who were five or six inches taller than most of the ones on her team and it seemed like they had played before. Her team "lost" but they don't actually keep score. And it didn't really bother her. It makes me proud that she is ok with losing. She had fun and that's all that counts!

I didn't think I would be so on edge the entire game! My competitive spirit came out and although I really hate my yelling voice, I yelled and rooted on our little number 5! There was a girl on the other team who looked just like Hillary did when she was little (Joanna pointed her out). Also, there's one girl on Kayley's team who spent a lot of the time at the other end of the field kicking the grass and having her back turned away from the action. She was hilarious to watch!

This was the day she got her jersey. She wanted a picture of the whole outfit. Hello, frizz!



Cole wanted his job to be picture taking. Please excuse him:)

Warming up for the game

Action shot (and a dad)

Coach D giving them a pep talk while they line up



And... play!

End of the first quarter water break

Getting back out there (and a dad)

Grandma and Grandpa cheering her on
(my mom is quite the cheerleader, it's cute)

Me and my sissy
(and a dad...jk jk lol)

Um...

There's the big guy behind the camera!

Joanna's soccer ball artwork

She was pretty exhausted but beautiful still!

Uncle Tim came to the game!



Half time apple consumption



Coley again



Krista, me, Tim (and a dad...haha I'm so funny!)







All done! Tired and happy!



We can't wait for the next game!

Dear Grandma

It hurts to know you're gone but it helps to know you're no longer in pain. I can just imagine you up there singin' and dancin' and getting all silly up in heaven with Jesus.

I will never forget your love for singing. Your favorite song to sing, even in the last days, was His Eye Is On The Sparrow. I will never sing that song again without thinking of you. I'm comforted because I know that even though you could not say you had given your heart to Him, I knew you had.

You loved my kids so much. You would take them to the bridge over the pond by your house and show them the fish. You would laugh and tease them and make them smile. You would sit at the piano and watch them play. I love that you would warm up chocolate chip cookies for them and serve them with milk. You would always want to give them another because that's what grandmas do. Even though they knew you for just a short time, they knew you and that is something special.

I will never forget how you loved the outdoors. You loved flowers and would know all the names for them. I remember visiting you in Kernville. You and grandpa would take us to the Kern river to swim. We would hop from stone to stone and you did too. I will never forget waking up to the smell of your wonderful breakfast. I remember the blue cups you would keep in your cupbard just for when we came to visit and how I thought it was gross that you put metamucil in your drink everyday. I loved sitting by the fire, with you in one recliner and grandpa in the other, just talking and laughing and playing with your kitties. I loved hearing your stories of when you were a dancer and stories of when my dad was little.

Above all, Grandma, I loved that you loved people. You were so fun to be around. You always joked and played along when Tyler, me or anyone would tease you. You were full of joy and weren't afraid to let anyone know what was on your mind. You loved your family and your family loved you.

I'm so glad that I was able to kiss you goodbye. Although you couldn't say anything, I know you knew we were there. I promise you we'll all take care of Grandpa and we'll be ok. You were (and always will be) an extra special part of my life. Alzeimers might have taken you from us but your memory will live on forever.

Love, Steph

Ps. When I get to heaven It'll be you, me and Jo in a leg kickin' contest.

Soccer

Kayley is getting good at playing. She is hilarious during warm ups though. The girl does the funniest jumping jacks!

First Day of School-Kayley

Kayley's first day of school was awesome. When we got to school we immediately saw some friends. Kayley went over and said hi and it was like school had never been out for the summer! When the bell rang we walked to class and waited for the teacher to open the door. She found her seat next to Christian (a boy who was in her K class) and we got to work on the first thing she had to do. After a couple of minutes the teacher asked us to kiss and hug mom and dad and go. No tears were shed and she didn't even seem anxious (there was no nail biting), just a happy Kayley smiling as I walked out. I got off work early today to pick her up and she was nothing but smiles then too! The teacher told me she had a really great day. This is a major praise report!

Ready to go!



New kicks



Waiting for the bell to ring
(I love that lady's dress!)



Posing with Brianna!



Cheese!



She found her desk right away



So excited about her name tag!

Ok, mom, you can go now

First Day of School-Cole

Cole is such an awesome kid. He loves school, loves his teachers and loves his friends. He had a great first couple days of school and has been such a trooper staying all day since Grandma had to be with Grandma Eve. Here's his happy first day:

Happy and hungry!

New kicks

Proudly posing next to his cubby

I think he was trying to show me his shoes again. I told you he loves them.

How could we go without one of these?

Ten On Tuesday

1. Tyler and I now have a first grader. Kayley did great today! We had no trouble getting clothes picked out or getting her hair done or getting out the door. Her first grade teacher is Mrs. Beving. The classroom is much different from her kindergarten classroom. I gave her a big hug and kiss and said goodbye and she didn't even looked worried! Cole said "I love you sissy" and gave her a kiss before we left, too. What a nice little bro.

2. Grandma is not responsive again. I went to see her after work yesterday and she didn't move at all. She did open her eyes for a little. I told her I loved her and wanted her to go be with Jesus. I cried so much when I left. It's hard to see her like that especially when I have so many memories of her crazy, active, spunky self. At least if she passes I will feel that I've said goodbye.

3. Cole got new shoes for school and loves them. He keeps telling me thank you for the wonderful shoes and looks at them and smiles. I'm glad he loves them, they're pretty stylin'. Pictures will come soon. His first day of pre-k was great. He has the same teacher that he had during the summer so thankfully there won't be much adjusting to do. He just has some new friends and a new schedule. What a big guy. One more year till Kindergarten, eek!

4. We got Kayley's soccer schedule. Her first game is this Saturday. Go Firebombs!!

5. Tyler had an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon today for xrays and a check up on his leg. It is healing, yay! He will be coming home soon, too. Yippeee!

6. I got another dumb anonymous comment on my blog. Seriously people, take a hike.

7. Katie's mom sent me a text the other day. I can't believe that little kid is three! We're going to get together and go to the pool soon, maybe Friday. I look back at my daycare days and I loved all my little kids I watched but I'm happy that stage of life is over. I would do it over again in a heartbeat if it meant being home with my kids though.

8. It stinks being inside on such a beautiful day. At least I have a pretty view out the front door: blue sky, palm trees and a UPS truck. Ok, the truck isn't pretty but the rest of it is! I will be eating my lunch outside today, that's for sure.

9. Little Noah will be here so soon. I can't wait to see his face. It's great how much love a person can have for a baby that's not yours, or even born yet for that matter!

10. I don't know why I struggle to come up with number 10.