Happy Birthday Sam

Lila loves Sam so much...she just is a dog lover! She knew Sam had a birthday so when we were in Walgreens she picked up some treats and told me they were for Sam for her birthday...how could I resist that cuteness?! So today we took Sam over her birthday treats and Lila gave them to her beloved Sam.

Halloween Brunch

We started our Halloween with brunch at Verbena! Just walking inside to the smells of waffles and bacon...with friends all around made me feel warm inside! Every kid cleanded their plate because it was so delicious, and the little kids played games on my and Jenna's i phones and the big kids played with their i phones too! What a fun way to start our Halloween!


 

Halloween!

What a fun Holiday! We all love Halloween and this year was so fun! Maybe the best yet...the weather was perfect...cool but not cold...and all four of my children were into it...Riggs still loves to dress up and trick or treat and Lila is big enough! We made out family rounds to Bumpa and Grandpa's house and then to Mamaws.

 Mr. Reinhart had to get his TB test read so we dropped him by the urgent care where he went in as gave the nurse quite a scare! While we waited, my sweet wolf man took a rest.

We then headed back to Zermatt Court to meet up with our friends and neighbors to trick or treat...just old fashioned, door-to-door fun!


 Lila was still a little scared of Mr. Reinhart but she finally warmed up to him and they trick or treated together...the beauty and the beast!

 Sarah Kate was a flurry of excitement and preciousness as she and Julia flitted from one house to the next!

 Riggs and Rollins were fast...Riggs was on a mission to meet up with Colin to share Halloween with his best friend and do the neighborhood Haunted House for the first time this year...now that they are big ;) Rollins hung with the neighborhood boys and was a real trooper until his bucket got too heavy! So Rollins, the girls and I headed back home to relieve Nana and Landon of their candy duty and the dump and sort all the candy!

 After baths and night nights for everyone...as it was a school night....I came back down to the living room to piles of candy...some sorted...some not...and pieces of costumes scattered around the floor...all I could do was smile! It was a great Halloween...tomorrow the scary stuff goes back in the Halloween totes and the turkeys come out!!

Thinking about the potty....

Lila is 2 and we have started talking about "the potty"! We got the pink potty out and we mention it every once in a while. She decided that when she goes on the potty that she would like to wear Minnie Mouse panties as her first "big girl" panties! Bumpa ordered them and gave them to her today....she was so happy she put them on over her pants!We'll see how it goes!

Miracles Happen when you Believe

This post isn't about Santa...or magic... but about miracles and what happens when you believe in something. It is about believing with all your heart in who you are and what you can do. It is a lesson I know and love but one that feels so good to learn over and over...and today I was able to see it and feel it with Riggs at the State Cross Country meet....it was a good day and one I will remember for the rest of my life with tingles...I don't think the tingles will ever go away.

The day started with me getting up super early to get it all together..the girls to go to Bumpas and then the meet...Rollins to go to soccer and then the meet...and Jeremy, Riggs and I to go to the meet.I had spikes to tighten, protein bars to pack, the truck to decorate with "go goshen"..but I started with a warm bath and a time to send positive thoughts into the universe for the family today...I prayed for the girls to have patience as they supported their brothers...I prayed for Rollins to do well and to feel loved beyond belief even though Jeremy nor I would not be there for his soccer game....I prayed for Riggs to feel a calm wash over him and to not be nervous and I prayed for him to be fast and smart and that no matter what he would feel happy with all he has accomplished this season. I prayed that Jeremy and I would support Riggs in the ways he needed today...to know when he needed us to be calm ....and to know when he needed us to be crazy excited! As I laid there, bubbles up to my chin, Riggs came in..." I tried to wait but I am just too excited...I have to get up, moma!" His excited smile ironically made me calm inside.

We got everyone where they needed to be and headed to Lexington.  Riggs sat in the back...quiet and focused and I played all his songs..."I've got the Magic in me. Every time I touch that track it turns into gold"......" Even the best fall down sometimes.  Don't stop here.I lost my place. I'm close behind" 

I will never forget  Jeremy turning to me and saying that this is all I need...next year at the Ironman...thinking about this and Riggs will be all the motivation I need. I had to turn away because the tears welled up in my eyes. I still can't believe how far Riggs has come...and how hard he has worked to get here.


As we got off the exit..I saw a campaign sign that said ROLLINS...and as I thought about him and how I wished I could be two places at once the phone rang...it was Grandpa calling to tell us Rollins has just scored a goal! We are beyond proud of Rollins too...playing with those big kids and without hesitation he gives it his all....oh how I wish I could have seen him run back down the field after that goal.

As we pulled into the park Riggs thought he might throw up...the nerves were getting to him. Jeremy and I made lite of it and before long he was fine and back to the smiling kid that walked into my bathroom this morning. As race time approached we got him ready and Jeremy took him aside for a talk...I'll never know the exact words that were spoken but they were full of heart and pride...and no matter what we love you. We put his spikes on and Cinderella was ready for the ball!

Coach Lee had to get the girls ready so Jeremy took the boys aside and talked to them about how close they have been to beating these teams with sixth graders all year...How passing one Hite guy would make the difference...how they could do it...it was all about heart and he knew they had that. I believed him...I believed they could win and I knew they had the heart...but then looking at the physical strength of the sixth graders there filled me with doubt. Can heart overcome bigger, better, stronger, faster?

He was calm at the starting line...and I was not sure what that meant....usually he is in a frenzy but not today. They got ready...I wished the team, Ryan and Riggs good luck...and now all I could do was wait.

The gun went off and the cheers erupted as almost 400 boys ran as fast as they could! I walked to the other side of the course to watch my boys...my Goshen Gators. I love them all so much and  as I passed the Hite flag I said out loud "Come on boys...believe in your hearts that you can do this." 

I got to my spot and here they came...Giant sixth graders in a pack from different schools and the Hite sixth graders were right there in the mix...then I started to see the Goshen green...Nolan then Brant...then Evan...and then I saw him...here came Riggs...my third grade peanut running with these fifth and sixth graders in the State meet and he was trying so hard!

On to the finish line...I cheered and yelled with the passion of an Olympic mom...I was sure my cheers would help him pass just one more kid...just one more Giant kid.

 He came in 4th place on the team and 44th place overall...unbelievable for running with the 5th and 6th graders! If he had run in his race he may have won the whole thing! He is the fastest 3rd grader in the state!

 We are so proud of the team too! They won state...the whole darn thing!!! They are State Champions and I can't think of a more deserving team...giving it all they had all these weeks...practicing 4 days a week..and running with heart!

As we walked back to the tent to gather up our things...Riggs grabbed my hand...as he gets bigger I don't get that as much so when I do it means so much...I think he knows how proud we are of him and his accomplishments in cross country.  It has changed him...made him more aware of his body and taking care of it...made him more focused and disciplined with everything from homework to time management...it made him more confident as it put something he is really good at on his plate...but more than anything it made him smile...genuine shining from inside smiles...and that is what I love the most.  A little heart goes a long way....shy little boys can shine with acomplishemnt .....Miracles do happen...when you believe.

 

We love you Riggs! Congratulations...we are so proud of you!

Late night Carbs

The discipline Riggs has shown with cross country is unbelievable...he has been so dedicated..always willing to go to practices four days a week....drinking his water...eating his protein. Tonight was a fun Friday with friends but as we got home Riggs got refocused on the State meet. He asked for pasta before bed telling me he needed more carbs.... and ate the whole plate. He gave hugs and announced he was going to bed right after that so he could get the rest he needed. I am in awe of him and how focused he is for an 8 yr old.  As he walked up the stairs to bed I silently sent up happy prayers for a great day tomorrow...it just means so much to him...and he means so much to me.

Goodbye dear friend

It's like a part of our family...the plaid couch that Jeremy and I bought in Ozark Missouri when we were newlyweds. We have been through alot. I laid on that couch and cried in Missouri when I was so home sick and Jeremy and I watched movies....just the two of us cuddled up together on the plaid couch when there were no littles. It has seen throw up, sweet tea, pee, and popcorn.....it has been bounced on...made into a fort and been part of an obstacle course. It has been slapped in frustration at a UK game and jumped on with joy!  It has watched Santa, the Easter bunny and the tooth fairy come and go with the magic they bring. It has watched me nurse every baby and held us all for a nap at one time...it is a part of me...a part of us.

And even as we took the cushions off to prepare to move it out...there were pieces of us left....a lego, Popsicle sticks from sore throats I am sure, a ribbon of Sarah Kate's, a checker, a medicine dropper from a wresting match with Lila trying to get her fever down, a hair clip, and pieces of popcorn from a family movie night...pieces of us...our memories.

 And as the plaid couch was taken out the front door...ten years of memories flooded over me...and I actually cried...it was so sad to watch her leave but we waved goodbye and we will settle into the new couch and make so many more memories. I couldn't bear to part with the plaid pillows...just couldn't do yet... so tonight I think I will settle into the new couch with one of my old, loved, plaid pillows beneath my tired head.