I'm Back in My Helmet, Cleats, and Shoulder Pads

Football...this word used to mean so very little except for the Super Bowl, and only if the 49ers were playing. It has taken on a whole new meaning as I watch my little boy HAVE to grow and become strong to play this intense sport. The mom claws come out when someone takes him down...it goes against every mother's philosophy to watch one of your children, not just falling down, but being taken down as hard and as fast as possible. On the other hand, it brings a smile to my face and a sense of pride I have never known, when my little boy plays his position and plays it well. That little boy who would run to me when he got hurt, now stands firm and ready to be a ball player. He gets hurt and he hurts others sometimes, and I sit on the sidelines and cringe, scream, yell, cheer and bust my buttons with pride for my boy and how much he is growing up. Football season is back and I am cheering for these boys of the Fall!

F-O-U-R

This little girl has been such a light to this little family of ours. Not to say that she hasn't kept her poor brothers on their toes and her parents running to keep her safe from herself, more times than we can count. She is so happy and LOVES life. It was so fun and so hard at the same time to celebrate her fourth birthday on the 29th of this month. She has grown up so fast and I am not sure what to think about that but it has been a joy getting here, in her life, with her. Happiest birthday my sweet little Makenna!









Four things that I absolutely love and appreciate about this girl are:
1. Makenna is HAPPY! If she has a sad moment, she looks at her brothers, her dad, or I and if we make a funny face, her sadness is over. I don't think this will last as she gets into her teenage years, but I would love it if this glorious trait did.
2. Makenna loves to be a girl! She dresses up, she gets out my make-up, she puts on my high-heels, you name it, she loves the girly things in life. It is so fun to play with her and dress her up because she lets me and loves it!
3. Makenna can be rough and tumbly when she needs to be. Having three older brothers does not allow for a whole lot of girly play, when they are around. This girl can and will wrestle with her brothers. She has even learned how to throw a pretty good right hook. I am not condoning the right hook, especially when it gets used on her brother, at church, in Primary, but it does make me and HER DAD proud that she can take care of herself.
4. Makenna is my little girl! I have this troop of wonderful boys that I couldn't love more if I had to. They are so special to me. I thought I was good with that but Heavenly Father knew I needed something else. He sent this beautiful little girl to us. Her pink things float around in a sea of boys shirts, pants, socks, and yes, underthings. Her soft, long hair gets caught in those same boys brushes, which they tell me, is a pain to take out. She is the flower in our garden and I am so grateful she came to complete this little family and make us whole.
I love you soooo much Makenna!

School and One Last Hoorah!

These are the last prints on our summertime. School has begun and although, I think I grumble and groan more about it than the kids, this will be a fun and exciting year! We went out and caught the last rays of sunshine on a beautiful, hot summer evening, to celebrate that feeling, before this place becomes something akin to Antartica. Here are also a couple of shots for school of the boys. They never let things get dull!!!!!