March Madness

Baseball, Dance, School, Travel, Work, Repeat....

Life has gotten pretty hectic around here, but everyone is happy & enjoying what they do.

Montana has been ecstatic about her dance classes. We were out to dinner recently and she actually jumped up and said "hey...watch my dance!" and started bustin' a move. Usually I am begging her to show me what she has been learning in class. Now here she is actually doing it in front of total strangers!! Love that girl. She is really loving her hip-hop class, likes her jazz class, and just kind of tolerates ballet. But ballet is required (she is rolling her eyes as I type this) and will iron out those awkward kinks over time. I'm so stinking proud of her. She also has gotten involved in a recess soccer team. It is organized by the school and they play periodically. So she is always full of stories of her big goals scored and how she is the star of the team. I need to get over there and see my little soccer star with my own eyes. :-) And lastly, our little Montana has always been a very creative soul. She has been extremely creative with writing, drawing, and speaking...but she has written some really wonderful stories lately. She got turned on to mightyauthors.com by her teacher at school. It's a website that helps them publish their own stories. She has been madly typing for days. I get to peek at the story occassionally, and although I know I am bias, I am telling you it is pretty good. It has a real southern flavor and she has thought the characters through pretty thoroughly. I am really encouraging her writing. She will begin posting her updates to the story on her personal blog. Check it out if you have time...super cute for a 10 year old. http://montanathatsme.blogspot.com

Justice has been consumed with baseball! He is in love with it. He doesn't even mind the daily practice regimen. Which I really worried about. He has the greatest coach. He is super patient with the kids and really TEACHES them how to play the game. He is really enthusiastic with the boys and you can tell he really loves coaching. They had their first practice game a couple nights ago. I can't remember what the score was but both teams seems pretty evenly matched. Justice played right centerfield and second base. He looks so cute out there. He was up to bat twice...both strike outs, but he is really getting the hang of it. He got his first cup for protection, and loves to play that thing like a drum! It's hilarious, but we are trying to get him to cool it! Games will start in a couple of weeks. Pics to come.

Sierra was able to travel to New York City with her drill team for the National Competition. They were there for 6 days full of sightseeing, broadway shows, dance classes, and of course the competition. She was able to see the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, Rode a carriage in Central Park, lots of shopping, and pictures! She called me the night of the competition and told me that she had won the overall 1st place solo trophy! She competed against 19 other girls from all over the country. She worked so hard on her solo this year...even choreographed it herself due to the lack of time & funds available for a solo coach this year. She did a fantastic job & the judges obviously thought so too! I'm so incredibly proud of her! There is nothing this chica can't do....except clean her room..lol! Her team also did a fantastic job. They took 1st place in their medium team category, and 2nd overall in the sweepstakes. Drill has been quite an experience this year. So time demanding, but she totally loves it and is planning on trying out again, and try-outs begin next week. Way to go sweetpea!

So my time is basically spent driving these kids around, making meals, cleaning up, & working. But it is worth it to see the smiles on these little rugrats faces. Nothing new to report...except that I'm a happy girl. Still dating my sweety Patrick. He's a great support to me. I feel very blessed.

Another crazy week

We heard from Justice's new baseball coach. He was selected to be on the BlueJays team! He had his first practice tonight & I was very impressed with his coach and the other boys on the team. They will practice MWF until games start next month and then they will either have practice or a game every night, but weekends off. Yikes! They practiced batting, outfield, throwing/catching with a partner, and finished with running laps with their glove on, two balls in their mitt, and arm up above their head. Justice had a smile on his face the whole time. It will be so good for him to hang out with boys and to belong to a team. I'm really excited for him!!

Montana had a lump taken out of her Left forearm today. It was very similar to the lump I had removed. We took her up to Primary Children's Hospital to have the procedure done. They had a Life Skills nurse come in and explain everything that was going to happen to her. She offered toys/books/movies/blankets/pillows to soothe & distract her during the surgery. She held her hand and talked to her the entire time. Montana was laughing and talking while her arm was wide open and bloody. It was great to see that she was in such great hands. They were able to completely remove the tumor. They are thinking it was an inclusion tumor?? But sent it off to the lab to be sure. She was a trooper and was not in any pain after the surgery. We will see how she feels tomorrow. She will need to go back to the doc in 2 weeks to have her stitches removed.

Sierra is gearing up to go to New York this week with her high school Drill Team for the National Competition. They are ready!! They look hot!! They have worked all year for this. They took first place at this competition last year and they are hoping for a repeat! Sierra is going to be competing her solo. I am so sad that I won't be able to be there. But her dad is going to be there to support her for most of the trip. Other drill moms, and her coaches will be there with her & I know she will be fine. But it's hard to let her go so far away with out me & even harder because it is somewhere I would LOVE to go with her!! So I pray for her safety & I know that she will dance her buns off! I'm so excited for her!!

I'm still at Fox working nights. Wish I could get on a day schedule...I am trying to find a position to move into, but for now it looks like I am stuck where I am. Slow and steady wins the race right? I am still dating the amazing Patrick! Our kids are getting along great and we really enjoy spending all of our spare time together. Wish I had more of it. So life is good!

Baseball Try-outs & The Flu

It's been quite an eventful week. The kids & I have all taken turns with the stomach flu. Some mild, and some severe. Sierra seemed to catch the worst of it and had to take a trip to the doc. She ended up with a sinus infection, strep throat, & the flu. She is feeling much better. So somebody was home from school everyday this week. But we seem to be on the mend & the upswing.

Today Justice had his first baseball tryout. He had to run, catch, throw, and bat. We have been working with him and trying to prepare him as best as we knew how. I think he did an excellent job!! We will hear from the coaches sometime next week to let us know which team he has been chosen for. He had a big ole smile on his face when he was finished...It's so fun to celebrate these kind of joys with my kids. Patrick & Eric were also there to help cheer him on. I think we were all just as nervous as he was. Silly grown-ups! Many thanks to Patrick & Dallin for teaching mom & Justice the basics...couldn't have done it without you- that's for sure!!