Shameless BRAG!!!

I'm so stinkin excited!!

Cole and Brad just finished up the MSU soccer camp here in town. They went all week. Brad competed in the precamp and had a great time. He got a certificate and a popsicle. Perfect ending to a hot day. We decided to try moving Cole up a year/age bracket. He had a great time.

Today they passed out awards. The top player in each age group received a trophy and then they gave out an MVP Player of the Camp trophy. And the winner is.......... (if you haven't guess already!)

COLE MCDANIEL!!

I'm so proud of him. He has such a love and passion for soccer and for the past year, his numbers of losses FAR outweighs the number of wins. He never voiced an ounce of frustration. I know he just loves playing the game. But my mama's heart could burst knowing he was rewarded with the top award for his efforts!!

AND, if that wasn't great enough - Brad was equally excited for Cole. We got in the car and Brad asked if I had Messi's phone number so we could call and let him know about Cole's award too. My heart loves those boys today!

Not So Happy Mother's Day

I have a great husband and two wonderful boys. I am blessed to be called mom. I am elated I get to be their mom. They spoiled me yesterday with gifts, cards, flowers, hugs and kisses. I love them over and over again for it.

But yesterday was not "happy", not at all. In fact, it was a horrible Mother's Day. It was a stinging reminder that I was no longer pregnant. It was a stomp on the heart that Carrie was dead. It was painful to think about all the things we will miss without her in our lives.

Today, it's been 2 months since she passed away and on Wednesday, it will be two months since I held her tiny little body in my hands. It's a human thing to do, but I don't need to keep record of it. God knows. He knows her, and myself, so much better than I can record. He knows how much she is missed and He knows how many hearts still hurt. Brad said a prayer last week that went something like "Dear God, I love mommy and I miss the baby. Amen"

Sometimes simplicity says it best. Thank you God for my boys. Thank you for the time we had with Carrie. Thank you for healing her. We miss her. Amen.

Things That Make Me Smile

1. Keith - He's been working very hard. The screen business is doing well, and we're still waiting to make our life changing decisions. GULP! It's odd to not know anything about where life will take us in the next 6 months. I take comfort in knowing that we will always have each other whatever life throws our way.

2. Cole - We went to Keith's Soccer Alumni weekend at the Academy. Cole got to play in the kick-around with all the Varsity players and Alums. He thinks he is big stuff. Cole actually played really well. He hasn't stopped talking about his "like 10 goals!" I was telling him that Keith lived in Colorado and went to school there for FOUR years. Cole gasped and said "did he play soccer everyday? I'm going to live here and play for four years too" I think he might believe the AFA to be a strictly soccer school. He's also wanting to sign up for 2 soccer camps this summer. His only wish: he were playing against college kids.

3. Brad - He's still talking about his up and coming Elf party. I know he has specific visions. I just hope I can figure them out and help him have a great time. AND, he has officially created a new hairdo. I call it the Brad. He's cut a chunk out of his hair twice this past year. In the same spot emphasizing the large cow-lick in front. It seems the style is spreading as he cut a chunk out of his brother's hair in the exact same spot. Keep the scissors away and your hair out of reach from that kid.

4. Mickey and Merlin - They have been at the grandparent's house becoming more and more spoiled. If the dog's behavior is any indication as to how Papa and GG influence grandchildren, I'm in trouble. Mickey thinks a cup of food a day is more his style, and Merlin now prefers canned mixed into his hard food, hand fed on the couch taking his leisurely 30 minutes a feeding. I missed them and their stinkyness. Marty did not miss them.

5. Marty - She was LOVING being the only pet around here the past week. She turned even quirkier if that's possible. I walked in yesterday to find her standing in the shower meowing away at nothing. The dogs are back and I haven't seen her since.

6. City of Wichita Falls - I emailed the City Council about a busy intersection by the elementary school. They wrote back saying it will be investigated immediately and other issues would be addressed. I feel victorious even when others are doing the work ;-)

7. XM Radio - Once again I called to cancel my service because my promotional price is over. They refunded my money AND gave me free service though July. This has been going on since 2006. I don't understand how they make money, but I am please with their customer service.

8. Mike Victor - (my minivan) He is clean and vacuumed. I love him clean and vacuumed.

9. Teeth - We are close to getting my teeth fixed. We were quoted almost $8000 to do 10 teeth. One of Keith's AF buddies is trying to see if they can be classified as medical and then the AF would fix them all for free!! ALL of my teeth!! I hate to be doing the happy dance prematurely, but this excites me to no end.

10. Purses - I got a new Coach purse and wallet for Mother's Day. I love new purses. Good choice boys, how did you ever know that's what I wanted (other than the fact I made you drive 2 hours out of the way and forced you to spend a very long time in the store while I browsed) Keith use to let me have "do as I say" days - this was very much like a flashback of the past. Thanks baby!!

Trashtastic

Yesterday we all went to the lake fishing. Cole was looking at the big boats and GG said she was going to retire and live on a big boat like that. Then my ever so concerned child said "But how do they get to Wal-Mart"

At 7, my son thinks Wal-Mart is a life necessity. What have I done??

Shark Countdown....

Yep, Cole's tooth needs a better look. They want him to come in tomorrow and even warned it will probably be pulled.

Poor kid. I told him they numb his gums and he won't feel a thing. Just don't ask me any more questions. We'll cover it tomorrow.

Dentist

I have a dentist appointment today. I love the dentist. I have spent the majority of my adolescence in a dental chair. My parents have spend the majority of their income to various dental offices. I think it's easier than going to the vet, post office, or pediatrician. Lay down and be quiet - I'm all over it. Sometimes I even nap. Sign me up.

Today I don't want to go to the dentist. I wasn't able to get xrays and a full exam last appointment because I was pregnant with Carrie. Today, I can but I wish I couldn't. Which also means I get to explain to strangers WHY I'm there again, and what happened. It never gets easy or comfortable.

I should also ask about my sweet Colby's shark teeth. His permanent teeth are growing in - WAY in - before his baby ones are even that loose. My little T-Rex. I had my first two teeth pulled by the dentist. I think I was 7. My precious second son (I'm stealing him Heather. Him and little Wyatt), Jake Jones, just had his first two teeth pulled for the very same reason.

So, Dentist or bust today. I'll see if I can't schedule Cole's appointment for some other "can't miss" occasion. I'm good like that.

Add It To My List

I had another World's Worst Mother moment yesterday. I had to take Brad to the doctor in the morning. The way this clinic does their open hours "sick time", it is always a 2 hour experience. Super fun. Cole's been having issues chewing his skin around his nails, so I decided to take him with me to get a prescription to help him stop AND take care of Brad all in one trip. I was having a great mommy moment. I was taking care of business and taking names. PRO-DUC-TIVE!

It wasn't until I dropped him off at school - just before the 10am attendance count because I'm THAT good - did I realize what I did. I missed class pictures. His class has already taken their picture and he wasn't there. Absent from the yearbook - forever listed as "not photographed: Colby McDaniel." His FIRST grade year, in a town we might actually stay and he'll grow up with friends.... missing. There's several reasons I'm probably taking this so hard, but I'm really bummed that I did that. I'm sad in my effort to take care of too many things at once, I totally forgot his class picture day.

Don't worry, I made up for it today by waking up late, causing him to be late, which means eating lunch in the library vs the cafeteria with his friends, AND forgetting his backpack with his homework, which means missing p.e. class, the first class he's able to resume full activity from his knee injury. I'm positive I'm his favorite person in the world today. Ugh!