Spring Soccer 2011

This Spring Aaris and Titus both played soccer.  They both made great strides in the sport and more so in themselves.  The funny thing is that it turned out that they both ended up on a team named "The Bulldogs." 

 Aaris' team in the 'home team' uniform

Aaris' team in their 'visitor team' uniform

 Titus' Bulldogs team

It turned out that no one stepped up to volunteer to coach Aaris' team, so I figured, "Why not me?"  I grew up playing the sport from the age of 5 and it was my love as far as sports goes.  But, I had never coached, much less coached a bunch of 5 and 6 year olds. 

 Aaris walking onto the field

 Aaris waiting her turn for a drill

 Aaris getting the ball past her coach (a.k.a. me)

 My team on the attack

 Aaris as goalie

Let me tell you, those kids changed me.  I fell in love with them.  They all had their special qualities.  They all had their challenges and I so badly wanted to help them each face these challenges and realize the greatness they had in them.  Oh, and Aaris and I had the added bonus of having two of her friends from church on her team: Sarah and Ashlyn

 After our first win!

Can see Aaris' two church friends next to her (Sarah and Ashlyn)

With Aaris' team it was a rough start because they came from an age group where they just learned that they were suppose to be playing with a soccer ball into an age group where they were suppose to understand all the rules, guidelines, strategies, positions, etc.  By the end of the year they were one of the strongest teams in their division and were getting compliments from the other teams.

 my players honoring me with a homemade card and sweet gift

Titus's team hung in there for being just about the youngest and shortest team in their division.  Titus could score up to 10 goals a game.  Where he had trouble was when the other team was just too big and dominating and he had to only play defense.  Aaron worked with him during the week and with all of the practice and knowledge he was about the only player on his team that understood how to get to the ball, trap it, turn it, drive it to the goal, and on defense how to get in front of the goal and block.  He made the most blocked goals on his team. 

Pretty sure I'll have one similar to this when he's in high school

 warming up with Daddy

After a game he would want to come home and spend the afternoon practicing.  One time when he got hurt and got emotionally upset a lot of the parents came up to him and said, "It's hard to be the best player on the team."  That blew me away.  My little runt of a boy was un-phased by all the older and bigger players. 

 Titus showing off his game injury

Titus practicing in the backyard - scoring using his in-step



UT Baseball Tradition

Once a year we join my parents and all go see a UT baseball game together.  A lot of years it's hot and hard to sit through.  This year was perfect and so very enjoyable.  The kids all had a great time, and we WON!  Go Longhorns.  Oh, and to make it even more special my brother was in town and we were able to enjoy it with him as well.

 Skylyn eating a hot dog

 Daddy and Titus enjoying some ball-park food

 Papaw and Uncle Jeremy

 Uncle Jeremy and Skylyn

 Can't eat too much at a ball-park

 Mimi and silly Skylyn

 Papaw and Skylyn

 Go Longhorns!

 Mimi and Papaw with the kids

Uncle Jeremy and Aaris



New Tree

Some of the girls in Aaris' girl scout Daisy Troop (Faith the red head and Skyler the other cute blond) came over and helped us to plant a new tree in place of the one that fell during last year's flood.  It's so tiny compared to the massive tree that was once there, but it represents a new start. 

That is were it reflects what is going on in our lives right now.  We have faced massive struggles over the past couple of years.  I believe God is making those fall one by one and replacing them with new growth and new starts.  I am excited to see what this tree looks like in the next 5, 10, 15, and 20 years just like I'm excited to see what our lives look like.

New Do

Well, trying to cut back on expenses, I decided to face something I had been putting off for several years.  Sometime around the time of my pregnancy with Titus my hair lost it curl and also lost it's color - blonde that is.  I have been getting full highlights ever since and have been seeing my roots grow in much soon and darker.  Therefore, I finally decided that I can't afford to be "fake" trying to be what I use to be natural.  I am now a brunette.  These pictures were taking immediately after my salon visit.  My hair has now faded to a lighter brown, but I'm still enjoying my new do.

Easter 2011

We spent Easter weekend with my family down in Buda. 

Coloring of the eggs gets more interesting each year because the kids are taking charge more and more each year.  This year Aaris was in complete control of her eggs.  Titus had a lot of opinion on what colors his would be.  And Skylyn just had to be reined in a bit since her zealousness takes control most of the time.

After the eggs were complete we headed to the backyard for some fun pictures.

Easter Morning was fun because before church the kids were able to find all of the hard boiled eggs that the Easter Bunny had hidden.

 Bible Based Goodies the Easter Bunny Left

 Titus

 Skylyn

 Aaris found one of her favorite eggs she had made

Skylyn was not going to be beaten

 Titus, Mimi (my mom), Skylyn, Papaw (my dad), and Aaris

Finally we headed to my parent's church.  After church they had a church-wide egg hunt.  There were about 200 eggs to find.  They divided up the kids into younger and older kids.  Then, after the hunt there was a delicious fellowship lunch.