I'm officially a soccer mom!

Cade is still loving soccer! He runs so hard in practice each week and then tells me, "that is hard work mom!" He's getting pretty good at kicking the ball too, using the inside of his foot, and is really picking up the rules of the game. Well, until game day comes, and then he's timid to take over the ball. It's probably because of the numerous times I tell him to share with his sister, let her have a turn, be a nice big brother, etc, etc!

Sunday was a good day for him though because he got to be GOALIE!! There was no one in his way, and he was in charge!!He blocked many shots, then would rush back to the line to throw it back in. One time he bounced the ball off an opponents head!

Slumber Party with CJ

Friday night the kids had a very special visitor! CJ (6 weeks old) and his mommy came for an overnight stay! We made pizza, played referee while the kids loved up on CJ, and then Jenni and I put the kids to bed and enjoyed a couple adult beverages!

Look at these sweet pictures... I think they want a baby in the house!

A little on the deeper side...

I've personally always been fond of expressing emotions by writing whatever thought popped into my mind. It clears my brain to put pen to paper, and allows me a minute to really soak in what I'd try to argue in my head. But, I've never known what to do with it once it's recorded! Now, with social media sites, people are empowered to truly write what they wish, any time they dream it.

And, since no one has set parameters for me, this is my chance to record the question that has encompassed me for the past few days. It begins with why.

Why is it that the most adored people in the world, those with humor as great as the sunset and hearts the size of the universe, why are they the ones in which God chooses to hand some of the most difficult situations?

As I write this, I believe I've found my answer. It lies in the question. It's those who are the strongest, with the best foundations, the biggest support systems, the most positive outlook on life, and the truest belief in faith that are inspired to deal with disheartening news. Just when you think that you are not defined by one of these, I hear your story. Recently, powerful, dedicated, and enriched women have shared their stories with me...not to collect pity, but to build awareness that you never know what can happen. Here are a few of them:

• One amazing mother and wife was handed bankruptcy papers because she never wanted to be involved in the family financials and was not aware of the dreaded bank account that was spiraling into the red. Now she struggles to come out of divorce and take control.
• Another young mother and wife was served the depressing news that the spot on her ultrasound has a very good chance of being cancerous, and now she is making the decision to go into surgery while her two little girls sit at home waiting and wondering. 
• A third was the story from a dedicated wife, yearning for a baby to call her own, while tracking every change in her intriguing female body and battling ovulation monitors, wondering why they just can't get pregnant.

Why? We ask it every day, for some reason or another. Why did the kids think that was okay? Why didn't I remember to do that? Why is he choosing that? Why aren't things lining up the way they should? Why do I have so much on my plate?

The answer is within us. It all because we can. We, as women, can handle it and just when we think we can't, we realize we can. Because it's a teaching moment. It's a chance for us to spread our wings and share our knowledge. Because we can succeed and pull out of it, and if the outcome is not what we wish, we will show others how to make the best of it. And we do. Because we are women with hearts, minds, soul, and faith stronger than one can ever imagine.

That's why.

Crusaders lose the first one....

My little David Beckham!

Ah, we lost the match, but I don't even think the kids realized that! They had so much fun running up and down the field, chasing after the ball, that it didn't matter who scored, who was running the wrong way, who scored for the other team, or who was too busy picking their nose that they didn't see the ball (and players) run past them!!!

And yes, I think Cade fit into each one of those situations at one point or another! He loved his position on offense, as the forward, but defense got a little boring!!

It was a riot to watch, and I can't wait to see how much he develops through the next few weeks. Let us know if you are interested in a little free entertainment some Sunday afternoon!

Annual IOWA Party

The Arizona/Iowa game marked the 4th year that we've had the gang over for an Iowa Football Party. It started with about 3 other couples and two one-year-olds playing outside, eating lots of food, watching football, and sleeping over. Now, the situation is a little different!

Saturday, we had 10 adults and 8 kids running around. With such a late game, the guys were able to golf in morning; the girls came later in the afternoon, and even brought our newest member in tote - Rex was just 4 weeks old and got lots of attention from the little and big ones! 

Callum (2) was just learning how to say Go Hawks! And Cade couldn't decide if he was more into the football game and food or using Jeff as target practice!

We all had a great time and did very well using the space in the living room! Tight squeeze!

And, while the game was miserable for everyone, I'm not sure there was anyone on edge as much as my husband! He assumed position right next to the TV all night, and Brad enjoyed taking his money as he continued to make bets, play after play!!

We closed down the night really late, making Sunday morning come quick!! But we didn't walk away without a birthday celebration for Jeff. Kari presented him banana bars that had been flopped onto a plate and I scrounged up some candles from Alayna's birthday! Happy 31st Jeff!

Caden's Soccer Schedule

My littlest man started on a soccer team last night through Dad's Club Sports, and it was really the cutest thing I've ever witnessed! Of course, just as I took my first picture of him kicking the ball into the goal, my camera battery died! So, I have no pictures to share, but if you want to see him in person, I urge you to join us on Sunday afternoons for a little entertainment.

Team: Crusaders I
Location: Davenport Soccer Complex, 8991 North Division Street

Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. Field #9
Sept. 26 at 2 p.m. Field #10
Oct. 3 at 1p.m. Field #10
Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. Field #9
Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. Field #9

A Funny Alaynism

Yesterday after I picked the kids up from daycare, we passed a mother running her heart out while pushing two children in a jogger up the hill.

Caden announces, "Mom, we have that stroller!"
I replied, "Yes, we do, and mommy needs to get it out again soon."
Cade, on que, asks, "Why?"
I said, "Because mommy is out of shape."

Alayna finally pipes in, "Buy more shape, mommy!"

If only we could buy more of anything we were out of, wouldn't that make life easier?!?!

Happy Grandparent's Day 2010

While I've been very fortunate to share my childhood with many grandmas, grandpas, and great-grandparents, there is only one dear grandfather on my side of the family to still enjoy the joys of life with. Today we took the kids for some cake and ice cream with Grandpa Skala in Brooklyn, IA and as soon as we arrived, I think he was in awe. First, Cade had to wear his Iowa football helmet into the nursing home dining area! And second, Alayna was all about the hugs and kisses for her great-grandpa.

We moved our party outside to enjoy the beautiful weather and got many great pictures.

That grandpa though... between his stories to the kids, tickles and squeezes, it was tough to get anyone's attention for the camera!

And then Blake took Cade on a motorcycle ride through the town. Well, to me it seemed like across country, but Grandpa spotted them far across in the school!

Before we left, Alayna asked Grandpa if she could see his room (it was precious!) So, we walked him down the hall and it was kisses for all!

Happy Grandparent's Day to all those who cherish and spoil the little ones with love. Thank you for creating the families that you have. It's because of you that we are all so lucky.

Who's party is it?

My papa celebrated his birthday in July, but the poor guy didn't really get a party, so we planned an evening at the winery in toast to his 55th! We booked a sitter, and packed up our lawn chairs and mom, dad, Jarin and I arrived at Fireside Winery when we ran into some of our good friends from the Quad Cities. It was so fun to see them there! The winery is definitely one of my favorite places, and I've raved about it to Brad and Kate for quite some time, so I wasn't surprised to see them trying it out.

But then I ran into a couple more friends, and then a couple more, and soon, after setting up our lawn chairs by the live music, I thought, "This is really weird! What are all these people doing here?" Sure enough, there in the back of the crowd was my hubby, with his glass of wine, just smiling away. He was throwing me a surprise 30th birthday!

I couldn't have been more thrilled, exciting, embarrassed, shocked, happy, and in love. Apparently, my non-social-networking husband had sent out an e-vite to a large group of friends and family. My moms, dads, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandpa, sisters, brothers, and friends were all there to sing, dance and drink wine with me. Wow. What an amazing night!!

Even sweet Henley joined in the fun, and packed a bottle for the trip home! (surprise, Monica!)

Thank you, Jarin, for providing 23 bottles of celebratory wine, and to everyone who joined in the fun, I'm truly blessed to have such an incredible group of friends and family. It was definitely one of the best nights of my life. Cheers to the next 30 years!

I-O-W-A

It's that time again for Iowa Football! This year Jarin and I got season tickets and shared a couple of the games with his parents. Works perfect for us because we have a sitter every weekend that we go to the game (thanks Rhonda and Clyde!) But the first game of the year was a special one for Caden... he got to go with mommy! This is his third year going to a football game, and let me tell you, he remembers everything about that stadium - especially the popcorn!

About once a quarter we headed up to the top of the bleachers for a potty break, a snack break, a "let's buy something new" break, a water break... whew! I was tired by the 3rd quarter! Here is one of his finds:

After the game, we headed back to the tailgate for a little wrap up before they kicked us out of Iowa City. Caden was hysterical! He took his bag of Dum-Dum Suckers and parked his chair on the sidewalk offering them out to any pedestrian. He totally hit on the ladies, and even scored $1.00 for a sucker!

5 Little Monkey's