Soccer Saturday!

Can you tell how much this family loves our Soccer Saturdays? 

Everest had a muddy, slippery, sliding time at his 9:15 game.  It was every 7 year old boy's dream!  To be honest, I couldn't tell you if they won or lost, but I do know they all had a fabulous time kicking that ball around in the soggy grass. 

McKinley's team played a fantastic game once again.  The highlight of the game was McKinley's save as goalie that would have made any professional player jealous.  She was fearless and it showed. I don't have a picture of it to post, but the smack the ball made when she caught it, and the look of accomplishment on her face as she dove for the ball will be forever embedded in my head.  A proud moment indeed!

"Mom, must you constantly take pictures of me? How embarrassing!"

Hagen, well he just kinda hung out like always, wondering what in the world we were all screaming about on the sidelines.


That evening we topped off our Soccer Frenzy with our once a year trip to watch the LA Galaxy play.  If you have never been to a professional soccer game, put it on your list of "musts".  The field itself is enough to make you go "Wow!"  and the player's endurance, stamina, footwork, agility, and skill will keep you watching the whole 90 minutes.  If the game isn't stimulating enough, then the crowd will be.  These fans go nuts for soccer.  It's like a bunch of crazy AYSO parents, just times a couple thousand.  One year we made the mistake of sitting right next to the section of super crazy fans.  They are like a highschool pep squad made up of twenty-something year old men.  They have their faces painted, chant songs, and beat on a bass drum throughout the entire game!  Oh, and did I mention that David Beckham was playing? It was an amazing time. 


~A

October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

Until I had one myself, I never knew how painful it could be.  Until I had one myself, I never knew just how many woman have suffered in the same way.  Until I had one myself, I never knew I was capable of loving so deeply someone I had never even met.  Until I had one myself, I never knew how utterly alone I could feel.  Until I had one myself, I never knew...

October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Statistics say that 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage. I had my first miscarriage in October 2006.  It was a life changing experience I will never forget.  Although my heart has healed since then, I remember the feeling of complete hopelessness all too well.  I thank the Lord for carrying me in his hand during that time of healing.  I can only pray that my story will bring a glimpse of  hope to someone struggling with wanting something so badly, and not being able to control it.

Here are some journal entries from 2009.  They describe how I felt in the beginning stages of my pregnancy with Hagen.  His pregnancy came as quite a surprise, after suffering four miscarriages in a row!

On March 23, I had my first ultrasound. It was like the others I had seen before with my miscarriages. I had a perfectly shaped yoke sac, and the beginnings of a fetal pole. It was too early to see anything else, and I would have to wait a couple of days to find out how things were progressing. On a positive note, my bloodwork numbers looked great, the hcg had more than doubled, and my progesterone levels were excellent.

On March 27, I saw my baby's heartbeat for the first time. It was just a flash, but the heart was beating! My Dr. said we still needed to wait one more week before we were out of the woods...

On April 1, we saw the heart beating again! This time the baby and sac were much bigger, and the heartbeat much more visible. This brought tears to our eyes! Now the Dr. said we could be very optimistic. And we were....

On April 13, we saw a much larger sac and baby, with a very strong heartbeat. I would never tire from that sight!

Today is April 19, and I am 9 weeks, 3 days pregnant. I have to pinch myself every time I think about it.

Although I am very sick to my stomach everyday, and I feel as if I have molasses running through my veins, I am thankful every moment for the gift of life growing inside of me. Not a second goes by that I take this baby for granted. I am still scared of all that can happen in the next 7 months, but for now, all is well and I am thankful!

There you have it, the happy beginning of my precious baby boy's heartbeats.  Not many days go by that I don't look at him in awe and think, "Wow, I am one lucky Momma!" Now he is almost one year old, and I still love to hear his little heart beating.  Sometimes I place my ear on his chest, right over his heart and just listen to that sweet, sweet sound.

Although my story has a happy ending, I am remembering those today who are still suffering.
Please join me in remembering all of the babies that have been lost during pregnancy, at, during or
after birth and pray for continued healing for their parents.

~A

Bedtime Sweetness

Bedtime around here is such a great hour.  I love when all the kids are fed, bathed, and in their jammies.  It is a feeling of such sweet satisfaction.  I know where everyone is, I know where they are going, and I know that all their immediate needs are met.  The lights are low, the television off, the lullabies are playing in the background, and all is good. 

Hagen has learned to turn his "touch lamp" on and off. 

I walked in on this scene in Hagen's room.  How sweet is that?

Last night the kids played on the piano together while I finished up the dishes.  I couldn't help but to capture this sweet moment with my camera.  I always want to remember how peaceful and wonderful our bedtime hour is around here.  In one word.... Peaceful.

~A

Beach Time!

Soccer Saturday

What a terrific day!  Everest and McKinley both won their games... Everest scored a goal, and McKinley played awesome all around the field as a goalie, defender, and forward.  Hagen held his own cup of water on the sidelines as he cheered them on.  He is definitely another future soccer star as he is already practicing moving the balls all around.

Sick and Tired!

I like to keep things positive around here, so that's why I didn't post yesterday...

You see, I've been sick and tired. 

I remember my mom using that expression a lot when I was young.  She had four of us to take care of, so she was "sick and tired" a lot!  Now that I have kids, I totally get it.  I walk around wanting to shout how "sick and tired" I am of everything!  Usually I refrain, but every once in a while, it just slips out. 

Today I'm sick and tired of:
dirty dishes
laundry
socks
crumbs
commercials
homework
trash
toothpaste in the sink
mean kids at school
our small yard
carpet stains
slow internet
no time to just "play"

Something tells me I need to go back and read my own advice about Big Buts here:
http://ohsevenheaven.blogspot.com/2010/08/big-but.html

Being "sick and tired" reminds me of that portion of "Bill Cosby Himself" when he imitates his mom being "sick and tired."  It is the greatest!  If you haven't seen "Bill Cosby Himself", treat yourself to watching the whole show.  It will have you ROTFL!  "Dad is great!  He gives us the chocolate cake!"  So true!  Here is a clip of it here that will cheer any parent up:



Like I said, I usually don't like to complain here.  The truth is, things really aren't that bad.  In fact, I'm going to cut myself some slack because I actually am sick with a cold, which has made me very, very tired.  Nothing a little chicken noodle soup, saltines, 7 UP, and some time on the couch watching Bill Cosby won't cure...

~A

Here's what my morning looks like...

Sweet, isn't it?  Even though it occurs a little earlier than I would like, and a little more rushed than I'd prefer, our mornings are sweet.  They generally start with the happy babbles coming from Hagen's room.  He is our only alarm clock.  One by one, we emerge into the kitchen and exchange our "Good Mornings".  Indeed it is!  Everyone knows their "parts" as we play out our morning theatrics.  It is wonderful to have such sweet little housemates. 

~A