Our Historic Walk Down Town

Sara has a project that is due May 16th.  She has to do a photographic essay of Historical Buildings here in Flagstaff.  I got super excited to help her with this project since it involved being creative with pictures and picture taking.  Sunday afternoon we parked at the church and began our walk down town.  We took several pictures of buildings but along the way I couldn't help but stop and take some pictures of other views, like trees, flowers things like that.  At one point Sara scolded me gently and said "mom we need to be taking pictures of buildings"  I laughed and said that I was and that it would be alright if I took some other pictures too and sorted them out later when I put them on the computer.  Before too long she was getting into the idea of taking other pictures too not just for her project because she'd ask me to take a picture of her here or there, so we made a little photo shoot out of it all too.  I enjoyed walking around with her, listening to her constant little chatter and questions and being silly too.  She is such a ray of sunshine and happiness.

Kyle & Baseball

Kyle has finally been able to play in a game.  His back seems to have healed and is back in the game, at least by our standards.   The doctor has not cleared him yet and Kyle was crushed but after talking with the nurse and the Physical Therapist assistant and research we have decided to let Kyle play.  I prayed about it for awhile and felt in my heart that Kyle was healed and ready to go.  Kyle hasn't had any pain at all.  We've asked him to continue to take it easy and to avoid skate boarding for awhile and do some back exercises.  The PT lady suggested that I could get a second opinion (she was puzzled by the doctor too) or take Kyle to at least one PT apt. and talk to the therapist and then have him check Kyle then approach the Doctor and have him cleared. So that is or plan.  Kyle has an apt. on Wed with a PT.  We understand that Doctors have to take the high road for protection of themselves and their line of work and the patient, being a little more critical and cautious but I believe that after praying about it all that God has healed Kyle.

Kyle was so excited to play in the game on Friday night.  It was an awesome game too, very intense.  At one point his team looked as though they would lose the game but an amazing turn around and determined ball players turned it around into a win.  The other team at one point has 18 and we had 9 by the end of the long game we had 24 and they had 20.

What's next?

Over the last few days as Dillon's 16th birthday approached I started to...ugh I'm not sure what words to put together but basically I've really started to think about the next stage of life that the oldest kids in the house will start going thru.  Dillon is 16 now and Karlee is 14, she'll be 15 in September.  I sort of feel like all my thoughts are spinning around me.  In this next phase there will be driving, more responsibility, trust, girlfriends/boyfriends, letting go and trusting God.  I think that is the hardest part that I will struggle with.  Today in bible study things sort of clicked again for me and I was soon comforted knowing that I'm not in this alone.  My heavenly father knows the plan and will work out all the little details.

For example my husband and I are really not liking some of the things we have learned that Dillon's girlfriend does.  But aside from talking to Dillon and letting him know our concerns and leading him back to the cross there is nothing more we can do except let it go and let God.

Karlee has decided that she doesn't want to go to counseling anymore.  She had came to us and wanted to go so we got her started.  I started to worry the moment she told me and I saw how irritated and angry she got when I asked her to give it another try.  Maybe by letting this idea of her talking to someone else will open the door for her to go to the Lord and strengthen her faith and walk towards Christ. 

I have fallen in the trap of wanting to control the things that go on in their lives and it hasn't worked and all I do is get upset and stressed out.  Lord I'm sorry for not fully trusting you, not completely letting go and giving it all to you.  As I journey into the "what's next" phase with my teens in the house help me to go to you daily with my concerns and worries and to know that you've got it covered, all worked out to your plan.

Dillon's 16th B-day

My step-son turned 16 yesterday (April 23).  He is towers over me, and he's almost as tall as his dad.  It amazes me how much he has grown and changed just in the short time that I've known him (going three years now) 

We all went out to eat at China Star.  We enjoyed a nice dinner.  Towards the end the kids got a little silly and started playing with their food.  I now know why we don't take everyone out to dinner.  :)

Karlee was tired and when she gets really tired she is so goofy and silly.

Dillon laughing at Karlee

I'm not sure you should laugh when you have jello in your mouth...

Dillon and his girlfriend Shayna

This little jello monster.....her tongue matches her softball shirt

Sara went for ice cream but only came back with a cone.  My silly muffin!

Cheesecake time!

He is almost as tall as his Dad

A happy daddy hugging on his little baby boy...

boys will be boys

It was a really nice evening.  It was great to see everyone getting along, laughing and having fun.  Thank you Lord for blessings us with a nice family evening, celebrating Dillon's birthday.

My Little Softball Player

Saturday was Opening Day for Girls Softball.  Sara is on the Orioles this year.  This year is going to be so much fun watching her play.  It seems that after playing for two years and moving up to minor A that things are starting to finally click and it shows when she is gets out there to play.  She had her first game and her team won.  Sara made a good play in the beginning and really hustled out in the field. 

Sara and her Daddy

Sara is ready

Finally a helmet that fits this year.

I forgot a hat and was complaining about the top of my head getting sun burned so the next thing I know someone puts Karlee's glove on my head.

 It was fun day!  Sunday we'll end our weekend going to a BBQ, celebrating a friend of ours who adopted his step-daughter.  What a great way to end the sunny beautiful, fun outdoor weekend with food and friends. Next week we move on to more games and my step-son Dillon will turn 16 years old tomorrow (Monday April 23)

Fashion Show 2012

When my daughter came out onto the stage I thought she looked beautiful.  Her country western look to me reminded me of  Faith Hill and Shaina Twain with a little Taylor Swift.  I think it was the hair and something about her whole look.  

 I had a hard time taking pictures of her, the stage was dark and they were on the stage for such a short time.  But I think you can see that she had fun.

Three beautiful girls after the show.  I can't believe next year these girls will be in High School!

Karlee and her daddy

my girls with their dad (Scott)

This was her school's 2nd time to put on a fashion show as a fund raiser.  She was in it last year too.  She had a fun time getting all dressed up and having someone do her hair.  There were several staff members of the school and teachers that participated in the event.  It was fun to watch, they really were creative and made a great family event.

Sara my little sunshine

This morning I went down to  Sara's school to help with their jog-a-thon.  It was a perfect day for it, absolutely beautiful.  I helped mark the kids cards on their backs as they by.  It was fun watching them run around.  Everyone started off with a huge burst of energy and excitement as they ran around the first few laps then slowly you could see some of them loose the thrill of it and slow down, walk or look like they had enough but everyone kept running and running.

Sara filled up the front of her card.  She ran 30 laps.

After they ran themselves tired they were given otter pops to cool them down and enjoy.

Then all the third graders and their teachers and some parents headed to the park to have lunch and play.  I sat on the bench and enjoyed the warm sunshine while I watched kids scatter all over the play ground.  I also took pictures of Sara playing with her friends.

I found Sara upside down several times....silly girl

She had me smiling and laughing constantly as I watched her play

 Watching Sara interact with her friends was so much fun.  Sara is so full of energy and happiness as she plays with her friends.  I loved her silliness, I found myself wishing I had her energy.  I know I had it when I was young too but it doesn't seem to last as I've gotten older and being a mom.

I love my Sara Bear!

My little sunshine!

I'm so glad I decided to spend half the day at the park with Sara.  It was perfect way to end the week and start the weekend.  Tomorrow is Opening Day for Softball!