I'm Back

Holy moly…it’s been 17 days since I have posted! I have wanted to post but we have been busy and I sliced my finger and it’s been hard to type but I am healed and ready!

Last week swim team officially started. My lord the kids were exhausted all week. If Jonathan wasn’t asleep by 7 then Bry and/or Kaela was. It was very nice and quiet at our house in the evenings. They are loving it though. At first Jonathan said he didn’t want to do it but it took only 1 practice for him to change his mind. This is Kaela’s first year so she really had no idea what to expect, she had no idea how many laps the coach was going to make them do and frankly I didn’t either. Obviously last year when Bry and Jonathan were on it they didn’t have to do nearly as much as the older kids did. Bryanna is now in the middle age group so they get to do all of the strokes. She has never had a soar muscle before until now. ALL day Saturday she cried because her stomach hurt and she just didn’t know why. MUSCLES baby I had to explain to her…she is working on a 6 pack for her cute 2 piece bathing suit! They have their first meet on June 2.

Our Memorial weekend was GREAT! We had no plans what so ever and I think that made it so wonderful. We lounged, ran errands, hung out at the pool and got invited to a fish and shrimp fry. The weather was great, hot but great and the kids were ready for school on Tuesday.

Speaking of school, this is their last week. Kaela graduated on Tuesday evening and then on Wednesday they had their 5th grade event. It was at the University of Houston Rec Center. It was VERY neat and exciting for them; a fun full day of swimming, slides, volleyball, dancing and basketball. It was a great treat for them. As many of you know this is mom’s last year teaching. She has decided to “retire” although dad calls is quitting! She is going to stay home next year with Oliver and Lennon. Thursday the entire school and others had a huge surprise farewell party for mom. Jaime and I were also there to join in on the festivities! Mom was sure surprised and her speech was great! She started it off by remembering 30+ years ago when she walked Steve into school holding hands but she said Steve was actually holding her hands, she didn’t want to let go! Spoke of dad, us and how much Valley Oaks has meant to her over all these years and how she has never left and hoped she hadn’t over stayed her welcome. Ended it off by saying she will have a hard time giving up her key tomorrow. It’s been an excellent run for mom and she still isn’t completely done…Jonathan and Bry will still be there for at least 5 years! I have no doubt they will volunteer her for some art activity!

Next post hopefully I will have some pictures to share.

Dress, bowling, baby and weight

Did all you mother's out there have a fabulous day or weekend? I did - we had lots of quality family time which was very nice! Saturday Carlos took the kids and I out to the new outlet mall. We were in search of a graduation dress for Kaela. Unfortunately we came up empty handed out there so we headed to the regular mall instead - we scored! She got a fabulous dress and shoes and she was very happy! A happy pre-teen means a happy mommy! Sunday we went bowling with Uncle Jeremy and Aleigha. We ended up playing 3 games none of which I won! Then off to Jaime's house to spend time with Oliver and Lennon. I finally got to feed Lennon - OH GOSH I am in love! You forget so quickly how small a baby is, she is tiny, cute, sweet, soft - adorable!

I posted a month or so ago about turning 30 next year and losing weight. Well I went to the doctor today to get my "official" weight from an official scale. I am 174 currently which is better then what I thought! Even better is my weight 8 years ago, before I had a baby was 153. SO that means to get back down to 150 I have to lose 24 pounds. I was very excited leaving the doctor’s office! I don’t know why I thought I was like 130 - hell no telling when I even weighted 130, maybe jr. high. So the 2 pounds a month should work and hopefully will work. I told the dr. next time I see her hopefully I will be 25 pounds lighter. She was very excited for me as well and told me my 2 pounds a month goal was very realistic.

Ahh...

Deep breath in, deep breath out...baseball has come to a close. The Tigers lost to the Hurricanes 20 to 19. It was Jonathan's best game of the season so Carlos and I could not be more proud of him. He played his heart out! Backed up his players, was there to get the ball when he was supposed to, had 3 fantastic hits. He is our MVP! One of the dads took a million (no joke) pictures of the kids and I wanted to share a few of Jonathan:

A talk with Daddy before up to bat


Jonathan getting the ball in from the out field


Sometimes you have to rest and pick grass


Ready to hit the ball

Its been a great season. Jonathan improved SO much this season and we cant wait until next year!

Just a few pictures of some things we have done in the past week since I didnt do my usual update. Having a niece born on Monday threw my whole day off but in a good way! The kids and I even snuck over there this evening to hold her. We were fighting on who was going to hold her first...I won! Oliver was very happy to see the kids, he and Jonathan went right up stairs to play.


The pool opened this past weekend...yup we were there. The kids could not wait even though it was still a little chilly they jumped right in.


Doesnt he look mean or maybe cool? He had no clue I was taking a picture of him. He wanted "cool" sunglasses just like daddy!


Jagi bought a bag of 1800 ladybugs for the kids to let go in the garden. They had such a good time that morning. If you click on the picture to make it larger you can see the ladybugs all over their arms.

Baseball is STILL going on. The Tigers made it to the Gold level of the playoffs. They lost their first playoff game Tuesday but get another chance at it tomorrow. If they loose we are done, if they win we keep going! Swim team is right around the corner. Until next time...have a great week.

Introducing...

We have a new beautiful addition to our family.

Lennon Elizabeth Marker
Born May 5, 2008
at 4:03pm
7lb 4oz
20 inches

Stuff

I have come to the conclusion that we live in the fast lane. We always have something to do or somewhere to go, lately not much down time and it looks like our summer will be the same. As soon as baseball ends for Jonathan swim team starts for all 3 then we are doing summer baseball! Jonathan has his last official game on Saturday but it determines what playoff bracket the Tigers will be in… it will be pretty intense for the parents but it will be very exciting! Carlos and I really don’t care – as long as Jonathan is having fun and learning.

I just have to say THANK YOU to Jagi. She is definitely one of a kind and what we would do without her, I have no clue! Bryanna and Jonathan had huge projects due this week and if it weren’t for Jagi they would never have looked so darn cute! She has more talent than anyone I know and WE are all grateful for her. I am including pictures of their projects, Bry’s had an insect, grasshopper and Jonathan’s was a dinosaur, don’t ask me to spell it cause I can’t! They both were VERY proud with the turn out.





Also BIG NEWS if my dear sister doesnt go into labor this weekend they will induce labor on Monday - Cinco de Mayo! We will finally get to put a face to her names...Oliva Lennon Everly Elizabeth Marker!

Happy Birthday Steve

Yesterday was my brothers birthday - Happy Birthday Steve! Kyle sent me some pictures they took on his birthday so I am sharing one of them with you. Maya is SO sweet!



Hope you had a great day yesterday big bro!