Tate's 1st Soccer Season

Tate has known for over a year that he couldn't play soccer until he was at least 4. Needless to say, we were counting down for months when he was 4 and it was time to sign up for soccer. In fact, I realized that I did a poor job explaining what "signing up" was when after I got him registered, he had huge tears realizing he wasn't playing that day. I was feeling pretty lousy right about then.

So the day of his first practice, he could not wait until 5:30 p.m. In fact, at about 1:00 p.m. that day, I found this on the floor right by the back door. Everything laid out and ready to go.

Can you tell someone was just a little exited? :)

First practice. And time to come up with a team name...the consensus was the Dragons!
And here we are the morning of the first big game.

Tate played on an Upwards league, which was a great fit for his first time in an organized sport. It is a very low-key, positive environment. No screaming parents. No screaming coaches. No scores. Just learn the game and have fun.

And he certainly had his fair share of fun. Some of the highlights included getting to fill up his bottle with "Daddy's drink" on game days. (G2)

The team running through the tunnel before each game.

Getting to play with one of his best buddies, Deacon, each week. In this shot, Tate had filled in on the other team, so he & D were going head-to-head. :)

What we quickly learned about Tate's soccer strategy was that it included a lot of diving and falling...on purpose.

Yes, that's him on the ground. I'm wondering if way back when Uncle Brad (a real-life soccer coach) taught him that soccer guys fall on the field pretending to be hurt yelling "Ref! Ref!" had anything to do with it? :)

So an early goal for the season was for Tate to stay on his feet. If a soccer goal happened in the process...great...(it didn't), but to start with, we need to play soccer on our feet and with our hands to ourself. Coach Brad & Coach Chad were both great with Tate and all of the Dragons. The age range of the team was 4 through Kindergarten. That is a big range, and Tate was one of the youngest in the group. So kudos to these two guys for doing a great job!

Overall, it was a great season. Tate seriously had a blast. He was excited about going to each and every game and practice. As I look back at the tons of pictures I took, there is a big smile on his face in practically every one. He loved it. And as the season went on, he was doing a much better job of staying vertical and really going after the ball.

And he loved when it was his turn to throw the ball in.

Tate had several special people there to watch and cheer him on throughout the season.

This was a great opportunity to also teach him about good sportsmanship. I was super proud of my little guy when I would see him out on the field giving high 5s to any of the kids on his team or the other team when they scored a goal.

Way to go Dragons!

Far Away Friends

The older I get, the more I realize the importance of the kinds of friends that really know you. I am fortunate that I have several special friendships like that. Friendships that go back many years, so we've been through all kinds of life's ups & downs. The bummer part is that several of these friends live out of town. Wish I could see them more, but I'm always thankful and appreciative for the times we do get together.

So this spring, I've been thrilled to get to see 3 of my far away friends.

First in March, there was Tina. No Tina is not in this picture. She's sitting next to me on one of the hundreds of patio tables at The Oasis overlooking Lake Travis. Yes it was as beautiful and relaxing as it looks. We met up for our 2nd annual get together. It was yet again a pretty great (but short) trip complete with sleeping in, a movie, shopping, good food, and a spa! What more could you ask for?

And next later in March was Paige for a quick visit while she was in the area. No, this is not Paige. But rather, her can't-stop-squeezing-your-cutie-pie-cheeks SON, Max. I have no pictures of us, but just of Will & Max chillin on the couch. We are convinced they bonded instantly and will be best of friends for years to come.

And then finally in April was Garyn while I was in Atlanta for a conference. And yes, a picture of the actual friends. :) Followed by the adorable little girl I've called the "Wonder Baby" since she was born. (Slept through the night at 2 weeks old, people!) And even now at 2 1/2, she keeps that title as she sat in a booth at lunch allowing us to talk for almost 3 hours. Pretty impressive!

I've got 12-16 years of history with each of these girls. That's a lot of history. A lot of great memories, a lot of disappointments, a lot of celebrations, a lot of laughs & tears, a lot of unknowns. And now in recent years, a lot of miles separating us. But despite that, they are all the kind of friendships that pick up right where they left off no matter how long it's been. And for that, I am thankful!

Headed To Haiti

My summer plans have taken an unexpected detour. At the end of June, I'll be spending a week with the organization, Visiting Orphans, in Haiti. Random and quite different from my posts of preschool, diapers, spit-up, American Idol, etc.

It's a long story but also one that can be summed up quickly. The last 6+ months have involved some introspective thinking and prayer about the next chapters for me and my family. At the same time, I spent the last year in a BSF study on the book of Isaiah; participated in a great group study on the book, Hole In Our Gospel; and had a wonderful opportunity to attend a Generous Giving conference. All of these kept pointing to something I couldn't shake or get off my mind.

I first learned of Visiting Orphans through an inspiring trip our friends Chelsea & Mark went on in Africa. From that point on, I found myself looking at this group's website pretty regularly. In my mind, I wouldn't be able to go on one of those trips for years down the road until my kids were older.

And then I saw this trip to Haiti. Only eight days. During the summer when sitters are readily available. Hmmmm? So after more prayer and lots of encouragement from Wade, I've decided to join this amazing organization and spend a week of the summer playing with and loving on just a few of the 490,000+ orphans in Haiti.

I will be honest in that the emotions are mixed. I'm so excited and completely confident in my decision to go, but it brings with it a lot of nervousness about stepping out of my comfort zone. And being away from my own family for this long will be a first.

But I kind of feel like I have to do it. I can't shake it.

So for all of blogland to see, I do ask for prayers as I leave at the end of June. Prayers that I can communicate and show the Lord's love and compassion. Prayers for safety and flexibility. Prayers that I come back changed.

If you would like to support this trip, you can make a donation directly to Visiting Orphans on their website here. Designate the June 26-July 3 Haiti trip for Kelly Strzinek. I love the part of the trip where we get to take donations and shop for the orphanage. It will not only provide much-needed supplies but also support their economy.

I appreciate so much the encouragement and excitement I've received from many already. Can't wait to come back and report more!

Last Day of Preschool ~ 2010/2011

Tate finished up his 2nd year at preschool last week. This year he was in the Ducks class. It was a great year for Tate. Although I had to get creative how I got information out of him after school, he seemed to have a great time each and every day. He loved his teachers and all of his friends in his class.

He started the year barely able to write a T, and he finished the year writing his name even with the "e" the right way. Writing is not his favorite thing to do, and that one took some work. :) And in the same realm of fine motor skills, by the end of the year, he was doing such a better job at coloring. Again he's not a big fan of it, but he made a lot of progress past the scribble scrabble. It takes everything in me not to turn into crazy "you must stay in the lines" mom.

He absolutely LOVED going to Discovery (Science) each day. His favorite section was by far the one on space. We talk about planets, stars, astronauts, etc., on a daily basis now. Maybe NASA is in his future? Other favorite parts of the day were recess, Chapel, Spanish, his Shining Star days, and TOTs days.

This year also included the first time I got "the call" during the school day. He showed no signs when he left that morning of not feeling well, but right in the middle of class one day, he ended up throwing up on the boy standing next to him. That is also what started his love affair with his neon yellow wind shorts (which were part of the extra pair of clothes at the bottom of the backpack).

It was bound to happen, I guess, but this year started the recess games of "playing guns and bad guys." I always ask him if surely he wants to pretend to be the good guy. No thanks, he says. Lord, help me now.

Overall such a great year, and I truly see a difference in his maturity and behavior. I've seen him be a good friend, understand good/bad choices, and show respect to his teachers. At 4 years old, these are not always easy, but I'm thankful for the positive influence of teachers and friends at a great school.

I was a weepy mess on his last day. Can't imagine what emotional shape I'll be in next year...his last year of preschool before the Big K!

First Day of Preschool ~ September 2010

Last Day of Preschool ~ May 2011

My New Hobby

I can't believe it. At 35 years old, I have a new hobby. And to make it even more surprising...it's a sport! Yes it makes me laugh, too.

I have never been one described as athletic. Never even really competed in many sports as a kid. In my adult life, I finished a marathon and a half-marathon. But I did those purely for the commitment of training. Once it was done, I was done with it.

So I'm quite shocked with myself that I have found a sport I enjoy...tennis. It started last summer when in a conversation with 3 other girls my age about how we all wanted to learn how to play. So we eventually found an instructor. And voila. I now go to tennis lessons once a week. And I love it.

I know I've still got a LOT to learn, but it's so surprising (and fun) that throughout the week, I'm plotting in my head when the next opportunity for tennis could be. I'm only two months into it, so I hope my enthusiasm continues.

Who knew Year 35 would be my year for a sport??!!

Tate's Preschool Performance

Tate just had his annual End-of-Year performance at preschool. We were so proud of him! And really, everyone in his Ducks class did a great job. I was yet again reminded how much more like Wade he is than me. The kid has no fear. He looked as if he was getting a little nervous right at the beginning, but that lasted maybe a second. He sang his heart out and did every motion as big as he possibly could.

After the performance was the Open House back in the classroom. I loved getting his A-Z craft book. So cute. And then on the wall, this is his dandelion wish:

"I wish I was in outer space." Love him! :)

And probably Tate's favorite part of the night...dessert! I know that he consumed at least 2 powdered donuts, 2 cookies, 1 cupcake, and 1 Capri Sun. Those are only the ones I know for sure.

What a great pair of teachers Tate has had this year. Ms. C & Ms. S are the perfect combination of nurture and structure. He has done great. And it is obvious that these two teachers love every single one of their little Ducks. I am very thankful for them.

Easter 2011

We had a great Easter this year. In fact, it was quite a full day of celebrating, which included our 12th wedding anniversary and my sister's birthday. (Yes I got married on her birthday...horrible sister, I know.) :)

But most of our day was about Easter. I loved the fact that this year more than ever, I could really sense that the dots were connecting for Tate on what Easter is all about. Or at least as much as a 4-year-old can understand. Tate loved going through the Resurrection Eggs. He asked to see the "special eggs" almost every day. And here's a little video (don't ever want to forget this age, the voice, the face, etc.) of something he learned at preschool Chapel:

Unknowingly, we started a tradition with Tate last year on Easter. I had him close his eyes and then open for his Easter basket. (Just realizing, I think you're supposed to actually hide that...woops.) Anyway, he thinks that is super fun to do. So we did it again with this year's Easter basket. What you can't see is Tate giggling like crazy with excitement while his eyes are covered.

Then we headed off to a wonderful Easter service at church followed by a big family lunch at the Strzinek's house. My mother-in-law has an amazing green thumb. Amazing. So her beautiful garden is the perfect spot for an Easter egg hunt.

A funny story is that a few days before, we were talking about the egg hunt @ Mo Mere & Poppy's house. I spilled the beans that they put money in the eggs and not candy. His response, "Oh man, I wanted candy!" :)

Then we attempted some family pictures. Got the cousin shot but completely forgot to get grandparents or the whole family.

And I'm not sure why I even attempt pictures of the two together anymore. It's close to impossible.


But alas...another Easter miracle...a semi-decent family picture!

Another day to be reminded of all that I have to be thankful for!