Cartie & Hot Dogs

Last night after a rough soccer practice...which consisted of four 5-7 year old boys throwing the ball, kicking the ball, crying, melting to the ground, freezing from the weather, laughing at each other & down right being stinkers. Let me clarify...only 2 boys were acting like stinkers...and those boys would belong to me!

I refuse to get a discount next year only because I help coach the team. I will pay full price to not have to have them beg not to run or do a certain drill. PLEASE..make me pay!

Well after the practice was over and after I didn't give my boys the reward of a treat because of their attitudes the conversation in the car turn into this.

Carter: "Mom, why do you bring treats for after practice?"
ME: "Carter is because I want you to do good. I bring treats to remind you that there is a reward for listening and obeying your coach."
Carter: "But Mom...why don't you bring hot dogs and stuff like that for a treat after soccer?"
ME: (laughing a bit with that idea) "Well, Cedar, why would I bring hot dogs and things like that as a treat?"
Carter: "Because Hot Dogs are COOOL".

I had no idea that they would rather have a hot dog over a sucker.

Let me just say that with this in mind...Carter and Creed had just ate about 5 pieces of candy before practice.

SUGAR FACES!!!

ohh, their so sweet!

Little Birdie

Alright just a quick recap of our soccer week.

Shelby's team did really good...but lost 3-2. She did a wonderful job and hustled through out the game. She's awesome!

Carter & Creed's team got destroyed...6-0. It was ugly! They did a great job and played against some bigger boys..which they all wanted to punch because they beat them so bad. Oh well, what ya gonna do?

Lainie on the other hand scored 4 goals in her game on Saturday. She did a wonderful job with the hustle and seeing the field.
She also tried out for the Middle school team and made the B team. She is so excited and a bit disappointed that she practiced with the A team but wasn't selected for it. I reminded her that she is only a 6th grader and she'll get so much more playing time on the B team right now. More playing time means more practice and more practice well,  "practice makes perfect".

The Middle school had their first game last night and guess who scored the 1st goal of the game?
You know it!!! Lainie!
She did a great job. She also made an awesome pass to her team mate to score the second goal. She had 3 more attempts to score and the very last one crossed the plain...but the ref didn't give it to her.
I think being left handed/footed spooks the keepers and they don't expect the ball to come off that foot...it's cool.

The highlight of the game was Lainie looking at me on the sideline and throwing her hands in the air, after her last attempt to score. I thought she was looking for some guidance or encouragement from her sideline mother/coach.

I said "Birdie, don't worry. Keep trying. You re doing GREAT!".
She looked back at me and made the gesture that looks like you re slicing your own head off at the neck with your hand.
I realized I had been screaming to loud and to much and she was telling me to KNOCK IT OFF!

I just busted up laughing!
I have turned into my own father.
SO FUNNY

Afterwards we giggled at what I must of looked like and she said "you can call me Birdie at home and around town...but NOT yelling it on the field."

Google Goggles

During General Conf. we got a bit bored and this is what happened.

It just cracks me up!

Secrets of Victoria

Let's have a serious conversation about the Secrets of this Victoria person. I have see & experienced the secret and think that it should no longer be a secret. In fact I am going so far to say...this secret is a joke, I am not laughing.

Let me share, with you, my eye opening tale.

After I started running I found that my braziers were no longer the correct size and  were really worn out. I was need of a fresh size, style and support system. I went to a local department store to be sized and fitted properly. Which is always a delight to have some stranger wrap you up in a measuring tape around your bosoms.

I had heard in the past, from many ladies that "OH...you just HAVE to go to Victoria Secret and get their bras, they are just the BEST!"

I have always been shy of that establishment because of what I feel it represents. I can't agree with their commercials, posters or any advertisements for that matter. The woman they represent are NOT real in the world that I live in. I feel they drive so much sexual content it's hard to even believe I went into the store.

So...I did it. I had my husband drop me at the mall entrance and I bobbed and weaved through he crowd with my head down looking for the store with the "best bras EVER". I found it and walked in and decided to keep my mind open to their quality of product. I discussed with the bra specialist what I was looking for and was immediately put in a dressing room with a tray of 30+ bras to look over and try on. This tray was dressed ever so carefully with all the wild colors, wild designs, extra padding, extra coverage, extra this and extra that. Each bra had a pink little ribbon tied on the strap to make them look even more precious.
Oh...it was overwhelming.
The assistant told me to start trying them on and asked if I was comfortable in allowing her to help in the fitting. I was so...I let her in once I was strapped up and tucked in.
Bra after bra we went through. NOTHING was working for this mama.
We tried on padded, no padding, super coverage, less coverage...I mean the list kept on going and going.
Finally we found one, after 1.5 hr of this business...and I still wasn't sure it worked well and neither did the assistant.
I walked out of the store with my pink paper bag rolled up and shoved in the bottom of my purse...kind of ticked off that with all the hype that I had heard...nothing would work for me. I don't consider myself too small, to big, too much cup, to little cup..I am a 34B....very average!!!

WHAT??

I spend 1+ hrs in a dressing room with a tray of bras that could of outfitted my neighborhood and only found ONE that might work.
And the cost!!!
One that I didn't love and the cost!!!

So for me the secret is...
IF you are woman that has:

Never NURSED
Never had a CHILD
Never gotten over the age of 25
Never want to move to much
Never really want to own more than 2 bras because you can't afford to buy your children food.

Then Their Secret will work for you!

To me...their secret is BOGUS!

Keep the Record - updated

For those that need some ideas to blog about...because blogging is more than your everyday events.

Take a look at the updated

Keep the Record

Birdie and her Lists

I'm a list maker. I love making lists of groceries, maps, thoughts, ideas, books, blog posts. I have lists of all these on my cork board in the office, on my phones notebook section, in my purse on a paper, next to my bed, on my fridge and who knows where else.

I have purchases numbers of little booklets to keep in my purse or in my console of the car...just in case I have the idea of the year or that perfect story or a memory I want to jot down. I am so drawn to the cutesy little spiral bound notebooks you find for only a few dollars at ROSS or Target. I find myself walking through the aisles and then migrating towards the stationary. I laugh at myself when I end up in front of the sale shelf and start putting notebooks in my basket. I love giving them away as gift...with the thought in mind that everyone loves to write/doodle/jot down their thoughts, as much as I do...which isnt' always true.

I have always been a list maker as long as I can remember. Well, maybe not always lists..but doodles.
I remember sitting in front of the TV when I was younger and just writing a word I would hear from the TV and write it down...many times in many different way and sizes.

I also love reading lists of things....records, books, memories or a bunch of ideas. One of my favorite books is a small little thing that is titled "14,000 Things to Be Happy About".
It's a thick book as you might guess..with 14,000 memories/thoughts from someones life. But it brings back memories of mine as well. I have had this book since I got married back in 1997. Luke and I have taken part in this project for years that we'll read a thought from this book and then with our own hand write one of our memories that is similar to what we just read. It's always in the same spot...the Bathroom!


EXAMPLE:
Book:  "Selecting Ripe Melons"
ME: - as a child, watching my mom thump a watermelon for the perfect ripeness pitch..which rarely failed her.

Book: "Tobacco Store"
ME: - Taking Rent to the owner of our Georgia apartment, who also owned a Tobacco Store. We would take our check to his store, every month.

There are thoughts in this book that didn't apply to me 10 years ago..but do now. And there are thoughts that don't apply to me now..but might in 10 years. Its fun reading all the little things that someone thought of.
Sometimes we'll just put a location and a date next to a thought or a person's name next to a thought. It's a fun way to bring back memories that you might never remember on your own.

Anyhow...I think I have passed this trait onto my oldest child. I come across lists that she has created and have to laugh out loud. She once made a list of ideas on "How to Become a Good Mormon". I so wish I could find that list! It's around here somewhere...I gotta find it...it's so cute.
Here is a list she made that I have to put on my blog.

TIPS FOR FAMILY
by. lainie 2/2011

-Never go outside with the door open.
-When the house is quiet, Memphis is gone.
-Make sure that Creed's toys isn't in Mom's hands.
-Clean up after Memphis before Dad finds out.
-Don't let Memphis go by a dog.
-Wake up Shelby before regular wake up time.
-Don't make Carter mad.
-Get Dad out of the house before Mom says "Quick Pick Up".
-Make your bed before mom has a hermania. (hernia)
-Shelby makes a mess in the closet, so do not let Dad see.
-Mimi hates our old silverware, so get rid of them.


So adorable and all so TRUE! Each one of these thoughts have a story behind them..which makes them even funnier to us.

I better go make a list of my lists! (har har har)

Mr. Creed

This is one surprise I never would of guess about 2 months ago.

My little boy is doing so good in school and was awarded the Owl of the Month award for being polite, kind, considerate and being a good boy.

I have always known he was a sweet boy...but starting school was something he was so scared about.

I am so proud of him.!!!

I love visiting his classroom every Thursday to just watch him and help out with what the teacher needs.

Oh. Mr. Creed...you re a sweet thing!

Monsoon Sept. 2011

Here are some photos from a Hail storm we had a few weeks ago.
We have had 3 or 4 hail storms this Monsoon season and they have been so bizarre.
One storm the hail was like small disks with star like holes in the middle.
Like a tube of ice was sliced all the way down like a cucumber.
Then a minute later it turned into little snow ball type hail.
My kids thought it was fun to get pelted by them as they ran around our backyard.
Arizona Monsoon's are AWESOME!

Utah in July

Oh...to dream!

I was looking over some photos that I took back in July, while in Utah.
I wanted to post a few more collages of my visit there.
I always have such a great time when we go back home...hiking, running around, visiting and just trying to drink it all in.
One night we got sitters for all the kids and nearly all my siblings and their spouses were able to take a drive up to Zion for an afternoon/evening hike. We walked and visited and chatted about life, love and the pursuit of happiness.

We were entertained by my youngest brother...as usual. With his crazy antics of running down the middle of the road while we waited for the shuttle, or him climbing walls in the Narrows or just his funny sense of humor. He's very entertaining and fun to be around. LITTLE BROTHERS! (by the way...he isn't really having a bathroom break in the below photo)

One last photo....
This is a picture of my parents Pistachio Orchard in their back yard. My kids love it here! Especially this day...because my oldest brother took them on a ride around the trees behind the mower. They think its such a treat. He even taught Lainie how to drive the mower...which almost became a story in itself.
Luckily she found the brake in time.
I just think it's a beautiful place...and of course...we love those nuts!

My family!

I love my family so much and remembered I had taken a few photos of them while visiting home during the summer.

This is NOT everyone...but it's a cute collage of some of my brother's and sister's and then their kids.
Mom and Dad...this is really for you!

Do we look alike?

Soccer Update

Well...it's official..Soccer has begun.
We have played for two weeks now, but Beans games were cancelled due to weather last weekend, so this was our first Friday night and Saturday morning weekend. We have practice for all the kids on Mondays from 5-7pm and then again on Wednesday's for the girls from 5-7pm. On Friday night we have one game for Shelby's division and then Saturday morning are the rest of the games. We are drowning in Soccer!

Bird scored  the first goal of the season on Saturday....You know it! She was so excited, well we all were. I might of turned into that mom that jumps around screaming. BUT...I didn't run around saying "that's my daughter!!". She had many great attempt at the goal..but her score was fantastic. It was an up and over the Keepers head. We were all so happy for her!

Beans scored the first goal of the season for her team, Friday night under the lights! She was also so excited. I had to miss the game...but Luke tells me it was a fantastic game. I can NOT wait to till this Friday to watch her in action. She is a hustler and see the field so well. Yahoo! Can't wait!

Cedar scored the 2nd goal of the game for his team, Saturday morning. He also scored last week...but this week was a score for all the kids...minus ONE! Carter did a great job! I am always impressed with his quickness and ability to get the ball down the field. What a dude.

Muscles didn't score this weekend...he woke up with a bit of croup and so he only played one quarter and sat out the rest of the game to rest. It's okay...while he was in...he did a wonderful job and keep the ball out of the goal. What a guy!

Lukey is the assistant coach for Beans team and loves it. I signed him up with out asking and he wasn't sure he'd be into it...but rest assured...it's loving it! The coach might be reconsidering his choice of assistant due to Luke's excitement. I am sure he is wonderful!

I coach the boys team and have a blast doing it. I secretly LOVE LOVE LOVE being on the sideline, running up and down the line directing the boys. I love teaching them skills and then at the same time..wonder if I am short changing them..because I am not the PROFESSIONAL soccer dad coach that many teams have. However...it's fun and I love it!

Memphis or Goobs and we call him...is all of the teams mascot! He loves to cheer for them and clap and yell...and eat lots of snacks! He is a good addition to any team.

ONE last thing...our names this year just happen to be as follows.

Lainie's Team: PINK Lightning
Shelby's Team: Green Lightning Bolts
Boys Team: Lightning Bolts.

It must be due to all the monsoon weather we've been having.....we got lightning on the brain!

GO TEAMS!

On The Move

Well...It's only been 4 days without my lover and he'll be home tonight, I'm very excited!
He started his new job in Chandler and the rest of his brood is still here in S. Tucson with me.

I am nervous and excited to have a real conversation with him about his job. Not just a quick 10 minute phone convo...but a face to face, lip to lip conversation. Hehehe.

Yes..with him starting a new job that means...we'll be moving again. Moving...baahh!
We have moved so many times in our 14 yr marriage, I won't even bore you with the details.
Okay, I will.
20 moves in 14 years.
That could be an entire move with all our belongings. That could mean only moving our clothes and our bed. That could mean driving across the country 2 times and nearly 8 years apart. That could mean moving 100 yards from one house to the next...twice. That could mean sleeping at my mom's or mother-in-laws home for more than 3 months while our stuff is shoved in a storage unit waiting for our job to be available.
OH...you name it...we probably have done it.
We've lost items that were dear and priceless and then we have lost items that we couldn't give away fast enough. We have broken mirrors and found things from when we first got married that we forgot we had.

Stuff. Stuff. Stuff...who needs it?

Well...so we are off again. We will be moving in the next few months. Once we rent our home out and locate another in the Mesa/Gilbert area.
I am excited to go back to that area...where all of Lukes family lives, HOORAY.
And let me not forget that it's 2 hrs closer to my family. YIPPEE!

But, I am so sad to leave my sweet, dear friends that I have made here.
Ones that have taught me patience, love, laughter, to accept others, to extend your family to your neighbors and of course a wicked game of spoons. I have learned so much from the woman that I am surrounded by. I have just really learned to love them all.
This area that I live in is one in a million. We are all mostly transplants. Either working for Border Patrol, Raytheon, Davis Monthan Base or of course some other job. But most of us are not from this area...therefore in need of extended family.
Which, I feel has made our ward and area so wonderful and close. Oh...I'll miss this place.
I love that we live so close to the pool, park and schools. I love that we live on just a wonderful street with such neat people. I love that I can run in the morning and see numerous people I know from either church or school and feel safe. It's a great place.

NOW...I must look outside my selfish reasons and remember that this is such a blessing for my family. We have been given an opportunity to start new and go closer to family. We have been praying and fasting and trying to keep so still in our minds to hear what Heavenly Father wants for us.
And then this came! 
WE have been blessed and for some reason...we are to be in the Valley of the Sun (again).

to be continued.....