My girl - she's got MOXIE!

Carli played in a soccer tournament this weekend. These are some of my favorites I took. She's not only fun to watch, but it's kinda cool to sit back as a parent and watch your kiddo seriously grow right in front of your eyes. One of her games was a serious character ("MOXIE!") builder. Another tested her ability to leave it all on the field. All of them taught her a big lesson - who you are as a player is not only defined by how you play on the field, but even more importantly by how you walk off of it. She knew she could have done better, but she left it at the field - and came back and played better and stronger because of it.

That makes it worth the sunburn, long hours and not getting anything else done. I'm one proud momma.

OH...MY...GAWD...Becki, look at those girls...they are SO big....

Title creatively brought to you by Sir-Mix-A-Lot and his infamous tune "Baby Got Back". Yeah...wait 'til you look below and you'll get what I'm talkin' about.

I'm cheap. Have I told you all that yet? I am. Can't stand to buy the school pictures the girls get taken TWICE a year. I know. TWO times the misery of horrible, posed, never gonna use except for the player cards for soccer, pictures. You know the ones. No offense to any of those people who take school photos but...yuck.

So I have taken matters into my own hands. It's about time. I know.

Yesterday was the first day of school for my kiddos. They are gettin' SO big. Makes me laugh and cry and clap my hands and giggle then cry again.

With this one, my work is almost done here, people. She is a JUNIOR. Yeah, I know. Just last week she was standing in the kitchen butt naked, but for the saggy diaper and her curly white blond hair, I swear.

And when I said..."Hey Y'ALL! Momma wants to run outside a take a few pics of her precious babies!" in my best southern accent, she failed to understand that her paint splattered soccer t-shirt, worn and tattered and lived in would need to be changed for something much more fancy lookin' for SCHOOL PICTURES. Oh well. I happen to think she's gorgeous anyway. 'Cuz she's MY baby.

Corn is so pretty. It is. Just took these while the girls dog piled each other between shots. Thought you might enjoy something farm-ish in this post too. Yep...I'm nice like that.

Oh, my sweet Taylor. My work with this one is headed into its "busy season". She started 6th grade yesterday and is officially in junior high. I seriously would NOT go back to junior high to save my life. And I really like my life but it just ain't happen.


Of all my girls she is the most camera shy. She really just freezes up as soon as I put it to my face. She gives me a goofy smile or closes her eyes...anything to get out of taking a picture. But she is gorgeous. Wish you could see her how I see her....crackin' jokes, laughin', tattlin' on her sisters, trying to be a friend to everyone....even the girls at school who have hurt her. She has learned to love them anyway while guarding her heart. Check out her all natural, God-given mole just below her lip. I so know....very movie-star-ish, don't ya think?

And then comes this kid. Too smart for her own safety, more energy than Alli and Taylor put together, athletic, musically inclined, super photogenic and loves to "pose" as soon as she sees my camera come out of the bag. Carli started 4th grade yesterday and can DO ANYTHING she tries. She is just that girl.

My little corn nuts....

Wow. I really don't have words for the next few other than it's sooooo awesome when I actually get to capture them lovin' each other. :0)

OH....MY....GAWD. Who is their mother?! So rude. Wait. I AM!!!! Hee hee!! LUCKY ME!!!

So our fearless search for the perfect school photo replacement is still in high gear. Just wanted to share round one with y'all. You know....'cuz I can.

Carli turns 9, thank God for miracles and other random thoughts....

Friday was my baby Carli's 9th birthday. Yep....she is getting old. Her last year of single digits and it's all down hill from there! :0) Seriously, she is growing up too fast, if you ask me. We spent the day hanging out - went to see the movie "Race to Witch Mountain" and went out to dinner to celebrate. But as we were walking out of the theatre, my mom called. My nephew Cameron had been in a serious accident with the garage door and THANK GOD he was only injured and nothing worse happened. My sister-in-law is truly my hero and we are all so thankful God wasn't ready to take Cameron from us. CAMERON CHARLES BARRON -- We love you more than you will EVER know, young man, and don't you EVER slide under that garage door again (said in my sternest aunt voice ever...hee hee)! XOXOX....

It was a huge learning experience for me....I have a better understanding of how my girls deal with worry, real fear and the idea of losing someone very close to them. We talked a lot last night when they came home and I need to keep talking and hugging and working that out with them. Carli internalizes everything and that is just not healthy. Alli and Taylor are pretty good about dealing and talking and understanding the importance of asking questions and seeking answers.....maybe it's because they are a little older, but Carli sure does not. She just wants to stick her head in the sand. Huh. Wonder where she gets THAT?? She is so like her momma.....

Carli in a tree....she is my "boy". Taylor would never be caught dead in clothes that don't match. Even if it's just to go outside and climb a tree! Carli could CARE LESS. :0)

Carli hanging from the tree....

Mark and Carli....I think she is happy to have a climbing buddy. :0)

Other random thoughts:

Ran across this quote today....

"What we are is God's gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.” ~ Eleanor Powell

I. LOVE. IT. Could not think of a better way to explain my spiritual journey and I just had to share.

And a video I just saw....GOOD STUFF right there.

JC is my BFF!!!!!!!!!!!

A few random thoughts.....

First: I saw a miracle this morning. With my own two eyes.

Taylor and Carli are best friends although neither will ever admit it. They truly love each other but fight like cats and dogs at least once a day.....usually bed time. You see....they share a room. I know. I'm a mean mom. :) At bed time, one of them will yell at me "SHE WON'T BE QUIET!!! Ugh! I want my OWN room!" It's our nightly ritual.

Here is the miracle.....this morning, Carli is in the kitchen getting cereal and Taylor is in the bathroom doing her hair while her oatmeal is in the microwave. I hear Carli yell "Taylor! Your oatmeal is done!" Taylor responds "Thanks SISSY!"

NOT. EVEN. KIDDING.

Taylor walks out to the kitchen and Carli turns around to her and says "You look cute in that shirt."

Again. NOT. EVEN. KIDDING.

God was in that house this morning. I drove to work praying that whole scene take place a little more often.

Second: I learned something VERY important last night.

I was sitting in a bookstore coffee shop with Mark and we talked about a lot of things. Over the course of the evening it became very clear to me that my relationships....until yesterday....have been played out in a dark room. Meaning I've spent a huge majority of my adult life fumbling around trying to understand and put things together without being able to "see" what I was doing or what was around me. Simply stated, until the right person came along, the room would be dark. I wouldn't know how to do it right and would continue to stumble along. God directed me to the light switch and He turned it on. This relationship with Mark is filled with light. A light that gets brighter and stronger every day. I'm starting to see the things around me and understand what it takes, what I want, what I need, how to be a good partner. It's funny how when God is involved it all comes together so easily and so much better than when He is not. For the first time in my life, I'm figuring it all out and enjoying the journey. God is good and I am very blessed to finally have the light ON.

Third: I need some prayer.

Mark does a 40 day fast every year during this time and I have decided to join him. Will be the hardest thing I've ever done (I think....I have no idea what to expect). RELAX. It's not a starvation thing.....it's a reduction thing. It is a healthy decision and I know in my heart it will be exactly what I need during this spiritual journey I am on. God told me so last night when I asked Him if I should do it. I plan to blog about it so you can follow along if you'd like. We begin March 4th. Until then, pray for me and Mark. I'm taking a leap of faith and following God's direction here.....I need you to pray for my ability to REDUCE.

JC is my BFF!!!

Just braggin' about my kiddo....

Last Thursday was a crazy night. Carli had her first indoor soccer game, I had a meeting at church to wrap up our "Whyi Art Fair" and then Carli had her 3rd grade music concert. Just figures that I was to be in three places at the same time....thank God Alli can drive. (I CANNOT BELIEVE I JUST SAID THAT!) She took Carli to her indoor game while I went to church then we all met at the school for the concert. I was tired before the day even began. Typically have a day like this once a week and I while I wouldn't trade it for the world, it wears me out!

Anyway, Carli's concert was titled "Shhhh...we're writing the Constitution". Can you guess what it was about? :) It was really more of a play! Kids with tons of lines and actions moves and about 8 songs to sing...and it all took only 45 minutes! It was very good too.

SIDE NOTE: Carli....being the youngest....has been blessed with many talents. The kid can do anything with just a few quick trys. Makes Taylor nuts....since she's like me and we need to try and try again and even then we still don't always know how to do things. Anyway, on top of Carli being a pretty good soccer player, smarter than the average 4th grader (yes....she's in 3rd grade), the little stinker can sing. And I mean sing. She can dance and sing at the same time even (although most of you will never see that side of her....she's just goofy like that at home). Where she got it? Musta been the mailman. :)

So....she had a signing part....second verse of "America the Beautiful" with 3 other girls. It was awesome. Goose bumps awesome.

Here are some pics of Carli at the concert. I was quite a ways away from the stage so lots of "red eyes". They look like evil possessed children....probably the ones that live in the corn across the road from my house. Ugh. Why do I do that to myself! Now I'm not gonna sleep tonight! :) Oh well. Enjoy!

Carli is the middle kiddo....you know. The good lookin' one. ;)

This one shows that she has on her soccer "slick" pants, soccer socks and tennis shoes. We did a good job pulling this together with what we had!

Shhhh...they are writing the Constitution!

Solo (with three others so what is that a quartet???)...she is stinkin' NERVOUS. And she is NEVER nervous!!!

Up close....she made a comment about the house lights....up too high so she could see the parents. She did NOT like that.

Thought the flags a flyin' was pretty cool....

After the concert posin'....she loves to have her picture taken.





Ok...I do have other children and I will post about them soon if they get off the couch and DO SOMETHING. hint, hint. ;)


JC is my BFF....