tough loss...

This picture was actually taken last night in the semi-finals but I am using it for today's picture. I wanted to be able to sit and actually WATCH the championship game today instead of having to look through a camera lens. And I think it's an awesome shot.

Colton's team lost by 4 in the championship. Great game - very exciting; neck-n-neck the whole time. Colton played a fantastic defensive game but came up short in his shooting game... not a good day for that to happen but nonetheless, it did. He's crushed that he couldn't pull it out - feels like he let his team down. We've talked and talked with him about it but there's only so much we can say - it's ultimately up to him to work through the emotions. He'll get there... it breaks my heart to see him so upset but I know it's part of the growing process. We can't win all of the time - a lesson none of us want to learn - especially when it's our child who's doing the learning.

basketball comes to an end...

...at least for Reece and Brock.

Reece's team finished the season with a close loss in the first round of the GAA Basketball Tournament. It wasn't his best season, but he still enjoyed playing and enjoyed being with the boys on his team. His last two seasons of basketball have been such successful ones that perhaps the lesson to be learned from this season is that we can't always win, but we can still do our best and enjoy the game.

Brock's team finished his season today with a stunning loss... okay so maybe it wasn't quite "stunning" considering they haven't won a game all season. The stunning part was that they lost 9-26... this was the most points his team had scored all season and it was the least number of points they've lost by all season! Sounds pretty sad, I know, but you should see these cute boys - they have kept the most positive spirit - playing hard like every game was neck-n-neck. They just had so much fun... and so surprisingly I must say, "What a great experience!".

Colton's team, on the other hand, has had a great season and won tonight in their semi-finals so they will go on to the championship game tomorrow afternoon... stay tuned...

happy girl...

Cecily sang her little heart out today in a "showcase" at the Factory today. Very appropriately, she sang the song, "Happy Girl" - a perfect fit for a happy girl. And she gave the best performance I've ever seen... afterward, I had to wonder, "Where did this girl come from and what has she done with my daughter?!" When exactly did she learn to perform like this? With so much poise, energy and personality?

I suppose... today.

all dressed up...

My little boy is growing up. Colton had his Cotillion Year II Grand Ball tonight. It lasted four hours (5-course dinner, dancing and party games) and the parents were invited to come and dance with their child for the last 30 minutes.

Dancing with Colton tonight, staring into his amazing blue eyes, I was reminded that they were the exact same blue eyes I gazed into almost 13 years ago - the day he was born. Even then, his eyes were huge and blue and beautiful... looking around at his surroundings, taking it all in. He didn't make much noise - a hint of what his personality would one day be... soft-spoken, sweet, laid-back, someone that sits back and takes it all in.

I wondered those many years ago, what Colton would be like when he was older: What he would look like, what his personality would be, his interests, his gifts? It's unbelievable to realize how fast these years have flown - and how I now have, standing in front of me, the young man I spent hours wondering about. A young man who loves God, music, football, all sports, his family and friends. A young man who is kind-hearted - and a good friend, brother and son.

What a blessing this child of God is... and how truly grateful I am that the Lord has allowed me the privilege of being his mother.

my banjo playing sweetie...

Brock was very excited to perform in the first grade's Spring Program at school tonight and his class did some rockin' banjo pickin'!

I love watching the enthusiasm he has toward everything he does...

dedication...

After school today, it was 30 degrees, windy and snowing. Despite the inclement weather, Colton was still outside participating in off-season football training -- even though he had only packed shorts and couldn't feel his fingers. When practice was over, I picked him up, brought him home and he made a beeline for the hot shower, where he stayed for the next hour (no I am not exaggerating). After the shower and a cup of hot cocoa, he finally began to warm up. Then he left for basketball practice.

Colton is extremely dedicated to sports and improving his athletic skills and strength so he can perform at his very best level. Three years ago, he practiced tackle football in 100+ degree temps for weeks - and never complained once. Today, he DID complain - but only because he couldn't feel his fingers.

Colton didn't get this from me - any one of my family members can confirm this for you. No, when the going gets tough, I definitely take the easy way out. He did, rather, get this work ethic from his daddy. Cayce stays focused on always bettering himself, no matter how difficult the task. I am so thankful that Colton has inherited these traits of dedication, persistence and drive from Cayce... maybe some of it will eventually rub off on me.

(Looking for Colton in the picture? He's the one with black shorts on.)

jj's adventures...

Cayce and Colton got home from a meeting tonight and found JJ, one of our cats, on the roof. He's done this once before and spent the entire day up there before we found him... we thought he'd learned his lesson... apparently not.

Luckily for him, Cayce cares enough to climb a ladder at night in 30 degree weather to get him down... how many lives is it that a cat has?!

it's just around the corner...

Yesterday, it was 66 degrees and sunny outside... an absolutely glorious day. Today, the high was in the low 40's... back to winter. This time of year is hard because Mother Nature "teases" us with warm, beautiful days and then flips it upside down again, with cold winds and sleet. We can take comfort in knowing, though, that Spring really is... just around the corner.

kimbo!

Cayce's little sister, Kimberly (aka Kimbo), was in town for a short visit this weekend and so today we were able to get together for some "Kimbo Time"! We miss her so much and cherish the few times a year when we are all able to be together again. Now if only Uncle Matt had been here, too, it would have been just perfect!

dance time...

Yes, I AM on a "scrapbooking retreat" this weekend but today, I have come back into town to spend the day with Cecily and her dance competition. Getting ready for it takes almost as much time as the actual competition. We spent 1 1/2 hours doing make-up and hair and then spent an hour in the car traveling to the Acuff Theater in Nashville. Cecily's dance troupe did a great job - scoring an "extreme gold". She absolutely LOVES performing on stage - you can see her come to life when she is up there.

Today I found joy in watching my daughter do something she loves.

scrapping weekend...

I am on a "Scrapbooking Retreat" this weekend... sounds like torture to many, I'm sure, but for me - it's a fun, creative outlet. I don't have many hobbies - this being one of the few - and I rarely find time to do it anymore... but once I start, I lose myself in it - often staying up till the wee hours of the morning. This weekend, I am hoping to get my kids' school books updated from the last school year... we'll see how far I get...

dancers at heart...

Two weeks ago, I started ballet class with my sweet daughter, Cecily. We do this together one night a week and will continue through mid-June. The purpose is to learn a dance routine that we will perform together (along with several other moms and their daughters) in the dance recital at TPAC in June.

This is something new for me. I haven't danced at all since high school - and while I enjoyed it as a teenager, I was never what one would characterize as a "dancer". As I began these classes with Cecily, I really thought I would be more of a "prop" - that she would do most of the dancing. Not so. No, I am learning ballet. Toes pointed, fingers just so (palms NEVER face the audience), everything is slow and drawn out. I've already had sore muscles (which goes to show how out of shape I am!). And sadly, I must admit that I have trouble remembering everything we've learned from week to week...

Did I ever in a million years think I would be doing this?? No. Does it warm my heart every time I look over at Cecily and see her huge grin as she watches her 39-year old mother try to look like a graceful ballerina? Absolutely. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything.

jeans...

13 pairs of jeans in one load of laundry... I love my washing machine!

yet another snow day...

I've lost count how many snow days we've had this year...

icicles...

Another day of snow today... much lighter than last week but nevertheless, it still managed to snow all day. Despite how tired we all are of the cold weather and messy roads, it's hard not to marvel at the beauty revealed during these winter storms...

a day to celebrate the gift of love...

Today is a day set aside to honor the ones we love.. to celebrate the gift of love... to say thank you to those who share love with us. I am so thankful that Cayce chose me to be his lifetime Valentine. I am so grateful that the Lord made me the mother of four amazingly wonderful children. Most especially, I am eternally humbled and in awe of the never-ending love given to me by my Lord and Savior

So yes - for me, this is a day to honor, celebrate and give thanks...

Happy Valentine's Day!

everything basketball...

This time of year, our Saturdays are spent courtside, watching our 3 sons play ball. Today was no exception with games at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. In between at 3:45 p.m., Cecily had a dance rehearsal for an upcoming competition. I have decided that I really enjoy basketball (and dance, of course!)... it may be my favorite sport to watch my kids play. They're not always the best in the game... in fact, often they're not. But... it's a fun game to watch and when the score is close - or when your child is really "on their game" - it's so exciting!

Reece won 24-14 today. It's only the 2nd game his team has won this year and today, they really looked like a "team"... I guess that's why they did so well. Reece is an outstanding defensive player. Very focused and intense... just wish he would work more on his offensive game! Brock's team lost... 37-6. Sounds horrible, I know, but his team was so excited because 6 was the most points they've scored all year... they actually play pretty well but the scoreboard never shows it. They are really fun to watch, though... they never lose heart... they play hard and have fun! Colton's team won big: 33-17. He scored at least 20 points himself (I lost count and so did he). Best game I've ever seen him play - both offensively and defensively. Colton "knows" the game... it is really fun to watch him play at this level... and I love seeing his confidence grow with every game.

Today was a full day but a good day and I am so proud of all of my kids for working hard at the things they've committed to. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as though working for the Lord, not men." Colossians 3:23

winter olympics opening ceremony...

The Opening Ceremonies began at 8 p.m. tonight. The kids were as excited to watch as I was. Cayce was out of town, but the rest of us got cozy in the basement and were ready and watching as the show started. Everyone agreed... VERY cool. The kids loved getting to see all of the different country's athletes during the "Parade of Nations"... they had heard of so many of the countries that it was exciting to see people who actually grew up there. They also enjoyed seeing how many athletes werre competing from each country, and listening to the interesting information that the commentators shared about each country. Of course, they went wild when the U.S. appeared. Toward the end, though, we were all asleep... I was the only one who woke up to see the lighting of the cauldron. This was the first Olympics that we have watched together as a family - and everyone enjoyed it and paid attention the whole time. Think I will always remember it.

more valentine prep work...

Cecily finished her Valentine Collection Box tonight... it's everything girly and just so "her". Happy, pink and full of love!

gms book fair...

I worked at the Middle School Book Fair today... this is the stash that made it home with me. I admit, I have a hard time resisting books... that's why our house is FULL of them...

circle of love...

School was out for a "snow day" today so I took pictures of the kids for our annual Valentine's "Hugs & Kisses" cards that we send to grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.

Colton and Reece did NOT like the photo session and made that quite clear. Cecily and Brock loved it. This was the last photo I took and it's my favorite because they ALL enjoyed doing it... success at last!

valentine's preparation...

This morning, I found out that Reece's teacher expected each student in class to decorate a "Valentine's Box" at home and bring it to school by Friday. I saw the email and cringed... there was no way Reece would want to do this - it would be an uphill battle the whole way. Ugh.

To my surprise, when I mentioned it to him he responded with an "Okay!". He started it and finished it tonight... covered the entire box with pictures and pages from Sports Illustrated Kids magazines. Very creative. Well done. No complaining. This kid never ceases to amaze and surprise me.

hide-n-seek fun...

Tonight was the SuperBowl. Cecily had one friend over, Colton had 3 friends come and we also had our dear friends, the Gibson's, over and they have 3 boys of their own. So let's just say there were ALOT of boys here tonight... and they weren't always WATCHING the game. Toward the 4th quarter, they all decided to head outside in the 30 degree temps to play hide-n-seek in the dark... Problem: There was mud everywhere due to all the snow and rain we've received the last few weeks. Result? This picture shows just a small sampling of what awaits me in the wash tomorrow.

bath toys...

Brock still loves to play with his toys in the bath tub. His favorite as of lately? The orange octopus that he got in his Christmas stocking. Batteries are inside so the octopus propels through the water doing flips and spins. Tonight, he played for an hour in the bath. Water was cold by the end - I would have been freezing - but he still wouldn't get out until I "made" him.

our river overfloweth...

Okay so maybe the Harpeth hasn't flooded yet but it sure seems like it should have. It has been raining consistently for 48 hours on already rain-soaked ground. There are no river banks left anymore. There is standing water everywhere. And it just keeps coming.

a little help...

Colton helped a little with dinner tonight by slicing the zucchini (a relatively easy task), getting milk in all of the glasses, and then doing the dishes afterwards. To show how he has changed over the years... 5 years ago, he would have been thrilled to do all of that! Tonight, well, I asked him to help so he did... wasn't excited but didn't pout either. Just went about his business.

late start but at least we're back in school!

Kids went back to school today... started two hours late due to icey roads that needed some time to melt... but nonetheless, school was on! They wouldn't admit it, but I think in a way, they were looking forward to going back... if nothing else, just to be back with friends.

Today, Cecily was also "Queen for the Day" at school in honor of her birthday. I went and had lunch with her and brought "Ben & Jerry's Cookie Dough Ice Cream" cups for each kid in her class. They were quite the hit and she was quite excited to distribute them to everyone.

The second picture shown here shows what our yard looked like at 9 a.m. this morning. It's hard to believe that today is day 6 and there is STILL some snow out there... such a rare happening in these parts!

snow day #5...

Today marks the fifth day that we have had snow on the ground and the third day we have been out of school because of "hazardous road conditions". It's been a fun break but I think I'm about ready to get back into a routine. We're about out of food and clean clothes... and my errand list is getting longer and longer by the day. Still, it really has been fun! Cecily and Brock tried to sled again today... only made it a few feet. Declared that the "slopes" were closed.

This picture shows what it looked like outside at 8 a.m. this morning. With temps in the upper 40's today, tomorrow's picture will look drastically different!

snow day #4...

Still snow today but alot of melting due to temps in the low 40's and lots of sunshine. We got in some more good sledding this morning - this time, cousins Xavier, Paxton and Bryn joined us. No school again tomorrow but not sure if we'll be able to pull out another day of sledding... we'll see!

This picture shows what it looked like at 9 p.m. tonight... wish I'd thought to take one earlier in the day!