The gift of family

Family is an amazing gift!  I miss my family, I miss my brother and sister who've moved away, I miss my cousins, I miss Alan's family, I love love love living near grandparents though.  

So while I was away at my Memere's funeral, I mentioned to my cousin Jim that his kids should come for a visit.  I was so excited when I got a text asking if I was serious.

Plans were made and the whole family came down!  

The point is, that this is how memories are made.  This is how bonds are formed.  Cecilia and Jude won't remember this, but Stephen will and maybe Abby.

Shannon and Daniel (pictured above) right after their baby sister Grace was born (also pictured above)

See, we get so busy "making plans" for little things, over scheduling ourselves, and we stop making plans for people.

Holding baby Grace during my graduation trip up north :)  So cute!!

God calls us to be people oriented, not project oriented, and I know that I have fallen way to many times into the project oriented category.  

I fall into that during small moments in my day when I have a two year old crying to be held and all I want to do is finish one thing!!  But she doesn't care about that one thing.  I fall into project orientated in big moments too when I don't make time for extended family, or close family that takes time (and money) to plan out a trip and see.

Then I'm reminded that I never lived "near" cousins either.  My parents made a point to take us to family, or have family over.  Are we doing that enough?  Will my kids know their cousins?

So my goal over the next year (and hopefully a change in my entire mindset) is to become more people oriented.  

First with my family, realizing more and more that they are such a gift and miracle from God and they won't always be pulling on me to hold them.  Second, I want to take more time to see family.  I want my children to have the same awesome memories I have.  

I want them to know where they come from, and who they can turn to!

I know that I won't always be able to take a trip and see people, but I can make a better effort!

The biggest thing for me is that I want my children to "see" people, truly know them, have a connection. 

In such a digital world it is getting easier and easier to just text, look on facebook, or read a blog and be caught up with a certain amount of someones life.  I know that is not the relationships God wants us to have, I know that's not how you truly grow with someone.  

This summer has been such a gift, seeing family, friends that are as close as family, and making memories.  May the rest of the year be built around relationships, first and foremost with our Lord and His Church.

Project 19

I would like to take a moment to spot light some amazing women.  Anyone who knows me, knows I love my school, Troy (State) Universty ;).  I am also very proud and honored to have played soccer at Troy, but I have never been as proud of the soccer program as I am right now!

Not because they have a winning season (although I'm sure they will as soon as the season starts!), but because these young women saw a fellow sister in need and decided to do something.  This year the 2013 Lady Trojans have dedicated their entire season to one of their own.  Kailani Decock is battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and the team has developed Project 19 to bring awareness for all those who are battling this form of cancer.

I think what struck me was that it's not something that these ladies are putting on a poster and seeing what happens.  They are already spreading the word and school has just begun!  I noticed the other day that my sorority had made signs and purchased bracelets, the entire athletic department has stepped up, and I'm sure many many more individuals and organizations!  

These girls have made Project 19 go viral on their campus, while doing preseason and preparing for a new school year.  Let's see if we can make it go national!!

Go Troy!

For more information on how you can support Project 19 please go to Troy Soccer

Oh, my delusions of summer!

As school came to an end last year, I sat back and played the many "lazy" days we would have through my head.

I thought of late mornings, sipping coffee, riding bikes, picking flowers, and catching lightning bugs.

I even went so far in my thoughts to plan a schedule, how the day was going to pass.  You know, keep these awesome kids busy, reading, painting, cleaning, so that in the midst of our lazy summer they wouldn't get "board".

Well, I'm delusional!

We had a few laid back days, but not many..... don't get me wrong, I would much rather be going and going making memories with these precious babies than sitting around stopping fights and picking up one toy, a shoe, changing a diaper, stepping on something gooey, picking up anther toy, wiping something up, filling up a cup, making a snack....picking up a toy... (ok, enough Jess, they get it!) :)

I just laugh at myself for thinking things would be the way they were when Stephen wasn't in school.

And that my friends is the difference!  Now I know why so many people are busy over the summer, they're not held back by the schedules of school.  There is a freedom with summer, and I love it! If I wanted to go to my parents for the ENTIRE day, I could.  If we wanted to go camping and leave Thursday......we could!  If friends or family wanted to come visit during the middle of the week....you got it my dear readers...THEY COULD!

What does all of this mean?  I'm not sure, but I know that my house needs a serious deep clean, and I haven't left it since Mass on Sunday.  Lazy school days maybe??  We'll see :)

Summer flies when you're having fun!!!

 I have to be honest and tell you that since my last post things have been so busy around here, I haven't even sat down and read anyone else's blog!  I mean crazy, awesome, fun, busy!

 After my last post I ran off to GA with all the kids and my parents for my Uncle's funeral.  He was a great man, and is missed by all who knew him! 

 Alan helped me out big time while I was gone and transformed the kids rooms!  We now have a boys room and girls room (I have to show pics of the girls bunk bed!!)  That's right, for the first time in 6 1/2 years we are crib free..... feels weird!

 I have so much to post about!  When I got home we had company and then some more company!  It was awesome, my house feels so empty and lonely right now; even more so that Stephen started school yesterday :(

So that's it for now, just a quick recap and excuse to show these cute pics!  I will be back really soon with pics and stories for all!!  God Bless!