Clear eyes, full hearts

Even though I was the one who signed him up and told him he was going to have fun, today Dillan made me genuinely believe that he really loves to play soccer. In the morning, he is so excited and pulls out all his soccer stuff, ready to go. Of course he's still so young and some coordination is still lacking, but he is really having a great time. It's so fun to watch him play and then run over to me just to check that I saw what a good job he did. Smiles from start to finish, now who doesn't want that?

I forgot to put this picture up earlier in the week. Just before leaving for church, we're getting ready and a little anxious to get there. Even with the later time, the morning fills up with preparations. Crazy, but always cute!

Pull it again!

This is me.


Pull my string. I have many different sayings. No need to write any of them down, because I repeat over and over and over again all these sayings. Many hours of fun guaranteed!

Leave her alone, PLEASE!
Clean up!
Do you need some thinking time?
Get down you monkey!
Don't make a mess!
I'm going to throw the toys away!
What did I say?!?
No No Leah!
Make a good choice, Dillan!
You need to share!
I just vacuumed!
You do NOT say NO to me!
You just had a snack!
I am so proud of you!
Thank you for helping me
Thank you for sharing with your sister
You did it all by yourself?!?
High Five!
You look so handsome!
Yes Dillan, I still love you

"Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs...since the payment is pure love."

TESTIFY!

YES! The Mighty Rain heard our prayers! In the early morning hours that little boy was running all over the place reminding everyone that today was Friday and that he had soccer practice. I was frantically checking email, calling the rain-out hot line, and flashing crusties at the threatening clouds every 1/2 hour. I didn't have the courage to tell him there was a possibility of cancelled soccer today. I just held tight to that little scrap of faith that everything would work out.
These are definitely the moments worth living for.


The next Carlos Bocanegra!


Great listening skills!


Going for the goal with Coach Bob cheering him on!

Some mothers seemed pretty peeved to be out there. Hello, it wasn't even raining! Next time bring a beach chair to sit on and snackies for your toddler. That might help! Duh!
No, this is not AYSO, they don't get uniforms, they don't get to play other teams, they don't even get a team name. But it is still important! We're getting pumped for AYSO starting this fall. This Fall! I can't believe it! I have been looking forward to that soccer season ever since I found out I was pregnant with him. And he's going to be great!

Thank you to all for your prayers and well wishes on our behalf. You'll never know how much it means to Dillan. Ok, means to ME!


Work up a sweat and a smile. Even from LMcQ beanie.

As a side note, I received my blog book in the mail this week. Let me begin by saying that I had no idea what to expect from this publisher (Blog2Print), and I was too impatient to keep looking. Yeah. Next time I will probably be looking around a little more. The problem? Spacing. I try to make my blog look nice with text and pictures residing in harmony on my computer screen. Well, in the book, they didn't quite turn out that way. Slightly frustrating. Editing options were minimal. It would have been nice to lay it out EXACTLY how I wanted it to look and then expected it to turn out that way.
If anyone wants to see it, I will gladly show you, but be prewarned: I will most likely talk your ear off about all the problems I have with the book and all the changes I would have made. Chris, on the other hand, is completely satisfied with it. And, since I couldn't get over the fact that he thought spending $42.80 on the book was reasonable, I've let it be as it will.
Since ordering the book, I have found a website/company through a friend of a friend that does blog backups with a downloadable software for free and they will soon be offering printed books. I plan to look into that for next time.

I'm begging ya!

O Mighty Rain:
Thank you for being here these past few days. Thank you for giving nourishment to all, even when they don't appreciate you! I know you deserve to be here. This is YOUR TIME of year in the spotlight. I won't deny you that. Normally I welcome you with open arms and much praise! Who else would take the time to write to you but your biggest fan? Me!
BUT...
You have to go! NOW! Did you hear the sweet prayers on their way to heaven from a little boy who wants nothing more than to have his first soccer practice on Friday morning? You couldn't have missed it! Every morning this week he wakes up asking if it is Friday. He has his shinguards and socks laid out ready to put on. He knows that this time Mommy doesn't have to help and he gets to play while Mommy watches.
It's HIS moment, he's just asking for a few hours from you. He won't disappoint.
Can't you just spare a few hours for the grass to dry and for this little boy to have his wish come true and for me to see the smile that melts my heart?
I'm begging you! I know you can do this for me!

Please Please PLEASE!

Fun times with Daddy

Daddy had the day off plus no homework! Since it's 80+ degrees, no wind (thank you!), and beautiful, we were ready for some fun! Sea World passes expired, so we thought we'd check out the Escondido Children's museum.
There was a lot of things to do, especially for little guys and gals. It was a blast.


A little bit of dress-up



Climbing the tree house

But of course, there had to be a bubble station. Is there anything more to life? Big tables full of soapy water and huge wands. Heaven, for my kids.



Yep, soaked but happy!

There was even the coolest bubble contraption that we could not leave alone. Stand on a platform surrounded by soapy water. Someone else pulls a cord that raises the hula hoop resting in soapy water up over your body creating a massive bubble around you on the platform. Neato. Plus, you come out unscathed.


Dillan in the bubble


Leah's Bubble


And Daddy, stuck in his bubble

Not to be outdone...

Can't forget about this little Bugaboo.

1. She is Dillan's shadow. Everything he does, she will do. She follows him to the bathroom. Throws herself on the floor. Has to eat with a fork and big kid cup. Escapes my clutches to visit his Sunbeam class during Primary and insists upon sitting on a chair like all the other kids. It's hilarious to watch them. What's even funnier is when she gets a moment to herself and starts doing something original. Then a few moments later, Dillan becomes the follower. Go Figure.

2. She loves to take clothes out of dresser drawers. When I catch her in the act, she runs away at top speed screaming. Like it's a game or something.

3. She got her first doll, plus a few more, finally for Christmas. Everyday she puts one into her little stroller to find me. She then picks her up and, using her own authoritative words, gestures to me to do something. I usually pick up the doll, fix her dress, and give her a kiss on the cheek. A big toothy grin reassures my gesture was correct and acceptable. She then takes the doll back, gives her own raspberry kiss, places her back in the stroller and continues on her way. No joke, EVERYDAY. It's our routine, what can I say?

4. She LOVES her Daddy. At first I thought she just imitated what she saw Dillan do when he sees Daddy. Not so. She adores him. Truly, Daddy's little girl.

It's amazing how much she has changed since birth. I know kids do that, but I see it way more in her than I did with Dillan. From the start Dillan didn't really have a choice. He's strong, ALL BOY, full of energy, expressive, yet tender. That's how we like him.
Leah from the start has been totally mellow. In fact, soon after she was born, in a matter of days, I already knew I wanted to have a third someday. She was just too easy. Even though she was a hefty 9 lbs at birth, she sort of stayed small for a while. We used the word "dainty." Being a crackerjack tomboy, I wondered if she would have the choice to stay that way.
So far, she's made her own choices.
One of her favorite things to do is climb up a slide backwards. Try to help? Don't bother. She's determined and won't let ya. She's not afraid to bodyslam her brother or try to get on his bike.
She has no problem holding her breath under water and so far has no fear of anything. Except maybe her paci going missing.

LeeLoo, Mommy and Daddy love you and we love watching how much you have grown and how much you learn everyday. You make us laugh with your spunky personality. We can't wait to see what you are dying to tell us once you figure out how to put words together. It is so fun watching you follow your big brother and learning from him. Stay cute and keep smiling!

"You are the guy who'll decide where to go"

A few random ramblings about Dillan:

1. He has become quite the little competitive pistol. Everything is a competition. "Mommy, I'm gonna beat you." "Daddy, I'm faster than you!" "I can get dressed faster than Leah!" All day long. Can't begin to imagine who he gets those traits from! I guess it's okay for now. He needs to learn how to be a good winner and not a sore loser.

2. Since the holiday season, he has decided he does not like chocolate. I think Hershey's Kisses did him in. It's good though, he says no, so Mommy should say no too.

3. Just found out he will be old enough for "real" soccer this fall! I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high, but I want him to love it. Really, I see him playing football someday in the future. Linebacker. That's what I'd love. Leah was born during the Women's World Cup. I watched the US play during the long labor. It kept me going. Also found out that same day that my doctor was a huge soccer fan/player/coach. After she was born, my doctor and I both decided she'd be a soccer star. Sounds good.

4. He has many goals for himself when he's bigger: be a daddy, drive a big truck like Papa's, drive a firetruck, cook food. All I really want for him as he grows up is to have confidence and know who he is and know what he wants. Then stop at nothing until he achieves all his goals.

Yes DDoo, Mommy tells Daddy all the time how I picture you growing up. You are such a good big brother and a good example to Baby Sister. I love how much you love learning and seeing your friends at school. I love how when I put you to bed, your first question is, "What are we going to do when we wake up?" I love how you want to be like Daddy and every chance you get, you choose riding in Daddy's car rather than Mommy's because Daddy's is faster. I love how much you love music and singing, and if you decide that musical theater is what you were born to do, I'd be right there in the front row cheering the loudest. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you with how well you write your name and constantly practice your letters and counting. We love how you insist upon saying prayers all the time with NO help. You bring us smiles and laughter all the time. Don't ever change. We love you!

Happy 30th Anniversary!

To my wonderful parents:
There are no other people in the world like you and I am so blessed to have you as parents. I love how you have shown me how to be a better mother, wife, daughter, child of God. You are my greatest examples of love, service, work and charity. Thank you for everything you have taught me and continue to teach me daily.



Some things I have learned from my parents:

• No sacrifice is too great for family
  
• Being together is the most fun
  
• Parents will do ANYTHING for their kids
• Shaver Lake.
  
• It is okay for a man to be good at cooking
• Monthly temple attendance is essential
• Date your spouse
• Stay active
  
• Hold hands with your spouse
• Create memories with your kids, and we'll tell you how to get there
• San Clemente is the best place to camp
  
• Education is important
• Don't misbehave during church
• Grandparents have earned their right to spoil grandkids
• Keep your car clean
• Mom is happiest when Dad is around
  
• You're never too old to play volleyball

Because of you I am who I am today (aren't you so proud?)

Words can't express how much we love and admire you both. We are so thankful that we live close by and get to see you often.
Thanks for everything!

Final Thoughts

My final entry on behalf of 2008.
No, it's not the end of my blog, but I am sending it to the presses to be made into a book. It will still be on the computer, but you can't beat a hard copy!

So I thought I'd write down a list of things I hope to accomplish this year in my quest to become better.

• New House
• New Job
  
• Exercise daily
• Limit sugar intake
• Read scriptures daily
  
• Organize Organize Organize
• Keep house clean
• Piano Lesson
• Attend temple once a month
  
• Manage stress
• Read a few good books
• Take a trip to a new place
• Teach Dillan to swim
• Donate blood more
• Celebrate 30 my way
  
• Keep up with monthly food storage
• Stick to the plan
• Make something crafty for home
  
• Write a letter every month to grandparents
• Limit computer time to morning and evening

And will you succeed? Yes indeed, yes indeed! 98 and 3/4 % guaranteed.
Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.
Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.

Game. Set. Print.