Playoffs

Good friends and good times.....

Suns playoffs vs. Lakers....May 2010

Unfortunately they lost and this was the last game of the year.  But we all had fun spending time together!

Two hot looking ladies with some great shirts.....Lisa and I spent 2 days making these rhinestone shirts for Majerle's so they could wear them for the playoffs!  Too bad they had to end that night!

JoJo time..

Oh my JoJo!  I don't do it enough.  I don't take JoJo to the park enough or play board games enough or take him on a picnic enough.  But when I do.....it is such a special time. I love to watch him run and play.  I love to hear him laugh at other kids and talk to the ducks.  I wish I could bottle him up and keep him this small forever!  I love you Jojo!

Suns Game

I just love going to Suns games!  We don't do it much as our lives seem to get busier each day - but when we do I have such a great time!  Mostly because it reminds me of when Randy and I first met and I was able to go to most games and couldn't wait to see him afterwards.  Memories....

Poor Birds

Poor poor birds. JoJo has a thing for birds. It all started in California when we were staying on Coronado. We went to sit on the beach that was facing the San Diego Skyline. The problem with this area was that there were a ton of pigeons! So we told JoJo to scare them away so they would leave us alone as we ate our lunch. Well he did just that. He chased them and yelled at them until they flew away. Over and over and over again.

But it didn't stop there. Even to this day...JoJo chases birds wherever we are, yells at them and then laughs an evil laugh. And if the birds are too far away for him to run after them he will simply say, "A bird mom, he's so cute". Cute as they may be- he has no mercy. Poor birds....

True FUN

"That was so much fun, Mom." That's my JoJo....Last night when we left the baseball field, JoJo says in a matter-of-fact tone- "That was so much fun, Mom." With a sweet smile and a skip in his step! Even though all he did was play in the dirt, run races to the fence and eat otter pops and cheetos. That made for a perfect night in the eyes of a 3 year old. It makes you stop and think about what the real meaning of FUN is. I mean, is it a good snack? Is it a jolt of exercise? Or is it the feeling of dirt sliding through your hands and blowing in your face? These simple things are often overlooked by our busy and stressed out days. I rarely take the time to truly enjoy my food or take the time to excersise or enjoy what nature has to offer. i must be missing out on all the fun.

It is only in the moments that I spend with my kids that I realize how wonderful the little things are. The days we go to the park and feed the ducks or spend the day outside as Randy plays basketball or football with the boys are moments that I take the time to "have fun". I love the times we take a walk after dinner around the neighborhood. The times the boys are all laying on my bed, hiding under the covers are moments that I treasure.

Yet we are always trying to do more and plan more and make things more exciting. We spend money on museums and amusment parks and toy stores when all the "FUN" is simply in the world around us.

I hope that Jo Jo stays this innocent and that the rest of us can learn to BE that innocent. I hope that we can all remember to take time to enjoy the Cheetos and run to the fence...just for FUN!

Helpless

Tonight was a tough night. Jonathan lost his playoff little league game tonight and they are now out of the tournamnet. For me - it meant that baseball is over. Maybe I can get a hold of my allergies now. Maybe JoJo won't come home with dirt in his pockets every night. Maybe I can save some money rather than spend a fortune at the Snack Shack on Big League Chew.

However, for Jonathan, it was the worst night. It was the night they lost. Their season was over. The game he loves...over for the summer. He felt the feeling of defeat. He wanted to get up to bat one more time. He wanted to pitch to one more batter. He wanted to make one more out. He wanted the ump to make a better call. He wanted one just one more inning.

The hardest part about this season's end was that nothing that I said made him feel better. Because I knew how he felt. I knew the feeling of anger and frustration. And I knew what it was like to want one more chance to make a play or get a hit.

And only years later can I stand back and say that "It's only a game". But to an 11 year old boy who is passionate about his sport- the words mean nothing. And that is what breaks my heart tonight. I know now that it is only a game but it took 20 some years for me to figure that out. It breaks my heart that his tears will continue to fall. They may fall after many baseball games or basketball games to come. The feeling of disappointment will return, as this is a part of life.

It is also a part of being a parent. I had to stand back and let him cry. Let him feel the disappointment and learn how to deal with it on his own. As a mom...I feel helpless......

Jonathan's Birthday Party

Jonathan turned 11!  We thought we'd do something different this year and take 3 of his friends to the Rattlers football game.  The tough part was choosing which 3 friends and he finally decided that his 'baseball' friends were the best choice!  Matthew, Alec and Anthony joined us as we had dinner downtown and headed to the game!  The boys were so much fun!  They are still so "young".  Innocent and silly and gross!  I had a great time with them!  It was a bit of a challenge to keep Jonathan awake but he had a great time and so did the rest of the boys.  After the game, we went down to the field, got some autographs, met cheerleaders and toured the locker rooms.  Happy Birthday Jonathan!!

Big Boy Bike...

It was great to be able to avoid traffic and ride bikes to the school concert this year.  I just had to laugh when JoJo felt that his 'Big Wheel' needed to be locked up just like his brothers bikes for fear that someone would take it!  Always trying to be like his brothers.....

ELEVEN

Today marks the 11th year that Jonathan has been in our lives! So hard to believe that my little buggy is a "tween"! He is growing up before our eyes and I wish I could slow it down just a little.

Jonathan is growing up. He is learning about life and trying to figure out where he fits in. He is very sensitive. He listens to every word that is said. He tries to understand everything he sees or hears on the news or make sense of what Randy and I talk about. He is genuinely concerned about his family. He worries. He cares. And, like his mother, he gets bored very easily. In fact, I see so much of myself in him. His temper is like mine. He worries about the little things. He is artistic, yet has a hard time focusing on one thing for too long. He loves to be around people and doesn't really like to be alone. He is smart and has such a sweet smile. He is my baby and he is growing up too fast.

I look forward to the many days ahead with my first born. I know we have our "moments" but in the end- I know he is and always will be my baby! We may struggle and have our fights but there will also be moments that I am the one he will come to and share his thoughts....at lease that is my hope.

I love you Jonathan! Happy Birthday!