Sunday, November 16, 2014

Soccer: Fall 2014

Just wrapped up a season of soccer. The journey came with more bumps in the road than we anticipated, but in the end it's been a memorable experience. At the end of summer we asked the boys if they wanted to play football and I was surprised when they seemed uninterested. Mote asked me if I could sign him up for soccer and I pretty much dismissed his request thinking he would forget about it. He didn't. He was so persistent and continued to ask me if I could register him. I called the league and the team he wanted to sign up for was full. Thinking this would persuade him not to play I told him and to my surprise he was still determined to sign up. Since he would be playing I convinced the other 2 boys to join and it was settled... all 3 would be playing Fall soccer. It's been years since they've last played and I didn't expect them be as great as they were. Mote absolutely blew me away. He is a natural and I was hesitant to say this at first, but he reminds me of Fatu on the field. The other 2 don't have the "average" physique for soccer, but they did amazing. I am so proud of their growth this past season and their discipline to learn this game. It was so fun to watch them play! It was definitely hard to work things out with my schedule and I lost A LOT of sleep, but it was totally worth it. I'm so glad we took this journey. I feel like the conditioning they got will only help them in any other sport they decide to take on. It was hard for Ti not being able to be here for every game. I would text him throughout both games to keep  him updated on scores and plays. There were days that we would spend 9+ hours at the park. On those days I would wake up before the sun was out to pack our cooler full of sandwiches, snacks, and drinks. We would load our cooler, blankets, pillows, and chairs in the back of the truck. Between games we would hang out under the shade of trees and eat or take naps.

These were the days - the days that we had double headers, that were probably most memorable. These days and days that I had to run the boys to 2 different parks to practices that overlapped made me appreciate my parents... and it gave me a lot of respect for Fatu. I remember him having the busiest schedule as a kid. I don't know how he was able to handle all of the chaos at such a young age. On Ti's last week off he actually flew out early to watch the boy's games. It was seriously the best surprise for them.





We ended the season yesterday at a duel for the championship. Mote & Nic's team actually made it all the way to the end. And what better way to go out than a shootout. The game was tied 2-2 which resulted in a shootout. Thank goodness it wasn't Mote's first shootout. He came through for his team to sink his goal. To make things more intense we were tied after the first round of shots, so we had to push things into a 2nd round. This time whichever team missed first, lost. Nic was the first one to shoot from our team and I seriously think I gained an ulcer from the stress. But he made his goal! In the end we won and came out champs!





It was such a sweet way to end the season. Not sure what sport is next, but I'm sure it'll be just as much fun.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Siope finished his tombstone project for school. Everything on here was his idea. Whenever I work with the other 2 boys they gladly accept my help and suggestions. That was not the case with this guy. He had a vision and wasn't straying from it. He had no problem turning down my ideas lol. We started with a trip to the dollar store and when all our supplies were gathered we got to start on the tombstone that paid homage to Jedidiah Smith. He probably had the most fun using the glue gun. Here's the finished project.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Autumn Nights

Fall in Vegas is absolutely the best! It's like our reward for surviving the scorching summer temperatures. It's still a little warm during the day, but it has finally cooled down enough at night to where we can enjoy ourselves. Last night me and the boys set up our chairs, blankets, and pillows around the firepit and roasted mallows for s'mores. We talked and laughed and eventually they all fell asleep around the fire. I love this time of year.

Friday, August 1, 2014

Athena

My beautiful niece turned 8 this summer and was baptized. Congrats Athena!


Happy Birthday Elsie!

My niece Elsie turned 1 this past June... I can't believe it! Isn't she the cutest?!!

BDay Invite
Coordinating Thank U Tags (Koolaid party favors)
Party fun...












Glad we were able to drive out to celebrate with her. Had so much fun at her pool party!

Monday, May 5, 2014

2nd Trimester Award Ceremony

For the 2nd trimester all 3 kids got invited to their Award Ceremony!! I was so proud when they brought home invitations. Especially for Nic. He has seen his brothers bring home invitations throughout the years and this was the first time he got to bring one home himself. He was so proud to show me his letter when he got home from school and I was excited to see what he had accomplished. When they bring home the invitation it doesn't tell you what award your child will receive, it just tells you they are being recognized, so you don't find out until the actual ceremony when they call your child's name.
The ceremonies were broken up into different days at different times. This was a little bit of a challenge because I work grave so I normally am sleeping while the kids are in school.

Siope's ceremony was first. I remember coming home and taking a 30 min power nap. I was exhausted when my alarm went off and I was so ready to go back to sleep. I thought in my head that Siope wouldn't mind if I wasn't there and when I went to turn my alarm off on my phone I saw a text message that read "Mommy, don't forget that my award ceremony starts at 9am". Uuuuugh! So I forced myself up and made it to school to see my little man receive his award.
A-B Honor Roll! Whoop!

The next day was the 4th graders turn. The boys had asked Nici what award he thought he was getting. He kept telling them he wasn't sure and that it was most likely for citizenship. When I got to the assembly the kids started getting called up for their awards. And towards the end Nici's teacher said that she had 2 awards left to present. They were for the 2 kids in her class who worked extremely hard and showed the most improvement that trimester. Then I heard Nici's name called.




Most improved!! How awesome is that?!! So unbelievably proud of this kid!! With all of the struggles he faces, he has never given up!! He also brought home an award for citizenship. Great job Nici!!!

Last but not least was my 5th grader. For the 3rd consecutive day I came home and took a tiny nap and growled when my alarm clock went off. I headed to the school. As soon as I walked in the auditorium Mote spotted me and smiled and waved. I smiled and waved back then found my seat. With Mote there is no guessing when it comes to these assemblies. He has consistently gotten the same awards each year.

It is Mote's last year in Elementary and since he entered Kindergarten he has gotten Honor Roll and Outstanding Citizenship every single year. I cannot be more proud. He is the best leader to his younger brothers.

Although I lost out on sleep this week it was absolutely worth it. I would trade in sleep any day to see these kids succeed in school. I love them so much and am extremely proud of who they are becoming and what they have and will continue to achieve. They are my everything!!!!