Our BIG Day!

Today was crazy. Lots of things happened, but just stay with me. I promise it will all be worth it. Andra heads out to Bootcamp while Chris feeds and clothes the boys for Jacob's soccer tourney. His team, the Blizzards, were third in the indoor soccer season this summer. We were playing the Lightning team, who had soundly beat us both times we played them. Surprise, surprise, we won that game! So, it was home for a quick lunch, practice in the backyard with Chris and naps before heading back that afternoon to play the Storm team. We had beaten them earlier in the season, but after a full morning game (hour long), were the kids up for another win?
We scored several goals early on due to Storm being short a few players and a COACH for 15 minutes. About 15 minutes before the game was over, the score was 3 Storm and 4 Blizzard. Imagine a large huddle of 4-6 year olds and Jacob in the middle. The ball gets kicked to him and lo and behold, he fires it straight into the goal- SCORE! Our teams parents went crazy. Moms were hugging me and gives me high fives, the coach said he could see me crying from the bench and Chris was in shock because he had missed everything before the goal by talking to Luke! I was SO proud of my son! He looked up at us when all the shouting and clapping started and you could tell he was beginning to understand what he had done. The Storm came back and scored with about 45 seconds left, making it 5 to 5. Our star player Josh came out as goalie to play forward and literally with less than 5 seconds left he scored our final goal, making the Blizzards the champions! Trophies and everything! What a day! We followed it up with ice cream and Braums.
That goal was such a huge gift from the Lord- such an encouragement for the learning process for Jacob, but mostly for us as his parents. Its tough to see him struggle, but I hope he remembers that moment forever- Chris and I will. So, the next time you visit our house, look on our mantle for the coolest purple soccer trophy ever!

Chris or Hal Sparks?

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Random post of the month...

I am awkward. There is no way around it. I have some serious social skill deficiencies. I am awkward in social situations. My poor son, no wonder he struggles. Get me in a large group and I can hide, but get me one on one or intimate setting and I struggle to stay afloat. So frustrating! People must wonder about me sometimes. How does this woman function? Arg! Fortunately for me, Jesus loves awkward people who dont always make the best choices. Thank God that I have a loving husband, family and some great friends who look out for me. Awkward women of the world unite!

Cow Killer!

Ok... we found THIS in our backyard tonight. We proceeded to catch that booger in a jar and look it up on the internet. It is a wingless wasp called a 'cow killer' or a 'velvet ant.' That sucker was at least an inch long. It looked like a fire ant on some serious steroids. You can see in the photo the gigantic stinger, hence the cow killer title- apparently a sting from them makes you want to die! They eat bee larvae- yes, we have bees in our backyard. We are trying to save the ecosystem since bees are myseriously dying all around the nation. Our mint is pollenating currently and bees are everywhere. What could be worse than the boys gettin stung by bees? Being stung by cow killers! Yikes! Be on the lookout for these in your area...

Check out that male model... look familiar to you?

That my dear friends, is my church's minister, Matt Chandler, lead pastor at The Village Church. I chanced upon this priceless photo on our lead music minister's blog and had to share it with the world. That is just the kind of loyal parishoner that I am!

It's official...I've joined the Army now

Seriously, I had my first night of bootcamp tonight at my gym. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be- but then again, the instructor said it was the easiest night of the 5 weeks. Ha! I thought the heat would be my undoing, because I am like a popsicle in the desert. I melt and become worthless. But after the first 15 minutes, it was just the exercises that were making me miserable. I wont bore you with details but suffice to say that this is perfectly sufficient for whipping my body into shape muy pronto. Another step in my quest for a healthier temple. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Random shots of the fam

The boys at the children's museum in Commerce, Tx

Jake in his great, great, great grand- father's hat and his Nonna's cane

2 boys ready for anything Jacob at 5 and Luke at almost 3- his birthday is August 3rd. We are going to SeaWorld to celebrate!

Living life

Today was a fun day. The boys and I had some friends we hadn't seen in a loooong time over to our house. We all have something in common- one of each of our children has developmental delay. Anywhere from autism to tactily defensive to PDD. It was so easy to talk about our lives with the struggles we have faced over the last 2-3 years as we have walked the path separately. God is so kind to put people in our lives on the same journey as us that have had totally different experiences but can totally relate to our path. I think it is so easy to feel isolated and bewildered by all the uncertainties of knowing what is best for your child. I laughed and said there is no instruction manual for that, but in a way that isnt true. God has moved and directed us in lots of different ways. Obviously the Bible is full of wisdom and humble going to the Lord and saying, "I dont know what the heck I am doing and you are in control heere- help me out!" There has been a lot of that. And people. People have been so instrumental in helping us out. From the preschool director telling me about the monthly free screening, to a new friend giving me advice that has helped with her own recently Autism diagnosed son, we have had people guiding us through what seems to be unknown and scary territory. I have NEVER known anyone with autism. Now I know an adult man at my church, and 5 kids plus my own son with PDD- all within 9 months. How gracious is God that He has surrounded me with people who KNOW what our family is going through. And what is even better is that because I know that all things work for our good if we are in Christ, I know that our story will benefit others- it will all be worth it, because our journey will help other people navigate life- may I faithfully give God the credit for the growth in our lives and in others. Because, like I said, I dont have all the answers, but I know Who does.