When It Rains, It Pours....

And I'm talking Blessings.

Yesterday was a truly Awesome day. Joe started a new job, Jasmine brought home a GREEN from school, when I got home from work Joe had done the dishes left over from Sunday evening AND had dinner in the oven and to wrap up the day Dancing With The Stars is back!

Now I know a few of these are minimal, but it's the first two that made my day. The rest were just super yummy icing on the cake! (can you read my excitement level?)

Jasmine was so proud of herself. Joe picked her up and she called me to tell me the good news, then asked 'when you get home can we put a green smiley face on the calendar?'. Absi-tutin-lutely! And Joe let her choose what was for dinner, chicken nuggets and french fries.

A Good Weekend

We had a pretty good weekend. Below are the pictures.

Jasmine's soccer game was early Saturday morning. Here are the warm-ups. She went right out there and lined up.

Go Lightning!!


Lining up for the first kick-off.........what do you think happened????

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**Sing Jeopardy theme music here**

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SHE STAYED ON THE FIELD!!!

She ran around with the pack of girls each time it was her turn. Close to the end of the game she started to walk off the field and said she needed a break, just then the game whistle was blown. We were so proud of her.

(she's the one w/ the red and white ribbon in her hair)

Water break

This was suppose to be a throw in, but instead the dropped it to the ground and kicked it in.

Whatever, it's all good as long as no one is crying - right?

After game snack.

*Jasmine made sure Cash was in on the snack*

We arrived at Church a little early Sunday and went to the Library



And last night was CRAZY HAIR night at AWANA's.

Jasmine with one of her friend's at our table

Almost had a hair malfunction while running the relays during game time.

She did great, holding the ball w/ one arm and her hair on her head w/ the other.

Progress Reports and Funnies

Well, Jasmine is making progress. She is beginning to sit and do her worksheets in class and homework at home without someone constantly keeping on her. YIPPEE! But is still having issues of not sitting, listening and following directions at other times....and, of course, talking (I think she'd prefer to be in front of the class giving the directions than receiving them!).

We also received a note home yesterday saying she owed $5.00 in the cafeteria. I called to find out what she was purchasing since she takes her lunch and eats breakfast before going. When I got a hold of the cafeteria manager and gave the name I was inquiring about she said, 'Oh yes, Jasmine, I have a funny story' really, I'm shocked!!
She said the first time Jasmine came through she asked her name and she said 'Jasmine' when asked her last name she said 'Sweetheart' (for those of you who do not know, that is not our last name). The lady got the biggest kick out of that and told me how much she enjoyed Jasmine.

**I saw the below quips and thought they were fitting for what we are going through at the moment:

A little girl had just finished her first week of school. "I'm just wasting my time," she said to her mother. "I can't read, I can't write and they won't let me talk!"

On the first day of school, a first-grader handed his teacher a note from his mother. The note read, "The opinions expressed by this child are not necessarily those of his parents."

Update

Well, Saturday was Jasmine's 2nd soccer game and she did stay on the field each time it was her turn. But to say she 'played soccer' wouldn't exactly be the truth. She stood, she squatted, she sat down - but she did not play. I count this as a victory. The fact that she stayed out there and didn't complain or down right refuse was a HUGE step for her. Now if we could just make some headway at school. She is still doing her own thing and not really worrying about having to face the consequences, but we are all working with her (teacher, counselor and Joe & I). Baby steps-right???

That's all for now...I'm still a little Blue these days, but I trust God is in charge and know this too will pass.

Trying Times

I know it's been a while since I've posted, just haven't been up to it lately. We have lots of 'stuff' going on right now, so please keep my family in your prayers.


Jasmine is having problems conforming to class rules in Kindergarten and we have our first parent-teacher meeting tomorrow. I love that she has a mind of her own and is confident in what she does, but also want her to be able to 'follow directions' when it's appropriate.




Last weekend was her first soccer game. The whole way there she was telling Joe and I how fast she was going to run and how she was going to kick the ball and we get there and nothing! There was still a game going on and I said 'Jasmine, look at those girls. You ready for your game.' She says, 'No, I'm not going to play today.' Not again! We did this last Fall season, we sat out the Spring season and she BEGGED to play soccer again this Fall. So her game starts and when it's time for line change she will not get on the field. At this point I'm done. It's hot and humid and I tell her if she doesn't play soccer, we are leaving. She refused to play - we packed up our chairs and left. Half way to the car she starts crying 'I will play, I will play'. People are staring and even had one lady ask if she was hurt. So embarrassing having a power struggle with your 5 year old in front of a few hundred people (at your church no less). Tuesday was soccer practice and she did great. Stayed out there the whole time, listened to the coach and made a new friend. Only issue was when they played a mock game by separating the girls -- Jasmine had the ball and was going great when another girl got it and started heading down the field. She stopped, folded her arms and pouted a bit in the middle of the field. She got over it pretty quick though. Hopefully this Saturday she will get out there and play during her game.
**please don't get me wrong, I would never make her play soccer and tell her she better enjoy it . Believe me, soccer wasn't my thing either -- I spent more time picking flowers on the field and kicking rocks than kicking the ball. But she begged to be able to play again this year and I feel like it is a waste of money and time for her to go to practice and games and just sit on the sidelines by me, drink Gatorade & not interact with any of the other girls**

She plays in a league through our church.

At each practice they take time for a devotional.

Joe is also looking for a new job. He has a history with commercial construction, so if anyone knows of anything -- please let us know.


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OK, on to happier subjects.


Today is Joe and my 10th first date anniversary! 10 years ago tonight my friend Phaedra and Joe's friend Jeremy decided to play matchmaker and invited each of us over to watch a movie -- and the rest, as they say is history! We've had lots of ups and downs -- good and trying times, but I feel we have come through them all for the better and our relationship is at it's strongest right now. This picture is from a wedding we went to Saturday, it's a little hazy but I love it.

Cash is sooo cute these days. Saturday we went to Once Upon A Child to sell some toys and it was the first weekend they had their Halloween costumes out. **one thing about Cash, he LOVES to dress up when Jasmine is playing dress-up - - but in boy stuff of course. His Superman costume from last year is completely worn out** I was finishing up at the front when he came running to me 'Momma, it's Batman' and he grabbed my finger and pulled me to the costumes. There was a brand new Batman (w/ the fake muscles) costume in his size for $10! Still marked $29.99 from the store. He was soooo excited. He will also randomly say, 'momma, know what', 'it's almost my birthday and I'm gonna have batman, superman, spiderman & joker!'. With that being said....I am in the process of planning his 3rd birthday party. It is the weekend before Halloween and we are having a Superhero-Costume-Birthday Party! I can't wait, he will be so excited to be able to wear his costume AT his birthday party.

Another fun thing, one of our favorite bands will be performing at the State Fair of Texas this year. Just in time for my birthday weekend - I can't wait for a few reasons....

1. Seeing Third Day perform live.

2. Go to the car buidling and see all the bright shiny new cars.

3. Fletcher's corny dog! YUM!

Busy Labor Day Weekend

We had a great weekend, how about YOU?

Friday Joe and I helped some friends move, so the kiddos had a sleepover with Gramma. They were sooo excited (I seem to remember feeling the same way when I was their age!).

Gramma has a cool Home Depot worktable that Cash really enjoys playing with.

Saturday after picking up the kid's I took some of their old toys and shoes and such to the resale shop and got $22! So excited about that. Saturday evening we went to a friend's house for dinner and Jasmine had her first tree climbing experience. Ah, this brought back so many memories of spending time at Gramma's and Papa's in the big tree in the front yard. Good Times!

Sunday after church Joe and I spent the afternoon cutting back the trees on our fence line. And, let me tell ya, I am still sore from that days work. Jasmine was so funny, she had one of Joe's shovels and was digging a hole. Occasionally she'd yell, 'Momma, you doing OK over there?' and would give me a 'Good job, Momma!' periodically as well.

Monday was, by far, my favorite. The kid's and I went to IKEA while Joe did more work outside the house. What a fabulous store. Jasmine got a new bed for her birthday, which I will post pictures of soon. Tonight is soccer practice, I'll let you know if she decides to participate this week or not.