Blog Slacker

Hi. My name is Jill and I'm a blog slacker! Where has the time gone? Days into weeks and tomorrow is October? Really?

This past weekend was filled to the brim with going here and be there, one after another. Photo shoots, soccer games, church, and an outing with Mark. As the trees begin to turn colors and the weather starts to cool I feel a sense to slow down. Stop and look around, maybe even linger. Give the kids an extra hug and let them know how truly special I feel to be their mother. Tonight we have no activities, no where to be. I have a craving for oatmeal scotchies = ) Hmmm...

Back to the weekend, I had the pleasure of solo-coaching both Schuyler and Mack's soccer games. They both ended up tying and each scored a girl = ) I LOVE the game of soccer but even more LOVE to help young girls learn the game and grow. Mark's parents came up for the weekend so Mark and I could enjoy a round of golf with some friends. Saturday's weather was perfect! Us girls even got a legit birdie playing best ball = ) I hit the green with my drive and my friend sunk the putt in the hole!! Afterwards, we watched the game at the Embassy.

Schuyler has become a fan of Mia Hamm. We bought a children's book about her and she likes to read it in her leisure. Lately, she has most enjoyed tooling around the sidewalk on her rollerblades.

Mack is enjoying kindergarten. Her favorite activity is writing in her journal and making illustrations.

Eli, well he continues to collect sticks and rocks. It is not uncommon for me to find rocks in my purse or hear a lound banging coming from the dryer and the cause is usually a rock in one of his pockets.



One of the rugrats and my mom.

breathe and wish...

"...and breathe and wish and hope for the best for your laughter makes my entire world go round."

Just stumbled on this in my browsings and liked it. Not sure if it's a quote and if it is, who it's from?

Mack was in the mood for some pictures after nap so we went outside and made the best use of our yard. This is one of the best times to photograph her, after nap. Her hair gets little waves and sometimes is matted if she gets warm. It's very her. Rarely, if ever, do I pose her. It's so natural and effortless for her. I could stare at this picture all day. It warms my heart and brings a smile to my face. She's growing and maturing. Although spirited she may be, she is also very soulful.



Here's one of Eli... "Mom, I'm going to take these sticks and show you what I really think of you pointing that lens at me all the time". I'm pretty sure that's what he's thinking!



Schuyler had a play date the other day with one of her buds. This is SO them = )



Mack and Eli love sleeping in the bottom bunk together on the weekend. I think they are both looking forward to tonight.

We have been enjoying the beautiful evenings with bike rides. Mack and Eli in the trailer (they actually get along now - no more hair pulling)! Who ever pulls the trailer definitely gets an "extra" workout!

What a week!!

The good, the bad, and the unknown. Where to start?!

Last week I started a bootcamp fitness program. It's time to tone this body of mine and get some muscle definition back! I could tell after the first session last Thursday it was a good work out. Muscles I forgot I had were hurting. I do it over my lunch hour and I wasn't sure I could lift my sandwich to my mouth my arms hurt so bad. The man who runs it is Steve Auxier. He actually comes to Ameritas: 2 times a week during the lunch hour and 2 times a week after work. I believe he is eventually opening his own gym but for now he holds sessions around the Lincoln area. Go check out his website. I've heard from several individuals he is one of the best trainers in town.

Schuyler had a phenomenal soccer game on Saturday. She played half the game in goal and half as center midfield. She scored a goal and stopped numerous balls as goalie. The girl is tough! I was so proud of her! As our head coach was gone, I got a little taste of being head dog. The opposing team scored 3 goals in the last 2-3 minutes of the game. It was not pretty and much due to having the wrong girls in at the wrong time or in the wrong position. In other words, coaching error. Oh well. Unfortunately the better team (us) lost, but that's how it goes some times!

Saturday night, my father took the kids overnight so Mark and I had a chance to go out and celebrate our anniversary! We went to Fireworks and rented a movie. The whole night cost us a little over $10!! Got to love gift cards = ) Thank you dad!

Sunday was Mack's first soccer game. She had been counting downs days and hours! I forgot just how small their field is and how small they look on the field and in their soccer gear. As typical of a first game, there was a fair share of confusion. Every once and a while I would observe Mack playing with her hair!! However, she was the only one on her team to score a goal! She had a grin from ear to ear.

Eli had a fever ALL weekend long. From the time I picked him up on Friday until Tuesday a.m. We took him to the Dr. on Monday to rule out the possiblity of anything else. He is all healthy now.

This Tuesday marked Mack's official first day of kindergarten, although she has already been working on the material. Everyday, she comes home with a list of words...dog, pan, cat , etc... She is so enthused to be one of the leaders! Eli comes and visits her room and she loves to help him. I'm not sure that feeling is recripocated by Eli = )

We have had some anouncements at work and a massive reorganization is in our future. We have new org charts but decisions about who will be placed where will not be decided until some time Nov. It's an unsettling feeling as I truly enjoy my job, co-workers and manager.

Here are 2 new faves of my kiddos and one of Mack in her soccer gear!







Happy Labor Day Weekend!!!

9 years and counting

Today Mark and I celebrate 9 years of marriage. Really? Where has the time gone? I remember sleeping in my parents basement, my bro on one couch and myself on the other. I remember the butterflies in my stomach, the weakness in my knees, and the anticipation. I remember concentrating on Mark's face during the ceremony. We have been blessed in these 9 years but as all couples we have faced some trials and tribulations along the way, each making our relationship stronger. I love how our personalities compliment each other bringing about a balance. He is the one to always voice his opinion regardless of circumstance but yet always tactful. I often hold back, afraid to hurt feelings or not wanting to be the voice of opposition. The times when my emotions want to make decisions he gently steps in with the voice of reason. I hope for many more years to come.

As for recent happenings... Schuyler had her first soccer game, which they won. She played half the time on the field and the other half as goal, where she played outstanding. In her words, "Nobody will score", and nobody did. Mack is counting the days until her first game. She will be the one with pink shorts, pink socks, and probably some cute ribbon in her hair.

We finally went to the Farmer's Market in the Haymarket this weekend. We always pick up some goodies, kettle corn, sweet corn, a couple packages of bratwurst, and cheese. I LOVE the cheese we got. It's a buffalo wing cheese and very tasty!!

A few pics for fun!

Back from vacay...

Back from vacay! We had such a good time. We left Sat a.m. and got in around 1:30 and immediately hit the water slides at Coco Keys. That evening we went to Joe's Crab Schack, which I would HIGHLY recommend. Very kid friendly. We ate outdoors b/c it was such a nice evening. They had a balloon man making various animals so we had to get Mack a heart with little bear and Schuyler wanted a Kansas City Chiefs one, mainly for the yellow I think. Eli was indifferent. They had an outdoor playland the kids used while I sipped a Mojito and Mark had a lemonade concoction. Funny story. Mark goes inside to get a beer and Schuyler and I are talking on the deck overlooking playland. Mack comes running up, "Mom, Mom, you have to see Eli. Come quickly". I go after her and find Eli buck naked climbing up the slide. Sheesh! He thought he would go potty in the sand and then take off his shirt. About the time I'm trying to get him dressed, the waitress comes to let us know our food is ready.

Sunday, we thought about Worlds of Fun but it was raining. We had some friends with kids similar ages to ours so we got our money's worth out of Coco Keys. Then, we went to stay with my brother and SIL.

Monday, more rain. We thought our chances of World's of Fun were slim to none so we hit Union Station. It didn't start well. It was nearly impossible to find b/c we were unfamiliar with the area and you couldn't see b/c rain was coming in sheets. Get there for brunch at the old diner and Mack spills hot chocolate in Mark's lap. Not good. We go to Crayola and Schuyler throws a fit b/c we didn't buy her anything. We had thought about going to Kaleidoscope but with the kids deteriorating attitudes, we didn't want to push our luck. Get to the car and find the rain has stopped. After a phone call we decide to chance it. I'm SO glad we did. It ended up being sunny the rest of the time. Hardly anyone was there b/c of the rain and the fact it was a Monday. So, from 1:30 or so until 6:30 we enjoyed the park. No lines. You could walk up to a ride and get on. Sometimes, they would just ask if you wanted to ride again! Schuyler enjoyed her first roller coasters, the Timberwolf and the Prowler, the 2 wooden ones. Mack was upset she couldn't try it but we found enough other rides to appease her. Eli loved the planes in camp snoopy. We were exhausted by the time we left!

Schuyler started school on Wed. She is excited to be back. Her teacher is wonderful and the kids seem to love him.

McKenzie has decided she wants to permanently change her name to Kenz. Kenzie would be okay but she prefers Kenz. We'll see how long this lasts = ) We decided to have her attend the Montessori for kindergarten, like we did with Schuyler. Her official first day is not until after labor day but she has already got her workbook and is SO excited!

Pictures I'm finally editting. Sprinkler fun...




They were helping me test the light before my senior session. Mack before a bday party.


As Schuyler would say, "looking sporty". Nice icecream bar crumbs around the mouth!

a vacay before the madness sets in

We are going on a little vacay before the madness of school and activities becomes full blown. Off to World's of Fun and Coco Keys = ) Schuyler has been enjoying her week at home before school starts. It's also apparent just how busy they kept the kids at Husker kids. She has wanted to do something everyday. So, she has swam, went to the park and library, and today is bowling. She has found a love for playing card games. As of now, her favorite game is Kings in the Corner. This is good news for Mark and I since we both come from pitch and cribbage families = )

Mack had her 5 year physical. All in all, she received a good bill of health. We do need to take her to an optometrist to get her eyes checked.

We have received soccer schedules for both girls and it looks like Schuyler will play Saturdays (mainly a.m.) and Mack will play Sunday afternoons. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday will be dance and soccer, respectively.

Eli continues to enjoy riding his bicycle. The boy has got some serious legs! We have had quite a few incidents where he runs into the street. I tried to look at it as an opportunity to teach him. So, one night we walked down a house and crossed the street. Then, down another house and crossed. You get the idea. Nope, didn't work! Ugh!

Here is a picture of Schuyler and her fave Husker Kids counselor. The great thing about modern communication, you can still email and keep in touch = )

She's safe, she's safe....

she beat you to the base, uh-huh! Just an old softball chant I thought was fitting = ) Last week marked the end of softball season. Schuyler had a good season. I think her favorite position at this point in time is 1st base. I have also been working with her on the side on pitching = ) Mack and Eli have got into the fun as well. Mack is working on throwing and hitting. Eli likes batting off the tee = )

Obviously, a lot has gone on since my last blog post! The girls also enjoyed vacaction bible school last week. There were some later nights which made for tired kids but they had a lot of fun. Here, you can see the fun! Look for Mack in the 2nd picture down on the very left hand side. The theme was crocodile dock and Eli thought the croc was pretty cool. He gave him some high fives and even a love = ) As a grand finale celebration, they rented star city shores, the Lincoln waterpark on Friday from 8:30-10.00. It was uncharacteristically chill for this time of year. We arrived promptly at 8:30. Mack was done at 9:10 and Schuyler was done 5 of so minutes later!

Schuyler's last day of Husker Kids is today. As a thank you, we brought in some breakfast pizza this week for the staff. Schuyler made me bring my camera to get some pics of her and her friends and camp counselors. Her favorite is David. Today, they were having a water fun day! She has had a good time and I have been so pleased with the program. She will miss all the activities!

This weekend will be busy. Schuyler is having a friend spend the night. Mack has a playdate Saturday and then bday party on Sunday. Throw in 2 photo sessions and that is one busy weekend = )

I've kept busy with lots of photo shoots and more to come!