goal keeper

Marisa got to play goalie for the first time today! And she took everyone by surprise on how aggressive and forward thinking she was!

She looked too cute and too small by the goal. Her only complaint: the gloves make her hands sweaty.

No one scored on her! Way to go, Marisa!

all things pumpkin

So I kind of went crazy today. I walked into TJs and nearly lost all control. It's what happens when you live abroad for 2 years. I bought pumpkin butter, pumpkin pancake mix, pumpkin icecream, canned pumpkin, pumpkin cereal bars, pumpkin ravioli, and...I swear I'm forgetting something... :)

God Bless America and all things pumpkin during this wonderful time of year!

9 month check-up

He has 4 teeth with the 5th one half way out.
He is a big flirt and flashes insanely cute smiles while pretending to play shy.
He enjoys bath time.
Changing his diapers has turned into an Olympic wrestling event.
There is nothing he won't eat. Only recently he has made it known that he doesn't like chicken and brown rice. Just like dad.
I'm the only one he gives "kisses" to. Open mouth, wide wet kisses all over my face.
He continues to be a busy body. Always into something, arches his back to make it known he wants to get down, already twisting his body to head somewhere before I can even put him down on the ground.

Weight: 18 pounds 6 ounces 25 percentile

Height: 28 inches 25 percentile

Head: 18 1/4 inches 85 percentile

9/11

Marisa's school asked the students to wear red, white, and blue today for Patriot's Day. When laying out her clothes last night for school today Marisa wanted to know why they had to wear those colors. I thought this was a great opportunity to finally tell the girls why today was an important day in America.

During breakfast Tim and I discussed with the girls the events that happened on 9/11. We also showed them a quick YouTube video of the 9/11 footage.
Watching the footage brought back a flood of my own memories of that day. Has it really been 12 years? The footage also of course brought me to tears because the raw feelings of vulnerability, violation, and shock resurfaced again.

The girls didn't really say much at first. They just sat and took it all in. I walked upstairs with Marisa to get her hair done and Natalie stayed downstairs with Tim. While I was in the bathroom with Marisa I asked her if she had any questions for me. She said no at first but then thoughtfully paused and said, "Actually, I do."


-"What's your question?"
-"...Why would they do that?"


At the same time we were talking Tim was having a similar conversation with Natalie downstairs. She asked why as well and also added, "Well, they didn't get all the heroes."

You are right, Natalie. They didn't get all the heroes.

In fact, America bore many, many heroes that day.

Our reasons for telling the girls now were many.  But a few of the reasons were that we hope our girls always know how incredibly blessed they are to have been born in America and to never be ashamed of who they are or where they come from. We hope they can learn from this what true bravery looks like and what cowardice looks like. We hope they learn to be strong and to always stand up for what is right in the face of adversity. We hope they continue to cultivate faith and hope despite what may come their way.

I am proud to be an American. I am grateful for the freedoms and luxuries I enjoy in this country. Freedom isn't free. I am fully aware that many brave individuals have fought and continue to fight for me to maintain my safety and security.
On this day we remember. We remember those who lost their lives, those who lost loved ones, those who showed courage, those who fought back.
We remember that we are a strong nation and that no one can take that away from us. United we stand. May God always bless America.

first day of school

The girls each had a successful first day of school! We all look forward to this new year!

and just like that...

...I'm a soccer mom!

I have been looking forward to Marisa's first soccer game. I think it is only fitting to be officially welcomed out of having only babies at home into having school aged kids via a soccer game on a Saturday!
I drive a minivan...I have three kids...I'm a soccer mom...I'm turning 30 on my next birthday...no wonder I colored my hair recently. Growing pains for all of us!

This is the first year for this age group where they have goalies and are learning positions. In addition, this year is a bigger field than years past. Couple that with the fact that this is Marisa's first year of soccer and that she has never seen a game of soccer before, we had one little girl on information overload on the field! Oh yeah, and it was like almost 100 degrees outside too. Poor girl!

GO BLUE DOLPHINS!

(I can't get enough of that little pink bow on the dolphin...so dang cute!)

"2-4-6-8- Who do we appreciate?!" (After game cheer for the opposing team. Who we beat by the way. Not that it matters...*wink wink*)

Marisa did great for her first game. She was hesitant every time the ball came towards her and she could use a little dose of aggressiveness,  (which is 100% against her nature), but she was happy, she loved it, and we have all season to learn the game. You sure look darn cute out there girly! We love you, Marisa!