Flag Football

Well, its official. My boys are football players. They liked playing t-ball. Liked it a lot. Football though, they freakin' love. From the first practice they were hooked. They both like to run, catch, and pull flags. Too cool.

Their first game was yesterday. First games really. They had a double header. Its still pretty hot outside, but they toughed it out without complaint. That's a true test of how much you like doing something. If you'll do it when your hot, sweaty, and dead tired...all with a smile on your face, you really really like it.

They played great. Our team is pretty young, so right now we focus more on our running game. Lots and lots of running game. Passing and catching will come in time. Really though, when you can run the ball like we do, passing is just gravy. During the second game the boys both ran for touchdowns. Jake's was a 50 yd run for paydirt. Brady's was a 20 yd lightning bolt to the back of the endzone. I can't describe how proud I was during both of their runs, other than to say my heart felt like it would explode out of my chest. The looks on their faces were priceless.

So, yeah...my house with the baseball field in the backyard is now filled with football players. I am well pleased.

Jake turns 7

7. That is a big number. How can he be so old so soon? The sleepy little baby laying in the hospital bassinet is now a huge man-child teaching me to play video games and reading better than I can. For real? Really? Crap. Ah, well...kids grow up its what they do. Right now, I am just going to enjoy this exciting time in his life as he takes giant leaps and bounds every day. He will be a man all too soon with all the good and bad that comes with that. I just pray he stays the happy kid inside even as his body outgrows mine.

So, his birthday. We had his party on Sunday. What a blast. So many cousins, so much fun. He chose Back to the Future as his theme this year. Yep, a 25 year old movie for a 7 year old's party. It's what he digs right now. Anyhoo, he played he heart out with his cousins and bro, ate his DeLorean cake, opened presents, played some football, the whole shebang. Such a happy kid was he. I was so glad so many great people got to come help him celebrate his big day. Thanks to all who made it.

Today was his actual birthday. It started off with a little birthday celebration at school. He brought a bunch of donuts for his whole class. Hero of the day. They sang to him, did some dancin' and he showed everyone his birthday chart. He is so at ease around his friends and with his teacher. I can't ask for more than that.

When we got home, he got to open his present from the three of us. BTTF trilogy...what else. He also got a Wii game and some baseball and football cards. He was almost more excited for the cards. Too cool.

After playing Wii for a while (no brotherly fighting either Woo Hoo!) we went out to supper. Just as we pulled in to the parking lot outside of Islands, who should pull into the parking spot right in front of us but their buddies Kade and Cole (and their Mom and our good friend Carrie). SCORE! They were headed out to eat there as well and as luck would have it Jake got to share his evening with his buddies. The four of them laughed and talked and ate and laughed. They even shared Jake's big brownie and ice cream dessert. This was the highlight of my day. Seeing them all so happy and relaxed was nothing short of awesome.

Jake, I love you more every second of my life. You bring me joy and fill me with a pride I never knew before you came in to my life. Thank you for the gift of being your Daddy. I love you forever.

Aunt Maresa

She is gone. I never made it back home to say goodbye. Too many things left unsaid. Not enough time to say them. Cancer has taken two Aunts from me now. Please donate any amount you can to the American Cancer Society, PCH, Livestrong, or any cancer research foundation you know of. We are closer to a cure than we know.

First Hunt

What a day. The boys went on their first dove hunt today. Up before the sun. New camo shirts. New .410 shotgun. Sleepy and excited little dudes. The greatest Uncle in the World® even came along with us. Living up to his title, Uncle Vaughn bought them some donut holes for breakfast. He kept them entertained on the drive out to the field with crazy songs and potty humor.

This was a great year to have their first dove hunt, because the dove population is seemingly very high. It has been many years since I have seen so many flying. The boys got to take as many shots as they wanted. I helped them hold the shotgun, and made sure they followed all the rules. I've always been a gun owner so they have always been taught gun safety, but it was cool to see how much they remember when it is was time to actually shoot. They both did so well. Neither of them bagged a bird, but it was enough for them to just be out there...shooting, fetching birds, picking up shells, shouting, "Dove!" when they saw one. So cool. Afterward, Uncle Vaughn treated us to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Mmmm. My man.

This was one of those days I will never forget.