HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY JACK!

This morning the two of us opened a Birthday Card I wrote to Jack at one of his baby showers in July 2004. We had so much fun reading what I wrote before I knew him, knew what he would be like and what a great big brother he would be.

Jack - you are our little perfectionist, Type-A, sports-lovin' son, who is kind to others and is a very good friend. All qualities we are so proud to have in our son.

We love you , Jack. Happy 7th Birthday!

Quote of the Day

Today is my first Mom's group meeting of the year at church and my friend, Rox, and I are leading.

I found this quote and we are going to use it as a tool with introductions today -

"Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with that talent is your gift back to God."

I think it is easy to spot other's talents but hard to define, accept and tell others your own.

What is your talent?

Pretty sure I am talented and having beautiful babies!

Day Of Firsts - 3rd Time's A Charm

Not to be outdone, Miss Brooke had her own Day of Firsts when she started school yesterday on Will's Birthday - what a day we had!

Miss B. was ready to go. She is very comfortable at school since we have been going there for 2 years with her brothers. Now it is time for her to officially run the show!

Happy that Daddy...

And Mommy came for her first day...

to watch her find her cubby.

And grateful Grandma Goshorn came to help pick her up.

This big girl goes 2 days a week. She keeps saying "Mommy, how did I get so big to go to school?"

I have no idea, Baby Girl, but Mommy sure is proud...and a little sad.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILL!

My kids love listening to stories of the day they were born. I woke my little Wilbur this morning, telling him how 6 years ago today I was laying in a hospital bed waiting for my precious baby boy, who came out all beat up, with a swollen nose and black eye from his big (baby) brother "riding the hump" for 6 months.

I told him about Jack being asleep on Aunt Stacy's shoulder (he was only 11 months old - it was morning nap time!) and woke to find this little baby. He pulled back the blanket and just stared at this little creature. The first time they met - one of my fondest memories.

Will - we love you so much and can't imagine life without your adorable dimples, your unbelievable hugs and the best run-with-chugging-arms you have ever seen. I hope you will always stay the loving boy you are right now.

Enjoy this next year, Will, cause it is your last - you promised me you would always stay 7!
We love you Will!

Family Football Weekend

Last weekend my sister's family and my parents came to town to watch a little football action. The boys played a HOT game Saturday morning, where Will had some great "blocks" (they are tackles to me, but I am supposed to use the correct terminology - isn't knocking a kid to the ground a tackle?!) and Jack had 2-40 Yard touchdowns!

Then Sunday they played in a local tournament and tied a BIG 1st grade team from the local public school program.

Go Crusaders!

Happy Grandparents & Happy Grandkids!

And here are my boys from yesterday - another Crusader Victory! We are undefeated thus far, which is great for a first year program.

Watch Jack carry the ball and make sure he gains extra yardage with the ball placement - I asked him how he knew to do that and he said "I saw it on TV." Guess all those early morning SportsCenter programs have paid off!

And notice in the video (in between a very excited Uncle Eric) who is covering Jack from the behind?! That would be his brother, #7.

One Proud Football Momma!
(Those years of cheerleading are paying off now for my kids!)

Holy Boy

This little boy just might be our priest in the family.
'Cause this morning, he was behind me in the communion line at church (with my family, sister's family and my parents) and when we got back to the pew he said:

"I did it, Mommy!"

"Did what, Will?"

"I took communion!"

Yep, little Will just followed right along and accepted the host AND wine like a pro.
THIS is a big no-no in the Catholic Church, as you make your First Communion in 2nd Grade.

Ugh.

After I explained to him that he wasn't supposed to do it yet, he needs to learn about communion, what it means and pray about it, I finished with saying it was not his fault but we will wait awhile 'til next time.

He then said:

"That wine was a little spicey. And the round thing? It tasted like a chip!"

My Holy Boy.

If You Build It, They Will Come

And they did. Every day. All summer long.
All the kids in the neighborhood, that is.
They come down to the Goshorn House because we have a
baseball field in our side yard.

It gets mowed and re-lined 1 to 2 times a week and watered every night. There is a back stop to protect the wee ones, real bases and an on-deck circle.

And tonight Coach Goshorn added this to his baby -

Every little (and big) boy's dream!