I keep thinking I am going to find some time to write/post something and it just never happens.  Seriously, I started this post several days hours ago and I am only on the second sentence. 

Last week I was in lovely

Actually it wasn't bad but it was a LONG week.  The kicker was during my trip I found out I have to go back next month for another week.  Timing couldn't be worse ... it is the week of Mr. ESPN and Bia's birthdays.  Yeah crappy huh?  I am trying to think of special little surprises to have for them while I am gone.  Which means I have to have something special for Chatty too so she doesn't feel left out (it's always a competition at our house). 

Speaking of competitions, we spent last weekend watching Chatty play a lot of this:

She had a tournament last weekend and has another this weekend.  Then the season is over!  Amen!  Can you tell I am excited?  I need a little break from soccer.  She will still have clinics and some other stuff but the main season will be over.  Last weekend we had some good friends come watch her play.  Chatty loved having her own cheering section (even if they did lose).  Thanks Cottrell's and Pattersons for coming out! 

Bia is still dancing, well sort of.  She was asked to perform a few weeks ago at an event and froze on stage and cried.  Chatty (not at all shy like her sister) just didn't get it - "Why isn't she dancing mom?" 

 

This is the best time of year to live in the desert.  Beautiful weather, lots of fun activities going on ... so much so that I think we have something planned every single weekend between now and Easter.  Between family pictures, birthdays (Mr. ESPN, Bia and Chatty), birthday parties, spring basketball for Chatty (coached by Mr. ESPN), dance for Bia, church stuff, work, etc., it's crazy (good) around here. 

I better hit publish post now, otherwise it may be a few more days before this gets posted!

Can You Feel the Love?

So to borrow a line from my friend Casey, "It looks like Valentine's threw up in my house!"  We have loads of candy, valentine's scattered in every room, hearts galore and more flowers than I have seen since my wedding day.

Unlike some of my other friends, I didn't do any fabulous Valentine's crafts - maybe next year.  I am totally stealing Sara's idea.  My excuse ... out of town all last week.  But we did get some treats ...

Flowers for the girls from Mr. ESPN (per my suggestion).  Tulips for me from last week - Mr. ESPN surprised me with them when he picked me up from the airport.  No we don't do that grand welcome home thing, he picks me up on the curb ... but this time he had flowers in the car. 

More flowers from Mr. ESPN - he wasn't sure what to get the girls and since Chatty isn't into pink he got this bouquet on the left (which still haven't opened) and then roses for me.  Don't worry - all flowers were purchased at Costco the day before Valentine's Day because - duh Costco is the best store ever and because their flowers are cheap and pretty and smell good.

Valentine's morning - they were just a tad bit wired and this was pre-candy!

I bought this shirt at Christmas for some family pictures we never got around to taking ... came in handy for Valentine's day for the girl who HATES pink!

And the girl who loves pink and all things girlie

A little sisterly love

Who would have thought based on the picture above that they were fighting on the way home from school when we called Granny to wish her a Happy Birthday (my Granny celebrated her 85th on Valentine's Day).   Oh well, at least we got some pictures that morning!

Can you feel the love?!



Valentine's Day ESPN Style

This card was so written for Mr. ESPN ... his style exactly!  Once I download my other pics of the girls, I will post more Valentine's Day goodies!

This Week

This week I am here ....

Luckily there is no snow, but the weather is a little bit chilly ...which is ok with me - as long as there is no snow and/or ice.

Thank goodness for this:

Because that means I can skype the girls everyday while I am gone.  It's awesome to be able to see them ... however I hate seeing myself in the picture at the bottom of the screen ... especially after I have showered and put on my pjs ... good thing my girls love me no matter what I look like.

Before I left I did a little bit of decorating (Casey this is for you) ...

after which my neighbor's kid came over and told me it wasn't fair that we had Valentines decorations and they didn't ... Target $ bin last year.

And just because she's cute (although she had a fit right before this picture was taken and then wouldn't smile normal) ..

Random Monday Musings

I am so not a fan of Mondays ... not sure who is, unless you have the day off ... good thing it is more than half way over.

This weekend I skipped Chatty's soccer game to work out or should I say get my a** kicked during a workout.  I felt a little guilty but Chatty assured me it was fine if I miss the next 4 games since we just had a tournament a few weekends ago and we sat through 4 games.  Speaking of Chatty, I ate all of her Skittles and threw the bag away so she won't notice! 

Bia's bestie's Mom (got that?) texted me last week about throwing a shared birthday party for the girls.  Bia's bestie's birthday is the day after Bia's.  The best part - her Mom already booked the place.  I love having friends who are as Type A as me!

There were 15 kids in Chatty's Sunday school class yesterday.  They had to recite the 12 Disciples in front the of the congregation.  They did great but when they got back to class it was chaotic.  I kept praying the sermon would be short ... I am switching to Bia's class next year, they are easier and calmer.

I made homeade salsa yesterday and my hands are still burning from the jalapeno peppers.  I was too lazy to put on plastic gloves ... lesson learned again!

Bia is wearing a navy and white gingham checked dress and navy and white striped leggings ... I told her to tell everyone she dressed herself. 

Only a couple hours left of work then soccer practice, exercise class, homework and all of the other things I am forgetting that have to get done tonight.

A Night of Notes

I woke up yesterday not feeling too hot but shook it off and came to work.  Got progressively worse and headed home - 24 hour stomach bug.  This morning when I woke up I found the following note on my vanity in the bathroom ....

Needless to say she (Lacey - aka Chatty) is my favorite today!! BTW - she had to do an oral presentation yesterday on a famous person and she chose Mia Hamm.  I got her a USA soccer shirt and she wore her bright green cleats for her presentation!  Her teacher took pictures of everyone in costume and thought Chatty's cleats were so wild she had to get them in the picture too! 

Since I wasn't feeling too well I went to bed early (very early) and was woken up by a ringing phone at 8:30 pm.  Mr. ESPN answered and I could hear him talking (although not anything clearly) but figured out who was on the other line.  So when Mr. ESPN came to bed I asked him and he told me about the conversation - well as many details as guys give you.  Since he thought I was asleep he left the following note next to the coffee maker ....

In case you can't read his handwriting (i.e. he should have been a Dr.) it says due date Sept 1, 6 weeks 4 days along, Gina is pregnant.  I have to give him props because details are not his sort of thing and he really put a lot of effort into this one. 

And on a completely unrelated note (no pun intended) ... a picture of my soccer player champ ... her team took first place in their division last weekend. 

Sorry for the odd size - I cropped her friend out of the picture since i didn't check with the mom about posting it on the blog.

Since the competition wasn't too stiff the coach was able to rotate players quite a bit (making Mr. ESPN and the other parents very happy).  Chatty took advantage of it and scored 5 goals in one game ... I think she was trying to send a message!  LOL!  We had a great time with the other families and the girls had a blast ... so much so I have been in recovery mode all week! 

Why I am HAPPY

Since my last post was a rant I thought I would do the opposite here.  I am going to tell you why I am happy today .....

• It's Friday ... enough said!  Plus I have a half day and am working from home (shhh .. don't tell anyone).
• Soccer resolution - Mr. ESPN spoke with the Director of Coaching and then there was a big team meeting with parents and coach and Director.  Lucky for me I have a 4 year old so I couldn't attend.  But the results were good and other parents stood up and a consensus was achieved.  Thank goodness in small miracles!!
• We are heading to Tucson today for a soccer tournament ... girls are excited (Bia told Mr. ESPN she loves Tucson more than Disneyland because last time we went with our good friends the Cottrells) ... wish Mr. ESPN and I could sneak off and see our Alma mater play tomorrow but of course the scheduling people scheduled the ZONA game the same time as Chatty's soccer game.  What were they thinking ... do you think Chatty would notice if we missed 1 game????
• Bia climbed into bed with me to cuddle this morning ... love that kid!
• Words with Friends ... I am addicted!  Plus I love beating Mr. ESPN at it!  So funny I have a game with my aunt, my Mam-ma, a couple with Mr. ESPN and some friends. 
• I nagged Mr. ESPN enough about running a full marathon that he had a stress test done in November and they found something.  They are going to rescan in 6 months but for now he can't run at all per doctor's orders.  Needless to say I am so HAPPY I nagged him enough mention it to our family doctor and that our family doctor was proactive enough to order the stress test (see nagging can be good!!).  I am truly blessed.

  Have a great weekend everyone!!!