My Loving, Chaotic Life

**The photos should be working now. I was having internet difficulties yesterday.**



Every time I come to update my blog, something comes up which takes me away from it. It may be the boys, work, cleaning, laundry, etc. It seems as though I am constantly being interrupted from completing a blog entry.

As for an update for the last two months...

- Jack was on the All A honor roll at school, and he received the "Star Clubber of the Month" for Sparks at AWANA at our church. It is pretty impressive for the Star Clubber since only four were picked from his entire Spark club. Yay Jack!

Jack receiving his award from Mrs. Marsh


Jack's favorite 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Marsh


- Luke received his character award from Mrs. Smalley. It was "Contentment". His certificate says "Christian Character Award is proudly presented to Luke Sims for showing CONTENTMENT 'Being happy with what I have'" I'm really proud of Luke.

Luke receiving his award from Mrs. Smalley (or Mrs. Molly as he pronounced it)


Mrs. King and Luke


Luke's favorite Pre-K teacher, Mrs. Smalley


This wasn't an easy year for him transitioning from stay-at-home with mommy kid to full-time Pre-K kid. He is going to attend Pre-K for one more year before he dominates Kindergarten. Look out world!

- I'm the new JV volleyball coach at TCA for the 2010-2011 school year. This is really exciting for me as I've always wanted to coach at the high school level, but I wasn't able to since I've been a stay-at-home mom for 6 years. I never thought I'd get this opportunity. I love how God works! Who would have thought a "secondary secretary" would be a JV volleyball coach, too? I had a good laugh when some of the upcoming high school girls asked if I even knew how to play volleyball. Um...yeah. I do know. I also know how to make girls run until they feel like puking. I'm good like that.

- Aaron and I celebrated our 10th anniversary on June 17. 10 years?!? In all honestly, the time has flown by almost too quickly. I still remember us playing the Nintendo 64 in our small apartment in Lubbock on Friday nights and eating Panburger Partners (the generic brand of Hamburger Helper) because we had no money to do anything. It is amazing to look at where we began and to see how far we've come. I wanted to go on a romantic vacation with Aaron. Aaron wanted a boat. Guess who won?





Ok, I have to admit that his purchase (albeit more expensive) was a better choice than a vacation. As much as I love vacations, we are not a family that does it. We add up the costs and decide to just go to the lake, go camping or visit family. Maybe someday I'll get that romantic vacation. Until then, woohoo for the boat!

- VBS has come and gone. A great post about this year's VBS can be found at Shelley's blog. No reason to duplicate the best explanation of this year's craziness. Although, I will say that rain + small church = ChAoS for finalizing a VBS schedule. I chalk it up to God bending me into being a more flexible person.

- Our trip to my parents' house for July 4th and the following week was a lot of fun. We played dominoes, ate A TON, swam, swam, and swam some more! We had an all-day birthday party for the boys on Thursday, July 8. We went to the museum and swam at an indoor water park. I won't lie. I'm not one for public pools. I think it is ok until I get there. Then, I just envision all those children peeing in that water. Yuck. Let me go back to my parents' pool. At least I know those kids who are peeing in that pool. :)

Tepee Dog Pile


Trash Can Lid Sundae


Everyone preparing to devour (except Jack who ordered a plain vanilla ice cream cup)


Yum!


This week will bring us fun with Emma who came with us home to spend a few days with her cousins before my sister and Ellie come down. We are going to Hurricane Harbor, Six Flags, Fossil Rim, Art Camp and going to PK for some boating fun. Whew. Too bad I can't rest next week. I'm coaching at a volleyball camp all day from Monday through Friday. Whew. Good thing I get one full week before work starts again.

1. Lightening is the only true way for an organization to call a game.

2. While a 3 year old is cute to watch running on the field, he is not as cute when he gets the ball taken away from the opposing team and have a full-fledged temper tantrum on the field.

3. If a child has to go to the bathroom during practice, then don't make him wait. He will pull down his pants and pee on anyone near him.

4. Staying in the entire 8 minute quarter is relative.

5. Playing goalie is something everyone but the actual goalie wants to do during game time.

6. The coach runs more than all other players on the field...combined.

7. Making "hi-ya!" noises while being goalie does improve the effectiveness of the position.

8. Telling a child 15 times that the goal is "that way" will not mean he or she will remember the 16th time he or she has the ball.

9. The trophy is not made of real gold.

10. Watching your child run down the field kicking the ball and giggling like crazy while everyone chases him is the most awesome thing ever.

I must admit that I never thought I would have those two words together in the title of a post. However, it was camping bliss this weekend.

We went to Isle du Bois at Ray Roberts Lake State Park for the Cub Scout Family Camp Out. We had so much fun fishing, hiking, roasting marshmallows and bike riding.

Friday Night:

Some go fishing...


Others go rock throwing...


Saturday:

So proud of Jack on his bike!


Look at him go!


Jack is being presented with his badges and belt loops.


Luke climbing his favorite tree


How did he get so high?


Being silly


Can you see the rocks in the air that Luke just threw?


The end of a pretty perfect day

It amazes me how fast time can move. Last week was Spring Break, and we had a really great time relaxing and sleeping in for a couple of days. The boys went to Grandma and Pappy's house last Saturday and had a lot of fun going into Lubbock to visit The Science Spectrum, eating cheese sticks at Spanky's, and riding 4-wheelers at the ranch. In fact, they had such a good time that the only time Jack wanted to talk to me was when he had a question about his Nintendo DS. Yep, I feel loved.

On Wednesday, we went into Amarillo and spent some time with my parents and my sister's family. On Thursday, we started the day at Western Bowl which the boys loved. Then, a hearty lunch at Beef 'O' Brady's and shopping with Papa's credit card. :)

On Friday, the boys and I visited my grandparents in the morning and hung out with my sister, brother-in-law and nieces in the afternoon. The kids had a fantastic time doing art projects and playing outside in freezing weather. The big kids (aka adults) enjoyed sitting around and chatting while drinking some coffee.

Much to our disbelief, it began snowing Friday night, and I'm pretty sure we got around 3" on the ground. Luckily, it began melting by Saturday afternoon so I could drive us home on Sunday.

As sad as I am that Spring Break is over, I'm also glad because it means we are closer to summer. I am so looking forward to those relaxing days. Jack is already talking about his plans for the summer. It sounds like camping, Six Flags and going to the beach are on his menu. Sounds good to me!