Hershey's Track Meet 2011

The boys once again participated in the annual Hershey's Track Meet this past week. It was Gabe's fourth year participating. That's right, his fourth year! That just seems unreal to me. Where does the time go? This was Cooper's second year participating.

Gabe's performance was typical, for him. He was there to compete and nothing else. So determined and such a true competitor. He chose to do the long jump for the fourth year in a row. And for the third year in a row, Gabe placed in the long jump winning first place this year. The boy can jump!

Gabe jumping for first place in the long jump.

I gave Gabe complete control over what he chose to compete in when filling out the registration form weeks before the event. I usually ask him what he wants to do, but when he says, "I don't know," I would usually then go ahead and sign him up for what I thought he might like to do. Well, this year, I wanted him to choose so that he couldn't tell me, "Mom, why did you sign me up for that?" Yes, complete control, with no leading, or pushing, or trying to influence him in any way. Note to self: complete control given to Gabe equals a very long process. 

I kept asking Gabe what he wanted to sign up for. But he just could not decide. He knew he wanted to do the long jump and two running events, but he just couldn't for the life of him decide which two running events to choose. I had Cooper's form filled out about a month before Gabe finally made up his mind the day before the registration deadline.  Gabe finally decided to do the 50 meter once again this year, and chose to do a new event: the 200 meter. And although I was a bit nervous that he may run out of steam in the 200, Gabe proved me wrong once again. Why I ever think of underestimating his determination is beyond me. He never fails to show me that my doubts are unfounded when they are up against his sheer will to win.

Gabe (second from the right) running the 200 meter dash, in which he got 1st place.

On to Cooper. Last year, if you recall from my post, Cooper had said before the event, "I only hope I win one ribbon!" And he did. But this year was a different story. I don't know if it's his first year of wrestling this past winter that has changed Cooper's perspective. Maybe it was winning so many first place trophies throughout the season, and finally placing fourth in the state at the end of the season. Whatever it was, something had changed because this year Cooper really, really wanted to win first place. Second and third just weren't good enough. Talk about a 360!

So, Cooper chose to compete in the long jump, the 50 meter and the 100 meter dash, the long jump being his first event.

And, Cooper got second place. 

He said to me with a sly grin upon finding out he placed second, "Second is ok, but maybe next year I can get first." What? Is this the same Cooper that only wanted to win just one ribbon last year? Now we're being discriminating as to which one ribbon it is?

Next up was the 50 meter. I think the fact that you're running at the same time as everyone else made this very different than the long jump, when you're jumping individually. In Cooper's mind the competition was ON! Cooper ended up getting second in his heat, which was bad enough for him. He was not pleased. Then they announced over the loud speaker that he got third overall. Having to explain to Cooper that there was more than one heat and they have to consider all heats in his age group before they award places was too much!

No, he wasn't mad at anyone else or being a poor sport. There were no fits. He did congratulate his friends with the most sincerity. But, he also kept saying he knows he can do better. Who knew so much determination could be in such a tiny little 42 pound body?! He's already started practicing his running form for next year, ha!

Cooper running the 50 meter, in which he placed third.

Cooper did not place in the 100 meter. The official results haven't come out, but I'm guessing he didn't miss placing by too much. Cooper didn't care for that logic though, saying "they don't have a fourth place ribbon, mom!" Ha!

So, here I am with two boys who love to compete and do so to win. I guess that's what being an athlete is all about! And I'm so thankful that my two athletes are good sports, no matter what place they achieve.

Together

I love to see my four hanging out together. 

In their pj's, covered with blankets, snuggled up together on the floor, watching a movie. 

The four of them, together.

Never Grow Up

I found this photo today while looking for photos for the new blog header. I don't think I have ever shared it on the blog, but it's one of my favorites because to me, it's the essence of childhood. Of my boys' childhood, anyway. Gabe's missing teeth and messy hair. Cooper's determined stance as he aims his toy gun. That's the memories I'll have. We live on an acerage and our boys spend endless hours exploring the outdoors, putting their imaginations to use. On this particular day, they were cowboys. Gabe and Cooper are the best of friends, and I pray it always stays that way.

As I was thinking about childhood, I was reminded of a song. I think this may be the only time I'll ever quote a country song, because it's no secret that I am not fond of country music. But I really could listen to this song over and over again. And cry about this song over and over again. And be inspired to make the most of the time that they are little, because it's all too short.

Never Grow Up by Taylor Swift

Your little hands wrapped around my finger
And it's so quiet in the world tonight
Your little eyelids flutter 'cause you're dreaming
So I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light

To you, everything's funny
You got nothing to regret
I'd give all I have, honey
If you could stay like that

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
Just stay this little
Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
It could stay this simple

I won't let nobody hurt you
Won't let no one break your heart
No, no one will desert you
Just try to never grow up, never grow up

You're in the car on the way to the movies
And you're mortified your mom's dropping you off
At 14, there's just so much you can't do
And you can't wait to move out someday and call your own shots

But don't make her drop you off around the block
Remember that she's getting older, too
And don't lose the way that you dance around
In your PJs getting ready for school

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
Just stay this little
Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
It could stay this simple

No one's ever burned you
Nothing's ever left you scarred
And even though you want to
Just try to never grow up

Take pictures in your mind of your childhood room
Memorize what it sounded like when your dad gets home
Remember the footsteps, remember the words said
And all your little brother's favorite songs

I just realized everything I have
Is someday gonna be gone

So here I am in my new apartment
In a big city, they just dropped me off
It's so much colder than I thought it would be
So I tuck myself in and turn my night light on

Wish I'd never grown up
I wish I'd never grown up

Oh, I don't wanna grow up, wish I'd never grown up
Could still be little
Oh, I don't wanna grow up, wish I'd never grown up
It could still be simple

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
Just stay this little
Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
It could stay this simple

Won't let nobody hurt you
Won't let no one break your heart
And even through to you want to
Please try to never grow up

Don't you ever grow up
(Never grow up)
Just never grow up

Fashion Friends Update

It's been a very long time since I've updated on Chloe's part in the Fashion Friends project. Read about how Chloe got involved with this new company through her modeling here.

Basically, Chloe was chosen to represent Faith Flowers in a new line of clothing and dolls called, Fashion Friends. That in itself would be a neat opportunity, but couple it with the fact that Fashion Friends is a openly Christian company makes it even more special and perfect for us! Just read this excerpt about Fashion Friends: "Their desire is to honor God by using the gifts and talents He has given them." Such an awesome ministry to young girls interested in all the things young girls {and moms like me!} love...dolls and fashion!

Since Chloe was chosen last spring, a lot has happened with Fashion Friends. The rest of the girls were cast to represent all seven fashion friends, the first in a line of books came out, the new website was launched, and sample dolls have been produced.

I was notified last week that the Faith Flowers doll will be sent to Chloe sometime this week so that we can do a photo shoot with Chloe & the doll, including photos of me reading to Chloe. Ha! Yes, they would like some photos of this photographer who is used to being behind the camera reading to my daughter. Hmmm...I am no model, so honestly I'm a bit nervous!

And then there's little Chloe, not nervous at all in front of the camera. The other day I asked Chloe to help me do this Fashion Friends update by posing for a few photos. She had no problem, as usual. I hope she always loves the camera, because my camera loves her...




Here she is with the Fashion Friends book, which she received one of the very first copies at Christmas time. The book is awesome, building girls up to have positive self-esteem and featuring several Biblical principals and verses throughout. Chloe loves looking at this book and having it read to her...







I love the end of the book, which features the 'Fashion Friends Prayer,' ending in...

"And someday, Lord, when our dreams come true, we'll give all the praise and glory to you!"

You can purchase your very own copy of the Fashion Friends book here.

In the meantime, photos of Chloe and her look-a-like Faith Flowers doll will soon grace the blog. We actually have to send this doll back, as it's the only one of it's kind. But Chloe will receive her very own Faith Flowers doll later this summer when the dolls are released to the public, and more photo shoots will take place with Chloe, her doll and their matching outfits!

I know this Fashion Friend model will look forward to that...

Too cute to get into too much trouble

The blog title says it all.

Yes, this boy gets into trouble, but never too much.

Because he's just too cute. Really. 

And it doesn't hurt that every time he does something naughty, he's smiling about it...

Maybe he's just got it figured out how NOT to get into too much trouble by smiling while getting caught, but either way he's got mom wrapped around his little finger. At least I'm aware of the fact, right?!?

Gavin also has two new favorite words: thanks and sorry. He uses them often and interchangeably.  For example, I gave Gavin a piece of banana the other day and he replied, "Sorry." A little later, he was caught pulling Chloe's hair (yes, he's a habitual hair puller with a smile) and he proudly says, "Thanks!" 

Chloe was NOT happy with Gavin's response to the hair pulling incident in case you were wondering. It resulted in Chloe lecturing Gavin a little something like this: "Now Gavin, first of all we do NOT pull hair. But when we do, we say sorry, not thanks. Now go be a good boy for the rest of the day." Ha, that girl makes me laugh! 

And so does this naughty brother of hers who apparently likes to play lots and lots of games (all at once!) other than just wrapping mom around his little finger...

 

Nope, too cute to be naughty ;)

My baby is 8

I was remembering the other day when Gabe was first born. Holding that perfect little newborn in my arms, I couldn't imagine my baby being old enough to say those first words, take those first steps, go to kindergarten, let alone be in second grade. And then, practically in the blink of an eye, it happens. Your baby is 8 years old! 

Yes, to the mother of a newborn baby, 8 years old seems so very old. But believe me, those 8 years have flown by without warning. So cherish every minute, every hug, every kiss, every 'I love you mommy.' It all goes by so fast.

I plan to have a mini photo shoot with my eight-year-old, but I haven't had a chance as of yet. So, I'll instead share some photos from his eighth birthday party. 

Gabe had two of his closest friends over to spend the night for his birthday. They're all on the same football team, so following practice we loaded up the Yukon and headed to Planet X, our local indoor fun center. Here are the boys in the backseat on the way to Planet X...

Little brother Cooper got to tag along for the fun, which he loved, even when he was being given the bunny ears...

My husband has been to Planet X many times, as a substitute teacher and youth pastor, but this was my first experience. It was a lot of fun, with so many games to play. There was ski ball, which apparently, Jason and Cooper take very seriously...

And bumper cars...

Tons of video games...

And even mini-bowling...

We stayed away from the mini-golf, as Gabe is a bit of a curse with a golf club (thought you'd appreciate that Val! ha!) Yes, Valerie's son, Brayden (who is Gabe's bud since they were practically born) had a birthday party a few years back in which the kids played put-put golf. There was an incident with Gabe, a golf club and Brayden's head, which led to poor Brayden having to spend the rest of his birthday in the emergency room with a gushing head wound. Ouch! Hence, Gabe being a curse with a golf club. But I digress...

With the tickets the boys won from their play time at Planet X, they all chose vampire teeth. Aren't they a scary crew...(DO click on the photo to view it larger. Aren't they a hoot!)

The next morning, the boys awoke to birthday cake and donuts. Such a well-balanced breakfast, I know...

Not sure what prompted Gabe to break out in a ballad, but ya can't help but love him...

And lots of presents and fun... (and bare bellies?...)

I think it's safe to say that Gabe had an awesome eighth birthday! And mom didn't shed too many tears either. I just wish there was a way to stop my babies from growing up so fast! 

Happy birthday Gabe! We are so very proud to call you our son, and so very thankful for the heart God has given you. Go let that light shine and continue to be a blessing to others in your next eight wonderful years!

Gavin - 20 months old

Our youngest, Gavin, is 20-months-old this month. And I was thinking, I've never had a 20-month-old and NOT been pregnant with the next! Isn't that crazy! We're really messing up our kids-every-two-years schedule! ha!



But I don't think Gavin minds being mom's only 'little' one. He's such a happy little ham! He's always clapping, or dancing, or spinning in a circle. He's often saying, "Look!" and wanting me to follow him so that he can show me something he's discovered or done. He's very affectionate, and loves to snuggle and give hugs. And he's always giving me those huge puppy dog eyes...



Gavin, my little heart-breaker!

Iowa Pee Wee State Wrestling Tournament, 2011

“Once you’ve wrestled,
everything else in life is easy”
- Dan Gable

There is so much truth in the above quote. No, I’ve never wrestled. And neither has Jason. No, the closest I've come to wrestling experience is my brothers who wrestled, and my dad who was a referee. But watching our sons, Gabe, age 7, and Cooper, age 5, wrestle has shown both Jason and I that there is so much to be learned through the sport. There are life lessons to be gained through both the victories and defeats. There’s self-control, pride, hard work ethic, integrity, endurance. And there’s character to be built.

This past weekend, as Gabe and Cooper wrestled at the Iowa Super Pee Wee State Wrestling Tournament, I saw their strength of character shine through in so many ways. I saw the boys willingly shake hands with their opponents through their wins and losses. And I saw both boys take their wins with quiet humbleness, and their losses as a challenge to go out and win the next match.

Yes, even if wrestling is not your favorite sport to watch, you can’t help but appreciate the character built through every hard-fought match. And this past weekend was filled with hard-fought matches for our boys!

We really had no expectations going into the tourney except one: for the boys to do their best. That's always our one and only expectation with any sport they compete in. All we ask is that if they're going to do something, they do it to their best ability.

The weekend started on Saturday, with Cooper wrestling in the Kindergarten 42-pound bracket. This is Cooper’s first year of wrestling, and state was his sixth tournament ever. While the other tournaments Cooper has competed in have been relatively small tourneys where Cooper had 4-man round robin brackets, which means he would wrestle three matches per tournament, state was completely different. It's kind of a BIG deal...

{Look at all these boys getting ready to compete. The arena was packed!}


Cooper was placed in a 32-man bracket. With several first-round byes, Cooper was up against 24 other wrestlers all vying for a spot on the podium at the end of the day.

Cooper had a first-round bye, then ended up winning his next two matches both by very close margins. The first match was back and forth, and ended up tied at the end of the third period, placing him into overtime. Cooper managed to get the first take down to win the match. The next was also a very close match, where Cooper ended up scoring two points for the win with seconds left on the clock. It’s really hard to describe how emotionally draining it is watching your son out there on the mat. And the close matches are ten times worse!

{Cooper looking quite serious on the mat.}


But after two close wins, Cooper was in the semi-finals! He then lost his next match to the eventual state champion, but not without a fight. And following his next match where he got another win, Cooper was in the top four, wrestling his final match to determine who would win third place.

Cooper ended up losing his final match, but had nothing to feel bad about. He wrestled five tough matches, made his way into the top four out of 24 wrestlers, and got a fourth place state medal! In addition to placing at state, Cooper finished the 2010-2011 season with a record of 16 wins, 4 losses, and never got pinned. Pretty good for a kindergartner who was scared to even compete in a tournament until December! Click here to read about Cooper’s start to wrestling and very first tournament win.

{Cooper with his medal.}


{On the winner's podium, 4th place!}




One down, one to go.

Big brother Gabe wrestled on Sunday. This is the only Sunday tournament we’ve ever participated in because we normally don’t miss church for sporting events. But since Gabe was in the second grade division this year and they wrestled on Sunday, we made an exception since state is the culmination of all the hard work from throughout the season.

Gabe has wrested at state before as a kindergartner, but only had a few meets under his belt before he competed and was eliminated after two losses. Last year Gabe had planned on competing at state, but broke his arm only weeks before and was in a cast. After much waiting, Gabe finally had his second chance at competing at state.

He was placed in a 32-man bracket in the 58 pound weight class. But as with Cooper’s bracket the day before, there were several first-round byes, actually making it 22 boys in the bracket. Gabe’s first match, similar to his brother’s the day before, was way too close for mom’s comfort! It came down to the final seconds of the match, and Gabe ended up scoring to get the win, 6 to 5! Yes, he won by one point! Talk about almost sending his mom to the emergency room with a heart-attack! Yikes!

The next two matches, Gabe won handily. He got a pin the second match, and won by technical fall, 15 to 0, in the third match, which is where the match is stopped after you score 15 points on your opponent. Gabe was pumped!

Three wins, and now he’s in the semi-finals! He understood that if he got two more wins, he would be the state champion. Only two wins away, which I believe is one reason the next match came as such a hard loss to him.

Yes, he did lose.

Gabe lost that fourth match to last year’s state champion, and the eventual state champ again this year. And to make matters worse, Gabe got pinned. Gabe had set a goal at the beginning of the year to never get pinned, so this was a very hard loss.

{This photo shows a bit of how upset Gabe was as he is surrounded by his coaches...}


It took all I had to hold back the tears as I watched him get off the mat, red-faced and trying with all his might not to cry. He was devastated! And so the character building begins.

Because as much as we desire for our kids to win, they’re not always going to. There’s always going to be someone better out there, someone with just a little more experience or a little more talent or skill. We can’t win them all.

And after such a loss, there’s a choice to be made. We can either give up, throw in the towel and be defeated. Or we can choose to have strength of heart and come back with all we have for our next match. And I am proud to say that Gabe did the latter.

Gabe’s next match was wrestling for third place. The two were so evenly paired. Much of the match went without score. Then they each managed to score two. And by the end of the third period, with the score tied two to two, Gabe’s opponent managed to work his way around Gabe in the final seconds of the match and score another two to end the match. Again, Gabe was faced with defeat. And another hard loss.

{Gabe shaking hands with the opponent's coaches after a loss.}


But again, he came back to his final match determined to give it his all. And this time, it was enough. He did win that last match, 7 to 4, and earned 5th place on the state podium. And he earned the right to be proud of his strength of heart. Because when it would have been so easy to give up, he kept going. And with that, Gabe’s season ended with a record of 22 wins, 5 losses.

{Gabe, on the podium in 5th place.}



It’s funny because the boys don’t even understand what they’ve accomplished. For two boys used to wrestling in 4-man brackets where they’ve usually managed to take home first place, 4th and 5th place don’t seem like much. Maybe someday they’ll understand that fourth and fifth place out of 24 and 22 boys IS an accomplishment. But for now, Gabe is already talking about what he needs to work on to be first next year. What can I say, the boy has tenacity!

And they have both obtained valuable skills from hard wins and even harder losses that will take them places in life. They’ve both become boys of character. And of that, I couldn’t be more proud!

Ski Trip 2011

A few weeks ago, we went on our annual ski trip to Copper Mountain, Colorado.

Getting ready to leave is always a chore packing for four kids. But for some reason, it seemed especially challenging this year. Photo sessions needed to be finished editing and client orders needed to be placed before we could leave for our vacation. And that's just for my business. Add in shuttling the boys to wrestling practice, helping Jason with youth group activities calendars and all the other day-to-day to-do's, and I was in much need of a reprieve!

So, after driving all night long, barreling our way through a snow storm in the mountains, and getting the kids tucked in for a good night's sleep in actual beds instead of car seats, we were ready Sunday morning to start a wonderful week of skiing.

And wonderful it truly was!

In addition to our family, we had several friends with us this year, one of which just happens to be the family of our sons' best friends. So, needless to say, Gabe and Cooper had a blast sharing a room and beds with their best buddies, Brayden and Easton!

And then there was skiing together!

The boys all had a blast and were making their way down double black diamonds like nobody's business by the end of the week. Yes, there were several almost heart-attack moments for this mom, in case you were wondering. Our five-year-old is a dare-devil and likes to go fast. While going down a steep black diamond run early in the week, Cooper thought he'd go straight down instead of doing his turns as I'd just told him to do at the top of the run. So there I am, watching from behind as I see Cooper skiing straight down the mountain at supersonic speed. It looked as if he thought he'd zoom right by our friend, Jeff, but he instead barreled right into the back of his legs and they both went down. It was completely horrifying. I still wish that I would have somehow captured it on video, although I would have never wanted to watch it again myself.

Thankfully, both Cooper and Jeff escaped the incident unscathed, and it taught Cooper a valuable lesson to make sure you're under control while skiing. The rest of the week Coop skied without incident, and life was good!

So many stories I could share from our wonderful week, but I'll get on to sharing some photos...

This was Chloe's first year on the slopes. She was so excited, but a bit scared too. After getting over her fear of the lift, she did great. Here she is all bundled up. It was so very cold for most of the week...



Cooper lost his first tooth on the second day of skiing. He's so cute and proud with his missing tooth...


The lift below is very tricky, as you can see, because there's only a little bar you grab and place between your legs as it proceeds up the hill. You miss the bar, it's strike one. You fall down, it's strike two and you're out...they only give you two chances to get 'on' the lift. It was the boys' first time on this lift, and they all made it on the first try with flying colors!{From top to bottom: Me, Cooper Gabe, Brayden and Alex, going up the lift. Jason was in back with the camera.}


At the top there is this sign to remind you that the stick you were just holding on to can be brutal if you allow them to then hit you...


At the top of the lift, you literally feel like you're on top of the world! At the very least, on the top of a very big mountain! Here's Gabe, Cooper and Brayden taking in the view...


We had to ski down this to get down from the top of the mountain. Very steep stuff! We didn't tell the boys until they got down, but this was their very first double black diamond run...


The run is so steep, and so full of fresh powder, that even veterans like Jason's dad fall down sometimes. And Dwight, this is payback for last year's tree run incident...you remember, a certain photo of me {and my behind} trying to work my way up from an run-in {literally} with a tree. That was a nice photo, but I like these couple better...



And to be fair, Dwight wasn't the only one who fell on this run. Here's our friend Alex on the ground, as Cooper and Gabe watch...


Here's the boys at the bottom of the run, with the huge mountain in the background being where they just skied down from. What studs...


Some of our crew on the lift...


A BIG thank you to Jason's mom, Grandma Sanders, who volunteered to again go along on the trip and watch kiddos so that I could ski! I think the kids and Bonnie both had fun watching the slopes from the nice warm condo...


I love this one of Easton and Cooper playing the DSi's on the floor. They were so into gaming, they didn't even realize I was there...


But Nolan did! He quickly grabbed his little laptop and posed for me like the big boys...


Speaking of Nolan, his personal mission throughout the week was to help take care of Gavin. Hey, he's older than Gavin, so why not! ha! But Gavin wasn't always so keen on the idea. Love this photo below. Gavin: Mom, stop taking pictures and help a guy out already!


Our friend, Joanna, playing princesses with Chloe...


Our little Dare Devil, Gabe, doing a jump on the terrain park...


You don't have to look long to see who Gabe takes after. Here's Jason doing a jump...


Here's our friends during an impromptu photo session...

This family went with us four years ago, and they had their truck stolen on the way out in Denver. Seriously, their truck was stolen along with all their belongings! No wonder it took four years for them to work up the bravery to try it again! We are so thankful they came along, and so happy it was a MUCH better trip!

Here's all the kid skiers from our group. Left to right, Chloe, Gabe, Brayden, Cooper and Easton...


And our family, minus Gavin...


Our Dew Run crew...


And what's a Dew Run without the Dew...


And we can't forget some gorgeous scenery...








Photo overload, I know. And this was just a small portion! What a blessed trip!