Hello, It's Me Again...

I could make excuses for way I haven't updated this blog in months. They'd all be really good. But I won't bother. Let's just get to the updates:
-Bryce has been playing indoor lacrosse this winter and they've been WINNING. What?!? It's a new feeling for us. This same team didn't win a game all year during the outdoor season. To say we were excited would be a mild understatement. Not only that, but my boy? He scored! A bunch of times! Bryce is pretty awesome off the field too, making honor roll both quarters this year. 

Those shorts are Flow Society Lacrosse shorts. They have monkeys and bananas on them. My dad thought he was wearing pajamas. Apparently, it's a lax thing. We wouldn't understand.

-Jarron has been playing basketball for the Fairfield Tomahawks. His team hasn't been quite as lucky with the wins. But Jarron has played his heart out. He's a defensive machine, with a ton of rebounds each game. He also doesn't do too bad when it comes to scoring. He had a three point shot this weekend. And of course, he had to throw up the three goggles! He also has made honor roll each quarter this year.

It's really hard to find a non-blurry photo with just Jarron in it from basketball, so here you go. He's running. And yelling? It's an action shot and a little blurry but you get the idea.

-Jackson has been playing basketball for Upward. This is our first year playing at Cincinnati Christian. We chose to play there because Jackson's BFF, Otto plays for them and it's very close to home. It's been a great experience. Jackson has scored a bunch of times and is having so much fun. This past weekend he blocked a shot and swatted it into the crowd (a la Nerlens Noel). It was pretty amazing. Jackson was Student of the Month in February at FFE and is also getting straight As. (Look, my kids are kind of awesome. It's just a fact. And I'm pretty stinking proud of them.)

As usual, he shows a lot of emotion while playing. :)

-Moose has been growing at an alarming rate. Our little toddler is such a BOY now. He's been practicing writing and spelling his name (only when he wants to do it) and can count to 10. But what he really loves to do is sing. On video. Songs he has heard bits and pieces of on TV or on YouTube. It's pretty funny because he doesn't really know the words (so he makes them up) and he only sort of knows the tune. And when he's finished singing he ALWAYS says "I just blew that up, like a BOSS." He's pretty much one of the funniest kids I know.

He's got moves you don't even know about.

So that's what we've been up to. Busy. Busy. Busy. That's just how we roll.

Ten on Tuesday

1. Well, hello there. My name is Christina and I have this blog that I never update but I'm constantly writing posts for in my head... :)

2. I'm pretty sure I'm going to take this photo every year for as long as I can convince them (i.e. bribe them) to pose for it. They already look so much older than last year.

2012

2011

3. Moose has learned so many new skills in the past few months from watching TV and hanging out with his older brothers-but I think the one his Dad is most proud of is the one "The Electric Company" taught him a few weeks ago. Beatboxing. Yes, my four year old can beatbox. Apparently if you say, "boots" and then "cuts" repeatedly and quickly, that's the first step to expert beatboxing.

4. How many people are sitting there reading this and saying "boots" "cuts" over and over again? :)

5. Jackson is growing up far too fast for this momma-he no longer believes in Santa Claus ("Mom, it's just impossible for anyone to do that-millions of kids in 24 hours? I may be a kid but even I know that's impossible.") and he had his first friend sleepover this week. Stop growing so fast.

6. Lots of holiday fun going on around here-visits to Santa (the older boys even pretended to believe so Moose could have that experience), trimming the tree, and Christmas parties (so many parties!). The twins are in the children's Christmas drama at church this Sunday night. I'm really looking forward to seeing them perform-I haven't been to any of the rehearsals so this will be my first time seeing it!

7. Basketball season is back in session, which means on any given weekend we can be found in a gym somewhere, rooting on either Jarron or Jackson. Jarron's playing for the Fairfield Tomahawks again this year and Jackson's playing for an Upward program near our home.

8. Still hoping for a white Christmas here in Ohio, despite the near 60 degree weather and thunderstorms we've been having in the middle of December-a girl can dream. :)

9. We found a new and very addictive show to watch as a family-Duck Dynasty. The only problem is the boys are now super interested in duck hunting and all things "redneck". I'm a little afraid of what this means for us as they get older. (Full disclosure-I'm a girly girl-I don't do "dirt" or fishing or camping all that well.)

10. I feel like I should include a few photos from the past few months to catch everyone up on our life-so here you go...be back soon!

lakes family reunion

halloween

 jackson at fall lacrosse

moose at itty bitty soccer

family photo shoot

The Moose Turns Four

I can hardly believe it. Our sweet little Moose, the baby of our family, is now four years old. It's been four years since this bundle of energy was placed in our arms and changed our lives.

Brody Edward, you were the missing piece to our family, that one little link that we needed to complete us and make us whole. You have brought such joy and happiness to our lives.
Your laughter and mischievousness are exactly what we needed. I thought as an experienced momma of 3, that I knew what I was doing. Ha! You taught me that I had soooo much to learn. You taught me how to slow down and enjoy each moment (whether I wanted to or not), you taught me that I am absolutely not in control (God has always had a special plan for you), and that sometimes all I really needed to smile was a little boy doing a crab dance for me.

I can see the years slipping past me so quickly now. I'm trying desperately to savor each moment of this journey with you. Your baby years are gone now. There are no binkys, bottles or diapers in this house. No crib or changing table.

I'm not sure it's even fair to call you a toddler at this point. You've just started soccer and you graduated from the Nursery at church. You have suddenly become a little boy. My tiny little Moose is a boy.

I love you so very much, Moose. I love the way you sing when you play video games. I love your sweet chubby little cheeks that are beginning to thin into a little boy face. I love your big blue eyes and your adorable little grin. I love that you want me to read "The Going To Bed" book each and every night, even though you have it memorized. I love that you embrace life and the people around you. There are no strangers in your world (we'll need to work on that). You have so much personality.
I have so many hopes and dreams for you but right in this moment, I hope most that you never lose that-the complete joy of living-you are just so happy all the time-I want that for you, forever.
I thank God every day for you and your brothers. For allowing me to be your momma. For letting me get to know you, to raise you, to have some small part in the amazing men you will become.
I hope you know how much you are loved-it's hard being the youngest of 4, no doubt, but know that your Dad and I love you more than words could ever express.

Happy 4th Birthday Moose Goose! I love you to the moon and back.
Love,
Your Momma