Valentines Day, Teeth and Sports

Lacrosse!!! Hunter's first time to play lacrosse, and we love it. He decided to skip baseball and try a new sport. I am so glad he did. There is a team of all Rummel Creek boys, and we are having a blast. Hunter has learned so much and has taken on the challenge of a new sport! Meanwhile, Trent and FaithAnn have started baseball/softball. This means that Trent is in "coaching mode," and is constantly coming up with drills and practicing with FaithAnn! SO cute! Since we have so many sports going on , I decided to cancel FaithAnn's tennis lessons at Westside. We needed better "balance," so I am figuring out what works for us. So, cousin Jake has been coming over to give her tennis lessons. So adorable, and so convenient!

Valentines day was a treat! The kids had early dismissal so we headed to the new Voodoo Donuts near downtown for lunch. Friends joined us, and we ate our bodyweight in sugar. It was worth it and a sweet treat. FaithAnn continues to always have her besties over, Riley and Presley. They are also on our softball team, lots of adventure ahead!

Trent wrote a note about LOVE, and it cracks me up. His teacher sent me the picture of his masterpiece. So boy! Love sounds like LSU football. This kid!!! You would think my sweet girl drew hearts and love notes on Valentines. Nope! She drew a picture of a "boy peeing poop balls." Not something I am proud of, but I sure wanted to remember these memories!

TEETH!!!!! Trent got braces!!! And FaithAnn is losing teeth left and right! She looks so much older with this big gap. She lost a tooth at softball practice and she didn't even know she lost it until an hour later, haha! Trent goes to the same orthodontist I went to as a kid!! He has had expanders for many months, and Dr. Schudy decided it was time for braces on his 2 front teeth to create space for all his jammed up teeth. I wanted to save this picture of his Xray to see ALL his teeth, crammed together. He has NO space!

He always talks about sports at his orthodontist appointments! So, sweet Dr. Schudy decided to surprise Trent at his playoff game. Such a sweet man!! Trent LOVED this and will always remember this sweet gesture. And Hunter WON his championship game!!!! Ended the basketball season with a bang! He loves basketball, and we plan to dig into his passion!!! A great season wrapped up, as new seasons open!!! Onto the next!

Rodeo Time and More Sports

Rodeo time in Houston! We are so lucky to have the trail riders stop at the end of our street every year! On their way to the rodeo! So, we get our own personal, real life Rodeo show to kick off the season. The kids had Rodeo Day at school, and Faith Ann was the only one willing and ready to dress up! She looked adorable.

Her dance at school was adorable! Trent was embarrassed and tried to act too cool, but it was so fun to watch. Hunter LOVES this stuff! He practiced his dance and was all smiles, shy smiles, as he danced. Then, we celebrated with a spontaneous weekend with cousins. Veronica and the girls came in town and stayed with us, which made for amazing memories! 

And baseball and softball!!! What a fun time of year. This is FaithAnn's first time to play, and she already hit a HOMERUN in her first game. Such a beast!!! And Trent hit a homerun too in his first game. He is so funny with his "style!" He has his stance on point!!! They are on amazing teams! I gave them their "ballpark bucks bags." They each have $25 to spend at the concession stand. Teaching them budgeting, planning and more!

And I started a fun idea for the 3rd grade boys..."Wednesday at the Creek." Every Wednesday morning, we meet at the creek and I watch them ride their bikes to school, alone! Hunter uses his Gizmo watch to let me know they made it safely to school. They are earning their independence, and it is adorable! And I had to document this workout that FaithAnn wrote for me!! 25 minute plank! LOL! She is so freakin adorable. I love that she is mimicking me, writing workouts and inspired to be strong! Spring 2020...here we go! 

Rest in Peace, ZOE

Sweet Zoe was put to sleep on Ash Wednesday, February 26. She was 14 years old. She was our first baby. Such a beautiful, adorable Maltese. My parents had her sister, Sally, who died shortly after my dad. And honestly, that is about the time that Zoe's health started to decline. We knew her time was near, so Uncle Greg came over to take our final picture together, as a family of 7! 

The past 2 years, Zoe started sleeping most of the time. Her desire to eat and play declined rapidly. Her health faded, but she kept holding on. The vet kept telling me to keep her comfortable. And we did. She went in and out of phases of being blind, not able to control her bowels, and bouts with fluid build up with her congestive heart failure. But, she remained "comfortable." So, we held on.

There were hard days and good days. Mostly hard. Lots of cuddles, tears and trips to the vet. So, I decided it was time when I saw her covered in her poop. It was black. Come to find out, it was blood! She had a day of bad seizures, so I made her final vet appointment. I had the kids say goodbye to her before school, knowing the likely result of the appointment. The vet said the time had come. Zoe needed her eternal rest.

She laid in my arms, ate a plate of cheese whiz, then was ready for her shot. We got her wrapped up in a blanket, and the vet took her time was amazing. It was hard. But it was so peaceful. Zoe gently fell asleep in my arms. I called Scott to say goodbye to her. Zoe heard his voice the got the shot in my arms. I took the blanket home, and Faith Ann has not let that blanket go!

The kids are sad. They were most sad when they saw her empty corner. Her bed and bowls gone. But, they knew it was time. They saw the pain. They had a lot of questions. We prayed and talked about sweet Zoe. She was my first baby. My only baby that my mom ever held. She was hard to let go. Zoe, you will be missed. You will be remembered. Rest in peace, Zoe!