Flag Football Is Underway

Today marks the opening season for NFL Flag football in Rio Rancho. Both boys are playing this year.

Caleb starts off his rookie season with the Broncos. He is joined by a teammate from church, Noah Deist (pictured below). He is very excited and loves to play.

Jacob is in his second season as a returning runningback/right end. He was traded from the Cowboys last year and is now playing for the Bears.

We started off the day with Caleb and his Broncos opening their season at 9:00 AM. Caleb is such a diverse player he plays every position throughout the whole game. Ok, they have to play everyone in each position, so they all get to play every position, but...whatever. Here's a great action shot of Caleb running the ball.

The Broncos started off the season with a 'W' in the Win column; some 28-6 or something. Caleb handed off for a touchdown, as well as ran the ball a couple of times. He also was instrumental in stopping the Buccaneers by snagging the opponent's flag just in time.

The Bears however, were met by the Packers who had a very talented young man that gave the Bears fits all day. Unfortunately, the Bears come away with a loss today, but much was learned. They will be back next week, stronger than ever.

Jacob played very well. He had several interceptions as well as a very key defensive play in which he grabbed the opponents flag just before the end zone, stopping a touchdown. Way to go Jake! Here he is making one of his incredible flag grabs!

Now, some of you may recall that last year at this time, Dad was working at Home Depot and the State of NM and was unable to attend any practices and only one game while Jacob was with the Cowboys. Well, this year is different. Mom was working at Kohl's today and had to miss both games. Unfortunately, Dad doesn't know what to expect at these things and went totally unprepared for hunger, heat, etc. We had no snacks, except for what the boys gleaned from the Team Mom after the game, and some water that he did think to bring. Next week will be different. AND we went for the 9:00 game and stayed there until Jacob's 12:00 game. Whew! We are pooped. So, I am now going to go take my nap!

We survived our first week of school!!! The drive is much more intense than I thought. There are only four ways across the river (the Rio Grande), and all of them are packed between 7-8:30am!! Hopefully we can move a little closer to their school eventually. At least we have Radio Disney!
The first day, Jacob let us know that he was NOT happy with our decision to put him in this school. He does not handle change that well, and was REALLY missing his friends. But today he is loving his teacher, Mr. Bonzon, who is the same height as Jake (about 5'3"), and his making new friends.

Anna talked for 30 minutes straight on the way home!!!!! Jacob kept rolling his eyes, but she normally is so shy in public, that I told him to knock it off...she probably hadn't said A WORD all day, and was like a volcano. I had to laugh...she is sooooo much like me!

Caleb saw me when he walked out of the school and said, "It wasn't scary at all!!" He had been so nervous that morning, that I spent my drive home wondering if we had made the right decision, blah, blah,blah...

And Mommy?? Well, I got home, and found myself kind of wandering around the house asking myself what I should do! Then I sat on the couch and asked myself again...then I got on the computer and asked myself a third time! IT WAS GREAT!!!!!!!!! SILENCE, for the first time in MONTHS!!!

Ahhh, I love school.

Back 2 School...finally!

Well, we made it through the long summer and the kids are back in school!! Yea! Oh come on, you know you thought the same thing with your kids! :)

This summer was extra long as we decided to put our kiddos in a new school. It's a charter school in Albuquerque that run year long. They have 3 months on starting in September, then December off, then 3 more months and then April off. Finally they go 3 more months and then have August off. So, this year our kids an extra long vacation...and we all felt it. Here are some pics from the first day of school. Jacob is in 4th grade, Anna in 3rd and Caleb in 1st.

Caleb is not too sure about this new school thing. There we a couple of times when I think tears were on the verge of coming out.

Anna Mary is ready for some great new adventures in a new school.

At least she has a friend from church that sits next to her.

And then there's Jacob...our pre-teenager. Yes, he's only 9, but he looks and sometimes acts like he's 14. His basic attitude on the first day was, "Ok, guys, I'm a big boy now you don't have to stick around and fuss over me and take pictures. I've done this before and I can do it on my own...just go!" :( Ok, so we left him alone.

Happy 60th Dad/Grandad!

August 18th we celebrated Melissa's dad's birthday in Santa Fe! It was planned as a surprise party, but mom had to tell him the morning of because he was bound and determined to get a lot of work done in preparation for their move to Pojoaque...and he wasn't about to let mom do any running around on her own. So, she told him, "We're having a party for you today and that's all I'm going to say." Of course, he was happy with that. She did tell him one more thing. She said, "I'll tell you one person that is coming...Caleb!" Here are some pics from that special day!

Of course, there is always great food whenever Lou Brown (my mother-in-law) is involved. Thanks, Mom, Aunt Margie, Aunt Mary, Donna and Melissa!! Awesome feast!

Dad, how many times did you go through that line? I'm not tellin' how many times I went through. Good stuff!

The theme was classic cars with 50's music playing in the background. The kids danced on the hardwood floor...ok, so did some of the adults. What a great time!

The grandkids (minus Emily & Cameron who are in Florida)

Well, dad couldn't have any type of gathering without preaching so...Just kidding! Mom and Dad are such a blessing and I am very blessed to have them as my in-laws. The flip side is they are very blessed as well. Dad received many gifts from his friends and church people and genuinely felt loved and accepted. Dad, thank you for being such a great inspiration and blessing to so many people...especially me and my family. We love you!