My little lovebug!

I love this girl! She was so excited to wear her dress with hearts on it!

She loves to pose!

This little lovebug of mine...she knows how to make her momma happy- cheese for the camera!

Superbowl Fun!

The big boys participated in football fun...competitions galore! Although the biggest boys may have been just as competitive in the activities!

The younger set hanging out inside pre-game...eating some of the enormous amount of food!

Nana started all of us standing for the Star Spangled Banner!

As you can see the boys really got into singing their hearts out!

Is that a brotherly likeness we see?

Once again-the Glassers hosted a fun Superbowl! Thanks to Shawn for planning the competitions and making the Gin Fizzes, and everyone else for the delicious food and fun time!

Spotlight on Nick!

Nick's buddies on his basketball team...all such great kids! From left to right: Jack (Nick's golfing buddy), Payton (Nick's everything buddy-these two can't get enough of each other and actually count the days where they don't see each other!), Arnold (Nick's newest buddy).

Grandma and Grandpa came up for a visit and were soooo excited to watch Nick play. His games are very exciting this year and Grandma could be heard throughout the gym whooping for him as he made some awesome shots!

Nick's b-ball strengths this year: he is not afraid to shoot the ball, dribbles down the court well, and he is giving it his very best!

I never knew kid's sports could be this exciting! This season we have seen a big change in the intensity and pace of the game...woo-hoo!

Vulnerability

I am continuously reminded of my humanity and my vulnerability as I interact with my kids each day. I watch them as they experience life-learning from the good and the bad. My heart leaps as they try new things and have their hopes exposed. My heart breaks when they fail...but I keep reminding myself that failing is a part of life...it is how they deal with the failure that is important and the way that they build character. I have never in my life had my heart so "out there" for everyone to witness! I guess I still need to be building my character as well! This quote is one of my favorites...
"Making the decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body."
My heart has always been worn on my sleeve, but now it is walking outside of my body!

One of my Faves...

There are two important things we can give our children...
one is roots,
the other is wings.

Today I am grateful for...

I had some prayers answered recently and my whole spirit was lifted...I feel so much lighter! So thank you Lord for being faithful...

• I get time with my girlfriends in Palm Desert!
• Questions have been answered regarding a situation with Nick's future
• We are being blessed in regards to our taxes! (a surprise event)
• Gianna and Dominic love each other whole-heartedly...each day I am taken aback at how lucky I truly am to have them as sister and brother
• The sun was shining and the air was clear
• Gianna stayed in her big-girl bed on her first night!!!! She didn't even try to get up! (That is so unlike what I would expect from her:))

I feel like dancing!

Sunshine finally!

Today was soooooo beautiful! The sun was shining and the air was so crisp! We went stroller-pushing, tractor-riding and scooter rolling!

Dom found ice in the basketball hoop base...originally I found him licking it when I came out of the house- he said there wasn't too much dirt on it!

Gianna had a grand time chasing and running up and down the street! This girl loves the "chase." I hope this does not get her into trouble later in life (and love)! She has such a zeal for life!

Gianna's latest...

This last weekend Gianna was throwing up in the night and Vinny asked if I wanted to just have her sleep with me (and he would sleep on the couch) so that I could be by her. So we got her tucked into bed with Mommy, Vinny was barely kissing her goodnight when the bossy little chick said...

(while pointing her finger) "you out Daddy" "close door" "me bed Momma"

and also...

"funny funny" whenever someone has made her laugh. She likes to comment on the funniness of it all!

What can I say?

We were driving home from a party last weekend, and Vinny and I had just finished having a "talking-to" with Dom about his attitude. ( He wanted to eat all of the candy in the treat bag instead of saving it.)

There was a moment of silence as we all thought about what was said...

Then we hear- "Me nice momma" "Me no fight" in a very sweet, reassuring voice from the back.
(Gianna was reminding us of how well behaved she was in that moment!)

Dom's Newfound Talent!

So Dominic announced " Look what I can do now Momma! I can pick things up with my feet!"

WOW! This is an amazing feat! (haha-pun!)