Cole!! Cole!! he's my hero!!!!

 

I hope one day I can be more like Cole.  He has taught me more in the last 2 months about life and how to react to the curve balls that are thrown at you and I hope I never forget this experience.

The day that Cole made the school baseball team was a good day.  Cole has always enjoyed playing baseball, but it hasn't always come easy to him. He's had to work hard at it. He had a rough spot a few years ago where he would strike out every time at bat, and his confidence was shaken. But he never gave up and always kept trying to get better.  He's been on many teams and had many coaches.  But never has he taught me more than he did this season as I watched him navigate through the ups and downs.  
He wasn't going to even play, but I said your the upper class man, just go and have fun. 
If I were him and had to go through what he has had to deal with I would have thrown in the towel and said the heck with it a long time ago. 

Things started out great, but they went from  good to worse.  He was playing and hitting. He was catching the ball and making outs at first.  Then all of a sudden he didn't play. But it wasn't for just an inning of two, it was the whole game. He got frustrated, but he never gave up. He talked to his coach and asked what he needed to work on to be able to play again.  His coach freaked out and asked if he played club. Cole replied no and to Cole's face said, "well if you did you would be better and then you would play for me.  You missed a ball at second and I cant have that. Get better and then maybe you would play" I was shocked.  Couldnt believe what I was hearing.  

But even with that Cole continued to show up, continued to work hard and stayed positive. He gave it his all and even when his coach didn't think it was good enough he  was able to move on and recognized where he had success. He stood by his teammates and encouraged them to keep working hard. He knew he wasn't the best, but he had fun and made the most of his time he had with the team.  He continued to play here and there, and even hit a home run.  He built strong relationships with the boys on his team and honestly that is why he stayed.  These boys were there for each other and lifted each other up.  

I am grateful the season is over. 😩😵‍💫The boys worked hard and put up a good fight. 
They ended up 3rd for the season. 

This baseball season has taught me to be grateful there is opposition in all things so when a hard coach comes around I am able to remember the amazing coaches that are out there that know what it means to  be a coach. What it means to believe in a player or a team when it doesn't seem possible.  To build up a player and teach them to work hard and to not give up.  To focus on the positive and not tear them down on all the negatives or mistakes. 
No one ever wants to hear that they aren't good enough.  Just because their best isn't THE BEST,  doesn't mean they don't have strengths or they can't have success. 
In my books, Cole was the winner. He didn't let someone tear him down, he found the positive and let it carry him through the hard moments.  And he was able to lead by example and taught his mom to forgive and forget, or at least I am going to try my best to do so.  
I don't know why I get so worked up over things like this.  Probably cause I see Cole's potential and he's an amazing kid and when someone or something tries to tear him down, mama bear steps in.  

 

Happy New Years!!!

Happy New Years from the Lewis' what a crazy fast year 2014 has been. It was filled with lots of fun memories and we are ready for what 2015 will bring. 

Christmas Eve 2014

Merry Christmas from the Lewis'. Thanks grandma and grandpa for the comfy new pajamas. We are all ready for bed and ready for Santa to come! Its been a busy week with back and forth nights to the lewis' but we love being with cousins and family. 

New Talent, New Stockings, Happy Mama

I am going to brag a bit because not even a month ago I didn't know how to crotchet and now before you are my families Christmas stockings. For 8 years now I have wanted fun stockings that went together.  I am so excited to use them this year and the many years to come!!!!

Now that my crocheting is done I guess I can get ready for Christmas!!! Holy cow where did December go?!?! 

Glendale Hometown Parade 2014

This year we were able to participate in the Glendale hometown parade with the cub scout troop. It was lots of fun, but there was also lots of waiting around. With boys ages 8-10 that doesnt go together very well. We all decided that next year we will just go and watch the parade.

Thanksgiving 2014 camping trip

       Happy Thanksgiving from the Lewis' !!! Last year we went camping for Thanksgiving and we were so excited to carry the tradition on. This was a great weekend away from the craziness of life and our kids have so much fun being out in nature. There isnt a better sound then to hear your kids laughing non stop as their brothers and dad push them on the rope swing and as we find walking sticks and try to cross the water without getting wet. I love that our family loves being outdoors together and hope this tradition lasts for many many years!!!

 I love sitting around the fire, telling stories, getting dirty with marshmallows and hot chocolate and seeing how fast the sticks can burn.

 Its also my favorite to see them just lay on the ground and not care about getting dirty and enjoying the world we have been given. The weather was amazing and only in arizona could you go camping in Novemeber and be able to play in the water and act like its summer time.

 This was Josh's Talent and we spent a few hours, stacking rocks.

  

What does your 2 year old sleep in?

I don't know what your two year old likes to sleep in by mine likes to wear his church clothes!!! For about an hour I kept going in and taking his shoes off, and finally after he was screaming because he was stuck in her white shirt, I got him dressed and sent him off to bed. Not 5 minutes later he was fast asleep. I learned a long time ago that he controls me and he gets what he wants. I guess that is what happens when your the baby of the family.

New Job and outstanding kids

These kids got spoiled with dinner at a restaurant for their hard work at school and to celebrate moms first day of work. Love this family and life is good. I was offered a position at the boys school after many hours of volunteering in the boys classrooms. Last year the assistant Principle had asked me if i wanted a job. I told her I still had 2 kids at home and that maybe I would consider it in 3 years when they were all in school. She didnt like that answer and kept coming back to me. I finally told her to write something up and I would talk it over with Josh. After much prayer and fasting I decided to take the job and try this working mom thing out. Hopefully it goes well and hopefully its not too hard on my family and me. I am working with 4 other moms and we run the Title 1 intervention team at the school. We pull small groups from each grade level that need extra one on one help to get them to the required grade level requirements. I dont see me very qualified but this, but i think it will be fun. I love that I get to be at school with the boys and Camrie and Wesley are well taken care of at my awesome next door neighbors house. Alsways fun to welcome new adventures!!!

Phoenix Temple Dedication

Our bishop was given about 8 tickets to the temple dedication. Because Jarom is 8 he got to come with Josh and I. Such an incredible experience. Even more cool was President Utchdorf and the others that were presiding at the session walked through our room in the temple and we were within arms reach of them. I hope Jarom never forgets this experience.

love my Kitchen Helper

40lbs of chicken,a cute little helper and 2.5 hrs later = 20 pints of canned chicken and 9 freezer meals with 3 chicken breast left over for dinner tonight!! What made it even better was the 9 freezer meals were done with what I already had in my fridge and pantry!!

Bedtime storeis with Grandma

Bedtime stories are always better and more fun when grandma is in town to read them!!! So excited to have my mom here this week, and can't wait for grandpa to get in on Thursday. I had called my mom the other day and asked if she would want to come and go to TOFW with me. She agreed and we were all so excited to have her around, She was able to come in a few days before Grandpa and then when grandpa got here, my mom and I left for the weekend to go to TOFW and left Josh and Grandpa in charge of the kids.

I love having them here, but always sad when they have to leave. I sure wish they lived closer. Its ever enough time and it always seems to go by way too fast. 

Arizona Phoenix Temple

What an amazing blessing to have a temple so close to home!!! We cant wait for the dedication on November 16th. We were able to take the kids through along with two of our great neighbors. The kids have been so lucky because within a year they have gone through two temples. (Gilbert and Phoenix) Cute Wesley just keeps asking to go back to the temple. I have gone 3 times and will be ushering for 5 hours but I think I am going to take the kids again. I love that they want to go again. So grateful for temples and the spirit they bring and for the chance that my children have to be able to go and see the beauty and i cant wait for the day that they will be sealed to their own spouse and receive the blessing from being inside.  So grateful for the gospel and for the knowledge of Forever Families!!!

My one and only Princess

I am a little bias but she is one of the cutest girls I know!! She is crazy, bossy, lovable, huggable, independent, brave, and most importantly she is MINE!! If I could guess she is a lot like how I was and I love every minute of her!!!

Crazy Arizona Monsoons

What my ride over to Josh's parents house looked like tonight!!! Craziness. These storms are dangerous!!!

Brotherly Love

Wesley just woke up from his nap and I called him over to cuddle with me and instead he went straight to cole!!! Love these two boys!!! 

Rain turns arizona into a complete mud field

We have been getting so much rain these days. I told the kids not to get into the mud!! I left Wesley alone for a few minutes and he was trying to get onto the trampoline with out getting into the mud. It didnt work and before i knew it, all the kids were in the mud and not only in the mud but swimming in the mud. Because the kids like to dig holes in the dirt it created its own little mud hole and yes they are completely in the mud up to their waists.

PHOENIX TEMPLE is almost ready!!!

We went to the phoenix temple tonight for FHE to see the progress of the building. We cant wait for it to be open and to really go inside. 

First day of School for the kids

Crazy that school is already here!!! The summer went by so fast! With family reunions and trips again in August, it made the first day of school come even faster. We arrived home Friday night and then school started bright and early at 7:30 am on Monday August 11th. We were gone for the Meet the teacher night and so the boys were a little nervous on the first day. I had asked Cole's Kindergarten teacher which teachers the boys got and so I at least knew that.   

 Cole's teacher was the same teacher that Jarom had in 1st grade, Mrs Watt; and so we were excited. It was crazy cause as we walked into the classroom, Cole's desk was in the same place that Jarom's desk was. Cole was excited to be back with his friends. 

 Jarom had a brand new teacher to the school, Ms Rodriquez. Once they got to their classrooms they were great and it was a successful first day. I am excited to be back into school and to have some one on one time with Wesley and Camrie. I am grateful my kids love school and love to learn. Jarom works very hard to be a good study and I hope it will pay off this year for him

Camrie then started her new preschool a week later on the 18th. She was so excited to finally get to go to school where Jarom and Cole both went, Miss Linda's. She is a mom from our stake that does preschool out of her home and the kids love it. She has them Monday, Wednesday, friday from 9-12 with Wednesday till 2 to get them ready for all day Kindergarten. I cant believe my baby girl is 4 and old enough for preschool.

Crazy i am down to just one kid most of the days. I know i will have no trouble finding things to keep me busy. I will still go over to the school and help the teachers out and maybe for once i can stay on top of the house.