Soccer Weekend #3

Today we played against the Tigers. The two teams were definitely even matched, which made for a very interesting game. We did end up winning 3-1, but I'm truly amazed at how well matched the teams were. Also, one of Eric's cousin's children played on the opposing team, so that made it interesting on the sidelines. Speaking of sidelines, my Grandma and Eric's Dad both came today. Woo hoo! Emali just loves it when people come to watch her play. In the second half, Emali ended up on the ground and hurt, so she didn't play the last 10 or so minutes. However, this is a pretty normal event, at least in recent years.

 Kicking the ball back into play after an attempt on the goal was made.

 Catching the ball!

A child was down and hurt. So, the kids all take a knee. However, look closely at Emali's foot. That's just not natural!

We MUST find a cure!

RIP Dawson.

Tonight, Dawson's brave, but short, journey with brain cancer  (due to neurofibromatosis) has ended. He was 13 years old, and passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He took his last breaths in his mother's arms. His mother posted this status:

At 7:37pm Heaven gained the most beautiful, strong, brave, and inspirational angel I know. He was surrounded by his family and in my arms when he took his last breath. Fly high baby boy, fly high. Mommy loves you and always will. You will forever be apart of me. I will see you soon. I bet there is one hell of a celebration going on in heaven right now as you are saying all of his hellos.

This is why finding a cure for neurofibromatosis is so important. So other mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, etc don't have to feel the pain and loss that Dawson's mother is feeling tonight. 

A Boy and a Puddle

So, it's been rather rainy over the last day and a half. This morning when taking Alvin to the bus, he noticed a huge puddle on the side of the street. He was determined he was -going- to jump in that puddle. I, being the mean parent I am, told him he couldn't until he got home from school. He held me to that.

He is now soaked and stoked. One. Happy. Little. Boy. I am one happy momma for getting to witness the sheer joy he had by simply running through a puddle.

Dawson

A few months ago, I introduced you to a boy named Dawson who has NF1 and a level 4 Glioblastma Multiforme (GBM). He was diagnosed in December 2011. Prognosis was 5 years max. Sadly, he's been given only weeks left. Updates on him are being given every day for the final legs of his journey. Please, feel free to join this group on Facebook and let Dawson know just how far reaching his story really is. Let 13 year old Dawson know that there are people out there who will continue the fight to find a cure for NF. Dawson, you are NOT alone.

Dawson's Bucket List 

Steelers tutu how-to

This upcoming week is Spirit Week at the kids' school. Monday is Cowboy/Cowgirl day. Tuesday is Pajama Day. Wednesday is Superhero day. Thursday is Favorite Sports Team day. Friday is EXTREME Blue & White day. So, for Thursday Erin really wants to wear Steelers stuff. Well, she has a Steelers shirt that she loves, but she wanted to show even MORE spirit. Enter Mom. I decided to make her a black/yellow tutu to wear with her Steelers shirt. She LOVES it!

Steelers tutu how-to

Materials needed:

1 yard yellow tulle
1 yard black tulle
1 package 1/4 inch elastic
1 pair of scissors

Directions:

Cut both yards of tulle into 1x12" strips. What I did was fold the tulle in half, then cut my one inch strips. Then I simply cut those in half to get the 12" length.

Take your elastic and cut to length using the child's waist as a guide. Overlap by one inch and hand sew or machine sew together.

Using a chair back to hold the elastic, tie alternating strips of tulle onto the elastic. It's a mindless time-consuming task. I was watching the Raiders-Steelers game while I did it. Just keep tying until you're all the way around the elastic.

 Remove from chair and let your child prance all around living room.

She just loves the tutu. I'm so glad I did this for her. It was very simple to do, and rather low cost. The yellow sparkle tulle was the highest cost at $4/yd. The black tulle was $2/yd. So, for under $10 total, she has more Steelers spirit.

Soccer Weekend #2

Today was a cold, wet, miserable day to play soccer. Emali, however, loves it when it's dreary like this. Today's game was against the Cyclones. Let me just say this, wow. They were an amazing team. Our team lost 0-5. 3 of those were scored against our first goalie, 2 against Emali. Emali couldn't have cared less though. Why? Well, because Eric, me, Erin, and Alvin where there. No wait. It was because Grammy Sammy, Grandpa Rich, and Grammy were there! Even though her team lost, she was really happy that they came, in the rain, to see her play.

 On defense, going to kick the ball back down the field.

 Kick!

 Standing there being bored goalie yet again.

Catching the ball!

Soccer Weekend #1

Yep. It's that time of year again. Soccer season! Once again, I've put Em's soccer schedule to the space in the right side of the blog. No location, but it's the same as last year. Only she's on the big field near the train tracks this year. This year, she's also spending half the game playing as GOALIE! Woo hoo. Guess she finally realized that defense IS where she belongs. She's good at it.

She's number 11 this year. Nicknamed the "Tormentor". 

Today's first game was against the Vipers. Our team won 6-1. Unfortunately, the sole goal for the other team was scored while Em was goalie, but it's all good. Em's team has an excellent defense. They hardly ever let the other team get the ball within range of scoring. 4 attempts while Emali was goalie. That's it. Pretty awesome.

 On defense. Kicking the goal back down field.

 On defense. 

 Tired goalie.

 Bored goalie. Yes, she spent a good amount of time sitting since the ball was on the other side of the field.

Catching an attempt on the goal! Go Emali!

Depression lies.

Today, September 10, is World Suicide Prevention Day. On average, 3000 people commit suicide daily. Also, for every person who completes suicide, 20+ more will attempt to end their lives. This equates to more people dying from suicide than from war and murder combined. Suicide IS preventable.

The thing with depression is: it lies. Depressions tells you the things you love to do won't be fun anymore. Depressions tells you that you aren't worth making the effort. Depressions tells you that it will never get better. Depression tells you that people would be happier without you. BUT....


DEPRESSION LIES!

It -will- get better. However, you will need help to get there. There are many things you can do to help prevent Depression from lying to you further, but they all are factored under GET HELP! That's right. Get help. You cannot do it alone. Depression is a bitch and a damned good liar.

Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at : 1-800-273-TALK(8255)
           if you are a Veteran, Press 1.

For Veterans: Text 838255 to start a private conversation with a crisis counselor.

Confide in a fried. Go to the ER. Call 911.

But DO NOT GIVE UP! There is help. There are people that love you.  NO ONE has to fight this alone.

Are you ready for some football?

I am! Tonight is the first regular season Sunday Night football game. The Steelers and the Broncos are playing, so you know that if Eric wasn't on afternoons, there'd be some yelling going on in this house. (I'm a diehard Steelers fan. He's a Broncos fan.)

Well, yesterday, I got a bur up my behind that I wanted to make a rag wreath. What better way to combine two things I love than making a Steelers rag wreath!

I just love the way it turned out.

Back to School: Part Two

Alvin went back to school today. He was soooo excited to be going back. He even gets to take a lunchbox this year!!

Heading back for his second year of preschool.

My little monkey getting on the bus.