first place!

The roses in our garden our in full bloom. This is my favorite rose bush.

 

 I forgot the camera on the kids last regular season soccer game...darn! They both played hard. Lexi scored 2 goals, blocked 1 as her first time as goalie and Kyler scored 1 goal. Great games.
Their soccer medals:

 Jared had to travel to Canada for the week as Melanie had planned to come visit for a few days. The kids and I had a great visit.

 Suddenly Kyler is seeming much less like a boy and more like a young man...whoa.

 Kyler's team playing in the soccer tournament:

 In between the 6 or 7 games, he took a Gangnam Style break...ha ha.

 They won FIRST PLACE!!

What a great soccer season the kids had. I am truly proud of their improvements, both physically and mentally. As anxious as I am to see their next season begin in August, I am very ready for a nice summer break with less obligations and responsibilities.

On Friday May 17, it was one year since my mom's passing. Though it feels like a lifetime has come and gone since. There are no words that can adequately express the many thoughts and feelings of hurt, anger, loneliness, and disappointment, or the wisdom & experience gained, the joy & comfort lost. All I can say is rest in peace, my dear angel mama. There isn't a moment I haven't held your love and memory within me. Thank you to my beautiful friends who have shown so much compassion in my time of need. I never realized how much love & support I had, until I truly needed it. I'm forever indebted to you.

mother's day

 

 

Enjoying this beautiful weather this last week:

 Prepping the BBQ

 Pre mother's day gifts from Lexi

 Kyler asked his girlfriend to a dance! His first ever!! He picked her a bouquet from our garden

 Ari is growing too quickly

 The sweet couple! (luau themed)

 Jared and Kyler built me these amazing raised planter boxes for mother's day! I planted cucumbers, carrots, watermelon, pumpkins, honeydew melon, jalapeno, pablano peppers, and Roma tomatoes.

 Game day!

 Lexi on defense

 It was a hot afternoon!

 I let the kids paint the planter boxes. It's a work in progress. I love them so much!

 Ari is the only toddler I know who loathes getting dirty. I had her paint in her undies to avoid ruining her "dancy dancy" (her word for dress). But she got paint on her hands and was thoroughly upset.

 See what I mean?!

 Mother's day. A few hours at the park.

 Wishing everyone a wonderful mother's day! I can't imagine what a sad world it would be without the love of mothers.
For me, it concluded a year of holidays without my own mama. And what an awfully hard one to end on. I am trying to hold strong, as I carry her wisdom and love with me forever, but it is beyond hard. I long for her more than I've ever needed anything in my life.

Lexi's field trip & soccer

A little puppy love

 

Lexi's field trip to Oregon State University for the discovery days science fair. I can very clearly remember going with Kyler a few years ago. So much fun!

Bus ride with her friend

So many cool experiments

Enjoying the beautiful weather with a park play date

 

Jared in his fishing gear swinging, haha

Soccer Saturday!
Lexi had the flu on Friday, but by Saturday morning felt well enough to play. She is a tough girl, for sure.

Kyler scored the final goal in his game!!