Day trip to Wrightsville

What's summer without the typical day trip to the beach?
The weather had been rainy all week but we took a chance and I'm so glad we did! The weather was perfect and we had so.much.fun.

Kaeli caught her first wave.
Maverick loved laying in the sand and chasing the birds.
I enjoyed relaxing with my family.
CJ and Rylee took turns with the surfboard.
Allen spent time in the water with the girls.

Perfect day.

The Green House

"The Green House" is what we've called this one since we moved out and started renting it.

Today the new buyers move in. We don't close until next week but this house is officially not ours.

However, this house has continued to be a blessing to us. See that list price? WAY higher than we thought we would every get for it so this equity is going to put us in a position to sort of breathe for a little bit.

Yesterday Allen was replacing a board over there so I stopped by on my way home from work. He asked if I wanted to walk in one last time and I told him no, I can't handle that right now. I've had a good cry over it and walking back in is just going to stir me up again. So as he walked me to my car, we stood in the place we kissed for the first time after saying "I do". We shared a kiss and I drove away for the last time. It's a relief and sad all at the same time.

Rylee Spring 2018

Rylee has been playing soccer all year for Neuse River Futbal Alliance (NRFA). She continues to play goalie and is enjoying it. The time commitment (and the cost) were more than we bargained for. We also don't want her to get pigeon-holed in one sport. So we're looking at lots of options for her for next year.
She's in 3rd grade and I've really seen a big improvement in her reading and learning overall. I really like her teacher, Mrs. Tracy. She has been an educator for a long time and sets expectations with the children that I appreciate.
She is my independent one and can spend time by herself, which drives CJ crazy because she wants Rylee to come outside and play with her!

CJ Spring 2018

CJ - Wow. Where to start with her. She is really growing up and maturing. She is good at calling me out on things (just like Allen does). She really is a little carbon copy of him in most ways. \
She is killing it in 6th grade, she is super disciplined and gets her homework done. Her grades are great! On the days Allen is on shift she waits at the bus stop for Rylee and Kaeli and they walk home. She gets her homework done before they get there and then helps Kaeli with hers.
She does just about everything I ask her to do. I seriously don't know how I would make it without this kid.
Took her to her first middle school basketball game - she went on her own and met her friends there. I remember driving to pick her up, then waiting in the long line to get her, and thinking "how did my mom do this with me?".
She has a cell phone and is pretty responsible with it.
She loves to make musically videos and is really good with it! She's very creative.
She has taken an interest in volleyball and played rec ball last fall. She's in a camp this month and wants to try out for the middle school team next year. If she doesn't make it she'll play rec ball again.
Her feet are a size bigger than mine.
She loves to spend time with Allen.
I think she tolerates me LOL.
She started YW back in November and loves it.

Update and Mid-Life Crisis?

Holy cow... has it really been a whole year since I've posted?


My SIL Erin and I went to Time Out for Women this past weekend in Raleigh. As we were walking back from lunch and chatting I told her I hadn't blogged in so long, that I can't access my blog at work like I used to be able to. I can't upload photos  on to the blog from work.


But I realized I need to write here more. Write the stories of my kids, the things they do and say, their accomplishments, my hopes for them - more.


So here we go.


(I just took my wrist brace off so I can type faster).
** 42 has not been kind to me. Not sure if I have carpal tunnel, arthritis or tendonitis in my wrist so I'm wearing a brace. Doesn't matter what I try to do the pounds don't want to budge. My skin doesn't heal as quickly as it used to. I'm starting to look old - probably just to me but still...


And I got a new car - a VW Cabrio. Looks just like the one I had right after I graduated college. It's red with a black top and super cute and fun to drive. LOVE IT!


Work has been busy, I got a promotion last summer which was exciting and rewarding. I've also been with the FBI for 15 years and I have just 15 to go until I can retire! Exciting!


It's hard to juggle everything sometimes with Allen's work schedule but we're making it happen.


I'm in YW right now teaching the 14-15 y/o girls. It's stressful and rewarding. These girls are super smart.


Updates on the kids to follow...

CJ Drama Club 2017

CJ played "Nibbles" the mouse in her school's production of Cinderella this year. Quite ironic considering I used to say her belly when she was a baby was like "Gus Gus" in Disney's Cinderella. I could never get her shirts to stay over her belly!

She, as always, did a fabulous job! You couldn't hardly tell it was her all made up!

So proud of this sweet girl. Can't believe she'll be a middle schooler next year!

Kaeli T-ball Spring 2017

If this big smile doesn't say it all I don't know what does!

Kaeli has loved playing T-ball this season. We got her a bag for all of her gear and it's serious business when it's time for a practice or game. During their 2nd game she got the game ball (shown in picture - might've had something to do with that big smile).

She stays focused and hits the ball really well. She said she plans to play until she is 16.

Rylee soccer spring 2017

Rylee did SO awesome this season in soccer!  She played with the same team and coach as the fall season. She really got in to playing goalie and did a fantastic job! During this game, the coach from the other team was asking "who's Rylee's mom?" because he wanted to let me know how talented she is. I was very flattered and of course Allen wanted to know why no one was asking who's Rylee's dad. ;) 

We are letting her try out for a travel team this week to see what level she's playing at. We'll also sign her up for a camp this summer so she can work on her skills.

Christmas 2016

We had a good Christmas this year. We were planning to go to Maryland December 22-24, and decided why not just stay through Christmas Day? So we did! We had a lot of fun spending time with Allen's family up there. And we got to meet Allen's new nephew Justin (thanks Karen and Danny!). It will be so much fun to see him and Maverick together as they get older.

The kids were spoiled, as always, by everyone's generosity. We tried to keep it simple this year and I think we did a good job of not over-doing it. The kids were very excited with the gifts Santa left them! CJ and Rylee received electric scooters from Grandma Sherri. Maverick got a bunch of clothes and a few toys he really enjoys.

I took time off work opposite Allen so I was able to have time with the kids while they were off for Christmas break. As always, time goes by too fast and we are back to normal life this week but I must say it was a great Holiday!

Kaeli turns 5!

This beautiful, sassy, girl turned 5 last month. She will start kindergarten in the fall. I signed her up to play t-ball again this spring. She has so much LIFE - I love it and I love her. She wants to help with everything, even to the point where she gets herself in trouble because she's tried to do it on her own. She's busy and bouncy and a lot of fun. At night she will look at me and say "mommy, I love my baby brother. Mommy, I love my family." She is a sweetie and her heart is as big as her personality.


Tender moment: She will start crying and says she misses great-grandma (Grandma Reaves who passed over a year ago). I tell her that even when people die we carry them in our hearts. I shared this with Allen and he teared up, she was his favorite Grandmother and he still misses her.


She is super excited to start kindergarten. She has been working hard on learning how to write her name. For Christmas she asked for learning books so she can learn to write. She is very smart and picks things up quickly. I know she will do well in school!


Love you KK!