Soccer Day 3

Today, September 27th was a busy day it seems for everyone. First Lucas had a game at 9:00 am---I thought it was going to be a little colder than it was, and it got pretty humid by the time (10:30am) Olivia had her game.
    Lucas' team is getting better all the time and it's such a fun thing to watch. Lucas made another goal today! His face was so elated when he heard the cheers! Both teams scored 3 goals, but it was action-packed. Here are some pictures:

 Lily, Hayden, Tyler, Lucas and Cole watching the first quarter (and little Layla quietly peeking out!)

 Frankie angry that we had to wake him up... later it got too hot and I had to take his pajamas off. 

 Getting ready to take on Salt Lake City

 These teams were pretty evenly matched! 

 So proud of Lucas for keeping that ball close to him all the way to the goal, although he didn't make the goal the first try...

 Lots of trampling today, but everyone shook it off and got back in the game

 Tyler bringing it to the goal

 Lucas makes the goal!! I love seeing his pride upon hearing the cheers!

 Lucas got to do a throw in too

 Olivia and Coach Daddy warming up for her game.

Frankie was ready to get out--he loves the soccer balls too and proudly sits up and throws them at home, only to crawl after them quickly :)

 Hayden kicking that ball in with all his might!

 These are the times when parents on both teams are frustratingly yelling "get the ball!" :P

 Tie 3-3. Go Dragons!

And now Kansas City 3 & 4 yr olds take the field:

 Chase Jasper Ethan Max and Jonathan lining up 

 Max gets to kick it!

 Max being silly :)

 Our team did a pretty good job too!

 We won 2-1! 

We had professional pictures taken later, but some parents couldn't make it so we took some of our own while we were all together after the game:

 Not everybody followed my direction when I said "JUMP!" :P

  We should get both L & O's professional pics later next month. Then grandma came over and watched the kids so John, Susan and I could meet Tim & Teresa at the Pro-life banquet in Fort Worth. Pictures soon!

Lucas Progress

Lucas has already started his second quarter of 1st grade with Kolbe Academy's homeschool program. I am very proud of him and see progress daily :) He's doing well on his soccer team and gymnastics as well, and I (as of now!) have no regrets in homeschooling them--especially hearing about the issues some other parents are having with their kindergartener's experiences. He would've only just started Kindergarten a few weeks ago.

   Here is a video I made today just to keep track of the progress. This is a "Catholic National Reader" primer that prepares him for reading--so this review page he is reading, is not meant to be a story or anything. Just sentences to get him used to reading, phonics and grammar. He is sounding words out all the time, and adjusts quickly to new 'rules' (read: ridiculous exceptions in the confusing English language). This is his first time reading this page so for him to get through it all without crying or stopping in frustration is amazing.


   And then here is his English assignment today--he barely needed any help! He thought up every question and sounded out almost every word.

 And here are those lima beans we did the science experiment with---getting too big for our pot. Also started to grow flowers--maybe we will get pods with more beans in them :)

   He also is doing well in math---the concept we are learning right now is kind of different from how I learned math, and at first glance seems to complicate a simple problem. BUT I understand the approach used by Singapore math, which emphasizes quick mental math. Lucas likes rules and order, so to go through the step of breaking down bigger figures to Number Bonds with 10, makes sense to him, and he will get quicker each time.

  AND he's been completing and acing his spelling tests so quickly! He demands I tell daddy right away that he got an "A" at school today. :)

Standing up for God

St. Francis of Assisi-Oklahoma City OK

This sunday we went to mass early, so that we could make the drive up to Oklahoma City to pray outside St. Francis of Assisi church and take part in the adoration and benediction held in response to the 'black mass' being held by Satanists that night. I had read about this devil-worshiping group making plans to hold a satanic mass at the Oklahoma City Civic Center, and was disheartened to hear that 88 people had purchased tickets to it. Whether they intended just to see what it was out of curiousity, knowing what the 'leader' intended to do, I feel it is a serious sacrilege and invoking evil to come assist in their misdeeds. They meant to mock the Catholic mass, and initially were going to desecrate a host procured through some kind of devious way. They backed down and returned the host after threats of lawsuits by the archbishop. As serious and saddening as the idea of a 'reverse exorcism' (that is attempting to remove the Holy Spirit from a person, and invoke evil), the whole thing is also kind of a joke--the leader compromised with the civic center by using vinegar in place of urine for their rituals, and to have the women in lingerie instead of fully nude. No matter how entertaining or laughable the attendees thought it to be, I know evil exists and waits for opportunities like this to enter hearts and consume souls. And what a shameful offense to our Creator.
Here's the Breitbart article about how only 42 people turned out at the civic center 'black mass'...and how 1200 christians came to pray at the church, plus 400 christians protesting outside the civic center.

  So, we were inspired to join our Catholic brothers and sisters and drive the 3 hrs north to pray for the attendees and for all mankind. It was a beautiful old church, with beautiful bells chiming, set in the middle of a quaint neighborhood. The weather was perfect with a light breeze. We prayed and followed the procession around the block with the Blessed Sacrament. We prayed a rosary and then we did the Divine Mercy chaplet. I loved reading St. Faustina's diary and learning the prayers Jesus taught her. It was uplifting to pray the Divine Mercy with 1400 others! I've only ever done it alone, with a youtube video or with John :) The kids were fine coloring on the ground, Frankie was passed between me John and Susan. It was worth the trip. It started to sprinkle a tiny bit as we left.

   Then we had a delicious dinner at the famous Cattlemen's Steakhouse--a place we stopped to eat at almost 4 yrs ago when we drove from VA to CA (Lucas and Olivia were almost 2 & 1 yr olds!).

Here we are at the same restaurant in late 2010, just before John got out of the Navy:

Kinda funny--Susan sat in the same place holding Frankie this time--4 yrs later ! Guess it will be a regular thing for us :)

I pray everyone at the black mass was saved from eternal damnation, and from possession of any sort, and that they know and acknowledge the saving grace of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful passion have mercy on us and on the whole world. 

Ready for Fall

It is starting to cool off and feel all fall-like! I like waking up to an overcast day and a little chill in the air. But Texas is very schizophrenic with weather so I might be speaking too soon..
I was remembering all the fun stuff we have done in the fall with the kids and one in particular was a happy time. Here's a picture from 3 years ago, at a fall festival---John's first year out of the Navy, we were living in Clear Lake (Houston). I can't believe we will soon have 4 little ones to pose with !

I am thinking about having a Halloween party (our first party!). Hopefully I can pull it off being huge and pregnant, homeschooling, and all the other mom/wife stuff. I look forward to many adorable pictures if we do have a party :)

Soccer Game Day 2

 Although we just practiced 3 days ago in 100 degree weather (at 6pm no less...), Saturday morning was a different story. It was suddenly fall, and we played in 60 degree overcast weather that picked up a wind by 10am. The kids got to wear their track suits so they were warm. We had fun and the kids seem to already be improving from last week's game :)

 Chase Olivia and Lucas warmed up on the field before the game.

 His little brother Mitch is ready to play too!

 Frankie had just woken up and we tried to keep him warm--he ended up falling back asleep anyway.

 Coach John telling them "the other way!"

 Kali getting ready to kick the ball :)

 Pretty little Bristol--was entertained by Lucas, who played peekaboo in Frankie's carseat :P

 I love Ethan's pose here!

 Next was Lucas' game against a really good team...2 star players that pretty much played the whole time! But it was good for the team to have a challenge and get motivated. I was motivated to get on the field.."if I wasn't pregnant, I could do it!"

 Kids getting fired up here!

 Eliza our star defender!

Lucas helped with a few goals (and may have made one on his own--couldn't tell!) He's doing so well we are so happy!