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Mackenzi had her soccer party tonight - at Alley Cats in Arlington. She had the BEST time! This season has been so special because she has really bonded with the girls on her team. This was Mackenzi's 3rd season to play, but this season, she was put on a new team, with a new coach. (Her coach for the past seasons decided to take a break.) I thought Mackenzi would be upset when I found out Coach Eric wouldn't be coaching this season, but when we told her, she was the opposite - totally excited for a new coach and new teammates. And God definitely blessed us with a new coach, Sarah - who has really been special for Mackenzi and the other girls; and three new teammates. We started out with five on the team (usually you have six) but then one had to quit pretty early on in the season due to her asthma. So, that left the team with just four girls including Mackenzi. Despite a small team, the girls worked really hard all season and learned how to play together as a team. Here are pictures from tonight's party where the girls really had a great time.

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Hayley, Chasey, Kenzi, & Emalee

The Dallas Memory Walk

This past weekend we experienced our fourth year to walk with the Dallas Memory Walk. It's a walk to raise money to help fund research for Alzheimer's Disease. Many of you who know me, know that my grandmother suffered from this disease. It's a terrible, terrible disease for the individual to suffer through, and also for the family involved. It was through our experience with her disease and the social worker involved in her case that encouraged me to consider the field of social work as my profession. Unfortunately the social worker who talked with my family was not very friendly. It was a difficult time for us as a family and for my grandmother who was trying very hard to "cover" up what was going on with her. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't that the social worker wasn't doing the right thing for my grandmother, it was just the way she presented it to my family that just didn't seem right.

I walk in memory of Lorene Sewell who passed away Jan. 15, 2001 and in honor of all who battle this disease. I am overjoyed to be a part of such a wonderful cause with my work and also with my family. Last year we had just found out the week of the walk that we were pregnant, and this year, Levi brazed the cold weather! We had both Levi and Mackenzi bundled up - with several layers of clothing! Levi was so warm, he even fell asleep during the walk.

My BIG helper

Okay - so this morning I needed a little bit of help. Levi has slept really well the past two nights, and I'm oh so thankful for that! But, as a result, I had to pump this morning after waking up. And with that, I knew I wouldn't have time to get that done, and nurse him with all the other stuff that needs to get done in the mornings before we're off to school and to start the day. So, I woke up little Kenzi and asked her if she would help out this morning. She got dressed first, and then I gave her the bottle for Levi. She was more than willing to help out. . .I got them all set up and then went to the bathroom to finish getting myself ready. I came out of the bathroom to check on them. What I found was that the two of them were just very quietly watching the cartoon Einstein's on tv. It was definitely a "kodak" moment, only Levi heard my camera open up and he looked at me just as I snapped the first picture. You can see that Mackenzi was still mesmerized by the cartoon and didn't even notice I had walked in the room!

So, then I quietly went back to getting dressed, and left the camera open this time so I could hope to capture what I saw when I first checked on them. . .here's the two of them watching tv with the bottle in Levi's mouth. And by the second time, Mackenzi realized I was taking pictures of the two of them and posed some for this last one. . .she's such a big helper, and I don't know what I would do without her!

Levi's finally rolling

Levi is finally interested in rolling! He's been quite the roller this weekend having rolled for the first time Friday evening! Keep on 'a rollin' buddy!

Mackenzi's first sleepover

Mackenzi went to her first sleepover this past weekend. She was so excited! We agreed to let her go last week at her soccer practice. She was asked by Chasey, her soccer coach's step-daughter. We agreed. . .and then of course we nearly backed out! A sleepover! Kenzi has been asking for many months about having sleepovers - having kids come over and going over to other kids' houses. . .but, we hadn't really agreed for that to happen until this past week. She has spent the night at my sister's house, and at Nana and Memaw's house without us for up to a week at a time, but this was different. This was someone else's house that wasn't related to us. Chasey is a sweet little girl, and we've spent quite a bit of time on the soccer field with her parents as well as her step-mom and I emailing back and forth throughout the season. . .so, we felt plenty comfortable with her being there. . .just weren't sure if we felt comfortable with her not being here with us! Friday evening wasn't such a big deal, we took her over to their house, and stayed about an hour just visiting. When we got home, it would have been time for her to go to bed, so it wasn't too unusual yet. . .but then Saturday morning when we woke up - it was definitely different without her little smile in the morning. But, as you are probably well aware, we survived! I even had brunch plans with my DBU friends, and so I was out of the house early for that - and then we met at the soccer fields for her game at noon. Which, by the way, was an awesome game! Angela took pictures, and so when she sends them, I'll post a couple of them. Mackenzi, Chasey and Emalee played a wonderful game! They won by like 9 to 2! Mackenzi scored about half of the goals and Chasey scored the other half. When I was little, we weren't aloud to spend the night at friends' houses the night before soccer games. . .but, we may have to enforce that rule later on - like when she's trying to stay up half the night! But, for now, it was fun - she had a great time! Here are the girls playing the Wii. . .

And here they are playing dress up with makeup and playing with the Barbie dollhouse. . .

Our little 4 Month old. . .