Wordle

To: Mommy

From: Gabrielle 

Happy Mother's Day

{Please excuse the poor quality scanned image}

I treasure this thoughtful gift from Gabrielle and have it proudly displayed in our kitchen.

It encompasses all the words that quickly come to mind when she thinks of me. 

I adore that she included dogs because our family has a shared love for the 4 legged fuzzy friends :)

What I love most about this simple piece of "art" is that all these words also describe her. She is 

Beautiful, Christian, Clean, Fair, Happy, Loving, Organized, Silly, Sweet & Trustworthy. She is also extremely artistic, creative, compassionate and a loyal friend to a fault. 

You can go here to www.wordle.net to create your own. 

I think they would make an awesome gift for any occasion!

Silver Bullets Soccer

This little dude was so excited for the opportunity to participate in soccer again this Spring. Last year we signed him up with Sporting Tykes through the YMCA and it quickly became apparent that he loved the game. We knew this Spring we wanted him to be involved in a more "competitive" league so we chose Kansas Rush Soccer Club. The teams consist of six same age players. Dawson was fortunate to play with three other Meadow Lane Kindergartners as well as two boys from other area elementary schools. 

The red streaks under his eyes are NOT the latest in soccer accessory/fashion.

They're signs of the poor kid suffering terribly from allergies :( 

Dawson plays a mean game of defense but put the ball near him and he gives it his all! He is a hustler and has a fierce determination to win. He scored multiple goals within the season scoring two in his final game. 

Dawson, Brady, Caleb and Christiano

Missing from photo - Noah and Peyton

Meet team Silver Bullets {Christiano missing}. 

Quite possibly the cutest group of six year old boys in the JoCo area. These boys praticed and played with passion. They became fast friends and had a blast together! The coaches and parents are already in talks of getting them together over the summer for a BBQ and possible participation in a summer soccer camp. We are also in high hopes of playing together as a team again this Fall. 

My Special Mom - A Mother's Day tribute by Dawson

My mother is the most wonderful Mom in the world.
She is as pretty as roses.
She weighs 30 lbs and is 1 foot tall.
Her favorite food is pancakes.
In the old days, when my mother was little, she used to do what normal babies do.
I think Mom looks funny when she changes my sister's diaper.
Please note she is fully potty trained and diaper changes are so last year :)
My mother is happy when we clean.
^^^ AMEN! ^^^
I wish Mom would snuggle with me everyday.
I wouldn't trade my mother for a piece of junk.
I'm so glad to know I'm valued more than a piece of junk. Rolling in laughter!


Top Five Reasons Why I love My Mom

1. My Mom gives me hugs and kisses
2. I love my Mom
3. My Mom loves me
4. I love my family
5. My Dad is awesome 

{I'm not so sure how #5 describes the top five reasons why he loves ME, but we will roll with it}

- My Mom -
My Mom is good.
She likes to give me hugs and kisses.
She always cleans.
Sometimes she takes me to the pool.
But the best thing about my Mom is she gives me hugs and kisses.

Happy Mother's Day!
Love,
Dawson

These.
Keepers for sure!
I want to remember these sweet, yet hilarious "love notes" from my Boo.
I adore that his primary love language is so apparent in his answers given above. He is my little lover and professional snuggler. I often joke that he needs to stop making out with me or his Daddy will get jealous :) Secretly I hope his affections don't wane in the years to come. I love his genuine hugs and sweet kisses. I love when he crawls in bed with me and isn't satisfied until his arm is underneath my back and his head rested on my chest. I love that he never fails to profess his love for me when I tuck him in even when he is sour at me (or me with him). I love this boy of mine and where he fits in our family. He is rough & rowdy but soft & sappy at the same time and oh so cute! Man alive is he cute!

Embrace the Camera: May 1, 2014

Gabrielle and Dawson with their GG

Easter 2014

Pontoon ride on Lake Lotawana

iPhone 5S

Easter 2014

 - Easter - 

It was an incredibly relaxing weekend. We had our DuBay family Easter at my brother's home Friday evening on Lake Lotawana. The weather was crisp but just right for fishing off the dock, a long pontoon ride snuggled up in blankets as the sunset and s'more assembly fireside in the evening. It was a wonderful day spent with family and we look forward to more days spent doing very much the same in the coming months. 

{Grainy goodness right here ^^^^} 

Saturday we boiled, dyed and decorated eggs after Dawson's noon soccer game.

It was an eventful hour. There may or may not have been a tantrum and gnashing of teeth because a middle child wasn't happy with his Sharpie drawing on his egg {see far right blue egg in front} and I let out a big gasp of air upon realizing that the Kool-Aid seeped under the wax paper dyeing my table top as well. Magic Eraser did its magic but also removed the sheen finish from our island :(

Sunday we attended an AMAZING worship service at our church then returned home for brunch with Travis's mom who was in town visiting and my parents.  

The kids were less than thrilled when I forced convinced them to take pictures.

This was as good as it got. 

Kids squinting; one child or another running off; tempers raising ... all in the name of a picture! 

I hope your Easter was a blessed one remembering the sacrifice of our risen King! 

Embrace the Camera: June 17, 2014

 I both give and receive worship through song. 

The song that has currently been speaking to my heart is "Let Them See You by JJ Weeks". 

Let them see You in me

Let them hear You when I speak

Let them feel You when I sing

Let them see You 

Just let them see You in me

Who am I without Your grace?

Another smile, another face

Another breath, a grain of sand

Passing quickly through Your hand

I give my life, an offering

Take it all, take everything

Let them see You in me

Let them hear You when I speak

Let them feel You when I sing

Let them see You

Just let them see You in me

This is my prayer.

I am imperfect. 

He is perfect.

His grace is sufficient for me; His power is made perfect in my weakness. 

Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me. 

2 Corinthians 12:9

Let them {my husband, my children, my neighbors and friends ... all those I encounter} see Him in me.

Gabs, Boo and Little Miss,

Mommy has many shortcomings. I'm impatient. I'm quick to raise my voice. I often rush bedtime skipping stories and prayers. I say "no" a lot. Although I am all these things and I'm sure you could/would add more I thank God that he has entrusted you to me. You are each amazing and bright and beautiful beyond words! I know I have done something right in parenting you while on this earth because you know and love the Lord. My heart's desire is that you learn to know Him more through me - through my actions, words, expressions of love to you and those around us.  I am imperfect, but I am a work in progress seeking His hand in parenting you for you are His. A gift to us. The best gifts!

I love you to the moon and back, to the highest mountain, to the deepest and widest ocean, to infinity. 

{Dawson says this each time he says his goodbyes}

Embrace the Camera: April 3, 2014

I snuck away with this handsome young man last Thursday for a mommy/son date. 

{I'm so glad I did because I've been super sick ever since.}

 This little man of mine shares my love language of physical touch. 

He is a master snuggler, kiss giver and is never shy of sharing his love for me verbally. 

He's a keeper! 

Boo, 

Thank-you for being the best sister sandwich handsome brother in the middle!

Muah!

Mommy