Basketball Saturdays

A Saturday in pictures.  While Ella plays ball....

We cheer from the sidelines...

Have I mentioned that Lucy absolutely adores her baby brother.  Cancer changed her for sure, but one thing you can't deny is that her heart grew 15 sizes while she was sick.  I've never seen more unconditional love.  

What Have I Done?

After church today we went to eat at my parent's house and I snapped this perfect picture of Jack. I will be getting this one framed for sure.

I know I still have to post a Day in the Life for Friday and Saturday, but I had several deadlines I had to meet today.  As of today, the budget has been submitted for our 501(c)3 approval, a marketing plan has been written for the next few months of our school's expansion and I have organized and purged a ton of pictures from my hard drive.

Speaking of purging...Oh my goodness.  What have I done?  I just stepped WAY out of my comfort zone and now I'm freaking out just a tiny bit. I just couldn't look at the screen any longer.  Yes, there were tons of emails I never got around to returning but they had to disappear.  Do you have any idea what staring at 2000 emails a day does to a person with a strong type A personality?  Well, they are gone now.  If you ever asked me an important question and I haven't responded, please resend it to me.  I'll do my best to respond.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  Have a great week!

They Have Arrived!

The Tervis Tumblers are in and ready to be purchased.  I am so excited about this fund raiser.  We will be using the money raised from the sell of these awesome cups to continue to fund the dinners at LeBonheur Children's Hospital.  Last year we fed over 500 people and our goal is to double that in 2013.

Click HERE, or go to the top of the page under "Items for Sale" to purchase yours through Pay Pal.  Tumblers plus a red travel lid are $25.00.  If you are not familiar with the Tervis Tumbler product, please read about them here.  Each tumbler comes with a life time warranty and can be used to hold either hot or cold drinks.

All cups will ship for $2.50.  Please email me at {golucygofoundation@gmail.com} if you are wanting to purchase multiple tumblers.  I will get you a combined shipping cost.

A Day in the Life - Day 3 and 4

A Day in the Life- Wednesday/Thursday Edition.

I have three children, two of which are girls.  In almost 10 years no one has put up a fight about what they are going to wear.  This is when Jack enters the picture.  Seriously, he's the one who is going to care?  By 6:45am we had begun our first battle of wills--guess who won.  

After that it was on to school, then back to Home Depot for Jack and me.  We had some things to take care of at the customer service desk, so Jack used my debit card to entertain himself.  I think I should be VERY scared.  Don't worry, the machine was turned off. 

After that it was home to get some chores done and lunch eaten.  Jack discovered Little Einsteins this week and is totally mesmerized.  It's his new lunch time treat.  He doesn't usually watch TV during the day--that would require him to sit still.  However, he seems to be willing to make an exception for Rocket and friends.

Wednesday afternoons I pick up our friends and Lucy from school.  Ella has tumbling and then afterwards its off to church for Wednesday night activities.  Our Wednesday night is one of the best things our church does.  We have a wonderful dinner, then the kids head off to GA's/RA's/Mission Friends and afterwards choir.  There are several adult Bible studies to choose from and we have a wonderful youth group.  My favorite part of the night is dinner.  I have been eating Wednesday night meals at church since I was a baby.  As I child I couldn't wait for them because that's when I got to see my friends who attended other schools.  Now I look forward to them because it means adult conversation!!  Yes, being a SAHM gets awfully lonely.  

Jack was invited to sit at the "dude" table

I have to post this picture because it was all but comical watching these guys change light bulbs in the gym. Erik was up on the lift and he had 3 other guys "helping."  See Derrick "helping" with the basketball? 

Wednesday nights are our most difficult nights at home.  We get home from church late and usually have some homework to finish.  Then its all to bath and the bed.  When Thursday rolls around I really do feel as if I'm on the downward stretch.  Wednesday is definitely Hump Day to me.  I know it's psychological, but when I wake up Thursday morning I'm always a little less stressed.  

We started our morning with Jack and I working on a project at school.  See how much help he is?

Jack then went to get a much needed trim and thankfully took a very long nap.  I try to get as much laundry done on Thursday as possible.  It has usually piled up from earlier in the week and I try to get it done before the weekend.

Thursday afternoons are very predictable.  We have a set routine that we follow every, single week.  I pick up the girls and our friends from school and we make a bee line to Sonic.  It's the only time we go all week and we make the most of happy hour!  We usually sit in the car and drink/eat our snack and the kids decompress by watching a movie. Right now their choice seems to be Scooby Doo.  I usually run 1-2 errands while they finish up their snack and its off to art.  It is by far Lucy and Ella's favorite day the the week.

Thursday nights are study nights at our house.  I usually cook a big dinner and the girls study for all of their assessments on Friday.  While they are studying, I get all of their things together for school the next day and make sure Lucy has something for show and tell.  I get to put the lunch boxes away on Thursday night because the girls get a yummy meal at school on Friday.  I just love that!  Afterwards, its off to bed for the kiddos.  Thursday nights are mine and Erik's time to catch up on DVR'd shows (ie American Idol).

This picture serves as a reminder that Miracles do happen!

A Look Into Our Life -Day 2

Here's a look into a typical Tuesday for the Krull family:

Wake up for school.  Dang it if we didn't over sleep!  Once again, the whole tone for the morning was set by losing those 20 minutes.

After I took the girls to school, Jack and I made our way to Home Depot.  A new dishwasher was on the agenda.  I am just sick over it.  I would have thought ours would have lasted more than 7 years.  However, the horrible smell of a burning motor proved otherwise.  I was miserable the whole time..I hated spending the money.  Jack on the other hand, well, he had a ball!

After we got home I let Jack ride his bike inside for a little while.  23 degrees in West Tennessee is frigid.  For those that don't have humidity, let me promise you that a wet cold is worse than 3 below in a dry climate.

After Jack's nap it was time to go get the girls from piano.  Tuesdays are going to be interesting because both Ella and Lucy started piano today.  This means that Jack and I will be doing a lot of waiting around on Tuesday afternoons.  They both loved it and I think they have a natural ear for it.  I have played piano for as long as I can remember and I'm really excited they are both learning.  

After we got home I cooked dinner and Jack snuck into the sticker drawer.  Have you ever tried to peel a book of stickers off of a tile floor?  Fun times!

After dinner, both girls couldn't wait to show off what they had learned at piano that day for Erik.  We had a night full of "music" and Jack was quite intent on joining in the fun. 

Before bed there was a small improvement project that involved a piano bench and Jack's screwdriver.  I just melt when he copies his Daddy.

To round off our night, Ella practiced her tumbling right before bed.  She has mastered her standing back handspring and has also conquered her fears of a running, round-off back handspring.  We are so proud of her.  I'll try to post video of her next session. 

See you tomorrow!

A Look Into Our Life-Day 1

I thought it would be fun to remember what a week in our life was really like.  In a few years I'll look back on this and think "Wow!  We really did make it through."

So, day 1 starts on an abnormal Monday since we had the day off for school in honor of Dr. King.  Everyone but Ella and Erik (who had to work) slept until 8:00.  Let me just tell you that that NEVER happens.  Ella enjoyed waking up before everyone else and felt like quite the big girl being downstairs alone. While I enjoyed my sleep, the type A in my can't stand to wake up behind the curve ball.  I really struggle with my love for sleep and insane need to be in control of my day.  If I haven't had a shower by 7:00 or if I have to shower after all the children wake up I feel as if I spend the rest of the day playing catch up.  Thankfully, Ella is old enough to watch Jack and Lucy while I quickly try to make up for lost time.

And when she's not playing with Jack, she is busy making mechanical masterpieces.  That brain of hers is something else!  (and so is that hair)

I spent a little time yesterday morning organizing my coupons.  It's something I'm gradually getting into.  I'm trying to pace myself and not get too carried away.  I'm in no position to become an extreme coupon-er, that for sure!

After lunch, when Jack was down for a nap, our friends Madison and Mary Leslie came over to play with the girls.  As you can tell from the pictures below they did a lot of makeup and nails!

I took advantage of the babysitting and headed out to the grocery--its was my first real trip with coupons.  I saved about $30 and was very pleased with myself.  What I wasn't happy about was the fact that Kroger didn't have any grocery sacks.  Seriously.  They are a grocery store!!  I had to pile all my groceries into produce boxes.  It was a bit frustrating to say the least.  

Ella typically has tumbling on Mondays, followed immediately by basketball practice.  I get dinner ready and Lucy and Jack a bath before Erik and Ella come home.  After dinner, it's homework time!  Here is how we spent our down time Monday night.

Oh, Monday.  How I loathe thee sometimes.  

Weekend Fun

I'm not sure I'll ever tire of a "normal" weekend.  Every one we get seems like a true gift.  It's the simple things that make them so special.  Sleeping an extra hour (or two) on Saturdays, cooking a big breakfast, basketball games, highly anticipated naps for Jack which means I get to work on a project.  Even the girls being able to have a friend spend the night seems like such a blessing.  Sundays are church days.  Sunday school then service followed by dinner with my family.  Then its home to rest and play and later we head back to church for Awana.  I know it seems like a lot, but we love it.

I've said it before to friends and I know they think I am crazy, but nothing makes my heart feel more full than having a bunch of children in my house.  I love the busyness, the sounds, the laughter.  Ella's best friend spent the night Friday and it was so sweet how they all piled into one bed.  They play so well with Lucy and take such good care of her.  That sweet friend of ours is going to make a wonderful nurse one day.  I just know it!

Saturday morning was one we've been looking forward to for a while.  Ever since our favorite nurse asked Lucy to be in her wedding, we have been planning and anticipating the day we would go shopping for Lucy's princess (flower girl) dress.  The day was so much fun and Lucy enjoyed every since minute of attention she got.  Brandy's best friend, and one of our other favorite nurses, Autumn spend the day entertaining and lavishing attention on Lucy.  It was so precious to watch them enjoy her outside of a hospital setting.  I've always told our nurses and doctors that they didn't know the real Lucy.  The one with the spunky attitude and sassy spirit.  I think Brandy and Autumn really got to meet Lucy today--the real Lucy.

After we found our princess dress we headed over to the mall for some extra shopping.  Oh, these silly girls!

 

Our weekend was rounded off with a fish fry at my grandparent's home.  With my grandfather being sick, we take every advantage of a "warm" sunny day and spend time together as a family.  The fellowship is made even sweeter with fried crappie.  Well, I had to eat grilled chicken, but everyone else enjoyed his famous fish and hush puppies.  

Lucy didn't feel so well on Sunday, complaining of a headache all day.  I have to admit that the word "headache" is enough to strike fear into my very core.  Unfortunately its just part of the dance.  You pray like heck that it's sinuses and nothing else...then you sit and watch (and pray some more.)  So far she seems to be much better.  I had a mind-numbing headache most of yesterday too, so I'm going to assume that this fluctuating weather got the best of us both.  Isn't she just pitiful in this picture?

But don't worry...she did have happy moments most of the day.

Before I sign off, I have to share this story.  Every Saturday when we go to watch Ella play basketball, the kids each get a Ring Pop.  This $.50 treat is the highlight of their day for sure.  Inevitably Jack drops his or gets it dirty and begs for another one.  If I have any extra change I usually give in because, quite honestly, its just easier when I'm trying to keep him happy AND watch the game.  However, every now and then I do have to tell him no.  Erik said that when he was getting Jack and Ella loaded up for the game this weekend, Jack came walking out with this clinched tight in his hand:

We have no idea where he got the money, but when Erik asked him about it all he would say was "Ring Pop."  I guess he wasn't taking any chances this week!