Team Collierville here we come...Carson had competitive baseball tryouts this weekend and we're so proud of him for making it. It's the first "try-out" experience at our house and it was way too stressful. I was stressed about how I was going to tell him if he didn't make it and Dave was just plain stressed! It was a good learning experience for all of us though. I told him this was just the beginning, that from here on out he would be trying out for teams and that if he did his best and tried his hardest than that was all he could do. But there may be times when he doesn't make it and that's okay too. It's crazy, but in order to make the middle school teams here, which he'll be going to next year, you have to play competitive or they don't even look at you so we're now doing competitive baseball and football. Life is a little chaotic but he loves it. We truly wouldn't do all of this unless we knew he loved it. Believe me our bank account would be a little happier too! I guess this is the life right now. Baseball, football, school, dance, scouts,....I love it though and I'm just glad we can do these fun things for our kids.

Ryleigh has finally turned 5 which means she gets to start dance. She's now taking at the same studio as Cara and she loves it. I think she'll actually do pretty good. She's pretty athletic and has got a little groove going on. She's taking tap/jazz/ballet combo. Just another lesson we get to add to the weekly schedule. Now I remember why my Mom was so excited for us to get our license. The Rees taxi service is constantly going!!!

36 weeks along....

My Dad "The General" finally retired after serving 31 years in the USAF. I'm so proud of him and the example of patriotism he has shown to me and my family. He and my Mom have definitely made some sacrifices for his job, but I know they wouldn't have had it any other way. It killed me that I couldn't be out there to celebrate but my thoughts were definitely with them that day. Well done Dad, you served our country proud!!!
My Dad is on the right accepting the flag

Carson had a great baseball season. He started out playing on the city league with the Mets and then was chosen to represent his division on our city All-Star team. He's a hard worker and in the end it paid off. He was able to go to Jackson, Tennessee where he was one of the younger if not the youngest kid to play in the state All-Star tournaments. His team got crushed but learned lots of lessons, most importantly not to give up. Dave helped coach and the kids just love him. He can really help bring smiles to the dug out when things are going tough.

So I'm not going to lie...these were two of the most miserable days ever when it comes to the heat. Dave and Carson were chaffed and had heat rash (Carson was even bleeding), and the girls and I were sweating from every pour of our body...the most comfortable one was the little guy inside me. This is how hot it was....I'm not even kidding when I say I spent $40 in drinks at the concessions in two days. We would do it again though to support our All-Star. Congrats on a great season buddy!!!

Two of Carson's biggest fans...they're such good sports to always support him like they do.

(I think the pic above right could be a Sprite ad)

This is just one of those pictures I had to post for myself...Almost ever day Ryleigh goes out and waits for the mail, so I decided I needed to take some pictures of her so that I could share this fun memory with her one day. The mailman adores her and gives her a piece of candy and that of course is why she waits for him...(don't worry Dave and I are always right behind her~no creepy mailmen here). Moments like this are priceless!!!

Ryleigh turns 5!!!

On July 13th our "peanut" Ryleigh turned 5 years old. She's been waiting and waiting for her big day, because she knows school is right around the corner and that she'll big a big sister pretty soon. Ryleigh had her party at Gymstars..a local gymnastics center here. They had a blast and Dave and I loved it because we didn't have to do a thing...just show up! Ryleigh is so funny~she comes across as shy but will actually talk your ear off. She's a beautiful little girl on the inside and out and we're so lucky to have her in our family!