state finals.

Last night, the boys clinched the first boys volleyball Sectional title in school history!
It was amazing!
Current Record:  30 wins - 6 losses

They played a tough team last night (that was one of their 6 losses from earlier in the season).
But they played smart and consistent and beat them this time in 2 sets.  (It's always best 2 out of 3, for those who don't usually follow volleyball.)
They have won all of their post-season games in just 2 sets, and that is pretty amazing.  Never letting up, or slowing down to let it get to the third set.

And now they are on their way to the State Finals this coming weekend.
The scoop:
They play Friday evening at 6pm (Quarterfinals).  If they win, they move into the Final Four and play both Saturday morning and Saturday evening.

If anyone is interested in going to any of the games, let me know.

For those who can't make it, it will be televised and you can watch any of those matches online at IHSA.org.

Sectional Champs.
State-Bound.

We are pretty excited!

Sectional Champs ~ 2013

our love story: chapter three.

To read our love story: chapter one Click Here.
To read our love story: chapter two Click Here.


A year had passed.

It was volleyball season yet again, and I was back to work a game but this time my friend Sarah had joined me at the scorer's table.

We were in the High School gymnasium this time.
We were chatting about our day, fingernail polish colors (a deep purple was totally in this Fall), and doing our duty as scorekeepers.

When in walked my hot, deaf P.E. boy. 
I realize every part of that label is not considered the most appropriate, but let's be honest that's just what we do when we have crushes.  We attribute characteristics that become a name you use (in your own mind) until you really truly know them.

He looked exactly the same.
Tall, handsome, athletic, sweet, smiley.
He was friendly.
You could tell by the fact that he would say something to every person he passed, instead of just walking by like many people do.

As he got closer, his eyes met mine.
I remembered those big warm eyes.
And now he was walking my way.

This time...
he sat right next to me,
he stayed the entire game,
and we talked the entire time.

A year had passed, but it was like the last time we had seen each other was just a few weeks ago.

He was so sweet, so kind.
And this time I had the chance to see something I hadn't had the chance to before,
he seemed so genuine and honest and innocent.
I could see that he looked at life differently than many people do.
Always looking at the positive, making the most of every second, being there for other people.

And in that moment I knew we shared something,
something so important.
Life was the same for us, no matter how different our pasts were, or how little we really knew of one another.

But the truth was,
at this moment, and in this time,
I was casually dating someone else.
And I think he may have been too.

It wasn't our time,
just quite yet.

a family week in May.

The week before last (the week of no blogging) we had a wonderfully fun-filled and busy week.
Unfortunately, I did not tote my camera around with me and therefore I do not have pictures!  I am bummed. 
First we had Grandma (my mom) in for a week long stay.
There was a day long trip to the airport, to Arlington Heights to Quinn's great-grandmother's gravesite for Mother's Day, to the neighborhood and park my mom grew up in, and to Woodfield Mall.
There was lots of time spent outside, especially picking out the dandelions and Quinn is a pro.  We dug them out and Quinn walked around and picked them up. :)
There was baking and visits to the library and a trip to our little doughnut shop.
There was a big project, with help from my mom and brother (that I will post soon).
And there was hosting a bridal shower.

All together we had 24 visitors in and out of our house in the week.
Including my family, a little visit with Todd's mom, Genny and Derek, and all of the shower guests.

There was some time spent with Drew and his fiancé, Kristen.

Less than 50 days till wedding day!

And these little cuties were in town with us too.

To find out why Quinn did not join in on the bath, you will have to read an upcoming story of The Band-aid Dilemma.

So good time shared with family, it's never really long enough.
Gorgeous weather for the week.
And fun had by all!

I am super bummed I didn't get any pictures of the bridal shower that Amy and I hosted.  It was a cute travel theme with lots of maps.  Oh well.  When you get caught up hosting you forget to do those little things like take pictures.  I was a wonderful shower and the happy couple received many great gifts.

Another project complete...

The wall gallery I made for Drew and Kristen.


and some sprinkler fun on a warm day :)

sweet sixteen.

We are still far from the days of celebrating a 16th birthday around here, and let's keep it that way. :)

However, for those following how Todd's volleyball team is doing, they continue their winning journey and are now in the sweet sixteen (top 16 in state) and will make their way to the sectional finals next Tuesday.  Rolling forward...

victory.

He's done it again!

For the second time this school year Todd has led his volleyball team to be Regional Champs!!

Both the boys and girls teams this school year had great seasons, definitely something to celebrate.

 

This particular boys team has been so fun to watch this year.  They are so good.

They hustle like crazy and are just rockstars on the volleyball court.  It's so fun.

Last night they defeated a rival team in just two sets to clinch the regional championship. 

This team is ranked #1 for the sectional so we have high hopes and wishes of making it to state!

One step at a time, but they are very close now and they are very capable.

I've lost track of their record but it is somewhere around 28-6 (so awesome!),  and they have won both conference and regionals.

Not only are they capable, but they are so deserving.  Just a good group of boys with lots of drive and heart.

 

Hip - Hip Hooray for Daddy!

Today is Todd's birthday, and this was the most exciting gift.

It's all he asked for (it was kind of hard for me to control, but I'm glad it all worked out :)).

 



Don't let that sweet little face and cute piggies fool you into thinking that she sat calmly and watched the game.  She never even set foot into the gym.  She is terrified of the loud noises in the gym and last night was even louder than normal with a big cheering crowd.  I should have learned my lesson.  Glad she was there for this picture and moment, but this will be her last game to attend this season.

I'm thankful to friends and family who take her so I can go to the games, and for the ones who I will be asking this week and next. ;)

Happy Birthday to my husband today!

And our absence from the blog this past week is due to lots of family time. 
More posts to come.

dear mama, love quinn.

Dear Mama,

You are doing a good job Mom.
I want you to know that I am happy.
Which is all I know that you worry about and want for me.
Me being a happy girl in life (and kind and strong and confident and healthy... I know).
I'm sure I will face times of sadness and tough times in the future, even worse than when you say no to m&m's.
But I also know I will always have you to get through those difficult times.

I am kind.
I share with others.
I love my friends.
I smile a lot, even just to try to make someone else smile.
I am patient, I try to be.
I listen to others.
I learn all of this from you.

I love to hold your hand, everywhere we go.  (I know I am good at this :))
I know I stay close to you when we go places and when we are around a lot of people, it's because I love you and you make me feel safe.

My favorite place is in your arms.

You are a good mommy.
You let me wear all of your fancy necklaces, even though you know it will take you at least 20 minutes to untangle them.

You are always prepared with snacks when we go shopping.  I love Hobby Lobby too, but sometimes we are there for a loooong time.
You let me pick out what I want to wear sometimes, even if it means snowboots in May.

I do not like to get in trouble, but most of all I just want to make you and daddy happy.
I love you, and I know sometimes you need my smiles just as much as I need yours.

I have so much fun with you.
I love all the girly things we do together.
You would dance with me all day long if I wanted you to.
You always make me look cute, even on days when all you want to do is wear a t-shirt and sweats.
You painted my toenails pink and now I am obsessed with them!

I love our quiet moments together.
When we get to talk and giggle and sing and play with each other's hair.  (Thanks for letting me brush your hair even though I'm still learning to be gentle with the brush.)
And when we rock in the rocking chair, just you and me, and you sing to me (I love when you sing the little red box song, and Time after Time by Cyndi Lauper.)

Thank you for letting me learn to be brave and independent and try things on my own.
Like climbing to the top of the play gym at McDonald's all by myself.
Thank you for letting me eat more french fries than chicken nuggets that night too.

Thank you for being silly and funny just for me.
And for taking me to many fun and exciting places.

 

I love when we go for our walks together.
Even though the stroller may be easier to push you know that I love the wagon more.

 

  

When people say that I look like you.

It makes me happy. 

I am proud to have you as my mama.

 



Thank you for letting me grow.
letting me make mistakes,
to stumble sometimes,
to learn not to give up,
to be myself.

I know you are not perfect and that you are learning too.
You are my mama,
and I love you.

Love,
Quinn
(2 years old)


I encourage all mamas to write a letter to themself from their child.
It is a good writing exercise. 
Mom's can be hard on themselves sometimes, and sometimes the best compliments are hearing them from within.

Happy Mother's Day!