First of all, I just want to say that my life seems to be just flying by right now. I wake up and it's Monday, and the next thing I know it is Thursday night.
Every week seems to be going like this.
Please, please, please, let it slow down just enough for me to soak it all in.
Just enough time to cement that memory of watching Madie dig every deep spike, block every shot greeting her at the net, and oh please oh please, let me never forget the kills she got against their rival team, Legend, this last Thursday.
Madie had been thinking about this game not just for a few days, she had been thinking about it for months.
She wanted to give this game everything she had!
Last Thursday night, she did just that!
We had a family "double-header."
Madie vs. Legend in volleyball, and A.J. vs. Heritage in football.
The night did NOT disappoint!
It was a rainy night, (in fact, record floods were flooding the state of Colorado in the north.)
The little girls were dressed for the occasion in matching raincoats and boots.
We all came to see Madie!
She rocked it!
I didn't get great pictures all night, but you can get the idea.
She was not full of the usual smiles on the court.
She came for a purpose, and she was going to see fit that she would lead her team to that goal.
I LOVED the Legend crowd!
I love that kids get this excited about volleyball games.
Back in my day, the only people that came to the games were the parents, some teachers who sat in the bleachers catching a glimpse between grading papers, and the boys who either had crushes on one of the players or were dating one of them.
Not this school.
They rocked it in their costumes!
Madie with a KILL!
It was blurry, but don't let that fool you!
The Ponderosa fan stands on the other side erupted in cheers!
This is one of my little girls favorite Legend girls...beautiful Haley!
After Madie's match we rushed off to A.J.'s game against Heritage.
It had seriously been raining for DAYS, but for the two hours of that high school game, not a sprinkle!
I love that every single grandparent was there! (Sorry for the blurry photo, crazy settings on my camera!)
These four cheered on A.J. and his team!
Ellie spent her night hanging with all the girls of Valor.
This is what happened when I asked my brothers to take a picture!
First, they turned away.
Then Bernie cracked a smile, and Eddie was in refusal mode!
Then it came!
They know I'm going to be patient for the shot, so they may as well give up and smile!
Annie and Tymber could not stand still long enough to give me a pretty smile the entire game!
This is as good as it got that night!
At least Annie is representing mama's school!
Annie walked right over to Grandma Dieker for a hug and joined her in a clap!
Oh ya...the game!
It was great!
Valor was so victorious, that the starters did not even play after halftime.
That was a nice surprise to have an early night!
A.J. had the opportunity to rack up some nice stats for the night, along with many of his talented teammates!
Finally...a smile worth documenting!
Love these dedicated cheerleaders!
Just for the record...this teammate, #5, is Christian McCaffrey!
Someday, when you are sitting on the couch watching some Bronco football, you may just see this kid.
Christian is a freak of nature.
In a very good way!
He is an extraordinary football player, as well as, an exceptional person.
Most humble kid I have ever met with talent that is second to none!
Future All-American baby!
Headed to Stanford next year on a full ride!
Some of the sweethearts of Valor hanging with Ellie!
This was probably my favorite part of the day...A.J. coming out of halftime with his team, and seeing his little sisters and stepping out of line to connect with them.
Knuckles.
Absolutely priceless.
Freeze this moment...forever!
This was Coach Sherman's darling son, loving the camera!
And Annie and Tymber sporting their "funny faces" as well!
The night did not end with us caging Tymber, but that may not have been a bad idea!
It ended with us leaving the game early, spending a few minutes with Bernie, and stopping by Eddie's to check out his new and incredible master bath.
One word...gorgeous!
It was a wonderful Thursday, full of lots of cheer and lots of fun.
I am so grateful for every day that I have with these children.
I am grateful to be a mother to these amazing kids.
I don't know what I did right to get this gig.
I know that we are far from perfect, but I love that saying,
"We may not have it all together, but together we have it all!"
That definitely fits us as we have dinner at 8:30 just to make sure everyone is home.
Scriptures and prayer with everyone home safe and sound.
Seriously...love it!
