Our Little Soccer Sensations!

Zain started his first season of soccer this year! With all of his endless energy, strength and plenty of endurance he has started off the season great! The name of his team is the Red Dragons. Take a peek at his first game below...he scored 2 goals total! GOOO ZAIN!

Masyn is doing awesome in her second season of soccer also! She has really improved since last year and as long as she has someone watching her (grammy, nana, etc.) she is sure to be quite the show off! She somehow can run and kick the ball, all while smiling for a picture (go figure)!! She is on the Pink Pirates and lovin' it!

Zain's First Day of Pre-K

Zain finally started school today! Seven whole days after his big sister... 7 days of runing laps around the house while I walked Masyn to school in the morning, 7 days of dragging dad to the skatepark to give rise to new opportunities to injur himself and 7 days of endless energy! Today couldn't have come soon enough! He had a great first day and had a blast playing with all of his friends he hadn't seen over the summer.Good Luck if Pre-K Zain!!

First Day of First Grade!

Some pictures of Masyn's first day back in school...

Walkin' to school with Jordi!

Waiting in line with mom!

Finally...in her classroom!All in all, it was a great first day back! She adjusted great to her new long hours, got see lots of old friends, meet new friends, learn and HAVE FUN!!

So Long Summer...

School is officially here...at least for Masyn! Zain has one more week before the fun comes to an end!

Tomorrow Masyn will be entering the First Grade...crazy! Although if you met her, you'd think she was going into Fourth Grade!! To get ready for the big adjustment (waking up early, staying in school an extra 2 1/2 hours, the big kid playground, etc.) I have been staying up late doing lots of prep work! Mornings in our house are no fun...well, I guess I should just say when it comes to getting Masyn out of bed, it is a CHALLENGE! We have tried everything under the sun to get this girl out of bed peacefully. She lets her loud, annoying buzzer alarm ring for 20 minutes before she even bats an eye. She will easily go without breakfast if it means sleeping in for an extra 10-20 minutes (although I always pack her something to go, afterall breakfast is the most important meal of the day). So this year we are trying something new!!

Daddy Dollars...every morning she gets up on time, gets ready and does her morning chore she gets daddy dollars! And these are no ordinary dollars, they have daddy on them! And to top it off, they can buy much cooler things than real money!In addition to Daddy Dollars, I wanted to welcome Masyn home from First Grade with something special...her own "Homework Hideout". A place where she can do her homework without interuptions that is made especially for her! She's got supplies, school pictures, incentive charts and post-its to add her own touch to the board! WELCOME FIRST GRADE!!

Two Front Teeth

Masyn lost her 2 front teeth within 2 days of each other! Dad pulled the first one and mom pulled the second. It was my first tooth I'd ever pulled (it is usually Dad's job) and it was quite satisfying I have to admit! The thing had been hanging there for 2 days too long and it was definitely bothering her! She looks sooooo cute with her little toothless smile now and it is so funny to hear her talk. Our baby's growing up! Ahhhhh!

Camp Joy!

Changing the lives of homeless children one heart at a time is basically what Camp Joy is in a nut shell! Last week the kids and I (dad had to work at his new job) got to experience what giving back is truly all about. We spent 4 days/ 3 nights camping and mentoring to homeless children at Green Valley Lake. The kids came from all over Orange and LA County and ranged in age from 4-16 years old. We were paired up with a 5 year old boy from Costa Mesa named Mekhi (how weird is it that Nick and I used to have a dog with this same name!?!)

The entire experience was challenging at first I will admit, but after a day all of the kids had definitely won my heart over. We spent four days just enjoying and living life with kids who honestly appreciate all the small things. There is so much we take for granted weekly, daily and by the minute. But after experiencing Camp Joy, and coming home to my own bed, car and belongings I am truly grateful for all that God has blessed me with. Especially the people in my life... my amazing husband, silly kids, great family and friends. This is what it is truly about! It is about being grateful, thankful and humble for what God has given and provided us with and above all giving back to others!