My Little #6

(from l to r: Coach Carlos, Isaiah, Brady, Dominic, RJ, Marcus, Lino, Esteban, Zack and Martin)

Brady played on the 6th grade basketball team this year. These boys have been playing together, hanging out together and been friends for a lot of years. Most of them are quite coordinated and good athletes. They have all played soccer and baseball together too. As a result they have become one of the teams to beat (It didn't hurt that they've got RJ on their team). It was fun to go to the games sit with the other mom's and cheer for these cute boys (I tell ya, they have quite the presence). They only ended up losing 2 games the whole season and the last game was only lost by 1 point, in overtime.

Coach Carlos was timid about playing Brady a lot in the beginning. But Brady proved himself and played a lot more toward the end. He was a good blocker and a fast runner. He made several points and kept the other teams from making several. He wasn't afraid to go up for a rebound and played a clean game. Maybe in the off season we'll work on dribbling a bit.

(Side note: In one of the earliest games Martin threw the ball from 3/4 court and made a basket at the buzzer... WOW!)

Brad and Brady have been playing a lot out in the driveway now that the days are longer. I am very proud of Brady.

So Extremely Blessed

(l to r: Suzie, Shannon, Janet, Kris, Mom, Stef, Marsha and Karen)

Just anticipating writing this post has gotten me a little emotional. I just can't figure out how I got so lucky... so blessed.

One week ago I got back from spending 4 days with some of my favorite people in the entire world. Somehow it just all came together for me and my 5 sisters, 1 sister-in-law and my cute mommy to be able to get together in Texas for several days. We live in 6 different states so we don't get to see each other as often as we would like (sniff, sniff). It was all a bit spontaneous a unplanned, but somehow we were just all available this particular week.

Here are some of the reasons I'm feeling extremely blessed

*Everyone was able to come

*Everyone was able to afford plane tickets

*We all have exceptionally supportive husbands who took over "Mom" duties while we were gone

*There is no one among us that we have to "walk on eggshells" around

*I feel supported and loved by all these lovely people. I don't have to be anyone but me

*There are no hard feelings among us

*Everyone is positive and happy

*We are all in general good health

*We got to see downtown Austin, eat at good restaurants, and stroll leisurely around the river

*We got to talk and talk and talk some more

*We all have testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ

*Playing the Wii with Noah and Austin

*Watching the Olympics

*Even though I got a cold (and laryngitis) I didn't have to miss out on any of the festivities

*I didn't get anyone else sick

*Talking and talking and talking... til 2 in the morning every night

*Steve T. was a great sport and let us rough up his house and take over his bathrooms

*We ate yummy ribs and tortellini salad, lasagne and taco salad

*Running with Janet (shortly before I got sick)

*Putting Noah and Austin to bed (I read a counting book, and Captain Underpants to them and sang some songs. I felt honored that out of all the cool aunts there, they chose me)

*Ate the yummiest donut of my life at Gordough's (when can I go back?)

*Being there for Emily's 9th birthday

*Eating lunch with Noah at School

*Ate super good Shrimp Tacos at Chuy's

*Flying with Mom (much funner than flying alone)

*Did I mention all the talking we did? Listening from the other room sounded totally chaotic - but we wouldn't have had it any other way - Steve is a Saint

*Laying in bed one morning listening to everyone talk in the kitchen. I could hear and recognize everyone's voices, it was so dear to me.

*Perfect weather

*Helped in keeping Austin Weird

Maybe this will never be possible again - I hope that's not the case, but you never know. So for now I just revel in being so extremely blessed to have had this experience. I love you all my family!

There's now a joke in the family going around about "The Brother-in-Law" get together. Can you imagine? If it ever happened you can bet it will be a lot more expensive than the girl's trip

Our Hosts -- The Theriaults

And since I know you are dying to know...

Here are my top 3 favorite photos of the trip! (no explanation needed)

#3

#2

My #1 favorite picture of the trip!