Pre holiday fun

We spent the afternoon at the pool with Moxley cousins. It was sunny and hot. It was fun to spend time playing in the water! (I didn't get any pictures.)

After our swim at the pool, we came back to our house for supper. We had baked potatoes and hotdogs and chips. Sherilyn and Jay brought ice cream for dessert.

Thanks to all those that brought food and helped! (I can't remember who did what...)

After dinner we organized the children together to take a picture. It's been a while since one was taken of all of the Moxley grandchildren. I'm waiting to have one sent to me by one of my sisters. 

I love my family. 

Monday fun

Rebekka chillin in Grandma Moxley's car.

On Monday morning mom and I along with Tysyn and Rebekka went to Lethbridge to get some stuff for 1 July. After shopping, Rebekka was pretty tired and ready for a nap so this is how this girl sat in Grandma's car the whole way home. 

Aaren and Grandma after their short bike ride. 

Mom wanted to try out my bike so she decided to take it for a little ride and Aaren went along. They got as far as the fairgrounds. Then the clouds opened up and then it started to rain. Aaren and mom got soaked on the ride home.

Jumping in the rain

Maren, Mckenna, Evan and Savanna jumping on the trampoline while the rain came down. 

Posing in the rain

Beautiful Rainbow after the storm

A panorama shot of the backyard after the rain shower. 

Grandma Moxley reading to Evan, Savanna and Rebekka before bed. 

School's out 2

Devin and Aaren both completed their schooling and exams at the Junior High this year.

Devin officially graduated from RJHS and moves on to high school in the fall. At the awards ceremony this morning, Devin was one of the top 3 students in his gym class. He also did well in athletics and was mentioned for the honor roll in the first report card.

Aaren didn't receive any honor awards at the honors assembly.  But Aaren did place on the honor roll on all reporting periods. (Not sure why he wasn't acknowledged...his average was over 80% on each report card.)

I'm proud of his efforts and how hard he worked this year in his academics. School grades didn't come easy for him but he worked hard and earned all the marks he received. Congratulations Aaren. He moves on to grade 8.

Truth

This is how I feel today. I spent a lot of my time cleaning throughout the house. Cara and Jaylin were over visiting in the afternoon and even helped. Together with some of the kids we made a big difference in the basement but there is still much work to be done. Sigh.

A huge THANK YOU to Cara and Jaylin. I really appreciated it!!!

How does one summon the courage and energy and enthusiasm to tackle a mess such as this???

Cause prayer alone won't cut it!

So.... I'm trying music, ice cold drinks and prayer!

School's out

School finished for the elementary yesterday. It is hard to believe that another year has passed for the kids. All did well in their grades.

Evan says goodbye to Miss Jamie Jensen. He loved having her for his teacher. She really helped him grow and learn a lot.

Maren says goodbye to Miss Allison Groenenboom. Maren loved her class. She is sad for the change of a new year. 

Cassandra says goodbye to a 2 teacher split. Mr. Rob Hill and Mrs. Jessica Hinman. Mrs Hinman is moving to BC. Cassandra had a good year with her class. 

Today was the spring orientation for the fall school year. The kids are excited to see their new classmates and meet their new teachers. 

Dad

Happy Father's Day to this wonderful father.

Jeff loves the children and they love him. He works hard to support and care for each of us. We appreciate all he does and grateful to him for his efforts. We love you!

I'm also grateful for my dad.

And my Father in law. 

Thank you for your examples and love.

Soccer 2015

I have a love/hate relationship with Raymond Minor Soccer.

It is over-Boo!  It is over-Yay!!

I love how much exercise it gives the children and how active they are during the season. I hate that it takes away so much of our family time and that it increases the activities schedule. Meals were terribly crazy and sometimes nonexistent during soccer season.

I loved seeing the kids in their team jerseys, decked out in soccer socks, shin pads and cleats with waterbottle in hand running to their game or practice. I hated looking for lost or misplaced jerseys at the last minute unaccounted for shoes, shin pads that weren't were they were put last, socks that were dirty, stinky and strewn throughout the house and water bottles lying all over the house and van. 

I love watching the kids play but hated going when there was so much still to do at home. Often duties would be put on hold until a more convienent time because of a game or practice. 

I loved driving them to their games but hated that someone was always going somewhere to some game at some some field in southern Alberta.

I loved watching the kids win and be so excited for their teams. I hated hearing or seeing disappointing and frustrating losses.

I love soccer. I hate soccer. 

Here's the recap of our crazy soccer schedule.

Evan- Mon./Wed. 4:00-5:00pm

Maren- Tues./Thurs. 4:00-5:15pm

Cassandra- Tues./Thurs. 5:15-6:30pm

Devin and Aaren- Mon./Thurs. 7pm (really it was 6:30-8:30)

Brandon Wed./Fri. 7pm (really it was 6:30-8:30)

Devin had soccer reffing during grade 3/4 (Maren's) games. Tue./Thurs. 4:00-5:15pm

Then add in youth activities and ballet and spring football training and reffing and work and mowing and target shooting and the birds and....... It made for a overtaxed mom and family. 

All the kids had a really positive and successful soccer season. The littles enjoyed the times spent at the soccer fields playing with friends, cousins and stray or spare soccer balls.

Evan loves soccer. He is an active boy who is always on the go, so soccer was a perfect match for him. He had a fun little team. The highlight for him was the free Slurpee coupon at the end of the season!

Maren learned a lot this year. She often played defense and wished to be able to score. I'm not sure she ever scored during the season. Maybe next year. Maren's team was able to make it to the finals. Her team lost to her cousin Seth's team to take the silver medal and second place.

Cassandra's team didn't make it to the final. She had a fun season and enjoyed being goalie several times. Cassandra likely won't play next year. She isn't as passionate about soccer as some of the other siblings so she plans to take a break next season.

Devin and Aaren along with cousins Jaylin and Ammon also had a great soccer season. Devin showed very powerful soccer skills. He was definately a leader on his team. Their team coached by Ken Heggie went into the finals in first place giving them a bye on the first round. During the semi final game, the team played well but not good enough to keep the lead and lost in the semifinal. It was a disappointing loss. It upset many on the team. Devin was disappointed and frustrated at the loss. Tracey Heggie, wife of Devin's coach, messaged me this note after their game. "Sooo wanted to share... Coach Ken told me after the game (when he thinks I need a play by play assessment) that "Devin was probably my best player on the team this year, he played hard, did what was asked, was a good sport and just a fantastic kid". That's always good to hear")

Aaren loved soccer and was a good strong defensive player. He worked hard this year and enjoyed playing with his two cousins his age.

Look at the height difference!

Brandon was on the same team as Joseph and they also had coach Ken Heggie. Their high school team also went to finals. It was held in Cardston on Friday night, the same night as Jeff's choir concert. I so badly wanted to go but felt that I needed to support Jeff at his choir concert. Mom and Dad Hardy drove Brandon and Joseph to Cardston, watched some of the first game then also came home for the concert. Brandon texted me the scores after the games were over. The team moved on to the championship game and came home with the gold medal win. Several other parents I talked to said it was an intense three games with the team playing so awesome. Brandon did so good. He was a powerful player and an asset to the team. He mainly played defense. From another parent (Natalie Burton) about Brandon and Joseph I got this message: "Kim Moxley Hardy, so sad to miss you! Jordan couldn't do his job so awesomely without those Hardy boys on defense!!! It was so exciting, the 3-0 lead at the half certainly helped!!!"

It has been a long, exciting, exhausting few months of soccer but I'm grateful it is over. Now summer can begin. I'm ready to throw schedules out the window and take it easy. 

Choir

Tonight Cassandra and I went to Jeff's choir concert at the Broadway Theater. Jeff has been singing in a mixed voice choir for many months now. He loves music and loves to sing.

The choir Counterpoint meets on Thursday evenings. Tonight was their first concert.

The choir did very well. They sounded wonderful and had a large variety of songs. I felt very uplifted and energized. It was a delightful way to spend a Friday evening.

I am grateful that Jeff is able to do something that he loves. He has found something that fills him with joy, builds upon his talents and increases his self worth. It has also been a great outlet for the heavy burdens of stress that he carries. I saw those burdens lighten and lifted from his shoulders Friday evening as he performed. 

During one of the numbers called Grumble Too Much, Jeff showed remarkable similarities to his younger brother Jared. I just sat back and couldn't believe how alike they looked and acted. It's been a while since I've seen Jeff act so much like his other siblings. It was neat.

The men singing Heigh-Ho. Sung by the 7 dwarfs. Jeff is the middle dwarf wearing the blue cap. 

Jeff on the back row 

After the concert, and most the kids were all in bed, (the 3 oldest weren't. Devin was with friends and Brandon and Aaren were downstairs with their devices) Jeff and I had a late date to Fas Gas for malts. We sat in the parking lot for a bit eating our ice cream and discussing the choir performance and dealing with some matters pertaining to the children. We throughly discussed the topic of bridge jumping. Each sharing our feelings and position on the activity.  After much peaceful and calm conversation, (longer than we anticipated) we finally came to a conclusion about where we both stand and where we both need to stand when we deal with this topic with our children. The date and conversation was so needed. It was great to communicate so openly and straightforward. We haven't had that in a while. It turned out to be a rejuvenating Friday night! Thanks for the great evening Jeff. I love you.