Energy Level: Low

I feel a little deflated today... wish I looked it! Ha! Seriously. We went to Huntsville Saturday and Sunday for a volleyball tournament. We had a pretty good time, but we didn't finish well in the tournament. I have some changes in mind for that, but we'll see.

We got back home around noon and stopped by our house on the way to get the van since we drove the Camry to Huntsville.Isn't everything so pretty with a nice, white, fresh layer of snow? And the roads were still safe, so all the better!

We went and played with the kids at Mom & Dad's house since they had been waiting on us all morning.We made snow angels... ...built a couple of snow men... (sorry about the blurry pic, but Bry had gotten me and my camera already with a snowball!)...introduced Sophie to the idea of 'so-baw' fights......the boys turned their snow men into a fort......but they weren't expecting an attack from behind from the woman who gave them life!My Dad even made everyone some Snow Cream and the boys loved it!

We decided about 3 or so so load them up and head home to relax a little before heading to Sierra's (my niece) 10th birthday dinner at O'Charley's. Well, I had corralled the boys outside and had Bryant inside the van. Hank had just finished loading our snow wear and the kid's overnight bags into the back of the van and had just closed the back door. With Sophie in my arms, I walked around the front of the van, and just as I got to the front passenger side door, I heard a loud cracking sound and looked up just in time to step back and put Sophie under my arm before half of a dead tree fell onto my van. It busted the back windshield, heavily dented in the passenger side, scratched and dented the top of the van, and put a branch literally through the back bumper.This is the branch that pierced the bumper.We called the cops, but it turns out we don't need an accident report since no one was at fault. So we have a call into the insurance company and are waiting on an adjuster to call us.

After that.... phew... I wanted to go home and go to bed... but we still had to celebrate a certain yound ladies birthday! I can't believe it's been ten years since I first laid eyes on her! Look at how cute!!I just loved, and still love, the idea of being the fun aunt! This pic was taken right around when I graduated college... so wow!Happy Birthday Sierra Miran! I love you! "Sierra Miran... Sierra Miran... She was so tiny, she fit in a turkey pan!" [Sung to the tune of Cruella Deville]

Black Widows

This past weekend, Hank and I traveled to Nashville to coach our team, the Black Widows (who named themselves because the socks they chose have a spider web pattern on them), in a tournament.

I was super impressed with them!! They pulled together so well. Not only are they developing as a team, but they are all becoming friends and I like to see that! I remember developing some long lasting friendships from club ball.

And I would like to annouce that the Black Widows placed second in the tournament!!! We played in the championship match and should have won, really! Nevertheless... we are so very proud of them!

I also had a blast with my husband. We haven't had a trip with no kids in... well, I don't think I could tell you how long... and it was much needed! We went to dinner, watched The Office, laughed a lot, and even held hands a little :)

Life is good.

Heartbreaker Champs!

As some of you may know, I'm currently one of the two coaches for the 13-year-old Alabama Juniors volleyball club. We played in our second tournament last weekend... AND WON!!! We are the champions baby! Here is my cute little team wearing their Heartbreaker Chamption t-shirts!

"Memories... in the corner of my mind...

misty, watercolor memories of the way we were!"

I'm sitting here at my dad's office today filling in for my Mom. I've been thinking back on what it was like when I worked for him. I used to bring Tres to work with me. From the time he was 6 weeks old on, he was a 'shop baby.'

I brought Sophie with me this morning and she was fine... except that she kept 'talking' when I was on the phone. It was very distracting! And she only napped for maybe 20 minuntes... so I took the little stinker home at lunch and put her to bed there where Crystal was watching Bryant for me.

Tres had his field trip to the Children's Theatre to see 'Jack and the Beanstalk' today. He requested that Hank go with him, so Hankie switched shifts with someone, and was able to go. I think it was a fun time for both of them.

When I went home at lunch time, Bryant was too busy playing with Crystal to even acknowledge dear old mom! :) That's a good thing. And a good reminder to me that I don't have to be everyone's all in all.

Well, folks... the time is fast approaching when I will no longer be in my twenties! One week from today, I turn 30. How is that possible, when I don't feel 30? I keep telling people that it's just a number, and that is honestly how I feel! But seriously... how is it possible?

I have my first volleyball tournament this weekend, and I think my little team is going to do so good! I have some really sweet girls on my team. And I have been able to take Tres and Bryant individually to be my assistant coach to different practices. But say a prayer for Hankie... this will be a long weekend for him with all three kids. Thankfully, my tournament is in Hoover and he can bring them up to see me or bring Soph to eat if he needs to. This is a trial run for the rest of the tournaments. Only two are out of town, so that much is good news! The other 4 are in Bham.