More than me.....

Today was our first High School Scrimmage game. The initial game is a little tad bit nerve changing...just the butterflies of knowing how each girl will feel. How they come together. What coach will say "yell"...etc. A mom came up to me, whom I've known during the years of practice. She said Megan has been sick this week and I need to pull her from the field and head to the doctors. All the doctors are closed until next week. And any parent knows with studies, and athletes, it's almost impossible to "fit this stuff in"- So....I said..."well...today would probably be the best of the days"- After all it's a scrimmage, points don't count...Just as soon as she was subbed out, I see her mommy approach Coach, and Megan. Explaining to coach, I see Megan's face. I see the face that us Mommy's and Daddy's know all too well. That LOOK. Of, OMG. I can't believe what she is doing. First game, first coach experience. You all know the drill. Megan quickly grabbed her bag, walked towards me, smiled, then quickly that smile turned to anger, than tears. Her mom just walked in front. Doing what she thought was right. My point? We've all endured this very moment. When we aren't the hero. Just the protector. Not the popular parent, or the shining star, but the Mommy that just wants things to be fixed. Megan will make that doctor's appt. Ohhh the love books we write. Daily.

Cheers to my Friday. We are packed and ready to head out. Kali showering, Bill on his way home. Lake bound. Good times, praying for safe travels. And many more blessings. Can't wait to catch tomorrow's sunset. Muah!

P.S. We won today's first "scrimmage" game too! Woot woot!

Glitz & Glamour.......

Our night to shine at the AMA's. So fun.
Kali and I had appointments for makeup...Kali had her hair done...dresses laid out...new heels to prance around in....our night finally arrived....
After calling around and conducting my normal planning ways...I was told the "place" to eat on Sunday's near Nokia is LA Market. Good food. Valet. Beautiful large hand-carved wooden table to seat us....walking distance to the venue. Oh. And GOOD wine. mmmm.
Kali andI met at Maria's. First round of girls. Ready to brave the storm and rain....
Mama. And Maria checking the wine list....

Our group
Amazing bottle of Cab. Yes. I shared.
The girls' after dinner treats. It's the cute little things.
KK, Kali and Madi -
Mamarazzi gettin' in on the flash!
And the wine flowed......
Teenage years.
Brian, Linda and Maria....such fun!
Shelly, Esther and Gracie

Let the fun begin....so much to see. Dresses. Dresses and more dresses!

Before the show starts..

LMFAO stole the show. J-LO, The Beebs, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry...all took the stage. Nothing rocked the house like LMFAO-
Taylor winning again. ugh. Did I say ugh? Sorry...I was rootin' for Adele. Simply the best. To me.
Long day. Long night. Sincere good fun....the night coming to a close....

Valet here we come. Kali's tootsie's were on fire. Funny watching the progress of your once little girl in the baby shoes we provided; onto picking out her own new pair of big girl heels..at this point of the night, wanting to crawl to the car... oh the joy' of glamour....sigh...
And just like that...the night came to a close....

We anticipated yesterday's AMA's for many many months. We've had so much going on. A whirlwind weekend of getting things in order so we can enjoy the holiday week at the lake. Grandma Shirley (Bill's Mama) getting out of the hospital after one week in. Kali's normal crazy teenage schedule of practices, studies..and social life...Christy's paddleout in HB held yesterday. I missed. Bill was there, offering love, support and friendship. Kali and I made our memories. I'm holding on tight...because these are the days. Have a great week everyone. Be safe in your travels. Cook to your hearts content, opening that wonderful bottle of wine prior to your guests arriving, sharing a big smile and hug for them as they arrive...keeping in mind. Life is fast. Life is good. Live in the moment. Thank you Maria for the amazing fun night. We will cherish forever. Cheers! I mean, Gobble Gobble!

Happy Friday!

Ok. I am hooked. My new favorite website has given me recipes. Ideas. And Laughter. Laughter #1- Hope everyone has a great weekend. We have lots to do- Our club soccer season has come to an end for Kali. Our last game is this Sunday...However...Kali and I are headed to the "American Music Awards"- Should be exciting....! Have a super night everyone...it's gonna be a rainy cold weekend. Get some Christmas shopping in, come home..light your favorite candle...find a yummy recipe on Pinterest...lol- And CUDDLE FEST! Cheers everyone!

There are a few people that I post this for...Laughter is perfect.

Before I forget....Ohhh Emmm Geee!

My beautiful friend Nikki, emailed me this morning as I sat in my office. Juggling my normal world here...I see her email come in....It will always make me smile...She wrote Leese, check this website-So I did....and Ohhh Emmm Gee!

I especially need to re-think "N"- Sometimes I speak when frustrated...realizing later I should of kept it to myself. Or maybe not... sigh.

WWW.PINTEREST.COM - Wow. The ideas, the recipes..the cute posting. I love it. I could get lost in these websites. I love it. Thank you beautiful Nikki-Roo! Cheers to humpday!

YES....I and WE CAN......

We all knew last week, we were told, they were told. Monday November 14th, marked the start of High School season. With that came Hell Week. The girls were petrified. They knew. It's part of the journey. No one said it would be easy. No they don't come home to plop down in front of the TV. Or put in a video game, or chat on the phone...THEY work. They work their tails off to get here. Years of working out. Kali and I adding chapters to her Soccer Life...traveling, trying, learning, experiencing...The "life book" of sports...Making the team. Making the roster. For a Division 1 High School, ranked up in the highest around. They are here. On this field. Almost 90 girls. Made it. Now....they push. Now...the coaches watch. It's not a macho thing. It's determination. It's skill. It's emotion. It's called hardwork. I am so proud. I know she is too.
Yesterday I made Kali's favorite healthy pasta dish, and cut up fruit (enough for these 3 tough days...) Anticipating today. Knowing she'd need the carbs. The funny thing as she prepared her bags, and organized her world (bags, books, everything by the door) last night, as she does...and so very well, I had my recommendations. She smiled. I offered some advice, thoughts, praise and cheers...all to get a smile. The smile Kali gives when "She's got it Mom". So I smiled back at her. This morning, as I woke, I prayed in my own little way for her....I packed her lunch. I offered her more tid-bits of advice....to be told again..."I'm fine"- I arrived today...a little early of course, with snacks packed. (I actually had a trunk full of extra Griffin Wear some of the girls had ordered) But I backed my car in. I see my sweets out there...working out very hard. I found a friend...we chatted and watched...I snapped a few pictures...and we continued to watch. We have 2 more days of this....it's brutal, they know it. She is ready. She was ready. And as she told Mama...."She's fine"....and yes she is. While I blog, she does homework, prepping to leave for Club practice in 30 more minutes...."She's fine"- Gasp! We made it through Monday everyone....the chilly weather is here...time to bundle up. Dinner in the oven...waiting for Kris to come home from school, get Kali out and back again..and do it all over tomorrow! Cheers!

Vrooooooommmmmm!

Yesterday Kris and Bill went to the races. Bill's friend Tony Pedregon is a Top Fuel racer....They've been friends for years, when Bill can go he does, when we both can go we do...it's a great day out there absorbing the aroma of that "fast fuel juice"- The burn you get in your eyes..the rumble of horsepower. I've been a little spoiled in years past being allowed to sit up in a suite, stuffing my tummy, sipping cocktails til' you must get up and walk around. Bill and Kris took a few pic's, some they shared, the others, I haven't seen yet. Bill did say he took Mama blogging pic's...(of the food, everywhere they walked...) don't know how much sarcasm was involved in that statement. So for now, this is the ONE that I did get of Kris. The other of Bill is cut half way off. While he sat in their private trailer enjoying lunch. Cheers to a great day at the races....Beautiful California sunshine...safe, fun times...! Kali and I were at home, prepping for the week. Meals, laundry, cleaning, transplanting new flowers, making my list for Thanksgiving...and soccer soccer soccer.....

SIX in the Morning...SOCCER in the rain...SWEET SIXTEEN(s) surrounded by family.....

Friday night "The Girls...The Group" The 7, minus 1. ...celebrated Kelly's 16 Birthday. Dinner at Olive Garden.
Kali was bummed because I made her come home by 8. Early morning, big soccer games = Early bedtime.
She did proceed to grumble all the way home....Soccer is ruining her life. haha. Too late now to complain girlie..we're on the final roads....the final planning stages. I've packed a soccer car since Kindergarten. Not stopping now....Goals. Planning. Together. Parties..and goodtimes will be celebrated for many many years together.
My eyes opened well before the alarm chimed at 5:00am. As a matter of fact, at 4:30 I woke up hearing loud rain, wind...only to check my phone with no "Rain Alert Closed Field" Text. So surprised...I proceeded to get up, make my bed...turning lights on...as I see Kali's lights go on...we were up. We were ready. Filling my car with the needed snacks, warm blankets, umbrella's...plastic bags for shoes..etc. We were off. Kali wasn't too happy about such an early morning..in the rain..but I reminded her of our cool treks to new places....we love the open road, new fields...new places. It's just getting up in rain and cold that bites at first....
Arriving at a Polo Field tucked up against the side of Ortega Canyon. Pulling down into a very soaked field...watching families slowly disembarking from their cars...watching all the sweet-peas gather their bags, gather their jackets...slowly making their way to the field....
What was hilarious to me, pulling down into a muddy, muddy, ohhh so very muddy parking lot full of water....Cars were sliding around, nice cars of course, making their way to park, in about 3 inches of pure mud. HAHA! Jetta was an offroader for the day....so funny. So washable too. Kali evaluating after breakfast....
In between our 7:30 game, our little group searched for the perfect spot to join for breakfast. We found the perfect spot. Known for their Hash-browns...I would say cleanliness would be a top mention too. Clean, yummy, fast. My Blueberry pancakes were delish! Serving Deidrich Coffee too! YUM!!!
The Ortega Canyon road. Beautiful. Lined with trees shouting "Welcome Fall"-
First game. Not raining. There is my #4.
Cold. Working hard. Making these College Showcase weekend games worth the drive. Worth the meaning. As you look around by the trees, under The EZ Up's, College Scouts, line the sidelines...making notes, videos running. Scoping out their girls of choice to consider. They come from around the nation. Making these moments, your best chance to shine. Go Big..or GO HOME!
The Mommies....
Do what you must do. Play hard.
Surrounded by mountains, orchards...and of course the cutest part of my view? Cows, lined the brim. Eating, content, with babies following them.....Rain, good clean grass to graze. Perfect.
Yesterday was Sav's 15th Birthday. What a way to start your day huh? 5:00am. lol~ In between games, with a full tummy...we sat in my car, warm cozy...our little quiet time. Kali and Mac stepped out to watch Kelly play in her game. We sat with this sweet-pea while she evaluated her eyelids and tucked away for a bit on her birthday. Sleep, backseat, backpack pillow. The sound of Kyoko and I chatting....... zzzzzzz-
The start of 2nd game......I notice this cloud make it's appearance around the mountain...I said "Oh my gosh guys...look at the cool cloud"! HAHAHA. It came down in buckets! It came down so hard and so fast....I couldn't help but laugh.
Kali loves to play in the rain. The situation you are put in, can be dangerous...it's tougher...it's crazy. But she does love it.
I love this shot of Kyoko. Watching Sav our Goalie....soaking up the moment. The fields we've played...the weather we've endured. Her thought in this picture says it all.....love love love it.
YES! DID I want to spend my birthday playing in the rain, with bruises on both of my hips? A knee that is seeping blood, getting slammed by the top team we played? Are those thumbs up to our defenders after getting spanked?! Hmmmm. Kind of sense a little sarcasm in these two thumbs up! hahah~ Happy Birthday to an amazing girl. Sweet sweet kid.
As we left, Kali wanted to get a pic of this parking lot. How the mud is now 4 inches deep. The cars leaving covered, the cars arriving just perfect. So so funny.
Men in trucks had to contain themselves. You know as they strolled out of here, it was soo tempting to get sideways. Even for me....LOL!
After leaving the field, I called my sister, informing of our arrival time. We arranged a limo for Tori's 16th birthday. To cruise with friends to the beach. Have dinner, desert and cruise through picking up her friends along the way.....Kali had to miss it this year...Soccer College Showcase commitments are approaching...it's there...it's happens. It will all be done so soon. Unfortunately Kali misses out on somethings...sometimes....
After Kali showered, I changed my muddy set of clothes...we headed over to my sisters to wait for Tori and friends to come back in the limo. My sisters house felt so cozy. Such sweet appetizers and good wine. It felt good to head somewhere and relax. No restaurants, no crowds..no lines...just my only sisters home. Followed by all of our Aunts showing up. The second thing we have to a mom. They are there. Always.
Her pink table.
Can't believe she's 16.
Tori with some of her friends arriving back. They dropped off 3. Dressed to impress. Limo ride to Huntington Beach Pier for dinner at Sandy's. Then desert....
Love your shoes Tori!
Kali missed out on limo this year...but there for arrival. Cousins. The first to fall in love before friends enter the picture.
My sister always makes the most yummiest of cupcakes. So good.

Gone are the days of party hats, and Snow White themed parties....My sister has hosted Halloween Costume parties in some very awesome interesting places through the years....from Graumans Chinese Theater, to Equestrian centers with horse back riding...to Disneyland outings..it's always been a thrill during Tori's birthday...now, we're peeking at Limo's and DJ's with dancing as her next request....whew where'd the time go?
My aunt. My cousin. Love.
Someone bought Tori "Apples to Apples"- Tina and Tori have always loved loved board games...before we left, as I look over at Kali and she's barely keeping her eyes open...this is where I realized...we better head home, let her crawl into bed...let this little party move along...as the laughter and games continued....
Happy Sweet 16 Tori. You make Auntie so proud. Beautiful girl. Inside and out. Keep up your hard work. Happy cuddle-bug Sunday everyone. I am prepping for my week. Dinners, lunches...meetings, practices, tutoring, Dr. appt's, Ortho's, you all know the drill. Bill and Kali woke early to head to breakfast while I slowly exited my bed, lined with new flannel sheets, barely making it to my kitchen to pour coffee, then back into bed again. I thanked them thoroughly for bringing food back...(even though I am not hungry in the morning..haha) Kris and Bill are at the Drag Races today...Kali is buried with studies. I am exhausted. I am truly exhausted today. Still waiting for my 3rd cup of coffee to kick in. I have lots and lots to do. Come on energy. Cheers everyone. Be safe. Be happy. Find the happy moments in each day if things seem tough. It's almost Thanksgiving. So exciting! Gobble Gobble