Lake Titans {Football}

For the past two weeks the boys have spent four days a week at football camp for the Lake Titans. Originally, only DJ was supposed to play, but after a couple of days watching his brother practice Cameron couldn't take it any more, and wanted to join too!

I have to say that I was pretty nervous about the boys playing tackle football, but it has actually been really good for them! They are both showing more maturity and are getting along better. I also enjoy going to their practices. It seems that I'm becoming quite the southern football mom.

We also recently celebrated Dj's 9th birthday, and because we don't have any family here we planned a nice birthday dinner with make your own pizzas, cupcakes, and ice cream sundaes!

Wow! What a Year! {The List}

My 31st birthday is tomorrow, so I figured that this would be a perfect time to revisit THE LIST and the progress I've made on it this past year. July 1st was also our anniversary of arriving in Louisiana, so it's an opportune time for reflection all away around.

I've made really good progress on my list. All in one year I've moved south, bought a new home, gotten a promotion (THE SHELF), and learned a lot about myself. I think I'm in love with being in my 30s and this has been possibly the best year yet!

As I look at the list today, there are things that definitely need revising. #11, #19, #20 are things that I no longer have any desire to do. Writing is the furthest thing from my mind right now, wearing red lipstick is just not who I am, and going to MI (up North or otherwise) gives me a headache. In the next few weeks I'm going to be revising this list so that it reflects who I am now.

35 before 35


1. own my own home (again)



2. spend my anniversary on a beach



3. finish my masters degree (DONE DONE DONE DONE!!!!!)



4. get THE SHELF



5. put THE SHELF in an office of my own



6. relocate to the South



7. decorate my living room



8. have a real dinner party



9. learn to French braid (Still room for improvement on this one ;)



10. make Thanksgiving dinner (Wasn't Thanksgiving, but I did make Damon a "Christmas" dinner, so I think this counts)



11. finish that third novel



12. take my kids to Disney World



13. go out on New Years Eve



14. celebrate homecoming at TSU



15. “Would Ya Like it” in the rain



16. Have date night once a week



17. Visit Washington DC



18. have a picnic with wine and cheese



19. wear red lipstick



20. go Up North



21. grow a plant



22. make a cake for a loved one’s birthday



23. restore a piece of furniture



24. attend a Broadway play (does not have to be in NY, although that’s a bonus)



25. get rid of all unnecessary debt



26. eat healthier



27. answer the question, “What’s wrong?” honestly, the first time.



28. institute a new family tradition



29. take a cooking class



30. Find the perfect school for Cameron



31. Learn to let go



32. Invest in great pics of the kids



33. Learn a new language



34. Renew my wedding vows



35.

We have been in our home a little over two weeks now and WE LOVE IT!

And although it occured to us AFTER we moved in that we don't have linen closets and the builders gave us sooo many problems with our sod, things have been going relatively smoothly. I was in full indoor decor mode when our SUV broke down and we had to get a new car.

Needless to say I have put the breaks on buying stuff for the house for a few weeks.

Since I posted last we visited Detroit... both Cameron and Evan took private swim lessons with one of the kinder teachers from my school, and we're just working on enjoying our summer before we are required to return to the daily grind. Pretty soon DJ will be starting his first season in tackle football, too.

WHO DAT!

Football season in Louisiana is something like I've never seen before! Schools are invloved, stores, newspapers, restaurants...EVERYONE! I don't even like football, but the vibe in the city just sweeps you in and makes you a fan.

Today at the boys' school is NFL day. They will be participating in NFL themed activities in both the classroom and during PE, and were allowed to wear their favorite team's jersey along with their uniform shorts. DJ chose the Saints and Cameron wanted the Steelers but there wasn't a Pittsburg jersey to be found anywhere in a three parish area...So he opted for the Saints, too.

Evan got in on the fun with her Fleur de Lis dress and matching NO Saints bow!

The Rams and The Cardinals

Are you ready for some footballllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The boys are all signed up for spring football through the NFL youth flag football league. Practice starts in a couple weeks and today we headed out and got the boys their cleats and mouth pieces (I mean how many more teeth can Cameron lose??)

Cameron couldn't wait to try them on so Coach Dad took the boys out for a little two-hand touch on the front lawn to get ready for the upcoming season.