She's Got Talent...

Sarah took part in our "BC Youth's Got Talent" talent show last month. She sang a song that her guitar/voice teacher Shannon Higby put together of "Everybody" by Ingrid Michaelson and "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz.

Sarah sang and Shannon played guitar for her.

Jason and I were of course in the front row cheering her on. She was nervous and had a slight crack in her voice in the beginning, which is all she can remember about the performance, but we think she did AMAZING! Once she got half way through the song I could tell she was relaxed and enjoying herself.

I've had issues trying to upload the video, so if you would like to see it you can go to Jason's Facebook page and look for it. 

One of Sarah's girlfriends, Gabriella, also sang and played guitar to Britt Nicole's "All This Time". Both of the girls tied for 3rd place. I think the experience was great for her. So proud of her!

Cayla, Luciana, Sarah and Gabriella

Being Thankful...

I couldn't be more thankful or grateful for these two. They make me smile.

However, I can't say I constantly reflect about how thankful I am for these two gifts that the Lord has given Jason and I to love, nurture and take care of. In the day to day busyness of life I can get so caught up in the doing and living that the thought of being thankful slips by. Not only for these two precious gifts, but the many gifts the Lord gives to me day after day. I tend to go from one "to do" to the next, not stopping to just enjoy the moment of the doing, giving, having or loving.

Something I want to work on. To be more intent on being thankful in the day-to-day doing, giving, having, and living. No matter whether good, bad, easy or hard. To be thankful. Praying the Lord will help me.

So today, I take time to give thanks for these two amazing lives. They make my life so much richer.

Sarah 13 yrs old

Brayden 6 yrs old

Still in April...

I am playing catch up here on my blog as these pictures are just odds and ends from April, but wanted to include them some place. Yes, I am a month behind, but still excited to be posting them for my family and for those of you who look at my posts. I don't want to just move on to the here and now, and forget them, they are important moments as frivolous as some of them may be. They make me smile and I hope you smile looking at them.

Me, our new friend Handy and B-bear.

Me & my girl with Cayla our personal photo bomber.

My two favorites!!

This kid plays a mean came of Mancala.

Selfie Girl

& her selfie crew.

Cousin Sleepover...

I knew in order for our shopping day to be a successful and enjoyable, Brayden couldn't be with us. At his young age of 6 he already doesn't like shopping unless it is something for him.

Aunt Susie understood and came to our rescue offering to let Brayden sleepover the night before and spend the following day with her and the boys. Brayden was of course thrilled and started counting the "sleeps" until his sleepover.

Susie continued to keep me updated via texts on the boys activity at the sleepover.

"Went to park, grocery store, ate dinner, watched Nut job and had special treat ice cream sandwiches while they watched the movie. PJs are on and getting ready to brush teeth."

 

Susie-"They went to bed around 9:20. Yours is asleep and mine is still up. He is having a hard time."

Amy-"Poor guy. Hope he falls asleep soon."

Susie-"Me too!! I think he is just excited."

Susie -"He gave it up!"

"Good Morning!"

"Watching Frozen!"

"This is how Frozen ended." LOL. Looks like wrestling was more fun.

"Special Treat!"

"We surprised Grandma with cards, flowers, little balloon and mini cupcakes."

It seems like a good time was had by all. Thank you again Aunt Susie for making this day possible for Brayden and us.

A Day of Shopping...

For Sarah's birthday in April she had a choice of going to a Broadway play, which she would LOVE to see "Wicked", or going shopping. Each had their budgets and it was a tough decision for our now teenage daughter, but shopping won. We waited until Spring Break so we had the entire day. I set up a sleepover for Brayden, so that we didn't have to listen to him complain about how done he was with shopping and could we PLEASE go to the Lego store.

Prior to going Sarah went through her closet to sort through her clothes, what she would keep, what she wouldn't keep, as well as figured out what she would need. That's my girl, trying to be organized and make the most of the money to spend. Hmmm, wonder who taught her that. Wonder who taught me that. : )

She also made a list of all the stores that she wanted to go to. I wish I had a picture of that list because if I recall I am pretty sure there were at least 10 or more stores. I was up for it though. It was Sarah's birthday present and I wanted her to be happy. It's not every day I get to spend the day with my girl doing what she loves, shopping.

We started off strong right when the mall opened. Our first stop was American Eagle, where we were for two hours and spent the majority of her budget. However, she was thrilled with all that she had gotten.

We crossed a few other stores off her list prior to heading to lunch with Grandma whose birthday just happened to be that day. Sarah showed what all she had gotten and we enjoyed an hour of time with Grandma.

After lunch we were back at it. The mall just opened a new wing, which we didn't realize and Sarah was thrilled to see that they had an Urban Outfitters.

"This is the BEST day ever!"

We continued marking off the stores on the list one by one. Aunt Susie requested some "Dressing Room Dancing" pictures, so we made sure to snap some while in Aeropostale.

By 6:00 p.m. we were in our last store and I was exhausted and we still had a baby shower to attend that evening at church. My girl kept me going though. She was so happy with all of her purchases

 These are some of the outfits she got.

Sarah says her other favorite part of the day was going to Lush. Lush is a handmade cosmetics store where she picked different masks and lotions for her face. She is totally into lotions, makeup, masks, hair products, so Lush has become a favorite store.

My girl is such a sweetie. When we got home late in the evening she presented me with a candle that she had purchased during the day as a way of saying "Thank You" for the shopping trip. I was surprised and touched by her thoughtfulness. 

It is so funny, I think she is easier to shop with now then when she was younger. We used to disagree all the time when clothes shopping, she wanted one thing I wanted her to have another. A lot of times it ended in frustration for both of us. I think we have both changed a little. Sarah for the most part understands when I say "no" to something and accepts it. I have come to let Sarah have her own style and personality when it comes to her clothes. I think the most important thing is that we communicate with each other sharing our thoughts, not only about clothes but about life. I value this the most, as I know not every parent can say that.

I loved this day celebrating my girl and showering her with a few new things.

A Natural...

Brayden was invited to a "Horseback Riding" birthday party for his friend Bella who is in his Kindergarten class at school. The party was just down the street from us. The family must have purchased their property prior to our development being built in the '50's as they have a huge piece of property that includes horse stables and training ring. We can actually see them giving lessons from our backyard. The gentleman that you will see in the pictures with Brayden is a national rodeo rider. His family owns the property and gives the lessons. He likes to do birthday parties as it gives the little kids an intro into horseback riding and is another way for him to recruit students.

Mr. Roberto was great with the kids asking them questions to see what they knew about horses and then explaining all different things about horses. I even learned a few new things like horses have belly buttons. An interesting fact maybe you didn't know. : )

Brayden taking his turn to bush the horse.

After the talk and instruction on how to ride a horse properly each of the kids got two turns to ride either "Joker" or "Silver". These weren't just ponies, but normal size horses. The kids loved it! Each had to wear a helmet, but the kids took the reigns and led their horses with a trainer walking alongside. Brayden seemed like a natural.

Mr. Roberto getting Brayden ready to get on Silver.

All smiles.

Here are a couple videos to show off Brayden's skills.

I don't think we will be starting riding lessons anytime soon, but at least we know he can ride.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game...

Jason and Brayden went with some out-of-town friends to a Yankee game a couple of weeks ago. It was a beautiful day at the ball park.