Withdrawals

Pop Warner Football Season is over.

And our oldest is experiencing SERIOUS withdrawals!

On October 29 the Lynn Haven Chargers had their Bowl Game in Tallahassee.

They did not win...

But it was an AMAZING game!

Best part...

Near the end of the game, Todd Jr was lined up as a Running Back.

Todd Jr is NEVER at Running Back.

Dada asked me why Todd was there and did I think they were going to give Todd the ball...

I said No.

As much as I wanted Todd to get the ball, I just didn't think it was in the cards.

And then,

Holy Cow, they handed the ball off to Todd.

Go number 15!!!!!

I screamed like an out of control and out of her mind mother.

And totally missed filming or taking a photo.

But I am working on acquiring it.

And I kept screaming and being out of control 2 more times.

He did awesome.

Offensive Coach said he should have given Todd the ball a long time ago.

It was an amazing season... we are so proud of all the boys!

Good Friends... Mattias, Todd and Miles.

Todd insisted that his Birthday Cake be Chargers.

He carries around a football everywhere he goes.

I am pretty sure he has one in his desk at school.

He sleeps with one.

He watches games with his Dat Dat all the time and is beginning to sound exactly like him.

"You Gotta Catch That Ball, SON!"

This is often screamed at the TV... by both Todd's.

Anybody know of a good spring or summer football camp?

How many more days til next years season?



Happy Halloween?

Yes, I know it is a little late...
But here are all my handsome Heroes!!!

Todd Jr. decided to be Green Lantern since we could not find a Turtle Costume in his size.

We went to our friend Deadrea's house to Trick or Treat and at one point we encountered another Green Lantern.... Deadrea almost lost an arm when she tried to corral the wrong one... Thanks for watching out for our boys Deadrea!!!!

Dat Dat got in on the action as well... My Pirate Hero!

Could there be a cuter Captain America... our friend Sha'vona found another Captain America and tried to claim that one.... so glad we have good friends trying to make sure we have all our little ones with us... Don't worry, everybody ended up in the right place.

Thor...with red hair.

He is ready to cut it.

I may be too.

Waiting til 10 inches for Locks of Love.

Such fun!

Thanks to Grammie and Dada for visiting and taking photos. 

Just wish we had gotten one of you!

Happy Halloween

The Big 10!

Ten years ago today, at 5:15am EST...

A very special boy came into our lives.

Now, I was in love with two men... luckily they had the same name...

I know you have see the last few years on this blog with lots of photos of the boys, but today I was able to dig up some oldies but goodies of our first born.

Enjoy... and please join us in wishing Todd Jr a Very Happy 10th Birthday!

Todd's first meal... I think it was green bean... Yummy!

What a cutie.

A Gator fan from the start!

I bet your feet aren't this cool...

All the boys have loved these "shoes"  and I still have them.

Todd's first Popsicle, Courtesy of cousin Sonny!

Happy First Birthday... what a mess!

Pool time!

A visit to City Park in New Orleans with Meme and Foe Foe... Pre-Katrina!

Dancing at Aunt Grace's wedding... He had the best time!

Such a good big brother.

He was so excited!  Just don't ask him about it now.



Mommy and Dat Dat love you Todd.

Happy  Birthday!

Finally....

... a new post.

To say that I have hardly had a moment, is an understatement.

Lots and Lots going on here.

Let's see...

Soccer season has ended...

Grady finally scored his first and second goals...

No, I did not capture a photo or video, I was screaming like a chicken with my head cut off.

So excited I, well I.. um, okay, I have had 4 children and 3 C sections... I imagine what that does to one's bladder... you get the picture.

This is a photo from his last game... These are friends from his last two seasons... we were excited to play their team... it was fun cheering for all the kids!

Gotta love him!

Football season is coming to an end and for those of you who happened to miss it, Todd Jr made the news..

Todd Harris Makes a Big Hit!

He has been doing an amazing job!

There are not many tackles he cannot make... it is pretty amazing to watch!

Wish you could all catch a game.

Our youngest trouble maker, not wanting to be left out has been up to lots as well.

Like ensuring Todd and Grady's school has a good evacuation plan.

And how do you do that?

Well, you pull the fire alarm, of course!

Ah... Boys!

Also, almost exactly one year after my Grandfather passed away, we lost my Grandmother, Nana.

She was a wonderful Grandmother, who lived her life with grace and beauty.

I will miss her always.

Alzheimers is a cruel monster.

Love you, Nana

Where were you on that September day?

Do you remember?

How can you forget.

10 years.

Like so many things, it seems like a lifetime ago and as if it were yesterday, all at the same time.

I did not nor do not personally know any of the victims, survivors, loved ones or heroes of that day but like many of you, I met with my own personal struggle on that day and the days, weeks and months to follow.

On September 11, 2001 I was scheduled to work a very early shift at the Disney Store in the Governor's Square Mall in Tallahasse, where we were living at the time.

I had to be there at 7am, if you know anything about Disney, you know they are all about the "SHOW" and processing shipment boxes while we were open was a big NO NO!

I always liked these shifts because we got to see all the new merchandise first.

I remember that morning, I felt particularly large... like many mornings during that time.

(This photo was taken a few weeks before Sept. 11)

Todd Jr on the inside!

I cannot believe I am posting this photo.

Anyway, all the boxes were unpacked, product was place and the store was cleaned.

As we were preparing for store opening, counting registers, etc., the phone began to ring.

It was Todd, he was telling me a plane had hit one of the twin towers in New York.

I remember not being able to wrap my brain around what he was saying.

With of course so little information at that early time, I left the conversation sure that it must have been a small plane, off its course, with an inexperienced or ill pilot.

I shared what I had been told with our store manger, Tanya, and to be honest we got back to work.

Soon, the phone began ringing again.

Of course, you know what they were telling us.

Tanya and I felt like we were in a bubble.

We finally remembered we had an emergency hurricane kit with a radio in it.

At this point, the "show" was certainly broken when we opened our doors as we were glued to the radio...

Soon, the mall was told to close and all personnel had to leave.

We were less than a mile away from the state Capitol and the Governor's residence.

Remember at that time our Governor was the President's brother.

And again, like most of you, I spent the rest of the day glued to the television, hoping that maybe if I changed the channel just one more time, the story might change.

It did not.

The helpless feeling was overwhelming and I imagined all those watching and waiting to hear from loved ones who may have been affected by what happened.

Feeling for those peope who had lost ones they loved and cared for so deeply.

It was something I could hardly imagine.. losing a parent, grandparent, sibling......  their child.

I was fearful for the life growing inside me.
What kind of world were we bringing this child into?
To be honest this is something I still struggle with.

However, each day I continue to be thankful for my family... and our freedom.

CHARGE!!!!

Wow!  What an amazing start to Football Season!

The Lynn Haven Chargers had an fantastic Jamboree.

They were all so excited and each of the boys had lots of opportunities on the field!

Here they are getting ready to rush the field.!

Team Captains running off the field... yep, that is #15 leading the pack!

Todd's Best Friend, Miles.... waiting on the kickoff return team.

(Okay, just let me say... NO MAKING FUN OF ME! 

Yes, I have been a football Mom for almost 4 years, but I still cannot get it all straight... so just go with it, or call Dat Dat and he can translate my inept ramblings!)

Lining up for a kick off!

 

Todd and his team getting set up for another kick off!

There they go!

Todd took flight after he kicked the ball.

Yes I know the film is shaky.. hope you took some dramamine.

Get 'em Todd!

Check out #15!

... and the kid with the ball...

.... you better believe Todd took him OUT!!!!!

Really, the whole team was amazing, but as his parents, we were really excited for Todd Jr.

As you can tell, he is the team's kicker and he did really well.

I know he is only 9 but it was really neat to watch him on the kicking line, getting set up, communicating and leading the team... he is really in his element.

He had 2 HUGE Tackles!

And he SACKED the QUARTERBACK!!!!!!

Their first official game is this Saturday in Tallahassee.

ROAD TRIP!

Miles' mom and I are already painting our nails navy with lightning bolts and packing the cooler with lots of goodies!!!!

So proud of the Mitey Mite Lynn Haven Chargers... what a great group of young men!!!!

And not to forget the JR PeeWees!!! Go Chargers!



Football Baby!!!!!

Time to slip on your favorite jersey...

That's right, it is FOOTBALL SEASON!!!

The boy's school kicked it off yesterday by having a Jersey day...

And, of course, our boys participated

Grady was representing the Gators.

And, Todd Jr went as Tim Tebow.

Dat Dat even got in on the action.

Today is Todd Jr's Jamboree and there was lots of excitement getting ready.

How Handsome!!

Check out the number!

I love this one.

Smile Baby!!!

Todd Jr and his favorite coach... mine too!

So, the boys and I are off to the game...

We will post an update later...

Have a Great Day!!!

Go Chargers!!!

And also...

to all my friend in Tallahassee,

Working in Garnet & Gold, or sitting in Doak....

GO GATORS!!!!!!!

This Chomp is for you!

Love you!