Dinner with my Besties!

Lunch with some high school girl friends!

I graduated with these gals back in 1986 from West Valley High School here in the Spokane Valley.  We've all aged a bit, and lost touch throughout the years, but it sure was fun meeting up with them today!  Thanks to Facebook, many of us have reconnected again.  We met up at Lindamens for coffee and lunch -- it was great to catch up with each of them.  Kim Richardson Francon, Tammy Faraca Degenhardt and Jill Woods Bonser.

Audriana receives the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

God is so good!  And he forgives!  Audriana has learned a great lesson these past few weeks in preparation for her 4th Sacrament.  The mass was this morning and Father Mark did not dissappoint in his special way of engaging with all the children.  He makes it so they understand.....and he talks directly to them.....and he asks them questions....and he relays the teachings in a way that they will not forget the importance of it!  I am thankful for Sacred Heart Parish....Father Mark....and Janet Macione (direction of Religious Education).  We were so proud of Audriana this morning as she participated in the mass, was chosen to read the First Reading, and went to her first face-to-face Reconciliation with Father Mark.  Martin and I even went -- it felt so good!

Audriana and Emma

 



Reciting the Act of Contrition
 (they all had to memorize it prior to the Mass)

 



 

Father Mark is wonderful with the kids!

 



We are so proud of Audriana!  

Audriana and Father Mark after Mass

My family -- My Loves!

I just love this picture....it was taken on Labor Day....we were at Silverwood....on the last train around the park....it was a cold night and we were freezing because just 30 minutes earlier we left the water park.....the moon was full and it was a bright orange color.  We had spent the entire day together and we were all so happy (and tired!).  Lynda, Caleb and Nikki met up with us later in the day and we had fun going on the rides and enjoying the water park together!  What a day -- what great memories!

A new desk for the girls to do their homework! A space all their own for their school "stuff" and backpacks! Yah! I'm re-claiming the dining room table for food and gathering only! Ha!

2012 School Pictures

Sofia 7 yrs old, 1st Grade         Audriana 10 yrs old, 4th grade
Mullan Road Elementary

Happy Birthday to me!

Shoot...I don't know why Martin and Audriana got cut off from this picture...the origianl has all of us in it.  We went to Red Robin tonight for my birthday dinner -- we loved the bottom-less fries!  Mom and Jay and Kristi were able to join us.  We had a nice night, but found the restaurant to be sooooooo noisy!  We were sat back by the kitchen, where the servers pick up the food, and we could barely hear each other talk.  Very, very noisy.  Nonetheless, it was a happy night and I loved celebrating my special day with my special family.

Soccer Moms help me celebrate my birthday!

I am so blessed to have these wonderful ladies in my life!  We are a very close knit group -- all of our daughters play soccer together on Rik Robles GU11 United Black Widows team.  We all got together tonight at Twigs Bistro in the valley and had dinner together.  I felt so special!  From L to R:  Heather Lance, Kim O'Neel, Kari Baxter, Brandie Greenwood, Shelbi Robles, me, Loni Harvey, Jayme Carter, Becky Ewers, Kyla Watson and Jamie Kaiser!  Thank you ladies!!!!

Fall leaves = hours of fun!

Fall soccer season comes to an end......what will we do with our Saturday's now?!?!

On the bench......waiting patiently to go in!

Skylar, Katie, Rachel and Audriana.....up and ready to go in!

Shoot that, Audriana!!!!
 

And it's in!  Nice goal, Audriana!

Mark Up!!!!

Ready position....as you can see, these 10 year olds are playing 13 and 14 year olds!  And, yes, we have won every single game against these older Rec teams!  Go Black Widows!

Go Sofia!  What a great season she has had -- we have really seen a big development in her skill level.  She is aggressive, competitive, and can instinctivly know how to anticipate where to go and where the ball will go.  She's a great little player!

Nice kick, Sofia.....sorry the picture is a little blurry!  Boo....