Changes

Well it's almost time for summer!! Can't hardly wait for endless days of sunshine. I can't wait for school to be out as well, because then Alex will be here for the summer and I love having both of my kids home. My world always feels complete when it's the four of us. I can't hardly believe that Karlee will be a Sophomore in high school in a few short months though!! Where does the time go? I am sure every parent deals with that same question, but I have been having a really hard time with it lately. She has been my number one for the last 15 years. I was a kid who had a kid and had no choice but to grow up fast. What will happen when she's an adult and moves out? I can't help but question that almost everyday...

Karlee tried out for the Belles again on April 29th and made the team!! She also tried out for the Choreography Team and made that as well. I know I say it almost every post, but I could not be prouder of the young woman she is becoming. I see great things in her future, and I am so very thankful that she has chosen a road that I didn't see as an option when I was her age. 

Karlee and I will be participating in Relay for Life on June 17th  & 18th. We both are looking forward to a great time for a great cause!! We will be busy busy busy all summer long, but we are going to try to take time to do some camping and beach trips this summer. Last year was all so new for us, but this year I feel we will have a better grasp on what's to come with dance activities. 

Softball is starting next week as well and I am SO happy that Matt is able to play again this year!! He was miserable last year without it and really missed his team. He's playing on two leagues so Wednesday & Thursday nights will be Softball nights!! I can't wait to go watch as well. It's always a good time watching! 

I have decided to make some life changes lately. A few pretty big ones, and some not so big ones. I will update on those changes soon. I am excited to see what these changes will bring me and my family!

Until next time...

State is over...on to whatever's next!

What an exciting time State was!! So many memories that will never be forgotten!!
Karlee and I left for State with the team on March 17th. The charter bus was amazing and so comfortable! It definitely made the bottle drives and car washes well worth it! The hotel was gorgeous, and The Old Spaghetti Factory was YUMMY!! (I recommend the Mizthra for those of you who have never tried it) The girls left on Thursday night to watch the teams that were competing at the Coliseum. The "Team Moms" stayed back at the hotel and relaxed, talked, and had a good time. The next morning (Friday) we were up and at em bright and early. The breakfast at the hotel was to die for. I have never seen such an elaborate continental breakfast. I recommend the Marriott to anyone who has never stayed there! After breakfast the girls went into to hair and make-up, while Shawna and I prepared food for the hungry dancers. By 4pm we were ready to hit the Coliseum to watch our girls take the floor. Sarah and Bella came from Hood River to watch Karlee. I was so excited to see them!! The Belles did amazing! I always think they do amazing, but this night they blew us away!! It was like those girls were meant to be on that floor. They sparkled with their eyes, and they had such energy that it was breathtaking!
Saturday was more of the same. We had more family there that night, my Gram, Uncle Alan, Michelle, & Aunt Donna, Renee & Emily and BEST OF ALL Alex came to watch Karlee dance!! It was another fantastic performance and we all waited anxiously for the end when they would announce the placements. 14 teams performed in the same division as us (5A Small) and when they started to announce I felt like I was going to have a heart attack! They announced top 5 starting with 5th place. 5th place went to Lebanon! (Lebanon continually beat us during the traditional season!) 4th place went to Marshfield, and 3rd place went to THE SOUTH ALBANY SOUTHERN BELLES!!! We were so excited for our girls, and for our Coaches!! All of their hard work paid off, and for as many "baby Belles" as we had out on the floor this was quite an astonishing accomplishment!!!

And now we are on to the next season. Tryouts are next week, and Karlee will not only be trying out for the team, but she also wants to try out for the Choreography Team.  I know I say it alllllllll the time, but I am so very proud of my beautiful dancer. She learned a lot this last year, and grew in leaps and bounds. She is a more structured, responsible, caring person now and I will be forever grateful to the Coaches, her fellow dancers, and the other parents. Dance team is a lot of hard work and takes a lot of dedication from not only the dancer, but also the families. It is however, ALL WORTH IT!! 

The next post will let you all know if she made the teams, and I also will talk about other things that are going on in our lives. I wanted this post to be dedicated purely to dance. 

Onward and upward!!

Okay okay okay...so I have totally sucked at blogging - AGAIN! I know. Get over it. I am a busy person!!

Christmas was fabulous. New Years was wonderful.

Karlee & I have joined a Relay for Life team and are very excited to be a part of that this year. We have had a few team meetings and they are wonderful times. I really love laughing and having fun and all for a very good cause. Relay is in June, so we have a lot of fundraising to do!!

Now on to what our lives have revolved around since November. DANCE!!!
I will update you on each competition up until now.
November 5th The Belles competed at Wilsonville and took home 2nd place.

November 20th they competed at West Albany and took home 2nd place.

December 11th, they went to the DDCA Championships at West Linn and took home...you guessed it...2nd place!!!
On to traditional season they went and on January 29th The Belles competed at Sheldon. They had some very tough competition, and although they are a very "young" team, still got 3rd place!! February 5th they competed at Stayton High school and placed 4th. March 5th's competition was an "invite only" competition at Centennial High School in Gresham and The Belles placed 2nd. This last weekend the brave parents of The Belles took part in a "parent dance". It was A LOT of fun and many many laughs during our practices. That same night we had a banquet to honor the senior dancers (and manager) on the team. Lots of tears that night. The girls that are leaving the team, have left huge footprints in many hearts including my families and they will be missed!! Sunday was the All City Show at South Albany. Many teams from around the Valley showcased their State Routines. It was a lot of fun and a lot of hard work.
OSAA Dance and Drill competition will be held this weekend, March 18 & 19th. Karlee and I will leave on Thursday for Portland and Matt will come up on Friday. The teams dance at the Memorial Coliseum!!! We are very excited!! The State routine is AMAZING and the girls really leave their hearts out on the floor each and every time they dance!!
So, as you can see, we are a very busy family lately. I am often tired beyond belief. Karlee is exhausted at the end of each and every day. However, there is not one ounce of regret, or any hesitation as we move forward on to the next event. Dance has changed our worlds for the better. Karlee is a more responsible, dedicated person because of it and I will do whatever it takes to support her 210%!!! She has stolen the hearts of many and makes us so proud every day. Every time she dances, I cry tears of pride. I have made some WONDERFUL friends through the dance team and I cherish my time spent with them. I will be forever thankful for the dance team, and the coaches. Dance will live in our hearts forever!!
Good luck at State Belles!! We love each of you!!!

Once a month! Ha!

Looks like I can only post once a month...maybe one day my blog won't start with me talking about how much of a slacker I am. Maybe.

Our lives have not slowed down one bit!!
Karlee has competed in two competitions so far. One in Wilsonville, and one at West Albany. They took second place in Large Division Jazz at both competitions.  They qualified for the championship on December 11th at West Linn. We are so proud of her and all she has accomplished this year.

We had Thanksgiving at our house this year. We had my side of the family, with almost everyone attending except a few of the cousins. We weren't sure how we were going to get everyone in here, but it worked out great and dinner was fantastic.

We are now moving on to Christmas! Hopefully after Christmas I can get some of my crafts up here. I have done quite a few lately!

So excited!

Well I was doing really good posting. And then I forgot. But hey, I'm back! I changed my background and got ready for Thanksgiving.

As you can see by my heading, I am SOOO excited for this month. Karlee competes in her first competition this coming up Saturday. My friend Shawna (another dance team mom, mom to Rikki) & I are in charge of the food for the dancers for the competitions. It will be a lot of fun preparing the meals together and I am really looking forward to it. Lots of pictures will be up as soon as I get home on Saturday.

Also, this will be the first Thanksgiving not at my grandparents house in a long time! Matt & I decided to give them a break and have it at our house! So we will be piling my family into our house. I can't wait to start planning, decorating, and getting ready for it.

Can not wait! So much to look forward too!!

On a roll....

2 days in a row! WAHOO! Technically same day if you notice the time that I posted last was 2 am!! That's what happens when you can't sleep. You get a wild hair and decided to revamp your blog.

Lots has changed since May. Karlee made the dance team with her high school and we have been a very busy family since the day her name was put on that list.  We did a TON of fundraising over the summer. Karlee got sponsors, and raised over $1000 dollars for her "account". Dance is very expensive and we are very thankful for the opportunities to fund raise. I spend a lot of time at the volunteering with the team. I spent many summer days at car washes and can drives. While it was hard work and took up a lot of my summer, it was extremely worthwhile and rewarding. Hearing the "thanks mom for all your help", makes it all worth it!!

Miss Karlee has grown in the last 5 months as a dancer. She has over come her performance fears and is really working on her showmanship. She practices hard everyday. They have practice Monday through Friday from 6-7:15, Tuesday's and Wednesday's from 3pm - 6pm and every other Saturday. She tried out for category (Jazz) and got a spot, and just last week she tried out for the State team and made it!! She will letter in Varsity her freshman year!! We couldn't be prouder!  However, needless to say, on top of going to school and trying to have somewhat of a social life she is a tired dancer! And, I am a tired mom!!

Post number 2 down! Let's see if I can keep it up this time!

Starting Fresh

Whoopsy!
I have been a very horrible blogger!! My life has changed drastically since the last blog I posted. I couldn't sleep tonight, so I thought I would log on to my blog and see what a mess it was...and I was right. It was a mess. So at 2 am I started over.
I will post more after I sleep......