Charli's Chapter: My First Soccer Practice:

The day had arrived

September Ninth

A day mommy dreamed of

For all of her life

So now it's my turn 

To be just like her

Run, Kick, and Dribble

And learn about Soccer

My very first practice

Was an absolute blast

I had so much fun

And can't wait to go back! 

a note from mommy:

If you know me well than you know just how excited I was to have our first child officially start Soccer! I have been dreaming and waiting for this day since as long as I can remember! I started playing Soccer at around the age of 3 and played for 16 years straight {non stop, throughout the year}; between School Ball, Rec Ball, Traveling Teams, you name it. I made all Conference and All District in High School and was asked to play at the University of North Florida {which I ended up politely declining}. Soccer was my passion, it was my love, and it still is! Steven has even recently tried to see if I still have it in me and I schooled him {sorry honey ;)}. 

Charli had been asking to play Soccer for a while too so I was even more excited knowing that she might be following in my footsteps! Her very first practice went so good. She did absolutely amazing, listened to everything her coach had to say, did her drills, and they had a little scrimmage at the end. One thing I noticed about Charli that I pointed out to Steven while at practice was that her love for running sure did show. She was the ONLY kid on her team that ran the entire scrimmage. Not one time did she stop. While all the other kids would be walking or standing, there was our Charli running after the ball. Her energy, determination, and heart will take her so far in this sport along with every single thing she does in this world! We cannot wait to watch her succeed into the little Soccer Star we know she is!

Here are some shots I got from Practice:

And we can't forget about Charli's Cheering Section... Although this was the only time Crew actually sat down because he was eating... Other than that he was trying to run onto the field. Thank goodness daddy got to be there and could run around after him! haha! 

Britax: ClickTight Review:

It is Child Passenger Safety Month and with little babes to keep safe I was all in when asked to participate with Britax, City Moms Blog Network, and Jacksonville Moms Blog for a Car Seat Event. Unfortunately due to my Health I was unable to attend the event in person but because Jax Moms Blog is so amazing they kept me in the loop with everything going on at the party {thank you again!} while I rested at home. 

The event was to introduce the moms to the new Britax Advocate ClickTight car seat and Anti-Rebound Bar. This car seat is not only amazing, but so simple to use, and in three easy steps you know your child is as safe as can be. The Advocate ClickTight uses the cars seatbelt instead of car seat latches, whether the seat is rear facing or forward facing. You turn ClickTight Key to open, You place the seatbelt through & Connect, and Click it down to close. 

With those three easy steps the seat is as stable and secure as it should be. 

It is crazy to think of the statistics when it comes to our children's carseats. The fact that 96% of parents think they are actually installing it properly when only 3 out of 4 really are. The Advocate ClickTight Installation System gives you a safe & easy installation every time, so you are certain your little one is safe and well protected! 

Something new that Britax has released and showcased at the party is the Anti-Rebound Bar. This is a padded steel bar accessory you can purchase that attaches to the foot-end of the ClickTight car seat and is used only when rear-facing. It is designed to manage rebound or reactive motion in the opposite direction of impact during a collision. In their findings, the ARB reduces rebound rotation by 40% and stabilizes the car seat during frontal, rear-end, and side impact crashes. 

If you are currently in the market for a new car seat I would highly recommend this! And right now, during the month of September, Britax is holding an All About Baby Safety Event, where select products {car seats being one} are on sale for up to 25% off!! 

So hurry, you won't want to miss out!

Happy Shopping! 

Thank you again to Britax, City Moms Blog Network, and Jacksonville Moms Blog! 

I promise I will make the next event! ;)

Catching Moments: {36/52}:

*I spy with my little eye...

I remember playing this all.the.time. when I was growing up {probably annoying my parents, let's be honest} haha. But this is by far one of the kids favorite things to do! I love sitting back and watching Charli teach Crew new things. 

*Come out, Come out, Wherever you are...

Charli and Crew were playing hide and seek and I snapped this picture of her hiding under the ladder of their playground! Childhood at it's greatest! 

Coping with Crohn's: An Attack of Acute Pancreatitis:

I realized I have not posted anything about my health since recovering from my surgery last year mainly because it is honestly something I do not like to focus on. I deal with struggles every single day and most days my health is a real negative and it could get real annoying if I was constantly posting about how bad I feel, so I try to spare everyone except for those closest to me. What I choose to focus on is our children, on happy times, on times I do feel good, and that is what I choose to share with all of you! But, at the end of the day, this is me... I am sick, I am not your average 31 year old woman so for today I choose to share this side with you...

As most of you know I was rushed to the Emergency Room at the start of Labor Day Weekend {and trust me, it takes A LOT to get me to the hospital}. I have a very high pain tolerance when it comes to my stomach as I deal with constant stomach pain on a daily basis. On a good day I'm at about a 3 on the pain scale. So being rushed to the ER sent all of my family into a panic because they know I won't ever go when I really should. Thankfully, at a week later, I am back to my {new} normal self and praying it continues!

*** 

I woke up that Saturday morning with such severe stomach pain that I was throwing up uncontrollably and couldn't keep water down. My pain was so bad that I could not stand up straight and our poor babies who are so used to seeing mommy so sick and in so much pain grabbed my arms as I was crying, walking back to the bed, saying "it's ok mommy, I got you, I got you". 

The pain in my stomach got so intense that it moved up into my chest causing me to not be able to breathe with a burning sensation in my back. Something I have never felt before. At that moment we knew what we needed to do and where I needed to be... The Hospital. My brother called some friends who work in the ER and they were at the door waiting for me to arrive when I walked in. They had a room ready for me and took me straight back and got to work {thank you again to my brother}. My parents took the kids so Steven could be by my side through it all... EKG, Chest X-Ray, Ultrasound, Blood Work, more Blood Work, CT Scan, Hida Scan, you name it it was done. 

I spent all of Labor Day Weekend in the hospital {wooooo... yay...} not able to eat. I was finally diagnosed with Acute Pancreatitis with an unknown cause. You see, unfortunately for me between my disease, my medications, and no longer having 90% of my colon I am at risk for a plethora of things. They don't know if maybe this is a side effect from all of my meds, or maybe because my organs have to work overtime in the digestive track... My team of Doctors are getting to the bottom of it and figuring out if I may need surgery. All I can say is I am thankful to be home, to be feeling better, and I am just praying it doesn't happen again.

Photo By: Winegeart Photography

Thank you again for all of the prayers it truly means the world to me!

Catching Moments: {35/52}:

We had a very lay low week last week while I rested trying to feel better. So a lot of our time was spent inside; watching movies, playing, reading, and coloring, which is one of Charli's favorite things to do! 

We finally made it outside towards the end of the week as I started to feel back to myself again. We ventured up to the neighborhood park and the kids had a blast! Please take notice in Crew's new accessory... His backwards hat... Because Daddy. Seriously his mini me and I am not complaining! 

Charli's Chapter: Dance Year 2:

from charli's chair:

Year two of Dance is here

And I'm ready to begin

Though at a new Studio

Means I'm with my best friend

I'm really so excited 

And today is the day

Wish me all the luck

Juilliard, I'm on my way!

xoxo charli

Evite: Enchanted Tea Party:

Happy Thursday! 

I've been a bit silent at the start of this month as I have been trying to rest and feel better. I will fill you all in on my health soon but for now, a happy post about the sweetest Enchanted Tea Party being featured over on Evite.  Scroll down on the home page as Charli's party is a home page feature under "Real Parties".

I loved everything about this sweet party for our sweet girl but what I love most is how Charli still talks about it every single day, saying how much fun she had and how she wants to do it again! 

Need help planning your next party? 

Head on over to Evite and check out everything they have to offer!