Graduation Day!!!

Yesterday Cooper graduated from SME Preschool! He was super excited and couldn't wait to show us the songs they had learned for their special day. And we've pretty much milked it for all it's worth. Cooper got a treat after the ceremony, went to lunch with Dad, and talked me in to ice cream and Dad in to letting him camp out in the livingroom! :)The day began with Coop and Cade outside practicing their pitching. (Cade usually pitches to Eric every morning before school.) This morning since Cooper got to get up and go (he usually goes in the afternoon) he asked Eric if he could practice pitching a few. Good thing, because he said he wants to be a baseball player when he grows up.Mrs. Jill giving Coop his diploma! It was hard to get pictures because it was a full house watching our little grads. He LOVED Mrs. Jill, Mrs. Carol, and Mrs. Cathie and will miss them a ton!Our Graduate! We are so proud of him and can't believe he'll be in Kindergarten next year. I'm going to miss having him at home all day with me. Oh, and his graduation "outfit"...a 45 min. trip to JCPenneys! Thank goodness they wear uniforms. :)We are very blessed to have such great preschool teachers! This is Cooper with his teacher Mrs. Jill. He LOVED her! He would always try to sneak in to the classroom without her seeing him. Hope those teachers rest up! We have another Simmons boy heading to preschool this coming fall. I just hope we don't get the "Ugh...another Simmons boy!" look/sigh. Do us proud Carston so they won't take it out on Colton! :)

Birthday Boy turns 2 today!!!

It's my baby's 2nd birthday today! Hard to believe it's already been two years. I remember it like it was just yesterday. Colton was definitely our "surprise" child. (Except after having 4, can you really say it's much of a surprise?)

Here's the stats for our birthday boy:

BORN: MAY 19, 2009

TIME: 12:41 PM (yes, I was STARVING)

WEIGHT: 8LBS 8OZ

HEIGHT: 21"

PERSONALITY: Colt is our daredevil! It can be jumping off the couch, climbing out of his bed, driving the jeep at full speed, picking a fight with any one of his older brothers, or trying to pour himself his own cup of fruit punch. He is also our cuddler! He'll come sit in your lap and watch the Royals blow a lead in the 9th inning, watch Mickey Mouse figure out what tool to use to figure out the problem, or even guess with me what house new homeowners are going to pick on House Hunters. He loves to give hugs, kisses, or just lay his head on your shoulder...which I LOVE! Colt also has a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde side to him. He can be the happiest little guy one minute, and the devil the next. He lets you know when he's mad about something either by head-butting the wall, screaming at you, or stomping off with his arms crossed, or maybe even a combo of all 3. (It's cute now, but I probably won't feel the same way in another year.)
LOOKS: To me, he looks like Cooper minus the freckles. But when we look at baby pictures, he'll sometimes resemble Carston. He's got an infectious smile, a HUGE laugh, and adorable cheeks.HIS LIKES: He loves his brothers. Cade and him like to snuggle on the couch, Cooper helps and takes him everywhere...always watching out for him. And Carston and him play so well together one minute, hate eachother the next, and then are loving on eachother after some time has past. He never was a "baby" because he's right in the middle of it all. He's throwing baseballs, waving those lightsabers, and wrestling with his brothers like he's 4. I don't know how many times I've heard, "Mom...Colton is hitting, biting, or scratching me!" He's definitely a survivor! He likes juice, spaghetti, shoes, going outside, going anywhere with Dad, and hanging out with Mom. He likes giving hugs, smoothies, and 5. He likes his naps, blankets, and pillows.

HIS DISLIKES: Being left at home when everyone else gets to go do things, washing his face (which I'm sure you can tell by some of the pictures)having to give Mom hugs when he's not in the mood, and sitting in the cart at Wal-Mart. Oh, and when his brothers have messed with him a little too much!

The past two years he's been a wonderful surprise!!! A surprise I wouldn't trade for the world!Happy Birthday Colton!

The Power of Prayer

I had originally planned on posting a little something about this topic closer to July when our oldest son, Cade, had been involved in an accident that eventually led him to be air-lifted to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.

His accident, which can be found in more detail here: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/note.php?note_id=404961610508 was a very humbling experience. We had so many family, friends, neighbors, and people we didn't even know praying for Cade and our family. Cade's classmates went up to the chapel to pray for him, school kids and their parents went up to church to say a rosary, and we had prayer lines from parishes all over the state and country spreading the news and offering up prayers.

I remember sitting in that helicopter and watching Cade's condition getting worse and worse. It wasn't the most pleasant experience. While I watched him, lifeless, lots of things went through my head. I prayed, I cried, I begged, and I pleaded. Things definitely turned out for the better. And after we got home he was spoiled. We retold the story of his amazing recovery countless times. And I'll never forget the stories people told us. There were a few, not just one, of people telling us that they remembered seeing a helicopter in the sky and praying for the person that was in it. And then when they found out who it was, were in shock.

This past weekend, our family had another miracle take place. My cousin Nick, Colton's Godfather, collapsed at the end of a race that was coincidentally in honor of a friend of Nick's that passed away a year ago. The race was also under the direction of my brother Paul and other friends of Nick. My uncle, who is a doctor and was visiting town, just happened to be there to perform CPR on Nick. Nick was down for 10 minutes before he came back. But the amazing part was that my Grandmother, who didn't know this was happening, was driving home and pulled to the side for an ambulance. She said she immediately said a prayer for whoever it was inside. She had no idea it was her grandson.

This continues to give me chills and brings me to this. It hasn't yet reached the 1 year mark of Cade's accident, but I've found that I haven't been as good about praying every time I hear that helicopter or those ambulance sirens. I tend to forget that there is someone in there in trouble, and that the family members of those patients are hurting, scared, and in need just like I was. No matter how busy I am, or how loud the kids are screaming in the car, just lifting up a little prayer for that person and their family can go a long way.

This Mother's Day was even extra special as the fears and worries of Cade's accident were brought back so vividly in the events of what happened to my cousin. As a Mom, and having gone through something so traumatic, I could understand what my aunt was going through. And while I enjoyed the flowers, hugs, cards, and smiles, I was most proud of my oldest son, who while playing 2nd base, made the sign of the cross as a helicopter had flown over the ballparks.

I said my own prayer for whoever was in that helicopter and then I thanked God that we were there at that ballpark watching Cade love life and for giving my cousin his! The way I pray has definitely changed this past year. And while God's plan may not always be on the same page as ours, He hears us. He'll help us. And you've got to remember that no matter what, He'll always love us!

What they don't tell you in the "Mother Manual"

First, I have to begin by saying I am truly blessed to have such an amazing Mother. (And just as amazing Mother-In-Law!) It's sad that it takes becoming one to fully understand just how great you had it as a kid. I can remember those times I gave my Mother hell and some of the situations I got myself in that caused her to worry. And I know I took all that she did for me for granted. What's amazing is that no matter how old you get, or whatever your situation, your Mom will still do anything and everything for you! So now that I have kids of my own, my eyes are open to all that she did for me and all that she continues to do for me, which makes me love and appreciate her more and more every day!

So what have I learned in the 10 years I've been a Mom? Well, let me share some with you! Things you don't think of when you are busy registering for all the cute baby clothes, and bath towels, when you are deciding how to decorate the nursery, and looking for that perfect name!

*Only a Mom has the ability to find whatever is missing. (Even if it's "missing" in plain sight on the bedroom floor.)

*A Mom can sleep in a chair, a twin size bed, or a couch (sitting up) with a sick kid.

*That even though the bathroom door is closed, you still don't get a minute to yourself!

*That your body will never look like it did before the 4 c-sections.

*That being a Mom is the most thankless-yet most rewarding "job" there is. (And keep in mind, they'll thank you when they have kids of their own.)

*Once you become a Mom you will ALWAYS worry about your kids. The worry just changes from..."Will he be potty trained before preschool starts?" to "He better not be texting and driving." to "Will he find the right girl?" to praying for a healthy grandbaby, to "Hope they can get through the teenage years with little Susie." (I'm hoping I at least get a granddaughter!)

*That sometimes you are more nervous than they are. (Especially when the 5 year old shares story after story after story.)

*That no-bake cookies ALWAYS make a bad day better!

*That rotel can be considered a serving of veggies.

*That you will be your kid's #1 fan and that watching them compete is soooo much better than your own playing days.

*That EVERYTHING is your fault. (Even though you don't wear the retainer, you didn't play the Wii last and lose the remote, you didn't set the glass of fruit punch on the living room floor, and you didn't predict the weather.)

*That the only word that your 1 year old knows and can say clearly at 3am is MOM!

*That they REALLY need to talk to you when you are on the phone! (And only when you are on the phone.)

*That you should always, always, ALWAYS go with your gut when your 9 year old says he still doesn't feel good and isn't acting right!

*That you shouldn't sweat the small stuff. Your almost 2 year old will talk eventually, your 3.5 year old won't be going to 1st grade in a pull up, your 10 year old will eventually learn his multiplication facts, and your 5 year old will figure out wearing jeans in 100 degree weather probably isn't a good idea. (All summer projects!)

*That a dandelion can be the most beautiful flower when your son gives it to you with a HUGE smile on his face.

*That nap time = YOUR time! And you NEVER, EVER wake a sleeping baby!

*That if you could, you would take away every pain, every heartbreak, every tear and make it your own.

*That even though they can drive you CRAZY...their smiles, hugs, and kisses make it all worth it!

*That vaseline comes out of hair after soaking the child in the bath and covering him with baking soda, shampoo, dish soap, and about anything else you can think of. (Took about an hour!)

*That you hope they don't embarrass you, just like they are hoping you don't embarrass them. :)

*That when your sweet boy comes to give you a hug and really buries his head in your shoulder...he's really probably just wiping his nose on your clothes! :)

*That your kids become your entertainment!

*That Mom is the only one that knows how to fold the washcloth right when someone has a temperature or their eyes itch.

*That a Mom can use 1 wipe for a 5 wipe kind of mess!

*That Sonic cherry-vanilla-dr. peppers can get you through those tough days!

*That you can spend 3 hours grocery shopping at WalMart when you don't have kids with you!

(And you can spend 30 min. grocery shopping at WalMart with a week-long list if the kids are with you!)

*Sleep? What's sleep?? Being a Mom means you can totally function with no to little sleep!

*That even though they look small and can't move around well, turn your back on them for 1 minute and expect destruction.

*And that no matter how old I am, or how many kids I have.....I still need my MOM!!!!

Hope all you wonderful Mothers out there have a FABULOUS Mother's Day!

Where Has the Time Gone?

So I felt the urge to change my blog background. (I do this in place of changing my nail and hair color.) Do you like my girly "bling" background? This is about as girly as you're going to see from me! And while I'd love to be more girly. Me trying to be girly would be perceived as just that, TRYING to be girly! Basically it would turn out in epic fail! But this entry isn't about my lack of girly know-how. It's about the fact I haven't posted in almost a month! A MONTH! I almost went the entire month of April without a post. And while I'm still new to all this blogging stuff, I feel like I've let my followers...all 7 of them down! :)

So I asked myself what had me sooo busy that I was 2 days shy of 1 month without a new post? And then I remembered.

The first weekend in April Eric and I, along with our awesome neighbors Shane and Amy, went to Oklahoma for the Kenny Chesney concert! It was so much fun! The four of us were able to eat dinner without ordering off the kiddie menu, have adult conversation, and stay out past bedtime. Oh, Kenny Chesney was pretty good too!

Then the next weekend ROOKIE Baseball began. While we've had practices weeks leading up to this, it was our first tournament of the new season. Since then we've had our first out of town tournament, and we picked up another tournament for this Saturday. Unfortunately we've placed 2nd in both tournaments so far, something these ROOKIES aren't used to, but I'm pretty confident we'll get our first place trophies soon! The upside, we've watched Cade pitch himself out of a horrible inning, pitch a nearly flawless 2 innings, and hit his first OUT-OF-THE-PARK-HOME RUN! Way to go Cade!

We've also had soccer! Something Eric and I were totally regretting doing, but something Cooper has totally excelled in! He's had a blast. It's so fun to watch him. He's aggressive and really goes after the ball. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you look at it, tonight is his last game. But no worries, tball will be starting up soon and he's already been outside working on his catching, throwing, and batting!
Then came Easter. Because the weather was crazy, I offered to host the Dellasega Easter. (Mainly because I needed a reason to clean my house.) I was hoping the 30% chance of rain would go to 10%, but no such luck and the house was cleaned, the Dellasegas all converged, and a great time was had! After waking up the kids to go to 7am mass, we headed home, hunted eggs, and took it easy the rest of the day. (FYI...If you go to 7am mass thinking everyone is home hunting eggs, you are wrong!)

Sprinkle in Cade's spring music concert, baseball practices, soccer on Wednesdays, baseball, Eric's week long trip to Denmark, soccer, baseball, family math night at school, homework, more baseball/soccer, Cade reading at church, and the fact I've been lazy and haven't uploaded pictures and you can see how a month can almost slip by without a peep from me. So with Eric on the road again, and the house still somewhat clean, you can prepare yourself for
Simmons' Blog overload.

(By the way, it took me over 4 hours to write and post this, so chances are the overload will be slow and sweet....if at all.)

I sense an uprising, and I'm losing!

I'm sending out an SOS. They've taken over my house! Every square inch of my house. Their stuff has even made it's way up to our room. The room I thought would be our "retreat" after a full "work" day.

I'm embarrassed to even post these pictures. But while I've spent time cleaning out closets or emptying the dishwasher, they have managed to destroy whatever room was somewhat clean. No, it's not a rat problem. And we don't even have a dog to blame it on.

No, it's them....the four of them. And they are winning!

I bought these magnets when I went on the Alcatraz Tour and when I looked at them today and thought of my messy basement, my loads of laundry, and the horrible state of the playroom, I couldn't help but laugh.

In a way, I feel like these little "inmates" of mine are taking over. A revolt is brewing and it looks as if they are going to win. At least for now! Little do they know that the chore chart is in it's 2nd revision, that any toy I step on or trip over will be subject to lockdown aka the trash, and that visitation rights from friends will be subject to how kept up their cell, I mean room, and recreation yard, I mean playroom, is!

Welcome to THE ROCK....I mean HOME!

:)

Date Night With Cooper!

A few months ago the boys and I went out to Applebee's and then a play performed by SMC. We called it our Date Night because Eric stayed home with Colton. Ever since then Cooper would ask me when we could go on a "date" just the two of us. So finally, after getting back from our trip to California, Cooper asked Eric if he could watch the kids so we could go.

Once we got the babysitter lined up, it was decided that we'd go to Chili's because he had never been. He couldn't wait to go! He'd ask me every 10 minutes if I was excited because we got to go on our date to Chili's. And if you know Cooper very well, you can hear him say it. He usually begins a sentence with "Aren't you excited?" or "Didn't I do a good job?" or "Aren't you so proud of me?"

By lunch time I hadn't worked out yet, so I still had my hair in a ponytail. And before I dropped Coop off for school, he asked me to wear my hair down, because I looked pretty when I did. (Yes ladies, he will melt your heart!) So I worked out and got dolled up. Well, dolled up by my standards. As soon as he got home from school he asked how much longer till Dad got home. And he continued to ask every half hour. He was so sweet. He must have tried on 4 different shirts before deciding on the red one.
FINALLY Dad got home and we were off to Chili's! We had a GREAT time. The food was great and the conversation even better. Cooper was the perfect gentleman. He told me I was gorgeous, wanted to hold my hand in the parking lot, opened the door for me, and even let me sit down first. But I'm pretty sure that was by accident. We talked about school, the food, his "real" girlfriend, and even where our next date was going to take place. (I get to choose this time!)

After we finished eating, it was decided we'd head to Braums for some ice cream and we'd bring some back for Dad and the brothers. They were kinda jealous that Coop and Mom got some time to themselves. So, it looks like I'll be having regular dates with my boys more often. Can't wait! The boys are so much fun when you get to spend some alone time with them. And I need to take it all in now, because pretty soon they'll be wanting to take someone else on a date.

Oh, and ladies, you'll be happy to know that Cooper and his girlfriend broke up. It was mutual. So he's back on the market. :) Of course, you'll have to win the approval of his Mother! Just a heads up.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY