Something for Me

Back in March I started taking a women's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class, if you would have asked me then what kind of influence it would have on my life, I would have said "little to none." If you would have asked me why I was doing it I would have said "to get in shape, and to do something with my kids".

 

 

               (Top) Judah and Josiah getting promoted to Yellow/White belt

(Bottom) Avrah and Micah getting their second stripe (not pictured Hosea also has two stripes)

I had no idea how important it would become to me. I also had no idea how much I would LOVE it.
I have no idea how good I am. I don't think it matters. I give it my all, when I can, and I give all I can when I can't give my all.  I know it sounds crazy, but I have learned so much about myself through it. It is helping me to be a better person.

Yes it is a great way to stay in shape. And yes my kids do it and now I have something in common with them, something I can share with them, hopefully for a long time.  But it is so much more to me now.

learning new techniques

getting my first stripe!

I would recommend it to everyone. No matter your age or fitness level. I go to TRITON Fight Center, I love the people there, I love my coach, and I love my ladies.

Here is something I wrote a couple months ago.
Here is the why.

Something for Me

I love it

Every part of it

The warm up

The after pain

The mat burns

The sore joints

The wins

The losses

The opportunity to learn to be better

The exertion it takes

The camaraderie

The awkwardness

The making new friends

The taking those girls DOWN

The feeling that I don’t have any more to give,

Then finding it somewhere deep inside

The wanting to give up, but not doing it

The conquering all my fears and self doubts

The knowing I could hurt someone, but the learned self-control to not

Everything else just disappears

It’s me, her, and the mat

Who will be victorious?

Who wants it more?

Size doesn’t matter

I’m doing my best.

How ’bout you?

I printed this off and gave it to my coach.

She surprised me last night with this.

I love it! 

My big boys have both competed twice. I am planning on joining them in competing at NAGA (North America Grappling Association) on the 29th of this month. 

1st Day of School

I know, I know, what about Judah's birthday? Well I haven't written it yet and I don't want to rush it. So you'll have to wait. Don't worry, I'll have it this week...maybe..

So on to the first day of school.

Judah, Josiah, and Avrah started school today at their new school 

This year they are going to Discovery School of Tulsa which is a charter school and if you want to learn more you can click here.

This year Judah is starting the 6th grade. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL?! 

I can't believe it.

Josiah is starting 3rd Grade

He asked his teacher at orientation if they would be working with negative numbers, she said they would some, and he was very excited. When asked why he was so excited he said 

"I just love negative numbers they are so random"

Avrah will be starting 1st grade.

poor baby girl was sick today, stupid stomach bug ruining her first day of school.

but I'll be sure to get her picture in her uniform on her first day.

These guys had a GREAT first day and from everything they said they are really going to have a wonderful year.

Oh and Hosea and Micah  start Pre-K Thursday

Avrah Grace

My baby girl is 6 today! 

This morning when she woke up this is what her room looked like

That is 75 balloons, blown up with love and smuggled into her room while she slept

As is our family ritual I took her to have birthday donuts

and talked to her about the past year and the year to come, 

her goals, her dreams.

She wants to be a dancer, a singer, an actress.

She wants to compete in the win a gold medal in the Olympics

for BOTH

running and swimming!

She also wants to be a mom, 

(but only after she has received her medals)

If she has girls she wants to name them Bella and Butterfly,

she has no idea what she would name a boy.

Also she does NOT want twins.

The thing she is most looking forward to about turning 6 is going to school.

She is going to a new school this year and will be in the 1st grade.

Because technology is awesome we were able to Skype with Aunt Anna and Baby Ayla

I think Ayla was showing Avrah where her new tooth is coming in.

and now for something I wrote last night, while thinking about my baby growing up.

How Many?

The countdown has started

She won’t need me forever

One day she will be able to do it

Alone

Sometimes you don’t know when the last one will be

Sometimes we let time rush on by,

The moment slips through our fingertips

But

If we are lucky, we get to see it coming

Bittersweet as it may be

We can enjoy those little moments

For we know we won’t have them forever

How many?

How many more times will I get:

To scrub her little body

To wash her hair for her

To comb out the tangles

To put it in a sloppy braid before bed?

How many more times:

Will she come and sit on my lap

Will she ask me to play a game with her

Will she want to help me cook?

When this chapter ends, another will begin

I will find new ways to bond with you Baby Girl

I will find ways to let you know:

I’ll always be here for you,

Loving you,

Cheering you on,

Encouraging you,

Being a safe haven for you in this storm that is life.

Ill not be sad when the countdown is over

But

I’ll not cheer it on in anticipation either.

Happy 6th Birthday Avrah. 

I love you!

Hosea and Micah

Soooo tomorrow is my Princess's birthday, and I just realized I hadn't blogged about Hosea and Micah's birthday yet...yeah such a bad blogger.. anyway. Here is their birthday blog. Enjoy

4 YEARS OLD

Already! Man that time just flies.

As is our birthday ritual I took the little guys 

(gee that isn't going to work for too much longer)

out to for birthday donuts for breakfast.

Micah chose Spider-man 

(they already started eating when I remembered to grab some pictures)

Hosea chose Hello Kitty

They both said they wanted to be power rangers when they grow up

                     
                                                                     

Hosea wanted to be the green one 

Micah wanted to be the white one

Thank you Netflix for introducing shows that were on when I was a kid to my kids.

New things they have learned this year:

They started taking Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in February

they have now earned two stripes on their belt.

Another thing that has happened this year, as their language skills have started to develop they refer to themselves as "we", even if only one of them is talking.

"We want to watch Power Rangers" 

"We want to have a snack"

One of them talks for both of them, it doesn't matter if the other is even in the room it is still "we", 

and when the other one is in the room, he never argues and says "no I don't"

They love to crack each other up, and as much as they fight and don't get along they can flip a switch from screaming to laughing instantly. These guys are truly clowns, they love to make people laugh.

I can not wait to see what new things this year has in store for them!

First Day of Summer

There really is no better way to start a day then having coffee with your VBF. 

at least for me.

If today sets the tone for this Summer, then this will be one of the most fun Summers ever.

That's right, The Vargas family is going to kick this summer in the teeth....obviously not literally . I actually don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing...hmm well let's just say in this case its a good thing.

Anyway the Fab5 started their day by helping Mr. Vargas in the yard.

and then the fun started.

Judah decided to walk over to a friend's house to play (I love that he is old enough to do this now!)

Josiah rode his bike to the library! 

and shortly after Avrah, Hosea, Micah and I walked up there to join him.

Josiah had found his best friend there and they were playing battleship, the picture of perfection.

Hosea and Micah who sometimes, (really who am I kidding) most of the time can get out of control, actually behaved themselves and stayed in the kids section. 

OH and my VBF was there with her littles so I got to see her twice!

After letting each of the kiddos pick out 3 books we headed home for some lunch

After lunch we had some "Happy First Day of Summer" Cupcakes. 

They were totally stoked...

no really they were...

Maybe this is what you call ummm serious fun.

anyway after lunch we read all of the littles books and then was nap time..

I was very productive as well, being that its Thursday which is my new laundry day.. I finished the laundry

Oh and after a very yummy chicken spaghetti dinner (which received a 5 out of 5 kid approval if you were wondering) ALL the kids went out in the front yard to play with the neighbor kids, which gave me time to get dinner cleaned up.

This may not seem like a big deal to you, but most of the time just the three older ones can go out and play, but now the younger two listen well enough to stay in our yard...or at the very least our side of the street, and with all the big kids out there to help keep an eye on them play with them. Every time I checked on them they were being so good...oh well except the one time when they were all standing on the car..but they did get down very quickly so that's a plus.

OH and remember how I told you that my twins don't really eat the cake just the icing...here's proof... not that you didn't believe me or anything

AND SYTYCD (So You Think You Can Dance) came back tonight with a BANG!!

Tomorrow you have a lot to live up to.

The Last Day of School!

Did this year fly by for anyone else?

 OH MY WOW!

I'm usually pretty goodish ( is that a word) about getting the kids' pictures on the first day of school, but it always slips my mind to get them on the last day.

But not this year!

Look at the difference 10 months makes.

Judah

First Day of Fifth Grade

Today

Josiah

 

First Day of Second Grade

Today

Avrah

First Day of Kindergarten

Today

All Together

First Day of School

Today-- Last day of School

Oooh and I can't forget my lil' Jokesters 

Yesterday was their last day of school also.

Bring on Summer...

What are your summer plans?

I can't wait to share mine with you....

stay tuned...

Promises

The Promises of a 3 year old

Hosea: Hold me Mama

Me: Alright, but when are you going to hold me?

Hosea: When I get bigger, and when you get smaller.

Me: Promise?

Hosea: Yes!

I'm holding him to it.