Christmas Time

Merry Christmas to everyone!

We are back to the swing of things in the Kudlas house. After 1 full week back to school, we are back in the groove. The little over 2 week break was much needed and we enjoyed every minute. This is long post with LOTS of pictures, reviewing the last 2 1/2 weeks.

The kids enjoying some baking. We took cookies to our neighbors and to the local fire station.

Brad's JV basketball team came over one evening to have dinner, exchange gifts and play some games.

The next day we were off to Dad and Mom's for a much needed 5 day vacation. Mom always has fun activities planned!

Baking with Grammie

Picture time for Aidan

Aidan is a bit camera shy.

Carsyn's turn. I went a little out of birth order.

With Papa's hat on.

Brenna's turn.

We love to go bowling on Christmas Eve.

I am laughing pretty hard at this point. The bowling totally knocked Carsyn out. This kids sleeps anywhere, including the bowling alley. Here she is in Brad's arms, smiling with help Daddy.

Bubble bath time and Grammie and Papa's big tub.

Christmas morning. You can't see, but they are busting to get downstairs.

I think Brad is a bit excited. The kids got him the Michael Jackson Wii game. If you don't have this or have never played it, you are missing out. It is so addicting. It is going to the beach with us this summer!

More pictures you ask? Of course! It is Christmas time and my kids are just so cute!

Carsyn had to have her new jeep for her dolls in the picture!

Sweet sisters. They love each other...most of the time.

Uncle Drew and the kids

Grammie, Papa and the kids

My wonderful, goofy family!

Patience

I am not afraid to tell you that I am not the most patient person in the world. I never have been a patient person and my mom and dad would probably tell you that as well. It is something I pray about everyday and is something I am constantly working on. Of course there are certain times of the month where I am more patient than others (ladies, you know what I am talking about)!

The other day while running errands, I met my match. You know, the one that has the same problem as you and you realize, "Whoa, now she has some patience problems!" I was at the Christmas super store, aka Hobby Lobby and if you don't happen to visit there during the months of November or December, you don't know how crazy those registers can get. It was around lunch time on a Tuesday, which is even busier. (A side note...I don't have any children with me...they are all at school...I am not in a hurry!) There are 4 registers open and probably 4 people in each line. This lady comes up behind me, by herself, with a handful of items in her arms. Within seconds she rolls her eyes while saying, "I can't believe how long I have been waiting....seriously, why can't they open another register?!" To which I just smile and turn back. She continues to groan and moan....for the next 2 minutes. She announces.."Can we open another register?!" They call for another person to come up front. We are now 1 person in front of me before I check out. The new cashier asks for the next person in line and I don't move. There are people now behind me. I am fine. I am not in a hurry. I am being PATIENT. I really don't want to stand in line, but I am doing just fine. I say to someone else to go ahead. The lady behind me (being the nice lady she is) insists in front of the whole Hobby Lobby that I go up to the new cashier because I have waited the longest. I say calmly, "No thank you, I am working on my patience." I don't know if she liked that so she went to the new cashier.

Although this seems quite silly, it is something especially during this time of the year we all need to humbly work on. This is something I teach to my children everyday. "Be patient." Have a little more patient." As I walked to the car I had a smile on my face knowing not that I was the most patient person in the world, but that I was doing something I try to teach my children to live by.

A few things I have learned:
1. If you are in a hurry getting somewhere or getting something, you will not be patient in ANY circumstances.
2. If you are not organized, you will not be patient.
3. If you are tired you WILL NOT be patient.
4. If you are hungry you will probably not be patient.
5. If I don't pray about having patience most likely I will not be!

I pray that this lady was just having one of those bad days and was in a hurry, hadn't slept the night before or hadn't ate lunch or wasn't a praying mom. Maybe I taught her something by just standing there? Maybe!?

This 8 year old

There is so much I would love to say about this 8 year old. I think you will find out a lot about him in this yearly interview I love to give the kids. I love being this 8 year olds mommy!
Mommy (M)-What is your favorite color?
Aidan (A)-Yellow, well actually maze because it is Michigan's official school color.
M-What is your favorite food?
A-Mac and cheese with hotdogs...still. Why do you ask me that when you already know? (I ignore him and move on.)
M-What kind of food do you dislike?
A-Nothing. (He is telling the truth...the kid will eat anything!)
M-What do you want to be when you are mommy and daddy's age?
A-A NFL player and any kind of coach or teacher in high school
M-Where?
A-Michigan or Georgia

M-What is your favorite subject in school?
A-I love history and social studies. We just finished talking about Indians and history of Georgia.
M-What do you like to do with your sisters?
A-It depends...I guess we like to play "store."
M-If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
A-Germany because I haven't been there in a long time and Australia because I love their accents. (Me too!)
M-What do you love about church?
A-We always get candy and make cool, creative stuff that goes with the story.
M-If you could be an animal, what would you be?
A-Cheetah because it is fast like me.
M-What is your favorite thing to do with me?
A-Go out to dinner.
M-What about daddy?
A-Nerf gun fight...when you aren't home. (Interesting...I will have to check into this!)
M-Do you want to get married some day?
A-Yes
M-How many kids would you and your wife have?
A-3
M-Who is your best friend?
A-David for a boy and Sydney for a girl
M-What makes you unhappy?
A-Notre Dame
M-What makes you happy?
A-Family and friends!
M-What is your favorite song?
A-Since we are listening to Christmas music, I would say that.
M-What is your favorite thing about your sisters?
A-They are smart and sometimes funny. (He squeezed that one out!)
M-What is your most favorite memory from this year?
A-Winning the Super Bowl!
M-What do you think Mommy does all day?
A-Work around the house and drive us around. (Right on about that!)
M-What does Daddy do all day?
A-Drive then work.
M-What is your favorite restaurant?
A-Sal's (A great local Italian restaurant in downtown Cumming.)
M-What are you looking forward to most in 2012 as an 8 year old?
A-I don't have to ride in a booster seat! Thank goodness!

My mom and dad made him this cake for his birthday. He just loved it!

Casts are nasty when they are taken off, especially this one!

Aidan and 4 of his best buddies. They are all on his football team and play basketball and baseball with him as well. One rule in our house was that he couldn't have a sleep over or spend the night until he turned 8. The boys had a blast and believe it or not, I couldn't hear them after 10:30 pm and they came running down for breakfast at 8 am. Not bad for our first sleepover.

Happy 8th Birthday, Aidan Bradley! We couldn't be more proud of you! You make our heart smile everyday!

November came and went

Here is the play by play of the last month or so....

Carsyn and her best buddy, Aidan with his cast the morning he had it cut off.
Carsyn playing soccer.

Bren and her co-ed soccer team. She is number 4.

Our QB, Aidan running the ball at a Jefferson game.

Bren and her gymnastics team performing at one of the local elementary schools promoting physical fitness.

Not only are we on the 2 week of no internet and I sit at the library typing...but the month of November flew by. I remember when Aidan was about 13 or 14 months old and running around a basketball court and picking up anything he could get his hands on and either throwing it or putting it in his mouth. I thought to myself, "When will this crazy, busy,exhausting time in my life be slowing down and changing?" Now I know the answer. NEVER or at least not anytime soon. As I watch moms and dads frustrated or excited for that matter over the "stage" of life they are in, I would say to them if I could..."Just when this stage is done another one starts and you will miss the one before." I know our schedule is busy. Some of you reading would say that we would have a crazy schedule. I would say that I love the time and stage we are in. We won't have it for long. So here I am looking at the week in front of me. Aidan has his 8th birthday this weekend, we still have football even though Aidan still has a cast on his hand (his team was invited to play in the State championships in Atlanta the second week of December), Brad has basketball games, I have my moms group (Birds on wire...which I LOVE), school, school and more school, gymnastics, gymnastics meets and performances. No, I really wouldn't change a thing. My life is not a bunch of cherries nor do I ever pretend it is, I just feel blessed to be in this stage of life. I love my family and they make it all worth it! Here is just a glimpse into MY crazy life.
6am-alarms go off. Aidan, Brenna, Mommy and Daddy's. I roll out of bed with my hair sticking up everywhere and not being able to see a thing. I stumble to the bathroom for my glasses and bathrobe. It is freezing in this house. Although today it is 35 degrees tomorrow is going to be 65 degrees. What do I send the kids to school in? A jacket? A sweater? I just hope they don't leave it at school.

6:15am -kids are downstairs dressed thankfully and hungry for breakfast. I spill a large cup of juice I had poured for myself. It is everywhere. I don't know how it got on that back door?6:40am-breakfast is over and the kids are off brushing teeth and getting their chores done. Aidan and Bren find something to fight about. I ignore them. Is that bad?

6:50 am-Aidan, Brenna and Brad are off to school.

6:55 am-If I am lucky and the kitchen is already clean, I make myself some breakfast while Carsyn is upstairs changing and making her bed.

7:15 am-Some color time with Carsyn. She is my crafty child. Loves to color, cut, glue, etc. The only problem...she makes a huge mess.

7:45 am-clean up Carsyn's mess.

8 am-Jump in the shower and clean up my crazy hair. For those of you wondering, Carsyn is in front of the TV watch PBS. I don't care. Curious George is one of my favorites.

8:35 am-Off to take Carsyn to school. This happens 3 days of the week. The other two...trust me...we find things to do.

8:55 am-Drop Carsyn off at school. Boy it is quiet in my car. Carsyn sang "5 little monkeys" all the way to school.

9 am-work out about 2 miles from Carsyn schools at one of the recreation areas. One of my favorite parts of the day. While I am working out, I watch some news..or just "Live with Kelly." Every other Wed, I am at The Nest with Birds on a Wire.

10:30 am -any errands that I need to run without Carsyn I complete then or I just go sit in car rider line and read a good book. I just finished reading the Tim Tebow book with Aidan and now I am reading the Jaycee Dugard book.

12 pm -Carsyn is finished with school and we eat our lunch I packed while running any other errands we had to do. Carsyn falls asleep while eating and her food goes flying all over the car. Pit stop to vacuum at 12:30pm

2:20 pm-pick the other two kids up from school. First words out of my mouth. "Hey my loves. How was your day?" Their first words to me, "We are hungry!" I am thinking, "Didn't I just feed you?"

3pm-7:30 Evening activities. This is where our schedule starts a get a little hairy. Mondays, Aidan has basketball, Tues/Thur the kids have gymnastics and I coach. Wednesdays....ummm that would be NOTHING, Friday mornings I coach and then in the evenings we have basketball. Brenna and Carsyn's soccer just finished, which made shuffling even more complicated. Want to see the cutest thing in the world? Watch 3 year olds play soccer!) This is our schedule when it is raining and we don't have football. Don't ask about trying to fit that in. Not sure where that did fit in, but we managed 3/4 days a week. Snacks are given and smiles are on their faces.

8pm-We arrive home. I really didn't feel like stopping for gas. I hope I have enough to get to the gas station tomorrow morning?! Many later evenings I have prepped dinner, so it won't take me long. That would be on a perfect day. You know how many perfect days I have? I won't answer that. While dinner is being finished...

Showers for the older two. One goes upstairs, one goes downstairs. Carsyn jumps in the tub. If Daddy is home, he does all the bed time stuff. He has always done that and I NEVER complain!

8:30pm- Aidan is still saying he is hungry after he eats dinner. When will that boy stop eating? Where is he storing all that food? How will I be able to afford to feed him when he is 13? Whoa! Too much to think about!

8:45pm-They are in bed. Books have been read.

9pm-I crash on the couch and watch TV with Brad. I don't care if I watch TV with my husband for quality time. I am not talking, he is not talking, I am not fighting with children. I am happy.

10 pm-I make lunches for the next day and get everything around for the morning.

10:30. Brad is already snoring in bed. You remember the first favorite part of my day. This is the other. The time when you head hits the pillow.

Rinse and repeat for tomorrow.

God has given me this life and I love every bit of it, good and bad!

What is your day like?

Superbowl champs

The time finally came. 4 day a week practices since the middle of July and 11 games won and 0 loses. It all come down to this game.

The end result....scan down to found out....

This is typically what Aidan does before the game. We arrive about 1 1/2 before game time for him to prepare. Call it a "zone" or whatever. He was focused!

After the game both teams said a prayer. Jefferson was a rival all season and it was nice to see everyone come together like this.

The 2011 NGYFA 7 year old Superbowl Champions.

Mom, Dad and the family. Notice the tape on his his left hand....we thought he had jammed his finger during the week of practice for the game. There was swelling, but no bruising. Brad and I knew something was going on with his hand/finger because the swelling was not going down. Coach wrapped just one piece of tape around it to "trick" his head...it worked. He didn't feel anything until later in the evening when he told us his hand/finger hurt still. So Monday we were off to Children Healthcare of Atl. Sure enough it was broken. Just below his ring and pinky finger on his left hand. 19 carries for 162 yards and 2 touchdowns. I guess his hand didn't slow him down. He is one tough kiddo.

Aidan is so proud of these 2 trophies. Back to back Superbowl wins!