Stroll With Me...Won't You?!

Another Wednesday means another Walk Down Memory Lane with Erica!

I didn't even know I had these pictures!! I was looking for something else, when I stumbled across these pictures! They were taken January 1, 2007.

Since Ryan and I have been together (13 years), we have been to the Rose Bowl once as a couple, twice as a family and Ryan went once without us! This was the boys' first visit to the Rose Bowl to see their PaPa's team play! We had a super fun trip that included a trip to Disneyland, Santa Monica Pier and beach for the Michigan Pep Rally, seeing the parade floats being put together for the Parade Of Roses and of course tailgating and the big game!
Here we are in the stands waiting for the game to start!

When living in Michigan, we spent a fair amount of time at the Big House watching the Wolverines! And we went to 7 bowl games that included trips to Florida and California!

What fun trips those were!!

For more strolls, be sure to visit Erica!

True Story Tuesday

Here we are again for another True Story Tuesday with Rachel! This picture was taken a year ago when I started blogging...I will be celebrating my 1 year blogoversary at the end of October! I know it isn't the prettiest of pictures, but this is my story....

....One year ago today, EXACTLY, I had surgery.

It all started in the summer of 2008, well actually it had been going on for about the last 4 years...heavy womanly times of the month...it was bad, I MEAN REALLY BAD. I would basically have my monthly for about 3-4 weeks at a time, with maybe a week or less without. The doctor had no concerns, so I didn't either. They did an ultra sound and found a tiny, very tiny, fibroid tumor. Nothing to worry about, they said, so I didn't...fast forward to July 2008...I went in for my fun yearly woman well check, ya'll know what I'm takin' 'bout! We talked about the problems once again and the fact that Ryan and I had been trying to get pregnant for the last 6 months with no success (you see I am what they once called a fertal mertal! With Brendan I just thought about being preggy and poof, I was, and then with Colin I was on the pill when I got preggy...hence why they are only 14 months apart!). So she gave me clomid to help me get pregnant and sent me on my way. A week later, I went to my regular doctor for my regular yearly physical. They stuck me, poked me, prodded me...and found that I was EXTREMELY anemic. They needed to find out why...well the answer was because I was losing so much blood every month due to my period. She sent me to a specialist and they found that fibroid tumor (the one they found a few years earlier), but not as small; it had been growing unbeknowst to my OB/GYN. Of the 3 kinds of uterine fibroid tumors, my was the rarest form, hanging like a cherry. So they scheduled me for a tubal and ablation, something that I wasn't happy about, but this was God's plan, not mine. It was an out patient procedure, with a week recovery at home. I was at the hospital nice and early and they took me back. Once inside, the doctor was dumb-founded when he found the fibroid tumor had grown to the size of a large orange in 6 weeks. Now think about it...your uterus is only the size of a pear, so to have a tumor the size of an orange, well it's not good. And the problem with my tumor was that is was hanging by a shaft from the uterine wall; most tumors embed themselves into the uterine wall and it is much easier to remove. So anyways...an emergency hysterectomy was preformed. They worst part about it was not knowing until I woke up what had happened. I was in the hospital for a week and was home on medical leave for the 8 weeks. So no more babies from me...but I am healthy, no more anemia, and I LOVE that I do not have a monthly period anymore! While home of medical leave, is when MiMi got me into blogging! I had been following her for about 6 months then and I loved reading about her daily doses of drama...and since I was so bored, I tried it and was hooked!

I can't believe it has been a year since I had my surgery. It is still numb and I have pain from time to time, but I am healthy and I am glad about that! God is good...all the time!

For more True Stroy Tuesdays, be sure and visit Rachel.

Another Week of Football Frenzy!

Friday night was the night of WCHS's in-district rival game against the VV Monsoon! This is a much anticipated night through out the season, and not just for football, but for ALL sports!

The ball boys (my boys!) were so cute...am I allowed to call them cute when they are on the football field?, anywho...since they were ball boys once again this week, they got to wear bright orange vests to designate who they were!!! And since there were 4 boys and only 2 vests, they took turns through out the game! In the above picture, Bric (the head coach's son) and Brendan are wearing the vests and then for the second quarter they handed them over to Colin and another coach's son!

Since the VV Monsoon have been around, a mere 4 years, the WCHS Wildcats have gone 11-0 in all levels of football! That is just awesome!! During the pre-game coin toss the entire team, not just the captains, came out on to the field...I love this kind of comradre...they held hands in a line supporting their team!

Ryan doing his coaching thing...I ♥ this guy!

After game hand shakes...the ball boys even got in on the good sportsman ship!

Oh...did I mention that the Wildcats WON??!! Yep...they beat the Monsoon 28-14! It should've been 28-7, but the Monsoon scored with 30 seconds left in the game with the help of some penalties! No worries though...it is still a W in the books! Way to go Wildcats!



Onto Saturday...

Another HOT day in the Valley!

The Cobras were up against the Mud Dogs

Let's get this thing started!!

There's my boys...#60 and #80 playing some offense

It was a lllloooonnnngggg and HOT game that did not end well for the Cobras...they were defeated 25-0.

A loss on the football field makes for some very sad McCrakens!



On a happier note, Aunt Jen and cousin Kennedy came to cheer on the Cobra's
And after the game, we headed to Red Robin for some lunch!

Until next weekend...
Go Wildcats!
Go Cobras!

Happy 40th...

HAPPY 40TH ANNIVERSARY

MOM & DAD!!

May God continue to bless the wonderful marriage you have!

Here's to the first 4o and to 40 more!

Can't wait to see you!

Where's Mom?! 30/52 Photos of ME!

Are YOU a mom? Are YOU missing from the pictures? Most moms I know are, but here is a fun meme that brings us moms out from behind the camera and puts US in the spotlight! Carin over at Forever in Blue Jeans is the hostess of this year long picture project; and just think, after a year, you will have at least 52 pictures with you in them! It can be scary, but com'on, give it a try! It's easy, all you have to do is hand over the camera and smile (or not, it is completely up to you!!). And the best part is, you can jump in and start whenever; for me this will be my 30th week!

This past Saturday Colin and I tried to go to Movie Night at the Stadium..yes, that's right TRIED! You see, twice a year our city holds a movie night in our local spring training baseball stadium showing the movie on the jumbo tron. It is usually a movie that we have seen or have on DVD, but to see it on the jumbo tron is so much fun! I have posted about it before as A Moment I'm Gonna Miss...but it's just so darn fun!
Well, back to this past Saturday night...Brendan decided he didn't want to go, they were showing Madagascar 2; Escape to Africa, so it was me and Colin! We loaded up a bag with popcorn and juice boxes, blankets and pillow, and went on our way! Well we were almost to the stadium when big fat raindrops started hitting my windshield! It slowed down and stopped long enough for us to get into the stadium with our blankets set up and 2 pictures taken...and then...

...the down pour happened and sadly the movie night did not! We were both sad, but came home to eat our popcorn and hang out with Ryan and Brendan!

Now it's your turn to join the fun...hand the camera over, say cheese, and smile!

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Each Wednesday, Erica over at Scottsville hosts this fun meme...A Walk Down Memory Lane. I have been enjoying my weekly strolls through my picture files and then reminiscing about them with you, my friends, here at McCrakensx4!

So ya'll know that we are a HUGE football family, and last week I am sure I surprised some of you with my walk down memory lane with my soccer post! Yes, it's true, both boys played soccer BEFORE football! Well here we are and once again we are playing a sport, but gasp, it's not football...again! Are you surprised?!

This was December 2005 when our city had a street hockey league. Brendan was 5 and a half and this was his first and only season that he played! Don't get my wrong, he LOVED it, but this was the only time the city offered this! Needless to say, both boys were very sad the next winter when it was not on the schedule. And once again, Colin was too young to participate at that time.

At the 5-6 year old level, they could only wear street shoes, it wasn't until the next age level that they could try with roller blades, but sadly we would never see that day!!

And how cute is he as the goalie!! My dad was so excited that Brendan had the chance to play street hockey, even if only for 1 season! You see my dad played hockey, ice hockey, from the time that he was able to walk! And then he was blessed with 2 girls, who DID NOT play hockey! He was loving living it through Brendan even for a short time!!


You see, our boys have been playing sports, all different kinds of sports, since each of them were 5 years old. We live in a city where youth sports is very affordable and fun. They have teams for ages 5-15 and even adult! So the boys have played soccer, street hockey, basketball and baseball. The city even tried to start up tackle football, but with the expense and the Pop Warner league already in full swing, they were unable to do more than 1 season!

I love that my boys love to play sports and I love being able to watch & cheer them on!

For more strolls, be sure to visit Erica!

Cobras Bring Home a W...

It was a great day...a winning day...a fantastic day!

The boys both had a fantastic game helping with the Cobras victory over the Saber Cats...

We had to be to the field, another away game an hour away, by 8:15 am Saturday morning. So we were once again, up and at'em at the buttcrackofdawn!

Colin and Nick practicing before the game, cuz practice makes perfect!

The week Colin was one of the captains! He was so excited and he even got to call it while in the air...BIG DEAL! The Cobras won the toss and choose to receive the ball in the first half!

There's my boys...Colin snapping the ball and Brendan to his left! I♥watching them on the field!

I have this really annoying cow bell, that I ring all the time, which Ryan HATES...but I love, so I will keep ringin' it from now until forever!!

This was THE BEST PLAY OF THE GAME!! The Cobras were on defense and both boys were on the line...the ball was snapped and Colin ripped through the line of scrimmage, causing a fumble which the Cobras recovered! Colin is on the ground and Brendan is the one reaching down to scoop up the ball!

THE COBRAS WIN...THE COBRAS WIN!

Cobras 12-Saber Cats 7

Random Thoughts

♦I am becoming VERY forgetful...I was supposed to call a parent on Tuesday at 4pm for a Teacher/Parent conference and forgot EVEN THOUGH it was all over my classroom to call her! Oh my!

♦We, me and the 3 boys, all got our flu shots on Thursday...and my arm is still tender when I lay on it while sleeping. Brendan was a tough guy and Colin was not! A lot of apprehension, but no tears and now hopefully there will be NO sickness in my house this winter!! *keeping my fingers crossed*

♦I was home on a Friday night, I know, *GASP*! Ryan's football team had a bye week and there was no game for me to go too! Ryan's team had practice and then pizza and then watched film...trying to keep the boys outta trouble!

♦Our computer is still on the fritz and shuts down whenever it chooses, so with this being the case, I am only able to upload pics on Sundays when Ryan is here! (so that way if I break it, he can fix it!) I'm just sayin'...thank goodness for post scheduling! Now we just need to find a nano-second, and some mulah, to take it to Best Buy.

♦Colin and I tried to go to Movie Night at the Stadium last night, only to get rained on...you will be able to read more about that on Thursday! Can anyone say drowned rat?!

♦The weather is getting cooler here...if you think 99* is cooler!

♦And since I am doing random thoughts and this is my blog...I want to do a birthday shout out to my cuz TRICIA...Happy Birthday..Hope you enjoy your day! She is the BIG thirtysomething!!

♦And I also want to give a HUGE THANKS my BFF, MiMi, from He & Me + 3...a few weeks ago, she was the hostess with the mostess for Friday Freebie and of course I entered and I WON! How exciting...and guess what I won?!...a $10 gift card to one of my most favorite stores...TARGET!

Hope you had a fantastic week...We did!

And now onto next week...Ryan's team plays their in-district rivals, The Monsoon!

Should be for an interesting game!

A Moment I'm Gonna Miss...

I am linking up with Pam today for a moment I am sure I am gonna miss!!

Ryan on the floor, building Legos with the boys!

I haven't seen these things in ages and I when heard this weird waterfall noise come from the living room, I had to come out and see what was going on! And this is what I found!! I love that Ryan gets down and still plays with the boys...I will miss it when they are too big to play with dad, although deep down in my heart, I hope that that never happens!

So for now, I will cherish it when I see this!!

For more Your Gonna Miss This Moments be sure to visit Pam!

Say CHEESE!

So instead of Church last Sunday, we were at a park, very early in the morning on a very HOT AZ morning! We had to be there by 7:50am for 8:15am picutres and didn't get done until 9:15am.

The uniforms were clean, the sun was up and the smiles were on!

And here are your 2009 Cobras!

Brendan & Colin are both in the very top row

More cheerleaders than football players!

More tough guy pictures!

Where Mom?! 29/52 Photos of ME!!

Are YOU a mom? Are YOU missing from the pictures? Most moms I know are, but here is a fun meme that brings us moms out from behind the camera and puts US in the spotlight! Carin over at Forever in Blue Jeans is the hostess of this year long picture project; and just think, after a year, you will have at least 52 pictures with you in them! It can be scary, but com'on, give it a try! It's easy, all you have to do is hand over the camera and smile (or not, it is completely up to you!!). And the best part is, you can jump in and start whenever; for me this will be my 29th week!

These pictures were taken a few months ago, but since my computer is still not cooperating I was afraid to upload anything new thinking it would take too too long!! So I went looking in my picture files to see what I could find!

One Saturday we got in the car and drove to see what we could see...

looking for a fun new place to eat!

We found a fun sports bar with all sorts of different foods with TVs all over the walls and pool tables and darts!

Before the food came, we played games in the kids menus!

And the food was great too!! I love it when we have time to just be a family and enjoy the little things in life! With it being smack dab in the middle of football season, family time is hard to come by, although this past weekend we spent Saturday and Sunday night just hanging out watching TV, football naturally!!

Now it's your turn to join the fun...hand the camera over, say cheese, and smile!

Stroll With Me...Won't You?!

As I went strolling to look for something to post today, I thought it might be fun to see what we were up too and what sport we were playing 4 years ago, 9/10/05, when I first got my digital camera...and low and behold, it's NOT football...WHAT...NOT FOOTBALL?!

Nope, it was SOCCER!!

And it was only Brendan since Colin was still too young to play! This must have been Brendan's first season playing...he is #7 in the red and he is so little!!

Get that ball...


It's so cute at this level...they all go to where the ball is...no positions...just get that ball and kick it in the net!!
The boys played 3 seasons of soccer before joining football!



I love that Erica is the host of this fun weekly stroll...makes me look back and smile at all the fun memories!

For more Walks Down Memory Lane, be sure to check her out!

True Story Tuesday

Can I just tell you how proud I am of this kid...

So at the beginning of football season this kid weighed 99.5 lbs, but to play at the Mighty Mites level that the Cobras football team plays in, in our Pop Warner League, a player needs to weigh no more than 90.9 lbs at their official weigh in certification. You can read more about that here...

Well...for the last month he has been on his football diet, it's been hard, but he has done it. He gets weighed, along with the rest of the team, before each game. Their official weight is that from the first official weigh in which Colin was at 90.4lbs and you can read about that here...

Well before each game, they are weighed in, in their pads, which they get 7 lbs for and 1.5 lbs, each week, for growth...

So if you are keeping track, Colin could essentially weigh 101.9lbs in full pads BUT he has been ssssoooo good at maintaining his football diet and continuing to work out that he weighed in this past Saturday at...
94 lbs!!!!

Which means that he has lost even more weight and is much healthier!!!!
WEIGH TO GO COLIN....I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!

For more True Story Tuesdays visit Rachel

Football Frenzy...

Since our computer is being VERY fussy, I am lucky that Ryan was even able to upload my pictures from this last week...that's right, the last time I was able to upload was last weekend! I think it is time for a new computer...sigh...

Well at least he was able to get these up, after several attempts, but better late than never and instead of 2 football posts, I have put them into one...You can read about our football games here, but it is boring cuz there is no pics and if you know me, you know that I like my pictures!!

The start to the Wildcat-Coyote game Friday night. The captains came out to shake hands and toss the coin after the Star Spangled Banner, God Bless America and a moment of silence for 9/11. Very meaningful...and a quick thanks to all that have served and who continue to serve for me and my family to be able to live freely and love the God we love.

The defense bring down the offense...and that is the way it's done!!

Ryan doing his coaching thing...

The Wildcats lost to the Coyotes 42-6, not too bad considering they, the Coyotes, were ranked #9 in the nation! And for those of you that read this post, Dash is doing fine and the Wildcats have a bye this week (which means they have a week off) so he has a little longer to rest!


Bright and early the next morning, we headed over an hour away for the Cobras to play the Vipers. Another HOT day in AZ, but a beautiful day none the less! Game time 10:00am, kicked off right on time!

Here are the Cobras warming up before kick off



Offense on the field



Taking a time out


Taking a knee...a few injuries this past week during the game and when a player goes down, so does the rest of the players, on and off the field. Brendan got hurt during this game right after the half and you can read about that in my last post...it was scary, but all is well and he is fine! It's not so easy being a football mom!!


And too bad for the Cobras, they lost their first game on Saturday 12-6; it was a well matched game and they played hard, but the Vipers wanted it more!

Better luck next week!