Football is almost over!

So Bruce and Brandon are both almost done with football. Bruce got moved up to Varsity as a sophmore and that was exciting for all of us! He did really well and was as big as all the kids if not bigger. Brandon has also had a great season and is definately the hardest hitter on the team. They both take after their Dad when it comes to sports...Thank God!!! Bruce will be moving on to basketball and Brandon will start baseball which he pretty much plays year round. Both of them have birthdays coming up. Brandon will be 13 November 20 and Bruce will be the big 16 on December 3rd. He cannot wait to get his license. Life is pretty good in Casa de Russell.

Bye Bye Baseball.....It's Football Time

So Brandon's little league All Star team had a heart wrenching loss yesterday 7-3 in the championship game. I think the parents take it harder than the players. I hate losing more than I love winning!! So now it is time for football and we will soon forget all about baseball....

Bruce is going to be a sophmore and my baby Brandon is going into the 8th grade. I cannot believe he has one more year to high school! Bruce can't wait for football and is helping coach his old team the Tracy Buccs. Brandon's comment after the baseball game last nite was "Oh well now I have football practice tomorrow.." See what I mean Bruce & I were more upset than him.

So we start school in less than a month and I can't wait....The kids start to get a little bored at home and start driving me crazy. So until the next blog!

End Of Another School Year!

So we are 2 days away from Summer!!! I can't wait! I feel like I am in school! Brucey has 2 days left of finals and we are home free! Keep your fingers crossed that he passes his Spanish Final!
School is so much harder now than we were in school.....The amount of homework and the things these kids have to do is ridiculous.

Does everyone know what Aeries is? Aeries is where you can check your kids grades on line. For most people maybe this was a great thing.....Not for me! It makes me a crazy woman or should I say Mom. My mood can change instantly after checking Aeries. Its bookmarked in my computer on my phone. At one point I think I was checking 4 to 5 times a day. Not a good thing for my kids, their teachers, and my husband says he suffers the most. The worst thing is the teachers are not even required to keep it updated. Why even have it???? I have calmed down and don't check it as much. I was texting Brucey like 5 times a day at school and asking why he was missing this, why did you get this score on a test, on and on and on.....He got a referral twice for his phone and it stated texting MOM....How embarassing for me!

So summer means to me no Aeries, no homework, but I am sure bored kids! Oh well at least I can relax.....I am going to be looking for a job in the next couple of weeks so please pray that I find something....I haven't really ever had a real job. I worked for the gym for 10 years....Super easy....And now I run our business....Super controlling boss(husband)....So this will be a big change. The good news is I can afford to be a little picky and don't need to take just anything. I still want to be around for my kids.

Last but not least....Brucey ended playing football, basketball, and baseball...He received team captain for basketball and baseball and playing JV football. He got pretty good grades for his Freshman year but pretty much bombed spanish....Oh well he is taking over.....You got to take the good with the bad I guess. Brandon also played football, baseball, and travel ball. He is going to be playing all stars which he is really excited about. He also did pretty good in school but bombed math....I know I'm partial but I blame that on the math teacher!Haha....

Well I going to try to blog more at least once a week!

My Dad

So today is 7 years that my Dad's been gone....It really just seems like yesterday but like my brother says it doesn't hurt as bad. I really miss my Dad. I miss hearing his voice. His words of encouragement. I miss how after you talked to him you always felt better....I wish he could see my kids. I wish he could see Josh's baby and know how happy Josh is. I wish you were there when Isaac wrestled at State....and that you were there when he lost to tell him you still think he's the best....I wish you could see Elyssa and see that she is all Missy which means she has your fire! I wish you could see Bruce and Brandon...They miss you so much....They always talk about Grandpa Mijo....I just miss him! When he was alive I remember going to visit his parents graves and he would just cry and tell him how much he loved them and I use to think how could he be so sad after so long.....I know why...You just never get over missing them and wishing they were still here. I listened to the song "I can only imagine" from his memorial and I just imagined him being in Heaven happy....And that comforted me. I just always wanted him to be truly happy. God was one of the only things in life that brought him true comfort and I know that he is truly at peace now....

I love you Dad, and I will never forget you or stop missing you.....But I know you are in a better place....I can't wait till the day when we will be together......Love you always Mija

Bruce & Brandon

I feel like the worst blogger compared to Missy & Elissa....But I am what I am. So Lil Bruce just finished his basketball season and did really well...He actually is good at basketball. Who would have known???? He must get his height and skills from his dad...LOL!!! Anyways now Bruce & Brandon are playing baseball....Bruce made the Freshman team as the starting catcher and is one of the few freshman to play three sports...We are so proud of him! If he could just get that Spanish Grade up! Anyhow Brandon is playing little league and travel ball with the Bay Valley Bombers. He is having a great season and is playing some serious baseball kids are throwing sometimesi 70 miles per hour! Can you even imagine??? Well hopefully next time I'll have some pics to post of the boys.....I was going to talk about my Valentine's day but what would I put???? Spent the whole day delivering my son's girlfriends gifts, my godchildren's gifts, and at the baseball field until 11:30pm! But I did get to go to church with my honey in the morning and had breakfast.....Now that I am thinking about it...It was a perfect day!!!

What's up with the Russell's?

Sorry it has been so long but I have been busy and with the holidays I am just getting around to blogging....Well Brandon developed appendicitis after Thanksgiving and had to have his appendix removed. This should be a simple procedure but it wasn't. Long story short he developed several infections and after 2 procedures to remove the abcess and puss from his stomach he had to be hospitalized for 12 days. This was horrible for all of us! But he is doing much better! He lost 12lbs and is working on gaining the weight and his strength back....Why can't that happen to me???? He got out of the hospital in time for Christmas and our family enjoyed a great Christmas. We went camping for a week after in Westport near Fort Bragg. It was beautiful rainy but beautiful.....It was so relaxing no phone service or internet so we spent some quality family time which was needed! Bruce made the freshman basketball team and is doing awesome! His team isn't very good but he is enjoying himself and keeping busy which is what is important! Well hope this catches everyone up....

Girls Treat 2009

So Bruce went to Girls Treat!!! He had a lot of fun here are some pictures of the night! The kids look so good! Makes me miss my high school days! The pic where they are eating is the day after...They didn't want it to end!

What's new? Same Old Thing!

My mom says I am a horrible blogger! She is right! But I really don't have anything new going on.....Let's see Brandon is playing football. His team is going to the superbowl for the 6th year! I don't think Brandon knows what an accomplishment this is....Bruce is playing football and doing very good for being on the JV team as a freshman. Bruce will be going to Girl's Treat this weekend. This is a formal where the girl asks the boy and pays for everything! I love this! LOL! Anyways we still have to get the tux and shoes and flowers....But the kids have a great time and I can't wait to see my son in his tux! Well that's it for know I will post pics this weekend of Girl's Treat!

Here some pics of Bruce at Tracy High.....He looks so big.....At our house we all take turns posting pics.....Bruce on his Facebook, Brucey on his My Space, and me on my Blog....Guess were all proud!

Man's Best Friend

This is Bruce trying to relax and even the dogs are fighting over him!

So this weekend Brandon played his cousin Timmy in football. It was a nail biter. But in the end Brandon's team won. What really touched me was the way Brandon cared more about his cousin & Uncle Tim (coach of the other team) more than the game. His cousin & him actually were captains and he gave him a quick hug before the game. That almost made me cry! All in all last week was a great football week in the Russell house. Bruce & Brandon won both of their games!

Today I can tell you has not been one of the best. But God has blessed me with the 2 greatest people. That is my Mom & my Husband. When life doesn't always go as planned I can always count on them. They keep me grounded and sane. They make any situation seem better after talking to them. They are positive and strong people and they are both mine. So no matter what happens I know I always have them and their love. Unconditional love is more comforting than anything on this earth. I hope that I can always show that to my children, my husband, my family, and my friends.

Ok so I am officially a horrible blogger!!! But I am going to start up again at least posting once a week. I love reading my sister's and cousin's blog and I hope other people will enjoy reading mine. So let's see my oldest son Bruce started high school and got moved up to the JV football team. His Dad is so proud. I am just so happy that he is getting really good grades! My youngest son Brandon is doing great in football and just made a traveling baseball team ranked 4th in the nation. He is not too excited about baseball right now but I know as soon as football is over he will be in baseball mode. We will be traveling to New York next summer so he can play baseball in Cooperstown New York. Other than that life is pretty normal. I can't believe how big my boys are getting....In a couple of months they will be 12 & 15......The green & yellow team is Bruce's high school team & the red & black team is Brandon's football team

Me & My Honey

So today I am celebrating 15 years with my honey....Where did the time go? But I can truly say despite everything I am truly happy....I have a great husband and 2 beautiful boys....Over the years we have been through good times and bad times but I am glad he was one I shared it with...I can really say he is my best friend....he knows everything about me and loves me anyway......So on our anniversay he will be at baseball practice with Brandon and I will go to Wal-Mart to get some stuff I need.....But thats real life my life and I love it!!!!!

Gracie & Wes

I have known my girlfriend Jill for about 14 years since she was 16 years old!!! And she has turned into a great Mom, wife, and school teacher....I am not surprised at all.....But anyways I had the pleasure of watching her two beautiful kids on Friday (I am a little partial since Grace is our god daughter)......There is nothing more sweet in this world than little kids laughing, playing, and smiling......I have posted some videos of these amazing, beautiful, and very smart kids!!!!! They had me laughing all morning!!!!! Wes definately wants to be just like his Daddy...The second video he is on Bruce's excavtor which he calls his Digger...Hilarious! I sure miss these days with my kids when life was so simple! P.S. this Mom has her kiddies trained anytime I had my phone or camera they were say CHEEESSSSEEEE!!!

Brando & Gabe cleaning the pig pen

So Brando & Gabe had to feed pigs and clean the pig pen.....And when you look at how dirty those pens get you know why people say "Your room looks like a pig pen"......But the boys looked so cute out there.....I can't believe how big they have gotten.....I remember them when they were just babies and Gabe was like a foot taller than Brando...He's caught up now....We spent the day together having lunch and hanging out they are hilarious...There is nothing better than kids laughing....I included a video...We had the wierdest Manager at Olive Garden and Gabe & Brando were making fun of him the whole time!

My Sis-n-law Manda

So you know when you get married everyone tells you all the horror stories of in laws....Well I feel pretty fortunate for my in-laws...They are my family and I love them all.....But I wanted to write this for Manda....I know she has heard me tell this story a million times....But when I met Manda she was riding around in camo pants, no shirt, bandana, and a aviator sunglasses...All Dana had to do was do this crazy whistle and Nick & Manda would come....I think Dana needs to teach me that whistle because I can never get my kids to come....Anyways Manda has always said she wanted to be a cop...And she worked and studied hard and she MADE IT...So I just wanted to let her know how proud of her I am!!! We love you and be safe Manda!!! And I can't wait to come visit you and see you in action

Brando's Home!

Brando went to Great America today!!! I can't believe he rode all the roller coasters! I think his friends talked him into it because I can never get him to go on rides like that....But as soon as the day was over he wanted to come home to mom.....I love that about my Brando he has a heart of gold....He loves his mom and isn't shy to show it....I miss him when he's gone even though sometimes this kid can be such a brat!!!!! He has his Dad's competitiveness but he's emotional like his mom.....Well I'm glad he's home so we can cuddle and watch TV...

Bruce is so bored!!!!!

So I am sitting her with my son who is soooooooooooo bored! I remember when this sweet little boy used to love hanging around me.....Now he is searching his yearbook to see if can find a friend that he can hang around with and texting everyone in his contact list....That is a better alternative than hanging out with mom....I miss when he used to sit in my lap and wrap his chubby little arms my neck and give me big fat kisses....Where did the time go? Now he's taller than me and sounds like a man. No matter how big he gets he will always be my little boy....When I look at him I still see that sweet face and those big green eyes and my heart can't contain all the love I feel for him. I love these moments just Me and him. He just makes me laugh! I wish that time would move slower and I could keep him like this longer. Well this is my first attempt at blogging we will see how it goes...