I LOVE SPRING

Our House in Springtime.

I wish the yellow petals were in bloom, but the Cleveland Pears and the Smoke Plum are beatiful. I don't think this picture does it justice.

HAPPY SPRING

Louisville boys out - Louisville girls move on!!

Okay, my NCAA tounament results might not be going as planned. Robert has taken the lead by one (one) point, he deserves it - he had UNC and I had Oklahoma.

On the other hand - did you see the Lady Cards play against Maryland - boy they looked great!!

Louisville's Lady Card's move onto the Final Four -

Way to go LADIES!!!

Girl's Basketball Fan! Since 2006

NCAA CONTINUES!

Not to rub it in ... but Betsy is still in the lead - go Louisville!!!

A Wonderful End to a SEASON (basketball that is)

THE BEST BASKETBALL TEAM I KNOW!!! Back: Megan, Meghan, Coach Martin, Jessica, Nicole, Mikayla

Front: Heather, Kayla, Erin, Amanda, Allison, Betsey and Olivia

Basketball season is such a great time in our family - even though it takes up a lot of time, we love watching Jessica play. She has made so many wonderful friends being on the NOHS Lady Mustang team.

Her teams Basketball Banquet was on Wednesday, March 25. All the girls were dressed up so nice. It was wonderful. The coaches had praises and jokes to share about each player on the team.

On each table there were the overall individual statistics for the VARSITY season. Wow! We had some great stuff happening on this team even though their record may not show it. Nicole had 350 points in one season, Jessica had the highest average rebounds per season (148), and then she was also third in blocks, third in defections, & third in hustle plays. I was amazed.

Then we sat down for our delicious dinner. Jessica sat with the girls while I sat with a seniors mom and dad. Awards and recognition came after dinner.

Junior Varsity - Jessica and Jessica A were recognized at the same time as the dynamic Jessica's. Coach Pfaff sang praises to each girl. It was very nice. Although the statistics were not on the table for JV he said Jessica was remarkable in her defensive game - she was a strong power on the team.

Varsity - Coach Martin complimented Jessica so much. She said stuff like "this is her first year on Varsity and we really didn't know what to expect with her, but then we were down in the game against Brian Station by 18-2, we needed to make a change. Jessica Lowe went into the game and there is this one play that stands out. She got the rebound in some miraculous way - the way J Lowe does, and then - as we had practiced - looked to the center for a pass, but she was covered, and then - as we had practiced - looked to the side for a pass, but she was covered, so J Lowe just took the ball down court and ... J Lowe was dribbling the ball in a Varsity game against one of the toughest teams we were going to play all season and kept the play alive. That changed the momentum of the game and changed the scoring for the remaining three quarters. She shined! She complimented Jessica by saying "there was not one day that Jessica Lowe didn't show up to practice or a game ready to give her all, give everything she had. She was the first in just about every sprint and she played hard every minute. It payed off - she's been a huge asset to our team and we look forward to her potential for next year. She even joked that she had all these records highest average rebounds, third in blocks, third in deflections, and first in injuries - 2 broken fingers, 2 chipped teeth, and knee problems in both knees.

Later that night Jessica was awarded as a player on the "All Star Defensive Team"! That's our girl. But the biggest surprise was when Jessica was awarded the Most Improved Player Award. It was one of those moments as a mom that you are in awe of your daughter. Her team respected her, her coaches respected her and everyone agreed that she had improved so much - from last year to this year, and from the beginning of the season to the end. She went from 6 minutes in a Varsity game to STARTING and playing 26 minutes in a Varsity game.

I wish this didn't sound like I was bragging - I wish I had a mom to call and brag all this to her - then I wouldn't sound so crazy on my blog, but I was AM so proud of her. She took something she didn't really enjoy at the end of last year and didn't give up or quit, and found that she really loved it, the girls, the sport and the success! She is my champion in every sense. She learned not only basketball (and succeeded at it), but she made wonderful friends, earned the respect of her coaches and the spectators.

Next year you all will have to come see her play - but don't tell her - she'll get nervous!

SPRING BREAK

Spring BREAK - Only one day away!!

I am so excited to have a break - I have so much to get caught up on - it's not even funny!

Thank goodness for breaks!

Fun
Fun and more

fun!

Jessica at Amanda's birthday party. Jessica has great friends from church, seminary and school. She loves to have fun with them. These photos were taken at Amanda's birthday party - I downloaded them from Amanda's facebook. It's scary what can be done.

Jessica having fun with her friends from church!

Jenny, Jessica, Cindi, Jessica (Cindi's friend) Alison, Hannah - Aren't they cute!

Jessica has the best friends

NCAA Tournament Challenge

Okay, as tradition has it, the Lowe's are deep in the middle of March Madness ... first it is madness with the many birthdays we have ... then followed up with basketball frenzy! Everyone in the family fills out a bracket - teams are picked - it's written in ink (this year in printer ink), now it's up to our teams to perform.

Poor Marissa - she chooses with her heart. She picked her favorites - teams from Virgina, teams from Kentucky, and teams from Utah. Too bad they didn't do very well.

As of last night, Jessica had the least misses. As of right now (5:30 pm on Friday) Betsy is in the lead...

...but it goes on.

The Last Birthday for a while

AND NOW, IT'S BETSY'S BIRTHDAY!

Betsy and Mark before their date!
The last in a long line of birthday's is Betsy's.
Mark's birthday doesn't come for several more months (poor guy).

For Betsy's birthday Mark bought her beautiful red roses with a card inviting her to a special dinner. They fed the kids and then let Jessica babysit while they went out on their date.
Betsy loves a few things on her birthday (and every day for that matter)...
I didn't have to work (yeah)
time with Mark,
and time with the kids (hugs and kisses too)
good food (yum)
home made birthday cake (the best)
great weather (thank you)
friends (Alice, I had a great lunch, hope you did too)
(Rosie, thanks for singing to me)
flowers,
cards,
notes,
pictures
and all the super kind things everyone said and did!

Thanks!

Marissa earned her Faith in God

Marissa worked very hard to memorize all 13 Articles of Faith to finish the very last requirement in her "Faith in God" booklet. She had to complete 29 requirements plus memorize the Artlices of Faith to earn the "Faith in God" award.

She is now in Young Women's and will be working on Personal Progress to earn her "Young Women's Medalion".

Marissa's 12th Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARISSA! Marissa with her family

(except Mommy whom is taking the picture)
Marissa getting ready to make her wish before
blowing out the candles on her Birthday Brownies!

It is very hard for me to comprehend, but my little Marissa is now 12 and a beautiful young lady. She, like Devon, doesn't really like birthday cake so Mommy and Daddy made her "Birthday Brownies" to clebrate her 12'th birthday. It was fun watching her try to blow out all those candles. We had such a fun night together, just the family!

For Marissa's birthday celebration she chose to have her mom and sister take her to see "Confessions of a Shopaholic" at the movie theater, complete with as much popcorn and drink as she'd like. He wish is my command. After the movie we were all in the mood for shopping so we bought pretty spring dresses for each of the girls.

I'm so thankful for Marissa's sweet spirit. She has always been a special joy in our family. We are so blessed! She is now attending middle school, making honor roll, running cross country and track and field for the school. She also is a Cadette Girl Scout, taking karate lessons and attends her church activities. She is a friend to everyone and a delight around the house. Her room is spotless (which says a lot for a middle school age'd girl).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARISSA!

Duty to God - Devon

Before Devon turned 14, he finished every requirement to complete his "Deacon, Duty to God". For those of you that go to the same church we do, you know what a huge accomplishment this is. For those of you that don't, earning your Duty to God requires the participant to complete 8 - 11tasks in areas of interest such as: Priesthood duties, Family activities, Quorum Activities, Spiritual Development, Physical Development, Educational-Personal and Career Development, and Citizenship & Social Development. He also had to complete a service project and keep a journal.

We are so proud of Devon earning his Deacon's Duty to God. He is already working on his Teacher's Duty to God.

Way to go Devon!

Devon's Birthday

DEVON's 14 YEAR'S OLD! Robert, Jessica, and Marissa are so happy Devon is their brother!


Make a wish Devon (don't you love his facial expression)
Mommy and Daddy proud of all Devon has accomplished! Devon blowing out the candles! Go Devon!

Devon celebrated his birthday first with family and then with friends. Devon doesn't like birthday cake that much so he had a "Birthday Cookie Cake" We decorated it with RED frosting - RED is Devon's favorite color.

Over the weekend Devon had a few friends over for a pizza and game (wii, gamecube) party. They had a blast. I'm so glad Devon has a few really great friends!

We are so very blessed to have Devon as a son, and brother in our family. He is so caring and thoughtful of everyone around him. Devon is in 8th grade and an excellent student.
Devon enjoys learning. Devon is a member of the Jr. Beta Club. He also a Life Boy Scout and takes karate lessons. Until this season he has played soccer since he was 8 years old. Devon hopes to finish his Eagle Scout requirements over the summer. Devon just completed his Duty to God requirements for a Deacon. He has become a Teacher in our church. I can't believe how fast he has grown up and how far he has come. I'm so very proud of him!

Happy Birthday Devon!

Robert is now 10!!

Party time for Robert and his friends at Incredible Dave's. The boys were given unlimited pepperoni pizza, cheese pizza and or chicken fingers. They at soooooo much! Robert didn't even want his birthday cake because he ate so much.
Okay there is a story behind this birthday cake...I went to pick it up on our way to the party (I allowed enough time), however when I arrived, they hadn't even started the decorations on the cake. I wasn't happy, but couldn't really do anything about it. They quickly added a few lines to try to make it look like a soccer ball (but not doing a very good job - being rushed and all). In the end Robert and the kids in my car were only 5 minutes late for the party and we had a cake.

Aaron, Seth and Devon (Robert in the back)

Robert with his friends Eric and Matt.

Robert with his friends Matthew and Aaron!

Robert had a fabulous time at Incredible Dave's with his friends. He wishes he could have invited all his friends but mom (me) put a cap on the # (due to the cost). They played great together, got to eat as much as they wanted and then played some more. Robert enjoyed all his gifts and thanks everyone for making his birthday so special!

We had an family celebration on Robert's actual birthday! Robert getting ready to open the notorious birthday present!

Jessica and Robert - big smiles! I love these kids!

Robert and Marissa are more like twins! They get along so well.

Robert was so excited for his birthday celebration. Ever since I purchased his present I've been so excited to give it to him. This would be the VERY BEST birthday present he's ever received. He heard me talking about my excitement earlier in the month, and so we made an agreement that I would give him clues periodically and he could make a guess. I knew he'd never get it!!! His first clue was it started with a "W". His second clue was that is involved soccer. His third clue was that there was a soccer field involved. He guessed fairly close, but on 2/25 he didn't have the answer! When he opened his present and read from the tickets that he was going to see the USA soccer team play against Trinadad Tabago in a World Cup Qualifying match in Nashville, TN - he smiled from ear to ear! Robert and I will go down for the game! He loves loves loves to play, watch, and participate in soccer! When I saw that the USA team was playing so close to home, I had to get tickets for Robert.