A Win!

Hums finally pulled out the win today against Beiger.  21-7 (Gabi's match), 21-18 and 21-15.  This could not have come at a more perfect time for the girls getting ready to head into tournament time.  Gabi was beyond ecstatic.  She had some great serves and even spiked the ball this game!  Have apologize to Uncle Chad/Aunt Amber and kids and grandpa R....the start time was 11:45 am and they actually started at 11:30 am so since Gabi's game was first, she was done by 11:45 am!  I know she was glad everyone came though.  Aunt Annie even made it today, along with maw maw and paw paw.  Celebrated Gabi's victory by eating at Gino's East (last weekend of business).  Good game, good win, good pizza.  Way to go Gab!

Daddy/Daughter Dance

Gabi was fortunate this year and got tickets to the Daddy/Daughter Dance for Mishawaka this evening.  Maw maw was so kind to run over and grab them up with only a couple left a few weeks ago.  Gabi has been excited to go to dinner and dance with her daddy!  Gabi was beautiful and daddy was so handsome!  He completed her ensemble with a pretty wrist corsage.  Plans are to have dinner at Pasquale Rulli's first and then head to the dance at the Battell Center.  Ben is soaking all this up...for he knows these moments will be far and in between as she gets older.  I am looking forward to hearing all about their special date tonight (although Ben said to not wait up...they were hitting the "after parties:)" )

LaSalle

Lost another game last night to LaSalle (18-21, 17-21 and 12-21).  Gabi played in the second match.  I think this team was probably the best we have played yet.  They were all tall girls...sound in their game play.  They knew HOW to play volleyball.  Not just "hit it over the net" attitude.  Gabi had some great serves again.  Her spirit was down a bit after this loss considering we only have one more game until tournament time.  She is anxious to know how the tournament will be run (whether cuts will be made, etc.).  So glad grandpa R., uncle Dave, maw maw and paw paw always come to support her...it lifts her spirits a little bit and they always encourage her.  Gabi has that competitiveness in her blood :) and sometimes it gets the best of her.

Emmons

Chalked up another loss today against Emmons.  They lost 2 games to 1 again (17-21, 21-11, and 8-21)and Gabi was on one of the losing teams again.  She played extremely well again, the girls just couldn't get it done when it came to calling out the shots.  Hoping for a whole new outcome when tournament time comes (in a week). 

Twin Branch

Hums lost to Twin Branch 2 games to 1 (13-21, 21-12, 12-21)last night but the good news is that Gabi was on the team that won their match (21-12).  In fact, she served 6 points (had to rotate) and also helped score a point so she had 7 of those points!  Great job honey!!!  She was finally smiling last night after her match!!! :)

Be Mine

I woke up to this on the counter yesterday (Valentine's Day)...how sweet is my hubby?????? 
Our Valentine Dinner is postponed a bit because of volleyball practice so we have nice plans on Friday evening.  Looking forward to that!

On a more somber note...I helped out at my LAST EVER class party for my Gabi.  The Valentine Party...no parties at Jr. High....so bittersweet....I have been so blessed to be able to go to my kids' class functions.  That is one thing I do not contest.  At all.  Blessed to have such fun memories with all my kids.  Blessed.

Weekend with Tyler

Tyler came home this weekend with Abby (to spend time with her dad for his birthday) so it was nice to visit with him a bit.  Not much on the agenda.  He made some rounds to see family and we took him out to eat to try and fatten him up.  And of course, the haircut his dad always gives the boys when they come home. 

Gabi loves having her brothers home when they come.  She worked on her "water cycle" project all weekend and Tyler told her she "for sure was getting an A." 

Love this photo of Gabi explaining it all to him. 

It was nice to having him home...gave him his Valentine goodies and sent out Trenton's last week... now it's back to normal...got a homemade potato soup in the crockpot for dinner tonight and it smells delish!!!  Thank you Pinterest (again)!!!

Liberty

Last night Hums played Liberty and lost :(  21-16, 17-21 and 15-20.  Gabi played with the second set of teammates this time and had some good sets and some really good serves.  She is somewhat frustrated that the team keeps losing but we did notice something last night...our school seems to be the only ones who actually rotate in EVERYONE during the entire game and put in different girls for each game.  It seemed Liberty tried to rotate half the team in who had not played in their last game.  Oh well...all we can do is tell Gabi to keep up the great work and keep a good attitude. 

Addicted to Pinterest

Seriously...have you tried Pinterest???  I am so addicted.  I get my boards going, rearrange and want to rearrange some more!  I LOVE some of the ideas!!!  Here are just a few I have tried and fell in love with!
I tried this melting snowman cookie recipe for Gabi's Holiday party.  They were a big hit!
Speaking of Gabi...she got lots of compliments when I did her hair like this one day for school not too long ago.
Made this recipe (Cheesy Chicken Ranch Lasagna but with ziti noodles) last week and we loved it.  Can't wait to try it when the boys get home.  I have a feeling they will love it too!
Tried my hand at this cute little Valentine decoration before I left for Mexico...it's hanging on my wall now!
Just made this ornament for our Christmas tree next year to remind us of our trip :)
I am soooo into trying new things and being creative.  Pinterest is really encouraging this behavior in me :)  Sooooo, if you don't have a Pinterest account...you NEED one.  Now.  And follow me!  Happy Pinning!

Volleyball Season - Battell

Hums played Battell last night for their first game of the season.  I was not impressed with the way they ran things at John Young.  To name a few...our girls have been serving across a full court...last night they played almost a half court so when they served, alot of the serves went out of bounds.  Secondly, the courts were set up across the gym so people filing in and out of the gym were basically walking over the courts and the girls felt either crowded or the people coming in and out were clearly in harms way when it came to flying balls.  Seemed disasterous in some ways.  Was not impressed.  I felt like this situation left our girls vulnerable and lost their first game...15-21, 21-10 and 16-21.  On the bright side, Gabi had some great serves and some awesome sets and bumps.  She only played one game (the first one) so it went by very quickly.  A huge thank you to Aunt Pam, Bren and Leigh, Grandpa R., Uncle Dave, and maw maw and paw paw who came to support her.  I know it went by fast, but she was glad to have the support.