June was BUSY!!!!

As you all see in the pictures I posted we've been just a little busy.  June has completely flown by and I can't believe we are about to be in July!!!
First and foremost Harloe turned 2 June 7th and we had a little celebration after daddy's super regional games in Fullerton.  We had cupcakes and sang in the back of Gigi and Papa's car!  Then went to Dales for breakfast with Auntie and Lexi, Auntie Jen, Grandma and Grandpa to open presents and sing once more!!!  It wasn't the most ideal birthday party for our little sweet pea, but the pictures will tell a different story and that's all that matters! LOL.
Speaking of Super Regional, who would of ever thought UCLA, the underdog, would beat Fullerton the first two games taking them to the College World Series.  Honestly, TJ and I hadn't even discussed "what ifs."  Partly because he has taught me that with this career you never expect or count on anything because things can change in a blink of an eye.  That goes for jobs, games, travel, etc.  So I have taken to that the best I could because I have to just keep living things out as usual for the girls and keep our routines as normal as possible and worry about things as they come.  Well...they won and then it was like, "OH, you are going to Omaha!  Again, for the second year in a row!"  Now it was time to start planning.  I still had two weeks of school to finish out and now travel plans to make.
Rhowan went to Omaha with Grandma the following weekend for opening games and me and Harloe met them there after I closed out my school year.  She was super excited to go and loved being with Daddy in his hotel room.  Harloe on the other hand, she didn't know what to do with herself.  She was sooo extremely sad and fussy that it literally brought tears to my eyes.  She asked for Sissy when she would wake up, go to sleep, take a nap, get in the car and look at her car seat, get in the stroller, anything and everything about our day she wanted Sissy!!!!  I was happy to have this bonding and down time with Harloe as we don't get much of it, but to be honest, she wanted Sissy and just couldn't function without her.  It is actually pretty cool that they love each other that much and are so close.  I hope it stays that way forever.
The week leading up to us leaving poor Harloe had been battling a head cold, yucky eyes, heat rashes, etc.  But...we went and took Auntie/Nurse Jen with us! LOL.  We left first thing Friday morning to see their game that evening that would tell if they would play an elimination game or make it to the National Championship bracket.  They kept winning and we kept moving right along.  It was so very exciting.  In the meantime we made a trip to the Omaha Zoo and kept ourselves busy in the horrible heat and humidity! :/  Then come Monday UCLA would play Mississippi State for a three game series to win their first National Championship.  It was such an amazing experience to be a part of watching these players and coaches strive to beat the bad commentators, poor reporters and even our local newspapers poor credit where credit was deserved!  I am so very proud of my husband for all he has accomplished in his career, his passion in such a short time.  Yes, he is only an assistant in some eyes, however, in mine, he is the hardest working, most dedicated and ambitious coach in the NCAA that has truly earned his stripes and paid his dues to get where he is today.
I am not saying it hasn't been a struggle.  TJ's hard working schedule puts a lot of pressure on our family and our marriage.  No white picket fence here so please don't think I am trying to paint that picture.  However, we put things into perspective and I try to take everything we are experiencing as God's blessings and working through the hard times.  TJ is a workaholic.  I have officially diagnosed him...LOL.  So after our Omaha trip and coming home as Champs, off to a 6:00 am flight TJ went the very next morning to recruit and recruit some more.  So me and the girls drove to Palm Springs for a much needed relaxing getaway!  Our dear friends, The Mogg Family, gave us 4 nights paid to get away and relax and so off we went again!!!  Unfortunately, TJ couldn't join us, but we met up with my sisters family and even my parents for a night.  It was much needed and perfect.  Me and the girls slept in until 10 am every morning, took 3 hour naps, had nice AC, a pool and such a relaxing time.
After such an amazing weekend and nice getaway we had TJ's cousin Michael and Krystina's wedding to get ready for.  Rhowan had been waiting for this wedding for a whole year as she was honored to be a flower girl with her cousin Chloe.  It was such an amazing wedding and some really great family time.  I finally got a night out with my hubby and still rocked it 6 1/2 months pregnant.  It's nights like those that remind me of how lucky we really are and that I don't have it that bad.  My husband is gone A LOT, works A LOT and has a hard time creating boundaries of work and home, BUT, we are so truly blessed and it may not be about quantity but QUALITY time.  I take those nights, moments, hours that are so few in between and just want to pause time to embrace and enjoy.  Our lives are crazy now and its only going to get busier with another little one on the way.
And grandma, this is for you...THANK YOU for the emails, hugs, kisses and whispers in my ear.  You always know what to say and when I need it most.  During all this celebration, exhilaration, and exciting times, you can still see how hard it can be but you push me along and give me encouragement along the way and for that I THANK YOU.  To my family and friends for ALL the love and support during the last few crazy weeks, I can't thank you enough.  Knowing we have such a huge support system behinds us helps in ways you can't even imagine.  It takes all that love and support to help me be the mommy and understanding wife I need to be in a career that is so demanding you can never mentally prepare yourself enough.
So now July is here. It is time to just stop and enjoy the summer and have fun being a MOMMY!!!!

I love you all and will keep you posted on our fun adventures of the summer.


Much love and God Bless,

The Bruce Family