Dimples

Ok, to say I love softball is an understatement.  I have the fondest memories of playing ball.  I started playing T-ball (with the boys) as soon as I was old enough to.  My team was Buck's Grill.  We were sponsored by a local restaurant in my small town.  Our jerseys were black with white lettering and my hat was black with a big "B" on the front.   I have my hat to this day.  It is very special to me.  I know I wasn't that great at this stage, but I was definitely drawn to the sport and couldn't get enough of it.

I loved being a part of a team.  I loved the excitement before a game.  I loved running on the field.  I loved the way it felt when you hit the ball in the sweet spot, and it seemed like it was never going to touch the ground again.  There's nothing like it.

When I got a little older, I started playing softball and my Mom coached my team.  We were baby blue and sponsored by Harden Vet Clinic (also in my home town).  I have a picture of my Mom and I.  I'm going to find it to show you soon.  Anyway, I pitched that season.  I remember striking out my archenemy.  It was a wonderful feeling.  She had stole my man, and I wasn't about to let her get away with it.  I probably could have ended my softball career right there and been completely satisfied.  Oh the life drama of an elementary kid.

The funny thing is...we became friends later in high school...good friends...my archenemy and I.  The guy we were fussing over in our elementary years turned out to be a total dork.  Funny to think about that now.

Shoot, this post wasn't supposed to be about me.  Jesse, I just felt like you should know the reason I felt like you would enjoy the sport too.  I mean, you might get to strike out some girl that steals your guy some day.  Wouldn't that be cool?  No, no, no...that's not what it's about.  I think?  Anyway!

The fondest memories are the bonds I made with the girls on my team, my Mom and I, and also, the love I developed for the game.  My only regret was that I didn't continue to play through high school.  I'm not even sure if it was an option to be honest, but it would have been nice to have continued.  I am thrilled that you have this option (if you want it).



It was your Opening Day last Saturday.  It was your first day as a softball player.  Your team is the Red Hawks.  It's quite confusing, because you are pink.  You are the pink...Red Hawks.  Hey, I like it!  Anyway, it's a 6U league and you just turned 5, but you are hanging in there and doing fantastic!



The first few practices...you wouldn't let go of us.  We had to follow you to the field.  You acted shy.



But then, you warmed up.  You seemed to really like your coaches and teammates.



You loved the idea you were playing with "all girls."



You listened to your coaches when they gave you instruction.  I watched you take it all in.



And it paid off on opening day.  It really did.



Aunt Kelly, Ms. Kelly and her Mom came to see you.  I love that you can see them in the background here with all smiles anxiously awaiting your big debut.



And honey, you hit a pitched ball.  You hit a pitched ball at every at bat.  Girlfriend didn't need a T!



And you ran to first.  Yeah, you knew where to go.



And you were so proud.



And you made it around to home eventually and stopped for someone to acknowledge the fact that, yes, you indeed scored.  Thank you.  Thank you.



And you took the field like a pro.  No need for Mama anymore.



And you slammed it again, and we were all so proud.



It was hard to take your picture.  I was trying to contain my excitement.



I love this picture of your on first.



But I might love this one of you running to second even more.



And coming home!



You got this girl.



And you played second base during the second inning.  You seemed to know what to do.



I just can't tell you how proud I was.



I don't think I did this good in my debut Jesse.



But it was best seeing the smile on your face with your team at the end.  You were so proud and seemed so happy.

I was just so excited to see you be a part of something that meant so much to me at your age.  I just hoped that you would get that same feeling that I did, and I truly felt like you did.  It was wonderful to watch.

They call you "Dimples" on the field.  They call you "Dimples" because of the big smile you bring to every at bat.  It's fantastic.  I love it.

As your coaches say, "You may be small, but you bust the ball!"  Love you...Dimples.

Spring Ball is Here!

There is nothing better...well, that's probably not true, but it seems like it on Opening Day.  I love watching Jonah play ball.  I absolutely love it.



He is playing for the Dodgers this season.  He chose number 10.  It is his last season of coach pitch baseball, and my love is assistant coach.



Doesn't he look taller?  We even had to buy him bigger pants.  What is happening????



I can't seem to slow time down Jonah, but watching you grow has been an incredible ride.  You've made us so proud.



And you didn't have to be all that good in baseball to make your Dad and I proud.



Just knowing you have passion for something...whatever it may be....whatever you choose...it makes us proud to watch you strive to be the best you can be...and that goes for on and off the field...my best, best boy.

Seasons Change

Flag Football in the Fall



My love coached Jonah's team.  It was Jonah's first season of Flag Football.  It wasn't as serious as the padded version, but he took it pretty seriously.  I've never seen Jonah run as fast as he did on that football field.  We've decided that it just took someone chasing him.  Who knew?

I know this was an accidental coaching gig my love, but you were good.  You were fair.  The boys had so much fun.  I was so proud.



Basketball in the Winter



Jonah played basketball with third grade boys through his school.  He can get wild on defense when he's really on.  It's so fun to watch.  I turn into a crazy woman at the games yelling things such as "HANDS UP!" and "GET HIM JONAH!" and it just got worse towards the end of the season.  I got so much satisfaction out of watching his aggressiveness on the court.  I'm not sure what that means, but it is true.



They were a really good team...they were Division Champs!  Whoop Whoop!

And now comes Baseball.  I'm sure I'll have many pictures to share.  We also have a new sport to share...Jesse is playing softball this season.  It's fantastic to see her enjoying the game and "playing with just girls" as she says.  I'll try not to quote A League of Their Own too much.

The Spring is going to get really busy, so we will be splitting up some...my love and I.  I won't be able to watch every single one of Jonah's baseball games and my love will miss some of Jesse's for sure.  I worried about this a little till Jonah said, "Don't worry about it.  I'll tell you everything that happens."  Sort of like...I got it Mom.  Chill out...you know?

It's going by so fast.  He's acting too grown.

I think I'm going to go find a T-ball picture of him and have a good cry.

Goodnight.

Blankets Creek

It is refreshing to look back on fun times with family after the kids are in bed.  It sort of wipes away the previous chaos we just went through....such as...Jesse crying for no obvious reason.  Picture me finally getting her to pause the insane crying to brush those little teeth, and then me tickling her and asking her why she was crying so much (while she had a mouth full of fluoride rinse).  Then, picture her spitting the rinse out projectile like on the mirror because I made her laugh.  Then, picture her crying even louder because she spit out her rinse uncontrollably.

Something was wrong in her universe tonight.  This happens from time to time, but I'm sorry, I couldn't help but laugh.



And Jonah, well he's in a pretty good mood even though the weather has messed up his schedule this evening.  The thought of staying inside versus playing baseball nearly kills him.



But it is really hard disciplining this one.  He can come up with a million reasons not to do extra studying on an unexpected night at home.  Some...believable till I see a bad grade.



And Luke...well, he's been having his own adventures lately.  Luke Duke has been going to a dog club on Sundays and acting all shy and crying when his Daddy wants him to show off.  It's pretty funny.  You can do it buddy!  I know you can!



But looking back at this day back in January on a Sunday when we had a hint of Spring and the world was perfect, makes it all OK.



Although, I do miss this lovely weather and long for it even more.



The kids got bikes this year from Santa, and we have frequented the local bike trail, Blankets Creek.  It's pretty dang fun.  We can't wait to continue going in the Spring.



It's a good place to take Luke and let the kids release some energy.



And it's free.



And Jesse can pretend she's in the Circus, while Jonah works on his biking skills.



He was a natural on his new bike.  Although, I do have to mention, the first trip to the creek, he was literally in the creek within minutes.  I'm sorry that I do not have video footage.  I would give anything.



But this time, he managed to stay dry.

That's my boy.  He's 8 and three quarters he says.  He rushes through his homework.  He doesn't always pay attention.  He won't eat over his plate.  He loves Duck Dynasty and Wipe Out for goodness sakes..but I love him so much.  I do.

Just Float

Remember the fish...









Just float.

What's your favorite picture?

We took Jonah, Jesse and their cousins, Kadee and Ella, to the Tellus Museum not long ago.  The kids enjoyed this trip so much.  The Tellus Museum is a wonderful science museum in North Georgia full of dinosaurs and rocks and minerals and crystals and automobiles and rockets...can't beat it on a nice Sunday afternoon.

I am still going through all the photos I took inside, but these I took just before we entered are just fun to share.

Which one is your favorite?

(1) Aren't they sweet and precious?



(2) Cheese!



(3) Kadee giving rabbit ears, goofy Jesse and scary Jonah.



(4) Kadee giving rabbit ears, goofy Jesse and Ella, and what is Jonah doing?



(5) Kadee and Jonah rabbit ear fighting over goofy Jesse and Ella.



(6) It is starting to get out of control.



(7) That's it, we are losing the star of the show.



I don't know.  I am having a very hard time deciding, but I'm leaning towards number 7.  It really cracked me up.

No doubt these goofballs are related.

The Bright Side

I forgot to send my daughter's clean cot sheet and blanket to Pre-K this morning.  When I remembered, it was much too late.

I was rear ended by a young fellow on the interstate while driving in to work today.  I was meaning on getting rid of that commute before this happened again (in my dreams), but it was much too late. 

My battery died while waiting for the State Patrol.  I had been needing to get that battery checked out before it died again, but it was much too late.

When I finally got to work, I realized I left my left over spaghetti and meat sauce in the car, but my boss called me to the office, and I couldn't retrieve it.  It was much too late.

But...

The school had an extra sheet and blanket.

The guy that hit me was just the kindest fellow, and I probably just need a new bumper.

The State Trooper did an exciting maneuver to sling his car around and jump my vehicle off and send me on my way.

My spaghetti was fine!  My friend, Heather, gave me a scientific reason to explain just so.

And most importantly...my boss said everything is OK.

.............................................................................................................................

Hey....remember this?

She turned 5 on Friday.

Boohoooo.

I miss this...

He is losing that baby face.

Waahhahahhahah.

I guess this is the answer to a bad day, remembering all the good I have.  It's never too late for that.

Clap if you believe in fairies...

I am very much under the weather guys.  I'm not going into too much boring detail.  My throat closed up this morning, a freight train hit me this afternoon, and I'm in bed early on a double dose of medicine that has me praising God.

The real reason I picked up my computer is because I wanted to share how beautiful it is to listen to my family talking together tonight without me.

Jesse just said to my love, "Daddy, do you believe in fairies?"

My love said, "Yes I do, I believe in fairies."

Jesse then followed with, "Then clap your hands!  Daddy, clap your hands!"

I've been crying all night because I hate being sick, but hearing this...oh Good Lord.  The tears were very happy tears.  I've spoke of this scene in E.T. before...when Gertie's Mom is reading Peter Pan to her.  I've never pointed it out to Jesse really.

It just touched her too.  It jumped out and touched her heart just like it has mine all these years.  It was so beautiful.



I love your heart Jesse.

Now, she did point out the other night that shampoo had a toilet word in it.  She said, "You know...poo!"  I couldn't let you think she walks around talking in Peter Pan terminology all the time.



I knew you believed in fairies.  I always knew it.

I'm sorry I cried and acted like I was dying on the phone to get you home faster today.  I did feel bad.  But as usual, you saved me and calmed me and probably laughed at me, but that's OK...I deserve it.

I can't stay awake anymoooorroewoore...