A Rhyme

Once upon a time there was a girl named Heather.  When she was a little girl, people called her Feather.

She grew up, went to college and studied to be an Aerospace Engineer.  Good grief you blessed girl, who put that in your ear?

Who knows...she was good in math and wanted to go to Space, it seemed to her like a wonderful place.

She didn't quite make it there, but she doesn't mind.  She's happier on Earth these days...she's not blind.

She married her first love and how happy he made her, she really loves that he likes to cook her supper  (Oh my God, that's so cheesy).

She's been through it all...bla bla bla bla.  She's glad for the rough times, that's why they make sport bras (OMG).

She runs sometimes because it relieves stress.  She likes to watch her daughter twirl in her dress.

Her boy plays baseball, and he keeps her busy.  She's trying to figure out how to get them to the World Series in Mississippi.

She's proud of him, so she'll figure it out...but honestly, she'd rather take another route.

Perhaps back to New York or California?  Perhaps to Florida or Bora Bora?

Oh well, Mississippi it is.  We've got to play ball.  Good Lord be with them cause it's going to be a tough haul.

I'm quite delirious at the tasks at hand, but I'm glad to be dealt them than be buried in the sand.

I realize now why I'm not an English professor, I need to go put some clothes in my dresser.

Aren't you glad I don't have time for this?  You must be in a tremendous bliss.

I'm impressed you came here anyway, please don't let this post push you away.

I appreciate you very much, you are my family, and I promise I'm about to hush.

I guess I will end with a picture and a wish for a life a little bit simpler.

But, all in all I'm blessed and thankful for my life.  Although, wouldn't it be nice if it was more like Barney Fife's?

I'll be back after baseball when it all settles down, when I'm back to normal or at least less of a clown.

Moments

It's one thing to take pictures, and it's another to capture moments that take your breath away.  I try my hardest to capture moments, and I just get lucky sometimes.



I can't tell you how much the above picture makes me smile.  We were in Destin.  We had just finished breakfast in the village, and I had given Jonah and Jesse coins to throw in the fountain.  We do this every single year.  What is it about a fountain that makes a child's face light up like this?  I wanted to be sure to tell them to make a wish this year.  I almost didn't ask what their wishes were, but I was too curious.

I asked Jonah what he wished for first and he said, "I wished that I could fly."

I almost cried.

I asked Jesse next and she said, "I wished I had a unicorn!"

I have never heard her mention unicorns.  I don't talk about unicorns.  Where did this come from?

But, I tell you, I couldn't get these wishes out of my head.  They were both such good wishes.  So magical.  I'll never forget them.



She would have picked every flower in Destin if I would let her.  She has a wonderful appreciation for them.



I love how young she looks in this photo.  She's still my baby right here.



Somewhere between breakfast and lunch, we stopped at a diner for milkshakes, because this is what you do on vacation.  I took a zillion pictures of this moment.  You could probably put them together and make a movie.



My Jonah pulled us back to the village on several occassions because there were adventurious things to do there, like the Euro Bungee and the Zip-line.  He did them both.  I took a zillion pictures of those moments too, but this shot of him waiting in line spoke to me.



Anticipation.  You know, sometimes, that's the best part.



She said she wanted to bungee this year.  I bought her a ticket.  She watched in amazement at the children before her.



And then she watched Jonah.  And then she decided she wasn't ready, which was fine with me.  That means she is still my baby for one more year.  The year she bungees means she's growing up, and I don't know if I was ready for that.



There's a thousand more pictures between there and here.  I have been aching for the time to look through them.  Life is crazier than ever though.  I barely have a minute of time to myself, and the last thing I'm going to do is complain about it.

I'm just going to keep on going and loving capturing the moments that take my breath away.  Lord knows I'm going to have a hard time going through them all, but oh well.

High on Summertime

Today I woke up and I realized for the...I don't know how manieth time....that this is the best time of my life.

If you are from the South and say y'all and ain't and how manieth, holler now would you?

Thanks.

And for the record, you can have a college degree and still talk like this.

It's totally ok.

I think?

Anyway, back to this...

Watching my children grow in front of my eyes and celebrate summer and life and family vacation is just the best thing on the planet.  I know it's a lot of work for us parents and all, but oh my goodness gracious...is it ever worth it.



We trecked down to Sandestin, Florida again during our off week from baseball.  It's our home away from home.  It's the place my love and I dream of retiring.  I can just see an older version of us... riding in our golf cart to Publix for groceries and walking our dog on the beach.  I want to see the children of our two visit us and watch them dip their sweet feet in the beautiful emerald waters for the first time.  I want to see their precious little hands gather the white sand to form something grand.  It's a good dream.



I'll look at my grandkids in this same way I'm sure.  I'll say, "Oh honey, your Mama and her brother ate all their snacks out of a Red Solo Cup."  Surely there will still be Red Solo Cups?  I mean, there is an entire song dedicated to the Red Solo Cup.  Right?




I'll say "Your Mama or Your Daddy loved coming here.  They would pause for me every year right here on this path for a quick picture before they ran to the ocean."



"They didn't seem to mind, even though the ride was so long and all they wanted to do was just run."



"I'll never forget how they looked and how it felt to be there.  It feels exactly the same now."

Anyway, that's how it goes in my dream.  I will be super blessed if it comes true.  But honestly, I feel like just this...just this is good enough for me.  The rest is a bonus.

The first afternoon, we literally ran to the beach at first.  The kids played for a while and then we went to dinner.  We went to Tommy Bahamas...oh Mama.  Hello coconut shrimp.  Anyway, it was fabulous...then we ran back to the beach for fireworks.





















I'll never forget this moment.  I could have stayed out there all night.  It was incredible.  There are times in life when you think to yourself, "this is good."  You know?  This was one of those moments.

We kept it going.  The next morning we were at the beach first.





Jonah, you were a total surfer boy this year.  You braved the waves and even dove through them.  When I saw you dive in one for the first time, I nearly lost my breath.  How could you possibly be old enough to do that?



And Jesse, honey, you braved the waves with our help too.  You still love to play in the sand more though.  You were all about the sand castle and digging the big hole.  I loved watching you.



Taking your picture is just an excuse to stare at you more.  Thanks for being so patient with me.

I only took 2500 or so...so many more I haven't even seen yet.

This is going to be fun :-).  I'll try my best to share more.

Oh good grief, I live for the beach and summertime...there's nothing better.

Off Week

I feel like I'm in a rut with the blog and my photography.  We do the same thing day in and day out.  I'm not complaining, it's just that it doesn't make for an interesting read does it?  I just have a hard time talking about baseball all the time...even though I am grateful for this experience.

Jonah's coach so generously offered a week off from tournaments and practices (if we wanted it) this week.  This announcement was a highlight of the meet and greet meeting (for me).  I remember saying the off week dates over and over in my mind and trying to figure out if we could squeeze in any type of vacation this summer.  Where are my priorities??

Oh well, mission accomplished.  We're leaving for the week soon, but before we go...just a couple of my favorite shots from the last tournament.



He's warming up with my love in the outfield here before the game.  I ran out to capture him before the crowd grew.  I'm still a little nervous with this whole All-Star gig.  I'm not jumping on the field to capture every play.  It's just still all too new to me.



She keeps me busy watching her run around and pick these "flowers" in the grass.  She proudly wears Jonah's number.  She truly loves going to baseball and playing with her friends.  I love watching her as much as her brother.

But this week to come...we're taking a much needed break.  I'm looking for inspiration.  I hope to relax, spend some quality time with the three I love and try to figure out how to keep the week from going by so fast.

Can't wait to share it with you.  Thanks for stopping by...as always.

Love...Heather

I remember when...

I remember growing up at the baseball park.  Do you?  I remember the trucks backed up to the outfield and the cheering fans sitting in the back.  I remember exactly how they looked under the lit up night sky.  I remember my first T-ball team and my first jersey.  I played for Buck's Grill, which was a small hamburger place in the town that I grew up in.  Apparently, they had the best hamburgers around and everyone was sad when they went out of business.  Anyway, I remember my jersey was black and so was my hat.  I remember playing with a team of boys and girls.   I remember feeling nervous and a little awkward.  I remember thinking one of the boys was really cute and how I didn't want to look like a dork in front of him.  But, most of all, I remember loving the entire experience and feeling so proud to be a part of that team.

I also remember transitioning to softball and how proud I was that my Mom coached my teams.  She was tough and loving at the same time.  She got our attention on the field with her stern voice, and threw the best trophy parties for my team at our home at the end of the season.  I'm sure she cooked everything from scratch.  She did all this and worked a full-time job as well.  I so understand where I get all this from.

So, when I see my two growing up at a baseball field as well, it just seems right.  It's my normal.  I can't imagine anything else really.  I hope they look back on these moments with happy thoughts in the same way I did mine.

Jesse doesn't actually play baseball yet, but no doubt she has fun at the field.  I mean...just look at her with one of her best buddies, Erin.



It just doesn't get better than that.



And him.  He's all heart.  He's a little goofy.  He says things out loud to get a laugh from the crowd.  Sometimes it comes out and sounds quite awkward.  He looks like he struggles most than the rest when he's running.  The way he moves his arms makes everyone smile and sort of chuckle.  It's entertaining.  It's also a sign that he wants to be good.

I tell him that All-Star baseball is a little more serious and he returns with, "Mom, I just want to have fun."  How do you argue with an 8 year old about that?  "Ok, have fun...just please try you best OK?"
"Ok Mom."  That's the best I got.



It's truly what it's about to him.  He's playing his life long friends on other teams and he's thrilled to see them and watch their amazing talents.  He doesn't get too incredibly upset about a loss.  Sometimes...well, I think he's got it together better than us.

It's about fun times.  It's about making memories.  It's about being a kid.  I just feel so blessed that I can witness it with my own eyes.  I'm so glad I'm here.  I soak it in.  I breathe in the dust from the fields.  I shuffle the dirt through my flip flops.  I take their picture.  I embrace the moment...because I know the time passes by so quickly.

I know how she felt now.  I know exactly how she felt.  I get it Mom.  I truly get it.  I know why you were so passionate about us doing well.  It was for us.  You wanted it for us.  But you know what?  My brothers and I just loved the fact you were there.  We loved the experience and you.

Here's to summer baseball and my busy schedule.  I probably won't have time to blog much this summer.  I hope I am wrong...only because I want them to remember these moments.  Sometimes I feel like my head is going to explode if I don't get all this written down for them...so maybe I will be here.

So Jonah, "I need a hit, a rip, a run and a score!  I need a hit, a rip, a run and a score!"

And Jesse, well, just have fun kiddo.  You'll be hitting soon enough.

I love you both.

He's 8.

I could go on and on really.  If I had the time I would, but he's got me at the ball park every single night. It's your own fault buddy.  I can't pull all your baby pictures and talk about how sweet your cheeks were and how blue your eyes are.  I can't even pull last month's pictures.  But, I can pull these and tell you I love you and how proud I am of you.



My sweet, loving, just want to have fun 8 year old.  Thank you for reminding me what's important on a daily basis.  I'm so proud of you.



8 years ago...you made me a Mom.  Thank you.  You taught me the deepest love I've ever known.

You will always and forever be my best boy.  I love you.  I love you more.  I love you the most.  I love you to the moon.  No, I love you infinity.

And he would say, "I love you more than that."

And I would say, "That's impossible."

And he would say, "It's opposite day."

And I would think...what does that really mean?

And I would pretend he won.

And secretly know he could never win.

Happy Birthday, my best boy.

Happy Mother's Day

The kids and I were loading up in the Tahoe recently to go somewhere, and I decided I needed to grab a movie to keep them entertained.  I especially like to do this when I'm by myself.  It's like a security blanket.  What if we have a flat tire and we are stuck on the side of the road...what if I just need a few minutes of peace and quiet?  A movie helps sometimes.  Anyway, the thought of picking out a movie that an almost 8 year old boy and 4 year old girl will agree on is almost impossible these days.

I grabbed a good one and we were on our way.  My choice for the drive was...E.T.  You just can't beat it.  It's movie perfection.

The kids cannot use the headphones in the Tahoe anymore.  I am afraid we have misplaced or broken or lost them on the side of the road.  I have no time to investigate it really.  So, that means I get to listen to movies while I drive.  (Ordering new headphones is on my infinite To Do list.  It has one of the lowest priorities and may never get crossed off.)

But, I really do not mind listening to a movie like E.T.  It's a win, win situation.  It's amazing how wonderful a movie is that you can only listen to.  Believe me, I've never laughed so hard at Finding Nemo till I listened to it with my kids on that long trip with just the three of us to Florida last year.  It cracked me up.  Ellen really rocks.

I enjoy listening to the music too.  How many of you relate John Mayer's Say What you Need to Say to The Karate Kid (the one with Will Smith's adorable kid)?  Yep, it's part of the movie, and on a side note, if you ask Jonah who sings this John Mayer song, he will say "oh, someone from China."

Back to E.T. though...my reaction to E.T. this time around was slightly different than the others.  It took me back to a place I haven't been in a very long time.

There's a beautiful scene, it's my favorite part of the movie.  Mary (the Mom played by Dee Wallace) is reading a story to Gertie (Drew Barrymore) at bedtime.  I wasn't sure exactly what the story was (which is what prompted a conversation with one of my closest friends, my twin Heather, that helped me to remember). She reminded me that it was the classic, Peter Pan.  Oh yes.  Oh yes.  The fairies!

This is the excerpt from the Peter Pan story.  Tinker Bell just drank poison to keep Peter from drinking it.

His head almost filled the fourth wall of her little room as he knelt near her in distress. Every moment her light was growing fainter; and he knew that if it went out she would be no more. She liked his tears so much that she put out her beautiful finger and let them run over it.

Her voice was so low that at first he could not make out what she said. Then he made it out. She was saying that she thought she could get well again if children believed in fairies.

Peter flung out his arms. There were no children there, and it was night time; but he addressed all who might be dreaming of the Neverland, and who were therefore nearer to him than you think: boys and girls in their nighties, and naked papooses in their baskets hung from trees.

"Do you believe?" he cried.

Tink sat up in bed almost briskly to listen to her fate.

She fancied she heard answers in the affirmative, and then again she wasn't sure.

"What do you think?" she asked Peter.

"If you believe," he shouted to them, "clap your hands; don't let Tink die."

Many clapped.

Goodness, it still gives me chills.  I had no idea the original Peter Pan story was so beautifully written.

Anyway, the way Gertie says she believes in the fairies out loud and claps when Mary reads it to her...it makes me cry every time I see it.  Even listening to it driving down the road in the Tahoe.

All this had me thinking more about Mary.  She is sort of nuts in the movie.  She's single...her husband recently left her and is with some chick in Mexico.  She's a working Mom of three beautiful kids who decided to adopt an alien.  She's totally got her hands full ha?  She yells at them at times, she is so incredibly scattered and trying to keep things together.  But, she makes time to stock the fridge.  She dressed up for Halloween.  She is thrilled at the sight of her three children dressed up together and worries about them when they don't return when they should.  She reads the most beautiful stories to them at night, in such a beautiful way, it is like they are transformed and part of it.  It's really incredible.

I've thought about this some and sort of surprised at myself for not realizing why I'm so drawn to this movie and especially that moment.  Who else listens to this and cries?  What wrong with me?

And goodness, it hit me.  At first, I thought it was because Gertie reminded me of my daughter, Jesse, but that's not it at all.  It's so obvious to me now.

Gertie reminds me of me.  I remember what it feels like to be held like that.  I remember what it feels like to be loved like that.





I believe I was around Gertie's age when my father passed away.  My Mom moved my brother and I to a small town for a new job.  She was a mess really.  She was now this single, widowed woman with two kids and a full time job in a small town trying to survive.  She was crazy at times...yelling at us to pick up our things and to be good.  I remember all the stress for sure.

But, I remember moments like this more.  She didn't read Peter Pan to me, but she certainly took us to see E.T.  Somehow in her special way, she made me feel this loved.  She made me feel safe.  She gave me so many dreams.  She made me believe.

"I believe!  I believe!  I do!  I do!"

A mother's love is just...well, it's like no other.  I just love Mary in E.T.  She's not perfect, but there is no doubt the incredible love she has for her children.  It just reminded me that no matter what the situation, a mother loves her babies.  Even when times are tough, she loves her babies...even if they adopt an alien.

A mother's love lives on forever too.  I know I still feel mine to this day.



Happy Mother's Day to all my favorite Mothers.  I love you all!

End of Soccer, Cousins and the Secret of Life

I'm in such a good mood.  Really, it's sickening.  I know.  I can't help it though.  What's funny is I'm covered in poison ivy...literally covered in it.  I think I even have it in my ear.  I don't care...I'm still high on life.  I don't even have much to say.  Actually, I have one thing to say.  I'm really thankful for prescription meds and little league soccer and baseball players.  They sure do make me happy.



The soccer season is over and we will miss it.  I personally will miss the soccer socks.  I sure did love the soccer socks.  I might continue to put her in them from time to time.



Her first medal.  She was so proud.  I loved capturing it.



She was so surprised that her cousin, Kadee, and her Grandparents came.  They couldn't have given her anything that made her more happy.



And we left her final game and went straight to Jonah's....do they look interested in the game at all?  They looked up every now and then and wore his button proudly.  Oh, but I know they were proud of him.



My love is good about giving him pointers without going overboard.  It makes me so proud.  He tells me all the time, "At the end of the day...it's just 7/8 year old baseball."  I'm proud of him for recognizing that.



He was equally proud to have such a nice cheering section today.



But we had a little something to take care of when the games were over...we missed Kadee's birthday and I'll be dang if I wasn't going to make up for it.



Don't you just love birthdays?  I think we all should have more than one celebration.



Especially the young ones...it goes by way too fast.  She's 7 now.  It makes me hurt inside.



She is really starting to grow up...too tough to take.



The cake disappeared in...not joking...less than 10 minutes...the entire cake.  We like to eat.



Trampoline time!  Ella can hang.



Jonah is such a goof ball.  I watched him closely at this past Sunday night's All Star game dinner  (at Mexican...I think I am in love with these families).  The boy didn't sit down.  He was standing and talking non stop.  My love said he just needed a podium.



Go Kadee!  My kids worship you.



We got out the slip 'n slide too.  The girls had a towel break.



And laughed at Jonah putting on a show.  I do not know why they think he is so funny.  The more they laugh the worse he's going to get I'm afraid.



Ella might just be Jonah's biggest supporter.

Cousins make childhood a lovely ride.  The Secret of Life by James Taylor...he says it all.

Now, where are those meds for my poison ivy?  I need good sleep for a new day.  Night all.