everyday life.... memories in the making



Friday, May 7, 2010

Baseball, Field Trips, & Everyday Life

I know I say this a lot but here I go again..... boy is this year just flying by!  It seems that we just started third grade & baseball season and now we are wrapping up both.  Samuel has had a wonderful third grade year and has loved his teachers and being in the same class with one of his best friends, Tate.  Below is a picture of them at our Apples of Gold Banquet at church a month or so ago.


And so far as baseball goes, he has had a great season.  Wonderful coach, great kids with great families, and a 8-4 season so far.  They lost the 1st and 2nd game of the season and then went undefeated until last week when we played the first team to beat us again and lost to them for the second time.  However, they beat the undefeated team in our league the next game and turned around and got beat by the last team in our league who had not won a single game all season long.  Thats baseball, right!  Samuel has had a great season and  is getting so much experience in a variety of positions.  While his main position is 3rd base, he also plays 1st, pitches, catches, and has even played 2nd and short when needed.  I'm so proud he is so versitile and can play most anywhere.  We are looking forward to summer baseball which will start right after tournament! 
Go Bluejays!  Below are some pictures of Samuel with some of his best buddies on his team.


Yesterday Samuel had a field trip to Tuscumbia to visit Ivy Green, the birthplace of Helen Keller, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, and Spring Park.  We made it a family affair and all tagged along.  John Michael was so excited about going on his first field trip. I have looked forward to this field trip all year long!  As a child I was fascinated with Helen Keller and still have the books that I read over and over.  Samuel read one of these books before this field trip just to be sure he was up on the facts about Helen Keller.  Ivy Green was so beautiful with roses blooming everywhere.  
 
After exploring Ivy Green we ended the day with lunch and fun at Spring Park.  This was the neatest little park complete with a train, carousel, and roller coaster.  It was beautiful also with the water fall and duck ponds.  The boys enjoyed sno-cones and a picnic lunch under a big shade tree. 
John Michael has had to endure a lot of big brother activities since he arrived almost three years ago.  With there being 7 years between them, he has spent many hours at the ball park since he was just barely 3 months old.  I must say that he has always been a little trooper.  One of his favorite things to do is play with his trucks in the dirt.  Below, after practice, he heads to the pitchers mound with truck in hand.
So blessed!  It has been a great spring so far and I'm looking forward to many more sunny days!
Below is one of my favorite picture of the cottage at Ivy Green.

Friday, April 30, 2010

A Blessed Day

I didn't realize it as it was unfolding with laundry piles and dirty dishes, scraped knees and "Mom, he hit me!".  I didn't realize it when I was frustrated and discouraged, or when I felt that no one even noticed.  I didn't realize it when there was homework and baseball for my oldest and dirty diapers and boo-boos for my youngest.  I didn't realize it when it was time for dinner, more dirty dishes, bath time, reading, and "Yes, you must clean it!".

But now, as the boys come spilling into the room wearing favorite pajamas and slippers, smelling of soap and shampoo, giggling and laughing... I realize that it has been a good day.  As I smell the loftover aroma of the dinner we just shared, I realize again that it has been a good day.  And as we read a story, say our prayers, and listen to the day's adventures, yes... a very good day.

Later, after the lights are out, the dishes done, the laundry put away, and I settle into my cozy chair I am reminded again that yes, Lord it has been a good day.  As I reflect back upon this day with its ups and downs, frustrations and disappointments, I realize that it has been a good day because it was filled with life.  The life you have given us to enjoy and delight in, to deal with and contribute to.  A life filled with a family to take care of, children to adore, and a loving husband and daddy.  A home in which we nurture and love, where we create memories to cherish for a lifetime.  Yes Lord, a very good day.  I wouldn't have wanted to miss a single moment of it and may I face tomorrow with a renewed spirit and relish in knowing that it too will be a good day, a blessed day.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Easter in Pics

I love this time of year and it has been a beautiful Spring season and Easter is always a highlight.  My boys looked so handsome in their new Easter outfits.  It was such a beautiful day and we enjoyed going to church, hiding Easter eggs and just being outside together as a family. 
Here are some pics of the weekend's activities in random order. 

Before church...
At church...
Before church, again....
"I want to wear my frog boots to church!"
Samuel's egg hunt at church with his buddies...
Egg hunt at home with the fam...
Dying eggs on Saturday night...
Our Easter PEEPS cupcakes were a hit...
The Easter bunny came...
More egg hunting....
Easter bunny favorites... frog boots and gardening tools....
John Michael's egg hunt at church the Wednesday night before Easter Sunday....He loved the Bouncy!
        JM & his friend Owen...                        The bunny toss...                   Getting ready to JUMP again!