End of a season

The boys' baseball season has finally come to an end. It's always a bitter sweet thing to see something your whole family enjoys come to a close. You never know what the future might hold and if you'll have the same enjoyment as before. Trey wrapped up his time in coach pitch and will have to move up to 'minors' as they call it here. The boys pitch and the age group is from 9-12. That is a huge group of various sizes, skill level and strength. Our neighbors warned us that games can often last up to 2 1/2 hours on school nights since they kids often get walked and they won't start a new inning if the game has already gone over a hour and forty-five minutes. That sounds like torture to a mother who had to constantly chase two two year old girls around the ballpark this season. We'll have to see how Trey feels in the fall and decide if he'll play then.

This spring Trey was very lucky to work with such an outstanding baseball coach. I have often written about him and he kept me laughing through the games with his clever insights and silly remarks, but he taught the kids how to hit the ball and to celebrate when they played well as a team, even when the scoreboard didn't show a victory. We are hoping Josh and Matt find some spots on his team next year.


Josh and Matt also played their last game in t-ball. We were lucky to have a wonderful and kind coach these past 3 seasons (2 spring, 1 fall ball). Coach Jeremy is a Baptist pastor and was extremely supportive of our decision to not play baseball on Sunday. He worked hard with the team and we went from playing the play in game for the tournament last year to a 12-5 season this spring. Their hard work and months of practice paid off.

Here are a few photos of the last few games, trophy ceremony and end of season party.

This was a make up game on June 4, 2008 Vs the Twins. The boys had a swim meet that ended at 7:30 PM and the game started at 8:00 PM. I love watching the kids play under the lights, especially when it's a t-ball field. There are not many like this around. Matt's on first base.
The coach proudly displayed the team banner.In a VERY dramatic fashion, Josh stepped up to the plate as the #9 and final batter of the 4th (final) inning with the bases loaded (Matt on first) and whacked a deep drive into center field. He got a stand up triple, scored 3 RBI's and we won the game. It was awesome. Rich was on call at the hospital and Josh happily called him after the game to tell him the news. We then followed up with calls to uncle Brad and the grandparents. Good news travels fast.
Josh got the well deserved game ball.After a first round loss in the tournament, the team rallied and handily won their second game. The kids drove the ball and played some tough defense. It was great to see the entire team shine. This photo was of their third tournament game. Trey is the runner on first base.The girls knew where to find Trey. They are the best little cheerleaders around.Even though we ended the game with a loss, the kids played hard and greatly improved since our first practice back in snowy February.One final talk with Coach Blythe.Trey enjoyed his year playing in the infield and getting on base 90% of the time. He had his hardest, best hits of the year in the final few games. He threw a batter out at first when he was playing third base and caught a few line drives and pop ups. It was fun to see him excel (though he still doesn't enjoy the practicing part...) Josh and Matt played one of the best teams in the first round of the tournament. Josh gets ready to get his turn at the plate.Josh running through first base. Matt on first base.Though they lost, it was a season to be proud of!And after 2 long games on a very hot day, we actually wore Brynn out, which is nearly impossible to do (she's only resting and not sleeping).To celebrate the end of the season Southeastern baseball provided bouncy toys for the kids at the ball park.Trey enjoyed some fun while Josh and Matt played ball.Up the girls went (no fear at all!)Down they came (Brynn)
KaitlynOn June 12 at 7 PM was the t-ball awards ceremony. ( I had a Relief Society recipe group dinner at our house at the exact same time so kudos to Rich for some great photos!)Josh and Matt received their trophies.Josh, Coach Jeremy and Matt
T-ball Braves 2008And the final hurrah for Josh and Matt was on Saturday, June 14.There was a water slide, water balloons and one final game ball that each of the coaches signed. What a year!

Happy Birthday

My little blog turns one year old today. I can't believe just twelve months ago I was still unsure if starting and writing a blog was for me. It was like I was venturing into an unknown world. How fast it became my realm. It has become such a highlight of my life and a true adventure. From finding old friends, to making new ones I have loved every word, sentence and detail I have been able to read and write. I just hope Rich can't say it has taken over my life at times (usually in the wee hours of the morning...). At least it has always been for a good cause. Who can say keeping a journal is a negative thing?

These days Matt asks daily for me to post picture on the blog or the boys ask me to pull it up so they can look at what I've posted. It has allowed our far away family to see new pictures of the kids and truly experience and share in their lives. It makes writing letters to my little brother Kurt who is serving an LDS full time mission in Taiwan a breeze and the added photos are a huge bonus. This past year has certainly been the most well documented one of my life.

And really, who knew that I would look forward to Tuesdays! Thanks to Marcie and Sally for starting the Tuesday Tell All blog. What fun bits have been added to my life history because of you both and your fantastic topics.

Thanks to all who have come along for the ride. Here's to many more good times and posts ahead!

Fireflies

When the air is dense and thick and the sweat beads on your face with little excursion or movement you know summer in Lexington is upon you. These hot days can seem a bit unbearable when the temperatures soar and the moisture in the air is nearly visible, like a fine mist that hovers just out of sight. But if you can get through the day, wonders are lurking in the shadows. For the best surprises often are found if you patiently wait. Little things that have magic deep inside. Creatures that are as close to fairies and pixies as the world will ever know. Small things that turn an ordinary backyard into a wonderland. Beautiful little beetles that surprise and delight me every year. Fireflies. Lightning bugs if I use the correct Kentucky slang. They are one of my favorite things I welcome back each summer. And my friends arrived this week. Finally.

Fireflies

From sunset bright

Through moonlit night

The fireflies

Of summer skies...

Delight, surprise,

And tease the eyes

With twinkling lights

In aimless flights…

As creatures slight

Reveal their plight:

Despite the night,

To shine with might…

It’s quite a sight

That seems so right

When Christmas lights

July ignite

- Bonnie Manion

Fireflies in the Garden

Here come real stars to fill the upper skies,
And here on earth come emulating flies,
That though they never equal stars in size,
(And they were never really stars at heart)
Achieve at times a very star-like start.
Only, of course, they can't sustain the part.


- Robert Frost

Straight from their mouth....

Rich and I went to the boys' elementary school to have lunch with the gang. As we signed in at the office, the secretary asked us if we had heard Matt's latest comment. A few days eariler Matt had found a tick in his hair and pulled it out. The teacher sent him down to the office to make sure he was all clear and to call me and give me a heads up. As the school nurse looked him over she told him she was going to put some alcohol on the area to make it clean. Matt looked up at her and said, "Whoa, you had better call my mom first. We do not drink alcohol in our family."

Red River Gorge: Gray's Arch

Our friends the Badgers have talked about Red River Gorge for ages and we've been dying to go down with them. Eric loves climbing there and there are too many trails and hikes to count. Since they are leaving us in a WEEK to move back west (I'm dying!), we knew it was now or never. Man, I would have been so disappointed if it hadn't worked out. I didn't know what I was missing!We went on Monday night, just two hours after Rich and I flew in from New Orleans. It was an hour drive south and east from Lexington.The scenery was gorgeous. It reminded me of driving through a canyon in Utah, but one where the trees were on 'steroids' as Rich put it. There was so much vegetation and various shades of green.The Badgers chose a hike called Gray's Arch. They had never done that one before.The kids were ready to go!I was just trying to keep them close by!The hike started out flat and sunny.Sadie found a box turtle, but we set it free after everyone got to touch it.We started our slow descent toward the arch.Josh and TreyMattWe started to get deeper into the forest.Rich and KaitlynMe and Brynn below the arch. We had to climb up a steep, small trail passing boulders, trees and roots up to the arch. It was magnificent.
(Shots from below, looking up)We all made it!The boys under the arch. It was simply breathtaking.We climbed safely down, dripped sweat while we climbed up the massive sets of stairs and had such a great time visiting while we made it back to the van.
What a night!!

Invasion

Mayday, Mayday, we are under attack! For the past month these little creatures can be found everywhere!The 17 year Cicadas have arrived in swarms. Their constant buzz can be heard loudly through closed doors and windows. It's not often that your sons little league coach has to try to talk over bugs. It made me laugh while he tried. I only caught every third word and was only a few feet away. Kaitlyn's not so sure of these new found friends. But I'm with Matt. I like the little things and will miss them when they have had there fill of our area and say goodbye.

Tuesday Tell All: Smell

Our sense of smell is one of my favorite of the 5 senses. With just one whiff, it can remind us of days long past, restore lost memories and bring to mind particular times and scenes. From a musty smell in the basement that floods my mind with happy moments of being in a small boat riding the Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland, to smelling a familiar perfume that our mother wears that instantly recalls the feeling of a warm welcoming hug when we come home to visit, it is a powerful tool for memory. Here are a few of my favorite scents.

A newborn baby

The salty fragrance of the ocean

Freshly baked bread

My hands after I squeeze a lime

Popcorn

Cinnabon in the airport

The sweet, cinnamon scent of the roasted nuts at the mall

The coffee aisle in the grocery store

The faint smell of pipe

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue perfume

BBQ on a summer night

The world after a rain storm

Cherry Lifesavers

Mint toothpaste

Roses

Mexican Pulled Pork in the crock pot

The scent of a roast cooking when I walk in the house after church

Bacon

Just bathed kids

Johnson & Johnson baby lotion

Mint shampoo

Freshly laundered clothing

The light scent of laundry in my front yard when I am washing

Watermelon, strawberries and pineapple

The floral smell in Hawaii

Escape perfume (Mom), Drakkar cologne (Dad)

Rich's Banana Republic cologne

Ann Taylor clothes

A new car

Pumpkin spice candles

Cinnamon and cloves wallflowers

Christmas trees

Candy Canes

Eucalyptus trees at Stanford

Churros at Disneyland

Vanilla

Tuesday Tell All: Sound

I had an idea for a post for months and yet it sat as a work in progress in my post section since the day I thought of it. It was to be titled: Music to My Ears. One day it occurred to me that so many things I hear bring me happiness, like added bits of joy to my soul every day. Just the sound of some items bring true pleasure. So I happily complete this unpublished item today under the TTA topic of my favorite things to hear.

The ear piercing shrill cry of my newborn baby.

The gentle phrase 'I love you' from someone I too care for.

The garage door rising telling me Rich made it safely home.

Perfect silence after a long and busy day. The peaceful stillness lets me know my children are safe and fast asleep.

The sound of a lawn mower on an early summer morning.

The tweets of baby birds in spring.

The call of a Cardinal sitting on my fence.

The melody of a Meadowlark that would sing as my mom and I ran at sunrise.

The hum of my dish washer sounding my kitchen is tidy and the sink is empty.

The whirl of my dryer proving that while the laundry basket is still full, I did make a dent in it that day.

Laughter from my children.

The word 'Mom' uttered from their lips.

A warm hello from a friend.

A happy voice of a grandmother on the telephone line.

My Dad calling me Cher.

My mom giving me advice.

Rich's mom saying it's "Me Mom".

Hearing Rich and his dad talk about golf, work and life.

The crackle of a fire as you roast hot dog and marshmallows.

The crack of a baseball bat.

The swoosh of a basketball grazing the net.

The Cicadas humming in the backyard.

The pop, pop, pop of popcorn bursting in my microwave.

The lull of the ocean waves.

The roar of a waterfall.

The one lone phone ring from my dad at night during the final months of his residency telling us good night without ever speaking the words.

The whoosh of my vacuum cleaning my floor.

Christmas music on the radio the day after Thanksgiving.

The iPod blasting happy tunes in the van while the boys sing along in the back seat.

The crack of lighting and rain pelting the windows and knowing we are all dry and safe inside.

The phrase "Hurry back. Don't forget to bring your death certificate. We are DYING to have you," echo up the moving walk way as you exit the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland.

My brother Kurt playing the piano.

My brothers singing together.

Rich's mom and Jenny on their violins, Julianne playing the harp and Heather singing a song.

Brynn and Kaitlyn calling each other 'Josh'.

My Grandma Nance's clock chime in her family room.

Music: The Mama's and the Papas, Sting, Indigo Girls, Jim Brickman, Jim Croce, Simon and Garfunkel, John Mayer, The Beatles, Sheryl Crow, Steve Miller Band, The Dixie Chicks, Roger Whittaker and many other artists.

My kids saying please and thank you with out being reminded.

Rich bearing his testimony.

My children retelling scripture stories from memory.

My children praying.