Wow, I am way behind on posting. I took a little time off last week from the computer to get caught up on life (it wasn't a conscious decision, just kind of happened). By life I mean laundry and general household chores. I wish I could say the house was sparkling clean now, but I can't. Anyone who has had children in there home knows that you can clean a room to a sparkling splendor and within a matter of minutes all of your hard work seems to vanish.

We had a really busy weekend. Friday night we went to a minor league baseball game sponsored by our little league. The team that sold the most tickets got to go on the field with the players for the national anthem and also get autographs. Guess who won? Yep. We are very competitive about all things at our house. Dave's team sold 44 tickets. The person who was suppose to throw out the first pitch did not show up so Dave took their place. I thought he had good form, but the kids said his pitch was high and outside. He thought it was a lot of fun.



Garrett got to go and stand on first base (with two other players from other leagues) during the national anthem. He is in the blue jersey. He is holding his hat over his heart. When I was watching him run onto the field I could not believe how old he was looking. He looked so confident and totally understood what he was suppose to do. My youngest son is growing up way to fast.



Oh, and in case you are wondering the band playing the anthem was from a local jr. high school. They did a great job.

Saturday we had no baseball game. I will repeat this sentence. Saturday. We. Had. No. Baseball. Games. Oh the horror for the boys in our house. This meant we could finally clean the garage. Have you heard of this place before? You know, the spot where your cars are suppose to go when you are not driving them. I have had vague recollections of this place recently but had been unable to find it what with all the "treasures" taking up space in there.

The kids were all jumping for joy at the thought of cleaning the garage (NOT) and were also thrilled they had to actually get out of bed before noon. Once we got started it was kind of fun. We had a huge box in the garage that a refrigerator had come in for the snack bar. Quickly this was being made into a wonderful fort. We found a $4.99 sprinkler fun toy from Walmart berried somewhere which was quickly opened and put together on the front lawn. These two "toys" kept the younger kids occupied for literally eight hours while us older folks took to straightening and throwing away.

I am thrilled to inform you that I now have a very clean garage. Though I still cannot park a car in there. It has been turned into a rec/teen room. There is an air hockey table and a batting net so balls can be hit at any time day or night. Do you think my Suburban minds that the air hockey table is in its spot?

Saturday night we had family movie night. I bought Night at the Museum and we all thought it was a really fun family movie. Well, except Paige. She didn't like the dinosaur, I could tell it was scaring her. She ran in the other room and said she was going to watch Sponge Bob. When Dave went to check on her he found her here.



She had crawled into the fort (which is now in my family room) and gone to sleep. Samantha and Tyler slept in there all night. Why is it we spend all that money buying them toys when they are just as happy with a box?

Any spring cleaning going on at your house????

Labels: baseball

"Busyness is not a spiritual gift."
From an interview with
~ Lisa Harper ~

When I read this quote, I laughed out loud. I have felt the Lord whispering almost this same exact phrase in my ear over the last 18-24 months. I felt like he had just decided to kick it up a notch to really get my attention. I have really been working on slowing down and enjoying the quiet moments. What God has been showing me is that in my circumstance it is really a control issue.

I love people and God has blessed me with a servants heart. This does not mean that every circumstance or opportunity I encounter I must take charge of. Every need at church is not my responsibility to fill. Perhaps my job is to pray for someone to step up and take ownership of the need or give encouragement to someone who may just need a little push to jump in and take charge. I do not always have to be my children's room mom, team parent or PTA volunteer. It is OK to say no.

I know God wants me to put him first and if I do all other things will just fall into place. Why can't I get this through my head? Why is it so hard to break old habits and replace them with new ones? I once read that after you have done an activity 10 days in a row it has become a habit. Something you just do without having to think about it. God and I have been having a lot of talks about this lately. I want my time with him to be something that comes naturally. A time that is so ingrained in my schedule that it just happens each day without any real thought. A time that I cannot live without.

I was excited this morning to start a new online Bible Study that The Preachers Wife is hosting. My little one was playing quietly by herself and I had the perfect opportunity to dive in and enjoy some quality time with my Heavenly Father. The phone rang. I made the mistake of answering it. I never got back to my quiet time. I was really disgusted with myself. Why couldn't I make God a priority? The answer came to me quickly. Because I had not chosen to do so.

After reading this weeks quote I felt like God was playfully reminding me of our conversations over the last few days. Not unlike fathers gently nudging their daughters in the right direction. I am so blessed to serve a Heavenly Father who is patient with me. Who understands I am a work in progress. He believes in me and is cheering me on to be the person he knows I am meant to become. I am learning, even if at times it seems like it is at a very slow snails pace.

Today when I was dropping my son off at baseball practice one of the Dad's came over to talk to me through my car window. Hey, he said, football season is coming up soon. Do you want to be our football team mom? I smiled sweetly and then responded "Absolutely not" this fall I will be spending more time with my Father. My Heavenly Father that is.

Labels: faith

Yesterday my little girl turned 11. Eleven years since I held my sweet first daughter in my arms. The daughter I had prayed for with all my heart. An answer to my prayers.

I should have known she would be a total dream come true just from my birth experience. I was a week over due and my doctor decided to induce my labor. The night before her oldest brother, who was 4 at the time, was up sick most of the night. When I checked in for my induction that morning I was a little tired and looking forward to a nap. The doctor checked me and I was all of 1 centimeter dilated. He started me on the pitocin and also gave me an epidural at the same time so I could go to sleep (I love him so much). Knowing, from past experience, that my labors are generally long and that there would most likely be no action for several hours, I sent hubby home to check on our sick son. He left reluctantly (one of my best girl friends stayed with me) and I went to sleep. Forty five minutes later I woke up with a very strong urge to go to the bathroom. I let the nurse know and she stated she had better check me first, just in case. I started laughing and thought she was being ridiculous but didn't put up a fuss. She immediately looked me in the eyes and very firmly stated "do not move, if you sneeze this baby will come flying out!". I informed her this baby could not come now because I had sent my husband home and he had to be there for the birth. She didn't really seem all that worried about Dave not being there, the doctor was another story. My girlfriend quickly called Dave and told him to run, run, run, do not walk, to the hospital immediately. The doctor came quickly in, I barely pushed once, and out she came. She was the most beautiful, petite little thing I had ever seen. I immediately fell completely and wonderfully in love with this child. Five minutes later her Dad came frantically running into the room. I still feel so guilty to this day he missed her birth. Needless to say he never left my side for the next two children, but of course they took there sweet time joining us. I have never again had a birth where I literally felt no pain and the baby just fell out. She was such a thoughtful child even from the very beginning. lol.

Yesterday, after church, the two of us along with her best friend escaped for a day of fun. Having three brothers she requested a girl day that would not include her brothers farting, burping, or having some sort of testosterone driven fit. I could hardly deny her this.

We went to lunch, then went for a manicure and pedicure. We stopped for frozen yogurt on the way to the mall at her favorite place. I had several coupons for one of her favorite stores so she and her girlfriend were able to get matching swim suits and a couple of new outfits. We shopped for several hours and then met her friends mom and sister for dinner for some fun girl talk (again with no burping and farting). We had an awesome day and I am so thankful I was able to spend this special time with her and the girls.

We have both decided we need to do something like this more often. While we love the boys it is so nice to just get to be girls every once in a while. We can't wait until little sister is old enough to join us.

Did you ever have a person in your life that just rubbed you the wrong way? Just really annoyed you? OK, that your really just did not like even though you knew it was really really wrong to feel that way? I do. He is the manager of the other team my son played today.

We have a history with this manager. He is the varsity baseball coach at one of our local High Schools. He thinks he is God's gift to baseball. I do not.

Last Thursday night my son had practice. My husband is the manager of his team and I will be honest, he really wanted to get ready for this game today. He really really wanted to beat this other manager. The team had an awesome practice and the kids were all really excited about the big game today. Now, I should probably add that there are 7 teams in this particular division and we are in a three way race for 1st place with this particular team and another. Needless to say this was a very important game, to the parents, not necessarily the kids.

We got our little hynies whipped. Our boys could not catch, field, or hit today. Some strange condition had come over them and they just were not the awesome team we knew they could and have been in the past. We got beat 20-1. I will say this again. We got beat 20-1. Ouch!

The other manager ran up the score, never having anyone stop on third base, even when the score had hit double digits. He kept his best pitcher in until the very end. It seemed he had won the lottery. He was giving a butt whipping to one of his perceived "enemies". This is why I do not like this man. It is all about his ego, not the players, which are 8 years old.

Here is a conversation hubby and I had after the game:

Me: Why did you put "Timmy" on 1st base? He kept dropping the ball.
Hubby: It was his turn to play that position and he had already played the outfield.
Me: But "Adam" is so much better at 1st base.
Hubby: How will "Timmy" learn the position and get better if I don't ever let him play there? Every player should get to learn an infield and an outfield position.

This is why my husband is a much better person than I. People say he really likes to win, which is true. However, he knows this is really about the kids. He wants them all to learn something. This is not about his ego. These boys and girls are 8 years old not High School players. I am thankful my son has a manger who remembers that.

I was so touched when the parents expressed their concern for hubby after the game. They really love my husband and didn't want him to beat himself up about the loss. At every game at least one of them tells me how thankful they are their child is on my husbands team. I am really thankful, too.

After the game we went home. To play in mud, again. Because nothing says happiness like a nice mud pie!

Labels: baseball

Sanjaya has gone home.....hip, hip, hooray!!!! That's really all I have to say about that.

Sanjaya's departure almost makes up for me coming home and finding my youngest daughter sitting in the middle of a mud puddle. Which she had created. With a hose.

I had just given her a bath, put her in clean pj's, and asked the other children to watch her for 20 minutes while I ran to the store.

The other children really weren't concerned. They said she was having fun. Imagine that.

Labels: stuff

I have a wonerful friend named Lori who is one of the best people you would ever want to meet. I met her and her wonderful husband through Little League and I am so thankful they are a part our families lives.

I have written before about the problems our Little League has had in the last few years. You can read a little about that here. Lori was thrown into the center of the storm when she became our league President last year. She has withstood personal attacks that seriously make my blood boil. People have marveled at her ability to stand firm and do the right thing in the face of such adversity. As the result of her wonderful leadership our league is healing and growing and I am so thankful to her for that. Don't you wish your kids belonged to a league where the President was praying for your child and seeking God's guidance in all areas? I am so thankful I do.

Not only is Lori our league president, but she has four sons ages 4-13, and a 20 hour a week job (plus her 20 hrs. a week or more of little league). She is truly a remarkable person.

Lori loves to scrap book but with life being so busy she hasn't really had the time. She enjoyed reading my blog so decided it might be fun to have her own. I am so excited that she has recently joined us all in blog land. If you get a minute go on over and visit her here. Leave her a comment and a little encouragement. You wont be sorry.

Labels: baseball

Monday's are usually the day that I try and get caught up from our always hectic weekends. I always say I am going to put the house back in order on Sunday night after the kids go to bed, but I never do. The couch is calling my name, Brothers and Sisters is on (I am seriously addicted to this show), and a bowl of popcorn sounds much more appealing that spending the next hour sweeping and throwing away clutter. So, Monday morning from 8-11 I run around the house putting everything back in order (or I TRY to because usually three year old is running around after me moving and touching everything I am straightening).

Anyways, this morning I had more than the usual to do because I had a huge stack of mail on my desk. I had not looked at mail in at least 10 days. Now for those of you who are mail obsessed (you know who you are) I am sure this would drive you crazy. I hate mail. Sometimes my mail sits outside in the box for days before I go and get it. I know, I know, this is very bad. Today I am paying the price for this. It took me an hour to go through all the mail, open , read, and throw 95% of it away.

This is my rant for the day. Why oh Why people do we have to get all this junk mail???? I do not want to refinance my house every other week, I do not want to join a gym (though I seriously need to),I do not want your credit card no matter how good you say the interest rate is, I do not care about your free magazine offers. If I want it I will let you know. Please, Please, I am begging you, save some trees and stop sending me all this garbage!

Thank You very much.

Labels: stuff

I have been lurking for a while over at Especially Heather. I have found Heather's blog to be funny, interesting and inspirational. Inspirational has taken on a whole new meaning in the past few days. In the past few days Heather has discovered she has a brain tumor. She has expressed the vast emotions she is feeling beautifully in her recent entries. You will be blessed beyond measure if you go on over and visit her and maybe leave her some kind words.

Boomama is having a love in of sorts for Heather this next Wednesday. You will be able to contribute financially to Heather and her family if you so chose. If you are unable to give financially I know Heather would appreciate your prayers just as much. You can click on the "For Heather" link in my side bar for more information.

Please keep Heather and her family in your prayers. She is a mom with three young children, much like many of us. I believe my faith can carry me through any trials but the thought of my children having to suffer brings me to my knees. I have cried many tears thinking about this over the past few days and can only imagine the emotions Heather is going through.

I do not understand why this wonderful young woman has to face this trial. However, I do know that we serve a God where all things are possible. Heather most certainly can be healed. I know God has chosen Heather for a very special purpose because it is evident that she is a very special person.

Last night our 8 year old hit a home run in his Little League Game. Not a "the out fielders couldn't field the ball and it rolled all over the place home run" but a "can you believe how far that kid just hit that ball!" home run. I missed it.

I am in charge of the snack bar for our league. His game started at 5:00pm. The same time the snack bar opens. I was showing volunteers what needed to be done before I went out to watch the game.

He was the first batter. I heard a loud eruption of cheers and people in line for the snack bar saying "where is she?". I knew they meant me and that I had just missed something really good. I ran out of the snack bar to see my son pass over home plate. I started to cry. I knew he was going to be so upset if he knew I missed his first "real" home run. I then saw his older brother hooting and hollering for him and knew all would be OK. Older brother almost always misses his games because of his High School baseball schedule, but tonight he was there cheering on his little bro with some of his High School friends. I could see the joy on my little mans face that his big brother had been there to see it. I felt a little better.

Shortly after my little man crossed home plate I heard some of the parents laughing. They were laughing at my husband. He was coaching third base when our son hit his "bomb" and I guess the astonishment, joy, and disbelief that passed over his face all at once was very moving and a little amusing. The parents talked about that for quite a while, they all thought it was very sweet.

I am still sad this morning, and I just can't shake the feeling. I think my sadness stems from the knowledge of how fast they really do grow up. It seems like his brother was 8 only a moment ago and now he is almost a full grown man. A moment in time I missed? Yes. I know there will be many others that I will get to share with him and the other children. However, today (for just a little while) I am going to mourn that one little moment that I just can't ever get back.

Labels: baseball

Labels: Wordless Wednesday

"Ancient Words, ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
O let the ancient words impart."

~ Lynn DeShazo~

Recently we had a discussion in our house about the validity of the Bible and how the words written so long ago are still relevant today. Our children wanted to know how we can be sure the words in the Bible are still relevant because they were written so long ago. One of the children asked if there were situations happening today that were not covered in the Bible?

Within the last few months I heard a message in Church that was really one of those "ah ha!" moments for me. The pastor was talking about how our citizenship is in heaven and not here on earth. He gave an example like this: As citizen's of the United States we have certain laws and customs that we are used to. If an American woman suddenly moved to a Country in the Middle East where she had to have her face covered when going out in public, her husband had total control over her, she had no personal rights, could not vote and her daughters were not allowed to go to school, she may have a problem with this. She would probably not be comfortable living in that country and giving up her citizenship in the United States. This is how God wants us to feel about heaven. Our true citizenship is with him and the laws we should be following and obeying are set forth in his word which he gave us a very long time ago. God does not change. His laws and truths do not change. They are forever.

Many times I have heard Christians say things like "Times change and the Bible needs to adapt." or "This situation isn't really covered in the Bible". Everything is covered in the Bible. When you study the Bible you realize that Biblical times are not so different from the times we live in now. Just because we live in a society that now says it is OK to have a baby when you are not married. God does not. Just because we live in a society that says it is OK to live with someone before marriage, God does not. As Christians we need to remember that our citizenship is in heaven, not here on Earth. Satan rules the earth, where we come from God rules.

The grass withers and the flowers fall off, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. I Peter 1:24

Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. Hebrews 6:17,18

If you want to read others thoughts on this quote head on over to Joy in the Morning who is hosting "In Other Words" this week.

Labels: faith

Our youngest daughter got a princess wand bubble stick in her Easter Basket. This item was the big hit with all age groups. Check out the huge bubbles!





The boys really liked it too! Of course they had to look around every few seconds to make sure none of there friends were walking buy. They definitely did not want to get caught playing with a princess bubble wand!




Someone got caught eating chocolate. I love the brown spots around her mouth and the smears at the top of her dress. Priceless.



She really loved her bubble stick! Unfortunately, we ran out of bubbles and this sweet smile turned into an "I don't understand?", "How could this possibly happen?" miny tantrum a few minutes later.

Labels: kids

Labels: faith

The kids just finished coloring their Easter eggs. They had fun and the best part of all was they cleaned up after themselves. Even all the egg dye 3yr. old sister spilled (intentionally poured) onto the floor. We had a very pretty green floor for a few minutes.

Labels: kids

We are trying to have a nice balance in our house between celebrating Easter with the bunny, eggs, and baby chic's, and remembering the cross and Christ's great sacrifice for us.



This morning we have been having discussions about Christ and the real meaning of Easter. Our middle son is making a cake in the shape of a cross and the other kids said they would help him. My oldest son asked why people don't like us just because we believe in Christ and the Bible. We had a long discussion about this. I am glad my kids are so curious about their beliefs and do ask question of us about why we believe what we believe. At times it is scary to realize how much they are exposed to and I worry I am not explaining things to them well enough. I am so thankful for God's protection around them.



Thank You Jesus for dying on the cross for my sins. The Bible tells me that even if I were the only person on Earth Christ still would have died for me. I am worth the sacrifice. What an awesome God you truly are. Amen.

Labels: faith

A friend of mine sent me this yesterday and I couldn't agree more. Please click on this link and make sure your sound is on when you do. Enjoy!

Editors Note: I think the minute I put this link up they took the website down. Sorry you couldn't view it.

Labels: faith

Thank you Lord for giving me the best husband ever. Thank you for answering my prayers 24 years ago and allowing me to fall in love with this great guy! He has been taking very good care of me while I lay on the couch not feeling my best. The kids have eaten, homework completed, and all have been lovingly placed in bed(even though some may have gone kicking and screaming). Who could ask for anything more? I am truly blessed!

Labels: hubby

OK, I have never been an American Idol Freak (as in can't wait for next week) but my kids love it and it is actually something we can watch together. However, this season my attitude has changed. This whole Sanjaya thing is driving me insane and really getting under my skin. It is obviously bothering my kids too. This morning as I was dropping them off at school my 8 yr. old, Garrett, asked me what I thought was going to happen to Sanjaya? "Worried about it?" I asked "Are there actually people in the world so stupid to even vote for him?" Yes, son. I am afraid there are. More on this topic later.

My favorites last night were Blake (love, love , loved "Mac The Knife") Melinda, and Jordin. All terrific performances.

Least favorites were of course you know who and Haley. Though I do think Haley got a raw deal from the judges. Coming after "the one who shall not be mentioned" you would have thought anything would have sounded great. The fact that Randy didn't really comment and all Paula said was "I like your green dress" seemed a little mean.

Now, on to Sanjaya. I find it astonishing that his family stands in the audience clapping and cheering like he is the most wonderful thing alive. Now, I believe we should always support and encourage our children to follow their dreams. However, we need to pepper our enthusiasm with some cold hard facts at times. If Sanjaya were my child I would explain to him (very lovingly of course) that he has no talent. You can not sing child. People are voting for you as a joke! Be humble, enjoy the moment, but do not for one moment believe that you can actually sing. If this failed I would still go to the tapping and clap and cheer for my child. However, I would be wearing a bag on my head and holding a sign that read "PLEASE DON'T VOTE FOR MY CHILD! I KNOW HE CAN'T SING! END THE TORTURE NOW!"

How is that for my mother of the year resume?

How could it be that Gina was the one voted off???? I am so sad. This is really getting ridiculous!!!




Thanks to Laurel for the cute AI button. For more AI talk head on over to boomamas house for some hilarious reads.

Yesterday morning while trying to run around the house and pick up from the messy tornado that always seems to come through on the weekends I noticed I was feeling a little weak. By 2:30 when I was getting ready to leave for my sons high school baseball game the room was spinning. Never wanting to be one to miss out on any fun I did what most mom's do. I ignored it. This is really not such a good idea. By the time I drove to his game, got my chair out of the car, and walked the half mile to the field, I was feeling as if I might pass out at any moment. Luckily my 13 year old was there to prop me up. By the time the game was over I could not lie to myself anymore. I was sick. Everyone I knew had the flu. I was feeling quite superior that Mr. Flu seemed to have just skipped right on over me. Yeah, I should have known better.

Last night I layed on the couch feeling achy and just overall yucky. While cruising through the TV channels I came across the first episode of the new Bachelor . Did any of you see this? I was laughing my head off at the 22 year old girl who thought she was "all that" and then didn't get a rose. Can you believe that she stormed out of the rose ceremony? What about the girl that got so drunk she fell off of her chair??? I could not believe how some of the girls were embarrassing themselves on National television. I was laughing one minute and in shock the next. The Bachelor seemed genuinely nice (as much as you can tell from TV) and he seemed to pick the girls that kept a lower profile. Many of them seemed like very nice young ladies. I am sure the producers of the show weren't quite as thrilled. Some of the girls that didn't get a rose would have been great TV.

Well, back to the couch. The room is beginning to spin again. I wonder whats on TV tonight???

Labels: stuff