June Highlights

I can't believe another month has come and gone and I haven't posted a single blog. The theme of June has continued to be baseball. After this weekend we added it up and we have watched 68 baseball games between our three boys. It's a good thing we all like it so much!!

Here are just a few of the memories June has left us with:

1. Chase attended the Jr. High Basketball Camp with about 35 other 7th grade boys and he made the tournament team. This team consisted of the 10 boys that the coach chose to play in a tournament at Evangel College. Chase played in 10 basketball games over three days and his team took 5th place overall. He was so proud of himself and so were we!

2. We made two trips to Harrison, AR where Chase and Garrett both played in baseball tournaments. Chase's team struggled during the 1st day of his tournament and rain cancelled the 2nd day.

This was Garrett's first out of state tournament and his team took 2nd place in their pool. Here is a picture of his team after their victory!

Garrett is on the far left of the bottom row.

(I don't know what was wrong with my camera --- I think there was sunscreen on the lens.)

3. Ethan started playing baseball and his team is undefeated!! He is the youngest boy on the team but that does not intimidate him in the least! He may be little but he is mighty!! He is so much fun to watch.

Here he is ready to field the ball at 3rd!

4. Chase attended church camp with his two friends, Matthew and Brice. This was a great time f spiritual growth for Chase and he is still talking about everything he learned during this week. I am so thankful that Matthew invited him to go, there has been a noticeable difference in my son ever since. I definitely think that he "Collided" with God during that week. (You'll have to ask Chase what that means!)

5. On Father's Day our entire family played a highly competitive game of baseball. It was a lot of fun and I hope that maybe we have started a new tradition that we will carry on for many years. Here is a picture of out team.

Did I forget to mention that we were the champions!!

6. I have decided to attend a small group bible study with some girlfriends this summer. I am so blessed to have so many girlfriends to study God's word with.

7. The hardest part of June has been our decision to leave our church where we have attended for many years. This decision has been like a dark cloud raining over the entire month of June. However, God has clearly shown us that He has closed the door of our service at that church and we know that when God closes one door He will be faithful to open another one.

That pretty much sums up our month of June. I can't wait to see what all God has for us in July!

Pier 39

Tonight we went to check out Pier 39. The walk there was as exciting as all the activity at the Pier. We continually got stopped by people and ended up donating $5.80 to various noble causes in the local San Francisco area. I told Chris we must have the word "Suckers" stamped on our forehead. We are learning to just keep walking even if it feels incredibly rude to do so. (I guess that's what you get for growing up in the Ozarks all your life --- who knew that in another city I would be too polite for my own good!!)

This is the entrance to Pier 39. It is really fun place to hang out, but being right by the bay it gets kind of chilly and very windy.My adorable Husband who put all the plans in action to take me along with him on this trip.

We ate Dinner why we were there and you could see Alcatraz from our table which was overlooking the bay.

I was hoping to finish the evening with a ride on a cable car to the Golden Gate Bridge but we ran out of time. All of the shopping can be a real distraction. I will just have to add this to my list of activities for tomorrow.

San Francisco or BUST!

After a total of 5 hours in an airplane we have finally made it to San Francisco. YEAH!! On the final leg of our flight I was able to take in God's handiwork from the height of 36,000 feet.

It was a beautiful sight!

This is definitely the biggest city I have ever been in and I find it to be completely exhilarating. Well, I do now that we have finally found our hotel!

Just catching up!

Wow, time just marches on and before you know it two weeks have past and you haven't posted a single blog. So much has happened in the past two weeks, some good -- some bad, but at the end of all I am left thankful for the wonderful life I have in Christ.

In order to catch up here is a list of my "Top 10 Moments" over the past couple of weeks:

1. Ethan has overcome his fears at baseball practice and is doing GREAT!
2. The Beth Moore bible study has been absolutely incredible.
3. Garrett has had perfect attendance this school year and will be awarded with a day field trip to Incredible Pizza and then an afternoon of play at the park. He is really excited!! It's great to see my kids learn that hard work and determination pays off.
4. Chase's team took "2nd" place in their baseball tournament in Branson over Mother's Day weekend. It was great to see so many people in my family come and support him. He literally had a whole cheering section during the championship game.
5. Ethan and I had a conversation about the meaning of Mother's Day. He thought that meant that I took care of everything because after all it is Mother's Day. When I explained to him that it really meant he was supposed to take extra special care of me on that day to show me how much he loves and appreciates me he asked this question, "Then when is kids day?" It was a really great glimpse into the mind of my 4 year old.
6. Chase finally completed his Science Fair project for this year and received an "A", YEAH!!
7. Garrett had Field Day at his school and enjoyed having his Dad with him the whole day.
8. Ethan had his Spring Program at preschool and with a little bribery he participated in every song. (I guess I should have also asked that he smile too.) We enjoyed an ice cream cone at Braum's afterwards for his accomplishment.
9. Chris was actually home for a week!! This is always a good thing, however it is something we are learning to treasure since he seems to be out of town more and more.
10. My trip to San Francisco with my husband is now only 2 days away and I am really excited!!

GO Tigers!

Chase had his first "AA" Baseball Tournament this past weekend in Nevada. It was a really fun weekend for the boys and the parents. The first couple of games were a little rough but we finished really strong on Sunday. We almost beat one of the top teams in "AA" Baseball for the State of Missouri with a final score of 8 to 6. This team actually won the whole tournament. Here are a few pictures of the weekend:

Chase & his Dad flipping the coin to start the ballgame.

Chase pitching.

Everyone always says that Chase's arms were really long --- I think this picture proves it!

Batter Up!

Chase ready at 3rd Base.

Chase and his buddy Matthew making claim on their beds at the Bunk House.

This is where all the ball players and our three wonderful coaches stayed Saturday night while the rest of the parents enjoyed a nice quiet evening in our hotel rooms. I know that I enjoyed a great girls night out with Sherry since both of our husbands happen to be coaches. The boys all had a great time and can't wait for another tournament in Nevada to do it all over again. However, I don't think that the coaches share the same sentiment. Something tells me, or should I say three somethings told me, it was a good thing that Sherry and I took advantage of the weekend while it lasted because they will not be doing that again this summer!

All in all it was a great weekend. I always love to watch Chase play baseball!!

Happy Birthday, Garrett!

Eight years old! I really don't know where all the time has gone with this guy. Garrett is one of the most kind and compassionate kids that I have ever met. He always thinks of himself last, unless you try to put him in and uncomfortable shirt or pair of socks and believe you me he knows which ones they are as soon as you pull them out of his drawer. (This must be something he inherited from his Aunt Meme, my Mom has shared similar childhood stories of her.) Garrett always has a hug and kiss for me and he still holds my hand when we walk into his school together. Everyday with Garrett is an adventure. He is such a risk taker and rarely does life bring a challenge to Garrett that he does not give it everything he's got. I can't really tell you anything that he has ever been too afraid to try. He brings so much joy and laughter into our family. I am so excited about all of the adventures that he still has ahead of him and I feel truly blessed to be right beside him through them all. Happy Birthday, Garrett! Mommy loves you so much!!

Happy Birthday, Chase!

Twelve years ago today was one of the four most exciting days of my life. I became a Mom and got to hold my baby after 9 months of anxiously waiting. I cannot believe how fast these 12 years have gone by. Every year with Chase continues to bring excitement and fun and I know that the next years of his life will bring more excitement and a lot more fun times. I am so proud of him and I can't wait to see all the ways he will completely amaze me this next year. I love you Chase, and I want to wish you a very Happy Birthday!