No Lake of Joy:(

For the first time in almost 20 years Lake of Joy was cancelled. My kids would have been much sadder had we not picked everyone up from school and gone fishing. We fished, had a fire (with S'mores), sandwiches, drinks and lots of worms for fishing! We were able to be with our dear friends, Gail, Shelia, Andrea(and her sweet girls). It is always so neat to share special times with special people!

Neat shots....Rosie caught a fish that they realized while getting the hook out of ...the fish had caught a fish:)



My kids seem to stay "stuck", well, someone is seemingly stuck all the time.
While I was taking pictures I got this one of Seth (stuck):
An hour or so later he was stuck again, yanking the rod around like crazy I told him to "stop" as I was walking toward him. He looked up in frustration and said, "Are you gonna take a picture of it or help?" I had to hold back a smile as I shouldered my camera and got him "unstuck". I do not have a picture of that...Seth is my "this is very serious mom!" look and tone.

Ms. Gail was a treat and the resident expert when it come to fishing! To say my kids love her might be a understatement:)




We had sweet friends come and be with us:



And no fishing trip would be quiet complete(lol...to my kids) without smores:

My people:)

I am the first to tell people that we just don't do everything we do by ourselves...I am a HUGE God fan! I have never limited His ability to give me the tools I need in this life and in return, as it should be, He has never limited me. With those gifts,those tools, friends are at the top. I have sweet people who do so much for our family, and for me. Last night I stood for the first 30 minutes of Seth's game taking pictures before I had to leave for the Chorus Concert. As I did, these two girls, two of my favorite people, sat at the field watching Seth's game. The second game in a row they have sat together and cheered on Seth. There are no words to aptly describe how important it is to have someone at the games, nor are there "perfect" words for my gratitude when I have those "watchers". These two are among the greatest and bestest:)


Seth had a great game. Some really great hits and some great catches and plays. His team lost. At the end of the game the kids huddle up with the coach. Those pictures are always some of my most favorite ones. I love the unity that seems to pour from those pictures. But last night, in his sadness, Seth sat on his helmet looking at his Coach. He listened to the words (and thankfully we are blessed with a wonderfully positive and supportive coach), and he took it all in. This might be one of my most favorites (lol...and I have a lot of most favorites...usually a favorite a day).

Scott and I were able to make it to the girls concert, right on time. They did so wonderfully:) Their music teacher is a really unique lady! I have two girls, both polar opposites, who both love their teacher. She manages to bring out the very best in both girls! She is a true teacher....and I so greatly appreciate her love and dedication!





Tori played in Selmer (an away game last night) and road with super sweet friends! They won:) Tori is a big ballplayer and she sure does love the game!!

This last picture is classic....Seth said after looking at it, "I was standing up pretty tall!" lol:) Indeed! Someday I feel sure he will be taller than many people in this house, Tori included, but not today:)

Learning experiences.

In life a person has many learning experiences. In a large family I sometimes think those experiences are compounded, meaning you are given lots of opportunity to learn new skills.

This week one of my kids ran over a weight (as in weight lifting weight) in the yard tearing up the riding lawn mower. While the opportunity to learn should have belonged to the "tearer' upper", we know and understand that not all kids are created equal in the "can you fix the lawn mower" category. Gifts are sometimes developed and sometimes just that...a gift. In our household opportunity to develop is given:) Scott is really great about allowing the kids to "fix".

Yesterday Michael, my 12 year old, laid under the lawn mower putting a whole new spindle assembly on the deck. If I said that all wrong it is because fixing lawn mowers is not my thing..I barely understand what is being fixed and only was able to share that much because I was reading the parts box:) I do know what the deck is and the blade and apparently Michael replaced the middle parts.

I love that Michael enjoys learning. I am thankful he is actually good at it:) Following in his big brother Jacob's footsteps....I love it!!

Rosie:)

What a hard headed kid...to be sure! But, she is also one of my more gifted children. When she is playing piano her spirit is SO very sweet....Today I was listening as she played "Sweet Adoration" then moved into "I'll be your Candle" (from Pete's Dragon) then into "Heal the World" then to "Over the River and Through the Woods"....it is something amazing to hear. More amazing is that she has taught herself to play. I looked at Scott after the Sweet Adoration and whispered "we are gonna have to get her piano lessons". It is a sweetness this daughter really needs:)

Another day:)

Another day and another dollar might apply but it would not be a dollar earned, more a dollar taken/given.

We are going to have some CRAZY Tuesdays and Thursdays with ball this year! Seth's team and Ryan, Dan, Michael's team play every single game at the SAME TIME!!!! Crazy! Never ever have I had a season like that. I am thankful that as I look onto one field my back is to the other, so I merely have to turn around to see that game.

I laughingly have joked in the past about my day beginning at 3pm. Well, some days I have a HUGE load. Today is one of those. This will be my 8 hour day:

2:30 Get in the van and go pick up kids.
3:10 Home
3:15 Snack and homework
3:30 Begin dinner while supervising chaos:)
4:30 Tasha's very last game, out of town ....we will miss it:(
5:00 Sit down to eat, boys all dressed for games.
5:30 Take all 4 boys to the ball field (remember to take Gatorade, snacks, chairs and kids!)
6:00 Rosie and Mercedez have to be at the Middle School for their Chorus Concert.
6:00 Seth's baseball game begins
6:00 Michael, Ryan and Daniel's game begins
6:30 Chorus Concert begins
6:45 Tori needs to leave for her 7:45 game out of town (she is riding with a friend)
7:30- 9:00 Work in the concession stand for Seth's team
9:00 come home and tell everyone for the bazillionth time to go to bed.
9:05 check to see when we need to pick up Tasha from the school
9:15 begin washing all the clothes for the family retreat that my kids suddenly remember they need for the weekend.
9:30 Begin kitchen clean up that didn't happen earlier due to the craziness.
9:45 Switch clothes over, find Jacob and John to see what they are doing ...touch base time.
10:30 sit down /fall down/ pass out...lol:) Nah...there will be a whole bunch of stuff I suddenly think of that needs to be done when I slow my body and brain down!

With "Lake of Joy" on the horizon I imagine tonight will include overtime:)

And I nicely did not include the first part of the day:) That began at a few minutes til 6..... I added three more kids to my morning at 6:15 when my sweet pregnant friend Gretchen dropped hers off for me to get to school. She had a Doctors appointment out of town. And I did get a dozen kids up and out the door too:) That was like the appetizer of my day!

My Sarah:)

Sarah teaches 2 year old class at out church pre-school. She loves those little ones! Last night she made these neat little cupcakes...they have been studying about the life of a butterfly (and they finally transformed)! Sarah copied this from my sister Sandy's blog:) Cute Cute! The kids LOVED them:)

Last Home Game... HCMS:)

Tasha has her last home game last night. I sat (in the freezing cold) watching her play. Tasha has really improved, she has gained confidence (who knew she was ever lacking any!! lol) and she has gained skill. It has been a great month of ball playing. It is really hard to believe we are leaving this month behind!

Looking toward weekend:)

This weekend is our church family retreat at Lake LaJoie (or as my kids have called it for years...Lake of Joy). Scott and the boys have spent days working on a fishing pole holder/travel case. Scott laughed and told Michael last night that it would be so heavy it would take 4 people to carry it and it would surely be about for Michael's grandchildren! :)


This past weekend was a very neat weekend for Mercedez, Lita and Tasha(who was able to go up Saturday night with Paden and Sarah). I feel sure that I will be finding more opportunities for my children who are working in the privileged area of life to have time away. It was so good for them and it was a good lesson for those who were at home too.

Those at home were those who simply choose not to do well....truly...it is all about choice. I signed Bella's progress reports this morning. One class she is failing, two she has B's in and then...this was the two last papers.....

Talk about choosing?! Bella can do ANYTHING she so chooses! A shame, a real shame she doesn't choose!

I have lots of packing to do for the weekend....and the forecast would be rain! A friend called last night(this is her first year to go) and asked, "What do we do if it rains?" I laughed and said, "we play in the rain". The kids will love it either way:)

God vs Science

My friend Carol emailed this to me and I LOVED it!! I have not seen it before and decided to share it here:)

In hopes that all our college students are able to articulate this
well.

In a College classroom with a professor teaching a philosophy
lesson.......


'Let me explain the problem science has with religion.'
The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then
asks one of his new students to stand.

'You're a Christian, aren't you, son?'

'Yes sir,' the student says.

'So you believe in God?'

'Absolutely.. '

'Is God good?'

'Sure! God's good.'

'Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?'

'Yes'


'Are you good or evil?'

'The Bible says I'm evil.'

The professor grins knowingly. 'Aha! The Bible! He considers for a
moment. 'Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here
and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?'

'Yes sir, I would.'

'So you're good...!'

'I wouldn't say that.'

'But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you
could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't.'

The student does not answer, so the professor continues.
'He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer,
even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Can
you answer that one?'

The student remains silent.

'No, you can't, can you?' the professor says. He takes a sip of water
from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax. 'Let's
start again, young fella. Is God good?'

'Er..yes,' the student says.

'Is Satan good?'

The student doesn't hesitate on this one. 'No.'

'Then where does Satan come from?'

The student falters. 'From God'

'That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil
in this world?'

'Yes, sir.'

'Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?'

'Yes'
'So who created evil?' The professor continued, 'If God created
everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to
the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil.'

Again, the student has no answer.

'Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible
things, do they exist in this world?'

The student squirms on his feet.

'Yes.'

'So who created them?'

The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his
question. 'Who created them?' There is still no answer. Suddenly the
lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is
mesmerized. 'Tell me,' he continues onto another student. 'Do you
believe in Jesus Christ, son?'

The student's voice betrays him and cracks.

'Yes, professor, I do.'

The old man stops pacing. 'Science says you have five senses you use to
identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?'

'No sir.. I've never seen Him.'

'Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?'

'No, sir, I have not.'

'Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus?
Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for
that matter?'

'No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't..'

'Yet you still believe in him?'

'Yes'


'According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol,
science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?'

'Nothing,' the student replies. 'I only have my faith.'

'Yes, faith,' the professor repeats. 'And that is the problem science
has with God. There is no evidence, only faith.'

The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of
His own.

'Professor, is there such thing as heat?'

' Yes.

'And is there such a thing as cold?'

'Yes, son, there's cold too.'

'No sir, there isn't.'

The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The
room suddenly becomes very quiet.

The student begins to explain.

'You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat,
unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have
anything called 'cold'. We can hit down to 458 degrees below zero,
which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no
such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the
lowest -458 degrees. Every body or object is susceptible to study when
it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter
have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of
heat.

You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of
heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units
because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the
absence of it..'

Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom,
sounding like a hammer.

'What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?'

'Yes,' the professor replies without hesitation. 'What is night if it
isn't darkness?'


'You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence
of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light,
flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing
and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define
the word. In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to
make darkness darker, wouldn't you?'

The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will
be a good semester.

'So what point are you making, young man?'

'Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to
start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed.'

The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. 'Flawed?

Can you explain how?'

'You are working on the premise of duality,' the student explains..
'You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a
bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite,
something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought.'
'It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully
understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be
ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing.
Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it.' 'Now tell
me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a
monkey?'

'If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man,
yes, of course I do.'

'Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?'

The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes
where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.

'Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and
cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you
not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a
preacher?'

The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion
has subsided.

'To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student,
let me give you an example of what I mean.' The student looks around
the room. 'Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the
professor's brain?' The class breaks out into laughter. 'Is there
anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the
professor's brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain? No one
appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of
empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no
brain, with all due respect, sir.' 'So if science says you have no
brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?'

Now the room is silent.. The professor just stares at the student, his
face unreadable. Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man
answers. 'I Guess you'll have to take them on faith.'

'Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with
life,' the student continues. 'Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?'

Now uncertain, the professor responds, 'Of course, there is. We see it
Everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man.. It is
in The multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These
manifestations are nothing else but evil.'

To this the student replied, 'Evil does not exist sir, or at least it
does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is
just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe
the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what
happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's
like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that
comes when there is no light.'

The professor sat down.

If you read it all the way through and had a smile on your face when
you finished, mail to your friends and family with the title 'God vs
Science'

PS: The student was Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein wrote a book titled God vs Science in 1921...

Way to go John Mark!!

Today the election results were revealed and John will be Student Council President next year for his Senior year:)

HUGH BIG deal:)

John can do just about whatever he puts his mild to...I am glad his mind is about good things~

Love you JOHN:)

"Live Life Without Limitations"

This mom makes the words "Live Life Without Limitations" words to live by. As I read her story I was moved...who wouldn't be?! The spirit of human life is so beautiful and this mom shows it to us wonderfully:)

Caleb!

"Caleb Holt Smotherman thinks its kinda crazy that he's in a war that started when he was in 5th grade"

This was Caleb's facebook status this morning. I think it's pretty crazy too. I doubt Caleb nor I am alone in those thoughts. He also emailed me this picture today. Gosh I miss him! I have sat and cried (just missing him tears) and now have posted his picture to facebook (as he asked), feeling much better. Pictures always say "a thousand words" and it just took me a while to read them all:)

In this on going war against evil (is there any other way to look at it?) I realized that it did not begin when Caleb was in 5th grade. It began in a garden a very long time ago. I read yesterday about school girls in Afghanistan being sick, they believe poisoned by those who believe girls should not be educated. I truly have no respect, not the kind I should, for the life we are so blessed to live in our country. We are blessed because we have had soldiers fighting for our freedoms, even the smallest of things we take for granted, for hundreds of years. I think in my "freedom" I need to always remember the gratitude too, the thankfulness to those who live and die to give us freedom. That 7 letter word is the biggest word I know!

Rainy days= Headaches?

I love rain, I could read a rainy day away. But, a rainy day with children is somewhat different from a rainy day alone. ROFL...That is just an itty bitty slight exaggeration!!

Today while fixing lunch I was caught between two rooms of Rockband. They boys game room was playing Eye of the Tiger and Hungry like a Wolf, while the girls were blasting Miley Cyrus "Hoedown" and "The climb". Talk about noise?! I have always said I imagine i will go deaf at an early age due to my loud working conditions:)

As the kids stopped (shew) for lunch John said, "Hey mom I can bring my Xbox down here, I have 180 uploaded songs on it." So as lunch ended, John had kids on the big screen playing, some where in the game room and some were in the extra room....and as soon as Scott came home I went to help set up at the church for a baby shower:) lol! My car has never spoke "peace" quiet like it did today.

I arrived home, took a few pictures and waited for everyone to run out of batteries! Thankfully they have, well one room is still rocking, but the rest have moved on to green, quieter, grass:)

Playing Army

Seth had a friend spend the night. I have two 8 year old boys (and my two 11 year olds and 12 year old) trapped in the house due to severe weather. I have spent the last hour listening to their "playing" escalate to yelling and running in the boys hall. When they invaded my area I stopped Seth who was running through the house with the above pictured weapon. I asked, "Seth, what are the rules about playing with guns?" He did the whole 'moooomm' thing. I also asked about the rules for yelling and running?

He said, "mom, we're just playing." I asked if he was talking back? He sighed and said, "yes". He then followed with, "but mom, we're just playing Army."

How do I argue with that? Seth wears Caleb's dog tags 24/7 (seriously) and he lives to be a hero too. So what's the response? Mine was a compromise of my personal feelings, my values. I said, "NO running and NO yelling Seth." He looked at me questioningly, "We can play Army?". I smiled and said "Yes, as soon as I take a picture of your gun." Boys will find a way ya know? It matters not that I don't buy guns or allow them for play....boys will still play like boys!

I am not totally anti-gun. Years ago it became very obvious that guns really didn't need to be a mode of "play" in our house. For my boys who take hunters safety and go hunting....fine, actually great, but it is NOT a game.

Right now, I am back at a "normal... kinda.. whatever normal is" group of boys in my household. I can't fight a rolling tide, but I sure can manage the shore:) So now my boys are playing Army (semi-quietly).

Boxes

I sent Caleb a box this week. A box of old time Game Boys, cables, and games (especially specified red, blue and yellow version of Pokemon). I packaged it all, taped it up tight and went to the Post Office to mail it. Only to happily find out there is a flat rate box that gets a military rate....YEAH! I did not re-box my package, but I did get customs forms, label and boxes so I could send Caleb items in the future. He is currently working on his art. He actually said he is designing Tattoo's. I am ever so grateful HE has an aversion to needles! lol! My next box will be pencils and paper, art supplies:)

I have to add that people are so very very giving! A mother of one of Caleb's classmates brought a gameboy, link cable, and about a dozen games by for us to send to Caleb! I am so grateful! But Caleb will be even more grateful, enjoying the blessings of this gift! We added it to the other things he asked for and away that little box went....now if it will just get there so KK can enjoy it!

Picture Mover

I take a ton of pictures during ball season. On average between 500-700 a game (well, early sunny games). I LOVE taking pictures. In years past I come in from the game, slide my card in the computer, and select "upload all" and they are put on the Walgreen's photo sight. It takes a while for them to completely upload, but my work was not so time consuming. I would then send an invitation to the team parents and they could have copies of whatever they wanted.

This year I nearly died...Walgreen's changed it uploading tools! I whined (yes I really did) and moaned and griped for two nights as I had to individually click and upload pictures (what a mess!!). I was at the "never doing it again" stage when I decided to email Walgreen's. I composed a very nice (with little noticeable whining) email and asked for the old upload back. Almost immediately, which in business means in the same afternoon, I received an email back. For people like me they have a neat thing called "Picture Mover". The very second I put my card in the computer Picture Mover uploads the picture to my computer and then to Walgreen's. It takes a VERY SMALL amount of time and I was nearly jumping with joy!! Then those nice people gave me 20 free prints:)

I only had to ask. Kinda reminded me of God. We think we can do everything all by ourselves. We think that we can use our brains and rationalize and work through all the problems that come our way. Sorry. That's a thinking error! All you have to really do is ask for help. Isn't it funny how God's word comes to us in the middle of learning experiences (and not always in our personal brilliance)? I think funny is the wrong word...perhaps I should say "Isn't it just perfect how God comes to us in the middle of our leaning experiences" and He does because in our struggles we are sometimes more accepting.

I hesitate to ask for more of those "ahah" moments because in doing so I am welcoming more trouble my way for God to help me with. :) Well, come to think of it, God knows I have enough trouble without any extra help! I am thankful for moments that remind me of God's love for me (and Picture Mover).

A little keyring..

A little keyring is missing. The key ring had a key on it (as most do). It was laying on my kitchen cabinet. Now it is not. Well, actually were there and 10 minutes later they were not. How can that be? These keys are pretty special, but they can't walk. They do start a car, Sarah's car. They also happen to be the only set she has...HUGE bummer.

I can relay all of that above with little inflection. But if you had volume on my words? My children would tell you there was MUCH inflection. I really think it went into the sermon category.

I can tell you who was not near the keys....Michael, Ryan, Daniel, Seth, Tasha, Tori or Rosie. Rosie was in her room (way on the other end of the house), Tasha was at the ball field, Tori was sleeping on the couch next to me. The boys were all outside playing baseball. Who was unaccounted for? Mercedez, Lita and Bella. Who is Sarah driving to Country Place in her car this weekend, thus giving them a very vested interest in finding the keys? Mercedez and Lita. Who is mad about not getting to go? Who was mad during those 10 minutes at Sarah (actually mom and Sarah because I made her go with me to Tori's game and not with Sarah)? The un-named person. Who is constantly hateful(that is really an awful word)to Sarah? bingo...same un-named person.

So this morning as everyone searched for the keys, everyone was mad. I talked about our behavior. I talked about one of the positive consequences of being truthful and respectful is that you are not often (if ever) thought to be the one who did an injustice. And if you are falsely accused due to your attitude and behavior? Well, that too is a consequence...a negative one that comes from bad behavior.

The keys remain unfound. Scott will be giving Sarah his van to drive to Country Place and thus setting a chain reaction of disruption in the household vehicle situation.

I am so very frustrated. I really really really really really really really really really (lol...ya got it?) aggravated. SOMEONE took them. SOMEONE is lying. SOMEONE is in BIG trouble. This morning I gave a one minute safe zone(meaning you bring me the keys in those 60 seconds and I will forgo any punishment). Did that person step forward? Nada chance. I love hardheaded kids...I do. But lying, stealing, cheating, disrespect is NOT hardheaded...it's just wrong.

I used to feel such anxiety over these moments, but what teachable moments they are! All nine of the children who did not do this learned a very valuable lesson...the key searching will continue and the lessons learned will be interesting to see. Seth cried this morning in frustration (he hates being late to school), he said "somebody better do the right thing!!" I explained that I felt exactly as he did (only times 10). I loved his thoughts though...I agree....somebody better do the right thing!

Picking up the Slack:)

I had three games yesterday (well, two games and a scrimmage) at all 6pm. Not unusual, it happens time and time again with this schedule. Sarah said it was the sign of the beast...that I had too many 6-6-6's. lol:) I agree, but I really don't think the beast had anything to do with it. I suppose blame could only go to me, myself and I for having so many ball-lovin kids:) I worked on my schedule yesterday, cringing at the overlaps, and nearly cried last night (haha...not really, but almost!) to hear that my remaining three girls (those waiting on drafts) are on not ONE team, but TWO! I really hate to see my schedule after I add those into the mix. The hardest part is my lack of "big kids". For the first year in, well perhaps forever, I will not have enough big people to help out. I am NOT considering adding more (lol...especially in the 16-20 range!), but I sure do wish I had them home. My big kiddos are growing up, they have their own lives, their own plans, their own stuff....And that is EXACTLY as it should be:) I can still miss them.

Last night my dad and step-mom, Clara Ruth, watched Tasha's game. They try to come to one game a season. I was very glad last night was the night. Scott was out of town and Sarah was on a field, I was on one and my two big guys Jacob and John were working. It was super nice to have them watching. I know it meant a lot to Tasha too:)

I talked with Scott last night (he surprised me by coming home a day early) about the times and overlaps. He said, "Amanda, they want to play ball. They're going to play ball, that's what's most important, if we can be there....great! If not, they still get to play ball." I know, I know, it's true. I hate missing any games, but with this crazy bunch that's just gonna happen!