Ballfield Memories.

It's springtime, so here is a little more baseball action.

When you are trying to steal home...

you might be hoping your dad who is volunteering as ump

helps you out on a close call!

And then this, my heart I love watching this kid play baseball.

He gives it his all.

Look at this form.  He is so deliberate when he pitches.

Throws slow and steady, usually a lot of strikes!

And then of course I was pretty proud with both brothers

were there to watch big Joe play baseball.

Means a lot to have family close.

Grandma and Grandpa and Blake and Noah have been to several as well!

There is a lot of teasing going on around these parts.

These are the fun ballpark moments that we would miss out on...

the ones you don't plan for but make you laugh out loud. 

These moments...

Fun hometown memories of long summer nights at the ball field.  Insert heart emoji.

School Days Wrapping Up!

Capturing our routine on mama's pick up days.

We come home at sit at the table and do our homework before the night gets away.

Some evenings they fall  right into the routine, others we struggle a little.

I get it.

Some days I am less motivated than others...we try to practice grace.

Some days I am good at that, some days I could use some grace.

For a long time, I had a cute table arrangement.

But, during school time this caddy seems to work best.

Some night Dad is in charge of homework time and heaven knows if dad and two boys

are going to have a chance at finding a pencil, it had better be right in front of them!

I had given Pastor Ed my notes from my New Testament class that I took in college.

He was cleaning out some stuff and gave them back to me.

I told him the timing was perfect.

If the boys had been any younger, they would have had no interest.

And honestly, any older it could have been the same.

Joe took a particular interest in the notes and maps from the class.

He also commented on this syllabus that was typed on a typewriter.

Tee Hee.

I had a word processor in college Mr. Joe...I will have you know!

And this, be near my heart.

They school has been doing STEM projects at school

and he designed his own at home.

He tested all his catapults with the same test subject and recorded the results.

One subject might have landed in mom's vegetable soup.

He was all ready for 3rd grade field trip.

Mama so wished she could go - namely because she was invited.

Alas, it feel on a manager meeting day - those are hard for mama to miss.

Joe understood and we vowed to make it up over vacation!

He wore his school shirt and basketball shorts, his hair was styled to the hilt

and he left with his lunch and the biggest of smiles.

Love this boy.

Stole a couple of pics from another mom on Facebook...

And received this pic from another mama!

They had a great time at CMOE.

An Ordinary Timeline Photo.

This image popped up on my Facebook feed today.

It's ordinary in the initial picture ways - 

no one looking at camera, colors all a jumble and weeds in the background.

But, doesn't a single image evoke so many memories

and so much emotion?

Cole was just big enough not to be playing with toys any longer, but it didn't take him long to dig in.

He loved playing farm toys with the boys at this age.

Sam has one of his favorite Lion tees on and I remember those shoes so well because they were the only ones wide enough to fit his feet for like 3 years running (yeah for stride rite)

And when did that kissable baby boy, Joe, grow up? We still have that Blake's #1 Fan tee.

I remember watching them play and enjoying Blake's softball game  - the real reason we were there.

I remember being there and being present as the aunt!

I remember hearing Chris's cow bell ring and Scott's pride when the bat connect with a solid hit.

I remember coming home with sand in our shoes and a warm bath to clean up the nails and hair.

I remember packing items to entertain the boys and snacks to keep them satisfied.

I remember them needing me often during these trips.

And here is the kicker...

I don't remember what I wore to that game or what I weighed or how my hair was styled.

But, often those are the things that keep me from joining in and enjoying life to the fullest!  

I doubt that anyone is worried about me as much as I am.

Each person is fighting their own battles!

This ordinary photo reminded me of all the reasons to join in 

and create a memory from an ordinary moment.