Twinkle Toes

Every once in a while I get a little twinge of sadness that we weren't blessed with a little girl. Tonight I had one of those "twinges" as I watched Kevin with our adorable niece, Brylee. The only way he could get her to come to him was to ask her if she wanted him to paint her toes. She must have thought that would be pretty great because she followed him right into the kitchen and proceeded to let him paint her cute, fat toes.It was a sweet, precious moment that I had to take pictures of...a total "blog worthy" event!!

My All Star

I know that lately it seems that all I've blogged about is baseball...and mostly Tanner's baseball experiences at that...(He just happens to be at the age where he has tons of opportunity to participate in tournaments, etc. I'm sure they'll be a lot more posts about baseball over the next 10-15 years...so if you don't want to read them, just don't.) ;)
Well, that's pretty much all we've been doing over the last few months. And, as boring as that may seem to some of you, I have to tell you how much I have reveled in being the ultimate "baseball mom". I take pride in it. I love that my boys LOVE baseball, and want to excel in it. I love that it keeps them busy and active and teaches them about team work, good sportsmanship, and commitment. I love yelling from the stands, and jumping up and down when their teams are doing awesome, and I love that it makes me feel young and alive.
Tanner's All Star team did amazing last week. The tournament started on Monday and it was a double elimination tourney. No one (including myself, honestly) thought that this team would even win one game. We were sure that they'd play Monday and Tuesday and be out. Well, no one told them that and they went on to take 2nd place in the District 14 All Star Tournament. They were the "comeback kids", and even when they were down by 6 runs in the bottom of the first inning of the championship game they never gave up. They ended up only losing by 3 runs--the final score was 14-11--but they played one heck of a game and I couldn't have been more proud. Great Job, Tanner!! I sure love ya! And...I can't wait until next season!!!

Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm.....

So, maybe I shouldn't admit this, but I really like some of the cheesy "church" type movies that have come out in the last few years. I especially liked The Singles Ward , The Best Two Years, and The RM, and I've decided it is because of this guy:

www.kirbyheyborne.com

So you can imagine my surprise when I saw this:

OK, so to give the benefit of the doubt to Kirby I found this:

Deseret News

The question I have is this...What would I (or you) do in this situation? Would I accept the job to feed my family (or provide health insurance) even though it promotes something I don't believe in???

That's a tough one...

What would you do???

Hmmmmmm....

Life Lessons Learned...

It's been said that being a parent is like walking around with your heart on the outside of your body. With that being said, my poor heart took a pounding last night.

Tanner's Braves baseball team made it into the Tournament of Champions by winning their league's major division. They played Tuesday night and were spectacular. They won by 2 runs. We were happy and cheering. Everyone was giving their children hugs and "high 5's". We were feeling really great. After I had packed up all of our chairs and stuff and was walking out to the car I passed the boy who had struck out at his last at-bat. When he was up to bat, there were 2 boys on base, and a good hit from him would have won them the game. He was heartbroken, and I watched as his mom put her arms around him as the tears streamed from his face. It was a touching moment.

Fast forward one day and we're right back in the same spot...except it's the bottom of the 6th inning, bases are loaded, there is two outs, and Tanner is up to bat. I couldn't sit in my chair, so I stood up to pace. Tanner was feeling the pressure, and in the end it just too much for him. Three strikes and he was out. They had lost the game by two runs. My heart literally hurt for him as I watched the tears stream from his face.

So, you're probably wondering why I chose to disclose one of my children's failures...

As I was driving home it re-occured to me that Heavenly Father probably feels like that everyday as he watches his children try and fail. His heart probably aches just as mine did last night when I watched Tanner strike out. However, just the opposite is probably true when He watches us be triumphant and succeed in things. I know He's cheering me on, and wants the best for me. No matter how many times I "strike out" He is there cheering me on, and allowing me to learn my lessons and move on. That knowledge offers me a lot of peace, and I'm thankful for it.

To me, Tanner's strike out wasn't a failure at all, but an experience that will help him grow. An experience that will help him learn. It's something that will add to the many experiences that are shaping him into the amazing young man that he's becoming. He will be stronger because of it, and as painful as it was at the time, it's a life lesson well learned. He's such an amazing boy and I'm so proud to be his mom!!!

Fun In The Sun!!

So today my boys and I hosted our 3rd annual 'Fun In The Sun' pool party and I had every intention of taking some pictures to post here on the good 'ol blog...

but...

I got busy talking and playing (and talking some more) so I totally failed to take any pictures.

What a loser!!

Anyway, we had a blast and I have to say that I have some of the most awesome friends!!! (You know who you are!!!!!) Thanks, so much, for coming and helping us kick off our summer with a BANG!! You're the BEST!!

Hey Now

You're An All Star

Get Your Game On

Go Play!!!

Tanner made the 11 year old Desert Ridge Little League All Star Team!!!

Congrats, TAN!!! Your hard work paid off!!!

And...

my hat goes off to Ty and his All Star Try Out...

He played his guts out and was only cut because he was 9...(they cut all the 9 yr. olds)

Next year for sure!!!

A Farewell...

Today was Trey's surgery to remove the strange ("non-cancerous fibroid tumor")growth on his toe. It had been removed twice before, but just didn't want to stay away. This strange phenomenon has become kind of a family thing...Ty had a growth removed from his arm a couple of years ago. I had a weird growth removed from my upper arm last summer, and today Trey had his strange growth removed for the 3rd (and hopefully, final) time. We had to be at the hospital bright and early this morning...5:30 a.m...WAY earlier than I EVER get up. I'm sooooooooo not a morning person. Trey was in good spirits, although a little nervous, and was such a trooper as we made our way into the hospital. He had to have his blood pressure and temperature taken. After that the nurse had him change into his surgical clothes. She let him pick out his hat, and then we all decided that he's really a 60 year old woman in a 6 year old boy's body...He could have chosen so many cooler hats, but this is the one he wanted, and who am I to tell my little boy that he has to have surgery, but he can't wear that ugly hat that he really wanted to wear??? After he got changed the nurse brought in nintendo game system for him to play while we waited for Dr. Goldstein.
When it was his turn the nurse, along with Dr. Goldstein, came and walked him into surgery. Trey gave us a big hug and kiss and then walked down the hall to the surgical room. He was so brave!
He woke up from his surgery and was disoriented, but didn't cry at all. He just wanted to go back to sleep.
So this is 'farewell' non-cancerous tumor...you won't be missed!