Football!

My amazing son wanted to try football this year. So, his daddy went and signed him up. We tried to prepare him for what he was about to embark on, but as it sometimes goes, he couldn't be convinced otherwise. He started on July 11th, and they spent 2 weeks conditioning. They ran and did various drills for two hours each night. He handled it well; like the true champ that he is. Until, they were issued pads and he had to learn to hit and tackle. Because, he is at the top of his weight class, he was paired up with the larger boys that have played for several years. He struggled and didn't like it. But, we encouraged him along and things are beginning to look up.

His first game he only played eight plays at right guard on second string offense. But, when the coaches watched the film and saw that he was eight for eight on his blocks he was moved up to first string offense AND defense. This past Saturday, he played almost every play and did a great job. We are so proud of him. They lost by one point but as the video shows Nathan, #16, had a fumble recovery to give us one last drive of the game, but we ran out of time.

A New Look For My Baby!

My handsome man has a new look. He got glasses. He vows he will not wear them. He says he will only wear his contacts. But, I know better. He has done so well with his contacts. The lady at the doctor's office said he is the first child she has ever fitted contacts with before glasses. I am so proud of him. Being a baseball catcher, he cannot wear sports goggles under his catcher's helmet because when he takes it off it pulls the goggles cockeyed. Contacts were the only option.

Handsome Dude!

Look who I got to spend the whole day with. He was out of school last Monday, so he and I had a date. The only problem was, I sure did spend a lot of money. First, we had breakfast at McDonald's. Then, we hit the mall. We had to buy him some new sliding shorts and a cup. (He said to me in a whisper, "Mom, I need a new cup, my other one is too little.") I shuddered at the thought, but managed to get him a new one. He then wanted to go and get some new clothes, which didn't take long because he doesn't like to shop. He's like his mama. And, we finished the day off with the movie, Rango. Stupid, stupid, stupid. That was a waste of money. But, I enjoyed sharing a bag of popcorn with my main man and the best part of all... was when we were driving home...he held my hand all the way home. That was worth every penny I spent. Oh, how I love that boy!

Quick Update!

Whew, are these games nailbiters! We are currently tied for first. That is exciting. We played the team we are tied with this morning. And, guess what the result was? You got it! We tied. Again. 10 - 10. What a great game it was. We play them again on Thursday night. So, we shall see...

One In The "W" Column!

First game down and with a win! What a great game we had last night. It was one of those "on the edge of your seat" games. We went up 4-0. Then they came back and tied the game. They then scored two more to make it 4-6. We were down by two. Oh, but we fought back and scored 3 more runs to make the score 7-6. Nathan was put in as the closing pitcher and struck out the first three batters throwing that "heat" of his. Wow! What a game! Up next, is the same team on Saturday and I am sure they will be gunning for us!

Yay! Baseball Has Started!

I couldn't be more excited about this year's spring baseball season. The league has three teams this year and they are pretty evenly matched. The boys are a year older and stronger. My boy is a lot slimmer from getting taller and should be more intimitating. He hasn't picked up a bat for 3 months and at tryouts he hit three of his five pitches to the outfield with his old bat. His new bat was banned by the league. So, needless to say, this mama is sitting on "ready!"

Baseball Is Right Around The Corner!

And, I can't wait!!!!!!!!! Tryouts are next Thursday!

Overwhelmed!

That's what I am right now. Overwhelmed...in all areas of my life.

Family Picture Time!

Family pic.

Again.


Me and my main man!

My two handsome main men.

Love this one of my boy.

My handsome husband and me!

And, my favorite artsy pose.

Special thanks to my cousin, Kendra (DeeDah) Blount Harrell, for taking these awesome pictures for our family this year.

Man Hunt!

Look what happens when you play Man Hunt at night. I tried really hard not to react. I mean really....why should I be upset? A stick that was protruding out of the wood pile missed his eye by mere millimeters. As Todd said, "That is why we pray for his protection at all times!" Nathan said he got his revenge because he pulled the stick out of the woodpile, broke it over his knee and threw it in the fire.

Disturbing...

Nathan got off the bus the other day and when he got in the car he turned my attention to a very cute, blonde headed little girl. He said, "Mom, see that little girl over there?" I told him that I did and that she was very cute. He continued to explain to me that everyday when she gets off the bus, she stops at his seat and rubs her hands down his arms and says, "Bye Nathan, I love you." I think I said something to the effect of how sweet that was and he said, "mom, she's only in first grade." I tried to explain to him that she looks up to him and admires him. He didn't buy it. He said, "It's really disturbing."

Update on Fall Ball.

The only thing I can say about fall ball is that we have lost every game. Well, maybe not the only thing. The boys have learned a lot and have improved with every game. They have come close to winning a couple of games but just haven't been able to close the gap. There are only a couple of games left so, we will continue to hope.

God Is Working It Out!

Last night we were on our way to church and Nathan asked if he could call his cousin, Thaddeus, to see if he was coming to church. I told him that he didn't need to do that. We were almost to church and he could just wait until we got there. As we were pulling into the parking lot, Nathan once again asked, "Mom, is Thaddeus going to be at church." One more time, I told him that I didn't know, but that it looked like maybe he was because I spotted their car in the parking lot. He said, " Look, God is working it out." Todd and I cracked up. Indeed, he did work it out and Thaddeus was at church which made Nathan one happy boy.

Fall Ball!

Yay! Fall baseball is in full swing. And, I couldn't be happier. As I have said many times before there is nothing that I enjoy doing more than watching my boy play baseball. Our small league only has two teams for the fall because most of the regulars are playing football. Todd is coaching Nathan's team and he is a great coach. We have about four boys on our team that have never played. Nathan recruited a few of his school friends to come out and join the fun, which are the ones that haven't played before. Nathan's granddaddy was talking to him the other day and he asked him if "So n So" knew how to play. And, Nathan responded,"Well, let's just say my daddy needs to work with him." So, in other words....NO! :) We have had two games and lost both of them. But, to my great delight, they have shown great improvement in just two weeks of games and practices. Next game is Monday night and I can't wait!

Camping, Skiing and Tubing for Labor Day!

Isn't he just the most handsome kid you have ever seen in your life? I know, I couldn't agree more.

Anyway, for Labor Day weekend, we decided to do something different than going fishing. We all decided the kids were big enough to learn how to water ski. So, Todd and his daddy, Pappy, dug out the old water skiis and we bought an inflatable water tube and off we went. The kids were extremely excited but the I think the big kid was excited the most.

Todd found his old slalom. It still had the $50 sticker on it where he had tried to sell it in a yard sale we had a long time ago. He was glad it didn't sell. He showed us all that he's still got it.

Nathan tried and tried but this is about as good as he did. Each time he went a little further than the time before. If truth be told, I think he was a little scared to get out in the middle of the lake and fall. Because when he and I were tubing he kept telling me to be sure and come get him if he fell off.

Tubing was a blast. The kids especially loved it because as they rode it they would try to knock the other one off. It was sort of like 'king of the tube'. I must admit, I fell off but only because my arms got tired. :)

Thankfully we all survived and we all had a great time spending the weekend on Lake Luisa.

Yeah First Day of School!!!!!!!!!!

So handsome!

The Best News Ever!

School starts soon!!!!! Nathan is excited and so am I. Today we received the much anticipated letter from the school telling us who his fourth grade teacher would be. He got who he wanted. He is so excited. He thinks he has the best luck ever. But, I know that I wrote a letter to his principal requesting the teacher he wanted. Thank goodness he wanted a good teacher or he would have been one disappointed little boy.

We have had a great summer. We didn't do anything out of the ordinary. Nathan and I did get to go to the mountains for a week but other than that and a few day trips we hung pretty close to home.

The next best thing that can happen is fall ball can start. Because it has been so hot, he hasn't gotten a lot of exercise and has chunked up a little. This has made school shopping a little challenging. But, all in all, for school to start it is well worth it. There is no news I would rather hear than that because I am tired of hearing, "Mom, I'm bored."

Boing!

About two weeks before Nathan's birthday, I informed him that we weren't going to have a big party for him this year. After all the explanations as to why we weren't, I asked him what he wanted to do for his birthday. He told me he wanted to go to Boing. I had never heard of Boing before. He told me it was a place covered in trampolines and you jump around and play games. So, we took him to Boing with his cousin Walker, who was visiting from Mississippi.
Todd, checked them in and paid the $12 and hour fee. They were issued special jumping shoes and also a soft padded helmet.

They were very eager to get to the fun part, but after they were suited up they humored me and posed for a before shot.

In one of the arenas they held intense games of dodge ball. The team that won got to stay in until they lost by a challenging team. Walker and Nathan patiently waited to get another chance to defeat the champions. The jumping is so intense and tiring, I think they secretly enjoyed the rest of waiting in line.

There are three rooms of trampolines. This is one of the free jump rooms. Many were doing flips, bouncing over the padded dividers and flipping off the walls. Nathan was a little apprehensive of the walls.

But, as I expected, before his hour was over, he got a little braver and started jumping on the walls and having a great time.

Another Birthday!

Tomorrow is my baby boys 9th birthday. I don't know where time has gone! We have a day full of fun plans. Stay tuned!

Home...

...is where we are. We had a great time in the high mountains. Monday we drove home and Tuesday it was back to work. Yesterday, I was called to the hospital. My cousin's daughter was having seizures. So, needless to say, I am exhausted. I haven't even unpacked yet. Nathan has had a ball at his DeeDee and Grandaddy's. He stayed with Grandaddy while Mama and I went to the hospital. She told him he was in charge and he had to take care of Grandaddy. Today she told me that he had cleaned up that house and straightened things on the table and had even hung his clothes up before he laid down. Tonight at supper I asked him why he cleaned up DeeDee's house but not mine. He simply said, "because I was in charge." If he only knew....