Road Trip

Last weekend we went on a scouting trip with Trey. He usually takes one of his former players with him, but they couldn't make it. So, we took advantage of a free trip! Jake helped Trey scout by keeping a scouting report on one of the teams and Max helped by letting Trey know what he thought of all the players. Jake did a great job and Max really knows a lot about baseball, too. Addie and I watched and enjoyed getting away for a few days. We also ate at some good restaurants, went to the movies, and visited my sweet granny. The school provided a car, and I do mean a car. We are used to an SUV, so this took some getting used to. Actually, on the way home, I think the car began to shrink. Everyone was getting closer and louder. But, the kids really did well despite sitting right next to each other. We decided to play 20 questions about an hour out from Amarillo. Playing 20 questions with Max is interesting! Here is an example of one of his turns.

Here are some clues we learned while asking him questions:
It is something made of copper
It was a gift
It is not in the USA
Someone made it
Do you know what it is???

I bet you didn't guess the Liberty Bell. Neither did we since he said it was not in the USA. However, that was the answer. He said it is in Philadelphia, not America. Jake informed Max that Philadelphia is in Pennsylvania and that is in the USA. Oh my, we spent 20 minutes on asking questions and guessing that. We also made note that maybe we needed to work on Max's knowledge of the 50 states.

Here is another conversation between the kids:
Addie (playing Nintendogs): my dog has ticks
Max: my dog had tittens, too

How about one more:
Max (playing 20 questions): it is a pacific kind of monkey
Us: It is from the pacific?
Max: No, it is a pacific one
Us: what???
Then we realized he meant a specific kind of monkey

We had a great time spending time together, laughing, swimming, watching baseball. I love my family!

sweet little boys

I read a book that had part of this poem in it. I was subbing and trying to keep the tears from ruining the teacher's papers on her desk. Here is the whole poem from the book Let Me Hold You Longer by Karen Kingsbury.

Long ago you came to me, a miracle of firsts:
First smiles and teeth and baby steps, a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away and leave to me your past,
And I will be thinking ofa lifetime of lasts...
The last time that I held a bottle to your baby lips.
The last time that I lifted youand held you on my hip.
The last night when you woke up crying, needing to be walked,
When last you crawled up with your blanket,wanting to be rocked.
The last time that you ran to me, still small enough to hold.
The last time that you said you'd marry me when you grew old.
Precious, simple moments and bright flashes from your past-
Would I have held you longer if I'd known they were your last?
Our last adventure to the park,your final midday nap,
The last time when you wore your favorite faded baseball cap.
Your last few hours of kindergarten, those last days of first grade,
Your last at bat in Little League, last colored picture made.
I never said goodbye to all your yesterdays long passed.
So what about tomorrow-will I recognize your lasts?
The last time that you catch a frog in that old backyard pond.
The last time that you run barefoot across our fresh-cut lawn.
Silly, scattered images will represent your past.
I keep on taking pictures,never quite sure of your lasts...
The last time that I comb your hairor stop a pillow fight.
The last time that I pray with youand tuck you in at night.
The last time when we cuddle with a book, just me and you.
The last time you jump in our bed and sleep between us two.
The last piano lesson,last vacation to the lake.
Your last few weeks of middle school, last soccer goal you make.
I look ahead and dream of days that haven't come top pass.
But as I do, I sometimes misstoday's sweet, precious lasts...
The last time I help you with a math or spelling test.
The last time I shout that yes,your room is still a mess.
The last time that you need me for a ride from here to there.
The last time that you spend the night with your old tattered bear.
My life keeps moving faster, stealing precious days that pass.
I want to hold you longer-want to recognize you lasts...
The last time that you need my help with details of the dance.
The last time that you ask me for advice about romance.
The last time that you talk to me about your hopes and dreams.
The last time that you wear a jersey for your high school team.
I've watched you grow and barely noticed seasons as they pass.
If I could freeze the hands of time, I'd hold on to your lasts.
For come some bright fall morning,you'll be going far away.
College life will beckon in a brilliant sort of way.
One last hug, one last good-bye, one quick and hurried kiss.
One last time to understand just how much you will be missed.
I'll watch you leave and think how fast our time together passed.
Let me hold on longer, God,to every precious last.

I know that I talk about Trey all the time, but I never have pictures of him. So, here is a picture of Trey during a pitching change in the Black vs. White series (the practice series between the varsity during the swine flu scare that shut down UIL sports). I know it is blurry, but it is the best I have. I also added a picture of Addie looking for a fly ball and Max diving for a ball up the middle. Max is the one who is diving head 1st.

I'll

Jake got to bring home his science class's guinea pig last weekend. His name is I'll, short for I'll Bite. It was fun to have him around for a few days and know that he would soon be going back! Rowdy didn't like him very much and I'll could have cared less about the dog. Max had to show Rowdy some extra love since he had a rough weekend sharing the pet attention.

What's been going on lately

This time of year is always busy for our family and we love it. The kids are enjoying all the end of year activities at school, Trey is entering post season time in baseball, and I am anxiously awaiting our summer together. A time to slow down, go swimming, eat Popsicles, play games in the front yard, and stay up late. Well, I cannot wait for that, but first I need to share what has been going on with us. Jake won an award for a photography project, he was 1st in the school of got an honor of merit at the district level. He is ready for his aviation camp and movie making camp this summer. He will also go to baseball camp at RHS and TX rangers father/son camp. Jake had to take 3 TAKS tests this semester. We know that he got commended on the two we have results for missing 1 on the reading and 0 on the math. YAY! Addie's softball and volley ball have started up again. She loves to be out playing her sports. Add took 2 TAKS tests, but we only know the results for the reading test. She missed 1 question and was commended. She is going to GT camp, volleyball camp, and softball camp this summer. Yesterday, we moved my old bed into her room, she loves it! It is such a big girl bed, she is getting so big! On to Max. Max is playing baseball, of course, and doing really well. He is mainly playing catcher which he loves, but he is really missing playing in the field. He has made some outs and home and Saturday he made 2 outs in a row at catcher. This was really special because it is rare to have 2 outs in a row at home and his favorite Randall catcher was the umpire at the time. My kids idolize those RHS players, so he was thrilled. He really wants to be a catcher, but he misses being a part of the action in the field. He is also hitting well. Trey is coaching both boys in flag football this June. A great program that they love. Max is going to baseball camp and the TX rangers father/son camp. Trey's freshman team did well this season, but they did not win district (first time since Trey started). The varsity is doing well and just waiting for the UIL to reinstate games around the state to continue on with the end of the season and post season. The head football coach took another job and so we are awaiting a new boss! Hopefully, someone awesome! I am doing good, too. Just trying to keep up with everyone and make sure they are all fed, clean, and happy. We have lots to look forward to this summer including a trip to Sea World, Rangers games, camps, and most important Lance, Carrie, Tyler, and Emily!!!!!! Every day we are so truly blessed. We have our health, our family, and most important Our Lord. Thanks to him who can do immeasurably more than we can ever imagine. Here are some fun pics of our fun fam!