Keep your Eye on the Ball- a baseball story

Spring is almost here.....and Spring in the United States means......BASEBALL SEASON BEGINS!
My husband played baseball until he went to college to play basketball- they even say he was a better baseball player than a basketball player....hmmm I saw him play basketball- He was pretty good at that!! Our Family loves baseball.... T received his first t-ball when he was days old from Coach Cecil his daddy's former coach and our friend. He has no other choice than to love the sport as we do!!!

T is so excited this year he is 5 and T-ball is the game. He likes to wear his daddy's old baseball uniform around the house. I took this picture with my phone last year I believe. He has grown a lot since this time last year.
Sign up begins soon- I am looking forward to spending many many seasons from here on out at the diamond- cheering on my little guys!! We still need to get a correct bat- we have had 2 t-ball sets. Both came with plastic bats- so it is time to get a "real" bat.

As I was sitting in the grass this week watching B teach and talk to T about baseball. It was amazing how serious both of them were. B is a great teacher- very patient very good listener and excellent coach!! His main focus was to tell T "what ever you do- don't ever take your eye off the ball when you are playing. You will hit the ball and catch the ball better if you never take your eye off the ball!" And he did- he would occasionally look over at me while batting and swing and miss!! He would say "whoops- took my eye off the ball!" I think he will make a pretty good player-following in good footsteps!! It was hard for me as a mother to sit back and not say anything, honestly it is hard for me to sit anywhere any time and not say anything!! Those who know me well- know what I mean. As I was watching my little boys Father teach him and coach him in something he has yet to play. I was reminded of my heavenly Father- how he is gentle with us and teaches us in different ways of his Glory. In the rising of the Sun- we can see God's Glory and in the smallest bloom on a flower in a field of dead grass- we know there are good things to come to those who wait. God was showing me how I need to sit back and enjoy the Father & Son moment.

A few hours later at supper we sat down to our plates full of food to eat, I told T how proud I was of him and how well he was doing. "Practice makes perfect!" that is what they say so I explained to him if he was going to play- he needed to practice as much as he could. Now that the weather is getting nicer- it will be easy to practice!! Then we talked about keeping your eye on the ball, I shared how in the Bible Peter walked on the water. He said "I thought ONLY JESUS could walk on water?" I said yes, he can and only he can- but once Peter did!! I told him how Peter got out of his boat and started towards Jesus (Matthew 14:22-36) and always keeping his eyes on Jesus he did great. Then when he became fearful he lost sight of Jesus and fell into the water. When the storms of life hit us where do we turn- our friends, phone/facebook to tell the first person the story of how bad it is?? God already knows and he knows the outcome too!! When you seek Him first He will honor your prayers and your cry to him.

Keeping your eye on the ball in baseball is not easy with all the noise in the crowd and distraction from other players. Much like life, when we focus too much on others or too much on things in stead of God- we loose sight of the MOST important thing....Him!! I want to encourage you- if you have lost sight of God or if you have never seen him and his glory in the things I have mentioned. Stop today and Focus on Him- for he is your creator. I can tend to get very busy with life and get busy with other things, and when I don't take time for Him- my days seem longer, more mishaps and much more unwanted stress/strife and drama!!!

I shared with a group at a soup kitchen in Lima, Peru on how we must get out of our comfortable boats and walk across to Jesus grab his hand and hold on- I literally JUMPED like I was leaping out of a boat!!!! He is the way, the truth and the Life- No other way will you have peace, joy and comfort!! I can honestly tell you that my Joy comes from Him!!!

So here I sit watching my little 5 year old playing baseball keeping his eye on the ball- and praying that one day his eyes will be on Jesus and his heart forever his!!!

Mollie

Party time!!

We had a BLAST at T's 5th birthday.... in August. I am so behind on blogging it is not even funny. I am having to write stories down.....so I remember to tell them later!!


We decided to have another fun in the sun party!!! It was a blast for the kids last year and no better way to cool off from the HOT days of Summer....than the big water slide!!!

Our cousins Big AG and Lil AG were serving drinking from the sand box.....chocolate or vanilla shakes!! Umm Yummy!! Are they not the cutest waitresses ever!!! B enjoyed a shake as they went around and served every one!!!

This year T wanted a Camo Hunting party his request for gifts.....rubber boots and work gloves!!! He is his daddy's boy!!! This year for BOTH boys birthdays we talked with them about giving to others- since my trip to Peru I visited a few orphanages and my heart has been heavy for those kids since I left. When I returned to look at all my kids have and all we take for granted I talked with them about taking donations for their birthday instead of gifts. T agreed and C is always just happy to be along for the ride!! So T was happy with his rubber boot and gloves and he collected over 400 dollars for the Orphanages in Peru and Africa through T.E.N. I was so blessed by the support from our family and friends!!
C enjoyed the card that Mimi and Bobo gave T!!! The shades were a party favor!! The chair a gift from aunt Lala..... C is one cool dude!!!

I love to decorate......even if it was a hunting theme......no frills and bows......but that's how we roll!!All T's friends got to come in out of the water slide and sing to him.......good memories!! Then instead of opening gifts- we had a video made of the past 5 years of T and tried to get lots of funny shots and family members in the video. It was fun to watch!! blowing out the candles.....

My very favorite part about a summer party......out door eating!!! Easy to clean up!!!!

The Hunter....looks like he is shooting the 5 from here!!
More out door eating!!!

The Birthday Boy!!!!

T is my firstborn and he is so special in his own ways- we have been blessed that he is extremely thoughtful and very caring for others. Unselfish in every way, and a very smart boy. He love Jesus and he loves his brother.....He wants to be just like his daddy when he grows up.....but yet still loves to sit in his mama's lap each and every morning when he wakes!! And I will rock him as long as he lets me!!

Love you T!!!! Mollie

Our first visit from the Tooth Fairy

Well, this post was one I was thinking would wait a few years....but when you least suspect things! It was in June (keep in mind I am behind in posting stories!) we had vacation bible school and I noticed an ugly bump above T's tooth right in the front. Didn't think much of it, so a week went by- took him to the doctor. I was leaving for Peru the next week- so I just wanted to take extra precaution. The doc looked and said "looks like a little ulcer- it will go away" Not to worry. I left on my trip. When I returned- one of the first things I noticed besides the foot T had grown while I was gone, was that thing was still there- and gotten bigger!! I did however stay at a mission house with some dentist missionaries- mentioned it to them, he said "oh that is an abscess- he needs a root canal!" Oh MY!!! On a five year old in the front- talk about scary!!



So, I took him to the dentist when I returned and he said "this is an abscess- the tooth needs to be taken OUT NOW!!" I was not prepared.....I had NO CAMERA- WAIT MY PHONE!!! ha!!

Bless his little heart with the clown nose for gas......he didn't realize what was going on until the dentist pulled out the pliers!! Then he grabbed the dentist hand!!! Luckily the dentist was a pro and got the job done!! T shed a few tears.....but then when I told him to feel it with his tongue he thought that was cool!!

I promised him some ice cream too!! That heals all....right?? Here is his toothless grin!!!

He got his ice cream and we headed home.....he also got to choose a prize from the treasure chest....

BUBBA TEETH.....only appropriate when you life in Arkansas!! The sweet thing about what he did was when they said he can pick a prize out- he said in a sweet voice "Can I get one for my brother too?" Melted my heart!!

So, when we arrived home we put the tooth in the little container for a keepsake.

Then he wrote the sweetest note to the tooth fairy telling her how he wanted to keep his tooth to show his friends! Now at the same time let me tell you I was NOT ready for this tooth fairy thing- and so I had no stories prepared or had not put much thought into it. He didn't even know of such a thing until the nurse and dentist mentioned "tooth fairy" and they added that when you get a tooth pulled she "pays double!!" Gee Thanks people!!

So we went into all the details and he tucked it under his pillow- so excited! He then started asking millions of questions as kids do about everything. But I felt terrible having to "LIE" to my son- and yet tell him NOT to lie!! I was a bit bothered by this.

So sweet dreams for him as he slept..........
The next morning when he found his dollar He was THRILLED!!! So excited and yet so FULL of questions again and again I was puzzled and stumbling all over my lies......digging a grave for me and all my teeth!!!

Then a few days later......another tooth fell out!! Lions, Tigers and Bears OH MY!!! Two days later- another tooth!!! Yes 3 teeth in two weeks he lost.....I felt like I was loosing my baby!!! But at the same time the second tooth brought more questions from him and more lies from me.....YET another note and another dollar from the "fairy"

His questions were deep- like how does she fly into my room?? Does she know Jesus?? Does she have friends & family?? Where does she live?? How does she fly?? I had no clue how to answer the questions- so he was catching me in lies!!!

But when the question came that I just had to completely stop in my tracks and tell him the truth- the SAME way we believe in Santa!! His question was "So is the tooth fairy with me all the time like Jesus- does she love me like him?" I told him right then and there "T I am sorry I have to tell you the truth- it was ME I put the dollar under your pillow and I made up the tooth fairy, my mama did it for me- and it is just pretend." ahhhhh I felt such relief!!!

His response- "Oh ok like Santa- just a make believe person!" Exactly, it went smooth and by the third tooth- he forgot to even put it under his pillow and we gave him a dollar for his piggy bank!!

As a parent you live and learn- and I have found that honesty with the boys is the best way. If they cannot believe me....who can they believe? If I tell them a lie about something then should they always believe me?? So far.....we are still on 3.....but have many loose ones still!!

Mollie

A Hunting he has gone....

Well, our BIG game hunter is having a birthday today....

His favorite color is camo....

He wants a Hunting Party- so to go along with the theme....

Here is a look back at our Hunter over the past five years.....2 months old- not really liking the camo idea....4 months old......looks like has had plenty of deer to eat!! At age 2 wishing he was in the woods with daddy!!Big deer at age 3 daddy killed the deer but T wanted a picture!! At age 3 with all the hunters!

Age 4 ....Daddy's Big deer last fall.

With his 22 he won at the NRA banquet. All he wants for his birthday this year is to win another one. Check out his story from last year by clicking HERE!

On a Coon Hunt with BoBo, Daddy & Clay

Squirrel Hunting with Clay....and two adults!!

Here He is NOW the BIG 5!!!

We look forward to spending many many more years in the woods and where ever he leads us with our little Hunter who is growing up!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY T......WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Mollie

Would do it all over again....

Seem like yesterday when I would look down and see this.....if I could see past the HUGE belly!!

I have only had my blog for a little over a year now so I never have really shared my FIRST full-term pregnancy story. Seeing how this is T's 5th birthday tomorrow- thought I would share.

After two miscarriages and many many fertility treatments and procedures, I finally just gave up!! God if you want me to have a baby it is just gonna take a miracle......that is was!!

In the fall of 2004 I started exercising and did it a little too much, I found my self looking like this and walking in these lovely casts for 10 weeks.....YES TEN!!!To get the whole story read HERE. Ugh....talk about a TEST from God, I had no were to go but UP!! I did however work, sitting down on a stool....take more than both ankles having stress fractures to slow me down!

But, I found myself in the word more, on my days off I would stay home feet up instead of running around like I did ALL the time!! Trying to get every one pleased instead of pleasing the Lord!!

It was the day I got my "boots" off that I also found out in a random blood test that I WAS PREGNANT!!! I took a picture of myself on the phone with the doctors office.....it is hilarious!!

I then had a picture perfect pregnancy from then on.....gained a little too much weight of course....but I was happy and baby was healthy. Here are some ultra sound pictures of Baby T.



I was in my last trimester and the baby dropped and one morning I woke up and my belly just started to itch.....and itch......and itch......I was thinking man this baby is scratching his way out!!



Went to the doctor the next day for a weekly check-up I had PUPP a terrible itchy rash that only happens in 1% of pregnant women!! Lovely, I kept telling my self, you only have a few more weeks!!! It was making me go INSANE!! I was taking oatmeal baths, cortisone cream like it was no ones business....going through a tube of the cream a DAY!!! I did end up in the ER because I thought, there has got to be a CURE.....NOPE......delivery of baby!!!



By that time I was googling "how to go into labor early!!" HA! Not really but I was taking all the advice I could get. My mom had come down to be with me by that time- first baby, first grand baby.....you know the over prepared people!!

I then went into labor went to the hospital....only to get sent home.......UGH!!! Until my water broke. I was 38 weeks pregnant.....PEOPLE PLEASE!!! I was back in the hospital......very nervous B by my side. He was checking monitors and biting nails all at the same time!!


And 6 hours and three days later after I went into labor.....there was a problem.....

The nurse came to check me and she rushed out of the room...quickly- then my sister passed her in the hallway on the phone with the doctor. The nurse said come quick I don't understand it?? So without being alarming my sister came into the room- and sat and prayed.

Nothing is more scary when a TEAM of people walk into you room with an big machine and say we think the baby had turned or something is wrong. My heart stopped. ALL of this and now there is trouble. Oh God please please don't take my baby or me!! Then after a little ultrasound and a lot of feeling under the covers....don't you just HATE that part....UGH!!



The doctor looked at me and said 20 years I have done this and NEVER seen this.....you had two bags of water.....the first one the had already broken was empty- NOW we need to break another one.....with the baby inside!! My My.....isn't it neat how God protects our babies he creates!!



I know without a doubt in my mind he gave me EXTRA protection to keep that baby in my body. Now the rash.....saving that question for when I reach the pearly gates...."what in the world was THAT??" But I know that extra bag of water was from him. It did explain all the question in my last weeks of "are you having TWINS!!!" It really looked like it and if I had two bags of water- I definitely had room for another one!!


And with that water breaking T was born 6 hours later.....a healthy 8lbs. 5oz. and 21 1/2 inches long.

Perfect in his image he created a wonderful healthy baby for my arms. I was so happy tears of sorrow turned to JOY, and we literally just sat and stared at T the rest of the night. We could not believe he was here and we could hold a baby of our own!!I love these two pictures of B with T.....we both sat and stared at the poor baby just thinking....I cannot believe he is here- and for months we did this. I guess when you want something so bad, by the time you get it- it is hard to believe some times that your prayers were answered!!To see the JOY on his daddy's face when he was holding him the day after he was born.....priceless!!We were both doing so well, we got to go home with in 24 hours after he was born!!


Now, the rash- it did NOT go away.....in fact didn't get rid of it for 6 months......like one in a million women don't get rid of it......I was happy holding my baby and itching like a dog with flees for months.



GOD was so good to me- how could I complain. Now when I look at my legs and see those scars from my rash- I am reminded by our test God gives us. Through 4 years of waiting and wanting a baby, then weeks of itching non-stop until I gave birth....only to itch even more after giving birth....God was with me all the time and he taught me the patience I would need for when child #2 came along.



Because since it took so long to have T we thought- T is just so good we would love to have a dozen......18 months later here I was pregnant with C......and now that he is almost 3......WE ARE DONE!!!

I think he completes us......in a good way!!


Mollie

Gymnastics Watch Day.....

Here are some of the highlights of "watch day" from T's gymnastics class today. He had a class with Mrs. T last summer for a week. We decided it helped him so much that we enrolled him in a class for the school year. He goes once a week for an hour. The class is small with about 6-8 boys and is at Mrs. T's house in her garage....pretty cool!!!

We can tell a HUGE difference in his running, jumping and even his "braveness" as in more courageous to jump off things. It has helped his motor skills a lot.

Most of ALL......HE LOVES IT!! Check out those LONG LEGS.....Don't think I could do this even if I tried my hardest!!
Back Handspring on the tramp-o-line.....he weighs 50+ pounds......Strong lady!!!

Hand stands....or Cart wheel.....they both look a little the same.....from this advantage.....

Here are some of the other boys in his class.....

Push ups.......

Jumping Jacks......

Boys listening to instructions on a backwards roll....

The SEAL crawl....
Round off.....off the mats......FUN!!!

BOMB!!!

Smart teacher gives the kids a freeze pop....makes them do a one handed cart-wheel....then she cuts it open!! HA! Gotta Love it!!

He has done so well, we are so glad Mrs. T has taught him so much- Thanks!!
Mollie