Baseball is winding down

We had a busy evening yesterday.  Ian had guitar at 5:00.  Ryan had a practice game against Trenton at 6:30.  Then Gracie had a game at 7:30.  Needless to say, we weren't home much yesterday evening.  

This was the first game that we were able to play on a "regular" field.  Until last night, we played on the t-ball fields.  There were lots of rain-outs and the older teams took the big fields. This felt like a real game!!!

Gracie is in position.  

Ryan is in the dug-out while the Trenton team took infield.  They were being goofy.

Poor Ian.  He had to play for both teams since we were both short.  It wasn't an official game.  He looked so bored out there.  Baseball just isn't his game.

I'm going to cut this one short.  I have so much to do on this deck.  (still not done).  

It's movie time

I noticed many upcoming movie trailers when I went to see UP with the kiddos.  Namely, Toy Story 3 (in 3-D, I might add).  I couldn't tell you how many times I've seen the original Toy Story.  When Ryan was young, 2-ish, we would watch Toy Story twice a day.  "Say goodbye to the wife and tator-tots."  Ryan thought that he WAS Buzz Lightyear and he would occasionally dive off the end of the couch.  How we survived without stitches, I'm not sure.  

If life was make-believe and I could pick a movie to live "in".  It would be a very close tie between Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland.  On one hand, flying would be super-duper cool, but so would this tea party.  I'm sure glad that I don't have to choose.

I'm so pumped for this movie to come out.  I read Alice in Wonderland to the kiddos when they were younger.  I have enjoyed the Disney version of it since I was young.  This will be a DVD purchase when it comes out!!!  (Besides the obvious, Johnny Depp and Anne Hathaway are the bomb)  Click on the link I have posted.  The stills from the movie are AMAZING.  It is going to be a must-see!!!

Friday night we ate with Rick's office staff.  It was a place called Railroad cafe in Brunswick, MO.  It was "OK".  Nothing to write home about.  We visited with Rick's nurse, Jena and her husband afterwards.  They live in Brunswick and they invited us to see their home.  

We had company this weekend.  Rick's Mom, Dad, his sister, Melinda and our niece, Allie, came over.  We ate dinner, jumped on the trampoline, sat on the deck... basically just "hung" out.  It was nice to have an evening where we weren't running or working.  

Sunday was a completely different story.  We worked on our deck from the time we woke up till sundown.  Such a grueling job.  The sad part is, it's only half done.  I get to begin sealing it today.  Not cool!!!!!  I will be so stinkin glad when that is done.  You have no idea!!!!!  We should have done it last year.  But for one reason and the other, it didn't happen.  I will post pictures of it when it is finished.  I am hoping that will be this week.  I am noticing that our calendars aren't as full as they were a month ago.  I'm VERY happy about that!!!!  :))

Ta Ta For Now.

Coach-Pitch for Gracie/ two 80's legends die

The heat index was probably 110 degrees this evening.  Sweat was pouring off everyone.  I'm not sure how the little ones were able to play.  Poor things :(

As you can see in this picture, Ryan wasn't too thrilled to be there.

Gracie is standing on 3rd base.  One of her coaches is a friend of mine from high school.  He was in my grade from 1st grade (that's when I moved to Hamilton, MO) till our senior year.  His wife is also a friend and fellow Hamilton alumni, Jenny Hill.  

Swing, batter, batter!!!!!  I have really seen an improvement since the season began.  She made it on base every time in this double-header.  We may have a pro on our hands :)

Gracie guarding her base

Between games the team took a "break".  They all sat on a bench and drank their Gatorades.

She gets so serious when she's in the field.  I think it's from watching big brother's games.

In the 80's, I was a HUGE Michael Jackson fan.  I knew all his songs and could mimic his moon walk.  I remember my Aunt Diana having posters of him covering her walls!!!!

In the 90's he was a headliner in the news for inappropriate relations with a young boy.  So, I signed out of the fan-club.  I couldn't support that.  I think that he was a deeply troubled person.  I found out during Gracie's game that Michael Jackson died at the age of 50.  People are calling him the "King of Pop".  I just hope that he knew the "KING of Kings".  One person posted on Facebook, MJ.... RIP.  I hope that he is but somehow, I doubt it.  I saw no evidence of a man that lead a God fearing life.  

Anyway, that's my opinion.  Hope it doesn't offend.

Another legend died today, Farrah Fawcett.  She was diagnosed with anal cancer three years ago.   Such a strange day.

I didn't figure that I would be able to post in the morning.  I'm heading to meet a H.S. friend.  Then I'm off to a office dinner with Rick.  He has told me three times where we are going, but I keep forgetting.  I will let you know afterwards.  Silly me!!!

I am another day closer to getting Ian.  So excited to see my young man.  I found this verse tonight and I wanted to share it.  It would make alot more sense if you read the whole chapter.  (that's your challenge from me)

Deuteronomy 31:13 (New International Version)

¹³ Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the LORD your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess."

God is good

I logged onto Ian's camp web-site this morning.  I found several pictures of him.  They sure eased my worried mind.  Just knowing that he is there, with all his limbs, relieved me.

I have wrote him e-mails at least once a day.  Sometimes twice.  I never know what to say.  I don't want him to think that we are having more fun than him.  So, I play-down everything.  I want him to think that we are bored to death.  haha

So, I tell him about how HOT the baseball games were.  Or how it is raining and Ryan and I can't mow the yard.   You get the picture.  He probably isn't going to want to come home. :)

This must be Ian's group.  When I dropped him off there were only girls.  Sure glad to see another boy there.

Looks like all the basketball with Dad and Ryan is paying off.

Can't wait to find out what he is reading.

“Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the LORD. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the LORD.”- Jeremiah 23:24

I follow lots of blogs.  Mostly scrapbooking and card making blogs.  They give me inspiration for my own projects.  Welllll...... I have a favorite blogger.  I love the things she writes.  I enjoy getting to know her via computer.  I almost feel like I do KNOW her.  I'm so weird.  Anyway, her name is Dawn McVey.  She is one of the most published card makers in the biz.  She uses cutes sayings like "Hey Peeps", and "Easy Peasy".  That just cracks me up.  Anyway, she has been going through a job lay-off and posted a web-site that she visits often.  It's called www.biblegateway.com.  I have been visiting it often to get the verse of the day.  Usually, I can apply it to something in my life!!!!  As always, God's word is amazing and it speaks to me!!

So, I've been worried about my little EEE-man.  Then I read this verse and remembered, "DUH, GOD is with him".  What better babysitter could you get?  He doesn't need friends from OUR church or counselors from OUR church.  He only needs God.  That is why he is there, right?  I guess I am humbled, once again!!!  So, I feel better this morning knowing that eee is in more capable hands than myself.  Thank goodness!!!!

Well, I've spent way too much time sitting at the computer chair this morning.  I need to get my hiney up and moving.  

After awhile crocodile!!!!!

This Momma misses her boy

The night before leaving for camp, we got a phone call.... The only other kid attending this camp with Ian, cancelled.  His mom had a baby a week and a half ago and he didn't want to leave her.  So, Ian was going to be with complete strangers.  We have always planned camps where the counselors were from our church.  This year, that didn't work out.  

Ian isn't an outgoing boy.  He is bashful and timid.  If someone doesn't speak to him first, they probably won't talk.  To top everything off, when I left him, he was the only boy in his group.  Hopefully there will be another boy show up.  Please, please, please, let there be another boy!!!!   So, needless to say, I'm a little worried!!!

I wanted to love and squeeze on him before I left, but didn't want to embarrass him.  I could tell he didn't want me to either.  So, I said my good-byes and headed down to road.  

It's so hard leaving when I know I won't be able to talk to him for a whole week.  I have no idea if he has made any friends or if he is enjoying himself.  I'm worried about the 109 degree heat and the lake and snakes and..... geez.... I'm worried about it all!!!!!

Saturday morning cannot get here soon enough!!!!

I always enjoy seeing this at the exit every year.  It's a little reminder for me to pray for Ian.  Although, I doubt I need a reminder this year.  As I mentioned yesterday, if you are reading this.  I'm begging you to pray for him.  I am probably worried about nothing.  But he's my baby and I love him.  If it was Ryan or Gracie, I wouldn't be nearly so anxious.  If you know anything about my kiddos, you will understand that.

We picked out his bunk.  (he chose the bottom bunk this year), made a name tag for the bed in the "great room", then found a place for the million things I brought him this year.  Hopefully I am a little more prepared than I have been in the past.  I always forget something.  Last year, I forgot Ian's pillow.  He reminded me just this morning how uncomfortable that was.  (guilt trip)  One year, I forgot to pack Ryan underwear.  I'm sure that will be said at my funeral.  I am reminded ALL the time.  I DIDN'T FORGET THE UNDERWEAR THIS TIME!!!!!!  I did remember snacks.  That should be extra credit points to make up for my past mistakes, right?

On to another topic....  Rhino had a game last night.  It was melting hot, but they pulled out another win, yeah!!!  They all hit well.  I guess we are playing at home Wednesday.  Yippee, no traveling!!!!  It will be a double-header.  Sure hope the temp. drops about 10 degrees.

After awhile, crocodiles!!!!

BUSY...BUSY...BUSY!!!!

There are times when the up-keep on our land is too much for me.  I complain about mowing the yard.  The patches were no grass will grow (yet it's too expensive to sod).   There is always something that could be done outside.  Right now, my flower gardens are begging to be weeded. Branches need trimmed, dead trees need chopped.  However, Gracie and I had a little one on one time the other day, and it made me thankful.  Thankful that I have this place to call ours.  Thankful that I can enjoy a little of God's blessings right outside my front door.

So, I thought that I would start the pictures with my favorite place on the property.  This is a short path to our bottom ground.  The trees drape over the path and connect each other on both sides.  It is shady on even the sunniest of days.  

There is a shallow, rocky creek in our bottoms.  You can hop across the entire width by using the large boulders.  I took a friend's sons senior pictures here and it's gorgeous!!!  

A shot of the creek.  Someday....I want to clear the old, dead debris.  I think this would be a wonderful "thinking" spot.  

I imagine that fairies and trolls come out of hiding at dusk here.  Don't you?

I wish that this spook had stayed in hiding.  Gracie and I found him underneath Rick's old John boat.  Why in the world would I lift that up?  I was asking for a fright, I guess?  I have probably mentioned that I HATE, HATE, HATE snakes.  I put Ryan on snake patrol after I found three in one day!!  When he told me that he killed one, it made me a little sad.  WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME!  So, I told him,  "I don't mind if you kill them, just don't tell me about it from now on."

Strangely, I don't mind frogs or turtles.  We found Mr. Toad and we decided that we better be nice to him.  He may be Gracie's future Prince Charming after all.  

So, I'm off to take Ian to church camp.  I'm a little worried, as always.  I'm going to miss him terribly.  He doesn't come home until Saturday.  It seems like such a long time.  But I know that he will form many great memories.  Hopefully he will come home a little closer to the Lord.  If you are reading this, please keep him in your prayers this week.  

Pam and Macy playing put-put

Nate the Great.  Or Nater-Tator as I call him.

I went last Friday to visit with my family.   My cousin, Heather, kept the four older boys (Ryan, Ian, Colten, Trey).  While my Aunt Pam, Uncle Mike and I took the three little ones (Gracie, Nate, and Macy).  We had so much fun!!!  Our first stop was mini golfing.  Have you ever taken 7, 5, 3 year olds golfing?  Boy, let me tell ya, that was a treat.  The adults just "helped".  However, independence must run in the Howe veins, because none of them really wanted help.  As a matter of fact, we had kiddos running all over the course.  At one time, Nate was hitting fours holes in front of us!!!  Good thing the course was empty.  We considered the bumper boats but then decided, nah!

We then went shoe shopping and bought Gracie and Macy some super d-duper high heels.  Then let them prance around the city in them.  We got a few side-ways glances, but oh well.  To top it off, Gracie had on this glitsy sequined t-shirt.  She was stylin'.  Macy had Princess Leah side buns.  Diva city!!!!!!  Nater got St. Louis Cardinals sandals.  That's what he wanted and they had full rein over the shoes...... so, that's what he got.

We rode the carousel two times at Independence Center.  Nate and Gracie rode the "spin ya till you throw up" thing, and Macy and I rode an "up and down", as she said.  That girl is so stinkin' cute.  I seriously could take her home with me.  Josh and Leanna are having another soon, they wouldn't miss her, right?

So Saturday morning came and Pa and Grandma came down.  We went to a few garage sales (with the same three small children).  Needless to say, we have a few more smelly stuffed animals to get rid of now.  

In the pictures below, I let Macy have the camera.  She wanted to take pretty pictures.  So, here is the result.  I enjoyed them.  Thought you would too.

Macy's MaMa and PaPa

Macy's Bob-Bob  

Grandpa?  What kind of face is that?  Are you frightened?

I took over the camera for the mini-golf.  Gracie did very well.  We might have a pro on our hands.

My beautiful Boo-boo.

I love spending time with my family.  We talk to them often but it isn't the same as being together.  Sure wish that they would all pack up and move to Chillicothe!!

Tootles for today!!!!

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Ephesians 6:10-18

I'm feeling so down after hearing of the loss of a local boy and the injury of another.  The boy who passed was Ryan's age.  That just always hits home to me.  

My greatest fear is losing my family.  Hearing of things like this hits home.  It makes me understand how fast and fleeting our lives are on this Earth.  I question within myself what I'm living for.  Is it the next vacation?  Is it getting the new dining room furniture?  I need to prioritize!!!  I mentioned to Ryan two nights ago that we don't do our family devotions as often as we used to.  I need to do better.  Because my only goal on this planet is to prepare my children, my husband and myself for the next (far better) life.

Trent Moore and Ryan before a game in Alma, MO.  (which was later rained out).  Trent....love the hair man.  Ryan, you are a goober.

Grandpa and Uncle Tom came out to fish in our pond last week.  The kids were excited to fish with them.  They ended up with quite a few blue gill and crappie.  They threw all the bass back.  

I was sure impressed at how Gracie could work her Barbie pole.  She caught six fish.  ALL BY HERSELF.  Of course, Pa was super proud.

While all the normal people where fishing for FISH.  Ryan was catching bull frogs.  He would dangle the hooks in front of their faces and catch them.  I thought it was cruel.  Poor froggies.

I'm noticing that my blogging has suffered some since the kids are on summer break.  I love complete silence and concentration when I'm writing.  Well......that doesn't happen with kiddos around.  That's OK.  I'm going to do my best.  This has become a very important outlet for me and I'm determined.

I'm not going to give a play-by-play, but several things have happened around the Smith home.  

First of all...baseball season has officially started.  Ryan has been playing for a few weeks.  They are doing well.  We aren't traveling quite so far this summer (which has me stoked).  All the other teams are within a hour from us.  They are also traveling here.  That didn't happen last summer.  Tonight we are playing a home game.  

Gracie is also starting her softball career with her very FIRST season.  She has been to a couple practices.  Their first game was rained out last night.  :(  I went to the city yesterday and bought her PINK batting gloves, shorts to match her team shirt and new shoes.  We are official now.  

Rick's dad had his shoulder surgery the day before our Colorado vacation.  He says that it is going to be a painful recovery.  We are hoping that it was worth it.  They kept him in the hospital since he had his heart attacks last November.  The latest in the saga is....he now has a hernia.  He will have yet ANOTHER surgery on the 10th.  This will be, by far, the least invasive of the 3.  They predict that he will be coming home within the day.  (sigh)

I finally finished the Twilight books in Colorado.  It's probably a good thing that there aren't anymore.  My love of the books were bordering on UNHEALTHY.  Is it weird to read them again?  I did that with Harry Potter.  I'm so weird.  No need to tell me.  I already know.

On to the pictures.  I must ask a very serious question.  I made a bucket list not long ago.  I mentioned bungee jumping or parasailing as one thing I must do before I die.  Do the pictures below count as bungee jumping?  I sure hope so.  Otherwise I'm revising the list.  Because I am not bungee jumping!!!!  This was up there with the scariest things I've ever done.

Actually BLOGGER loaded these pictures backwards.  Ryan and I were almost done at this point.  

So...here's the story.  

We went to Royal Gorge.  Rick and I had been there before.  It wasn't the highlight of my day because I'm a little nervous around heights (ironically).  But in all the pamphlets we read that they expanded the park.  There was a old, faux western city where you could buy collectibles. (We later found that it was all junk), there was a sky box to ride over the gorge.  It almost looked like a single cable car suspended over the gorge.  It started pouring, so we couldn't do that.  So you get the point, several different things to look at.

When we got there, Ryan saw THIS thing called "sky coaster" and that is all we heard about.  We walked up to check it out.  It wasn't quite open yet.  They were still "testing" it.   The ribbing began.  "Are you going Mom?"  "Mom is chicken", "I bet you can't do that".  Normally teasing like that gets the teaser nowhere.  I'm not caving.  I guess that they caught me in a moment of weakness.  Before I knew it Ryan and I were paying the $42.00 and strapping ourselves in.  The fear didn't hit me until they were cranking us up to the top of the contraption.  I knew then that I had made a very bad mistake.  Ryan was trying to comfort me.  It wasn't working.  

One of us had to pull a rip cord.  I knew that if I pulled it, we would never fly.  So, I gave it to Ryan.  Once we were at the top, they said 3, 2, 1, fly.  You pulled the cord on fly.  I was hoping in the back of my head that he wouldn't pull it.  I was suffering from a moment of insanity though.  This is Ryan we are talking about.  King of "I'm not afraid of ANYTHING".  He pulled it and we were sailing.  

I was so afraid that I couldn't shut my eyes.  It wasn't the strangest feeling.  I wanted to, but I couldn't.  I remember feeling relieved when we were flying over the landing of the ride.  Then being scared out of my mind when we flew over the gorge.  I guess I never calculated how this dude would work.  To most of you,  this would be a no-brainer.  But I thought the initial fall would be the worst.  It didn't occur to me that the natural pendulum movement would make me do this again, and again, and again, and again.  After the first time, I wanted down.  After the tenth time, I was frantic.  Ryan was trying to calm down his mother.  Saying, "It's almost over, We are almost done".  Poor guy.  You have heard the saying "scared stiff".  I always thought that stiff meant dead.  I have a new theory now.  It means your scared stiff.  Can't move, can't talk, can't function!!!!

This was the beginning.  They were cranking us up to the top.

Strapping us in before they cranked us up to the top.

We were flying and I'm crying.

Rick and Ian had no worries while their family soared over a 12,000 ft. drop.

Lots of pictures from vacation but not much time till tomorrow.  I am mowing and playing catch up.  I will give a play by play.  Promise. 

Here are a few pics to wet your appetite.  This was my favorite part of the entire trip.

I really have the best neighbors ever.  Dwight and Renee Jones are constantly bringing me pies, soups when I'm sick, flowers, you name it.  Frankly, I will never be able to compete.  She is super sweet and has become quite precious to me.

So, when we returned from Ryan's ballgame last night at 10:00 p.m..  These were waiting for me.  She knows that peonies are my favorite.  So stinkin' nice!!!!!

Speaking of the ballgame.  We won.  The end score was 6 to 13.  That was only because in the last half we played the boys in off positions just to give them experience.  Ryan pitched the first two innings and did well.   

Ian's birthday was kind of a bummer for him I'm afraid.  He will get his official party when we return from vacation.  But last night was a whirlwind of everything else that we had to do.  He did get a camera and I'm afraid that no one is safe anymore.  He clicks when you least expect it.  I'm sure that I have some unflattering pictures on there.  Oh well.  I'm glad that he is enjoying it.

Tomorrow morning we leave for Colorado.  Rick's dad is having surgery today on his shoulder.  So we are going to stop by the hospital on our way there.  I won't be blogging while I'm gone.  This is a family vacation.  So I'm not going to take the time to do this while I'm gone.  Just going to enjoy being together.  We will be back on Wednesday (a week from tomorrow).

Well, I'm off to pack and tie up loose ends.  Million things to do.  

Last day of school today.....yippee!!!

Happy Birthday Ian!!!

I cannot wrap my brain around Ian being 11 years old.  It seems impossible that much time could have passed.  It seems like yesterday that I was at North Kansas City hospital anxiously waiting to hold him for the first time.  

Ian was breach until the morning I had him.  Rick was on call at the hospital and Ryan and I were home together.   In the night, I started having sharp pains.  I was sure that it was labor but I didn't bother Rick until 6:00 that morning.  The pain, we later found out, was Ian turning around.  I still wonder how a nearly 9 pound baby did a flip in the womb.  He did.....and boy did it hurt!!!  We realized that it had happened only just before heading to the operating room for a C-section.  (we had planned on that since he was breach).  They did a last minute ultrasound, and.....baata-bing, lil' Ian was head down, ready to enter the world the "proper" way.  

The feeling was a little bitter sweet.  I was prepared for a quick c-section.  Instead I was in labor until 5:30 that afternoon.  On the other hand, I was excited that I was going to deliver him.  There is something about that experience that is magical.  I guess it's the anticipation.  Or maybe we need a little work and pain to appreciate the result.  :}

Anywhoo, he was a healthy beautiful 8 lb. 15 oz. boy.  Chubby in all the right places.  So kissable and gorgeous.  When I first saw him, I remember being amazed at how different he looked than Ryan.  Even after the first day, I knew that he would resemble his Daddy.  Maybe that is why we have such a close bond.  Because he is so much like his Dad today.  He walks like him, talks like him and he is even as smart as him!!!  Thank goodness!!!

Well Ian Michael, I love you so very much.  You make my every day special.  I'm so thankful that God gave you to me because you are an incredible blessing.  I pray that I can raise you to be a good and Godly man.  You are well on your way.  Hugs and kisses from your momma (even if you don't like hugs and kisses).

A Blissful Saturday!

Michelle and Nancy at Jimmy Buffets "Margaritaville"  This was our first night in Vegas.  We sat in the sun and enjoyed cool girly drinks.  

Happy Saturday!!!!  I am so excited because I have NOTHING to do today.  That is rare beyond words in this house.

Sooooo.....I'm going to read a little of "Breaking Dawn".

   I'm going to watch "The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button"

           I may create something in my craft room

   I'm going to snuggle with the kiddos

           I'm going to miss my hubby because he is on call this weekend

I'm beginning to look forward to our Colorado trip.  Rick booked our hotels and we are going to take off the day after school lets out.  Which is the 21st.  We have no definite plans.  But we hope to go to the mint, 7 falls, Pike's Peak, and the Alpine Slide.  We will be gone a full week.