Here he is on his new 21". This should get him through the next several years - I hope.
Side note...isn't the lawn thick, green & pretty? SPRING! =)
Monday, April 28, 2008
Wheels
Now that the weather is nice, well, relatively speaking...it rained, hailed and snowed here today, it's time to be outside mowing, playing ball, and riding bikes. We knew when we put the bikes away in the fall that Kabe's bike was too short and according to him, it was for 'little boys' because the brakes were on the pedals instead of on the handle bars -- not that this stopped him from riding it, just stating the 'facts'. We finally got him a bike a week or so ago and now, every chance he gets he's speeding up & down the street on his new bike.
Here he is on his new 21". This should get him through the next several years - I hope.
Side note...isn't the lawn thick, green & pretty? SPRING! =)
Here he is on his new 21". This should get him through the next several years - I hope.
Side note...isn't the lawn thick, green & pretty? SPRING! =)
Spring
It's spring! Spring and fall are my favorite times of year. I love fall for it's colors and spring for the newness, the way the grass changes colors and becomes full and fresh. The buds on the trees, the way one lone red tulip pops up in the middle of your flower garden and you have no idea how it got there or where it came from...but red tulips are your favorite, so you leave it there because ... well, because you can.
Spring, the air just smells fresh, especially on days like today when it's all rainy and the sun is trying to decide if it's going to come out or be all shy. When I see clouds like this, I always think of God trying to peek through at me, like he's somehow smiling down on me -- no matter what kind of day I've had.
Spring, the air just smells fresh, especially on days like today when it's all rainy and the sun is trying to decide if it's going to come out or be all shy. When I see clouds like this, I always think of God trying to peek through at me, like he's somehow smiling down on me -- no matter what kind of day I've had.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Coach-Pitch Baseball
After I had committed to being a part of the retreat team we found but that last weekend (the retreat) was also Opening Day in our little Midwest town. What is the world is Opening Day, you ask? Well, our town, technically not even a town, but a 'Village', is known in these-here parts for two things. It's schools and it's athletics. But mainly, the athletics. And not just high school athletics. They start them young. In every sport. I'm talking fall and spring soccer starting in kindy. Full-pad,full-contact football starting in 1st grade. Wrestling-- full contact in kindy. T-ball at age 5 for two years, then on to coach pitch baseball or to softball. Oh yeah, then there is cheerleading and basketball and I'm sure I've missed a few, but I think you get the idea. We start 'em young and work 'em hard. By the time they're in high school they know their stuff and they win. Always.
It's a little hard core for our taste, but right now he's only in baseball and we really appreciate the coach he has this year -- same as last -- who is about teaching the boys the fundamentals rather than winning. Winning is fun, but there is more to learn from sports than just that. Now that you know what keeps the Villagers busy...
Back to Opening Day...
The day began early with pictures. I'm usually the one that gets things together & makes sure all is ready, but because I wasn't going to be around & had my own weekend to deal with, it just wasn't on the top of my list. I left without even checking to see if the pants we bought fit and we didn't know what color his team was until pictures that morning so we didn't have socks to match...poor Adam had lots of running around to do in between pictures and the game -- sorry Hon!
Here is Kabe's team. Half the team is actually in his class (1st graders) and then there are at least two 2nd graders (the tall guys) on the team too. And yes, there is one girl on the team -- but don't tell her she's a girl...she's total tom-boy! =)
After pictures all teams, from t-ball through the high-school, boys and girls, join in for a parade where they drive through town - twice - and throw candy. It's a VERY big deal. Kids love it. Adam usually takes pictures and I scurry after candy. Remember - I wasn't there and you're looking at pictures--Kabe was not very happy he didn't get candy off the ground.
This year, as soon as the parade was over, Kabe's team had about 15 minutes to get to the field and get ready to play ball. They did get to warm up a little bit.
Kabe is a pretty good hitter and most of the kids on his t-ball teams the last two years have been pretty good hitters and haven't used the 'T' to bat, so it seemed weird to us that this is called 'coach-pitch' when he's always had a coach pitch to him. We learned right away that there are several differences between t-ball and coach-pitch: no 'T' (duh...), there are strikes and outs, score is kept, only 5 runs per inning per team, catchers are used, oh and they only use the correct number of players on the field instead of the 17 players on the team scattered around the field so everyone can play. =) There may be more, but that's all I'm coming up with right now. This team is rotating players throughout positions because in three years, although everyone will make a team, everyone will try out for a position & will be placed based upon how well they play. Kabe wanted to try out the catcher gear.
Turns out being the catcher is hard because you have to actually catch the ball, plus its tiring.
Kabe really likes to bat and is still learning that playing outfield has its merits too. He is a pretty good batter, especially considering the parents he has to work with. Thank goodness grandpa-that-fishes comes out once in a while to help out & teach him a thing or two each summer.
Even though I'm sad I missed it, Adam captured it well with these photo's. It's looking like this is going to be one fun season! We can hardly wait to see how the team progresses. We've only just begun and won't be done until the middle of June....I'll keep you posted!
It's a little hard core for our taste, but right now he's only in baseball and we really appreciate the coach he has this year -- same as last -- who is about teaching the boys the fundamentals rather than winning. Winning is fun, but there is more to learn from sports than just that. Now that you know what keeps the Villagers busy...
Back to Opening Day...
The day began early with pictures. I'm usually the one that gets things together & makes sure all is ready, but because I wasn't going to be around & had my own weekend to deal with, it just wasn't on the top of my list. I left without even checking to see if the pants we bought fit and we didn't know what color his team was until pictures that morning so we didn't have socks to match...poor Adam had lots of running around to do in between pictures and the game -- sorry Hon!
Here is Kabe's team. Half the team is actually in his class (1st graders) and then there are at least two 2nd graders (the tall guys) on the team too. And yes, there is one girl on the team -- but don't tell her she's a girl...she's total tom-boy! =)
After pictures all teams, from t-ball through the high-school, boys and girls, join in for a parade where they drive through town - twice - and throw candy. It's a VERY big deal. Kids love it. Adam usually takes pictures and I scurry after candy. Remember - I wasn't there and you're looking at pictures--Kabe was not very happy he didn't get candy off the ground.
This year, as soon as the parade was over, Kabe's team had about 15 minutes to get to the field and get ready to play ball. They did get to warm up a little bit.
Kabe is a pretty good hitter and most of the kids on his t-ball teams the last two years have been pretty good hitters and haven't used the 'T' to bat, so it seemed weird to us that this is called 'coach-pitch' when he's always had a coach pitch to him. We learned right away that there are several differences between t-ball and coach-pitch: no 'T' (duh...), there are strikes and outs, score is kept, only 5 runs per inning per team, catchers are used, oh and they only use the correct number of players on the field instead of the 17 players on the team scattered around the field so everyone can play. =) There may be more, but that's all I'm coming up with right now. This team is rotating players throughout positions because in three years, although everyone will make a team, everyone will try out for a position & will be placed based upon how well they play. Kabe wanted to try out the catcher gear.
Turns out being the catcher is hard because you have to actually catch the ball, plus its tiring.
Kabe really likes to bat and is still learning that playing outfield has its merits too. He is a pretty good batter, especially considering the parents he has to work with. Thank goodness grandpa-that-fishes comes out once in a while to help out & teach him a thing or two each summer.
Even though I'm sad I missed it, Adam captured it well with these photo's. It's looking like this is going to be one fun season! We can hardly wait to see how the team progresses. We've only just begun and won't be done until the middle of June....I'll keep you posted!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Land of Nod!
So for the first time in I weeks, I got to sleep through the night! I feel like a new woman! I sort of knew last night when I put Kabe to bed that it was going to be a good night for sleeping because he asked 'When I wake up in the morning, can I snuggle with you?' I'm not really sure why he would ask that...he does that EVERY morning, but of course, my answer was, 'Sure!' So not only did Kabe not wake me up, my own little night time stuff (insomnia, too much to drink...) didn't wake me up! Ya Hooo! =)
When Kabe came in the this morning to snuggle he was singing, 'I slept through the night! I slept through the night!' He's seven. We're so proud. Dare I hope it happens again tonight? Baby steps.
When Kabe came in the this morning to snuggle he was singing, 'I slept through the night! I slept through the night!' He's seven. We're so proud. Dare I hope it happens again tonight? Baby steps.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Great Gals
In my excitement to fill you in about what the retreat weekend was about and how good our God is, I didn't take the time to download the pictures of my roomie's for the weekend. I couldn't have chosen two better gals to room with!
I met Debbie (left) when I joined choir when we moved to town 11 (!) years ago. We have interacted occasionally through the years and now we're in the same small group (if you call 20-25 a small group!). She is a super gal with a heart for God and it was a privilege to get to spend some time with her and get to know her better this weekend.
What can I say about Bev (middle). We also met at church through her son and then I worked with her for over six years, until she retired a year ago this month. I have learned so much from Bev over the years...sometimes when she was trying to teach this strong-willed, belligerent woman, and sometimes when she she wasn't looking. =)
A big thanks to these two ladies. I'm not sure when I've laughed so hard or learned so much. I'm so looking forward to what the future holds with both of you!
In addition to Debbie and Bev, the other two members of our group this weekend were Cheryl (left) and Bonnie (left of me, next to Cheryl). I had never met either of these two women before this weekend, but I am SO glad that I did! They both have such a passion to know God and learn and grow in Him, yet they are so different in personality. Cheryl is spunky and a little sarcastic, very funny! Bonnie is such an encourager with a sweet, gentle spirit.
The five of us make up our little discipleship group - all unique and very different, but all with one main purpose: to know God better and live life in such a way that it's evident to those around us. I am so excited to see what God has in store for all of us as we head down this path - Together.
I met Debbie (left) when I joined choir when we moved to town 11 (!) years ago. We have interacted occasionally through the years and now we're in the same small group (if you call 20-25 a small group!). She is a super gal with a heart for God and it was a privilege to get to spend some time with her and get to know her better this weekend.
What can I say about Bev (middle). We also met at church through her son and then I worked with her for over six years, until she retired a year ago this month. I have learned so much from Bev over the years...sometimes when she was trying to teach this strong-willed, belligerent woman, and sometimes when she she wasn't looking. =)
A big thanks to these two ladies. I'm not sure when I've laughed so hard or learned so much. I'm so looking forward to what the future holds with both of you!
In addition to Debbie and Bev, the other two members of our group this weekend were Cheryl (left) and Bonnie (left of me, next to Cheryl). I had never met either of these two women before this weekend, but I am SO glad that I did! They both have such a passion to know God and learn and grow in Him, yet they are so different in personality. Cheryl is spunky and a little sarcastic, very funny! Bonnie is such an encourager with a sweet, gentle spirit.
The five of us make up our little discipleship group - all unique and very different, but all with one main purpose: to know God better and live life in such a way that it's evident to those around us. I am so excited to see what God has in store for all of us as we head down this path - Together.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Retreat
What a weekend! The women's discipleship retreat went really well. Sometimes intense and often emotional. But God was present and He is good! I really want for all of you what we all experienced!
We left Friday afternoon, 39 women and one 2-month-0ld, including 9 leaders, and returned today at 5:15pm. When we left on Friday, we left with questions of "Am I significant? Am I secure? Am I accepted? Am I able? Am I .... (fill in the blank....)" but by Sunday afternoon, after going on this journey of vulnerability together, we were reminded that we need each other to remind us of who we are in Christ. All of our "Am I..." questions are answered absolutely in the "I AM" of Christ. Jesus answered all of the questions of our significance by finding us worthy enough to die for. He answered all of our questions of security by sealing that security with the cross. He answered our questions of acceptance by taking everything that made us unacceptable to the cross and placing it as far as the east is from the west. And He answered the question of am I able, by promising us that the same power raised Him from the dead and is available to us through the Holy Spirit!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17
We left Friday afternoon, 39 women and one 2-month-0ld, including 9 leaders, and returned today at 5:15pm. When we left on Friday, we left with questions of "Am I significant? Am I secure? Am I accepted? Am I able? Am I .... (fill in the blank....)" but by Sunday afternoon, after going on this journey of vulnerability together, we were reminded that we need each other to remind us of who we are in Christ. All of our "Am I..." questions are answered absolutely in the "I AM" of Christ. Jesus answered all of the questions of our significance by finding us worthy enough to die for. He answered all of our questions of security by sealing that security with the cross. He answered our questions of acceptance by taking everything that made us unacceptable to the cross and placing it as far as the east is from the west. And He answered the question of am I able, by promising us that the same power raised Him from the dead and is available to us through the Holy Spirit!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17
Friday, April 18, 2008
Nightmares and Natural Disasters....
Last night was interesting. Kabe has been having nightmares and came to get me around 1:15am. I lay down with and had only intended to stay a few minutes but he was having trouble falling back asleep so I ended up staying in his room and falling asleep with him. At 4:39am (on our clock...) I was still in Kabe's room and woke up to the house shaking - literally. It was like it was really windy out, I could hear glass chinking and the whole house was vibrating...very strange, only there wasn't any wind. I heard Adam getting up and saw lights turning on, so I got up too and we conversed a few minutes and went back to bed together, still not knowing what was going on. Well, as the news confirmed this morning, we were feeling the effects of the earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.2, that hit New Salem early this morning. It was really eerie...let me just say I'm glad I don't live on the west coast!
Oh yeah, Kabe had another nightmare and was back to get me by 5am. How do I make them stop??
Oh yeah, Kabe had another nightmare and was back to get me by 5am. How do I make them stop??
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Rope Burns
Tonight after work I went to get Kabe like I always do. I was talking to Adam on the phone, trying to figure out our plans for the night as we had some errands to run and didn't have dinner figured out. We've had left-overs all week and that just wasn't an option ... again.
Kabe came running out of the house when I pulled into the drive and my eyes were immediately drawn to his neck. Apparently, he had a mishap at after-school-care while playing outside and ended up with a pretty good rope burn on his neck and quite the goose-egg on his head.
Although this is sore for him, I'm thankful he wasn't hurt more than this. We've been lucky to get this far (7 - years...) with very few minor cuts & bruises. I have a feeling we've only just begun.
Kabe came running out of the house when I pulled into the drive and my eyes were immediately drawn to his neck. Apparently, he had a mishap at after-school-care while playing outside and ended up with a pretty good rope burn on his neck and quite the goose-egg on his head.
Although this is sore for him, I'm thankful he wasn't hurt more than this. We've been lucky to get this far (7 - years...) with very few minor cuts & bruises. I have a feeling we've only just begun.
Retreat
Today is a beautiful day outside...It may finally be spring! Today is my Friday....YEAH!!! and tomorrow I'm headed to the Women's Retreat with my church. I'm co-leading with my old (not OLD...previous=) ) co-worker Bev and we have three ladies in our group. I only know one of the ladies and am really excited at the opportunity to meet the other two women and go on this growth-journey with them. I'm also a little anxious / scared about the weekend in general. Would you pray for me? I know God has big things in store for all of us this weekend....He's had His hands all over the planning of this event and He's been there every step of the way -- I just need to let Him guide my thoughts and my mind this weekend.
While I'm gone, Kabe has his opening day of baseball -- I'm so not wanting to miss that! I'm sure I'll have some fun pictures to post next week. Then on Saturday night Kabe & Adam will be hanging out with the guys & cooking out -- lots of singles this weekend as most of us girls will be together too! =)
Aren't these flowers beautiful? Adam brought them home for me earlier this week ... just because! Isn't he the best?
Enjoy this great weather while you can --- rain's a comin'!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Memories
On a roadtrip once with an old room mate, I remember playing one of those games where you ask each other questions and I got the question "Describe your childhood in three words". My three words were "Memories are Mixed." Here are a few of the things I remember about my childhood:
I remember lots of time at the snow pile, making the best forts and creating some great sled hills. We'd play so long our legs would be so cold -- even with snow pants on. Our house was the closest so all our friends would come home with us and stand in front of the fire that was ever-present at our house and warm up and have a snack of some sort.
I remember all sorts of games of tag and hide & go seek with all sorts of neighborhood kids for what seemed like hours on end. We found the best places to hide! We had a one-block radius to hide in and boy could we hide!
I remember our play house out back -- with a deck & everything! My sister , brother & I spent a lot of time out there, arguing I'm sure. My sister is 5-years younger than me and of course, back then she was such a pest. =)
I remember lots of camping trips with the family. I don't fish. My time on the family boat (which I was required to go on rather than stay at the camper...) was spent laying out and complaining asking "Are we having fun yet?" Obviously, because I had been told "You're going to go and you're going to have fun!" When I think back to those trips I inwardly smile a little, but for those of you reading this that actually know me, you know I am not a camper and even as a child I was not a camper, and especially as a pre-pubescent punk, was not a camper .... some things never change. In reality I was probably much more verbal about it back then than I would be today -- sorry mom & dad! =) I did all I could to be unpleasant all weekend; from the Dr. Scholl's clogs I wore on our lovely hikes (which I would enjoy today - the hikes, not the Dr. Scholls) to the constant verbal abuse and eye-rolling at every little detail. In my defense regarding the clogs, I was only 12 and someone could have told me ahead of time (like, before we left home - that we were going to hike) besides, uh, a girl needs to look good, right? And at 12, I must have thought that Dr. Scholls would assist with that. Don't laugh. It was 1984. They were popular. And anyways, they're making a comeback. I saw them in the shoe department at Macy's last week. And Walmart.
- Okay, so the point of this? I smile, not because I was such a punk, trying to make everyone miserable, but it did create a lot of memories. Like the time (I'll probably get half of this wrong...feel free to comment and edit the story mom...) my parents took us to the other side of the lake (Lake Merit in Northern, Nebraska....HUGE) and ran out of gas and we had to walk back to the camp site through this prairie dog land...literally, every couple inches a prairie dog hole. I was scared to death. I don't remember, but yeah, I probably had my clogs on. =)
I remember lots of time at the snow pile, making the best forts and creating some great sled hills. We'd play so long our legs would be so cold -- even with snow pants on. Our house was the closest so all our friends would come home with us and stand in front of the fire that was ever-present at our house and warm up and have a snack of some sort.
I remember all sorts of games of tag and hide & go seek with all sorts of neighborhood kids for what seemed like hours on end. We found the best places to hide! We had a one-block radius to hide in and boy could we hide!
I remember our play house out back -- with a deck & everything! My sister , brother & I spent a lot of time out there, arguing I'm sure. My sister is 5-years younger than me and of course, back then she was such a pest. =)
I remember lots of camping trips with the family. I don't fish. My time on the family boat (which I was required to go on rather than stay at the camper...) was spent laying out and complaining asking "Are we having fun yet?" Obviously, because I had been told "You're going to go and you're going to have fun!" When I think back to those trips I inwardly smile a little, but for those of you reading this that actually know me, you know I am not a camper and even as a child I was not a camper, and especially as a pre-pubescent punk, was not a camper .... some things never change. In reality I was probably much more verbal about it back then than I would be today -- sorry mom & dad! =) I did all I could to be unpleasant all weekend; from the Dr. Scholl's clogs I wore on our lovely hikes (which I would enjoy today - the hikes, not the Dr. Scholls) to the constant verbal abuse and eye-rolling at every little detail. In my defense regarding the clogs, I was only 12 and someone could have told me ahead of time (like, before we left home - that we were going to hike) besides, uh, a girl needs to look good, right? And at 12, I must have thought that Dr. Scholls would assist with that. Don't laugh. It was 1984. They were popular. And anyways, they're making a comeback. I saw them in the shoe department at Macy's last week. And Walmart.
- Okay, so the point of this? I smile, not because I was such a punk, trying to make everyone miserable, but it did create a lot of memories. Like the time (I'll probably get half of this wrong...feel free to comment and edit the story mom...) my parents took us to the other side of the lake (Lake Merit in Northern, Nebraska....HUGE) and ran out of gas and we had to walk back to the camp site through this prairie dog land...literally, every couple inches a prairie dog hole. I was scared to death. I don't remember, but yeah, I probably had my clogs on. =)
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Blade-Man
Now that it's warming up outside, Kabe is determined to master his roller-blades. His class has been working on roller skates at school, which he's decided are WAY easier, so I've tried to explain to him that if he can balance on roller skates, then he'll be able to use his roller blades. This will be the third summer he's had these and he's shown definite progress -- maybe this will finally be the year he gets confident enough to use them. I've told him I (hopefully we!) will get roller blades once he figures out how to use them. I can already feel my thighs burning!
A Man & A Saw
While everyone was assembled at Grandma's the guys decided it would be a good time to do some yard cleanup. The winter has been pretty harsh and due to some severe freezing, the trees and yard were in pretty bad shape. Luckily, Gale, Brian & Chad are good with a chain saw!
Lots of the other guys helped stacked the wood, some helped load the truck with stuff to take to the burn pile down the road, others helped load another truck for the wood burning pile.
Vickie, Kaitlyn, Grandma (Dawn and Karen behind) along with many others just stayed out of the way of falling tree limbs and all the dust.
Once the effort was complete, Grandma should have no fear of falling limbs and she also has plenty of fire wood for next winter. Great team effort!
Lots of the other guys helped stacked the wood, some helped load the truck with stuff to take to the burn pile down the road, others helped load another truck for the wood burning pile.
Vickie, Kaitlyn, Grandma (Dawn and Karen behind) along with many others just stayed out of the way of falling tree limbs and all the dust.
Once the effort was complete, Grandma should have no fear of falling limbs and she also has plenty of fire wood for next winter. Great team effort!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Cutie Pie's
While we were in Kansas we got to see my brother, Brian and his family (his wife Dawn, and kids, Kaitlyn(3) and Keegan(2)). We had a lot of fun hangin' out with them -- something we don't get to do nearly enough.
Keegan & Kaitlyn -- aren't they cute?
Keegan & Kaitlyn -- aren't they cute?
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Farewell
Tuesday morning my Grandpa Kabriel passed away. He was 90 years old, still living at home. He and Grandma had just gone to coffee at the cafe in town -- on opening day, April Fools Day -- very appropriate if you knew my grandpa when he collapsed when he came home.
He was a hard-working man and a good father to his five daughters.
A good husband and grandfather, a man well-known and loved in his little community.
I have many memories of good times at your house, mushroom hunting, berry-picking, or road tripping around the area, trips to Canada, many a game of pinochle, and lots and lots of laughter. Grandpa, we're sure going to miss you!
He was a hard-working man and a good father to his five daughters.
A good husband and grandfather, a man well-known and loved in his little community.
I have many memories of good times at your house, mushroom hunting, berry-picking, or road tripping around the area, trips to Canada, many a game of pinochle, and lots and lots of laughter. Grandpa, we're sure going to miss you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
