Doing Hard Things

To some these may all be pictures of some kids and Tyler playing baseball. No big deal. But to me, I get tears in my eyes looking at them. These are such a testimony to me of God's faithfulness! This was the very first real baseball game Tyler has ever played in. Some of you may know the struggle that lead up to this day, but for those who don't let me assure you, it was a struggle!! Tyler really wanted to sign up for baseball and was excited when we did. That all changed when it actually started and it was much harder than he expected it to be. That was it for him and he wanted out! I tried to encourage him that this was going to be a great opportunity for him to experience God's faithfulness to him to get him through this season. But let me tell you, I got to a point where I was doubting that and was ready to call the coach and pull him from the team. However, I continued to get the sense that God had Tyler exactly where he needed to be-in a challenging situation. Over and over again my thought was that Ty needed to learn to do hard things; to persevere and trust that God would see him through. This all sounds kind of strange when you consider that this is a game, but God is even in the games we play!

So the first game came and Tyler sat out due to his back being sore. But when the team won, he was a little disappointed that he hadn't been a part of it. This past Tuesday was the 2nd game and Ty announced that his back was indeed feeling better and that he thought he could play this time. So here he is, in his first Little League Baseball game. For the first time since this all began, I saw him engaging with the other kids, encouraging them, getting excited by the good plays that were made-in short, he had become a part of the team! I was teary eyed then watching him get more and more excited. And again when he got up to bat! This is such an accomplishment for him! He was obviously nervous, but he did it! He didn't back away from it! I was amazed in that moment at how faithful God had been through this time leading up to that moment! How all of the prayers I prayed from the bleachers while watching the practices had been answered in this 1 moment! Even though he was "walked" to first, he still got a pretty good hit in before that, it just went a little far off the field! But that walk eventually lead to him getting a run and scoring a point for the team.

So here are a few shots from the game. Can you see his smile as he waits on second to run to the next base? Yep. Our God is so good!

The Warm up before the game.Tyler got a hit!Running to second base.On 2nd base.Home Plate! He's Safe!

My angel in the outfield!Game over. Red Sox win it, 10-3!

Oh and a side benefit to this...I get to take pictures of Tyler and he isn't ducking and dodging my camera!

Next up, NASCAR

This past Saturday was our cub scout den's Pine Wood Derby. It may not be NASCAR, but let me tell you, the competition is official and fierce!Here is Danny's car at the official weigh-in. All cars must be under a certain weight. The boys and their dad's are given a block of wood and some wheels and they get to design their own car. Here were this years entries.

Danny had in mind that he wanted to make his a Honda. Perhaps he will grow to be a more practical sort who chooses function over form. For now, it seems he made a wise decision. This is his car in the lead. (I wonder if we could get some royalties from Honda for this picture?)

This is how they start the race.

Here are the men awarding the ribbons to the winners.

Kate was the official car stopper!

Here is Danny with his 1st place ribbon! His car won all the races he was in! He was not so happy with me when I took this picture because I was singing the Speed Racer theme song.
"Here he comes. Here comes Speed Racer. He's a demon on wheels...."

God's Sovereignty

Above even the darkest, most severe storms, there is blue sky.

We had wild weather yesterday. 70 degrees quickly dropped into the 50's while the storm clouds moved overhead. Thunder, lightning, even reports of a tornado in the area. Then came the rain which turned to hail. 10 minutes later, it was over.

I am not currently in the midst of a storm, but as I pondered this picture God reminded me of His ever present grip on my life. "Forever and always secure." Thank you Jesus!

Propeller Head

Our creative boy is at it again. Danny is so funny with the things he dreams up. Today it is a propeller hat. It even works! He attached an erector set piece to a spinning device that is operated buy a simple circuit from their Snap Circuits kit. Flip the switch and -Wahlah! (Is there a correct spelling for that?)

Promise of New Life!!

GREEN!!!!!

I don't want my excitement to take away from my kiddies accomplishments, so if you haven't already, scroll down to see my last post. Besides, you'll understand my excitement over this picture better if you do!

Recent Events

I'm trying to come up with a clever opening but nothings happening. So I guess I will just dive right in to life-lately. Sunday was our Scout troops Blue and Gold Dinner. Danny has moved on from Wolf Cub to a Bear Cub. He is loving scouts and especially looking forward to earning his whittling badge next year. Tyler has now officially crossed over into Boy Scouts. He earned the "Arrow of Light" and crossed the bridge. He has decided, however to end his scouting career here. I am proud of both of them for their achievements. Danny for being consistent and enthusiastic even when few others were showing up. Tyler was not sure he wanted to be a scout this year, but since he had signed up we told him he had to follow through on his commitment. He really persevered and worked hard to complete what he had to to "graduate". I am proud of him for sticking it out and fighting past the desire to quit.

Tyler has decided that he would rather put his efforts into baseball. He is now registered for baseball and he will be going to tryouts on Saturday. He has never played before but is determined to do well. We have been out practicing during these warmer days. It has been rather comical as I have been using a kid-sized, made for a lefty glove. I have to give him credit though-he hits more than he misses and that is really saying something with me pitching left handed!!

Danny came home the other day with papers for football registration for the Fall. He is so excited! He has been wanting to play football for a while.

And if that wasn't enough, Kate came home all excited yesterday with papers of her own! "Mom guess what? I have papers for signing up for football too! Can you sign me up too?" "Honey, you're a girl and girls don't play football" "But Mom! They said that anyone could sign up." Ahh, yes. Raising girls in modern times! I mentioned to her that if she played football, she would have to give up dance class. "Hmm. Oh. Well, never mind." I'm half tempted to sign her up just to see if she could even walk with a football uniform on!!!

Monday Kate and I got to join Danny's class on a short field trip to MiddleCreek to see the Snow geese and Tundra swans. That was pretty amazing! There were thousands of them everywhere!

I know this looks like a swarm of bugs, but all of those tiny dots are snow geese!!! There were so many that I had to stitch 3 pictures together to make this picture, and it still doesn't show all of them!

Now I am just awaiting some signs of Spring that have a little more color in them. I know brown is the "in" color right now, but outside, I would love to see it fade into the back ground while some more vibrant colors take over!

Waiting for the Lamb

At 6am this morning the word was "2 hour Delay" so we all went back to sleep. By 9am (yes we were awake by then) the updated word was "School will be closed" YIPPEE and YAHOO! It is always fun to have my kiddos home with me unexpectedly and though I would have preferred watching daffodils popping up, we instead were able to enjoy the lion's roar!

Tyler about to crash into me

Kate enjoying her ride

"Look Mom! It Works!"................. THUD!!!....... Giggle. Giggle........."Oh, until I try to turn." ;o)