Baseball Is Beginning

Tonight, it began! Baseball that is...currently our families favorite sport. We began tonight with Caden's 3rd year in the Jr. Midget league on the Cardinals. He came out of his room dressed and ready at 5:15 for his 8:00 game! He wore is "first season" cap, which is horribly filthy and very old looking but apparently extremely lucky according to Caden. He also chose his very stained pants from last season rather than his new pair. Oh Well!! Choose your battles right? It was very cool at game time. It was a bit strange to bring blankets and sweatshirts to a baseball game but that's what the weather called for this evening. Caden started the game at catcher. He showed a lot of hussle and threw one runner out at 2nd base. The kid pitching for the Cardinals tonight was 'on fire' with strike after strike! So, Caden didn't have a lot of chances to try throws to 2nd. After the score was 10 to O (us), Ryan moved kids around. Caden moved to short stop and then to center field. The final score was 13-2. At the plate, Caden hit a single and walked. At the plate for the third time, Ryan asked him to bat left handed...thinking Caden would strike out and the game would get over quicker! Well, that plan didn't work. Caden hit toward 3rd base for a single. I think he got lucky but Caden will confidently tell you differently! It was a great beginning. I just hope Rylan and Hudson's goes as well!

Spring Is Here!!

Winter seemed way to long this year...any AMENS on that? I am so glad the days are getting longer and filled with more sunshine! I guess the winter is kind of our slower time of year for kids activities. Rylan and Caden played basketball for about 6 weeks. Basketball at their age means only one practice a week (vs. sports like baseball 4x/week!!), and games usually on Saturdays. Both boys enjoyed basketball more this year than last I think. Caden played city league and did well. Then he would go to practice with Rylan's team. Rylan's coach asked Caden to suit up in case they got into foul trouble. I am not sure Rylan was very excited about this but Caden thought it was great. Caden did get to play in several games and just seemed to fit right in with the older boys! Rylan was the only one on his team who had played before. He really enjoyed his team because it was most of his close friends...which made it fun for Ryan and I too! He scored lots of points and really improved on his ball handling skills. They won 1st in several tournaments, 2nd in one and 3rd place in one tournament also. It was very enjoyable for all of us!

Hudson turned 5 on March 15th....sniff, sniff! I know he thinks he is sooo big and wants to be grown up but time seems to go to fast for me! We are seriously considering waiting until next fall to send him to kindergarten. He thinks he is ready to go and seems interested in going but I just have some doubts! Time will tell! Hudson is playing soccer again on his team the Dozers. He had his best game ever last week. He scored 7 goals! He loves playing and t-ball is starting next week. Hudson has been practicing and looking forward to tball for 4 years, I think! He got a bat bag for his birthday. He is currently packing it with his bat, glove, tballs and other things he believes are needed. I love how eager he is to play. He has so much stubbornness or desire..not sure what to call it but he is determined! Ryan and I just pray we can keep him pointed in a positive direction with that trait!

We returned from Leadership Training for Christ today. Rylan participated in puppets, speech, chorus, teaching challenge and Bible bowl. I am so proud of his efforts. It takes a lot of time, a lot of reading, a lot of patience to go through the training to partcipiate in these events. Next year Caden will be old enough to join LTC also. He was thinking about which events interested him. Tonight at church, Caden sat by me and we were sharing a song book. I loved hearing him sing loudly and full of pride. It was so encouraging to hear him. Caden seems to have such faith already! Sometimes I am amazed at the things he does for others and his perspective on things that happen around him. Rylan too has asked some serious questions about God and the things God wants us to do. It has really showed me that he is thinking and growing in the Lord. There aren't enough words to express how it feels to see your children establishing their own relationship and faith in God. I feel blessed and I am so thankful! My prayer is that we all continue to grow in our faith and knowledge!