Friends!

What a gift friendship is! We were so blessed to have family and friends visit us over the weekend! I knew I was 'homesick' (whatever that means) but getting to see our friends and family over the weekend felt like receiving a cold drink of water after going without for far too long! We had such a great time laughing, talking, and hanging out! Will and Austyn rode the hills of town several times over! It was so cool to see them getting right back into their friendship and having fun times. We are always looking forward to the next time God brings us together but also have much to be thankful to God for. Thanks for coming Sylvia and DuPeire's! Until next time...

A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.~Donna Roberts

Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things.~Author Unknown

Jambalaya Time

It's been several days and my family and I are still reliving the terrific meal our good friend Matt prepared for us. Our oldest son holds among the finest things in life to be anything edible, so when Matt and Kristy offered to treat us like royalty and make us the jambalaya, Cole especially was thrilled. At some point in the evening I begged/threatened that he might need to live with them for awhile since it's so hard to finance his feeding frenzies. Matt replied that until he becomes 'corn fed' we'll probably have to keep him. :) THANK YOU, MATT AND KRISTY FOR A VERY FINE MEAL AND AN EVEN BETTER FRIENDSHIP! We love you, and I mean that in the healthiest and cleanest sense of the word...(only you will get that one, I hope).
Cooking the jambalaya in a dutch oven over coals.
Oh, yummy!!!!!
Will and Austyn enjoying.
Oh, yea, here's my sweet little angel. or not. Where do they get their manners?!

Kenosis in Photos...

How Did That Happen?!

At least 12 hours have passed and in that time, I have countlessly questioned myself. I'm still wondering how 'it' happened? I'm totally perplexed, I tell you! Which, if you know me well, you understand that I have been perplexed for most of my life about at least one or a dozen things. But back to the biggest current question... How did that happen?! How is it that I, a total non-sport participating person, actually started to like playing softball?? What was it that tipped me over the edge? In all of my 42 years, I have never enjoyed playing sports. And now, even though I ran like a turtle, got numerous outs, and am more sore today than I was after all three of my children's births put together--honestly, I really and truly enjoyed myself.

Last night, the team played a double-header. Never mind that the opposing teams were literally half our age, we had a great time and almost won! Dirk got a home run and ran it like a pro! The last game finished with a 7-10 loss but all I could see was a bunch of winners...which brought me to tears. Both of my 'surrogate' sons came up to me and told me I did a good job. Now we all know the truth, I wasn't very good, but their words hit me in the heart. Dirk thought I was crying because I struck out. (Mind you, I'm not that into the game!) I will miss my team more than words can say. People always say they will visit and all that stuff when a person moves but we've moved around enough to understand the most well meaning words are rarely acted on. So when I walked off the field and realized that I actually liked playing softball, I now realize the reason I most likely began to like it was because I love the people I played with...and I will miss them so very much.

Another Monday At The Ball Field...

I decided it would be best to blog about our latest softball game now, when the pain is at it's peak and before my brain gets too fuzzy...

So, this week I played catcher. Not a bad thing at all. Stand behind the batter and pretend to look like I know what is going on. No problem! Less running and all that means a lot to a girl like me--one who runs about as fast as a turtle. All was going well in this position until I accidently threw the ball and it bounced and hit an unfortunate location on the pitcher. Oopsie, to say the least! I got a couple of hits but was out before I got to first base--it's the turtle thing again! Ugh! My shins started hurting about the second out and just kept right on getting more intense as the night wore on and on and on... Dirk also played tonight as pitcher and third baseman. (By the time I made the little throwing error, Dirk was playing third base. whew!) He did get a nasty scrape on his leg from sliding in to third but he looked really good doing it. I mean really good!

After limping home and once again realizing, I could almost be the mother of most of my teammates, I ran a warm bath and sank into the blessed warmth of relief for my aching muscles and miscellaneous body parts. Unfortunately, the warm water only lasted so long and then it was time to not so gracefully get myself out of the tub and onto dry land.

My friend just called and informed me that we left the game too early since the next team playing was short three girls and I could have played another game... I can only ask, "How can you not believe there is a God when He alone was able to get us out of the ball park before that catastrophe?" Thank you, God! And not just for the fun I'm having, but all your love and mercy too!

It Wasn't So Bad After All

Yesterday a couple of friends sent me into sheer panic mode. I knew it was something that could possibly happen at some distant point in time but it wasn't something that I was preparing for. Then out of the blue, the call comes in from my chuckling, mischievous friend. "Oh, by the way," she says. "Atheena can't play ball tonight so you have to take her place." Yep, those were her words. Never mind that my head began to spin and my eyes dialated. She just smiled and continued saying some things that I can no long remember because my thoughts were stuck on the movie going through my head of me taking a major hit in the face with a ball going 100 miles per hour. So for the rest of the day, I prayed that Atheena would show up after all. I even talked to another friend/traitor/girl on the team and told her to pray for an actual sportswoman to come take my place. This 'friend' just laughed and basically told me to suck it up and take one for the team. She also told me I owed it to her for moving away. Ok, so they asked for it and they got it.

Here we have 'friend' #1 who started this whole heart palpatation thing. And on a MONDAY, no less! (that's me in the background looking clueless.)

Here is 'friend' #2 in the back ground behind Coach/Actual Sportsman Matt.


And here is me, the hopelessly bewildered player who thanks to her son's prayers--and only because of her son's prayers--was able to hit the ball and help with an RBI (which I have no idea what is). I was out both times at bat but I didn't strike out, which they tell me is a big difference too.

It was at this time that I found out another girl on the team is moving away so they will need a permanent full time player to finish the season. There were a couple of so-called friends who were giving me the eye and chuckling deviously again... I think I'm going to start stretching now in case I have to play next week. Well, maybe I'll do it later, staying in my pajamas till noon and venting in this post is more important right now.

Friday Nights

The 'warriors' headed off to the lake for some guy stuff last night. Dirk had to load cattle out for awhile but he finished up relatively early compared to most Friday nights, so then the crew headed out to the lake. I still don't think I understand why grown men and almost grown men go out and shoot each other with these things and call it fun. I was looking at their battle scars and it just seems strange to me, but then I'm obviously a girl and Tiff, Ally, Sofie and I couldn't wait to get rid of the guys so we could watch a chick flick. Yay for 'guy fun' which allows for a quiet night of girl times!

Cousins playing Corn Hole.

Sofie has decided that Dirk is alright. She gets the most excited when he's trying to watch tv and she can get in his way by either sniffing his arm pits or standing in front of the screen. Last night she just decided she'd rather have him hold her. Sydnie and Sarah were at the movie so all of our spoiling energy ended up on Sofie. She didn't seem to mind. :)

Life Light Concert!!!!

We had a hugely great time at the concert last night! Our little rocker chick disappeared as soon as she and her group got through the doors. They made it to the very front and remained there for the whole night. The music was so awesome and fun to listen to. Bailey got to go on stage and play the guitar and both girls were given picks throughout the concert by different bands. On a dare, Ally touched the shoe of Rough Draft's guitar player. :) (A bit of her Aunt Lisa in her, for sure.) The bouncer, who happens to be our pastor, either didn't see her or knew the band was safe. lol. The boys were a little more reserved but got into it by the end. A great time was had by all and everyone is dragging today.

NBA Playoffs

Baking and Friends!

Last night was basketball playoffs time at our house. Friends were over, the game was on, but Ally's cookies were missing so when the guys requested "Ally Cookies" she got right on it with her new friend Bailey. Ally loves to bake but the whole night was MUCH more fun for her because although she is quite used to being the only girl and does fine with it most of the time, she misses 'girl' stuff. We were so blessed to have Bailey come with the DePeire's last night! The cookies were great altho the color was quite unique. Everyone had a blast and Ally thinks that after seeing the color of the cookies next time cookie requests are made it won't be for "Ally Cookies" but just "Chocolate Chip Cookies" instead.

What to do in a tornado watch...

The weather hasn't been the best around here lately. Usually, I am on top of the forecast between the internet and the weather channel but for some reason Polar Bowler got in the way of my usual diligence. (BTW, I'll save Polar Bowler for another days explanation.) The sirens caught me off guard needless to say. The first storm came through with a vengence and definitely had us in prayer mode. Some friends called right in the middle of the storm needing a place to stop so we did have the comforting time of fellowship for some of it. Then the friends decided to head for home and we kept getting reports of another storm heading our way. Not having a basement, encouraged me to seek shelter at our church. So, what better way to get through a storm than in the company of friends. Several of us happened to be in need of the basement's shelter so we ended up having a good time in spite of our husband's deciding to head out in between the storms to check for damages. After getting our thoughts on that subject in line(which I won't share), we had a time of prayer and thankfully, God did protect them and us from the second onslaught.


Playing cards to pass the time!

Sophie and Matt!

Chad and Aric.


For some reason Kristy didn't enjoy the cards as much as some of us did on this night. It might have something to do with the Queen of Spades... :)

M & M's!!!!

Sophie had m&m's last night. Can you tell she liked them? I don't think I have ever seen anyone eat them faster!

Maggie!

Our friend, Maggie, rode a bus all the way from Ohio to visit us last week. It was so great to have her stay with us!

Ally REALLY LOVED having Maggie with us. It definitely helped even the odds of having a male dominated house!

Even tho we are miles apart we keep her in our prayers, especially that she will choose God in everything.

Yep, she just seems like part of the family! We will miss her!

Having Fun

Will, Ally, Maggie, and Tanner hanging out after the younger kids were gone.

Kristy, Dean and Cole...One of the few moments Kristy looks like she's behaving herself. ;)

Jordan was overseeing Matt and Dirk's work on the grill.

Yum! Beef!

Atheena, Tiffany, and Jennifer relaxing in the shade.

Ally and Sofie.

Cole and Chad after a long day.

Softball Practice

Something I never thought I'd do... Of course, by the photos, you can tell that my favorite part was talking in outfield... :)