A Mission's Trip Memory

One of the youth that accompanied Russ on his Denver mission's trip this summer shared a photo

and a video.

Baseball

Both Sam and Dellen played baseball this last Spring and Summer. I am finally getting a sampling of photos taken during their seasons. Dellen enjoyed his first year of T-ball, and Sam his first year of machine pitch. They played a variety of positions, but you will see several pictures of Sam dressed as catcher. Click on any photo to see a larger version of it.

















And certainly not least! I want to give an extra special thank you to Papa and Mema for their dedication in driving all over Western Oklahoma and coming to the boys' games. There were many games, that Lil had to keep an extra eye on my kids and others that we brought to the away games when Russ and I were in the dugout helping. I appreciate you both so much! Not sure what we would do without you!

First Day of School

Sam and Dellen started school this morning. Sam is going into the 2nd grade. His teacher's name is Mrs. Hardin. Dellen is going off to school for the very first time; he is in PreK. His teacher's name is Mrs. O'Daniel.

We are happy with their new schools (they are in Weatherford, at two different school buildings.) The commute will be a transition from the luxury of being two blocks away. We had to set our alarms this morning, and from here on out most likely. That is a rare event in this house up to now. Dellen was not at all happy to get up and didn't want to start school this morning. That was the hardest part of today. He was refusing to get dressed and in total tears. It broke my heart! I was second guessing myself for starting him in PreK (Sam started in Kindergarten, and it wasn't such a push to make it happen, etc.) Thankfully, Dellen came around once we got his clothes on and ate breakfast. Sam set such a good example - he was eager for his day. He knew the first day was an easier day, and he was looking forward to the lunch menu.

Russ took the morning off, and we took both boys into their classrooms. Tears were absent for the most part this morning because I wasn't alone. It has hit me off and on at other times this week with all these transitions at one time. I imagine I will feel it more next week when we settle into the new routine. It also helps that Dellen is only gone for two and a half hours. We are still together for lunch and the afternoon. I didn't sleep at all last night, and it was just great to come home with Dellen and snuggle for a little snooze.

I am so grateful for the time with Russ this morning. We went to the local coffee shop and sat there together and uploaded this morning's pictures to his computer to share with others. Then we went and picked Dellen up from school, and took him to Pizza Hut for lunch. Dellen was a changed little boy; still so funny and full of expression. But overall just extra bouncy to tell us about his day and gobble his daddy up like he was the gingerbread man. Apparently, they looked for the gingerbread man at school all morning (the school's way of giving the tour of the building because the class never caught up to the gingerbread man!)

I go to pick up Sam here within forty minutes. I am anxious to hear about his day. Tonight, we go to the county fair. I took several items there yesterday morning. We'll have fun tonight taking part of this yearly tradition.

This is Sam's school. There are about 140 second graders and 140 third graders at this campus.

Pee Wee Football

Sam is ecstatic and has been wearing his football pads all day. He loves that the top shoulder pad flaps and it launches him into some fantasy world. It all began with a rather loud announcement that he was a lady....lady bug that is. Ironically, he yelled this out right in the middle of everyone as they were being fitted for their uniforms, etc. He quickly changed that to dragonfly wings.
This is the top half of his practice gear. They have to order his team jersey as they ran out of that size. He is part of the Weatherford Eagles team. And he loves eagles so that is another bonus.
Combines were this morning. I sooooo wish I had my camera. Groups of boys ages 7 - 12 going from station to station. He did sprints this morning, push ups (21 in fact - I was shocked and impressed), shuttle runs, football throws, run pass routes and catch, and getting harnessed to a 45 pound free weight plate and having to drag it five yards! Most of these stations were timed. He applied himself so much. We saw him run faster than we ever have (he has never cared to run during baseball practice). He had the heart of Rudy today. He sprinted so hard, that one time he fell and rolled several times as he crossed the finish line.

Another positive item was that we knew several people there, including his good friend and classmate from the last two years, Kyle. We feel like this opportunity will be a really neat experience for him! But, everyone please pray for his safety this football season. I basically had to sign my life away (or as Russ reminds me, Sam's life away) in case of emergencies on the field; including anesthetic and surgery releases!

And so we yell, "let football begin!" And that means the season I love is right around the corner as well. Yeah!

...There is another little guy in the house that wants a piece of the action. What a cutie also!

July Fourth

This is what the night of the 4th looked like out my sister's front door. I think they got over four inches of rain that evening. We were bummed as they had purchased some awesome fire works for our family celebration. And since their family recently built a new home, most of the lot was not finished yet. That in turn caused rivers of mud! Loading up the cars to travel to Colorado the next day was a mess.
We had a lot of fun with our cousins though.

We did manage some time outside the day before.


Bella, pictured above, is the first girl for this generation. Other than the snuggles from her, the boys were definitely boys running around with their guns and battle strategies.