T-ball!

Ward had his first t-ball game today.  To say that he was excited would be a complete understatement.  It is a gorgeous day and the kids all had the best time.  His coach gave them eye-black which Ward thinks is "totally cool awesome" (an exact quote).  There is no score, no outs, just fun.  Each teams bats around twice and the kids have the best time.  And I have the pictures to prove it.

Here are some shots of Ward before the game:

Just after he got on his uniform!  So cute!

practicing with daddy in the front yard - READY!

Throwing it back - nice form!

Once we got to the field, it was mass chaos for a little while.  Ward's coach, Coach Andy, is amazing with the kids and they all really love him.  Ward even gave him a hug after the game!  Here are a couple of action shots:

Running to first after his first hit (which made it all the way to third base!)

SAFE! (not that they are counting outs!)

Getting a little tired in the field - or annoyed with me for taking pictures!

GOOD GAME!

Team shot (the boy in the black pants is blocking Ward - oh well)

Huddled up after the game with Coach Andy

with Allen Baker (they played each other)

Now I am off for a nap.  It has been an exciting morning: breakfast at the Broken Egg, James Stephens's birthday party at Jones Valley Urban Farm downtown, planting flowers with mommy, lunch, Ward's game, and then playing in the yard.  Ward has Allen Baker's birthday party this afternoon, but Ted and I get a reprieve - we have an adults only Fish Fry!!  Can't wait to enjoy this beautiful Alabama weather!

Lenten Reflection

Again, not the typical Lenten reflection today.  I have been having a rough day . . . started out with Sam crying a lot of the night, included a trip to the pediatrician (Sam's ear is getting better, thankfully, so no apparent reason for the "I'm in pain come and get me" cry throughout the night), and ended at Walmart, which is not my favorite place to be at 4:15.  And I am tired.  Very tired.  And Sam is crying . . . again.  And Ann Park is crying.  But Ward is playing quietly in his room.

But I will be THANKFUL.  Thankful for all the blessings around me, thankful for my this wonderful family and loving husband, thankful for the roof over my head to shield me from the storm, thankful for the warm bed to sleep in and the food I have to cook tonight.  I could go on and on.  I am trying HARD to focus on those things and not the irritableness that surrounds me at this moment.

Pictures from the weekend

Here are some of the shots from the weekend.  As I said before, we had a great time.  The kids all got along and besides Sam being a little out of sorts, it was absolutely perfect.  No complaints here.

Abby and Ann Park raking in the barn.

Ward and Ava feeding Sampson.  Ward is giving a mean face!

Now there is a smile!

Little Miss Ava, the model - she cracked us up all weekend with her poses!

All the kids on the tractor.  The girls got hot and decided to copy Ward and not wear a shirt!

Ward's fish - He said that he reeled it in all by himself.  I need to confirm that one with Ted! What do you think about the outfit?  He picks them out himself down there and usually has a couple of outfit changes per day.  I think that this was look 2 for him.

Abby and Papa really bonded.  I think that Dad fell in love a little bit!

Definitely my favorite picture of the weekend.  I am making it my screensaver!

2 birthday cakes!  Chocolate with trick candles (thanks to Ward) and a pink velvet horseshoe cake!  No wonder I can't lose all my Sam weight!

Sweet sweet Tripp

Another pose from Ava in my footie pajamas (courtesy of Ted) and my Princess birthday hat!

Lenten Reflection

So I am in complete shock at how fast Lent has passed us by.  Palm Sunday is this week and next week is Easter.  Sam is going to be 1 before I know it!  By the way, he has been a little under the weather with a terrible ear infection and we went back for stronger meds today.  Pray my sweet baby returns soon!

But back to Lent.  Now that Lent is coming to a close, I really try to focus on my sins and God's wonderful forgiveness.  I pray that God helps us pass from our old life of sin to our new life of grace.  This week let the powerful light of God's love shine into the deepest, darkest corners of your being, even if in the process it reveals the most unloving parts of your self, and ask for forgiveness and healing.


God of love,
I know that you are the source of all
that is good and graced in my life.
Help me to move from the life of sin
to which I so often cling,
into the new life of grace you offer me.
You know what I need to prepare for your kingdom.
Bless me with those gifts.

Great birthday weekend

We just got back from an amazing weekend at Grey Rocks with some of my favorite people in the world.  The kids had an amazing time and y family and friends made it one of my best birthdays I can remember.  I will post pictures later, but I found this poem and it summed up my thoughts -- 

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.
So love the people who treat you right.
Love the ones who don't just because you can.
Believe everything happens for a reason.
If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.
If it changes your life, let it.
Kiss slowly.
Forgive quickly.
God never said life would be easy. He just promised it would be worth it. 

Lenten Reflection

We are heading to Grey Rocks in a little bit for the weekend.  We are having our favorite couple friends and family down there as well.  It is my birthday weekend so I am really looking forward to it.  Plus, to make it extra special, Jeanne and her boys (minus Martin) will be getting there tomorrow.  So no posting this weekend.

And as far as a Lenten reflection, serve others.  Simple, but oh so hard.

Lenten Reflection

Thus far today we have spent most of the day with family.  This morning Ted's mom came over to take care of Sam for the morning while I met the Tuscaloosa Holts (Alison, Stella, Gus, Annie and baby Louis) at the McWane Center.  It was a good idea at first, but then the busses pulled up and the McWane Center was PACKED.  It definitely had to be a fire code violation.  Because of all the kids, it turned out not to be much fun because they just couldn't play on all the toys.  So we left and went to the park.  The kids had a great time and then we headed to Gilchrest, an old soda shop.  They are all back here playing (Ali took Stella shopping) and I feel blessed.

FAMILY:  Spend time with them.  Love them.  Feel their love.

FRIENDS:  Smile.  You never know who might need it today.

FAITH:  Praise the Lord for all your blessings.  I am right now as I listen to the laugher coming from upstairs.

Out of it

Sorry for the lack of posting this past week. I went to Memphis on Sunday with Ward and Ann Park to spend some quality time with my dear friend, Lee, and the older kids had so much fun with Susan, Madison and Eliot. And I got to meet my newest godchild, William. He is precious and we had the best time, although it was a short trip. Here are a few pictures:

 

waiting for pizza, making silly faces

Ward and Eliot, two peas in a pod

doing crafts while the big girls were at school

my sweet girl

the newest Morris - William, 5 weeks old

We got home late on Monday night and then Ted left for CT on Tuesday morning. After working on Tuesday, I get home to Mary's report that Sam is refusing the bottle and screaming in pain when he tried to drink. So this morning I spent some time in the pediatrician's office. I was thankful for Spring Break as there was next to no one there and Sam was diagnosed with a double ear infection - his first. No fever, no fussiness, just refusing the bottle. The ladies at the front desk didn't believe me when I said we were there for a sick visit since he was just flirting with everyone, but he is definitely sick. Didn't take a bottle at all today, and we are not understanding a sippy cup. But he had plenty of solid food and plenty of wet diapers so hopefully he won't be hurting too much tomorrow.

We have a big day tomorrow as well.  I am taking the older two and meeting our cousins from Tuscaloosa (the ones we spend a week with at the beach each summer) at the McWane Center.  For those of you not from Birmingham, the McWane Center is an amazing kids science center here (www.mcwane.org).  They can't wait.  I just hope that I will be able to keep up with them all!

Here is a cute picture of my two boys.  Ward is so sweet to Sam it just melts my heart!  I hope that they will always be close, despite the age difference.

Lenten Reflection

Hard to believe that the third week of Lent is coming to a close and that Easter seems to be closer than ever. Because of everything that has gone on this week, I have seemed to be focused on why God lets all these bad things happen and why he allows us to suffer. But I know that although we feel sad and feel pain, it is absolutely NOTHING compared to what Christ suffered on the cross for our sins.

FAMILY: Enjoy the day today together as a family. Sing. Dance. Laugh. Love.

FRIENDS: Be thankful for those who surround you.

FAITH:God of Mercy and Understanding,

I know that with help
I can open my heart more fully
to the mysteries of the suffering and death
of your son.
Help me to be humble in this journey
and remember that any mercy and compassion I feel
is a gift from you.
I await the joy of Easter with new longing and patience.

Cutest Baby on the Block

Okay, I know that I might be biased (just a little bit), but Sam is truly the cutest baby on the block. I got a couple of great pictures of him this morning. He is getting so big - scooting around everywhere and he can now sit up by himself from the prone position. That means that I need to drop the mattress in the crib - which is a total pain, but absolutely necessary! True crawling is right around the corner. I think that it would have happened sooner if it wasn't for the TERRIBLE cold and cough that he has had for the past 2 weeks.

Lenten Reflection

FAMILY: Do something special with one child today (again a theme, I know). Ann Park and I are going to get manicures together after school. She is needing some mommy time.

FRIENDS: Be a friend who listens. Hear what your friends need. Don't talk. Just be there for them and listen.

FAITH: Yesterday at Norval's funeral the Pastor talked about those verses where Jesus talks about how God prepares a room for you in Heaven. I have always loved that image because Heaven is such a hard concept to grasp and Jesus is trying to put it in our terms for us so we can have a tiny understanding of the wonderful place that awaits us. Well, this morning as I turned on my computer, I get a "verse of the day" on my Google homepage. Guess what verse was there?

Yup: John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

Plain ole sad

So today I am just plain ole sad. I feel like so many bad things are happening to so many wonderful people around me. I just continue to get bad news with every turn and I am starting to feel it. Ted says that I need to be thankful that it is happening around me and not to me, and for that I am. I am also just trying to focus on the "half-full" version of the cup as well.

FAMILY: Hug your family. Love them. Kiss them. Don't take them for granted.

FRIENDS: Be a good friend to all. Don't meet a stranger.

FAITH: Even though I don't feel like this today, this was the verse I turned to this morning as I was reading my Bible: 1 Thess. 5:16-18 Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Lenten Reflection

FAMILY: Have a dance party with your kids (or by yourself). Feel the joy!

FRIENDS: Think of something that you can do for a friend who is feeling alone right now. Do it this week.

FAITH:God, you love me as your own child.

May I bend my life and will toward you
so that I might accept your teaching and guidance.
I am so grateful for your support in my life,
now and in the eternal life you are preparing for me.
I beg for your help and Spirit in my life today.

Lenten Reflection and Prayer Request

A friend of our's mother died in her sleep last night, apparently of a massive heart attack. She was not much older than my parents and it has really rocked our tiny world. We all know that we could leave this earth at any minute, but who really contemplates this thought? She leaves behind a loving husband, son, daughter-in-law, and three precious grandchildren, not to mention all her dear friends and the people that she touched daily, through her smile and infectious laugh.

Please pray for the Springfield family.

FAMILY: Appreciate your parents. Call and tell them that you love them.

FRIENDS: Do the same for your friends. You never know how long you will have them on this earth.

FAITH: God, why do you take people away when we so want them to stay here on earth? Why do children have to grow up without parents or husbands grow old without their wives? We don't understand why you let these things happen to us, or why we have to go through such hurting times. Please be with us. Teach us to trust and find hope, peace and comfort in you.

T-ball

I am not sure if I have posted on this topic or not, but Ward has started t-ball . . . and he LOVES it. For that I am so thankful. We have tried a couple of other organized sports, including soccer, which he has . . . ummm, how can I put it . . . hated. I would have to bribe him to go to practice and forget about a game. No way. Not interested. But t-ball is another story. He can't wait. He begs for practice. He can't wait for the game (he had his first practice game today and had 3 hits and no "strikes", i.e. complete misses of the ball on the T). He is on the Pirates, which is absolutely perfect for him since he is obsessed with all things pirate. He got his jersey tonight and is #3, a number that Ted was in soccer. He is so excited. I will take a picture of him all decked out soon.

Costumes

Mom went to Mexico last week with a group of girls and came back with the most amazing costumes for the kids. Ward's is a very elaborate Darth Vadar (not sure if that is how you spell it) and Ann Park's is Aurora, otherwise known as Sleeping Beauty. Sam didn't get a costume, but Ann Park shared her crown with him!

I told her before I took the picture below to give me a "pretty face" but it kinda came out making her look constipated! We will have to work on that!

Ward would not let me take a picture of him until he went upstairs and got his light sabor. No DV costume would be complete without it!

My two cuties . . . such a pair!

Lenten Reflection

So it is yet to be seen whether Ted will be among the living today. He didn't make it out of the bed yesterday (although he did manage to get some work done - priorities, right), but after two nights of sleeping with Ann Park I really want to get back in my bed tonight (and maybe even this afternoon for a nap!).

FAMILY: Play. Laugh. Play some more.
FRIENDS: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Live by that today (you should be doing it anyway, but really think about it today).
FAITH: Celebrate and rejoice. The Saturdays of Lent have a wonderful spirit. The daily Church reading today is the parable of the two sons:
- one who is ungrateful and leaves, but returns, and
- one who will not accept the forgiveness
the father lavishes on the other.

The Lord is loving and merciful,
slow to anger, and full of love;
the Lord is kind to all, and compassionate
to all his creatures.

Lenten Reflection

FAMILY: Take care of my sick husband . . . that is all I can think today. Don't be bitter if I can't go to the farm. He can't help it.
FRIENDS: Do a random act of kindness today. Make someone's day.
FAITH: Loving God, Caring parent,
I am a child who so often turns my back
on your love.
Please accept my small acts of sorrow today
and help to release me from the self-absorption
that closes my heart to you.
As I journey through Lent,
let me remember the feast you have prepared for me
in the resurrection
and let me be filled with thanks to you.

Guess who?

So guess who threw up all night and announced to me this morning that he thinks he lost 5-7 pounds? Ted. Let the real infirmary begin. Still praying that Sam and I don't get it. Sam has an awful cold, but I would take that any day over the throw ups. I slept with Ann Park, which means that I didn't get a full night's sleep but I wasn't thinking about staying in our room and I did the couch a couple of months ago, when Ted had the throw ups the last time. I am not sure what is up with his immune system, but I have never heard of a grown man getting the throw up bug two times in 6 months, have you? I know it is really contagious, but he didn't really even take care of Ward when he was sick since he was at work. Oh well. Ann Park says that we need to "pray to God for daddy" and so we will.

Lenten Reflection

FAMILY: Appreciate your family for who they are at this moment. They will continue to change each year, month, week, day, even minute, and you can't go back to how they are today.
FRIENDS: Pray for a friend who has a sick child. As you know, I have been dealing with that this week and it is exhausting! Maybe even think about doing a little something special to help her out!
FAITH: Today the daily reading at Mass was the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus. The daily prayer relates the story to our life: Loving God,
I hear your invitation, "Come back to me"
and I am filled with such a longing to return to you.
Show me the way to return.
Lead me this day in good works I do in your name
and send your Spirit to guide me and strengthen my faith.
I ask only to feel your love in my life today.

Throw ups

Well, we have had our dose of the throw-up bug. Last Friday night, Ann Park threw up all over her bed in the middle of the night and then had awful diarrhea for the next day. I thought that we were in the clear when we got through the rest of the weekend and Monday/Tuesday without another incident. I was wrong. Ward threw up during dinner last night and continued to throw up all night, on and off. After two changes of the sheets and a lot of cloroxing of the bathroom, he seems to be through the worst of it. He has been running a fever on and off all day, but I just took it again and it is gone, without medication. He even ate some toast and is asking for a grilled cheese.

So PLEASE everyone pray that Sam doesn't get it. Of course Ward was all over Sam yesterday afternoon and early evening before he got sick. I am just praying for a miracle. I can handle it when the older two get it, gross as it may be, but I think that it will completely break my heart if he gets it. I don't know what I will do!

Lenten Reflection

FAMILY: Do something in appreciation of your parents. If you are a parent now, you can really understand what they went through to make you the person you are today. At the very least, call them and tell them thanks for all the hard work!
FRIENDS: Apologize to someone today when you hurt them or do something that you should not have (or apologize for something you did a while back and never had the guts to say you were sorry for). Even if it is something small.
FAITH: God in heaven and in my life,
guide me and protect me.
I so often believe I can save myself
and I always end in failure.
Lead me with your love away from harm
and guide me on the right path.
May your Spirit inspire the Church
and make us an instrument of your love and guidance.
Thank you for your care for me.

Lenten Reflection

FAMILY: Do something unexpected for your family - whether it be making a special treat or a fun dinner. Make them smile.
FRIENDS: Send a short note to a friend who needs encouragement.
FAITH:Lord,
your commandment of love is so simple
and so challenging.
Help me to let go of my pride,
to be humble in my penance.
I want only to live the way you ask me to love,
to love the way you ask me to live.
I ask this through your son, Jesus,
who stands at my side
today and always.