A Big Hooray!

Junior High Athletic Banquet Night - a most important rite of passage for the American youth.

Last night was Thomas' first banquet.  He was honored by his coaches for his hard work and talent.  He came away with the Coach's Award for baseball and the Most Valuable Player for track.  The third trophy in the center was for being the High Point Scorer in the final track meet, the Merced County "Junior Olympics."  Woo Hoo!!  He took first place by a significant margin in the 800, the 1500 and the 3000.  A big shout out to Thomas.

"C'mon Blue" or Baseball Season Ends

Well, May is here and baseball season comes to a close for the school year. It's always with mixed feelings that I unload the folding chairs and water bottles from the trunk of the car. Yes, I am tired of being away from home every afternoon, evening and many Saturdays. I get so behind in all my "important responsibilities" .  But I love sitting at the baseball field watching my boys play. This year I noticed something - over the right field fence at our high school sits a yard that has parked within it a couple of camper trailers.  You can actually see it in this picture.  Many times during a game I've looked out there and seen a gentlemen sitting atop one of these trailers, watching the teams play. It makes me smile inside to see that he enjoys this and can spend his afternoon leisurely watching a game. I love sitting with sun rays warming my back or snuggling with Emily in a blanket. I love listening to younger children running around the bleachers or playing catch. I love going to games as a family, cheering each other on, and coming home together.

Here is Doug sliding into 3rd base. He was called out on this play. I'd like to send this picture and a pair of eye glasses to the umpire. UGGH!! "That's my boy you're calling out.  C'mon Blue."



Like any mother I know, I hate it when my kids get injured. In this game, Doug was bunting and the ball ricocheted off the bat and hit him in the face. From where I was sitting I couldn't tell immediately how bad he was hurt. But the coach from the other team ran out there and I heard him say "Oh, S---!" I was sick to my stomach. Luckily, the ball did not hit his eye socket, break his nose or knock our teeth. Even the zygomatic bone was left unbroken. Whew! It stunned him for a few minutes and I think about a gallon of adrenaline was pumping through his veins, but he regained composure quickly and as he was pitching this game, he stayed in and continued to pitch. At the beginning of every inning, the umpire would check him and make sure he was okay.  He went all 7 innings and they won the game.  Yes, I'm crying over baseball again.

I feel like the luckiest mother and wife, to have so many boys I love spending time with.