State Tournament Pictures

After checking out of our hotel, we had some time to kill, so we decided to go to the Clinton Library and check things out. Andrew is crazy about space and they had some exhibits there to see. I will share a few with you.

I know, you have always wondered what the space shuttles bathrooms look like, huh? Well, here you have it. Potty room and shower all in one.

The shower door closes and in cases the bathroom, I guess...that's what it looked like to us anyway.

Andrew tried out the simulators...he enjoyed landing the shuttle. Said it wasn't as easy as one would think. Really? He said he wasn't ready to do it anytime soon.

This is the space gear for getting around in space.

Andrew's dream is to someday be an astronaut. The kid has an unbelievable telescope that he shares with his family as he tells us what we are looking at. He loves the stars.

Fred and I stopped for a moment to get our picture taken together.

Michael and Andrew in front of one of the bridges in Little Rock.

Look, President Clinton loved baseball too.

This water feature was very interesting. It spilled over the side of the granite...also very refreshing on a hot day.

Leaving the Presidential Library. We had fun.

Our team during the National Anthem.

Game over...Joshua goes to the fence to text Jessie...go figure.

Joshua was very blessed to have an old friend...Evan Nally...best friend in school from third grade until he moved away...to be at his game. They still spend a week or two together every summer. It was nice to have him there.

Kyle with his dad after a long hard game.

These are the moments that I will miss.

I have been so blessed to be a part of this small community of friends. My memories, both good and bad, will be treasured in my heart forever. A lot of life's lessons and teachable moments game from baseball. I guess that's why I love the game.

District runner up

I know, I know, baseball again? Well the season for Joshua has come to an end so I am blogging all pictures I can find of him. Be patient.

I tried to take pictures of all the graduating seniors from Tech whom Joshua has
played with for the past 10 years...

Here is a look at some of his buddies.

Luke Foster

Josh Everett, known as "E".

Joey Taylor...Ooey is the name that Joey was blessed with.

Tyler Nutt, "TY" or "T-Nutt"...

Jon Wheeler, otherwise known as 18 wheeler,

Josh and Joshua playing around...They just won the game that would send them to state.

Our district runner-ups for this part of Arkansas...really proud of these guys.

Don't look so serious...Joshua and Jon.

Kyle, Joshua, and Josh...don't ask.
These boys get together and there's no tellin' what will happen.

Baseball, baseball, and volleyball

Kids, kids, kids...yep, that's what dominates my camera time now. I had an individual tell me, "take lots of pictures of those kids because someday they may be taken away from you and that's all you have of them." She has lost two kids to two different accidents; the only two kids she had. Not that that situation will ever happen to me but you never know.

So, yes, lots of pictures.

Micah's junior volleyball session has started and I am loving it. Many camps throughout the summer and I get to attend some. Micah jumps to deflect the ball in this picture...not that you couldn't already tell that.
Micah is pictured with Mackenzie here...one of the two of her setters.

Wham!!! back atcha here. She loves to block hits.

This picture is of Micah's two coaches from two different teams she plays on. The one in the blue is her high school coach and the one in the pink is her JO coach. We played against her JO coaches high school team and beat them, but not by much.

Micah is warming up in this picture with Krissy.

This year already promises to be a great year. Looking forward to it.

These are pictures of a previous tournament Fred played in at Truman.

He had an awesome batting average after this tournament.

Waiting on the ball...

hitting the ball...

making it to second base on that hit. You would have to see how fast Andrew runs to understand why this picture was taken. He is a slow runner...gets that from his mom... so the fact that he made it to second should tell you have far and hard he hit it...

dad turning around to me and asking, "did you see that?!". Yes he has hit home runs before but this ball was a very hard hit grounder. Stunned the players. It was awesome and the talk of the day. So I had to blog it.

When he is not playing first, shortstop, third, pitching or catcher, he plays left field. Man of many positions. Isn't that called a utility player?

Now, on to Joshua playing against West Memphis.

In this photo, Joshua has just came off the mound. While pitching he was stung on the rear end by a wasp. He was moved to left field right after that. Sad thing is, he was doing great on the mound but became very distracted after being stung.

He had a great day at bat going 4 for 8 in two games.

Kyle, my other kid, Joshua's best friend, batting.

Kyle with the Legion coach, Coach Smith, and Chris Miller.

Down time while the other team switches pitchers...Joshua with coach Sneed.

The season is almost to an end. It will be missed.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...

We have reached a new place...Adulthood and making up your own mind...that is where Joshua is now. He loves baseball but not enough to play somewhere where he doesn't want to go to school. He got one scholarship offer from Williams, and a few other coaches from area schools have asked him to come talk to them, but it not Three Rivers...where he wants to go.

So he doesn't know what he wants to do.

Any of our friends who have been in this kind of situation are welcomed to share their experience with him...he needs to make an informed decision. Mike and I have told him that baseball has served it's purpose as far as we are concerned...kept him busy enough through school not to get into trouble, so now it's whatever he wants to do. He can always play intermual baseball in college and softball in town. He doesn't have to give it up all together.

It's hard being on this side of the equation...usually making his mind up for him...now letting him do it. I think letting go is harder than anything the child rearing days had to offer. I wish I could still put him in time-out and say "NO" , or ground him when he makes the wrong decisions, but I can't. I'm not in control any more and that is hard. If you are not there now, you will know what I am talking about all to soon because it is here before you know it.

The purpose of this blog is to ask you to please pray for Joshua, that he will make the decision that the Lord has for his life. And if for some reason he doesn't, that the Lord would teach him to lean on Him through difficult times. I don't want to see my kids hurt, but as we all know, that is where we have done the best part of our learning. It's hard as a parent to set back and let God lead and not do it yourself. So maybe I need you to pray for us, Mike and I, as well.

On a happy note...I am going to be a Great Aunt...can you believe it. I am getting old. So I guess, I too, am in a new place in my life. Looking forward to having a new baby in the family, and oh yes, there will be lots and lots of pictures.

I hope each of you have a blessed day today and in the process don't forget about the One whom made it possible...God!

Truck, baseball, and nerves

Joshua may have pitched his last high school game Friday night in Blytheville. He did a great job and was the winning picture.

Tech played Batesville last night for their last High school regular season game. We lost both games and now are seated 3rd in the State Tourney this weekend in Hot Springs, AR.

Yeah, he got on base.

Fred got to pitch in this tournament, which drives a momma and daddy crazy. I love my new camera, these are good pictures.

Look how much taller Andrew is from some of his team members. This is the Championship picture that will be put in the paper...see our little bat boy, Gage, in the left corner of the picture...isn't he precious?

Well, the wait is over. Joshua got him a new truck. He has drove us crazy to let him buy a new one, so we gave in. Micah has, well, in the process, of buying his Pathfinder from him. We may not have made a lot of smart choices in our parenting saga but making our kids buy their own vehicle was a good one. It can be done...they pay for their own insurance too, with a little help. I am very proud of them for saving to help us out.

I have more pictures to share tomorrow, until then.