Championship

Dakota's team the Astro's won the Minor League Championship tonight against the Cubs by a score of 7-4. They finished the season with a record of 13-2. Kota played the positions: shortstop, 3rd base, and pitcher. His team had an awesome season and I am so proud of them all!

The Astros and Cubs


The Astros:First Place

WINNERS!!!!

Kota's team won the Graff Tournament this weekend! They went 3-0 and pulled out the last game with a 6-4 win this afternoon to take first place. Kota played awesome at shortstop all weekend and hit the ball very well. He is such a great kid and Joel and I are so proud of him! He makes life so much fun. As does Jordan! I don't even like to think about life without my boys. I'm a proud mama that's for sure! Here are some pics from the game today.

Kota receiving his trophy


The Team Photo


Kota checking out his trophy


The boys acting goofy!


Kota playing shortstop

Graff Tournament

Kota just got done with game one in the Bill Graff Tournament and they won 11-2. They play again at 4pm and then again tomorrow afternoon. Here's some pics of Kota from last nights All Star game.

Kota and his best friend Adam


Kota and Adam


Kota kissing his all star medal


Kota and team mates

Off to Camp

Yesterday I took Jordan to basketball camp at a college two hours away. He went to this camp last year with the same two friends as this year and he had a blast. We left at 11:00 a.m. and picked up his friend, Tyler, and Tyler's mom, Beth. Beth and I visited all the way there and back and had such a great time! We ate at Olive Garden for lunch and I haven't ate there in a long time. Actually I haven't ate there since having surgery and the salad and soup tasted sooooo good!! It did agree with me too which was nice. When we got to the dorm they would be staying in we checked them in, got them to their room with Jordan's other friend, Nolan, and made their beds and got them settled in. Then we had to make a quick run to the nearest gas station to get gum for them. After dropping the gum off at the front desk of the dorm, we were off to come home.

Kota went with us as well. He had a morning practice for his regular season team that is going to the championship and then he had night practice for the all star team. He has two practices today as well. Kota says he's not playing baseball next year cause he's burned out on it. He will probably change his mind between now and then but I do understand how he's tired of doing two practices a day. His championship game is next Tuesday then we leave on vacation for the rest of the week so he will get a little break from it all.

I miss Jordan terribly! I'm used to the fighting, bickering and teasing that comes with him in the house. Now Kota doesn't have anyone to fight with and the house is so quiet. It's almost too quiet if that's possible. I will cherish it now cause come Sat. night things will be back to normal. I consider this a little vacation for myself from playing referee and I plan on savoring every minute. I know they grow up way too fast and I cherish my time with them, but listening to bickering all day can grate on even the most patience person's nerves! For now, I am in the quiet fortress that is my home with only one child.

Happy Father's Day!

I wanted to give a big shout out to my wonderful husband for being such a wonderful father! Joel, you are a great father to our two boys. I couldn't imagine walking this journey of parenthood with anyone but you. Thank you for loving me and loving our children more than you love yourself! You are a wonderful provider and I thank God everyday for you. Enjoy your day!

All Star

Kota made the 9 yr. old all star team! We are so proud of him! He is such a good athlete and any sport he plays he plays it well. He just turned 10 at the beginning of May but because the cut off date for Little League is Apr. 30th he missed it by 8 days. This means he's actually a year behind some of his friends that are in the same grade as him. His best friend, Adam, is in the same boat as Kota though cause his birthday is next week so he missed the cut off as well.

Kota, Dad and I are so proud of you! Having you for our son makes life so much more fun! We love you!

The Look

Last night as Joel and I were sitting in the livingroom watching TV, Joel looked over and this is what he saw.............




In case you haven't figured it out yet........that's Sunny laying on her back right next to the love seat. She was very comfortable in case you didn't notice.

This next picture is of Sunny when she woke up and looked at me like I'm crazy!



Just had to share the pics!

Gracie Girl and The Deer

First of all, in my title one has nothing to do with the other. I am just hitting both subjects in one post is all. Our friends, Chuck and Lynette, lost their Yorkie Sunday afternoon. She was in their fenced in back yard and got out from under the fence and took off. They did everything they could. They scoured the neighborhood, put up fliers, alerted the neighbors, looked during the day, looked in the middle of the night and above all else THEY PRAYED! The first night she was gone we had a terrible storm. Gracie is only six pounds and she must have been terrified being out in that storm. She's somewhat of a "neurotic" dog anyway so I'm sure that really pushed her over the edge. I went to sleep Monday night with a heavy heart praying God would bring her back and the angles would protect her. A lot of people were praying for her safe return but as the days worn on all hope seemed to be lost. Tonight at 5:45 Chuck got a call from a local kennel that Gracie was at the Post Office and the lady that found her was waiting for them to come get her. Gracie was cowering in the corner of the handicapped ramp that leads up to the post office when Chuck got there and she wouldn't come to the lady that found her. When she saw Chuck she couldn't get to him fast enough! Poor thing! They brought her home and she is safe and sound with her family right where she belongs! GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME! AMEN!

Now for the deer. We live on the outskirts of town and a wooded area is only two houses from us at the end of our street. We see lots of deer but today I saw just one in my neighbors front yard eating from the bird feeder. This picture was taken from my kitchen window. I was washing dishes when Kota spotted it across the driveway. I had to share the photo with you all.

God Bless!

Jordan's Party

Well, we made it through Jordan's graduation party! I think it was a good day and we had a good turn out of people attend. He had a lot of friends come over which was nice. They hung out in the front yard and sat in lawn chairs, visited and boxed. Yes, boxed! Until I put a stop to it! Boys!!!! Jordan says I ruin all the fun all the time. I'm the mom, that's my job. He was not impressed with my answer.

Here is a pic of my high schooler with his graduation cake. He's so grown up now.

Garage

I would typically never post a picture of my garage since it's Joel and the boys domain and it is less than neat and tidy but yesterday I cleaned it out in preparation for Jordan's party tomorrow afternoon. Okay, that was one long run on sentence there! Anyway, I worked hard for 2 1/2 hrs. and tossed stuff out. The nice garbage man informed me I was only allowed one big item per week but was super nice and took everything I tossed and trust me there was way more than one big item to go. I got away with throwing things out by doing the cleaning when Joel was at work. He's a huge pack rat and hates to throw anything away. I was so glad to get rid of some stuff he was hanging on to for so long.

I took some pics of the newly clean garage and just had to share with you. If you're looking at this thinking...."this doesn't look too clean, my garage is cleaner than this" then pat yourself on the back for your gloriously clean car's room and be on your way. To me, this is extremely clean when it comes to garages! I wonder how long this clean streak will last in here?!

More Graduation Pictures

The first picture is of Jordan, Joel and myself.

The second picture is of Jordan with my mom, Grandma Gloria.

The last picture is of Jordan with my in-laws, Grandma Ellie and Grandpa Tom.

Jordan's Graduation

I can't believe Jordan is done with grade school forever! He is officially in high school and I would like someone to tell me where the time has gone. It seems like only yesterday we were bringing him home and now today he stands almost taller than me, speaks his mind even when I don't want to hear it and drains me dry in the money department. Gone are the days of him smiling at me and telling me he loves me forever and a day. Gone are the days when I tell him to do something and he says in his little voice, "Ok mommy". I am now in the days where he tells me I ask too many questions. I have to tell him to do something 3 times before he does it or thinks about doing it. He's gone with his friends more than he's home. When he's home he's texting his friends. He wants to be with his friends all the time. I will embrace the teenage years cause I have no other choice! But really, I love him with all my heart and know God has him in the palm of His hand. I pray high school is a great time for him and he stays out of trouble. I know some trouble is to be expected but let's keep it on the small side! Here are some pics form his graduation last night. I don't have any from the ceremony because the gym has really bad lighting and the pictures turned out dark.

Kota and Adam

Last night was Jordan's 8th grade Graduation and Kota's best friend, Adam, was there. Here is a picture of the two of them. Kota and Adam have been best friends for 4 yrs. now and Adam's dad coaches Kota in almost every sport he plays. We are very good friends with the Brown's and cherish their friendship. Adam has become part of our family and we love him!