Missing One

This week Dad is out of the country serving in Haiti. A few months ago he told me about this trip and asked what I thought. Of course I said GO! But then again I am the girl who has always gone and wanted to 'go' any where to serve, anytime-anyplace. Missions is one of my passions, unfortunately something about being the mother to 4 slows the 'going places' to serve down a bit. Tony, however, is not the 'goer' nor is he the social guy who wants to be part of the group. Give him a quiet pond to fish in or a field to hunt in and nobody to talk to and he is definitely a 'goer'! So when he said 'I think I should go' with a group he did not know, to a place he has never been......I thought God is at work and was ready to pack his bags. Both of us knew that God was telling him to go and serve, opening doors and putting neon signs up just to make sure we got the message. Once again we didn't know the why of what God was calling us to do but indeed it was something we should do. Just in last days before he left did we start to see maybe the reason-he said 'God is saying escape.....concentrate only on me....serve my people.....be my hands and feet'. With running a really busy company (now that the weather has turned hot) building a house and being Dad- his plate has been overflowing (as in out the door by around 5:30AM and working until at least 9PM). I am praying that this week will recharge his batteries, refresh his spirit, that he will be able to truly unplug from the world, for him to be able to spend an abundance of time in the presence of the Lord and for him to have an open mind/heart to what God will be showing/teaching/revealing to him. Praying for the people he will be serving and helping, that they see Christ thru him. Thanks for joining me in prayer for him, the team he is with and selfishly for me too it's the first week of summer vacation (too much change for one little one), painting the house and trying to keep things moving with the construction of our new home. Hoping Tony will write a post or two on his return.

Look who has earrings and a new hairdo!

Hell0 Kitty Earrings

'Diamonds'

Big Sister and Princess have been longing for the week after the dance recital (need to post some pictures of that, someday) so they could cut their hair cut and their ears pierced. The cutting off of hair has become somewhat of a tradition, after needing it to be long enough for french braids and bun for recital time. Last Saturday we headed to get the hair cut first, so they wouldn't have tender ears, and then headed to the mall. Since the earrings have to stay in for 6-8 weeks and no earrings are allowed at the recital to protect the girls on pointe, about 2 months ago when they brought the idea up we marked the date on the calendar. Princess went first and was SO brave, even with a little mishap when the back of one of the earrings had to be put back on-OUCH! I thought for sure Big Sister would change her mind after watching, but she didn't! We had a fun girly morning and lunch too.

(Just in case you are wondering: J already has her ears pierced and according to her memory they "didn't use a gun to pierce my ears and it didn't hurt like yours".....really 'cause I am thinking that whatever they pierced with in the village HAD to hurt way worse-glad she doesn't remember. She spent the morning serving alongside Daddy, helping pick up some of the mess leftover from one of the recent tornadoes. Brother spent the morning at baseball practice and hanging out with Oma)

What a heart...

Proudly showing off the Game Ball he earned.

His first hit-a triple!

Coming home-making sure he had touched home plate.

So excited-celebrating on the way to the coach-who was jumping up and down with excitement for him. Blessed by some amazing coaches who are teaching a lot more than 'just baseball'.

We could not be any prouder of Brother. He has given it his all in baseball this season, stepping into a sport he has never played. After breaking his arm after the first practice, he spent the first game on the bench and in the role of bat boy and PLAYED the 2nd game of the season! Amazing....what we thought was going to be a REALLY long season with hopes of getting to play a game or two once the cast came off...the schedule was in our favor 3 weeks of games then 2 weeks of byes. Thanks to the crazy weather and tornados here (missing our new house by 1/2 mile and Tony's work by about 1 mile) a few games were cancelled. So after weeks in a cast, he has learned to throw again (fyi-if your kiddo breaks his/her throwing arm-do not let them discover a new way to throw with the casted arm) and is fighting through his tight arm muscles to swing the bat. This boy continues to amaze us with his heart and determination. He was 'rewarded' tonight with getting the honor of leading off the batting, getting a hit and ran his little legs off to third, and earning the game ball. I think he also had the entire stands cheering for him when he hit the ball-great team of parents. The coaches have gone above and beyond in teaching our little man about baseball, always making sure he has been included even while not being able to play and giving him extra attention to 'catch up' now that his cast is off.

Looking forward to the rest of the baseball season........well I think I am-there are 3 games next week and it is getting more humid and hotter around here by the minute.

Complete the Phrase

The following is an assignment that Big Sister brought home from school-amazing girl she is!

What I want most in the world is....to have no homeless people and no one to be hungry.

I feel sorry for....being cranky to my Mom, Dad and siblings.

If I was 21, I....would buy a Ford 4 wheel truck and horse trailer, with an apartment in it.

I wish I could....fly.

I like to eat....at Cattlemans Steakhouse (just like her daddy)

I would rather ....read than play video games.

I do not like to....do laundry. (just like her mommy)

We are so blessed to be her parents, she is growing into a remarkable young lady....way too fast!

The Two Lefties

Yesterday Brother got his cast off Grandpa got his permanent one on. They both broke both bones just above their wrist in their left (dominant). Thankfully little bones grow back together, older bones not so much. His bones needed a few pins to hold them together. Must say the little one has had a bit more of a positive outlook about the whole thing then the older one. But if he grows up to be like my father-in-law, I will be a lucky mom. Love these two and from this picture it is easy to see their love for each other.

Princess's Last Soccer Game

First Baseball Game

Brother had his fist baseball game tonight and was beyond excited ALL day long, so say the teachers who have kids on the team. I think he and his buddies talked a lot about it today. He continues to amaze me with his attitude. He could have chosen to be disappointed because he couldn't 'play', he could have chosen to complain about going to a game only to sit on the bench, but he chose to be excited to cheer on his teammates. He chose to be excited, loving and enjoying each moment. His coaches are wonderful and go above and beyond to make sure he feels like a part of the team. He was the 'bat boy' and he gave 100%, he cheered on his friends, and he LOVED every second of it, and somehow managed to come home looking like he had been on the field on night. Grass stains and all, guess we get to see how good I am at laundry.

(sorry the format on blogger is a bit crazy, but I wanted to share the pics)

Meet Samson

Yes it has been some time since I posted, guess one can blame......life. Brother is doing well with his arm in a cast and he only has just over 2 weeks left- woo hoo! He has done awesome-he has the most amazing attitude just taking on the world as a 'righty'. He only missed 2 baseball practices, he has been out there every week, even though the only thing he can do is practice catching. He has not said "I can't" because of his cast, his spirit and attitude continue to amaze me.

The house is still coming along. Insulation starts this week soon to follow drywall.....meaning the hours of painting are almost here. So anyone who reads this and lives in driving distance please join the painting parties with me!!!

Our newest member, no we do not have another child-at least not the human kind- Samson, born a week ago, furry small and black. He is a calf whose momma didn't produce milk, therefor he is a bottle fed calf. Imagine the joy of our oldest-she is in heaven. Thought I would share a few pics and a video if I am smart enough to get it posted-enjoy.

Notice J running out of the pic-that was about 2 seconds after the picture of her feeding him, he pulled at the bottle and she took off -no more feeding for her.