Start of a Season

Today was the season "opener" for our Homeschool Sports T-Ball/Softball program. Ever since we signed Brian up for T-ball, he has been talking non-stop about how much he loves baseball, and how he is going to be the best baseball player in the whole world. And if he makes a mistake, that's o.k., he'll just keep practicing.

The morning dawned, and we were getting ready to head out as a family to the park. Brian decided that he didn't want to use a glove - he only wanted to use a bat, because bat starts with "b" like Brian. When we got to the park, he wanted nothing to do with joining in with the other kids. He wanted Daddy to hold him, and he wouldn't look at anyone else. Fortunately we were with a group of Christian families, and no one thought anything of it. We followed Miss Angela, and Miss Andrea (2 homeschooled teenage girls) over to the younger kid's field. Chris stayed with Brian while I took Sean and Colin over to the playground equipment. When we came back over to the field, Brian was getting ready to get up to bat for the second time.
Here Brian is getting some coaching from his daddy. Chris was so wonderfully patient with him - not surprising!
Brian hit the ball off the tee all by himself this time. This is a picture of him running towards 1st base. As you can see, I hadn't taken the lens off zoom before he hit the ball! He got a little confused and started running towards the ball/pitcher's mound. Then he wanted Chris to run with him.
When Brian's "team" took the field, he played shortstop, and 3rd base. Chris stayed with him in the field. Brian almost got the ball one time, but a gaggle of other kids were running for it, and managed to get there first. But it was really neat to hear the "coaches" and some of the kids say "Brian, get the ball." - very encouraging atmosphere.

Our time ended with a reading from Samuel and a prayer. Then the kids headed over to the playground for a rousing game of freeze tag. The older kids were so sweet to Brian - explaining how to freeze.

I got to start meeting other moms who homeschool near us and have children near in age to our kids. I am so excited that I found this group of homeschoolers and am looking forward to getting to know these women and their children better.

What Happens When Mommy is on the Phone Making a Playdate!

A certain someone gets into the peanut butter jar!

Welcoming the newest "member" of our family

No, I'm not pregnant! We adopted a cat today. Introducing Darcy...
Brian calls her the "lovey-est cat in the whole world".
It's been 2 years since our cat, Meaghan died. I wasn't even thinking about getting another cat until a couple of weeks ago when Brian's assistant CCD teacher asked me if we would want a kitten. Chris and I talked about it and decided that we weren't quite ready to take on a kitten with homeschooling and everything else going on in our lives.

However, Brian and I stopped by Petsmart yesterday and they were having adoptions. I saw a cat that reminded me of Meaghan - she was always more like a dog than a cat! I brought the idea up again to Chris. He eventually warmed up to the idea and we went back to Petsmart today. Of course today there were different cats there! We just decided to check out the cats at the store today. And then, Darcy adopted us!

She's 4 months old and is considered a "tuxedo" cat because of her pretty black and white markings. She is an absolute lover - just comes right up to you and will give you kisses. This is going to be a fun new adventure in our lives. Wish us luck!

Sarah Palin's Speech

Oh, I can't tell you how proud I was while watching Sarah Palin accept the nomination for the Vice Presidency. She was so eloquent, well-spoken, and funny! She is going to be a "pit bull with lipstick" when it comes to holding Biden and Obama's feet to the fire.

Here's a link to her speech.

Some of the highlights for me were:
"...two decades and five children later he's still my guy" - has nothing to do with politics, but is evidence of her love of her family.

"I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a "community organizer," except that you have actual responsibilities. I might add that in small towns, we don't quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are listening, and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren't listening." - nice dig!


"But here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion - I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country." - go get 'em!!

"...we are expected to govern with integrity, good will, clear convictions, and ... a servant's heart.
I pledge to all Americans that I will carry myself in this spirit as vice president of the United States." - we will hold you to that promise, but I certainly feel your servant's spirit.

"But the fact that drilling won't solve every problem is no excuse to do nothing at all. " - AMEN!

"But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform - not even in the state senate." - ouch, but true!

"In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers.
And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change." - And this is why John McCain needs to be the next president of the United States!

I Had Tears in My Eyes Tonight

As I was putting Brian and Sean to bed tonight, the boys said their prayers like they normally do. Brian said his prayers first. His new way of saying prayers involves him saying "Now I Lay Me", then me saying a "Hail Mary", and then Brian saying "Our Father". After Brian and I were done, I moved over to Sean's bed for his prayers. While listening to Sean's prayers, I heard Brian in his bed talking to himself as he was "writing" on his Doodle Pad.

Afterwards he told me that he was writing a note to Daddy and I to tell us he thanks God for all of the good things he has. Then he stopped. "Mommy, I have to write God a note, too!" Here's Brian's "note" to God.

Dearest God,
I love you so very much. Thank you for all of the things that you give to me. They are really cool things. Thank you so much. I love you.

Love,
Brian

I guess when Chris and I talk, Brian is listening.