Tristan's Very First T-Ball Game

As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, Saturday was a SUPER exciting day for our family. It was Tristan's very first t-ball game, and we were all filled with anticipation. We had no idea what the game had in store for us, and had we known it would be so hilarious, I think we would have been even more excited (if that is possible).
So we got to the park, and of course had to get started with some warm ups. Here is my handsome husband with my little t-ball star (isn't my t-ball star SO precious?!). It appears my little star was getting his pants adjusted in between catching ground balls.Here is my handsome hubby supporting his star t-ball player.Before the game got started, Coach D had to make some adjustments with some of the players."On the count of three...1, 2, 3...GOOOOOOOOOOOO CARDINALS!!!"Ok, let me take a break here to tell you about this game. Hilarious doesn't even begin to describe what we experienced during our hour of t-ball Saturday. Watching our boys run and tackle their teammates to get the ball...priceless! I mean, I wasn't sure if I was watching football or t-ball! Our first baseman was in left field, on more than one occasion, to retrieve a ball hit by the opposing team. More than one of our children were tackled by a teammate, only to have the ball stripped from his glove and thrown to a base with no player. The Marlins ran circles around us!

The thing is, our team was on defense first. All of this tackling, playing in the wrong area, and throwing when they should be tagging was going on; however, I was telling myself: "They're four. They don't know any better. It's just for fun." Um, yeah. Then, it was our turn at bat. We hit great, no problem there. The problem was that the Marlins had an awesome defense! The boys stayed in their zones, and they ran and tagged our bases like it was just another day at the beach. Seeing that made me realize our precious boys have some more to learn! I think this week's practice is going to be busy!

Here is a shot of my precious man at third base. He's baseball ready! Oh, and I must mention, my Tristan was the only boy on the team to successfully catch a ground ball and tag someone out (unless I missed something) . Way to go, Tristan!Here he is getting ready for his turn at bat.
Look at that stance! He is my little pro! He had three times at bat during the game, and hit three great balls...all on his first attempts! All that extra practice is paying off. Here he is on first. You guessed it. He's thinking about stealing second. Ok, so we all know that's not what he's thinking. He's probably thinking about that sno cone we passed on the way into the game!I LOVE this shot! My sweet #2!!! I originally requested #10 because Channing was always #10 growing up. I thought it would be cool for them to share that. My cool idea didn't work out. Somehow things got confused, and Tristan ended up #2. I think it suits him, though. :)
Here he is on third, getting some pointers from D.
The end of the game. The boys were SO precious tagging the other team's hands. I LOVED this!!!
Saturday was SO much fun!!! I am loving every second of this t-ball stuff. Tristan is enjoying it so much more than he did soccer, so that makes me happy. I love seeing him do something he enjoys, and something that he seems to do well at. Sadly, we'll miss this week's practice, game, and TEAM PICTURE (that's what hurts the most) because we'll be at Disney World. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled to be going, but I am so sad that Tristan will miss a game and his first t-ball team picture. :( Oh well. I guess I'll have to take my own.

Breaking Intimidation

Do you have a God-given call on your life that you're afraid to explore? Are you allowing intimidation to keep you from fulfilling your God-given mission? Is it hard for you to say "no" without feeling guilty? If so, you're a lot like me. I have felt God's calling in my life for a while now, but I have shied away because of fear; fear of what others would think, fear of rejection, fear of isolation and resentment from others.

As long as I can remember, I have wanted to fit in. This desire has often led me to do things I wouldn't normally do. It has caused me a lot of regret in my life. And it has also kept me from pursuing the mission that God has had planned for me.

For some time now, I have felt God's calling (never stronger than now) to speak up about the dangers of being "wise in our own eyes". The dangers of listening to the devils lies about health. The over-use and abuse of medication. For years, I have felt God's nudging and have shied away. I have given excuses for not speaking up when I've needed to. I have denied my calling and have clammed up in order to please those around me.
Outwardly, I feel I'm doing what it takes to fit in. Inwardly, I'm crumbling. Today, I am choosing to do something about this.

At a seminar a couple of months ago, a doctor recommended the book, "Breaking Intimidation" by John Bevere to Channing and me. She said it really helped her to push through her fear of rejection and enabled her to share truths with those around her. She had nothing but great things to say about the book, so Channing and I ordered it.

We've had the book for a month or so and haven't looked at it. Then tonight, while I was cooking dinner, I saw that Joyce Meyer was on. I turned her show on and saw that her special guest was John Bevere. I watched the show, was enlightened (as usual) and was stirred to begin reading the book we ordered. After reading the introduction, I SO wish I had began this book sooner. It is AWESOME!

I read the beginning and reread it. I enjoyed it so much, I had to pull Channing into the kitchen so we could read it together. The introduction of the book captured me. He gives a great analogy that really shows how so many of us are allowing intimidation to rule over us and defeat us. He explains that if we don't get to the root of the problem, we will never overcome it. He shares how the Spirit of the Lord came upon him to prophesy.

In the first chapter, Bevere lists a great quote, "Walk in your God-given authority, or someone will take it and use it against you." This was a warning that a man from one of Bevere's previous churches gave to his (Bevere's) wife before they left that church. The quote took my breath away. In this chapter, he goes on to share a personal testimony of allowing himself to be intimated by people and thus his being cut off from the blessings of God. He shares how he allowed thoughts to "assault his mind". He stopped focusing on God's call on his life and started worrying about what was going to happen to him. He says that this is how intimidation changes your focus. "The reason: The root of intimidation is fear, and fear causes people to focus on themselves. Perfect love casts out fear because love puts the focus on God and others and denies itself (1 John 4:18)." WOW!

How true that statement has been in my life!!! I have been so fearful and have been nothing but focused on myself. When I hear stories from others and sense God's nudging to share what I know, I usually clam up and keep quiet, even though everything inside of me is screaming. I love these people that are telling me about the 10th antibiotic they've given their baby for ear infections, yet I don't open my mouth to let them know that there is a better way. SELFISH! That is not perfect love at all. I am putting all of the focus on myself.

Bevere closes the chapter by sharing the fact that so many Christians battle intimidation. He goes on to point out that these Christians often are unaware of the battle they are up against. He says, "As with most of Satan's devices, intimidation is camouflaged and subtle. We feel its effects-depression, confusion, lack of faith- without knowing its root.... In frustration most of us deal with the aftermath, or fruit of intimidation, rather than with the intimidation itself-and with its root. Therefore, we may experience temporary relief, but our struggles do not end. You can pick all the fruit off the tree, but as long as its roots are intact, the fruit eventually grows back." Bevere then shares that this becomes a cycle, and that "we begin to feel hopeless and settle for a place far below where God has called us."

I have seen this in my life, and I am so ready to make a change. I am ready to start living for God rather than living to please man...which is SO hard! If this is something you struggle with, I highly recommend picking up this book. I have only read the introduction and first chapter, but I am already sensing a HUGE change coming in my life. This is a study Channing and I are doing together, and I can hardly wait to see where God takes us. If you decide to get the book too, or if you've already read it, let me know what you think!

Allergies Bothering You?

If so, check out my other blog, A Small Rock Trying to Make a Big Splash. There is some news you need to know about.

Opening Day of T-Ball

Saturday was a VERY busy, yet very exciting day. It was opening day for t-ball and baseball! I had no idea how big a deal baseball was/is in our city until Saturday. It blew my mind. There were tons of people out at the fields, and the mayor even showed up to speak. CRAZY! After several important board members (and the mayor)'s speeches, all the baseball and t-ball players got to be in a parade. It was SO exciting! This was Tristan's first time in a parade, and he had a blast!

Here are Channing, Tristan, and me before the parade. We were all dressed in our "Cardinal red" to support our pro t-ball player!
Here is our precious little team, The Cardinals. You can tell by looking at them, they're a SUPER team!
Here they are again with their fantastic coaches!!!
Here are our boys during the parade. Tristan has two hands full of candy...just waiting to throw the minute he sees someone.
The parade was a great way to kick off the t-ball season. It was SO MUCH fun!!!
In the next couple of posts, I'll share pictures and stories from the first game. It was hilarious and quite entertaining...to say the least.

Seven Years...In the Blink of an Eye

Today is a big day for Channing and me. It's our seven year wedding anniversary!!! I can hardly believe it. SEVEN YEARS! It seems like yesterday we were saying our vows and committing our lives to one another. Three churches, two kids, and an office later...we're celebrating seven years of marriage.

Each year has had its challenges, but for every challenge, there has been a blessing. Today over lunch, Channing and I reminisced about our seven years together. We thought back to our vacations and all the places we've visited together; to the birth of our boys; to the churches that have meant so much to us; to our friends; to our struggles; to all that God has done in our lives. We also shared our dreams for the next seven years and what we would like to accomplish together.
I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband. And I assure you, I'm not just saying that. I am truly blessed. Channing is a loving husband, a caring father, and a compassionate friend. There is nothing he wouldn't do for his family (well, he might not rub our feet, but that's a story in itself). He is a man of integrity in a world where integrity is hard to find. He is a man after God's heart. He is a shining example of Christ's love.
Channing gives our family balance. I am the emotional, impulsive firecracker of the family. He is the level-headed peacemaker.

Thank you, God, for blessing me with such a terrific man. I don't deserve him, I don't understand why You put us together sometimes, but I am SO thankful.

Happy Resurrection Day!

Yesterday was SUPER SUPER tough for me. It was Tristan's official "Last Day of Being Three". We had a jam-packed day, and I was trying to appreciate and get all I could out of every single minute.
We started the day at t-ball practice, followed by a picnic lunch and egg hunt with his team. It was SO much fun (I'll try to post pics later. I know you're dying to see them)!
After the egg hunt, we dashed home, changed Tristan's clothes, and headed out to an egg hunt (we missed the actual hunt) that a local church was doing. Although we missed the actual hunt, Tristan got to play with his great friend, Josiah, so he was thrilled (he also got to see his long-lost friend, Kirsten, so he thought that was cool too).
Once we had all the fun we could possibly stand out at the big egg hunt event, we headed to Sams to get Daddy. From there, we headed to Edgar's Bakery to pick up Tristan's dinosaur cake. He could hardly wait to pick it up!!!
Next, we took Tristan back to the little carnival going on in town. He LOVED it!!!
From there, we went to Target, followed by a quick dessert at Dairy Queen...I must mention, I had the Oreo Mint Blizzard...DELISH! If you haven't tried one, you need to get one while they still have them. Once March is gone, the Mint Blizzard is too. Get yours SOON!!! YUM!
Once our bellies were full, we made quick trips to Walgreens and Wal-Mart.
Finally, we got to go home...where PaPa and MiMi were waiting for us.
This is where this picture comes in. This is Tristan's VERY LAST bath as a three year old. (SOB!)
This morning, we woke up to celebrate EASTER and Tristan's fourth birthday. Two great events rolled into one! What a special blessing Tristan had to celebrate Christ's resurrection and his birthday on the very same day.
Here is Tristan's Easter basket.
Here he is finding his basket. He was beyond thrilled!
Here is Asher, waking up to enjoy his very first Easter.
My sweet boy!
This weekend was JAM-PACKED, but it was so special. Today, we were able to reflect on another great year with our special blessing, Tristan, and on how much Christ gave for us on the cross.
I hope this was a special Easter for you too. I hope you were able to reflect on all Christ has done in your life.
Happy Resurrection Day, everyone!!! God bless you and your family. :)

A Big Day for Our Boys

Wednesday was a monumental day for our family...Asher turned 11 months old (sniff), and Tristan officially had three more days of being three (sniff, sniff). I just absolutely cannot believe it. How did my babies get so big?! I am loving every stage and just wishing I could freeze time a little, but I can't. My boys are growing up. Here are some pictures of my boys, celebrating their big day...

Here is Asher having some fun on the coffee table at work.
Look at that sweet smile!!! He makes my heart melt!
Here's my big boy...three more days being three! Look at his sweet smile. He, too, melts my heart! He is just growing up too fast! To me, three is the last year of being a baby. At age four, they aren't babies anymore (sniff, sniff, SNIFF). I will say, though, he will ALWAYS BE MY BABY!!!I love this picture. I was trying to get Tristan to smile, and he always says, "What kind of smile do you want?" So I told him, "I want the kind of smile a boy would give his mommy who was going to have a dinosaur party for him." This is what I got:
He actually became a dinosaur. Not exactly what I had in mind, but precious all the same. He is my little dinosaur!
Lately, I've been telling him that he's getting so big and that it makes me kind of sad. So now, anytime I tell him I'm feeling sad, he tells me, "Mommy, I'm not going to grow up and leave you!"
If only he knew. One day, another woman will capture his heart.
For now, I am going to soak in the blessings of being his #1 lady.
I love you, Tristan! I love you, Ash Be-Dash!
Tomorrow is Tristan's last day of being three. I'm sure it's going to be a tough day for me!