What a week...

Well, on Thursday evening the kids and I loaded up and headed to Blytheville with our bags packed planning to return home on Saturday after the game. Marty was already there with the team a few hours ahead of us. Of course there has been tragic flooding in that part of the state so the least little bit of rain made the field too wet to play...and yes it rained. So our Friday afternoon was rescheduled for Saturday @ 2:30...and then for 7:30...and so to the field we went and took in-field...and then the lights went out. So they called Entergy and at 10:30 with the lights still not working, Marty & the opposing coach from Southside Bee Branch decided we couldn't start that late and so they rescheduled for Monday night @ 5:30.

Sunday we had a free day so we loaded the baseball boys and some parents up and rode the bus to Memphis to watch the Redbirds, a Triple A team for the Cardinals, and then a player's parents took us all to Joe's Crab Shack for dinner. We had a nice day with the boys and I think they really enjoyed the outing after all the waiting around we'd been doing.

On Monday we finally were able to play our first game...and we won against Southside Bee Branch! Played again Tuesday...and we won against Norfork...sending us to the Final Four! Woohoo! On Wednesday @ 2:30 we played the Viola Longhorns in the semifinals and we lost 11-1.

It is always so sad for the seniors and it really makes our entire family sad when basketball or baseball comes to an end for another group of seniors. My kids cry, I cry, the parents cry, the boys cry, the coaches cry...it's just a sad ending...and one we repeat year after year after year.

If the players Marty had on his team were turds (our family word we use for kids who do not behave) then we would be glad to see the year end for each sport...but that's just not the case. Marty is so blessed to have year after year a group of boys that are just good kids. It's rare these days and I believe his discipline for his team makes kids who could easily go either way into fine young men. We love each and every player and it is so hard to see them graduate every year. But, we do it again next year and Marty gives his all to coach them in basketball and baseball knowing that unless we win state every year...we end every season with a loss...and tears...and our entire family is emotionally and physically exhausted by the end of the season...but we are fired up to do it again by October when the ball is throw up at center court and in March when the umpire yells "play ball!"

"Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance." Titus 2:2

Praying for Holly's Miracle

Please continue to be in prayer for my dear friend, Holly Norton, and her precious family as they battle this terrible disease. This is a short video that the students at Texas High made about their journey so far. Holly is on round 6 of chemo. Thanks so much for your prayers!

http://www.schooltube.com/video/4fb65895f86beba01e34/Praying-for-Hollys-Miracle

Ten on the Tenth

What do I love about spring? Let me count the ways...

1. I love driving down the road and smelling fresh cut grass from someone mowing away in their yard. Granted it makes me sneeze...but it's worth it!

2. I love seeing everyone in pinks, yellows and oranges from the choir loft on Sunday morning. I'm not inspecting everyone's dress apparel or anything but I just love seeing the men, women, boys and girls alike wearing all their bright colors as they sing in their pews.

3. I love the first blooming trees...the Bradford Pears and Red Buds all seem to pop out in a single day and give us the first hints of many blooms to come.

4. I love the warmer temps in the afternoon but still some cool mornings. I like to start the day as I head into school a little cool and by afternoon I walk out from work and the sun is bright and warm.

5. I love days and nights spent watching Carson play baseball. I know I may be partial but he looks so cute in his little baseball uniform.

6. I love flip flops!

7. Speaking of flip flops, I LOVE pedicures! I love the pampering in addition to the pretty toenails. I feel too guilty to spend the money on it in the fall and winter so I look forward to spring and getting to take Gracen over and have our toes done!

8. I love Easter and how it almost always turns out to be a beautiful blue sky by the time we are leaving church that morning. Even if it starts off rainy it usually clears off to give us a pretty blue sky more times than not.

9. Speaking of Easter...I love Easter egg hunts. My kids are past believing in the big bunny, but they still hunt eggs with all their cousins and then sit on the deck at Mimi's and open every egg and see what they found.

10. I love that spring is a time of new beginnings. The earth brings forth new life everywhere you look...flowers, trees, shrubs...all blooming and the pastures are full of new creatures of every shape and size. All these things reminding us of the ultimate new life...Jesus Christ who was resurrected from the grave after 3 days to bring salvation. Available to every man, woman and child to receive if we only trust in the ultimate giver of new life.