This past year brought a couple of exciting moments for our family. Last July, AJ turned 8 and was baptized. This was a very special day for our family and we were so happy that some Uncles Howard and Jason, and Aunt's Libby and Darcey and some of AJ's cousin's were able to come. We were also very grateful that Papa and Dran came and spent that day with us. Also, TC turned 12 years old in April and became a young man!!! He was ordained a deacon and passes the sacrament now. Where in the world did the last 12 years go? For TC's birthday, we took him to Men's Warehouse and fitted him for a suit (or 2). I wish everyday that I could have his clothes tailored. He looks so handsome every Sunday. I am just a proud mama.
Just had to add this because it was so funny that AJ jumped in like this!
One of the exciting parts about spring/summer is watching my boys play baseball. This is TC's sixth year playing ball and he has really blossomed this year. I keep telling my boys that it is in their blood to be good at baseball. They come from a long line of great baseball players. Steve's grandpa was actually scouted out by the Yankee's and he also started Denver's semi-pro baseball team the "Red Bird's." Years later, Steve played for that very team after high school. The boys don't appreciate these stories as much as they appreciate watching dad during batting practice, when he hits the ball out of the field and into the next field every time he hits. Then they start to understand why I tell them what I do. They both love wearing the catchers gear but have both ended up being pitchers for three years straight. I guess the coach puts them where they fit rather than what they would rather do. I think they LOVE it anyway. They also play first base really well. I have never been much of a baseball fan, I guess I never really watched much of any sport until I married a guy who gave me no other choice but to learn to love it! It helps when you LOVE the players and I LOVE watching my kids excel in their sports. This week is the end of the spring season and we will roll right into the summer league. I guess you can call the baseball field "our home away from home."
Another exciting extravaganza we are looking forward to this summer is being Ma and Pa for our Ward during the trek that our stake is participating in this June. We have been getting about eighteen youth ready to spend four days in Wyoming learning first hand what some of our pioneer ancestors went through. However, we will never fully comprehend what hardships they endured. This is exciting for me because I have loved hearing and reading so many stories about the pioneers and I love to hike. I am pretty sure that I will look pretty ridiculous stopping to get gas on the way to Wyoming but I feel like it is an opportunity I could never pass up.
August will bring yet another exciting moment for me. My nephew, Ethan is getting married in the Oakland temple. I am so excited for him and his future wife. I babysat Ethan for so many years and I am probably a better mom for boys because of that. I also have pictures of the Oakland temple in my home and I have never even been there. Now, I get to see my nephew that I love so much get sealed there. You might be wandering why I have pictures of the Oakland temple in my home. Steve served his mission in Oakland, California under President Phil Smart. What are the chances that I would marry a man who served under the same President that I grew up with as my stake president? HAHA!
Other than that, my life is filled with taking my kids for bike rides, hiking, yard work, cooking, cleaning, the never ending pile of laundry, reading stories to my kids, swimming, and everything in between. It is crazy busy and some days I wander if I will ever have a moment to ever sit and do NOTHING but even if it never happens, I love all of my craziness. I am thankful for my craziness. So if you ever stop by my house and find toilet paper all over the bathroom floor, just know that in about 15 very short years, these kids will not be kids anymore and my house will be empty and I will be sitting for about 10 minutes doing NOTHING except remembering the "good ole days," when my home was just a little bit crazy.
