Day Trip

Jason and I always try to head down to Atlanta anytime the Cardinals come down to play. This year they came earlier than usual, so we decided to catch a game Tuesday night. We are trying to plan a trip to St. Louis this summer, so we made a day trip to Atlanta.

Joshua watched the game pretty intently. It is hard to come between him and baseball. One of our favorite moments was when all of the Braves fans around us where cheering, "Go Braves", and he sat there in our laps quietly cheering, "Go Cardinals!" Abby Kate was all about the cheering and the food. Jackson loved cheering and clapping during the game. He especially loved the "Everybody Clap Your Hands" song and pointing out the ball when it came flying up into the sky.

We all had such a great time together. I think that Jason and I went to our first baseball game together in 1997. It is so amazing to see how our lives have changed over the years. I am definitely cherishing these times and the memories that are made along the way.

Watching BP

Joshua and Abby Kate both got a ball from the Cardinals players Tuesday night. Ryan Ludwick hit Joshua's ball and Joel Pineiro threw it up into the stands for him to keep. Skip Schumaker hit Abby Kate's ball and Ryan Franklin tossed her the ball to keep. I don't think that we have ever been to a MLB game where Joshua has not gotten a ball!

This moment totally cracked me up. While Jason, Joshua and Abby Kate were watching the players during BP, Jackson and I walked around. Jackson was very fascinated by this mascot, but when the mascot got down on his level, Jackson took off running for me.

Joshua loves baseball!

Cardinal Fans!

Abby Kate

Jackson

I love spending time at the ballgame with my little boy!

Jason and Abby Kate

Jackson

What a game!

WATER!!!

We took the kids to Atlanta yesterday to watch the Cardinals play the Braves. (I will post pictures soon). While getting ready, I realized that our water had been shut off. I called our water company to see what the reason was for our water being shut off. They told me that they had a leak and they were fixing it and that it should be back on in 15 minutes. I was trying to pack our bag for the game and was desperately in need of a shower. I waited and I waited and I waited. I got frustrated with my lack of water and the need for me to shower and brush my teeth. There was no way that I was leaving town and going to a game without having a shower. I called back an hour and fifteen minutes later and they said that they didn't know how much longer it would be. I called a nearby friend to ask if I could shower at their house, but they weren't home. My dear sweet husband started trying to find the best solution for our problem. He then thought about the gym that I have a membership to, but never use. :) We loaded up the kids and I loaded up my showering supplies. While I showered at my gym, he ran all of the errands with the kids and picked me up 15 minutes later. I had forgotten my camera, so we ran back by the house and I ran in to lay out my towel and throw my stuff down, while grabbing the all important camera. That was 12:30 PM, and we still had no water.

We had such an awesome time at the game and even ran into some friends. On the way home, I started reflecting on the way that I had acted that morning about my lack of water and how selfish I came across. I instantly thought of the people in Mexico, and Haiti, and Honduras, and I was humbled. I was inconvenienced for a morning...

Fast forward to 1:00 AM (this morning). We pull into our garage and we hear our water heater "hissing". We found it very odd, and proceeded to unlock our door and head inside. Upon opening the door, we hear it! We hear WATER!!!! GUSHING WATER!!!! We run to our bathroom and find that our bathtub faucet is on high and we realize that our water had been running the entire time that we were gone. Apparently, Jackson turned our faucet knob when the water was shut off, so we had no way of knowing that we had left any water turned on.

I can't tell you how sick to my stomach this has made me. I don't think that I have ever been so wasteful in all of my life. I called our water company this morning and they have already told me that there is nothing that they can do. Our water consumption will be reflected on our June statement, so I guess that we have time to start coming up with all of that extra money that we will need to pay for water that we never even used or intended to use. It could have been worse, at least we didn't come home to a flooded house. Oh, one more thing, it was our hot water. That gas bill is going to hurt too!

In My Backyard

On warm spring days, you can find us outside enjoying the sunshine in my backyard.

Right now in my backyard, you will find tons and tons of azaleas. They are so pretty and we have really enjoyed them this season.

You will be able to capture a rare moment of this little guy "chilling out" in my backyard, while he watches his big brother play ball.

In my backyard, you will find a little boy that loves to play ball. He will throw football for awhile (love that follow through shot that I got). Before you turn around, you will find that he has out his baseball glove, batting tee, baseballs, his Cardinals hat, his sunglasses to put on top of his hat (you know, like they do in the big leagues), and his Cardinals arm bands. Chances are you will not be able to keep up with this little guy. He loves playing ball!

In my backyard, you will find a little girl that absolutely loves the swings. Ever since she was a tiny baby, she loved her baby swing. She could stay in a swing for hours and if you keep pushing her, she will swing for hours.

In my backyard, when I tell my little girl that she is so pretty, she will give me her model pose by tilting her head ever so slightly to the side.

In my backyard, you'll find three kids that love to swing.

In my backyard, you will hear so many giggles from this little guy as he swings.

You can't make this child any happier than by putting him in a big green swing and pushing him high into the sky in my backyard.

In my backyard, when momma gets tired from all of the pushing, she will look up and see that her big girl is taking care of her baby brother. Of course, momma will get a picture.

In my backyard, we will check out the salamander that has crawled into part of our pond. Little brother's hands will come very close to grabbing the interesting creature (that we affectionately named Sally). Only it is the big brother that reaches in and touches Sally.

Calling All Travelers

Jason and I will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary this summer. We have been talking a lot about where to go this year, but we haven't really nailed anything down just yet. We have talked about Boston, (going back to) Chicago, Savannah, or another cruise. So, I am asking for suggestions on some places that you have been that you would recommend.

We Reached Our Goal!

Saturday morning our family participated in our 2nd March for Babies Walk. We were able to reach our goal of $500 for the March of Dimes this year. We are so thankful for the fourteen families that contributed to this year's walk! We also want to thank our friends that came out and walked with us this year. We appreciate each and every one of you!

March for Babies 2009

Joshua and Abby Kate

Joshua

Abby Kate

Jackson

New Additions

Last night, we took the kids to Across the Pond and added more fish to our pond out back. We have been working hard in our yard the past few weeks and finally got to the point where we decided that it was time to add to our fish pond. When we moved into our house, we "inherited" 8 fish. Well over time, those fish were eaten by some cats and birds and we only had one fish that survived. (I know, we are bad pet fish owners). Tonight, Elmo received some new friends. Jason and the kids named our newest additions. We are happy to announce our newest fish family members: Zoe, Bert, Zacchaeus, Winnie, Tuck, Bono, Lennon and McCartney.

Our 8 fish!

The kids were so excited about our new fish!

Watching the new fish acclimate to their new home.

First, But Definitely Not The Last

The other day, I found Joshua throwing a baseball at our back door. How it survived his left armed pitches, I will never know. I took away all of his balls and told him to never throw a baseball at glass again. After a good sit down and discussion, I thought that he had learned his lesson.

Back door

The very next day, Joshua found a baseball and began work on his pitching skills. Only this time...

Baseball + Glass =

A million pieces of shattered glass

Fortunately my breakables in the hutch did not get broken and at least he didn't throw the ball at the back door. Maybe one day that arm of his will do him well in baseball, but until then ALL BALLS ARE ONLY TO BE THROWN OUTSIDE!!!!

Let The Games Begin

The other night, we took the kids to the Stars' season opener. When we told the kids where we were going, they all immediately ran to get all of their Cardinals' gear on. We met up with some friends and enjoyed watching the game.

Jason and Joshua

My little Cardinal!

On Monday, we watched the Stars play another game. We were treated to watching the game in one of the skyboxes with our friends. I don't know if Abby Kate and Jackson love the game or the popcorn/cotton candy more. They can put away the snacks. We are looking forward to many more games this season!

Jason and Abby Kate


My little guy couldn't be any happier!

Baseball fans!

My sweet little girl!

Only 4 More Days

Our family is walking for the March for Babies this Saturday morning. We are still trying to raise that last little bit of money in an effort to reach our goal of $500.

The March of Dimes is a cause that we believe in and support. As you all know, our twins were born 7 weeks early. 12.5 MILLION babies are born too early each year! Unfortunately, premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death and many life long disabilities. The funds that we raise supports research that saves babies' lives. All babies deserve their full 9 months.

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Easter 2009

Our family had such a great Easter this year. On Saturday we attended our church's annual Easter Egg Hunt. The kids helped me fill their eggs with special treats and were thrilled to hunt for eggs on Saturday. This was Jack's first time to participate in an egg hunt, since he was a little too young last year. Jason hunted eggs with Joshua and Abby Kate and I stayed with Jack and captured some pictures. I loved watching him go from trying to figure out what we were actually supposed to be doing, to gathering more eggs than he was allowed to have. I made sure that we didn't open that first egg, because I knew that would be the end of the hunt for him. He had so much fun and I think that I had just as much fun watching him!

Easter Egg Hunt 2009

On Easter Sunday, Jason left for church earlier than us. I had so much fun watching the kids look at their Easter baskets. We didn't play the whole "Easter Bunny" thing this year. I found it funny when everyone at church asked my kids if the Easter Bunny had come to visit them and they said no! The kids each got some special sweets in their baskets. We got Abby Kate some "Princess" summer pjs, Joshua got an Albert Pujols and Peyton Manning figure and we got Jack an Elmo DVD and a shapes puzzle. They loved their goodies and have really enjoyed eating their sweets. Today, Joshua secretly hid and ate two whole chocolate bunnies! I guess that he is a splurger, just like me!

I was thrilled to have my parents come down and go to church with us. The kids were so excited to have Nana and PawPaw visit. After church we headed home for lunch. I had picked up a HoneyBaked Ham on Saturday and we had green beans, cowboy potatoes, corn, deviled eggs, rolls and an Easter cake. We were stuffed and enjoyed eating together on Easter Sunday.

We all had a great time together this Easter. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by parents that love all of us, a husband that loves me and our children and by my children, whom I dearly love. I am so very thankful for my family.