Spring Ball End of Season

With an awesome double header the Shock Waves Spring season came to an end.  This season Abigail has sported her favorite catcher, Yadier Molina's number on the back of her jersey.  So for today's games she cut out MOLINA in medical tape for the back of her jersey. Molina is of course the outstanding catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals and six time recipient of the Rawling's Gold Glove Award.  It was better than any rally squirrel!  

The girls played two tough games and then finished off with a pool party and taco bar at Sarah's house.  At the party, coach asked the girls to say what each of their favorite part of the season was, and one of the girls answered, 'playing ball with you girls, you're the nicest people I've ever met.'  It was a sweet sentiment echoed by several of the girls.  

It was heart warming to hear them each express their admiration for fellow team mates.  We have tournament ball, then we will see everyone back in the Fall.   

if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.

Acts 13:15

Saturday Softball

What a lovely day for a ball game!  The lady Shock Waves had their best game yet today! It was one of those great games you dream about where everyone was alive in the outfield, the girls bats were on fire, and everything came together! 

At the end of the game the coach announced that Abigail and her pitcher Sarah both made the All-Star Team and would play in tournament games at the end of the season. 

Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’  You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power

Deuteronomy 8:16-17

Hawaiian Falls Newest Cabana Boy

Another milestone for Caleb today!  He has worked three years as a volunteer at the Sixth Floor Museum and he has volunteered for the past year weekly at Metro Relief but today he began earning a pay check.    He's had the lawn mowing, tree trimming type jobs but now there is a nice pay check attached with direct deposit and the whole bit! 

He went out and applied, interviewed and signed new hire paperwork on the same day!  Last week he went through there orientation program and today he is off to work.  

For our family who do not live in Texas, Hawaiian Falls is a family friendly water park with multiple locations in the Dallas area.  The owners are Christians and each day is begun with a prayer; staff including Life Guards are modestly attired.   

His job is as an Ambassador, aka master cotton candy spinner and snow cone maker!  I love that his first job is making snow cones; it would make my Dad smile!  My Dad had a Snow Cone Truck and drove through neighborhoods when I was a kid selling snow cones.  How fun is that!   

My foot has held fast to his steps;

    I have kept his way and have not turned aside.

Job 23:11

Tom Thumb Donation

If it's early Friday morning you can always find us hanging outside behind the back door to Tom Thumb!   How early, you ask, well about 8:30am Monday through Friday various Metro Relief volunteers pick up donated goods from Tom Thumb to be given out in the pantry or to the homeless via the relief bus.  

We pick up on Fridays and deliver and stock the items into Metro's cooler.  Some of these items will go out on the bus to Unity Park in Ft. Worth on the same day.  Some of the breads and desserts will go out on Saturday's bus run to the homeless in South Dallas.  The remainder will be distributed through the pantry on Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays.   

Generally there are two carts full of desserts Monday through Friday that Tom Thumb graciously donates to the pantry.  They are not the only business to this, on Fridays we also pick up pastries from Starbucks.  Every Wednesday, Papa John's donates pizzas.  On Tuesdays one of our volunteers picks up donations from Olive Garden.  Lots of great community support helping needy families get back on their feet! Now you see why I'm smiling!! 

We have straw and feed for our donkeys, with bread and wine for me and your female servant and the young man with your servants. There is no lack of anything. Judges 19:19

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day is one of the holidays that can bring different emotions.  I saw this sweet poem and wanted to share:

For the one who has lost a mother, 
For the mother who has lost a child, 
For the one who longs to be a mom,
You are not forgotten on this Mother's day, 
You are loved and in my prayers! 

I'm very grateful to the three blessing that call me mom and for the lovely 'Mothers' God has placed in my path! 

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.  I Timothy 5:1-2

A Double Header at the Ball Park

Sunscreen in hand, water bottles chilled, time to head to the ball park.  Today Abigail's Shock Waves had a double header, back to back ball games.  With temperatures hitting 90+ degrees, I don't think anyone envied Abigail in all her catchers gear for the 3+ hours in the heat.  

The team won one game and lost one game, but seemed to have a great time.  The girls decided with the double header it would be a good day for crazy socks.  Each team member wore mis-matched socks.  

 The long day at the fields was made even brighter at the spotting of our friends the Gungan's who stopped by to cheer her on.  Really good friends don't comment on just how dirty and smelly you are after two ball games.  Great friends suggest that you bring a change of clothes to the drama cast party later that night!   Thanks guys, it was great to see you this afternoon!  

man looks on the outward appearance, but theLord looks on the heart. I Samuel 16: 7

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Very rarely do I post recipes, I think that is because I am not in the habit of writing down what I cooked.  I have always added a bit of this or some of that.  Even when I check out a new recipe, I still end up adjusting it to fit whatever I have in the cabinets.  

But today I found a recipe on Pinterest that was wonderful, Bacon Wrapped Asparagus!  Oh my!! I love asparagus, it was a traditional food group my mom served for special occasions. For breakfast this morning I wrapped fresh asparagus with bacon and baked them in oven with a little salt and pepper at 400 for 20 minutes.  

One of the websites suggested serving these with over easy eggs and croissants!  When the kids saw breakfast they were a little skeptical, but once they tasted it they were won over.  Give it a try, I will be serving this again! 

 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.  Romans 14:3 

30th Annual Home School Book Fair

This weekend is the Home School Book Fair in Arlington, TX.  It is all about helping families find everything they need to home school their children.  It is a Christian event sponsored by Hearth & Home Ministries.  This was our 11th or 12th year to attend.  

They have 80 workshops and 240+ booths selling thousands of home school products and services.  If you are new to homeschooling it would be easy to get overwhelmed by all the products and services available!  Ms. Donna and I always go together and tag team all the booths!  

The kids usually stop off at the chess tournament tables.  There is no shortage of home school friends for hanging out!  

it is you, a man like myself,

    my companion, my close friend,

with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship

    at the house of God,

as we walked about

    among the worshipers.

Psalm 55:13-14

Shock Waves Softball

Another enjoyable afternoon at the ballpark!  The girls brought home another win, it is so enjoyable to watch these girls play together.  It was even more enjoyable to share her passion for the game with Uncle David!   I think he got a real kick from watching her on stage last night as a Jersey Hen to a tough as nails catcher!  

Caleb was able to make it for that last portion of the game following his event at the Sixth Floor Museum. 

For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance.  Matthew 25:29

JFK Living History with J. Walter Coughlin

Caleb & J. Walter Coughlin

Harry Bailey to JFK Docent

Another wonderful installment in the Living History Series at the Sixth Floor Museum.  Caleb and other members of the Youth Advisory Committee acted as ambassadors for the event hosting Secret Service agent J. Walter Coughlin.  He served as a U.S. Secret Service agent from 1961 to 1977.  He served on the details for President Kennedy, President Johnson and Vice President Hubert Humphrey.  Mr. Coughlin was also part of the advanced team for San Antonio on President Kennedy's trip to Texas.  

The living history events are hosted with a moderator and then the end of the event is opened up for audience question and answer session. 

When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.  Matthew 22:22

The Canterbury Tales or Geoffrey Chaucer's Flying Circus

Tonight our PEACH homeschool Drama Club presented, The Canterbury Tales, what many believe was Chaucer’s literary masterpiece revolutionized English literature.  Our tale tossed in a good helping of Monty Python-styled humor to create this to this incredibly silly yet educational comedy.  

With many of the pilgrims whose tales are most likely to be studied in high school (along with a few Thanksgiving pilgrims that ended up in the wrong play!), including the knight, the miller, the parson, the pardoner, the nun’s priest and the friar great madness occurs!   Geoffrey Chaucer himself appears in the play, as he is directed by Harry Bailey, (aka Caleb) to finish the Tale! 

Abigail portrayed a Jersey-Shore hen, Pertelote!  Her sassy, over the top character is a huge leap from the sweet Dorothy of Oz she portrayed in last year's musical! 

Great job, everyone! Grandparents, don't worry your DVD's will arrive shortly!