Now Batting, Number 3, Cameron Jones!

Rebecca and I were just talking last night about how we don't update the blog as much lately. I think this is probably because we have been using Facebook so much for posting pictures. If you are on Facebook and want to follow our pics, just search for "redraider2k," and send me a friend request.

It seems that Cameron is developing a love for baseball and I couldn't be happier. He played his first t-ball season back in the spring, and enjoyed it, but wasn't overly enthusiastic. We moved right into the summer season with a new team and me as the coach. I have always looked forward to coaching, but I never thought I would enjoy it this much. It is such a rewarding experience. I now know why my dad dedicated so much time to coaching me and Erik when we were kids. Of course with all of his expertise, I have enlisted my dad and Erik to help coach and keep up with thirteen 3-5 year old kids. It can get a little chaotic at times. Thankfully we have the best Team Mom to keep us organized off the field.

Cameron seems to be having much more fun this season. He got to pick the team name - Red Sox - to the delight of Uncle Erik. Come to find out, his choice of Red Sox had nothing to do with Uncle Erik's liking the team, he just wanted to wear red socks!

Cam is also spending quite a few nights falling asleep on the couch while we watch the Texas Rangers. He enjoys the games and is asking a lot of questions! It really brings back a lot of memories when I was the one falling asleep on the couch while watching Rangers games with Dad and Papa.

His favorite players are Michael Young and Marlon Byrd. He says he likes Young because he is really good (he's right of course) and likes Byrd because he gets to flap his arms up and down like a bird when Marlon bats. I think Rebecca will be glad that the Rangers aren't playing anymore West Coast games for a few weeks. Those 9 o'clock starts were keeping him up a little too late.

One last baseball note. Cam and I were lucky enough to go to yesterday's Astros game with our friend Erik Shoup and his son Ty. Since we arrived early we hung out in the right field seats during batting practice. I was lucky enough to catch a home run hit by one of the Washington Nationals players and proceeded to give the ball to Cameron. After turning back to the field ready to catch another one, he threw the ball over my head, over the warning track, and onto the outfield grass! In my excitement, I forgot to tell him to keep the ball! After seeing the look of surprise my face, he thought I was mad at him. Nope, just proud of the strong throw!

A few minutes later a Nationals coach was nice enough to toss the ball back. I think I will keep that one up on the shelf for a while.

Maggie at swim lessons

Cam at Maggie's swim lessons

Where oh where has the time gone

I've been getting updates on all of my friend's blogs, but have had no time to update ours. We have been traveling, working, and growing (the kids at least) and I fall into bed each night thinking, "Thank God there are only 24 hours in a day!" Otherwise I'm sure I'd have something crammed into those other hours.

Maggie turned 14 months old yesterday. She's such a fun kid and a constant flirt. Those two front top teeth are coming in slowly but surely, and she's got one tooth on the bottom. I think they've hurt some, and last week one of the top teeth was bleeding as it came through. It's not really slowing her down too much, but making her a bit cranky at bedtime. All food is game when Maggie is in the vicinity. If it looks good on your plate, she'll just reach over and grab a handful for herself. She also likes to share her food with the dogs, which of course they love. Maggie is using more words and enjoys the sign language I've been teaching her. Footsteps are coming more often now, but she will still drop down to crawl because it's quicker.

Cameron has taken on a whole new attitude - teenager!! He's got an opinion about everything from what he should wear, to where he should go, to what he will eat. And he will throw a fit and scream if you disagree with him. It's been very trying and sometimes makes me cry. If you know me, you know I'm not a crier, but when you can't rationalize with a 4 year old, it's the next best thing. He's been getting in a lot of trouble and having to sit in timeout and get spankings. I understand that rationally he's trying to express himself, but sometimes I'd like him to say "Yes, mommy" and be done with it. I'm hoping that once we get through the summer and into the routine of the school year he'll go back to his sweet loving self. Until then I feel like I may need more mommy nights out to cope.

Chris is playing softball with the church on Monday nights and then coaching Cameron's t-ball team on Wednesday and Thursday nights. We are a ball playing family right now. The church team is in the play-offs this Saturday starting at 8AM in the softball field at Baybrook Baptist Church next to Heritage Park Village. Chris is almost at the end of his time with his current position at ExxonMobil. His boss is in the process of looking for a viable position that will utilize Chris' talents with managing projects and people. Cross your fingers that he'll pick out something Chris will enjoy.

I've been doing my usual crazy schedule. Run kids to events, take care of house, complete errands, oh and of course work in a 10-15 hour work week. I'm not sure who got the better deal out of it, but I'm working very hard to be a good bookkeeper for my MIL at her insurance agency - The Essential Group. They are based in Friendswood and are working on growing with new clients and merging with another company. It's been fascinating to get back into the work force and use my brain for something more than measuring flour and pasting pictures. Working from home is it's own challenge, so anytime there's a naptime or as soon as the kids go to bed I'm dialing in and getting work done. I'm very excited for September when I'll be in the office on a regular basis and the kids will be at school on a regular basis. I'm also in charge of the social aspect of the Women's Ministry at church which involves planning events and welcoming new members. I have a few things going on throughout the year, from pamper nights at the salon to a welcome tea for our new preacher's wife.

Since the golf tournament last year, we've been toying with how we'd pull off something just as great for Miracles for Fun this year. Not only will we be honoring the Wims Family, we'll be setting a standard for moving forward with a non-profit organization supporting families in need. There is an amazing group of friends that have agreed to continue with the vision. As we work to set up everything, my heart is often heavy that Brad is not here to enjoy this year. I got to spend a precious evening with Jenny last week and we talked about life today. I say precious because I feel that Jenny's time is precious. Each moment she has she is filling with great opportunities for her family, awesome memories and of course working anytime she can. I think Brad is so proud of Jenny and what an amazing woman she continues to be each day. The golf tournament this year will be capped off with a concert by some of Brad's favorite groups - Vocal Union and Soul Union. I hope he's looking down and getting excited with us.

So we've been a bit busy and each day is a new adventure for our family. I hope that I'll have time to keep up with regular updates to our blog, but if I don't you'll know why. Adventure is calling!

Miracles for Fun 2!

Last September we held the Miracles for Fun Golf Tournament as a fundraiser for our friend Brad Wims.  As his friends, we were seeking to give him every chance to survive into a good and godly old age! We wanted to help him overcome the obstacle of cancer. Brad fought bravely. All of his friends and family were so impressed with his faith and positive spirit. Sadly, he lost that battle with cancer on Monday, March 2, at the age of 34.

As his friends, we are still trying to help Brad finish his race. We have decided to help raise money for Brad’s family with a second golf tournament and a benefit concert. Our goal is to build a college fund for Zeke and Kaelyn Wims. Brad’s job as a father would be to launch his children into a fine future. It was work that he had to leave personally undone. He was entrusting the future of his children to the grace of God. We are inviting you be a part of finishing Brad's work in preparing for Zeke and Kaelyn's future.

Please join us on November 7, 2009 for the 2nd Annual Miracles for Fun. The golf tournament will be held in the morning at Eagle Point Golf Club in Mont Belvieu, TX. We are also very excited to be organizing a benefit concert that evening at Southeast Church of Christ featuring the a cappella music of Vocal Union.

We will be updating the Miracles for Fun website (http://www.miraclesforfun.org) over the next few weeks with more information.  You can also join our Facebook group.

Spring Sing

Cameron participated in his last Spring Sing at the Vine last Thursday (May 21, 2009).  Next year he'll be at Friendswood Christian School.  It's kind of hard to see where he is in this picture, but since he's a shorty and the young lady in front of him was tall it was hard to get a good shot.  I'll have to see if I can figure out how to add an arrow to the pic.

This is Cameron's girlfriend Reagan that he plans to marry one day.  They are so cute when they get excited to see each other.  Her mom told me that Reagan is sad that Cameron won't be in her class next year.  I don't think that Cam has really grasped yet what it means to go to a new school, so he doesn't know that she won't be there.  They will get to see each other on Sunday mornings, which is a big plus.

Help in the Kitchen

The kids love to be in the kitchen with me and are such a great 'help' when I'm making dinner.  Last Wednesday we put together cupcake jars (http://www.joyshope.com/2009/04/mason-jar-cupcakes.html) for Cam's teachers and so forth up at The Vine.  Don't worry, we didn't use anything after the kids licked it.

What a mess they are!

I love this shot because she's trying to get all of the icing she can with her little fingers.

As 'helpful' as the kids can be in the kitchen, I really am looking forward to the day when I can have them cook me dinner and I can just sip a glass of wine and watch.