The Sideline Mom

Yesterday we said our goodbyes.

"You wear grief as a badge of how well you loved, grief is an expression that you loved well." - Elizabeth Lesser

Our whole city is grieving. Grieving like never before. We lost a Titan. THE Titan. The Ultimate. The mammoth warrior Steve McNair and it is such a huge loss. We are grieving here in Tennessee and the world over. 

It was hard not to love him. Nearly impossible. With a smile and attitude so radiant it could warm the most glacier like football fan's on the coldest of game day's. He grinned and the glow from those pearly whites lit up the entire vicinity in which he stood. I think that's how he stole our heart's from the beginning. That smile. A winners smile. There was also his love of community, people and the kids. His graciousness in giving back. All of it was heartfelt and he made it look effortless. He was a true giver. Then of course there was his ability on the field. I had never been so mesmerized by a football player. Never really watched much football before the time the Titans and Steve came to town. Steve McNair was the first quarterback, first player, I ever really watched intently. Perhaps it interested me because just a few months prior to the Titans coming to town I had my first son and I just instinctively gravitated towards what I thought or knew my boy would someday be interested in.  Football and the centerpiece of football. The quarterback.

 

Steve holding Austin at 6 months old. I think he said something like it was good practice for him since his wife was soon expecting they're first son. I think Keith also told Steve to try not to "pass" Austin if he could help it. We all laughed. It was a good day.

 

Perhaps it was because the NFL had come to my town and I felt an certain connection or ownership to the organization and I thought of him as my quarterback. 

 

Titans Superbowl parade. Downtown Nashville. We were excited!

Perhaps it's a combination of all of these things but more than anything now I think it was more about who he was personally and the way he played the game.

 

Watching Steve McNair and the Titans preseason practices at TSU before they had they're own practice facilities. First season they came to town. Here Eddie George and Kevin Dyson are taking a breather and being interviewed before they signed autographs.

I remember most of all loving the moments when he would be in a tough spot and had to run the ball. The scramble, the determination, the tenacity, the skill and ultimately the victory. The heart. He had it and a lot of it. That is what we loved so much about him and that is why we hurt so much today. We loved him well.

He was the beauty of life in motion. He won us over with the love he had for us. Love of his family, friends and fans. He did what he did on that field for the people he loved and he did it in a way that showed us just how much he loved us. He loved us well also. All of Tennessee will be forever grateful for that. It's said that gratitude is the heart's memory. I, one solitary fan am grateful for his time with us and that we had the chance to love and know him. I know I forever will be grateful for that. We will miss him much. In our hearts he will forever be our beloved #9.

All my prayers and thoughts are with his boys, family and loved ones. May they find peace through all of this.

Over and out.

The Sideline Mom

 

 

1,2,3 jump!

And that's what they did. ALL weekend. Just got back from 4th of July trip to North Carolina to Keith parents house. It's along trip but I think while there everyone enjoy's themselves. The boys love this most of all...

jumping off the dock. Big fun.

 

And diving.

 

Oh, and flipping too.

 

And then more diving , of course.

 

Then a pose

 

or two, for good measure. Goofballs.

 

And then swimming until they smelled mostly like fish.

  

I think I spotted gills forming on Mo's back.

But a good time was had and that's what counts right?

More stories to come.

Over and out.

The SLM

 

 

The kid likes to jam.

 

For his birthday he recieved what he had been dreaming of, longing for and requesting for months. A Les Paul 100. That was it. That's was the only thing he asked for. The only thing. Cause the kid likes to jam.

 

AS soon as he walked around the corner on the night of his birthday and saw it sitting there he picked it up and started to play. He entertained us all. (he also recieved a new amp along with it)

 

He sang his newest creation "Raining Hard" which he wrote a few months before recieving new guitar. (on his old guitar,  it's a beginners Peavey)

Then he performed a few Christmas songs. The 12 Days of Christmas he had taught himself and practiced the entire month of December, so it was perfect in time to play it on his new "toy". WE all enjoyed it.

 

He enjoyed it as well. Because he loves guitars. The kid likes to jam. So it was no surprise to me that when we saw the Plain W T's in concert he said "Mom, quick get a picture of those guitars"!! So I did. Cause I like to take pics. It's my thing, right?

 

 

The really amazing thing was, as each guitar was used, he could tell me what kind of guitar it was. I really did not know he knew as much as he did, and perhaps he did not have all the names correct but I was amazed that he knew the names of so many guitar's anyway.

He would say things like "Mom that's a Les Paul SG, or Mom, that one is a Firebird". To which I exclaimed "Groovy babe". Then he would say things like THAT is one of the best guitar you can get or do you KNOW how much that guitar cost's mom"!? To which I would reply "Ummm... No sweetie I don't"

 

Personally, I liked the drums myself. They were vintage and ridiculously cool.

While I rambled on and on about how amazing the band's harmonies were, he could not stop talking guitars.

Even these guys had cool guitars according to Austin. This was one of the bands that opened night. Days Difference. They were really good. Very young with still a long way to go but fun and entertaining.

 

Austin thought they were neat because they dressed cool and were so young. And if you've seen it, they are the actual band in the Hannah Montana movie that play while Miley is singing at Lilly's Birthday party. Didn't know I knew so much about the teen scene did ya?

 

Anyway, while I continued to go on and on about how amazing the Plain W T's were (till I was almost blue in the face) Austin went on about the guitars.

It also inspired him to come home and hit his guitar really hard. He's been playing  more than ever and ummm... louder than usual. And for some strange reason he usually starts this at about 10:00pm. While I sit wondering what the neighbors are thinking I remind myself not to worry to terribly much cause...

the kid likes to jam. It makes him happy. And I am totally ok with that. 

 

Over and out til later.

The SLM

I don't know.

 

 I don't know what was more painful. Hearing what these little pieces of metal and wire would cost or seeing my first born baby boy get them cemented to his teeth.

Why is it again that they HAVE to grow up?  **big sigh**

 

We've had bad luck with our kids - they've all grown up. - Christopher Morley

The great cathedral space which was childhood. - Virginia Woolf

 

Until next time.

The (misty eyed, somewhat  somber) Sideline Dude -ette

Have you ever....

Have you ever been so happy you did something you thought maybe you shouldn't do? Or maybe I should say, have you ever made a decision to do something that you were not quite sure was going to be worth your while but it turned out to be one of the best things you ever done? Well for one, I hope you do get a chance to do that sometime in the near future because it's a spectacular feeling and two I'm going to make more of the gut instinct decisions myself more often because they do pay off from time to time. Really. Here's what I'm talking about.

Yesterday I was checking the skateboarding schedule at this place here for none other than the soon to be next Tony Hawk shown here below. (at least that's what he has his heart set on) Becasue the kids wants to skate 28 hours out of the day and drives me crazy asking when he can go to the skatepark. Lately its been to hot to skate outdoors and Rockettown offers inside air conditioned skating.

 

So when I pulled up the Rockettown skating schedule, I noticed a large picture of the band the Plain White T's advertising that they would be playing there soon. You see, Austin loves this band and has watched they're apperance on the kids show ICarly 290,345 times. And I will admit, I myself even love they're Grammy Award nominated song Hey There Delilah and  if I'm being really honest I also love they're songs Take You There as well as Write You a Song. REALLY love those few songs I confess. But to be truthful, those 3 songs are the only songs I am familiar with that they perform and I did not know if they're other material would be worth seeing. Plus they were playing that night. (last night) Like in (5 hours from now) last night. We went anyway. Small enough venue to not have to fight  to much of a crowd. So we trucked it.

Very happy boy here.

 

Actually we were both grinning from ear to ear. We were excited. I hoped it was not all for nothing.

 

It was not all for nothing.

These guys are good. No, not just good they are really, really great! And no doubt will be around for a seriously long time. Live they sound awesome and I personally don't think there was one song I did not love or relate to in some way. Very good writing. 

He is a amazing performer. Really.

 

The entire band, they're harmonies, they're sound...really, really GOOD! Have I said that already?

 

No one was more surprised than me. I thought I would take my 11 year old son to  a concert and enjoy a few of the songs myself in the process and be done, but what we got was a top notch entertainment experience.

 

Did I just say top notch? I don't even think that sums it up properly. They were just great and if you don't believe me go see them for yourself. You will not be disappointed. I promise.

 

And when it was all over, we were sad. We wanted more. They could have sung for another hour and we wouldn't have budged. Heck they could have sung for two more days and we would still be there. These guys will go the distance. But of course we had to go home. Bummer.

 

But thats when one of the best highlight's of the evening took place. Who would of thunk? We got in the car started to make our way home and who did we see hanging out behind the backstage doors.

This guy. Mr. Tom Higginson himself. (lead singer) We jumped out of the car and I of course grabbed my camera. I suppose you could call us dweebs. Nerds perhaps. Just plain goofy. But it was SO MUCH FUN!

Austin told him "Great show". He told Austin "Thanks and I like your vest, that's a cool vest".  Austin grinned from ear. needless to say

 

And so there you go. Next time you think maybe you should be spontaneous and do something out of the norm. DO!. It's just may be worth it. You'll never know unless you try.  And yes, we will be seeing these guys again. Any chance we get.

Over and out.

The SLM.

 

Gone for a short bit.

 

This little guy. This slow, confusing (at least to me) little computer is going to get some help. We all need a little help sometimes now don't we? So it will be a few days before I'm back.

Hmmmm... what should I tell you before I go.

Well, it's been really hot here lately. African hot. Can't even take a step outside without melting into gooey puddle of sweat hot. Humidity at 95% and all. But I like it better than freezing.

I have currently lost 45 pounds and quite honestly I plan on NEVER finding it ever again. Ever. Just sayin.

Happy Father's Day to this guy. Enjoy your golf game this weekend and don't forget to drink enough water! Funny how role reversal happens between parent and child the older we get.

 

And Happy Father's Day to this guy. Hope it's a great day.

Ok, so off to the computer store with ol Berta. That's what I call her. My computer. It just sounds like a slow name does it not?

Not sure when I'll be back. A day or 8. Who knows. But I will return.

Until then stay cool.

Over and out.

The Sideline Mama-cee-ta.

 

 

Photo discs. And other fun shenanagins.

Ok, so I've posted before about how I take numerous amounts of pictures while standing on the sideline of every playing field imaginable while watching my punk boys and they're sports teams play ball. And I've also posted about how I love to make things. Both are fun, exciting and what keep me sane. That's really the reason why I think I do all this except that I think it's also because these kids amaze me. My own children as well as rest of the team. I suppose I do it because energy begets energy. I love evergy. I pray all the time "Dear God please give me more energy"! And when I am watching life in motion right in front of my eyes it's amazing to me. It energizes me and I want to catch that energy. Capture it. Keep it for a moment I suppose. I also want to share it with the world.  So now I'm sharing it with you.  Here goes:

I start off the season of any sports season, any season, be it football, baseball, basketball, Tae Kwon Do, etc. etc. times a million and I set up folders for each team player like this. It's very simple to do. Really. I promise. People think I'm sooooo techy and knowledgable about the computers and software and stuff.  I laugh at this. I laugh til I nearly fall down. I'm about as technical as good ol fashioned lemonade. How's that for a bad metaphor? I'm the queen of them ya know? Bad metaphors that is. Onward now. I make folders. Very simple. I am not techy at all.

   

After every game I unload my camera and then slide the individual pics into their proper folder. The team shots I copy over X's12 or X's22 for football. And so on and so on.

Then at the end of a season I do this:

  

I make books. Or I make picture discs. What ever I have time for. And I use this system here. Memorex. If you purchase the labels there is a free dowloadable software that is super easy to use.

  

What is so wonderful about this is the disc turn out looking really cool. They print beautifully and don't have the slighest hint of a cheesy look to them. I don't care for cheesy.

Anyway, I then choose my pic to put on the label. Like so..

   

When the image pops up on the disc format it is in a little red box. You then have to use your mouse to pull and drag the photo to fit the disc frame. Very easy.

  

Once you have the image centered you can apply text to the image. I love this! I type the player name and jersey #. It looks very professional and tricky. Although, once again I am not the slighest bit professional or tricky. It looks that way. This font is called AllStar. If you ask me all the kids are AllStars. They just are.

 

Then you just print the darn thing. It comes out looking spectacular. If I do say so myself.

  

Then here may be the only tricky part of the whole operation. The sticking the lable on part. It goes like this. Wait for your disc to come out of the computer. The disc you have loaded all the player pics on. Waiting.... waiting.. I don't like waiting. Patience is a virtue ya know? A virtue I have not yet aquired so it seems.

 

Then grab your disc. That disc you have been waiting 20 years for to come out of the computer. (My computer is very slow)

 

Very, very slow. So grab your disc, like so.

Then carefully peel your label off the sheet... Like so...

 

and place it face down on your disc container. Like so.

 

Then make sure you have flipped your disc shiny side up before dropping it onto the label. Like so. Are you tired of me saying like so yet? Good. Let's continue.

  

Then when you pick it up, you have a perfectly labled disc.

 

Then you pop it into a shiny little CD case and one more time LIKE SO. And you have the perfect team gift.

  

You can also quickly and easily make a case label to put on the back. Just like the disc it is super easy to make. You can also add another picture to the back, like shown here. Super neat looking!

 

Then watch the faces of the kids and parents as you hand them out at the team party. It's more fun than you can imagine. Sharing the love that is. And that's what it comes down to. Love. Love of life and all that goes on within it.

 

 

So try these. You won't be disappointed. Perhaps you could take pics of a summer cookout with friends and family. Or a birthday party. Then make a disc for each of your guests. They will feel the love. I promise they will. No doubt about it.

Over and out.

The picture takin, disc makin, non patient Side Line Mama. (although I'm working ont he patient part- I promise)

 

Tournament Champs Baa-bee!

Well... so... our awesome little dudes won it all!(actually not all of them are so little) And we could not be any happier for them. Nope, not one bit. 

   

They set another goal. They said let's make it to the summit. And boy howdy they did! They were "not done" so to speak after winning division champs. No sir. You know what they did? Here's what they did.

They linked up again.

Everyone of them. One at a time. A solid team with another set goal.

 

They locked in.

 

Each knowing they're part. Each knowing they had to play they're best, play strong for the other 11 guys. Together. And play strong they did.

They pitched...

 

 

 

hit...

 

 

defended...

 

 

 

and hustled...

  

 

 

they're way through 4 strait wins to take the tournament trophies home.

This guy here, otherwise know as Coach Chandler, said "you guys can could do it."

 

He said each of one of you is a strong link and together we can climb to the summit. If that's what you guys want. Or something like that at least. I believe thats what the boys wanted.

 

As well as these guys here also. And several really great dads. They all told the team they could do it.

 

And they listened, believed and played really, really well.

 

And that put them right here.

Division Champs and Tournament Champs! All in one great season.

 

How sweet it all is.

 

I personally am grateful for:

teamwork

great families

spectacular kids

the gift of a healthy mind and body

dirt (I swear because you can't play baseball without it - hellooo)

baseball

oxy-clean (really I am) All baseball moms are oxy-clean laundry queens!

and lastly  goals set and accomplished. It's a great feeling!

 

Until next season. Over and out.

The happy

proud

joyful

blessed

slightly worn out (I only took,organized and edited 8,742 pics of the team this year) But I SOOOOOOO LOVED IT!

Side Line Mom.

 

 

8 minute thunderstorm.

This morning the sky turned dark the wind kicked up to 9,752 mph and the sky poured buckets of rain. For approximately 8 minutes. After all was said and done I looked out the front windows for any signs of wind damage and just as I sucked in a big sigh of relief that all was well I  heard Austin yell from the back yard window "OH MY GOSH"! 

This is what we found.

 

Our ten year old tree. Demolished. Nice!

 

I don't know if we can salvage it or not.

 

Morgan cried out in frustration " Hey that was my climbing tree"! Then he sat down and said "Take my picture".

 

Guess we can't do much about it now. Shocking how much damage can be done in an 8 minute thunderstorm.

In other news:

Austin's team is in the middle of baseball tournament games and they are doing well. For me that means I am getting picture discs done for the team. I love to do this. For football I do books. For baseball I do discs. 

They look something like this.

 

Here is one I did last year for Morgan's team.

 

I will post how to's and the label maker I use later. They are super fun to make for a class, a team or anything else you can think of. 

Later peeps.

The SLM 

 

 

Getting fit. Feeling great.

Ok, so here I am in Phoenix a week or so ago. With my Aunt's. Laurie and Judy (my cuz Christy is in the back there) Hi Christy Gayle...love ya!! 

 I am always behind the camera and so I rarely get into a pic if ever. My sweet sista Jen took my camera hostage and started dartin round the place. She got me. But I am not camera shy anyway. Never have been. If there is a camera around  I am going to pose and cheeze it up. That's just me. 

 

We are not fancied here up because...well... we were having a pool party/grill out/memorial day bash/my dad's b-day celebration.  See here my Uncle Steve is grilling burgers and stuff. He's a master at the grill. We should call him the grill master. Hey Uncle Steve... is it okay if we call you the grill master? Yes! Ok, awesome. You are the grill master then!

So we are in our swim suits. A suit I would not have been in had I not lost 35 lbs prior to this trip. I just would not have put one on had I not made the choice  to rid myself of all this unnecessary weight back in January. But I did make the choice. And it's been a good choice if I do say so myself. (*sidenote* I have lost weight in the past, but have never ever been really fit) You see back in December, I had been thinking. Thinking long and hard about how difficult it was to be overweight and unfit. How difficult it was to find clothes that fit. How difficult it was to find the energy to do the things I liked to do. How difficult it was to look in the mirror. Look in the mirror and really like (or should I say LOVE) what I was looking at. I thought about how I did not want to do that anymore. I did not want the unnecessary difficulty any longer. Life can be hard enough on its own without me adding to it's never ending abrupt surprises. So I thought about how if I had a choice between size 16 clothes or size 8. I would always chose the 8's. But yet I was not making the better choice. The choice was mine. So why did I settle. Why do any of us settle? Settle for the exact opposite of what we want? I've come to realize it's because we don't really know what we want exactly. Not really. And.... we are fearful of the spectacular. Yep. We are. Don't argue with me. You know it's true. How dare we be spectacular. That's only for the Hollywood elite and pro athletes. Right? But not us. Nooooooo. And it takes some time to actually figure that out. But one thing I knew for sure. I knew I did not want the extra weight.  So I set up a very simple plan to get back in shape.

 It went something like this.

Stop eating the bad stuff and burn up the stored calories.  

Translation to self : pay attention to what you are eating Sonja and move darnit!  

Bascially - change the way you think.

So I've made a habit of exactly those two things. It's working out pretty well. I'm a little over half way to "my personal" spectacular.

I will post more pics of moi in the future.

Which means you'll be seeing a lot less of me more often.  Hee hee ho hee ho  ha ha. I crack myself up.

Okay, I'm leaving now.

The SLM

 

A climb to the top.

Division Champions. It does not get any better. 

 

The guys worked hard for it. And they made it.  A 12-2 season makes for a really fun season. But then again the work was done on the field. Not that hard work can't be fun. It was. But the real fun came last night when they realized they had climbed their way to the top of 14 other teams. Climbed their way up with great fielding, hitting and pitching. Consistantly. It payed off. Hey, there may be something to that consistancy thing.

First off. They set a goal. The team decided early in the season that they would link up with one another as a team. Play as a team, work as a team and climb their way to the top as a team. Coach told them this meant the coaching staff would be a bit harder on them and asked if they were up for it. They said "we're up for it coach, lets do it"!

 Here are they're carabiner's. A tool used in climbing. Each player was given one. They were to individually hook them on they're gear bags. Then before each game they were to link them up together on the dugout fence. It was a symbol of they're unity.  A reminder before each game of the set goal. That they were committed. A constant focal point that said they were indeed climbing together to the top. And climb they did. To the very top.

   

They won the entire 11-12 year old age brackett. They are division champs. They reached they're goal. I think I cried. Ok maybe not but I was REAL happy for them.

This guy pitched well.

 

Fielded well.

 

And hit and ran well.

 

 

He was a strong link.

He was really happy.       I was happy for him

 

I was happy for them both.

 

Now it's onto the tourney. I think this team may want to set another goal. Tournament champs perhaps?

We will see. In the words of Miley Cyrus. "It's a climb" !

I think they're up for it. How bout you?

Over and out.

The SLM.

 

A (very random) list.

The things running through my mind at the moment.

I am all unpacked from Phoenix. Really. I kid not. It's a miracle.

I realized about a day ago that "the girls" meaning all the female cousins in AZ. only got together one night while we were there and not several like we had hoped we would. Oh well, guess I need to go back sooner right?

 

I lost 2 lbs. during my visit (apparently my "rid my body of the un-needed weight" program was not affected like my sleep was) This was uplifting. I did exercise everyday except two while there. That's the key people. You have to MOVE your body!

Baseball tourneys have begun. The season is coming to a close. What now?

 

Morgan has a cold. It does not seem to be bothering him to much.

 

I can't seem to get any yard work/summer planting done. To sluggish and lacking in ideas. Got any?

Austin's team is currently in 1st place for his division. He made the game winning catch to keep them there friday night. Way to go A-Train!

I think my days of tanning and going without sunscreen are over forever. My skin looks... um.. lets say a little saggy and aged. Where's that bottle of SPF 70?

I'm bored. And that's ok.

If loving movies and Hollywood is wrong, I never, ever want to be right again. Just saw "Up" this weekend. Great movie. And it is possible I may not make it till November when New Moon comes out. Saw the trailer last night. I am hooked. Completely. 

I missed my dog while gone last week. I'm pretty darn sure he's the most loyal and trusted friend I have.

   

What should I make for dinner?

Miss some new friends we met in AZ. Tobey here on the float. Can you tell he thinks he's King of the pool?

 

And Charlie, who we almost slipped into our suitcase and took home with us. I said almost. Well, he was small enough and too cute.

 

Should I take up golf? Or perhaps tennis?

I don't think I take enough pictures. 

My sister and profesional chef brother in law just celebrated they're 4 year anniversaryand I think it's awesome.

 

 

Ok,  so if you've stayed with me this long I'm amazed. I'm finished now with my randomness. Next post I promise will be much less chaotic.

Over and out!

The SLM

 

 

 

Back from the valley of the sun.

Whew! What a trip. A good one indeed but a bit tiring. The time difference (although only two hours) nearly did me in. And the boys too. We are wiped out. but in a good way.

It rained the first day and a half we arrived. I think we brought it with us. We just pulled it behind the airplane I believe. The Arizonians were happy bout this. They like rain, unlike us here in the monsoon area of the country.

    

Especially this Arizonian. This is our cousin Bailey. She loves the rain. She said "I love the rain, thanks for bringing it." Your welcome cutie pie. Come visit us soon, ok.

 

But the sun did come out again and we got out in that very sun for the rest of teek. We also did lots of other fun stuff in the valley. We visited with lots of family and friends.

 

Played us a mean game of water volley ball.

 

Helped my Dad celebrate another year.

 

Played with ridiculously beautiful baby girls. I never get to play with baby girls. I'm surrounded by boys 97.6% of the time.  

 

 

We got to shred up some of the cool AZ skate parks.

 

It took Morgan 29 seconds to find this 15 ft. bowl and drop into it.

 

 

It took 29 hours for my heart rate to return to normal after he wiped out at the bottom of the 15 ft. bowl. He was fine. I may never be. Life goes on.

 

Aunt Jenni came with cold water. She a life saver and a wicked cool Aunt to come watch them skate. But then again, that's just her. She can't help it. She's awesome. What would we do without you Aunt Jenni? !!

 

We spent lots of time with my 94 year old grandmother who  grows more beautiful and radiant each time I see her. How does she do that? I'm amazed.

 

And we got special tickets and seats to a particular ball game. My Uncle Steve made some calls and set us up. He is always doing great stuff like that for people. Uncle Steve is the man. Thanks Uncle Steve you're the best!

 

The boys got real close to some really cool players. They thought that was... um... cool to say the least.

 

This guy threw Austin a ball. That was cool also.

So much to tell and so much to unpack so I will do more filling in of the details later.

Over and Out.

The (much more tan) Sideline mama.

 

Big ol' jet airliner.

Don't carry me to far away. Well, only as far as Phoenix. We are heading out to
Arizona to see my Dad. It's his birthday and as each year passes I realize that each is a gift not to be taken lightly. His birthday is actually on Memorial Day. He always remembers as a child having to go to the cemetery on his birthday. Kinda grim isn't it? But not this year. No, this year we are coming. No cemetery's for us.

 

We don't get to visit often. Once a year if we are lucky.

 

I know it will make him very happy. And us too.

 

We will also get to visit with lots of other family while there. This will also make me happy.

So until next week. Have wonderful Memorial Day weekend.

The SLM

My brother's keeper.

 

Brother's. Between them there is a fine line between love and hate and they cross back and forth over that very line often. It can make there mama crazy. But if truth be told, they would crumble if anything remotely horrific happened to the other and they both know it. Especially Morgan. He adores his big brother. Wants to be just like him and strives to do so on a daily basis. You can tell by the  numbers here on they're baseball jerseys. When Morgan heard Austin was #10 this year, there was no doubt that Mo wanted the same digit.  If Austin is taking up a new hobby, you can bet Morgan will want to hop on the bandwagon. Despite they're differences (and there are many) they want the best for each other and I hope it always stays that way whatever paths they so choose.

 

Now for game updates:

As for this weekend we actually got some playtime. The rain held off long enough to allow both boys to play friday night and then for Mo to get in a double header on saturday. Then the bottom fell out and Austin game was cancelled saturday evening. So we will have to make that one up. Good news is we found out yesterday that Austin's team just moved into the #1 position for the championship. The team was real excited to find that out and then realized they have some more work/playing to do.

As for Mo.

 

He's keeping the hits coming, roundin the bases like a champ, getting real dirty  and...

 

loving every minute of it! 

 At dinner the other night he said. "Mom , I LOVE baseball SO, SO much"!!! 

It's a good thing cause we still have several games to go.

I'll keep ya posted.

Much love,

The (I need more oxy-clean) Sideline Mama.

 

 

 

Can't resist.

There a few things I can't resist. 

Encouraging  a child.

Starbucks Tall Vanilla Latte (2 pump) Can't say no to these.

Real people. They intrigue me - I can spot one a mile away. You know those specific folks who are who they are no matter what or where they are. Yeah, those people. 

Affectionate people.

Time spent with my sister.

Lip gloss.

Taking pictures.

And these:

Peonies.

 

Walked into the market yesterday and there they were. Quiet, humble and so wanting me to take them home. They batted they're eyelashed a few times and FOR - GET - IT. How could I resist? 

 I had just recieved flowers for Mothers Day, and I love them. Really love them. But Lord Have Mercy, peonies have me at hello.

 

I've told you before that they were created exclusively for me. No doubt. Well,  that's what I tell myself.

 

There is a saying that whatever you resist, persists. So what's the use?

They came home with mama.

Do you blame me?

 

Have a beautiful day.

The SLM

This.

This would be a baseball game. You know that game where you take that club like thing and hit that little white ball with the red laces and you wear that big glove on your hand. I had almost forgot. All of us parents re-introduced ourselves and shook hands again. It was like a reunion. It was great. And... it was not raining. Get I get an amen and a hallelujah? 

 

This would be Morgan. Having thee best game of his season. He was IN THE ZONE! I could gut myself for not video taping it. Absolutely kick myself! (Sorry Dad) He made one particular play that stunned every eye watching. It was amazing. He made a dive for a screaming ball, stopped it and then got up and threw it to 1st base to get the out. Three words... Shock and Awe. We were all stunned. Both teams. Then he be-bopped off the field and said "was that a good play I made Mom"? As if he was not quite sure. It was great fun. He made several other really great plays.

The whole team played amazingly well. We were losing 7-0 and came back to win 13-8.  

Now we are just hoping the rain will just stay away long enough for us to finish the season. Next game I WILL VIDEO! I promise. 

Over and out.

The SLM

I'm melting.

It's suppose to rain all week. It rained all last week. And the week before. Oh and the week before that. Enough rain already ok. Thanks, mother nature, I think we are good on the whole water ratio thing. Just sayin.

Baseball for the boys may be over. If anymore games are cancelled it will be almost impossible to make them up. We may be finished. Can you believe that? Between the boys we still have about a dozen and half games.

 

Morgan is scheduled to play tonight.

 

He woke up this morning and looked out the window and began to cry. It was wet. He knew he would probably not play today.

We are learning to accept things the way they are even if it's not what we want. This is hard. Acceptance.  True dat! (as Toby Mac would say - we LOVE Toby)

On a lighter noter. Got these lovely flowers from my boys. And a couple of real funny cards. I like funny.

Mother's day was nice. Restful. Relaxing. Except for the part when I tried to find something to wear that was approporate for a Mother's Day Brunch. I was not trying to be fancy. Just wanted to look nice and wear something other than my typical workout/homeschooling mom/sideline photographer attire. I am completely honest when I say I spent 40 minutes in my closet trying to find something that would fit that was not falling off. Everything is to large now since I have been losing the unneeded weight. Not a bad situation to be in. I'm not complaining. It's just when you don't have something to put on that is comfortable well... then your uncomfortable. But it's fine.  I ended up wearing something that was to big. Later I will buy things that fit.

Earlier in the week as a early Mothers day present Austin and I went to see this.

 

Totally great show. Better than I thought it was gonna be. See, I loved Happy Days as a kid. I was a religious watcher of the show. That and Lavernge and Shirley. I love the Lavernge and Shirley theme song - it's one of my all time favs. I sing it often to cheer myself up - try it. But Happy Days was thee best! I loved Richie, the Fonz and well ... of course Chachi. *swoon* Who didn't love Chachi? If you didn't, your lying. Everyone loved Chachi. Even the grown women. Oh come on, admit it, you did. It's alright.

Anyway the musical centered on The Fonz and Pinky Tuscadero. It was a love story of course and one of belief in yourself even through weakness. It was great. Really great!

Austin loved it. Before hand we went out to eat.

 

A hip, trendy very cool place in downtown Nashville. We never do that. It was fun. He ordered the barbecue shrimp and we all jumped 5 feet in the air when this came to the table. Poor shrimp still had their eyes. As well they attenie and legs. NIIIIICEEEE!

I had fish. It did not have eyes. Thank goodness. It was all good though.

We went with friends. Lechelle and Christopher. They were the one's who invited us. We love them.

 

Christopher had the oysters. He loves them.

A wonderful Mothers Day indeed.

 

How was your Mothers Day?

Is it raining where you are?

Did you enjoy Happy Days when you were a kid?

Do you know the Lavergne and Shirley theme song?

Do shrimp have feelings?

These are the things that occupy my mind.

I know, your worried. Don't be. "We're gonna make our dreams come true" -"doing it our way"

Over and out, The SLM  (schlemeel, schamazel, hasenfeffer incorporated)

She.

She was simply incredible. My mother. She was. No other way around it. Incredible wife, mother, encourager, grandmother,daughter, listener, sister, gift giver, friend, bank teller,(her customers at the bank would stand in a line twice as long just so they could talk to her)  neighbor, and human being.  She was simply great.

She also taught me a lot.  Many really great things. Helpful things. Truths that would help any person anywhere. Things like if you are not giving to others in your life in some way, you really are not living. Or, if you are feeling bad, do something for someone else, or pass along encouragement to someone in need (and we are ALL in need of it) and all of a sudden you really don't feel all that bad anymore. She taught much to many people. Most of all love. And she did it simply by being who she was, by being herself. Yep, I must say, truth be told, if the world were filled with Lynn Austin's it would be a much better place. I am convinced of it. 

 I miss her like crazy. Especially on mothers day of course. Because out of all the roles she played I think that was the one she pulled off with the most finesse. With much grace and love abundant. And as grandmom or Grammy as the boys called her she was the best in her catagory. Hands down. So this year in light of mothers day, I am spending some extra, extra time remembering her and all she did and taught.  It's my gift to myself this year.

Here are a few others little tidbit's of wisdom she was always speaking into the lives of the ones she loved. We could all learn a bit from her random flashes of genius.

She always said "there is always and always will be more than enough room on Grammy's lap"

 

She also said "it's tremendous fun to dress like twinkies every once in ahwile." 

 

Communing with nature (while toting your grandbaby around) is a great stress reliever.

 

Climb

 

Express yourself. Whether it's Pooh or Spidey you are striving to be.

 

The bigger the hair the better. At least in the 80's.

 

Never pass up an opportunity to have a good time. (here she went two-stepping with me and about 6 of my single girlfriends when she came to Nashville to visit) She was always up for a "kick-up-your-heels" good time.

 

Always dance with the most handsome man at the party (even if it's your 4 year old grandson) Especially if it's your 4 yr old grandson! 

 

Always give your very best smile to everyone you meet, you never know who really needs to see it. 

 

And lastly, tell your mom you love her every chance you get. Especially this mothers day. 

Have a great one.

Much love,

The SLM.

 

 

Pure evil. (now in a new convenient mini size.)

 

Krispy Kreme's. You know what they are. We all do. They are little morsels of pure evil put on earth to destroy us all. That is exactly what they are. Oh yes. Don't argue with me about it. Oh and don't tell me how if eaten in moderation they are just fine to have every once in awhile and stuff. They are not! No. No way. They are in fact evil. EEEEEVILLLL I say and they must be destroyed pronto! Ok, now that I got that out of my system let me tell you a quick little story.

This morning while I was at physical therapy for my danged pinched nerve, which by the way is responding really well to treatment and I should be finished here soon with double weekly trips to have it unpinched. Sorry, I digress. Anyway while doing my exercises at the PT office I hear my phone. It would be my eldest offspring requesting (begging for) a few Krispy Kreme's. At first I said "no way Hosea" (I call him Hosea sometimes - I like to confuse him - it's fun) Then I changed my mind and said yes. I do that a lot. Change my mind that is. I am woman. It's my right.   So after my session I did  purchase a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts.  Mini's that is. Have you seen them? 

See? They are really tiny. This is a trick to make you think that they are not nearly as lethal as the regular size KK's but don't be fooled people, they are just as deadly. The reason why I am having such an adversion to them and other things of this nature is because I have lost exactly 35 pounds since the last week of January.  

 

Yes, 35 pounds people. Needless to say, Krispy Kremes have not exactly been on my list of consumed foods for the past 3 months.  I have had to literally work my hiney off to remove this 35 lbs. And while I will say it was not exactly easy to rid myself of this weight I will also admit that for the first time in my life (if I'm being really honest), it has not been all that difficult either. Nope, not really. Not in the mental sense that is. I'm not lying. Have you ever just got something? You know, like had a lightbulb moment so to speak. I guess you could say that is exactly what I had back in January when I decided once and for all that I was not going to live with the unecessary junk in my trunk. I decided I did not want to live my life with all this extra honky tonk badonka donk that had snuck it's way back onto my backside any longer. I was finished with it for good. Even though I had lost weight in the past I realized I was at last finally finished with the yo- yo weight trip I had been on for the past ten years.  Done! Then I topped it. I said not only do I want to lose the weight, I also want to be in really good shape, better even than when I was a teenager. It's possible ya know? Stranger things have happened. So I'm going for it.

That's where I am presently. I figure I'm half way to where I want to be. Who needs things that slow you down in life. I don't. The process may not be completely easy but ya know what... it's not all that hard either. It can be done. Once you set your mind to something it's not that far out of reach. Of course every once in awhile you may run into a little problem here of there or in a box.

 But it's nothing I can't handle.

I think.

Over and out.

The SLM

P.S. always remember...Krispy Kremes are evil, even the cute tiny ones. Never forget this.

Rained out.

 

Since the monsoon hit middle Tennessee late Thursday evening we had been praying. Praying that maybe just possibly it would by some strange and unexplainable miracle just suddenly stop raining. That never happened. It rained like it's never rained before. They cancelled the competition. Such is life.

The boys were mad.

 It was sad.

 They acted bad.

 Worse than they ever had.

I was not glad.

I told them they we're SO not rad.      Alright, I'm done with my stupid rhyme.

But they were very bummed. Like totally dude.   So we went here. 

It helped. The boys were glad to be moving. Even if they were not competing for any prizes. They were in motion. As long as Morgan is in motion, that child is content.

See? (*note* not new pics -These pics were taken last trip to Rockettown)

Some guy watching Morgan skate introduced himself then asked me if I was his mom. When I said yes he then asked his age. He told me he was from Bowling Green, Kentucky and was putting together a ministry based skate team. He gave me his card. Hmmmm. Not sure what I am suppose to do with that? Morgan will not be on any skate team as of yet. The kid is seven. He just got out of kindergarten last year. It will be a while before I allow him to skateboard on a team I think. But it was an interesting encounter though. Can't wait to see the the future holds. As of now he will just fly for fun.

Off to learn some new tricks

Over and out.

The SLM.

 

New set of wheels.

Thankfully It will still be several years before he actually want's the real new set of wheels. Like as in the "car" version of wheels. And when that day come's ...um ... all I can say is Dear God be with us all.

As for now they are just wheels for his board. He is entering his first skateboard competition this weekend. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes puts it on every year. (if it does not rain) There will be several pro skaters there and lots of totally rad prizes given away so I'm told. He is missing a baseball game for this. It's something we normally would not allow but we truly believe he could do really well so we said "go for it dude"! Maybe not in those exact words of course but we gave him the ok. To say that he is ridiculously excited is the understatement of the century.

Anyway, we are hoping for the best.

If you ask him, he only has one thing to say...

Let's shred it dude!  When I find out the meaning of this phrase I will let you know.

 

Until then have a superb day.

Over and out.

The Sideline mama cee-ta.

 

Long week.

Last week was a whopper. Had to be up, dressed, functioning and somewhere by 10:00 am every single day except sunday which technically really is the first day of the the week so it does not count. I'm rabbit trailing aren't I? Anyway, it was a hard thing to do when we have gotten so use to taking it easy with our mornings now that we are homeschooling. I do not miss the rat race one bit even if it can get a little overwhelming with the boys home ALL THE TIME. 

ALL THE TIME is a bit much for me. Actually it's totally overwhelming. So I am going to put Austin in a 2 day tutoral next year where he will be doing several core subjects with another teacher while the other subjects he will continue to do at home. I will then find something for Morgan also. I cannot do it alone. I found this out rather quickly. I tried it all by myself with no help what-so-ever and I nearly lost my mind. I will not do this to myself again. It's the largest amount of work I have ever taken on. I'm nearly depleted. I said nearly.

In other news. The games this weekend went as follows.

Mo's friday night was busy. He subbed for another team. He started out by helping the Marlins claim victory over the 7-8 yr old team. He made a double play at one point, catching the ball in the outfield and then throwing to the 2nd baseman for the second out. The coach said he had never seen a double play before in little league. As my sis/Aunt Jenni says "Morgan is a freak of nature."

 

Then for his own game he did this for the first time. He played catcher. It was more fun than a trip to Disney. Most 7/8 yr old catchers stand with their back against the fence while the batter is hitting. Not Mo.  He plays the part. All the way. Always. The dads were  laughing. And me well... I snapped pics as you can see. It was a priceless moment for me. Just call me weird ok. He was just so.. so grown up  guess.

Then Austin's double header at 8:30 am saturday was interesting. Austin was in a really bad mood.  A bad funk really. I don't know why. He was just off. They're undefeated status ended when they lost the first game 11-9 against the White Sox's also undefeated team. But the second game was a 14-4 blowout. I am pretty sure A's team was the better team that day despite the 1 loss but it was just rough all around. Not much fun was had that morning. I hate when it plays out that way.

 

Then Mo's saturday pm game was intense. He did this again. We could not believe our eyes. He thinks he is Major league. He knows no different in his mind. Gives new meaning the verse "As a man thinketh so is he" Even if he is a little man.

 

He also did a bit of this.

 

And this. They won 17-16. Boy was it close.

 

Then yesterday at the skatepark he cracked his head on the concrete despite wearing his helmet. His forehead actually. THEE biggest goose-egg of a bump I personally have ever seen popped up. I took him to be checked over throughly this morning by the doc. He is fine despite the whip-lash type symptoms and blue paint that is still in the abrasion. I asked him how on earth he got blue paint in his bump and he said well I hit the blue painted ramp with my head first. Then later I fell again and hit the concrete". Then I  said "YOU mean to tell me you hit your head TWICE"!!! he replied "nope actually three times". I personally have no more words. I am speechless.

I may just move to Iceland alone. Right after I buy him a new helmet that actually works. I'm not sure I can take much more.

Over and out.

The "at a loss for words" Sideline Mom

Have an overly awesome day will ya.

Why?

 

Why do people steal license plates?

Why do people steal license plates with tags that will expire in less than two weeks.

The police officer taking my report said "What kind of moron steals tags they can only use for another week"? I replied "That is my question also sir"? He then said "You have to be pretty stupid to steal a plate you can't even use." to which I replied "You have to be pretty stupid to steal a liscense plate".   He agreed.

Waiting for a new tag.

Over and out.

The plateless Sideline Mom.

Please have a spectacular day!!!!

What is it with famous people?

Do you know what it is about famous people that makes us get all loopy? I've been thinking a lot about it. What make's us love the "rich and famous" celebs. The people who for whatever reason are in the spotlight of some sort. Be it a ledgendary athlete, a popular music artist or an award winning actor or actress we just plain are enamored with them. Then when we find ourselves in the midst of they're intoxicating presence we get a little... well for lack of a better word gooooofy. Why do you think that is exactly?

One time my mom was visiting me here in Nashville, (otherwise know as country music USA where there are a million and one famous country artists walking around on a daily basis) and we were attending church. Before I go on let me just say that I personally have never been a person who get's what you would call star struck when spotting a "rich and famous". I guess I've just always figured that they, like the rest of us put they're undies on one leg at at time, they just happen to have a different job than most of us. But (big BUT here) my mother was  a different story altogether.  She get's nutty about seeing stars. Anyway, while sitting at church Lee Greenwood just happened to walk in front of the pew in which we were sitting and instantaniously my mother jumped in her seat as if she had just has some sort of electric shock given to her while at the same time made a grunt/squeal noise while she froze in that position while pointing at him. She was star struck immediately. He sort of looked at her and smiled then went on his merry little way. It was all very embarrassing, trust me. She seemed shocked he was even a real live person, as if all the times she had seen him on television were all just a dream of some sort.  And that was just Lee Greenwood. I won't even tell you about the time we were at the park with the ultra super famous Faith Hill and Tim Mcgraw. You would not believe some of the stuff she said to the two of them if I took the time to tell you anyway. Well, maybe you would so I will save that for another time. But we love the popular people and get a little crazy when we see them don't we.

Well then there is that other little thing that's said about us girls/daughters becoming like our mothers in some ways as we get older. It might just be true because here are few of the unusual things I said to the celebs at the Make a Wish dinner and show this past weekend while I was taking pictures for the event.

Take Herschel for instance. Mr. Herschel Walker. Such a nice guy. He is on Donald Trumps Apprentice TV show this season. Did ya know that? Anyway, as I had him autograph a picture for both my boys he asked "So you have two boys, no girls"? To which I replied "yes, just two boys" He then said "Don't you want a girl"? I then replied "I would love to have a girl I just don't have time for a girl now that I have two maniac boys"!   HUH???   What the heck kind of answer was that?!!! He gave  me a smile and a quick squeeze while our pic was snapped and I went on my numb/puzzled way. That was just kind of a dumb thing to say. But oh, that was not nearly as bad as the next encounter. 

 

Mr. Kyle Vanden Bosch. Very large human being. I had on very high heels. He was still towering over me. I did not know a lot about him so before the event so I googled him. (that sounds sort of bad doesn't it) Anyway, I was pleased to find out that he started his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals. My hometown homeboys. Being born and raised in Arizona I thought, WOW, now  I've really got something in common with him to talk about. Well upon me mentioning this little tidbit of info he quickly stated that it was a horrible experience for him and he was ever so happy to leave Arizona after his time with the Cards. Found out later he was with the organization when the franchise was at it's worst and the players were paid and treated badly. Hmmm. What do I say now? "SO I replied, Do you eat cake"?  I got a blank stare and you could clearly hear the crickets chirping in the vast space of dead silence. Do you  see how the convo went? But hey, the picture turned out nice, don't you think? Onward now with my story.

By the way - too cheesy of a gin here on my face. Sheesh!

 

Then there was this lovely little lady.  Miss Jessica Andrews. I have always liked her. I love her song "Who I Am" and lots of others. Well, I said to myself,  self,   you should tell her just how much of a fan you are, that would be really nice of you. So I said "Hi Jessica, it's so nice to met you. Ever since I found out you would be here tonight I have been so excited because I have always loved your songs. In fact my sister and I have always loved your music and I was most excited about hearing you sing tonight and I was really looking forward to it because I really think you are great and stuff and I love your song Who I Am and I hope you are going to sing it tonight because I really love that song and stuff " To which she kindly responded to my run on sentence with a "Well thank you"! And then there was dead silence. I hate dead silences so I then I quickly said "So, do you like sushi"? and then she walked away. Ok, so she really did not walk away but who in the heck babbles on endlessly like I just did? No one that's who. Only me. I babble way too much. 

Again was to cheesy of a grin here too. Why? 

  

Then there was this guy. Mr. Richie McDonald. (formerly of Lonestar) I did not get my pic with him but I again had to open my big mouth and say "Hi, I am a fan and I really loved the new song you just sang or is it sung and I especially loved the SpongBob marathon line (there was a reference to spongebob marathons in his song) because that's all that goes on at our house is SpongeBob marathons and I really liked that song" He paused a moment and said "Well thank you"! But you know what he was just so nice I did not feel to terribly silly, in fact that exchange was not nearly as bad as the previous encounters. So, I decided to stop while I was ahead. Well kind of ahead.

Anyway I did not speak to anyone else the rest of the night. Nope. Not even Emerson Drive. They were just to cool and I know I would have said something really ridiculous if I would have parted my lips. So...

 

I just zipped my lip and snapped pictures like I was suppose to do in the first place.

 I didn't even speak to Troy Gentry from Montgomery Gentry pictured here with his beautiful wife Angie who was MC for the evening.

Ok I confess, I actually did something to him. I said "Hi Troy, I'm a fan". And shook his hand.  That's it. And he was sort of like "Oh thanks" 

Geeeezz!! What is with me. Either I say to much or to little. Is there such a thing as a human muzzle? If so please send me one.

 

So what  it with famous peeps. Do we just deposit our brains at the door when we spot one or what? Whatever the reason one thing I do know is that I am officially a goofy, nutcase fan.  I suppose it happens to the best of us.

Now, I'm off to shop for that muzzle. Perhaps a sock would work.

 Over and out.

The Spastic Photo taking Sideline Mama.

 

Busy.

It's just been really busy. All of a sudden our normal busy got a little busier.

More of these. Which is a good thing because with the rain a lot of the games have been cancelled. Lovely Middle Tennessee weather. Sunny one minute then tornado warning the next. I always tell people  if they don't like the weather here to just wait a minute and it will change in about 10 minutes. 

 

We have been happy about this. Austin has been pitching well. Last game he pitched 3 innings and it was a shut out. The other team never scored while he threw. They won 10 to 3. We were very happy for him.

 

I missed they're games saturday because of the Make a Wish event I took pictures for. I have never missed a game. Ever. Since they were first able to walk onto a field. This was hard for me. It just was.

But, this was a great event also.

  This first part of the day was a women's tennis invitational.

Over 75 ladies played and raised money for the children's charity.

 

This would be my friend Ali. She is getting ready to send off her scary mean, hair on fire serve. No one wants to return that serve. No one.

 

My boys played football with her boys and they make mine look like the munchkins from Wizard of Oz. They are tall like they're mama. She's 8 foot tall. Ok, not really but she's tall. And you know what else? She just had double knee surgery 3 months ago and she out there tearing up the court. Not only that, but she won the whole darn she-bang. Way to go Ali-girl, your my hero.

 

 

So beacuse of this tourney wishes could be granted. Granted to lovely little ladies like this one here.

 

She is battling sickle cell anemia and all she wanted was to go to Disney. So ya know what? Big surprise to her... SHE IS GOING! She had no clue. Look at that smile. Priceless

Later that night they had a celebrity dinner and show a the Mercedes dealership with cool people like these guys.

This would be the Heisman trophy winning, greatest running back of all time Mr. Herschel Walker and the 278 pound Titan line backer Mr Kyle Vanden Bosch. They were cool. Very nice guys. And cool, did I say cool?

 

The place was hopping.

 

We were also graced with the presence of the beautiful Jessica Andrews. A lot of talent packed into that little body.

 

Richie McDonald former frontman of the band Lonestar. This guy is about the nicest most down to earth human ever. He has a new single coming out soon. If you like him and his song writing skills you are gonna love it. 

 

And the ever awesome band Emerson Drive. They are awesome.

 

 

The wish granted here was to a boy who choose to remain anonymous. He has been battling lukemia for years and is slowly losing this battle. He wanted to go to a Dave Matthews band concert. So Make a Wish picked him up via limo then flew him to New York to view the concert front row and of course back stage to meet the guys. This event also raised enough to grant 100 wishes to children in the area and gave us all memories to last a lifetime.

Now tomorrow I will be posting all the cheesy pics I myself had taken with the celebs and all the corny things I said to them in the process. Things that haunted me well into the wee hours of the morning as I lay in my bed thinking about why I even said them. I think I will be purchasing a human muzzle soon. It would just be better for eveybody if I did. 

Over and out.

Do they make human muzzles? Let me know.

The Sideline Mama. 

A Happy Easter indeed.

Beside the fact that it all started a tad to early it was great.

Try 6:oo am early. They started by collecting the trail of eggs from their bedrooms to what would hopefully lead to a hiding basket. 

 

I mean ya never know. It could have taken them to a undergroud secret passage or something. That easter bunny is  bit shady. Or not.

  

Alas, they found the goodies

  

Happy, happy, joy, joy all around.

 

Top faves were Bakugan of course.

 

And for this guy. One very welcomed little black Webkinz lab. He loves Webkins. Who would have ever thunk?

 

Here is a pic of the real live version.He was wondering what was going on. Blaze was confused about all the chaos.

 

This is his "What in name of Sam Hill is that"?! face (name that movie) I love those eyes. Who could resist those eyes? Not me. Ever. They were my Easter gift.

Then we needed some egg hunting action. Here the boys faces are really saying. "Great mom but could you please hurry, the eggs are a waitin."

 

Off they went.

 

 

When all had been retrieved, they headed back for some egg cracking. This picture of Mo says to me "Look at how BIG your baby is getting? He's is really looking like a little man" I hate when pictures say that to me. I say "HUSH UP". Yep, that's what I say right back. "Hush up right NOW"!

 

Now for the goodies.

 

 

A few more Bakugan. Those things are all the rage and all over my house. But more on that another time. So that was our Easter in a nutshell, or more approporately a eggshell. Sorry.  I know. I'm weird. 

So I hope your Easter was joyous and happy and that you had nothing but good eggs in your basket.

Until later.

Much love

The Sideline Mom.

 

A few pretty eggs and a pain in the neck.

Coloring eggs. It's fun, tricky and bit like trying to tie your shoes while riding a bike. At least that's how I have always looked at it. Its hard to do and potentially hazzardeth to your health. Ok, not really. It's still fun I suppose. Even if it's a little messy.

Now the boys love it. They would color 200 eggs if I would allow it. But I won't allow it. I give them a dozen. To split. I'm a mean, mean mama.

I do love these clean, beautiful, white boiled eggs. They are like little canvases just waiting to be created upon. Kinda. 

 

This year the boys picked out a marbilized egg coloring kit. They thought it would be fun. I did not read the instructions before I bought it or I would not have allowed it.

Here's why.

   

It called for 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil to be mixed in with the dye. After you add the oil you must WHISK LIKE CRAZY the color you want to use and quickly drop your egg in. You must do this each time with each color. Then wipe off your fork and whisk again and again and again.

 

I nearly whisked my arm off. This of course was not easy because as of a couple of months ago I developed what is called a lovely pinched nerve in my neck. Perhaps not so much on the lovely part. Anyway, My right arm is numb most of the time. The numbness is painful. That sounds odd but tis true. Numbness = pain here. The pain was not getting better on it's own so I am now in physical therapy 2 times a week for possibly 6 weeks.

See.

 

I really do not have the time to be doing this but a lovely pinched nerve is unaware of my lack of time issue. It says "fix me now please"! If I do not address it now it may mean surgery later to fix a nerve that could possibly go from pinched to damaged. Not my idea of a great time.

So I was whisking in pain yesterday. But we do have some pretty eggs to show for it.

   

And the boys are really proud of there creations.

 

Even if they are a little greasy. Ewwwwwww.

 

But a fun time was had by all. With the exception of my lovely pinched nerve. It wants revenge. 

Happy egg coloring. (just don't do the marblized version  -  i'm just sayin)

Over and out.

The Sideliner Chick.

 

 

 

Spring cleaning. Kinda

Remember this? The beginning of Austin's newly organized room.

 

Well, we finally did get his stuff organized and in it's place as you can see here, but we still have a few things left to do. 

 

Books are stacked.

 

Helmets displayed.

 

Stuff... well... stuffed. Actually, it's not really stuffed. For the first time it's not stuffed. Everything has a place. Imagine that for amoment will you? It's quite uplifting.

   

And I adore these storage boxes that look really nice on the shelf. They hide all of those things you don't want to display but still use regularly. It's genius. Ok, not really I  just like saying that. Anyhooo. 

   

Now he also has this great desk that he can work at as soon as I get that dog-gone chair assembled that I bought a month ago. I dispise assemby required stuff. It makes my brain hurt.

   

Now for the big kahuna. My office/library/scrap space.  It's been last on the list for a loooooong time.

   

I just flat out emptied it this past weekend. It not only has to house our rapidly growing book collection but also my creative supplies/scrap materials and my computer and printer.

This could be tricky. Look here. This armoire use to house our t.v. stereo, etc. etc.. 

 

It now houses this. Scrap supplies. But...

 

There is more here. I have paired down so don't even ask.

This space must be a place I can check and answer e-mails/blog/create and everyone can come and reference books. I need serious shelving. I was thinking built-ins for a long time, but now I have switched to thinking I need cabinets and shelfing that I can switch around as my needs change. Maybe I should stop thinking. Anyway I may go with Ikea again and piece together things to make a customized space. Plus I can do it for less than half of what a built-in would cost.  

So for now I am in a holding pattern . But enjoying my little space right here by the window. I took off half of my desk. Less space to mess up now. It stays very clean. Just a computer and printer desk. I think I like it.

 

Stay tuned for more progress. I keep you updated if I make it out alive.

Are you spring cleaning? Reorganizing?

More power to ya if you are.

Over and out.

That Sideline Lady

Mr. Short stop.

Short stops his name, stopping balls is his game. Little guy here is mostly playing short stop this year and is doing well. He does not allow anything to get past him even if it means stopping the ball with his body. But most of the time he does swipe it with his glove. 

 

One thing he has going for him is that his instinct's just tell him to get low and to get his glove down. He does it almost everytime. Almost. I also think its because he's a bit of a perfectionist and to him messing up is not an option. (hmmm that reminds me of someone) When he does make an error though, watch out. If he does miss something he is not fun to be around. Our toughest challenge is convincing him that if that happens that it's alright and that he is still doing a great job. I think I age 5 years each season just from this very thing. Internally I will be 109 years old by the time he reaches high school. Lord help me.  I know it will all work out I'm sure. Maybe. 

 

 Anyway, he also has a pretty accurate throw. In years past most of the teammates he threw to could not catch his throws, but this season he has got some go-to guys he can count on to be there.  Much more teamwork going on here. This is making it so much more fun for him. And much more stress-relieving for me. Ain't life grand? 

 

He says that hitting the ball is causing some pain in his wrist. For one he is hitting off a pitching machine for the first time, so that is different. (no coach pitch like in previous years) He is also still fresh from his broken wrist from a several weeks back. I'm hoping this will ease up soon.

 

But all in all it looks as if it's going to be a grand slam of a season.

   

We are excited! So until next game, over and out.

The Sideline Mom.

 

For Dad,  Aunt Jenni/Uncle Jason, Pawpaw/Mawmaw and any others who are interested:

Austin's team is: 1-0

Morgan's team is: 1-0