We need a pitcher!

~Noah's first year of baseball~

Last Sunday was the last game of fall baseball. We kept calling it Noah's career-ending game. He tried baseball in 2nd grade and really hated it. But this year, he decided to try baseball again. Like a lot of things we try, Noah started out really excited and tried really hard to get better. Then after 7 weeks, the enthusiasm died down, we skipped a practice, and drug ourselves to the final game.

So at the last game (hooray!), Noah decided he was going to try pitching. I was busy chatting with a few gals when Noah came over and told his dad the plan. So you can imagine my shock when I saw what was happening. What?!? My son has never pitched a baseball in his 10 years of life. The kids who do pitch in his league are really good. I told my husband this was not a good idea. I wanted to crawl under my collapsable chair for that inning. I wanted to walk out to the pitching mound and ask him what in the world he was thinking?

But I didn't. I sat there and watched him pitch to 4 players. I watched him through 16 balls in a row. No player was able to hit any of his pitches. He got 4 players on base in a row. I was starting to sweat bullets. Then the coach called time.

He went over and talked to Noah. Noah told him he must not be cut out to be a pitcher and was ready to go back to 3rd base. Where he spent the rest of the game. (which I was very thankful for!)

So Noah was brave enough to try something brand new. It didn't work out. But he was not afraid. He literally stepped up to the plate, and it is a lesson in courage that I hope I will not forget!

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth.

~Casting Crowns Voice of Truth

Fall

"I'm so glad I love in a world where there are Octobers. It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn't it? Look at these maple branches. Don't they give you a thrill - several thrills?" ~Anne Shirley ~Anne of Green Gables

Last week I was talking to some gals at work and I was lamenting over the fact that my laundry has grown. As the weather gets colder, the shorts turn into jeans, the bare chests start wearing sweatshirts, bare feet must be covered with socks (lots and lots of socks), and very quickly the laundry piles turn into Colorado sized mountains! I realize anybody who lives in a place where there are 4 seasons goes through this. I am not being singled out by the evil laundry empire. But I can choose how I respond to this.

My friend at work turned to me and simply said, "I think there will always be something to complain about".

My response.....silence. Yes, for once I had nothing to say. No smart comeback, no witty reply. Because she spoke the truth. Yes! There will always be something to complain about. And mountains of laundry in the big scheme of things really isn't that big of a deal. So for today I am going to embrace my laundry. Be thankful for my working washing machine and dryer and for fall and the extra laundry it brings my way.

Just Another Day in Paradise

We have added another member to our beloved family. Meet Rufus, our new bearded dragon. He is Noah's new pet. So far everyone loves Rufus. It is very exciting every night when Rufus gets fed his nightly snack of live crickets. Rufus does not mess around when the crickets are tossed into his cage. Although the boys fight over whose turn it is to feed him, they enjoy seeing how quickly Rufus takes care of business. Bearded dragons have a life expectancy of 10 years, so Rufus may end up in a college frat house with Noah one day.

Here is the other new member of our family (I wish!). I got this giant, bigger than life poster of Tim Tebow from our local sporting goods store. The last time I was in there, I asked what they do with their window posters when they are done with them. The cashier said they usually end up in the trash. GASP! I could not let Tim Tebow end up in the trash! So I left them my name and number (thinking I would never hear back from them). Well, last week they called and said to come pick Tim (the poster, not the real Tim) up. So, now I have to decide where to hang this ginormous display.

If you have not read Tim Tebow's new book, I highly recommend it! You will not be disappointed. He is a great man with an even greater message. He would be an inspiration to any aspiring athlete you may know.

First Grade Times Two!

Every time I take a picture like this, I can think of only one thing. Senior year slide show. This is the kind of picture that you put in the slide show at the high school graduation open house. This is the kind of picture you want to remember when your kids are driving you crazy. This is the kind of picture you want to remember when your kids are taller than you and giving you sass. They grow up so fast. Don't blink. Enjoy them while they're little. You're gonna miss this. The days go slow, but the years go fast. All those mantras you keep repeating to yourself when the days aren't all that great!

So for now, I will enjoy having 2 first graders, even if that means two homework packets a week, two family projects a month, and two extra books to read each night. Because the years do really go fast!

Random Ramblings by Denise

So I've been going through old pictures on my computer and trying to decide how to organize my photos. I once was a scrapbooker. Back when I had time to work on scrapbooking. Now I'm doing good to get the kids fed, homework done, and laundry put up. I found this adorable picture of two very little boys and had to share. They grow up fast!

I have also been working on MOMSnext. We are starting this awesome ministry at our church this fall. Sadly I graduated from MOPS last spring, but this is a whole new exciting world for me. September 28th is when the fun begins!
Several weeks I posted about Dalton breaking his leg. Last week he went to the doctor, got re-xrayed, and all his restrictions were lifted. He can now walk, run, bike, jump, fight with his brothers, and climb on the counter to reach the candy. All of which he did the first day.
Have you seen the website PINTEREST? Oh. My. Word. I don't even know how to describe it. It's like a digital magazine with the search option. Are you looking for a yellow front door? They have pictures. Want to plan a barn wedding? They have pictures. I love pinterest!!
And lastly I did a little dance in the dairy section at Aldi last evening! Why? Pumpkin spice creamer is back!! And you know what that means? Candy corn, pumpkins, apple pickin', mums, sweatshirts, and Fall!! LOVE IT!!

My Family

I was playing around on a website the other day and made this. Have you seen these on the back of people's car windows? I think this would be hilarious to put on the back of my car. What do you think?!?

The boys have now been in school for 12 days. So far so good. They seem to be enjoying it and the days at home for me go really fast. I have high hopes of organizing, cleaning, scrapbooking, and decluttering. We will see how much I get done the next 168 days they are in school!

Tastes From My Home

We have a winner! thetribe (comment #8) has been picked by the random generator. I will get in touch with you for your address. Thanks to all who entered and hope you find these tasty chips at a store near you.

I am so excited to be entering The Tastes from Home with Frito-Lay recipe contest! We are big Frito-Lay fans at my house! And did you know Frito-Lay has a new delicious lineup of regional flavors made with all-natural ingredients? The Tomato & Basil chips are my absolute favorite! My husband loves the Tangy Carolina BBQ flavor. I would love to try the Honey Mustard or Balsamic Sweet Onion chips, but sadly have not seen them in our Midwest grocery stores. A bag of chips does not last long in our house!! It's amazing how fast little feet come running when they hear a chip bag being ripped open.

In honor of their new chip lineup, I am posting a recipe that is a favorite in my neck of the woods. This is an often requested item on our dinner menu for the week. I found this recipe from a blogger and adapted it to my family's tastes.

The Best Meatloaf Ever (according to my family)

2 lb. ground meat (thawed)

1 finely chopped onion

1 cup shredded cheese

1 clove garlic, minced

2 t. mustard

½ cup ketchup

2 eggs

2 cups bread crumbs

2 T. worchestire sauce

1 T. Parmesan cheese

½ t. Italian seasoning

Combine eggs, ketchup, mustard, breadcrumbs, garlic, cheeses, and spices in large bowl. Slowly add in meat and onion. This must be mixed very well, often I mix it by hand!

When thoroughly mixed, shape into a loaf. I use a 9x13 pan and make a flatter loaf so it cooks faster. Bake at 375 for 1 hour, check at this time, it may or may not need 15 more minutes (depending on your oven and the height of your loaf).

*This is great served with homemade mashed potatoes and green beans. My family’s favorite meal!!

Frito-lay is generously offering a variety pack of their regional flavors to give away to one of my lucky readers! To enter the contest, please tell me which flavor of chip you would like to try the most! Contest ends on August 23, 2011 at midnight.

*Frito-Lay provided me with the chips and this blog post is considered an entry form for their contest*