Coach Wheat's Wife

Welcome back...

2012-02-22T11:24:00.001-06:00

It's was officially announced today that Marvin Sedberry, Sr. is the new Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at GHS. This is Coach Sedberry's third stint here in "tha G," and I, for one, am excited to have him back!

As a die-hard Greenville Lions fan, it is great to have a coach who has had a winning track record with our team BACK with our team. Coach Sedberry has taken the Lions to the playoffs many, many times in the past, and I am ready to go there again!

As a coach's wife, (more specifically as COACH WHEAT's wife), I welcome Coach Sedberry back with open arms. After all, he is the man who originally hired Jeff as a Lion coach way back in '94. I have always thought very highly of Coach Sedberry; he is a man of integrity, and a good role model for our young (and not-so-young [read: Coaches]) men. I know that Jeff has always admired him, and with good reason.

As an athlete's mom, (more specifically as MITCHELL WHEAT's mom), I think it is so cool that Mitchell will be playing ball for Coach Sedberry. After all, he was the head coach at GHS when Mitchell was born. I used to tote that child up to the top of the bleachers in a baby-backpack (NOT an easy task, I assure you) quite frequently on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday nights. This hiring makes me feel like everything has come full-circle.

Welcome back, Coach Sedberry. Welcome home.

There are times...

2012-02-21T15:13:00.000-06:00

You know those times when life finally seems to be getting on track, and then something comes along and WHAMO!? Unfortunately, I have a few more WHAMOs than on-track moments.

This is one of them.

Once Again...

2012-02-16T13:58:00.000-06:00

Well, it's that time of the year again, folks. Our Athletic Director has been released, and the search is on for a replacement. As a coaching family, this is a nerve-wracking time for us. I have blogged about it before, and unfortunately, I will probably have to blog about it again in the future.

When a new AD is hired, there is always the possibility that he will want to start fresh, with a staff of his own choosing, rather than working with the coaches that are already in place. Who can blame him? Everyone wants loyalty from the people they rely on the most.

Coaches very, very seldom spend their careers at just one school. As a matter-of-fact, most coaches will change districts EVERY TWO YEARS. Often, those changes require a physical move, as well. Our family is a rarity: We have NEVER had to relocate because of Jeff's job. Knock on wood. Even when he has changed districts, we have been able to remain in our home. I'm tellin' ya'll, God is good, folks!

The committee has already interviewed the candidates for the job, and now the waiting begins. Again.

2012-01-22T20:29:00.002-06:00

The man of my dreams:

My husband. He’s my hero

And always my rock.

2012-01-22T15:37:00.000-06:00

Their giggles and laughter

Are my happily-ever-after.

1/22/12

2012-01-22T15:30:00.000-06:00

Darkness overwhelms me

Sadness comes in waves

Crashing into me with a ferocious intensity

Knocking me over

Holding me down

The struggle to rise hardly seems worth the effort

1/20/12

2011-12-17T14:34:00.001-06:00

Coaches' daughters are the prettiest girls in the world!

TAU

2011-10-03T11:23:00.001-05:00

Our football season has gotten off to a rough start. Our Varsity team is 0-4 for the season, and 0-1 in district. Last week's game was - by far - the most exciting I have been to in quite a while. Our boys played hard and fought hard, right to the final buzzer. The scoreboard showed us losing 21-14, but in my opinion, those boys were winners that night! I am, of course, always saddened when we are not the victors, but to see those boys crying down on the field broke my heart. I am not so old that I can't remember nights like that as an athlete. I remember the pain and disappointment and anger and despair and resignation.

These kids, and their coaches, need a boost. They need to know that no matter what the scoreboard show WE support them. WE love them. WE believe in them.

There is something that we - the community - can do for our team:

MAKE SOME NOISE

FOR OUR BOYS!

Show your support for our Lions in any way you can:

Get your body in the bleachers. Show up for a game, any Friday night at 7:30.
Wear our team colors. Wearing RED, WHITE, and BLACK is a great way to visably show our boys you believe in them.
If you have a business, put a sign in the window that shows you are proud to back the Lions.
Paint your pride on your car windows.
If you know a player, tell 'em that you believe in them. You will be amazed at what a few positive words will do for a kid's attitude.
If you are at the game, YELL! CHEER! ENCOURAGE! PRAISE!

There are so many more ways to show your support for our Lions, these are merely a few suggestions. If you have any other ideas, I'd love to hear them! Leave me a comment and I promise to pass it along.

The most important thing you can do is just BELIEVE in our team. Don't pick the other team (*cough, cough HERALD BANNER PICK-IT LINE cough, cough*). There is nothing more important than letting these boys know that their hometown supports them and believes in them.

I BELIEVE IN THEM.

Let's Go Lions!

TAU!!!

The Impact of a Coach

2011-05-26T11:12:00.000-05:00

Coaching is not just a job. Coaching is a calling, a mission, a ministry.

I have watched my own husband, Coach Jeff Wheat, guide thousands of young men as they embark upon the path to becoming men of character. We have come to realize that quite often coaches are the only positive male role models these boys ever have. As a coaching couple, we know that our marriage may be the only example of how husbands and wives should treat each other. We always make a special effort (it actually just comes naturally) to show love and respect to each other when we are in the presence of these young men. If one young man can be positively impacted by this behavior, then the long hours, stress, and worry that Jeff (and all the other coaches) put in are completely worth it.

I love the fact that my husband is a coach, and that he has a heart for these young men. I especially love that our son has the privilege of being coached by his dad. What an honor for both of them! As I sit in the bleachers each week and watch all of "my boys" down on the field, I am honored to be a part of their lives, and especially to be Jeff's wife.

Please take a few minutes to read the story below. It was taken from the Coaches Outreach home page. The mission statement of Coaches Outreach is this: "Coaches Outreach seeks to build coaches of conviction by encouraging and equipping coaches and their spouses to have Christ-like character through practical application of biblical truth."

Consider the brutal verbal - and sometimes even physical - assaults that coaches subject themselves to each week. Why do they do it? Is it for the love of the game? Sometimes. But more often it's because they know they have been called to lead and guide our student athletes as they become men and women of character.

If you are fortunate enough to know a coach, take a moment to thank him or her...for everything.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Manny Zaragoza at the Plate

Before I begin, I know as umpires we are not to go out of our way to show emotion or expression, but I would like to personally thank the two varsity coaches – Robb Jensen (Jersey Village) and especially Scott Gierzak (Cy Springs) for allowing this to take place the way it did.

Ok, now the story. Doug Griffith and I just completed the JV game and preparing for the Varsity game when we notice there is a JROTC color guard, huge inflatable falcon used for players to go through and tons of parents on the field - quickly we realize it is senior night for Jersey Village and they are preparing for pregame activities.

While this is taking place, Doug and I check the equipment in both dugouts and finished at about the same time they are finishing announcing all the senior players (and manager) along with their parents. The senior players are lined up in order by their jersey number and at the end of the line is #29, the Varsity Manager – Manny Zaragoza.

For any umpire who has umpired a Jersey Village game in the past four years, Manny is the team manager who is approximately 5'3" or so and is autistic. From the get go, one cannot help but notice what Manny brings to the team. He was cheering and motivating the team from the start. Every half inning, he was down the left field line warming up the left fielder and during innings, he was in the dugout talking with players and doing what the coach needed done. I'm quite sure at times his fellow team mates have made fun of him and laughed and joked due to his demeanor and autism, but I can promise you this - they truly love their Manny and not one of them will ever forget tonight or the name of their manager - Manny Zaragoza.

Now fast forward to the top of the fifth inning. At this point in the game Jersey Village is winning their last home game of the season 9-0 against Cy Springs. Robb changes out his pitcher with an outgoing senior along with two or three other positions with outgoing seniors to allow them to play in their last home game of their high school careers.

After each pitcher strikes out (or Jersey Village gets an out), Robb changes pitchers to allow for another senior pitcher to get playing time. Now there are three outs and Robb comes to me between halves to inform me of all his changes coming in to bat.

He tells me to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning is no other than his manager – Manny Zaragoza, who has been with the team all four years and has never played in a game. From what I observed from the sidelines while Cy Springs was warming up, Manny had no idea he was about to play in his first varsity game ever. He was on the on-deck circle surrounded by every one of his team mates (who was going to tell them they all needed to be in the dugout). Everyone in the entire stands (it seems to include all the Cy Springs fans also) was cheering Manny, Manny, Manny.

Scott requested I allow him to talk to his pitcher without being charged a visit so he could let him know to pitch to Manny – which I granted (again, who was going to say no). And here we are – across the PA system…..”Now batting for your Jersey Village Falcons, Senior Manager, Manny
ZZZZAAAARRRRRAAAAAGGGGGOOOOOOZZZZZAAAAA”. The fans are going wild….
MANNY, MANNY, MANNY. The dugout was going wild, MANNY, MANNY, MANNY.

Not sure, but if I would have looked over, I’m sure the Cy Springs dugout was clapping and saying Manny also. NOW THE PRESSURE IS ON. Manny gets into position in the batter’s box, batting left-handed and looks back into the stands and points with the mostest, largest, hugest grin I have ever seen on a batter.

Cy Springs pitcher #12, Juan Mata begins his wind-up and makes his pitch…..eight inches inside…..”BALL”. Mata winds-up again and released a high pitch and Manny takes a swing, makes contact….”FOUL” – foul ball in front of the press box. Again, Mata winds-up and releases, pitch coming down the middle, I see Manny begin to load on the pitch, he shifted his weight to his back leg, he raised his front leg for extra power, I see the barrel of the Demarini Voodoo Bat begin to come around….the only thing I was thinking was, “Mike, you can’t call a strike”….

I didn’t have to worry about ever coming across that scenario – Manny hit the ball between the first and second basemen which pulled the first baseman off the bag, the pitcher quickly ran to cover first base, not in time – Manny is safe on first!!! I was hoping to see Manny run the bases also, but I can understand the pressure Robb had to face – he could not afford to let him stay in the game, not due to his autism and inexperience in base running, but time was running short and Manny had to get back to the dugout to autograph baseballs for the other senior teammates so they could all have one. Manny ended his high school varsity career batting 1.000 and was given the ball he had hit which all his team mates gladly autographed.

After serving 22 years of military service to the greatest nation in the world and knowing several of my friends who have been killed in combat or died and having attending several military funerals, I’m not sure if I teared-up as much then as I did tonight when this took place and reflecting back on it as I write this. Like serving my country, I am just glad and honored to have been part of tonight’s game and witnessing such a great display of professionalism and sportsmanship from the Cy Springs team; the Jersey Village team; Jersey Village coach, Robb Jensen for honoring his team manager (and his team) by allowing Manny to play in a game and giving not only him something to remember, but everyone who was there to witness it. And last but not least, Coach Scott Gierzak for being a part of allowing this to take place the way it did during a district game and helping Manny have a memory forever. All I can say is class act Coach Gierzak – thanks Coach!!!!

Mike Grein

With Honors

2011-04-27T16:20:00.005-05:00

I received a letter from the university today stating that I will graduate

MAGNA CUM LAUDE!!

Trust me, I am anal enough about my grades that I knew this information already, but to actually see it in print, on the university's letterhead totally made it real for me!

One of those days...

2011-04-13T11:23:00.003-05:00

Have you ever had one of those days? You know, the kind of day when all you want to do is lay on the couch and cry your eyes out? Sob until you get the hiccups? Weep and wail and gnash your teeth? Yeah, I'm having one of those SEMESTERS. Actually, I'm having one of those CLASSES in the midst of a pretty good semester.

I know that everyone (and by everyone I mean my family, friends, co-workers, strangers on the street, cashiers at Wal-Mart, you get the picture...) is tired of me whining. Hell, I'm tired of me whining. If I can just make it through the next month, maybe life will finally gain some normalcy. And the swelling will go down around my eyes.

Until then, I may need to buy some stock in Kleenex and Visine.

On the hunt...

2011-04-06T14:56:00.006-05:00

Sorry about the quality of this photo. I took it surreptitiously with my phone during the Teacher Job Fair held at Texas A&M - Commerce. There were about 23 schools represented, but very few of them were actually hiring.

Le sigh.

Mallory's New Glasses

2011-03-29T16:23:00.002-06:00

Isn't she beautiful??

We've always thought so, but now she can see it, too!!

A Star is Born

2011-03-28T10:21:00.003-06:00

On Friday, April 1st, between 7:30am - 7:40am, EVERYONE should tune into Star 95.9/96.9. My sweet - precious - funny - happy - charming - beautiful - adorable - brilliant - amazing

Mallory

is being featured as the STAR STUDENT of the day!!

She is so excited, and we couldn't be more proud!!

A Fleeting Moment

2011-03-26T18:16:00.003-06:00

This was posted just to prove that, for a brief moment in time,

I WAS WINNING!!

2011-03-25T20:37:00.002-06:00

Bowling with the fam...well, half of them.

Love my boys, even when they beat me. =)

More Signs of Spring

2011-03-25T17:56:00.002-06:00

Beautiful wisteria growing beside Highway 11, near the Sulphur River.

A tiny little clump of Indian paintbrushes growning out by our county road.

The only spot of color in a sea of rye grass.

The first Indian Paintbrushes I have seen this season. My most favorite flowers!!

More of the beautiful wisteria. I love the purple against the bright green!

A Sure Sign of Spring

2011-03-25T10:42:00.003-06:00

Aunt Hattie's Irises

Gosh, how I miss that woman.

Things are NOT always as bad as they seem. Thankfully.

2011-03-25T10:22:00.003-06:00

I met with one of my profs this morning, and now life is looking up. It seems that I was needlessly worrying, (which I have a major tendency to do). He has assured me that as long as I keep up with the due dates, post on the discussion board as scheduled, and

R-E-L-A-X,

then things will be fine.

What a lovely Friday it is turning out to be. =)

Frustrations Abound

2011-03-23T12:32:00.006-06:00

I will graduate from college with a Bachelors Degree in English in 52 calendar days. 18 class days. Wanna know how many hours, minutes, seconds??? I could totally tell you. Seriously. I have reached the point in my educational career where I practically do not care any more. Learning is for the birds. Ugh.

OK, those of you who actually know me know that is a load of crap. I desperately want make good grades. I have busted my butt for the last four years to get straight A's. The two B's on my transcript make me want to weep whenever I see them. I have resigned myself to making a B in my Spanish class. That won't affect my GPA enough to ruin my chance to graduate with honors.

That being said...

I currently have Bs in three - yes, THREE - of my classes!!

*insert wailing and gnashing of teeth*

In all honesty, these are not really my fault. I am having some serious issues with two of my professors. The problems are nothing I can control, and I need to just let them go and move on, but that's not really how I roll. Unfortunately.

I need to figure out a way to make my head and my heart understand that it is ok if I do not graduate with highest honors.

But it's really not. ='o(

Ah...Springtime

2011-03-19T10:07:00.000-06:00

2011-03-19T09:03:00.002-06:00

This picture? I totally sent that with my phone!!

Nothing is safe now...

Long time, no see...er, blog.

2011-03-19T00:32:00.008-06:00

Well, it's been ELEVEN months since I last posted. Why such a long time, you ask? I'll tell you, but you've got to promise there will be no eye rolling, nor muttering under your breath, OK? Thank you.

You see, it all started when I logged onto my blog one day and discovered that my super cute zebra stripe with a red ribbon and blingy sparkles background had disappeared! Not being quite the blogging pro some of you are, I figured I had done something, or should have done something, or meant to do something, that made my super cute zebra stripe with a red ribbon and blingy sparkles background disappear like that. After much investigating (read: going to their website) I discovered that my blog background "provider" had closed up shop. I spent the better part of the morning searching for another super cute zebra stripe with a red ribbon and blingy sparkles background, but to no avail. Alas.

I was so ticked off by this turn of events that I just simply stopped blogging. I suppose you could call it a cyber-pout.

So, why am I back now, you ask? I'll tell you, but please hold your applause until I finish, OK? Thank you.

I discovered that I can automatically upload pictures from my photo software directly to my blog!!

*insert happy dancing and jazz hands, (along with creepy Jack Nicholson voice)*
I'M BACK!!!

Whaaaa...????

2010-04-13T10:32:00.005-05:00

My kids recently got a new DVD, "The Princess And The Frog". They (OK, mostly Mallory) love love love this movie, and watch it repeatedly. For those of you who haven't seen it, it is a great cartoon. It is set in New Orleans, and features several over-the-top characters like spoiled-rich-girl-with-a-heart-of-gold Charlotte, who has the most precious N'awlins drawl. My two youngest, Matt and Mallory love to try to imitate her.

Yesterday after t-ball practice, Matt told his daddy that he was "sweatin' like a cinnamon church." Come to find out, in this movie Charlotte tells her friend Tiana that she is "sweatin' like a sinner in church."

Oh my stars, how I love that boy!!!

Update...

2010-03-19T01:17:00.005-06:00

I guess I should post an update about our situation, rather than just leaving you all hanging. Forgive me for slacking, but I didn't want to jinx anything by speaking too soon. Lone Oak ISD made the decision to promote from within, so it looks like Coach still has a job!! Woo Hoo!!! We love a steady paycheck --- and the Buffaloes!!

This is my handsome Coach,

pumping up the crowd at a pep rally.

Nothing In Life Is Certain.

2010-03-02T16:47:00.015-06:00

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

My family is claiming this verse. I love how it says "'declares' the Lord." He didn't just say it, He DECLARED it!!! I'd say that makes it a pretty big deal.

Nothing in life is certain. When you are a coaching family, that statement is never truer than when the athletic director (aka Coach Wheat's Boss) accepts a job at another school. When a new AD is brought in he usually has the option of cleaning house, and starting a new program with a staff of his choosing. This means that every coach's head is on the chopping block.

Jeff has been so fortunate...during his 15 year coaching career he has been through 6 different ADs. Every time a new guy has come in, Jeff has made the cut...and in some cases he was the ONLY coach the new AD kept on staff. We have never EVER had to relocate for a coaching job. As a matter of fact, we have lived in the same house now for 11 years! Our family is definitely an exception to the rule.

I have never really worried about our future, but this time it's a little different. You see, our oldest son Mitchell will be playing high school ball next year. And, he has made some great friends at Lone Oak during our two years here. Some really great friends. Really, really great friends. The thought of taking him away from them makes me want to cry. A lot.

2010-02-21T16:35:00.002-06:00

Ya know...no matter if you're giving it or receiving it, The Silent Treatment sucks.

What a ride...

2009-11-21T11:13:00.009-06:00

Football season has come to an end. Our Mighty Buffaloes lost their bid for the Area Championship to the McGregor Bulldogs. It rained almost the entire time we were playing and the turf was slick as ice. We had a hard time hanging onto the ball and staying on our feet.

As hard as this loss was, our Buffaloes have had a great season!! The boys have stepped up and shown our whole town how they were able to pull together and play with HEART and DETERMINATION!!!

We are so proud of them!!

THE GRIDIRON GIRLS

We L-O-V-E our coaches!!!

Post-Season

2009-11-08T13:23:00.004-06:00

Well, the Lone Oak Buffaloes regular season ended with some major shake-ups on the team, and a major loss against our biggest cross-county rivals, the Caddo Mills Foxes. But, despite these disappointments, we are still

PLAY-OFF BOUND!!

We will play Friday, November 13 in Canton against the Corsicana Mildred Eagles. Kick-off will be at 7:30 pm. This is the same team we faced in the first round last year -- and beat! I have faith the we can do it again! Let's go Buffs...show 'em whatcha got!!!

ROLL ON

RED STORM!

Layout

2009-11-08T10:56:00.009-06:00

I LOVE my

new blog layout!!

Red, White, and Black...my faves!

And who doesn't like BLING??

What do you think??

ClemsonGirl

2009-10-21T17:08:00.003-05:00

Is reading a stranger's blog kinda like cyber-stalking? Well, if it is you better arrest me. I have become addicted to the blog of a fellow coach's wife. She is know as ClemsonGirl, and she is a hoot! She has two adorable boys that she refers to as "The Mini's", she drives a monogrammed mini-van that she is just a little OCD about, and she is her husband's biggest fan! Rock on ClemsonGirl!!

Check her out:
http://clemsongirlandthecoach.blogspot.com/

sigh

2009-09-30T23:03:00.002-05:00

I am so tired of feeling like I am INVISIBLE...

Farewell Patrick

2009-09-19T23:20:00.003-05:00

Nobody puts Baby in a corner.
Ditto.
*sigh*

Something to think about...

2009-09-15T22:33:00.003-05:00

When the temperature inside my house exactly matches the temperature outside, I sometimes wonder if my house might start levitating.

Financial Aid...FINALLY!!!

2009-08-07T21:30:00.004-05:00

I received an email today notifying me that

my financial aid had been

approved!!

Thank you, Lord! You are so good!!

2009-07-16T18:30:00.002-05:00

I have a confession to make...I am SO ready for

FOOTBALL

season to get here!!

Go Buffaloes!!!

Ahhh, the smell of fresh cut grass...

2009-06-18T22:13:00.006-05:00

Ya know, I *LOVE*LOVE*LOVE* the way our yard looks after I finish mowing!

Oh, Matthew...

2009-06-14T20:45:00.003-05:00

We took the boys to the Rangers game today; it was Matt's first major league game. Before the game we ate lunch at a great restaurant, Tom's on Cooper Street in Arlington. Matt was apparently more impressed with the waitress than the food because my sweet little boy said, "Mommy, she's pretty enough to marry."

Financial Aid Frustrations

2009-06-09T09:10:00.004-05:00

I have a 4.0 GPA. I have received numerous creative writing awards through PJC. I was named the Outstanding English Student for 2009.

I don't say all that to brag (well, maybe just a little...) but to help explain why I am so flabbergasted by the situation in which I find myself.

I have enrolled at Texas A&M-Commerce for the fall semester. I am planning on taking 15 hours. I have been denied financial aid.

20 years ago, in order to be exempt from the new TASP test that was required to graduate from college, I signed up for three hours at ETSU. I didn't do so well in that class, but I excelled at college life. I learned all about the Zeppa Center, the MSC, Lil' Bit, The Junction, and of course the KA house, the Sigma Chi house, Hubble Hall, Hidden Lake...well, you get the picture.

Even though academically I was, um...let's just say "struggling", I continued to take classes so that I could hang out with my friends. I ended up with 36 hours attempted on my transcript before I realized that I wasn't cut out to be a student. I dropped out of college and joined the workforce, married the greatest man in the world, gave birth to three amazing children, and finally admitted to myself that I REALLY wanted that college degree I had blown off all those years ago.

When I enrolled at PJC my GPA was so low that I was denied financial aid, so I started out with just a couple of classes, and raised my grades. When I transferred to TAMU-C, in order to keep my 4.0, I decided to sign up for the "Fresh Start" program. This allows you to drop all of your old credits, and well, start fresh. What they don't tell you is that this does not benefit you at all when it comes to financial aid, or your max hours.

So...I have been denied financial aid because I have attempted too many hours and have nothing to show for it. Except for an Associate of Arts degree and a 4.0 GPA. I have filed an appeal, and now must wait, possibly until midway through the fall semester for a decision from the Appeals Committee. This, of course, means that I will have to pay for my tuition out-of-pocket.

Anyone have an extra $3500 just burning a hole in your pocket? LOL

In the mean time, I intend to simply enjoy the summer, enjoy my family, and color my hair frequently, because this stress is gray-ing it by the minute!!

It's over...

2009-05-28T07:55:00.004-05:00

*Oops...didn't realize I had saved this as a draft last week. Sorry!

I'm through.

I'm finished.

I'm done.

I have officially completed all of the requirements for my Associate of Arts degree from Paris Junior College!! Woo Hoo!!!!

**Paris Junior College has one graduation ceremony in May of each year. Students who completed degree or certificate requirements in the fall semester and students who anticipate completing requirements in either the spring or a summer semester are encouraged to participate in the ceremony. **

Well...that's what I did. When I finished the spring semester, I still had to take a visual/performing arts class and three hours of electives. It just so happens that during the mini-mester Theatre Appreciation and Music Appreciation were both offered. Let me tell ya, those classes were kinda hard! Not the content so much as the amount of work due. Theatre Appreciation had a chapter due every day, and THREE tests per chapter!! Music was one test per chapter, due every other day.

My poor family hasn't been this neglected since I started school. I feel like I have spent the last 3 weeks glued to the end of the couch, with the laptop as a permanent appendage to my body. I have never been so glad to complete a course in my life.

Now if PJC would just mail my diploma...

Shhh! Listen...

2009-05-22T23:03:00.002-05:00

Jeff mowed the yard this evening, and the kids played outside in the sprinkler while I took four tests for my online classes. We headed to Greenville about 9:15 pm for a late night drive-thru dinner. Matt and Mallory were both asleep by the time we hit Wesley Street, so dinner was a lot cheaper than we had anticipated. :oD

It's now a little after 11, and everyone is settled in for the night. Mitchell is upstairs watching a movie, Matt is snoring on a blanket in the living room floor, Mallory is snoring (lady-like, of course) in Jeff's recliner, and Jeff is snoring on the couch.

Listening to these precious sounds does my heart good. Knowing that all of my family is safe and sound, warm and well-fed (for the most part--LOL) gives me a greater feeling of comfort than eight hours of sleep would.

The best sounds are those of a happy home!!

Mitchell

2009-05-20T15:34:00.006-05:00

My firstborn will be a teenager tomorrow.

My sweet, precious little baby is now a sweet, precious teenager.
When did that happen?
In the blink of an eye.

My tiny little preemie is now taller than me.
When did that happen?
Sometime between football season and track season.

My polite, respectful little boy is now a polite and respectful young man.
When did that happen?
Over the last 4748 days.

If I had known that the last time I picked up Mitchell and held him in my arms was going to be the last time, I would have held on so much tighter...and never let go.

Mitchell is every parent's dream. He is such an incredible kid. He is the best big brother in the world. Matthew and Mallory adore him. He is the one they go to when they are injured--in body or in spirit. He can always make everything better for them. He is the one Jeff and I call on whenever we need something, and the one we rely on waaaaaaay more than we should. He is always willing to help out anyone in need, and never says no when he is asked to lend a hand.

It's a mystery why the Lord chose to bless me with Mitchell, but there isn't a day that goes by that I'm not grateful, and humbled to be his mother. Sometimes just the thought of how fortunate I am absolutely takes my breath away.

Thank You, Lord, for trusting us with this amazing life. Thank You for blessing us every minute of every day with this child. Thank You for the opportunity to witness Mitchell's spiritual walk with You, and to watch him live his life for You. God, You are so good.
Amen, and amen, and amen.

Baseball and Bobble-heads

2009-05-20T00:02:00.000-05:00

Matthew had a t-ball game tonight. He loves to play, and he's really good at hitting the ball. Unfortunately, he doesn't have much interest in fielding...which can be a problem, since he plays right field. He spends most of his time dancing, spinning, and chatting with his coach. An odd thing that Jeff and I have noticed since Matt started playing ball is that he doesn't run. I don't just mean that he doesn't run fast, I mean he doesn't run. He kind of shuffles along with his head down...it's very odd. I know that he can run, he and Mallory race around all the time. Tonight I realized that the reason he isn't running is because of his helmet. I think he's afraid that it's going to fall off, or he's going to fall over. No matter how much we talk to him before the game about running as fast as he can, he just continues to shuffle around the bases like a little bobble-head. And you know what? My little bobble-head scored a run tonight!!

In The Beginning...

2009-05-19T14:51:00.000-05:00

I guess this makes it official...I am now a blogger. This is something I have wanted to do for quite a while, but have managed to talk myself out of it countless times. I've always had some excuse for not pursuing this project, but today I am committing! (or maybe I should just be committed?) I love reading other blogs, and I always think of things I could post about, but somehow I never manage to actually WRITE any of it down. Well, that's all about to change!!