Attack of the blue hair!

Well, we didn't win our big game, but Carter did great! And while he did get popped hard in the shin, he still played and never cringed - which, by the way, he is fine although I know it is going to bruise big time! Carter cheers his team on and revels in the times they play great and then just tries to encourage them when they do poorly. Do I see a future coach? Will people drive around with a big "S" on the back of their trucks with "Schmitz- the coach" underneath?

I have the best time with everyone at the park. We just laugh and cut up and I really am so glad that we have the people we have on our team. Good drafting!

Davis is washing out the blue now and I am going to scrub the tub afterwards. He is very disappointed they didn't win, but very proud of his little man. And that is all that matters - Carter played hard and had fun and tried his best. He followed all three of our baseball rules!

Summer is here

Alabama has the craziest weather! One minute it is cold and the next, humid. It is literally hotter in my house than outside. Of course, the breeze outside makes it feel great and our backyard is really shady, so that helps a ton.

We just got back from Sonic. It is happy hour from 2-4 which means drinks are half off. I am hoping that by rewarding the boys for being nice to one another, they will continue to do so from here on out. (yeah, yeah.. I hear all of your thoughts of "good luck with that!")

Today Carter had a bicycle rodeo at school where all the kids get to ride their bikes around the track during their allotted time. Next year though, he will be old enough to compete in the bicycle race they hold. He is very excited. I have to say though that it makes me so upset for the majority of the children whose parents don't send their bikes or they just don't have one. They don't plan other activities for them at that time, so those kids just end up watching the ones with bikes. And while Carter loves it and has a blast, I just think they need to do away with it for that reason. Or at least let the others do something just as fun.

The picture was taken last night at Carter's baseball game. Thought that was funny. Laurel was a MESS! Her pants had to go through the wash twice just to come clean, and that was with spray and wash as well. She is the ultimate dirt monster!

I ended up missing John Michael's game because Carter's ran over. And then Davis will have to miss John Michael's school program because of Carter's game. I guess this is something I am going to have to get used to, although I hate it! I want to see them do everything! I know it is only going to get worse the older they all get - and then I will have to include Laurel's activities as well!

Carter has a game tonight and Davis is planning on mousing his hair into a blue Mohawk! I will definitely take a picture of that one!

Swimming in the river

We had a BUSY weekend! Yesterday was opening day at the ball park and both boys had games after the parade. John Michael ended up playing a double header and then Carter's team played. It was a beautiful day but very long! Laurel was not so keen on being there and some body gave her a full can of open coke which I didn't notice until it was all over her and the stroller. I opened the concession stand and Davis ended up closing it. Whew! We were super tired last night. It felt like I had been at the zoo or an amusement park all day long. Laurel crashed about 6 and the boys shortly thereafter.

Today, we bought the boys new bikes! Carter needed to upgrade since he has gotten too tall for his and John Michael just plain needed one. We took them on a bike ride next to the river at Point Mallard in Decatur. We just love it there. This was Laurel's first time on the back of the bicycle and she really liked it as well - well, as long as we were going fast! The boys stopped at their favorite spot and swam in the river. I think Carter is literally part fish. That boy never wanted to get out! We stayed there until about 5, came home, ate Subway, and now they are getting ready for bed (about 7:30.) It is just so peaceful on that trail and it is long and not too steep for them. I think we biked about 2 miles, but for poor little John Michael's legs, maybe 4! They were both starving by the time we got home - even after dinner at Subway. John Michael would tell me what he wanted and follow it up with, as he pointed to his stomach, "that needs to be in here." So funny!

Laurel has shots tomorrow. Fun, fun. Hopefully she will sleep a good portion of the day and I can actually clean up this disaster of a house! (Although I think the car is looking just as bad now because of all the ball equipment that permanently rides with me.)

It was just a beautiful and fun day. My dream one day is to live on the lake/river and listen to that sound every morning and night and smell that smell. It's just so calming, something I always need!

Tonight we had two games - one at one park and then the other at our home park. So of course who has to miss half of the first game? Anyway, that's it for my complaining about ball because, as I stated earlier, I am going to be compassionate towards others and realize that they are not upset with me, but upset with other things in their lives that they can not control and taking it out on ball. (hopefully this will last!)

John Michael is just a natural and Carter was such a little team motivator tonight! It made me really proud of how hard he was trying and how he didn't give up at all - even though they lost by 2. He just kept encouraging his team mates to do their best. On the flip side of that though, he was very disappointed when they didn't try their best. And, on top of all this, Davis struggles with trying to make everyone happy - wanting the kids to win and try their best and then not pushing them too hard so they have fun as well. It's a very fine line and one he constantly struggles with. My little over analyzer. You who know him, so know that about him!

Also today we visited the health food store. I am amazed at all the horrible things I feed my body and going there just makes me want to be a vegan. However, I love meat and dairy and eggs, and as long as I don't see those horrible PETA documentaries, I will continue to eat all of that! I did learn though that there are between 47-100 estrogens in every bite/sip of a dairy product and that breast milk only produces three. The clerk also kept talking to me about colloidal silver and all I could think about was that guy on Oprah who made his own and turned blue. I think we are going to skip that for now!

I did look into a Neti pot for Davis's sinus problems. You know the one where you run saltwater through your nose. The clerk told me he was lacking in trace minerals and also went on to tell me that going gluten free could make us all better. Something to think about but think about this - no bread! EEK!

Tomorrow my personal goals are to wash the dog, clean out the frog cage and cut the lawn. Maybe, fingers crossed, everyone will co-operate and I can get this done!

Tenderhearted

What a treat! Sue was cleaning out her house the other day and found a copy of our exact wedding ceremony! I poured over books at that time to find the perfect thing to say and this was included (along with the traditional vows we said to one another):
"Do you Davis/Shawna, now choose _ to be your __;
to share your life openly with her,
to speak truthfully and lovingly to her,
to accept her fully as she is
and delight in who she is becoming,
to respect her uniqueness,
encourage her fulfillment,
and compassionately support her through all the changes of your years together?"
I loved that! The scripture lesson was also from Ephesians:
"Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Let your words be only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. Put away all bitterness and wrath and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you."

I need to remember and use the word tenderhearted more often. It's exactly how I wish to be described and I need to keep that forefront in my mind and actions.

Yesterday was our friend's 53rd anniversary. How amazing! To have loved and made such a rich history with someone for so long. It reminds me of the movie - the name of which eludes me right now, but it stars Bruce Willis and Michelle Phiffer? Anyway, in the end when they are making up after separating, and she is going on and on about how it should be cherished that when two people are married they make their own story, their own history, and it takes time to do that, to learn intimately what the other person is like so you can compensate for it. I think Davis has learned not to tell me to "calm down," and that it only makes me even more riled up, and I have learned to just let him be for a little while after he gets home. How he needs hours to wake in the morning and how he likes me to listen to his baseball stats, even though I could care less - he just wants to tell me anyway - among so many other things that I don't want to post!

Sorry for the long lesson, but I think, no I know, it is a much needed reminder for myself.

Tenderhearted. I like that.

Bathed in Sweat

Bathed in sweat is what Carter just told me he was. Note that I was not the one who chose to put him in footie pajamas after a really hot bath. Nor was I the one who told him to run around like a crazy person in said pajamas. Yet, somehow, I am the culprit who has made him sweaty!

It's been a really long day! I am so ready for school to be out and not have to rush around in the morning. Tomorrow, John Michael is going on a field trip to the Cook's pest control museum - believe it or not a very popular field trip around here. However, he is most excited to get to go to McDonald's afterwards! Carter has one on Wednesday to go on a nature walk.

Nothing else much going on, just wanted to share a picture of Carter reading his favorite book series to us - a nightly ritual. (Rotten House by R.L. Stine rules!)

Roses

Today Davis and I went to visit a friend who is very ill in Birmingham. Actually, it was the professor who introduced us! I told him I didn't know whether to thank him or hit him! (ha ha!) Anyway, he has the most beautiful rose garden. I can't even begin to tell you how many roses, although I am sure he knows. They all have signs in the front of them as well to tell you the name. They cut some for us and sent them home to brighten our kitchen. And the smell is glorious! There is nothing I love more in the house than fresh flowers (ahem, Davis...)

Davis and enjoyed sharing memories of when we met (14 years ago!!!) on the way home. I was so young then! I could even stay up and watch Saturday night live without complaining that I was going to bed too late.

The boys played with wa wa and pa pa all day - although I know they were ready to go home! The boys are a handful! But we really appreciate them coming to take care of them. It makes it easier to be able to visit with a friend without having time constraints and knowing that our children are being cared for and loved at the same time!

Now, we are all really tired and waiting for more rain to come. State Farm is sending out an adjuster this week to look at our roof after our last hail storm. And I am afraid we are going to lose more gutters if this kind of rain keeps up!

Another game tomorrow. Shocked, aren't you? But only one! So it's actually a "light" day. The boys are so going to bed early tomorrow since they have been up too late the past two nights.

Lots of love~

Parade at the Joe

Let me first say that although the boys stayed up until 10:30 last night and promised me they would not get up out of the bed before 8:00, 6 AM rolled around and they are both jumping around me demanding a breakfast of bacon and toast. And you can't say they didn't know what time it is anymore in their room since I bought an alarm clock for them for this very reason! And you would also think they would be exhausted all day, but nope! They played so hard in the water all afternoon. They built bridges and tunnels for water to flow through and sent sticks down it until they, too, were covered in mud and just soaking wet. Whatever! As long as they had fun and were not fighting, I'm game for it.

Tonight they got to wear their team uniforms and parade around at the minor league stadium. Laurel and I watched from the stands and then made our way home. The boys stayed to watch the game, although we will see how long that lasts since Carter was fading fast as I as leaving.

Tomorrow is what we call around here "daddy stay home day." Every one's favorite day!

Just stop the crying!

Laurel and I spent the morning in my least favorite place- the doctor's office. It was packed too! I can't stand going on Fridays because everyone is trying to get in there before the weekend and he only does half days on Fridays. yep, you guessed it! Ear infections. As long as she stops crying and starts sleeping again I will be happy! And she hasn't eaten anything substantial in days.

And of course, today is absolutely beautiful outside! And of course, tomorrow is supposed to be rainy and yuck. I think I need a real break. I am just so tired of running and going and not getting really anything done. This is really hard for me since I have had Laurel. I am just so task-oriented and when I want to do something, I want it done. But now, at least for this little moment in time, I am only just getting into the shower around 3 and finishing up the laundry at 4 before we run run run to the park for ball.

John Michael has his first game tonight and has asked me constantly since he woke up what time it is going to be. The closer we get, the more he asks. Every car he hears is "Daddy's car" and he wants to get dressed already! I can't wait to see the big ol' grin he is going to have smacked all over his face tonight. What a big boy!

I have to say though, Carter came home from school today talking about another movie they watched in class. What about actually learning something? Bolt does not seem very educational to me and I know the teachers need a little break every now and then, but this is becoming an every Friday thing!

Gotta get on the laundry before we have to wear it again. It just never ends and I heard last night we are going to school uniforms so that will just double the whole laundry thing! Sheesh!

Stampede at the Gardens

So we went to the botanical gardens today for the member plant sale, and I also told John Michael we could go through the children's garden and see the trains. I honestly thought we would just tootle up there, look at the plants, maybe buy a few for my basket out front and then walk through the garden. Oh no! There had to have been over three hundred people there this morning! I had to park in another county and drag the children to the entrance. What a mad house! But the prices were good, the flowers were beautiful, and we spent all morning looking at them. And John Michael was a huge help! Finally we made it to the actual garden and spent some time there as well. Laurel was let free from the stroller and enjoyed stamping on the flowers while I wasn't looking.

Carter had another game last night and while he played great again, the team lost. It started really late (almost 7:30) and we didn't get home until about 9:15. So, tired boys again. Sadly, Davis and Carter had to leave early, but the rest of us had a somewhat lazy morning (pictures of the two little ones in my bed and then Laurel throwing a tantrum on the ground.) And our team shirts came in and I think they look great! I was very pleased with the outcome and I hope the rest of our parents were as well.

Tonight we have our final PTA meeting and I am glad this year is over. It was hard to constantly remind myself that I am only the membership chair and I don't have to take it all on! Next year I am staying off the board and going to just help in the classrooms - two now since John Michael starts kindergarten! YEA! Control freak that I am, I have to just let it go.

Nap time for the little ones and I am still working on washing the sheets today. It makes my whole house smell like bleach and I love it!

By the way, the flowers I picked out for my basket this year are red geraniums, yellow Gerber daises, crocodile caladiums, and some cool looking striped vine... now all I need is another liner and I am good to go! Can't wait to plant this year!

Well, hello there!

OK, since my email is taking forever in sending pictures, and I love to keep in touch, I set up this blog so if you have a few minutes, you can see what we are up to. I have to say I feel slightly narcissistic in doing this because honestly, I don't know how much you truly care to know about us, but here we go anyway.

We had the best night last night. Carter came home from school and was all pumped up about his first baseball game of the season and Davis had bought him an AMP energy drink - like he really needs that. (and on an aside note - he didn't fall asleep until almost 10!) However, apparently Dale, Jr. drinks and hawks these, so we had to have it. Nice little red babies I'm growing! Well, he did amazing last night. Stopping everything that came to him, actually thinking through the plays and he hit a whopper line drive past second. And the best part was everyone on our team scored. I truly enjoy being at the park - and can't wait until school is over so the kids can just play without me nagging that we have to get home and to bed! John Michael is so ready to play his first game as well. What a bunch of cuties.

Laurel, however, was not happy last night so I hope I am timing her naps better today. She is taking a short one this morning, then I am going to give her a long one this afternoon. We'll see how it goes. Wish me luck! Our saving grace is that they now have french fries in the concession stand so I can get her arteries good and clogged and keep her somewhat content.

Keep checking back and I will try and post regularly.