They say it better... pies!

I thought all of these looked delicious and might be something you want to consider for Thanksgiving.  I may have to try the cranberry cheesecake pie.

This picture really has nothing to do with pies.  But isn't he just about as cute as a pie?

Photo Friday XIX: Facing the Giants.

The Giants.  The Mighty Giants.  We had quite a season (so did the SF Giants against the Rangers, boo!).  We were first place at the end of regular season play.  Then there was one playoff game we almost lost 3 times.  We played 3 extra innings.  As the home team, we had to match whatever points they scored.  It was so intense, this mother had to walk away for awhile, telling myself (out loud) that this is just little league and whether or not they win or lose does not matter in the grand scheme of things.  When I came back, they had won.  Problem solved.  Ultimately they lost in the championship game.  Asher burst into tears.  Graham was solemn and quiet.  We had been telling them all season, that win or lose, we do everything, including baseball, to show the world what God is like.  That's a hard reality to grasp when you are a very disappointed 7 & 8 year old boy.  But maybe one day it will sink in.  Here are some photo highlights...

An extra-fun Saturday when such important people in their life come to watch.

This was taken after all the tears.  Hard to muster up smiles for 2nd place.

Best buds.  Teammates.

It was a great season, boys!

P.S.

This is where he spent most of baseball season.

And this is our bathtub after a night at the fields.

Gross.

I can't believe he's 4.

Joseph.  You are four.  I am having a hard time lately with how quickly the time is passing.  It feels like yesterday that you were born.  Graham was only 4 1/2 when you were born.  We had 4 boys, 4 and under. And it felt like nothing, mostly because you made it so easy on us.  That was such a sweet winter.  We went everywhere together for a full year.  You were so easy to take along, and so I just did (Nathan lost this privilege about 1 month into his life).  Just this morning, you crawled into bed with us and said to Chris, "I don't like you because you're not a girl."  FUNNY!  You are so funny!  I love spending my days with you.

On his birthday, we went to the park and celebrated with doughnuts.

Then we went to the zoo.  Totally unplanned.

I was scared taking this photo.  Spiders are not my favorite.  But obviously I am still alive.

Jopie fully loving his birthday and being the center of attention.

After naptime was a special date with his friend, Avalon.

They have such a sweet little friendship.

After their birthday dinner at Chik-Fil-A...

We headed to Sonic for 1/2 price cream slushes.  Don't they look like a little old couple reading the paper together?

Nothing like the glow of the Sonic neon lights to make (that make was for you, Krista) good pictures.

I especially love this one of her.

But it might have been better if I would have wiped the ketchup off her face first.

A couple days later we ate your cake with these friends.

I don't know that Jopie was particularly fond of Finley helping him blow out his candles.

But even so, a good 4th birthday it was.

Six.

I had an early miscarriage last month.  I write this to acknowledge that we lost someone in our family.  I truly believe that.  And although we aren't really feeling deep loss, because we didn't get the opportunity to get too attached and because of the overall chaotic state our house is in general, I think there will always be a part of me that will wonder what this baby would have looked like, what his or her personality would have brought to our family, and come June, I will wish I was holding this baby in my arms.  But God is good.  He knows best, and does what is righteous and good.  And this little one is with Him.

We used this "6" to tell the kids we were pregnant.  The kids had taped it on the shelf in the school room with potential baby names underneath.  I took it down a couple of days ago, thanked God for the pitter pat of all the little feet in my house, knowing even more the blessing that each of them is.

Photo Friday XVIII: Fall Ball Memories

Get ready for picture overload.  Some nights at the baseball field, just when I get over my exhaustion of getting everyone dressed and out the door, which includes LOTS of steps... like packing dinner, water bottles, things to keep Nathan occupied, each one's certain glove, bat, and helmet, diapers, wipes, and last but not least making sure that all these things are still in the car once you have put them in there because it has taken you so long to put them in there that the kids may have pulled them out and started playing with them again.  Whew!  Anyway, once we are there, I realize how precious these days are, and feel a little like the mother Mary, "treasuring up these things and pondering them in my heart."  Four boys.  Two teams.  They are growing so fast.  I know when I am old and gray, I will have forgotten about how long it took me to get in the car, and only remember these sweet images.

He always picks #7 because of Joe Mauer.

So fun that Daddy is his head coach this year.

Jopie quickly became the team mascot.

He did pretty well for being 3, almost 4.  His one flaw is that it took him about 5 minutes to run to first base, but he ran as fast as his little legs would carry him.

It take a village to get him in his catcher's gear.

But once he is there, he couldn't be cuter, or smaller.

His position most of the season.

Getting his championship medal.

Congratulations Orioles.  Undefeated (well, one tie) and winners of the ULL fall season.  I might have had more pictures but there was a monsoon approximately 30 seconds after this picture.

This will have to be a "to be continued" post.  Giants photos to follow!

Home School Gym

The weather here this past month has been picture perfect, making up for the oppressive heat of the summer.  I try not to think about the autumn I am missing out on in the great north full of apple orchards, bright fall colors, and hot drinks that steam because the air is cold.  But knowing that we can spontaneously play outside like this all winter partly makes up for it.

Team Cowboys.

Team Vikings.

Discussing the rules.  This part is taken very seriously at our house.

Hut.

Action shot.  Look at the fall foliage we get in Texas (see it there on that little tree).

I think there might have been a rule violation.

Little did I know that Cry Cry was inside the house eating chocolate cupcakes off the counter.  I think this was his 3rd.  He prefers chocolate to exercise.