Birthday Wishes

Here's a shout out to Denise, it's her birthday today!!! Denise is an amazing Mom. Her and John have 3 boys and added another one, Ty in April. Ty is only 7 weeks old and he has been to almost every baseball game of his older brother's. Then there is Denise who looks great and always has a smile on her face when you see her. I am sure it is hard at times to get them all out the door but Denise never shows it.

I hope you enjoy your day!!

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.Abraham Lincoln

Coaching Baseball

Luke and Coach Eldred
"The difference between the possible and the impossible lies in a person's determination."

Tommy Lasorda

Luke and Coach Behn

"Pressure is a word that is misused in our vocabulary. When you start thinking of pressure, it's because you've started to think of failure." Tommy Lasorda

Luke and Coach Whitey

"One of the beautiful things about baseball is that every once in a while you come into a situation where you want to, and where you have to, reach down and prove something." Nolan Ryan

Perfect Game, went 0 and 2, today in pool play. We beat ourselves. I know it is so hard on our Coaches to see some of these boys make mistakes after they have been coached, over and over, on the same error, or base running or on other situations. It is so easy for us to sit in the stands and make our own judgements as to what we think should of been done, or say "why did they do that" but I know for our family.....We gave Luke the opportunity to play on this team, because we knew he would be given quality Coaching and he needed more, as far as baseball goes to become a better player. I believe Luke is getting that.

I am so grateful to the time that these Coaches give Luke, and the rest of the Team. I am very grateful for their knowledge of the game, and the consistent coaching during every game that they provide these boys with. I believe it's time for the boys, as a Team, to step up to the plate and show the Coaches......"YES, WE CAN PLAY THIS GAME UP TO OUR ABILITY!"

So, let's reach down and prove something!!

You owe it to yourself to be the best you can possibly be - in baseball and in life.

Get Well Grandma Sue

My Mom had shoulder replacement surgery. Amazing how they can just replace your shoulder and the socket. The surgery took about an hour and she is doing fine.

Here is a fun picture of what they did.

They have these communication boards in all of the rooms. I don't know why because there wasn't anything written on it except for the names of the Nurse and doctor. So, Luke updated it.

If you get up one more time than you fall, you will make it through.

Baseball=Family

Luke and Spencer having a little talk at the mound.

This Team is coming around, at the right time but I believe they ALL have to want it, so to speak. Meaning EVERY game they come out and play like it is the Championship game. When they are all in it, they can't be beat.

Spencer had a great day on the mound in our Championship game against the Redbirds. We CAN beat this team.

Here is the Hunt family, yes wrapped in blankets, watching Brock and the team play. We had wonderful weather until Monday, and it was cold and rainy. The Hunt family decided to come on Monday, after boycotting the previous days tournament and leaving their son in the care of the Gradoville family. Just kidding....he's a great kid and we or should I say Brian cared for him well!!

Is this boy handsome or what!!!

Big Brother's Club

Addie enjoying a puddle after the rain shower.

Mason and Nolan getting ready to start their own game, on another field.

I have to give all of the younger brothers and sisters, of the players on our team, a pat on the back. Some of these kids have seen more ball games than many adults I know. Very rarely do you ever hear them complain or whine. They find ways to entertain themselves and play together during these tournaments, it just amazes me. I have to do something creative for them, so on goes the creative thinking cap!!

Never let your head hang down. Never give up and sit down and grieve. Find another way.-- Satchel Paige

Gotta Love It

This is Criddle waiting for Grandma Sue and Grandpa Chic, to pick me up.

Connor helping out his brother's Team.

Here is one of Luke's throw outs to second. Cal is always on the receiving end of Luke's throw outs, so KUDOS to him for always being there, and to Grant for always be a great back up. This is something that just fires Luke up, to throw someone out, in a game.

A little pep talk from Coach Whitey!!!

Singing in the rain, just singing in the rain.........this is Addie, one of our little fans. It looked like it was going to storm for our last game but we only got a few sprinkles BUT if I had a cute pink umbrella....I would of been singing along with Addie ; )

Luke catching for Jackson.

I am so proud of Luke for all the hard work he puts in behind the plate for his team. I NEVER hear him complain, that he is tired, or his legs hurt, or anything after a game. He usually is fired up if he gets a throw out but normally he will tell me what he needs to do better next time. This little guy is ten, and he is hard on himself and expects so much out of himself and his teammates. I don't know if his Coaches realize how irritated he gets with himself and others when they make silly mental errors.

Just think of squatting and throwing the ball back to the pitcher for 2 games, 13 innings total, in the hot sun....getting up and down...being mentally in the game so you know where to go with the ball, where the runners are, focusing on the pitcher because you have to try and catch or block every pitch that comes at you, watching the Coach for signals, knowing what the count is...then in between all that you have to get up to the plate and bat....and you're still only ten!!

WOW, that little boy is amazing in his Mother's eyes!!

I Love You Buddy!! Keep up the hardwork!!

Whiffle Ball Anyone?

We played a little game of whiffle ball last night because it was a beautiful evening. Here is Paige, looking like a real Pro. on the mound. ; )

I think Norm is getting a little too old for the game!! Then again are you ever too old for whiffle ball. I mean the ball weighs as much as a marshmallow.

Is this the cutest little pitcher EVER!!!! Did you notice the pink cowboys boots Lyvi is wearing? These boots were made for pitching.

Connor waiting patiently for Paige to stop posing for pictures!! Play Ball!!!

Luke on his way to home!!

A fun evening had by us all!!

Awesome Picture

One of the Mom's on the 10u Team does digital scrapbooking. Here is the picture that she took and sent out to all of us. I think maybe this is what I need to get into. Then again I don't have enough time in the day to do all the other projects I enjoy.

Enjoy your Monday!!

Clinton Comet Classic 2009 Champions

This is the Team trophy that the boys received for winning the tournament. I couldn't be there so I had Luke pose for me when he arrived home from Clinton. He was so excited, and had so many stories of all the boys on his team, how well they all played and the fun they had. It was also fun to hear Connor talk about the tournament and how the boys played. I know it makes Luke proud to have his "big" brother there watching him, and encouraging him.

You can motivate players better with kind words than you can with a whip.-- Bud Wilkinson

A day in May

Luke and Blake

I enjoy seeing Luke outside just playing some catch. Throwing grounders, and pop flies to each other. Hearing them laugh while they play catch.

Blake is one of Luke's teammates and they were in a tournament today in Clinton. They went 2-0, so they should seed pretty high for bracket play tomorrow.

They have struggled this year with some issues, so it makes it even more enjoyable to see the boys having some fun.

It was a nice sunny day but very windy. The ground is very saturated with all of the rain we have had. I heard some noise in the backyard, this afternoon, and this tree had fallen on our fence : (

I am fighting off bronchitis so I didn't go to Luke's baseball tournament. So, I spent the day watching movies and doing laundry. I did enjoy the peace and quiet.

Camp Courageous

I went to Camp Courageous on a field trip with the kids I am a Para-Educator for. This place is absolutely amazing.

I love these little feet.

The swimming pool, actually two pools, is so cool. They even have a rock climbing wall in it. So, my little girl was able to go swimming but not with me. This body isn't ready for a swimsuit : )

This little creature was amazing. If you sprayed him with a mist of water, he will stand up like this.

They had these cute little baby lambs...they were adorable.

At first, I thought this was going to be the Hilton of all Camps, because it was for special needs kids BUT I was wrong. The cabins are very nice but it is still very rugged and doesn't have all the bells and whistles of a hotel. I guess is what I am trying to say is... it is very top notch but it is a camp just like Camp Wapsie was for me. I hope that makes sense.

""...in every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.""
Author: John Muir

Happy Mother's Day

Here is a shout out to the Best-est Mom and Grandma!!

This Grandma goes above and beyond the call of duty for a Grandma. She takes my kids to school, picks them up, bakes cookies with them, sits through all sorts of weather to watch them play ball, takes them to the creek to look for critters to bring home to their Mother, supports their schools through fundraisers and more, and I could go on and on and on.......

Thank you Mom for being you!!

I Love You!!

"A grandma is a mom with extra frosting."

Happy Birthday to Jack

Wishing you all the great things in life, I hope this day will bring you an extra share of all of the things that make you the happiest. I know one of those was seeing me at the ballpark : )

You are an awesome young man Jack and thank you for always making me laugh!!

Thanks for the Support

I want to thank all of the parents on Connor's baseball team, for their phone calls, emails, and personal conversations, about the situation with Connor, and him being dismissed from the team. You all have been so supportive and we appreciate you.

I don't like to talk behind peoples backs but the only exercise this man gets is jumping to conclusions, running down a Teams spirit, over-stepping his responsibilities, walking over supportive parents, and pushing his luck. It's not always about you. The kids in the organization should be thought of first because in all reality it is about them. Too many parents out there are trying to live through children.

Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value. ~Albert Einstein

Tuesdays with Amy

Hey Coach, ARE YOU READY FOR SOME BASEBALL???

Hey Coach, YOU'RE OUTTA HERE !!!

I could really use a super sized chocolate shake, right now. It's hot out here. Oops! Was he out, I was day dreamin..........

Peek a boo!!!

Gotta love Baseball!!

No More Jr. Cougars

Connor and Luke playing some catch, at Connor's game Saturday night.

Connor played his last game as a Jr. Cougar yesterday. We were informed today, by the Director of the program, that Connor has been removed from the program.

WHY....you ask

Well, there reasoning after the Board Meeting, was that Brian (and I, I have to put myself in the equation because I have said stuff) are giving the program a bad name, so to speak. All we have done, is question them on how teams are picked, can we see the Financial Statements for the past 5 years, who keeps the books, who is watching and training these boys in the weight lifting room, so no injuries occur. We gave Luke the option to leave the program and play for another team. He was 9, at the time, and this caused major turmoil within the program. Too many emails, and conversations on things we would like to see changed or don't agree with that we would like explanations for.

BUT do they think of all the time Brian spent on the Palo fields, making them playable, for a tournament after we had major rain, mowing and up keep for an entire summer. Or the volunteers he rounded up to redo the Palo concession stand so that it could pass inspection so we could use it. The 3 or 4 years of Coaching he did.

A shout out to Brian for all of his volunteer hours he has given this program, and look at what he gets in return.

Obviously, the people running this show, Jr. Cougar Baseball, don't think of the kids because they are not hurting Brain and I, they are hurting a young man who has a love for baseball, and can't finish his last season out with them. They are also letting the entire Jr. Cougar 14u Green Team down, who depend on Connor as player, and a motivator for their team. Get this, there are ONLY 2 weeks left to play and State.

I am very proud of Connor because he has handled this well. He believes in what his parents stand for and I commend him on that. He is more concerned about his Team, than he is himself. He is growing up to be such a fine young man. He amazes me daily.

I love seeing these two play together. Luke thinks so much of Connor. Our family will be continue to support the Cougar Green 14U Team. We will be there cheering them on for the rest of their season.

"A boy is the only thing that God can use to make a man."
Author: Author Unknown

Baseball + Sun = Good Times

Luke's baseball team, Perfect Game, played in the Hitman Classic this weekend. It was really their first full tournament. They went 1 and 1 yesterday, beating the Muscatine Muskies easily, then losing to a Moline Team.

Our first game today was against the Hitman and it had to be the most exciting, nail biting game I have seen these boys play. It went 10 innings, YES they battled 4 extra innings, in the hot sun, to win this 8 to 2. These boys battled until the end of that game. With only about 15 to 20 minutes to get a quick rest in, we had to go up against the Quad City Redbirds, in the Semifinals. We lost BUT the boys deserve so much credit for, giving it their all, in that 10 inning game.

Also, I would like to thank our Coaches, who are all pictured in the photo cube, for believing, encouraging, and mentoring these young men. The season has only begun.....

Good teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the "me" for the "we." - Phil Jackson

Ninety percent of the game is half mental. - Yogi Berra