A Summer-y Saturday

Saturday was a very busy day for us...even so, I found time for a nap!

First, we had Liam's game. His team won 12-1, and that was a very conservative win. Our coach held the boys back quite a bit, the poor team they played must have been ALL first years.

So, here the "King of Swing" is hitting his double......and here he is rounding second...
Meanwhile, on a not so distant planet...
Maggie was getting severely ticked because Sam thought is was funny to keep her from going down the slide...UGGHH ...Big brothers!!! So,
She enlisted help...

...and when that didn't work, she enlisted MORE help...

Yeah, it got pretty funny...they never did manage to push him down unless he decided he wanted to come down. They entertained themselves like this for the duration of Liam's game (which kept them out of Jon and I's hair :) )

Eventually, Maggie tired of it and headed for the swings while every male child on that playground took Sam on.

Sam's double header against Big Walnut was cancelled...not sure why?

After the game we drove to Mt Vernon and did our grocery shopping. Which was not at all bad...our mid month Costco trip is always a hit, but it takes the sting out of the end of the month trip! Then we went home, unloaded our groceries and put them away and took naps! Because, Saturday evening we were going to the drive-in again...this time to see Up and Star Trek.

The LaFever's met us at the drive in and brought their truck which my kids thought was super cool! They are used to going to the drive-in, but they'd never done it in a pick-up! Before the game, the boys went up in front of the screen and played ball with all the other kids up there while the girls staked their spots out and discussed Hannah Montana and candy options.

We stood around and talked for awhile as well. I, of course, walked around like a goob, snapping pics!

Eventually, the boys came back and we got things settled down. Everyone headed towards their "spots" with food and drink and we enjoyed Up. It was a really cute movie, I don't think any of us didn't like it. After Up the LaFever's left and we nestled into the van (because it was cold by then!) to watch Star Trek...it was awesome!!

Maggie and Liam both fell asleep before it was over, but Jon, Sam and I loved it!

So, that was yesterday...today we went to our nephew Patricks graduation party in Enon, then took the kids to the Air Force Museum @ Wright-Patt. I have pics of that too...I'll post them asap! I love and miss you all!! Sorry I'm not keeping up with the blog as well as I'd like...we have things to blog about now! and no time to do it!!!

BTW - Sam tried out for reciever...and was told that barring anything unforseen he would be playing there. Coach Oder thought he did well there.

Field Day on Steroids = SuperGames 2009

Yesterday Jon and I helped Highland Central's PTO work the school's field day for 2009. Let me tell you folks (as I told Jon on the way to the school) field day AIN'T what it used to be!! I remember three legged races and sprints and obstacle courses made from old tires...Field day in the twenty first century is a bit different...Jon, Katie and I were assigned with 2 other parents to work the obstacle course this year...which happened to be a moat and castle! Poor Katie sood at the back and got bounced around all day like crazy!
Because we were "working" I get VERY few pics of the kids but here's what I did get...

Maggie catching up to the class after she dawdled to say hello to me!

Waiting parientl in line with her friends...

There's more to come. I have pics to upload from Liams game this morning but not enough time to do it all at once right now. Also, we are going to the drive in this evening to see Up and Star Trek. Tomorrow we have a graduation party to go to for our nephew Patrick in Springfield. Love you all!!

Tuesday's News

Maggie came home from school sick this morning...it was questionable! The school called me around 9:15 and told me that Maggie got sick. So Jon went to pick her up ~ she was mostly just upset because she got it all over her feet and shoes...but after a bath she was just fine! Really fine...like I don't even know fine! Jon was thinking that perhaps it was from sinus drainage (allergies), which I suppose is the most likely culprit. She is not overly fond of cocoa puffs right now though!
Sam started football "camp" this week. I'd heard LOTS of horror stories about how mean the coach is...so of course I fretted about it all afternoon. His camp was from 2:30-4:30 and he had baseball practice at 5pm! So when we got up there I eagerly asked him how it was and his reply was (eyebrows arched) "He yells loud but he wasn't mean ~ it was easy" The implication being that HE'S USED TO THAT!!! So all these years I wasn't being a hag...I was preparing him for football!! He did the 40 in 4.9 seconds from a stop...which must be good I guess because he was quite proud of it?? He's pretty psyched about the whole thing, which I find amusing coming from the kid who so adamantly has NOT wanted to play football up until now.
Maggie played a game tonight. They only played 4 innings (she did an inning at short, 1 at pitcher and 2 at 3rd base) and they really need to let up a bit! They won their game in Johnsville 28-3!! YOUCH! I felt really bad for the Johnsville team and it got to the point where our coach was encouraging their girls to run the bases and our parents were cheering for them when they got one of OUR girls out!! It was kind of funny really.
Well ~ that's all for now folks...we have three VERY tired kids tonight. Tomorrow is Liam's game in Mt Gilead and Sam has football practice and baseball again. His first season baseball game will be Thursday (after another afternoon of football camp)...should be interesting. He said he is supposed to know what position he wants to try out for then...any suggestions?
Love you all!!

Just not meant to be...

For those of you who knew about our impromptu camping trip Friday...operation Wildcat Hollow was abruptly aborted in Utica! Friday morning Jon and I were discussing on the way to the grocery that this weekend was the ONLY weekend for three months in which we have NO ball games. We decided we should really take advantage of the freedom and take the kids camping. There followed several hours of pure excitement...we got the groceries we'd need, hurried home and packed our stuff and the van and picked the kids up early from school at around 12:15 and we were on our way! For about 40 minutes :( ... just before we got to Utica we noticed that we could smell someones brakes. The smell got pretty strong and we stopped to see if it was OUR brakes...well, OF COURSE it was!!!! We have all the luck! SO, the van has an appointment on Tuesday, heaven knows what that will end up costing!!
Needless to say, I was VERY disappointed! So were the kids! It was almost cruel, pulling them out of school, getting them all excited...for nada!
We went back home and later took the car to the drive in...Night at the Museum 2, it was pretty good.

Saturday, we didn't do anything, just cleaning and laundry. Yesterday Kay & Rod came over to visit with the kids. They leave in the RV for Alaska in two weeks. Today, the kids washed the car and the van...I'm not saying they did a great job...
but just about anything is better than they were!!!

Then they enjoyed some light refreshments.

Sam has football camp this week on Tues., Wed. and Thurs. after school. Plus baseball practice tues. and Wed. and his first game (baseball) Thursday. Mag's has a game tomorrow and Liam has a game Wed... That's what I know for now. I'll keep ya posted! Love you all!

Liam Murphy

That's Liam with the ball in his glove...nice catch baby!!

I think these pics speak for themselves. However, I will tell you Liam's team won their game! i think it was 11-10...

Update

Mag's ready to go to the Mother-Daughter Banquet Saturday...

No pics, and not a lot of time, but i keep getting email about Sam's tournament so I'm doing a quick update. Saturday, the boys lost 2 games and won one which put them out of the tournament. The second game they lost was a bit heartbreaking for a couple reasons. One of our star players got ejected from the game for throwing his bat after he struck out in the previous game...which hurt us pretty bad. even so, our boys kept that game tied up for 8 innings before losing by one run. Sam did very well ~ broke the slump! Playing all of 3 games I think he only struck out once all day. He had some good hits and fielded well at 3rd base all day.
Liam had his first game Saturday morning, his team likewise lost. But, again, Liam played VERY well! He knocked the snot out of the ball everytime he went up to bat and did a great job at shortstop. If only the first baseman wasn't scared of the ball when Liam throws it to him!
Maggie had her first game tonight...I didn't get to see it but Jon said she did good. She got on base everytime, all I can say is she's fast! Because that poor child hits the ball RIGHT to the pitcher EVERY TIME!!! Her team won 38 - 19, youch!! Saturday she went to the mother daughter banquet with Helen at the Chesterville Methodist Church and had a wonderful time.
Tonight Sam's team went to a batting cage in Mt Vernon and worked on hitting FAST pitches. They were a bit intimidated by one teams pitcher (who happens to be a friend of theirs) who has a mean fast ball. I think Jason wanted to get in some batting practice while getting them over the fear. All the boys went at least one round in the 65-70 mph cage, which was a little scary to watch. Daggum, that ball smacks the backstop HARD!! Sam went in 3 times...the first time he hit NOTHING!! By the 3rd time he was contacting on some, but I would not call them legitimate hits. He was WAY late!! We'll have to take the boys and go back there some time, it was a real nice place. $1.50 for 20 pitches or $7.50 for 140.
Well, that's about it for now...Liam has another game tomorrow night...Sam has practice tomorrow night and Thursday night...it never ends! I love you all!!

Our Girl...

at her scrimmage this evening. She got to play catcher for an inning ~ all in all she did pretty well. She at least paid attention and got the ball when she ws supposed to which is more than most do in this age group! Put me in coach...here she is in centerfield!!

Her first at bat I got this awesome shot of her hitting the tee, yes, the tee not the ball!! As you can see, it's still hangin' there!

Shake it off Mag's and try again! There you go!

She doesn't do badly, but let's face it...t-ball is funny!

Here she is ready to back up first base...listening to the coach, like a good little t-ball player.

Tomorrow night it's back to Sam's tournament. I'll let you know how that goes! Love to you all!!

A Birth Announcement and More

Guess what? I used my mixer Monday to try my hand at French Bread...CHECK THAT OUT! It tasted as good as it looked too!! Monday night Sam had a game against a rec team in Marion. They won that game 11-3, we didn't get home that night until after 9pm! Bed times are out the window here lately! We were at the ball fields last night until almost 9pm as well. Good thing school is almost out! But, I am getting out of order...
Guess what I decided to grow...

Well, OK, not really my decision! Not real sure WHY she decided to give birth to 5 kittens in the flower pot, but she has her mind made up. I tried moving them and she was not happy with me... Melissa plans on coming sometime this week to take all the cats to her brother and sister in laws barn. Didn't quite come soon enough though! We have 5 MORE NOW!! Ugghh ~ but doggone (no pun intended) they sure are CUTE!!

So far she seems to be a good mommy. Kittens or no she's getting sent to the farm! We may determine the sexes of the kittens and keep one boy when it's all said and done to be our outside cat...but NO GIRLS!! I don't want any more kittens!! The kids are in love though, just like every spring !

Yesterday Sam began a series of pool games for a pre-season tournament this Sunday. Shockingly, they lost their first game. I'm afraid they went into that game a bit cocky ~ it was bound to happen. There are six games in the pool and the top 2 teams advance to Sunday, so they still have time to save their butts! I don't know that they'll be proving they can do it this evening though...

We have some wicked weather incoming! Are those not some funky clouds??

I'll keep you posted about Sam's tourn. progress. Everyone shoot up a little prayer for Sam, he's in the midst of a nasty little batting slump! He struck out 4 times last night!!!! Jon's been pitching to him every day this week in the back yard and he hits them all there??!? But, at the games ... NOTHING! Oh well, we love you all!!

Happy Mothers Day Everyone!!

My new fridge was delivered this morning...which neccessitated missing church. We felt bad for missing because we know we'll miss next week because of Sam's tournament...but...we've been living out of a cooler for over 24 hours, so we wanted the new fridge delivered ASAP! I went with black this time ~ after I decorated my kitchen, the white appliances were an eyesore! I had originally thought I wanted the stainless look ~ but decided in the end that it may clash with my copper look backsplash...so black was what worked best with my kitchen IMHO. Now, next year we have to set money aside out of our income tax return to replace the oven and dishwasher when they go out. We would like to be better prepared next time and both of them are past prime ( and white, lol). I didn't realize how poorly laid out the inside of our old one was until I started putting stuff in this one. They have the same outside dimensions, but I'm able to get much more in the new one. I guess I didn't like the LG all the way around and I just never knew it!

I would highly recommend the guys who install appliances for Lowe's out of Mt Vernon - very knowledgeable and after speaking with them I think part of the problem with the last fridge was the installation. For instance, did you know you are not supposed to level a fridge from front to back?? Only from side to side ~ because you want the doors higher so the weight of the stuff in the door helps to close it. The installer said that prolongs the life of your seal ~ which was one of our problems before! But, the yahoos from HH Gregg had the whole thing level. There were some other things as well, but I will settle for saying they were great and I was very pleased with their work and their knowledge. Also, we got a rebate which covered the cost of delivery and installation and $50 off the fridge because it was an energy seal appliance.

The kids brought me breakfast in bed this morn ~ which of course my awesom husband made ~ Eggs Benedict! YUM!!! it was wonderful! That is my traditional breakfast request on mothers day. Maggie and Liam had both made me lovely, sweet cards at school ~ Sam informed me tha my gift from him is...HIM. Nice, huh? He's a turd!

So, while I've been nesting and arranging in the kitchen, Jon went out to till the garden again.

Sam and Liam decided to throw for awhile and Maggie has been following me all over the place, just generally bugging!

Well ~ I love you all!! and to Mom and Anne and Tracy and Katie and Angie and eny other Mom who may ready this:

A Very Happy Mothers Day To You!!

RIP...Refrigerator In Pieces

Ya know...when it rains it pours. I've had a really thoughtful 24 hours. I started them out extremely disgruntled, in the throes of a serious pity party, let me tell you. I'm sure you can hear me railing at God..."first our car, then our jobs, now our fridge...aagghhh! Why is it always us????" After much prayer and some reference work (Bible) I'm doing ok now. I do know there are much worse things that could happen. My family is fine, healthy...my house is still standing...we are generally speaking a very happy family. So what if the fridge broke ~ it was a problem from day 1 anyway! A little more prayer at the start and we would probably have been steered clear of that one, but the fridge pre-dated my salvation, so...
Mind you...this new fridge we purchased this morning will be the 3rd we've owned since we moved into this house a scant 7 years ago!! This model was only about 5 1/2 yrs old ~ JUST outside the extended warranty we purchased for the daggum thing 5 yrs ago. Not that said warranty did us ANY good whatsoever. Two years after we bought the stupid thing HH Gregg sold their extended warranty division to GE...our fridge was a LG model. No one they dealt with could maintenance LG appliances, so to get it fixed we would have had to pay for a service call ourselves and request re-imbursement, which would be totally up to their discretion. They were only willing to re-imburse what they considered reasonable. So by the time we gave up and replaced the cursed thing here's a list of what was broken: ice maker (serviced 3 times and still broken!!), ice drawer, freezer handle, magnetic seal around the fridge and the condenser. Wow, huh? I guess the moral to this story is don't buy a LG refrigerator! Anyway, when the condenser went last night we threw our hands up in the air and Jon got online to start reviewing prices and consumer ratings, etc. Please pray with us that this appliance lasts quite awhile, as a general rule I do not believe a family should average a new fridge every 3 1/2 years!! Even if you do have kids getting into it all day!
Our biggest concern now is that the money we used for the fridge was part of the money we ad in savings allocated to our propane pre-buy in September. That moolah was already spoken for...so now, God will just have to make sure we have that taken care this winter! I'm sure He has it under control. And believe it or not, I DO understand that it's TRUE : What doesn't kill me makes me stronger! Every trial refines me...He has a point and it's a whole lot more important than a refrigerator...So "HERE I AM LORD, HAPPY IN MY TRIALS!" For your eternal glory ~ Amen!

I love you all!

A New Beginning...

Today, Jon and I went to Glass Garden Greenhouse and bought our produce for the summer. Well, a portion of it anyway! Right behnd the basement steps/entrance I have a little patch where I planted mint (apple and chocolate) and strawberries. honestly, the strawberries I just sort of threw in there...not knowing what ese to do with them at the time...strawberries appear to be very hardy and low maintenance! So, after we got home, I did some cleaning up in that bed and added my new herbs. I got oregano, chives and cilantro ~ and cleared enough space to add my lettuce (bibb & romaine) and spinach. The kids love when I grow salad greens. They just go out back and cut it and bring it in and eat it! Well, they always add dressing and cheese, but hey! It's vegetables at least! So, I use the mint primarily to flavor my iced tea ~ I'm excited about the new additions though. I have plans to make salsa and guacamole! MMMmmmm! For the garden, we purchased tomatoes (grape, roma, and beefsteak)...ahh...the best of intentions! The Roma are purely for canning, so hopefully, I'll actually DO IT this year! We also bought cucumbers, peppers (california wonder, mild banana and golden bell), broccolli and musk melon. The long range forecast looks real good as far as low temps go...so I think we may try to get it in this week!

Which will be a major undertaking for Jon!! Because this is what it looks like right now!!

All those little green "plants" are thistles :( ~ he sprayed it with weed killer this afternoon...it will probably have to be tilled at LEAST three times!! Oh well, as of this week...he has nothing but time! I will post pics when we have it all in! I love you all!!

Wish you could smell them!

Hello down there in NC! My Lilac is in it's full glory right now and I just had to share!
I wish you could smell them...you cannot walk out our door today without the scent of lilacs washing over you. One of the ...well, ok, the only thing I can currently think of that I love about Ohio in the spring. When I planted the lilac I carefully placed it behind my bedroom window, so I can smell it when I'm lying in bed. It's wonderful!!

This weekend Sam spent the night with Austin Saturday night and Mag's had her friend Darcie over. They giggled in bed until after midnight. This morning we took Darcie with us to church and got Sam from the LaFever's there. It was actually a fairly nice day, mostly cloudy, but no rain and 72. It's an inprovement, so I'll not complain. The weather has been so up and down lately that I seem to constantly have a headache though.

Jon and I are going to Glass Garden tomorrow to get our veggies. the plan is: grape tomatoes, several types of peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, spinach, broccolli and maybe brussell sprouts again for Liam. I want to but them before the nursery is cleaned out, but probably won't plant them until after next weekend. It's not quite safe here yet. My apple trees are dropping petals, so I plan to have Jon treat them this week too. This year is the first time we'll have ever treated them, so it's kind of an experiment...my red delicious has tons of blooms on it, so I'm hopeful to get a good crop at least from that tree. The Gala looks about like it always does, which isn't bad, but isn't bumper either. The 5-in-1 isn't flowering at all this year. It's only 3 years old and had a decent harvest last year, so I'm afraid I may have let it do too much too soon. Next year I'll have to feed them.We love and miss you all. Make sure you stop to smell the flowers!!

A Little Less Faith...

...and I'd be building a boat! Seriously, I know y'all are tired of hearing me bit*@ and moan about the rain (Jon sure is!). I just wanted to show you I'm not exagerrating! This pic is of the "pasture" next door. The neighbor has his cows fenced into this wooded area and I'm not real sure where the cows are right now...but they are NOT in the woods! I guess the silver lining would be that between the heat wave we had last weekend and the ridiculous amount of rain we've gotten this week the leaves have really burst out and some of my wildflowers are blooming. My favorite flower overall I have to say is the daylily...but

The wildflowers I've "pocketed" on our hiking trips in Wayne Natl Forest are definitely at the top of my list! I love this trillium...which is Ohio's State Wildflower.

The Jack in the Pulpit holds a special place in my heart as well. Both of them are so fleeting. Here and gone very quickly, but so showy and spectacular and special while they are with me!

This pic turned out great! I didn't even realize the bug was on there until I saw the picture!

We are unable to use our turn around in the driveway. Well, I guess we could use it, but we'd need a rowboat to get to the doors! LOL ~ it is currently STILL raining...I'll just hold out until tomorrow. According to Chris Bradley, there is only a 30% chance of rain then. I'm thinking he must be right...after all...God PROMISED ;)

I love you all!!