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Labels: Wordless Wednesday

Congrats to Kerri and Michelle! You are the winners of A Mother's Heart Knows. Please send your address to baseballsandbows@hotmail.com. I will send the book to you ASAP.

Happy Reading!

Labels: Books

On Friday evening, my Favorite Boy participated in the Kids' Music City Marathon. It was so much fun! For this event, the kids run 25 miles prior to the group race. On the night of the run, the kids (all 3,000 of them) complete the 26 miles by running their last mile around LP Field, home of the Titans. The kids even get to cross the same finish line as the "real" marathon runners.

My Favorite Boy's school had 135 participants, so he had plenty of buddies by his side. As a kindergartner, he only had to run 1/2 mile (grades 1-6 do the full mile). He sprinted the entire way. My husband, who ran with my Favorite Boy, kept saying, "Pace yourself!" But, my Favorite Boy was too excited to slow down. He said, "All those people cheering helped me to run the whole way!"

One of the highlights for my Favorite Boy was giving the Titans' head coach, Jeff Fisher, a high-five as he crossed the finish line. I didn't get a picture of that because of the crowd, but I wish I could have preserved his smile at that moment.

Here are a few pictures from the evening.

Waiting with Dad at the starting line...

My Best Girl didn't enjoy the wait too much. Thankfully, Papa was in town to help occupy her.

And they're off!

Proud of his medal...

We had such a great time! I am sure this will be an annual event for our family. (And, the running I did from the starting line to the finish line so that I could take my Favorite Boy's picture will be the only running near any kind of marathon course that I ever do!)

Labels: My Favorite Boy

Mother's Day is approaching quickly. If you are looking for a gift for a special mother in your life, be sure to check out A Mother's Heart Knows by Margaret McSweeney.

I hope that those of you who read my blog regularly know that I love being a mom. You also know that I enjoy photography. When I opened A Mother's Heart Knows, I knew I was going to enjoy it! It is a beautiful poem about a mother's love and understanding for her children, and it is filled with wonderful black-and-white photographs. This book is small, and it would be perfect for a coffee table or end table. It's message is one that rings true to all of us who are mothers.

As an added bonus, all royalty proceeds from this book go to WINGS (Women In Need Growing Stronger) and a scholarship fund. WINGS is a non-profit organization that provides a domestic violence shelter for women and their children in addition to transitional housing and programs.

If you know of a special mom who would appreciate this book, buy one today. Also, I have two copies to give away. Please leave a comment, and I will draw two winners on Tuesday, April 29th. You can also visit Margaret McSweeney's blog to win a copy of the book.

Have a great weekend!

Labels: Books

I am a Disney fanatic, but I haven't always been. I visited Disney World as an eight-year-old, as a teenager, and even as a married adult. Each trip was wonderful. I found the true magic, however, when I first travelled to Magic Kingdom with my Favorite Boy.

I always knew we would take our kids to Disney World, but I planned to do it when they were old enough to remember the trip. That changed when my husband informed me that he would be travelling to Orlando for a business trip, and he would be staying at the Dolphin Hotel in Walt Disney World. We had frequent flier tickets, the hotel would be paid for, and we could buy park tickets at a discount. As an added bonus, my Favorite Boy was only two, so he could enter the parks for free. How could we refuse?

I was really surprised how much a toddler could enjoy in the parks. Even with the temperatures in the upper 90s (July), my Favorite Boy loved every minute! From Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, to The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, to Goofy's Barnstormer, he had more fun than he could stand (he cried on the way home from the airport when he realized we were no longer at Disney World).

For me, the moment that sealed my love for all things Disney World came during our character meal at the Crystal Palace. When my Favorite Boy came face to face with Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, and Tigger, his face could barely contain his smile. Seeing my child so filled with joy was such a grand experience, and it made me feel like a kid again as well!

We repeated this experience last September, but this time my Best Girl was the two-year-old. Watching her interact with the princesses in amazement and wonder was so fun for me.


Since my first trip with kids (July 2004), Disney World has been mentioned in our home on an almost daily basis. Both of my kids regularly look at the pictures, talk about the rides, and reminisce about visiting with the characters. At least once a week, they ask "When are we going back?"

Will my kids remember the details of their first trips to Disney World? Probably not; but, I will. I will cherish those moments and remember when they first experienced Disney magic. And while they may not remember the specifics, Disney World will always hold a magical place in their hearts!

For more posts about the magic of Disney World, visit Jennifer at Snapshot.

Labels: Disney

Deidre tagged me for this meme. I have done it before, but because I have so many weird aspects to my personality, I have plenty to share!

1. I am extremely time conscious. Generally, I can tell what time it is within five minutes, even when I am not wearing a watch. I am very scheduled, and I really dislike being late.

2. Unless I fall asleep, I always stop reading at the end of a chapter. I don't like loose ends.

3. I often eat plain spaghetti noodles (cooked) with Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.

4. At night, I read. When my hubby is gone, however, I watch TV. Perhaps I like the noise; perhaps I like controlling the remote. :)

5. I have to eat something sweet after a meal. Always.

6. I am a plan-a-holic. If I don't have anything to plan for myself, I will plan for someone else. (I recently typed 12 pages of information for a friend who is taking a trip to Disney World). I think I have a sickness.

7. Speaking of Disney World, I am obsessed with it as well. I subscribe to a few Disney blogs, and I read the questions on the Disney Mom's Panel everyday just for fun. I think being a Disney Mom would be my dream job. I could be obsessed with Disney and plan trips for others at the same time! Since I am not one of the Disney Moms, I will be participating in Jennifer's Destination Disney Carnival. Be sure to check it out!

Now you know more random facts about me. I won't tag anyone, but let me know if you play along!

Labels: Fun

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Labels: My Best Girl, Wordless Wednesday

Congrats to Michelle! She is the winner of the Busy Mom's Devotional. Thanks to all of you who left comments! Michelle, please email your address to baseballsandbows@hotmail.com.

Labels: Books

Because it is baseball season, our family spends one night a week and part of every Saturday at the ballpark. Of course, my Favorite Boy is busy playing the game, and my hubby is helping out on the field. That leaves my Best Girl and me on the outside of the fence. I'm pretty sure her main goal is to keep me from watching the game. :)

Last year, as a two-year-old, she repeatedly tried to sneak into the field through the gate so she could see her daddy. Now, she finds new ways to get into trouble at each game. Last week, she tried this...


After I told her she couldn't climb the fence, my little drama queen looked like this...


But the pouting doesn't last long! She is quickly up and ready to find more trouble.


And, yes. She's wearing jelly shoes. Who would have thought that translucent plastic shoes would make a comeback! As we were looking for sandals last week, my Best Girl saw them and said, "Mom! Look at those beautiful shoes!" I couldn't help but smile and think of the jelly shoes I wore in the early 80s.

For now, her jelly shoes are getting quite a workout. Her feet rarely stop moving, and they are usually looking for mischief.

Have a great weekend!

Labels: My Best Girl

I have heard many times that a woman's work is never done. As a mom of two little ones, I would have to concur. Sometimes, amidst all the chaos, it is easy to let important things slide. I mentioned in January that I plan to spend more time this year studying the Bible in-depth. I am doing this, and I truly look forward to my Bible study time. Sometimes, however, it is also nice to have a quick devotional time to get me back on track and to help me refocus during the craziness of the day.

The Busy Mom's Devotional by Lisa Bergren is a great book to grab when you are feeling frazzled. Filled with 52 devotions inspired by Lisa's own experiences, this book is a wonderful resource when you need to center your thoughts on God.

Lisa suggests several ways to use this book, and I found the perfect use for myself. On many days, I am in the pick-up line at my son's school just long enough to read one section. By late afternoon, I am beginning to feel the wear and tear from the day, and this is a great way for me to refuel and concentrate on what really matters before the craziness begins again.

There are several features I appreciate in this book. First, the scripture is included for each devotion. You can easily carry the book with you and use it when you have a free moment. Additionally, you can spend 5-15 minutes on each section, depending on the amount of time you have and your needs that day. There is also room to write what you learn from each passage.

Making time for in-depth study should be a priority for every Christian, but books like this are a wonderful help when you feel you are burning the candle at both ends. Spending a few moments in God's word can help get you back on track during a busy day.

I know many of you are busy moms! If you would like to win a copy of this book, leave a comment. I will choose one winner on Monday, April 21st. You can also win a copy of the book by visiting Lisa's website and signing up for her newsletter.

Have a wonderful Thursday!

Labels: Books

Labels: My Favorite Boy, Wordless Wednesday

My Best Girl and I go to school on Fridays to eat lunch with our Favorite Boy. Last week, an adorable little boy sitting next to me said, "Can you spell car?" I told him that I could and spelled it for him.

He said, "Wow! How did you know that?" I smiled and whispered, "Guess what! I can spell a lot of words."

He responded very seriously, "Okay, spell the word I am thinking in my head."

Huh?

I told him that I couldn't spell it unless he told me the word, but he insisted that I try. So, I said, "Ummmm.....D-O-G?

He laughed and said, "You got it wrong! It was J-A-R!"

Oh, well. I claimed to be a good speller, not a mind-reader, right?

Labels: Small Talk

Congratulations to Karla and Carrie! You are the winners of the Generation NeXt Marriage and Parenting books. Please email your addresses to baseballsandbows@hotmail.com, and I will have the books sent to you.

Thanks to all who commented!

Labels: Books

Lesson Learned: It is not a good idea to try to stand on a basketball.

Labels: My Best Girl

My Favorite Boy finally kicked off his baseball season on Thursday night. It has rained so much lately, we wondered if the boys would ever play! The weather on Thursday evening cooperated, and the boys were very excited.

Of course, all the boys enjoy batting. My Favorite Boy is not hitting as hard as he did last fall, but considering the fact that they have only practiced three times, we were excited that he got three hits last night.

The highlight of the game for him was playing first base (they play different positions in each game). He made quite a few outs. I would love to show the pictures, but I can't get my paint program to work. His jersey doesn't say Favorite Boy, and I am not ready for him to go public. :)

After the game, the coach told him that he was an All-Star first baseman. This made his night.

My Favorite Boy is a lefty, so I guess it's good for him to dream of being a great first baseman. As a lefty, he will have to be a pitcher, first baseman, or outfielder.

In my son's age bracket, they don't keep score, but according to him, they "definitely won." We hope to head back to the ballpark tomorrow for game number 2!

Labels: My Favorite Boy

In the past year, I have read several fiction stories by Tricia Goyer. As I have mentioned before, historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and Tricia's World War II and Spanish Civil War series are wonderful. Because of this, I was excited to read Generation NeXt Marriage, a nonfiction book by Tricia.

Like many of you, I grew up in the 70s and 80s. While I was blessed to have parents committed to their marriage, many kids didn't. Divorce skyrocketed during this period of time, leaving many kids hurting and without models for how to live in a godly marriage.

In Generation NeXt Marriage, Tricia explores the effects that the changes in our culture have had on our marriages. She honestly incorporates her own personal history into the text, and she also includes many song lyrics you are sure to recognize. Tricia does not claim to be a marriage expert, but she does a wonderful job of discussing the challenges that exist within our marriages today. Certainly, marriage difficulties are not new to our generation, but understanding the outside influences that threaten our relationships can help us as we strive to succeed.

One of the chapters that stuck out in my mind was the chapter called "Sweet Child O' Mine" (can't you just picture Axel Rose swaying side-to-side while singing this song?). Children redefine marriage; I know they did mine! Today's families are much more child-centered than in the past. Because of this, the marital relationship often takes a backseat. Of course, this only serves to weaken the relationship that our children depend on the most. I know I often give all of my attention and time to my kids' needs, while neglecting my husband (and myself). Reading about the cultural shift in this area helped me to pay even closer attention to how I spend my time and energy.

Other topics in the book include balance, media matters, money matters, communication, etc... All are discussed in relation to our culture and also in relation to God's word. Unfortunately, there is usually quite a contrast between these two perspectives. If you are interested in reading this helpful book about marriage and the challenges that accompany it as a Generation Xer, please leave a comment. I have two copies of this book to give away, plus you will also win a copy of Tricia's Generation NeXt Parenting book. I will draw two names on Monday, April 14th.

Tricia is also having a contest. Visit this site to find out how you can win $50 to spend at the restaurant of your choice! Happy Reading!

Labels: Books

For the past three years, my hubby, my Favorite Boy and I have filled out brackets for the NCAA tournament. Each year, at ages 4, 5, and 6, my Favorite Boy has won. It's not really too difficult to beat me. I pick winners based on who I like and which school's colors are best (as crazy as this is, I have come in second place some years). My hubby, however, picks teams based on actual knowledge. In spite of this, my Favorite Boy has beaten his dad three years in a row, and his six-year-old chest is mighty puffed up and proud.

My Favorite Boy was already winning the contest as we entered the final rounds. At that point, my hubby and I had no hope because my Favorite Boy chose UNC, Memphis, Kansas, and UCLA to go to the final four (all correct); Kansas and Memphis to play in the championship game (correct); and Kansas to win (right again).

As the prize in our NCAA bracket contest, the winner chooses a restaurant, and we all go eat together. This year, my Favorite Boy picked Cici's Pizza (again). We'll be heading there this week. Next year, I think we'll just send him to Vegas. :)

Labels: My Favorite Boy

Saturday was supposed to be Opening Day for my Favorite Boy's baseball season. Unfortunately, his last two practices, his Opening Day ceremonies, and his opening game were cancelled due to rain. We have had a lot of rain lately. After last year's drought, we are grateful for the rain, but I know the boys will be thankful if the rain stays away for their next game on Thursday evening.

Other than the benefits of the rain to our environment, the rain also spared me from having to deal with this jersey for a little while longer.


I don't know who decided it would be a good idea to give a bunch of six-year-old boys white jerseys. I will speculate that the person who made this decision did not consider that young boys slide in the dirt whether it is necessary or not, and this person is not married to one of the women who will be trying to get the white shirts clean after every game. That's just a guess. :)

Golden Corral is our sponsor, but the team is the Cardinals. Hopefully, the season will start Thursday. Go Cards!

Labels: My Favorite Boy

Can you believe that one-fourth of 2008 is gone? It seems that time moves more and more quickly each year. Because we have finished the first quarter of this year, I am revisiting the goals I made at the beginning of January.

I am happy to report that I made progress in most areas. However, I am not where I should be. Here's the rundown.

1. Start an in-depth Bible study course. I am studying Ephesians using a Precept Upon Precept course. The lessons are in-depth, and I have learned a lot as I dig deeply into God's word. The courses require 5 hours of study for each lesson (each lesson includes 5 days). I have not always completed each week on time, but I am studying the lessons on most days. Sometimes I have to break lessons into parts rather than spending an entire 45-60 minutes on one lesson. When I finish Ephesians, I plan to start another Precept course.

2. Begin a monthly class with the teen-aged girls from church. I am happy to report that I have met with our high school girls from church for two classes (along with a few other ladies). Our class is going very well, and I am looking forward to our studies in the months to come.

3. Develop a better family Bible study time. Our family Bible study time was great in the month of January. All our Bible lessons centered around kindness. In February, I planned to cover another fruit of the Spirit, but I let those lessons slide. When I got busy, I didn't spend the time preparing the lessons like I should. So, we are beginning to study the Bible chronologically again using a children's Bible divided into 365 sections. We are also learning Bible verse songs to go with each letter of the alphabet. Both my kids are really enjoying this.

4. Stick with my cleaning plan. FAILURE. My house is not horrible, but I have not stuck with my plan as I should. I am going to get back to business in this area this weekend.

5. Catch-up with my scrapbooking. I am not as caught up with my scrapbooking as I would like, but I have made progress. My goal is to never be more than a year behind, and I am meeting this goal right now.

6. Lose 10-15 pounds. I have not lost 10-15 as I hoped, but I have lost 5. I will keep working on the rest (please ignore the M&Ms I am eating as I type this)!

I guess you can say that I am not where I wanted to be, but I am pressing on towards the goal! I hope you are working toward meeting your goals as well. Have a great weekend!

Labels: Life Lessons

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Labels: My Best Girl, Wordless Wednesday

Last week, Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer wrote about her 12-year-old son being invited to a co-ed slumber party. I was so glad to see that Shannon and the majority of her commenters thought this was INSANE.

At the same time, I was reading Grace in Thine Eyes, a novel by Liz Curtis Higgs set in Scotland in 1808. During this period, all unmarried lads and lassies had to be chaperoned at all times. They could not be alone, ever.

I have a feeling I am not the only mom who wouldn't mind a revival of this system by the time my kids are teenagers.

Alas, I fear this will not happen. So, it is up to my hubby and me to equip our children to face temptations (and to help them avoid temptations by responding "when pigs fly" as Shannon did if they ask to attend a co-ed slumber party). With this in mind, I would like to recommend two books.

And the Bride Wore White and Secret Keeper are books by Dannah Gresh. And the Bride Wore White was written to encourage young ladies to protect their own purity; Secret Keeper encourages girls to consider the way their attire affects their own purity as well as the purity of the males around them. These books are excellent.

There is a also book for boys called Who Moved the Goalpost. It was written by Bob Gresh, Dannah's husband. I have not read it, but if it is similar to Dannah's book, I am sure it is wonderful as well.

I will be working on a "Never Be Alone...Be Chaperoned!" movement, but just in case that doesn't catch on, be sure to check out these great resources!

Labels: Books, Life Lessons