What a Weekend

Well, our weekend started bright early with a trip to the ballfield for opening day cerimonies. It was freezing, but at least it wasn't raining. The kids had a great time although were very disappointed when they were told that ALL games had been cancelled for the day. This is a picture of the Sharks announcement and entrance onto the field. The picture came from the Auburn Reporter photographer that was there. Do you think Matthew is having fun?

It was cold, but it was fun. Because there were no games, Sharlene and I were able to catch Cassy's soccer game. That was cold too. Then Saturday night we meet up with Jay & Jenel, Larry & Coleen, Kelly & Susan, Tony & Sue, Brent & Kristi and Coleen's Teaching Partner Kath at the Milton Tavern. Kath is Australian and here for a year. Um, over over indulged, had a great time and spent all of Sunday with my butt firmly attached to the couch with a hell of a hang-over. Sunday wasn't so fun. Anyway, that was our weekend. Talk to ya soon

Some Pictures from Easter

24 hours and counting

Ok, so I can see my lovely wife getting ready to just roll her eyes.

At the moment I am typing this, we have exactly 24.5 hours until the start of Opening Day cerimonies. Which means what?!?!?!?!?!?!? IT'S TIME FOR BASEBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My team has been practicing rain, snow, shine in preperation for what is shaping up to be the best season so far. Ok, so it's only our second season. :-) Our first game is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, 2pm at GSA Field #1, that's right, a REAL ballfield with stands and dirt and everything. In fact, over half our games will be played on real ball fields this season. I think I'm more excited than the kids are. :-) Ok, so a quick update, my player that has taken a few hard shots has not been back at practice. His Dad says he's sick, hmmmmmm................ Anyway, hope everyone can make it out to a game or two.

Alright, now it's time to get back to that thing we all call work.

Are you Happy NOW Jenel? :-)

Welcome to Monday

I started the below and couldn't get around to posting because of that terrible thing we all call WORK. Dang work, keeps getting in the way of personnal life.


Well the weekend is over and now we start another amazing week. So it was a Matthew weekend, Team pictures and Easter. Talk about one busy weekend!!!!! Matthew and Sharlene developed a list of everything we had to do. He was so funny. "we can't do that Daddy, it's not on the list" So Saturday started bright and early 7:30am, I know, 7:30 isn't that bright and early. Let me tell you, on a weekend, that pretty dang early for me. :-) We are supposed to be at the ballpark for pictures by 10:15am. I need to get my hairs cut, Matthew needs to be fed, we have b-day party to go to later in the day and Easter is sunday which means baking and smoking. So by the time we get out the door, it's about 9:45am. Get to the barbershop by 9:50. Keep in mind that Crystal is in South Auburn and Pictures are in North Auburn. Sharlene asks me, "Are you going to have time" "Yep" I said. Should listened to my Wife. By 10:15 I was back in the car and we were on our way. Remember, my players were instructed to be there not later than 10:15 and here their coach is running late. :-) I set the expecatation that they need to be on time to games, practices and meetings. Sharlene says I need to give the parents all a free pass, since I was late. Think I'll listen to her this time. :-) So pictures went off without incident and we were off to complete a stop at Mom & Dad's, then to Winco, then Sam's club & Wal-Mart then home. While Matthew and Sharlene stayed home I went to a Little League meeting at GSA. Back home by 2:45 then off to a birthday party for one of my coaches. Home by 7:30 I think. And that was just Saturday.

Sunday was easter and another day of go go go go go. Oh, I have to tell you this. So Sharlene was up at O dark 30 to go to sunrise service and so she and I could hide eggs. We got most of them hidden when I was going to hide some in Matthew's room when I noticed he was sitting up in bed, wide awake. I snuck back to bed and Sharlene went in to get Matthew so he could come and climbed in bed with me. Needless to say, he didn't go back to sleep and just talked to me. Sharlene left for a bit, turns out she just ended up going to the store. Well Matthew is jabbering and didn't hear her come home. Next we hear water running and dishes moving. Matthew gets that excited tone in his voice "Daddy, Daddy, the Easter Bunny is still here." "Daddy, the Easter Bunny is doing dishes for us" "Can I go out and see him". I told him no, I know, I'm a mean daddy. So anyway, Matthew is just freaking out because the Easter Bunny is in our Apartment doing our dishes. So he turns to me and tells me to go out and tell him to leave so that he can go look for his Easter eggs. "what if I scare him away" "you won't Daddy, you talked to Santa Clause before and didn't scare him away" How can you argue with logic like that? It was precious. Ok, I'm closing this one out and starting a new one. Thanks for reading.

Not Again

Ok, so practice last night, I had all my players in the outfield and Coach Brian was hitting grounders and pop flys while I was working with the players defensively. Accidentally, he hits a line drive right at Isaiah. He sees it coming and try's to twist out of the way. Not reacting quickly enough BAM, hits him in the right shoulder. Can you believe it, two practices in a row. I talked to his dad this morning and he's fine, a little sore, but fine.

Matthew has discovered that he LOVES playing catcher. He didn't want to bat, he didn't want to field, he just wanted to play catcher the whole time. He even caught the ball a few times, I was very impressed and pleased with his performance. The first time he actually caught the ball, he quickly looked to the ground to see where the ball was, then he realized it was in his mit. You woulda thought he hit a grand slam by the smile on his face. He also took a couple hard shots, but shook them off like a ball player.

I was telling Sharlene last night how proud of him I am. Unlike last season, he is listening to me and doing what I ask. I think / hope he's finally able to differentiate between Daddy and Coach. When he caught that first ball and looked at me, I was Daddy. He's growing up so fast and turning into a little man.

Finally

After years of watching my sister do this, I thought that maybe it was time I unleashed my family onto the net. :-) Not really sure how you're supposed to do this, so any feedback is greatly appreciated.

We're coming to the end of March and Little League is in full swing. We're a few days away from Picture day and a little over a week from the start of regular season play. Matthew has moved up from T-Ball to Machine pitch this year and seems to enjoy it. Let me tell you that brings in another whole set of challenges. He'll do just fine though. On top of coaching the SHARKS this year, I'm also the Divisional Director for the next division up. Figured I should know how that works before Matthew get's there. I've really taken to this whole coaching thing and am loving it. As pictures come in I will post them.

Now, to catch up a little. Sharlene and I have now been married for almost a year and a half. If you can believe it, she hasn't tried to kill me yet (atleast not that I'm aware of j/k). It has been and she is the best. Her family is so wonderful, and I appreciate them sooo very much. One of the things that I appreciate the most is that they ALL have accepted and love Matthew as if he was "Blood" :-) Mom (sharlene's) has attended everything for Matthew that we've told her about including his Christmas program. Larry has even made it out to Matthew's baseball games. Thank you everyone it means more to me than anyone could know.

So Life is good, I'll post later