Baseball

Every summer the Residents at Arkansas Children's Hospital have a night out with the Travelers. We have a catered BBQ and get to watch the game. The kids love it, because we get a whole section to ourselves and they can wonder up and down and eat as much food...mostly popcorn and pop...as they want.

These three do more people watching and doctor hob-nobbing than game watching.

It's always fun when we can get out and do things as a family. And with Aaron's schedule lighter these days we can do more of it.

Our Dad's the Greatest Guy

Happy Father's Day

Halle is missing from this pictures. It's really hard to get the 2 year to cooperate for a picture.

Aaron opening and putting together his Father's Day present...a new office chair...much needed.

Everyone (minus a stubborn 2 year old) sitting with their favorite dad in his new comfy chair.
Now she smiles.
Testing it out. It works.

We are grateful for Aaron. He is a great dad! He's patient, loving, level headed, ambitious, dedicated, hard working, funny, witty, smart...and much more. All great traits he's passing on to our kids. We love him!

DIVA...

...she is in every sense of the word.

sometimes it's fun...sometimes it's not.

Bring it On!

Caite and our friend Marrin after warm-up

Isaac and Caite had their first Swim Meet of the season yesterday. When I asked Isaac if he was ready to swim the 50 now instead of the 25 he responded, "Bring it on!" He did great! He swam freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, and relay. He opted out of the IM this time, but will do it next week for sure. One of his best buddies, Caden, is on the team. It gives them a little friendly competition. It's fun because one week Caden beats Isaac and the next Isaac will beat Caden. They are pretty even in their skill.

Isaac (lane 5) and Caden (lane 6) ready for freestyle

Caden won this one, but Isaac swam well. He was happy with his time. They both set personal best records.

Backstroke..Isaac bearly ahead (he's the one closest to the bottom of the pic)

Isaac finishing backstroke...not another soul around...for a few seconds.

Caite was excited to do kick board. I'm glad they have that as an option for the little ones. It gives these little ones confidence and gets them ready to freestyle by the end of the season. At the beginning of practice season Caite asked if she could get a team suit. I told her when she could freestyle the whole 25 yards with using her side breathing then I would get her one. It only took a few weeks. Friday at practice she did it. After, she came up and said, "I did it! I get a suit now!" Yep. So now I need to fork over a small lump of cash and order her team suit.

Caite smiling...ready to kick hard.

Caite is the one with her head done at the top in 2nd place.

Caite and Shelby congratulating each other after kickboard.

Projects

It seems like I always have a sewing project going on. My friend Kathie (a.k.a. Master Quilter) convinced me that I can machine quilt. So I tried it! My friend Amy is having a baby in a few days, so I thought it would be fun to start with a baby quilt. I fell completely in love with this floral fabric...NOT AT ALL BABY...but TOTALLY AMY. The lady at the fabric store asked what I was making, when I told her a baby quilt, she gave me a terrible are-you-crazy-this-is-not-a-baby-quilt kind of look. I don't think she liked it, but I'm still in love with it. I must say, I'm pretty proud. I kept it very simple due to the loud print. Now the problem...we don't know if Amy is having a girl! If it's a boy, I'm in trouble.
Next project: Since my same friend Amy is having a new baby, they have to move their 17 month old, Aiden, (the little guy I babysit) into a big boy room. He is OBSESSED with cars and wheels, and horns. So they thought the best way for him to LOVE his new room would be to do it in CARS. They bought Aiden a toddler race car bed and I'm making the bedding and curtains. It's turning out really cute. When all is said and done I will have to take pictures of his room. I think he's going to LOVE it!

Explosion

My hydrangeas have completely exploded! I love them.

I Want a Bad Hair Day

At some point, in some way we are all affected by cancer. Whether it's ourselves, a family member, a friend, or neighbor. Cancer has no boundaries. For me it was a friend. I got a call about a year ago from one of my best friends. She wanted to talk to Aaron which surprised me. Her baby (7 months) had an unusual rash on her legs. Her question was, should I take her to the doctor before we leave on our family trip. Yes. Then we got a call a few hours later saying, "they are sending me to the hospital for a blood work up." That was a Friday afternoon. By Saturday she was diagnosed with leukemia and by Sunday she had a central line put in and her first round of chemo started.

A life changing weekend indeed. Since then they have been in and out of the hospital for treatments. Life has been rough trying to juggle a sick baby in the hospital and the older 3 kids at home. They have needed and received a lot of help from family, friends, and Church members. None the less it's hard...really hard! It's hard for me to watch it from the outside. I don't live in the same state, so I can't watch her kids or clean her house or take her dinners. But, I can pray for them daily and call regularly.

She started a leukemia awareness day. She had orange (the official color of leukemia fighters) t-shirts made that say, "I want a bad hair day, I support a leukemia fighter". The idea is for everyone to wear their shirts on Monday. The idea has gone far. She now has a web site with the logo on a number of different items. She does not just cater to leukemia fighters, but to all cancer fighter. A portion of the yearly proceeds will go directly to a leukemia fighter to help pay hospital bills. Even with insurance, cancer is expensive.

So go to the site and show your support to a cancer fighter! I Want A Bad Hair Day it's still a work in progress, but you will get the idea and be able to order.

I love my friend and her little leukemia fighter!