happy tears...

The other day Micah did something sweet and I started to cry. He asked me why I was crying and I could tell he was a little concerned that he'd done something bad. I tried to explain that I was crying "happy tears" and that unfortunately for him this would probably happen alot. That sometimes momma just got so happy or proud of something he would do or had done that I would burst with tears...but they'd be ones because I was happy. Wasn't sure if he got it or not but twice this week he has responded in a way that I know he gets me. On the way to the ballfield I told him that I hoped Daddy won...to which he said "then you'll cry happy tears??" Then the other time he was singing Jesus loves me to Sadie Jane in the car and I asked him what he was making me do and he said "I'm making you cry happy tears!" Love that boy!

Favorite Things!

Usually after Micah's birthday I make a few pictures of some of his top gifts. But this year he has seriously loved everything he got. The Monday after his party we stayed home and he just played for hours with each new thing. He got some great books that we are using to start "school" with...he got a Noah's Ark that we've used over and over already...he got clothes and he's worn them ALL...bubbles, boy got lots...games that we've all enjoyed...gardening tools that he's gardened with and SayJ has almost poked her eye out with...I could go on and on. But if I had to pick a favorite these roller skates have definitely earned the most laughs. Micah decks himself out and goes for it over and over. It is hilarious to watch him bust it! He wanted to wear them to dinner that night but I decided that would not be a good idea. Thanks to everyone who made his birthday special (please forgive me if your gift wasn't listed specifically:))

Fun times at the Ballpark!

Twins...a few years apart.

Charlee Ray's baby pictures look ALOT like SayJ.

Love those pigtails.

Bubba wanted a turn...

only because Charlee had done it.

Somebody was hungry.

We had alot of fair weather fans come out since we had gotten to the elite eight. We were grateful for all of the support, but they really cramped my style of where we like to sit and play,etc. The Eidson's came out and I got some pictures of the kiddos. Somehow I didn't get Bay in these, she was on the softball field playing. As I said before the boys lost in a heartbreaker earlier this week. They only lost by two runs and played great. They definitely could have beaten them except for a few errors. High school baseball is super intense. I can only imagine what it will be like if Micah plays. Grown boys crying and hugging really gets to me. Especially this group. While there were quite a few hard moments these boys do such a great job including Micah and this year was the first year that he really felt like part of the team. After every game Micah waits at the fence til the game is over and then runs onto the field to shake hands and pray with the boys. He constantly asks" is it time to pray yet?" Then after that if we play at home Micah knows he gets a ride on the gator...his most favorite part of the ballfield. That and his favorite Martin. Who will be graduating this year. Sad. Mick had a great year and set lots of records. He took the loss even better than I did I think:) He actually wrote an article about his year that was in the paper...if I can find it I want to post that. Thanks to all our Panther fans and to some great young men and coaches!!

Falling Apart...

in more ways than one. So my posts have been upbeat for a while now so bypass this one if you are looking for a dose of sunshine. Cause I got none today...just teasing, lots of things are sunshine to me and Jesus has blessed me much but I need a moment to vent.

The boys lost last night. They finished in the top eight in the state and did awesome! We are so proud...more on that later. As the game finished we were sad but the boys did a good job so there were lots of hugs and tears. Then as Mick was bringing Micah to the car one of the moms just started screaming at him saying all sorts of hurtfull things. Completely out of character and I completely fell apart. As I sat there trying to load my babies in the car after what felt like the umpteenth ball game and then they just had a heartbreaking loss...as always I am most critical of Mick but he has done nothing but pour himself into this team especially and I am sure he has made some mistakes. BUT you do not attack someone holding their child nor do you do it the way it was done. I did not want to intensify the situation so I did what any mature adult would do...handed Sadie Jane to a nearby mom and went in the dugout and cried. I thought that was better than Micah not only watching someone yell at his Daddy but then his Mommy yelling at that person. I am still upset about it because I can not understand how any person could think Mick doesn't care about their kids. And I guess it really gets me when all I want to scream is, "he spends more time with your son than he does his own, and then you are going to say such ugly things!!" As always I just want to remind myself and you to give people the benefit of the doubt and try to gain perspective before you confront someone and say ugly things. I am still incredibly hurt and it wasn't even directed at me, but since it was at Mick it kind of was...but I try to stay out of that thing because I feel that for the most part that is better for my babies. We'll see if I can pray about it and let it go...I know that is what God wants me to do.

Micah woke up in an awful mood and pitched a horrible fit because he didn't want his Daddy to leave again. Heartbreaking and beyond frustrating at the same time. We managed to calm down and get him to school. After I dropped him off I decided to go to the doctor because...

I woke up this morning feeling awful, had been feeling not right and am having some health issues(already spent yesterday at the girl doctor)...but this was on top of all that... sore throat thing. Headed to the doc in the box (which I highly recommend for Mommas with babies and no one to keep them because it is so quick and easy) Did a rapid strep test and sure enough, strep for me.

Sadie Jane had been runny nosed all week, but due to ball hadn't been to the doctor so we headed there next. Negative for strep for her right now, but I am hoping she stays well...although the nice Momma who let her drink after me last night is wandering if the longer strep test will show otherwise.

Now to pick up Micah. I'll just have to hurdle the dishes, the laundry and the toys that look like an explosion went off in my house to get out the front door. Like I said we are falling apart.

Last, depressing paragraph is my sister is getting some test results back from a procedure she had and she meets with her attorney tomorrow. I would say things couldn't get worse, but I am afraid of what will happen with those two things.

Now Mom, before you go worrying, I know we are all going to be fine and God is still good and on His throne. None of this is a surprise to Him AND none of these things are really huge in light of eternity but nonetheless it is where we are...wouldn't want to put on a mask and pretend we've got it all together now would we?

Hopefully this makes each of you feel better about yourselves:) Just teasing...Debbie Downer is through writing this post...Stephanie will return later today after she gets some rest.

Pray for us and I'll pray for you!

Micah's Rockin' Birthday!

Our littlest Rock Star!

She kept biting her lip...you'll see it in every picture from today almost.

I got little guitars for each kiddo to decorate...but they only worked with permanent markers...which is shy Jaxson had to go shirtless not to mess it up:)

Rhett, asking Sadie Jane what was on her head!

Karaoke, courtesy of Aunt Wendy...Micah wanted to sing only for her though!

The Rockin' Birthday Boy! Notice the new do!

Blowing out the candles...I didn't realize my camera was on superzoom and it was too late to fix it!

Buddies, Micah, Jaxson, and the new boy in Taron's belly!!

Grandmother and Aunt Dot! May birthday girls too!

SayJ with her Jenny!

Me and my girl!

Trying to get a family picture...

...why is Mick hiding??

Swinging..with Aunt Amy and Sarah.

Brittany (Rhett's Momma) and me...she put purple in my hair this week!!!

Trying to get Rhett and SayJ... not exactly sitting like a lady my girl!

Looking up!

Opening presents...nice mohawk shot!

Oh Haydee!

Charlee Ray and Bay!

Big wheel from the Eidson's!

Uncle Mickey, always the funny Uncle!

Cousins...so cute.

More cousins...

all for Nana...

and Jenny.

Micah took this one. Nice Budda. Nice.

Chillin' with Aunt Amy.

Jake waiting on Micah...patiently to get off the big wheel.

Kristen and I

our boys picture...Hayden is filling in for a very ornery Micah.

Today we had Micah's Rock Star Birthday Bash. I am so thankful to the Lord that the rain held off. It had been saying rain all day and it rained last year for his party. But it turned out beautiful and I think it was a success. (still working on that insecurity stuff.) Micah was in an awful mood and had meltdown after meltdown but other than that I think it was fun. I got little guitars that the kids decorated and we had karaoke but like last year it just went by really fast for me. I think it is more fun to go to birthday parties than to have them. Since I like to have a conversation with everyone that is there and it just isn't possible. We have some great family and friends and we had a packed house, my only hard part was that I couldn't talk to them all and take pictures and cut the cake and hold Micah during a meltdown and hold SayJ. Thankfully lots of my friends did these things for me so I could do the other things...and of course Nana, Jenny and Mick. My Grandmama got to come and she hasn't been here in forever! Thanks to everyone for making it so special for us and Micah. I am also mad that I didn't get every kiddos picture...the smaller ones were harder to catch...but for Micah's scrapbook here is the list: Micah, Hayden, Sadie Jane, Bay, Charlee Ray, Rex, Rhett, Madison, Makayla, Paxton, Jaxson, Haley, and Jake. I think that is all.

You're Gonna Miss This...

Huggin' Daddy after the game...

Sitting pretty on the ballfield patiently waiting for Daddy to finish talking to reporters.

Micah with Mick while talking to reporters...he kept saying "Daddy, please STOP talking!"

Coming off the field! Go Panthers!

Real Men pray after they win...(or lose:))

Hot. Hot. Hot.

Cheering for the boys!

That song kept going through my head as I headed to Augusta Wednesday with both kids on my own. It was a challenge, but we did it, and even though as I lay in bed nursing Sadie Jane to sleep at 1130 after two very long ballgames and one even longer ride to the hotel I battled between wondering why in the world I didn't stay at home in our nice little routine...and the fact that we got to be apart of Daddy's success. As the night wore on with Mick's snoring and Micah talking and SayJ pooting..I knew even though I'd be tired I am so gonna miss these days that we make it work for our family to be together even if the cost is some cranky babies. It isn't for everyone this life we live, but it feels blessed to us. Mick's boys pulled out a win in the third game on Thursday and are now in the Elite Eight in the state! I am so proud for them and Mick. If you remember, this hasn't been the easiest year for Mick as a Coach or for our family, but when you face struggles you often get to see your progress and impact a little more clearly and that is surely the case with this crew. So the boys play at home next Tuesday and possibly Wednesday...if you are in Douglasville you should definitely come help me, I mean watch the game:)