Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Flag Football

Let the games begin! The boys' season started Saturday with simultaneous games! It was kind of disappointing, especially since it was Hutch's first game EVER, and I didn't feel like I could support him as much as I would have liked to, since we had to sit facing both games, and had to pay attention to two games at once! ): (Haydn, too, for that matter!)
John also got called out *right* before they started, so he missed their first games. BUT!! enough about the negatives, right?! Let's move on to the good stuff!
Haydn is playing in the 7-12 league. He had a great time out there! This is a big step up for him, and he hung right in there with the big guys, getting flags and gaining a few yards! (:

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Hutch did a great job, too! He is playing in the 4-6 league. He is such a little guy on the field! He was very brave and did a great job running the ball, and sticking with the game-paying attention the whole time!
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I just love to watch my boys play sports! They do such a wonderful job, have fun, and I love it that they always try their hardest. That's what we *always* stress to the boys in sports. I ask them after the game, "Did you have fun? Did you try your hardest? Then that's all that matters!"
My mom grabbed my camera, and snuck a picture of us right after the game.
I love this picture! It's so "my life"!

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Monday, September 28, 2009

Happy Birthday, John!

Today is John's 32nd Birthday! He has the day off, which I think is a very nice thing that St. Rita's does!
He is such a great guy, but an especially excellent husband and father!
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Friday, September 25, 2009

Philippians 2:3-4

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Football for Haydn


Haydn is playing football this year, also. He moved up to the next division! I was looking back through photos, and realized that this is his fourth year playing. Wow! Here are some pictures I found of his first game. He is so little! The first one is before it started. Elliott was on his team (on the right), and Eric and John coached (Eric in background)

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He ran the ball the first game, and then was afraid to. He was scared of the "bad guys" chasing him. (too much Scooby Doo?!!) He begged John enough to PLEASE not make him run the ball, that John threw his hands up and said, okay. (He didn't want to scar the kid for life!) Haydn became a pro on "blocking" that year!!

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The last game, Eric decided to trick Haydn into running the ball (I know..right?!) Elliott was the quarterback, and he was instructed to hand the ball to Haydn. When the play started, Elliott handed the ball to Haydn and Eric said, "run!" Haydn ran soooo fast down the field, and got a touchdown. Since then, he loves it!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Hutch's First Flag Football Practice!

Hutch had his first practice last night. He is sooo little out there!
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He did a great job listening, and tried really hard! He has his first game on Saturday.
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Go little Buddy!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Pre-Church Fun!

On Sunday, the boys were completely ready to walk out the door, so they wanted to go out front and play with their remote control car. We only had a few things to finish up in the house before we all left for church, so I let them. Evidentally I took a little longer than I realized, because when I walked outside, *this* is what they were doing! Yes. That is my parchment paper...

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Monday, September 21, 2009

This Made My Day...


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A sweet friend, Kathy, surprised me with flowers this morning! Thank you! It brightened my day!
How can you brighten someone's day?!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Thursday, September 17, 2009

A Reminder in The Sky

We were in our backyard so the kids could ride Babe, when I looked up at the beautiful sky. I realized that there was only one cloud! How cool! My heart skipped a beat when I looked at the cloud, and it was shaped just like a sideway heart! I think this was God reminding me that HE is in control of my life and He loves me! I ran inside and grabbed my camera and snapped a picture. As soon as I was finished, John said, "Look. It's gone!" It had faded away and was just another cloud. What a neat moment! Oh how I needed it tonight. Thank You, God.
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Those eyes...

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Wednesday, September 16, 2009

John's New "Toy"!

We got a new lawnmower, and John loves it! (Well, I do too, but not nearly as much as John does) Obviously, the kids do, too. Everyone is happy! (:
Now we can mow that beautiful new grass of ours!

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Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Cub Scouts!

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Meet Tiger Cub Haydn. Following in his father's footsteps, he has decided to pursue the wonderful world of Boy Scouts! His deep love for all things outdoors and passion for learning will aide him in becoming a stellar Cub Scout. Congratulations, Haydn. Make us proud!

Monday, September 14, 2009

St. Rita's Picnic

We had so much fun at St. Rita's Annual Picnic! They rent out the Allen County Fairgrounds, and put on quite the carnival!!! For $10, you get "free" everything! The kids' favorites were the eurobounce trampoline (which we waited in line about an hour and a half for, but Totally worth it, right?!), unlimited cotton candy, popcorn, rides and games. The adults' favorites were a Chicken Dinner catered by Lock 16, unlimited Lemon Shake-ups (which I'll just tell you that we took full advantage of!), and the whole "everything is free" atmosphere, all trumped by spending a fun day with our little sweeties, enjoying the gorgeous weather! It is so satisfying to see them having fun!
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Saturday, September 12, 2009

Deer


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We were on our way home from Lima tonight and we saw two deer. We stopped right next to them and watched them for a long time. They didnt' seem to be scared of us! I grabbed my camera and snapped away (of course!). When I was editing the pictures, I thought of the verse in Psalm comparing the author's spiritual thirst for God to the deer's thirst for water.

I also thought of the song, "As The Deer"

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after thee
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship thee

Chorus
You alone are my strength my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship thee

You're my friend and You are my brother,
Even though you are a king.
I love you more than any other,
So much more than anything.

I want You more than gold or silver,
Only You can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy Giver,
And the apple of my eye.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Here Fishy Fishy Fishy!

One of my *favorite* things about the County Fair is the opportunity to win goldfish! I mean, we've got a lot of life lessons to learn here! Victory. Ownership. Responsibility. Life&Death. All wrapped up into one little fish in a baggie!

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Our boys won three this year. So, off we went to Wal*Mart to buy all the paraphanelia that goes along with the little guys. The boys were so excited! So far, we've got one left! Hang in there, little buddy!!!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Hutch's First Day of Preschool

Hutch finally started Preschool today. Haydn started like three weeks ago, and Hutch has been counting down the days! Lots of them! He has the same teacher he had last year, so he wasn't overly nervous about going. The only uneasiness was when he realized that it would be a different group of kids. He thought he was going back to his "old friends". Nope. He gets to make new friends! He's okay with that, too.
This is the signature Hutch look. He made the same face for his newborn pictures in the hospital! Oh, how I love that little face(:
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His fake smile. Gotta love it!
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He was so excited to go, and very brave.
When I took him into school, he hugged me and said, "Mom. I will miss you when I am at Preschool." Awww. I missed you too, Little Guy!
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Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Monday, September 7, 2009

Fair Photography

I just had to share my surprise/giddiness on winning my first photography awards in the first contest I've entered! I entered pictures into the Van Wert County Fair this year. My goal was to place in one category. I was very pleasantly surprised when I won Best of Show in the Color Category! Wow! Here are the photos I won with:

Category: Time Stands Still 1st Place/Best of Show
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Category: Purple Haze 1st Place
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Category: Purple Haze (B&W) 2nd Place
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Category: One is the Loneliest Number 3rd Place
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Sunday, September 6, 2009

Barn

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Just a cool old barn I found on the way home from Hutch's Preschool Physical @ The doctor's office.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Exciting Things!

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It's not necessary to go far and wide. I mean, you can really find exciting and inspiring things within your hometown. ~Darryl Hannah

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

County Fair

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The Van Wert County Fair is here! We went last night, rode rides, gave Gwyneth her first cotton candy, did a preliminary sweep of the animals, got faces painted, and said "Hi!" to about a million people that we haven't seen in probably a year! {sigh} The fair. I love it!
See ya' there!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

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Fun with Gemstones!

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My boys love rocks. You probably know this by now, but I thought I'd let you know, just in case! Haydn got a rock tumbler for Christmas one year and he likes to tumble them. Daddy helped him make some jewelry with some of the beautiful gems!