Put me in Coach

The season is officially beginning tomorrow. This is the most important time of the year- a preview to the world series. Our co-rec softball team officially opens up tomorrow evening for an 8:15 double header. Since we are now seasoned players in this league, we decided that our team name must change. Our new official name is "SCARED HITLESS." If you just gasped a little, it is ok, I had the same first reaction. I am not really sure at the reasoning behind the name except that it is funny- especially when you realize it is a bunch of church folk that will be on the field with that name. Let's just hope that our name doesn't determine the success of our bats this season. I am sure that the blogs to follow will update you on the success of the team.
Last year we entered this league and we said several times to one another that we are out to have fun. We "didn't care about winning or loosing," it was just about having a good time. When we got into our fist game and we realized that we were a fairly good and competitive team, the entire atmosphere of the game changed. All the competitiveness of our players began to come out and we were in it for the win. For a great time on Thursday nights, come watch scared hitless take the field.

Summer Days Drifting Away!

Well I am officially back to the old routine. My summer is done. It was brutal to wake up this morning as the alarm clock screamed in my ear at 5 am. For some reason or another, this has been the most difficult year to head back. I know that once the students come and I adjust to the teaching lifestyle I will be fine but this summer has been so nice. I was truly blessed with some incredible opportunities. Here are just a few highlights of the summer.

North Carolina

A wonderful trip to North Carolina.



We spent a night hunting crabs.

Africa

An amazing and life changing trip to Africa!

Annie's Wedding! 

Time with the girls

Lot's of time to hang out with Melissa and Beth.

Breanne, Charissa and Shelley

CIY with with Shelley and Charissa and hanging out with Breanne. These girls are a blast!

StuCo Dodgeball tourney! 

Seeing Kyle laugh 

Hanging with Mikayla and David 

Visit to see Kyle

I got to go visit my nephew this past weekend. It is amazing how quickly they grow. It was fun to hang out and learn the personality of this little guy. He is quite the happy baby. His faviorate games include peek, and playing with his blue bunny stuffed animal. 

All you ever wanted to know about Cranes

This past weekend, I took a short trip out to visit my brother, sister-in-law and nephew in DC. Let me just share a rather humerous story about the plane ride...

On my way out to DC, I had my photo album of pictures from Africa. I decided that I was going to carry it on the plane so that I could finish writing in the captions. It was my hope that I would be able to have some good conversations with my brother and sister in law about the trip. Well, like any flight where I am flying by myself, I did the normal scope of the waiting area to see who was getting on the plane. Yes, lame and desperate as it may sound, I totally had one of those prayerful moments where I just hoped that God would have "Mr Perfect" end up in the seat next to me. What I instead learned was that God really does have a sense of humor. I sat down in my seat and after a while of thinking nobody was going to be next to me, this gentleman shows up just as were getting ready to take off. I had the photo album on my lap and was writing in the spaces and I could tell that he was glancing over at the pictures. Not a big deal, didn't see him as a "Mr. Perfect" but thought it might lead into a good conversation about the trip and maybe even a chance to plant a seed...

Well, he asked some questions and then proceeded to tell me about his job as some type of crane saver. That's right, this man gets the DNA from cranes so that they can clone them so they don't become extinct. He told me that there were a ton of cranes in Africa and he filled me in with about 45 minutes worth of knowledge about each one. In fact, he then pulled out his camera and showed me all 300 pictures of the cranes that he saw during his time in the United States. At this point, we were about 40 minutes from landing and honestly didn't mind seeing the pictures but a little overwhelmed with the information on each bird. If that wasn't enough, he then proceeded to tell me that I should go to India with him. He assured me I would love it there. I could take so many wonderful photos and he was certain I would never want to come back. He warned me about the kidnappers and the robbers but promised that he would keep me safe... after all, he has been there for over 10 years and has never been threatened. The guy across the isle knew I was in over my head and I caught him laughing at the predicament that I was in. After all, was this man seriously inviting me to move to India with him? I told him that I wasn't interested and explained that I was a teacher and needed to stay here. Although he thought he could find me a job in India, he settled with giving me his business card just in case I changed my mind. I wish I could see God at that moment because I am pretty sure that he was laughing. I pray for "mr perfect" to be sitting next to me and all I get is an offer to runaway with some man to India... good one God.

Happy Birthday Big Bro

I have been blessed in my life to have two older brothers. If you would have asked me about this while growing up, I would have told you that I wanted my parents to have another kid so that I could have a sister. Yes, I was picked on and teased like crazy (although they would tell you I deserved it- and there is probably some truth to that) Now that I am older, I have realized that I am pretty lucky to have the two brothers that I do. Darren, the one on the left, is turning 33 today! For the longest time, Darren had a hard time remembering that as he was growing older, so was I. I am no longer the annoying 13 year old that he remembered when he left for college. It has been exciting to see how our friendship has grown over the years. Now, he has a wonderful wife and an amazing little boy. My only wish is that they didn't live so far away. I am excited to head out to visit him and his family later this month. Thanks for being such a great brother. Happy Birthday!