Ballpark Morning

Well, a cold front came through last night, so swimming was out of the question today. That's alright, though because we got to have a wonderful breakfast with friends then go to the complex to watch practice. LJ has been waiting to do this, so excited that he could hardly stand the 3 minute ride there. When he found out he couldn't really "play" with his dad, he cried real tears. Big ones. It made me sad for him! His dad was just on the other side of the fence, and he wanted him so bad! I was beginning to rethink my decision to come when we met a friend! Enter Jackson - sweet little 4-year old boy, here with his father from Canada to watch some baseball. Thank God for him because after they began playing, LJ forgot all about going on the "tield" :)

I know the lighting is off on all these pictures. They look almost like "old-time photos", and that wasn't my goal. I found a relatively cheap 35mm lens for my camera, and I love it, but haven't figured out the manual settings yet. Days like today with full sun will be awesome once I figure it out!

Practicing with the big boys...(the "big boys" are on the field behind them :)

The man of the hour! His favorite.

alternating playing catcher and hitter :)

big plays.

LJ's gonna bite that tongue off!

ballpark buddies.

Sweet picture before he headed out.

LJ looks like a little grown-up here! What a fun day!

** Back update: I was started on high dose oral steroids last Sunday, and it made a HUGE difference by Monday. I was walking fully upright - big help! On Tuesday morning, I had an epidural injection, and I've had enough relief from the combination that I'm walking easily, but just have a constant dull ache. I can take it. The Dr. said no running for now, but I can swim all I want. Evidently, it's good for the injury...so, I've been swimming a lot. I am weaning off the oral steroids now and will have another injection to finish the job in 10 days or so. I am hoping to jog slowly soon and get back into training soon! Thanks so much for the prayers and sweet phone calls or notes! :)

OK, so when we're all healthy, (when I'm healthy), we are going to be spoiled rotten here in Port Charlotte! You are looking at pictures of LJ swimming in his BACK YARD! Our set-up is great here. A pool in the back yard, a publix down the street, a YMCA to swim laps at, and a bike lane that runs 30+ miles for biking when I feel better. I have been on a high-dose oral steroid for 24 hours and I am already walking around comfortably. I have an epidural injection in the morning, (super-early at 7:15 a.m.) I can only explain my pain decrease in the last day as God-given. It may seem small, but with a ruptured disc, being hardly able to walk, I'm so thankful to be moving around today. I was in so much pain yesterday and managed to even cook dinner tonight! Perhaps I'll feel that much better tomorrow! If so, look for a post about my wonderful run in Port Charlotte - hahaha! OK, so I'll wait a day or two. Enjoy the pictures. Aside from hurting, we are having a great time. Lance is having productive time at the field while LJ and I LOVE our time together at our new home!

check out that back yard! :)

Oh no!

LJ and I were headed out to run some errands yesterday when our garage door broke. LJ was super-scared because it came crashing down quickly, and he thought he did it. After calming him down, I realized if we didn't get it up, we'd be stuck at the house all day. That's not a big deal - the house and neighborhood are awesome, but we had a lot to do. I decided to try and fix it - lifting the garage manually, but it kept coming back down. I tried to hold it up, see if it would catch, and even used all my strength to push it back up. In the process, I re-injured my back, herniating the same disc, I think, as before.

As of now, I can hardly walk. I'm taking the medicine prescribed for me last year until my appointment (God willing) tomorrow. I didn't really need the medicine last year, and I don't like to take that stuff. Taking care of LJ alone, though, I need it until the dr. can do something more. I had 3 injections last year after the first injury, and after the 2nd, I have been almost pain-free. I am praying for that kind of relief again.

Of course, my priority is taking care of and playing with LJ, but I also have been training super-hard for St. Anthony's triathlon in April. I am ahead of schedule in my training, so I could possibly take up to a week off, but no more than that. It's something that I have been training for since December. I've been planning to do it in my father's memory on my mom's birthday - doesn't get more important than that. I'm praying for a quick recovery. Also, I'm way too busy - LJ and I have too much exploring and playing to do for this! I can push through almost anything, but pain like this is ridiculous!

Anyway - we are settled, and have a wonderful place to live. I'm thankful for the beautiful surroundings and warm weather. It is absolutely beautiful today! I hope you all are doing great as well!!

Ahh....the stories we can tell. I have a new one:. LJ and I departed Tuscaloosa, AL refreshed after what was, most likely, our best off-season EVER. Mr. Willard, a friend of ours, (about 70 years old, awesome grand-father figure), was our transportation. We started our journey a good 2 1/2 hours before our flight with MORE than enough time to get to the airport, even with traffic. We are making great time, when 6 miles from the airport, we hit a standstill. Not an inch of movement for an hour. After sitting, biting our nails and becoming pretty sure that there's no hope, Mr. Willard decides some movement is better than none at all.

The reason for our detour: a high-speed chase that ended in a shoot-out. who knew? You plan your flight around city traffic and hit the "story of the year" in the process. Six miles of stand-still after making perfect time up to that point. Mr. Willard, our friendly driver, says, "Anything's better than sitting still". LJ and I agree, (and we are an hour from take-off), so we begin our trek around the city trying to find an alternate route. In the process, I'm on hold with Southwest, trying to save two spots for the next flight with LJ, (who has to potty badly at this point, begging for relief in the background...) They finally pick up and ask, "OK, ma'am, can I get your name?" Call dropped. Thirteen minute "hold" wait to get back on, (the irony of the announced "hold time" is not lost on me), so I give up and just enjoy the scenery. Smelling the roses, and all that. Heck! I've got time!

So, Mr. Willard...the BEST, by the way, routes us to the exit from another direction. We get to the "AIRPORT EXIT 3/4 MILE " sign, and it's a standstill again. By this point, he and I are both almost laughing so hard that we are crying, and LJ is crying so hard he's laughing...kind of. I give up, but he says, "We didn't get this close to give up"...totally Hollywood style. Drives on the curb and exits, getting me to the counter with my 68 lb. bag, a travel car seat, over-filled purse and LJ in his stroller...22 minutes before take-off. I get to the counter, (LJ has rehearsed and mastered the, " Can you please let me on the plane"...puppy dog face and all). I beg the woman at the counter: "I think I missed my plane! Please, can you just let me know if I can make it?" Her response, " You are going to have to wait in line like everyone else"...not even an opportunity for LJ"s show-stopping line. I do what any mom would do when faced with possibly making it or spending 5 hours in the Birmingham airport. I BEG the man in front, and he hesitantly lets me in. I get my boarding passes, RUN like heck to the security. I'm told, almost word-for-word, the same thing by the Security officer. I "wait my turn" and SPRINT to our gate. NO shoes, (on either of us), no jackets, stuff just flung over my arm, and LJ yelling "Go, Mom, Go!" I am full out high school track meet sprinting at this point. The stroller almost can't handle the speed. Arrival to gate C10: 4 minutes before take-off...just in time, according to the lovely ticket lady.

We get on the plane, looking harried, but thankful. There are lots of empty single seats, but no two together. The flight attendant gets on the intercom, (LJ and I next to her, front of plane) and asks, "Will anyone please move over, etc. so that these two can sit together?"

Silence. I heard crickets.

So, LJ and I are at the "front of the class", no one budging and she says, " Aren't we in Alabama? I thought people were nice here...."

Still, nothing.

So, then she starts offering a "free adult beverage" if someone will move. silence.

Finally, " whoever moves gets as many drinks as they want."

We have a winner! Thank you, sir! We are seated, with 30 seconds to spare before take-off...and LJ has yet to pee...

THAT was my day :)

Signing off from Port Charlotte, FL. We are unharmed, tired, TRULY blessed and happy to be here! Hope this made you smile! I thought you could use some comic relief. True story.

P.S. LJ did eventually get to "relieve himself", (took him a full minute and a half) and is currently sleeping with the high dollar, ($13) Mac the Truck for his troubles. What a trooper!

Please disregard the horrible grammar and weird type. (don't know what that's about?)...had to get this one down!

Snow day!

Gulf Shores Visit

We had such a great weekend in Gulf Shores! We went to the Wharf, spent time at Me-Maw's, swam at the indoor pool...you name it, we fit it in! I should have taken more pictures, but we just enjoyed ourselves. Thanks, Me-Maw for a great weekend!

LJ sitting on the Ferris Wheel at the Wharf in Orange beach. My dad personally ordered this Ferris Wheel from Italy. It was his pride and joy! As you pull up to the Wharf, it's the first thing you see!

My boys riding the Go-Kart. It was FREEZING, but we promised LJ :)

Our favorite place...

...is our back yard! A week from Monday, it's time to go, but we have enjoyed this off-season so much! We are so thankful for this time!

Rookie and Tucker on the lookout :)

My husband playing the fool while LJ swings :) What a great Dad.

Every day around 4, we go back here, make a fire and play until the sun goes down or it gets too cold. What an awesome time!

Sometimes, we even have friends over! This is Sheldon Johnson, Tucker's brother :)

If you look closely, you can see LJ's new "booboo" on his eye - collision with a water fountain at mom's morning out. He's so tough! He said, "Julio gets owies like this, then he just gets back on the field!" Hahahaha!

DON'T FORGET THE MANY POSTS BELOW!

Ooey Gooey Chocolate Cookies

Enough Said! Click here for the recipe :)

My next 30 years...

I hope they're half as good as the first!! Thank you, Lord!

Happy 4th Birthday, Cole!

Well, I can't believe it, but our kids are growing up lightening fast! Tasha's little boy, Cole, just celebrated his 4th birthday. We don't get to see him much, so it was special to spend this time with them!

This is LJ, about 1.5 seconds before he threw the pizza you see in his right hand.

Speaking of growing up... ;)

Woohoo!!