I just wanted to check in. Nothing much has changed, unless you want to call AMAZING family time during the summer and enjoying family time ALL DAY like it's vacation, "change". If so, then yeah, we are doing alright with the whole "waiting on a team" thing. :) Nothing has happened yet, but we anticipate that something could, any day - possibly tomorrow, or not until next week. When it does, we will have to pack in hours up like someone's fast-forwarding us, figure out furniture removal, apartment lease-ending agreements, car shipping to the next destination and short-term housing when we arrive. Until then, though, what are we doing? Eating Uncrustables at the pool all day and cutting up huge watermelons! Duh! Enjoying it :) When Lance goes to throw or do drills, it's a family affair - a little drill buddy at his side, a dog fetching baseballs in the grass and his wife taking still shots so he can review mechanics. Totally unorthodox, but memory-making nonetheless. Things will change again, all too soon, and we'll wish we had made the most of our time together. Promise to keep you posted :)

I wanted to take a quick post to just catch everyone up. Today, Lance was released from the Dodgers, and we are currently in a holding-pattern, waiting to see if there is another opportunity for him out there. He's had a tough role and a tough time so far this year. He has pushed through, and been such an amazing example. God, in all of his Amazing Grace, paved this road, and we are just riding as passengers. There are details and encouragements that we've had along the way that are unnecessary and just little glimpses of God's love that He's given us. Simply little ways that he shows us, I love you. Let me show you. Lance not being alone today, but being with his parents as he received the news. God giving Lance the courage to stand up for things before joining this team that will now give him freedom to make the choices he wants to make. Lots and lots of things...I could go on.

Lance is AMAZING. The man is humble, kind and tough. He's more than I can say. Through him receiving this news today & looking into an uncertain future, he was praising the performance of the guy who took his place, texting me "good for him. The Dodgers youth movement has begun..." All this as he's on the plane ride home, alone, observing the new guy's performance. And he means it. So, for the next few days, we get him here with US! There's a certain protocol that must be followed, so our next steps will be delayed accordingly. Time together: What a wonderful compensation, though not enough to pay what he's put in these years. I'll take anything I can get, though, as far as time with him. I am SO PROUD he is ours.

I promise to keep you posted. I don't know when we will know what we'll know, but I'll make sure to share. We are hoping for a minor league placement, at least, so that Lance can continue his dream. Thankful, and in a few hours, together. Because in the end, isn't that what REALLY matters?

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you, not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Claiming it, trusting it,living it, year after year!

(Below, pics from last week's farmer's market...this week, we plan to show Lance!)

The two reasons we go: flavored honey straws, straight from the beekeeper...

and the balloon man! What will he come up with next?

Two wheels!

Turn off the volume on the music below :)

Well, It's not now, so the balloon jet-pack will have to do until Jesus does come and we meet him in the sky! Thanks, balloon man at the South Pasadena Farmer's Market!

Matthew 24:36

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

Well, apartment/city living makes it tough to really learn how to bike, (even as an adult who wants to bike more), but LJ really wants to learn how to ride a bike on "TWO WHEELS, MOM" :) So, we're at it. Lots of practice with those training wheels on, and I'll keep you posted! Lance heads out today, but we got a little practice in before he left town!

Just a little tribute to our little gift of freedom and speedy foot transportation: the scooter! We scooter all over - to little restaurants, bakeries, shops, the grocery store, you name it! LJ knows the rules very well...he goes ahead of me, enjoying his freedom, and always stops where there is a driveway or the sidewalk ends. He obeys those rules so well because I have threatened him within an inch of his life STRESSED how very important it is. Let's just say, we're all on the same page :)

We even tried a church we could scooter to!

Our FAVORITE scooter destination: Noodle world for Pho and bubble tea! I love sitting and eating with him with no distraction. Look at all the different sides of LJ I see. He shares with me when we do this, and I wouldn't trade it! :)

These are some pics from LJ's open house! He's in Pre-K here, so these kids are getting the big "kindergarten send-off"! Because of his birthday, he'll have to have another year, but it was so fun for him to show me his class and all of his projects. You can see their volcanoes, his letter books, his rocket...He really enjoys his school. Most days, when I show up to pick him up, he's near tears because he wants to stay longer!

I wanted to post a few pics from today. We are SO VERY GLAD to have Lance in town!!! LJ loves going to play ball with him wherever we can find some grass to hit on! The last pic is of he and I making cookies tonight. He got a bump on his head, and I figured cookies always make me feel better. Check him out with his spoon in the nutella jar! Ha!! Caught him :) Have a great weekend!