Closer

The weekend was a craziness zone.   We did a little of everything.  Indoor chores, outdoor chores, softball games, pool deck rehab. You name it, we dabbled in it.  

We also welcomed some new kittens into the world.  Sticker Paws, our outdoor cat had 6 little cuties.   The optimist in me says they can stay wild and we will keep them.  The realist in me has already started searching for homes because I know good and well that the girls are going to make them tame. Tame outdoor cats in a place where so many are driving, where we have lots of grand dogs, where we have foxes, bobcats, owls, coyotes all meandering around just do not do well.  Wild cats survive.  Tame ones don’t.   They are cute and hard to resist for sure!  

Let’s talk a little bit about softball.  Friends, I am exhausted.  We have had games almost every single night since school let out.   Getting home at 10:30-11 pm, and then getting up at 5:30 to get Evelyn and go to work has about kicked my pants.  Am I enjoying it?  Absolutely.  But I’m also honest, and I am almost over it.  This is the life we mourned for last year.  I am not complaining.  I am happy to be back watching my kids do the stuff they love, but part of me could use a couple of “quarantine days” to just get caught up on sleep.   

All three girls are enjoying their seasons.  All three are having fun.  All three are gaining new skills.   Quincy is on a team this year, that for the first time in probably 6 years is actually pretty good.  These girls are currently 2nd in their league.  They win games that they aren’t expected to win.  And for the first time in a very long time, Quincy is excited about playing, which makes me happy.  She’s on a fun team of girls who aren’t overly dramatic, who all want to be there, and most of whom are fairly athletically talented.  

One final thing.  If you follow this blog via email, that service is going away.  Despite my tech guy’s (Jim) best efforts, we can’t fix it.  Starting in July, if you want blog updates, you will have to log into the blog to get them.  It’s just a website like any other www.tribeof8.blogspot.com and you can go to it anytime and look at the same content that was being emailed. I’m sorry for any inconvenience.  Totally not my decision.   

No ballpark night

Last night, we had no ball games on our schedule.   Harper had practice and Preston had to umpire.  When I was bringing Harper home, I noticed all the lightening and was surprised that they hadn’t called the game Preston was working at.  When Preston got home a little later, he was telling me that he was behind the plate all night and the storms were behind him. He hadn’t noticed the lightening, and was feeling bad about not calling the game.  I pointed out that there were adults all over up there, and that perhaps someone should have mentioned it to him. 

Today, I told Evelyn she could swim after lunch.  The girls swam for not very long, and we came inside.  Preston was having a debate on whether he should go in to line the fields.  He waited a while, and sure enough, big storms blew in, giving him the night off, and cancelling Quincy’s double header.  It gave us a much needed night at home.   I feel like we haven’t been home in the evenings for a long while!  

A couple of funny stories.  This morning, as I was leaving work, Evelyn asked if we could go to Dollar General.  I told her not today.  She then said “you want a knuckle sandwich?”   The girl likes dollar general I guess!  

This evening, Saige was going to give me a makeover.  She followed this up with telling me she needed a good manicure because her nails look like she ordered them from Wish.  These kids seriously make me laugh.  

It is Stampede weekend. I could have guaranteed the weather would be terrible.  It’s a tradition right?   Colin and Spencer had tickets, but sold them so they can move this weekend. I was thinking that it actually worked out in their favor, because what a terrible mess that would be, camping in the storms.  

Although I thoroughly enjoyed a lazy evening at home with the kids, the reality is that all it does is push the games around on nights that are already filled with other stuff.  Quincy now has 8 games next week.  (Four nights of double headers).  But, as Cameron would say - that is a problem for future Hope! 

Colin is 23

Today is Colin's 23rd birthday.  I wish I could say I would get to see him, but a phone call will have to do for today.  I don't even have words for how proud we are of this kid.  He is doing great things in his life.  He has a great job, an amazing girlfriend (who we all love) and yesterday, he and Spencer bought a house.  As soon as ball season is over, we are going to crash his new place for sure!  Colin is one of those people who never knew a stranger.  He has a way of making friends with everyone.  He has an uncanny ability to see the good, even where other people don't.  He is hard working and he can't be still.  I miss having him closer, but after his sister moved halfway across the country, having him 2 hours away isn't bad!  

I remember the day this kid was born.  I was being induced.  It was hotter than heck, even though it was still dark as we drove to the hospital.  I was nervous, of course.  Jim grabbed my hand and said "this is a very, very good day to have our baby!"  I thought he was being sweet.  I had a moment of thinking I married the best man ever.  But Jim just couldn't stop there, he had to add "yea, it is NBA draft day, and since we don't have cable at home, I will be able to watch it at the hospital."  Talk about going from aaaahhhhh to wtf in 4 seconds time!  :)  Jim and the doctor sat in my room and watched the draft and talked about basketball.  I think that is when my son started following sports!  

Honestly, though, this kid has brought us a lot of joy, and I am so thankful for him!  

Not birthday related, but this week, I ran to get groceries, and Saige accompanied me.  She is hands down the pickiest eater I have ever seen.  Worse than Cameron.  Worse than Preston.  I was pleased when she asked me if she could get some nectarines, and followed that up with asking for a pineapple  She recently tried strawberries for the first time and liked them!  Anyway, I won't say no to buying certain things for the kids when they ask.  Fruits and Veggies are included in that.   I was, however thinking we would eat the pineapple, not carry it around the house!  :)  Somehow, it became "Spongebob's house."  

Last night, Saige played at Lyndon.  They had a great pitcher, and her team really struggled with how fast she threw, and how accurate she was!  It was a good effort, but they did not win.  

Quincy played against the other Carbondale team.  That team was filled with drama, and Quincy told me she is really happy to be on the team she is on!!  Last night, Quincy got hit by pitch I believe Jim told me 5 times.  It was not a very good  game at all at least for them!  Quincy's team won  both games though!.  

Father’s Day

We had a good Father’s Day, despite the lack of excitement.  Some of the kids came over for dinner and swimming.  The rest will be here in a week or so.  We worked on a couple projects that Jim wanted to do, and had gob’ment Mac and cheese (velveeta shells and cheese).  Andrew smoked a pork butt.  It was delightful.   Andrew took Saige and Evie fishing and they had great luck and caught some real good shish!  

We are lucky to have a lot of good dads around us.  Jim, the one who is always there.  Fiercely protecting, cheering on, fixing our issues.  I like the above photo of him.  He loves watching the kids play.  If you want advice on how to fix your swing, he has paid enough attention to know what to tell you.   He can replay every instant of the game. He knows the stats for every wrestler in the state for your weight class.  Joined the quiz bowl team? He is there with trivia questions and information on the kids from the other teams.  His ability to jump into any thing the kids want to do is uncanny.  He is also the one who loves rules and order.  We all appreciate that more than we could ever say.  

Th

We were lucky to have been raised by great men.  My dad taught us how to work.  How to say what you mean and mean what you say.  He is also fiercely protective and quietly behind us, always supporting.  My mom often jokes that if anyone hurt one of the kids it would be a race between Jim and Larry to see who takes care of it first.  That kind of undying protection and love is just amazing.  And Jim’s dad, was the one who taught us to think about things.   Always pointing out different perspectives and ideas.  I know how he impacted us, and we are grateful for it.   And Andrew, the most recent father to our family.  He is an amazing dad.  Undying patience, kindness and love for our grandkid.  We are very thankful to have him!   We are a lucky family.  

Friends

Saige had a game tonight against Appanoose.  She has a friend from 4-H who plays on that team.  We had to cheer for Shelby too!  

Saige had a great night at 3rd.  She hustles, and tries really hard to make the plays.  We are proud of her.  She also had a triple tonight!   They came up short for the win, but at least the win went to someone we like!   

Photo overload

I like photos.  Anyone who knows me knows this.  I love taking them, even though I am a terrible photographer, and I love when the kids send them, especially unsolicited.  Cameron has been sending me pictures of his fish.   He’s been eating the fish he catches.  It fits well into his $4 a day budget for food.  It makes me happy to know he’s eating!   

The girls finished their summer RE today with a field trip.  They were gone all day, and were outside most of the day.  It was hot today.  Like 102* hot.  They had a great time.  They visited several churches, learned some local Saint history, and had a picnic lunch.   They said it was a long, hot, but fun day.  They got home, had an hour to cool down, get hydrated, do chores and head out again.  Quincy had a double header in Carbondale.   Harper had a game in Carbondale.   Saige had practice   Preston was supposed to work at the Overbrook ball park, but they had overbooked and so he didn’t have to work.  He went out with friends instead.  

Quincy’s team won both games.   They played Mission Valley, who had been undefeated, and who had been undefeated for seasons before this.   They played amazing.  Quincy was happy about the win, but absolutely giddy because their coach cried when they lost (Quincy’s version anyway).  

Since everyone was in Carbondale, Mallory, Madison and Evelyn came over to watch.   When they got there, Quincy was on break between games. She had purchased 10 pickle shots (frozen pickle juice).  Evelyn wanted one.  She kept licking it and then shivering.  It was really funny.  I told her I would buy her an actual popsicle. 

She has been to like 3 games this summer.  When I told her I’d buy her a popsicle, she took off running, climbed the steps, and started rattling off an order.  It was hilarious!   For the record, that 25 cent popsicle ended up costing me $5.   She’s worth every penny!  

Harper’s team has been struggling with batting.  They did a pretty good job tonight after the coach said if you got a hit, you would get to pie her face after the game.  Harper had 2 very nice hits!   

She not only pied her coach, she also flung some cool whip at Saige.  This did NOT go over well (Saige was over tired).  

This team is full of goofy, dramatic, girls.  If they learn to work together, they will have a little more success I think.   Harper is having fun, so that is what’s important to me.  

Saige’s coach hired a professional photographer.   I love how these turned out.  I am having a really hard time getting them downloaded, so I just took some screen shots.  Somedays technology and I do amazing things.  Somedays we don’t.  

I am exceptionally happy that we survived the week, and I legitimately hope we get some down time this weekend!