An End to All Good Things

Dane's team played their last baseball game last night. The previous night, they played the other team of kids from our school. It is also coached by a parent that we all know.

We were real concerned going into the game on Monday. Our team has only won 1 game, their team has only lost 1 game. We knew it would be a tough game and we prayed on the way to the field that we wouldn't get slaughtered.

As the game began, several of us parents in the stands quietly began a group prayer. One father said, "Let us bring them to their knees!" I prayed for the game to be close. Another father prayed that our boys not be humiliated. We all agreed in prayer that we wanted our boys to play their best and represent their team well. Then we took deep breaths and sat up to watch.

Our boys came on strong. I don't think they've ever played so well. We made 2 runs, then held the opposing team to two. The second inning ended with no additional runs on either side.
Unfortunately, we didn't score during the top of the third inning, either, and they scored 4 runs. The amazing thing was that we were playing the Second-ranked team in the League and, going into the bottom of the 3rd inning (we only play 4 innings), we were tied at 2.

We brought in another run in the top of the 4th, and the game ended with a respectable 6 - 3 score. Although we lost, the opposing coach commented that, at the beginning of the second inning, he thought he was going to lose. Our boys were thrilled.

Last night, for our final game, we played the Third-ranked team and again played well. The game was called after 3 innings because of time, with a final score of 8 - 5. I feel that we might have won if we had played all four innings.

The boys have improved tremendously this season and a bond has really developed between the parents and these children. When you sit in the stands, week after week, rooting and yelling for these children, you begin to really care about them. Each one wins a special place in your heart - their individual strengths and challenges so obvious and yet, we watch them, week after week, battling to do better and overcome those weaknesses. How could you NOT fall in love with these children?

I'm going to miss some of the parents, as well. Several of them have become very special to me and I look forward to seeing them at games. Dane keeps saying that he'll be on the same team again next year, but I'm not sure that's possible. Kids get older and have to change leagues. Next year, Dane will be on a coach-picked team where he's required to try out. The son of our coach this year will be in the same league again next year, so Dane will be moving up and he won't. But, hopefully, some of the parents will still be around in the future.

All-in-all, it was a great season for Dane. He grew tremendously and is becoming quite an accomplished baseball player. He's slept, eat, breathed baseball for the last 5 weeks. But I'm glad to be through it. The evening games can get a little old and wear you down.

We still have the end of Daelyn's season to get through. His last practice is tonight, final game is Friday. Dane's end-of-season party is Saturday night, then we'll be able to reclaim our evenings as a family.

Summer vacation sure has been busy. I'm ready for a little less vacationing and more summering.

Maybe next week.

Together once again

We had a wonderful time at Carowinds. We spent the morning doing rides, then went back to the van around 1:30 (which was parked in the second space at the beginning of a row very near the rear entrance), had snacks and our fill of drinks, changed into our bathing suits, then headed to the water park. We played in several different pools, did the lazy-river current pool three times, played in two different water playground areas, then found a small waterslide that you go down on floats. We did that several times, then I began to feel guilty about having left Don for hours, so we met back up with him. Don is not a water person, so he kept our clothes, shoes and socks, and towels while the children and I played.

After dropping off Deanna and Daelyn with Don and making plans for a rendezvous when the water park closed at 7 p.m., Dane and I headed to do some of the high tubes. We did two different ones that were about 8 stories high and enclosed on inner tubes (very dark - they did put pinlights in a few areas of the PVC, though, so you could see small sections as you catapulted down the pipe), then moved to a different one that was open and you did it on a raft that helf 4 people at a time.

We hooked back up with Dane and the other kids, put our clothes back on, and had dinner. By then, it was dark, and we ran to some last-minute rides to get our money's worth before Carowinds closed at 10 p.m. At 10:30, we were just pulling out of the parking lot. We had pillows and a couple of blankets for the kids, so we settled them down to sleep. I insisted that Dane and Daelyn put on their pajamas to make it easier to transfer them to their beds when we got home. I dozed on and off. We got home about 1:30 (Don made really good time) and decided to leave the unpacking for Sunday, except for the cooler and pillows. We headed Deanna and Dane inside through the front door, which Don had unlocked. Then I caught Daelyn wandering through the driveway towards the backyard.

"Daelyn, go to the front," I called to him. No response. "The front door, Daelyn. Daelyn, go to the front door. The front door, son, this way. Daelyn!" He continued to wander towards the backyard. I finally managed to get him turned around, then went back to the van for some more pillows.

When I walked in the house, Don met me. "We seem to have lost Daelyn," he said.

"What do you mean, 'lost Daelyn'," I asked.

"He never showed up in the house," Don responded.

I felt panic begin to rise. "You check the back, I'll check the front," I yelled before tearing out the front door. Don and I met in the middle of the driveway. He shook his head. I ran around the front, looking up the sidewalk. As tired as Daelyn was, he could very well have ended up at Grandma's house. I didn't see anyone, so we began furiously searching the house. I found Daelyn on the leather couch in the Den, face down, half his body dangling off the edge.

"Son," I tried to speak softly, "you need to go get in your bed."

"Hmphf," Daelyn mumbled. I gave up, picking him up gently and carrying him to his bed. Dane was already tucked in, snoring. Deanna was heading down the hall from the bathroom to her bedroom. I could hear Don in the kitchen.

We got everyone settled down, then I went in Deanna's room to pray over her. As I perched on the edge of her bed, all the emotions of the previous week, missing my little girl, bubbled up to the surface.

"Thank you, Lord, for bringing my daughter home safely," I breathed softly. Deanna rolled over, her beautiful green eyes looking up at me lazily.

"I'm glad I'm home, too, Mama." She smiled at me.

Ah-h-h-h. All is right in the world. Deanna's home and cuddled in her bed. Daelyn, the lost sheep, is found and bedded down. Dane, the stable one, is snoring softly. I can hear Don moving in our bedroom. My family is once again together and I'm grateful to the Lord for in-law's that love my children enough to keep them for a week and for birthday celebrations at Carowinds. Mostly, though, I'm thankful for three wonderful children and a devoted husband and father to my children. Regardless of how much fun we have, the most fun part is being together.

As we were pulling out of the Carowinds parking lot, I asked Dane, "What was your favorite part of the day?"

"The water tubes," he responded. Then, he quietly added, "But most of all, being with my family."

I second that emotion.

We miss Sis

Tomorrow we pick up our Sissy-poo and head to Carowinds for a day. This is Dane's birthday present. He wanted to go to Carowinds in lieu of a party and presents.

We've really missed Deanna, as usual. I keep looking around, trying to find my third child. This must be how a mother feels when one of her kids leaves home for the first time - lying awake, unconsciously waiting for the last child to come home.

When we've gone to the pool, I keep looking for that other child. Don and I had a disagreement last weekend because I wanted to take his new car on our date, but we needed to drop the boys off at a birthday pool party and take Dane's friend home. Don wasn't clearly saying no or giving any reason, but he kept avoiding the question. Once we finally got on our date, he said he didn't want to take his car because we couldn't all fit. I asked him how he figured that. We bought the car for our whole family. We had Dane's friend with us, in Deanna's place. How could we possibly all not fit.

"Oh," he responded dully. "I forgot Deanna's not with us." I understood well.

On another front, while Dane's friend was over, they decided to practice baseball - pitching to each other and hitting. They were in the lower part of our yard, far too near our neighbor whose house sits sideways at the end of our street. I scooted them further up the yard, where the common backyards open up to a huge, wide area, perfect for batting.

Dane and his friend appeared in my bathroom later where I was doing my hair and makeup for Don's and my date.

"Mama," Dane started, "something bad happened. There was an accident."

Me, trying hard to control my panic: "What happened, son?"

Dane: "We were playing baseball and we hit the ball ..." he trailed off.

Me: "Where, son," trying hard not to scream the words, "where did you hit the ball to?"

Dane: "Well (in his slow, southern drawl), we hit Daddy's new car!"

Me: "What?!!! Daddy's new car?"

Other Boy: "He pitched it right down the middle."

Dane: "It broke a light."

Me: "A light where? On Daddy's new car?"

Other Boy: "It was right down the middle."

Dane: "But the light's still there, Mom."

Me: "What are you talking about? What did you hit?"

Other Boy: "The middle. Right down the middle."

The long and short of it is the backup light on Don's day-old car got hit and broken. The bulb was still intact, but the top of the red cover was broken off. Don taped it up good with clear packing tape, concerned that rain would get inside the cover and short out the electrical system. We sure don't want to have to mess with electrical problems. We'll have to get the cover replaced at some point. In the meanwhile, the car works, you can't tell the top of the cover over the back light is broken, and Dane had a wonderful time with his friend.

Lots of news for Deanna when she gets home. Thank God she's coming home.

Saucy Sauce

We use quite a bit of barbecue sauce. The kids like their nuggets dipped in it, we have barbecued chicken occasionally, and often they just want to use it for dipping other things. Any meat that is a little dry, barbecue sauce is the answer.

We've become connoisseurs of barbecue sauces. We've tried all the different flavors of Kraft, K.C. Masterpiece, and every other brand on the market, including local, off-brands. Our favorite, hands down, is Jack Daniels. We like it so much that we even use the Jack Daniels marinade when we have steak.

One night while out having dinner, Dane decided his meat was dry and he needed a little barbecue sauce. Typically, Don or I order for the children, but we're giving them a little more leeway to teach them how to talk to a service person. Deanna, for instance, will ask for refills of her drink herself.

We gave Dane permission to ask the waiter for sauce. When the waiter returned, Dane said, "Some Jack Daniels should would taste good with this meal!"

Don and I quickly looked over our shoulders for any diners sporting Department of Family and Children's Services badges or policemen in uniform. Apparently, Dane needs a little more work.

Looking into the Soul of our Home

It's amazing how much clean windows in a room can make the whole room feel cleaner and more upbeat. I have a friend who's very determined about keeping her windows clean. She literally cleans certain ones several times a week. I'm not determined about very much when it comes to housecleaning. But, last night during dinner, I noticed how bad the windows in our breakfast nook looked. We have windows on two sides of the room, ceiling to floor, that were covered with dog slobber, fingerprints, and other unknown messy stuff. I felt determination creeping in.

This morning, I got out the Windex and went to work. I was surprised to find how much of the junk is on the outside - even some of the dog slobber (at least on the storm door - the windows are a little high off the ground for our 17" puppy). But they look hugely better, and I feel better.

Getting some of the deep-down dirt off made me realize just how much more needs to be done. All the walls in the kitchen need scrubbing, the baseboards (of course - I always do the baseboards when I wash the floors), tops of the window frames, etc. Deep-down cleaning. The whole house needs this kind of attention.

I have resolved to get a lot of this kind of work done this summer. The children are home. There's no reason why they can't each tackle 2-3 chores each day for Mom. All three of them could clean windows. Even Daelyn's old enough to wipe down baseboards, once I teach him what they are. Deanna or Dane could stand on a stool and wipe down the tops of doorways and window frames.

And there's more - oh, so much more. Determination continues to creep in. If I can just keep it there, balanced against discouragement, I might be able to get some good work done between our vacations this summer.

Hurray for Summer!! Now I'm going to go sit in the breakfast nook, look out my clean windows, and watch the birds feed while I drink a cup of coffee. Ah!! Clean windows.

Rain and Cars

There were 14 messages on our answering machine when we got home from West Virginia yesterday. Several were about baseball and t-ball games and practices being cancelled. Apparently, as soon as we left the state, it began raining and rained nightly for several nights. This morning we had a downpour, also.

The children noticed as we were driving into the driveway that the grass was green instead of dead and brown. I was not surprised. I've fertilized and watered faithfully, since only stickers seem to grow when the grass gets too dry and then our children get hurt playing in their own backyard.

But the entire neighborhood was green and lush. Something drastic had to have happened. Then I heard the messages on the answering machine and talked to my father, who filled me in on the rainfall. Lucious, beautiful, wet rain. We've seen very little since coming home from England - precious little.

There was also a message from a used car dealership that's been trying to help us find a used 5-speed, 4-door miracle. It seems that a 4-door, 5-speed in a used vehicle is something of a miracle in and of itself. Add to that what we're willing to pay, the required gas mileage, and the interior size for our family of 5 and luggage - this task was nothing short of miraculous.

We've looked at several, but have yet to find the right fit for us. I eagerly called the dealership back. Don says the manager must be very determined to meet his quota this month, because he had three and, possibly, four vehicles to us to look at. We drove by last night, on the way to Dane's birthday dinner after his basebal game, to look at them. The shop was closed, but the manager said he'd park them right out front for us.

I was impressed with both. One has 45,000 miles, the other 58,000. They're both in excellent shape - one is a Mazda sportster with spoiler and mag wheels. The other has a sunroof. Now, lest you think I think these things matter, let me reassure you. I'd just as soon pay less and get less vamp. In any case, both looked like great possibilities.

We've got to go over this morning and test drive them, then talk dollars and cents. I'm very hopeful we can come to a deal that pleases us. We've certainly been looking for long enough.

I can hear furniture just calling to me. Hold on!! I'm coming. I should be there very soon.

Distorted music

Been out of town at Don's parents in West Virginia. We left Deanna behind for her week with them. Dane will go for the first time later this summer.

Before leaving in the wee hours of the morning Saturday, we took the kids out to dinner Friday night. Dane's team mom gave each player three Wendy's coupons for $2 off, so we took advantage of them Friday.

While sitting in the restaurant munching on a burger and fries, Deanna began fussing about the music - soft jazz.

"This music is terrible. Somebody should tell them. I can't stand this music. They need to change the station. Mama, would you ask them to change the station?"

Daelyn: "It sounds like the music off Mr. Roger's neighborhood."

Deanna: "I should have brought my MP-3 player."

Don: "Why? You only listen to the same 10 songs over and over again."

Deanna: "I know!"

Me: "10 songs? Why do you only listen to 10 songs? I know you have more than that on your MP-3 player. What about 'Phantom of the Opera'?"

Deanna: "I don't like to listen to 'Phantom of the Opera' unless I can dance."

Me: "What does dancing have to do with the 'Phantom of the Opera'?"

Deanna: "Well, 'Phantom' is dance music and, if I can't dance, I don't want to listen to it."



Soft jazz is Mr. Roger's music and 'Phantom' is dance music. Next they'll be telling me the theme from "Jaws" is a Mozart Symphony.

Can you say "musically-challenged"?

Bet You Can't Beat This One!

Last month, I tried desperately to order a modest bathing suit for Deanna. The stores had very little to choose from and most options were tankinis, which I won't let Deanna wear.

I ordered one from Sears and one from Penney's. I always try to make sure the children have two suits since we swim often. I like a nice one for the pool and a not-so-expensive or nice one for the lake, since whatever we wear in the lake ends up stained with Georgia red clay.

The first arrived. Deanna loved it. It was white with pale blue and turquoise flowers, a ruffle on the top and a matching skirt with a ruffle. It was darling, but too small. The second one arrived. Deanna hated it. Too plain. One solid color with no detail except a small appliqued heart in green and green straps. No go, she said. Send it back.

I finally found a nice Speedo for her at a sports store and set out on Wednesday to return at least one of the suits to the local store, which I was sure would save me time since I wouldn't have to go to the Post Office and repackage the thing. Penney's gladly took the darling suit back and then asked if I wanted one in a larger size.

"There aren't any larger," I explained. "I already checked on line."

"My computer shows us as being able to order a larger size," the saleswoman said.

Shocked beyond belief, I quickly ordered a larger, pleased as punch with myself. It was such a darling suit and I couldn't wait to see Deanna sporting it.

Yesterday, I got the confirmation e-mail for the larger size. Still unbelieving, I went to the website and looked it up. No larger sizes in the darling suit. I cut and pasted the item # from the confirmation and, voila, a horribly ugly suit shows up on my computer. Frantic, I called the 1-800 number for the store.

I explained that the suit they ordered for me was not the suit I returned. I hated the suit they ordered. Did the change the item #? What gives here?

Suddenly, while talking with them, the sad truth struck me. I had returned the darling suit to Penney's. But the darling suit had been purchased from Sears. The ugly suit came from Penney's.

Good grief. How could I have done such a thing. And how could they have accepted merchandise for return that wasn't even theirs? I quickly asked the operator if she could stop the order.

"Sorry, but no. This suit in a larger size has already shipped."

Double good grief. Not only was I out the money for the darling suit because I couldn't return it to the store where it had come from, but I had bought and paid for yet another ugly suit.

UGH! The woman on the phone encouraged me to call the store quickly. Perhaps they still had the darling suit and I could exchange it for the ugly suit that had come from there. Then I could return the cute suit to Sears and would just have one more return to take care of when the second ugly suit arrived by mail.

I got the local store on the phone and recognized the accent of the woman to be the same one who had helped me at the store. I explained my mistake. She laughed and admitted that this was a first for her, but that she still had the darling little suit. She had noticed after I left that it had a prominently displayed "Sears" tag.

It took me two hours today to switch the two suits and return the darling one before I screwed up anything else. Sears had great difficulty accepting the return.

Little did they know how much trouble I had returning it.

Bronchitis Woes Revisited

I had to go back to see the doctor again today. Another chapter in the never-ending-saga of bronchitis.

In addition to bronchitis, I now am wheezing and my asthma seems to have kicked in.

We leave Friday night for Grandma and Grandpa Doughty's house. Maybe I'll be able to rest and recuperate there. It sure isn't happening here.

But, in the meanwhile, I have to pack and prepare for the trip.

I'll keep my rescue inhaler in my hand whilst I make up the beds and switch laundry loads.

Moving along . . . with no time to rest

Dane's baseball team won their first game tonight, 4 to 3. Up until this game, their closest game was 8 - 0.

We realized at their first game that they needed to be able to hit to get runs. No one at this age seems to really be able to field, but if they have good batters, they get kids on base which, eventually, leads to runs. Our hitting has improved dramatically with each passing game.

Tonight, it became very obvious that we need to be able to catch the ball, too. While hitting is critical, we can only stop the other team if we can catch and throw. Runs on our part are wonderful, but the other team will get more runs than us if we can't stop them before their bring their runners home.

I want to just bask in our first win, but I recognize that there's always more work. An analogy for life.

So, my gloating is very short-lived as I think about how much we still have left to accomplish - in baseball as in every other area of my life.

School's out . . . fun's in!!

The last day of school always begins with a full-school assembly. Parents are invited because children and volunteers receive awards at the Assembly. I got a Certificate of Appreciation for substituting this year. Deanna and Dane both got awards for memorizing the monthly scripture all 9 months of the school year. Then we were dismissed to the elementary classrooms where the children each received an award from their teachers. Dane's virtue was Meekness and Deanna's was Determination. That about sums up my two older children. Daelyn's will most likely be Tenacity next year.

School dismissed at 11:50 for the summer. I went straight from the classroom awards to the yard sale my friend was having that I was participating in. We shut down there at 3:00, Don and the boys came over, we loaded up a recliner of ours that we're selling out of the den so we can fit our new couch in tomorrow and delivered it to the buyer, then came home for an hour before Daelyn's baseball game at 5:00. Then it's off to Chuck E. Cheese to celebrate the end of school!!

The Headmaster talked to parents and students today at assembly about the beginning of summer and the Gospel reading for the day. He asked the kids if they were happy about being out of school for three months. Loud screams of "yes". Then he asked the parents the same question. Loud screams of "no" except, of course, from me.

I can't wait to get a start on summer with my children. I wait all year round for summer vacation and having time to relax with my children.

Summer's in session - let the fun begin!!