Batter up...

Baseball. This is a sport that I really technically didn't play growing up, since I played t-ball and softball. (at least according to my husband ; ) ) Anyway, since I first met my husband I knew he was a huge baseball fan. In fact, he has such a huge collection of baseball cards, that I just know will be arriving at our doorstep someday from his aunt's house. Dreading the day, when we have to sort through them all. This has led me though to thinking...how did I really start to like baseball??? The more time I spend with my husband, the more the game of baseball has grown on me. There is something about the sport of baseball that I really enjoy.

1. I think it has to do with the slower pace, so I can keep up with it. There isn't a puck flying across the ice in a blur that causes me to have whiplash to keep up with it or a ball flying through the air as players run down the field or court. Keep in mind, cross country was my favorite sport in high school. Easy for me to follow. :)

2. Baseball is clear. Each player has his own position on the field. His own place he is responsible for, and as a spectator I can clearly understand their roles, as I look from the stands.

3. Family fun. Great summer time fun. You can bring the family and enjoy the game. When we go to the Peoria Chief's games, you see all ages of fans at the games. Families sitting on their blankets in the nice lawn area. Kids running around waiting for that foul ball to land in their hands. Great promotions and events for families to enjoy.

4. There is a great challenge to hitting a small ball going 90 mph with a stick in your hand.

5. Watching the ball fly through the air, wondering whether it is going to make it over the fence or not.

6. Wild dives and hops to catch or stop the ball with no protection or pads to land on, except the uniform on their back.

7. Baseball has such great history. Look it up.

8. Baseball has a lot of mental strategy to it. As I watch the coach at the base give the signals to the batter, there is some strategy behind all the signs. As I watch the pitcher and catcher communicate there is strategy. As I watch a batter hit the ball, right between the infield and outfield to get the runner from 3rd base to home...there is strategy.

9. So many great movies that deal with baseball. Field of Dreams, Love of the Game, Sandlot, Rookie of the Year, The Rookie, *61, Major League, Bull Durham, The Natural, Fever Pitch, Eight Men Out, A League of their Own, need I say more...

10. Nothing better than watching a someone, especially kids, get an autograph from a baseball player. The smile is priceless, and at the minor league games, they are so good about it.

An addition from my husband...

11. This has helped us find a common bond between each other, in the midst of our crazy busy lives full of distractions.

I guess over the last 8 years, my husband is beginning to turn me into a baseball lover. Even if we cheer on different teams; I'm a Cubs fan and he is an Astros fan (don't ask!) We still can see eye to eye that baseball can be a great pastime for all to enjoy. I can't wait for the next season to watch the Peoria Chiefs play...

Across the Ocean and Beyond

Stuff...is...not...important...in...life... This is the number one lesson that I was reminded of as I went on a teacher training mission trip this summer to Liberia, Africa. I knew that when I returned from this trip, I would be changed, and I think I have a whole new look to life. Here are some thoughts I now have going through my head after returning from Africa:

1. I have plenty! I look around my home, and I see all of this STUFF. Many of it I couldn't even tell you that I own. Josh and I don't live a life full of wealth, but we do have things. I know that I can live without many of these things and still be happy. I dont need the latest phone, the newest car, the biggest house, or the designer clothes. This can be so difficult as our society is full of materialism. I'm just thankful for loving family and friends.


2. I have plenty of things already in my classroom. I shouldn't complain that I need more. In Liberia, teachers are lucky to have a decent chalkboard and chalk to teach. The students are lucky to have a notebook and a pencil/pen. Books are a rare item to find in the classrooms and shopping for school supplies is not in the Liberian students' minds. They wouldn't know what to do if they saw all the school supplies at our stores.

3. Fortunate to have easy access to food whenever I want it. I can go home and find food in the cabinets. I can be on the road and within 10-20 mins. I can find food to eat and a little bit of money to pay for it. Many Liberians that we interacted with are lucky to get a meal a day, and that usually consists of rice.

4. Thankful for my job and a pay check! Can you imagine being a teacher and only making $40 a month!

5. The world is much bigger than small town living, and yet the world is so small. A smile is a beautiful universal thing, especially a child's smile!


I'm sure there will be more to share...until then...I heart Liberia!

Feeling heavy...

I guess I'm going to try out this blogging. I have always said that I'm not a great writer, nor great at expressing thoughts through written words. So please excuse all grammar mistakes that you may find in this blog. I hope this is a way for me to express some of my thoughts on my life happenings. So here it is... my first blog post.

It is amazing how easy it is to gain weight. All of a sudden I look in the mirror and see a whole new me, with an extra 20 lbs. I guess it is one of those things where you picture yourself looking a certain way, and even when you look in the mirror you still see that same person. As I went on my mission trip to Liberia, several pics were taken of me. (another blog post to share about that trip) When I looked at the pictures, reality slapped me in the face. This is really what I look like?!?! So I hope that I can get myself back on track. After my back surgery, I have just been extra cautious about things, which has allowed me to make excuses. Excuses are no longer acceptable now. I know that it just takes eating healthier and walking/exercising a lot, because I've done it before. My goal of course would be around 30 lbs, but I will gladly take 1 lb at a time. :)