Summer In Seattle

This last week we were able to get away and spend a couple of days in Seattle. We had a blast! A big thanks to my Dad, who gave Daniel a very generous birthday gift: Birthday money to be used to buy two good seats at a Mariners game. And boy did they get great seats! Daniel and Jon sat just 8 rows up from the Mariners dug out, right in between home plate and first base! And to top it all off, Grandpa had a special birthday message just for Daniel put up on the score board during the game. Daniel was very excited to say the least. The boys had a great night together and got two game balls! Jon took this picture from his seat - What great seats!!!

Daniel's name up in lights for 35,000 people to see! Thanks Grandpa!

While the boys took in the game, the girls took in some rays! We had a great time hanging out in the pool and walking around downtown!

Carousel ride on the waterfront!

Jon had the brilliant idea to walk through the water fountain with the kids, they walked around Seattle with wet clothes for the rest of the day!

We were able to meet up with my little brother Ben, who will be a junior at Seattle Pacific University. He showed us around his campus and his big pink house which he shares with four other guys, and they all sleep in one room so the other rooms can be used for a game room, office and changing room - Oh the college life!

Ben took us to this amazing park which was right on the water and overlooked the city. Airplanes flew right overhead and landed on the water, it was incredible, we didn't want to leave. Ben taught the kids how to slide down hills on cardboard boxes and how to climb up on dangerously high structures. What are uncles for anyway?

We feel so blessed! Thanks Dad for the tickets, and thanks Ben for spending time with us and showing us around, the kids have a whole new perspective on going to college now :)

Where Would We Be?

Daniel, Sarah, and Olivia,
Where would we be withoud Dad? Who would teach you how to play baseball?
Who would protect you and always make sure you're safe?

Who would cuddle with you and read you books before bed?

Who would help you cut down our Christmas Tree?
Who would massage mom's feet when she's 11 days past her due date?
Who would coach your basketball team?
Who would make sure you don't fall and ride with you on the carousel?
Who would look so incredibly handsome and keep mom so happy?

Who would give you high-fives during your games?
Who would coach your football team?
Who would help you color your pictures so pretty?
Who would make sure you always have time for a good ice cream cone?
Where would we be without Dad?

Happy Father's Day!

The Lucky Bat

5 trophies for 5 years of baseball Pre-game warm up with Dad
This bat has felt some hard hits!

Daniel had his last baseball game on Tuesday. He had a great season! Some of his favorite moments were: catching his first pop fly, throwing a runner out at first base while he was at third (it was a great throw!), hitting the ball way into the outfield, and of course, going to the snack bar!

Daniel is not quite the aggresive, competitive, go-getter that Sarah is. He is more quiet and laid back when it comes to playing sports, but boy can Daniel hit the ball! Out of twelve games, Daniel only struck out twice, but this was with the help of a very special bat! He calls it his "lucky bat". It is the bat my brother Jeremy gave Daniel on his seventh birthday, which ended up being Daniel's last birthday with him. Jeremy loved baseball, and I remember how excited he was to give Daniel his very first baseball bat! It warmed my heart and made me smile every time I would hear Daniel tell a teammate that it was his lucky bat because his uncle Jeremy gave it to him.

Great job Daniel, we loved watching you play, you worked hard and did your best!

I thank my God every time I remember you.

~Philippians 3:1

I truly do thank God every time He brings to my mind a warm rememberance of my brother, even a simple baseball bat

Until Next Spring

This is dedicated to our sweet, enthusiastically competitive, Sarah; whose softball season just ended on Saturday. I woke up Saturday morning to cloudy skies and raindrops on our bedroom window. I walked out into the front room and found Sarah, dressed in her uniform, looking out the window and asking God to please make the rain stop for her last game. Well, the drizzle continued, but the coaches thought it would be fun to let the girls play in the rain (oh yes, great fun!). As Jon's mom and I stood next to each other, holding our umbrellas, freezing cold, we couldn't help but laugh as we watched Sarah play her heart out, still diving for the ball even though the ground was wet and muddy.
Believe me, we are not the kind of parents who push our kids to be good athletes so we can re-live our glory days! Sarah just loves to compete, she's always been that way. So until next spring, we will miss our fun-filled Saturdays at the ball field!

Oh, and yes, that is a number 3 on her uniform (mom's old number from high-school). I had nothing to do with it, she picked that number out on her own! Really!!!


I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made
~Psalm 139:14

Sweet Music

A Very Proud Grandma Donna
Sarah, Grandpa D.H., Auntie Carey, a very excited Daniel, and the ever-adorable Olivia

What is a mother to do? Watching Daniel and Sarah play at their piano recital filled my heart with so much pride - I admit it!!! They both have completed their fourth year of piano lessons, and it amazes me each time I hear them play. The days of playing basketball, baseball/softball, football and yes, even volleyball, will someday come to an end. But their ability to play the piano will be with them for the rest of their lives. They did great, playing on a grand piano, up on a big stage and in front of a crowd! Way to go guys! Maybe someday Dad and I will have to pay big bucks to watch you play on a stage, or you can play Christmas songs for us in the lobby of our retirement home. Either way we love you and are so thankful for the gifts God has given you.

Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.

~Psalm 33:2,3

I Wish All Days Were Like This

This last week we were able to get away as a family and go fishing. It was a beautiful sunny day and we had such a fun and relaxing time together. I love the top picture of all three kids with Jon (you can barely see Olivia sitting on the rocks), each one is just kind of hanging out and doing their own thing. Olivia fell asleep on the way, and when we got to the river, I just laid her down in the shade on the rocks and she napped for quite a while. Jon and I spent most of our time untangling Daniel and Sarah's fishing line, and ducking quickly every time they cast their line. But we loved every minute of it and had a lot of laughs.

God Is Not Silent

This picture is of Jon and I at his graduation from the Police Academy on May 25th. I am so proud of him and all that he has accomplished. It was 1999 when he first tested with the State Police and knew that this is what he wanted to do. It's been a long road with many disappointments. I remember not long ago, Jon was completely discouraged after not making it with the Albany PD. My heart ached for him as I watched him wake up day in and day out and go work long hours at a job he did not enjoy. Yet he did it, working so dilligently for his family. I clearly remember driving and listening to the song, "I'll Praise You In The Storm" The words of the song seemed to say exactly what was in my heart... "I was sure by now that you would have reached down, and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day, but once again, I say Amen, and it's still raining"... I prayed again and asked once again for God to direct our lives and keep us in His perfect will. I know everyone has been through a time when they pray and cry out to God, and yet it feels silent, as if He's not there at all. Yet He is. He is not just listening, He is present.

Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.

Isaiah 65:24

Who Would Have Thought?

As of yesterday I never had the desire, nor the time, to sit down and type out my thoughts or post pictures for friends and family. But tonight I find myself in a quiet house with the kids all asleep and my husband working until 3:00 am. And I have just come to the realization that I am going to have many more nights like this. Jon just graduated from the Police Academy, and tonight is his first night on the road with his training officer. He will be gone four nights out of the week. That is a lot of time to myself :) I just finished reading my friend Angela's blog, and was inspired. So here I am, posting my first blog. Even if this doesn't get read by many, this will be a good way for me to share my thoughts and feelings. I have always felt guilty about not staying consistent with my journal or documenting milestones in my children's lives. So, some day this will be a nice collection of stories and pictures for my children to read through and be reminded of the fact that their parents loved them greatly and loved spending time with them.