For Matt Bateman, Andy’s Coach and all you other White Sox fans:

Enough said.

Our house is in an uproar this weekend because the Cubs and Sox are playing the Crosstown Classic. Around here, it’s equivalent to the Civil War.

Though we live southeast of Chicago, we’re die hard north-side fans. We bleed Cubby blue.

We’re currently going through another round of the elimination diet to determine Brady’s food allergy. (We’re making progress finally!) While eating a carefully chosen lunch (void of the milkshakes Andy and Connor wanted,) Andy said, “Mommy, I think I’m allergic to the White Sox.”

I tried not to laugh. “Oh really? What happens if you get near the White Sox?”

“I stink!” Andy said, giggling hysterically.

Don’t worry, buddy, I’m sure more than half of Chicago has the same allergy.

PS– For those of you who give a hoot, Cubs won game one of the series. Game two is being played now. The Cubs won game two also. Can you hear us singing the “Go, Cubs, Go” song?!  :)

B, Brady, Baseball!

I haven’t written much about Brady’s baseball experience. He couldn’t be any cuter in his little uniform. In fact, the whole junior T-ball team is just plain adorable. Imagine about 30 four-year-olds, all gussied up as if they decided to be Mark Grace for Halloween. They make me smile before they even hit the field.

I think poor Brady has been slightly disappointed by the difference between Junior T-ball and T-ball. (Andy’s league is T-ball; it’s for the five and six-year-olds.) Junior T-ball is basically an organized practice in uniforms. They haven’t even picked up bats. Most of their hour each week is spent taking turns fielding grounders in the outfield.

After his first “game,” Brady got situated next to me to watch Andy’s second game. He looked up at me and sweetly asked, “Mommy, is my game after this?” Poor boy knows there’s more to the game!

So, as this season draws to an end, we’re all looking forward to next season… when Andy and Brady should get to be on the same team!! Woo-Hoo.

As frustrated as my Brady-Boy is, he’s been a real trooper. He still gets excited and looks forward to his Saturday mornings. After all, they do get to run the bases…

… what the world’s cutest catcher looks like?

Well, now you know.

Special thanks to Andy’s fan club from last night! He had seven additional fans there aside from his family. One team mom even joked that all our chairs looked like a campsite and asked if we were going to make s’mores, too. It sure made Andy’s day to hear all the cheering, though. Thanks, guys!

This evening, tornadoes ripped through our area, not too far from here. In fact, the town of Monee, Illinois is just 40 minutes from us got hit pretty hard, and some good friends of ours live there. Thankfully, they were unharmed and all of their property remained untouched!

(This is a photo of the tornadoes that went through northeast Illinois tonight!)

After viewing some of the footage on the news, the boys had millions of questions. Since I’m not a meteorologist, I answered their questions as best I could. I also used this opportunity to remind them of the way God is always in control and how He protects us. “He kept us all safe, just like He does with Daddy each night,” I said.

“Cool!” Brady said. “How come God is so strong? Is He stronger than the tornadoes?”

“Oh, yeah, Buddy,” I said. “God is way stronger than any tornado. He controls the wind. He’s in charge of the weather and everything else.”

Brady sat quietly as if he was amazed by the Lord’s strength. Then he asked, “Did God protect Alfonso Soriano and Derrek Lee, too?!”

That’s my boy. Even in the midst of a deeply spiritual discussion, his mind is never far from the Cubbies. Such concern for others! ‘;)

You know how, when you can’t sleep, you’re supposed to count sheep?

Around here, we count sleeps.

Like most moms of toddlers, I’ve taught the boys to count the number of “sleeps” (overnight and nap-time) until their next long-awaited event. It may be a visit from family or something special at church. Here recently, though, it’s all about baseball games.

Andy played a game Thursday and doesn’t have another game until this Friday. Eight days (16 sleeps) is a LONG time in pre-school world! Poor Brady only has games on Saturdays.

Just for the record, my system has worked! The boys no longer ask how long it is until their next game! You’d think that was a major triumph, huh?

Now they just keep asking how many sleeps.

When your husband takes one child to the airport with him and leaves the others home, upset and jealous, here’s what you do:

Make them a baseball card using your expensive and professional graphic design software. See?

The bad thing? It’s only May. What will I do the rest of the year when they’re bored?

As a teenager and college student, one of my favorite Bible passages was Psalm 37:4-5:

Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

I remember having all of these wants, but desperately wanting to do the things that would please the Lord the most. I found this verse and took it to heart. By letting go of my own desires and turning to Him, He’d see to it that my needs and wants would be taken care of. I just needed to get out of the way!

I really wanted to find a great guy to marry. I always said, “I’d rather be single than settle.” Along came my husband, just months after I graduated from college. (Someday maybe I’ll share that story.)

I wanted to be able to be a wife and mother, but still get to do graphic design. I really wanted to use it as a ministry… To be able to help out missionaries and the like. My dream projects were prayer cards and cd covers. Now, I have enough of that kind of business to keep me busy! My husband recently said it could easily turn into a full-time job if I let it. (Alas, I’m a wife and mommy first!)

I wanted children, if God allowed it. Along came five babies in a little over five years.

And, selfishly, I wanted my kids to be Cubs fans and my sons to maybe play baseball. Well, just last night, all seven of us sat around eating a leisurely dinner of pizza and watching the Cubs game. You should have heard the cheers when they won the game… And the noise wasn’t all from me!

Above all, I wanted — and still do — to know that “my children walk in truth” 3 John 4). I see tiny evidences of their growth toward God everyday. May I be a help in that direction and never a hindrance!

God is faithful and His Word is true. Once I got out of His way, He worked everything out in my life. I’m so thankful.

We just got home from Andy’s first-ever baseball game. (So, it’s T-ball… whatever.)

The Mariners played great. They were clearly more prepared than the other team. We are really blessed with great coaches who not only are patient and practice a lot, but they also have a knack for explaining things in “little kid terms.” They’re great.

Supposedly, they won, but I don’t think anyone really keeps score at these things. Andy did call Daddy to tell him they beat the Dodgers, though, so I guess it’s that official. (Poor Nate had to work during the game, but he was able to stop by on his lunch break!)

Andy played first base most of the game and pitcher later. (I should say “pitcher,” because he played on the mound, but never pitched the ball.)  He hit the ball well, too. He was giddy about the whole ordeal and didn’t seem at all embarrassed when I yelled for him. He seemed to eat it up. Silly boy.

Here’s Andy playing first base. Watch out Derrek Lee!

Though Ferris slept in her stroller through the whole game, the other kids did great, thanks to some extra attention from my super wonderful nieces Faith and Leigha. (We love you, girls. You rock! I owe you a million Tootsie Rolls.)

Here’s Evan totally absorbed with the game… or at least her fashion.

Here’s Connor, who was eagerly awaiting the fruit snacks I had packed in my bag.

Brady had fun showing off Sirus, who arrived with Daddy on their dinner break. They’re both good boys.

Andy scored three times during the game and made a few outs. His fielding was phenomonal, too… Maybe I’m a bit biased, but maybe not. The coaches awarded him the game ball for “being a wonderful first basemen!” He’s estatic and has already called Daddy to tell him.

Honestly, this time.

Tonight is really THE BIG NIGHT! Andy has his first T-ball game in about four hours.

It’s nap time here, but I’m not sure how much actual sleeping will get done since everyone’s too excited to sleep.

Just pray that the lemonade I have packed in my bag will give Connor and Brady enough of a sugar high that they won’t have an “I-was-too-excited-too-sleep-so-this-late-in-the-day-game-is-coming-in-the-middle-of-the-time-I-would-be-falling-apart-at-home” crash. YIKES.

 And just for all of my out-of-state readers (all 2 of you), the temperature here in Chicagoland today is 61 degrees. No, wait, that’s the high. So, game time will likely be in the 50’s. At least I have four other kids to pile on my lap and keep me warm.