Who Inspires You?

I have had several instances this summer where I have been inspired.... by people, occasions, books, even memories..... I must say that it feels good to be inspired. I would have to say that my mom and my memories of her inspire me most. I believe that if she were still here on earth, she would be inspiring me on a daily basis with her love, her kind words, her generous spirit and her faith in God.

Today I am inspired by my husband who finds the good in everyone and everything no matter what the situation and challenges me a lot lately with the words, "This too shall pass." I find myself inspired to be a better friend than I have been before. I am in a season in my life when friendships have begun to change for a variety of reasons and I realize that this will continue to happen. I am enjoying my new friendships and find myself hanging on to the more cultivated friendships as well. I am inspired by my children.... to play and relax and just "be". I don't do that very well.... I am a multi-tasker by nature and have a difficult time slowing down the day to day pace of life.

Six years ago we lost my mom to breast cancer and our family has not been the same since that day. We have gone through so many changes, but each one of us understands that we are going to be okay.

My mom gave me a book after I had Aiden called Mommy's Locked in the Bathroom.... Surviving Your Child's Early Years with Your Sanity and Salvation Intact. It is hilarious and inspiring! My children were only 2 1/2 and 5 months old when my mom died and I had a lot of moments in those early years when I needed a break. My mom recognized that and this book was one of the ways she gently reminded me that I am not the only mom in the world who works part-time with 2 small children and a husband that travels (um... he was gone 2-3 days a week for six months when Aiden was born) Nevertheless, I needed some inspiration and I got it.

One of my favorite chapters is entitled Making a Joyful Noise and begins with Ephesians 5:19-20: "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything. "

Sometimes the noise in our home does not stop. We have two very talkative and social children who are the product of two very talkative and social parents. We have our fun moments of sharing as well as our angry outbursts just like any other family. There are days when I wish my name was NOT mom or mommy or mama or MMMOOOOMMMM!!!!! Overall, in our home of organized chaos, we are a family who loves the Lord, each other, and our family and friends unconditionally.

We are all inspired by someone or something today and I'm just wondering.... who inspires you? Are you inspiring someone? I sure hope that I am!

How "SUITE" it is!

The L.A. District: Casey, Michael, Jeramie, Matt and Carlos
Batter up!
My boys!
Blake is in his element here... binoculars and all
Sadie, Aiden and Blake... she is just as precious as she looks!
Jeramie had a District Meeting in a suite at Angel Stadium in May. The great thing about this meeting is that the boys and I were able to meet Jeramie at Angel Stadium that evening and watch the game. I can honestly tell you that I do not know who they played that night.. I did not watch one play during the game. I do know that "watching" a game from a suite is by all means the way to see a game (or just hang out if you prefer). The boys were in HEAVEN! It is always fun to hang out with our Medtronic Family.... the people that Jeramie works with are all really good friends and we always have fun when entire families come together for events.

Farm White Sox

Aiden in his gear ready to PLAY BALL!
Aiden in action during the game
The men behind the Farm White Sox!

Aiden played on the Farm White Sox this year. He played at least one inning at catcher every game. His manager was hesitant at first because this was his first year up from T-ball, but once he saw him play catcher, he put him there all of the time. One of the highlights of the season for me was to coach his team on May 8th. Our Little League had ALL MOMS coach that day in all divisions ( I don't have pictures because I wasn't in the stands) It was so much fun! I think all of the boys and their moms enjoyed that experience and will remember for a long time to come. Here are a couple of pictures to re-cap the season.

Integrity and Christ-Like Spirit with a side of Sense of Humor

Blake and Mrs. K
Blake, Jeramie and Stacy after the awards ceremony

Jake, Blake and Ben... friends since pre-school!
Blake's 2nd grade awards ceremony was Tuesday, May 25th. Mrs. Kilmurray called each student up to the stage one by one and read something that she had written about each child. She had a lot of wonderful and positive things to say about Blake (an entire page) so I won't re-type the page. I will tell you some of the things she did say about Blake though: Blake always has the desire to do what is right, Blake is not swayed to do what the crowd is doing, he has his own sense of self and will not compromise his beliefs, he is kind and considerate, he is respectful and polite, he is honest, he admits to his mistakes and learns from them, he kept us laughing with jokes all year, he has perfect comedic timing, he has been dubbed "The President" in our class. Blake received the award for Integrity, and Christ-Like Spirit with a side of Sense of Humor. We pray that these qualities stick with him throughout his life-time and that as the years go by he continues to desire to do what is right and not be swayed to do what the crowd is doing. As far as the side of sense of humor, we all know who he gets that from now don't we?

"The Spirit of Goodness"

Aiden and Mrs. Free
Aiden with his proud parents!
Aiden's Kindergarten award ceremony was on Thursday, May 27th. We did not know which award he would receive beforehand. Mrs. Free read something about each child without revealing the child's name until just before she presented the award. She started talking about a boy who had stayed "on track" the entire school year. He is always helping others including his teacher. He is always there to extend a helping hand. Aiden received "The Spirit of Goodness" award this year.
"Shout with joy to God, all the earth." Psalm 66:1

KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION

Aiden and Mrs. Free... he told us earlier that week that he was going to stay in Kindergarten with her... he was serious!
Papa Rich, Yvette and Aiden
I was holding our place in line and had time to take a quick picture

Jeramie and Aiden at our house before the graduation ceremony
The morning of Kindergarten Graduation was a difficult one for Jeramie and I. We do realize that it's "just Kindergarten" as so many people have pointed out. We know that there will be 8th grade graduation and High School graduation and College graduation, etc, but when Aiden put on that cap and gown we both knew that a huge year of milestones was ending that morning. We would never again be sending a child to Kindergarten and that made us sad.... not sad enough to have another child, but definitely sad. The morning consisted of the children marching in to "Pomp and Circumstance" and performing a little show called the ABC's of Kindergarten. Aiden's part was, "Q is for questions, we asked them everyday, our teachers always wondered what we would say." They sang songs and recited memory verses and had their audience laughing and crying. What? You want to watch the performance? Well, we just happen to have the entire day on video. Come on over!

Perfect Attendance

Blake received a Perfect Attendance award on the last day of school. This is the 2nd year in a row that he has had perfect attendance. Aiden was not happy that he did not receive the award and informed me that next year he will go to school even when he is sick. Sure, that's going to happen.