Rain, Rain Go Away...

The rain just doesn't want to let up. It rained throughout the night last night and is forecasted to continue for the next 3 days. So much for Sunday's game. Now is the time to really get creative, especially with our kids!

My forecast is another movie... lots of naps... a game or two... big bowls of popcorn... lots of lazing around... in other words: VACATION!

Happy Birthday, Claire!

Claire turns 6 today! We celebrated the big day swimming with Aunt Lydia & Uncle Andre, opening presents and eating delicious strawberry cake. Roller skates, Littlest Pet Shops and Mini Groovy Girls were the top 3 gifts this year. And on Wednesday, Claire, Lydia & I spent the afternoon at the mall where we visited Build-a-Bear, shopped and had serious "girl time". The highlight of the week, however, was when Claire lost her first tooth on Tuesday evening.

"Girls, I had so much fun!"

Tonight we're spending the night at Auntie's house, as the team has had 3 days of rainouts this week. We enjoyed dinner with a host family last night, took in a movie on Tuesday and have had lots of downtime as a family these past few days. While the break is nice, we're hoping for some sunshine so they might be able to play on Sunday.

Happy 6th Birthday, Claire! You are a wonderful daughter and a joy to parent. We Love You!!

Topsy-Turvy

Ask anyone who knows us and they'll agree... we're early-bedtime kinda people. For the kids, anyway. That said, we've been absolutely turned on our heads!

Example: We traveled with the team yesterday to Topeka, Kansas for a 7 pm game, leaving at 4:30. The team lost a heartbreaker and we left the ballpark at 10:30 pm. We found our way to Buffalo Wild Wings for a late dinner and arrived back "home" at 1am. We slept in until 10:30. That's basically our life these days. Breakfast at noon, naps at 3 pm and we do it all again.

I considered skipping last night's game, but it's what we're here for.

The kids are doing amazingly well, I must say. As long as everyone is fed and we find shade, we're okay. It is hot. It was still 90 degrees at 10pm last night.

And when I say "we slept in", I mean the kids and I. Kelly and the team are working a camp this morning - they left at 8 this morning and will be back after lunch. No game today, thankfully!

We're still loving it! We look forward to a stretch of home games this week, a trip to the mall & swimming pool, visits with my sister and a celebration of Claire's 6th birthday! ... We can always sleep next month!

Too Fast

Time is flying! We're so enjoying being here and know that the time for the kids & I to return home will come far too quickly. We've enjoyed games (including a win!), eating with the team, spending time as a family, making new friends, a tour of the Negro League Baseball Museum, more eating, relaxing and just 'being'. Summer always goes too fast!

We Made It!

We're here... in Kearney, Missouri, that is. After 6+ hours in the van yesterday we made it just in time to make a visit to the dugout followed by dinner with the team. The actual game was canceled as the opponent didn't show, so we enjoyed more free time with Dad.

I'm now sitting alone in a coffee shop just a few steps from our new home. Kelly & the kids are at the gym this morning and I get to enjoy a chai latte with no distractions. Tonight Kelly & I will go out on a date to celebrate my birthday while friends watch the kids.

It's so good to be here.

Kitchen Sink

Bicycles... check.

Golf Clubs... check.

Books, toys, games... check.

Birthday & Father's Day gifts... check.

Kitchen Sink... check.

Seriously.

Preparing for a 3-week trip is a lot of work! We have a very busy day tomorrow so I'm trying to get as much done today as possible. We've had a great time visiting with my mom. It's been a four-day celebration of my birthday!

Tomorrow is CareFest in Rochester, a day set aside for churches come together to do service projects all over the city. The benefactors include public schools, daycare facilities, parks, women's shelters, public works and various others. Last year the labor alone was worth well over one million dollars to the city. As for me, I've signed up to watch the children of the volunteers from our church tomorrow morning. Not that I'm not willing to pick up a paintbrush or shovel, but for this summer I figured it was the best way for me to serve.

"So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people." Galatians 6:10

We'll take my mom to the airport after church tomorrow and head home for a good night's sleep (hopefully! - we're still adjusting to our 'summer schedule' - oh wait, we really don't have one). We plan to head to Missouri first thing Sunday morning to arrive in time for Kelly's game and and evening together.

We're ready to go, or at least mentally we are. I'm still packing, and will be until the moment we leave, I'm sure, but our hearts and our heads are already with dad. We plan to have a very special Father's Day.

Slip Slidin' Away

What a gorgeous weekend we had! It truly feels like summer with 80+ degrees, blue skies and lots of fun. Saturday we saw the last soccer game of the season. Claire's team ended up with a winning record, 4-2. She poured her little body and soul into every game and was a big contributor to her team. She was awarded with a participation medal and can't wait to play again!

Saturday evening we rode our bikes to church and enjoyed another great time. I love teaching Claire's class. On Sunday mornings each service averages 20+ kindergartners in her class, but on Saturday evenings we have around 10-12, with K & 1st combined. The kids are great, probably the most eager and well-behaved group I've ever had the opportunity to teach. And after dinner in the gym, playtime on the playground and a bike ride home, we were wiped out!

Sunday greeted us with more perfect weather! After chores & rewards we headed to a newly constructed park for a picnic. This park was huge! More so vertically than horizontally. And it served to prove that Nolan truly has no fear. He climbed up to the fourth, yes fourth, level (enclosed & very safe) and slid down an impossibly fast slide - over and over. Claire & I were a little more cautious and hung out closer to the ground. Claire was very brave, facing her fear of heights and did try the slide once. That one trip down was enough for the both of us. In the afternoon we cooled off on the Slip n' Slide in the backyard before "rest time".

And now we're officially into the week, which brings us even closer to Mission: Kelly-Kansas City! I realize I mentioned this in my last post, but we are so excited to be leaving on Sunday! This will be a great week with friends and family and we'll truly revel in Father's Day knowing we can give those beloved handmade cards and gifts to Dad in person, rather than having to send them in the mail.

It's another gorgeous day, I'm holding out on turning on the A/C as long as I can, trying to let the fresh air in. I have a feeling the temps are going to rise quickly though and before long we'll be back outside splashing in the hose!

Happy Monday!