T Ball Season is Here!

I'll be honest. . .I really didn't want to have Pumpkin play Tball this year. Soccer was difficult in the fall- she really had a hard time playing the entire game. Neither G nor I are huge baseball lovers (although I did play softball for many years), so we figured we would sit this out. . . .

Pumpkin has two cousins her age and they both come from families that love baseball and they were planning on signing their kids up for Tball at the same church where we had soccer. Knowing that two of her cousins were going to be playing, as well as knowing how much my dad would enjoy watching her play was all it took to convince me to sign her up. It is adorable to watch and so much fun with two of her uncles coaching and her cousins with her! She is the smallest on her team, but definitely not the youngest! One amusing fact is that the bat they use is 15 oz. . . .same as she weighed at birth! Crazy! This past Saturday was her first game. . . I couldn't decide which pictures were my favorite so I'll warn you there are a lot!!  You'll see that this is definitely a family affair- lots of help from Daddy, two Uncles, Papa, and Grandpa!

It makes it easier to run to the base when you are running to your Uncle!!!

Getting some batting tips from Uncle V

She made it to third!!!  Papa was waiting!

Yes!!!  She hit is all by herself!!! Woohoo!

Running home!!  Notice Grandpa coaching third behind her!

Love this picture!!!  Mom tells stories of me making daisy chains in right field!!!

Playing the infield with Daddy!  Her cousin is in the pink pants on the right!

 Miss Sweet Pea was busy during the game playing on Grandma's chair!  So proud of herself! 

Sweet Pea watching the game!

March for Babies 2010!

Team Little Feet Big Dreams!

I can't believe its already over!  This was our family's fourth year walking and it was a fun day.  After Pumpkin's early arrival, I knew I needed to give back in some way.  Through a random Internet search, I discovered the March of Dimes (that's a blog for another day!).  I learned that they developed surfactant therapy which saved Pumpkins life- without it her lungs would never have been able to function.  Our first year walking we had a small team- my father, sister, and my coworker and her boyfriend.  It poured for most of the walk- we were cold but had a blast!  The last two years have gone even better- good weather, good food, and now it has become a time to get family and friends together that we do not see often.  I am usually torn between trying to be the host of our team and also working as the Family Team Chair at our tent, but it is such a great experience I keep going back for more!  The walk is usually an emotional time for me, but it also reminds me of how precious my little miracle is.

This years walk was extra special for a few reasons.  My oldest sister was able to walk with us.  She lives out of state and she was here visiting for the weekend and I was so excited to have her participate with us!  She is such an overachiever she asked if she could run the 6.2 miles!  haha  Also we were so lucky have the support of both my parents and G's parents.  We could not do this each year without them and their support is so special to me.  I also had students walking again this year- each year I am amazed by the support of my students.  I have students that fundraise and also that come walk.  My friend Tami was able to come again this year. . .this year was extra special for her as well.  The memories that we make at the walk each year are very special.  I am privleged to walk for Pumpkin and Sweet Pea and to have the support of such good friends and family.

 As always you are welcome to donate still:  www.marchforbabies.org/girlyhurley (or click on the link on the side!)

Here are some pictures from the walk!

Silly Uncle!

                                         Tami and Me                                        

My dad's friend and his daughters!  They have walked with us every year!

Grandma, Pumpkin, and Me

"D&D Days"

Every year I feel like I say "it's been a hard year."  This school year is turning out to be another hard year and I've decided that that is just life and its time to move on.  We'll get through it and our family will be stronger.

Sadly, we lost a dear friend unexpectedly in Feburary.  G and I were youth group leaders when his three kids were in junior high/high school and now his wife works at the girls' preschool.  I sat at the funeral service and reflected on many things.  What an example this man left behind- so committed to his family and his church.  He was rich in God's eyes and he knew what really mattered in life.  His daughter talked about "D&D Days"- which meand Daddy and daughter.  It was so sweet to hear about the special things that they would do together without the boys around.  I think he would be honored that G is going to have his own "D&D Days" with his daughters.  Hopefully they will turn out to be more than just the girls hanging out with him while Mommy goes to MOPS, but they are still young! I'm sure there will be some "D&D" campouts in the future!

One of the sweetest memories of Pumpkin and G was a few weeks ago.  She was learning about community helpers while at school.  A few parents came in to share what they did and I asked if G could bring his work car by the school for the kids to crawl through.  He loves doing this kind of thing, but technically he works in a different city ( by two blocks!) so he had to ask his Sgt.   Miss Pumpkin was sooo excited that morning that her daddy was coming to school and going to see all her friends.  He was there early with his car as clean as could be and ready for the kids.  It was adorable to watch the kids crawl through the car, play with the lights, drive it, and see how many preschoolers could fit in the back.  Pumpkin wanted her turn, but also just wanted to have her daddy hold her!  It was so sweet.  I have cute pictures of her and her buddy driving the car, as well as one with her and her daddy in front of the car! 

(Sorry- no pictures will be shared out of respect for G not wanting work pictures posted. . . will be scrapbooked!!!)

I hope there will be plenty more "D&D Days" memories to share as time goes on!

L