Take me out to the....

...Dubois County Bombers game!

When I was in the fifth grade, Hollywood came calling to my dear little hometown to film the movie A League of Their Own at our own local League Stadium.  Since that time, the ballpark has been one of my favorite features in Huntingburg.  As a teen, I worked concessions there for the Dubois County Dragons, a local professional baseball team, and have so many beloved memories of those times. 

Now, I get to re-experience the thrill of the stadium with my own children as we attend the Dubois County Bombers games this summer!   

It all started when my brother got a couple extra tickets from work (thanks, Chris!) and I decided to take Ava on a special Friday night date. I wasn't sure how that would go over, but she loved it.  We stayed the entire game, sharing snacks, checking out the players, and enjoying the festivities with the crowd.  She adored the atmosphere and couldn't wait to go back. 

I knew the Bub likely wouldn't last the whole game, so we chose a Wednesday night for his initiation (they had half-price tickets to boot!).  Once again, we loaded up on snacks and settled into the bleacher seats to watch.  Luckily, we also ran into the kids' cousin Alonna and her family that night, so they had a friend to play with too.  It was hot, and since Hudson preferred dancing and prancing to actually sitting down, he got pretty sweaty pretty fast.  We made it to the fourth inning before we headed home, but it was nonetheless a great time. 

(Photo Credit: Dash Photography)

Although Erik's not always patient with these family-fun-outings that I cook up, he gamely came with us and even cooperated when the Bombers' kiss cam found us!  I think we're planning on going again soon with the whole family, and I hope this will become a new Smith tradition in the making.

 

Play ball! 

Walking the Line

Confession: I am a perfectionist.  Well, if I’m being totally honest with myself, I’m more of a former perfectionist who still struggles with the realization that there never was such a thing as perfection.  A work in progress, we shall say.

I’m older.  I’m wiser.  Yet I still find myself striving for that flawlessness just beyond my grasp.  Is it instinct, or bad habit?

Take this summer.  As a parent, as a teacher, as a big believer in rest and renewal, I embrace summer as one of my most important seasons.  I work very hard for ten months out of the year in order to perfectly enjoy those two hard-fought summer months.  Indeed, I write about it every year!  And yes, I have certain expectations for how I want that summer to progress.  Usually, my goals are pretty simple.  Play with my kids.  Read some good books.  Get a tan.  Reinvigorate myself.

I consider myself pretty spoiled in this department, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.  Yet invariably even my simple summer plans are not executed without a few hitches.  And that, I’m finally learning, is simply life.  A give and take between what you want, and what you get.

This summer, I really feel like that Paula Abdul song.  One step forward.  Two steps back.  Just when something goes according to plan, several more things fall apart.  I’d been enjoying more than a year of good health in regards to my ulcerative colitis, and I suppose I’d gotten complacent that perhaps my body was finally responding to medication and falling back into normalcy.  I’d been working out regularly, feeling like the old me, and summer was just around the corner.  Perfection!

Then—no.  Just not.  Another flare-up.  Another ugly bout with this chronic condition of mine.  Another reminder that some things will always be out of my own control.  So beyond being limited in how far I can travel and what activities I can do with my children, I’m also back on steroids (and all that entails).  My heavier workouts have been stymied, and my spirits have been rattled.

And yet?  Isn’t this the best time for a flare-up?  A chance to heal at home, without work constraints, without major responsibilities?  God’s time is always the right time, even if we can’t see it.  Amidst all my frustrations, I’m so trying to find that silver lining. 

I carry on, walking the line between positives and negatives.  Pleased that we can afford Holiday World season passes, and that I’ve managed to take the kids without any major problems from my colon.  Frustrated that our Trailblazer and mini-van—both of which we’ve recently paid off—have suddenly required expensive repairs.  It’s been a jarring back-and-forth.

Going to Bombers games at the local League Stadium! 
A nest of mice found living in our attic that keeps us awake all night long.

Filling up the inflatable pool in the backyard and having picnics!
Our drains are suddenly stopped up and stinky.

Having simple time again to keep my home clean and in good condition!
I broke the toilet seat during a recent cleaning.

As Erik likes to remind me, these are merely middle-class American problems, and I know that; I know it.  There’s no doubt how deeply blessed we are, and I cling to that reminder daily.  The Great Physician is still at work on me, and not just physically.  Even at my age, I still have a lot to learn.  Frustrations are simply that: frustrations.  In the grand scheme of things, they mean nothing.  It is how we respond to them that truly form our character, and that is a test I am determined to pass.  In fact, I don’t just want to walk that line; I want to dance it.

Silly Survey 2013

 

Each year around the kids' birthdays, I always administer this same silly survey that I found a-la-Internet.  It's fun to see how their answers change from year to year and child to child.  Ava's answers are pink; Hudson's are blue.  Enjoy!

 

1. What is your favorite color?

Pink

Red

 

2. What is your favorite toy?

Barbies

Skateboard (Umm…he’s never rode one?)

 

3. What is your favorite fruit?

Pineapple

Apple

 

4. What is your favorite TV show?

Scooby Doo

SpongeBob SquarePants

 

5. What is your favorite food?

Pizza

Gummies

 

6. What is your favorite outfit?

Dresses

My baseball shirt

 

7. What is your favorite game?

Candyland

Fibber

 

8. What is your favorite snack?

Fruit Roll-Ups

Pretzels

 

9. What is your favorite animal?

Horse

Giraffe

 

10. What is your favorite song?

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

 

11. What is your favorite book?

I Spy books

SpongeBob SquarePants

 

12. Who is your best friend?

Braelyn

Jacob

 

13. What is your favorite cereal?

Frosted Flakes

Cinnamon Toast Crunch

 

14. What is your favorite outdoor activity?

Swimming

Backyard baseball

 

15. What is your favorite drink?

Sprite

Chocolate milk

 

16. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas

Halloween

 

17. What is your "lovey" that you sleep with at night?

I don’t have one, but I used to sleep with my mermaid doll.

My puppy

 

18. What is your favorite breakfast food?

Toast

Oatmeal

 

19. What is your favorite birthday meal?

Cupcakes

Ice cream

 

20. What do you want to be when you grow up?

A ballet teacher or a hair salon worker

A mail carrier

Fourth Birthday

May 29, 2013

Dear Hudson,

 

Today you turned four years old, and as I watched you joyously scamper into Chuck E. Cheese--the only place you really wanted to go to celebrate your birthday--I was awed at how much you've grown and matured this past year.  As Ava so succinctly put it, you're "older, smarter, and really special too."  Indeed.

 

You are four.  You are fabulous.

 

 

 

This year, besides organizing our special family trip to Evansville, you also actively prepared your own party, which you adamantly wanted to have at Mamaw and Papaw's country home.  You're an outdoorsy boy, full of life and delight and freedom.  It pleases me more than you'll know to realize you're also one of those boys always eager to help.  You help cook supper, put away laundry, and clean the playroom.  When you get bigger, you want to help mow the lawn.  You love reading books, playing video games, and going outside.  You're just getting interested in superheroes and sports.  When you grow up, you want to be a mail carrier.

 

 

You've completed your first year of preschool, and I couldn't be prouder of the student you've become.  Miss Jennifer says you're an excellent listener, and I can attest to that.  When you have something important to say, you hold someone's face and make direct eye contact.  I love that about you.  Furthermore, you have an inner depth beyond four years, and a love of family that's so strong. Your sense of humor is sharpening every day, and your grasp of God is deepening as well.

 

More than anything, I am grateful to be your mother.  You've brought satisfaction, adventure, and joy to our family. You still give the best hugs, and even though you don't want to hold my hand anymore or let me kiss your face, you still show your love each and every day.  It is warm and vibrant and so full of innocence that it takes my breath away.

 

 

Yes, Hudson, you are growing up handsomely.  Your sister is your best friend, and you treat your parents so well.  You're a wonderful boy and will become such a magnificent man.  You make me smile.  You make me happy. 

 

Happy fourth birthday, my sweet man.

All my love,

Mom