Like A Little Gift From Heaven

Two emails in my inbox brought me the greatest joy that I've had this week:

1. Jr. High Track meet - CANCELLED

2. Softball game - CANCELLED

Isn't it sad how happy that made me? And, that it was probably the highlight of my week?

I'm pathetic.

I know.

10th Annual Grace Prep ARCTIC Invitational

Can you say "first day of spring?" (Which, I believe, was technically colder than the first day of winter.) Today was the Grace Prep Invitational track meet at Maverick Stadium at UTA. Hours and hours of planning had gone into this day and the weather forecasters spelled doom yesterday when they predicted rain, plummeting temperatures and possible snow flurries. "Surely they'll cancel," I kept saying, over and over and over. But, that is not the track coach mindset. No lightning, hail or tornadoes? Get out there and run.

Rebecca took this picture on the way to the stadium.

Thankfully the rain stopped about 9:15,
right before the first event at 9:30.

This is the view from the press box where I worked all day.
My job was to read the time sheets and put the medals
together for each team. You can see Cowboy Stadium at the left.

These two were great! They had jobs as runners taking
the time sheets and posting them downstairs by the track.

Here is one cold, tired girl. She said her hands
felt like they had needles stinging them when she was running.

Dreaming of her medals -- 2nd place in 4x200m relay
and 3rd place in 4x100m relay -- and a warm bed, probably.

Thanks to my inside job the day wasn't too bad for me. And, I'm hoping the rest of our spring track meets aren't quite so winter-ish.

So, Who Needs a Yard MAN?

Bunny Pickup Lines

So...do you hop around this yard often?

It Depends on What Your Definition of "Break" Is

Break -verb. to interrupt or halt an activity (usually fol. by in, into, forth, or from): Don't break in on the conversation. Let's break for lunch.

Did you know there are 112 definitions of the word 'break" on Dictionary.com? Just another one of those fun facts you receive when you read this blog. I was complaining last night (only in my mind, which could be another severe problem) that we aren't really getting a "break" from school because I've had to drive Rebecca and Abigail to track practice this week. After all, it isn't really a break from school unless you aren't participating in anything related to school, right? At least that's my definition of Spring Break. (Side Note: I wish my definition of Spring Break was me, in a size six bathing suit, laying on the beach in Grand Cayman, but alas, my dreams go unheard.)

So, I had to sit myself down last night and give myself a good "talking to" (another possible mental issue) and remind myself of all the things that have happened this week that are positive, with the first being that no one in this house has had to do any homework all week. Already I feel the gloom lifting!

Jeff left for Peru for 9 days and is ministering
to preteens and adults in Iquitos.

Katherine left last Sunday morning for Keystone, Colorado and
word on the street (Facebook) is that she is loving everything
about skiing except for the sore shins. Thank goodness for Facebook
because, of course, she hasn't called.

I played in this beautiful chapel near downtown Fort Worth

for this simply beautiful wedding.

Rebecca took home top prize in "Knowledge," which
made me very happy and Abigail not so much.
(Mainly because no one can ever beat Abigail at this game.)

Although the girls have been sick with the allergy crud,
they managed to sit on the couch TOGETHER and actually
be civil to each other for almost one whole day.

Jeff sent these gorgeous flowers "just because."
(Probably because he knows I'm sitting home talking to
myself, griping about not having a 'break.')

The peach tree is blooming!
(So help me, Steph, if you tell the squirrels
I'm never speaking to you again.)

And the Carolina Jasmine is popping out
so fast you can almost hear it.

And, I received this sweet, happy flower
(from the aforementioned Steph)
whom I love dearly, but will cut her out of my
life instantly if she talks to my squirrels.Please ignore the shadowy figure in the window.

It's even scaring me, and it is me. Thank you.

For all six of you reading this, I hope your week is a "break", or "springy" or you find yourself laying on whichever beach would make you the happiest.

We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. ~Frederick Keonig

And in Other Sports News...

The Lady Lions softball team has had a great start to their year, winning several games already. Katherine plays outfield and has impressed us with her solid base hits. We have new "legit" uniforms and are looking pretty nice on the field.

Katherine's buddy, Erinn, catching

Batter Up!

Thanks for letting me take your picture
even though you had just lost a game,
and I could tell you didn't feel like smiling.

Are there playoffs in softball? I'm just wondering, because last year, well...we didn't win a single game, and this year we are "legit."

The Thrill of Victory, The Agony of Defeat

WARNING: The following post contains pictures that may be disturbing to some people.

With spring comes the various sports for this time of year; in our case, track and softball. Rebecca and Abigail are running track and Katherine is playing softball. Here's a set of shiny, new track spikes all ready to go.For some, track has been a huge boost. It's fun for them to run fast (why?) and train for hours on end (why?) and top your personal best fastest time. (Side note: I never did see the point of running, fast or slow, in a circle over and over again.This could be due to the fact that I probably lean to the side of "tractor down a two-lane street" slow myself.)

Rebecca has run in three meets so far. She runs the 100 meter, 200 meter, 4x100 meter relay and 4x200 meter relay. Hopefully we'll see some ribbons or medals before the end of the season.

Abigail was assigned to run the 100 meter hurdles on her first track meet. I felt a little concerned because she had, according to her, "only jumped over one hurdle -- ever." I tried to keep my thoughts, and clinching stressed-out stomach, to myself. I cheered her on from the sidelines, and all was going well until the 8th hurdle, where her foot clipped the top of the hurdle, and down she went. If you are a parent reading this, you know how I felt at that exact moment. I wanted to pick up my baby and run away with her and forget hurdles ever existed. Thankfully, Abigail takes after her father, and she picked herself up and jumped over the final hurdles. I, of course, was lecturing myself to not cry and embarrass her further.

Her hands and right knee were scraped and raw and she was holding her right arm. I made an executive decision, along with about six other moms, that she was definitely not running the 300 meter hurdles, because what is that but the same torture, just longer?

Long story, short: Major pain in the right arm, visited the doctor and had x-rays. Possible fracture, but radiologist thought it looked okay. Keep on a brace for a week and if she's still in pain, then we will x-ray again.

My poor baby...

This is the disturbing picture. Ouch!

Here's hoping this post finds you racing (quickly) to your finish line today with no spills along the way.

Oh, Spring You Cannot Be Far Away

In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different
kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours. ~Mark Twain

Isn't that a true statement? Last Thursday, I sat outside at a softball game in rain, blustery wind and chilly temperatures. Saturday at a track meet I came prepared only to have to remove my jacket and scarf. Yesterday's track meet was sunny, but a brisk wind kept us chilled, especially when the sun went down. Today, although very windy, is gloriously sunny and bright. I stepped outside to check on the bunnies and saw little signs of spring everywhere.

Bubbles enjoyed a little hop around the yard
while I cleaned his cage.

But, he didn't want to go back in that cage -- clean or not!

Hard to believe snow was a foot deep on the ground two weeks
ago when I see these little beauties popping out of my hydrangeas.

And fresh new leaves on the roses, and...darn dandelions....they're back, too!


All in preparation for the glorious spring that is just around the corner. Hopefully?

The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month. ~Henry Van Dyke