What I've been up to. . .

Where does the time go?  I say this
so often!  We live in a culture where
we are going a million different directions!

So here's what I've been up to lately:
Tommy and I took a trip to Florida
a little over a month ago to see the
area where my boys and I will spend
the summer.  I have taken the position
as Assistant Coach for the USSSA
Florida Pride in the Professional
Fastpitch Softball League.  There
are 4 teams in the league and the
best softball players in the world
are competing on these 4 teams.
In fact, the team I will be coaching
has 4 players who were my Olympic
teammates in 2004 and two USA
Olympians from 2008 as well
as 2 Canadian Olympians.  I'm
looking forward to this opportunity!
My sister-in-law, niece, and nephew
will also spend the summer with us
in Florida.  I'm sure it's going to be
a summer we will never forget!

I spoke at a couple Opening
Ceremonies for Softball Leagues
recently (Chino Hills & Fountain
Valley).  I love talking to the girls
and parents.  I know that it's been
forever since I've played :) but I
love to share some highlights and
remind them to make sure and have
fun out on the field.  The sport of
softball had such a huge impact on
my life because of the people it
brought into my life.  I love sharing
my passion for the sport with others.

I also did a softball clinic for pitchers
and hitters with Eastvale Girls
Softball.  This is the local league that
my niece plays in and it is growing
every year!  I had a chance to speak
at Cal Baptist's Softball Fundraising
Banquet last month and then went
out to a game.  The team is very
good once again and it was fun to
watch them beat the defending DII
Champions in UC San Diego. 

Talking about college softball, I had
the chance to speak to some girls
with Oregon State Softball when
they played in the Long Beach
State tournament.  I shared my
testimony and talked a little about
"running to win the prize". 

I am thankful for every opportunity
I get to share.  It doesn't matter how
big or small the venue is.  I spoke to
a couple small mom's groups this
past month and it was such a
blessing to me.  I hope they were
encouraged as I shared what God
put on my heart for each of their
groups.  I always ask God to show
me what verses to share and what
points to make when speaking. I
am so thankful God always answers
my prayer!!!

Tomorrow I fly to Ohio to speak
for Sportsworld.  I'll be speaking
at 9 schools and 1 church.  So. . .
10 talks in 3 days! 

A number of years ago God gave
me a passion to speak to others
and encourage them.  I didn't have
many opportunities back then and
I wanted God to take away the
passion because I felt like I didn't
have an outlet.  Now I see why
He made me so passionate about
it.  During that time, I had a lot
of growing to do and still do, but
He has brought opportunity in
His perfect timing.  I will always
trust His plan over mine!

My wonderful husband is so
wonderful working with me
to juggle our schedules.  He is
such a hard worker and helps
so much.  I couldn't do any
of this without his help!  I know
God gave him to me for a
reason! 

Besides all of that, baseball
season has begun.  Drew is
playing for the Pirates and
got a hit in his 1st game off
the machine.  It was his
first time ever hitting off a
machine.  I love seeing the
smile on his face and I can
tell he loves to play!  Jake
and Luke are his biggest
fans and love to cheer him
on.  I am thankful for my
family!!!

Softball Poem

An athlete asked me if I would help
her in a school project and write
a poem for her.  I am not a poet :)
but I thought I'd take a shot at it for
fun.  Here is what the result was:

Softball is a game I play,
I work hard at it every day.
When I compete, I come alive.
To be the best is why I strive.

Catch, throw, run, and swing,
It comes down to the little things.
I love my sport thanks to my team.
To win the championship is my dream.

At the end of the day,
softball is just a game.
To win at life
is my bigger aim.

I live for God because He loves me.
I give my best for the world to see.
I hope to make a difference,
Wherever I go and get the chance.

When you find out what you love to do,
the sky's the limit-there's no stopping you.
Shine your light, don't be afraid to fall,
Every day is a gift, so give it your all.

Big Bear Vacation 2012

 We missed our trip to the mountains
last year so we were very excited to
go again this year.  The boys love the
mountains.

 It has been hot lately so there wasn't
much snow.   Luckily right behind our
cabin was a small patch of snow that
hadn't melted yet. But is was so icy
that Luke fell the first night and scraped
his face.

 The boys were outside immediately.

 They even found a snow man that
hadn't melted yet.

 Keith and Jessica came up
a little later on Wed night
and the kids were so excited
to have their cousins stay
with us all week.

On Thursday we took a walk
to the lake.

 The scenery was gorgeous!

I love seeing the water with

snowy mountains in the

background.

                                    

 Keith and Jessica

 Luke was tired and kept

asking Tommy and me to

carry him.  How can you

say no to that face?

 we even found a little snow

on our walk.

 The boys had to put their feet

in the freezing water.

 Family

 At our place, the kids played
with weeples.

 We ate a ton of food and of
course ice cream.

 We stopped at the Discovery

Center.

 On Friday we went and found

a place to tube.  There wasn't much,

but we were determined!

 They went down however they

could because it was so

slippery.

 This picture cracks me up

because if you look closely

there are 3 people on the tube

even though you only see

2!

We played some tennis on

Saturday.  I should say we

"attempted" to play.

 It was a fun and relaxing

weekend with the family.

We played lot of board

games, enjoyed the outdoors,

ate too much food and

watched some movies.

 We made memories that we

won't forget.  Life can get

really busy sometimes so

I savor those moments away

from our hectic schedule.

God is in Control

God is in control. . .

of ALL things,

at ALL times,

in ALL circumstances,

with ALL authority!

I need this truth to be my focus
as I just found out news of yet
another heartbreaking story!
My friend's 2-yr-old son has
had severe reflex since being
born, and today after testing
and an MRI they found a tumor
on his brain. Please pray for
a miracle for little Garrison.

This makes me angry, upset, sad,
frustrated, UNTIL I get my focus
back on Jesus.  HE is the HOPE in
our lives.  HE is the ANSWER to
our fears.  HE is the LORD and
SAVIOR of the world.  HE is in
CONTROL. 

I also know that the same power
we read about in the Bible for healing
and life is available now.  God can
HEAL and HE does heal.  I am
praying believing this and will trust
in God's perfect will. 


“For with God nothing will be
impossible.” (Luke 1:37)




"But He said, “The things which are
impossible with men are possible
with God.” (Luke 18:27)


“Now to Him who is able to do
exceedingly abundantly above
all that we ask or think, according
to the power that works in us.”
(Ephesians 3:20)

Family Time

We keep a pretty busy schedule

around here, probably like many

other families in America.

I do travel quite a bit, so

I try to do as many family

activities as I can.

I finally downloaded pictures

from my phone, so I just thought

I'd share some of our latest

adventures.

For Valentine's Day, I took the

boys to donuts for a treat before

taking them to their Tuesday classes.

 After a clinic I had a couple weeks
ago, we decided it was a good night
to go out to dinner.  I am so happy
to be at the stage where we can go
as a family and enjoy eachother.
When they were little and couldn't
sit still, I thought this day would never
come!

 Last month we took the boys
to see Phineas and Ferb at
a local arena.

 In January, the Wounded Warriors
Amputee Softball Team played in
Mission Viejo the weekend after
we played against them in Florida.
I took my boys out before their
game started so my boys could
meet these amazing men!

 We decided to let Jake lead
us in a Bible teaching on Daniel 1
last month.  He loved speaking
and I am amazed at his knowledge
for his age and how comfortable
he is talking in front of people!

 We also had "Uncle Bob" in
town for work last month and
he treated the family to lunch
and games at John's Incredible
Pizza.  The boys loved it!

 Who wins this many tickets?

 Prizes are always fun.  Uncle Bob
was so great with the boys.

 Back in December we went to
the Discovery Science Center
for a field trip with my friend,
Kristi, and her kids and we
brought Micah, my nephew,
along with us too.

 We also went ice skating as a
family in Temecula over Christmas
break.

 On New Year's Eve we took
the boys to Toy Story on ICE.
Lots of memories this year!

 Even while I work, my boys can
play.  I took them with me to
Jennie Finch Softball Camp in
Mission Viejo last month and
the boys played in the sand with
Jennie's son, Ace, and my friend
Toni's son, Easton for 2 straight
days.

 I also took Jake and Drew with
me to San Diego for an afternoon
at Athletes in Action Camp to
see college athletes learing more
about God.

 I love nights where we don't
have anything planned.  We went
to get some ice cream after
dinner.  Making more memories :)

 My boys can fight a lot, but
they also are so cute together
sometimes.  Drew prayed in
the car for Luke before we went
in to get Luke's shots last week.
He also told him he would hold
his hand while he got the shots.
Luke was tough and only had
a few tears.

 Last but not least for this post:
Homeschool project this past
week:
Oreo Moon Phases
Drew has been learning
about the Solar System
and this was a fun and
easy project that we
did. 

I am thankful that my time with my
family is first and foremost.  I love
getting to travel and speak, teach
softball, and meet others.  God has
blessed me beyond my wildest
dreams!  I love my family.