June Recap

Baseball, City League and Travel: 

Travel ball has been exhausting, yet a great learning experience. Maddix has never had to be so patient and committed to something as he has to this. There are endless practices, 8hr tournaments almost every weekend (that we have to drive around 2hrs too), and the never ending frustrations of wanting to see your hard work actually pay off in a game. Well, in our final home tournament, Maddix was playing right field in an inning we were struggling to get out of, when a ball came flying out to right field and he caught it! With spirits slightly lifted, another ball came flying out in foul territory and he was able to run and make the snag for the third out! His whole team praised his name as they ran in and he was award the game ball once it was done. During the second game he was given the chance to move up from bottom of the batting line up to top. He would be batting second after a really good hitter. He calmed his nerves and ended up smacking a huge hit out to centerfield area and then had another great hit at his next up to bat; it was by far the best day of travel ball he’s had so far; next would probably be the team dinner after the fort dodge tourney. For City league, this year he was on the Twin’s team; they were awesome! We loved the coach and all the opportunities he gave Maddix. Just hands down the greatest city coach we’ve ever had. They took third in the tournament and Maddix’s heart was shattered. But I’m so proud of the progress he’s made this season, both in skill set and emotionally. And he is such a stud!!  

Aaron has been having the opposite of experiences. His Travel team, the raptors, is made up of his friends and kids we know. So he rarely feels any pressure and loves just hanging out all day with them. City league though, we’ve had the WORST coach ever. Aaron has benched entire games, not batted at all in the line up, and almost always got thrown in right field if he got to play. When Travis tried talking to the coach, he railed into travis…. That’s all I’ll say about that dude! But Aaron has been so good through it all. Never a complained or a selfish bone. It doesn’t even seem to phase him. He just keeps cheering everyone on, chats with the dugout coaches and has them in stitches, and loves the concession stand treats. 

Landscaping Project: 

-Two weeks- 

He said it would take two weeks…. Que the insane laughter! It’s been two months and we BARELY finished just ad family came rolling into town (more on that later). We transformed our yard and all along the way we’ve had endless Neighbor’s and strangers become involved in the process. Everyone became invested in the transformation; one Angel gentleman even volunteered to come load/haul away our pallets that we couldn’t figure out what to do with!! 

In the end the patio, swing set, garden, and landscaping around the house looks phenomenal. Such a labor of love. And only a few minor projects to finish and it’s completely done!! Oh and our garage took a hit because of all the construction going on so we also took hours and well into the night to get that put back together! And the house…. Everything has fallen by the wayside as we poured our lives into this project; so worth it. 

Girls Camp:

What a cool experience. 

The girls thought I was so cool…. That was the best part for me, ha ha. No, I loved it all. Especially: the rope bridge, the Women’s Walk, playing the pitch perfect Cups song for the girls, face masks, late night cabin talks with a new leader friend I made, and especially the dance! 

Thank you to Ariana for taking my children, and Maddix for being mature enough to stay home and water/take care of the dogs and dad! 

Okaboji: 

Our first non baseball weekend since April! We went with our friends to Okaboji which is a vacation destination town in Iowa. There is a park with a pier and a Ferris wheel that all lights up at night. The car ride there was probably my favorite part because the entire carful was singing and dancing, the weather provided rain smells, fresh green hills, and a double rainbow. We took a late night boat ride when we got there and it was gorgeous. The next day we went tubing in the rain and then enjoyed hanging out in the condo. We took a walk, enjoyed company, and then cleaned up to drive home. 

Short and sweet.  

Summer Activities:  

We’ve had yard work/chores each morning from after breakfast until lunch. We’ve had a garage sale so the kids could do a lemonade stand; this year Aaron was the lemonade king. The neighbors behind us said he probably made $20 off their family alone! But he diligently stayed from 9:00am-2:00pm. Made $66. Not too shabby. He even ran to a neighboring yard sale to purchase a $4.00 science kit that he then came home and re-sold for $5.00! Such an entrepreneur! 

We’ve been enjoying Clear Lake, whether with friends or by ourselves. Baseball every evening. Our new slip’n’slide and our small pool. And now we can start enjoying our new swing set! 

(Prepare for a phot dump!)