Play Ball!!

Evan played Spring Ball this year with quite literally the BEST coaches I have ever seen in my life.

Coach Dee pitching while Evan waits to run home.

I love watching Evan play baseball. I love it. I love watching him cheer on his teammates. I love watching him focus while batting. I love watching him in the outfield practicing his throws (and not focusing...). I love that he knows he loves the outfield and asks his coaches to put him there. I love that he loves to win, but loves the play more.

 

He's played baseball for 4 seasons straight. When I told him it was time to sign up for fall ball, his face fell.

He needed a break.

I didn't understand. He loved baseball. He loved games. He even loved practice. I didn't understand, but I didn't question him. I simply told him, if you don't want to play this fall....you don't have to.

He told me, "I know you will be disappointed, but I just don't want to play this season."

My heart broke. Not because he didn't want to play, but because he thought I was going to be disappointed. You have to understand...I am not a 'soccer mom'. I go to games. I cheer when he's batting. I post pictures about once a season on Facebook. I don't give him advice outside of practices and games. I don't hire personal trainers to help his swing. I don't make him practice in the backyard.

  

So I was confused why he was so worried about me. But again, that's who God made Evan to be. My kid who is more concerned with other people's feelings than his own at times.

And Lord knows I don't need a kid burned out of a sport by the age eight....

So we are trying some new things. Drums, possibly swim team, possibly karate. Whatever fuels his passion fuels me.

Proverbs 16:3 - Evan was baptized

I didn't get to blog about my amazing Mother's Day, but I can't let any more time go by without mentioning it.

You see, this Mother's Day was different for me. It was my proudest Mother's Day. It was the Mother's Day I will never forget. It was the Mother's Day that had nothing to do with me.

Back in February Evan heard someone on the radio talking about being baptized. He casually asked me if he had been baptized. I told him no, that both mommy and daddy thought it was important that both him and Luke choose when they wanted to be baptized and where they wanted to be baptized, and to be honest (and probably lose some of my uber rule following Christian friends), even IF they wanted to be baptized. I also told him that a lot has to happen in his own heart before anyone sprinkles water on him. He got quiet for about 2 minutes and said, "Okay, I'm ready."

I decided John should be a part of the conversation. I had this beautiful image of us sitting around the table discussing the moment he decided he wanted to be baptized, what it meant to him, what it meant to us, etc. I love it when plans don't go my way.

I explained what WE (mommy and daddy) believe about God, church, and being a Christian and how he needs to come to his own belief about all of that. I explained that part of baptism is him showing his family in Christ he was ready to join them. He was publicly announcing that Christ lived in him.

Evan: You mean Christ's in my heart.
Me: Yup, when you are ready, you just ask him to live in your heart and trust in Him for everything you need for the rest of your life.
Evan: My heart, right?
Me: figuratively, yes.
Evan: Well, he's been there a long time mom. (said with the most 'duh' like attitude ever)

We are blessed to call Eli Morris a friend. He was able to perform the baptism at The Stirring, our church home. So Evan, my advice to you come from Proverbs 16:3, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."

 
 

Suit and Tie

So, as mentioned before, Evan doesn't mind the limelight. Dude thrives in it if you ask me. So when his teachers told me he was going to play the role of Justin Timberlake in the Memphis Musical, I responded with "of course he is."
Teacher: well, we needed someone who would be comfortable dancing on stage by themselves.
Me: Uh huh
Teacher: And all three of us (the three teachers) knew Evan was the perfect person for this.
Me: Uh huh

Needless to say, I had to find him a suit and tie plus a fedora stat. Someone please tell me why he is so dern cute?!?!

I told his teacher we have two options. I can go all dance moms on him and choreograph a routine or we can let him free style. She looked with some slight confusion and said, "but he already has a little routine." Oh lorttttt.

Now, I was working AV for the Memphis Musical program, so I was privy to all the rehearsals. His little routine was so entirely precious that I couldn't help but smile. There was a lot of pointing around and bouncing, but hey...he was sure cute. (side bar - these pic were taken at dress rehearsal...his shirt WAS tucked in the for the real deal.)

ALL the kids did amazing. These second grade teachers sure know how to put on a program. From Goin' Buggy, to the Biography Play, to Memphis Musical. But what I love is these are't programs for programs sake. They are show casing what the kids have learned in their units of study!! The spent weeks learning about insects before Buggy. My kid knew more about Memphis history than I did after they completed their Memphis Unit! This school...these teachers...make learning fun. They literally bring it back to life.

 

Eight is great!!!

Evan turned EIGHT this year. Eight...that's like big boy status. Insane how he keeps getting older but I miraculously stay the same age.

We celebrated with Laser Tag, sleep overs, video games, movies, presnts and donuts. It was a great way to turn another year older.

 

  

The actual day of his birthday, grandmom AND dad surprised him with Chick-Fil-A. Can't get much better than that!

Easter Mania

Easter is always a hugely busy time for us, but I love it.

This year I helped organized the neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt. It was freezing, but there were so many happy kiddos! Sadly, because it was so cold, not many people hung around after the brunch buffet (including my own kiddos). BUT, you guys know how I love a tradition.

Then was the school Easter Egg hunts. Because my dear friend who usually plans them was on maternity leave, I took over that job. Again, the weather was against me and we had to move them all inside. But again, there were still many happy kids.

Then we had Maundy Thursday. Maundy Thursday is always a big event at The Stirring. This year we did a tableau of the last supper, but with current people you might see in your life now. We wanted to show how Jesus was walking with His people. The hurt, the forgotten, the faithful, the everyone. Big props to Disciple Design for taking pictures.

Then we finally finally got to Easter. The boys loved waking up to the Easter Bunny's special note. We spent several...um...minutes hunting the eggs he left for us.

 

 

We then headed to Grandmom's where the Easter Bunny made ANOTHER stop for the boys. #spoilt Grandmom and Pawpaw Charlie never disappoint when it comes to Easter dinner either. YUMZ! The boys even ate some!! Big day around here.

The boys love love love searching Grandmom's backyard for more Easter Eggs. This time the eggs had money in them! Of course, the teacher in me couldn't help herself and made Evan count all his money before the could accept it. :P And don't worry, Luke had to identify all the coins and tell me what they were worth. Thankfully, Grandmom didn't put one of Charlie's prized coins in the eggs this year.