Summer Softball Season Comes to a Close

So I feel the need to update on how our summer softball season went. It was an adventure this time around because both Mac and I played on three different leagues. Here was a breakdown of our leagues.

Brit & Mac
Alexandria Coed - Tuesday's
Outcome: 1st Place League and 1st Place Championship

Brit
Fairfax County Women's - Wednesday's
Outcome: Last Place

Mac
Fairfax County Men's - Wednesday's
Outcome: Last Place

Brit & Mac
Church League - Friday's
Outcome: 1st Place League (decline to play in the tournament)

To break these down, our Alexandria Coed team was great. We were reunited with old friends and made new ones. This team was very well put together and I am so happy to be apart of it. There was no bickering, no complaining, no whining, no pressuring, and no finger-pointing. I think to say that there was "no drama" sums it up perfectly. I cannot wait to play fall ball with them.

Although our women's team and men's team both came in last place, we weren't upset. We both had our one night to ourselves and had fun. Again, no drama. We will do it again in the fall if we can get our teams back together.

Church league team was great. Our church had so many people that wanted to play this year that they broke it down into two teams. Our original team stayed as one and Mac and I decided to go play for the new team. We met a lot of new friends. We had a great season. Unfortunately, Mac and I won't be returning to church league ball next season. We need a break from it. In our games against our other church team, there was way too much drama, including foul language, finger pointing, name calling and just outright disrespect. This of course came from certain players, no need to mention names because they already know who they are. The rest of the team was enjoyable to play with. Unfortunately due to the drama that unfolded that night, friendships have been damaged and at this time are just not repairable. In time, of course we hope that things will settle down, but to verbally attack my husband, our team and our friends who don't even go to church was inexcusable. The worst part of this is that it disgraced the church, the fans, the spectators and the players whom don't even attend a church at all. We should have used this time to fellowship and not fight.

Something can be said for having good sportsmanship. My thinking is that if you cannot conduct yourself in a respectful manner to your own teammates, it won't transcend to your opponents and you will ultimately lose. You shouldn't step on any field if you can't act like an adult and show respect for yourself, your team, your competition, your fans, and your GOD!

Attitude is everything!

The definition of sportsmanship: –noun

1.	the character, practice, or skill of a sportsman.

2.	sportsmanlike conduct, as fairness, courtesy, being a cheerful loser, etc.

Here are a couple quotes:

"If you win through bad sportsmanship, that's no real victory."- Babe Didrikson Zaharias

"When you win, say nothing, when you lose, say less."- Paul Brown

"Sportsmanship for me is when a guy walks off the court and you really can't tell whether he won or lost, when he carries himself with pride either way."-Jim Courier

"I can't play being mad. I go out there and have fun. It's a game, and that's how I am going to treat it."- Ken Griffey, Jr.

"In the end, it's extra effort that separates a winner from second place. But winning takes a lot more that that, too. It starts with complete command of the fundamentals. Then it takes desire, determination, discipline, and self-sacrifice. And finally, it takes a great deal of love, fairness and respect for your fellow man. Put all these together, and even if you don't win, how can you lose?"- Jesse Owens

"Good coaches teach respect for the opposition, love of competition, the value of trying your best, and how to win and lose graciously."
- Brooks Clark

The Prayer Garden

If you have never seen this before, please take a moment and follow the link. You won't be sorry.

http://www.theprayergarden.com/flash.htm

Dad and Momma Roses' Visit - June 2009

Momma and dad arrived the afternoon of Wednesday, June 3rd. Unfortunately Mac and I had to work, so we couldn't be there to greet them. Our games that night were canceled due to rain (shocker), so I rushed to my sisters to get my hugs in. It was so great seeing them.

We both had to work on Thursday, so we didn't get to make it by to see them at all. I still feel horrible.

On Friday we spent the entire morning cleaning and getting ready for our one year anniversary party. Mac woke up at 4am and smoked the 50lb pig for 10 hours. It was yummy! Because my camera is still missing I don't have any pictures. Trust me though, it was very tasty! The party went well, with the exception of one minor setback, but all in all the day was great. My family was there and that was most important to me.

On Saturday we hung out all day and then the family came over to our house for leftovers. We played corn hole. What a fun time! It was great seeing my parents playing corn hole against each other. See, another missed opportunity thanks to no camera.

Sunday we all went to Church. It was so special having us all together. The message was on forgiveness and family/friends. It was a perfect message and I honestly believe that was God's doing. After church we headed back to Brandy's for Momma's biscuits & gravy. Heaven!

It was bowling on Monday. Unfortunately Marty was in school and Kevin and Mac had to work. Dad fell clear down the lanes... wish you could've seen that. I threw my back out and hit my knee with the ball as I was trying to bowl. LOL. Dad and I are broke up. Reese had a great time hanging with all of us and came out victorious as the best bowler of the day. After bowling we all went to the Silver Diner for breakfast. Oddly enough, we all got the same thing... BLT's. Reese enjoyed an entire plate of French Toast. I think it's the first time I've seen her eat all of it. She must have worked up an appetite beating all of us at bowling.

Tuesday we went to Hard Times. Unfortunately Mac had to work. We played pool and darts and munched on appetizers. That night it stormed something fierce, so we just hung out at Brandy's house. Dad and Momma were singin' and pickin'. If I can get the videos to attach I will post them here. It was nice just listening to them sing. But I knew the time when I would need to say goodbye was fast approaching. I kept putting it off, but Mac and I both had to work the next day. This is the part I hate. I got up and gave momma a hug trying to fight back the tears. When I got to dad I couldn't fight it anymore. I didn't want to let go. My heart hurt just as it did when I was a child standing at the airport gates summer after summer.

Every time I tried to let go, I couldn't. My dad whispers to me, "I love you angel. I've missed so many years." "It's ok dad. I love you too." My heart was breaking more and more. Our drive home was long and quiet. I spent that night and all day yesterday crying. It's hard to even write this without tears streaming down my face. I did speak to them a couple times yesterday and they were making good time going back to AL. I received a text around 12:15am that they had arrived home. I'm so glad that God saw them home safely.

I love and miss them so much.

Our Patio Project

So Mac and I decided that our first project as husband and wife would be to build a patio. OK, it was really my idea, but he quietly agreed. The area we were working with was about 12' x 14' and sat adjacent to our deck. There was no grass growing because of the dogs and plus half of the area was constant shade. It was the perfect spot. I decided to use the slate we had from an existing walkway. We have (had) two slate walkways that the previous owners had built. I figured with the economy the way it is, why not save some money and use some of that slate? So that is what we did.

Now came the big debate... to have a raised patio or one that was flush? The battle begins. He wants raised. I want flush. I won! Yay!

So the project started on the two hottest days of the Spring. Both days averaged 93 degrees. It was indeed more work than I ever thought. I guess I didn't realize how big the space was. We started with a trip to Home Depot to get two shovels (yes two, because he said I was going to feel the same pain as him.. LOL), and a wheel barrow. It took us two days to dig out that dirt and we really didn't have any place to put it. Guess I'll be putting a listing on Craigslist for "Free Fill Dirt". It took us an entire day to fill it back up with stone dust. That was an adventure. Mac had way too much fun tearing up our beautiful yard with that Bobcat machine. We now have to fill the ruts with some of the dirt we have left over. Thankfully I haven't posted that free dirt listing yet.

On Mothers Day my step dad came over and gave me the great news that we needed to make sure that all our stones were level. Ugh, what? You mean I can't just lay them down and I'm done? He just blew my whole plan out of the water. I thought I was almost done. So that leads us to now... phase #3. We've been laying stone and checking the levels as we go along. We have a couple more pieces to lay and then comes the mortar. It should be completed by this weekend.

Here are some photos of the project up until now. Enjoy!

The New Toy - The "Almost" Indestructible Ball from Petsmart

So, for all of you that keep up our blog, I am SO sorry we've been MIA. A lot has been going on, but that's for another time. Nothing to worry about though.

Now on to the good stuff. Dexter Zane is still with the family. LOL. As much as he drives me crazy and chews up everything, he is still my lovable little boy. He's gotten into this habit of head butting the closet doors to get them to open a bit and then he sticks his nose in the small opening, this helps with pushing the doors open wide. At which point he will take anything out and prance around with it. Hats, teddy bears, socks, shoes, etc. Whatever he feels like taking out. At times we catch him all the way in the closet. I'll try to get a pic of that soon. Anyway, I decided that it was time for some new toys. I mean never mind that he has six bones, two balls and several other gadgets to play with. I ventured out and got him the XL Black Kong. This thing is suppose to be indestructible. I also got him a 10" round red ball that is suppose to be almost indestructible. I'd like to know what constitutes "almost". We'll see about that.

I was going to give Dex these new toys on his 1st birthday, which is May 13th, but after he almost ripped by hat up, I decided to give them to him early. Check out the video as Dex and Zelda try and figure out what the heck this big red ball is. Enjoy!

Great Blog - Proverbs 31 Ministries

This is a great inspirational website for women. Please check it out when you have some time.


http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com/

Marty Wrestling

Here is some video of Marty's past wrestling matches. He improves more with each match. We love going to see him wrestle on the weekends. Not only is it fun to watch him, but the added bonus is I get to see my family. Hope you enjoy the videos. Marty's the one is navy blue. Don't mind the yelling, it's either myself or Brandy and we have no idea what we're talking about. HA HA!

Brandy's Wedding Biz is Taking Off

Just got in from church and received an email from my sister Brandy. Her work is featured in a blog for a fall wedding she helped with. She created a custom hand-painted aisle runner for this couple. Every detail is hand-painted, even all the leaves on the side. Her work is truly one-of-a-kind and beautiful. As some of you know, she planned and executed all the details of my wedding in June 2008. It was her first attempt at creating a custom runner. It was her wedding gift to us, but we know the real gift is her. I've attached a picture of my runner and the one she created for this featured wedding (link provided as well). Picture posted with permission from, Genevieve Leiper Photography.

http://www.cherryblossomwe.com/blog

Mardi Gras After Party

Mac and I went to the annual Louisiana Alive Mardi Gras Kickoff Party last night at the Hilton downtown. You collect a lot of beads throughout the night, and no, you don't have to show anything for them. It's just in good fun. Every year we bring home a lot of beads and this year we decided let Dexter experience Mardi Gras with a little dress up after party. I couldn't get too many pics because he was trying to eat them off his neck... and Zelda's. LOL. Enjoy!

Shower Surprise

After a long day of romping in and eating the snow, crazy boy Dexter decided it was either time to take a shower or was playing hide and go seek with me because this is where I found him. Enjoy!