CAIDEN'S 1ST HUNTING TRIP

I love to hunt! One of my families hobbies is hunting. My dad was a big hunter. I love the game room at my mother's house. She has my father's deer he killed before i was born hung on the wall. When i look at it every time I go in there, it feels like home to me. Somehow when I look at it, i feel like he is right there beside me, it makes me feel like i really knew him, even though i really didn't have "time" to really really know him. Caiden showed some interest in hunting about a year ago. My brother Chad, had talked to Caiden many times about deer hunting. God bless Chad for always finding time for Caiden. He treats him like his son. Chad and Caiden finally found some time to go "Deer Hunting." I was scared because accidents happen during hunting season. A friend of mine lost her son due to a horrible accident. I trusted Chad and after saying many prayers, I let Caiden go. I was working at the time and I got a call on my cellphone at about nine thirty that morning. It was Caiden. I really didn't know how to respond when I saw his cell number on call id. So many thoughts were going though my mind, was he hurt, was Chad ok? I answered and i was relieved to her his voice. He proceeded to tell me he was ok, and that Chad and him had killed a deer!! His first hunting trip and they killed a deer! Caiden was so pumped! I was so happy for him! Chad and Caiden took the deer to the house for the skinning. Chad told me that Caiden was in a trance when they were cleaning the deer. He made sure he didn't miss a thing! It was a wonderful thing for him to experience. Thank you Chad for being there for Caiden and making it memorable!! I love you!

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER

Bailee Grace is definitely a gift from God. She has really blessed my life. I remember when i was pregnant with her. Before i knew it was a girl, i wouldn't have minded having another boy. I am so glad it was a girl! i would have missed out on so much! I look forwarded to establishing a strong, mother-daughter relationship with her. We both have so much to experience together. She loves when i take her shopping. She also loves for me to take her to get her nails "done". I for sure can't wait for her to experience one of the greatest things of all...The miracle of giving birth. She will one day know how i felt when she was born!! She is a product of me, she is my daughter.

PROGRESSION OVER THE YEARS

I thought it would be neat to post some of Caiden's sports pictures from the past years. It is amazing how much he has changed! I love the fact that he has played and experienced just about every sport. I am seeing now that the older he gets, the type of sport, and the number of sports he plays somewhat changes. Enjoy!

CAIDEN'S ALL-STAR BUDDIES

CAMPING TRIP POSTPONED

Our family had planned a nice and relaxing trip to Caney Lake. I was ready to just sit back and enjoy nature and spend some quality time with the family because we have been "balling it" for the past couple of months. We had planned to go earlier this week, but to no surprise, all-star practices have began! So, we have postponed our camping trip till August. It worked out for the better my birthday is in August, Happy Birthday to ME!! Even better, we are going to Lake Claiborne instead!!! My favorite place!! I can go camping anytime, but ALL-STARS is a once in a life time thing!

BAILEE'S SOFTBALL SHOTS

Bailee had great time playing softball this year! she is not sure that she wants to play next year, but i want her to find her hobby and excel in it. We will see, Bailee changes her mind quickly and she suddenly finds that maybe "I will do it" after all !

1ST ALL-STAR PRACTICE

All-stars are the best of the best. These boys were chosen based on many areas of baseball. We are here to win.That's why we have all-stars, but at the same time, it is about having fun, developing character, and about making new friends!

CAIDEN'S TIME TO SHINE

Caiden is passionate about a lot of things, he loves to pick up a book, all covered up under a blanket, and READ. Caiden's love for baseball surpasses all other interests right now. He is so focused on being the best he can be at the game. He is always looking for new ways to learn and how to use new techniques that others have taught him. His father is by far the best teacher of all!

SUMMERTIME FRIENDS

Our house is always filled with kids. Summer time is a great time for us to host more kids and to give them fun things to do. I'm always thinking of new things to try, cooking being one of them. I have always been bragged over for my cooking. I think I'm a great cook because I put my total heart into it. Nutrition is important to our family. We need to be healthy to perform at our best, whether it be ball, or just playing playstation three !

THE ONE AND ONLY GAME BALL

Bailee Grace played her second year of girls softball. She enjoys it but does not like to sweat! She gets it honestly, from me. She enjoys being with her friends most of all. Bailee would rather sit in the dugout talking about Hannah Montana, than cheering her team on. She had good moments and not so good, but for the most part, she really did great!! We had a very tight game last week and the score was tied 3 to 3 . We were up to bat, with two outs, last inning. Bailee was up to bat. This was to be the end of the game. Bailee got up there in her cute little batting stance, and the first ball was thrown, and she hit it hard!!! She knocked the runner on third home and we won the game!!! Great job Bailee!! She won the game for us!!! She was so proud of herself!! She was going to get a prize for that! When the game was over, we got in our usual team circle. The coach congratulated the girls on a win well deserved. Then the coach called Bailee's name to come to the front. The coach handed Bailee that pretty yellow softball and said that she was the reason they won and the deserves the game ball!! So proud of her! What makes this so special is that that was the first and only game ball given out the whole season!! No one else has one! What great accomplishment for my Bailee! This is something she can tell her children when the time is right!

MOST HIT HOME RUNS

There have only been a small number of boys that have hit home runs in our 9-10 year old league. Caiden is one of those boys!! Man, when he it that first home run, i cried!! it was one of the most exciting moments in my life!! i was so proud of him! It was cool to see him run the whole bases, his teammates right there to give him high-fives!! Man, what an awesome feeling!! Caiden's home run was the topic of school chit chat at school the next day! He was so pumped up when he came home that day, he told me that everyone, even teachers, were proud of him!! I haven't even got to the part! Caiden hit the most home runs out of the whole season!!! Way to go Caiden, mom and dad and Erin are soo proud of you! Jerry and I even had a trophy made for him!! Caiden just keeps amazing me how talented he really is. Keep reaching for the stars Caiden!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY JERRY!!

When Jerry and I were wanting a child, we prayed to God to make us the type of parents he wanted us to be. We wanted a family that was surrounded by love, trust, and more love! I am so blessed that Caiden and Bailee have a father like Jerry. He really takes his job as a father very seriously, Jerry's morals are of the utmost, and he wants to set the right examples for our children. We want raise our children under the influence of our Lord. Parenting is a great Gift from God. He allows us to mold and shape their character, but God is the one who really makes them the way that He wants. We are just the vessels, He is filling up that vessel. Thank you God for picking Jerry to be my children's father. He is the best dad in the world!! Happy Father's Day !!

EO ALLSTARS 2008

My son, Caiden has made the 9-10 year old all stars! Way to go Caiden! We are so proud of you! As I have said before, sports is a big part of our life. My mom has always told me to enjoy it while I can, because they grow up so quickly and you will just have memories. This year has been a great year. Jerry has not been here as much as he wanted, but at least I was here for it. I have been to every practice and every game. I cannot bring myself to miss an opportunity to see Caiden excel! We had our very first practice Monday night. It was good to see all the boys bond. Caiden also hit a home run!! Way to go C-Max!! Help cheer us on! GO EO ALL-STARS!!

FAMILIAR SOUNDS

Jerry and I came from a background all to familiar. We have athletically inclined families. My father was a talented basketball and baseball player. He was almost signed to a major league team! Jerry's mom was a gifted basketball player, so much that they retired her basketball number in high school! Sports has always been a major part of our life. Yes, sports is overrated, but we keep a healthy balance , well we try! My siblings and I played some kind of sport for the most part of our child and teenage years. I love to hear my mom talk about how she "lived" at the ballpark. She would talk about running in "three" directions, "three" places, "three " children. Sports teaches may things. It teaches about respect, how you should never use I, because there is no "I" in team. It teaches self-esteem, that if you try hard enough, reach for the stars, you can do it! It can send your spirit soaring to places you couldn't dream of. When i watch Caiden play baseball, I am totally in "THE ZONE." That means that you do not come and sit by me to talk, chit chat about the weather, etc. I'm there for him, to watch,yell for him when he hits one of his many home runs. I am there to encourage him to do his best, and when he has done so, we leave knowing it has been done! Caiden is headed for wonderful opportunities in baseball. He puts his whole heart and soul into it.He totally loves the game! I love the feeling of watching my boys sitting around the big screen yelling and hollering for their favorite teams. I am in the kitchen cooking hamburgers and i suddenly jump because i hear " throw the ball!" Then I hear" high fives" and clapping. This may seem wild and crazy to you, but this is how i grew up. I have always been a girly girl who loved pretty dresses and makeup with lots of jewelry. There has always been a rough side to me, but i never let anyone see it because it made me feel less of a woman. As I get older, i have slowly let that other side of me out. I welcome it now , because it is familiar to me!

THE PRODIGAL DAUGTHER HAS COME HOME

I'm amazed at the love between a parent and child! I have experienced all types of love, but the love of a child surpasses all understanding. Its unconditional, forgiving, and uttermost sheer joy!! It keeps no record of wrong doing, only that no matter what you do, i will never stop loving you. I love Jerry so much, but the love for my children is infinite. When i held my first born for the very first time, i knew that this wonderful baby boy would bring out the best in me, and i was forever going to do anything for this baby!! The love for my children never stops, it keeps growing and growing, never a end to it. I was absent from thier life for a while. I was on a journey of self-seeking pleasure and it almost took my life. How selfish I was to not think of Jerry, Caiden and Bailee! I lost some precious time with them that i can never get back. I am still making up for it and still paying for my mistakes. I was raised in a Christian home and I have a strong Christian mother. She taught me that as long as you put the Lord first, everything will fall in place for the good of you and God. Being a baby in spirit, i thought she meant that God will give me anything I want if I let him have control over my life. I soon realized i was wrong. When we put God first, our wants and needs become of him, what he wants for us, and that his becoming more like his Son, Jesus Christ! My father died when i was four years old and his death has affected my relationship's with people over the years. i guess i really never knew the love between a father and daughter. That is until i accepted Jesus as my Savior!! I am His child forever and he loves me no matter what, so much that His Son died for me, if it would have been just me in this world, He still would have died!! The love of a Father and child, infinite !! My family is together again because i finally let go of my wants and needs, and let God have control over my life again. Being a Christian is not easy, but with God by my side to guide me, i will get through it. Life is a journey that should not be taken lightly. I wake up every morning thanking The Lord that i am a live, that im here one more day to see my children grow and to see them develop into their own little beings. Seeing little Jerrys and little Danielle's personality shine thorough! I will do anything to protect my families circle of life. We are banded by love, trust, and forgiveness, and the willingness to allow change and growth, to bring us closer to God and one another. Thank you God, your prodigal daughter has come home!!