Finding each other in Uniform

Scott and I have been getting to see each other for about an hour before I go off to work at the ball park on Monday and Wednesdays. We decided to show you, me in uniform since some of you might get a kick out of it. Scott started making fun of me, little did he realize I was taking photos of him in uniform. So a little photo shoot for you all to enjoy!

Strike Three YOU'RE OUT, Next batter

So I started umpiring. It's a way to bring in some extra cash and stay involved in the game during the summer. Wow!! I had no idea how hard you can work out there. So I do three games a night(two nights a week)and feel like I am going to die before the third game ends. The little girls are adorable and the coaches care so much about them. I am seeing a totally different side to the game and it's very interesting. As a coach you are watching your pitchers and making sure everyone is in position when the ball is in play. It's not uncommon to argue a call or two. Many times as a head coach you feel like you need to have a tone of knowing what is going on and always being right in front of your players. You care they get the right call and don't just start swinging at everything.
As an umpire, you are making sure of several things you can't see all the time. You need to be in the right place at the right time. See the runners touch the bases, try not to run into the base runners, while getting across the field to let everyone know you saw the right call by yelling it out with authority. As a home plate umpire, you need to have a consistent strike zone, watch the feet in the box, look for movement with the bat, make all fly ball calls, and get to third if the field umpire is watching the runner at first. Now, that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Coaches and Umpires alike get yelled at by the Parents. Umpires during the games and coaches before and after the games. It amazing how we are all human trying to teach and make the right decisions for our youth. We sometimes make bad decisions and other times we make really good ones. We are human and it's not easy to live with a mistake and it's even harder when everyone is telling you how often you are making them. I make good calls mostly in the games and feel pretty good. There are times I blow it. Oops.
Whether you are a coach or an umpire it's about the kids. What are they learning from us? How are we doing in demonstrating respect and competitive play. I have been impressed with a few teams and how much they follow their coaches lead. I have seen bad coaching and bad umpiring. In the end, there is still another game ahead. There are always going to be kids learning from good coaches and having bad umpires or vice versa.
What am I learning in all this? F R E E that spells free, we just got a free base baby. Lot's of chants? yes! But also in everything we do, do it to the best of our ability with love, a deeper understanding from the other persons side and gratitude.
I am thankful for the opportunities God has given me and the people who have stood beside me. Batter UP!

photos taken by my nephew Huck (Happy Angry and Scared) All three emotions I feel when I am umpiring.

Home Improvement Projects

So we have been working on home improvements lately. Scott and I stated clearing the rock garden and transforming it into a flower garden. I spent Tuesday with my dad and he shared with me all about his flowers but this time I really listened. I went away with about 24 different flowers from his garden. I have been learning about the hard work done by people who get little reward. I have always enjoyed seeing my parents gardens and flowers. It wasn't until recently do you realize the joy of seeing something you planted grow. All the hard work and dedication put into improving your home. I dug into the rock garden and put all the rock on my blue tarp. Thinking we could pull it off to the side of the house until we got a truck to get rid of it. As I piled and piled rock on this tarp, Scott mentioned it wasn't going to move anywhere. So determined to get the rock off the grass and out of our back yard, I shoveled rock for two hours in a truck. Good times. But I am praising God for the fact I can even do that because of how my back was several months ago. I am blessed to be able to work outside. As my step mother sits on the couch, my dad mentions how she was the one who taught him about flowers. She now spends most of her days inside because of her major back issues. I am reminded of how we learn from each other and can bring beauty by what we learn. I have been learning a lot by not being so busy. I now see changes in trees, flowers and how white/bright the colors are in them. Isn't it amazing we are blind to so many things and when our eyes are open the world becomes so much bigger and brighter.

Amy was showered with Love

My sweet friend is getting married and we had a shower and reception for them. It was a great time to see how God works in everyone's life. They are perfect for each other. Scott and I are very happy for both of them. We really hope they get the Wii they registered for at Target. Julie and I were a little out of control at the shower because the coffee was very strong. It was a great time. No games, great food and quick opening presents. Now, that's a shower!

Sites, Shows, Kiss Marathons, Sequence games and a Yankees Game

I thought I would give a little insight to our conversations and special little quotes throughout our trip. My favorite quote from Huck was "You're Aunt Tina, Dada's sister but who is Scott?" During our Ellis Island adventure Huck asked his mommy about a glass room set up like when immigrant first came to NY to show people what the sleeping conditions were like. He asked "How did they get through the glass to sleep?" One breakdown Scott and I both thought was sweet. Huck was enjoying his subway ride when a homeless man came up who was very creepy and sad. He was asking for money or food. Jonny (my sister-in-law) gave him a granola bar and it was a very sweet gesture. Huck on the other hand burst into tears. Words spoken by many on the train. Jonny, "I think he is truly upset about the homeless man" Me, "No good deed goes unpunished" The man next to us, "He is just pissed you gave away his granola bar."
Back at the apartment Scott lead in all categories of quotes after his leadership in the hand motions to the YMCA and clapping in between plays of Sequence, being the bad link partner in Sequence because everyone else won at least one game with a partner after three nights, knowing their dog Max needed his kennel after pacing in the hall way and amazing Huck with his Lego and sand tunnel building. My favorite was when we went to the M&M store and Scott got a little carried away with filling his bag of M&M's costing 13.99 but hey he shared with all of us. I think Huck's bag of thirty little M&M's lasted longer then Scott's.
We saw a Broadway show "Curtains" and loved it! We visited everything you can imagine in 100 degree heat. Saw the Yankees play the Royals. Scott and I's favorite teams.
Huck, Scott and I would have sweet kiss circles we called marathons because they lasted awhile. It was very adorable. I love my little nephew!