The Orchard Team Huddle

First year of Babe Ruth, 1st year back with some of his old 8-yr-old team mates, one big goal in mind, the World Series. This year posed a unique prospect for the Taylorsville 13 allstar team that has won State the past 4 years. Murray is hosting the 13's World Series and not only do they get to play for hosting but our State Champion gets to play as well. Normally, upon winning State, the team travels to wherever Regionals are being held (this year, Eureka, CA. Where the heck is that?). Regionals are fun and tough and you must win that to advance further. Well, not this year! It was imperative that our little team, who should have been a shoe in, win State and guarantee themselves that awesome World Series experience. Word got out and other teams around the state decided to give it all they had to take advantage of the same opportunity. We started preparing last Fall. Douglas gave up football for baseball and started training with his new coach. Last year he played ...

I have never been a runner. I have grown up around runners. My dad has run 7 or 8 marathons. My mom has run 2. My husband ran one 7 years ago. I have always cheered from the sidelines and wondered why in the world anyone would EVER do something like that. It is just plain ridiculous. In my quest to get rid of the after math of 2 pregnancies in a years time I decided to step my workouts up a bit. I am a really good walker. I would much rather walk 4 miles than run 1 but I needed to burn more calories. So, running it was. I decided if I mostly walked with some intermittent running that would help. I started out running the downhill portions of my 2 mile loop. Pretty soon I would walk my 2 miles, put Mason down for a nap and run a few loops in the park. About a month ago, Russell challenged me to run the full 2 miles. He pushed the baby stroller while we ran. I was not very conversational , but I did it! I was so proud of myself. I incorporated that 2 mile run into my wor...

What do you get when you cross 9 baseball games a week with a 1-yr.-old that passes the time snacking on Cheetos, drooling on suckers and toddling around in the dirt? Exhausted is not the answer I was looking for but it could work:). The correct answer is stubborn laundry. I like to define stubborn laundry as the kind that requires a lot of extra attention: soak, Shout, wash, Shout, soak, wash, bleach pen, wash, yada, yada, ya. Both boys are lucky to have some really cool baseball pants. Douglas has white with a blue pipe down the side and Stockton has white with blue pin stripes. They look sharp in their unis but those white pants can not be bleached (previously mentioned blue pipe and pin stripes). I have tried to bleach them in the past but the boys get a little disgruntled when their Mizuno turns pink. The dirtier the pants, the harder the boys played! I expect them to be dirty. It's just that I work so hard to get them clean come Monday morning and they often get worn ag...

Nine years ago, on the first day of summer, our sweet little Stockton made his way into the world. We were so happy. We had prayed from him to come and knew that Heavenly Father had heard and answered our prayers. We knew our first son would be named Douglas so we had never come up with any other boy names. We get asked if we named Stockton after that amazing basketball player, John Stockton. That is partially true. In order to figure out a name we liked we started naming famous people and when we said "John Stockton" we both knew that Stockton was it. I think it fits him well:). Stockton has been talking since he was very young. He said several recognizable words when he was 1 and he hasn't quit since. If I ever need to know anything that his older brother won't tell me, I just need to ask Stockton! He loves to talk still and I hope he never stops. (Sometimes a break would be nice but overall, I love that he will talk to me!) He was a trying toddler. He w...

(Jake and Douglas) The T-ville 13's are on the road to the Babe Ruth World Series. They have trained since last September. They have played as 14-yr.- olds on Saturdays so they can hit the fastest pitchers, train on the full size field and go up against kids taller and older than them. It has made them stronger, better and more prepared to play their best when the State tournament starts in July. Now they have all decided to get a #1 Buzz cut. This will be their summer look. "Are you sure you want a #1 Douglas?" I asked. "Maybe you should start with a #2 and get used to it." "Everyone else did a #1, Mom. I want one too." So, #1 one he got. We are all trying to get used to it but I do think it is way cool team camaraderie . Oh yea, and the necklaces are turning into a team thing as well. Go T-ville!

In planning Mason's little one-year-old celebration I opted for a simple approach: McDonalds with his cousins, his first ever happy meal, followed by swimming at the pool (unfortunately the cousins swam while Mason slept. It was a cold day). I thought it was a very responsible, older, third-time parent party. Maybe I have learned a few things over the years. Here are a few pics from the day. A musical horse and a birthday balloon. Mason LOVES "boons"! I have to give a shout out to my Dollar Tree balloon that was purchased 8 days ago and is still hovering around my ceilings. Best buck I've ever spent:). Other gifts were a car, baseball glove and ball and an Elmo cell phone. First ever happy meal. As expected, he didn't really eat it. I am sure that is not the last happy meal he wastes. First ever sprite. Yes, he is drinking from a straw. One of his newest accomplishments! EW, was the word of the day. EW, over his toys, EW over his cousins, EW over the sl...

One year ago today. .. I watched my oldest boy graduate from elementary school. I assured him there was nothing to worry about as I kissed him goodbye with tears in his eyes. I headed to the hospital, excited and anxious for the day ahead. I lay in a hospital bed appearing calm, feeling peace, but straining to hear the steady thump of my unborn baby's heart. I watched my husband pace the floor, nervous and unable to do anything. I listened to the sound of my boys in the hall waiting for their turn to come in the room. I heard that little cry I had yearned and longed for for so, so long. I held the most wonderful blessing straight from my Heavenly Father. I felt like I was in heaven with him. I cried the purest tears of relief, gratitude, love, thankfulness and joy. I looked at my 3 boys and felt complete. I knew my family was finally here. I was the happiest mom in the world. Happy Birthday Mason T!