The Orchard Team Huddle

WARNING:  This post is full of potty language so if that is offensive to you, please don't read:). I started potty training Mason on April 1st.  It wasn't the best day but what day is?  An hour into the process Mason had peed on the floor three times (thank goodness for wood)!  I wondered if I was really committed enough to see this process through.  Later on, Russell had a little guy party to kick off the MLB baseball season so we had a few uncles and cousins around which made for some definite distractions.  Mason was agitated and bothered that I kept taking him to the bathroom.  He would get angry with me and just when I left him alone for 10 minutes he would pee.  Sigh.  I knew this was going to be horrible.  That night Stockton had a game so I gave myself a bit of a break and armed Mace with a Pull-Up!  Much to my joy he decided to do his dirty deed in there and I didn't have to deal with a mess.  I was okay with that ti...

In an effort to tighten the eating-out-budget belt loop just a bit Russell has tried just about every $2.99 Value Meal out there.  His personal favorite...Whopper Wednesday, the only day you can get the Whopper Value Meal for $2.99 (although he recently informed me that it is now $3.49, darn price of gas!).  I probably wouldn't have even thought about blogging this story except for the fact that yesterday he was already expressing his excitement for Whopper Wednesday!  You know, kind of like waiting for the grocery ads to come in the mail, or a coupon for free Humus or a FREE MEAL at Cafe Rio:).  Perhaps I have rubbed off on him just a bit!

It's time.  All of my really good excuses are gone.  I just need to do it.  I have taken the first step... 3 pair of super thick absorbent plain whites  $6.99 14 pair of cute little briefs  $23.98 1 package of Pull Ups for bedtime  $8.00 The financial investment has been made.  Now I just need to make the emotional one.  I will, someday soon.  I just don't know which day for sure!  Wish me luck, pray for me, send me encouraging emails often because so far Mason really doesn't care to be a big boy! I'll keep you posted!

Baseball is one of our favorite things to do.  I have spent a lot of time writing about the fun we have and the treats we eat and the hard work and butterflies and long days and PURE adrenaline rush we get from watching our boys play.  Today I thought I would do something a little different and tell you some of the other stuff we do at a tournament that makes these weekend get-aways so much fun!  So, here goes...some other stuff:). One of the really fun things about this past weekend in St. George was being with Grandpa Murry and Grandma Lee.  We stayed in a condo that we have stayed in many, many times.  We have a lot of fun memories there and the last few days we made some new ones. The condo is right on a golf course.  Since Stockton was little he has loved going out and hunting for balls.  He used to pick them up in the middle of the fairway sometimes (oops!).  He was a great teacher for Mason who also tried to pick one up in the middle o...

When I found out Douglas' first high school baseball game ever would be Thursday the 10th, in Spanish Fork, at 3:30, my mind said..."that is going to be a tough one to make.  I will just have to send Russell and stay home to take care of the rest of the family." The night before the game my heart started saying..."You know how much you hate to miss!" Then my mind said..."Stockton has school, and piano and a 6:30 practice.  It is a lot of driving and you will have to leave before the game is over.  There is construction, it will be rush hour and Douglas might not even get to play." And, my heart said again..."You know how much you hate to miss!" The morning of the game Stockton came to Russell and me with a list of Pros/Cons of why he should get to go to his brother's first game. My heart said..."What a good brother!" and then my mind said..."It will never work!"  I sent Stockton to school with tears in his e...

Ever since he was little he has dreamed of playing in the Pros. Today he is one step closer.  You are looking at the newest member of the Cottonwood High Colts baseball team!  His buddy Hunter is a new team member as well.  They have played Super League together for the last 7 years and now start a new chapter in their baseball careers.   Congrats to you both but especially to you, Douglas!  Hard work pays off!

Last weekend we embarked on our first baseball road trip of the season.  Hooray!  We are big fans of baseball season and the prospect of some new scenery and a little sunshine was so exciting.  I was giddy as I rummaged through my tote of capris and spring shirts.  I was super happy when I slipped some on that haven't been worn since my pre-Mason years.  March was the last time I went somewhere.  I have been LONG overdue!  Russell and I spent a portion of date night shopping for chairs and a cooler.  THAT is how excited I was for this trip. An avid weather watcher, I started checking the forecast a week out.  As each day got closer the forecast got colder.  Eventually it looked like a total rain out but we remained positive.  I am sad to say the capris were left home and the long sleeve layers got packed. The kids were out of school Friday and Monday.  We took full advantage of the time by leaving early on Thursday afternoo...