Don't laugh, but...

I totally ran part of baseball practice tonight.  Okay, laugh.  It was funny.  I'm 99.3% certain.  The boys had some trouble connecting with the ball on Saturday morning, so they needed some extra work tonight.  That was my job.  Hahahaha, it was a riot.  One of the dads brought a batting thingy.  I have no clue what it's called, so I googled "batting practice thingy" and found this:

My terms are obviously very technical.  And accurate.  Anyway, the boys divided into two groups.  I got a group of boys to bat, and the other group of boys went to practice fielding with the dads and coach.  I gave each boy a warm-up swing, and my rules went as follows:

1. You get 10 hits.
2. If you make the arm spin around, it's a good hit.
3. If it bounces more than it swings, it's a bad hit.
4. You get three bad hits, you're running to the opposite end of the fields and back.

They thought I was kidding.  Newsflash: I wasn't.  And of the nine players, five ran.  I'd say two were a total fluke, but they were pretty thrilled, and they all had fun.  Yay for being a successful "coach."

At least I know I have a back-up plan in life.  Or not.

B spent all of his batting practice time running around like a nutjob, then sliding across every single field on his way to the field N on which N was practicing.  I was annoyed.  And he wasn't listening, so by the end of a 40 minute period, he'd lost video games for 5 days.  One of the dads helped with the grounding, adding days for me when I was otherwise about to blow my top.  Sharing is caring.

Plus, I'm pretty sure I had steam coming out of my ears. 

See, if it had only been baseball practice, it would've been one thing...but today I took a group of 7 5th graders (out of 84) around the Perot Museum.  Let me just say it's really hard to spend enough time for it to count on 5 floors of a really awesome museum if you only have (essentially) 2 hours, and the majority of that 2 hours is broken up into horrid time increments. 

They had fun, and so did I, but my group didn't really mesh well, so it was a lot of give & take on the group's part, and a ton of mental face palming on my part.

I'm surprised there's not a visible red mark.

Truth.

Aubs

Video game trucks

This is all I've heard about since I mentioned a birthday party invitation to N.  One of his friends had a birthday party on Sunday evening (of all nights, and YES, I know that makes me sound old and cranky), and the highlight of the invitation was the video game truck.  For two and a half hours, these boys (apparently) played video games.  In a truck.  They also ran around and got all sweaty, playing basketball and eating pizza and nearly tackling the poor kid's mother for candy as the party broke up.

N wants a video game truck for his birthday now...and my concern about the creativity of birthday parties moving forward has been completely squashed.  I think we all win here. 

What did I do before 5:30, you ask?  Um...yeah.  My dad opted to leave at 7:30 this morning so he would have the whole afternoon to rest and recover from his (much louder and more chaotic) weekend in Dallas.  I was sad to see him go, and so was B...he cried and said (in the most pathetic voice I've ever heard), "But, Mom!  I wasn't done with him yet!"  How can that not break your heart?

I set up my laptop to watch church online instead of going because there were entirely too many things going on at once: N left for church, B decided to be scared of "zompires" or some such nonsense stemming from one of the horrid shows on the Disney channel...Kickin' It, I think.  He wouldn't even brush his teeth if I was sitting in the living room, answering my discussion board question.  I had to be standing in the hall to where he could see at least a portion of me if he looked in the mirror.

No.  Thank.  You.

He left to go to a get-together with his dad's family, and I had about an hour of my own time before N came home.  We hung out peacefully enough, talking about why I seemingly interfere, only it's not interfering because I'm showing him that what he's doing comes across as pestering or being a jerk.  He sort of gets it now, or he claims to, anyway.  He just hates being punished (what kid doesn't?) and wishes I would pick a different punishment.  You know, instead of the one that obviously works pretty dang well.

No dice, N...no dice.

We went to Market Street to get a few things for lunches (because I ran out of time to go to Target) and a gift card for N's friend's birthday party, and then I dropped him off.  I came home, made some potato skins (I. Love. Potatoes.), and read a book/worked on homework.  I'm caught up on one class, but I have two that have some serious assignments due in the near future.

Oh boy...but you know what?  It's exactly one month until my semester's over.

I'm holding onto that with all I've got!

Aubs

Take me out to the ballgame(s)

Oh, today was a glorious day for baseball!  It was, however, ridiculously chilly.  We had to be at the ball fields at 8:30 on Saturday morning for N's double-header, and I just KNEW it would warm up in no time.

I was an idiot.

It.  Was.  Freezing.  My dad, who never gets cold, even put on a hoodie...and left it on almost all day.  The Giants (N's team) were the visitors for both games.  I was totally apprehensive about this game for one major reason:  The boys haven't practiced hitting off a kid pitcher at all this season.  For some of the boys, it's the first time they've played baseball at all, or the first time they've played kid pitch baseball.  I'm not the coach, but I do speak my mind (imagine that) and I think it was highly detrimental to NOT practice hitting off of a kid pitcher.  I also think there should have been more practice with pitchers and catchers instead of 20 minutes the night before the game.

Maybe it's just me.  Anyway, the boys had a slow start, and were down by several runs by the time we got to the third inning of the first game.  But, y'all?  N caught for the entire first game, and he did a great job.  Something else that's new this season is the ability to steal home.  N's used to that being against the rules, so he's gotten into the habit of throwing to second on a wild pitch, and it never failed...each time he'd do that, they'd score.  He figured it out pretty quickly though, and in the third inning, they'd closed the gap to two runs when he strapped on his gear.  There was a wild pitch, and as the runner was sliding towards home, N scooped up the ball and threw himself on home plate, tagging the runner out!

I was screaming like a fool, and I wasn't the only one!  It was a great save!  They lost, but it was a respectable first showing, for sure.  I think it gave them a better idea of what to expect.  The highlight of the game, aside from N's tag out at home plate, was the coach of the opposite team.  He was yelling to his players about stealing bases (loudly) and giving away all of his secrets, all the while yelling, "TRUST ME!  JUST TRUUUUUST ME!"  My dad and I (and a lot of other parents) were laughing so hard.  It was a fun time!

The second game, N started on third base, and wasn't that thrilled about it.  You could tell.  He volunteered to catch again, but his coach wanted to let someone else try.  "Someone else" was not a fan, so after I left, N went back to catching...and I bet that's where he'll stay for the remainder of the season.  His coach even gave him one of the catchers mitts to hold onto and use.  N thinks he's keeping it.  I told him "No way," but he's determined.

As for B's game...well, if any of y'all are local and want to come see a game, I'll send you the schedule.  Oh, wow.  That was a riot!  The boys on both teams were just so fun to watch, and there are four boys on the team that have the same name or similar names (the two B's and two boys whose names both start with "L" that are sooooo close!) so that makes for total hilarity.  My dad took some great pictures!  B got hit on the top edge of his cleat his first time at bat (coach pitch), and the second time, he managed to bust out a double!  He was so excited, and the kids on his team (well, the ones who knew what was going on), were so excited.  Our catcher even ran and caught a pop fly on the foul line.  I don't think it was on purpose, because he was super surprised...but it was a ton of fun!

This coming week we have games on Friday and Saturday...plus practice on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  Oh boy!  I'm tired just thinking about it!

Aubs

Know who I hung out with this afternoon?

My dad!  He got here just after the boys got home from school, and it was so great to see him!  I haven't seen him in a few months, since right around Christmas/New Years, but the boys hadn't seen him since Thanksgiving, so it was long overdue.  This is his first trip back to Dallas since he moved in 2011, and I hope he makes it happen a little more often.  I love going to Houston to visit him, but I love having him here, too.

Today, since I didn't have class for the 4th week in a row, I went to school to get my last book for my online class that started last week.  I was in and out in less than 10 minutes, which is pretty much exactly what I wanted/needed.  I came home, did a couple of loads of laundry, and finished cleaning up for my dad's arrival. 

Both of the boys had practice/uniform pick-up tonight, so we headed to Wagon Wheel.  The boys played catch while my dad and I acted as back-ups.  When B's assistant coach showed up, N headed to the batting cages.  My dad and I ended up following N, and that's when I got put on uniform duty.  To their credit, every single boy showed up to get their uniform...and most of them stuck around to hit a bucket of balls and throw a few back and forth.  N put on his catchers gear and a few of the boys practiced pitching to him.  He's really excited to catch tomorrow.

Tomorrow: B has a parade at the same time as game one of N's double header.  I'll be at N's game, then head over to B's game at 11:30.  Tonight, B's stepmom said, "Oh wow, you are officially a baseball mom."  Um, yeah.  I know.  Where have you been?

On the way home, Justin called to see if N wanted to go to dinner with him, and N agreed, but only if he could shower first.  My dad and I also decided to go grab dinner somewhere, so the four of us ended up going to eat together.  It was fun to hang out, and I'm glad Justin and I get along so well...for the most part.  I vocalized that, and he looked at me like I was crazy!  We really are friends.  It's weird, but true.

Now, it's 10:26, OU still sucks, and I'm exhausted.

Tomorrow will be a morning full of baseball, followed by an afternoon of looking at a potential place to live...all with my dad by my side!

I'm super excited!

Aubs

So much to do, so little time

Y'all.  My dad's going to be here in less than 24 hours!  I'm so excited, I can't even stand it!  He called me this evening, on his way home, to make sure there wasn't anything else I needed him to bring.  The list may or may not include the following:

A green scooter
A blue bowl with lid
A glass bowl with red lid
A baseball glove
Ratatouille (because I think I left it in the tv in the boys' room at his house, and we want to watch it)

N tried to add on a new catcher's mitt, but Pampaw was not falling for it.  He might be just as excited as I am to be coming back up here...  We discussed weather forecasts and tentative plans for the weekend, and then I went on and on (and on) about houses and potential jobs, and I'm pretty sure he moved the phone away from his ear while I yapped away excitedly.

Or maybe he listened.  He IS a pretty great listener.

I finished homework for two classes, but I still have to go get a book for my class that just started so I can get caught up.  Since I don't have class tomorrow morning, I guess a trip to the bookstore will be in order.  In a moment of panic, I just had to google the store hours to make sure they were open tomorrow, since my deadline is Sunday.  Whew!  I'm safe.

I have a project due next week for my Friday class, and I have to pick a topic for a research paper for another class.  It's going to be a busy end to the semester, that's for sure.  I'm doing well, though, so although I'm totally stressed out about it, I think it will all work out.

B's dad/stepmom and I have had many a conversation lately about potentially switching B to a different attendance zone.  They want to keep him in the same school, and while I agree (to a certain extent), B tells me he wants to go to this other school.  He tells them a different story.  I hate that we've come to the point in his life, where he tells each of us what he thinks we want to hear, because all it does is add stress to his life, and that's not fair to him.  After going to the administration building and talking to my friend's mom about requesting a transfer, I realized it was pointless to do it.  There's a new elementary school that's being built, and once it's completed, anyone who had transferred will have to return to their home school anyway.  So, if I move, B will end up at the other school anyway...it's just a question of whether he starts right away, or makes stronger friendships at his current school before he has to leave.  I think his stepmom and I are in agreement that it would make more sense to start him off in the new school in the fall, and then just stay put.

I told her SHE can tell B's dad.  She laughed and agreed.

I feel like there are so many huge pieces of my life that are falling into place right now, and I couldn't be more thrilled or more grateful.  I've said it a hundred times today: God has really put me in the right place at the right time, putting me in the paths of people that are just good.  I'm praying that the pieces will continue to fit together the way I want them to, that "my" plan is also God's plan, and we're finally on the same page. 

I have to say...letting go and letting God is something you have to do/see to believe.

Aubs

Rain, Heels, and a Sock Monkey Umbrella

First of all, I was asleep last night by 10:13 pm.  I can't tell you when that happened last.  I woke up late(r) than normal, and let N sleep until 7:00.  Why?  Because he had his second day of testing today, and I wanted to be sure he was well rested.  Besides, I got up early on Tuesday and made him sausage and eggs for breakfast, so I figured letting him sleep late would make up for NOT doing that this morning.  He got blueberry multi-grain waffles.  And he liked them.  Dang it.

After I took him to school, I came home and contemplated going back to bed for a minute.  It was rainy and dreary and chilly, so it would've been perfect...so perfect, that I would've overslept and missed my interview.  So, I opted to be a grown-up and got ready instead.  I walked to the door in my dress and heels, only to discover that my black umbrella was inside out in the closet.  Perfect.  That left me with one option:

The Sock Monkey umbrella.  Laugh.  Go ahead.  You think I'm kidding, but sadly, I'm not.  And actually, it was kind of perfect...because that's just "me."  You know?  Anyway, I got there, and hung out, watching Kathie Lee and Hoda while I waited for the manager, and had a great time talking to her.  She was looking for someone to work 12 hour shifts on the weekends, which is something I can't do, but she mentioned a position that hadn't been posted yet that she thought I would be perfect for, and set the ball rolling on that one.  It was seriously such a blessing to meet her and talk to her today.  I wasn't sure about her at first, but she was so down to earth and had so many of the same thoughts I did...especially when it comes to being a mom first.  It was refreshing to hear that from a professional, given my previous experience with that.

I came home and made lunch, then I took a nap.  I was exhausted.  I couldn't help it...dang rain!  When the boys got home, they were annoyed because they had to stay inside.  Practice was cancelled (Um, duh!  I could've called that one on Wednesday) so we were stuck at home and inside.  B did his homework while he was waiting for his dad, and they both watched television.  Not much you can do when you're grounded from video games, according to them, anyway. 

When B left, N and I hung out.  We looked at stuff on Facebook, and he read everything in a British accent, for reasons unknown.  I called my dad to find out when he was coming on Friday, and I'm SO excited!!!  I just can't tell you how much I've missed him.  Since both boys have make-up practice on Friday, I told my dad he might have to meet us at the ball fields instead.  I'm hoping he gets into town before that, but we'll see. 

In other news, I haven't been to my Friday class in three weeks...and my professor just posted that we won't have class on Friday either.  It just so happens to coincide with the Rangers Home Opener.  For some reason, I don't think it's coincidence at all.  He's a former baseball coach, and LOVES baseball.  When the boys went a few weeks ago (on their Spring Break) he talked baseball with them for at least 20 minutes.  They all loved it.

I just finished a test for one class, and I'm going to have to make a run to school at some point this week to get a book that I need for my newest class...before my deadline on Sunday.

I'm attempting to not procrastinate.  News flash:  It's not going well.

Aubs

On this episode of, "Oops! I raised your rent..."

I got my renewal notice today, and I was expecting it to be a bit of a rent hike.  I was not, however, expecting what I saw.  See, I've been exploring my options for the last few weeks, just to see what was out there, somewhat close to what my rent is now.  In Coppell there isn't a whole lot...and if there is something, it's not worth it. 

There's been one that's been available for a while, so today, I got a little more curious than normal, and decided to go see it.  In theory, it would be great...except for the powder blue painted walls in the bedrooms and bathrooms.  It's obviously been a rental for a while, and the "yard" is just a bunch of weeds.  I was feeling a tad dejected after that, but decided to drive around the neighborhood a little to see if there was anything else. 

I saw a "For Rent by Owner" sign with flyers, so I stopped to grab one.  The rent was $70 cheaper than the crappy one, so I called the number to set up an appointment.  "Are you in a red car?" the gentleman asked.  When I said I was, he told me to come on in.  He was getting ready to show it to someone else, but I was more than welcome.  Y'all.  It was the same exact floorplan, but this one was maintained SO much better.  It's small, about the size of my apartment, but it met all of my criteria:

1. Ground floor.
2. Garage.
3. Yard.

I'm not hard to please...despite popular belief.  (Okay, those who know me best just choked on their laughter with that sentence).  He and I got wrapped up in a conversation about single parenting and how he and his wife love to be able to help out and give back because God has blessed them in so many ways, and at that moment, I felt like God was blessing me...putting me in this man's path for a reason.  He told me he was closing on another property on Friday, again, the exact same floorplan, but not as "tricked out" as he called it.  I agreed to meet him and the other prospective renter at the other house, and left so she could look uninterrupted.

I found the other one, and it's almost exactly what I pictured in my head...right down to the two climbing trees in the front yard.  I left to grab some water, but when I came back, they were looking around, so I knocked and went in.  He told the benefits of this one: a really spacious roofed deck with a ceiling fan in the back, new windows, all the appliances (including a new washer & dryer), and a new water heater.  He said, "I know this one isn't as fancy, but it's in excellent shape.  I bought it from the original owner, and if you're good with what you see; I'll be painting everything and installing some new fixtures and everything, but if you like it, I'll rent it to you for a really good price."  

While I was waiting, I'd called my apartment complex and found out that they were increasing my rent by $200.  Yeah.  Really.  When he told me the price, I started doing math in my head to see which was the better deal, and without question, the house is.  My dad's coming this weekend for baseball, so we're going to check it out.  I'm excited about the possibilities, and the fact that he told me I could rent it for as long as I wanted/needed to.  He is a good man; he and his wife have been in the community for years and years and years, and they are so great.

This morning, I got a text from a friend of mine, asking if I was awake.  When I said I was, I got a text that made my heart drop...first, when she asked if I was awake, I was scared it was bad news about one of her kids.  Equally bad news, I'm afraid...her father died early this morning, suddenly, and before his time.  He leaves behind the love of his life, his wife of 51 years, three amazing daughters, and some pretty wonderful grandchildren.  This man, although I never met him, was selfless and kind, supportive and loving, loyal and genuinely good.  I did not get the chance to meet him, but I feel like I have because all of those qualities have been picked up by those who loved him the most.  It is tragic and so difficult for all of them; nobody was expecting to say good-bye to their husband/father/Pop Pop.

My heart hurts for them, but at the same time, I want to rejoice for him, being in the presence of God, where he feels no pain, and will forever be able to watch over all of his loved ones.  Yes, that's joyous news, but it doesn't dim the hurt my friends feel...and I wish I could do something to fix it. 

Today's post was originally going to be about friendship, but I feel like it should wait for another time...perhaps tomorrow.

Instead, I'm going to go cuddle with my boy...because I'm here and able, and tomorrow isn't a guarantee.

Aubs