Batter up!

Owen's very first T ball game ever was on Monday!  Words can't explain how excited this little athlete was!  He has been around sports his whole life - and now it's finally his turn!  He looks forward to each practice with great enthusiasm and literally counted down the hours until it was game time.  I couldn't help but think "this is only the beginning....".  

He is truly a coach's kid.  He wanted to know why the scoreboard wasn't lit up!  Even though the score is not officially kept at this age our coaches kept track and the mighty Mudcats opened the season with a BIG WIN!!  I was the proud dug out mom for this game and tried my best to keep our fifteen energetic players in batting order!

This year our favorite player is lucky number 7!

His team's motto is "Eye on the ball; ear on the coach"!  A little pre game warm up:

Put me in coach!!

Owen is already excited about his next game.  He is really having a blast this season!  He says he might even earn a big trophy :)

Owen scored two runs this game.  He paid attention and played with his heart.  He gave 100% and we are so proud of him!!

BASEBALL

No grass stains - no glory

No bruises - no story

An unforgettable decade

3,650 days
87,600 hours
2 amazing kids
2 angel babies in heaven
1 dog
3 major career changes
5 towns / 7 homes
2 trips to Jamaica
100's of sweet moments
Side by side through it all

This year we celebrate ten years of wedded bliss!  Time flies when you're having fun!  Jarrod is my rock, best friend, spiritual leader, comic relief, sounding board and faithful companion.  He can make me laugh even when I don't want to.  He can finish my sentences, which is fine with me.  He is still the first one I call to tell good news.  After a full day at work he washes dishes, folds laundry, puts kids to bed and makes plywood cupcake stands....just to make my life a little easier.  He tolerates my clutter, listens to me ramble on and on and brings out the very best in me.  In many ways we are so different but we balance one another out perfectly.  Who knew that a simple glance at the bowling alley in high school could transpire into this happily ever after?!  I pray that someday Emma finds someone just like her daddy and that Owen follows in his every footstep.

It's a lot of fun to look back through our wedding day photos!  In many ways it seems like just yesterday; but the baby faces on our wedding party members prove otherwise!  It's amazing how much everyone has grown up :)  Each of these people holds a special place in our hearts.  Like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.  This photo is extra special because this sanctuary has burned down since our big day.

The night of our anniversary we hired a babysitter and enjoyed dinner at Homestead on 19th in Huntsville.  The restaurant is located inside the town's oldest surviving home and is located on SHSU campus.  They serve fresh seafood and steak.  It was our first time there and it was lovely!

Of course we had to splurge on dessert!!  :)

What a neat restaurant and a wonderful evening :)

Each of the ten heart shaped balloons below represented one year of marriage.  Tied to the string was either a favorite memory or a synopsis of that particular year.  It was fun to walk down memory lane!  I also made a heart out of mini Snickers - Jarrod's favorite!  :)

We agreed not to exchange gifts this year since we celebrated a little early in Jamaica!  However, Jarrod broke our deal!  He brought this beautiful flower arrangement home as well as the jewelry set I wore to dinner (Emma helped pick it out!)

If I could do it all over again I would choose Jarrod a million times!  I pray that the Lord blesses us with heath, safety, spiritual growth and happiness for many more decades to come!

Deacon Smith

In January Jarrod was honored to be selected to serve as a deacon of our church, Dorcas Wills Memorial Baptist.  He was ordained on a Sunday evening and shared his testimony of faith with the congregation.  Each deacon and minister came by to pray over us, which was really nice and will be forever remembered.  Our church has been one of the biggest blessings since our arrival to the community a couple of years ago.  Our prayer as a family is to show God's love throughout our community in all ways.

{Pictured above are 3 of the newest deacons with ministers on each side}

1 Timothy 3: 8-13

8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must lhold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Owen's first t ball practice

As a mama I love having a front row seat to my kids' childhood.  I especially enjoy witnessing every "first".  This afternoon Owen officially made his debut in an organized sport!  He has spent long enough sitting on the sidelines watching his big sister participate and now he is ready to shine!  

His t ball team is the Mudcats and our church youth minister and friend Charlie is his head coach this season.  He doesn't seem to mind notice that he has most of Emma's equipment handed down.  Daddy even spray painted her bright pink helmet shiny silver!  Owen did, however, get to pick out a snazzy new pair of Under Armor cleats at Academy.  He promised they would make him run faster around the bases!  He must have literally asked the question "Is it time for practice?" a hundred times throughout the day!  He was thrilled when 5:30 finally rolled around.  He was all smiles as we headed to the field:

His practice started with stances and stretches:

Then a little running to get things going!

Ready for catching drills:

Reviewing the bases:

Loving it!!  :)

Emma's team (the Magic Diamonds) had practice at the next field.  Needless to say, we will be spending a lot of time out at the ball field this Spring!  

Health Fair

This week Emma's school hosted a community health fair.  Classes was given a specific topic and each student was given the opportunity to create their very own poster.  Emma's poster was all about about stranger danger.  

We made her poster as bright and colorful as possible, including flashing poster lights we found on sale!  :)

Emma came up with her own important messages including "Never leave with a stranger" and "Never take candy or anything from strangers".  This project was a great opportunity for us to discuss stranger stranger in depth as a family.  

Both kids enjoyed the opportunity to climb up into a firetruck and ambulance on site.  We also made the rounds and learned more about personal personal hygiene, germs and safety.  Emma even earned a free '100' for our attendance!

Tiger mini cheer camp 2014

Last month Emma attended a Tiger mini cheer camp hosted by our varsity cheerleaders.  She was so excited to be there with some of her favorite friends :)  They learned a dance as well as a couple of fun cheers.

On Friday evening the group performed during half time of the girls varsity basketball game.  Here she is beforehand with some of her besties: Rebecca, Elizabeth and Abigail :)

Posing with a mascot!  Emma was thrilled about performing and reminded me to pack her pom poms and eye glitter.  She shared with all of her friends :)

Showtime!  :)

Christmas 2013

Christmas 2013 came and went pretty fast this year.  Here are some of our favorite memories.  We are so thankful that Jesus came as a baby boy to save the world!

My sweet preschool & Kinder Wed night kiddos ~ our Happy Birthday Jesus party!

The Smith gentlemen dressed for the Christmas eve service at church :)

All smiles before distributing gifts at Big Daddy & Lita's house 

Santa pic :)

This sweet girl is growing up too fast!

Our silly Owen

Christmas morning 

Cousin love at Bailey Christmas 2013

Barrett Christmas 2013