Spring is HERE!

How wonderful to live in an area where there IS a spring! The temps are getting higher, the sun is shining more, and spring sports are here! Opening day for Major League Baseball is in 3 weeks and we couldn't be happier! Right now is March Madness and everyone, including Elijah, is watching their brackets to see who will win! I (Stacey) will start my new job with the Gwinnett Braves on April 17 and Zach and Joshua have started their seasons. That means that our weekends are busy and spent at Peachtree Ridge Park most of the time.

Zach had his 2nd soccer game EVER this past Saturday. He is SO funny to watch! He played 3 of the 4 quarters, running around the entire time. Not with or even really near the ball, but he was having a blast. However, he did manage to kick in his first goal ever. He loves the action and has a great time, even though he doesn't really know what he is doing. We enjoy watching him too. All the boys are 5 or 6 and very few have played before, so it's just a bunch of cute kids running around a ball. They don't keep score or anything. What energy!

After being rained out last weekend, Joshua started his 3rd season on baseball this past Friday as well. He started off playing 1st base and did great! He knows how to get runners out and back up the catcher when need be. He also got his first chance at pitching in the first game of the season. He was ready! We knew beforehand so we had been warming him up all week. He had a few walks and they lost the game, but he's getting his groove back. They had another game on Saturday. Unexpectedly, he pitched again! This time he got 2 strikeouts! Then, on Sunday, he played some first and shortstop. He went 1 for 2 with an RBI. He also got 2 big outs in the bottom of the 4th inning that helped them win their first game! For this, he got one of the game balls. He was SO excited! He has loved baseball and wanted to play since he was 2. It's like a dream come true for him.

Sports isn't the only thing that the older boys are excelling at, though. They both brought home their report cards this week and they were great! Zach got almost all E's with 1 or 2 S's and Joshua brought home STRAIGHT A's! He made the honor roll of excellence, or whatever they call it. He's always been an A/B student, but this is his first time with all A's. We are so proud of both of them. They are learning so much!

Elijah is still Elijah. He gets dragged to the park quite a bit for games and practices. He enjoys making friends at the park and playing on the playground. He spends his days with me at work at the church or grocery shopping. We have a great time together. I'm trying to enjoy it before he is off to school as well. He is so cute! He wants to know everyone's name and then introduces himself and me (as Mommy). He is also Zach and Joshua's biggest cheering section. He loves to encourage his brothers!

Steven is still chugging along, doing quite well considering the market and economy. God continues to be good to us and bless us beyond measure. As I said before, I will start working for the Gwinnett Braves on April 17, opening day. I have a few trainings before that. I am so excited to be part of baseball and this team in particular. Just being at the park almost everyday is going to be fun! If you are nearby, grab some tickets and come see me! I'll be there every game!

Zach's FIRST soccer game!

This is precious! Zach had his FIRST soccer game EVER this past Saturday. He decided, with some prodding from his parents, to give soccer a try instead of Tball this spring. (A bit more action). He had only ONE practice before this game. (The other was snowed out, if you can believe that!) The clip is about 5 minutes long. Zach is the cute blonde, #99. Steven is doing the yelling and commentating. The other sweet, angelic voice you hear is Elijah's. He is mimicking Daddy. I, ashamedly, missed this momentous occasion. I was on a retreat with some friends. Please keep in mind that he has NEVER played soccer before...EVER. But he says he sure had a lot of fun. Isn't that what it's all about?