Happy New Year

I wrote down a 13 for 13 way back on the 13th of January - I shan't revisit the 13 since I'm fairly certain the only thing I accomplished on that list was to learn to knit. I'd give a 14 for 14 but that's a ton of things to think on and knowing me it would take me until the 14th of February to finish and post given my track record. It was bound to be a banner year since I ended 2012 with winning the 5000th Twitter Fan Carmike Contest which remains the coolest and only thing I ever did win. And now I give you . . .

Thirteen Things From 20-13:
 * Thanks to our movie pass for a year we saw way more movies than I think I've seen in one year in my LIFE. It has been a blast to have dates and to see things long before they come out on regular TV!

* We frequently heard how Awesome The Boy was "because it's just so hard to think of another adjective." He continues to keep us on our toes and ask Big Questions, some of which we have to Google the answers.

* We visited old friends. The zoo and lunch after was a blast and the surprising was even more awesome. We spent time with our good friends, spending summer nights at Sweet Frog even when it started to sprinkle. And we swam, visited Six Flags and seriously rocked a pick-up baseball game birthday party

* We got a new puppy! We thought she was deaf but she was just a punk. She ate homework, 239487234 pairs of headphones, rolls of toilet paper and boxes of tissues, the box of plastic spoons and let us not forget the baking soda. Maggie (better known as Petunia Picklebottoms) brought some spunk back to old Mildred Louise - she's keeping her young. And by young it sometimes means escaping the back gate and running through the creek.

* The Boy continues to crack us up with Jethroisms. My favorite quote from The Boy this year: So are you born a vegetarian or vegan or is it a choice? Because I didn't know if the doctor passes you the baby and says 'it's a boy and he's a vegan' or something.


* The Boy learned to ride a 4-wheeler. He crashed nearly every time he rode. Thankfully he did not break anything.

* We played a lot of baseball. Spring the weather was awesome, we came in 4th place and it was fun. Fall we played every single Friday and learned to play every position and it was fun. Now we are getting geared up for B-Ball in the Spring and well it might not be too fun in the way t-ball isn't always fun. Like watching paint dry? Maybe not but B-Ball seems to be a game of Walking and Stealing.

* The Boy finished 3rd Grade and had many accomplishments. The Boy started 4th grade and has learned a ton about space. He's also back to reading again. We may just get that Balloon Walk yet! This is the year for Real Grades and we couldn't be more proud of how Awesome The Boy is doing

* We went to our first Braves game together! It was just as awesome as we thought it would be. And in honor of Father's Day The Boy and Dave were able to run the bases together after the game!

* Got rid of the motorcycle, added on the Explorer. Dave and The Boy were sad for the loss but I Hate Motorcycles So I'm All Good.

* I joined a book club - and I swear I'm not just in it for the adult interaction but HELLO what a plus. I joined a co-op and am loving learning new recipes for the different veggies we have here. And I bought my first pair of cowboy boots.

* Dave stopped working at the shop. And quit dipping. I don't think I've ever been more proud of him. Ever.

* We began the foster care process and felt led to do Resource Parenting instead of Straight Adoption. It's a scary decision but we hope that God has a special child He plans to stay here forever. We attended class every Thursday. We survived two home inspections. We waited not-so-patiently for approval. And then we had a respite weekend and a weekend with two little boys that I thought were going to do me in. I'm happy to report we finished our required hours to stay active in the nick of time (read: last night) and we are good to go for starting back in January.

There were hard parts to the year - I was pretty sure November wanted to destroy me between losing my friend Carla, the tough time with the foster kids, the hot water heater exploding and a bunch of other stuff. I could have done without all the health stuff we had going on. And my ever-present being behind on all things paperwork. I wish I would go to bed earlier and exercise more - drink less coke, more water - learn to like running. But thinking back on all the things we did in 2013 - I'm glad for my family and friends. And memories. And laughs.


So in looking forward to 2014 I have a few hopes - to laugh more & cry less; to work hard and do my best; to read the entire Bible; to visit with friends, to spend time with family. I want to start taking pictures again. And keep my room clean. Hahahahaha yeah I'm just joking on that last one.

I'm hopeful 2014 will be our Best Year Yet and I'm excited to see what God has in store for us. Wishing you all a very Happy New Year. Much Love ~ Shan. 

Nine Whole Months

Remember that one time I blogged Not-Resolutions? And then I posted them all and didn't come back again for 9 months? Yeah me either. We'll all pretend like I've been blogging all along with this nine month update yes?

The Boy got a new pet - Al G. A great deal of sadness resulted months later when in a freak accident Mildred Louise was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for knocking over the aquarium and ripping down the blinds upon being trapped in The Boy's room. Al G was buried in a private ceremony. He will be missed by the now-empty pineapple under the sea and his dear owner. 

 

Christmas gift for The Boy - a trip with his BFF from K & 1st Grade! Proclaimed one of the Best Days Ever

Baseball tryouts in 40 degree weather. Our standard "you will hope it is this cool in May" was not to happen when we had gloriously wonderful weather for the entire season

 

Drafted by the C-Ball Phillies The Boy had an awesome season playing 1st Base. Their team was #4 in the league. We learned a lot this season, like sometimes the umpires will get it wrong, Mom means it when she says she will buy Crying Panties, and baseball at American Little League isn't nearly as horrible as we were led to believe (except for that part about parking sucking - that was crazy true)!

 

 

And then you realize time is going too fast and The Boy has his Last Ever C-Ball At-Bat

The Boy was chosen for Science Olympics. His team placed 1st in Estimania! (The Boy was chosen for this area after the teacher asked how he would determine the number of paper clips it would take to go the length of a football field and not missing a beat he asked 'the little paper clip or the big paper clip? because one is only an inch but the other is a couple of inches')

 

Meanwhile we (and by we I mean *I*) got a new puppy. She was cute and so fluffy I was certain I was going to die. Then we got her home and found out just how much she likes to get in to mischief - like eating 2394729873487 sets of ear phones. I reminded Dave of the fact that at least she eats $10 headphones and not $30 trailer wires like her predecessor. And lest you think we dumped Mildred - nope. We rocked her world and brought her the most vile thing in the world - a sister.

We named her Maggie but more often than not call her Petunia Picklebottoms. I tell people all the time I love her but I probably won't really like her until she's 3 because of things like digging in the nastiest puddle ever, ripping up my toilet paper, barking Every Single Morning at 3 a.m. and jumping up at the sink.

Mother's Day came and I received the best note ever from my favorite son

 Then The Boy got in his Balloon Walk just under the wire. We were super proud

And all too fast he graduated 3rd Grade

We prayerfully made the decision at the end of May to expand our family through Resource Parenting (previously known as Foster-to-Adopt). We spent our Thursdays all summer attending class. We had drug tests, TB tests, fingerprinting and got writer's cramp from the mountains of paperwork we filled out, which The Boy agreed with on his own sheet. 

The Summer also found The Boy turning 9 and one of his dreams coming true when we took our Father's Day trip to see The Braves

Then we got rid of the motorcycle after One Last Ride

And spent a soggy 4th of July at The Property camping. I found my Happy Spot with a little time in the hammock with a book

The summer was not complete without our Annual Six Flags Trip

And then all too quickly summer was over and The Boy started FOURTH grade

 

Fourth Grade, while the class talks and gets in trouble which drives The Boy batty, has already taught us awesome stuff. We spend many nights out in the front yard looking up at the stars. Here we are psyched to have watched yet another amazing space-thingy (note my strength was math not science and most certainly not social studies *ahem*)

 We've revisited our love for all things Duck Dynasty and channel our inner-Jase frequently

 Plus The Boy learned how to ride a four-wheeler. Granted there was that one time he crashed face-first in a tree but he learned the most important thing in the world - in a turn you turn right to go left can't always do the same thing a bigger four-wheeler can do and should Slow Down

And the fall finds the most awesome thing - the return of baseball. We were blessed to get to be on the team of a coach I said at the end of C-Ball I wanted The Boy to have. He's learning a fat ton and will be better prepared for baseball come spring

We're loving the fact that we're learning new things but hate the fact that B-Ball seems to be all about getting on base (read: walking) and trying to score (read: stealing). We've yet to finish more than 3 innings each game. But Dave and I count our blessing it's not nearly as horrible as watching t-ball!

Lest you think it's all Sunshine and Roses - Mags grew even more and is even more sneaky. Here we find her just after shredding an entire box of baking soda all over the living room. She subsequently puked all over my Red Chair and was banned to the backyard for a bit so I could attempt to clean. Thankfully the looks-like-crack-on-my-floor took place *after* our home visits for foster care

 Regardless we're trucking along finding the balance of work/school, keeping the house picked up and spending our Thursday and Friday nights at the ball field!

 And with that I'm all up to date. Maybe I'll blog again today - or maybe I'll blog again in three months - but at least that feeling of too-far-behind-to-even-post can be shed, right? Feels good to be back.

Make good choices and be good listeners friends ~ Shan.

On Best Days Ever

The Boy had the best game ever - hitting the ball, getting on base, playing catcher and clearly tagging a player out at home when the umpire apparently left the game for five seconds because SERIOUSLY how could you call that kid safe?! The Boy was the winning run following hits by Andrew and Cole. When your Non-Hitters win the game for you? It is awesome. 20-21 over the Dodgers! You can always tell how awesome the game was by the dirt on the face. This time we have dirt on the face AND covering both arms. He left an orange and brown ring around the tub!

And Dave. Oh Dave. His dream came true making it his greatest day ever

I hope we can name this cycle something awesome like Minerva or Maggie (Short for Margaret). Or Magnolia Rose (Mags). Or Liza Jane. Or HAZEL. Or Nora. Penny. Stella. Ruthie.

No best day ever for me. I have high hopes for this week though. Until then, woohoo for the fellas!

Simple, Honest Prayer

Usually on the way to each baseball game The Boy and I will pray just as we cross the river. Saturday was no different and since I was having to concentrate due to crazy traffic I told The Boy to pray first. 

Dear God Please help me play good baseball today. And help all us on the team hit the ball and do good because my Auntie Amanda and Uncle Wesley will be there and I want them to think we are a good team not the Red Sucks. Amen.

I did my best not to laugh. And I kindly stated that we do not say sucks. And then I prayed for the team myself.

Thirty Days of Thankful: Day Four

Me: What are you thankful for today?
The Boy: I am thankful for baseball.

Me: So what do you love about baseball?
The Boy: BATTING.
Me: And what was your favorite position you played?
The Boy: Well tonight it was catcher
Me: What was your favorite memory from baseball in Fall Ball?
The Boy: Playing the Spikes and getting to do compliments with Tripp.We played our last Fall Ball game tonight - it was rescheduled since last night there was a downpour. We played The Dawgs, which is a team that Sends Them All. We, of course, lost due to the 10-run-rule because of the Send 'Em practices of their coaches but The Boy said he had fun. Fall Ball has been a learning experience and we've seen So Much Growth. I warmed up with The Boy tonight and he is able to throw the ball so much better now. He's anxious for Spring Ball to start - we're just sad we won't be back at Northern.

Early bedtime around here - it's Fall Festival at the school tomorrow! And who knows - we might even put up the tree tomorrow afternoon. Be safe and make good choices y'all. ~ Shan.

Best Game EVER

Friday evening late we got a text from Coach saying he was sorry The Boy didn't get to play in-field during the game but to have him be ready to play 3rd on Monday. We quickly sent back a text saying it was not necessary, made a decision to not say anything Just In Case it didn't come about, and then I, MOTHER OF THE YEAR, got up early (for me) on Saturday and took The Boy to the field to learn how to play 3rd base. Forty straight minutes of practicing there - scenarios, what do you do, get your glove on the ground. And then he wanted to have some batting practice - we won't talk about how the first pitch I threw I nailed him in the back, thus crashing all my dreams of being a C-ball coach in the Spring - but batting wasn't as fun with just The Mom and The Boy so we decided to call it a morning. I would later realize one of the reasons I Could Not Move Saturday afternoon was directly related to this intense 3rd Base Introductory Session.

But then we got to the game Monday night - the late game mind you - and Coach says to The Boy - "You're Starting On Third!" and his smile was as big as the infield! Meanwhile my stress-level was as big as the outfield. He made a play or two and learned a few things like you can't block the bag and all-in-all did a fine job over there on third. And he later moved to catcher and then back out in the outfield. Hit the ball each at bat. Just had a fabulous game all around (which if we're going by the State Of The White Pants it was incredibly awesome - I'm not sure Shout! can get it all out).

We lost by one point to a team that beat us by 10 the first time they played us. Go Astros! And the game ball of the night? Went to THE BOY! Super psyched for a job well done. I can't believe how much The Boy rules!

We have a few days off from practice. We're taking some time to do things like Go To Bed At A Decent Hour and Get Our Homework Finished. Just normal run of the mill 2nd grade stuff! But here in the Hardegree Diaries we are CRAZY PROUD of The Boy for playing 3rd and getting his first game ball! Rock On!

And since the back to work blues are making me exhausted I leave you with this: Be Safe, Make good choices, Pray that mountain moves. We'll be back soon. ~ Shan.

Baseball.

Back in late May/early June after watching the movie Sandlot no less than 2349734 times, The Boy came to us and insisted it was his life's dream to play baseball.

The child that could not catch a ball to save his life wanted to play ball. The one that had never played, couldn't really hit, can barely throw and did I mention CANNOT CATCH A BALL wanted to play baseball. He told us: "I know I wanted to play tennis and do archery but now I am just really thinking I need to do baseball after it got in my head. I just keep thinking about it and thinking about it after I watched the Sandlot. It's just in my head. So I am going to have baseball be my sport now"

So we did what any normal parents would do - said 'sure' when his uncle wanted to buy him a glove for his birthday. Paid our registration fee after researching where he needed to play for Fall Ball. And began to pray that somehow, between June and the start of fall ball, there would be some miracle of baseball and he would miraculously Learn Everything There Was To Know About Baseball - especially that he would learn it was not that you hit the ball through the touchdown things to get a point AND that he would learn to catch.

Almost a month in? The Boy is having a ton of fun. He is excited about practice and loves batting and game days are the best days ever. After each practice and each game when asked if he had a good time, there is always a quick response of "yes" and usually it is followed by "it was fun!" or "THAT was AWESOME"

The kids were able to pick out their numbers, and there was no doubt in my mind what number he would pick. It is, after all, his favorite number from his favorite movie. I imagine that number will follow him for a few years to come.

One of The Boy's favorite parts of the game (aside from batting and getting to slide because it's not a good game if the white pants aren't filthy!) is the post-game Icee!

When asked, The Boy will tell you the things that stand out about baseball this far are: batting is fun, icees after the game are awesome, you should always cheer when your team is batting, the rule you should never slide in to 1st base is the dumbest rule ever, sliding is the favorite part about running the bases, and if there were any position he could play he would want to be back-up 1st baseman. After informing him there was No Such Thing he was a bit devastated, as he knew he couldn't be 1st baseman but wanted to be there because they ALWAYS throw the ball to 1st and "really why did they let me practice as a back-up 1st base if that isn't even a position?" Oh the logic.

Tonight was a fun time - The Boy said it was going to be kind of hard because we played the Spikes, a team that had all of The Boy's friends from church. It was an awesome game and both teams played hard. The Boy spent most of the game in the outfield - I spent most of the game in a chair yelling and cheering so the only pictures I have are through-the-fence but you can see he's ready for any action there in the outfield!

Despite big hitters on the Spikes, the Astros pulled it out for a win! The Boy had 2 RBIs and did a good job backing up various other players while playing in the outfield! David and I were having a tough time cheering on our Astros yet balancing it out as we also cheered for Tripp, Bryn and Gray on the Spikes.

We've now won 2 and lost 2 this season. Coach gave us a few days off - for this I'm glad as getting to bed late nearly every night is taking its toll on The Boy. But I'm so glad we opted to let him pursue this "life dream" of his. And he says he 'totaley' wants to play in the spring. We're So There. And who knows, maybe that sandlot dream of his will one day come true!

I'm the only one still awake so I think I'll try and sleep. Be safe. Make good choices. Be back soon.

~ Shan.