SWEET CHRISTMAS SONGS

The school Christmas program really got to me this year.  I was rushed to get there, had to park a mile away, then mad dash in heels to get to the hot gym in time and find that my friend was late and didn't save our seats.  So that meant standing in the very back the whole time...In heels.  Needless to say, I was annoyed for a good 10 minutes.  And Cole was at home sick and had to miss the whole thing including his solo part.

It was eerily quiet until it started.  The music teacher began by reading a few pieces about children...Changed my whole mood immediately.  The cramped, stuffy gym was in complete silence...Even all the kids.  Almost took my breath away.  The teacher plugged in her guitar and they sang all these different songs that I hadn't heard before and definitely wasn't expecting at a public school Christmas program.  Halfway through the 4th song I was wiping away the tears because it was just precious to hear all their innocent little voices singing.  It took all I had to keep from flat out sobbing.  This was the song...It's a little difficult to make out the words on the video but it's still very sweet.

"Beautiful Things"

All this pain
I wonder if I'll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make me new, You are making me new
You make me new, You are making me new

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

"Give Us Hope"
 

Listen to the sound of my voice

Can you feel the beat of my heart

Listen to the questions I have

Listen to me

It’s all very simple

To see what we need

Give us hope

My voice is calling

Can you see

Look in my eyes

Can you feel

My hand is reaching

Give us hope and we’ll show you the way

Listen to the sound of my voice

Can you feel the beat of my heart

Listen to the questions I have

Listen to me

We are the future

Help us believe

Take my hand

Now look in my eyes

Tell me what you see

Give us hope

My voice is calling

Can you see

Look in my eyes

Can you feel

My hand is reaching

Give us hope and we’ll show you the way

show you the way

show you the way

show you the way

Oh the sweet, sweet beauty of listening to children sing.  I couldn't get to Brooke fast enough to give her a big hug and tell her she did so great.  If Cole would have been there to do his solo, I really would have been dripping in mascara.  The things we do for our kids...Working so hard, sacrificing so much, losing sleep and sanity, rarely having time for yourself...It's more than worth it!

 

MOTHER'S DAY

Mother's Day random photo shoot. We didn't really plan on doing this but we stopped at Union University when we saw all the pretty trees.  It's right off the highway so you can't miss it.  We took the photos ourselves and thought they were gonna be good enough to mail out to family but...The printed versions pretty much looked like poo. So they've been waiting here on this dinky little blog for me to finally write something here for several months now...Just like a bajillion other pictures.  One day I'll catch up...But today is not that day :-).

 
 

GIANTS BASEBALL 2012

Cole had an awesome Spring season this year!  He killed it as catcher and also did well when pitching.  This was his best season so far in hitting even though he went through a few slumps.  I haven't finished putting his video clips together so it's just pictures for now.  This first one is by far one of my favorites.  He digs wearing eye black and would sometimes paste it on like his favorite pro, Bryce Harper, of the Washington Nationals. 

 

This is a great picture...The pitcher's dad is talking to the catcher (Cole) and the catcher's dad (Nathan) is talking to the pitcher. 

William spent a lot of time with Cole showing him pointers about blocking as a catcher.  Cole does amazing when he wants to but just doesn't really want to be the catcher.  It's very hard on your body and you work harder than any other position.  He really can play anywhere but he really stands out as catcher.  I hope he doesn't give it up all together.

 

 

 

Cole got the breath knocked out of him when diving at home plate to tag a kid out.  I can't remember if he got him, I just remember how it made me stop breathing for a minute wondering if he was ok.

 

Cole had a great season as a player, but a very rough season as the head coach's son.  I don't know if it was just that age where he decided to be a little turd towards his dad and have the "I-know-everything-and-don't-care-what-you-say-attitude" or what, but it was down right awful sometimes.  I would often tell Cole to just say yes sir and be quiet. At the end of the season, Nathan said he may not need to coach Cole anymore.  Sad but probably true.  Nathan pulled Cole to the side and talked to him several times during every game.  It was hard on both of them, not to mention, on Momma having to watch it all.

 

GATEWAY GIANTS

 

 

 

Overall we had a great team with great parents.  The first half of the season we were undefeated and playing well, but then the tougher teams came around.  It's hard when you only have a handful of kids that are true ball players.  Even though it was a fun season, I think travel ball may be the way to go in order for Cole to have more competition.