Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Food For Thought

Heard a pastor mention this in a YouTube video the other night. Jon and I found it very interesting, so I thought I'd share...... This isn't the video we watched the first time, but the concept is still there.



God has specifically given you a mate that is weak and lacking in areas where you want him/her to be strong. But also strong in areas where he/she must be strong so that they are not tempted beyond what they can bear.
Why? To conform us to the image of Christ. So that we might learn to love unconditionally, as He loves us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUSaZzvIPMo

As I listened to this video, listened to the description of that unconditional love....... I thought of the husband God has given to me. I thought of all the ways he loves me when I am undeserving. Now if only I can be that for him. And from there, be better at giving it to others.

Check it out! Paul Washer explains it better than I have.

Monday, August 24, 2009

First Day of School

The first day of 5th grade, at a new building, is in the books! Braden had a great day --- as far as we can tell. He's not always a talker. Actually we had to bribe him with a milkshake to get as many details out of him as we did!

This is the best look you'll get at him. He was not happy about me wanting to take his picture! He was wide awake, just mad at me for getting out the camera. Tony Hawk shirt and shoes that he picked out. The iPod stayed at home :)

Braden and Jared off to school. I offered to drive him for his first day. He shot me down.



After school, he dropped his backpack off and then headed off to play with some friends. Later this evening he informed me that "me and Matt were the only 2 people in the whole school that dressed up today. nobody else had too!" Ever my little drama queen! Tomorrow he is wearing a t-shirt and athletic shorts.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

The Neverending Tournament

Here are some pictures I took during games 5-7 of the Monroe Tournament last weekend.

Turn your head for this one. Not sure why Blogger flipped this one and one other picture over. Braden up to bat.

He either drills it, gets walked, or strikes out. This time: he struck out.


Dallas looking for a good stick to chew on during her long day at the ballpark.


"Can't we just leave, Mom? I'm so tired of this place! Fine then! Just shoot me please!"


Headed to bat again while Dad looks on.




Another strike out. Daddy has some pointers for him this time.


Turn your heads! Braden, Nick, and Blake during a pitching change.


Braden and Nick, best buds.


Guess who got the nod that they were pitching next?
Caleb watching Braden whine while getting his arm stretched out.






Warming up with Dad. He didn't pitch for very long though. Braden is either dead on with his pitches or he's a wild man that walks everyone. This day, he was a little wild.


The kids lined up. Now where are the coaches?




Tuesday, August 4, 2009

The Leg

Saturday night, this is what we found when Braden took his baseball pants off. This is what two pitches to the leg look like.


This is the next night. You can see where his compression shorts were.




It looks even better 4 days later!

Monday, August 3, 2009

The End of the Lake Fest Photos

Jon and Dallas napping the morning after Lake Fest.

The fireworks. (Much better than VW's 4th of July)


We were going to watch the fireworks from the roof of the Hazels' 3-story building, but the only one who enjoyed it up there was Braden. The rest of us were ready to go back down to the 2nd floor deck after about 10 minutes. And we did! The fireworks were just as amazing down there.




Coming soon: pictures of Braden's leg!

Nice Ride

Lake Fest - part 3: the car show

I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this car. Sorry you can't see all of it, but there were cars and people everywhere!

This is the original sales receipt for the Mustang.


Jon, Matt, and Braden checking it out.


Braden loves Mustangs!


Jon checking out the pretty purple one.


That's right, a Shelby Cobra! And it was for sale! Too bad I forgot the checkbook.


They just don't make vans with carpet like that anymore.


Jon really, really wanted the Viper. But he didn't have $95,000 on him that day. Maybe next time.




Saturday, August 1, 2009

August?!?!?! What?

I can't believe it's August 1st! Wow! Braden will be starting 5th grade in 23 days......

Anyway, on with Lake Fest - part 2: the Amphi-Cars

Braden and Matt, possibly thinking about pushing each other in.

The Batmobile?


And Batman is driving!


These cars were pretty neat. Except that there were about 35 of them. They drove down the rode, into the water, through the channel, and were gone. 35 times! People close enough to where they entered the water, and the people in the cars, got pretty wet.


Matt's older brother, Austin.


Swim for safety duck! Swim!