One Bad Day

Lilly our dog, passed away today right before Seth's baseball game. She was injured and had to be put down by the Veterinarian. So, with a very heavy heart, Seth played baseball and things went predictably horrific. Seth started at third, pitched 1 inning and struck out in his only at bat as his team struggled to throw strikes and the other team hit the ball really well. With this loss they are out of the tournament, but Seth had a lot of fun and learned a lot about playing baseball with other kids who are really good players. It's a tough day for a kid to lose his dog and then lose a baseball game. We will all miss Lilly. She was a very special dog, but we are grateful for the time that she was part of the family.

All-Stars Game #3

The game started rather ignominiously. The pitcher for the other team was throwing very hard in warm ups. It looked like this was going to be a long night. Unfortunately, he hit our first batter in the face (huge bruise), walked our second batter and then hit our third batter in the helmet. Things became worse for their pitcher as he had little idea where he was throwing the ball, and before we knew it the score was 6-0 in the first inning and their starting pitcher was replaced before he was able to get a single out. Their next three pitchers threw strikes, but the pitches were considerably slower. Unlike Saturday night where we seemed to hit everything right at the fielders, tonight the team was hitting the ball hard and we scored lots of runs. The game was called in the 4th inning--Mercy Rule (16-0).

Seth started at 3rd base. His first at bat he hit a line drive off the chest of the pitcher. He hit it so hard the pitcher didn't have time to get his glove up, but the pitcher gathered himself, retrieved the ball and threw Seth out by a half a step. After the pitcher was hit, he was a little gun shy and had a hard time throwing strikes. So I guess you could say Seth knocked him out of the game! Seth came up the next inning and walked.

A special thanks to Coach Steve (Seth's little league coach), Grandpa Larry, Jim Power (home teacher), Uncle Cort and the Monroe cousins for coming to support Seth and cheer him on! The team made it to the semi-finals and will play Gilbert National for a chance to play in the championship.

All Star Game #2

The Queen Creek Little League All-Stars lost game number two 4-1. Both teams were evenly matched and Queen Creek led for the first 3 innings 1-0. For whatever reason, whenever the kids hit the ball, it seemed to find its way to one of their fielders. The other team threw strikes and fielded the ball really well. What is amazing about Seth' team is that in two games they have played they have not had a single error. They just couldn't buy a hit today and that happens sometimes in baseball. Seth played well, he was 1-1 with a solid hit between shortstop and third base. He pitched the 6th inning again and held the other team scoreless. He made a nice play to end the inning. The boy at bat hit a comebacker to Seth and he slipped fielding the ball and made a nice recovery to throw the boy out at first. The next game is tomorrow. If they win, they are in the semi-finals! If they lose they go home!

Little League 9-10 All Stars

Seth is ready to play!

Seth's regular season coach, Steve came with his family to watch Seth during his first game. He has been so supportive.

Shannon bought all of the family Queen Creek All Star shirts to support the team and Seth. You can also see Seth's cousin Maddie in the background in the green T-shirt! 3 of the Monroe cousins came to support Seth.

Game Notes: It was an unbelievable game! Seth was 1-1 with a single, a walk and a run scored. In the bottom of the last inning, Seth's team led 10-6. They put in a relief pitcher and he got one out, but gave up one run and walked the bases loaded. They brought in another relief pitcher and he made another out, but walked in another run. So then the coach made the call for Seth to come in for the last out. The bases were loaded and the score was 10-8. Seth promptly walked the next batter to make the score 10-9. With Joel yelling, slow it down, calm down, Seth faced the next batter. His first pitch was a strike and the next two pitches were balls. Seth then threw another strike. So, the bases were loaded with 2 outs, the score was 10-9 and the count was 2-2. Next pitch...Seth threw a fastball and the batter fouled it off. At this point Shannon is basically unable to watch the game and is trying not to cry. She comes over to the stands and tells the kids to pray for their brother Seth. The little league park was packed and the crowd was going wild as Seth prepared to throw the next pitch. Fastball..., a little low but over the middle of the plate. The batter did not swing, so all eyes went to the umpire. It seemed like for us that time stood still for a moment as we all looked at the umpire to see what the call would be. His right hand went up and he yelled, "strike three!" Like a scene from a movie, Seth leaped in the air and his teammates and coaches mobbed him as he ran off the mound. His head coach lifted him in the air, and his teamates piled on. Shannon was able to breathe again, and Seth had the biggest smile a 10 year old could have!

Apricots

I remember when I was little going to the strawberry fields and picking strawberries in Oregon. I have been wishing my kids could experience something similar but Arizona lacks in produce to pick except maybe lemons and oranges. Well, last Friday I took my kids over to Marge Goodman's house and we picked apricots for about an hour. With everyone's help, I have since made 23 pints of Apricot jam and have kept some in the freezer for future smoothies. It is the best jam I have ever tasted! Thank you Marge for sharing your beautiful fruit!

The Karate Kid

I introduced the boys to the old Karate Kid movies last week. Adam especially loved them! They spent countless hours afterwards practicing their moves in the family room. Even Morgan was using her karate chops and would get upset when she wasn't allowed on the mat/quilt. We have to watch Seth though because he's been known to throw in an illegal move more than once! We love cheap entertainment!

Exciting News

Exciting News #1: Seth made the Queen Creek Little League All Star Baseball Team!!

This is the best news a boy of ten could receive this summer! He decided to give the all star tryouts a go and he made the team. We are so proud of him! He will have two weeks of practices everyday and then a five day tournament. Way to go Seth and good luck!!!

Exciting News #2: Joel received a rank promotion!!

This is the best news a man of 37 could receive this summer! We weren't sure if Joel would be promoted this year but I was crossing my fingers. He was ranked 4 out of the 13 officers who were promoted and I couldn't be prouder. We are now required to call him Commander Beckstead. Now when do I get my budget increase?!

Always a Dog Lover

Last Friday we thought it would be fun to take the kids to the local community pool. I called Joel to meet us there right after work but unfortunately as we were driving up, everyone was driving away. They happened to close right at five for swim team so to say that we were disappointed is an understatement. After calling around, we finally found a pool to borrow and drove over to the Olson's. Their two golden labs are always part of the package, but we don't mind.

As you can see from the photos, Joel loves dogs!! He is the only one I know that tears up while watching dog commercials. I love it.

My Personal Seamstress

I have been busy working in the boy's room lately (when it's completely finished, I will post pictures) and my mom came over this morning and made these pillows for me. I sew but have been a bit busy and a bit lazy and I begged my mom to make them for me. She even took them home to do the worst part, the slip stitch. I really appreciate her talents!!

Look... she even smiles while working!

While she was sewing away, I was thinking about how grateful I am that I live close to her.

Here are some reasons I love my mother:

1. I love that from as long as I could remember, she has had a little pack of tissues in her purse for all of our unexpected needs. Now she provides tissues for my kids because I never have any.

2. She will come into my house and do my dishes. The reason the kitchen is clean in the picture above is because she did my dishes this morning! Thank you mom and I'm so sorry I'm messy.

3. She went upstairs and used my iron this morning and didn't make snotty remarks about my untidy bedroom. She knows I'm struggling.

4. I can still remember the cute matching pajamas she used to make me and my dolls. I have so many memories of her teaching me how to sew.

5. My sister and I call her a little rabbit. She loves to eat raw vegetables! At family functions we can always find her next to the veggie platter sneaking a piece of celery.

6. She loves the gospel and it shows.

7. She is a sweetheart and loves to serve others.

Thanks for today and everyday! I love you Mom.