Spring Training!!

Spring Training was a very big part of our time down in Arizona. We didn't really care who we saw, we just wanted to visit different Stadiums and see different teams. This first set of pictures was taken and the Giants Stadium. They played the Chicago White Sox. This was a really fun experience. One of Shane's good friends got us seats in the Charro Club. This is a fun area that is in the outfield, with all the food and drinks and snacks that you can eat!! The other nice thing was that the weather was awesome!!

These next pictures were taken at the Mariners Stadium in Peoria. The weather was a little overcast, but it was fun to sit out in the grass and just hang out. Kali loved running around, and not being confined to a stadium seat.

The boys camped out near the bullpen hoping to catch a glimpse of one of their favorite players.

Guela and her tribe!
Just way too cute!!

I digress!!

I'm so grateful that Guela had her camera the first couple of days. It's always nice to be able to chronicle the trip from beginning to end!!Seattle has recently done some remodeling in the airport. Here is a very fun, colorful and spongy little play area that all the kids really enjoyed


The trip went really well. Kali of course thought that she needed her own seat and on a very full plane that can get challenging. She finally settled for my lap and an elmo video! The boys did homework all the way down, hoping to knock it out early!

We're Back!!

Now so as not to overwhelm you with pictures of our vacation, I will ease you into it with a few a day!! We had so much fun. Other then the trip starting with the realization that I had forgotten my camera!! I know, not like me since I try to capture every boring moment of our lives you'd think that when I actually have something fun to shoot I would remember it! Oh well, thanks to a quick phone call to a fellow team mate that would be coming down the next day we managed to get it picked up and we got it by the 3rd day!! So....here are a few pictures of Truman's first day of games....

Batter up!! Truman rocked, he had several hits and his fielding was impeccable!!
Taiji landed the job of bat boy...he did great staying very focused! Jake is my wanderer! I'm not sure if that is good or bad, but he has a hard time staying focused on anyone thing. Here he is playing the big brother role!! He does have that down pat!!
After the game Kali suggested that we go out for Mexican food! Here she is ordering for us all.
Guela was a God send!! She was my right arm and bible teacher.

Arizona or Bust!!

Oh yeah...Baseball season is in full swing!! You can tell by the look on Truman's face that he is excited and ready to go!! Today we spent the day out in the sun having an inter-squad game preparing for our tourney in Arizona!!
Did you say Arizona Mom!! Yes Kali, we are heading down to Arizona on Tuesday for a week. Truman's team has been invited to play in a invite only tournament. We are looking forward to time with the family and maybe even a little spring training with the Mariners!
So knock the mud off your shoes and pack your bags...lets go!!
OK...the season hasn't even started and she's already pooped!!

So other than the fact that we are pulling the boys out of school for 6 days I really am looking forward to a little time in the sun, watching my son play his little heart out!! Not to mention some great family time with Shane and his mom Barb (aka Guela) I figured if the boys were going to miss that much school I would need a little help with the 'road schooling'. The tournament runs from Thur-Sun. So that leaves Tues, Wed, Mon and Tues to catch the Mariners or just hang out!! I will try and post from the road, but if I don't we'll see ya in a week!!

The Last Oak has Fallen!!

BeforeAfter

It has been a two year process but I have finally managed to rid my entire upstairs of all the old oak cabinets, trim and lastly the mantel!! Yeah! (I apologize to anyone that likes oak, it's just not my favorite wood) We painted the kitchen cabinets when we moved in and now I have painted the bathroom cabinets and the mantel! I love it and wonder what took me so long! Unfortunately once you do one project you see more and more projects. So I will have to try and keep myself in check and pace myself and budget! Let me know what you think of the change!!

A River Runs Through it!!

The weather here has been a little wet to say the least. However, this little flood happened after only one day of rain. This is the view out of our back deck.
This is a closer look at the same side.
This is the other side of the yard. Our poor neighbors have lost 6 of those big evergreens just this year. God and his nature are amazing...what is normally just a little creek can look like a raging river in a matter of hours. What a powerful God we serve!!

Tackle Skipbo!

Jake, Taiji and I thought we would have a good game of Skipbo before they went to bed...well it turned into tackle Skipbo, complements of Kali! We managed to finish the game...but does she love her brothers!! I think the pictures tell it all! She just went from one to the other!

In Support of Cure!

This is an excerpt taken from my sister's MS fundraising website. I have joined her team in trying to raise funds to help find a cure for MS. I encourage you to visit either her blog located to the right and down (the veening's), or my personal donation site (to the right- mswalk) and donate whatever you can...you can help make a difference!!

The Unknowns, the surprises, the gift.

As I sit here right now, I am in the midst of a relapse, I'm numb from my chest down. It's been less than a week ago that my life has been turned upside down by MS. The questions and the thoughts all race through my mind...Will I be able to walk in a week? Will I ever drive again? Will I be able to dance with my daughter or run and play catch with my boys? It's all very overwhelming... but the surprising gift is...I feel God is near. I feel so vulnerable yet so humbled... I have so much to be thankful for. My loving husband, my beautiful children, my family near and far...all of whom are such great examples to me. My friends and co-workers who NEVER let me down! I am so incredibly blessed by you all! I pray they can find a cure for MS so it will no longer be part of my "today" but instead will be gone "tomorrow" and for always!

Why I walk.

As mentioned above, MS is my reality. I was diagnosed in '98 with the form of relapsing-remitting MS. Fortunately, I have had only 2 relapses, and now the third. I have been in a state of denial over the years, thinking maybe I don't really have MS. And for some reason, I have felt a level of embarrassment and sense of shame...like I should of done something to prevent this from happening... It is because of my wonderful support system that I know now that I don't have to hide or feel "less-than" adequate. I want to be an example for others diagnosed with MS and let them know MS doesn't define who you are. We may have MS but it DOESN'T have US! Let's walk (hopefully) together to raise money to find a cure!

Why you should support me!

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society will use funds collected from the MS Walk to not only support research for a cure tomorrow, but also to provide programs which address the needs of people living with MS today. Today more than ever, I am realizing the IMPORTANCE of this cause! I truly believe they are close to an oral medication and getting closer to a cure! This is very personal for me... I would be so grateful for your support! Above all, I believe God is on our SIDE! Thank-you, Thank-you, Thank-you!

Work it...Work it!!

Working out is not one of my favorite things to do...however as 35 approaches I am finding that it is a necessary evil!! Usually I go to the gym with my good friend Amy. Kali and her little boy Duke head up to the nursery. Well Amy is down and sunny Arizona and the motivation to get to the gym is not as strong. So today I opted for one of my video's. Kali thought it was a great idea and she grabbed a blanket and plopped down next to me...what a little honey. She tried her hardest and together we got it done...to bad that pictures don't have audio...because I breathing heavy to get through it, she joined right in!! Too Cute!!

My little Snow Bunnies!

The Gang
Truman pushing his little sis around the yard.
Truman and Kali-Best Buds!

Three pairs of pants, two shirts, two pairs of socks, one sweatshirt, two hats and an oversized pair of gloves and Abbey's old boots...That smile...Priceless!!