Rough weekend of baseball!!!

For those of you that have not heard, this past weekend has been a rough weekend of baseball! It all started Friday night when Chandler hit a double and was leading off second when the pitcher tried to pick him off. Chandler then dove back to the base and in the process broke his left middle finger. At the time he didn't want to go to the hospital for X-rays for the risk that he wouldn't get to play the rest of the weekend. Well, Sunday afternoon we were in the semi final game of the tournament when Chandler was playing shortstop and a hard hit ball took a bad hop and hit him between the eyes therefore breaking his nose!!! We were on top of him as soon as it happened. Play was suspended as we had the medics come and take him to Children's Hospital. After multiple X-rays it was determined that his finger AND nose were broken. Between my "chipmunk" cheeks (I had all 4 wisdom teeth removed Friday morning) and Chandler's swollen nose... we are a sight to see!!! Chandler keeps coming back with the comment, "That he hit a home run Saturday" with a broken finger!!!

The Countdown has begun...

Just two weeks away for my first (of many) Triathlon! I must admit that I am somewhat nervous/worried about the swim portion of the race. I am a good swimmer it's just knowing that I will be racing against some top athletes!!! Oh well, I have to start somewhere. This is a great beginner race with a 400 yard swim, 13 miles bike ride and a 3 mile run. The bike and run I feel that I am ready for. Keep your fingers crossed.

I will be running a few 5k's here and there before my next "Tri" in July and August. I would like to try for a century Bike race (100 miles) coming up in September. We'll see about that one!!

I applied for a "lottery" spot for a Marathon in Utah this October and... I GOT IT!!!! It is the St. George Marathon and it is all down hill!!! This race course has a 2500 ft elevation drop. Now, understand that's a 2500 ft decline over 26.2 miles! This is great because this race is a Boston Qualifier. That means if I run it within 3hrs and 25 min I will be eligible to run the Boston Marathon. Getting picked to run the Boston is like making it to the "World Series"!! After the St. George Marathon I will then have a month off before my next Marathon in Wynn, Arkansas.

Cabin Update!!!

This weekend we went to the cabin to start putting up the interior walls. We are going with a tongue and groove pine and it looks great. We have taken out the sink, counter top and cabinets and will replace them with new materials when we can get them. We have 90% of downstairs completed and I will finish the plumbing before I start on the upstairs. We have decided to add a shower in the bathroom so we can eventually shower "indoors" with Warm water!!!. My next few trips there I will be working on the plumbing and mowing the grass in the field next to the cabin. When I get the "funds"... I will be getting a tractor with a bush hog which will help speed up the mowing part of the job. We met out new neighbors Friday and come to find out they live in Little Rock and he is a plumber!!!! What more can I guy ask for!!! He told us they will be getting city water within the next few months so we should be right behind them!!! Hurray!!!!

Overall, it has been a fun time working up there. I would cut the wood and Stephanie would nail them in place. I must admit she is pretty handy with a nail gun. At one point she and I took a break to see the boys chest deep in the middle of the pond catching tadpoles! Now understand, these tadpoles were huge!!! They were having a blast. later that evening we cleaned up and went into town for dinner. Saturday we drove into Branson, MO to shop and play around. We hit our usual spots then started back toward the cabin when we ran into some major Thunderstorms with Tornado's. This Spring has been the craziest weather I can remember. We finally made it back to the cabin to "clear skies" and a "Peaceful" evening!!!

Summer is Coming!!

It's hard to believe that summer is almost here. We have been so busy with baseball that it just hit me today that everything is getting greener!

The boys and I went to the cabin the other day to check on it after all the storms, and I am happy to report that all is well. Except for the wasp, the place is in great shape. I spent most of the time upstairs sucking up wasp with the shopvac. It was a picture to behold. I completed the stairs on the front porch and did a few other odds and ends around the place. One of my friends gave me a air conditioner (window unit) that I will install the next visit. I am still working on the interior walls and the plumbing. In time it will all come together!

Baseball...

well since my last post, we have played in Southaven, MS and Alma, AR. We played some very tough teams and came away from both tournaments with a 2-2 record. Not too bad considering we have only played three tournaments so far. We will get better as time goes on.

Today I am working on the pool so it will be ready when warmer weather gets here. I really need to start training for the swimming part of my first Triathlon. I must admit I am more nervous about the swim than I am about the running or biking. I know the nervousness will go away very quickly as soon as I get my first "Tri" race under my belt.

I will be hitting the road this week heading to Tampa to visit Clients and while I am there my boss and I will be going to a couple of Devil Rays games. I am looking forward to it! You know me, Any chance I get to see a Major League Game is a "Good Day"!

Baseball is Here!!!

This past weekend The Patriots played our first tournament of 2008. And I will say, We came out SWINGING!!!!! We went undefeated for the tournament and scored a total 28 runs and only allowing 5. One of our games the team hit a total of 5 home runs, with Chandler hitting two of them!!! Again, WE came out SWINGING!!!! We have a very versatile group of players that we can move to many different positions depending on who is pitching. That makes things very nice when it comes to a long weekend of playing baseball.

We are off for the next week due to Spring Break, but we will be hitting the ground running the first part of April with a road trip to Memphis. Stayed tuned for more baseball to come!!!!

Two down and many more to come!!!

This past Sunday was the six annual Little Rock Marathon. I ran the 1/2 marathon with a Chip time of 149:32. That time put me coming in 226 out of 2176. I was a little shy of the time I wanted but still happy that I seem to be getting faster each time I run. My next adventure is to start training for a 1/2 iron man. Trust me, I have a long way to go before I get there! I just got my bike a few weeks ago, but it has been too cold to work out with it.

I have to keep telling myself I have only been running (seriously) since July 4th of 07. I still have a long way to go, and I try not to push myself too hard. Thanks to everyone that has offered encouraging words and suggestions. Believe it or not, that helps keep me pushing forward during those long runs!

Until the next race...

Happy Birthday Chandler!!

It's hard to believe that twelve years ago this kid that did not want to come into this world actually came!!! It took some pushing, pushing and MORE pushing, but he finally made it!!!! All 9.3oz 22 inches came into this world letting us know he had arrived! I still remember the first time I got to hold him and our eyes met... WOW!

Well, today he is 5ft 3inches and wearing men's 10.5 shoes... where has our "little" boy gone? I am still very proud of all he has accomplished, and the way he takes care of his little brother. He is eager to learn as much as he can and his determination to excel in everything baffles me. (and drives us all nuts!)

We love you big guy, and wish you a very happy Birthday!!!

Love,
Dad, Mom and Clay