Baseball and softball have dominated our schedule since March, and we’ve enjoyed it all. It was a little sketchy during certain weeks, as many games were postponed due to rain. But all three kids’ teams were able to complete a full game schedule.

Jeremy was on the Red Sox this year, playing mostly 2nd base. He is a smart baseball player, and I always felt confident when he covered that part of the infield.

As in years past, he was a dependable batter, almost always able to get on base.

As the season progressed, his coaches began putting him in as pitcher more and more. Jeremy became a student of the pitcher position, asking my dad, Jim, and coaches for advice and tips so that he might improve.

Improve he did, because by the end of the season, he was the starting pitcher and could pitch for three innings (a big deal at this level)!

His team sure did progress as the season went on. In the beginning, we spectators weren’t too optimistic about things, but it was great to see them come together as a team and improve. Not only did they make it to the championship game, but they won decisively.

A terrific season in the books for JP!

Ruth was on the Barracudas this year. All the Wheaton teams were named after sea creatures, and I must say that this was my favorite. Ruth gave it her all and often said how much she enjoys softball. She played all the positions, but her favorites were shortstop and 3rd base. She can throw that ball hard…even if she is still working on accuracy.

She was aggressive with the bat and improved as the season went on.

She was occasionally put in as catcher.

All three kids were voted to be on their all-star teams this year. I was sick the night the boys played, hence no pictures.

But I was able to snap some pictures of Ruth’s game:

And just like Grandma, she was quite excited about the t-shirt!

Speaking of Grandma, she and Grandpa win the award for most faithful fans this spring/summer. They made it out for many, many games, offering some timely coaching and words of support.

Then there was Peter. His final year of youth baseball, he was on the A’s. I got unexpectedly emotional thinking about this end of a chapter for him. We commented often that he could not have ended up on a better team. Like Jeremy’s team, they came together as the season went on, and this particular group of boys was full of good character.

They became known for their nail-biter games. Several times I found my heart racing during the last couple innings. Peter was catcher every game.

Opposing teams thought twice before stealing 2nd base, as he was aggressive and accurate with his throws.

When he wasn’t catching, he was the team’s closing pitcher.

He lacked finesse, but made up for it in brute strength.

There was one game he pitched in the rain. They were playing the #1 team in the league, and beat them. It was a nail-biter.

Up to bat…

In another miraculous run through the playoff bracket, the A’s made it to the championship game! Sadly, they lost and ended up coming in second place. But the team gained something better than a championship–they gained friendships and a true team bond.

I’m so proud of this guy. For three weeks, he went to football practice in the morning, then played baseball in the evening…without a complaint.

It’s bittersweet to be done with the baseball and softball season. While it’s nice to have weeknights at home once again, we sure do enjoy cheering these kiddos on!

Derek attended a football showcase last weekend with some WA teammates at Northwestern.

Derek estimated there were 500 athletes in attendance, along with a couple hundred coaches representing colleges and universities from all over the country. While the athletes were there to ‘showcase’ their skills, they also had an opportunity to meet and connect with the coaches. This is what Derek enjoyed the most.

It has been said many times of the eldest child in the family that he can adapt to just about any environment (nicknamed Adapt-a-Jake). We are learning that this trait is one reason that USAFA is a good fit for him, since he has been placed in many different situations and endured many changes over the past two years. What I love to see is that no matter where he is, he’s just Jake–just himself.

He kicked off his summer by flying to Sacramento, CA, to be stationed at Travis AFB for a few weeks. He faithfully texts pictures and sends updates, which makes this mother very happy! Jake is in the process of gathering as much information from Air Force officers about various jobs in the AF. One job he is particularly interested in is piloting “heavys”, such as very large cargo planes. His first week at Travis, he went inside a C-17 and spoke with the three-man crew about what it’s like to fly this behemoth aircraft.

And if the C-17 wasn’t big enough, another day the USAFA group of cadets entered the largest aircraft in the Air Force: the C-5 Galaxy.

For Jake, this experience has certainly fanned the flame of wanting to be a pilot!

But his time in CA has not been all business. The cadets have had ample time to explore northern California. They toured San Francisco during their first weekend there.

They had beautiful weather to go with the beautiful scenery!

I get all sorts of pictures of nature from Jake, but I admit my favorites are the photos of him.

This one made me chuckle…

because when I zoomed in on what was hanging from underneath his shirt, this is what I saw:

Apparently, the group toured a Krispy Kreme store. I now have a video of the doughnuts going through the glaze machine.

This picture proves that no matter where Jake is, his eyes are looking up to the heavens. I have a half dozen pictures of this sun with a halo. Most people wouldn’t give this scene a second thought. But Jake found the beauty in it.

Peter was beginning to notice some hair growing on his upper lip; and he was also getting comments from teammates about it. So he approached Jim and me the other night asking if he could learn how to shave.

My mind immediately went here:

What?? Wasn’t it just yesterday that this little cherub-faced toddler slathered Jim’s shaving cream on his face in an attempt to be just like Dad?

Apparently, several years passed without me noticing, because this is what I saw the other night. First, Jim modeled for Peter.

Then the toddler-turned-teenager was on his own.

Jeremy turned twelve last week. I reminded him that he has entered the final pre-teenage year of his life, so he should savor it!

We began the special morning with birthday pancakes.

Jeremy was asked to babysit the neighbor boy, so he joined us around the table.

There’s always room for more around the table!

Later, the birthday boy received some birthday phone calls, which he received at the swing.

Every year, his birthday coincides with his favorite sport. And he has had bonus playing time this year: Peter’s team has been short players a few times throughout the season, so Jeremy has been called up to play with the big boys, including last weekend.

It’s fun to see him partner with his brother and contribute to the team.

Jeremy continues to add spunk to the family, as well as beyond-his-years discernment. I pray that God continues to grow him in faith and wisdom.

Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold. (Proverbs 3:13-14)

My mom sent out the call a few weeks ago for any runners who are interested in running the Cosley Zoo race this year. There were three takers, so after a late night of baseball, returning home shortly before midnight, the three of us and my mom suited up for the run.

The weather was race-perfect cloudy and chilly. We set out two-by-two, and my mom and I got a kick out of seeing the big boys trying to make their way through the crowded streets, passing as many people as they could.

I was sick with a head cold, so I estimated that I was taking in about 50 percent of the oxygen needed because I couldn’t breathe through my nose…but we still finished strong. And had fun doing it!

The race is called the Run for the Animals. The boys called it the Run for the Food at the Finish Line. Or as we like to say about my running mom, it’s the Run for the Race T-Shirt!

Our kitchen table was one of the first pieces of furniture Jim and I bought after getting married 22 years ago. We lived in an apartment across the street from an oak furniture store and thus bought much of our furniture from there. Twenty-two years later, we can prove that oak lasts!

However, with five kids, we can also prove that oak scratches and stains. One unnamed child determined that a table knife can put deep grooves into the edge of the wood. Another unnamed child demonstrated that nail polish can stain the wood, and that nail polish remover does not only remove the polish but also the wood stain.

Not only was the table in sorry condition, but the chairs were literally falling apart. We had already thrown out some and replaced them with hand-me-downs from the old neighbors; now even those had become rickety. The big guys in the family were careful about not sitting in certain chairs, lest they end up on the floor.

We were at a crossroads: do we bite the bullet and replace the constantly-used table and chairs, or is there another solution? Besides the sentimental value of the table, it was still quite sturdy. So we opted to sand down and re-stain it.

This worked out well because we were able to pick a stain that matched the trim of the house.

As for the chairs, we found a great deal on unassembled, unfinished chairs from, where else but Amazon. This endeavor required much elbow grease and time, but everyone definitely thinks twice now before putting a knife edge to the table!

Memorial Day weekend was especially memorable this year because Jake and his girlfriend, Tiffany, flew in for several days. It sure was good to spend time with them!

The brothers were quite excited to have the oldest one home, and they got started right away with playing ball games bright and early the first morning.

Meanwhile, Ruth had a substitute teacher for math.

But it wasn’t all work for Ruth; later that day, Tiffany brought her to Walgreens to buy nail polish and face masks. Ruth’s first face mask:

She thoroughly enjoyed having Tiffany here, and soaked up every minute with her.

These guys spent a day in Chicago and stopped to visit Mom and Dad for dinner.

It seemed that at every turn, the brothers were competing in some kind of game. I don’t know if this will ever change! We had our family picture taken for the church directory, and as soon as they were done posing, they ran over to the carpetball game.

And though the weather was sizzling hot, they played many rounds of Spikeball and cornhole. Always competing.

Ruth was on hand to cool her brothers down with a spray from the hose.

Jim took advantage of his muscly sons and had them move timbers to the backyard.

As long as these oldest two weren’t competing against each other, they were enjoying their time together.

Our backyard maple tree is a favorite hangout spot.

Some things will never change.

We decided to celebrate Jeremy’s birthday early so that Jake could join us. Here are the guys in deep discussion on the deck:

And Mom and Ruth on the friendship swing:

On our final morning before Jake and Tiffany headed back to Colorado, Peter made his famous blueberry-cheese crepes. A great way to cap off a wonderful weekend!