Birthday, birthday, birthday

We celebrated my sister-in-law, Jennifer's birthday (5/29), my mother-in-law, Betty's birthday (5/30) and my birthday (6/4) with a joint birthday party complete with not 1 not 2, but 3 cakes (one for each birthday girl).

Jennifer's husband, Matt, made a scrumptious Hershey Bar cake. Betty had her favorite - store bought birthday cake with sweet, sweet icing. I had a lemon supreme cake with lemon pie filling in between the layers and smothered in lemon icing.

We had a great time eating, visiting, swimming, eating, opening presents, eating.

I had a wonderful 38th birthday. (38? It seems like yesterday that I turned 18 or 28. I guess tomorrow I'll be 48.) I did have a wonderful birthday filled with friends, family and love!

Baseball update

Homemade sugar cookies that we made for snack for the team.

2009 5&6-yr. old Nationals

(Back row:) Coach Jim. (Middle row:) Chase, Tyson, NySheed, Christian, Jacob (Front row:) Peyton, Carson, Andrew, McRae, Ethan, Oakley (Not pictured: Kyler and Cayden).

Christian is serious about playing 1st base.

The new baseball complex in Wilson is open! Christian has played two games on the new field. The Nationals won on opening day (5/30/09) , but lost to an undefeated team (by only 3 runs) the following Monday. Christian plays 1st base and is doing awesome! The game opening day he made 8 outs (all 3 in 2 innings); and hit 3 singles. The last game he made 5 outs (all 3 in 1 inning); had an RBI and hit 2 singles.

This week wraps up the spring baseball season. The Nationals face the Orioles tonight and the Mets on Friday night. This will be the third match up with the Orioles. The Nationals won the first game and lost the other. The previous match up with the Mets ended in a tie.

Christian is a little disappointed that the season is almost over. Luckily, there is fall baseball to look forward to. Depending on the birthday cutoff, Christian might still be in the 5-6 yr. old league.

We are very proud of Christian!! He has made friends and worked hard. He has received compliments for being polite and listening to the dugout mother. He is really in his element when he is playing baseball.

Cherry Time

I have fond memories of my grandmother (Mammy) baking me a cherry pie when I was a little girl. She would let me know when the cherries were ripe so I could come pick & eat 'em right off the tree.

Well the tradition is still going on - only now I have some helpers (or at least some company as I pick). The kids and I have been out twice this year to pick from the overflowing cherry trees. I can't say that the kids actually help me fill up the bucket. They definitely fill up their bellies and have a blast spitting cherry pits at each other.

We made a homemade cherry pie, cherry sauce to go on ice cream and kept some fresh cherries to eat from our first cherry picking trip. This time we made homemade cherry muffins and a cherry cobbler. I must say the muffins are delicious!! Probably my favorite cherry recipe this year.

We enjoyed the cobbler also. Very yummy with some vanilla ice cream on top. Too bad the cherries don't stay around long. We had an angry mockingbird "yelling" at us as we picked. I'm sure he and his buddies enjoy cherry season also. I explained to him that there are plenty to go around. My children got a good laugh at me fussing back at the mockingbird. Oh well, he needed to know that I wasn't going to be intimidated and scared away from enjoying such a tasty treat.

As I was typing this I started singing a song from my teen years "Sweet Cherry Pie". I thought about adding it to my playlist. That thought quickly went away when I pulled up the lyrics. Funny how lyrics back then seemed so harmless, but now that I'm a Mommy they really make me cringe. Those of you who know the song I know are singing it now...Ha! Ha!

Family Pictures

As you celebrate Memorial Day....

Thank You, Lord, for those who died fighting for our freedom. May we honor them and You in all that we do and say. We praise You for Your hand of protection upon all in the military who continue to fight for that freedom in Jesus' name, Amen!!

Quick update & Be The Match

Sorry, I haven't been updating lately...busy, busy! Here's a quick rundown of what's been going on (more in later posts - when I have more time):

* Wilson Gang Task force "Takin' it to the Park" (treasure hunt - will explain more later)
* Baseball, baseball, baseball - Christian is doing great!!
* Wooten sold tickets, worked and helped bake cakes for a youth spaghetti fundraiser. He's gearing up for camp this summer.
* The kids had their end-of-year testing.
* Strawberry picking and cherry picking
* I've been reading (more like engrossed) in the Twilight series.
* Anna Gracen is learning a new dance for the church anniversary later this summer.
* I've been practicing a dance that some of us on the dance team will be doing for the Ladies' Conference at church next weekend. We're dancing to "Mercy Seat".
* The nursing home where the kids from church visit each month was burned last weekend. Praise the Lord no one was seriously injured! They hope to have it rebuilt in about 3 months.

God is such an on time God! As mentioned in an earlier post I recently learned of two people diagnosed with Leukemia. Laura and I talked about bone marrow transplants. I told her how I an on the registry to be a bone marrow donor. Well, yesterday I received a letter from the National Marrow Donor Program - Be The Match. It was time for me to update my information. I signed up to be a member May 8, 1999 when a little girl in Wilson needed a transplant. Being part of the registry means that as doctors search the registry my "tissue type is being continuously reviewed as a possible match for a patient in need." Once they find a donor they contact the individual quickly.

How can you help? You can join the registry, make a tax-deductible contribution and/or volunteer. Visit www.BeTheMatch.org/2help to learn more.

Birthday Wishes

Most of you have probably been following Tricia, Nate & Gwyneth Rose's story over the past year. Today is Tricia's 27th birthday. Drop by their blog and leave some birthday wishes.