Splash - September 2011

This splash was taken while trespassing.  The Ball Team was mortified that mom said, hey, this bus is open, let's go in.  Where is their sense of adventure?  Where did they get that sense of responsibility?  No matter.  They sat in the bus, and let me take a picture.  Yes, Josephine is practically bald - we had shaved her head.  Charlotte was also shaved and she is wearing a wig.  Samantha is what we call naturally curly; she calls is unruly.  Here she also sports a wrap from girls camp.  JMichael has a weird look on his face and Rachel seems just above it all.  Get your picture mom.  Sweet kids, indulging their mom - like they even have a choice....   :)

Training

Samantha has been out of gymnastics for a few years now and has never quite been as passionate about another sport. She tried soccer, swimming, and horseback riding, but, either we couldn't keep up with her, or she just didn't feel it. So, her newest endeavor is running. Our fabulous and soon to be famous friend, Dawn Brown, made a training regimen for Samantha to follow and helped me select a race for her to enter as her goal to complete training. She's been diligent and so excited. Her enthusiasm has gotten Rachel to participate, too, but, not on the distance portion, just the sprints and the bleachers - yes, they were sore the next day - way to go ladies!! And Thank you again, Dawn! More to come on training and race day festivities!

Rock in Little Rock

We found a great playground in Little Rock. Actually, Rachel's keeper coach found it and was using the soccer fields, so we hit the playground. Charlotte is 8, Josephine is 6 and Jay is 3. August, 2011

Splash - August 2011

Our splash this month is from Mandy Bartlett's barn.  It's a dilapidated out building really.  Not even a barn.  It's cool, though, and has character.  Like Mandy.  And like my BallTeam.  JMichael is obviously more interested in the horses out in the pasture and I remember he was upset that Josephine was posing like a photographic subject and not listening to him show her the horses.  They each have their own personalities, despite the fact that they come from the same parents, raised in the same house.  God bless them, every one.

Girl's Camp 2011

Rachel and Samantha left us this summer for a week to go to Girl's Camp. They were up in Boonesville, AR, and it was hot. HOT. I'm talking 110 degrees and humid. It was the one week this summer with no rain and record breaking temperatures. Hot, hot hot and humid. They were well taken care of, though, because they are already talking about when they get to go back next year. They had plenty of water to drink, a great group of leaders and in the whole group of approximately 200 girls, only two scorpion bites. Yikes.

Happy Anniversary

The year was 1966. Our nation was in turmoil over a "police action" in Southeast Asia. Wayne was a new airman, only 23 years old. Juanita was a high school junior working at the base coffee-shop. They met over coffee and algebra homework. They jumped in, side by side, and married on August 19, 1966. By October, of the same year, Wayne was sent to Vietnam and forced to leave his young bride. While he was serving his country, Juanita delivered their first child alone. Two sons followed; many trials, adventures and joys followed. Forty-five years later, they are still holding hands as they walk side by side. Happy Anniversary, Dad and Ma! You crazy kids.... :)

Back to the Books .... 2011

It's that time of year again: the BallTeam is back in school. The school district keeps moving up the start date, and it makes summer so short. Nonetheless, I think the ladies will each admit they are ready to get back to structure and friends and projects, even if it means getting up early and doing homework! This year we have two in elementary school and two in junior high. And who could forget the little man, still home and loving his alone time with Daddy? Well, I forgot him. He's not in any of these pictures because he was snoozing happily while all the ladies were up and off to school ... what a good boy!