Friday, April 18, 2008

long time no post ----

We really have been busy ----- I'll get to that later.....


I just wanted to get on here and post

It's been 4 months today since we lost Rick. He was a father, a brother, a cousin, an uncle and a friend. He was a painter, a drywaller, a hula dancer, a surfer and a fisherman. He never loved 1/2 way he loved with his entire being. He was most proud of his children Coja, Amber and Johnny. He never called me by my name instead calling me "little sister".
This is a photo that was taken this past summer at my nephew Coja's wedding. From left to right are: Sherri, Rick, Coja, Amber Johnny and Pete. Pete is Rick's older brother. Sherri is Peter's AMAZING wife:). Peter raised Rick after their mother passed away. He...strike that they Peter and Sherri are the most wonderful people. They have never been anything less than wonderful to me. The love and compassion that this couple have leaves one in awe.
I miss Rick -- I miss his late night phone calls (ok it was late to me but he was on "Hawaii" time) I miss his laughter. I miss his updates about his children. I miss his teasing about my innate ability so suck at surfing no matter how hard he tried to teach me. I miss the wasy no matter what was going on I knew no matter what he had my back -- brothers are AWESOME!!!! How lucky am I? I have been fortunate to have 2 brothers. They are both wonderful and amazing. They both are supportive. The are and were wonderful men.
That is about all I have to say about that.................It's been 4 months and it seems like it was just yesterday!!!

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

With much anticipation...............

the "Official" start to baseball is here -

What I have learned.....

It sucks when your opening day game is rained out.


It is COLD at 8:30 am on a Saturday in late March (But seeing your kids ginormous smile as he runs out onto the field with his team makes is TOTALLY worth it!!!!!)

Baseball is NOT for wimps:) It doesn't matter if you can't feel your legs from the knee down because they are frozen -- your kid is playing in his first Little League Game -- They will find icicles hanging from your ears before you'll leave.

Your kid has butterflies in his stomach when he has his first at bat.


Your kid has serious game face:)

So, last night was Brendan's first game:) Up until almost gametime we thought they may cancel the game. Brendan was THRILLED when I said "Game On"!!!! He did great!! He didn't start -- he was bummed but it was part of the coaches plan --- in majors you are only "required" to play 6 outs and 1 at bat. That being said of course there are going to be some players who play more than others --- this is the Majors people --- did you pay attention at the team meeting???? It was one of the very first things the coaches talked about. Brendan was put in after the boy playing 2nd had his 6 outs and 1 at bat -- he made some solid plays. He struck out on 5 pitches when he got to bat -- He of course was MAD but -- I said "shake it off buddy". We were talking on the way home and he was saying how nervous he was, that when he got up there he realized it was his first at bat in a real game. The most important thing he said was "Mom, I forgot I was hitting with my "new" bat!! It is much lighter than my old one". Yes, he got a new bat on Sunday -- I have to miss his game on Saturday -- I am shooting a wedding and when I told him he was really bummed that I had to miss a game -- my explaination that from shooting this wedding I could get him the bat he wanted for his birthday somehow made it all better:) :) :). After practice on Sunday his coach was telling me how the bats at Varsity sports were on sale. So, Brendan and I went down to try some out. He got a great bat and a new pair of cleats (thanks Uncle Steve!!!!) for far less than just the bat would have regularly cost.


Here are some shots that I took last night at the game!!!! Oh, by the way ----

WE WON!!!! 2-1