What Do You Think?

It is always funny to me to hear people's perceptions of who they think children look like. I don't think my boys look anything alike but that is probably due to the fact that I know them and how different their personalities are. We both feel like Jon Milledge looks like me and my side of the family where Anderson looks just like Milledge and his family. However, we have gotten lots of different comments about who other people think they look like and even several people have asked if they are twins! WHAT? I have had people tell me that Anderson looks just like me and I simply say, "You must not know his daddy!". ;)
Even though I think Jon Milledge looks more like me than Milledge, I have never really realized how much until my mother came across my 5th grade picture a few weeks ago. She even said that she had never thought that we looked THAT much alike. Look at the pictures below.....we have freckles in the same place and our eyebrows look exactly the same! Wasn't I the cutest little 5th grader??

So.....what do you think?

Happy Birthday, Beth!

Today is my sweet sister, Beth's, birthday! Happy Birthday! I hope you have a GREAT day! Beth is four years younger than me and actually, she is what I got for my fourth birthday. My mother says that my fourth birthday was the first one that I had really gotten into and was excited about. I had a little party planned and knew exactly what I wanted.....a baby doll, I'm sure. As my birthday grew closer and Miss Beth hadn't arrived, my mother prayed that she would not be born on my birthday and that I would be able to have my party. Beth was two weeks late but still allowed me to have my big day by deciding to come the day after my birthday. I have always said that I asked for a doll and got a real baby instead! Beth and I are complete opposites in every way all the way down to our looks. She has blond hair, green eyes, and olive complexion. I have dark brown hair, blue eyes and VERY fair complexion. Beth's personality is pretty true to her birth....she doesn't get in a hurry for anything, she is very content with where she is, she is calm, laid back and she is more than happy for others to be the center of attention. Me....well, like I said, I am the complete opposite! ;) Beth and I have gotten closer the older we have gotten and we now have a great relationship where we talk almost everyday, at least once. We have those kind of conversations where it takes us an hour to tell a two minute story because we are laughing so hard, to the point of crying and we can't understand each other. I know it's going to be a great phone conversation when I answer and all I hear is Beth laughing!

Anyway....all of that to say....Happy Birthday to the best sister ever!!! I love you!

They are Home!

My Happy Campers!

ok....my tired, dirty campers!

My boys rolled back into town around 5:30 today! I am so happy that they had the experience of camp, had a great time, made some new friends and most of all...made it back home! They both say that it was lots of fun and they can't wait to go back next year. Well, actually Jon Milledge is entering into the youth group in a couple of weeks so he will be going to youth camp next year....OUCH! They have been talking non-stop since they got home about everything they did so I am assuming that Camp Kid Jam was a success. If stinky clothes=tons of fun then I know my boys had more fun than anybody else there! I opened the laundry bags a little while ago and was literally blown away by the sweaty, dirty, boy camper smell! Does the laundry of girl campers smell bad too?

P.S.....yes haircuts are definitely in order for tomorrow! ;)

The Reasons I Breathe.....

The other day my mother was telling me about a lady she knows who describes her grown son as "still the reason I breathe everyday". It brought tears to my eyes and I simply said to my mother, "I can understand that". Now, don't get me wrong, I know there are plenty of scientific reasons why I breathe everyday, like, it is an involuntary reaction of my lungs blah, blah, blah. Also, I know that since I am a believer in Christ that He has my days numbered and that I will breathe as long as He sees fit. I have a wonderful husband whom I love dearly, who I know loves me with all of his heart, and who I can't imagine my life without. However, in my feeble mind there are two reasons that I daily take in air....Jon Milledge and Anderson.
I believe that we all question why we are here, what is our purpose in life and what our life goals are. I have never had lofty goals of being a doctor, lawyer, astronaut or having any seemingly professional career. I have known since I was a little girl that my goal, my job, my purpose on this earth, my reason for breathing was to be someone's mommy. I have a job and I have different titles that are important and special to me like....wife, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, daugther in law, sister in law....however, none is more special to me than Jon Milledge and Anderson's mother.
My mother was waiting somewhat patiently (ok...not really patiently at all) in my hospital room the day that Jon Milledge was born via C-section in Fort Worth, Texas. They wheeled me back to my room for recovery and there was my sweet mother and the first and only thing that I could say to her was, "I am sorry...I never knew you loved me this much". The love that I felt for him and then Anderson, three years later, was instant, real and HUGE. Even though the love was great, so was the responsibility that was now upon me. I am not the best mother, probably not even a great mother most days but I try and I hope they know how much I love them and how just them being here has fulfilled every dream that I have ever had. I pray that the things I have said to them, taught them, allowed them to experience and even not allowed them to experience have not only shown my love to them but also the love of their heavenly Father and ultimately made them want to be better people. I pray that they become men of God who are respectful, loving, gentle, kind, and strong in their faith.
I give thanks to God for allowing me to be a mother and for entrusting me with these two wonderful sons who give me reason to breathe everyday.

Now if we could just get Ruthie home.....

Here are a few of my favorite baseball pictures from the past few weeks and some sweet ones from the beach. I didn't take any of Jon Milledge in Florida but a couple of my friends did...hopefully they will pass them along soon. Enjoy!

The reasons I breathe.....

Church Camp and One Stressed Out Mama!!

HELP! Both of my boys left this morning going to church camp in a whole different state!! I am a little stressed. I know they are going to be fine and have a great time but they are 5 1/2 hours away...not a quick trip if something happens or someone just needs their Mama. Anderson was acting a little weird when we dropped them off at the church. He made sure that he told me that this was his first spend the night camp as well as his first camp out of state. I couldn't tell if he was proud of that or worried about it so I didn't say much. Both boys were very clingy this morning and told me and Milledge many times that they loved us and would miss us. Of course, I cried when I watched the van pull out of the church. My prayer this week is for their safety, that God will reveal himself to them in a mighty way, that they would be open and receptive to what He has in store for them, and that they will have tons of fun! I can't wait to hear all about it! Now, what in the world do I do for 4 days with no children???

Sweet Berry Designs

Do you like my new look here on the blog as well as the last couple of looks that I have had?? If so, you can visit my friend, Leslie, over at Sweet Berry Designs and let her create a look for your blog that suits you and your family. I have known Leslie for a couple of years now and she is actually the one that finally talked me into doing a blog. Ever since I have known her she has been trying to figure the whole header, HTML codes, and sidebar stuff out. She has worked hard and I think she is doing a great job! She has wayyy more patience for all of that than I do and I have enjoyed seeing how she has transformed my blog and several others. You can see examples of her work on her blog.
So, if you are thinking about changing your whole look or even just your header, please give Leslie a try! I know you won't be disappointed!

Thanks!

Me and Leslie

Big Pre-teen Milestone for Jon Milledge

Two weeks ago, Jon Milledge had this done at my office in preparation for today. Actually there were originally 6 of them but I lost one....remember Mother of the Year! :)

This afternoon...before the big event.
Dr. Paschal and Jon Milledge during....
Do you think he could open any wider?
My sweet boy after....he already looks older to me...
Still smiling....
The t-shirt that Dr. Paschal and his staff give to their patients. A great motto for all of us to live by...don't you think?!

P.S. Beach and baseball pictures coming soon...I promise!

The beach was great...BUT...

....there truly is no place like home!

Celebrating from the beach!

I am here.....

...wish you were too! Have a great week!

Happy Independence Day!

May you all have a safe and happy holiday weekend!

God Bless America!

Guess who's been at Anderson's tournament?!

Any guesses??

(this was sort of paporazzi-ish of me wasn't it?) ;)

Do you give up??

Javier Lopez, former catcher for the Atlanta Braves, has been a spectator at Anderson's state All-Star tournament. Javier's son, Kelvin, was playing on one of the opposing teams. We had seen him several times before tonight but hated to bother him because he was just trying to be a Daddy and watch his son play ball. However, tonight his son's team was playing in the game before ours and we were going into the same dugout where they were coming out and our boys just couldn't help themselves...but who could blame them?! Javier was very gracious to sign every autograph for every little boy and some of the big boys too! Milledge talked to him for a few minutes and asked him if he minded all the attention and he said, "Not at all, as long as it is after the game and I have been able to sit and watch my son play without being bothered too much!". Anderson made sure that he told him that he was a catcher too and Javy smiled, patted him on the back, said "Great!" and also "good luck tonight!". He was a super nice guy and ended up taking a picture with Anderson's whole team. How cool was that for 7-8 year old boys(and their parents too)?!!

Milledge getting Anderson's batting helmet signed!

The helmet that will soon be on a shelf and NOT used in a game!!

Javier and the All-Stars!!