SURPRISE FAMILY HOME EVENING

 

The past couple of weeks we have been having FHE. We try and plan on doing something with other couple friends, but this week it ended up being just Brooke and I. Brooke planned a little surprise activity for our FHE. She was really excited and actually kept it a secret all the way until we got to our destination. (She isn't very good at keeping surprises from me ha) We had a great time at the batting cages. Brooke swung the bat really good and I think she surprised herself when she hit the first pitch she swung at. She looks like a natural.

 



MY LITTLE BUDDY

A lot of you see a ton of Nixon pictures, especially on Instagram. Some of you might get tired of seeing pictures of him and some of you can't get enough, just like Brooke and I. Brooke tells our friends that he is like our little baby and it is true. He does pretty much everything with us and when he isn't able to come with us, we worry about him and miss him.  He is a lot of fun and very special to our little family.

 

I snagged this photo this morning. He loves his naps.

LOVE..... and BASEBALL

There are a lot of things that people "Love."  There are a lot of things that I love.  I simply love life and everything that it has to offer.  I love my beautiful wife Brooke, with all my heart and will for eternity.  I love my family unconditionally.  I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and so grateful for the love, joy, peace and knowledge is brings into my life.  I could make a long list of the things I love, but those are the few really important things I love in this life.

One of my great passions, and has been from the time I was young, is baseball.  I love baseball.  I enjoy playing a lot of different sports and being active but the game of baseball is special.  I haven't played an actual baseball game for a few years but I get my baseball fix by playing a lot softball.  It isn't quite the same but very similar.

I came across this simple quote and that is what inspired this blog post.

"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too."

I am really excited to get the chance to coach baseball this next season at the high school level.  I have never coached a team before and it will be a new experience for me. I am a little nervous, but I feel the skills needed to coach will come naturally and I have confidence in myself that I will be able to do the job.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAYNA

HAPPY 17th BIRTHDAY SHAYNA!

My little sister is growing up all too fast.  It is crazy to think that the baby of the family will be graduating high school this coming summer then off to college.  It is hard for me to remember when I turned 17 since it was some time ago, but Shayna has so much to look forward to.  Shayna is a senior and will be graduating this coming summer.  Her plans after high school are still uncertain, but I know that where ever she goes to college she will love it and she will make a ton of new friends and share her beautiful spirit and smile with everyone she comes in contact with.

Shayna is strong individual with a great desire to do her best at whatever she does, whether it be in school, relationships or dance.  She is a hard worker and very good student.  Shayna is very passionate about the things she loves and it shows.  She has grown up to be beautiful on the inside and out.  One of the best things I love about Shayna is her testimony of Jesus Christ and His Gospel and her commitment to be Christ-like always.

I hope you have a wonderful birthday Shay and know that Brooke and I love you very much and are so proud of you and what you have accomplished in your life so far.  We look forward to watching you achieve so much more in the future.

NIXON

Introducing the new addition to the family.  His name is Nixon.  No, he isn't named after a former

President.  However, we did get the name from my favorite watch company.  We have had Nixon now for a week and absolutely LOVE him.  He has been a handful at times but has been a ton of fun.  He wants to play constantly and loves to run around our small little place. He likes to explore any small little space he can fit into, jump or hop on anything on the ground and chew on anything in his reach.  Nixon is already pretty good at chasing a small ball and bringing it back to you as well.  He also loves to chase Brooke's feet around and bite at her toes and ankles.  Nixon is a cuddler.  He like to sleep and cuddle up right next to Brooke or I.  He has done better than expected in the house training area and learning quick.  We are trying to crate train him. Some nights are better than others, but we are constantly looking online or asking friends with dogs about little suggestions or training tips.  He is awesome with our little nieces and they love the little "puppy."  We have wanted and thought about getting a little dog for some time now and so happy that we found Nixon.  We has brought on new responsibilities, friendship, challenges and a lot of laughs and love into our home.

LOVE THE GAME

I stummbled upon this quote and absolutely love it. I love sports and how they can relate to life in general. You can learn a lot of life lessons when participating in sports and being apart of a team.


"LOVE THE GAME. Love the game for the pure joy of accomplishment.  Love the game for everything it can teach you about yourself.  Love the game for the feeling of belonging to a group endeavoring to do its best.  Love the game for being involved in a team whose members can't wait to see you do your best.  Love the game for the challenge of working harder than you ever have at something and then harder than that.  Love the game because it takes all team members to give it life.  Love the game because at its best, the game tradition will include your contributions.  Love the game because you belong to a long line of fine athletes who have loved it.  It is now your legacy.  Love the game so much that you will pass on your love of the game to another athlete who has seen your dedication, your work, your challenges, your triumphs... and then that athlete will, because of you, love the game."


---Unknown