The DeLoach Family 2006

I know this blog has been drier than Mississippi....

but I was waiting to want to blog again. And by then it was almost the end of June, so I decided to wait until July 1st because I figured it was more interesting to take the whole month of June off from blogging. And then I read that blogging is becoming obsolete, which I already knew, and thought about just shutting the thing down. And then I realized that a lot of things things that I do, believe, and find worthwhile are pretty obsolete in this world, and I am fine with being an "old-fashioned" blogger.

You would have thought June would have left me full of words and my brand of wisdom, considering how much I like to go on about life lessons and changes. I have a new job now, leaving a great school and people who have been such a huge part of my life for the past 7 years. Even though I felt it was time to move on, it's still sad and a little scary to leave a place that where you know the daily routine and are comfortable with the role you play each day.

The kids and I are having a really good summer, although this is my first week where I haven't had to work at all. I love having this time with them; they are both clever and creative, and are generally easy going about sharing their space, their time, and their mama. This week is Perry's turn as we spend each morning at swimming lessons, and Heath's baseball stuff is starting back up next week. We can't wait to cruise again in July with the Flints, and spend a little time in New Orleans.

So I better go wake up my little fish and her brother... If we're late, Lu Lee might make me swim laps, too!

Recital Pics

Perry's second year of ballet ended last night with her recital. She looked precious in her costume, and she did a great job in her group's performance. She has decided that she'd rather take gymnastics next year than dance, so it may have been her last chance to dance in a recital, but she may change her mind again next year!

Nine Years

In about 3 hours, my baby boy will be 9 years old. The same baby boy that moved up to the men's shoe department this afternoon. The same baby boy that counted the minutes until his new iPod was fully charged and is now happily singing the two songs I let him download over and over in his room. The same baby boy that wears deodorant, traded the Disney Channel for ESPN, and begs me to let him have his own Facebook page.

This week one of my coworkers brought her precious, month old baby boy to my office for a while, and memories of who we were 9 years ago came flooding back to me. It seems to be so long ago when it was just Heath and me in that tiny apartment each day, learning each other in that way that only happens with a mother and her first born. Heath was the best baby, so happy and healthy, and it was so much fun watching him grow into a smart little toddler.

When I think about Heath as a toddler, the same pictures always comes to my mind. The first is of the two of us sitting in a pink recliner with an Elmo song book and microphone. I taught kindergarten then and singing was such a big part of how I taught reading skills, and I taught Heath all the songs I was teaching my 5 year olds. The second is Heath in a black cowboy hat and a diaper, riding the rocking horse from my childhood. He loved that little felt hat from Walmart and would spend hours on that squeaky horse, watching the same Elmo movie with that disgusting meatball.

It's funny how my memories of the first two years of his life are so much sharper than his preschool years. We moved back home and the distractions grew as life got busier. I guess being a mom became a routine, and each little moment didn't get the awe and attention from those first couple of years. But I was still amazed by the beauty, the intelligence, and the gentle spirit of my little boy. I remember spending the day before Perry was born crying because even though I knew life was going to be more than wonderful with a baby girl in our family, it was the end of a period of time when I belonged only to Heath.

His birthday always opens a floodgate of memories and emotions for me. When I think about myself 9 years ago, I almost laugh at my complete naivety. I look at pictures of the three of us, and I think it is funny at how much we didn’t have and didn’t really need. Everything I had went into loving those two boys, and somehow it worked. Despite our mistakes as parents and people, I don’t think Heath could have turned out any better. And so every year on his birthday, I offer a special thanks to God that he’s the kid that named me Mom.

"You outgrew my lap, but never my heart."~Author Unknown

iPhone practice

My blog may be revived if I can use my new phone to post. I really miss my computer, but this may make the wait a little easier!

Try Hard Not to Cry...

from the moving words inside my dear daughter and son's handmade Mother's Day cards

Heath's Inside Text ~

I love you Mom. Thank you for cooking alot - just joking. You do cook good, wash clothes, and deal with the brat. Thank you. Your son, Heath

Perry's Essay "My Special Mother" ~

I love my mom because she takes me to the movies.
She's as pretty as a horse.
She weighs 10 lbs. and is 5 ft. tall.
My mom's favorite food is shrimp.
The funniest thing about my mom is she tells me funny stories.
I would like to buy my mom a pair of shoes.
I would not trade my mom for a donkey!

Those are way better than anything Hallmark has to offer!

Life is busy, so I am quiet. We pop out of bed 15 minutes later than we should each morning, starting the day off on a scattered sprint. It’s not that I care about rushing really, obviously, I cherish the sleep way more than sanity, but it is definitely going to be nice in 2 weeks, when there is no bus to miss and no bells to ring. May is busy with the end of a school year ~ recitals, tournaments, travels, birthdays, anniversary, and all the other things that remind me how quickly we are all growing up.

 

My computer is broken, so I am quiet. My Dell laptop, which has been through 3 years of severe abuse, gave up the good fight about a month ago, leaving me with a clumsy Gateway until we decide to fix the Dell or get something new. I like the idea of getting a Mac, but not so sure about the reality of leaving the pc in the dust. This Gateway is slow and uncomfortable, and blogging on it is the same.

 

Life is loud, so I am quiet. Usually I am pretty loud and maybe even a little afraid of quiet, but I have had a lot on my mind for the past couple of months, with lots of questions and few answers. Trying to decide what is best, what is right, and what is worthy is, quite frankly, wearing me out. Without clarity or the liberty to be forthcoming, I cannot write. I am hopeful that answers will be coming very soon.

And just so you know, I really don't mind being quiet...

 

Look Who's Playing Now!

 

Yesterday was Perry's very first t-ball game. She was so excited to be a ball player like her brother and uncle. She woke up and put on her uniform immediately and didn't take it off until bathtime last night. She loved her big cheering section and everything about playing in the game.

  

Egg Huntin' 2009

Yesterday was a gorgeous day for the Richardson's Annual Easter Egg Hunt. We had a wonderful time visiting with friends while the kids played, hunted eggs, and even enjoyed a visit from the Easter Bunny. Thanks to Judy & Coley for always hosting such a fun event! Click here for an album of the day's events!

Batting battles

Bad day at the ball field today ~ Heath left his tournament this afternoon feeling pretty horrible about himself. He loves the game of baseball and it's always been so easy for him, but hitting off other players instead of coaches has really gotten in his head, and he is struggling at the plate. It doesn't matter if it's with grades, friendships, sports, or difficult circumstances, it's so hard to watch your kid struggling with something that you can't just reach out and fix for them.

I was worried that it'd be hard for him to get to sleep tonight, knowing how he tends to replay things over and over in his head and knowing how worried he is that tomorrow will be more of the same. I suggested that he turn his nerves, his fear, and his frustration over to God and then choose to make tomorrow a new day. I heard his sweet voice asking God for a little peace and a little assistance tomorrow, and was so glad to see him sound asleep when I went in to check on him later.

It makes you wonder if it's the right thing when you see something you don't have to do, but choose to do, bring tears and frustration to your child. It is my desire to see him do well, but it is truly Heath's desire to play so much baseball, and I admire his dedication and love for the game. But I hate the part where we have to learn so much about life. I know some days are just full of strike outs, but it's really hard watching your 8 year old learn that life's slumps are unavoidable, but you have to just push through them. I know that the loud, obnoxious jerk somehow finds a way to win, but you want your little boy to think that good guys always finish first. I know that just because you really want something or even work really hard, you don't always reach your goals, but it's so hard to watch your son's heart break because he feels like he's let his team, his coach, and even you down.

But the good thing is he made it through the bad day, and even ended it telling you how he can't wait to "smack that ball around" tomorrow. And if he's learning a little about determination, drive, and perseverance from the ball park, we might be doing something right...

In case you want an update on our life...

Baseball.