As of today I have officially been in "Larryville" 87 days. The girls are officially enrolled in USD 497, I have a home starting August 2nd, and Sunday we signed a contract on our house. To say we are drowning in a sea of U-Haul boxes is an understatement but they are all efficiently labeled and ready for the truck that will come next week. By this past Sunday morning I was so mentally and physically spent I started throwing stuff in bags to give away just so I didn't have to pack anymore! I did take time out Saturday night to sit by the pool with a couple of my best buds and enjoy a cedar wrapped cigar. It's sad to think that is probably the last time we will get to hang out there but there will be lots of get togethers here at my new place. Hanging there just doesn't feel the same anyway. It no longer feels like home; it's my penance. This past weekend was a mandatory working weekend but my heart and mind were elsewhere. Driving back and forth every weekend was fine in the beginning but it's grown old and the thought of it now simply makes me grouchy. Thank goodness it will all be over soon. I'm not going to complain too much because the past couple of months have been full of mixed blessings. Life is good again and getting better every day.

I'm way behind on some of my posts so I am trying to play catch up in one night. July has been an exciting whirl wind laced with some emotional firsts and lasts. This past weekend was the girls' last tournament as a Clay Center B's softball player. Gentry's team is very tight. Most of these girls have been playing together since they were six years old and it shows when they are on the field.

The girls got knocked out of the gold division Saturday night. There were a lot of tears of disappointment and then there were lots of hugs when one of the girls announced, "Hey guys, this was Gentry's last game as a Clay Center B."

It's a good thing both of us had on our sunglasses. 

Thing is, I love this team just as much as she does. Most of these girls grew up coming to our home to play, to swim, and for sleep-overs. This is an awesome bunch of girls who fully understand what it is like to be part of a team and have no fear when it comes to competition. That's what being a Clay Center B is all about.

Itty bitty Sydie not so itty bitty!

Syd has no clue what day of the week it is let alone the date. So as her birthday loomed closer, all she remembered was us saying we would have her party on Sunday. Therefore in her mind, her birthday was Sunday when actually it was Saturday. Gentry and I were messing with her and could have easily convinced her Monday was the big day but we couldn't keep straight faces.

Unfortunately for the birthday girl, she had to spend it in Concordia playing softball in the blistering heat. At the end of the afternoon I couldn't help but just sit and stare at this little person so plum tuckered out and sleeping so peacefully in the shade. It reminded me that she isn't so big; not yet.

This child blessed my world nine years ago and has been going full tilt every since. Just when I want to throw my hands in the air and scream, she pulls a 180 and surprises me. She possesses an amazing ability that is rarely seen and a determination that is undaunted when creatively motivated. Best of all, she breaks me down with her sporadically warped sense of humor.

We tried to convince her that Grandma bought a number "6" candle by mistake. It's hard to believe this is her last year in the single digits. *sigh*

Happy Birthday Sydie bitty!

'Da Hole'

A year ago today I lost something very dear to me. I let it consume me with anxiety and sadness and I wondered if I would ever recover. So, in remembering this I find it extremely ironic that on this day one year later I am so completely happy and content. On top of that I now have a reason to celebrate this particular Thursday. My friends will know what I mean when I say that as of 9:00 am today, I am pleased to announce that I am officially "hole free!" No more working every weekend, missing the girls' activities, and smelling like a deep fat fryer. Today is an incredible blessing that has been a long time coming.

I am going to miss those cheddar bites though...

Miss Molly McGee

I have a dear friend who is mourning the passing of a beloved companion today. This is dedicated to her and Miss Molly McGee who I'm certain is chasing squirrels in heaven.

It is very unusual to need a blanket to keep warm while watching softball in July but that is exactly what several of us moms were doing this past weekend. Despite the wind, the cooler temperature, and the ten hours we sat at the ball field it was an above average day. At one point the girls and I took a little rest on a blanket in the sun and enjoyed some time just being silly and also discussed future plans. Next month we will have our new place and we are excited to make it feel like our own. Much to Gen's dismay this does NOT include getting all new furniture. That darn money tree just hasn't produced a crop yet.

Yesterday was a much needed goof off day but I learned two significant things. One, I really, really love gazpacho. I've never had it before but wow, so yummy! And two, throwing firecrackers into your fireplace is not an effective method to scare critters out of your chimney. I voted to smoke'em out but apparently that is not an "EPA approved" method. When whatever is in there figures out how to get the fireplace doors open, we will see who had the better idea.