Wednesday, October 29, 2014

October - one of my favorites.

I love October.
Baseball offseason life begins.
The Florida Fall weather begins to cool down, despite the random ninety degree days.
The smell of pumpkin, apple, and harvest candles are everywhere.
Costumes are being created for trick-or-treating.
Pumpkins are being decorated by the kids.

We always take a family trip to the pumpkin patch.
This year went to Fruitville Grove, a downsized pumpkin festival ... less people, less lines, and less money!


The kids loved riding the ponies... Abby a little more than Levi.
We enjoyed time with friends while there.


Abby had her face painted like a bunny and Levi a ninja turtle.  
The kids painted pumpkins, which now decorate our table.


Abby was excited to put the harness on and jump and flip as high as she could go.
And both kids LOVED the slide!

There's just something about a pumpkin festival ... we had a great time and now we are looking forward to HALLOWEEN! :)

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Thursday, October 23, 2014

That's a wrap ....

The 2014 baseball season that is.  This season was quite different than years past and although parts of it were challenging for our family, I found myself pulling closer to God in those moments of doubt, weakness, and helplessness.  

I won't spare you with all the details of a six month baseball season, so I'll give you a quick rundown.  Being traded from Baltimore last offseason was kind of like a shock to our system.  Baltimore was our second home ... we knew the ins and outs of the city, created strong relationships with staff, players, and their families, and were close in proximity to my family.  It was bittersweet to be taking a new step in our journey and leaving all we'd known.

FAITH.  Forsaking All I Trust Him.  A good reminder that God is always in control and no matter what, we must trust Him.  

So ... off to Oakland it was ... starting the 2014 season with the Athletics.  Right away it was so, so different.  The fans, the stadium, the feel of it all.  What a change ... and with that change, came some up and downs of the season.  We had a wonderful All-Star Break spent in Lake Tahoe, taking in such beautiful landscape and enjoying some much needed family time together.  Then a couple weeks later, Jim was wearing new colors for a new team ... the Detroit Tigers.

Finishing the season in the playoffs was super exciting, but unfortunately the Tigers didn't advance.  Win or lose, we still had fun and we can close this chapter to our families story.




As I sit back and reflect on the season with the World Series (oh, wait that's football) in the background, I'm excited to see what is in store for next year.  

Dear God, I trust you as we await what the future holds because we know that YOU know what's best for our family.  YOU know what is ahead and where our journey takes us.  Please take our hands and lead us - help show us the way.  Amen.

Now ... that's a wrap!

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