Remember When...

.... as a child you could leave the house in the morning and not return until dark and your parents weren't overly worried? Ahhh.... I remember those days. Growing up, I lived on what we called a "block"... and we ran from house to house playing. Some of my best childhood memories go back to 1405 S 9th Street....having our babysitter three houes up from us, and my best friend Gary, two houses up. Gary and I were inseperable... and yet, we always seemed to find trouble... or was it that it seemed to find us? We built forts, explored caves, caught lightening bugs, found robin's nest... and laid in the grass looking at the clouds saying what they looked like! Wow... those were some fun times.

A part of me is sad that Austin doesn't have that kind of childhood.... mostly because how our society has changed. I don't know my neighbors the next street over... or on the other side of the neighborhood...so, Austin must tell me where he will be, and I tell him yes/no and when to be home. Don't get me wrong... he has a blast with his friends... just seems to be at a much faster pace than 30 years ago when I was a child.

My wish is that Austin still gets to make memories like Brian and I did as children.... the summer days are endless, and you're exhausted from being outside all day. Running through sprinklers, making our own popsicles, catching lightening bugs and putting them in a jar... that's what I wish for Austin. Lazy summer days..... perhaps like in Mayberry.

Dodge This....

This past weekend, Brian and I and 20 or so of our friends traveled to Aurora High School to play Dodgeball!~ Yes, you read that right... DODGEBALL!

Now, you have to understand that Dodgeball is not played today like it was 30 years ago when I was a child ( I said child, not teenager... LOL!) Back then we lined up against a wall, and there was one person who threw the ball and you dodged it. Simple.

Things have changed a bit in the last 20-30 years. Now, you play on a volleyball court, 6 players to a team. Six balls are lined up on the center line, at the whistle your team runs to grab the balls, return back past the first line, and the pelting begins. If you have a big guy on your team, you can hide behind him for a bit. However, it comes down to strategy, speed and technique.

Apparently, if your team has a strategy, you run up get the ball and pass it to a team member that s behind the line and able to throw it at a target running with their back to you. I'm not sure that my team figured this out. Our longest game was a total of 1:30 (maybe). No, that's not one hour and 30 minutes, that is one minute and thirty seconds. I think we were going for a record of shortest Dodgeball game ever played.

Of course Brian and I were not on the same team. There's a reason for this. Those of you who are married understand, others of you... you'll figure it out. Brian's team placed 3rd overall, and did a great job. I must tell you this is the first time since knowing Brian that I have seen him play a physical sport (other than is quad racing). I loved cheering for him from those bleachers... he is so cute!

Why would we spend a precious Saturday playing Dodgeball? Knowing we're going to be sore, tired and just flat out pooped? Simple. To support the GREATEST cause... saving lives. We were helping raise money to support the Aurora Pregnancy Care Center. As of March 11, 2010, it closed... but a faithful group of individuals have risen to the challenge to keep this Center open to ladies who find themselves in a crisis pregnancy.

If you know anything about me, you know this is something that is so near and dear to my heart. Twelve years ago, I found myself pregnant and alone. Austin's biological father wanted nothing to do with the pregnancy and encouraged abortion. Abortion was NEVER an option for me, and God blessed me with Austin.

I now volunteer at the local Pregnancy Care Center, volunteering my time to encourage, mentor and help other gals that find themselves in need of someone to talk to who has "been there and done that". It's important to me to share that every life is valued by God. In Jeremiah God tells us, "Before you were formed in the womb, I knew you and loved you." How awesome is that? God knew everything about me before I was ever formed. He knew Austin before he was formed. God loves us.... so much! He never said it would be easy... but if we turn to Him and acknowledge Him as Lord of our lives, he will direct our paths.

So, you see, I'd play Dodgeball every weekend if I needed to, if it meant saving lives of the unborn, or even the born.

There is no "dodging" it.... God loves you!

Happy Birthday Droop!

Yes, on Monday, March 1st... Brian had a Birthday! The big 36. Normally, celebrating birthdays are HUGE for Brian... bigger than Holidays. This is the day he was born ya know?! This year... he says it's just another day. Really?

If you know me, this was a little hard to swallow... I'm just now getting used to the fact that Birthdays are a big deal. So, what's the deal?

I still haven't figured it out. But I can tell you this much... I thank God every day that Brian Allen Hamlet was born on March 1st. He has been a gift to me that I treasure... and as importantly, value the fact that he is a dad to Austin. He loves us both unconditionally.

This year, we'll have some friends over... eat some good food, play some games... and celebrate the life of the man that makes this woman mighty happy!