Surgery info for Jordan

The first phase of Jordan’s hearing aid surgery is tomorrow, 4/24. I just got a call from Children’s Hospital with our directions: Check-in time is 12 NOON. I was really hoping it would be much earlier so we could get out shortly after noon and enjoy the rest of the day. That will put surgery at about 2:00 probably. 

Thanks for your prayers!

Jordan’s 1st baseball game – 2009

Challenger baseball is the best thing to ever happen to kids’ ball if you ask me. And, if I had my way, every single person would come out and watch at least one game in their lifetime. Challenger ball is pure and simple, joyful baseball. You see, these kids wouldn’t play ball if it weren’t for Little League’s Challenger Division. In fact, just tonight, a 15 year old kid suited up in a uniform for the first time in his LIFE and came to the baseball field to slug a couple excellent hits into left field. It nearly brought tears to his mother’s eyes. Or, consider the kid with a walker – uh, Jordan – who hits a ball pitched to him and runs the bases before valiantly crossing home plate a few batters later. Or, the number of kids with Down Syndrome or many other syndromes who are unable to keep up with the level of ball their same-age peers play. And one of my favorite? The completely blind child who uses a specially adapted ball – it beeps – is able to make contact with that ball when it is pitched to him at which time he is guided around the base paths by a sighted helper. These kids are truly inspirational. 

All ages play, all kids hit in each inning, the score doesn’t matter (after all, since everyone hits each inning it just comes down to the number of players a team has as to how many cross home to score!), and competition is out the window. Brain tumor survivors, heart surgery recipients, sight impairments, cognitive delays, physical disabilities, it doesn’t matter. Truly, everyone is accepted at whatever their ability. Thanks, Little League.

Jordan is all warmed up and ready for his 1st game of the season. Go Admirals!

Hitting without the aid of the tee - a fairly new skill for Jordan. So proud of him, even if he did just want to be home watching "Bolt"!

Good game, everyone!

It’s very cool to start out the season playing the Pacific Pirates, because they are our ‘parent’ team. It was from this team that our own Alderwood Admirals got its birth. Just a few years ago, these teams were one and the league was just starting up in our area. In the last 5 years though, so many kids have come out to play that additional teams are being formed each year. What fun for all! And Willie even assistant coaches – except for tonight when he stepped into the shoes of the main coach who couldn’t make it. It’s truly a family affair.

Volleyball for Ashley

Ashley started volleyball this year and we’re so proud of her. There are a number of girls on her team she has known for many years and the coaches are college gals who also help with the Middle school girls at church. This was the first game I got to see due to scheduling conflicts with the other kids last week, and it was so great to see her in action!

Team Intensity

Ashley gets ready

GO TEAM!

After this, the 7th grade girls from church loaded up and headed to one of the leader’s houses for an overnighter. What a fun life!

Catching up…

Saturday, April 10th through Tuesday the 14th were crazy busy days. There were events for each of the kids, multiple parties (4 on Saturday alone!), Easter, Mariners preparations, and oh, my birthday, before Opening Day at Safeco Field arrived on Tuesday. It was all very fun, but exhausting when the adrenaline finally could taper off  Wednesday evening.

Bekah at ballet with Sarah Huber - 9th grader from church working on a school project. Aren't they darling?

Easter eggs. These are actually all raw! Willie didn't want the dye to go to waste so he and Ashley colored every egg we had in the house!

Our annual egg hunt at the Mansfields. These are the kids of the ladies in my Bible Study. Only a few are missing...

The kids at church Easter morning. He is risen!

Bella & Bekah - too cute not to post.

Almost time to head onto the field for Mariners Opening Day 2009!! (4/14)

We were really THAT close to the action! Willie with the balloon arch and Keith Johnson to his left.

I'm on the field, too!

Done on the field, now way up to our seats.

Now back home at Safeco, Griffey's 1st at-bat. He was all business after this - and even got a hit! So exciting to have him back in Seattle.

My friend, Ede, even gave me a birthday greeting at the game! What fun!

Facebook, a stadium full of 50,000 fans, and these screens came together so that my long-time friend who I only run into every now and then & I actually interacted. She knew I was getting a b’day greeting because I’d said so on Facebook, and later in the game, she got on the big screen during the 7th inning stretch dancing time. Even amongst 50,000 people, God has a funny sense of humor to connect people!

Cutie Pie heading to school

 

It is picture day!