Little Sluggers

Kent's team is still undefeated! Which leads me to a funny story...

Right before one of our bigger games last week, we found out we didn't have enough players to play the game. Billy made a phone call to approve Amos playing on the 8 year old team to avoid us taking a forfeit. When we got to the game, we only had seven players. In most cases, you need at least 8 players and then you still take an automatic out. The nice umpire in Prairie Grove decided to let us play anyway, and we won!

The best part... Amos hit a HOME RUN off of the pitching machine!!! How awesome is that!?

My pretty momma and the boys

Billy giving Amos a "five" through the fence!

This picture cracks me up! Look at the little kid playing in the field!

Man, it was hot.

My most favorite thing about that game, was what Kent said to Amos in the car. He said, "Bubba, you know you won the game for us, right? You were awesome!" So, sweet! I just love that boy!

Baseball

I apologize for continuing to bring up our burglary, but I need to say 'thank you' again. I went to the post office yesterday, and found two sweet cards addressed to our children, both containing gift cards to help replace some of the things that were stolen. We have also received a couple from church as well, and it truly brings joy to my heart to know that we are loved. All the things we have been given have all been given anonymously, and while I truly am grateful and appreciative, we wish we could hug your necks!! So, whoever you are, please know you made our children smile and are showing them God's love through blessing us. Thank you! :)

On to more exciting news...

(I am really behind on blogging, so you may be reading about some "older" Mayes family news in the days to come.)

One thing that's still going on and continues to keep us running in circles...

BASEBALL!

This is Amos' first year to play, and he is really enjoying it! He usually plays second base, and he loves to tag the runners out! It's quite funny to watch!

Mr. Lefty himself!

SOOOO serious!

He made it!!

And then there's Grace. She enjoyed the first few games and then decided it really wasn't for her. She did look cute in the outfit though!

This is Kent's fourth year to play (I think) and he is really good! He plays first base and has made several home runs (can you tell I'm a proud mother?). This year is the first year all the boys are taking it more seriously and getting the big win is important to them. So far, his team is undefeated and will probably make it to the tournament! YAY!!

I love this picture.

Healing

It was week ago today our "normal" lives were changed. Everyday since then has been a challenge mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Most of our friends know our situation, and I just felt that I needed to acknowledge their graciousness to our family. We have been blessed by each prayer, tear that has been shed, ear that has listened and outpouring of love.

Yes, last Monday night I did post about our day and decided to remove it the next morning. For those of you that don't know, our family came home from school/work to find our front door standing open, unable to shut, and our entire house wrecked and most of our possessions stolen.

I just don't understand how anyone could violate another human being. To have no regard for anyone else and their babies. Taking our children's things and violating us all.

Every nook and cranny was turned upside down and we were left with a mess, unanswered questions and heavy hearts.

The policemen that have been involved with our situation all agree that this person(s) was either someone we know or someone that has been watching our schedule. Either way, it's sickening. Part of me fears that this person(s) is someone that has read my blog and got the idea from here. If that is the case, please know you have not only stolen our personal possessions, you have stolen our security. Nothing can fix the way we all feel except Jesus and the power of prayer. Even if you are never caught, you will answer one day for your actions.

I'm sorry to ramble on and on, I just felt like God wanted me to share.

The Bible says we are to "carry one another's burdens" (Galatians 6:2) and you, as the body of Christ, have carried our burden with us. Thank you. Each prayer spoken for our family was heard, and we thank you. At night when I lay my head on my pillow to rest, I can feel your prayers.

I believe God doesn't want us to run away from our problems, but instead seek Him. He promises that He will walk through the valley with us.

Satan is hard at work, and we as Christians need to have on our armor for the Lord and stand ready. Yes, he has robbed us of much this week, but I refuse to let him win. Even though we may never know why this has happened, we will continue to trust God and know that everything happens for a reason.

I wanted to share the verses God has shown me this week...

Psalm 91:1-6,8,11,14

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.' Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 14 'Because he loves me,' says the Lord, 'I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."


With much appreciation and faith,

Amanda

Pre-K Graduation

The last five years have flown by, and now our baby boy is getting ready to be in Kindergarten! This is the moment I have been dreading for a long, long time. There is just something about the last child going to Kindergarten that makes a mother weepy.

After attending many school functions for bubby and sissy, and hearing all the interesting stories they come home with, he is ready. His precious teachers, Ms. Amy, Ms. Mauree and Ms. Mary Christy, have done an excellent job teaching him. If it weren't for them, I don't know how I could've left him everyday. So... thank you, ladies!

I am so thankful God blessed us with a third child. Everyday is a joy because of him!

Ms. Amy and Amos

Random News

First of all, I'd just like to say a few random things...

Once again, we no longer have internet. Some ding dong in our neighborhood somehow put a password on our wireless box and we can no longer access it. When we called Cox, they told us to reset the box by using something small, like a bobby pin to push in the reset button. Well, my wonderful husband broke the bobby pin by ramming it the box and now... no interent. Bummer!

Drum roll.........

I'm going to be an AUNT! I really thought it would never happen and here we are. Billy's sweet sister, Leslie, is due in November. I CAN'T WAIT!!!! I get so excited just thinking about it!!!!

I am ready for Spring. The last two weeks, two out of three of the kids have been sick. However, I think this is the longest stretch they've gone without getting sick! To pass the time last week I decided to sew a few projects. I picked up this shirt on the clearance rack at Wal-Mart for $2 and I thought it needed some jazzing up! I thought it turned out pretty cute.

Last week I was in Babies and Beyond, and I noticed that a lot of their cutesie t-shirts are Target or Wal-Mart brand. They were selling their shirts for $24.99! I couin't believe it. That's a pretty nice profit!

Valentine Treats

3 Snuggies from Mimi

1 pair of matching Snuggie socks

1 GIANT gummy bear from Aunt Leslie

Leslie, if you read this... I can't wait until you have kids! Payback is coming! ;-)

Quote of the Day

The other day, I was sitting on the couch and Amos had his head in my lap. While we were watching TV, he was patting my stomach. Before long, it turned into a poke and I started to feel like the dough boy.

All of a sudden, he looks up at me and says, "Mom, are you going to lay an egg?"

Ouch!

I will admit, I've put on some weight, but gracious sakes!

A few minutes later he came back in the living room and says, "You will always be a pretty princess, mommy."

Ahhhh... he melts my heart! The boy definitely knows how to sweet talk his momma!

My Christmas Present

Yes, you read the title right. For Christmas, Billy, gave me tickets to see Casting Crowns in concert!!!

Let me just say, I was shocked! Billy is the type that always puts a lot of thought into a gift, and this time, he really surprised me! We drove to Kansas City and had two days of fun (and snow)!

Not only did we get to see an amazing concert, we took two of our good friends, David and Catherine with us. It was nice to have "grown up" time! ;-)

This is Caleb, Steven Curtis Chapman's son.

Then we saw, Kutless!!!! One of my all time favorites!

Did I mention we had GREAT seats!



HELLO!! ;-)

And, of course, Casting Crowns!

This is the lead singer, Mark.

Don't you just love this up close picture of my big head!

This next picture makes me laugh.

As we were leaving, we noticed that Kutless was signing autographs, so Catherine and I decided we would not only get an autograph but a picture too! We were both SO excited, can you tell?

SO..... thank you, Billy! I had a great time!