The White White House: Endings and New Beginnings

One week ago last night, Jackson's team, Highfill Infrastructure won the end of season tournament. It was one exciting evening! We were in the the winner's bracket so all we needed to do was win one more game. Vision had one loss coming in. It really didn't matter though because it only took two innings before I realized we didn't show up for the game. We looked awful and ended up losing the game big! There was a short break between games. Somehow, the boys got it together, came back out, and played to win. Jackson caught both games and did great. He seemed to have plenty of energy. At the bottom of the 5th inning, we were up big. Jackson was up to bat with bases loaded and two outs. We needed one run to win the tournament championship. It wasn't his best hit but it was enough to bring home the runner from third. Seconds later, I look over and realized that Jackson was buried in a pile of excited 11 and 12-year-old boys. What a game and what a memory that will be etched in our minds forever! We had our team party this week and if the boys hadn't been so funny, I know I would've cried. This was the last spring that many of the 12-year-olds would play at West Raleigh. We've watched many of those kids play ball out there since they were tiny. It was Jackson's last season with many of the coaches who have been instrumental in his growth as a baseball player. Funny, my devotion this week was about seeing endings as new beginnings. God always has something else in store for our lives. Though this ending is bittersweet, I know that God has more in store for the boys of the 2013 Highfill Infrastructure team; here's to new beginnings and one last spring season at West Raleigh in 2014.

Speaking of endings, we are officially done with 5th grade and elementary school. Looking back, I can't believe that we started this journey five years ago. My goal was to make it to this point. We are here....already. It has probably been one of the most difficult jobs I've ever committed to but I'm no quitter;-) There have been so many days that have left me feeling less confident of my decision but I've always known, deep down, that the decision to keep Jackson home was absolutely the best thing for him. Besides, I really do love getting to spend so much time with him. I've learned a lot along the way and there's a lot I would change if I could; maybe Sawyer will get the better homeschool teacher now. He can thank Jackson later:-) We are going to keep at it for awhile longer until we feel God moving Jackson onto something else. For now, we will take a few months off and enjoy the summer. I think Jackson and I have worked hard and the break is deserved. Time to enjoy other things like summer ball, pool time, sleepovers, beach trips, and catching up on housework. Ha!

Sawyer turns "3" in a few weeks. He's been asking for a bike lately. He got an early birthday present Thursday night. It rained on and off but that didn't stop him from riding. He's loving it!

I'm so proud of my boys not because of what they do, but because of the joy that I have just knowing they are mine. I think that's what helps me stay calm when I am stuck cleaning up spilled juice, on freshly mopped floors ;-)