What's In A Name?

For Miss Sadie Jo quite a bit.  

Contrary to popular belief we did not get her name at Target, even though that it what Avery told his teachers.  

We chose Sadie's name very carefully.  We did chose it 2 years ago, but we loved it then and we love it now!  Sadie to be honest we just like.  I read it in a book and thought it fit great with Avery and Hank.  Luckily, Michael agreed!

Jo is very special.  

There are a lot of women in our family with Jo in their names!  

Grandma Jo

I hear she was pretty great!  Sadly, I didn't get to meet her.  But, that guy she's sharing her cake with was the Best Papa Ever!  I know she lead him to the Lord and that he loved her with his whole heart, so that's good enough for me!   

Aunt Susan Jo

She's my mom's little sister, and we kinda like her.  That might be because she does cool things like have Camp Banks where you eat ice cream for dinner and make watermelons into pirates!  But, it is also because she's a great listener and always makes you feel heard and special!  

Grandma JoAnn

Not many kids get to have a great grandmother like ours!  She is wonderful!  I love that she always makes macaroni and cheese for me.  I love that she painted Avery Jr with her nail polish on the back of the turtle she and grandad caught for the boys, and then threw it away so she wouldn't get salmonella.  I love that she loves to hold our baby girl, but lets grandad have the longer turns. 

Meme JOy 

I know it's a bit of a stretch, but I am comfortable with it.  Our Meme is an amazing woman.  She's not even really our Meme, she belongs to Steven and JD, Aunt Susan Jo's boys.  But, she took in 2 girls with no grandmothers and treats us like we are hers.  She is a remarkable woman for many reasons.  She has had more sadness than anyone should have to deal with, but you would never know it from her great smile and positive outlook.  I love that when she says "Lord willing" she means it, because she's been there when His will wasn't what she would choose.  I am so thankful how she loves me, and my family!  But, I didn't steal her whole name, we didn't want to do that to Steven and JD, so we'll just claim part of it for Sadie Jo.  

We love that Sadie Jo has such special legacy to her name.  We can't wait to see how she honors these and all the wonderful women in our family she will be able to learn from!  

 

We love all our children's names, find out about the boys' names here and here. 

T-Ball Top Ten

If you happened to run into my favorite 4 year old boy anytime in late May or June you were greeted with something like, "hi my name's Avery, I'm 4.  I have t-ball _____(fill in next game or practice day), it's for real.  Do you want to come watch me?"  

He L-O-V-E-D every single minute.  

Here are 10 of my favorite things about t-ball.

1-Daddy coached. 

Daddy didn't really want to coach he wanted to assist, you know Michael he's not a front and center kind of guy.  Plus we had 3 week old when the season started and he's still "building a business."  :) that one never gets old.  But Michael did it, because Avery LOVES t-ball, and I LOVED watching them together.  Michael was a great encouraging, fun loving, patient coach!

2-The home runs!

This was YMCA t-ball.  Everybody got to bat every time and get on base.  And the last batter go to run all the way around, so when Avery got to bat last he hit a HOME RUN!  

3-The high 5 line.

 I love little people all lined up to be good sports.  I think it totally stinks that the high 5 line goes away when you get older.  Such a great thing!  

4-The cheering section! 

I love that every player had sweet friends and family to cheer them on at each game.  The kids loved all the encouragement.  

5-The t-ball herd slide!!

I love that every little boy on our team would run up then drop and slide the last foot to get the ball.  Avery wore a hole in his pants by 2 weeks into the season.  So hilarious to watch them all go for the ball!  

6-Time with Hank. 

This kid is funny!  When you get him alone you learn this.  We bonded walking to and from the elementary school and watching Daddy and Avery.  

7-He LOVED it! 

I know I've said it many times, but he LOVED it.  Every single minute.  He was always watching and ready.  He even served as the bat boy for his fellow players.  He LOVED it!!

8-The fans! 

 Honey and Granny

 Grandma and Grandad

 Meme, Papa and LouLou

 Pop

9-The signs!

Aunt Linde and Uncle Jeff were SUPER fans!  They sweated their brains out at almost all of the games.  True love, trust me if you saw one you saw them all.  But not only did they come and cheer, play with Hank and bring donuts and snacks, they brought a SIGN!  Avery was so very proud, you have no idea!  

Katie and David made signs, too, but I forgot to take pictures of them.  

10-The league!  I have to say YMCA was perfect.  I loved the nice little speech the kids said every week about being good players, team mates and sports.  I loved that no was cut throat.  I loved that no one yelled at the umps, yes I have seen that at t-ball games.  I loved that when it was miserably hot and everyone had a turn we quit a few minutes early.  This was a great first t-ball experience.  I can't wait for more!  I am savoring it!

Hanky Pokey

Luckily, Hanky Panky did not end up in the Pokey today...

This is his loot, there are SIX pairs of little girl shoes in there  We didn't pay for them, nor did I realize they were in the basket of my snap 'n go...

Luckily, my main 2 year old man Hank is pretty stinking cute.  He had already worked this magic on the sales lady at Janie and Jack. 

So, when we came marching back in to the store about an hour after we'd been browsing she greeted us with a huge smile and a "Hi Hank, how are you?"  In fact he was so stinking cute she was profusely thanking me for returning the 6 pairs of shoes we STOLE. 

Lesson learned, watch your little ones extra close if there are little shoes in their path!  Also, don't think just because you only have 2 of your 3 kids with you it's okay to let your guard down.  

Life with three is a BLAST!  I have many blogs planned in my head, hopefully I'll get them to you soon.