Little Slugger

T-ball season has come to an end. Mr. JCrew laced up his cleats, slapped on his ball cap, and carried his glove out on the field one last time. Although our little 5 year old got a little bored with the game halfway through the season and not to mention a little distracted while waiting to catch a ball or get a hit during games, he still loved playing with his little team-mates. He stuck with it, he loved it, and looked so handsome while hittin' dingers at the park!

Saguaro Lake Getaway

The Whiting Families spent the weekend down by the river....we had a weekend planned full of sun, water, and relaxation at the SRP lake homes. Minus the boat this year, (may it rest in peace), we still had a a fun time laughing & relaxing with the kids and one another. Our days were spent watching kids splash in the pool & attempt cool new tricks on the slip and slide, driving into to town and taking the kids to the movie UP (which is definitely a new fave), late night competitive games of Mexican Domino's, a very serious game of 3 on 3 volleyball (plus a few little helpers on each team) and launching water balloons using each other as targets. It was a lot of fun and our family can't wait to go again.

Swim Lessons

Our little Goldfish (that thinks he's the Big Kahuna) Mr. JCrew is taking the long awaited plunge for swimming lessons. It was so much fun to watch all the little kids try to prove their swimming skills in the water. Some were pros, some panicked, and others sank like rocks...thanks goodness for all the great lifeguards staked out in & around the pool. Crew will learn to swim yet...that is, IF he won't be concerned about doing the "Most Perfect Cannon Ball ever" and listen to his very patient ever so sweet Swimming Teachers. Crew, you will be a shark yet!

Preschool's Out...

(Pre) School's Out Forever...for our strapping young man Mr. JCrew. He came home with his Graduation Certificate in hand, a smile on his face, and three cheers...summer is FINALLY here! These past few months of preschool have been filled with questions about Kindergarten, and how to tie his shoes so that he can graduate to go to Kindergarten, and every morning the question gets asked..."Mom, is it a Kindergarten school day yet?" 2 years in preschool has long been enough for this little rebel...he is definitely ready to enter into the Big World of Kindergarten learning....we too, are excited and nervous, for him to be a Big Kindergartener next year...what a HUGE milestone we will all get to tackle together.

Tree Monkeys

Two little monkeys swinging in the tree....literally, swinging and screaming with glee. My little adventurers decided to climb the apple tree to get away from the "wild animals in the grass, aka: the dog" ...or so the story is told. And of course Crew just had to have his 2 year old partner in crime, Trip, get into the tree too, by assisting him with a chair and a little boost. It's a wonder to me that we have yet had an emergency room visit for broken bones & stitches (knock on wood). I can only imagine what these little monkeys will attempt to climb next. I'm sure it will go along the lines of this...1-bigger trees 2-the walls of my house 3-and Everest!

Crinkled Mother's Day Card

This is what Rebel #1 comes home with, grasping a card in his little hands, on Mother's Day...

(All the reasons I LOVE my Mom)

1. My mom is special because...she always helps me be good.
2. My mom's the funniest when she...makes funny faces.
3. My mom always says...good things to me.
4. My mom does lots of things. She' best at...school.
5. My mom is smart because she knows all about...stuffs.
6. My mom's the prettiest when...she goes to church.
7. I like it when my mom...helps me with school stuffs.
8. My mom is special because she...loves just me.

What a sweetheart. To tell you the truth I think my little guy may have had a little help answering or, for lack of a better word, "altering" some of his replies (specifically on #'s 3, 1, and I gotta give credit to the teach on #6). All in all I couldn't be happier with my testosterone overloaded house...I love my Whiting Boys. Thanks for the Mother's Day.

Batter Up...

The "Man" had his very first ever T-Ball game. Let me just say, I think us parents are into this game just as much (if not more) than our rebels that storm the field. What’s most important to me at this moment is his enjoyment (he's only 5, I can't expect him to be hitting dingers out of the park yet)…but he’s bound to get pretty good at it IF he gets a taste for it. I know he is the kind of kid, who once, hooked will not stop til he’s mastered it. Whatever it is. The entire point of him playing is so he can learn if he likes it or not. Now truthfully, I probably talked it up a bit to him…you know something along the lines of “Mommy likes to play softball …don’tcha wanna play ball like Mommy?” Because I would much rather him play something I know a little about rather than be involved in something I can’t help him with…Like Chess or Basket Weaving. However, if after the season is over he doesn’t want to play again, I won’t force him (but encourage him to try try again)...but I am sure we won't have a problem with that...the game was a success! Way to go get 'em #9.

Baseball's "Opening Day"

I don't know who is more excited Mr.Crew or Big J & I. It was "Opening Day" here in Snowflake to welcome out the eager little leagers to America's favorite past time. Teams met coaches, sported out their new jerseys & hats, and got the chance to run out into the infield as their names were announced over the PA system. Crew was so excited to be a part of all the action. His little teammates practiced their team hand shake, gave eachother chest bumps, and chanted their team name. Ball park food was served, little bellies filled, & smiles were found as everyone braced themselves for the upcoming season. "Lets Go Bees!"

Egg Hunting

* EGG HUNTING 2009 *

Easter Sunday at Papa & Nana Smith's House = food, family, and the annual "Golden Egg Challenge." Dinner is eaten, desert devoured, eggs are hidden, and eager giggles bound as the flood gates open to the hunt. Eggs hidden in & over, on top & under every surface of Papa's backyard. Grand kids ran with smiles plastered on their faces fighting for the chance to claim the title of "Winner of the Hunt" BUT this year there was a twist in the egg hunting game. There was not just one golden egg to be sought after but 2 golden eggs AND a bonus silver egg. Competition was fierce, drive was high, and a little help from Grandpa with the rebels led to Trip with loads of eggs & Mr. JCrew to digging up (literally digging the egg out of the ground...we take our egg hunt seriously) the valued "Silver Egg". Thanks for the fun hunting Grandma & Grandpa Smith!

Easter thought

I can’t believe I am posting something on a blog but I guess I can take comfort in the fact I am not creating my own blog just posting a thought and saying thank you on my wife’s blog. This Easter season I want to say thank you to each of you for being a friend and supporting me and my family. I want to thank my family members for being a strong support system and pulling together and becoming closer each day. I want to thank my wife for being all I have ever needed her to be and standing by my side through the good and the bad. I want to thank my savior for understanding what no one else ever could but him. For lifting me up on days I struggle and for filling me with hope and a desire to do better.
Times are tough for most of us right now, financially, mentally, and sometimes spiritually. “WHY” I have a hard time with this word, it demands so much and yet warrants little thought or action on behalf of the person asking the question. Trust me I get that it would be nice to know exactly why something had to happen the way it did. I still ask “why” most days and I wish the desire to know “why” would go away. Ultimately I am learning that “why” does not matter. It is not the answer to why but rather the question “How” that matters. How can I pick myself up and change for the better, financially, mentally, and spiritually?
I miss my mother no doubt. I find my self often wanting to pick up the phone and call her for advice or direction. I find that I start to look forward to a holiday like Easter as I think about the great traditions my mom and dad taught me and that we cherish at holidays. Picnics at the park or in the woods, Easter egg hunts, and small but meaningful present’s mom would put together for us on Easter morning, time together laughing and having a good time together with each other. Church on Easter Sunday in our new church clothes and a lesson or conversation about the meaning of Easter. This year will be different for sure and I have been dreading Easter a little as mom won’t be physically here with us. I found that I have been too caught up in asking that dang word “why.” How sad right…. No not that I miss my mom but that I have been missing “it” and “it” was right in front of me. This holiday we celebrate the fact that Christ lives. He broke the chains of death and lives and loves us and that because of this “why” does not really matter. Making good choices and asking my self “how” each day and working to become a better man, friend, worker, dad, husband, and son of God will allow me to focus on “how” rather than “why.”
Mom I miss you, I love you, and I think about you each and every day. Often I wish you where here and sometimes I know you are. I want you to be proud of your son and the man I am trying to become. I want to do all I can to prepare to see you again. I want to thank you and dad for sharing the gospel with me. For being the missionaries who worked so hard with the lord to convert me. I pray I do the same for my kids and family. I am so grateful for my savior Jesus Christ and his eternal sacrifice. I am thankful for his individual concern for me and my family and know he works with my family as we come to him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit because that is what he requires of each of us. Thank you for all I have and thank you for teaching me the importance of “how” rather than “why”

Check out this great clip put together on Easter. Well worth you time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFhS0dAduc