Another Kenzie Gush

As you've probably read here, Kenzie is on a regional, travel softball team. This means we practice twice a week, about 40 minutes away from home. It's a pain, but worth it for the joy she gets from playing, and learning, the game at a high skill level, not what you see in a regular recreational league. Well, last night, a guy (Mike) I've coached baseball with (his son and Kenzie have been on the same team) for a couple years called me. I told him over the summer that I wouldn't be coaching with him this year because of Kenzie's softball. There would be huge schedule conflicts, and travel softball would take priority over recreational baseball. Mike insisted that, in his opinion, having McKenzie play part time on his team would be better than having most of the boys her age play full time. I knew that ;o), but it was nice to hear someone else say it. I told him I'd talk to Kenzie, and call him back. Kenzie took about a half second to decide she'd love to play baseball with the boys again. I half-jokingly asked her where the money's going to come from for her to play in both leagues. Without hesitation she said she'd pay for it from her Christmas/birthday money. Okydoky. I called Mike back and told him he can have Kenzie. Of course, that also means I'll be coaching baseball again. At least this time I'll only be an assistant, not the manager like I usually am.

I think if you did a search of my blog, you'd find Kenzie mentioned more than anything else. I feel a little guilty talking about her more than my other kids, but I really can't help the fact that she does so much stuff, and does it well. Alex, Connor, Tay, Ty, et al, also do what they do, well. They just don't do as much of it.

Oh, I can mention the fact that Alex joined an indoor soccer team yesterday. It was a last minute thing, and I still haven't even gotten him officially registered; thankfully, the coach is a good friend of mine (Godmother of two of my girls) so we could work around the technicalities. Without even going to a practice, he scored a goal in the first game of the season. Yeehah!

I hope to soon get to topics here that can include some pictures. These long, picture-less, blogs are going to get tedious, and I may start losing some of my vast audience. Hang in there, please.

40 Gushes

Velda said she likes my gushes, so in honor of my 40th post, here's 40 things I can gush about.

1. Alex is 3/4 done his ALgebra 1 book and he just began 8th grade.
2. Connor is at least a grade ahead of his age in almost every subject.
3. Kenzie is, too.
4. Taylor can read at a second grade level.
5. Tyler can play piano.
6. Bekah is cute.
7. Kearsyn is cute, too.
8. Vicki is an incredible mother, and she puts up with me, too.
9. I've taught my kids more than they would have learned in school.
10. Alex is a naturally nice person who helps others because he wants to.
11. Connor sings, plays piano, and is a fantastic soccer player.
12. Kenzie excels in so many areas that she can't find time to do everything she's good at.
13. Taylor loves to read to us.
14. Tyler can ride his bike for miles and miles.
15. Bekah can get her own cookies.
16. Kearsyn is still cute even when's crying.
17. Vicki can be up all night with the baby, and still cart the kids all over the place when I'm out of town.
18. My kids like me, even though I yell sometimes (that's from Kenzie).
19. Alex can prepare lunch for all the kids.
20. Connor makes up his own jokes and then laughs at them.
21. Kenzie changes diapers.
22. Taylor plays with Bekah.
23. Tyler sometimes helps McKenzie with the chickens at 6 am.
24. Bekah loves giving kisses to her little sister.
25. Kearsyn will eventually get her days and nights straightened out.
26. Vicki hasn't said "no" to kid #9.
27. I have been blessed, by God, to be part of this family.
28. Alex has been complimented by numerous other coaches on his reffing performance.
29. Connor faces his greatest fears, and conquers them.
30. Kenzie has asked to get her hair cut, to be donated to Locks of Love.
31. Taylor has been learning how to play chess.
32. Tyler thinks it's cool to go with his dad, wherever and whenever that may be.
33. Bekah falls asleep on my belly.
34. Kearsyn brings out the best in all her siblings.
35. Vicki is more than I deserve.
36. I get along with my sister better than when we were kids.
37. We have friends that bring us dinner occassionally.
38. We have family close by.
39. We have what we need, and more.
40. They say, count your blessings, but that's impossible; they're too numerous.