Last But NOT Least - Proud Moments Part IV

Wow. This post was originally planned for Friday, but as you can see, it didn't happen. My Friday was filled with an end of the year awards assembly for Little Ann, the first day of my weekend yard sale with friends, and a high school graduation in the big city for another graduate on Pete's side of our family. It was a late night. Saturday was more of the same, and Sunday...well, Sunday brought rain and who can resist a nap on a rainy Sunday? And today, I know it's Memorial Day. I pay my tribute to our soldiers...past and present.

And so now, here is my post.

Even though I'm a little behind schedule, I don't want to make light of this proud moment by any means. It is probably one of the proudest moments I have ever experienced aside from the day my Big Dan was born. It's been a little over a week since this special day, but the memory is still so fresh and lingers in my mind as I attempt to adjust to the fact that my little boy is not so little anymore.

He graduated.

My heart was just overflowing with all kinds of emotions the moment he put on this attire. I can't even explain it. I wanted to cry, but I held back tears. Mainly because I had so many people already at my house and it was hectic trying to snap photographs and get there early enough to get good seats. I couldn't grasp the moment then like I had done the night before. I sat for hours watching a slide show of my favorite photographs from days gone by. I watched it a hundred times, and I admit...I sat there feeling sorry for myself for some time, but I needed it. I was able to get most of my emotion under control before the actual ceremony.

What can I say? I love this boy so much. And I am so proud of him for what he is and more importantly what he is to become.


We had a wonderful celebration with family and friends at our home afterwards. It was a night I will always remember. I am so proud.

Proud Moments - Part III

I have to admit, sometimes I felt like I was boring you to death with my baseball posts and pictures, but I have some friends and family that actually may've been interested in keeping up with Big Dan and our team's progress. And then, of course, there are others of you that I know have kids in competitive sports that can totally understand how these things can consume your life for a season. And there is no feeling in the world like the feeling you get watching your child excel.

If you kept up with my blog, you will know that our school is a small school. A 2A classification. It is the school I graduated from and although it is growing, we will always remain close knit and be oh so proud of our achievements. Our baseball coach actually graduated a year ahead of me, coached one year at the college level, and then came back home to his roots to take our little school to do great things where baseball is concerned. He is one of the best coaches in our state...and everybody knows it.

Not only is our team full of talented players (that sometimes works to a disadvantage when you have so many that can play so well)....(at least for Big Dan). That kind of meant less playing time when he had to share the spot for 1st base, and his competition was also a Senior and had a better batting average. Oh Well. Anyway, not only are they good athletes, but they have good attitudes. Our coach has led us to the State level for the past 3 years in a row taking home the title last year.

We made it to the Championship game this year as well....and I must say, I was proud.

Proud to be a citizen of our community. Proud to have a student at this school. Proud to have a talented athlete on this winning team. What an exciting day.

The game was crazy. We made a few errors, had a few bad calls, had a 30 minute rain delay, and ultimately lost the game by one point.

But Big Dan played. And he played hard.

And he cheered hard...for the last batter who would feel the pressure. Big Dan is on 3rd and one run would tie the game. Not to mention it was the last out. What a nail biting moment.

But it was a line drive to shortstop.

So the game would be over. I'll never forget those long faces and tears that ran down the black marked cheeks of those tough baseball guys. They wanted it so bad.

Runners up or not. They played their hearts out and I was so happy that Big Dan could be a part of something so memorable.

And Proud.

Proud: (adjective) Feeling or showing pride. Having self-esteem. Very pleased.

Photo taken on Kris' home town visit. Little Rock, Arkansas

And have I mentioned how proud I am to be from the great state of Arkansas today?

Proud Moments - Part II

Anytime anything makes your kids smile, it's bound to make you smile too. I've been smiling alot lately, because it seems....well, my kids have been happy.

And so, that makes me happy...not to mention proud.

I told you here about a book report Little Ann was working on. She had to be dressed in character, it all had to be memorized, and had a minimum time limit. She had to audition because the book report would be presented at the 5th grade's annual Accelerated Reading "History" pageant which included the entire elementary and a slew of parents.

So..don't mind me if I brag just a little. She made it through the audition phase with top score ensuring her a place in the spotlight. She was ecstatic! Lucky for me, her book was "The Long Winter" by Laura Ingalls Wilder and she already had a costume that would work perfectly.

And so the time came.

And it was a flawless performance. She was technical, cute and witty. I was grinning from ear to ear.

And guess what?

She won. Along with Johhny Appleseed in the Male category.

I don't even think it was the bribe she brought the judges. She was just really that good. And I'm not partial. Just proud.

My Week of Proud Moments

I know I haven't blogged in almost a full 7 days. Shame on me. I was told by a reader recently that he (yes, I have a few male readers) get's tired of going to my page to find the same post as I'm sure others of you do as well. Oops! Maybe since summer is right around the corner, I will have more time to dedicate to the blog world again.

I have big plans for this summer. I hope to get lots of scrapbooking done, watch a little more baseball (American Legion), go on a mission trip and a couple of family outings, and of course attempt to be a more faithful blogger.

For the rest of this week, (if I can figure out how to get some video on here), I plan to share a few of my recent proud moments with you. It has been a crazy, emotional few weeks and I've got lots of things to tell you about.

Proud Moment number 1 - is yea for me...I just noticed that I have been blogging almost a year and I am posting number 207. Wow.. who would have thought I would have so much to say. haha.. (no need to comment on that, Pete)

I will be back with more proud moments (and I promise that was the only one regarding me!)

Oh yeah!! How could I forget? How about those Bachelors last night on "The Bachelorette"? I'm excited to get to blog about some reality tv again!!