Utah's hand

We went to the convenience care clinic today and he has a fracture - he called it boxer's hand. Utah isn't even sure how it happened... he punched home plate on Monday out of frustration.. but no pain or problem throughout the week and played in two more baseball games. On Saturday morning he woke up and his hand was swollen (and he doesn't recall anything in Friday night's game).. it stayed swollen all day and by today it was unbearable, so we went to the convenience care clinic for x-rays. We will have to get an appointment with Dr. Cooper and see what is next.. we are hoping to avoid the 'surgical' option that was presented by the emergency physician....

Utah is very upset... he is bummed he is not going to be playing baseball this season most likely and he is loosing weeks of work out time for off season football... poor kid!

We had to 'make' him smile.. he was not happy at all!

Again, the smiles were only for the camera.. he was an unhappy kid.

Baseball 2009

Baseball season is here and the Julius family is loving it!!!! These pictures were taken before the first game of the season. Tod is coaching Utah's 14-15 yo team, aptly named the Rogers Hobos by the players. They wear mis-matched socks as part of the Hobo theme and are such a great bunch of kids. We have several players who have never played before and several who this is only their second season - so we are an 'expansion' team but we are improving each year. We have some young men that are truly role models in attitude and effort.

Several of the boys are Heritage students (or will be next year) and Utah has made some connections with those players. We are pleased because we are really worried and stressed about where Utah will go to school next year (Rogers no longer allows for in-district transfers for teachers except to the building in which the teacher/staff is working). We are zoned for Heritage but have our house on the market to move into RHS boundary because all of Utah's friends will be at RHS and a coach that we think is an exceptional man (Coach Caton) is an RHS football coach. However, as we have gotten to know these players it has occurred to us that God is comforting us through these young men and giving us the opportunity to see the caliber of students, teachers, and coaches at Heritage. It is truly in God's hands where Utah attends high school and we are blessed with the knowledge that Utah will be in great hands which ever high school he attends.

Utah and mom... you can't tell in this picture, but I am down 28 pounds and tried on 8's my last shopping trip.. goal is 6's.. but we will see, this last 10 to 15 pounds that I want to loose is hanging on pretty tight right now, but working out has really led to a loss in inches, too.. (sorry for the 'me' moment)... now, just have to buy new clothes so I don't have on such baggy stuff...

My handsome men... Tod has been such an awesome, patient coach. He has pushed the boys (and practices this week are going to be intense)... but he has remained positive and has really kept his eye on the goal of making each boy a better baseball player.... tough guys...

Recovered from testing...

Well, we are all recovered from testing at the Julius household. Tod and I had a great Saturday night.. dinner and a movie... overnight at a local hotel... and home by 10am Sunday morning ready to get back into the swing of things. Tuesday stayed with Utah and they went to a movie, out to eat Andy's, and hung out together watching TV. A storm hit in the evening and I was a little worried, but all did fine... it is so nice to have Utah and Tuesday spending time together. I am doubtful that many "almost 21'ers" would take time out of every weekend to visit with their 13 year old brother, but she does, without being asked. We are so glad she is close to home.. and home with us often. We (Tuesday, Keely, and I) got pedicures on Friday... Keely is so adorable and so much like one of my own!

I am scanning more pictures this weekend and all week.. get ready for some fun old photos!

Happy Birthday Tod!!!! (with corrected link)

This is NOT NOT NOT the cake I ordered... WHY is it blue? WHY does it say what it says? WHY does it say "your" and not "you're".. maybe the cake director learned how to follow directions from the average middle school student, NO, wait a minute, the middle schoolers listen much better! AHG! Thank goodness Tod is such an awesome Dad and good sport!

Tod had a fun birthday.. he came home early, popped popcorn and watched the movie, "That Thing You Do!" for the 1,000,000th time... he loves that movie and Waterworld (which also happened to be on today, his birthday... wow...)....

He rec'd cute little candy cards from his family that said things like "You are a smartie (with the candy) pants, but your advice is usually a lifesaver (with the candy)" and "I know I can be an airhead (candy!), but I was no dum-dum (candy!) when I married you"... cute, annoying, and funny... perfect for a birthday!

Tod.. eating the blue bomb....

I constantly get hassled for not being in any of the family photos.. so I made a conscious effort to be included in the photos below...

Tuesday and mom... being Tuesday and mom... on the computer... stalking... actually, we were checking out this awesome blog Tuesday found called www.cakewrecks.blogspot.com (put a link on my blog).. you MUST check it out.. we were cracking it up! BTW - should have put on lipstick, getting too old for winging it in pictures :-)
My and my hubby... he is so handsome... my hair was having bang issues.. not sure what I did today when I got ready, but testing obviously affected my ability to style my hair :-)

Utah and I being goofy... he is such a goofball.. we couldn't quit laughing...

Birthday boy... me... and Utah (in the monkey shirt.. sheesh!).....

Birthday boy... adorable daughter.. and me, with goofy, odd bangs... blah!

Utah.. eating the blue bomb... in the monkey shirt.. being goofy...
Birthday boy with adorable children (the monkey shirt is hiding :-))....
Hubby.. and me... happy... as always...

Rogers Hobos!

Baseball season has started and Tod is coaching Utah's 14-15 year old team. He has really enjoyed the practices and this age group. A couple random facts: a very generous parent built a portable mound for the team and Tod has only hurt his knee twice (going to be a good season)! Utah is playing short stop more than catcher this year and we are excited.. we have a great catcher on the team and they are both going to get the opportunity to play other positions. Hubb has been going to practices and it has really improved his behavior and he is getting some serious little kiddo time!

The schedule is at the following link: http://www.rogersbaseball.com/2009_13-15_Schedule.pdf, though it is difficult to read. I will try to find a way to post a link to a spreadsheet that just has our team included. When you look at this schedule, look for team Rogers 2 - T. Julius, which the players renamed to the Rogers Hobos! If you need directions to any of the fields, please just email or call.

We hope to see each of you there... let us know if you plan to attend.. I will be on a blanket somewhere off from the crowd with Hubb and who knows what else :-)!

some favs....

One of my most favorite pictures of Tuesday.. this is her 6th birthday and when she woke up from a nap, the big jumpy thing behind her had been set up and she got a softball glove from her daddy... she told us it was the best day of her life.. so far!!!! We love birthday celebrations... the laughs, the smiles, the giggles... and, of course, the cake!!

Tuesday in Color Day... her # on the basketball team was #21 and Utah had it shaved into the back of his head... a true fan, he adores his big sister!

This is Tod's mom and dad with Hannah, Tuesday, and Utah... Tuesday and Hannah have their little dolls and this is way before we cut Utah's hair for the first time... love those smiles...

This is one of our favorite Christmas morning pictures.. look at the sleepy grumpy faces and then the little cute Rudy behind Utah'[s head... cracks us up! Fond memories....