strep throat

last game of the season

any guesses?

the circus

baseball season is just around the corner

 Graham and his "twin" Molly.  She wore his baseball uniform for a school project.  With their brown hair and brown eyes, they could be brother and sister.

And then there's the baby.  Always good for a laugh.

dodgeball tourney

For I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4

snowy days

These are my valentine's playing in the snow.  Sweet sweet boys.  Missed getting a picture of the older boy.  He was at our neighbor's house shoveling their driveway.

Just because.  That's love.

there was no way for me to blog it better than this

http://itsthesuttonslife.blogspot.com/2012/02/one-of-best-times-of-year.html?showComment=1329239559753#c2832654415997847671

the polar plunge of 2012

Marythekay

Happy birthday to one of the best friends I have ever had. I'll never forget how our friendship grew years ago out of a need to fill our time and not be home alone while the guys traveled.  You have been a solid rock for me, you've talked me down off of many a ledge, you've made me laugh until I cried and then laughed some more, you've loved my family as your own, you've spoken truth into my life and you've made me a better wife and mother.  I look to you for advice, encouragement, and humor.  I cannot imagine what my life would be life if I were walking this journey without you beside me.  Thank you for being exactly who God created you to be.  Thank you for being a friend.

Maybe I'll break out in to a MWS song shortly or better yet, the theme song from the Golden Girls.  I'll call you with that rendition later.

Proverbs 27:17  As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. 
(or woman for that matter.)

discovery

It's really nice to have your own personal Einstein to walk you through the hands on science center.

sister

mama's gotta have lunch with her friends even if there are little people involved

the last couple of weeks

 The rowdies...never in my life have I seen such school spirit.

 Teammates to the bitter end.

 The entire 8th grade BB team.  They suffered a sad loss.  Only one loss this entire season.  They are an incredible group of boys.  I have so much to learn from them.

 Preschool basketball...sort of like a circus.

 But they can run.  Everyone of them.

 Brotherly advice...knock them down and take the ball.  Nice.

 Rooting for the team.

 Teammates since the age of 3.

 Fully engaged.

Basketball, like all sports, is so much like life.  Most days we find ourselves fully engaged in the game, dribbling up and down the court, popping three pointers and draining free throws.  And then other times, we find ourselves sitting on the bench, not playing and rarely of our own choosing.

And on that bench, we have two choices.  We can either sulk because we are not one of the five on the court, or we can root for our team in hopes to be put in at some point.  My boys play sometimes and they sit sometimes.  And as I watch their faces while they are sitting, I wonder what's going on in their heads in that moment.  From where I sit, I cannot tell whether they are engaged or sulking.

And then I wonder, am I fully engaged in my life or am I sulking because I am always wanting more out of it? Am I content on the bench where God has placed me or am I pouting because I want to be on the court?  And what if I never get on the court?  Can I be okay where I am sitting?

I think if I were to answer those questions several years ago the results may have been different than they are today.  And honestly, some days I do want more.  Some days I want a "real" job.  Not the stay at home kind of job.  Some days I want someone else to do the vacuuming and dusting while I go sit in a cool high rise office making really high powered decisions.

However, in reality, I am content right where I am.  As hard as it is, I don't want one thing to change.  I love this life.  I love sitting on the bench right where God has planted me.  And even as I try to type out my thoughts, I hear my four year old crying and I am losing my train of thought, but I am content.  Content to root on my teammates in hopes for a victory.  And I'll cheer when we win, and I might cry when we lose, but in the end, we are all a part of God's amazing story.

And I am so honored He chose me to play just a small part.