Ms. Effie's

Have you ever been to Ms. Effie's? When I try to explain it to friends my first statement is that we love it... the girls love it... and there are flowers, chickens, and kittens!

Ms. Effie's is:

a you-pick flower farm

constantly changing

a working farm and family

a great place to relax, reflect, and refresh

a place to go when you need to feel special (that feeling is given freely from the owner)

a place to bring me back to being a kid on a farm

beautiful.

Ms. Effie's is part of why we look forward to summer. In fact, when we made our first trip out there this year Greta started jumping up and down, cheering, and clapping when I said we were on our way. I want to share it with all my friends!

Little League - The End of the Season

I threw my baby to the wolves this softball season. Okay, I may be a bit dramatic but that is what it felt like at times. Little League is a whole other world from Dad's Club. There is a lot expected from the players and they are pushed beyond their experiences. Sometimes it felt like a fine line between "making or breaking."

The beginning of the season was rough. Gigi went from being a big fish in a little pond to being a teeny tiny fish in an ocean. This ocean was filled with fish who knew their stuff. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the girls on her team slept with their ball gloves under their pillow. Gigi would sleep with her DS under her pillow if we let her.

Gigi walked away from the season with an understanding of softball that she never had before. However, there are so many simple parts of the game that still elude her. She still isn't sure how the different positions are played. She has the general idea but not enough knowledge to keep from getting yelled at by the coach if she makes an error from ignorance. When situations like that occurred I had to do my best to keep the mama bear under control. I felt embarrassed and hurt for her- probably far more than she did.

Having fun and feeling good about yourself is the key to success. Gigi has the affliction of being the first born and is a whiz at school. So, when she isn't the best of the best she wants to quit. Not this season. She didn't even mutter the words. Way to stick with it G! Her hard work paid off. By the end of the season she was consistently hitting the ball, stealing bases, and living the life.

Parents, be prepared... Little League is more like grown up sports. It isn't for the faint of heart - and I am just talking about my feelings as a parent. In the span of a couple of hours your heart can be broken and then burst with pride over and over. I am looking forward to next year - I must love the abuse.

Kudos to the Military Spouse Magazine

This month's issue of Military Spouse has some wonderful articles... and a special page that features ETSY products. I always have some skepticism when I pick up the current issue. The magazine is supposed to represent the average military spouse but like most magazines out there... the items recommended for purchase are way too expensive, the clothes aren't made in my size, and the models could not have possibly had children because they have an unbelievably flat stomachs and perky... uhm... attitudes.

This issue has the Military Spouse of the Year on the front. She looks like someone I would want as my friend. There is an article about moms who take road trips with their kids while there husbands are TDY or deployed. Trust me, that is AMAZING! And I must have the fingerprint necklace (even if I have to save up for it). I think I'd rather have fingerprints of my kids but the idea of having one of your spouse is sweet.

Good job Military Spouse. Two thumbs up... this month.

Promises and the oil

While we were at the Arch I stumbled across this statement from Red Cloud. It just touched my heart. It made me think about how beautiful and respected North America was during the times of the American Indians. How do we take care of the land that our great grandchildren will rely upon? Do we respect it? Do we care? Is it too much work to take the couple of minutes to recycle more or think about what we throw in the trash?

Gene made the comment that most people probably don't really care about the BP oil spill that is destroying so much land and sea life because it doesn't directly effect us here in middle America. Don't get me wrong... I know everyone would agree that it is a terrible thing. There have been so many blunders. I think about it on a daily basis but Gene's comment is true... it isn't effecting me in my day to day life... yet. What more can I do to make a small difference so my children and my grandchildren aren't the ones paying the price?

I pray for wisdom for the decision makers involved and the hope that something positive will come from this tragedy.

St. Louis Zoo

To think, they let us escape.

By the end of the day my ankles were swollen to the size of an...

and we were all getting as grumpy as a...

gosh, we really needed a nap after such a fun day at the zoo.

All You Need Is Love

The universal symbol of L.O.V.E.

St. Louis Arch

The St. Louis Arch - The Gateway to the West

Gene's beloved Cardinal's Stadium

The girls at the bottom.

Wow! Things have changed since the last time I went to the Arch... uhmmm... about 20 years ago. It is a sight to see and experience. Gene and the girls took the ride up to the top but you couldn't have paid me to get into that tiny little cart shaped like a round of cheese. I enjoyed an Imax movie about Louis and Clark while they took their rocket ride to the top. Yep, you guessed it, they didn't have an Imax theatre at the Arch in early 80's... or maybe it was the 70's.