Happy Birthday Little Man!!

I LOVE YOU BUNCHES!

Weekend Recap

Bradley played in his first tournament this weekend at Holiday Park. Friday night was their first game as the Iowa Cobras. The last few years their tournament team was the Carlisle Cubs, but the boys wanted something "tougher" sounding. They lost Friday night, and got rained out on Sat. Sunday the boys played two games and lost both of those, although one was very close. Bradley pitched great on Sunday, but the batting is proving to be a problem once again. He just cannot seem to make contact. Hopefully we can figure out how to help him be more successful in this area.

I didn't mean to click on this picture and tried to get rid of it, but couldn't so I guess you get to see my new phone! I didn't get it this weekend, but Oh well. I love it, and am still trying to figure it all out. I did get some headphones for it this weekend so I can listen to the MP3 player on it. I still need to customize the rings for my family. Even though it's my phone, Bradley knows his way around it much better than I do! Kids and technology go together these days. They are so uninhibited, and scared of it (like I admit that I am!).
We had a visit from cousins and so enjoyed our time together! My brother Dave and his family came to stay Saturday night and got to go to Bradley's baseball game with us. That was such a treat! We all live hours away from each other, so our family doesn't often get to see each other, let alone any of the activities the kids are in.

Little Emma Grace helped me cook breakfast on Sunday morning. I couldn't believe how well she could crack eggs (only a couple of shells snuck in the bowl!). This sweet smile is definitely a front for the naughty little self that lies inside! She is a handful, but her cuteness makes up for it!

I got a mandevilla for Carolyn last year for Mother's Day, and she and Doyle (as well as several who have come to their home) have commented numerous times how beautiful it has been. I was wanting something on the other side of my front door, and thought this would be perfect. The container it is in now isn't very sturdy, so I'd like to put it in a larger (prettier) pot as soon as I have the chance. And, for the grand finale- the big news at the Hydorn house...

Brennan is now two-wheeled and lovin' it!

Daddy took the training wheels off about a month ago, and we've been out different times holding on to the back of the bike and running beside him, but he just didn't have much balance yet. Dad worked with him again this afternoon while I was gone, and now he's riding like it's old hat! He had a couple of falls, but he got right back up and got back on! What a great way to end his 7th year of life. Tomorrow my baby will be 8!! (Gary has talked to me about calling him "baby" because he's not a baby anymore. I know that, of course, but he will ALWAYS be my baby. I will just try not to call him "baby" in public)!

Well, I'd best be off to bed. Another week awaits!

Ahh....spring at last

I have been so ready to get some color on my front porch! I found these cute planters at Dollar General over a month ago, and have been waiting to fill them! I decided to go with lots of color this year instead of sticking with one color, like I sometimes do. I love the orange flowers and those big yellow marigolds. My mom used to have lots of marigolds every year around the house- and petunias- lots of those! That's probably why I do too. This adorable wagon planter came from Gordmans. Have I ever mentioned how much I love love LOVE that store! Anyway, it went perfectly with my colored planters. I cannot believe it, but I have never had any geraniums before! I don't know why because I love them. When I saw these beautiful pink ones, I had to get them! This is sitting right outside my front door and it just makes me smile every time I walk by it.


Lots and lots going on lately! Ballgames galore, working late tutoring with extra students studying and preparing for finals, Gary's been busy at work, and finishing up the school year with my homeschool girls. It will start to settle down a little bit next week, and I'll plan to post some more. But I need to get to cleaning the house right now. It has been terribly neglected as of late!

Happy Mother's Day Mom. I miss you!

The following poem was in our church bulletin several years ago, but I loved it so much, I saved it in one of my scrapbooks. I thought it was appropriate to share today. It's called YOUR ANGEL ON EARTH.

A child preparing to be born asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God answered, "Among the many angels, I chose one for you. She will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child paused and again addressed God, "But tell me, here in Heaven, I don't do anything else but sing and smile, that's enough for me to be happy."

"Your angel will sing for you and also smile for you every day, and you will feel your angel's love and be happy, " God replied.

"Oh," the child said, "and how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't understand the language that men speak" And then glancing at God the child asked, "What am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God softly touched the child on the head and said, "Your angel will place your hands together and teach you how to pray."

The child then asked, "I have heard on earth that there is evil. Who will protect me?"

"Ah," God answered, "your angel will defend you even if it means risking her own life."

"But I will be sad because I will not see you anymore."

"Your angel will talk to you about me and will teach you the way for you to come back to me, even though I will always be next to you," God explained.

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from earth could already be heard, and the child in a hurry asked softly, "Oh God, if I am about to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."

Sweetly, God looked at the child and whispered, "Your angel's name is of no importance. You will simply call her M-O-M."

Some recent pics

These are the Hydorn cousins- Brennan, Bradley, Hayden, Hanna, and Haley. This was taken a couple of weeks ago when they came up for the boys' ballgames.









I really like this picture of the boys. I wanted to get some of them in their baseball uniforms, and soon the little photo shoot gets out of my control, but I keep snapping away, and I'm glad I did. Just plain fun and natural smiles- those are the best!

These are the two girls I homeschool. We went to the Tulip Festival on Friday and I got them to pose in front of some beautiful salmon colored ones. It's a good thing I got this one (taken within the first 5 minutes we were there) as they soon got tired of me wanting to take their pictures!

Bradley had a band concert last night. Hopefully it won't be his last, however we are still discussing whether he is going to be in band next year or not. He doesn't want to be, but I really hate to see him quit. I figured I'd better take a picture in case I don't get another chance!

Where did the weekend go?

I can't believe the weekend is just about over! I felt like I ran non-stop! Here's a summary...

*Went to the Tulip Festival in Pella for the very first time! Can't believe I've lived in Iowa all of my life and never been there! I took my homeschool girls, and we avoided the rain. It rained the eve. before and was just starting when we were leaving. Although the tulips were beautiful (I love tulips- one of my favorites!) there were so many that weren't open yet.
*Attended 5 baseball games overall- Bradley had two and won them both, and Bren had 3. He won 1 out of 3.
*Took Mady to the mother-daughter tea at our church where Gracia Burnham was speaking. I read her book In the Presence of Mine Enemies several years ago accounting her capture in the Phillipine Jungle. After a year in captivity, her husband was killed in a gun battle, and she was shot in the leg. She was such an inspiration!
*Taught children's church for both services.
*Baked and brought treats for our small group this evening. The bacon bread was a hit!
*Tried to take a nap this afternoon in between umpires coming for their pay (Gary is the Little League treasurer and takes care of all of that)
*Ordered pizza from the new little pizza joint in town. The sauce was a little spicier than I like, but it was alright.

Now to get ready for the week ahead. Yesterday was National Scrapbooking Day, and I didn't do one scrappy thing! Maybe this week??? (in my dreams perhaps)

A few layouts...

Thought I'd post some recent "springy" layouts in honor of this May Day! This is a picture from last Easter when we were all in Durant (except Dan's family) all ready for church. The paper is all crooked in the pic, but not in real life. I'm going to photograph these differently next time and see if I can fix that. Anyway, I purposely put everyone in front of the FOX 10 0 6 on the house knowing it would be the last time we'd have an Easter celebration there. This next one is one of my favorite layouts- I absolutely love this Garden Party stuff from MM. I love the pastel prints, and anything glittery is right up my alley! I wish I could have cropped out the ugly stop sign in the background, but oh well.

Can you tell I'm into the scalloped paper right now! I love it! This one documents a surprise gift of flowers from my husband- just because!

That's it for now. I gotta go get busy.