[tias: Langley Baseball Championship Game.]

We've tried a few things with Tias ... a couple of years with hockey being the biggest waste of time.  Then - Tias tried T-Ball a couple of years ago ... that was when his love for baseball began.

After our "big move" from Cloverdale to Langley, we had a couple of options in regards to what city Tias would play for ... we chose the Langley division and are SO glad we did.  His team was full of great kids and we were literally astounded at his growth this year.  It just "clicked".

Lu was an active parent on the team ... manning the pitching machine when they used it (it was used for the final tournament to make sure that the games moved along, and to save the 8-year-old-arms *grin*) ... Lu was more than that.  He LOVED this team ... 

Tias' greatest strength is his hitting.  These are pics from the game before the finals - the game that brought them TO the finals.  

I love this ... Lu is actually CHEERING a team player on (it looks like he's about to kill someone, but he wasn't mad at all LOL) ... 

Then?  The next inning, a double play ... and Tias was manning first base - and caught for the third Out.  That meant - the finals.

Some team love for Tias ... 

A team photo before some lunch and the final game ... 

Tias insisted on a silly pic *grin* ...

You could never tell, but Lu was so nervous about the next game.  

After some lunch - it was time.  The Final Game.

We were up 5-0 in after the first inning ... and then, got the other team out with no runs during the second inning.  

Then 5-3.

We needed more runs ... come ON Tias *grin*.  Here he is, rounding 2nd base ... 

 ... heading to third, being cheered on by Lu *grin* ...

... then home.

SAFE!!

 Tias played catcher ... he LOVES playing catcher, which is super cute because my dad (his Baba) played catcher on many teams ... 

The coaches ... and Lu *grin* ... 

... what a stud.

... and Baba was there with his sunflower seeds, listing of stats and enjoying every moment *grin*.

A little pep-talk between innings ... 

Tias is such a great hitter ... 

... ready to slide into third ... 

"GO GO GO GO GO !!!!" yelled coach Tim, after the other team fumbled ... 

... and Tias made it home.  YEAH!!!!

We were up 10-8 ... and then?  Lucas caught a pop-fly for the winning out!!!  And Tias started jumping up and down ... no need to play the bottom half of the inning - we WON!!!

... Coach Tyler jumped onto Lu.  HA!

... the team all came running, cheering, jumping ... 

They honoured the 2nd place team ... 

and received their medals.

Andrew and Seth presented their team with the trophy ... 

They started off the year as underdogs.  In fact, their very first game was against this same team - and they lost.  Then ... something happened.  These kids just "clicked" and got it together ... and man, did they play WELL.

Afterwards?  Coach Tyler gave a heart-felt speech on how to apply this win to their lives.  To always try, to always work hard ... such a great coach, willing to teach life-lessons after a great accomplishment and team effort.

PHEWF.  A massive post ... but it was a massive day.  So proud of you, Tias ... love you s much xo.

Have a great one!

[talk: Year End Piano Recital.]

It was a very successful year ... at least at the end *grin*.

With us going away to Australia and New Zealand, and some other scheduling conflicts - piano didn't seem to really get going for us until ... well ... January??  Eek.  That's embarrassing ... but the truth.

Mattias did well in the festival in March, placing with a silver certificate in Preliminary piano.  From there, he moved along quickly - completing all of his Grade 1 Piano requirements from March until June.  It was like something just "clicked" ... thank the Good Lord *grin*.  He has big goals for next year, wanting to complete Grade 2 and Grade 3 Piano by June of next year.  He can do it ... especially if my mom helps (Hi mom, are you reading this???). 

This was Josiah's first year in piano ... our lack of consistency kept him behind, but since January he really improved.  I often find him at the piano, practicing his "five-finger-exercise" and playing past pieces.  He loves it ... 

But what the boys love MOST, is when their Nanny practices with them.  She has a gift ... and the time that they spend with her is invaluable.  They love the one-on-one time, it gives me a break (because they won't listen to me anyways, even though I have 3 music degrees of my own ... ), and my mom loves it too.  Win, win, win.

The year-end recital was small and cozy.  Their teacher has down-sized her studio considerably over the last few years ... and I'm just happy that she's willing to keep things going with our kids.  They love her.  And they loved that their family came to support them ... these moments are moments that kids REALLY cherish.

This pic of my friend, Ron, is because he always talks of his performance of the "Bronze Bear".  Apparently - it was life-changing to those who listened to it *grin*.  This was the piece that Mattias chose this year, and as he performed it - Ron looked over at me and I captured this *grin*.  

Afterwards, he went up to Mattias and raved about his performance ... what a good guy.

Because her studio was an intimate group, Karen decided to affirm each student by having them stand up at the front and telling the audience a little about each one.  I thought it was beautiful - and watching your child be affirmed in front of others makes you feel like your heart is going to explode.

She talked about their musical accomplishments, of course - but also told of their character and little stories about things they may have said or done in class.  Really great.

So a BIG thank you to Karen, and to my mom, for another successful year.  

And now ... summer break.  Phewf!!

Have a great one!

[talk: Three. Nine.]

Three.   Nine.

Thirty.  Nine.

No, no ... three-nine sounds so much better *wink*.

Yup ... I've been three-nine for a little over a month now - and it's been an interesting month.  Turning three-nine was a bit of a slap-in-the-face ... but necessary, I guess.  I mean ... I can't avoid it, um, unless I'm dead? And I've got a whole lot of living before that happens!  I hope ... 

Getting older means the obvious - feeling ... old.  So, one of the things that I've been consciously aware of - is watching how I think of those who are younger than me.  In fact, my hubby and I have been intentional in getting to know some of those who are just starting their adult life - and we've really enjoyed the process of "bridging the gap"over these last few months ... 

Here's what I've learned ... 

1.  It's up to me to be the adult, not those younger than me.  So many times have I heard those who are 40+ muttering about the 20-year-olds.  I've listened, and sometimes agreed with - how the 40+ feel in regards to being shoved out, replaced ... but wait - maybe it should be up to US to show ourselves friendly and to include THEM.  Leading by example, being the grown up ... 

2.  Here's another thing I've learned:  they want to be like US, if we're doing it right.  So - get rid of the notion that you're not cool enough, or whatever your hang up is.  If you're living a life worth living - then others will want to glean off of it.  Those younger than us will want to BE us one day ... so get over yourself.  Be inclusive - stomp on your fears of insecurity.

3.  The importance of having a teachable spirit.  Here's the thing - just because we're *cough cough* older, doesn't mean we know everything.  In FACT ... it's not even a bad thing to admit that *grin*.  And again, leading by example - it's important to show those younger than us that it's ok to NOT know everything.  I hear it over and over that the twenty-somethings think they know-it-all ... and I have to smile.  Because, how could THEY possibly know it all, when clearly - we do *BIG WINK*.

I say, bridge the gap.  Those who are older - step out.  Teach.  LOVE.  Those who are younger - accept.  Be willing to listen.  LOVE.

Hmm.  Deep, eh?

Ok ... on a closing note - I came back from my annual "Pink Phoenix" girl's-trip a couple of weeks ago - and we did it again.  Yup.  Our photo-shoot for us old-ladies who aren't afraid to chuckle-it-up in front of the camera.  I actually needed some new pics for my RHP website - so happy NR was able to capture these for me ... 

So.   I've done thirty-seven, thirty-eight and now thirty-nine.  Looking back at those pics, has been so good for me.  I remember what I was going through - I remember how I thought of myself.  And this year?  I feel stronger, smarter, better, happier than ever before.   That doesn't mean I don't ever feel down-in-the-dumps, ugly, stupid, irrelevant ... of course I have those moments too.  But I'm determined to make this the best year ever ... 

I love my family, I love my church, I love my job.  Life is good ... and even when it isn't, it still really is.  As I get older, my eyes continue to be opened to what REAL struggles others have - and it has put to rest a lot of my selfish belly-aching.  I'm still learning - still make mistakes - but getting older can actually mean getting better.  I think that's a good thing.

So.  That's where I'm at right now ... and I hope that you're doing well - that the things the Lord is placing on your heart will have a harvest of great fruit in His perfect time.

Have a great one!