Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today my best friend turned 40 years old. I may need to remind you that I come from a family that birthdays are not simply remembered, but celebrated ... with cards, gifts, dinners out and much more! Now Jeff's family is just as happy to let a birthday come and go without acknowledgement. Sorry honey, you married into the wrong family. Knowing I could never pull off a "surprise" anything...as my husband's intuition is uncanny. In the first year's of our relationship I would get frustrated and mad and even try to scheme better (is that saying?). Finally I have given up. I know when I have met my match. So now, I simply let him in on the planning and leave the surprising up to him (you might be surprised just how clueless I am when it comes to people planning things). Yesterday we kicked off Jeff's birthday with a dinner at Munchie's with his family. Today continued to celebration with the TinCaps game. Although it was hot, I was a smart mommy and packed swim suits for the TinCaps fountain. Jeff got to watch the end of the game from the outfield seats and my girls got to cool off. Jeff's birthday dinner tonight was Taco Bell...yes, my friends, he picked Taco Bell. That's my husband, never wanting anything fancy or attention drawn to himself. God probably knew that someday he'd have three needy women in his life, three women whom he loves to give attention to and dress fancy.

League Champs!!

At last, the season ends. We ended Carlie's regular season of softball last week, and this week began the single elimination league tournament. The girl's came together this week and brought home the championship. Carlie has found her niche in catching. She enjoys it, and quite frankly, is pretty good at it. I can't believe my "girlie girl" likes putting on that HOT equipment...but she does. Our team this year was made up of great families who cared about the kids more than the game. Don't get me wrong, we had a couple of "heated coach moments." But for the majority of the games, our coaches congratulated other players on good catches and hits, helped the other team in the outfield, and all in all showed great Christlike sportsmanship. Again, don't let me fool you - we WANTED to win...but ultimately the girls just liked to play the game and trade silly bands. Now...add a trophy to the win, and Carlie REALLY wanted to win!! Jeff now thinks he needs to retire from coaching. Winning league championship in Carlie's first year of instructional softball was just too much. Where can we go from here? So, I am going to by stock in sunscreen, bottled water and seat cushions, as I can predict many more hours spent on wood bleachers yelling at my girls to do their best.

RiverFest 2010

Don't you love the watermelon icee stained lips?

Today we attended Fort Wayne's first (annual?) RiverFest at IPFW. Free events and arts for everybody. Well, why not attend? It's free! We were worried about the cloudy skies in the morning, but God blew away the clouds and brought us blue skies. The event was a huge success. Booth after booth, game after game, for the kids - all free. We got balloon animals, made sand candy, petted an African centipede, jumped in a bouncy house, sat in a fire truck, crawled through an ambulance (tired yet?), followed water bubbles, played putt putt, played a violin, got schooled on sunscreen, watched people barefoot on the river, played a trombone, ate slushies, ran into several old friends, had some ribs, whew....and sweated, a lot! If you missed this year's RiverFest, mark your calendars for next year my friends. The festival even goes into the evening with bands and fireworks. Perhaps next year....kids during the day...date at night? Hmmm...too early to plan a year ahead? Never too early to plan!




I just love this picture...sweaty heads and true summer smiles....

Another Summer Weekend

Another summer weekend at the Ringger's Pond. On Saturday, we gathered at mom & dad's this weekend for Father's Day. This week has been a rough one on the Ringger family. God holds each plan for our lives in His hands, but this week, I found myself asking "why?" more often than I normally do. As my sister's each struggled this week, my heart hurt for them. Sometimes I don't realize how close I am with my sisters until they are hurting, and as silly as it sounds, I physically hurt for them as well. My get stomach aches of nervousness right along with them. I wonder if Carlie and Lucy will have this type of bond. I wonder if years of playing in the big red barn, or the "apartment" basement had a founding of this bond. Perhaps. But I think the bonds of motherhood and maturity have brought us together as adults.

With the day spent swimming, riding golf carts and ended by a bonfire, I remind myself ... THIS is what summer is about. Not t-ball game after t-ball game, not swim lesson after swim lesson, camp after camp, but instead sitting on a swing with your mother-in-law enjoying an iced drink while watching your children play with their cousins, squealing with delight as they get squirted with a squirt gun. When I kissed my girls tonight, I could taste the chocolate from the ice cream, I could smell the Off and sunscreen on their skin. Yes, this is what summer is about. My prayer tonight is to enjoy each summer day, enjoy each family member I have close to me, and to not spend my time being "busy". Unless of course, busy means ice cream and swimming pools.

Saturday, Saturday!

Canal Days has came to New Haven! Unfortunately due to our softball schedule, today was the first day we got to enjoy it. Enjoyed it in 90 degree heat and almost 100% humidity. Yeah...we sweated a little. Okay, a lot! We started out the day walking for Upward Cheerleading & Football in the parade. The girls got to pass out candy...which they loved. Although about 3/4 the way through the parade, Lucy was ready to ride. Float we did not have. So she stuck it out and walked the rest of the way. I was proud of her! After the parade we had graduations parties (more humidity...more sweating...) and then we came back to the house to "cool off" and "snack up." After a couple of hours and a rain storm or two, we headed up to Canal Days to ride the rides. Our "little" Carlie has turned into quite the dare devil. The faster, the bigger the ride, she is all about it. We met up with her friend from school, and even she wasn't brave enough to ride some of the rides Carlie was riding. My heart stopped sometimes watching her ride those put-up-in-two-minutes rides. Many laughs were had by all...I think the pictures say it all!

FFBF = Fun Date Night!

My wonderful husband (of almost ten years!) planned a FFBF for my birthday. What is FFBF you may ask? Well, of course, it is Fabulous Fun Birthday Friday! Those who know me, know that I am a planner. Almost to a point of annoyance. But after planning so much, I WELCOME the idea of others stepping in...! Without me knowing, Jeff lined up an overnight stay with Grandma Barb, scored tickets to the TinCaps game, and even picked out our place for dinner - Flannagans! We started the night at JK O'Donnells with a little Irish cheer, and then headed over the game. It may sound funny...but a little "adult time" goes a long way! We actually got to WATCH the whole game...I got to drink my adult beverage at the game without it getting warm, and we had dinner at 10:00 P.M.!! We made him home before my carriage turned back into a pumpkin. What a great kick off to my "birthday week"!

Now..the rest of the story. This mama doesn't get out too often, and it being my birthday and all, after two adult beverages, I thought I was entitled to get my picture taken with the "Bad Apple Dancers" from the TinCaps.....and so I did. Oh dear.

Memorial Day Weekend

Where to start? Our weekend -- which was originally had NOTHING planned -- turned into fun, fun and even more fun!

On Saturday, we kicked off the Memorial Day Weekend with the Ringger clan...almost all of us! We've turned into quite the big crew! But as the babies keep coming, it just keeps us busier and adds more smiles to our faces. We swam, ate, sat in the sun, ate, rode the golf cart, ate, played bean bags, ate, laughed, and did I mention we ate? Never lack of food with our family. We also decided we are not sure we will ever get a good picture of ALL the grand kids. Or for that matter...one that won't be outdated in six months. We left tired, sunburned and covered with bug bites. I think bug spray expires. Just saying. At last count, Carlie had 17 mosquito bites - and I sprayed her!!




Sunday was recovery day. The girls in the house needed sleep. Poor Daddy had duties at church...so we were just wiping the sleepies from our eyes when he was heading to church. Everybody slept in until 8:45a! Even our early riser, Carlie!! Slow start to the morning, but steam was added as the day progressed. I got the front porch scrapped and repainted, Jeff got the upstairs porch patched and tarred, the girls painted a fence for their fairy garden. To finish the day, we went swimming (again!) at our neighbor's pool. Carlie has grown just enough over the winter to be able to touch this summer. I just can't stop that girl from growing. While we were swimming in the sunshine, Jeff was preparing our feast. Steaks, corn on the cob (thanks Grandpa Ringger!), and homemade foccasia bread. Early bedtimes, and snuggle time for mommy and daddy on the couch. Ahhh....weekend isn't finished yet!

On Monday, we continued our tradition of attending the Memorial Day Parade to salute and thank our veterans and service workers. This year we got to sit beside two good friends of Jeff's parents, Wayne and Patty. Wayne recently struggled with cancer, and had cardiac arrest, and too boot, is a Korean War Veteran. We laughed and laughed and enjoyed the parade even more this year than ever. Patty ooh'd and aah'd over the girls, and we just simply enjoyed the day with good people. We picnic'd at Johnny Appleseed's Grave and then headed to the pool ... again! Unfortunately, our pool time this day was cut short by storms and rain. Which ended up being a blessing. God so graciously watered our flowers after days of humid heat. The girls got early baths, comfy clothes, and Jeff and I even got to sneak in a nap. It is weekends like these that I am not just thankful for my family and friends....I am on my knees, praising the good Lord for what I have so undeservedly received. Can I get an Amen?