Toby and Cliff

I was remembering back to the fall of '05. I flew out to San Francisco for a fun weekend with all of my 2005 mlb draft class, all my professionals that I had just signed. So I drove a bunch of young "deer in the headlights" prospects down Lombard st., around San Fran and on to the ballpark. It was the off-season so no game for the giants. We all got out and stood at a gate overlooking the outfield and took it all in. Most of these guys had a million and change in the bank but were still fascinated by the big league park and how far it seemed from them. Fast-forward to today, just thirty-six months later, and Cliff Pennington is turning double plays for the A's. In a major league uniform, in a major league park, on a major league team.

I also remember back to going after Cliff as a client. I met with him at the Cheddar's in College Station, when he was a freshman. He was a great Christian kid, always making good decisions and surrounding himself with good people. I guess that is why I am so proud of him now. Cliff gets it. Sounding like an old Dad, he never got caught up, the game was never too big. He got drafted, signed, stuck his money in the bank and went and played baseball. He loved a Godly girl so he married her and they both are living the same influence and dream. He believes in his influence, so he makes known what his life stands for and welcomes everyone to be a part of the joy that he knows.

Its real simple with Cliff. I went to a 1pm game yesterday, and he is playing catch joking around out in the outfield like Im sure he did when he was 19, or 12, or 6. I guess thats why we are so proud of Cliff and Missy. They are who they are. They have success and influence because they are true to who God has made them. We are so proud of you guys.

Cliff and Missy Pennington Make it to the "Show"!!! Pictures from the Oakland A's & Texas Rangers Game, Love you guys!!!

Pictures from the TCU/SMU football game. Go Frogs!

"She's eatin' she's peas and she's carrots!"

This is one of those adorable pictures of baby's eating food...as parents we have to add pictures like this as a HUGE milestone of growth, why we love them so I will never know...but I love this pic, I love that Ainsley has food all over her precious little face and she does not care, she is happy as a lark. I could probably learn a lot from that. I also titled this little picture with one of my favorite Cadisms right now. I know it is a slight grammer misrepresentation and we know we will have to fix it :), but this is how he explains what Ainsley is eating. And just typing the words, "Mama, Ainsley's eatin' she's peas and she's carrots!" doesn't do it justice when it actually comes out of his adorable mouth, but I could not help but make that note for this picture!

Romo and Jessica sighting!!!!

Disclaimer: This post is published by Toby. Although I do have a secret passion for gossip magazines and I buy them for my wife so I can read them, this occurrence was really not that big of a deal....okay it was kind of cool.

Yesterday Cari and the kids and I went to the four seasons hotel in Irving to visit one of my former players, Cliff Pennington, who is the second basemen for the Oakland A's. He and his wife Missy were with the team as they are playing the Texas Strangers.

After about 30 minutes of chit chat in the lobby, Cari takes Cade and Ainsley to the bathroom and Cliff, Missy and I are talking off-season, contracts, etc. (all the old blab from the agent days.) As we are talking, a couple walks in and is standing right in front of us. My mind identifies that it is Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson as my speech trails off like a guy in brain surgery. Now I am not easily star-struck. I don't do memorabilia, I don't do autographs, and I have met and hung out with my fair share of pro athletes (you guys impressed? Scoreboard! Geez, I sound like a groupie.) However, the common everyday sighting of the "kris klein" likeness of Romo with the much-maligned Simpson in full glory was pretty cool.

Ironically, Romo was in generic Cowboy gear. He looked like every other 27-year-old in the metroplex. I could have plugged in Romo on my thursday night flag football team and nobody would have noticed. Normal. Random hair, style challenged, but normal. But the pride of JJ Pearce was a different story. She had a big flashing neon sign over her head that said, "I really want you to know that I am Jessica Simpson and my boyfriend is trying to be understated but I am definetely not."

Missy, Cliff's wife, in her sweet small voice said after the encounter, "I didn't have my glasses on so at first all I could recognize was, 'oh that girl's top fits a little small.'" So to leave out details, I will leave it at that, they meandered their way to the elevator, whilst Cari is in the Ladies room changing a poopie diaper.

As I tell Cari what she has missed just outside the door to the restroom, we are surpassed by the red-haired greatness of Ashley Simpson, Mamma Simpson, and 6 or 7 simpson handlers or hangers on. Mamma Simpson commented on Ainsley, which was pretty cool, and bless Ashley's heart, she just looked really tired.

In conclusion, lesson re-learned is that everybody is just people. We all just people. Jessica looked just as stressed out with the millions as without. Ashley was just tired. We hope they are happy, and we hope they are enjoying life. I know I am enjoying mine, without the neon sign or Tony Romo. (I actually have Drew Brees on my fantasy team, sorry Tony.)

It's a good thing those fish are plastic!

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The Trotters are....Isaiah 55 today...

Well I recently signed on to Facebook. I love it. Gives me a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with precious people in my life that I cannot see everyday like I would like to and keep up with those that are around me. It is a ministry tool, a fun release to chat with friends, and makes me feel "computer/technology savvy"! The one part that I love is it gives you the opportunity to say what you are doing right at the moment you are online. For example Cari Hinckley Trotter is....happy...or whatever you get the picture.

So today I am starting this entry with that. The Trotter Times are Isaiah 55 today. There is a lot on our plate, huge things in our prayers and weighing on our hearts..you know the drill..finances, desiring to parent your kids in the right way, the HUGE territory of ministry and influence of God no matter where you are positioned, surveying the strength of your surroundings and no matter the weight...just letting it go and giving it to God...so we are Isaiah 55 today. Hoping His words can bring encouragement to all of your prayers.

"Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, according to the faithful mercies shown to David. Behold, I have made him a witness to the peoples, A leader and commander for the peoples.

Behold you will call a nation you do not know, and a nation which knows you not will run to you, because of the Lord you God, even the Holy One of Israel; for He has glorified you. Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth, and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
For you will go out with joy! And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up; and instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up; And it will be a memorial to the Lord, for an everlasting sign which will not be cut off!"

In Jesus Name, The Trotters are Isaiah 55 today!

Choke hold of LOVE!!!

I had to add this photo...it makes me smile everytime I look at it! Cade has just figured out how to "pose" for pictures and loves getting everyone together to snap a photo! And he loves for everyone to be smushed in together, thus the choke hold of love...would be interested to know what was rolling through Ainsley's head at this moment, surely thoughts of love! I love my kiddos!

Fun Summer Pics with the Trotter Bunch!

Friday Night Lights with LD Bell High School! Go Blue Raiders!!

This friday night we had a great opportunity to go and cheer on the Raiders of LD Bell and hang out with our sweet friends the Farden Family! Thanks so much for the tickets and the sweet time together..it was great seeing you guys! You are a very special family! Good Luck and God Bless!

thoughts on my heart

I have a huge passion to get organized. That I want more than anything to be the mom and wife that has a place for everything. That not just a place for the stuff that is out in the open but the stuff that could be hidden in a messy closet (which I am ashamed to admit I have a terribly messy closet right now!) or stuffed in a junk drawer to which I have as well. Like I said it is a passion, a work in progress. I have a desire to lead an orderly life. That even down to our garage we could be "orderly".

"Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless, and leads to the ruin of the hearers." 2 Timothy 2:14 I don't know if anyone out there in the E-void can relate, but as a woman I disorganize, junk out, clutter up and "wrangle about" life. I reject sound trust filled, orderly faith and I disorganize life with human eyes, ears, and understanding. But there again I press on to Jesus just as I am sure you do. But with what diligence we have to press. "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed handling accurately the word of Truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

Today thoughts on my heart is this - Jesus is the One and only who can order my life. Yesterday I fell to disorganized thoughts, but today I can PUT ON the ordered, unshakable word of Truth. "Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you."
2 Timothy 1:13-14

Praying for and loving you today sweet friends and family!
Cari

What a beautiful country we live in, and so proud of the history and freedoms we are afforded. Just a few more pics from DC

Washington Nationals - The SHOW!

Dreams Really Do Come True!!!

Dreams really do come true! On Saturday night two weeks ago at around 11pm Toby and I got a call from Mike, LeAnna and Cora (my brother, sis-n-law and niece) that his precious dreams had come true and he had gotten the nod to move up to the Major Leagues with the Washington Nationals. It seemed at first like he had graduated high school, gotten drafted, and then just made it. But that would not be the truth. Mike, LeAnna and Cora have lived and sacrificed and endured and they have achieved! God has given them favor and patience to accomplish incredible feats for His glory! And they have risen to the challenge.

It was incredible having the opportunity to fly all together with my family, sit in those stands and watch my brother run from the bullpen, step up on the mound and throw his first pitch in the 90s for a strike!! It was bringing back precious memories of all those little league games when they would bring Mike in from first base to finish the game. We were cheering and crying and amazed! God is so tender and He does know and desire to bless the dreams that He has set within us.

Mike, LeAnna and Cora we are so proud of you and are praying for you. This has been such a blessing getting to share in this moment with you. Thank you for letting us be a part of what God is doing in and through you! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!

"For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

Friday Night Lights at Central High School

Ainsley Belle

Well our pretty little miss has been up to so much! She is growing like crazy and has been rocking and rolling with new things left and right! She has started eating baby food, which she LOVES. She is almost to take off with crawling, she loves her pink blanket, and playing with her play fish bowl and fish,


she is sitting up all by herself, ooing and cooing, LOVES wrestling her brother and is a continueing joy in our life! Been a while since I had given a Miss Priss update and thought I would share a little sunshine!!!

"The Lord bless Ainsley and keep her, the Lord make His face shine on her and be gracious to her. The Lord lift up His countenance on Ainsley and give her peace!"

Fun Pics of my Miss!

Miss Priss is on the move!