Influence matters..

So I have a lot to update on my little man. He is growing up so fast. And I never realize just how closely he is paying attention and being influenced until I have experiences like this one. A couple of weeks ago we were in OKC visiting family and we made a stop off to the baseball field to see Boompa, Uncle Jeff and Uncle Chris. Which is like a MAJOR deal for Cade to get to play on what he now refers to as "his" baseball field. For those of you who don't know my dad is the High School Baseball coach at Moore and always gives Cade the opportunity to play on the field, ride the gator, play with the equipment and of course see the boys play ball.

Several months ago Boompa, Uncle Jeff and Uncle Chris played in the baseball State Final game and we got to go and watch. That was months ago and although we have talked about it every once and a while we rarely talk specifics. But influence matters, because to my Cade he remembers everything those baseball players do. And this is a perfect example, we are sitting in the field house Cad
e lights up and starts breathing so hard and jumping up and down pointing at some equipment and saying "Just like Billy has mama!" "Catcher's gear!!"



We had not talked specifics about that State Baseball game in forever and I really don't even remember telling Cade that the catcher's name was Billy. But Cade remembered. And we took that gear down and he put it on and he has not stopped wearing it. Everyday we have to "play" Billy. Cade puts that catcher's mask on and then tips it back and talks about how he is going around and patting players on the bottom saying "Good game." just like Billy. He has to wear his red batter's helmet and pound the plate with his baseball bat just like Uncle Chris and Uncle Jeff. He wants to run around the bases just like Cliff or pitch just like Uncle Mike.

My list could go on and on with those that already we have to "play" every day. We have to play Daddy doing QB drills, or the football players at the football combine, or Uncle Jeff and Chris at speed camp, or like Andy, Jake and Stephen that are TCU football players..He even makes Toby take a knee and talk about football practice after they have played and then hands in on three "Work Hard"!!!

Yes, influence matters. I know all those mothers out there agree in spirit with me that I pray over every one of those "influencers", and right now that has a lot to do with sports but that definitly includes an aray of others. I pray yes for them to lead out in the right ways and to be given favor and yes to keep Cade safe when he is watching, learning and aspiring to live out HIS dreams. But I pray more importantly that Jesus gets right smack dab in the middle of those influencers lives and MOST IMPORTANT Cade's life and when he is putting on his gear someday what is running through Cade's head is Ephesians 6:13-18

"Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with Truth, and having put on the breastplate of Righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of Faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. And take the Helmet of Salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit!"

Thank you for sharing this precious part of Cade's reality right now. And that yes influence matters!...on three...one, two, three WORK HARD!

Captain Cade, Fly boy!

While Cade was sick a couple of weeks ago we were reading a great book named Captain Bob fly boy! It was an awesome book and Cade loved it. He got to feeling pretty yuckie and sad that he didn't feel like playing much. I felt so sorry for my little man and got a silly idea. We had an extra diaper box (go figure!) and it made a perfect airplane! It was even small enough were I could scoop him up and "fly" him around the living room...ps, it was a work-out and my arms were so sore the next morning - I am so out of shape!-, but I loved every minute...and would not have traded getting Cade to smile for anything!!

Just thought I would share a photo of his cool creation!

Sharks in the Potty!

Okay so I have been in the throws of potty training! We started about three weeks ago and of course like every mother I had a passion that we were going to be out of diapers and in big boy underwear in a matter of moments after starting the process. No problem! Well much to my surprise it did not go that way! HA, HA, HA!

The first couple of days were good, pee pee was going great we were staying dry and clean. We had a minor set back because Cade ended up getting sick the first day we started with a bug a boo. (Of course, we haven't been sick for a year and the first day we start potty training sick as a dog!) Any way, not bad. Not going to be trained in a day like I had thought, again ha, ha, but going great.

However we had yet to poo poo in the potty. Well a couple of days ago we had lift off! I sat him down on the potty to "try" and walked out of the bathroom to grab a book to read to him while we waited for something to happen. When I walked back in Cade had tears in his eyes. I immediately said "Babe, what happened? Are you okay?" To which he responded as precious as he could "Mommie my peepee just broke!" Surprised I said, "What?" "Mommie my peepee just broke, and there are sharks in the potty!" All at once I got it!

Cade had finally poo pooed in the potty and thought his pee pee had broken off, as well as "sharks" floating in the potty! After of course reassuring him that nothing had broken (he was really worried and we had to make sure several times) we got excited about the "sharks" in the potty and said our good byes and sent them flushing away!!! So at this point we refer to poo poo as "shark poo poo".

Hey, you do or say whatever it will take to move forward!!! Gotta love parent language, you know we all have it. And I love hearing Cade express his precious little imagination!!

FCA Coach's Camp

Ive heard it said that "Doctor" and "Coach" are some of the only titles that completely describe who they are by what they do. Well said. Our first ministry in FCA is our Coaches and Cari and I got to see exactly who our Coaches were at this years Coaches Enrichment in Kerrville, Texas

We were blessed to have 5 coaches and their wives join us at Coaches Camp this year. We rode down with a special couple that we have grown close with through our time in FCA. Knowing firsthand the "calling" to coach and how it totally shapes your life, I wanted to take in what was on the mind of our coaches as I listened for the week.

The week said this: "I realize my influence, I want to be a better man (woman), a better husband (wife) and I want people to come to know Christ because they saw Him through my life.

There were about 150 coaches and wives there for our retreat. This was kind of a "perfect storm" from an FCA and sports perspective as Grant and Donell Teaff (Legendary Football Coach at Baylor), Neal and Shiela Jeffrey (Famous Baylor quarterback and speaker) and Randy and Carolyn Allen (State Championship coach at Highland Park) were are leaders of the conference.

So the whole week went like this: Neal would hit us in the mouth morning and night with these passionate talks all from life experience. He was incredible. If you've never heard his story, you need to. He speaks like a coach. He is passionate, and most importantly he realizes that we are in a game that we cannot lose. Randy and Carolyn Allen were a great aspect for the marriage side. Randy was able to set out a great deal of Godly marriage challenges for us through the calling of coaching and God's true design for marriage relations through one call. And then to cap it all off...Grant and Donell Teaff both told their individual story and challenge to us on the last day. Amazing. Try having Grant Teaff look at you and say that his this life is not about the years you are not garaunteed, nor the opportunities, but that you were conformed to the image of Christ Jesus in everything you did. It definetely redirected my steps.

Cari and I had a blast and were so excited to see our coaches relax and soak up alot of influence. It was amazing to see coaches who are very successful and great Godly family men desire that platform from pure and Holy motives, seeing that their lives will be used through sacrafice to change so many. And at the core of all these men, were their Godly amazing wives. With Coaching, these women have singular vision with their husbands and the same passion for influence that they have been called to. It was a great week, and we only hope to continue this great ministry under the umbrella of FCA.

FCA Coach's Camp, we have an incredible area!! Camp made us so excited about the fall!

Cari's 10 year High School Reunion Weekend!

Congrats Mike, LeAnna and Cora!!!

Mike, LeAnna and Cora congrats on moving up to Triple A with the Washington Nationals! Great is the Lord's faithfulness!! We just knew this would happen, and are so proud of you. Listened on the radio as you tore it up for two innings your first night and are starting out with an incredible average. We are so proud of both of you and the way you have worked, been patient, loved each other, supported each other, stood your ground, and maintained your faith all the while standing as a witness for Christ. Your extended territory in triple A ball will be blessed and we are praying continued favor over you. Stay strong, take it one day at a time and work hard, you guys deserve every precious blessing!!! We love you and cannot wait to see you!!! And we are sooooooo excited for you!!!!!!

Hugs and Kisses to all three of you,
Toby, Cari, Cade and Ainsley