Memorial Day Service

Getting "LOST" - Series Finale Wrap-Up from TVGuide.com

Getting "LOST" - Series Finale Wrap-Up from TVGuide.com



Watch the 1 - 2 minue clip from TV Guide...makes as much sense as anything else I have thought, heard or seen. But essentially the story is much like a lot of things in life...you get to use your own thoughts and mind to complete the story. And let's not forget...it was a cerebral show...would you expect anything less.

Tanner Turns Seven!!

Yesterday, Tanner turned SEVEN YEARS OLD!  It's crazy to me that he is that old.  He's my smashed ears baby, my "Mr. Bossy" Baby, my baby that didn't know how to STAY asleep, my baby that loved to snuggle...and now he's a kid.  But, he still likes to snuggle.  :)  To start the celebration weekend, we had the grandparents over for dinner and presents on Saturday-and Tanner chose the menu.  Pizza.  Shocker.  I think he'd eat pizza every day for dinner.  Every. Single. Day.  He scored in the present department-a bike from Gran, a library and clothes from Grandmom, a model car from Grandad, and....Wii Sports Resort from us.  He was a little excited about Wii Sports Resort.

We haven't really seen him since.

To add to the celebration, we took Tanner and his closest best friends to the Ranger Game on Sunday.  There was excitement in the car on the way there...

There was more excitement at McDonald's as we got closer to game time.

In fact, Tanner was almost beside himself with excitement.

We got to the game in plenty of time, per Todd's usual minute by minute plan, so we situated ourselves with our packed snacks, gatorades, and caprisons. Then, the boys anxiously awaited the first pitch.

Finally, it was game time.  I have to admit, this was by FAR THE EASIEST birthday party ever.  The boys sat and watched the game, KNEW what was going on, and actually, had in depth conversations about it.  I give you exhibit A:

It was a REALLY CLOSE game, and they all watched with great intent, turning their caps into "Rally Caps" for the last inning.  There was hope The Rangers would pull it out against the Cubs.

Even Fuddy Duddy Todd got into the Spirit of the Game.  Doesn't he look like he's in the Spirit?

Overall, I think Tanner had a grand time-the opening gate giveaway was a Rangers pillowcase, so all the kids went home dreaming of future games, and of future careers in the Big Leagues.  We've got Big Dreams here, Big Dreams-for a Big 7 Year Old Boy.

Big Boy Haircuts!

With hair gel and everything!  I feel like they look like teenagers now! 

Baseball Season

Between softball games, we've had baseball games.  Tanner moved up to machine pitch baseball this season, and the game is much more serious.  There is actual tagging out, throwing the ball, catching the ball, and teamwork.  Tanner, and his two friends Sam and Luke trade out the catching position, and it's just too cute to see them all suited up, looking so official.  I'm sure Todd won't admit it, but he'd like to see Tanner behind that plate, the same as he was.  We'll see if Tanner gets bit with that catcher bug.  For now, he enjoys it enough, but if the ball is too crazy far away, he looks around for his "people" to get it for him.  Crazy kid.

We still have the all-important goal of getting on base, which Tanner does seem to be able to do at least once during the game.  We're working on his running skills, because I don't think the other team members are supposed to lap you as they run the bases.  :)  All in all, it's been a great season.  The games are just a little more intense, but not too much.  I think it's breaking in the mommies for those oh-so-serious 9 year old games.  The competition is good for the kids, and I think they are all falling in love with baseball-another fun side effect.  Good job Coach Daddies!

First Communion

Madison made her First Communion on Sunday.  I remember my First Communion with vivid detail.  I remember the dress-it was very itchy, and the ceremony of walking into the church with my classmates.  I read the Responsorial Psalm to the entire congregation, and I remember how nervous I was to speak into that microphone.  I remember my parents hosting a big party at our house afterward, with a big, fancy cake and the day being filled with Joy.  I wanted Madison to feel that same Joy, and to look back on this day with same Peace and Happiness.

She did a fantastic job, submitting to wearing her dress, veil and even tights for the duration of the ceremony.  I feverishly snapped over 100 pictures, to record the special moment.  She sat with her class during church, and I marveled at how Holy and Innocent each of them looked.  Father addressed the class specifically during the Homily, noting the 3 times Madison had yawned since the service began.  We all laughed, and she blushed just a little, but that didn't stop her from the yawning epidemic for the rest of Mass.  He compared their lives to a toothpick, and Jesus to a nail.  Alone, the toothpick broke easily, but when resting with the nail, the toothpick was just as strong.  I loved the analogy and watched all the kids listen with intent-albeit with a yawn here and there. I think they will remember that story though, and remember the strength behind Faith that goes right along with it.

After Mass, we snapped a few more pictures, much to Madison's chagrin.  But, I did manage to get one with her Godmothers, Aunt Patti and Baby Sona-not forgetting Baby Andrea.  Madison was blessed to have Michelle and Cameron in for the ceremony as well, along with both sets of Grandparents.  We took up a whole pew, which made me laugh.  I'm not used to being surrounded by so much family, and sometimes it catches me off guard-in a most wonderful kind of way.  I got few of us with her, but wished I had made the entire family pose for a few shots.  I need to get better at that-being the boss of getting everyone in the pictures, but people tend to ho-hum when I do that.  Any tips on making that happen in the future?

We hurried home to prepare for the celebration lunch, and afterparty with family and friends.  I tried to make it a stellar event, even pulling out my very fancy punchbowl and "shower dishes."  Sona was most impressed with those, we explained the mass collections most people in Decatur had.  I think she will be even more amazed when we start hosting Wedding Showers-Decatur knows wedding showers.  Jared and Thaine stopped by to congratulate Madison on her special day, along with Rita-Mom's friend turned family.  We are blessed with many of those, now that I think about it.  We snacked on chicken salad, champagne punch, normal punch, and other "girly foods" for the rest of the afternoon.  It seemed just perfect, and I think Madison felt the love-even as she ran to play Wii with the boys.  At least she wore the dress a few minutes longer.  She was suprised people brought her presents to add to the celebration, and looked wonderingly at her new cross necklaces, bible, rosary, and Mary Figurine.  She also came up to me at one point in the afternoon, gave me a big hug, and said, "Now I can take Communion with and Daddy every Sunday, right?"  I don't think the reality had sunk in until just that moment, and it was precious.

It was a surreal moment watching her walk up to the alter in her beautiful white dress.  I was bombarded with memories of carrying her up to the same alter in another beautiful white dress for her Baptism.  That was just short of 9 years ago.  9 years.  In another 9 years she will be 18 and headed to A&M.  Well, that's the plan anyway.  In the meantime, I hope these minutes start slowing down just a little, or a lot.  A lot will do, too.

And the winner is....

Madison and Tanner participated in the Battle of the Books on Friday.  The contest was the culmination of a  year's worth of book reading, test taking, and preparation for this Big Event.  We bought the books over the summer, and traded with friends, even refreshing our memories the week before the Big Tests.  When they found out they made a team, they were ecstatic, and Madison prattled on and on about how the even would run.  This was Tanner's first year to be eligible for the Book Battle, and I could tell he felt honored to be Madison's "peer."  By some stroke of luck, Madison and Tanner were put on the same team, along with Tanner's most favorite friend Sam, and Thaine-another favorite friend.  One night last week, Tanner was reflecting on the team, and said he was so glad to have Madison for a sister.  When I inquired as to why (just out of curiosity-since there was such open love and admiration and all), he said that it was because of Madison that he was on the Battle of the Books team.  When I corrected him, and explained that he read all his own books, passed all his own tests, and got on a team all on his own, he could barely contain his astonishment.  You could see the little nerdy pride all over his face, in the only way a Tanner smirk can show it.

Thursday night was like Christmas Eve around here, with the both of them laying out their clothes and making plans to go to sleep "superfast" so the "best day of the year would just get here already!"  They bounded out of bed Friday morning, and didn't have to be reminded one time to brush their teeth or put their shoes on.  I love mornings like that.  Once they met with their team, they were good to go.  Todd signed up to be a monitor, and made sure all questions were answered accurately and in accordance with proper rules and regulations.  (ha!)  In the end (drumroll please) The Whatchamachalits aswered the most questions correct, and were deemed the winners.  Madison and Tanner wore their medals the rest of the evening, and Tanner even slept in his.  There was some big time pride going on in the Nerdy Scroggins House, and I sorta love that.

Grady's Prayer

"I love God
He loves me
Indivisible, one nation
Bless Mommy, Daddy, Madison, and Tanner"

The End

Softball Season

Madison just about finished up her second season of softball tonight.  We have a make up game this this Thursday and then we should be finished for a while.  Here's a few shots of her in action, getting a hit, and making it on base.  I know that was my entire goal when I played any sport as a kid-just GET ON BASE.  She's even done better than that this year, not only getting on base, but making it all around the bases to score some runs and even a homerun last week!  It must be all that amazing coaching she gets from her baseball legend dad.  Or luck.  Or mad softball skills-any will do. 

a preview...

Next Sunday is a Big Deal in Madison's world.  Yesterday, Awesome April stopped by and snapped a few pictures of the event-to-be.  More definitely to come....

Mother's Day Fiesta

We started a little Mother's Day Tradition 9 years ago when we were pregnant with Madison.  We wanted to roll all the fun of Mom's Day with all of our moms, sisters, friends, cousins-whomever we could round up.  So, we began having an annual Fiesta at our house, inviting everyone to us.  Todd runs the kitchen, and has dabbled with steaks, salads, hamburgers, but I think we've settled on fajitas and an amazing amount of guacamole from now on.  Throw in a few pitchers of Sangria, Margaritas, and today-shots of Tequila (??), and we have ourselves a little part-ay!  The weather didn't really work with us this year, because sitting outside adds an element of Fiesta to the Fiesta.  We were cooped up in the house, but spent the day playing with Baby Andrea, corralling the Scroggins Three (man, someday they will stop fighting, right??), and learning the coolest fashion trends from Abby and Cameron-some kind of fancy foot-shaped shoe is the latest.  Besides fajitas, Becky brought THREE pies, and Cameron made a fancy multi-layered, multi-colored cake.  Very festive indeed!  Now we are having an impromptu Family Movie Night with one of the Ice Ages-and it's hilarious to hear the kids get some of these "jokes."  Todd's got the Beevus low-giggle going along with it, and yep-you know it's coming.  My cup runneth over. 

Baby Sona and Baby Andrea

The Scroggins Three-hoodlum Central

Becky, Michelle, Cameron and Abby

Todd, Michelle and Becky

Mom and Me  :)

This Mom's Day thing might be a racket-one of those "Hallmark Holidays," but any excuse to get people that I love together, eat great food, sip even greater drinks, and celebrate the moment works for me.  :)  Happy Mom's Day!