Softball Anyone?

If you know our family you know that our summers are full of softball. All three of our kids like to play softball and this summer has had no lack of it. Between the three kids there have been about 100 games. Dan and I don't get to all of them but we do get to most of them. Jordan plays in a church league and the girls both play for Kennedy High School. Hannah gave us a surprise when, after not playing for two years, she told us that she wanted to go out for softball again. She is glad she did. She is having a fun time in spite of a heel injury that sidelined her for about 10 days. Just yesterday the coach gave her a varsity uniform so she gets to suit up with her sister for the tournament games. :) Some people think we are crazy but that's okay. We love it. It allows us to be outdoors, meet lots of cool people, eat at concession stands, read(between games), and enjoy our kids. I have no idea of how many hits, assists, put outs or runs we've had but I do know that we are together and we are learning and growing. We know that one day we will look back on our summers with our children with great memories of spiritual
growth, friendship and fellowship. I'm also pretty sure that one day we will be asking
some of you is you know anyone playing softball that we can go out and watch.






































Some people play a little catch to warm up.
Hannah plays some tunes for her pre-game
warm up.




















Hannah gets a varsity uniform!
Congratulations Hannah!

Weir and Mary!

A little over a week ago Dan and I had the honor of attending the wedding of a very precious couple. Weir and Mary Nelson! We have known Weir for many years throught New Covenant Bible Church and have grown to love him a lot. If I could pick a dad, other then my own, Weir would be at the top of my list! He has been a wonderful friend and brother in Chirst. He is known by many as a great prayer warrior and has mentored me simply by example in that area. I am confident that Weir prays for me and my family regularly and that there is nothing he wouldn't do for us if we needed him. We haven't know Mary for nearly as long but she is one of those people that you love the minute you meet her. She is sooooooo sweet. Never does an unbecoming thing come from her lips. I don't know why I didn't think of matching her up with Weir myself? Thank God that He is always ahead of us and His timing and grace is sweet and perfect. One thing that I have prayed for Weir is something that he asked me to pray a handful of years ago. He asked that I would pray that God would superceed over everything in his life. I would say that God answered this prayer and more when He brought Mary into Weir's life.

God! You are so good and so awesome and you care so much for us. May we all pray as Weir asked me to pray for him...that you would superceed over everything in our lives. We know that when you rule in our hearts, that our lives are loaded down with benefits that overwhelm us with awe. Your goodness and your love are for sure everlasting. Amen!

Diane,

Mary,

Weir,

and

I at the

reception

following

the

wedding.

Happy Father's Day

Happy 19th Father's Day Dan. We had a fun day! We went to church in the morning and then came home and had some tasty burgers for lunch. Dan opened his present from the kids(a lantern) and then we spent the afternoon together doing things outdoors. First we took a drive where we stopped along the river to try out a spud gun that Dan had used at a men's gathering awhile back. We knew that the one we borrowed wasn't working the best but we tried it anyway. Dan went out and bought some new flints. We were excited when the first potatoe went flying across the river but our excitement didn't last long. It only worked one more time so we just saw two potatoes fly. I think it was all for the best though because Jordan wanted to aim his potatoes at the boaters on the river and I don't think that would have gone over real well. We skipped some rocks and decided to hit the road. At home we jumped into our pool and relaxed until Jordan got us going in a game of keep away. Dan, you are a wonderful father to our three children. They love you and admire you! Next month Dan will celebrate his 47th birthday and his 20th anneversary of being a dad. That's right! His first born child and son, Jordan, was born on his birthday...almost to the minute. He has me to thank for that. I was ready to give birth the day before but I held off pushing for 24 hours so we could have Jordan as close to this birth time as possible. Okay, so you don't believe me. But they really were born only eight minutes apart. Dan on July 8th, 1960 at 9:48pm and Jordan on July 8th, 1987 at 9:56pm. We thought it was pretty cool!

Good Help Is Not So Hard To Find

When you have great friends and a couple of kids good help can be found! We have had what I call "Country Christmas" wallpaper since the day we moved into our home eleven plus years ago. Pink and blue wreaths with a little pink bow on the bottom of each. As the kids say, NASTY! We didn't like it then but getting it down wasn't a top priority. It probably still wouldn't be a big priority for me but Hannah has a way of pushing us when it comes to home decor! So, I put out an email to some girlfriends who had said that whenever I decided to get this wallpaper down to call them and they would join me for a wallpaper tearing down party. I thought it would take most of three or four days but to all of our delight it only took two seven hour days. That was for me alone! When you add up the total hours it was almost 28!! So, had I been on my own it would have been 4 seven hour days. With good help it was only two. Many hands really do make work light and the company is always fun. Everyone came ready to work but better yet they came with light hearts, not begrudgingly! They all wanted to be there. To be honest, when the kids wanted to help I was kind of hesitant. Let's just say they aren't quite as careful and they haven't a clue about the mess they leave behind. But after it was over my old lady, do it my way, attitude changed. They wanted to help! They were so much fun. I had heard from Hannah how funny Sarah Nanke was but I got to experience it first hand. They were funny and cheerful and insanely diligent. If the entire room was done as perfectly as Nanke's wall it would have taken me about 75 man hours. She may need to visit with Pastor Bob about that recovering

perfectionist thing. Ha ha! Just kidding. Thanks so much Tracie, Hannha, Susie, Sarah and Bethany. You guys were more than good help...you were GREAT help. Without a doubt, I know who to call when I am in need a some extra helping hands. And hey...please, give me a call when you need some extra help. I want to be there for you with the same heart that you shared with me. Thanks for reminding me that good help is only a good friend away.