LA LOO BUH-BUH

Schools out for summer.  And really who needs a break at all?  Apparently not baseball.  We just jumped right in with out first summer league game today.  In the 102 degree heat, but who's counting.  It is nice to see some color back on my skin though after 4 years of summering it in Switzerland.  I forgot how much I like being tan. 

Chance got a couple rocking hits, and as usual his trusty fans were in the stands: me and Brooks, while Ryan is helping to coach.  I think his fans go a little over board sometimes though: today Chance was playing first baseman and Brooks had a clear shot of him from the stands, screaming BUH-BUH!!!!!! BUH-BUH!!!  The first 10 yells got a look from Chance over the shoulder with a very patient but somewhat shy smile.  That reaction set Brooks to the LA LOO BUH-BUH mode, screaming it over and over until finally Chance looked back and said: SHHHHHHHH Brooks!  You are distracting me!

I mean the little guy just lives his life for his big BUH-BUH, following him every where, wanting everything he has, wanting to be just like him.  And what does he get?  He gets allocated to the cheering section.

But despite his yelling distractions, he did get his one moment of glory, when at the end of the game he ran up to Chance while he was in the team huddle.  Chance reached out with his arm, brought him in close and let him participate as if he was one of the team.  Now that is brotherly love, and I was watching it all from behind kicking myself that I didn't bring my video camera!

QUOTE OF THE DAY

CHANCE: "Mom, do you have a million dollars in the bank?"

ME: "No, but I wish we did!"

CHANCE: "Maaaaaaahhhm, if you would just listen to me!  If you go play Minute to Win It, then we could have a million dollars in the bank.  Why don't you just listen to me?"

WHERE HAS A YEAR GONE?

This post has been in the works in the back of my little head for the past month, or two.  Not sure where the time goes really, and why since moving back I absolutely struggle with content. I looked down the other day and completely appauled myself.  I had to grab the camera and capture the moment.  This pretty much sums it up and puts all my lack of blogging in to perspective.  I mean if I can't even maintain my toes......

 

I think I've been somehow processing content since our Swiss friend Siro came to visit way back in April. 

Now that is a true friend, who promises to come and visit and actually sticks to his word.  I mean, we live in DALLAS of all places.  I kept cringing at the fact that this guy was coming from Zurich to Dallas......what in the world do we have to offer him here? 

I was reminded of the fact that it took me several months not to drive down the road of concrete hell to the gym and cry.  Or cringe at the scenery as I drove over the lake.  Now I've realized that it's not that Dallas is all that ugly, it's that Switzerland is just THAT beautiful, and once you've seen such beauty for 4 years, it takes awhile for the eyes to adjust back.  A year later and I find myself driving over the same damn going, ah, how pretty!

His visit was a constant reminder of how far we've come in a year since our move back to the US. Let's just say it wasn't a cup of tea this past year, so many adjustments, so much resistance to be here.  I remember a couple months in to it, telling Ryan, you have to take me back there......we can't still be here in a year.  I won't make it a year.  I refuse.  And then one Sunday night a month or so ago, we were retiring for the night and it hit me. It was May 1, 2011.......it had been ONE YEAR. 

Siro helped us to laugh at ourselves, as Americans, and to see why it has been so hard to adjust to the American way of life once again. 

Like Drive Up ATMS.....or actually driving at all. 

Or weather systems that leave you wondering, why do I choose to live in constant fear of being thrown in to the Wizard of Oz?

Or as American parents, do we really need to be THAT concerned about where our SEVEN year old is in the batting order?

It did however make us appreciate our roots.  Like good ole Bull Riding

And REAL margaritas

And the fact that we still have each other, and that we still really like each other :)

I guess you can say it's taken a year to really blossom.  For all of us to put our feet down.  I mean I finally planted that damn garden.  Now if that isn't a sign.....

And the boys, finally I can take them off my worry list.  Chance has become an incredible ball player.  He was named most improved at his last end of season awards ceremony.

And Brooks wont be too far behind him.  We're making Brooks practice daily so he can be assured first place in the batting order when he starts his T-ball a year from September.

 

We'll see where another year takes us.  Happy 1 year anniversary, honey.  We made it even though I didn't believe you that we would.