24 In Articles

Church Softball

It’s been a hot one here in Alabama… 90 degrees and sunny… that calls for 3 things: BABY POOLS, POPSICLES and SPRINKLERS.

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And don’t think I didn’t get in there with them! I love a baby pool, always have, always will. After a good afternoon outside we headed to the fields…. the s o f t b a l l fields.

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Church softball, I ♥ it! I think it’s the camaraderie that gets me so geared up for it. It’s especially entertaining when you’re playing with the Presbyterians and a fan tells the coach to “lighten up this game was already predestined”. Seriously, that’s funny. And it was my father-in-law to whom I have to the credit for saying it.

Anyway, one of the 1,387 questions y’all asked was: How do you get your children to behave in public? I had to think hard because my children really don’t go out in public that often. I try to avoid it at all costs. Well, not all costs but honestly, I tried it a couple times and it’s HARD. No way around it. Taking a 4-year old, 2-year old, and 9-month old out and about makes me really just want to stay home… that is… unless daddy’s up at bat and friends from church will be in the stands. Daddy hit a homer, but didn’t want me to tell y’all that so I’ll make it real small so anyone over 95 can’t read it. And he drilled this ball… although it looks like he swung high… he didn’t, don’t you love how I defend him?

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While Daddy played softball, I took pictures {& cheered}, the girls played with friends, and JM chilled in his stroller, until Katie rescued him. I’m ready for bed… so here are some pictures….

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Be back soon. And now, I fear that y’all have really high expectations for these bathrooms… and that scares me! If I tell you that we did both bathrooms for less than $500… does that lower the bar? I hope so!

And if your name is Kathryn and you asked about the rug that I’m smelling in the ROUND 2 post… email me… I have the rug info for you!!

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  • annek
    April 23, 2009 at 8:52 pm

    I remember many afternoons and evenings at the ball park…I don’t know how much of the game I ever got to watch when the kids were little…but what’s not to like…concession stands, friends, cool evening air,,,and Home runs of course!

  • Gray Matters
    April 23, 2009 at 9:50 pm

    I remember many games of church softball as a young girl – speaking as a mom of a 4, 3 and 1 year old – I agree it’s near impossible to go out into the world.

  • John Bash America & Mia
    April 23, 2009 at 10:38 pm

    I absolutely love your blog. You are so creative and have such a gorgeous family! I just have one question, how do you get your pics so big on your blog?

  • John Bash America & Mia
    April 23, 2009 at 11:12 pm

    Ok one more question, where did you get that super cool, menu/message board, I would absolutely love one!

  • Sabrina
    April 24, 2009 at 12:09 am

    Hi Darby! I have been following your blog for a few weeks now, but never left a comment. I just had to laugh though when looking at your pictures. From the color of the shirts, it looks like you might have been playing my church. And I think that may even be my brother in the back ground there where Justin is swinging away. We were at a pre-school program for my three year old and could not go to the game.
    Hopefully the weather will hold out until this weekend, we are planning on pulling out our baby pool too! Have a great weekend.
    I have really enjoyed your blog and the great ideas that you have!

  • CC
    April 24, 2009 at 3:11 am

    Y’all are blessed with the most precious little children! They are just adorable.

    SImple nights out filled with family fun….THE BEST!

  • Amanda Thrasher
    April 24, 2009 at 3:56 am

    Will you please take a road trip to Atlanta and cut my hair like Morgan’s?

  • Dianne
    April 24, 2009 at 4:37 am

    I used to love those games. The kids would come home tired, ready for a bath and then bed…super easy evening. Way to go Dad on the homerun.

  • akb228
    April 24, 2009 at 5:01 am

    Softball is just about to start here in the arctic tundra; unfortunately, I will not be in my shorts and tess. I will have a blanket and my winter coat on I’m certain of it. Thankfully, the weather will be warm here this weekend!!!!

  • andi
    April 24, 2009 at 5:02 am

    Happy FRIDAY!!!! Enjoy your coffee this a.m.! 🙂 Ya’ll have a good weekend! This is my last class! Will miss you guys tomorrow. Will bring by babies gifts this afternoon. I’ll leave them at the back door if I miss you!!!! Hugs, I know you are a busy gal getting ready!

  • Abby Maddox
    April 24, 2009 at 5:46 am

    I love that last picture of the Raiger. So sweet. It’s funny that you love church softball…Jeremiah and I are both dreading anything that has to do with the baseball fields. It’s like we know it’s coming and it WILL consume our lives, so we’re waiting as long as possible before entering in 🙂

  • kristy
    April 24, 2009 at 6:24 am

    Oh my goodness, no it doesn’t lower the bar … probably raises it! We just bought our very first house this past fall (it’s 43 years old) and needless to say, we have tons of updates to make. Anyways, we have two very outdated bathrooms … so I cannot wait to see what you all did!

    Love your blog! Thanks for sharing!

  • Susan
    April 24, 2009 at 7:07 am

    Your Presbyterian predestination comment cracked me up since I grew up in the Presbyterian church (now I’m Methodist to join my hubby). Love how they even joke about it at a church softball game!

  • Melody
    April 24, 2009 at 7:16 am

    You did 2 bathrooms for less than $500? Please tell me how you did that!? We bought an older ranch home like yours and have been updating it. We are going to have to re-do both of our bathrooms but I would love to know how I can save $$ doing it.

  • lindsay
    April 24, 2009 at 10:55 am

    Can’t WAIT for summer! Also– have I told you that Whitney actually thought that sweet JM’s name was HORNET. I mean really?? I thought that was too funny…

  • Lindsey
    April 24, 2009 at 11:26 am

    brings back such great memories for me! my dad played every sport he could with 1st pres and we were always there. many of our “trips” as kids were out of town church softball tournaments. crazy that justin is now the player! read my post today if you get a chance and encourage me:). loving all your recent posts.

  • Taylor Wise
    April 24, 2009 at 2:46 pm

    I love how some of the kids at the softball game are in their smocked or dressy “outfits” and dresses! I am always amazed when I go to the park or preschool that kids are in similar clothing that is smocked. It cracks me up! It must be a southern thing, you know? Which is weird of me to day because I am southern. Really southern. I just must be missing something, particularly about stain removal, because I don’t have the courage to send my child out in such cute outfits. I love your girls haircuts, by the way…

  • Brenna
    April 24, 2009 at 6:08 pm

    Aw I can remember being little and watching my cousins (Justin & Ryan) play ball in Dothan they we always so good! Glad he hit a homer! I love baseball games and am on a wiffle ball team here in DC! So fun Im in the running for the Tripple Crown for pitching 🙂

  • LOOK WHO'S MARRIED!!!!
    April 24, 2009 at 9:20 pm

    It’s neat to see that Justin still loves baseball/softball. I think they were State Champs our senior year…we all got out of school to go watch them play in Troy.
    Don’t you love being able to let the kids run free at Westgate? Dothan is like the ONLY place you can do that…out here, you turn your back, they snatch your kid. Scary…I wish everywhere was like Dothan!!!

  • Hillary @ The Other Mama
    April 26, 2009 at 12:44 pm

    Something about softball and Dothan just fits right together. I grew up on those fields- literally! What a fun time. And I no what you mean about going out in public. We went to a game last spring and I swore it off like it was the plague of locusts. Please, Lord, don’t make me do it again!

  • Kristen
    April 26, 2009 at 1:43 pm

    Precious pictures! AC has the same swimsuit Morgan has on!

  • John Bash America & Mia
    April 26, 2009 at 6:27 pm

    Sorry so many ?’s, I just have to know where you found the material for the navy/white chair that you had redone. I read through a few posts about the price and material but didn’t see if you mentioned where you bought it.

  • Bill, Misty, Will, and Laura Ann
    April 27, 2009 at 11:18 am

    Thanks for giving me a glimpse of friends that I miss. I enjoy your blog. Good job on the bathroom. (next post up)

  • stewart and james
    April 29, 2009 at 7:02 am

    love your blog! (haven’t been following for too long) so I was sooo happy to just learn the ages of your children. AND the fact that you actually function in life (and do it well!).. I just had a baby (1 month ago) and have a 2 and 3 year old. it’s nice to see that there is hope that i can get it together one day to give my children a normal life! thank you for that glimmer of hope to a sleep deprived exhausted mama 🙂

    kristen