Expect the Unexpected

I knew I could expect the weather here to be warm enough in April to head for the zoo, so on Tuesday we did just that. It was a group visit this time- Ryley's first elementary school field trip. I took Kadyn, but Thatcher got the raw end of the deal, because I left him behind with a good friend. I felt awful not taking him, but being a chaperone to look after kindergarteners makes a wandering toddler with a penchant for hide and seek too easy to lose. It ended up being a great day with the girls at the zoo, and from the smile on his face when I returned I am trying to convince myself that Thatcher had fun playing with his friends too.

What I didn't expect however was being prepared for "swim season" to begin this early. Two of the five neighbors in our cove have pools and basically open them up for all to use throughout the summer. Yesterday as the kids gathered to play after school they received the news that the water had been tested and the pool was ready to go. Due to my lack of preparedness however Thatcher was once again robbed and my heart just ached. The girls were able to throw on last years suits while Thatch got only as far as soaking his feet in the water on the stairs. Luckily he found a frog in the grass soon after and that consumed his attention the remainder of the time. Last summer he was just turning one and wanted nothing to do with the water. Yesterday I struggled to keep him jumping in off the sides. I'm glad he's excited, it will make going to the pool exciting for all of us now.

So, first item of business after Steven's test on Saturday is a shopping trip. No doubt my sister is going nuts right now at my announcement of shopping seeing as it's my least favorite thing to do in the world. However, once in awhile you've just gotta bite the bullet and go shop for suits, floaties, and all of the other necessities to make it through the hot and humid summer ahead. Wish me luck!

Carnival Craziness

Ryley's school had their annual carnival this past Saturday. The girls and I went while Thatcher took a much needed nap and Steven continued to study for his upcoming "end of the year, took forever to study for, this is going to be horrible, finished on Saturday, until he starts studying for next year" exam! Wow, try saying that three times fast.

Anyway, while sad to leave the boys behind, we headed out with excitement to the much anticipated carnival. It was a fun day for the Ballard girls and all three of us came home a little more tan and a lot more tired.

Not quite free furniture

As a follow up from my last post- we didn't get the free furniture. Lynette thought it was in the bag with 2 minutes left. I admit I stayed true to KU until the end and in pure obsessed form feel that ultimately it was my choice to cheer that led to the miraculous turn around! So for what it's worth, here are the pictures of our financial sacrifice that led to the Jayhawks victory.

A Ballard Birthday

Steven turned 33 this week. When he got home from work we had a fun family party with dinner, dessert, and presents. When the girls were born he gave each one a nickname that would be for just him and her. Ryley is his peach and Kadyn his pumpkin. Thatch is his buddy (or pal to stick with p's) but buddy has become a family favorite for all to use. Steven loves pies so in honor of their nicknames Ryley made a peach and Kadyn a pumkin pie. We also made Mom Ballard's apple pie which is one of his very favorites. It was a great night.

I can't let this "birthday post opportunity" pass without saying this. He is the only boy of seven and came on his mother's birthday. His dad has to be the best example of how to be a great husband because Steven is just that. From his mom, with the help of six sisters, he must have learned about kindness, patience, and understanding because they are a few of his strongest qualities. He's "Best Dad Ever" to his three little one's.

After losing my own dad I realized two things. First, with how fast life can go it is important to make the most of each day with those you love. Second, I realized even more just how lucky I am to have such an amazing man by my side because he not only makes each day on this earth a better experience, but no matter how fast this life may go I have been given him for eternity.

Happy Birthday Steven. We love you!

Short but Sweet

Easter and Conference. These two weekends are just awesome. First we get the wonderful opportunity to reflect even more upon our Savior and the wonderful gifts He has given to us. To add to it we get an entire weekend to be edified and uplifted by modern day prophets. What a special moment to be a part of sustaining President Monson. I know I wasn't way young when that moment took place with President Hinckley but I don't recall that day very well and to have that experience again was touching . (Note to self - be a better journal keeper) All of the talks are of course wonderful but it is especially humbling as you sit there and through them hear answers to prayers and ways to improve one's self and come closer to Heavenly Father. As Ryley and Kadyn get older it is especially fun to see them take a more active roll in conference. They had tons of fun with the "General Conference Packet". (Thank you to those who sent them.)

After President Monson spoke on Sunday I said, "Can you girls tell me one thing that Pres. Monson just said to us?" and without hesitation they simutaniously replied, "Amen". I laughed so hard I cried. I guess I really couldn't argue with that. I don't know if this makes sense but I often can't even comprehend life and how blessed we truly are. How grateful I am.

Rock Chalk. . . Tigers?

So. . . you think you know me. (Steven's first official post)

Those of you who know me really well can attest to the fact that before getting married I was a HUGE sports fan. In high school it was all about baseball: following the hometown Royals and NL upstart Braves, running fantasy baseball leagues (on paper mind you), and even taking summer trips up to the college world series with my buddies. At the Y it was all about LaVell and the Cougs. In fact, one of the few journal entries still remaining from my time at the Y (after scratching out pretty much everything relating to college dating angst) details the cougars 14-1 season and cotton bowl win in 1996. For some reason, in my sports obsessed mind, THIS was something noteworthy for posterity that must be recorded. You could say my heart was 'Fully Invested' well before this was the paradigm of BYU football.

My wife will attest to the fact that I am (mostly) a changed man. I am free from Sunday sports, only follow the Royals through April (as they are inevitably out of playoff contention by April 14th), seldom bother with an NBA game, leave hockey to the Canadians, and still consider US soccer not a real sport.

I say mostly, however, because I can't quite give up 2 things:

First, I am still obsessed with BYU football, despite the attempts to kill it by Craig Thompson and the mtn. My daily routine still makes room for reading the trib's BYU blog and commenting (albeit sporadically) on cougarblue.com (Armydoc2k5). I still can't handle close games without a serious rise in blood pressure and heart rate (so much so that if I am on call on a weekend BYU is playing and potentially have to scrub in the OR I can't sit and watch the game because it will make my hands shake from anxiety during the case); and a loss still requires a full week to fully overcome emotionally. (I know, it's lame but I can't help it).

The second item you may not know, is the whole reason for posting. I am a full blooded, Rock, Chalk, beware the phog, nostalgic for Danny Manning, still can't get over Roy Williams leaving, Kansas Jayhawk basketball fan. I attribute this to a fortuitous National Championship in my formative years and the influence of my sixth grade teacher- Mrs. Ready, but I can't give up on the Jayhawks. I have picked them to win my bracket every year since 1988. And every year, whether tantalizingly close or embarrasingly absent, they have disappointed.

So I should be happy at their recent fortunes and the upcoming championship game on tonight, right? There is only one problem. . . I live in Memphis, where basketball is 'King' when they aren't celebrating Martin Luther or Elvis (the other King obsessions here in Memphis).

This year a local furniture store had a sale at the beginning of the basketball season: If the Memphis Tigers win it all, your furniture is free. Being in need of an upgraded bedroom set, Lynette and I thought "We need furniture, what could it hurt?" and we proceeded to splurge on $2500 worth of furniture (which we desparately needed- as almost all of our furniture has been handed down since we got married). Our prospects have soared as the Tigers reached number one in the rankings, lost only to UT during the season and have sailed through the Tourney so far. Each game my wife grows more excited. I, on the other hand, have felt my anxiety continue to rise as the inevitable has happened: Kansas vs Memphis in the finals. Do I cheer for a $2500 investment, or the emotional investment I chose in my childhood and have stood faithfully by through thick and thin for 20 plus years?

What do you think I should do?

(I choose KU. If they lose, I'll be comforted with $2500 of free furniture. If they win- I think I will be happy. We'll have to wait and see if I am $2500 happy. Either way, I can't watch the game- I get too anxious.)

Live and Learn

One thing we do a lot of in the Ballard home is arts and crafts. Each day is a toss up between play dough, paints, stamps, chalk art, drawing, finger painting etc.... You would think I had learned my lesson with young children painting without adult supervision, but alas I had not. Might I add that the lack of supervision in each case was stepping out of the room for no more than two minutes so as to take care of something in another room. I knew there was trouble in Ryley and Kadyn's case when I could hear large amounts of giggling from my bedroom. I thought, "paints and giggling cannot be a good thing". As I turned the corner I saw Ryley's hand coming down upon her sister for another chance at "creating" more art. I said, "Freeze you two". They immediatly froze and probably assumed they were in trouble until I ran from the room and returned with the camera. There are some moments you just can't waste.

Thatcher on the other hand did his artistic work all on his own and I must say for even less than two minutes in his case, he did an exceptional job! Oh well, I guess we live and learn.

Two years ago

Present day