hometown series :: monday night softball

Officially, Mondays are our day off. Unofficially we still do quite a bit of work on most Mondays anyway. It's what happens when you own your own business, absolutely love what you do, and have no self control. We will limit ourselves though. Emails, phone calls, blog posts, a little editing... those tasks sneak into our Mondays. We also tend to get some grocery shopping done, doctors appointments for the baby, bank and post office runs too. But there's one thing we make sure isn't pushed aside or gotten to later, and that's time with family. That's where softball comes in.

Softball and baseball are big in Southern Maryland. They're like potato salad at a cook out, without them it's just not right. Our family has played forever. Betty's brothers, Maggie's husband, and lots of cousins have always played either softball or baseball. (We know they're technically a different sport but they both involve a pitcher, bats and bases so they're the same to us.) From T-Ball leagues for 4 year olds to adult rec leagues these games are a way of life around here. And it's not so much the games themselves that matter, it's the time watching them with family and friends who have become family.

Every Monday night we set up folding chairs and a blanket or two at the softball field to watch the boys play. Pop still tries to make it out when he can, and any uncles, cousins, or kids who aren't playing themselves come out to watch too. We sit, we chat, we cheer, and we enjoy our time together. Spring ball is only one game in, and tonight we'll be out there in our folding chairs again to cheer on our team. After a busy week, a weekend that flew by, and a day off spent working, these evenings are our time to enjoy this blessed life of ours. These softball games tend to bring all the good things to the surface, and we can't help but well up every once in a while.

Maggie's husband and Betty's brother are close in age and are becoming rather close friends. Bryan talked Stew into joining his softball team, and Stew is loving it. Here's a few pictures from their first game. (Warning: Most of these shots are of "sweet cheeks" the first grand baby and great grand baby in the family. Needless to say, we can't get enough of him. In fact we fully intend on saturating this blog with photos of him.)

Our Phillies baby

We looked down and saw Sweet Cheeks chewing on a clover. He's being a bunny it seems.

Caught... and not happy about it.

This child is a mess.

It was clearly time to go.

We hope you are enjoying your Monday. We're going to work a little longer today then put dinner in the crock pot and head over to watch tonight's game. Wish the boys luck!