60 Feet 6 Inches To Home

It's crunch time.  Christmas is less than a week away and for some people the thought of that evokes a battery of emotions, not all of them Jolly. Let's face it, the holidays can create a lot of stress and anxiety. There is a lot to get done. Decorating, shopping, wrapping, baking, Christmas cards, mailing packages, parties and so on. Our lists can rival those of Santa himself. This Christmas my list was no different than most, it was long and time consuming, not to mention expensive. When I started thinking about completing all the tasks listed there, I'll be honest, I felt more like the Grinch than Cindy Lou Who.  I did not like feeling that way, something had to change. My priorities, my perspective, my expectations, my attitude or maybe a little bit of all of those things. I decided to evaluate all of the things that threatened to interfere with how I wanted to celebrate Christmas this year. For each entry on my list I asked myself the same questions: Why am...

Photo by Owen Richards Holidays are usually full of traditions. Growing up, Christmas was especially this way for my family. Decorating the tree was an event. We all helped. We had a live tree and most years we went out to a tree farm, picked out the one we wanted, cut it down and brought it home. We decorated it with the same ornaments from year to year. We covered it in multi-colored blinking lights, garland and silver icicles. The lights stayed off until the decorating was completely done. Then we shut off all the lights in the room and plugged the tree in. It made it seem very magical as a young girl. We usually took a trip to The Country Club Plaza and drove down Falmouth Street took look at lights. On Christmas Eve we each opened one gift. It was always the same thing, new pajamas. We didn't care that is was the same thing, we were still excited to get them. Christmas morning everyone had to be awake and come into the living room at the same time. Santa never wrapped ...

I passed this sign in early August at a small church in Bonner Springs, Kansas. We were on our way to pick up my son's car from our mechanic after a pre-college tune up. On the way back I stopped to take this picture. I had forgotten about it until I was scrolling through my gallery and came across it. With tomorrow being Thanksgiving I thought the timing was perfect. In a culture that thrives on upgrades, trade-ins, promotions and excess, it can sometimes be easy to to lose sight of what matters most and how great our lives truly are. I love these words and I wonder if we were to stop and think about them, would we realize that for the large majority of us they're true. I did just that, and this is what I found... I live in a great country, not perfect, but great none the less. I am thankful to live here. I am also extremely grateful for the men and women who have and continue to defend and serve "The Land of the Free and The Home of the Brave". I also li...

A week or so ago I read an article on line and later found it in video form. It was titled " What Students Really Need to Hear". The article was written more like a letter from a teacher to their students and focuses on the need to teach our children lessons not written in text books. Things like resilience, problem solving, hard work, persistence, how to except challenges and manage fear. The author C. Mielke writes; "You see the main event of school is not academic learning. It never has been.  Yes, algebra, essay writing, Spanish, the judicial process-all are important and worth knowing, but not the main event.  The main event is learning how to deal with the harshness of life when it gets difficult." I am not an educator, but I see the need for these skills everyday working as an elementary school secretary and a mother of two boys. A forgotten lunch for example can be enough to bring some children to tears, while others deal with it in stride. A not so fav...

A year a go at this time our oldest son, Kellan had just decided where he would attend college. The process was both exciting and stressful. My husband and I did not attend college the traditional way, so this was all new to us. His decision was made somewhat more difficult because he wanted to play baseball at the college level. So finding a school that would be a fit both in academics and baseball proved to be a little more challenging. We completed all the steps and collected all of the requirements.  ACT, GPA, NCAA eligibility, applications, unofficial visits, official visits, and scholarships. We knew God had already figured it out, we just needed to relax and get out of the way. We were relieved once the decision had been made, but it also made what was once a distant day in time closer to a reality. Getting settled.  So, here we are one year later. We have navigated through a lot of uncharted territory. There were things I expected but just as many that I didn't s...

Most years the end to the regular Major League Baseball season is a sullen time for our family. We love watching our boys in blue play the game we love. This year however is different. After a 29 year drought the Royals are in the post season. It is officially Blue October in Kansas City. This team and I have a history. I was born in May of 1969 in a suburb of Kansas City. Later that summer, the Royals, one of four MLB expansion teams played their first game at old Municipal Stadium. The team replaced the Athletics's that had recently moved to Oakland. As a young girl I listening to the Royals on the radio. At the time I understood very little about the game itself, but I enjoyed it's tempo and the consistency of hearing Denny Matthews' voice calling the plays. I knew the players whose numbers are retired and celebrated on the Hall of Fame wall at Kauffman Stadium, along with their skipper Dick Howser. Our lucky cap is working so far! I was in high school in ...

Everyone has experienced disappointment in their lifetime. It may have been a team they were cut from, a college they weren't accepted to, a job they didn't get or a relationship that didn't work out. And it comes tied to a variety of emotions ranging from sadness and grief to anger and resentment. Weather on a personal, professional or relational level disappointment is always hard to deal with. Recently we had such an experience in our family. After sitting out of football his eighth grade year due to suffering a  concussion the prior season, Owen had his heart set on playing this year for his high school team. He attended the football camp offered by the high school coaching staff and joined their summer weightlifting and conditioning program. He was working hard and his plan was in place and going well. Until...he injured his back during weightlifting. He tried to push through and did not even admit anything was wrong until several days later. He continued to play bas...

Today we left a part of our heart on a college campus in St. Joseph, MO. And even though we have been preparing for this day for a long time, I am not sure it is possible to be completely prepared for a moment like this. The baseball team had a full day planned for us. After checking into the dorm we attended a meeting to introduce us to the baseball program. We were very impressed with everyone who spoke. From the coaches, to the trainers, to the Athletic Director. Each one seemed genuine and very excited about the program. They have a plan in place to help the student athletes succeed academically, athletically, personally, socially and in the end, be prepared to move to the next phase of their life with all the tools they need to succeed. We took a tour of the high quality facilities and ate lunch with the other baseball families. Kellan at the MO West Field Nerves turned excitement as the day progressed. What an amazing oppo...

Today our youngest son Owen started high school. He was very excited. Any bit of nerves were hidden behind a big smile as he road off with his brother who had offered to take him to school. He's Off! We have been here before as a family, four years ago as our oldest son too started his freshman year at the same high school. Little has changed in regards to the school itself. The size, their high academic standards and the majority of the staff have remained the same. We have grown familiar with the expectations and we are fully equipped with Orange and Blue spirit wear. Even though so much has stayed the same, one thing is very different,  the student. Our oldest son had a wonderful high school experience. He had great friends and was involved in FCA, the Leadership program and played baseball. He did very well academically in the classroom and on tests. He enjoys the process of learning and hi...

Three years ago today, Army Spc. Spencer C. Duncan was killed in action when the Chinook helicopter he was in was shot down in Afghanistan.  In memory of Spencer his family started a foundation to help support United States Veterans and their families. Proceeds from the annual Make it Count Today 5K race go to the foundation.  For the past three years, along with other members of the JC Naturals baseball teams, our family has helped staff a water station along the race course. The boys enjoy watching the runners pass by and take pride in the job they've been given.  As a part of the event the Army has Chinook helicopters set up so that runners, volunteers and spectators can take a walk through and around the aircraft. As a memorial to Spencer, his picture and uniform are on display in the seat he would have occupied as a door gunner. This year pictures of all 30 soldiers and one service dog that l...

This week our youngest son Owen played the final game of his summer baseball season.  His team played close to 90 games together from April to June, but still somehow the season seemed short. This team came together in the fall of 2009 through mutual friends and school contacts, with the desire to play baseball at a high level in the right way. It was a hodgepodge group of sorts, with players coming from several different cities and school districts throughout the county. From the first season this team was different. The players, coaches, sibling and parents all got along which lead to a positive environment. The boys accepted each other as teammates and became good friends.  Through the years, players have left for various reasons and new ones joined the team. Each addition was welcomed in as if they had always been there. Of the current 11 players only 5 are original to the team, but there has never been an "us" and "them" attitude. When you put on the Nat...

Father's Day is usually a day filled with traditions geared around celebrating the fathers in our lives. Families get together for meals, take Dad to a ball game or out for a round of golf. They give gifts to show their gratitude for all he has done for them and continues to do. My family is no exception. We celebrate in the traditional way, but the man I celebrate is not so traditional. My mom was a teenage mother, married at 15, a mother of twins at 16. I had a fairly stable childhood and their marriage stayed intact until I was in Junior High. After they divorced we maintained a good relationship with our biological father. My sisters and I kept the typical every other weekend schedule for several years. And while I would say there were flaws in that relationship it seemed to work. As I entered high school, both he and our mom remarried. We found it harder to keep up our visit schedule and unfortunately his new wife was not very supportive of our relationship. We saw him le...

This Summer Even though my boys have been out of school for almost two weeks, my summer break officially started today! I am fortunate to have a job that allows me to be home and available for all of the excitement summer brings. This summer I am looking  forward to having this time more than ever before.   As a child, my sisters and I spent most summer days at my Grandmother's house. Cousins would visit, we went fishing, ran through the sprinkler, ate Bologna sandwiches and waved down the ice cream man for Bomb Pops. We helped her with her garden and took naps in front of the floor fan. We attended very few organized activities other than swimming lessons or Girl Scout Camp.   Most weekends were spent camping at one of the local lakes with family and friends. We swam, played board games, ate s'mores , listened to the Royals on the radio and visited around the campfire. Summer was a time to relax and get recharged f...

This month has been filled with many activities celebrating our son Kellan's high school graduation. We have attended award ceremonies, senior night, year end baseball banquet, open house and of course the big event graduation itself.  Throughout each one of these events I was impressed with his accomplishments and humbled by the kind words that were spoken about the young man he has become. It has taken 18 years to get him to this point and we as parents cannot take all of the credit. We are so thankful for our family and countless other people who have come along side us through this journey.   There have been those who we have intentionally placed around him. These family friends have invested in him, supported him and loved him unconditionally as if  he were their own. They have provided opportunities for growth, work and service. As well as a great example of...

Don't be THAT parent We are less than a month into our baseball season and already we have encountered "That Parent". You know the one. They stand right behind home plate arguing balls and strikes. They yell at other players when errors are made. They coach from the stands, at the fence and outside of the dugout, using a Gator-Aide delivery as an excuse to be there. They make games uncomfortable for the other parents and fans, not to mention their own child. Sports of all kinds can be a great way for kids to learn skills that will carry over to everyday life.  They learn cooperation, work ethic, perseverance and failure. Baseball especially is a game of failure, and often times the success or failure is determined by someone else. The runner feels he beats a throw to first, but is called out. The batter thought a pitch should have been ball four outside, but instead it's a called strike three. These are judgment calls by the umpire. Sometimes however there i...

I grew up in a family dominated by girls and girlie things. My sisters, cousins, and I were very close and we spent a lot of time together. We played house and dress up. My mom owned a beauty salon for most of my life, so we had fun doing each others hair, nails and make up. I did not play sports, I was a dancer and a Girl Scout. We watched musicals and soaps, cooked, went shopping and had late night talks about nothing at all.  I was around boys of course, but in my daily life I was surrounded by females.  Now my family is dominated by men and manly things. I quickly learned that boys are different! They play rough. They are loud. They love sports, action movies and dirt. They consider bathing optional, until around age 13. They would rather eat than shop. They would rather eat than cook.  They would rather eat than do just about anything! Conversations are meaningful, but brief. The less words the better. So, with this realization I made a decision. I needed so...

Spring Training March 15,2014 Every year as Spring rolls around our house is buzzing with excitement. There really is no off season for us in regards to baseball, but Spring brings on a whole new energy. Practices have started, high school tryouts are over and Major League Baseball is back on the TV and Radio. This year as we look forward to our son's Senior season of high school baseball, our family is also training for a different kind of season. One of change.  This Spring will not be about baseball alone. It will also be about the experiences and emotions of graduation. It will be about letting go of some things and holding on a little tighter to others. It will be about transition, both for him and for us. It will be about fear and excitement. About the pride we feel, not only in what he has accomplished, but more importantly for who he is. Through it all, I want to sit back and enjoy it. Tak...