Catch of a Lifetime

So, here's the story: Monday night we all went out to the ballpark to catch the Wizard's last game of the season. Cash only lasted two innings, but it only took two for something magical to happen. The thing about the stadium is the nets don't really cover enough area, and you're constantly on the lookout for a fly ball. In the first inning, one hit a few rows in front of us. And suddenly, in the second inning, I hear Wes calmly say (in this weird southern accent, for some reason), "Here it comes." Since I was getting something out of the diaper bag for Cash, I didn't see the ball, so I just hid behind Wes. Next thing I know, he turns to me with this huge cocky grin on his face, and he's holding the ball in his hand!

Sarah: "What, how did you get that?"
Wes: "It bounced off the hand of the guy behind us (guy standing up with green shirt on) and dropped right between me and the guy next to me. I snagged it!"
Sarah: "Do you want to give it to one of the kids around us?" (Maybe one of the kids with his mitt desperately trying to catch the ball).
Wes: "What?"
Sarah: "You don't want to give it to a kid, do you? You want to keep it."
Wes: "I want to keep it for Cash." (Who he's holding as he catches the ball).
Sarah: "Riiiiight. For Cash."

That's how it went. Wes turns to the guy behind him (who is actually looking a bit disappointed), holds the ball up, and says, "Thanks." For a second the guy thinks Wes is giving him the ball and puts up his hands to catch it (no lie), realizes that's not happening, and just laughs. The guy next to us and his dad move seats. Wes is beaming. His first fly ball. In the car on the way home I heard him tell Cash, "No, Cash, that's Dad's ball." (I think he was joking, but since we got home it's been sitting on our shelf, out of Cash's reach).

So, we've been cracking up about this since Monday night. And today my friend Michal sends me an e-mail that her parents saw us on the front page of the Sports section Tuesday night, trying to catch a fly ball! I find the photo online and proceed to cry uncontrollably for about 5 minutes. Look at the little children desperately holding out their mitts for their first fly ball! Look at the child to the left of us looking so mad that it didn't come his way. The guys behind us who so badly want to catch that ball. Cash, oblivious to what is happening. Me, hiding to avoid a bruiser. Then the guy next to Wes--the guy he snagged it from--who at this moment is still thinking, "I've got it!" Then look at our boy, Wes, holding his son out of harm's way, mouth open in look of determination, hand overtaking that of the guy next to him, superhuman bicep bulging, a look that says, "I will catch this ball." Yep, that's my husband.

Missouri weekend

We had a lovely tour of Missouri over the weekend. St. Louis for Wes, Cash, and me. Kansas City for the other Gaines'. We met up in Iberia for Joleen's home grown garden lunch and continued on to Columbia for the wedding. A lot of great highlights--Bill challenging Joel to a Button Factory revisit in order to secure his place as number one cousin, a beautiful wedding, Gramie using the phrase "party like a rock star," Wes's "Ask the Cat" best man speech, a fair amount of dancing, Wes losing his wallet and cell phone, and Joel (as I understand) also losing his cell phone. Though the weekend would've better had Ben and Becky been there, we were glad to see everyone and to celebrate Joel and Lauren's big day! Check the side bar for a photo album of the weekend (more to be added soon).

Home Sweet Home

As many of you know- Becky and I decided to purchase a home last week. We now will have a place for visitors, the dogs, baby and me when I get kicked out of the bedroom:( We are very excited, yet nervous as we enter this new phase of life. As for the home, it is in a master planned community, complete with a community pool, sport parks, and local elementary school. I will post more details at a later date.
Ben

Weather in Columbia

Columbia weather from the travel-pro. Bring an umbrella. (Sound familiar, Bill?) Thu Aug 23 Isolated T-Storms 91°/73° 30 % Fri Aug 24 Scattered T-Storms 92°/71° 40 % Sat Aug 25 Scattered T-Storms 85°/66° 40 % Sun Aug 26 Partly Cloudy 85°/65° 20 %

Tahoe (Great News!)

No way, get this. Today I talked to a woman at my church who owns a cabin in South Lake tahoe. She spent this whole summer there with her family and got back on the 4th of August. She told me that she would love to let us use it when we go back for free because they don't rent it out anymore b/c it was trashed once really bad. So maybe this is just a coincident or maybe God knew this would be an ongoing thing. Free houseing for both families! Her cabin is fifteen minutes from Emerald Bay. Alright, just a heads up for later years.

Steve

Tahoe Reflections

Wow, what a wonderful 5 days! I'd like to first say a big thank you to everyone for making this dream into a reality. I know it took commitment, sacrifice, and a bit of patience (insert hike jokes here), but I know for us it was so worth it all. I'm still picking Tahoe pine needles out of my shoes as I reflect on this amazing gift we have. Abigail and I debriefed a lot on our 8 hour journey back to SoCal and we agreed that it couldn't have gone much better. It was kind of sad being the last to leave, but as we rolled past Baldwin Beach, Mt. Tallac trail, and finally swung left by Raley's I thought there are times when sadness is sweet because it tells you how much something or someone really mean to you. In this case, it reminded me of why I love all of you and why I look forward to what will hopefully become a pretty cool tradition that I pray has laid a foundation for future Gaines-Lampi's to build upon.

In case you're experiencing post-Tahoe withdrawl (as I do on a regular basis) click here and it'll take you right back there in real time.

San Francisco, Tahoe photos

I got most of our photos uploaded and into an album this morning. There's a link to the web album on the right-hand side of the blog, below Cash's album. There may be a few more to add soon. We had a great time with all of your, and we wish we were still overlooking the lakes and mountains of South Lake Tahoe. Cash has done a lot of growing up this week: he got a second tooth, he learned to say, "da da," and he constantly stands up in his crib (thanks to Gracie's toy, I'm pretty sure). Hope you've all made it home safely.

Tahoe or Bust!

Cash is so excited about our vacation that I couldn't get him to sit still for a photo, hence the blurriness! Can't wait to see all of you!

Tahoe Bound

grey and daddy
Originally uploaded by stevelamps

Alright, I got called out for not blogging in a bit. So here you go. The Lampi's are excited to see all of you next week. I can't wait to get away from Midland for a bit. Grey is doing well, and can't wait to see all the kids. He's ready to tangle with Cash and Gracie a bit. He's a bit of a hair puller, so we'll have to keep a close eye on the kids with hair. Horseshoes are calling my name, I'm already working on my form. See you wed. night.

Steve, Shea, abd Grey

A Thing of Beauty

I can hardly believe that this time next week we will be gathering for what I pray is an amazing few days together high in the Sierra Nevada's! Abigail, Gracie and I are heading up Sunday night to hang with her folks for a few days so we'll make sure all is set and ready. Looks like the weather's going to cooperate (thanks dad), and I'm sure the water will be crystal clear so as Jim Westerfield once said on a Sunday evening church-wide pool party, "Let the games begin!"

I don't know exactly why but yesterday as I was praying/thinking on next week's trip I had this idea of a theme that might encapsulate what I prayed the week was about. I'm guessing this comes from the teacher/pastor threads in me, but today as I thought some more the phrase, "A Thing of Beauty" came to mind. Now, divine leading or spoiled milk in my cereal I don't know but I thought it would be cool to reflect on this theme as we gather and hang out next week. We will be surrounded by beauty at so many different levels and I want to harness and cherish this beauty. So here's you assignment... be ready to share your experiences with beauty as it pertains to the Gaines-Lampi family in the past and in the present as we experience God's beauty in Tahoe. I'm looking for stories, new and old of how what God has given and is giving us is "A Thing of Beauty." Who knows, perhaps we'll get some inspiration from the artists, songwriters, poets, and wise old sages amongst us? I'm not going to say any more, just be ready to experience, "A Thing of Beauty."

If you've lost your directions, check the earlier posts. If you know someone who hasn't been on the blog for awhile (errr...Steve, where you been?), then tell them to swing in and get these posts. If you get lost on the way, ring my cell phone. If you have any other ?'s, give me a buzz. See you next week!