Thank you...

I dedicate this post to the men in woman over seas fighting for our freedom. If anyone reads this who has a family member or friend who is serving right now please tell them "Thank you" for me.

Also to those who are serving "Thank you" from the bottom of my heart you mean the world to me I really appreciate all that you do and continue to do. Thank you for sacrificing your tomorrows for my today's because you know the meaning of freedom, of love, of respect and true friendship ...Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Be blessed and have a wonderful New Years day!

(to watch the videos please make sure you pause my play list so you can hear the music)

Computers...

Ugh!!! Modern technological devices!! My computer has a virus of some kind in it. So that is why I have not posted anything lately. As soon as it is fixed everyone will have access to read about the updates on my life and stuff. Sorry for the inconvenience!

Songs

Have you ever woken up where you just start to sing a song that gets stuck in your head? I woke up this morning and did that! The worst part is it was not a Christian song it was country artist Billy Currington's "Good Directions". I know I am a very bad Christian, all because I listen to country music! OK really I am just kidding. I say that as someone who loves Jesus and the Word of God and as someone who knows that she is not perfect. After all I am only human and I make mistakes (Thanks mom for getting those words stuck in my head and you know what I mean by that!) and I am the one who has to own up to my own mistakes. What I mean by that is that I will be the one on judgement day who has to look God right in the eye and say "Yes Lord I did that." Weather it was a good thing or not I am the one who has to say that. You want to know something? I am OK with that. Honest!

Anyways I woke up singing it just because it is such a silly song and I really like the music to it! So I am setting up the music video so everyone can have a good laugh on my expense.

Going crazy in my own way.

Frustrated! Angry!! Aggravated!!! Crazy!!! All words that describe how I am feeling at the moment. I know that it is not right to "hate" anyone so I guess another word to describe my emotions are Irritated! I really do not want to go into to much detail, so I will just say very little about people I know who have made me feel this way.

I have some relatives that have not been very nice to me, and my whole family. They have treated us like we are the black sheep of the family. Anyway last night and this morning I heard somethings that these relatives told a certain relative, who then told me. Gossip? Maybe (me I am not big on hearing it or even talking about it) Anyway it is not something I am very happy with. So please just pray that the Lord gives me strength and peace in this time where I just need to love them weather these relatives love me or not.

Curt Schilling's Blog...

OK as I start this blog I just want to say...Nice work Curt!!!...Now on to the blog post...

As you can see I am die-hard Astros fan but I have a favorite American League team too. That is the Boston RedSox. I love the BoSox as much as my Astros and always have. Anyway today I decided I was going to go read BoSox pitcher Curt Schilling's blog. Because yesterday on ESPN they were talking about how Curt was calling out Roger Clemens for being on the Mitchell report. Now for those of you who do not follow baseball or sports in general (I will give you a little piece of info. on the report) It was a steroid report for the fans to know that steroids are bad...well something like that anyway.

So anyway I decided to go read Curt's blog and his thoughts on steroids and what not. He was talking about other things in baseball and how baseball along with other sports really needs to stop the steroid non-sense. (As best I could tell) He called Roger Clemens out saying he should have to give up the four Cy Young Awards he's won since 1997 if he can't clear his name from allegations that he used steroids to prolong and enhance his career.

Personally I could not agree with Curt more. If you do the crime you should have to pay the time. Now I am not saying Roger did steroids and I am not saying he did not do steroids, truthfully only GOD knows but I agree with Curt 100% . On the bottom are both the links to what Curt had to say about the report and Roger Clemens for those of you who are interested in reading them.


Curt's thoughts on the Mitchell report below.
http://38pitches.com/2007/12/19/one-players-take-on-the-mitchell-report-canseco-clemens-records-looking-back-or-going-forward/

A follow up on Curt's thoughts on the Mitchell report below.
http://38pitches.com/2007/12/20/innocent-until-proven-guilty/

Visitors...

Anyone who is visiting my blog (who are not on my friends list) I would like to get to know where you are visiting from. So please leave me a comment and tell me where you are from and how you found out about my blog. Thanks- Stephanie

Another cry for help.

Today I was driving to work when I heard on the radio that Britney Spears' younger sister Jamie-Lynn Spears is pregnant and she is only 16. Now I am not a person who is big on celebrity gossip but I could not help but think about how her older sister is the one who sets an example, and as an older sister myself I could not help but start to think about my younger sister and how I set an example for her. I hope that the example she sees in me is a Godly one. But now that I hear and see things like that I honestly can't help but wonder if this is just another cry for help from the Spears family and Hollywood in general. I hope that one day soon the Lord sends someone in their paths to get them saved.

In Christ Alone...

Today I was thinking about all the things we go through as Chirstians and I could not help but start humming this song...

In Christ alone will I glory
Though I could pride myself in battles won
For I’ve been blessed beyond measure
And by His strength alone I’ll overcome
Oh, I could stop and count successes like diamonds in my hands
But those trophies could not equal to the grace by which I stand

In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

In Christ alone do I glory
For only by His grace I am redeemed
For only His tender mercy
Could reach beyond my weakness to my need
And now I seek no greater honor in just to know Him more
And to count my gains but losses to the glory of my Lord

In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

Thank you Lord!!!

The Weather Outside...

This morning when I got out of the shower I asked my mom if she could check the weather (now for those of you who do not know me all that well I am not a winter person or a morning person. I know I am just a weird person, but give me a break I'm related to my mom!! Just kidding mommy!!!) anyway she was telling me the forecast and I said "It's going to snow. I can smell it!" and it made me think of the Christmas song "The weather outside is frightful..." hence the name of this post.

Well anyway anyone who ever reads my mom's blog knows about our families "Great Adventures" and when we lived in Seattle, WA (Yummy Starbucks!) we would go to the Mountains to go sledding. Well I should say my mom, dad, bro. and sis. went sledding while I was the one who liked to stay in the van (as it was running) and drink hot chocolate. Well anyway as they would sled and I would enjoy my hot chocolate, I would tell them before we hit the Mountains "I can smell it, it is going to snow!" so I have been able to smell it for a week. I hope for my momma's sake that it does snow, because she loves snow. Please pray and believe with me that it will be a white Christmas...

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
I come before you Lord and I thank you for this day. I ask that this year my family has a white Christmas for those in the family who love snow. I also ask that you bless us and keep us safe. Let us be shining lights of your word and a blessing to others today and everyday.

It is in Jesus wonderful precious name we pray,
Amen

The "No title" Post post.

Today I woke up and started thinking about all of the things I had to do for today (something I always do when I wake up, it just is natural to me) and usually when I get up I thank the Lord for the day and just stuff in general. Today was one of those days that went like this... Wake up Stephanie you have 2 billion things to do today you can not go back to sleep! WAKE UP! Then all my thoughts rushed in my head, as I was walking into the bathroom to take my morning shower which is were I do my morning praying. OK I have to do this I have to that, and I heard the Lord's voice in the midst of my crazy thoughts "Hi! How is your morning going?" (Now for those of you who do not know me all that well I am NOT a morning person. In order for me to be a somewhat morning person I have to have my coffee.)

So after hearing his sweet loving voice I was thinking to myself without my coffee in a somewhat grouchy mood "gee Jesus how many cups of coffee have you had this morning? I have not had any this morning and I NEED mine so I can be as chipper as you" I could hear him laughing. He was laughing at what I asked him! He was laughing at me! ME!! He then said "Stephanie you really do not need your morning coffee to be chipper with me." I then started thinking "What Jesus? Have you lost your mind I'm NOT a morning person" He started laughing again and said "No, You can always drink your coffee so you can be a somewhat morning person. That is not what I meant. I meant that my word says "Today is the day the Lord has made rejoice and be glad in it" see what I mean I do not mind if you drink your coffee but I do mind if you are not rejoicing in me I like hearing your voice I like when you talk to me."

I thought to myself "Duh Stephanie!" I said "Lord I'm so sorry I did not mean to put you last I just, I mean I do not know what I was thinking you are right. This is YOUR day a day YOU blessed me with and I forgot to say thanks. So thanks."

Have you ever had that happen? You are in the midst of a billion things or it seems like a billion thoughts are running through your head and he just sits there smiles and just waits for you to say "Hi Jesus! How are you today? Thanks for the wonderful day you gave me! (even if to you it might not seem that wonderful) I think that we all have attendance to let the Lord slip through the cracks and that is why I am posting about my morning. So I encourage anyone who reads this to just look outside, at your kids or whatever and give thanks one more time let our Heavenly Father know just how much you really do appreciate Him and what He did for us. Especially during this time of year. Because He really enjoys the sound of our voices, they are like music to His ears.

Be blessed today and make sure you tell Jesus you love Him!



Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
I come before you Lord and I just want to thank you for your love, your mercy, your wisdom, your knowledge, and most importantly I want to thank you for dying on that tree 2 thousand years ago so I can have eternal life and so I can serve you. Thank you for this day, let me be a blessing to others where ever I go. Help me use your wisdom and knowledge. Lord help me shine your light through this day and every day. I love you Lord.

It's in Jesus wonderful precious name I pray
Amen

Happy Birthday B-G-O!!!!!

This post is deticated to my all time favorite Astros player (well next to Jeff Bagwell :D ) Craig Alan Biggio. Chant it with me...





B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!! B-G-O!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Bidge!!! I hope you have a GREAT one # 7!!!!!!

Things I am thankfull for...

1. Jesus- Because without him I am nothing

2. Astros and RedSox baseball- Do I really need to explain?

3. My momma and daddy- Because without them let's just be honest I would not be here.

4. My brother and sister- They are goofy and we fight sometimes but I love them!

5. Texas- I love being a Texas girl and because it was Jeff Bagwell's number :D

6. Tea and Dr. Pepper- Anyone who knows me knows that is self explanatory

7. The month and day of my birth and because it was my all time favorite Astro Craig Biggio's number.

8. Being able to read

9. Chicken and Dumplings

10. Milk

11. Blue bell ice cream

12. Transportation

13. The great outdoors- I love to be outside. I love the smells and the colors. GOD really out did HIMSELF, don't you think?

14. TV, video games and radio- All great examples of entertainment.

15. Christmas- A great day to remember that Jesus really loves us all that much.

16. Resurrection Sunday, it just goes along with 15.

17. Hot chocolate, it just goes with the 2 before it.

18. Science and math- Without them I would not have my sports especially...BASEBALL!!!

19. Camera's- To take pictures of memories.

20. Photo albums, it just goes along with 19.

21. Coloring books- I might be older but I still love to color.

22. Internet- That way I can check up on my 'Stros and BoSox in the offseason.

23. Computers, it just goes along with 22.

24. The Military, any one who is a TRUE American knows that is self explanatory.

25. My papa- For taking me to the circus (he HATES the circus) and for taking me to see my 'Stros on my 16th birthday against your Reds.

26. My Granny A- For adopting me as your own and giving me Granny's words of wisdom ;D .

27. My Uncles and Aunt- Because they care enough about Baseball to talk it with me, and because I love them.

28. Rain- Because without it the earth would not be a pretty place.

29. Chocolate- 'nuf said.

30. All of the people who do the dirty jobs, so I can have plumbing, electricity etc.

31. Food= Yummy- 'nuf said.

32. My teeth just goes along with 31.

33. Fireplaces- So I can be warm and enjoy 17 :D .

34. Nolan Ryan- Without him baseball would not be the same and neither would the Astrodome.

35. Chairs- Because I love to relax and in them I can watch baseball :D .

36. My house- So I can be with my family.

37. Toothbrushes and Toothpaste- Because I like my mouth clean and my breath minty fresh.

38. Nachos it just goes along with 34. Thanks Nolan!

39. My Dome- Because I loved going there watching and cheering on my Astros, and it goes along with 5, 7, 34, and 38.

40. The age my daddy thought he was on his 41st birthday. A fond and funny memory my family loves to laugh about.

41. My sweet lovie (anyone who knows me knows why :D )

42. People- Because I love to hold conversations with them weather it is about baseball or not.

43. My ears- Because without them I would not be able to enjoy music and hear Steven Curtis Chapman sing "the Great Adventure"

44. Roy Oswalt-Without him the Astros would have NEVER seen a World Series and he's a Christian too so that is always an added bonus.

45. The Bible it just goes along with 1.

46. Trees- I love to climb them and be around the smell they have.

47. Dirt- I love to make mud pies with it and because it has a unique feel to it.

48. Watermelon I know it falls into the Category of # 31 but without it's seeds I would not be able to enjoy summer.

49. Swimming pools- Because they keep me cool in Hot Texas summer.

50. Summer- Because that is the season I was born in, that is when baseball is played and that is when I like it because I like it HOT!

UGH!!! Drayton McLane Jr., Ed Wade, and the Astros upper staff!!!!!

Ugh!!! Right now that is the only word that I can say to describe my feelings. You know that feeling you get deep down in your gut when you know that you know that you know something is going to go wrong, and yet you try to pray against it, and yet somehow it seems like your prayers were unanswered? I had that feeling when Ed Wade became the General Manager of the Astros. I tried to pray it away (hoping that the Astros would not do anything stupid) but it seemed like all I got from the Lord was wait and see how faithful I am. So here I am waiting...AGAIN!!!...knowing that in my heart of hearts Ed Wade knows nothing about Astros baseball.

Yesterday six players were let go (five of whom I really enjoyed watching and meeting) I want to say that the Astros did great by letting them go, but...they did not. The Astros needed/need starting pitching and so far the farm system (Minor Leagues) prospects best prospects at that are the ones that are being traded. Now please do not get me wrong I love Mr. McLane I have met him, and he gave me tickets to a game once (a story I will share sometime) but WHAT IN THE WORLD IS HE THINKING? I am so frustrated and disappointed right now it really is unreal!

When did the Astros organization decide they needed to get rid of the good players/prospects so the Astros could lose. Why do they not get it? DO NOT TRADE THE GOOD PLAYERS!! Every single time that they get rid of them the team the Astros trade the players to gets better and ends up in the playoffs. Is Drayton McLane that blind sighted that he does not see this? Or am I just that frustrated that I do? Hm. Lets think here shall we?...In 1991 the Astros had a Center Fielder (who's name I will not mention for awhile) that kept telling them Let me play I am going to be great one day!" They shipped him off to a team (I can not for the life of me remember what team though) because they did not believe he would be that great, now he is still in the MLB (20 years or so) and still one of the best Out Fielders in the game! Boy did Kenny Lofton call his greatness or what?!

In 1992 the Astros had a starting pitcher (who too shall remain nameless for awhile) and he was put in the bullpen, he kept telling the Astros "I am not a reliever!! I am a starter!!" They did not listen to him and shipped him off to the Phillies, and you know what happened the Phillies ended up going to the World Series and this Pitcher has three World Series rings (Two with the Red Sox and one with the Diamondbacks) but according to the Astros Curt Schilling was NEVER a starting pitcher! The list goes on with dump things the Astros have done and are still doing, but my point all together is Drayton McLane is really not using baseball wisdom and baseball knowledge together.

He is using baseball knowledge by it self. You can not do that you have to use the two together!! After all there is a difference between the two. Baseball wisdom is the ability to think the season that is in front of you through thoroughly and know how to play it out weather you have the players or not. Baseball knowledge is knowing the game and how the game is played. That is the difference, and that was my whole point and that is why I am so frustrated and why the one word that describes me best is UGH!! That is all for now just UGH!!!

To my mommy!...

Today is my mom's birthday and I wanted to post a special post only for her. So here it goes...


My mom and I have a very close relationship, we rarely fight, which in so many ways is a great thing. We have shared so many fun memories. Hey mom you remember when I was little and me, you and daddy would go see our 'Stros in the Dome (mine and yours daddy really does not count ;-D jk) and you would be screaming at Hal Leiner? Or going to see Bidge play his final game and we were both crying and daddy was looking at us like we were nuts even though he too shed some tears Remember?Ah fun memories. Now that you are -- you can do what daddy did on his 41st and say you are a year younger than you really are I give you permission. So go right ahead and do it. ROFLOL

I love you very much and hope you have an awesome day filled with great blessings and many surprises! These ones are for you!!!

This is funny...

Frustrated...

OK as many of you know I am a die-hard Astros fan, (Because that was not obvious with my background...Right? Just Kidding) anyways I am writing this post because I am just completely and totally disgusted by the Astros organization. I guess I am frustrated with what General Manager Ed Wade and owner Drayton McLane Jr. have done. They keep sending the good players to bad teams in return for bad players! This has been going on within the Astros organization for as long as I can remember! Truth be told the worst part of it all is the fact that EVERYONE on the upper staff wants to know why the Astros can not win a World Series or why they have only been in one for as long as the Astros have been a team. I cant help but wondering what they are thinking when they make such ridiculous trades (for instance Jason Jennings of the Rockies to the Astros for Taylor Buchholz, Jason Hirsh and Willy Taveras. What in the sam hill were they thinking last year???) I just hope that when they do realize they made ridiculous trades it is not to late to fix it, like this year's season. Oh well that being said I will get off my soap box now I am done.

Blah Sick...

Last night my mom younger brother and sister and I decided we would go to the annual town Christmas tree lighting, and I got to go because my boss let me off work early, because he was sick. Anyhow I was wanting to go but I also did not want to go because I was not feeling all that great either. (I just thought that it was my allergies) Well last night as I was getting ready for bed my ear started to burn (they already were itchy) and my throat did too (I already had a mild cough) so this morning after about 2 hrs of sleep last night I woke up and asked my mom what I should do (mind you Dr.C- has 2 little kids J she is 3 and baby W he is 3 months old) she said "take the day off because you do not want to get the baby sick." I kind of knew that I just wanted to double check so I called Dr.C- to let him know I WAS NOT going to go to work today. He seemed relieved because he sounded like he too just wanted to crawl back in to bed! I know it sounds bad but I should be OK by tomorrow...HOPEFULLY!

Funny Stuff...

Thanks # 7!!!!

I wrote this a couple of months ago...


Well even though baseball season is not officially over. I wanted to post a special blog for one of my favorite Astros. I know that there are very few people (if any at all) who read my blog and when I write I try to keep it interesting. So here it goes…
As many (if not everybody who read) know I love the Houston Astros, I love to watch them, talk about them and so on. But, today is a sad day for me to write, because my Astros season is over so is Craig Biggio's 20 year career. You see Sept. 30th 2007 was his last game ever because he retired. I really should start this story/blog like this (the music that plays when someone on TV says "Let me take you back" just played!)
I was less than a year old when Craig Biggio became an Astro it was June 26th 1988 he became a Major Leaguer, and this is for me where the story really begins.
Larry Andersen (he was an Astros pitcher) was holding me (like he usually did) and he was talking to my daddy, when Craig walked over to Larry to talk about pitching (Craig was a catcher than) and I started to wave to him and try to get him to play with me and he was waving back and finally said "Mr. Andersen,…" Larry "WHAT!" "she is so cute, could I hold her?" Larry looked at him and said "Yeah sure Rook." and from then on I guess I was always a fan of Craig Biggio. I never really thought that he would retire, and be so gracious to us fans about it and yet he was. I was actually afraid I would not get to see his final game, but thanks to my mom (and her several attempts to buy tickets on ebay) I was there to witness a little piece of peace, love, joy, sorrow, and history! My whole heart was ripped out when he gave his final goodbyes (as a player) to us fans. Yes I know it is silly to say I cried. But I did, and those tears were tears of joy and memories; knowing the baseball era I grew up watching was over. My mom also has a blog and she wrote how (even though the tickets were expensive (when they were in the nosebleeds) and so was gasoline) it was a priceless look on my face as the tears came down my cheeks. So as I finish this part of my blog I leave you with these last couple of sentences that go out towards my memories of Craig. (Clears throat)
Craig, you taught me to love the game, respect and cherish it too. You taught me to pinetar my helmet when everyone elses was blue. You played the with the Astros your whole career, never complaining about what position they put you at, or even how many pitches you took in the arm instead of them making contact with your bat. You showed me and all the other fans too that (even though Tom Hanks said "There is no crying in baseball!") it was ok to cry. You played 20 amazing years with just one team, never minding my screams. So thanks for all the memories that make me day dream, thanks for 20 years, for holding me, and supporting the fans that loved you so much. What can I say other than… See you in Cooperstown Mr. 3,000!

A funny story...

The other day I was at work when I received a very random phone call (I work at a Chiropractor's office) anyways I was talking to this lady who company has done business with him before, and she had said "If you do not mind my asking...What time do you both leave from work?" (mind you it is a Friday) I said "Oh not at all 5pm" She and I then somehow changed the subject of what she was supposed to tell me to the fact that neither one of us liked the time change. She said "I have heard that for 6 months of the year it stays dark and the other 6 months it is daylight" (or something like that) I replied "Oh yeah that is true, my family lived in Seattle Wa. for a couple of years and that is how it is up there too. Oh by the way I lived in Alaska for awhile also." she then said "if you dont mind my asking...How come you lived up there?" my answer "Well my dad's job takes us everywhere, and everyone likes to ask if he is in the military, but he is not." she then asked "What does your dad do?" me "he is a piping designer, that means that he builds power plants and things like that on the computer." she then says "I want to travel can I adopt your dad?" me "oh sure my dad would not mind at all he likes having adopted kids, I will call him tonight and say...Hey dad a lady that I was talking to over the phone at work wants to adopt you so she can travel." We both started to laugh and then we hung up. That night my dad came home from work (as many of you know my mom also has a blog http://greatadventure2.blogspot.com/ and she tells of my families crazy adventures, and also about dad's job in Houston) and I told him the story he starts to laugh and says "Well sure she can come just make sure you get her info..." so today she calls to follow up with me about what Dr.C- had said and I told her what my dad had said and we just started laughing all over again. So kind lady from the phone (you know who you are) if you get a chance to read this please keep in touch because I really enjoyed our conversation.

Welcome

Hi my name is Stephanie and I would just like to say welcome to my blog. I hope you enjoy reading about adventures and baseball because that is basically my life!