Uh...so can I check my fantasy baseball team?

So this is what I (Allison) will be hearing from now until fall. The start of the baseball season means the start of (once again) fantasy baseball at Abe's work. Bless their hearts that they still want him in their league since he's won two years in a row. (My husband's a bit competitive.)

Opening day is a wonderful day. It really signifies the start of spring. Once again, Abe and I will be having a summer of baseball. We already have tickets to two Cubs games, one White Sox game and one Yankees game (at Yankee Stadium)! Abe and I have been kind of lethargic lately (emphasized by the large amount of snow this winter and Abe's recent bout with the flu), so we can't wait until baseball. Going to games is fun for both of us.

On another subject, my wonderful husband gave me an amazing present for no apparent reason. He gave me a spa package at one of Chicago's famous spas. Thanks, honey!

My favorite childhood moment

Hi all! This is Abe blogging. I figured that it's been awhile since I've blogged, so I will do so today. So I was working out at the gym the other night and got thinking about what my favorite childhood moment would be. It quickly became obvious what that moment was. Here's the story.

As many of you know, I am a big baseball fan. Did you know, however, that I was quite the little league baseball player in my day? I remember this like it was just yesterday. I was a little league baseball player at Welles Park in Chicago--it was a hot summer day, and I stepped into the batter's box against one of the toughest pitchers in the league--his name was Mike. We were in a tight pennant race with his team, and the count was full at 3 balls and 2 strikes. The next pitch that I got just spun up to the plate--a hanging curve ball. Heh heh. A hanging curve ball is essentially a curve ball that is supposed to dip sharply when it gets to the plate but it doesn't. It's a mistake pitch, so when it gets to you, it just "hangs" up there at a lower speed--a perfect pitch to kill. In any case, I got a hanging curve ball and my eyes lit up. I proceeded to produce arguably the best swing that I have ever had. *Ping*! I hit the ball so hard with my aluminum bat that it went way over the rightfielder's head (I'm a lefty). I was so shocked that I hit the ball so hard that I literally stopped at every base. Well, I finally crossed home plate--I had just hit a HOME RUN! My teammates and my coaches were waiting for me by the time I got to home plate. My teammates were all screaming and cheering for me. My coach nearly had a heart attack and told me, "The next time you hit a home run DO NOT STOP AT EVERY BASE!" He then gave me a big hug. The funny thing is that the next batter Timmy also hit a home run--that knocked Mike out of the game. We ended up winning that game 8-3.

It was the best moment of my childhood. It was also the first, last, and only home run that I have ever hit in little league and high school. We ended up winning the championship that year. But there's more to this story...

The team that I played that day? The Cardinals. My wife's favorite baseball team? the Cardinals. God truly has a weird sense of humor since I am a die-hard Cubs fan these days.

What's your favorite childhood moment?

Elliedub

It's me, Allison, here. Today was a stinky day for me, but one of the highlights was receiving a t-shirt I bought from www.elliedub.com. The site sells really cool t-shirts as a fundraiser for the adoption of Eliana, a Guatemalan girl, by Chris and Lindsey Wheeler.

I found out about Elliedub through a friend of mine from college. Not only did receiving my order today make me smile, but so did reading more of Chris and Lindsey's blog. They've been through so much hardship with this adoption. Yet, they persevere through Christ. My trials of today are so minimal compared to what they go through, yet my tendency is to give up, to get mad and act out (One of my frustrations from today was driving home in massive snow...yeah, I know it's Easter weekend...I got so frustrated I started yelling obscenities at drivers and then I called my husband and he bore the brunt of my wrath. Nice, huh?)

Life will stink. It will. The key is keeping my eyes focused on God...to claim His strength...and rely on Him. I came home and started reading Chris and Lindsey's blog, which encouraged me. Life will not be easy. In fact, it's a battle. But God is mighty and he gives us strength to fight.

Nayok Gai Lan

Tonight, I (Allison) was quite daring -- I tried making Abe's favorite dish for the first time. He loves beef and broccoli (nayok gai lan in Cantonese). I've tried cooking Chinese before, but nothing quite like this. I would give my first attempt a B. First off, the recipe came from the label of the soy sauce we have, so I'm not sure how authentic it was. Second, I overcooked the beef. And, the rice cooker overcooked the rice again, so I'm going to have to see how I can fix that.

Regardless, Abe enjoyed the nayok gai lan (he called it "ho sik uh" which means "very good" in Cantonese). And, he ate it like he always eats food. I know he will eat anything, but I want him to crave my version of his favorite food. Hopefully, I'll get better each time I cook it.

Mr. Peanut

Some of you know that Abe's glasses have been falling apart lately. Of course, they're pretty old -- He wears contacts during the day, so there's really not a need to get new glasses regularly. But Abe's frugalness is being tested. First, the piece over one of the ears fell off. Then, one of the lenses fell out. I (Allison) have been bugging Abe to get new glasses, but since he uses them so rarely, it hasn't been that big of a deal to Abe.

So, Saturday I came into the living room and saw Abe watching TV with his glasses on -- even though they only fit over one of his ears and contained only one lens. I called him Mr. Peanut. He was confused, until I brought my can of peanuts over to him.

Africa!

Allison here writing about my sister-in-law and brother-in-law who are spending the next month in Africa. Barb (Abe's sister) is working at a hospital in Uganda, while Frank (her husband) isn't sure what he will be doing in that country. So, please pray for their safety, the health and protection of their families while they are so far away, and that God would use them in a mighty way. You can read about their trip at: fhomess.blogspot.com.

Meanwhile, Abe and I are enjoying being back at home. Traveling is fun, but it's always nice to come home. While it's still very cold and snowy here, the sun is out more, so that has helped us be patient for spring.

I think I'm also adjusting even more to Chicago life. Today I had lunch and coffee with some new friends of mine -- lots of fun!