This is probably going to sound like a yawner for most of you who are celebrating accomplishments on the college level, but here goes: My son made varsity as a soph. Yea! I'm so proud of him as he started out last year as the third-string JV catcher. He was the only kid on the team whose voice hadn't changed yet. Since then he has been working non-stop, played summer ball and on three fall-ball teams, got a few lessons and basically worked his duff off. Also he grew 5 inches

Had a few bumps along the way--one tryout for a local elite travel team was the most horrendous performance he's ever given (sick, sore-armed, nervous and his girlfriend dumped him the night before) but he picked himself up and made the squad for another team. Now all his hard work has paid off, and he's learned that determination, persistence, and the occasional lecture from mom can be good things. I'm so proud of him. Now I can breathe again.

"I am thankful for my mom, my dad, my brother, my sister, my dog, my house, and most of the furniture."