Baseball...

...is stressful.  I'm not going to lie: I've gotten use to Rex being pretty good at basically everything.  He is about a year or more above his grade in reading; he plays the piano very well; he's advanced in math; he mountain bikes better than many of Greg's adult mountain biking friends.  But when it comes to sports involving balls, he takes after me.  And it's stressful.

I don't need or want Rex to be the best at everything.  In theory.  I think failure or lack of complete success is good for kids.  Teaches them to work hard, to recognize their weakness, to learn how to overcome adversity.  In theory.  But actually watching it happen and watching Rex be even mildly disappointed is hard. 

He is the youngest kid on his team with the least experience.  And while Greg and I have worked with Rex on the fundamental skills of baseball, he's so thoughtful in everything he does, he has a hard time just hitting the ball because he has to think about each step.  As a result, he strikes out more often than not.  And while he doesn't cry about it or anything, he does say stuff like, I'd just like to get on base.  And that makes me sad.  Or he'll say, I'll never get the game ball.  And that makes me sad too.  But I can't tell the coach to give him the game ball just because I don't want my kid to be sad, because, again in theory, I'm against handing out trophies just for standing on the field.  

This week Heavenly Father and I had a chat about Rex and baseball playing.  Rex has put in a lot effort on baseball.  Aside from games and team practices, Greg or I take him out a few times a week to work on stuff.  Besides, I just didn't want Rex to be sad.  And I guess Heavenly Father didn't want me to be sad either, because Rex got a hit a on Saturday and got all the way to second base before his team struck out.  And then Rex even got the game ball for an awesome stop (not catch) in left center.  Heavenly Father didn't make Rex the best on the team, but just good enough that we could both be happy and proud of his accomplishments.  Heavenly Father does answer prayers.  So thank you for that.  And thanks to Rex for his continued effort and hard work even when he isn't the best.

We're all pretty happy around here.