*All Star*

Friday night's All Star game was a big success. Noah's team won with a score of 14 -1. Noah likes to point out that the game ended abruptly due to rain, so the score probably would have been even better ... I guess we'll never know :)

Noah played an awesome game. He was 4 out of 4 with his hits. He had 3 RBIs (for those of us "non baseballers" that means he scored 3 times). He caught 2 balls in the field for 2 outs; and got 2 runners out on the plate. We like to think that had there been an MVP he would have been in the running :) 20 other parents probably are thinking the same thought about their son!

It's so fun to see him so passionate for something he loves. As his parent, it's a joy to watch him concentrate so hard; to give it his very best. It's cool to see him work so hard, and then see that hard work pay off. We're proud of him for so many reasons. The fact that he loves baseball is just a bonus!

Saturday afternoon Paul surprised Noah with the news that they were going to be heading to a Tiger's Game ... that day! Noah was beside himself ... he could hardly believe it!! We had told him it was going to be a "work afternoon" of cleaning up the backroom in the basement and we needed his help. He had to come in from playing with his friends. When we told him "just kidding" ... you and Dad are going to the Tigers he was ecstatic. The boys had such a great night. Noah got an autograph from Bodine, a new player for the Tigers. Bodine wrote a Bible reference under his signature ... "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". He's now a new favorite player at the Hoekstras! They witnessed a Grand Slam and the Tiger's ended up winning the game ... barely. Noah is so blessed to have such a great dad ... he's going to have such great memories of their special outing together.