One great Easter

My Easter was not a traditional one.

Most families spend the day going to church, having a nice lunch or dinner, and just enjoying the presence of eachother...I spent my Easter at a High School Rodeo in Casa Grande, and my delicious Easter meal was Domino's pizza.

I know it may not sound like much, but this Easter weekend helped me to  truly open my eyes and see why this holiday is so important and incredible.

I was given the opportunity to spend these past two days rodeoing; two days of doing something I love and have a passion and desire for. Rodeo is a huge part of me, it makes me who I am. I could not think of any other way I would rather spend my days, and for that I'm thankful.

On top of doing what I love I was blessed to be surrounded by the people that I love. I am extremely lucky to have these wonderful people to care for me, support me, be there for me, and take the time out of their day to help me succeed. They never put themselves first. They always give and give, yet never expect anything in return.

This Easter I came to the realization of how grateful I am for the life God has given me. He has given me the chance to do what I have a passion for, he's lead  me to great things, and let me live an over all unbelievable life. On top of that he has placed along my path the most superb people I could ever ask for. At times I always wondered why it was that some people exited out of my life, but it was always because  someone better was next in line.

I love the life I live and the people in it....Happy Easter!

Just a "bad" softball team

There is nothing wrong about coming from a small town. Not everyone can say they grew up in a place where everyone knows everyone and the sporting events are filled with the whole town there for support. However, it's heartbreaking to face the fact that coming from a small town means you are looked down on by others.

I never realized or came to this conclusion until this weekend at my softball tournament. 

My team and I were attending the Gracie Haught tournament in Payson; a tournament I have attended annually with my team for four years. As soon as we arrive and pull into the field we immediately receive looks from everyone. They all begin to mumble, "Oh it's just Holbrook." Or "Who are they? Is Holbrook even a place." Then there is my all time favorite, which was said to one of my coaches this year, "Oh it's Holbrook, they don't know anything." 

People begin to judge us based on our looks and the fact that we are a small school who can't afford all the best equipment that the valley teams have. No one gives us the chance to prove ourselves before they decide what they are going to think of us. 

Everyone believes that they have us all figured out and that they can walk all over us. 

When we started off the tournament on Saturday we came out with a strong 16-4 win against Sunnyslope. A little surprised the directors told us we were to play on field three at eleven against Deer Valley. The whole team rushed over to the field just to find out that they decided to let Snowflake and Apache Junction play there game on field three and we were told to wait. 

We sat patiently and waited until someone finally came to tell us that we could play on field one in five minutes. Again we hurried over to field one and started our game. After a good fight and some horrible calls by the umps we, lost the game 4-6. Luckily for us the tournament was double elimination and we had at least one more game. 

Our whole team stood patiently next to the bracket to find out who we played next, but there was one problem...they took us off the bracket. We were all quite confused, so my coach asked to see the director of the tournament. When the man approached us we informed him on the mistake in the bracket and asked about who are next game would be. The director looked at the bracket and assured us it was correct. We were told that because our last game was delayed the decision was made to give our spot and game away to another team. This was upsetting to hear. My coach began talking to the director asking him to explain and trying to get us a game. The director simply turned to my coach and with an annoyed tone replied, "Why does it matter? You're just a bad team looking to play some more bad teams."

We never got to play our other game. 

It's frustrating that because we come from a small town and school we are never given the benifit of the doubt; we are always counted out. 

If playing on a team that older equipment, less than twenty girls, and comes from a small town is classified as a "bad team", then I am very proud to say I'm part of a bad team. 

I know for a fact that one thing my bad team has that a lot of good teams don't, is the heart to play and the determination to make a name for ourselves and the name across the front of our jerseys. 

I love my bad softball team. 

3 Strikes, you're out!

"They call it a softball, but really it's a yellow threaded gift from God. Revealed to each young lady that dares to play the game. Somewhere between her heart and hard work, she will find the thread that will unwrap the talent that she didn't know she had, develop the character she will always need, and transform her teammates into everlasting friends." -Unknown

 I hate to admit it, but I have never really liked or enjoyed playing softball; there was even a point in time when I absolutely hated it. I would sit in class hoping the school day wouldn't be over because I was dreading going to practice. I wasn't playing because I had a passion or love for the sport, I was playing because I felt like I had to. I thought that if I stopped playing I would let so many people down, so I told my self that I had to just stick it out even if I was miserable. 

 I am extremely content with the fact that I never gave up on playing.

 It took me four long years of playing, but my senior year I was finally able to fall in love with the sport, to find a passion for it, and feel a fire inside of myself when playing. 

 Once I lace up my cleats I don't want to take them off. As I run onto the field I have the desire to constantly be out there giving it my all. There is a certain feeling that I get when I catch a fly ball or get a good hit, which is a feeling that is  hard to explain.  I am constantly waiting and wishing for a ball to come to me and eager for that next pitch, so I am able to feel the rush once more. 

 Although there is no better feeling than walking to the stands and getting that, "Good job, I'm proud of you." Hug from my mom, the "glory" is not the best thing about softball...the best thing about softball is my team. 

 Fifteen different wild, crazy, yet amazing girls, all coming together and creating a tremendous bond. Some of us may have known each other before, and some of may be complete strangers, however, in the matter of three months we all become sisters. 

 We're with each other more than our own families...actually we are a family. We fight like one, laugh like one, and love like one.

 The season has only begun yet I already have a friendship with every single one of my teammates. I may have disliked softball before, but the group of girls that I play with have helped me to appreciate and respect it.

 This year I am going to step on the field for the very last time and hang up my cleats, however, I am truly grateful I will be ending my softball career with a team as powerful and wonderful as mine.