A smile so wide

This child of mine wore a smile so wide and so genuine throughout today that it became contagious. We couldn't help but become just as happy as he was. Have you ever witnessed one of their dreams actually come true right before their eyes? Let me tell you that there is NOTHING like it! It brought me
so much joy that I have no words to describe it to you. If I ever knew a child who deserved to have a dream come true it would be my Blake. If you knew his heart and his passion then you would have to agree. This child has dreams. BIG ones! He believes that they can and will come true. I believe it too because I believe in him. He is one of the first to arrive at practice. He is one of the hardest working players you will ever find. He is one of the last to leave the field. He is one of the ones who has what it takes to make his dreams come true. Not because he has the most talent, but because he has such a love and respect for the game. I don't know where it came from, but I thank God for the opportunity He gives my son to work at achieving his dreams. Blake will be the first to share with you that any talent he has or any ability that has been given him comes straight from the Father. He loves God. He loves baseball. He loves the Tarheels, the players, and his coach. He loves "Pudge" Rodriguez. Today a piece of his dream came true.

He had NO idea that he would get to meet "Pudge". It was so GREAT! We shared with him that we had been given some tickets to go and watch the Tigers play the Rangers and he was so excited. We usually go over each season when Detroit comes to town so that Blake can watch him play and try to get his autograph. We met with our contact person this afternoon and spent the day enjoying his office that overlooked the field. Once inside of the office Blake's eyes begin to water as he looked at the most amazing baseball collection he had ever seen. There were autographs and photos from all of the old favorites like Johnny Bench and Hank Aaron as well as the newer legends like Nolan Ryan and Pudge Rodriguez. This was turning into one of the best days of my son's life, and he still had no idea what we had in store for him. It was SO much fun knowing that we were just moments away from seeing him live out one of his dreams.

We were given field passes that allowed us to go down on the field during batting practice. That was so cool, and Blake was smiling so wide. During batting practice Sammy Sosa came over and signed a ball for Blake and bat for Allie. They were thrilled! Still not knowing what the real surprise would be. When the Tigers came out on the field to warm up Blake's eyes began to sparkle as he watched from the third base line as his hero got ready to work. Then it happened. Pudge began to walk toward us and stopped to shake hands with our contact person. Then he came toward Blake and shook his hand and their conversation went like this.

"So your a catcher?"

"Yes, sir"

"Are you a good one?"

Blake answers, "Yes, sir!"

"Can you block?"

With a smile getting wider by the minute, "Yes, sir"

Then Pudge says to him, "If I were coming at you do you think you could keep me off your plate?"

Blake's eyes twinkled and he chuckled then answered with all the confidence in the world, "YES, SIR. I could." It was a moment I know I will never forget and I can assure that neither will this amazing child that I am get to call mine.


The meeting meant so much to Blake and the two of them traded photos and autographs. My favorite part of their conversations were what you see in this picture. I brought a copy of the black and white photo you see at the top of this blog and Pudge asked Blake if he would sign it for him. As Blake signed his "autograph", Pudge looked on as if it were the most natural thing in the world to be waiting on an autographed picture of an eleven year old catcher from east Texas. I love the way he choose to make my son feel so special. It was a priceless moment!
This would be Blake's first of many autographs to come, but I know it will be the one that he will never forget.

You may be wondering what in the world this has to do with our sweet Ashley Kate and why this LONG post is in her journal. Please bare with me. It is because of her life, her story, and her struggle that this meeting came to be. In a funny way it is because of my son's love of the game that our Ashley Kate and her story came to be. Pudge and his wife were also blessed with a son and a daughter and then they followed their hearts and the calling God placed on them and they adopted their third child. A baby girl. The story is different, but just as beautiful and as we learned of it we were able to once again share with Blake how important it is to follow the call of God in your life. Yes, you can be a professional athlete and love the Lord and seek His will. What an influence Pudge had in my son's life today. I will forever be grateful.

I could go on and on about the day and all that took place, but I am sure I have lost most of you by now. It was just too amazing to leave out of her journal and I thank you for the excitement and happiness so many of you have felt for our Blake today. He really is an amazing kid, that was created by an amazing God, and I am amazed that I get to be his mom. God has truly blessed me. Good night (or good morning) my friends. Take care. Trish