In the Middle of It All

Wednesday wrapped, and like most midweeks, it all kind of blurred together.

Jacob finished his testing. Two long days, but it’s behind him now. You could feel the weight lift, not in a big moment, just quietly, like something settling back into place.

Somewhere between work and heading out for David’s game, plans shifted. They always do.

My wife had choir practice. Her time. Her space. A chance to step out of the constant rhythm of mom, teacher, everything. So she went, and I loaded up all four kids for baseball.

#dadlife

The field had energy that night. You could feel it in the stands and on the field.

David’s first at-bat, he took one off the foot and got his free base. No hesitation, quick steal to second. A pop to right field brought a runner home, and he got held at third as the inning capped at five runs. I still don’t love that rule, feels like something earned but not fully realized.

Next inning he was in right field, and I could tell he was a little stressed. Then I spotted a groundhog just outside the fence and called out to him that even it had come to watch him play. I heard his laugh all the way back to me. That was enough to reset him.

A couple minutes later, a deep fly to right center. He hustled, tracked it down, and fired it in, almost beating the runner to second. The crowd cheered, his coach clapped him up, and just like that, he was back in it.

Second at-bat was a strikeout, close one, just off. Overall, a great game. Both teams played well, final score 11 to 8. Another win.

We got home, got cleaned up, and got to bed. Because even after all that, it was still just the middle of the week.

Thursday didn’t slow down.

Work pulled hard. Last-minute changes, constant communication, one thing after another. The kind of day where the pressure just keeps stacking.

At home, though, there were some big moments.

Asher finished his testing. Jacob’s results came back. Some things were exactly what we expected, spelling a little behind. But others… not even close to what we expected. Science and Social Studies well above high school level. That one hit different.

He earned his summer break.

Then it was time for his game.

We were running late. Work didn’t let go until after 5, later than I wanted, and at the same time we were trying to figure out Zoey’s homework situation. For a minute it looked like my wife would miss another game, tension creeping in as we tried to sort it out.

Then, all at once, we realized she could just work from the field. Chromebook might be dead, but that’s tomorrow’s problem.

So we went. All of us.

Jacob’s team only had nine players, which meant more time on the field, more chances.

First inning, right field again. A hard hit ball made it through the infield, and he didn’t let it past him. Stopped it with his foot, scooped it clean, and threw to second to stop the play. Big smile, cheers from the crowd.

First at-bat, third pitch hit him in the helmet. Free base. He was fine, already thinking about the next move. Stole second in a flash.

Later at-bats, hit again. Arm, then foot. Just kept going, scored once, stayed in it.

Final score 14 to 8. Another win.

We got home, got to bed, and mostly slept.

Aside from the chicks in the bathroom sounding like a smoke alarm that never quite goes off.

That about sums up Thursday night.

Now it’s Friday.

Busy day ahead. Work, school, my wife stepping into summer break, which she needs more than anything right now.

I’m running on fumes. Coffee is doing most of the work.

Younger boys are in my office, an empty chicken run still needs to be moved, things need tightening, training gear needs finishing, the yard needs attention.

And somewhere in all of that, we might have a guest this weekend.

We’ll figure it out as we go.

Like we always do.

Momentum doesn’t always feel smooth. Sometimes it feels like everything stacking at once, work, school, games, expectations, all pulling at the same time. But when you step back, you can see it. Progress in the small moments, in the adjustments, in the way everyone keeps moving forward. It’s not perfect, but it’s real. And that’s what builds something lasting.

This is a grounded moment where progress keeps moving, even when the week feels full.

Much love. Stay safe. Wash your damn hands. I’ll see you next time.