Bloggerific...and some StuBENdous Baseball Pics!

We would like to say a huge thank you for all your support of our blog! All of your comments and support have been so encouraging, and we hope that our blog continues to be a fun place to visit, as well as a resource for you!  

In talking with some of you about the blog, we’ve been asked several questions a number of times.  We thought we’d devote this blog post to answering these questions and giving a little “tour” of Sycamore Sisters.  Even though we still have a LOT more to learn, we can hopefully share some basic information with you that may help this "blog" stuff make a little more sense (writing it all down/laying it all out there definitely helped us!).


1. What exactly IS a blog?

Basically, a blog is a web site where someone can write stuff on an ongoing basis.  The range of topics written about in blogs is gigantic, with each blog being whatever the author (or authors) want it to be.  Blogs can be personal diaries,  news outlets, places to share ideas, collections of thoughts or links, and so on.

Terms and Tidbits

• The word “blog” originally came from the word “weblog” or a “web log”.
• A “blogger” is someone who blogs – or writes content for a blog.
• “Blogging” is the act of writing a post for a blog.
• Blogs can be written by individual authors or by a collection of authors.
• “Posts” are entries written on the blog.  Blog posts typically appear with the most recent post first.
• Blogs often have other areas of content and/or links to other blogs or websites.
• A blog is generally updated regularly and frequently.
• Blogs usually have an archive or history of previous blog posts for readers to access.
• Blogs most often have an area for people to comment or respond to each blog post.

  
A Tour of Sycamore Sisters

Our blog’s overall layout looks like this:
 

HEADER 

We have several tabs on our blog, which are essentially pages (or areas) with more information, ideas, activities, etc.  If you click on one of these tabs, you will be taken to a new page in the blog.

Home
This is our “home” page. It will contain our latest post. It is the starting spot for Sycamore Sisters. We will use this space to update you on the latest and greatest! We will also use this space to update you on new information contained elsewhere in the blog (in another tab).

Passages
This tab will take you to our Bible Passage and reflection for the month. We will be updating this tab each month to share with you how God is working through His Word in our lives.

Special Needs
This area of the blog is a reflection.  There is a link to an entirely different section of Sycamore Sisters where readers can find thoughts, reflections, ideas, etc. about several different aspects of “Special Needs” such as Down Syndrome, Plagiocephaly, Speech and Language, and ADHD.  The Special Needs section of Sycamore Sisters (which is really its own blog!) will be occasionally updated with new information.  We will let you know about any updates to this area in our regular posts.

Activities Calendar
This area of Sycamore Sisters will be used to share some fun monthly activities on a variety of different themes.  Some upcoming themes are “Beat the Heat” (summer activities), marriage (little, easy activities to strengthen your marriage), “Back to School”, etc.  If you have theme ideas you would like us to feature, send us an email at sycamoresisters@gmail.com

About Us
This tab is a way to let you know a little more about us and our Sycamore Siblings (our kids!).

About This Blog
This area of the blog fills you in on how Sycamore Sisters began.  It also explains how our blog got its name!

Coming Soon
We have some exciting ideas and activities we want to add to the blog, once we get more “settled in” to our blogging routine, etc.  We know you are really going to enjoy this area, so keep checking back!

Contact
Lets our readers know how to get in touch with us!




POSTS

Today's post (or entry) is our third post to Sycamore Sisters.  You will notice that the most recent post is always first.  The date will appear at the top, with the Post Title below it. (picture of a post is below)

At the end of the post (post footer - picture below), you will notice some little icons.  Clicking on these icons allows you to share the particular post.  Each icon shares the post in a different way - Send to Facebook, Tweet  This, Print This, etc.  Clicking on the + sign will open up a window with many different ways to share the post such as email, etc. 

You will see the time of the post under the Share Icons, and “LEAVE A COMMENT” (with a number before it).  If you click on “LEAVE A COMMENT”, you will be given the opportunity to share your thoughts with us.  It’s a great way for you to communicate with us about our posts!  You can read other readers’ comments, as well!  

When you click on “LEAVE A COMMENT”, another little window will open.  Type in your comment and select your profile (if you don’t know your profile, just choose “Open ID”. You can preview what your comment will look like.  Click “Post Comment” when ready to post.  

Clicking on the little envelope after “LEAVE A COMMENT” allows you to email the post to another person.  If you click on the envelope, a window like the one below will appear. Fill in the blanks and your friend will receive an email with the post!
 

 
The words under the time and “LEAVE A COMMENT” are labels, which are key words associated with the particular blog post.


SIDEBAR
The Sycamore Sisters current sidebar mainly contains ways for our readers to share our blog with others and/or subscribe/follow our blog (explained above).   

There is a search option (just type in a key word in the blank) for our readers to search for key words (labels) when wanting to find a particular post.  This will be especially helpful as we build a larger archive of posts!

Speaking of archive, and the end of the sidebar our readers will see an archive of our posts.  As we post more and more, these will be grouped into categories...by year and month.


















FOOTER
At the bottom of the page readers can view "Popular Posts".  Clicking on either the title or the picture icon will take you directly to that particular post.

 




2. How often will you post? (and how do we know when there’s a new post?)

Our current plan is to post a couple times each week.  There may be weeks where we post more, and there may be weeks that we are only able to post once.  We are currently writing the posts together (and using pictures of both our families within the post).  As we go along on this blogging journey, readers will likely see posts more specific to each of us and our families.  While we spend a whole bunch of time together, we each also have individual experiences that we want to share with others.  

In addition to the “general” posts, a new Bible passage and reflection will be posted at the beginning of each month.  A new activity calendar will also be posted on the first of each month.  

There are a couple ways to be notified when we post something new on Sycamore Sisters.  The easiest way is to “Follow by Email”.  By simply typing in your email address, you will receive an email message each time we post something new.  It will be a quick and easy reminder to check in with Sycamore Sisters!  

The image below shows what happens on your computer when you enter your email and click "Submit".   


   























3.  How can we follow your blog and/or share your blog with others?

There are 3 different ways to follow the blog.  
1)  Follow by Email
2)  Subscribe to Posts and/or Comments (through an RSS Feed)
3)  Become a Follower through Google Friend Connect

Readers can share our blog a multitude of ways!  
1)  Share It (on the right side...share on Facebook or on Twitter)
2)  Clicking on icons at the bottom of each post (Facebook, Twitter, Print, Email) - explained previously in "Posts"  :)

 
Read on for explanations on how to “do” the things mentioned above!




FOLLOW BY EMAIL - As mentioned above, this is an easy way for readers to be notified of a new post.  You will receive an email in your Inbox letting you know to check the blog for a new posting.


SUBSCRIBE to POSTS and/or COMMENTS (through an RSS Feed) - RSS stands for "Really Simple Syndication."  Basically it is a 'news feed' that you subscribe to, much like subscribing to a magazine that is delivered to you periodically.  Instead of the subscription coming to your physical mailbox each month, new information is delivered to your 'RSS Reader' every time your favorite website updates.   If you are using a web browser such as Explorer or Firefox, you already have an RSS Reader and can subscribe to feeds!

Firefox:  When you click on "Subscribe To"...Posts (or Comments), you can choose an option (RSS Reader) from that menu.  If you aren't sure what to choose, click on "Atom".  A window like the image below will appear.  You again have a choice of RSS Reader (it says "Live Bookmarks", but click on the down arrow for more choices).  For Firefox, we like to choose "Live Bookmarks".  

Once you subscribe, you will see the title of the blog in one of your menus...like the one below.  At any time, you can click on the RSS Feed icon beside "Sycamore Sisters" (or any other sites you subscribe to) to see a list of recent posts (click on a post title and you will be taken directly to that post)!  

The above image shows Jen's Firefox RSS Feed "menu"/bar...Latest Headlines and two other blogs she subscribes to (titles blocked)...

Explorer:  When you click on "Subscribe To"...Posts (or Comments), you can choose an option (RSS Reader) from that menu.  If you aren't sure what to choose, click on "Atom".  A window like the image below will appear. Click on "Subscribe to this blog" to subscribe!

In Explorer, your RSS Feeds appear in a menu bar, as well...next to the yellow star with the green arrow (above the Favorites menu bar).

BECOME A FOLLOWER THROUGH GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT:  When clicking on the "Follow" button, a window like the image below will appear (remember, you need to already be a member of Google or become one (which is free)!  Readers don't really receive any notifications when the blog is updated with this option, but you will be an "official" follower of the blog, which will also be acknowledged on your Google Profile.  

SHARE IT:  By clicking on one of the icons under "Share It" on the Sidebar (Faceook or Twitter), readers are able to share Sycamore Sisters with others. 

For Facebook, you can choose (drop-down menu) how you want to share it (on your wall,  a friend's wall, personal message, etc.).

5. How can we help with your blog?

We are so appreciative of the support and encouragement we are getting!  We are surrounded by incredible people with wonderful ideas - let us know your thoughts and ideas about and for the blog.  One of the most exciting things about doing this blog is that “the sky is the limit”...we want to keep it fun and exciting--for us and for all of you!

The best ways for you to help with our blog is to read it, give us feedback (LEAVE A COMMENT, email us), AND to share it with others!

And remember,  you can always email us at sycamoresisters@gmail.com, too!  :)

We will end with some stuBENdous pictures!  :)

We promised some pictures of Ben playing baseball (from Life on the Diamond)...

 
That last one was totally worth the wait, huh? 

Life on the Diamond...and A Diamond in the Rough...

LIFE ON THE DIAMOND...  

This baseball season came with much anticipation as there were several Sycamore Siblings embarking on new baseball adventures…four of the boys entered new leagues this year (moved up due to age), and one of our girls finally got her turn on the field! Between the Gallaghers and the Buechlers, we had five teams to follow!

Tyler, the oldest Sycamore Sibling, and "coach" to the younger kids, again led Team Sycamore Siblings, as he moved up from Minors to Majors in rec ball AND played on a Sunday Showcase travel team. 

Until this season, the Gallagher Boys (Matthew and Andrew) and one of the Buechler Boys (William) got to play on the same team. This year, they weren’t able to do so, but they still had PLENTY of opportunities to play together. There have been many a day where our families have spent hours at the baseball diamonds only to return to a baseball game in the back yard. 

I GOT IT!!!!!

Formula 409...

For the younger ones, getting a turn to show their stuff has been long awaited. Ben B. wasn’t quite ready to be on an official team when sign-ups came around, but was begging to play on a team by mid-season. While he didn’t have an official spot on a team, he attended most all of the practices and games, and had a starring role in “Backyard Baseball”.

SOOO...we realized we have NO pics of Ben playing baseball!?  Some to come...

Claire G. finally got her place in the batting order, showing she’s as tough as her brothers on the field! 

Madelyn B. continued as cheerleader (often cheering with her wand) and concession stand connoisseur (between our two families we helped keep that place in business!).

She's casting a spell on the team to WIN!

There is now something so familiar about starting Spring at the ball diamond. We can’t imagine it any other way! Preparing the bat bags…dusting off the bag chairs…stocking up on sports drinks…scrounging some change (or more!) for the concession stand…it’s all part of the excitement! To some, this may seem like an intrusion on the weekends or one more thing to add to already busy weeknights. To us...it’s a really fun way for our kids to learn a lot about life.

We think there is so much to learn from sports. We grew up playing on various kinds of teams...teams on and off fields, courts and pools. We think we learned as much about life from our years of playing sports and being on teams as we did at school. Being part of a team – any kind of team – makes us better. It makes us all feel connected and part of something bigger.

In this sense, baseball is about as much of a 
“life lesson sport” as you can get.

You learn what it is like to perform under pressure...last inning, down a run, up to bat with two outs kind of pressure.  

Andrew's triple...when asked how it felt to hit a triple, his response was, "AWESOME...and TIRING..."

You learn that sometimes you get the hit and sometimes you strike out (with a smile). 

Notice where the ball is...

You learn that life isn’t always fair…the perfect pitch might be called a ball, or that ball you thought was "high" for sure, may be called a strike. Umpire’s say. 

You learn that sometimes you are in the infield...sometimes you’re in the outfield, and both places play important roles in the action.

You learn that sometimes the best place for you to be for your team is on the bench. 

It's quite possible that's where Claire should have been (on the bench)...

You learn that practice really does make you better. 

Ready!!!!

You learn that the little (base) hits are just as important (if not more) than the homeruns.

You learn that sometimes you just have to “wing it.” 

We just had to fit in a picture of Lauryn, too!  
She is actually at the baseball field in this picture!

You learn how to get along with others…you don’t have to be friends to be teammates (but it certainly makes it a lot more fun!).

Matthew celebrating with teammates after getting the winning run!

You learn that, sometimes, there is this moment where everything clicks and falls into place. 

We won!!!!

You learn to help others out and back others up.

You learn that sometimes the wheels fall off and no matter how hard you (and your team) are fighting, you just can’t pull out the win.

At the end of the day…win or lose…the treat ticket makes everything "ALL GOOD"!

Baseball is about more than just the game, and its lessons parallel all kinds of life lessons. There are going to be times when everything is right and you are on top of the world. There are times when you can’t catch a break and you have to pick yourself up off the ground and keep going despite disappointments that are like a shadow you can’t get rid of.

As parents we learned a lot, too!

• We’ve learned that there IS crying in baseball…like it or not.
• There are really cool and awesome parents (and coaches) who will cheer for their kids AND your kids (even if they are on opposing teams), and there are other parents (and coaches) who JUST DON’T.
• Watching that kid, the one you know has had a really tough school year, ROCK in his baseball game gives new meaning to inspiration and perseverance. 
• Realizing your kids are gaining independence by wanting to run around the fields by themselves or go up to the concession stand to pay for their own treats is bittersweet.
• Investing in one of those "pop-up tent thingies" to provide shade on blistering, hot days is worth. every. penny.
• Watching the team who hasn’t won a game all season ALMOST beat the team ranked #1 is about as exciting as it gets. It fills you with that feeling like anything is possible!
• When your boy (or girl) finally gets his (or her) swing down and connects with the ball, it’s okay to make a complete fool of yourself screaming with pride and jumping for joy!  Embarrass yourself (just try not to embarrass your kid...too much)!

For all but Tyler, baseball season has come to an end…at least baseball season at the diamonds. Baseball season in the backyard is ongoing…it's been a another great Spring/Summer!  We look forward to the next "season" (football) and the life lessons it will bring!

A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH...  

There’s been another sport going on around our houses…”Princess Jumping.” Princess Jumping actually has a connection to baseball, believe it or not (keep reading). While very fun and exciting to watch (with the twirling, spinning, and leaping it entails), this new sport has recently produced a “diamond in the rough”…the diamond being Miss Madelyn and the rough being a broken elbow.

Princess Jumping started a couple months ago. For awhile—until this past Sunday – the jumping occurred on the floor. Apparently, Madelyn felt she was ready to graduate to the next level, as she decided that it would be neat to try her jumps from a baseball mitt chair (we told you there was a baseball connection!) in her biggest brother’s room. A bad landing landed her in the ER on Father’s Day evening with a fractured humerus. She came home with a splint and sling and orders to see an orthopedist on Monday. 

"THE" chair...

Monday found us at Riley Hospital, with Maddie getting surgery to put the elbow back in place, 2 pins to hold things in place, and a bright pink full arm cast. She’s had a rough week (make that all of us!). 

The good news is that she won’t have to be in her cast all summer. In three weeks they will need to make a window in the cast and pull the pins (we will need some major prayers that day, as that is going to be a trip down happy lane—NOT!), then she will wear the cast for another 10 days. When all is said and done, she will be in the cast for four weeks. Not how we envisioned spending the summer, but it could be worse. Plus…she and Lauryn match! Pink helmet and pink cast…

To learn more about why Lauryn has her pink helmet, go to the Sycamore Sisters Special Needs section and click on the "Plagiocephaly" tab!

And the final connection Princess Jumping has to baseball...with all the strength, skill and agility she is obtaining in her left arm (she is right handed and broke her right arm), next year she is going to be the baseball team’s #1 switch hitter!!!!

We want to hear from you!   At the very end of this post, under the little icons (envelopes, facebook, printer), you will see "LEAVE A COMMENT" in green.  Click on these words and let us know some of the life lessons you and/or your kids have learned from being on teams...sports or otherwise!

A final note...since we are writing about DIAMONDS in this post, we want to shout out a super big “CONGRATULATIONS!” to our siblings who have recently either received or given a diamond to their significant others! We love you and are so excited for you that we can’t stand it! Between our (Jen’s and Julie’s) two families, we have THREE weddings coming up within the next year!!!!