They Finally Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 3:12PM Mike has asked me to go to the Rangers baseball games on more than one occasion. I, however, am often (or always, depending on your point of view) ruled by my obsessive-compulsive tendencies. My fear of germs gets the best of me (literally) and I don't do things like go to a public place where thousands of people gather and touch everything around them, and cough, and spit, and puke who knows where. The rationality behind these thoughts is at least questionable, and I know that-in the very tiny part of my brain that has a micro-milli-gram of rational sense. The truth remains, though, that my fears keep me from going places and they keep me from taking Eliana places as well. (Don't ask why I am able to let my other kids do stuff...I never said I made sense.)
Then my friends show up with their kids...and Mike wants to take everyone to the ball game...and everybody is really excited to go...and they all want me to go too...and of course we can't leave Eliana behind all by herself at home...and the peer pressure is too great. How can I say no?
So, for the first time since we've had tickets for the games (Mike's been taking the big kids since last summer) Eliana and I attended a Rangers game. We sat in the stadium seats. We were surrounded by people. And we had a GREAT time.
FEARS, YOU ARE CONQUERED!
Well, that isn't quite true, but I do feel like I personally achieved something. And now I will show you some really fun pictures that I took (Mike took some of them) which helped distract me from thinking about anything that may have taken away my fun time. And I promise the rest of this post will not be all about me. It is the five Walkers, after all. And this time the five Walkers were together at the game, along with some of our best friends. Baseball and good buddies...it doesn't get much better than that.
We headed out in two cars, and ours was full of girls. Except for Mike, our driver.
In the car, he put his hand on mine and told me he was glad I was going to the game. I was really nervous, but I was glad, too.
There were thirteen of us total moving like a small herd of cattle across the parking lot toward the stadium.
There's just something about little girls holding hands...
By the time we got inside, the game had started, but our fun was just about to begin...
Michael Young hit a home run right after we sat down, and of course everyone went nuts; the girls cheered as loudly as anyone else!
Young hit two homers that night...here he is crossing home plate later in the fifth inning.
The boys are keeping their eye on the ball, while Amy keeps her eye on her youngest...
Now here's an all-American family at an all-American game...
This guy belongs to Rebecca...
He also went to a game on Saturday with Mike, just the boys. He told his mom later,"It's just like in the song! 'Buy me some peanuts and Crackerjacks...'" He told her it was awesome. How precious is that?
The Rangers played a great game. They got hit after hit...
Their rookie pitcher Derek Holland struck out 10 Mariners (sorry, Jeff and Laurie)...
Can you imagine pitching 118 balls at 90 mph? That beats my fast pitch by about 90 mph.
While hanging out at the ballpark, I discovered that I really like this game. Apparently I am in good company.
Another home run!
Fireworks!
Cotton candy!
Love among the brothers and the sisters!
We stayed almost the entire game; the Rangers won 7-1. Before everyone started pouring out of the stadium at once, which, of course, would mean no one was actually moving, we packed up and headed to the cars. You would never know it was as late as it was by looking at some folks...
But others were feeling the late hour...
At the end of the day I would say it was quite a night. And I think I may do it again. Go Rangers!
Reader Comments (2)
Christina, I was (and am) so proud of you ... you really did conquer some fears! Hope it was the first of many Rangers games for the ENTIRE Walker five!
u go girl. I too am proud & pleased you went. Fears make you miss so much. Love you all bunches. Will see you soon dad