Day Five Hundred and Thirty-One

The Friday Smiles

It's February. The sun is shining. Adam is playing. And me, I'm learning. Lots. On a quiet Friday afternoon, I sat poolside with Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover on my lap, listening to Jason Gray's Spotify station through my phone. Adam and I were given this book by The Powells, and we're tearing through the pages. I'm about half-way finished (Adam is a little bit behind me) and already, I've learned so much about debt, credit cards, and the financial unrest that prevails in too many homes. One of the most outrageous things I've come across in this book:

The average American will spend $495/mo on a car payment, which they keep throughout their lives. If you instead saved and purchased a slightly used car, while putting that $495 into a 12% mutual fund from age 25 to age 65 (a normal working lifetime), you'll have made $5.9 MILLION in 40 years! (Page 32 in his book) Holy smokes! That's a LOT of moo-lah!

Oh hey, Handsome! 

Remember when Adam spoke to those 4th grade students on Day 516? Well yesterday, he came home with a bundle of thank you letters from the students at Cholee Lake Elementary!! Reading those notes was a sweet treasure that we won't soon forget. The one Adam is reading says (without any changes to their words...)

"I loved your spech about how you had to make sacrifice some things to make it were you are now. I had to do the same thing to make it to 4th grade. At first I was getting bad grades. Now look at me I'm making great greads. Your speech ment a lot to me thank you again for coming to our school."

HOW SWEET IS THAT?!! Ah! Melts my heart!

And clearly, Adam was loved by all the girls he spoke to :) Half of the notes were spruced up with tiny hearts, big hearts, and hearts all around his name. Too cute. Here's more of what they had to say:

"I will remember that you said that playing a sport will demand sacrifice. I always wanted to see the Marlins live."

"So your in the lower league how many years to go to the full one?"

"Also I was wondering, do you have to finish school to be a baseball player?"

"Dear Adam (heart), you are the sweetest person on earth. I (heart) loved what you said about that you dont have a pet but you wish you could have a dog I have 2 dogs. I'm the girl that asked you why did you pick baseball and not another sport? and you answered me and kept looking at me when you answered and that was nice of you."

"It was a great miracle of you coming to our school. I know how much youv'e been threw. You really inspired me to belive in myself and never give up. You are the best person in the world. Thank you for your visit. You rock my world."

What a precious blessing

And this picture was my favorite. All the students in the stands watching Adam and Jose (the other player that spoke to the students) playing baseball. The circle in the middle is labeled "pelota," which means "ball" in Spanish! Too fun!! My heart is so full!

 _____________________

Update:

I've linked the Marlins Spring Training schedule to my blog at the right, under mine and Adam's picture. Adam throws tomorrow, Sunday, in a intersquad game. I'm not sure about the time yet, but when I find out tonight, I'll update the blog. Thanks!