Happy Birthday, Ricky!

How in the world is possible that my loving little boy has turned 11 already?! Life has been quite a roller-coaster ride since he joined our family. Our life in New Mexico seems a lifetime away! Since Ricky had the great distinction of being born in Roswell, he is constantly teased with being told he was brought to us by an alien ship and dropped off at the hospital for us to come and get him. He doesn't appreciate our humor at his expense, but that's just Ricky. He is a great teaser, but he doesn't take it very well. (And SORRY, but that is a prerequisite for being in the McCracken Family! We show we care by teasing.) 


Ricky had a great summer. He played baseball for the first time and had a lot of natural talent. (Go figure, his Grandpa King played semi-pro!) He started out in the Minors and was quickly moved up to play in the Majors as well. He's pretty good at both the pitcher and catcher positions. I can admit to being a bit surprised, but I'm so glad that he found something he really likes! 


He just wrapped up his basketball season for a 4th place win in the tournament. He placed 2nd in team points! He really had a great coach that made him work hard. He wanted nothing more than to please her. It was really great to watch him progress this season. 


Now that he is 11, he is moving from Cub Scouts up to Boy Scouts. He earned his Religious Knot and his Arrow of Light. It was a lot of work, but we are so very proud of him!! He really enjoys scouts and is becoming quite a leader! In fact, I'd like to share a story with you that happened this summer in baseball.

Ricky was at a practice for the Majors, while his Minors team practiced in the field right by them. Rick and I were at a District Scout meeting and so Grandma Hattie had taken the boys to practice that day. 


An assistant coach/parent was becoming increasingly frustrated with the kids. He called them all in for a huddle and proceeded to yell at them using all sorts of profanity and calling the kids names. (Had I been there, I'd have been in that man's face for sure!!) Parents were lined up along the fence visiting, not caring much about what their kids were being subjected to. Grandma was in the car and couldn't hear what was being said. 


Ricky knew the coach was doing the wrong thing. He knew it was not ok to talk to anyone that way, and he also knew that he didn't have to stay there and take it. He waited for a few moments and then asked if he could go to the restroom. (He told me he didn't want to make the coach madder by just leaving.) He promptly walked over to his Grandma's car and told her that he wasn't going to practice with the Majors anymore. He'd play the games if they needed him to, but he was going to just practice with the Minors from now on. Grandma wasn't really sure what to say, so she just agreed and shooed him off to the other field. 


The Minors coach was curious as to why Ricky wanted to practice with them, so Ricky told him what the other coach did to them and said that he would NOT practice with them anymore. Thankfully one ADULT there finally took some action and stopped the other coach. 


Ricky went on to finish the season with no negative ramifications. In fact, he actually had some positive things happen. He gained the respect of the kids as well as several of the parents. His story was mentioned in the newspaper and went all the way to the head of the league.


When he was asked why he walked away, Ricky told us that he had just learned about leadership in Cub Scouts and that sometimes that means that you have to do hard things. But you should always choose to do the right thing even if it's hard. (I am such a proud mama!!) Actually, because of his actions, two of his fellow teammates joined Scouts! 

So, as I think about this last year with Ricky, my heart swells with pride at the lessons learned and the courage that this little 10 year old boy was able to show. 


I love you, Ricky! You are one in a million! (Even if you had to come from another planet to be so!) ;)