Ready for the season

Hello March! 

We have been home for almost 3 weeks now (hard to believe) and I will say it has been very challenging without Jake. He is very hands on, and doesn’t work in the off season so the kids have him 24-7 for 4 months then poof he is gone. It has been an adjustment for all of us, mostly Stella. I got her a pillow with Jake and her on it that she sleeps with every night, and her “daddy doll.” She love them, and seems to help. We are getting back into our routine around here. 

We had one of the best months together in Arizona. I loved all the time we got together since Jake got done at the field so early! I found my least favorite city I think, Tucson.... wow not a fan! We luckily had a two bedroom suite and it made it a lot better for sleeping and nap times no more hiding under the sheets to watch our shows at 8 pm. Haha! Living in a hotel for a month was NO JOKe! I wouldn’t recommend it especially with small children, but we made some awesome memories together and I think eventually will laugh? 

Getting home was probably one of the hardest travel days to date. Jake pitched the day we flew out (of course) he pitched horrible too so that was icing on the cake. We had to fly (lol) to the airport to not miss our flight, and get 2 car seats unloaded, 3 bags, stroller, two carry ons and the guy tells us we have to go inside to find out what’s going on which our flights got cancelled! Jake had to leave us because he had a team meeting he couldn’t miss so my mother in law and I waited to hope to catch another flight that day but kept hearing Monday (this was on a Saturday) and Jake was flying out Sunday! We knew with our rental car, sold out hotels and Jake leaving that wasn’t an option for us! We were able to get the last 3 seats in the last row of the 2 flights with a 3 hour layover in between. Eekk the next morning... 

We had to sit at the airport for 2 hours waiting for Jake to come back. It was nice to get an extra day with him, but the emotions of saying goodbye all over again was hard! Stella lost it, Jake lost it.. I am not allowed so I tried to stay strong to not upset Stella anymore than she was. She was over the moon when Jake pulled back up to reinstall everything, and go to the hotel for one more night together! The next day it was a longgg day of travel, but the kids did amazing! I was so glad to land in Orlando, and not think about eating out for a while! The kids were thrilled to be back in their own beds! 

The following day we sent Stella to school I know it would help with distractions. Right when we walked in the class (we were late from not getting home until 10 pm or so.) all her friends jumped up screaming Stella!!!! Running to give her the biggest hug not going to lie I cried. We love her little school so much and two doors down from our house.  I can hear the kids and see them when they are on the playground from my backyard. ❤️ 

Jake started his extremely long journey the same day as us and originally they wanted him to bus with the team to Vegas for 8 hours then wait another 8 hours to start the 15 hour flight. Yuck!! The 3 foreigners were able to buy their own flight to Vegas (45 minutes) and spent the day hanging out and gambling. Unfortunately we aren’t millionaires from his earnings lol! Jake thought he was going to hit the jackpot along with everyone else in Vegas! oh and the guys (team) spent the day at the malls after the bus trip! Jake would’ve died. He already hates shopping with me let alone for 8 hours at an outlet mall! His flight to Korea went really well (kid free.) He was able to sleep about 8 hours, and think that really helped with Jet leg once he arrived. 

The following day he was in the mall downstairs in our building and he hears Jake! He turns around and it was two of my friends! They were so excited to see him, and Jake said that is exactly why we fought so hard to be back in our building to have comfort of knowing the areas and Stella to have friends! It took Jake about a week to get adjusted to time change. He had to travel for about 5 days quickly after getting there to pre season games. He had an okay spring training which is fine it’s time to work on things before the season. Getting back into the groove of throwing etc. He will be the 3rd starter in the lineup. And opening day is tomorrow! The guys are really excited and we have a really strong team! One guy who is a big deal played here in the big leagues for a few years ended up getting out of his contract because he wanted to go back home, and he is a power hitter so will be a great addition to our team! 

It has been freezing in Korea! Jake was supposed to pitch last two days and got cancelled because of  snow! Yesterday he showed up worried they would have him throw in the snow, but it got cancelled so he threw today, and did great. He has been hanging out with the other two foreigners a lot which has helped with his time and loneliness. 

The long distance is tough with the time change of 13 hours. We only get to talk in morning and night and for maybe an hour.. it’s been hard for sure... we plan on heading over in May and will stay for the remainder of the season! my in laws will travel with me over to help me get settled and spend some time there. We also found a nanny (which I hate that word so much) but could really use the help with travel and the two kids. Life is hard over there! we don’t have cars the amount of people, and city life is very challenging with Jakes schedule adds additional challenges. The way this all came about was a God thing and I can’t wait to share more about her in the future, but we are extremely grateful she is willing to drop everything and come for an adventure with us which will be round 2 of her living in South Korea AND she goes to our church! 

I will do better with updating on Jake and baseball, but he is very ready to get the season going, and did In! We are so excited to be back with Nexen, and our “little” city of 18 million people!