count down is on

I wrote a post for August and never posted it. Story of my life. 

The month of July was very hot. Similar to Florida temps! I don’t remember it being this hot last year. Most days high 90’s feels like 112. We have been doing lots of things indoor lately, and thankful for a dome! People always say they would hate to play in a dome, but for this exact reason I love it! We traveled the first good month with Jake on every road trip, but got burned out and haven’t traveled the last few weeks to get a break from it. It now is cooling down and is in the 80’s woohoo!

Since this is our second season back it really feels like a second home to us. I have tried making our apartment feel “homier” and overall have had a great time this year! Having Nicole has really changed this experience for us. We have a good routine, and has made my days go by faster having extra hands to help. Now that we have played overseas for 3 seasons we are turning into locals in a way. Certain things drive me CRAZY!! I love the Korean culture, but at the same time can be very frustrating! It doesn’t matter how long you wait in line for an elevator they cut you off, slam the door on my stroller, cut in line at the grocery... etc.. I don’t get why, but it’s on a daily basis and makes me miss home.. You have to learn to be bold in certain situations. 

Stella does an art class weekly, and cooking class a few times so far. She is learning to write and read. That’s been a lot of fun to see her learn! We tried putting her into a school here about a month ago, but they are so advanced we felt it was best to wait. I want it to be fun not stressful.. if we come back she will start there right away to get into a good schedule. It is only a 10 minute walk from our building. They do field trips, learn mandarin, English (obviously) and a ton of other things. She would be the only American there. They have one American teacher, and one Korean teacher per class. Technically she is already 6 here which complicates things because she is not at a 6 year old academic level. They agreed we would test her and put her in the appropriate classroom because Cope’s class (18-24) was doing what she is learning now (insane!!!) 

Jake has been pitching well and feeling good! He already passed his innings he pitched last year in July. We are very grateful for him feeling healthy and strong. This is always a concern. The other night while he was on the road he had an incredible game! He pitched against KT, and the first inning we scored 6 runs. Jake went out with great run support and walked the first batter. I’m thinking what is going on?! Haha he settled down, and had an amazing game going into the 9th inning with 0 runs! I was shaking at this point hoping he would have a complete game, but ended up getting to his pitch count and 1 earned one with two outs left. We won 20-2 !!! It was a very exciting night and proud of him, and the team. 

We have something called the asian games this year and the season stops for almost 3 weeks.. It comes every few years and their olympics. We really enjoyed our time together exploring seoul, and hanging out with friends. Today Jake left for a 4 day road trip, then will be home two days, and leave again for another 4 days. My parents arrive in 2 weeks to visit, and help the kids and I move home. We have had overall a great season, but I’m ready to go back home and get into my routine!

It’s been a while since I have posted, and so much has happened! I wanted to talk about stuff, but wasn't ready I guess. it is  apart of our story and one day will be turned into a book for the kids once Jake retires. so this is life, and sometimes it is messy..I try to be very honest as we are just a normal family trying to figure out life just like everyone else.

Our life has been very busy as usual! We were apart from Jake for 3 long months!! This is the longest we have been apart, and it wasn’t easy.

I know I posted about having surgery on Cope’s ears, but shortly after that we spent 7 out of 10 days at either hospital, ER, or doctor office between the two kids! We have construction going on ( take my advice don't ever do that while your husband is across the world.) Stella was playing outside then jumped on a garbage bag slicing her toe open needing 3 stitches. She was so brave, and I’m thankful for sweet neighbors who probably thought I was insane as I was running out of the house with a baby in a diaper,  and carrying Stella with blood everywhere. My mil came to my rescue to help with Cope as I know I sounded like a crazy lady on the phone. Oh and I went to one of my friends house who is a nurse they just moved into their new house and ran over their sprinklers it went up like fire hydrant.. at that point I wanted to cry, but grateful my friends love me for me lol.. 

Two days later I came down with a 24 hour bug then Cope started puking really bad for 24 hours that ended up admitting us to the hospital. I knew something wasn’t right with him, and I kept battling to go back to the ER (again) but he was so lethargic, and non responsive as the minutes passed I packed up both kids heading to the closest hospital. They immediately took him back, and we had a few hours that were very scary. After meds and two bags of fluids his little body was getting weaker, and his fever spiked really high along with his blood pressure. They felt it was best to transport him to a children’s hospital in order to treat him better (I finally broke down being so tough is not easy.) at this time Jake didn't even know we were at the hospital... We found out he got rotovirus (which is very common in nurseries, schools, everywhere actually) and his dehydration is what got him admitted. After the couple hours Cope was doing better! They just needed to keep him to monitor him to make sure didn’t get dehydrated. I was at such a loss I couldn’t handle one more thing on us, and doing this without Jake was a lot... Jake felt helpless too not being able to be there for me and the kids. We had to stay for 3 days and the parents tagged teamed with Stella so I didn’t have to leave Cope. Funny story because of all the sickness and craziness my laundry had piled up so I ran out of underwear lol when we went to the hospital I had a purple swimsuit on first time in my life this has happened because of Jake taking my clothes to Korea.. so as soon as they said we are getting admitted I’m thinking great my mother in law is going to my house to pack up my stuff, and I am going to have to ask her to grab swimsuits.... so as I sit in the hospital room wearing my purple swimsuit I had to laugh..yup this is my life right now.. 

breaking free!! 

I’m happy to report everyone is better and no more sickness in our household hopefully for another 5 years after all of that! 

During our time apart we also lost a baby. We were not trying, and felt God’s timing had to be better than mine. With our lifestyle I was very scared. I’m a planner and thought no way could I have two under two living overseas.  Jake was over the moon so excited! I finally got excited once the shock wore off and 10 pregnancy tests later. 

I want to share this story because it's too weird for me to still process 4 months later. I believe it was my first Sunday back my dad came over for lunch to spend some time with me and the kids. I asked Stella to pray for lunch. She said "God please give me a baby sister." My dad laughed, and I told her our life is too crazy, Daddy is gone, be grateful for Cope... It was time for nap, and she is saying her prayers again the SAME THING.. "God please give me a baby sister." I got mad at her, and said listen that's not going to happen. We are very content with you two, and life is too hard right now. It's okay to want that, but mommy cannot have a baby right now." She giggles.. whatever... So I left, and thought that was so strange! This was out of the blue, and it made me panic. I had one pregnancy test in my drawer from years ago, and decided just to take it. I walked away to do stuff knowing when I get back it will be negative. Well it wasn't.. I probably blacked out for a few seconds in shock shed a few tears of fear. I was very confused thinking how!! well we all know how, but really how could this happen we don't get pregnant that easy! Somehow Stella knew... 

Unfortunately a few weeks later we lost the baby, and the pain we felt I can’t really describe it... to go through a miscarriage with your husband across the world I was very angry. he was angry.. I was angry knowing baseball took him away, and he couldn’t do anything about it. I know Jake wanted to be by my side more than anything and thought about leaving.. but there was no point I really needed him to dig deep, and do what he is meant to do..I had a hard time getting emotional I felt I had to be so tough, and Jake was the opposite. He would cry on the mound.. It was so hard having to grieve over FaceTime. When I would call it would make him upset seeing me. I’m grateful for an amazing support system who helped us through a really dark time, and definitely one of the hardest times of our marriage. I feel like you aren’t allowed to talk about miscarriages and know why so many woman struggle with depression if you have gone through one because you can’t share your feelings instead have to hide them. 

People are so Insensitive with what they say too.. “well you have two kids, you should be grateful.... something was probably wrong with them.” Ya trust me I am grateful I have two children, and I KNOW exactly what I’m missing out on.. a Stella or Cope.... Jake wasn’t allowed to talk about it or tell anyone because if he pitched bad they would blame that... umm it’s life and life continues during baseball... all Jake and I needed was to be together. Time heals and I appreciate all the support and love we received during that time. My TRUE friends and family were there for us, and really helped. We know we will meet our sweet Grace one day in heaven. I never really feel like God is talking directly to me, but so many little moments I have had where literally on a Sunday Grace was spelled out 3 times in the message out loud, and I sat there holding back my tears knowing it will be okay if I let go of my anger, and trust in the Lord with my baby. A baby at first I really didn't want. I had so much guilt that it was my fault. Then clear as day "Grace" is everywhere. Even in a foreign country where they barely have American words on the way to the field the drive I did everyday two times a day last year I never saw. Then there is "Grace" clear as day. I smile with pain as I pass it, but know Grace is with my brother, and one day I will meet her. We didn't know the sex, but we really think it was a girl. Still every single day Stella is praying for a baby sister <3

Now that it has been a few months, and I’ve been back with Jake that time was such a blur. So much happened so quickly I realized how dark of a place I was in. Our family is doing so good, and the kids are so happy to be back with their dad. Our lifestyle isn’t easy and we are making decisions the best we can for our family the older the kids get the harder it is becoming, but right now I know we are exactly where we need to be! 

SO onto some POSITIVE THINGS because I know that was heavy..We have been here about 6 weeks, and so hard to believe. The day we left Cope had a fever and was sick (again) I thought for sure we weren’t flying-again… It actually ended up helping, and he was so calm snuggling the entire flight. We had a great visit with his parents. We have really enjoyed getting adjusted back to being together, and traveling on every road trip (4 trips so far!)  Jake has been pitching really well! The kids are both obsessed with baseball, and have enjoyed being back at the stadium. Cope is talking more, and carries a bat and ball everywhere. 

Life has been so different here and easier since we are familiar with everything. Our apartment is really nice, and it feels like home this year. The first day we went down to the playground everyone was coming up to Stella and knew who she was. I could have cried.. that is why we fought so hard for this apartment building, and subsidized. We have gone down to the playground every single day that we are in town, and the best thing for them. Stella has her challenges with the language, but ill get into that in the future. 

Thanks for reading and all the love over the last few months! I will do better with posting! <3 happy July!! 

its almost time

We have been apart for 8 weeks now, and have 2 weeks left!! woohoo!! We all survived! It was a lot harder on Jake than me. I have the kids, schedule, and life keeping me very busy here. Jake comes home to an empty apartment, and living in a foreign country. People often forget about him (us) when we are gone, and think "Oh he's just busy" which he is very busy, but he is still alive, and loves hearing from people! This has been the biggest challenge living overseas how disconnected we feel. I am so grateful for our family, and friends who truly make a huge effort to make sure to keep up with us! We so appreciate it. 2 weeks no more long distance for us!! This was the longest time we have been apart, and not sure if Jake will let it happen again! lol

Jake has had 4 quality starts out of 6, and getting into the groove of things. He pitched last night 6 innings 2 runs (1 earned) 5 strikeouts, and a loss (AGAIN.)  It's kind of hard to get wins when you don't have run support (we lost 2-1) .. Jake has pitched pretty well so far minus a game or two, but we can't get any run support so has only had 1 win...

Here are his latest games minus the one from tonight.

						Date Opp Role Dec ERA WHIP IP NP R ER H HR SO BB HB GS 4/19 @NC SP W 1.13 0.75 8 94 1 1 4 1 8 2 0 76 4/13 @Doosan SP L 3.00 1.33 6 97 2 2 3 0 2 5 1 54 4/7 Kia SP L 6.14 1.50 7 ⅓ 108 5 5 9 1 6 2 0 44 4/1 Samsung SP 7.20 1.80 5 98 4 4 8 1 7 1 2 39 3/27 @LG SP 3.00 1.50 6 102 2 2 7 0 7 2 0 55

Hopefully we can start getting some runs, and wins! I know we will, its so early in the season! Two weeks ago Jake was shagging balls during live bp, and got struck in the back of the neck with a line drive. He didn't even know he got hit, and couldn't feel his body for a few minutes or his pitching arm for about 20 minutes. He puked, and pretty sure he had a concussion. It was very scary for him thinking his career may be over when he couldn't feel his arm. STUPIDLY, he didn't seek medical attention (other than the trainers) or go the hospital. He doesn't really believe in doctors it's amazing God has given him a gift to be smarter than doctors so felt like he didn't need to go... BOYS.... I know why he didn't want to go because he was pitching the next day, and didn't want to miss a start! Thankfully he woke up and felt fine other than sore. He seems to be okay and thankful it wasn't as serious as it could've been.... Of course all of us here were freaking out, and very worried about him... That ball had to hit him over 50 mph if not double that..

Some exciting things other than getting hit in the head.. Jake has been doing the first "baseball chapel" in Korea.. He started it a few weeks ago with Jen our great friend who works with FCA. Jake had a few guys show up so that was really exciting! In the states there is something called baseball chapel, and each team has a chaplain who gives a short message on Sundays since they can't go to church. Usually the chaplain's wife will do one for some teams (mostly in AAA) and was a great resource for us ladies. I have always loved baseball chapel, and they send out morning devotions on email I have done for as long as I can remember. Jake isn't sure how well this will do, but even if one guy comes is great! He has another friend coming on Friday, who is a really cool guy. Grew up in Texas someone from our church knows him well, and he moved back to Seoul with his wife and two boys a fews ago. He doesn't speak really good Korean, teaches at a very popular international school. I wish I could tell all of his story, but can't for privacy and security reasons. He is coming on Friday to the field. 

Jake has another foreign player on the team, Michael who was there last year in July, and they get together a lot! The pitching coach is also American who played for nexen I want to say over 6 years, and that has been awesome for Jake to have his pitching coach be American. He is the only one in Korea. None of the wives are there yet since everyone has school age children. The Brighams and I leave in 2 weeks and Im freaking out!!! I am dreading that flight and think age 1-2 is by far the worst to fly. Cope will be quite the handful, and not sure how I'm going to do this other than us doing loops the entire time on the plane. He doesn't sit still at all anymore. We thought about doing the night flight, but think he would do best with flying during day and then hopefully sleeping half of it through the night. Lots of prayers May 9th for our 24 hours journey over. 

When I booked 5 non refundable flights is the day I went to the doctor for Cope again. He has been sick for months now. I told him we are moving in a month, and the doctor said I would not fly with him. When we flew to Arizona his ear drum ruptured.. poor guy. So I called the ENT, and they didn't have anything until the end of May. I begged them, and explained our situation obviously he didn't technically meet the requirements yet of how many ear infections (4 in 3 months) he needed for tubes, but was getting up there. They said if they had a cancellation would try to get me in sooner, but got in April 26th. Then we had to go back to the doctor again, and he said I really would try calling back so I did, and was able to be moved up to the 23rd of April which really was pushing it on time and surgery. We anxiously waited to get in and saw 3 doctors that day. The first hearing test one said his hearing was borderline as we thought the way he pronounces words. She said no way will he get tubes before we leave, and needs to be re evaluated in a month.. umm thanks, but your not helpful.. The next two doctors were amazing, and both agreed he needed tubes!! They also were concerned about the long flight and what it might do to his ears. The doctor said it might be really hard to get on the books, but he would go check. Came back and said how about tomorrow? I almost puked. NO TIME to panic, and I was so relieved along with so grateful!!! God had answered our prayers, and was appreciative for a few doctors who cared about Cope. My mom and I left with him at 6:40 am, and Robin took Stella for the morning. Cope did amazing, and woke up a little fussy but after that was back to his normal self! We couldn't believe how quick he bounced back. It was really hard on Jake not being here with him for that. He was relieved for Cope, and us to get this taken care of, but knows we have been under a lot of stress lately. I am praying now my kids can both start feeling better before our journey over. 

I am so excited for our family to be reunited and our adventures of Korea. I really want to enjoy this year, and not focus on coming home. I have thought lately since we are "old" this might be our last season... I hope it's not, and want to just enjoy our time over there experiencing SK together, and traveling as much as we can! In a blink we are 30! I really feel like we are still 19, and just started dating. Its incredible looking back to see all the places, and people we have met from this little white ball! The Brighams will stay a little over 2 weeks, and will help us get settled. We will miss everyone, but am thankful for technology!! 

Following Jake's games

I wanted to do another post about how to follow Jake, and his stats.


The best way to follow is through this website (its an English website.) https://mykbostats.com/players/1624


If you want to watch it

Then there is an app called : NAVER it is green with an N that can actually watch the games! 

http://m.sports.naver.com/kbaseball/index.nhn

On my kobo website they have all the box scores on the first page of the games. Jake is on a 5 day rotation and pitched Sunday (He has off every Monday) and will pitch on Saturday this week. His first game was pretty good, and his second not so much 4 earned runs in 5 innings. His first game 2 ER in 6 innings. He was Hero of that game too which was a lot of fun. Having two games in one week the first week is kind of tough he didn't pitch in a lot of spring training games, and still getting back into the swing of things, so hopefully can have a successful start of the season! 

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! 

Different times

I really thought we have been through it all in the last decade of baseball, but nope… always something new! When we arrived to Arizona I had the flu, then Stella got sick day 1. We thought maybe in the clear after being sick almost a week. About 4 days after Stella woke up at 1 am puking every hour. Luckily at this time we finally had a two bedroom, so we moved Cope in with Jake for me to stay with Stella in hopes of Cope not being exposed. At 6:30 that morning Cope starts puking, and let me just say having a baby puke is AWFUL!! Stella never had a stomach bug until about 2. You cant control it. I felt so bad for both the babies, and how sick they were. Luckily Jake was off, and he was able to tag team to take one while I had the other. It lasted 24 hours, and of course Jake and I felt sick all day. Definitely in our heads, and doesn’t help the small hotel room either. We made it through 48 hours before it hit me exactly at 1 am in the morning then Jake just like Cope in the morning. The worst part was it was Jake’s 30th birthday!!!! Talk about a horrible birthday present! The team was so nice, and understanding giving Jake  the day off obviously why would you want to expose the team. I think it was by far the worst birthday in history!! A birthday he will never forget! 

We made up for it a day later, and celebrated Jake we will never look at Surprise, Az the same or this hotel! I have never been so sick as I have in February, and hope the Brigham household can stay healthy for our last few weeks, and sick free for years haha! 

Happy birthday to the rock of our family

 Jake’s schedule is awesome here! We wake up have breakfast at the hotel, and he goes in by 8ish and is done by 1-2 almost every day. He is off every 3 days too. We haven’t been anywhere except Scottsdale since we have been so sick. Jake is doing well with his throwing getting into the groove of things again. He has had a few bullpens, and is starting to throw in some games just one inning. He throws 3 times this week alone. 

Jake had a dinner with some of the vets the other night, and they went to Long Horn. I want to say maybe about 15 guys, and they are waiting for a table. Some ignorant couple walks by them and says out loud “What the Fu** kind of team is this?” For Jake and all the guys to hear. UMMMMM WHAT?!?!?! I am so glad I wasn’t there, but Jake did respond back to him. I’m sorry, but are you kidding me?? We as a country sometimes are so disgusting. I can’t believe racism is still such a huge deal. I have not dealt with it much until going overseas, and I still have never felt so disgusted or embarrassed that someone thinks they can speak like that to someone. I will NEVER allow my child to think it is okay to leave someone out, or see someone differently by someones skin color, appearance, or anything else! My heart has been changed since living overseas, and I realize what bubble we have lived in for so long. I am the outcast over there and “different.” Of course I have been in situations feeling unaccepted and not wanted, but have always felt so loved, and wanted including my children! I’m thankful for the acceptance they have shown our family. I can assure you these guys not only them…. THIS country is a country (Asia in general)  I will ALWAYS stand up for, and will see an ugly side of us if we hear anything said to us. I have not been able to shake what that stupid man thought was okay to say out loud to my husband, and his teammates. It makes me so upset that this is a taste they are getting of America. We have pursued adoption from Asia specifically Korea for almost 2 years now. Unfortunately with Jake’s job, and God’s timing the door keeps closing, but I keep thinking will this be a norm for us? Will someone treat Stella & Cope a certain way than our adopted child? I already know the answer to that, and saddens me it has to be a lesson taught to so many due to ignorance.  

Lotte World, Seoul

I hope all of you had an opportunity to watch the opening ceremony at the Olympics. See the people including North and South Korea who have not been able to get along for so many years come together, and compete together putting their differences aside. The amazing production, and beautiful city. Yes that OUR second home, and I’m so proud to live there, and play for Nexen. I’m SO proud of the hard workers, and kindness they show all the time. If you think any different maybe step outside of your box, and travel to experience the world. Go visit another country. I always giggle inside when I say how amazing it is, and I can tell some people don’t believe me which is completely fine I thought the same probably.. My in laws came for 2 weeks, and if you talked to my mother in law who has never been outside the country it changed her. Its refreshing, and I feel safer there than I do at my own home in winter garden. Do I love my home, and country OF COURSE!!! I am so proud to be an American, but I thank God we get to experience another culture, and lifestyle for our children. We get to experience two amazing worlds, and my children will only benefit from it. If I stop to think of all the amazing experiences thanks to a little white ball its overwhelming. I thought I had a boring life.. lol 

This is Japan, but some of my all time favorite people we have ever met!! You don't know kindness until you go to Asia! 

If you have anything you would like to voice back to me feel free too! I wish you could just respond to my email post, but I do not receive anything back from that you can always click our email above on our blog, or brigham1017@gmail.com  Rant over :) 

Going back to where it all started

The off season flew by for us this year since we only had 4 months at home. This was the shortest time we have been home. We tried our best to unplug, and soak up our time at home. If you aren’t in this lifestyle you will never understand the smalls things, or just being home…then you add kids, and their schedules it makes it even crazier of a time. We cherished the memories we made, and ready for the next chapter that we get to do again pursuing Jake’s dream of playing. We will miss our family and friends a lot, and so grateful for our community around us who makes the off season amazing. 

Our sweet son, Cope turned 1 a few days before we left, and loved getting to celebrate him with our closest family and friends. I didn’t plan his first birthday for 6 months like I did with Stella haha (second child problems.) 

We packed up Jake for 10 months, and tried our best to bring one suitcase per person for the month in Arizona. The day before we flew out I was feeling sick, and went to urgent care and had a mild case of the flu… OF COURSE… we didn’t know what to do since I had no one to fly out with me, and the kids so I sucked it up and went. It was by far the worst flight ever, and I already hate flying. The pressure I experienced in my ears, and head I thought my face caved in it was hurting so bad. I don’t recommend flying sick, but I survived and glad to be here with Jake. I had to laugh since the team flies us business, and we went with the cheapest (they don’t pay for us coming to AZ) so we flew Southwest. Stella was asking when they would pass out the blankets, and pillows and when she could put her jammies on to turn her seat into the bed.. We laughed so hard, and is really funny since really her only flights have been international, and business. Its time to get her back to reality of flying coach!! We got to the hotel around 11:30 pm and completely exhausted! I really am concerned about our flight over Cope is such a good baby, but is very active now, and doesn’t want to sit…. He doesn't want to sleep on anyone either so was exhausted, and that was only a 5 hour flight compared to 14… I’m trying not to think about it! Day 1 Stella wakes up sick, and high fever icky feeling. I felt so bad for her, and thankfully only lasted about 2 days. Nothing worse than being sick in a hotel room with two kids hoping the other one does not catch it.  

We are in Surprise, Arizona for about 18 days, then we move to Tucson for 2 weeks. The kids and I will fly home beginning of March, and Jake will fly over to Korea with the team. They have about a dozen teams in the KBO league (Korean Baseball Organization) and only 3 are in the USA for spring training. The rest are Taiwan, Australia, Japan..We are very very fortunate to have it in Az, and not only here, but a city where we played for 8 years with the Rangers. The team rents out the Ranger facility. Another side note this is where Jake first emailed me while rehabbing, and started dating 10 years ago in a few weeks. We think its so crazy we are here celebrating our 10 year anniversary! Never in a million years would we think we would be back in good ole Surprise where we spent so much time the first year of our relationship, and where we found out pregnant with Stella. It has been fun showing the kids all the places we have lived. It also is cool they have in the complex a wall of all the guys who played in extended (the lowest level, before you actually got assigned to a team) who made it to the big leagues who were drafted with the Rangers! Jake is on it! It might not seem like a big deal to most, but it really is to us. There was only about 30 guys if that on the wall in the history of the Rangers making it from that low of a level, and Jake was one of them! Proud moment for sure, and special getting to explain to Stella. 

2010 Spring training

A few great questions I keep getting… We are on the same team as last year so Jake knows everyone here! The team flies over everyone! They arrived last Tuesday, and I want to say about 60 people or so! We are between two hotels, and it includes the entire team, coaches, media relations, video guys, front office etc.. Then they have all the media and reporters from Korea. I think its interesting the guys feel the way we feel in Korea… unknown, trapped, but at least they all have each other to talk to. We try taking them to Walmart, giving rides when we can to help out. They do scrimmage each other, and local teams. I don't think Jake will pitch in a real game until they get back to SK in march for pre season. 

This time has been a healthy adjustment for my kids and I. I almost feel like I'm detoxing from my life focusing on the small things and slowing down.. We are living in a hotel room for starters which comes with so many challenges, then my kids have 3-5 toys mainly stuffed animals… We go, and sit in an open grass area to play. We are really just focusing on our family with no distractions! Jake is loving having us out here, and the quality time he is getting.. he is so happy and see a difference in him. In Orlando we are so busy.. we don't stop ever.. out here I have no choice, so the first few days were really challenging Stella asking non stop “where are we going, what are we doing today” It’s been good to slow it down, and its amazing how little the kids really need I want to go throw away half my house living with minimal items! I want to make the most of our time here since Jake and I will be apart for a very long time. 

As of right now we wont go until May to Korea. If anyone knows this lifestyle you know the older your kids get, the harder it gets. We cannot put Stella in school over there. We found one international school, and the waiting list was 500 plus if not mistaken like $20k for the school year, and we want to travel with Jake — no thanks for a 4 year old! We have looked into other options, and decided to hold her back another year for kindergarten. We think its better for her to be with her dad than sitting in a school room plus we don't know how much longer Jake will have playing, so we want to soak up the time together! 

When we first got here they had us in a studio apartment, and it was small!! We made the most of it, but the kids slept terrible as well as us. We were bursting at the seams with all of our stuff. The hotel is sold out at all times, and the lady who worked the front desk was amazing trying to find something for us and she did for about 10 days. She called me yesterday and said its moving day! You have never seen a determined mom pack up a months worth of stuff so fast with a screaming baby, and toddler. I got everything moved over in about an hour and half while Jake was at the field. We do have to move AGAIN in this hotel for about 3 days, but last night we all slept so good and grateful for the space since i’m here all day every day.