Blessings in Baseball

We have now been in Frisco for two weeks, and couldn't be happier with where we are at! Jake is loving being back out on the mound, and I am happy I am out here with him!

On the other hand, I was having a hard time ever since I graduated trying to figure out what I would do during the season! I had to put my career on hold in order to follow Jakes. I can't just sit back, and be a "Baseball Wife" right now. I need to do something that makes me happy out here!

Thinking back to 3 years ago, I probably would've said " I see myself being in New York City, working for a high end designer, or Magazine, getting my Master's living the life of a Fashionista/Shopaholic City girl." I guess that's why God is in control and not us! LOL

I would have bet money, that's where I would've been at 23.. But instead God had something that was better in store for me. I met Jake, and that's all I have to say! :)

Don't you see our love?!

Back to the real reason I am writing "Blessings in Baseball" I had no idea what I would do for a job! That's also why I started doing my jewelry boards to make some money and it's something I can do in any location! I knew I couldn't do wardrobe consulting when I could be moved in 12 hours, so my next passion is children! I found this website (awesome website btw, sittercity.com) and decided to give it a try! Jake (my parents) and I were hesitant about it at first. I mean going for interviews with families we don't know in a strange town?? I am such a chicken the entire time all I could think of is getting chopped up into small pieces, and no one would know where I was at (I watch WAYY too many lifetime movies!!) I was very persistent in finding a job, and with good families! When I was in Orlando I worked for Justin & Debbie and had the perfect situation! It was a dream job, and loved being able to babysit for Izzy & Gabby as well as seeing Justin and Debbie on a regular basis!

 I had my first interview last Friday for two children, and it went awesome! Then I had a family write me, and I wasn't too sure about them at first, emailed a bit, and decided to meet with them... When I pull up to their house on Sunday my mouth dropped.. They live in a mansion, and were the sweetest people! They have two little girls and remind me so much of my dear family/who I used to babysit for (Izzy, and Gabby.) I was so excited after the interview because I am making almost double what I would make in retail, and they are willing to work with my baseball schedule, and give me as many hours as I need! I have already babysat for both families and really love it (especially the two little girls, I am used to girly things, dress up,shopping, and barbies! SO happy!)

  I realize how blessed I was to land two great families both willing to pay great, and have the sweetest kids! We are able to double our income, and I only have to work part time! Baseball isn't the easiest lifestyle and I love when I hear from people "oh your husband plays baseball, must be nice" There is nothing nice about that check that comes in twice a month. In the minors we make below poverty level, and can barely afford a decent apartment (that is why most ballplayers have roommates.) Now, once you get to the big leagues thats a different story..Making $24,000 every two weeks I think people are able to survive off of that! LOL

~*The Tale of a Southern Belle*~: Cutest Etsy Giveaway!!!!

~*The Tale of a Southern Belle*~: Cutest Etsy Giveaway!!!!

I am giving away another giveaway of one of my jewelry boards! Visit Southern Belle on how to enter it!

Games & Birthdays!

Jake got to pitch in one of the exhibition games on Sunday against Round Rock (AAA) in Frisco this Sunday! It was a great opportunity, and is the only game my parents will get to see him pitch during this visit! Jake did okay during the game, the first inning was not the best (it was extremely windy, and in favor of the hitters.) He gave up 3 home runs (all should've been hits stated by the coaches.) The next inning he struck out all 3 hitters, and then 2 more in the 5th inning! So he came back really strong! 

My parents were wondering what number Jake would be this year, and he tried very hard to get #49 the last two years, and wasn't able to get it. He was able to get it this year, and surprised my parents on Sunday when he pitched! My mom was the first to see it while he was warming up in the bullpen! They were so excited and shocked seeing 49 run out on the field! 

For those of you who don't know, my brother passed away when I was 4 years old, he was 14. He played football and was always #49. That is a very special number in all of our hearts! It is so amazing seeing Jake have that number, and I know my brother is smiling down from heaven. 

I am so glad my parents got to come visit and be able to stay for my birthday! I turned 23 today! Jake had to go to another exhibition game that is in Round Rock today. I am sad he wont be getting home until after 1 am tonight, but am so glad my parents are here instead of sitting alone all day! My dad is going to the game while my mom and I finish up on my bathroom, and a few things around our apartment! Last night we celebrated my birthday! We went to cheesecake factory for dinner, and then went to Dave & Busters (adult gameroom.) My parents have never been, and Jake is such a big kid, he wanted to go! It was fun to do something different! 

annual birthday picture

poor Jake..




Thank you all for the birthday wishes, and presents in the mail! I am so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing family, and friends! Love you all~ 

Moving to Frisco!

Got to ride with our car packed to the roof for 17 hours!

Last week we got the word that we were going to Frisco! Jake and I were so excited, but had no idea when we would get to leave! On Monday we found out we could leave Wednesday after his bullpen! I started packing up everything, and the next two days were very long and busy (I did it all by myself.) We had to have two of Jake's friends take some stuff (I brought too much out to Spring Training.) Our car was so packed that we had to put Sophie on the floorboard under the passenger seat, and ended up holding her the entire way..We left around 12:30 pm and drove until 3:30 am that night! The only reason we drove for that long is because the cable people could only come on Thursday, or we would've had to wait until Today (April 5!) Of course we couldn't miss the FINAL 4, and baseball games?! Jake and I had planned on stopping at a hotel around 1 am, but every single hotel we called was sold out!! So we had to keep driving, or sleep in our car (We were in New Mexico, that was the last thing i'de be doing...) 

crammed for the ride!

amazing sunset wednesday night!

We arrived in Frisco, Thursday afternoon and got our apartment! We love our apartment! It is so nice, and clean! 

family room!

All moved in!

I was so excited for my parents to get here, and get all of our things moved in! They arrived on Friday! I haven't seen my mom for 7 weeks (that is impressive for us!) and it was so nice seeing her, and my dad as well! My parents were planning on leaving to head to Texas on Friday, but when they found out we were leaving earlier than expected they cancelled everything, and headed out on Wednesday! It took them a lot longer because they had our trailer, and could only drive about 60 mph..

I am so grateful for them to drive 3 days, and over 19+ hours for us!! Our little home feels so amazing, and I just smile when I wake up! 

First night

finished!

Although in the back of my mind I am stressing out knowing that any moment we could get moved, I really try not to think about it. All of my baseball friends are giving me a hard time thinking I'm crazy bringing so much stuff, and I probably am crazy, BUT...I have a home and not just a air mattress on the floor, and tv.. I understand the boys have to do that, and get moved so much. Now that I am out here for the full season, I have to have a home to come home to everyday. I can't wait to have friends over, and Jake to actually feel like home when he gets home from the field, and road trips! 

A little story to show how crazy our life style is...


One of Jake's friends drove from Tennessee with his fiance' and arrived on Saturday afternoon. We had an exhibition game on Sunday, and he was told Monday he was going to AAA...He wasn't even here for 24 hours before he got moved up! I was in shock, and really sad too, because they lived in our apartment complex and his fiance' was going to be here all season long (the only girl, i've heard is out here for the entire season.) THAT'S BASEBALL for you though!! 

 I am so glad we are in Frisco, and really love the town! It is so nice!! 

Taylor Brigham Designs GIVEAWAY!

Want to have your very own jewelry/memo board?! 

Get yours for free!! Baseball wife blog is doing a giveaway on one of my custom made jewelry boards! You can pick which one you would like and the best thing of all...IT'S YOURS FOR FREE!

I have designed a product that is a simple solution for my everyday jewelry! I was becoming very frustrated with my long necklaces always getting tangled, and hard to see, so I came up with a decorative JEWELRY BOARD. I have received so much positive feedback from mine. I decided to make some in different colors and here I am!

These can work almost anywhere. They are lightweight, and easy to hang! Just one nail and you can organize your long jewelry or even use this as a mini bulletin board at the office or at home. College students can brighten their dorm with one nail or selfstick/removable hook. My boards are only $l9.99 and can make great gifts for your friends or family. I can custom make several patterns upon request.

HOW TO ENTER?!

Visit my website and check out the amazing designs and comment below on what item you like best.

For additional entries

Like Taylor Brigham Designs on Facebook

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Please leave a separate comment with each item you complete along with your email and the city and state you live in. The contest will end Friday, April 8 at 11:59 pm. The winner will then be chosen at random and will be notified by email. 

check out: http://www.baseballwifeblog.com/ for more information! :)

TEXAS HERE WE COME!!

I am SOOOO excited to let you know that we FINALLY have found out where we are headed!!! 

Double A, Frisco TEXAS!!! Jake has made the roster for Roughriders!! :) 

I am so excited because we skipped high A, and not having to drive all the way to South Carolina! Jake feels a lot of pressure, and relief off of him as well knowing this is a big step in his career, and moving up! I've got so much faith in him that he is going to have an amazing season, and hopefully get called up if this is his year! Since I am out here, I do NOT wait until the last minute to do anything..I got our apartment reserved (only ONE available) and it's ready to be moved in. The trailer was packed up today (in the pouring rain) by Ryan, and Bart (Jake's brothers) and my parents will head out Friday early morning!!!! 

Jake will throw his last bullpen on Wednesday morning, and we will start heading towards Texas in the afternoon!! It will take about 18 hours for us, and my parents as well! It's so funny the mileage from Arizona to Texas, and from Florida to Texas is only 25 miles difference!! So all of our butts will be hurting by the time we arrive (It's okay, Jake is such a sweet boy he will be giving each of us a massage for all we are doing for him!) heheheh 

Our really fun drive we get to do this week!!

God is so good to allow Jake this opportunity to skip high A, and put us where we have prayed to be!!!!!! 

I AM READY TO BE LIVIN' IN TEXAS WITH ALL THE SOUTHERN TEXANS!! YEEEHAWWWWW!!!!! 

Spring Training with some family

The last few weeks has been crazy for us! My sister, Lynsay and nephew came to visit us for a few days and the next day my dad came in for a week! We had so much fun, and was nice to see some familiar faces in Arizona!

This was the first time my dad had seen a spring training facility and games, that was a lot of fun getting to show him around the stadium, and get to go watch some games! We went to the Dodgers vs Rangers big league game in Glendale one night and let me just say....It was weird sitting at a game with Jake! I am used to him always being on the field, or in the stands across the stadium from me! We had a lot of fun, and so glad my dad got to experience what my life is like out here!

Jake pitched in two more games (minor league) and did very well! He has been pitching on the AA and AAA sides, and is a good thing! We still have not heard where we are going yet (so frustrating since we are leaving next week!)

We have a good idea of where we are going from a few hints from some people, but still not sure if it is Frisco (AA) or Myrtle Beach (High A) I went ahead and reserved a apartment today because there was only one available in this town and was scared of going through what we went through when we first arrived in Surprise, and the first season Jake was in Hickory a few years ago (HOMELESS!)

This week Jake's brothers, Ryan & Bart will go pack up the trailer at my parents house for us (we greatly appreciate it) and my parents are on stand by to leave at the end of the week!! We are so thankful for an amazing support system we have, and having family willing to drive potentially 18 hours for us with our personal things! I am sooo excited to see them, and celebrate my birthday next week in a new city!!

As for here, well.... I NEED TO START PACKING ASAP!! I brought way too much stuff, and need to start getting it organized and packed up by Tuesday. We could be leaving anywhere from Wednesday-Saturday depending on if Jake plays in the exhibition games!

Once we find out where we are going, I will post it and let everyone know, but for now we have no idea and are living the dream of the unknowns!