Kelly's Avenue Designs

The WHOLE month of October, Kelly's Avenue Designs is giving $15 off of BOTH Elite and Deluxe packages only. This will also includes free Social Media Icons only. 

Be sure to put this promo code: Octoberblogdiscount2012 in the order form.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Blogger customers ONLY.

 

                                                                                          

                    

                                                                   Here is the link

http://www.kellysavenuedesigns.com/2012/10/october-blog-discount.html

Guess who's back!!

Jake is back in Orlando for the off season FINALLY!!! He surprised me on Friday night! We are so excited to have him back, and enjoyed going around surprising his family yesterday and him meeting his two new nieces!


We went by our place for him to see it for the first time yesterday, and he is so excited-loves it!! We got approved and our closing is October 31!!!!!

Brooke on left (1 month) and Kennedy right (2 days old)

Thank you all for the support this season!! We can't wait for the memories we will have this off season and looking forward to some "normal life"

Blog updates!

Some may have seen, but I decided to give my blog some TLC (Thanks Kelly!) and add some sections which aren't just about Jake's career. I know this is the main reason why most follow and we do appreciate all the support and prayers, but I too have a passion for art and since we are buying our first place I have been doing lots of DIY stuff. I wanted to document as well as share some things that I absolutely love doing! As these last few weeks have been very hard for Jake and gaining strength back in his arm, which he is feeling great!! Has thrown for a week straight and is feeling back to normal.. I too have an identity and most forget this in our crazy lifestyle.

What I love is a lot of things, so maybe through this blog I can figure out what I would like to do as well, but all I know is I love working with my hands and building things, designing from furniture to clothes.

On my blog you will see I have a new navigation bar with "home, about us, tay's projects, jake's updates, and home tour"

I will keep posting his updates on here, but did the other tabs that will bring you to my other blog specifically with my designs, and things I have made and done with my dad. I've had lots of people ask to see updates on the projects that I'm working on as weird as I feel doing it, it's also a great way to share and document them as well! 

on the left you see the Taylor B designs logo which will bring you to my new blog http://taybdesigns.blogspot.com/

Under my Tay's projects I will do a small photo, but also have the link attached for further explanation and photos! :) 

You will not get updates on those pages (I promise I will not blow your emails up,) so if your interested you can always follow by email my other page or just check back here and there! :) Email me if you would like me to add you like I did before! 

September

Brooke

The last few weeks have been better for Jake and I. I feel completely back to normal, and caught up on my sleep! I have been keeping very busy with DIY projects for our new place.

Jake has been doing better as well, other than them not knowing where he was (only being out in AZ for 3 weeks, and trying to get him to bunk up with an 18 year old, if not will have to pay full for his motel...) It's been better than before haha! He got approved to throw last Monday, he was SOOOOO ready and anxious to get back out to play catch. He has thrown twice and everything is feeling great. They want him to stay for a little bit of fall league so ETA is October 10..... Can it get here already?!?!

I am so happy my dad actually is flying out there right now to be with him, and boy do they have some fun plans ahead! I told my dad he BETTER be careful or we could be living with them for the rest of our lives..haha Jake is beyond excited to see a familiar face!! They are going up to Sedona tomorrow to rent ATV's or something, skeet shooting, potentially fly fishing, and some other fun stuff! I know they will have a great time, while my mom and I have a girls weekend!

Some other amazing news, is we have a new niece in the family!! She is so perfect, and beautiful! Sweet Brooke Elise Brigham (parents: Ryan and April)

They were so sweet to let me do this to send to uncle Jake, and she peed in it! hehe Good luck for Jake!

 I had a lot of fun taking those pictures, and my camera died!! aghh its packed too deep in the trailer, I'm scared to try to go find it!! We are about to have ANOTHER niece in a few weeks!! Baby Kennedy (Rachel and Michael) are due in a few weeks if not earlier, and I cannot wait to hold and meet her! Christmas will be so different this year at the Brigham's home with two new babies running around!!!! We are so excited, I feel so bad for Jake that he misses all of this and last time he saw his sister (Rachel) she told us she was pregnant..so he will come home to a new home, and two new nieces! :)

Here are a few pictures of my latest projects for the place!! It has been a lot of work, but hard work pays off!!

I think wreaths are really fun I guess since its our first home!  Perfect for fall! 

Baseball wreath for the door

Refinished a dresser, two night stands (got for free) and a mirror

found these Junky stools, and gave a makeover

Ry Ry approves of the new stools :) 

House Update: We are still patiently waiting to hear about our loan information.. They take FOREVVEERRRRR, so please keep us in your prayers everything goes right! They are moving along fast, this is a picture from last week but painted inside, trim,finished outside stucco..etc! We can't wait for the end of October!! :) 

Thank you all sooo much for the prayers and support!! We have been feeling them lately! We are taking each day at a time, trying to keep Jake busy, and I know we all can't wait for him to be back home!! God has given him an amazing opportunity and we are anxious to see what is in store for him next year, but we can't wait to focus on our families and rest during the off season! 

I will finish this off with this picture of Brooke, and her Grandpa! It was soo sweet he kept signing his name over and over to her.. I'm sure she remembers by now :) Proud Grandparents!! 

God's Decision

When does he plan on making it to the majors?
Is he trying to go pro?
What is your back up plan?
Does he actually have a chance to make it?
How long is he planning on pursuing this?

These are questions that every time we get asked and I got a dollar I would be very wealthy, and I can say all my baseball girlfriends can say the same..I get asked them OFTEN!

Jake has played professional baseball for 7 years now, We DO NOT talk about a back up plan because there is not one. If something happened to his health and could no longer play he has a full ride to any college, however this is not an option at the moment. I have a bachelors degree in Fine Arts, and very determined when it comes to making money when needed. We know that this is God's plan for our life, He has given Jake an amazing talent that most cannot do. He has topped at 99 mph a handful of times, and this is nothing but a little bump in the road. I do not write this blog for pity, attention or anything else but to let our loved ones we cannot communicate with as much as we would like to know what is going on in the adventures of Jake and Tay.

We are so appreciative of the love and support our family/friends have shown the last few weeks in this very difficult time, but please let me make something clear..Jake has an amazing ability, he has been doing this for 7 years now, one surgery, and now an injury from a strain that happens very often to pitchers especially starters. We are fortunate enough it didn't happen sooner. Some people are meant to minister, and others in different ways. What we have experienced this year alone meeting our amazing friends, the Hughes (Grayson) and having a small role in their life helping with medical bills is why we are playing baseball.. Baseball is a job, don't get me wrong it is an amazing opportunity to get to be apart of every single day, and most days I have taken it for granted.. We are so grateful and enjoy each day (usually) I know Jake does every single moment and cannot see himself doing anything else.

The people we have met along the way, and the things we get to do are memories most don't get to experience. It is an amazing platform that I was able to pull a fundraiser off in 9 days and make $8,000, expand it to our friends that had an even greater platform and the Hughes were chosen for the Rangers wives fundraiser raising thousands and thousands of dollars for Kenna's Kids. The baseball family is incredible and I have learned so much this year, it only had to start with a dream and determination.

I'm pretty sure when your loved one started their career, there was not a backup plan, or doubt. Yes it is scary at times, but I am 100% confident in my husband, and what he is doing with his life and couldn't be prouder of him. I know our families can say the same. Close to 2,000 people a day see a bible verse Jake post on his twitter, numerous strangers thank him for that, and others mock our faith which is normal and thats media for ya! We are getting people to learn about Christ, and want to continue this through Jake's talents and I believe it's through baseball. Yes the money will be great, and a dream of his since he was a little boy, but more than that what we are able to do is what matters at the end of the day. We don't know where God will take us, but what I do know is I support my husband and these last few weeks I cannot express to you the stress I have been under, but it's all worth it for Jake and I wouldn't trade my life with anyone. I would love Jake if he was a garbage man, but love him even more for just being him. Baseball does not define us as people, and lots tend to forget that. We are so grateful if this townhouse goes through we will have a home base and obviously is Orlando because that is where our family is. Family is everything to us, and no matter where we are in life or what happens no one can take them from us.

My point in this is just love us for who we are, not what we do. Support us and remember God is in control of our path and where He wants to take us. I have been very doubtful the last few weeks and angry, BUT I know I have an amazing husband-family who would do anything for us and we are extremely wealthy from that alone. I don't need people telling me what they think about MY life, thats the beauty of it, let us live it and support us if you want :)

We are keeping Jake as busy as we possibly can, his highlight of the day is going to dinner and laying out (ha) We will find out something by September 8. He is feeling better, and stronger already. Thank you all for following our journey! I know most do not understand and that is why I try my best to explain it when I can, and we do appreciate all of you so so much!!

Arizona.

Jake was told last week that he will be rehabbing out in Arizona for 8 weeks.. Yup, you read it correctly, with only 2 weeks left in the minor league season Jake will be doing treatment out in Arizona. 

He only goes into the field for 2-3 hours a day, so we are trying very hard to keep him entertained as much as possible 3,000 miles away from each other.. We have decided it is best I stay home for some other issues we are dealing with and I will start to travel again with him in February. 

They are working him up to be able to throw a bullpen, then will go from there if he is able to come home for the rest of off season or......

If all goes well he will be home second week of October, our place will be ready at the end of October. 

Thanks for all your prayers!! 

It changes so quickly...

July 30 10 pm: Traded to the Cubs

July 31: Jake flew out to Tennessee

we waited a few days to see what needed to be done

August 3: parents and I flew out to Texas

August 4: Packed up and headed out 

August 6:19 hours later at home

August 7: Started drive to TN

August 8: Arrived to TN moved into Hotel.

The day we found out Jake had been hurt, and he finally told us (pitched one inning 6 runs not like him at all.) He went in, told the Cubs, and was placed on the DL. 

August 12: Chicago to meet with Dr.

August 13: Parents made 10 hour drive back to FL with my car (again) and cancelled flights 

August 14: I flew home and Jake flew to AZ. 

August 15: SPEECHLESS

TN

I'm not really going to get into detail about what has happened in the last two weeks for a few reasons..I will keep it short and simple because I know many people have asked how is Jake doing, town, and so fourth.. To sum it up..It has been complete chaos. I don't know what I would do without my family especially my parents who have dropped their entire life in the last 2 weeks to try to fix mine. An idea of the last few days, we arrive in Chicago after a long day of travel very expensive flight (for me) and get to hotel where reservations were made, and they did not have reservations for us..Jake and I both parted from each other yesterday after a very emotional day in Chicago not knowing how long until we would see each other again (remember I hate hate flying and flew 4 times last week) anyways.. the guy forgot Jake at the airport to pick him up, my mom and I waited over 2 hours for my bag due to weather. Jake credit card has fraud charges he had to deal with. Lets just say I finally had a meltdown last night. Like I said above not going to get into anymore detail because it's not worth it, but this is just a small dose. We need prayers, and lots of them! Everything we had thought would happen and so excited for the potential even this season is kind of out the window with Jake's injury.. He was very unhappy with his last two outings because he knows he could do better, and was disappointed putting that taste in the Cubs mouth. It is okay though, injuries happen, and he will be just fine for next year!

Jake has what you call a stress strain, thankfully his ligament and everything is very strong-healthy! He just needs rest, and treatment! Since it is so late in the season they shut him down, and will have to wait until next year to hopefully make his dream come true of the majors. They sent him to Arizona, we don't know for how long but could be up to 8 weeks or longer, hopefully shorter..He has no car, living in a hotel, and one suitcase with minimal items. We are working on renting him a car as cheap as possible to make it work so he doesn't go insane. We will get more answers hopefully this week, but he is in good hands getting treatment and what needs to be done to improve his arm.

 I was apart from Jake for 52 days until last Wednesday, and got 6 days with him just trying to figure out what we need to do next that is best financially, as well as realistic since his paychecks stop September 6.

All I can say is through all of this is we have grown a lot closer, I will NEVER bring a trailer for the season again, and will pack very light, and appreciate my family more than ever! We are thankful for the new opportunity with the Cubs, and will do our best next year to make an impact.