Toes

It is summer, thus making it prime time for my mild case of OCD to be in full swing. I am always on the lookout for new colors or fun ways to paint my nails, toes and fingers. I was on a hunt for a 'shattered' or 'crackle' nail polish and found something that I think is just a touch cuter. The cashier at Sephora, where I was looking for a shattered polish, had a few of her nails painted this fun sparkly way with Teal and Gold. It was awesome! I knew I wanted to try it immediately. The look is created by concentrating glitter at just the tip or end of the nail. Its no real pattern but that is what makes it fun, you can't mess it up. 

[French Affair-Only Gold for Me-Wild About Shimmer]

 First you pick your base color. Let dry. I used French Affair by Essie because it was 50% off at Walgreens and a great summer hue. Then I used Wild About Shimmer brushing just on the tip. Finally I follow with a drop of Only Gold for Me on the end. I use my finger to push the polish back onto the nail. I tried using the brush but the big glitter chunks stuck and defeated the purpose. Its not the most simple way but it was the directions I was given. 

It is hard to tell how sparkly and fun it really is in pictures. I tried and tried to capture it, I did my best. I was wearing my favorite type of summer sandal: the wedge. These are by Unlisted and I believe I snagged the bronze beauties at Shoe Carnival for under $20. Let me know if you have any fun painting pointers.

I am linking up at http://www.iheartnaptime.net/ 's Sundae Scoop. Go check out some other awesome crafty blogs.

Super Nanny

I was asked tonight how I landed my job as Super Nanny. What? Come on, I think I have earned the title, no?  I thought it would be a nice story to share and document because this particular job has provided me flexibility over the last two years needed to make my relationship work. Reflecting now on this particular string of events I see so clearly God's provision.


I had finished my internship in September of 2009. I packed my belongings for the fifth move within four months and headed home. Home home, with Mom and Dad. Scary. I had fallen in love. He was moving back to his sweet home in Alabama. Typically summer love does not last. This was not summer love. It was something more. It was something unexplainable. It truly was a match made in heaven.


September through October was used to relax and take some free time for myself after graduation and internships had ended. We spent this time traveling back and forth visiting one another. I had intentions of finding a job.  I had in mind one that would not be permanent and would allow me to take time to travel to see him.  If I remember correctly I had never actually put in one single job application in my few months of unemployment. I did not have a plan.


It was random. Both times. I didn't seek this job. I never filled out an application. I was not required to take a drug test or even go through training. I did not have to beat out other candidates. I didn't have a nerve wrecking interview. It went like this. My family and I were in her store looking at the Christmas displays over Thanksgiving weekend. We had just finished discussing that I had graduated and moved back home and seeking some form of employment.  And then she said this, "Do you want to be my nanny." "Yeah, sure." I casually replied. "Okay, I'll call you Monday." End of conversation. I did not think I would get a call. Monday my phone rang and we set up a time to meet. I had no idea what I was in for.


No joke. This is exactly how I landed my first job out of college. Are you jealous? I tell everyone its easy. I am so unbelievably thankful I was plan less. This job has been way better than anything I would have picked for myself.


I can't begin to describe the things I have learned about myself. I have been exposed to seeing them achieve success at trying new things. I have dealt with the challenges of tantrums, dirty diapers, attitudes, and the concept of sharing. They have made me laugh and maybe cry. I have watched these two kids go through so many stages and phases and it has been awesome. You can see some more of this here. I've enjoyed sharing my craftiness to help celebrate their birthdays too. I love love love entertaining them and making them giggle with funny accents. Maybe someday you will get an audio clip. My British accent is getting pretty good if I do say so myself.


I wish when this job began I would have written letters weekly or monthly to the kids about the crazy stuff they said or did. Like the time I got projectile vomited on or maybe the time she painted herself a red beard when I was not watching. I know over the next few months I will write them both letters and I hope to share them with you when the time comes. I have received the best training any future mom can get. God willing, I hope to some day have my own children to love. I know that this isn't the typical first job out of college but it has been perfect for me and I have cherished each day with them. 


The reason I am writing about this is because I know this fall I will be heading south and therefore unemployed. I hope and pray that another opportunity will be laid before me. Based on the past and my faith in God's plan I know he will provide. Until then, I will enjoy caring and loving these crazy kids. 

[He was born and always will be a Cardinal fan. Already has a great arm.]

[Even our rainy days are good days]

[They hold hands on their own. 

I love teaching them to be friends and to love]

Psalm 37:4 

Take delight in the Lord, 

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Blessons

I love good blogs. I would go far enough to say I don't even buy magazines anymore because I know I can find many more articles/post online on topics that I am interested in. I was guided to this awesome site and am encouraged, inspired, and addicted. Plus I love all the great blessons. 

Check it out here:

Life Blessons

A Wife

I found myself wanting to write to explain that Brandon's dream come true hasn't been fairy dust that has magically made our lives spectacular. Issues will arise no matter what career or profession you are in. I couldn't come up with the words. Actually, I came up with too many. Below is  only part of a devotional written by fellow baseball wife and I consider her a true friend who is seasoned with the ups and downs of marriage to a professional athlete. Enjoy. 

“So, what do you do?” I really hate that question. Especially being a baseball wife and knowing that the person asking it already has a preconceived idea of what they imagine the wife of a professional athlete does. I was asked that dreaded question the other evening by a well meaning pastor friend, who I knew was asking without any hidden intentions to hopefully expose some self-indulgent lifestyle, but nevertheless I groaned inside. I replied, “Well, I do pretty much whatever I have to do so that my husband can focus solely on his training and his career.” My reply was met with a blank stare. “So, what do you do?” he repeated again. I ran through the possible responses in my head: travel agent, auto mechanic, tour guide, realtor, mover, cook, laundry attendant, banker, tax woman, pet sitter, personal shopper, postal worker, landscaper, secretary, community volunteer, plumber, electrician and prayer warrior. However, I did not barrage him with all of the above – which, mind you, I have done before to other people who have asked that dreaded question and to which they usually reward me with a dull, “oh.” No, in this case, I tried a different tactic. I replied with the only thing that I could think of that encompassed all that I did. “I am a wife,” I said.

Yet sadly, to the world, the role of a wife is one that will never be quite “enough.” And as long as we are in this world, those of this world will never understand. Every day we see what happens to the structure of a marriage when the loving roles of husband and wife are neglected in favor of the world’s approval. Being a spouse is a big, tough job that takes serious commitment and daily refinement. The parallels throughout the Bible between the loving relationship of a husband and wife, and the loving relationship of God’s people with our Heavenly Father are deliberate ones. To be a Wife is a serious “job” of love that should never be dismissed lightly. Thanks Be to God - Kim Rundles

Her words were better than mine. Looking forward to my new job in November. 

BLT Goodnes

Being on the go has really made appreciate fresh fruit, veggies, and home cooked food. My favorite summer meal is easily BLT Sandwiches. I normally eat two and like my bacon extra crispy. I am not a huge bacon person, just on BLTs and maybe with my eggs, but will hardly ever eat it from restaurants. It doesn't get much better than tomatoes fresh from the garden. Pour me a glass of Sweet Tea and I am one happy lady. It's the simple things.

 I know my weekend was relaxing, hope yours was too!

Play By Play

I have to get this documented so years down the road I can remember how exactly crazy the last week has been. Quick recap - Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were spent in Tampa. I flew home Sunday night where my parents picked me up at the airport with Brandon. Yes he beat me back, crazy I know! So please bare with me its lengthy but hopefully you can capture just how exhausting the last few days have been.

MONDAY July 4th

So on Monday, the 4th, I have to pick up my car they drove to the airport and make it to BD's game. My brother was in town so he came to the hotel picked me up and we drove to the airport to meet my family and get car. My brother and I drove back downtown in our separate vehicles where we parked and headed to the game. I forgot my cell phone and pretty much had to have it. I hiked back a few blocks to get it putting us at the game about three innings late due to the airport car switcheroo and forgetfulness of the lifeline. So glad my bro is patient. We didn't get to see BD toss but we did get this sweet rainbow. It was actually a double rainbow but I suppose I forgot to snap a pic.

Brandon and I walked into the sea of people under the arch to catch a great firework show. HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!  

Read on if you want more...

Tuesday, July 5th

Have you ever started your morning like this? Let me explain what this is. [Photo above] Brandon's hotel is downtown STL so I stayed there Monday night since we decided there would be too many drunkies out on the road. Tuesday when I woke up to leave at 6 am I found myself locked in the parking garage. UGH!!! Yes, I had to take a picture and laugh at myself even as I may have cried a tear or two in frustration from all the little things that kept going wrong. I parked the car walked up to the front desk where the desk clerk was not so nice and pretty much called me stupid with her looks because I parked on the wrong side of the hotel's garage. It took four people to finally get me out of the garage and on my way an hour later. By the way it was the oversize vehicle parking for the hotel so I wasn't really on the wrong side. 

Tuesday evening I went to the game with the people I work for and their five year old daughter who I babysit. Twenty miles down the road I get the bright idea to ask if they remembered the tickets.  [Enter cricket chirp here] No tickets. We made it to the game a few innings in and waited patiently for Brandon to get in the game. He never made it in but the Cardinals won and she enjoyed devouring ballpark cuisine.  

[We had to convert the french fry cup to ice cream holder because it was everywhere]

[Cotton waiting patiently in the bullpen]

Oh hey, did I mention I have been dog/cat sitting since Monday when my family left? Well I am. They probably hate me as their sitter because I had been gone pretty much all day everyday. I made several trips home just to make sure these pooches are taken care of. And they have gotten lots of treats out of guilt.


Wednesday, July 6th
I had to be at work early. I took the kids to the pool. Even though I was already dog tired the idea of the pool seemed great. Maybe not the best idea. The game was at 7:15 Wednesday so I knew I had plenty of time to get home, take care of pets, shower and still make it to the game with out rushing after work. Unfortunately the score was 5-0 before I made it out of town and KNEW he was going to pitch. I still had a good 50 minute drive ahead of me. So much for thinking I wouldn't be late. I sped a lot and I'm not proud of it. I listened to the game on the radio hoping by some miracle they could have a long inning of offense. I heard when he started warming up and was so bummed I was missing it. For some reason they used a different pitcher first buying me time. Phew. I squeezed into a tiny parking spot. I walked fast to get to the field, get my ticket, and find my seat. I sat down as he threw his last two warm-up pitches. God's timing has been impeccable, thankfully! I have no photos just video and hopefully I can get them up in the next week or so. 


When he started pitching they were losing 8-0. Two and a third innings later the score was 8-7, what a comeback. It was such a fun and exciting game. He also got his first big league hit [WHOOP WHOOP] and again was grins from ear to ear. Overall it was an awesome first home game.  I stayed with him Wednesday night and when I kissed him goodbye Thursday morning, I knew that it might be the last time for a while, although I was praying it wasn't.

Big League Debut

I never intended for this blog to be about baseball or the ups and downs it brings. But being that it is going to be such a huge part of my life and I will love having this documented for our children someday, I will continue on with the baseball journey.


Friday morning I boarded a flight, not originally mine, to catch a connecting flight to Tampa. I couldn't believe when I walked through the concourse and checked the departures board to find DELAYED next to my flight. It was rescheduled for two and half hours later making it impossible to make the connection. Fortunately the flight leaving the gate where mine was scheduled was going to same place and they allowed passengers from my flight to board and fill all the seats. I was the third to last person to get on that flight. It was close, but I knew somehow someway I was going to make it for his first big league game. 


Reflecting now, it seems like I was in Florida four weeks ago, not four days. He didn't pitch Friday night. I was so anxious the entire game. His role has switched from a starter to a reliever, so now I have to wait til the fifth or sixth inning before they call in relief.

Saturday had to be the day, and it was. I was eyeing the bullpen from the beginning. When we were losing significantly ( I can't remember the score we were down four runs or more) I knew he was going in. The coach pointed. He stood up, removed his jacket, and headed to the mound to warm up. My heart rate immediately went UP! I was nervous. I wanted to throw up. This was his shot and I wanted it to be perfect for him. I watched the majority of the inning through the lens trying to capture the moment to remember forever. My phone alerted me with continuous texts from friends and family. I couldn't hold the phone still enough to even respond.  

I won't get technical but he pitched 1.2 (awesome) innings, did not give up any runs,walks, hit any batters, and did not give up what we all thought was going to be a home run. 

It was 50s night at Tropicana park explaining the not so normal high pants for BD. I got to share the experience with his mom,dad, and sister/birthday girl Nicole. They were so proud of him. I was so proud of him. When we finally met up with him back at the hotel and he was nothing but smiles. 

Sunday we went early for batting practice. I left in the fourth inning to get a taxi, shuttle, and flight back home, which was also delayed.  I was super pumped to be back home with my man only ONE hour away. This would be the closest we have been together since we first met two seasons ago. Here is one of my favorite pictures of the trip. I love it because I never get smiles like this from my babe and it is pure happiness all over his cute little face! I just love him so much I think I'll marry him. 

We are so thankful for all the support, prayers, and love from friends and family. God has blessed us big time. He has answered prayers that have been prayed for years. He is faithful. Watching Brandon's dream becoming a reality has been exhausting-ly fun for me and for that I thank him for letting me tag along. Stay tuned there is more to come.