Exciting News!!

We have known since September that something was going to change in the baseball department of our lives, we just weren't sure what. The last few weeks we have been working out the offer and details of where we will be playing next season. 

We are moving to JAPAN! We will be there from February until the season ends in October. It is so exciting and a little bit scary at the same time. Knowing we are venturing overseas together will make this move seem a little less intimidating. Again I realize the importance of blogging and will for sure be documenting this new chapter in our lives.  We are so thankful for this exciting opportunity and for having both of our families support making this huge decision. 

Lauren

The Last 12

A recap of the last 12 days... 

I left Memphis on the 18th planning to return on the 26th after our we had our Ladies' Day Out booth (separate post) on the 25th. Then I was going to stay there for the remainder of the season in hopes that we would be called up in September.

Instead, on the 23rd he called and told me he was getting called up. We were ecstatic. I had been praying for something to happen for us. We just felt in a rut and not really relying on the plan that was already been laid for us.The week before we found a verse that we liked and we used it daily to remind each other there was a better plan. Jermiah 29:11. Sure enough in the days following we got to see that plan. I use the Bible app on my phone and always search quickly for uplifting verses unless there is something that I've remembered. What I hadn't told Brandon was that all the encouraging ones I found and sent him were from a job loss reading plan. It wasn't even in a time of job loss that we needed them just job struggle and they were fitting.

I was super excited because I was thinking this was for the rest of the season and that now all I needed to do was make a trip to Memphis to pack up the rest of our things, sheets, towels, kitchen stuff, etc.  He flew out to Cincinnati and I stayed put at my parents house. We were finally going to be in the same place and hoping for it the rest of the season.

He got to pitch on Saturday after eight days of rest and we'll just say it wasn't his best outing. However in that game it didn't matter they were already losing when he went in. 

Tonight he got the opportunity to pitch again,in Pittsburgh, in a game they were already losing 7-0. He pitched three innings and even got a hit. I'm thankful for the game he had today and the opportunity to redeem himself from his last outing. I know he wanted a chance to show them he deserved to be there. I think he did.

I've been counting down the days until he gets to come home to St. Louis and it was only six more. He would have been back on the 2nd. Instead I receive a text after the game tonight, "And I'm going down." 

It's always hard to understand their moves and not take it personal. Yet again I find myself rolling with the punches.  

Tomorrow I am going to meet my guy in Memphis. I'm going to go to Jerry's for a sno cone on a date with my husband. I'm going to sit and have a nice chat with my lovely baseball girls that I've become so attached to this year. I'll probably get an Icee too. I'm going to pack up our apartment and be a little sad about it. I might even cry when I tell my friends goodbye. Secretly, I'm a teeny tiny bit glad I we get to go back one more time to say good bye. I've found that my heart has actually become a bit fond of Memphis. I think it's because all the fun memories from our first year of marriage have been made there. I think how some day we will share with our kids that we lived there and show them places we remember.

As much as we love being in the big leagues, this year has humbled me and taught me how to be flexible. It has taught me to have faith in the unknown and to find joy, big or small, in each circumstance. I have felt so much love and support from the community I live in and the people that ask about Brandon and tell me they are keeping up with him. It is amazing and I'm so grateful for that. Grateful for you reading this! My family too, sheesh, they are awesome and ALWAYS comforting me. The ups and downs and moving and me coming and going, they've been great and I think learning flexibility also.

Then there is my guy. My never complaining guy. I know I brag on him all the time, but he is the rock in this marriage. Everything I say about him I don't make up. I find him comforting and trying to make me laugh when we get moved when I should be the one comforting him! I'm excited for the few days of memories he made and hopeful he will get recalled soon. Little did I know those verses I had found were already preparing us for the future. It's awesome how things like that work. 

Shameless plug: 

My mom and I have been working together on some new awesome rhinestone apparel like shown! If you're interested or needing some sparkle email us - www.threadexpressions@gmail.com 

Finally a big thank you to all our family, friends, and fans all over the place. 
Y'all are the best!! 

LD

A Baseball Update - Behind the Scenes

Hey guess what... we've moved again/are still moving/never stop moving. I don't really know how to describe it so I'm going to do my best. 

I left you yesterday telling you I was going to New York until Monday. It's Thursday night. I've already been to New York and I am back at my parents house in Missouri. My husband on the other hand never made it to New York, is in Memphis, and leaves for another long road trip Friday. 

The thing with our life is that it is on a day-to-day basis. We thought that we had at least until mid June until we would be rejoining the Memphis team. We thought wrong. Brandon was temporary filling in for a teammate that was on the disabled list and we assumed we had more time. 

It's hard to explain how baseball life works sometimes but I'll keep going...

I arrived in New York yesterday afternoon and got checked into the hotel. When the ladies travel they are usually allowed to check in on arrival. Sometimes the guys don't get in until the early morning and they accommodate for the wives/girlfriends. The hotel was one block from Times Square - I promise I'll write some happy posts with touristy photos soon. I walked around with one of the other girls that had been to NY before. Then we headed back to the hotel to rest up and just do whatever. I got hungry around 9:30 and was nervous to go walk around in the big city alone, but me being the huge rebel I am decided to go. 

My husband finally called me and I was so excited to hear from him. Our conversation went something like this:

L: Oh my gosh -- you are not going to believe how big it is! I have been wanting to text you pictures since I got here but I know you'll be here in about two hours so I'll just let you see it in person. You're going to drive right through it all on the way to the hotel. 

B: Oh, well you should probably go ahead and send them cause I'm not going to be seeing it.

L: What?! How come?

B: I got sent down tonight. They told me after the game.

L: Are you kidding me?

He wasn't. Were we really having this conversation while I was already there waiting for him to arrive? I was crushed. He was crushed. We were going to have a whole day of sightseeing in a new city together. Instead I'm staying in New York, alone, and he is flying to Memphis. I wasn't ready to go back to the room and be alone and ponder over everything that just happened and all that needed to happen. I stayed out in Times Square until about 1 am. Mostly just taking in the little time I had left in NY. 

I went back to the room, showered, and cried. There was no point holding it in. I cried because I could hear the disappointment in my husbands voice on the other end of the phone. Because I couldn't be there to comfort him. Because I know how much he loves what he does. Because he wants to live his dream. Because he loves supporting our family. Because I won't see him for ten days. I needed and wanted to be there for him and I was hundreds of miles away and stuck. We were both helpless. We can't control and had no say in the matter. It's hard.

I made the decision to head to the airport as soon as I woke up, after not falling asleep until after four, and cancel Monday's flight and schedule a new one. After a hour and a half delayed flight after boarding...I made it back to St. Louis to my parents house. 

Did I mention that we gave our 30 day notice for our Memphis apartment on the 29th, scheduled for our rental furniture to be picked up, and the rented washer and dryer to be picked up. Also, Brandon's bags were on the plane already and ended up in NYC without him. Fortunately he has a hotel room for the evening and his bags will be there soon. 

I like to think I'm handling this all very well, maybe I'm not. I don't know. How do you prepare for this? I know it's complicated for those who don't fully understand how it works. Basically they just tell my husband which team he is playing for on any given day and that's where we go. Right now its between Memphis and St. Louis but... if a trade happens, well, I don't want to think about it.

Since he is leaving for a road trip, I'm staying in Missouri with my family, who has been awesome and them living here has made our life so much easier. We'll try and let the dust settle before our lives change again unexpectedly. I have a sleep over already planned with my favorite munchkins and a trip to see all siblings next weekend. We don't know why this happened, but we are trying to focus on the fact that we don't know what will happen tomorrow or the next day, or the next and that it could be so much better than today. 

Times like these make me realize how much of a rockstar my husband is. He used to be a bachelor and could handle this all on his own, now he has to worry about me too, and he does it the midst of all he has going on. I'm learning to be adaptable and always ready to roll with the punches even though some days they are sucker punches. Luckily we can rely on each other through the chaos. He apologizes for me being stranded alone. I apologize for him and his bad days at work. We pick each other up and sympathize for the other, we love each other through it all. I guess that is the lesson in today's crazy events. We're gonna be okay because we'll always have each other. 

We've Moved ... Again!

We've moved!! I was sitting in the coffee shop catching up on some blogging and reflecting on the previous days events. My husband had just left for an eight game road trip the day before. I was planning on going home for the week while he was away, but for some reason I decided to stick around Memphis for a few days before I went home.

As I was sitting there my dad called me to tell me that one of the pitchers had gotten hurt during the game. I was simultaneously texting my husband joking about getting a flight out to Vegas where their first series was. Unfortunately tickets were 900 and not budget friendly. For fun, I looked up flights to LA because that's where the St. Louis team was currently playing and thinking just maybe he would get called up. 

A little over an hour later he text me saying he was flying to LA tomorrow (Friday). As I was sitting there hopped up on espresso I didn't know what to do first. Do I pack? What do I pack? Do I get on a plane out west? I waited to hear from him again around midnight, he was on west coast time.

We talked and finally decided to pack it all - our entire apartment and I would just meet him in STL Monday. At one in the morning I began washing dishes and packing. I've never  been more frustrated as I sat there feeling like a dum dum trying to pack a PS3 that I could not get in the box! I went to bed around four am exhausted. I woke up at eleven and knew I had a daunting task ahead of me. I know I've told you before but I stink at packing the car and always rely on either Brandon or my dad to do it for me.

But being that I was completely alone, I had to rise to the challenge. My mantra for the day was 'just do it.' If there was a form of initiation for mlb wives -- I feel like this is it. Sadly, this will probably happen to me many more times in our baseball future but it's so worth it for the outcome.

I carried things to the truck one by one. I had to make sure to always have my keys, to get back in the building and to lock the truck between each trip. I think I easily made 30 trips.

Here I am, sweaty, tired, and happy to be heading north.

We left the majority of our things at my parents house an hour away and have been staying at a hotel downtown since Monday. I had a bit of time home over the weekend and I got to spend some time with my favorite kids. Other than that I've been at our hotel enjoying this special time with my guy and some with out him.

Brandon has pitched in two game so far, doing great in both. Here he is on tv. Somedays it doesn't seem real. I still get nervous for him. I do because he doesn't. I don't understand it, but I guess if you've been doing something your whole life it seems natural.

Saturday May 19th - pitched the 8th

Thursday May 24 - pitched one out in the 4th with bases loaded and the 5th

 

I didn't mean to leave you all hanging all week. I have brought nothing with me for the week except clothes and the necessities, which didn't include my computer or any sewing/crafting paraphernalia. I did have to venture our yesterday and make an appearance at a fabric store so I don't completely lose touch with my inner seamstress.

It is such a joy for me to be watching Brandon's dreams come true. Thankfully to him and baseball I get to experience some pretty cool things. I am going with him for part of his upcoming road trip. Our first stop is in Atlanta which is the closest he will ever play to home. Then we are heading to New York. Orignially I wasn't going to go but decided to take the opportunity. You only live once. Neither of us have ever been so we are pretty excited.

P.S. If you haven't checked it out yet...I'm giving away one of my vintage clutches here along with some other great goodies from some other fabulous bloggers!

Memphis

Memphis. I'm not quite sure what to make of this place yet. But we have internet as of today and it's accessible in our entire apartment, not just the stairwell. 


From the beginning which should have been Thursday we had a rocky start. Our apartment wasn't ready due to some small maintenance issues. Graciously they allowed us to stay in the guest suite. The 'us' I'm referring to is our roommate's dad, whom I've never met in my life. He was driving up their vehicle. Guess I should back up already. We are living in a two bedroom apartment with another couple and their 22 month old daughter. I quickly realized there will be embarrassing moments when you don't live on your own.  


It was confusion from the beginning with all the keys, garage tags, leases, and parking, but I was delighted to see my husband finally at 5:30 a.m. Nothing says I love you like bed head, puffy eyes, and morning breath.


Friday we got into our apartment. Our apartment is unfurnished. We rented a bed for each room, a couch, table and chairs, and another sitting chair for the living room. We felt like we brought a ridiculous amount of stuff we didn't need but in reality we didn't. Okay maybe we didn't need to bring a small craft room but we did. I'm glad too cause I really enjoy sewing each night and hearing the announcers at the game out my bedroom window. 

Makeshift night stand

We forgot the can opener.

After BD went to work I made a grocery run. If grocery shopping isn't bad enough I feel it's especially painful now. The grocery store I almost feel comfortable going to alone is only ten minutes away. Before I unload the groceries I sort the 'must be refrigerated now' with the 'they are fine til later' bags. I grab the high priority bags, and load as many on my arms as I can, head down five floors on the elevator, across the street into our building, into our apartment. It is quite the task.


I also delivered our roommates dad to the airport in time to make it back to help our roommates wife and child move in. Then Saturday her car was towed we went on a little adventure, in a not so great part of town, to retrieve it. 


We had company in on Sunday for the game. Brandon's family and one of his college teammates/best friends surprised him and the family I used to nanny for all came down. The nine game losing streak was finally broken. 

I'm slowly getting used to downtown living and the fact that we will always have people walking by our first floor ally facing apartment. The noise will hopefully become second nature to me but the loud trolley is not the easiest to get used to. I'm becoming quite heartless when it comes to any six legged critters that cross my path. We haven't had shake 'n pour pancakes, but instead cinnamon rolls, lasagna and tacos. I've missed cooking and can't wait to try some of the recipes I've put aside for later.  

I've also lost my beautiful scenery I use for my product photos and may have to come up with an indoor alternative. I'm open to any suggestions you may have. Also don't worry I have located and been to the nearest JoAnns. I have covered the basics - grocery store, Chick-fil-A, & JoAnns. 


For now though, this is our home and as long as we are together the rest really doesn't matter. 


Okay so I have a funny and not funny story I MUST add... and this is live time as I'm writing this by the way.


I took this photo of our room to share. I quickly realized the bed wasn't really made and there is clothes and junk everywhere. Cue ten second tidy.

So I went in our room to re-take the photo.... 

Much better right? WRONG!!! 

This guy was hanging out in MY ROOM!!! 

I'm really sorry if this is disturbing to you. It is to me! I now need to make a dreaded grocery run for some RAID. That brings the roach tally to three, which is three to many. BARF! Officially heartless.

P.S. It's Winstagram Wednesday be sure to check it out....@larnlevydickson.

New Looks & Random

First, tomorrow morning I'm packing up again and moving to Memphis. For real this time. Since we won't have internet hooked up until Tuesday I thought I'd leave you with a wee ol meaningless post to hold you over. I've been staying in MO with my parents while BD was out of town on their first long road trip. No sense me being lonely when I can be home with my crazy family. Which brings me to this. My new look. Not really, I don't need glasses. I thought glasses were the new fad. Apparently these aren't the new stylish ones. 

Don't I look adorable? Actually I look almost exactly like my brother Jake. Freaky I know. It gets goofy around here when my family is home. All six of us were together over Easter weekend, no +1s and we had a good time. 

Normally Easter week is for coloring eggs. This year I decided to color something different.

This girl has NEVER, not once in my whole 24 years and 11 months of life have I ever put any color on my hair. I was scared but I did it anyway. Ombre much? I'm thrilled with my BOLD decision. But it's just hair and I can color it back if I change my mind.

Today I may have stooped to a new low in spoiling my husband. I've been driving his truck and I'm either super paranoid that it's going to get dirty or I really love him and treat it exactly like he does. I'm a little on the messier side. I don't mind a car that looks lived in. He on the other hand has it empty at the end of everyday. So today I headed to the car wash, with a step stool. I'm 5'6 so not that short but I can't reach the top of that bad boy. Silly? No. Genius I tell you. Plus it made him happy to know I cared so much about getting the top clean too.

And finally to top off most of the nothingness that is this blog post. I started this thing that has just caught on. This is the third week of Winstagram Wednesday. I find something usually at random from my craft box that is already made that hasn't been sold or given away and I then give it away. It's usually and hour to two hour window late Wednesday night. All you have to do is comment to enter. Since there aren't too many entries, I write them all down and pull a name from a bowl. Yes please picture it just like hunger games! I've really enjoyed giving something I've made away each week and I think I'll continue to do it. Hope you'll join me next week...from Memphis!!

Florida Home

We made it to Florida! It was a very long drive but luckily, we get stir crazy and entertain each other. Lets just say our dance moves are even better in the car. I am proud to say I didn't nap at all because I know how much it bothers BD and because it makes me feel crappy taking three naps in one day. Win win for both.

Our studio is almost perfect. The size is great. We have a  comfy queen size bed, a love seat, and a couch. We set up a table in the corner for me to sew and work. There is no closet, but we have a rolling rack that our clothes fit [snugly] on. We also have a dresser that is pretty packed. We have a full bathroom and half kitchen. It has a tiny bar sink, that one bowl can fit in, and a half refrigerator. Here is a few pictures before we moved all of our junk in.

We brought along our toaster, crock pot, and griddler hoping that every meal doesn't have to be served to us at a restaurant. So if you have any easy recipes that require nothing more than that... send them this way please!!

Yesterday we stocked up on some grocery basics; bread, cereal, milk, etc. We also were going to go to Target and pick up some other necessities but when I searched on my phone there was none in the area. After church last night I spotted Target and was SUPER pumped. I really really like Target. I do have other sad news. There is NO Hobby Lobby within 45 minutes. I was really bummed. There are some other quilt shops and a JoAnns so I should be able to get my supplies from there. Otherwise I'll be calling on other to creatives to send me some goods.

Our apartment also doesn't have WiFi. This should increase my productivity because I often get sidetracked easily with internet. Since we live in the city, I only have to hop in the car a few minutes to find a Panera or somewhere with free Wifi. Hopefully each morning after I take Brandon to work I'll stop,catch up, and fill you in.

So besides the no Wifi and no HobLob near by, I don't have any other complaints. Not that I'm here to complain. We rented this place with out meeting our 'landlord' or seeing any pictures so we were very pleased when we got here.

I guess we will call it home for the next seven weeks.

Also if you're last minute decorating for Valentines or a baby shower or any get together I have an easy garland tutorial up at Design, Dining, and Diapers today! Please check it out.

Departing Soon

I can't believe we leave for Florida this week! Yippie. Alabama was finally starting to feel more like home. It's probably because we have been here for three weeks straight for the first time all off season.  

From the beginning..

We tied the knot on Nov 5.

Honeymooned in Cabo for a week.

Thanksgiving followed two weeks later.

Brother graduated from MIZZOU.

We went to Tennessee for Christmas,

then Christmas'd in Missouri.

Threw a NYE party.

BD traveled to work conference in D.C.

Winter Warm Up in STL

Drove to GA to see Blake Shelton

and we are home. 

That is what it's like to be traveling every two weeks. Busy bees. Now it's time to pack up again and head south.  

I hate leaving. Hate it to the point of boo hoo tears. I don't think that will be the case this time around. Normally I dread Spring Training. He leaves traveling south and I leave traveling north and it seems like a looooong time until we get to see each other. This year, I'm tagging along. 


Don't take this as I won't miss our family and home and things here in Alabama because I will very very much. But...I do believe Florida will be good for me and I'm excited for this chapter to begin. Then hopefully we will be in STL because I miss my family! Until then we will take it one day at a time. 


This is what I'm looking forward to most in Florida. 

A routine. It is probably about to drive BD crazy as it is. I have sleeping issues, not a surprise to many of you, and I just need a normal everyday routine. Since I will be the work taxi at 7 a.m. each morning I think a routine will be established.

City life. Nothing irritates me more when I am in the middle of a project or cooking and I realize I don't have something I need. This means an hour and forty five minutes later I will be home from 'town' and unmotivated to complete the tasks. I am excited for a less than five minute drive to the grocery or craft stores. 

Coffee shops. Sometimes that is where I like to write and grab a cup of coffee if I have LOTS of projects I am wanting to work on. If I need that extra pick me up to start the day it will not be far away.


Shop progress. I will have plenty of time to work on items for the shop. Here it seems as something goes on everyday and I never have a set time to work on things. I just get to them when I can. I'm hoping to get at least three-four hours each day devoted to the shop.

The beach. Sunshine. Flip flops. Baseball. Baseball. Baseball. 


Yes, I do believe Florida will be good for me.

Let's have coffee..

If we were to sit down for coffee I would tell you...


I was sick on NYE. Huge bummer. I woke up in the middle of the night SICK. We had invited six friends over and one of them was my bff from Missouri. We had a messy house to straighten and goodies to cook and I couldn't help with any of it. As a matter of fact, I barely made it to the shower and dressed before our friends arrived. The Mr. was a champ he went non-stop all day and still was able to entertain our friends. I feel asleep on the couch while they played board games, was up to ring in the new year, and crashed a few hours before everyone else. 


We have a new residence for February/March in Florida. I got to try out my new wifely duties as real estate agent and find us a place to live during spring training. It isn't easy, and it isn't cheap. I'm not complaining that the Cardinals hold their camp in a pricey part of Florida because we could be in a dump hole city. The problem arises when older folks migrate south for the winter along with two ball clubs and all their fans. Simple economics of supply and demand. After several phone calls and emails, today we found a cute (I'm hoping) studio apartment in our price range. Also I'm dreading packing so I might start next week. 

I started working out. I always teased BD that I want to work out with him. Well I did yesterday and today typing is about the only movement I can do that doesn't trigger some muscle soreness. Yikes. It's like having a personal trainer. It's hard but I'm working through it and hopefully it will get easier. I don't work out as long as BD so while I wait I have been working here. Go watch that video and tell me your not motivated. I've also committed to drinking significantly less soda. I'm a huge Mountain Dew lover but lately I've been feeling the effects way to much. I must start drinking water. BD teases me I'm a 90 year old woman -- I'm 24 I want to feel like it dang it. 

Hunger Games. Like the rest of the world I've been engrossed in this popular series. This is what I've fallen asleep to the last few nights. So glad BD's family got me the new Kindle Fire for Christmas. Go.Read.It.Now. (Unless you have other important things to do, because you won't be able to put it down)

Slogging. I've been a slacking blogger. However, I'll have free time the next few days while the Mr. has to go on a work trip. Guess that means I'll have time to craft and watch things on TV other than football while I miss him. 

But for now what would you share with me?

Post inspired by Rags to Stitches Boutique