Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Lifting eachother up!

I was watching Joyce Meyers the other night on TV and she totally spoke to my heart. She was talking about how we all have flaws and/or annoying bad habits. If we constantly are thinking about the negative in one another and we nag each other about it, how will we as people ever overcome our flaws. She challenged her audience/myself to build each other up from the positives we each possess! Find the good in one another, let's encourage and give each other the confidence to overcome our flaws. If we constantly are bringing each other down our world will only become darker. The belief in ourselves and in one another will allow us all to shine in our own individual way. Amen to this.

We as a society are always taking one another down, by hurtful words and even actions. If we constantly are focusing on the negative and the worst in one another our hearts will become hardened. And besides this only makes both parties more annoyed and/or bugged. This world is rough enough, we need to lift each other up and focus on the good we all possess. Letting our light shine and others! This is my prayer for my life and our world, lets build one another up and shine!

This was one of the hardest things about growing up, realizing everyone does have flaws. I can relate this to relationships too, the first few dates are always the best. Perfect! Then slowly our flaws are are brought to the surface. Even with marriage, if we are constantly thinking about the negatives in our spouse, this will dominate and take our marriage/life over. It's a choice we make daily, sometimes hourly. Are we going to see the good or the bad in one another? Let's shine together!

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29).

Dream & Believe,
#27

Monday, December 28, 2009

Wishing all a very blessed Christmas & an incredible 2010

This is what I am grateful for most this holiday season, My Adorable Ace's! This holiday has come so fast and is passing even quicker. I am filled with unexplainable gratitude and indescribable appreciation! I hope you all grab onto what you love, enjoy, and what means the most to you this holiday and continue to do so everyday! Wishing you all an incredible holiday season filled with laughter and love!

This is my fav smile from Ace during our fam photo shoot! Thanks to my bro Landon @ FinchFotography. This is my hope and daily prayer, to be filled with that over flow of joy, hope, and love that Aces smile exemplifies!

Another fun shot of Ace and I! Motherhood... Its the absolute best! Best, Best, Best!

I am so blessed with an amazing husband, who is so incredibly supportive and filled with love. I am so forever grateful...

We've had an incredibly warm and fuzzy Christmas, celebrating Jesus' birthday! I am so grateful for the time we had with our families. Moments and memories that will stick with us forever.

Wishing you all the warm fuzzy's! That overflowing joy, hope in Him, lots of hot cocoa & every dessert you can get your hands on! Let's keep the Christmas spirit alive throughout the entire year!

Lots O' Love, to You & Yours!

The Daigles

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Rochester, MN!

We had a blast at our last JF Softball Camp of 2009! Many thanks to the Rochester Amateur Sports Association for hosting us and RCTC Softball for assisting us! We had a great group of Coaches helping, my dad Doug, Nicole Trimboli, Stacy May, Toni Mascarenas, Laura Berg, Natasha Watley, and Mackenzie Vandergeest, our Dream Team!

Its been a full year of camps and I am so grateful to all our hosts, our families, friends, Colleges, Sponsors and staff that have made my dream a reality. Bringing softball and dreams to many all over the country and world! Thank you to all!!! Parents of campers and campers, Thank You! In 2009 we had over 3,500 campers, over 15,000 spectators, and were able to bring it to 9 cities! Amazing!

We hope to post the 2010 schedule in January on my website. Hope to see you at camp!

Here are some pictures from the weekend!

Mac talking hitting!

Toni, working on/demonstrating infield & footwork!

Bergy convincing the girls "Outfielder's Rule!"

My dad & I talking pitching!

Mac who is a firefighter with LA City(living her dream! Dream & Believe Baby!), begged us to stop by the Rochester Fire Station! We had some fun, the guys there were so sweet! It was like college again, Mac begging us to stop by a station in every city! :)

Toni twisted Casey's arm to go along with the girls and Ace, of course! Thanks Toni, I couldn't of got him there. We had fun!

Can you tell I'm a knock off? Posing with Mac aka the real deal! She thought it would be fun to dress me up! One tall firefighter chick I would make! :)

We always seem to find fun!!! I am so grateful for my girls! Thanks for all the memories and fun in 2009! Looking forward to an incredible 2010 with you all!

Dreaming & Believing!
#27

Monday, December 7, 2009

JF Softball Academy Extravaganza!

We had a great weekend in Flemington, New Jersey at Our first Annual Extravaganza! Leah Amico, Andrea Duran, my dad, and all the JF Softball Academy Staff had an awesome time sharing the game with Coaches on Saturday and then the Players on Sunday. We were even able to witness the snow falling!






For the Coaches Clinic we were able to show them what we were talking about. The Coaches were able to see us perform live rather than just talking through our topics! We had the Finch's Ace's there to help assist too. We were able to run them through drills and work with them which added a great dynamic to the Clinic. Its always fun sharing the game with others. I personally enjoy listening to the presenters and learning from them. Its always great to pick up different phrases or cue words!


The players clinic went great, we had a huge turnout! Lots of exciting softballers... even while it was snowing outside! I am really stoked about all of the great stuff going on at Diamond Nation, and the Academy! The staff work so incredibly hard on a daily bases, enabling and inspiring young girls to love the game! Along with bringing them the best, quality instruction! I am so grateful to all the staff for all the time, effort, passion, and dedication they have to Diamond Nation and the Academy! Thank YOU!


On a personal level, it was fun hanging out with the girls and my dad! Leah Amico has been such an inspiration to me and its been awhile since I have got to hang out with her! First and foremost, she loves Jesus and she lives it!!! Second, she is fun! Third, she paved the way and proved that you can be a wife & mama and still play USA Softball. I have looked up to her since her Wildcat days and I was blessed to be able to share the field with her for her last Olympics in 2004! Oh, yea and she has 3 gold medals! :) I am so grateful for having her to look up to and admire! She is a shining light, a beautiful one! Now a mom of 3 handsome boys, and she has an adorable husband too! Dre, you know I love you too!!! Mad love!!! :) Thanks girls and pops for all the fun!

Dreaming & Believing
#27

Thursday, December 3, 2009

West Coast Swing

Yea, its been a while. We've been enjoying family & friends with such grateful hearts. Here are a few pics from the last couple of weeks. I hope you and yours had a very blessed Thanksgiving filled with lots of love & gratitude.

So much to be thankful for! So much, I don't even know where to begin... I will try.
Faith, Family, Freedom, Friends, .... on and on. We are excited for Casey too as he signed back
with the Astros. We are looking forward to another great season and what the future holds!

We were so stoked to be able to get tons of family time in along with some girl time in Southern California!

We've had a fun few weeks and pics to prove it...

My girls! Going back to Elementary Bri, we all go way back! So very blessed! Mel and Tawn, we missed you!

My USA girls! We had a fun picnic in the park, kids in toe! We had a blast, its never long enough! Fun to catch up even if it was for a quick minute! A talented bunch and a lovely bunch! Thanks for the fun! JT, me, Berg, Leah, Tash, T, Lis & Antonio.

Disney was on the list! We had so much fun! It was crazy but we had a blast. My parents came along too! We all were able to experience Disneyland with Casey & Ace for their first time.


Yes, they were able to scoop up and get a first time button! Say Cheese!


My Ace's feeling good about themselves on the cars. They think they won! Rubbing it in with #1's all around!

We left So Cal all warm and fuzzy! So much fun! Thanks for all the fuzzies, friends & family!

Headed up to Diamond Nation, New Jersey tomorrow. Coaches Clinic & Players Clinic this weekend, looking forward to it!

Wishing you lots of love, big dreams, and tons of belief!
#27

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Binghamton, NY

We had a Fantastic Fun weekend in Binghamton, NY! We had our 2nd to last camp of the year... it makes me a bit sad thinking about it. We had 400 awesome campers and their families. We packed the dome! It was such a wonderful environment, we had tons of fun! Its always great coming up to the Northeast, seeing the excitement for fastpitch. I am so grateful to all who came and participated! Thank you to Lou Bishop for having us up here. We look forward to coming back next year! Here are some shots from the the festivities!

This crew below is the unit! They make it happen! Family & friends... well they are all family! Well, minus the chef! ;) They are the ones who sacrifice so much, they have allowed me to make my dream of running my own camps a reality. Let me tell you, they are beyond selfless, so giving, so loving, so of so much. They are always there to do this, they are the foundation and the glue to the JF Softball Camps. We are so forever grateful and forever in debt to this crew! Thank You and We love you!
(I know its a lil' corny being in a Japanese Steak House but its the only shot I have of everyone!)

These are my girls! You know those girls who know you inside out! Those girls who you can always count on! Those girls who tell you what you need to hear not just what you want! They are way more than teammates they are best friends! These girls are above and beyond, I love them like sisters! My besties!!! They give me the warm fuzzies! XOXO

I love this shot! My dad and I talking shop at the pitching station! I'm so blessed to have him come work my camps! He is my backbone! I would not be where I am today without him. He is my confidence when mine is gone. He tells me what is right, not easy, but right. A man of integrity, a man of knowledge, he has impacted my life beyond words. He continues to amaze me everyday! I love you dad!


Bergie! What can I say, she is Bergie! One of the best people I have ever met! I love her, admire her, am in awe of her, am so grateful for her and her friendship! And she just so happens to be the most blinged out softball player of all time for Team USA, 4xOlympian!


Mac Attack-52 hitting bombs in the dome! That's what I call her! She is incredible! Inside and out! So caring, so funny, so lovable, so giving, so sharing, I LOVE her! She is one big heart (52) one big muscle!

Another shot of camp! Good times!


Thank you, Binghamton, NY!
Keep Dreaming & Believing! Til' next time!
#27

Monday, November 9, 2009

Fighting the Funk!

Well after a couple of months of little physical activity, its time! My belly is where I gain my
weight first and well its a little more than it was or a little looser. Never a good thing. After a chocolate malt today, I knew it was time! Time to start it up and start getting after it!

Enough excuses... My mind has been telling me I don't play again til June, I needed a break. But I have to fight the funk! Fight the excuses. I know I am a happier and healthier woman when I work out. Its a sense of accomplishment, pride, empowerment, strength, and so much more.

Its always the first couple of days that hurt the worst and are the hardest to get going. My body however is in desperate need of physical activity. I find myself slowly slipping, slipping into this lazy funk mode. Especially as the holidays approach. I have baked way too many batches of cookies and brownies in the last 2 months. The holidays do this to me every time. Oh, how I love this time of year! Family, Friends, & Food! I made the decision, today is the day to start the journey. Its always the journey you remember, the victories are great but its all about the journey.

I ran about a mile in between some circuit work outs. 2 sets of 12 Step Ups, Walking Lunges, Quick Jumps, One Legged Squats, and some Straight Leg Deads. Not a bad start for day 1, I know its a little weak but I'll come around! You have to start somewhere, whether its half a mile or around the block! In between sets I would hit a bucket of balls right handed off the tee and then a bucket left handed. It felt good and I couldn't help but smile the whole time hitting balls!

Tomorrow I am going to be in pain but I feel better today, physically and mentally. Getting out and fighting the funk! I want to encourage those out there who are in need of a little kick or pat to get it going! We all know how great we feel after! Its just making time and doing it! Get after it! Fight the Funk!

Believing!
#27

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

My Golden Girls

I was sitting in the Doctors Office yesterday and was joined by 4 Golden Girls! They were chatting about their families, cancer, life, and getting old. I was tickled overhearing their sweet conversation about getting old!

Here are a few quotes from the Golden Girls.

"I don't know why they call these years the golden years, there is nothing golden about it." Another replied, "It's only golden for the Doctors, that's about it!"

One said, "My mother told me getting old is Not for Sissy's, and boy was she ever right."

Another, "If I would've known getting old was going to feel like this, I would've tried harder to stay young, that's for sure."

One said, "I'm shooting for 90," she was 73. Another replied, "Oh honey, good luck with that, you have a long ways to go! I am shooting for 2 more years and I will be the oldest to ever live in my family!"

It was such a cute conversation that I thoroughly enjoyed! If I make to my golden years I hope to have a golden sense of humor to go with it like these adorable beautiful Golden Ladies.

I had a golden week last week, spending it in the mid west with my Golden Grandmothers! They sparkle and shine of pure Gold. I feel so blessed to know them, have them, and spend time with them. I treasure every minute!

Here is a photo with them from Floyd Valley Hospital's 7th Annual Pink Ribbon Night! We had a great time raising money and awareness for the Fight against Breast Cancer. Thank you to everyone that joined us and support this great cause. I can not express my gratitude to all my family and friends in the mid west!


My mom's mother, Grandma Ada to my left and my dad's mother, Grandma Lois to my right.
They define beauty & grace!

Believing in the "Gold" of the Golden years!
#27

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Fear vs Faith

In a world of so much negativity, Fear surrounds us. It's everywhere. Looking into my child's eyes, fear can over take me in a second. I am in constant battle of fear whether it is as a mother, as a wife, a daughter, on the mound, before a speech, every day its a battle.

In the Bible it says "Fear Not" thousands and thousands of times! This is my hope and prayer, Fear NOT! I want my Faith to overcome Fear. Its NOT easy, you turn on the news, you look outside, our world is filled with things to fear.

Through out my career I have had to face many fears. Fear of losing, fear of striking out, fear of hitting batters when I was young, fear of bases loaded, fear of leaving home, fear of getting hit, fear of letting our Country down on the Olympic stage. Fear CAN and WILL over come you IF YOU LET IT. We have to FIGHT OUR FEARS! We have to fill ourselves with POSITIVE thoughts, with FAITH!

It comes to a time where we have to release our fears or we will never do what God has in store for us. Think of how many talents, dreams, goals, businesses, gifts, jobs, relationships and so much more go to the grave with people. Go after your dreams, go after what God is putting on your heart, its an opportunity, Go For IT! One little step, one domino pushed over leads to hundreds and possibly even thousands of dominoes falling over, falling down! Its taking that first step, getting the first domino to tip, lean, and fall which leads to so much more. More than we could possibly even imagine or dream of! Push it OVER, Make it FALL! Go FOR IT!!! One step, one foot in front of the other, step in Faith!

My challenge and prayer is that we break ourselves of this fearful mindset, get rid of our excuses, and live by FAITH! May we look at our fears and pressure as God-given opportunities. If God is for us, who can be against us!

Dreaming & Believing in Faith!
#27

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Happy Halloween!

Wishing you all a Safe and Very Happy Halloween!!!
Love, Scooby Doo & The Gang




Sunday, October 18, 2009

On the East Coast, although rooting West Coast! Go Dodgers, Go Angels!

Last week was a tough one for me. It was the longest I've been away from Casey and Ace in a while, since our USA Softball Japan trip. Ouch, it felt like 3 weeks.

Although it was tough personally it was full of lots of good stuff! Last week I headed out to Baltimore for an appearance for Dermabond. It was at the Annual Nurses Convention, I was there to promote kids safety. It was a lot of fun meeting people from all over the US.

From there I headed to Flemington, New Jersey to Diamond Nation. What an incredible weekend! We had our first Finch's Ace's Tournament, with over 30 teams there to compete. Diamond Nation looks absolutely fabulous. "Big League" is the perfect explanation! Amazing. I never growing up and still rarely get to play on fields like these fields. First class! Even the concession stand, well... yea we have a Chef! Unreal. I was eating Buffalo Chicken burgers and sweet potato pie, yummy! Dangerous, yummy! And the JF Softball Academy is quite the place! The highlight for me was meeting our 14 under travel team, Finch's Ace's! These girls represented! They had such great attitudes and are a really fun bunch of girls! The Coaching Staff has done such a great job with them. I was so impressed! I'm not going to lie, a bit giddy! Pretty stinkin' cool to have our own travel team! I even coached a little first base, it got my juices flowing! We can't wait to expand over at DN! Such great stuff going on over there in Jersey, so proud to be a part! Thank you to the sponsors who have made it all happen! Big props to my girls, the Ace's for getting 3rd place in their first tournament! Way to go!

Check out these Ace's! Here they are! Finch's Aces!

The Ace's Staff, full of Ace's! My girls Kathy & Ami! They have done such a incredible job at the JF Softball Academy, Ace's, and so so so much more!



With Jack Cust Jr. and Jack Cust Sr. I am so grateful for their partnership. Jack Cust has had his Academy for 10 years now, they have done such a phenomenal job helping advance baseball in the East Coast. I am blessed to have partnered with them for Diamond Nation and the JF Softball Academy.

We are having a Coaches Clinic Dec 5th and Players Clinic on Dec 6th at Diamond Nation. Check it out at DiamondNationConvention.com Leah Amico, Andrea Duran, and my dad Doug Finch will be joining us at the Convention! Hope to see you there!

From Jersey, headed into NY City for a productive, busy couple of days, which ended with a bang at the Women's Sports Foundation Dinner. Taped some footage for We Play, met with MLB.com for MLB Pulse, visited Audemars Piguet... beyond fun!

The WSF Dinner, what a night! It is always so inspiring and an incredible honor to attend. My highlights were walking the red carpet with Annika Sorenstam, saying hello to Pat Summit, visiting with Billy Jean King, dining with the lovely ladies of ESPN, catching up with all the athletes, meeting my girl Emily, and so much more! You always leave fired up knowing there is always more we can be doing! Thank You Billy Jean King and the WSF for all you've done and continue to do!

From NYC, headed out to Kentucky to attend the Dudley Annual Sales Meeting. I was able to meet all the dealers and reps. I have enjoyed being part of the Dudley team and look forward to some great things in this partnership ahead. They have been awesome to work with, its been fun testing out all sorts of softballs, seams, covers, and etc.

Now well... Reunited and it feels so good! So good to hear mommy nonstop, loving it! Ace gets so happy to have his mom and dad in one place... can't blame him! I better get back to boys!

Little Rock, Arkansas here we come this weekend. Camp #4 for the Fall! Let the good times roll! Can't wait to see my girls/Coaches, the Battin' Babes, and all the campers this weekend! Spots still available, come and join us!

Stay tuned for the revealing of Ace's Halloween Costume!

Go BLUE! Go DODGERS!!!

Continue dreaming & believing!
#27

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Off Season!

We have been enjoying our off season to the fullest! Loving our time as a family! This is the time that we regroup and recover from our wild crazy in season schedules! We are having a ball, and not on the ball field, or at the ball park. Just hanging out enjoying life. We are so incredibly blessed to have this time together. Here are some great pics that are better than words to let you know what we've been doing.

Ace & Daddy petting "Fix It, Blondie," at the race track!

Family pic at the Circus! Oh my gosh, Ace had a ball! Okay... me too!

Ace & Casey fishing... its scary to admit but Ace has it in his blood!

Our lil' stunt man, four wheeling away!

Casey & Ace's biggest catch so far of the off season!

We have been mixing in a few JF Camps too! We are half way done for the fall and winter. We've hit Sioux Falls, Virginia, and Sacramento. What a blast we've had at each stop! Thank you to all the many have made it such a great environment and experience! Here are some pics from the camps!

Andrea Duran, Laura Berg, Me, Mac Vandergeest, and Toni Mascarenas! My go to girls! They are the best! We've had such a blast! I am SO lucky and blessed to have them help out with camps! This is in Virginia at a BBQ place. Yes, that's a wild boar in the center!

Sam Bannister, Toni, me, Casey (yes, he actually went to camp, he made my weekend!), Jenae Leles, Alicia Hollowell, and Mac. This was the Coaches for Sacramento Camp plus Vicky Galindo. A great group and we had fun even with the heat of 104!

The girls again in Sac! Check out our new mesh shorts in the pic! Cute and comfy!

Our last 3 camps of the year are filling up quick, make sure to get registered asap!
October 24-25 Little Rock, AR
November 14-15 Binghamton, NY
December 12-13 Rochester, MN
register at www.jenniefinch.com

In between camps, Ive been traveling a little bit. It hasn't seem to slow down too much, which is a good thing! Its not always easy leaving, well never easy, but I've had some incredible opportunities.

Visited with Mizuno, in Georgia. Had some great meetings going over products, checking out whats coming up next. I feel so blessed to be able to be a part of the Mizuno brand & family. Its great to talk product, give feedback, see new designs, pick colors, and see what new technologies they have come up with. Lots of exciting stuff and I'm excited and grateful to continue my relationship with Mizuno.

Headed out to Bristol, Conn to the ESPN campus. It is huge, its always fun to visit and be on campus. You never know who you are going to run into Larry King was there the same day we were! Even had the chance to pitch to host Jay Crawford from First Take. We had a good time.
I was there to encourage people, players, Coaches, teams to join WePlay.com. Its a safe, great way for teams and players to have a home on the web. Check it out and join! I brought a camera with me during the ESPN shoot from a couple weeks ago and posted pics to @Weplay: http://tinyurl.com/yccdlsp.

I headed up north for another trip to NY, for a satellite media tour. Announcing my title of Commissioner of the Mexican Avocado League. Here is a shot from the set, I felt like Rachel Ray. Check it out along with many great recipes at www.theAmazingAvocado.com

Looking forward to more fun with the family! I will be heading back to NJ & NY in a few days!
Heading out to DiamondNation for a JF Tournament this weekend, can't wait! The Women's Sports Foundation Dinner & Gala is next Tuesday night, always one of my favorite events of the year! Hope to see you there!

Dreaming, Believing & Enjoying!
#27

Friday, September 18, 2009

Virginia Camp


Oh my goodness! What a blast we had in Virginia for camp! We had such an amazing turnout! More than 2,000 people were there to share in the festive camp experience! Moments like these prove to me our sport has a bright future! No matter what vote, Olympics or no Olympics!

We had over 2,000 people and over 400 campers eager and excited to learn about this game and about the game of life! Its about having dreams and believing in those dreams! Part of my continuing playing is for these young girls. I still want them to know that just because we are not in the Olympics there still is that dream of wearing USA!

Weekends like this are so overwhelming! Amazing! I love this game and I love the bright future of it! Thanks for another incredible camp!







Heading out to Atlanta to meet with Mizuno, then NY for WePlay!

Next camp will be in Sacramento, California Sept 26 & 27! Spots are still available, its our only stop on the west! Looking forward to it!

Dreaming & Believing!
#27