New York, New York!

Last weekend I hit the road for the first time in 2 weeks. It was a great break and lovely to spend quality time as a family! Our "Ace" time was much needed and full of fun! Casey is training hard getting ready for Spring Training. We are excited for him and looking forward to Spring Training with the Astros. Ace is well just being our "Ace"! Loving every minute, always exploring and learning.

I headed out to the east coast and attended the Mohegan Sun Coaches Convention in Conn. Its a beautiful casino/mall and we had an incredible turn out for softball! I hung at the Mizuno, ProMounds, & DiamondNation booths for a bit and then had an hour session on "Mental Toughness & more!" I had a blast, thanks to all who attended!

From there I headed over to Hyde Park, New York. I had the opportunity and honor of dining at the Culinary Institute of America. What a treat!!! I fully devoured and enjoyed my four course meal. I didn't eat all day, anxiously awaiting this night! I had Crab Cakes, Goat Cheese Salad, Seared Hake & Mussels, topped with a melt in your mouth warm chocolate cake with pistachio ice cream! WOW! Yes, I left in pain but it was SO worth every bit! I had the pleasure of staying at the oldest Inn in the US. It was beautiful & historic. George Washington even stayed there... papers framed on the wall to prove it! I woke up to a fresh white snowfall and headed over to FDR High School for a little clinic. It was fun getting back to a high school gym! There is something about that gym smell, as horrific as it can be sometimes I love it! Full of so many great memories! We had some fun talking pitching & hitting, and of course a little on life lessons.
Thank you FDR High for your generous hospitality!

I headed into the city after, from the historic Inn to the W in Time Square! Gotta love it! Enjoyed my night full of bright lights, had a few meetings in the morning, visited MTV, and headed back to reunite as Aces! :)

I landed to a house full of "pants on the ground" and tissues everywhere you turn! This is what happens when my Aces have the house to themselves! Off to finish the fourth load of laundry and to a scavenger hunt for tissues, used glasses, & wrappers around the house! Ace is now requesting bacon... I wouldn't have it any other way!

Dream & Believe!
#27

Its the LITTLE Things!

I love it! Here I am in the kitchen at midnight tearing into a bag of Cheez Its while my husband is now opening the pantry ripping into the Frosted Flakes! This is what I hoped for in life & marriage! It doesn't mean I don't get an evil eye every once in awhile when I bust into snacks late night, but still I love it! And it just so happens tonight he is joining me which is rare so it made my night.

I believe marriage is all about the little things... I feel it's the same with life. The little things that lift us up, the moments in between the grand events, celebration, gifts, and etc. If the little things are good, the big will be even better.

We have been married 5 years... Crazy! Unreal! Time is flying by warp speed. Its even more crazy to think Ace is about to be 4! My goal is to continue to make the little things in my/our life good, the day to day, the minute by minute. Enjoying the little things. When Ace grabs my face and kisses me on the cheek out of now where... that is what I am talking about. Oh, how it melts every piece of my heart. When Casey kisses me good bye every morning or the instant hug Iget when he walks into the house. Its the little things that have made these last 5 years so incredible!

I know I am about to throw Casey under the bus a little right now but he has given me the moon and back for gifts! He helps prove or does prove my point about the little things theory! Seriously, he has given more than I could ask for, know of, or even want! For our 5 year anniversary a few days ago he got the me the sweetest card (which meant the world to me, he is the best with thoughtful cards, again the little things!) and a People Magazine. I looked at him and grinned. We had just completed our 5 star, 5 course anniversary meal, it was amazing Now, I am searching for the answer about the People Magazine. (We weren't supposed to get each other gifts, just a night out to celebrate). With his dimpled cheeks looking right back at mine he started to explain. "For our '5' year anniversary the gift is wood. There wasn't anything wood that I could think of that you "wood" (get it) want so I knew I would be safe with a People Magazine!" I died of laughter and was overflowing with joy! So clever and so hilarious and cute all at the same time! I responded immediately elated, "I love it!" I truly did and do! After 5 years he has found the way to my heart!!! Usually, I get nervous for gifts from him because he really would/does get me the world and I never know with what he will show up with. Let me tell you I am still smiling ear to ear thinking about my People Mag! He gets it, he knows how to get to my heart and he did on our 5 year anniversary and he does get their daily. I am so grateful and blessed! An unforgettable anniversary, no doubt!

People, let me tell you... Brilliant! Its the little things, People!

Enjoy the LITTLE things!
#27

USA Tryouts 2010

We just got back from USA Tryouts... always great in a way to get them over with. Its always nerve racking no matter how many times we've been through it. It was great to get back out on the field with the girls. It's always fun catching up with everyone and hanging out in the down time. I roomed with Tasha, Cat, and Lappin, good times!

We did testing the first day along with some drill work. We had to run the bases for time and do the beep test. This is what we all look forward to getting through and done with... the conditioning testing. We are always filled with anxiety and nerves before our running testing. We all survived and put up some pretty good numbers especially after the holidays! :)

We split up in teams and played games the rest of the week. It was as though it was one of my first tryouts... the butterflies were there. Good butterflies, the butterflies you love and train for! It felt so good to get back out on the field! My love of competing and the game still continues to grow. I don't know how but it does, growing more and more. Driving down to the training center I was filled with so many memories. The position our sport is in the with Olympics and all, this could be the last time we are able to train at the Olympic Training Center. It is such a beautiful place and an incredible training facility. We have known to love the staff there and we know it as our home. We started out having to drive to fields then was so blessed with our own field being built on site... its immaculate!

I tried to leave the emotions at the gate and just enjoy the week. I did, but still the emotions were there. So many years, weeks, days, tryouts, workouts, conditioning, hours in the dining hall, nights, meetings, relationships made... so blessed we are/I was/I am to be able to have these special memories! Going back to when they posted the team on a door (the worst walk ever, walking to see if your name is on the list). Now they send out an email a couple days after, thank God! So many great times with my teammates and Coaches.

Going at it, as each time I'm on the field, knowing it could be my last as I get older. Soaking it up, each precious moment!

We find out tomorrow if we make the team, I'll let you know.

Thank you to all the players, staff, Coaches, so many people who have made my career and life so enriched! I am forever grateful and so very appreciative!

Dreaming & Believing!
#27