Day 4

Today we slept in a bit recovering from our big night at opening ceremonies. Woke up headed out to practice! We had an exciting visitor from President Bush out at practice! Lots of black suburbans surrounded our field then he joined us on the field. Sharing his excitement and support of our sport! He is behind us and will be in support as we battle to get it back on 2016. He shook everyones hands and was just happy to be on the field. As he went to shake Laura Bergs hand she leaned in and gave him a great big hug... little did he know he just got Berged! Yep the President just got BERGED!!! The definition of Berged, is a hand print of chalk. Yes, this is Lauras famous prank often showing up on butts and backs at practice. Now she got the Pres! You know you are in when you get Berged... so I guess the President is now in with the softball team! We all busted up and a good sport he was, he even posed with Berg for a photo opt proving her mark. It was awesome! He stuck around and watched a little BP, letting us know we were showing off for the President as balls flew out of the park. Cheering us on in between rounds excited for his day at the ball park! We enjoyed the visit and back to work it was.

It coming... 2 more days and its go time. We are ready for it to begin. The women's US fencing team swept in an exciting night... yes US won bronze, silver, and gold! Setting the tone for the games! It adds to the hunger seeing athletes coming in with medals... our work is cut out for us! Its going to be an amazing games.

Village life is great. While we are staying focused keeping our eyes on the prize, its fun sharing Olympic moments with other Olympians. All walk of lifes from all over the world. We mostly share our time in the athlete lounge checking email, calling, watching other events. Lots of time in our apt just chilling watching Bustos draw or playing rock band and guitar hero. Yes, Kelly brought them here... pretty funny! We have lots of time only playing or practicing once a day. We are focused getting locked in! 2 more days and its show time.

We had our team press conference tonight another reassurance its about to begin. Lots of questions on 2012 and saving our sport. Its good publicity letting people aware of the situation our sport is in and spreading our game. I did an interview with Billy Bush, quite fun while sipping an iced mocha yep there was Starbuck's in the NBC studios. He even had me throw him an orange in the hallway! Hilarious. We made orange juice! Followed up with an interview for NBC with Julie Foudy (I'm a big fan)! Shes incredible! Sharing more mom moments with her! Lots of moms around here! I read there are 20 US Athletes-Moms! Pretty amazing. As you can tell my hearts missing my Ace!!! My teammates have been great super supportive! We often share Ace moments bringing a huge smile to my face!!! Though my heart is torn across the world I am here with my team focused on the large task at hand! Ace knows I love and adore him he just started telling me a couple of days before we left he loves me to the moon and back! My heart just melts! Can't wait to hug, kiss, and just squeeze my little guy when I get back!

Well off to bed... preparing and getting locked in. Locked in!

Good Night from China!
#27

DAY 2 and 3

We had a great day of practice, enjoyed another day on the field. After practice I had a satellite media tour for Bank of America. It was at the Hometown Hopefuls Family Center, B of A puts on for the family and friends of Olympians during the games. Its absolutely beautiful, right on the water! My family is going to love it and be there a bunch. Its awesome, food, Internet, TVs, and so much more. Its so nice to have a place for our family and friends while we focus on competing! In 04' my family practically lived there! They really enjoyed meeting the other athletes families and relaxing in between events and games. After, back to the village and I hit the bed!

8-8-08
Today is the big day!!!
8-8-08
The day we have been waiting for!!!!!

Let the games begin!

We had the morning off so Cat and I headed over to gym here in the village and got a work out in. We relaxed and enjoyed the morning off. I went to the salon here in the village and was able to get an out of this world foot massage. It was the best! Intense! She dug right in, I was cringing but enjoying it at the same time! I finished it off with a pedicure, really just a nail painting but it worked. I went with USA Red! I will definitely be back for another foot massage!

Tonight is the night! OPENING CEREMONIES!!!
I was a bit giddy all day thinking about the night. We showered up and got ready for our big night. It was kind of like prom night a bit! But way better!!! We all got dressed in our RL get up! Silk scarf and all, we looked great! It was so fun. We lined up outside our apt all of the US delegation. Snapping shots and sharing in on the excitement. We headed out on the buses and on our way.

We first staged at the Fencing venue where all of the US athletes hung out. President Bush and the First Lady along with former President Bush came to welcome us and wish us well. He let us know how proud he was of us and wished us well and lots of Gold! We all got team shots with him, quite cool. We were able to grab some photos of other Team USA athletes, a few being, Lindsey Davenport (it was fun talking about motherhood with her), Misty May and Kerri Walsh, Men's & Women's Basketball, the Baseball team, shooting, water polo and many many more... quite exciting.

After our photo opt we headed over to the gymnastics venue to stage with all of the other countries. Everyone looked so great all decked out in lots of different colors and styles. Finally 140, that was our number. After an hour of so of waiting we the 140Th country to march was called. We walked about a half mile from the gymnastics building to the Bird's Nest. It was incredible... all lit up! As we got closer Lopez Lomong our flag bearer was presented the flag to carry in. We headed in... as we approached the stadium we entered a tunnel. Right as we were getting close we started a U-S-A, U-S-A, all of us as one. It was one of the many highlights of night. We are a proud family, a unit, full of honor and pride chanting as one U-S- A, U-S-A.

Then we entered, 90,000 people!!! It was indescribable... I had the chills and was filled with unexplainable excitement! Goose bumps... it was awesome! We weren't able to go to Opening in 04 because we played the next day... so now we have experienced it!!!!!

We walked in and soaked it all up enjoying being surrounded by our softball team. I just kept grinning and over flowing with so many emotions. I instantly thought of Casey, Ace, and our families, wishing I could share this moment! Everything from pride, to gratitude, anxiety, excitement, and even sadness. I could not help but think that this might be the last time softball players march in the opening ceremonies. It instantly brought tears to my eyes! We have to get it back, we have to get softball back in 2016. Softball players around the world deserve the opportunity to experience this! This just built up even more determination to get softball back as if I needed any more. The Venezuela softball team shared being flag bearer and passed it throughout their entire team. Chinese Taipei too had a softball player carry their flag! Our work is not done we will continue the fight, how can they take this away?

This was incredible. I just looked around and around. So many people, so many colors, so many nations! We were in awe... still smiling. And still smiling! It was everything and more and then some. We marched in and around the track it seemed like it took an hour... my arm aching as I continued to wave and grin! It was overwhelming. Once we marched to our spot we just stood in awe staring at the crowd, this place is HUGE! HUGE! Filled with people. Lots of US flags which made my arm ache disappear as we continued to wave through it all. We enjoyed the remarkable show still in awe chatting it up with the other athletes in between sharing our thrilling night. Watching the Olympic flag being raised was another assurance the games have begun. Its here 8-8-08! The torch being lit was absolutely wild... just wild. If you haven't seen it please youtube it! Its worth it! We were all standing in shock... this was unbelievable. Then it lit... the torch was lit. It had been all over the world even in Coach Candrea's hand in San Fran and now here in Beijing China! Fireworks exploded all over the city, it was amazing. Reminding us that "Amazing Awaits"!

After a long night still in awe we headed back to the village. It was surreal, a blur. We experienced so much. I am so grateful and blessed! What a night 8-8-08

Dreaming & Believing
#27

Day 1 in Beijing (Aug 7, 2008)

We practiced yesterday. It was really good to get out on the field and sweat some! We had a great practice. I think we all had butterflies as we took the main field. We had an hour on the stadium field our only hour before the games. Its absolutely beautiful! Amazing! Even better than World Championships. Just Beautiful! We left soaked and a bit tired. 3 hours of practice. The weather is similar to the south, hot and humid. Its easy to get loose and stay warm which is always good! Last night we listened to our veteran Olympians talk about their Olympic experiences. It was energizing and fun to hear Bustos, Nuvey, and Berg talk. Inspiring. We are a unit, a team, ready to go as one. We are using these next few days to continue our preparation. Enjoying our time here in the village, last night we enjoyed watching the USA Men's Basketball team walk through the village. The entourage kept getting bigger and bigger as they walked! All the volunteers were so excited and snapping lots of photos. It was fun to watch from the balcony of our building. The baseball team also arrived yesterday some of the guys have played or play with Casey so it was nice to see some familiar faces. They seem really excited to be here and were taking it all in. Lots of exciting stuff happening all around, we are enjoying it all, but knowing we are here for one reason! Last night dinner was quite amazing! I made a grilled shrimp salad that was out of this world, and topped it off with a Mc Donald's apple pie, only half. :) We woke up and headed out to the dining hall for some eggs and salmon for this morning, Cat and I were able to sleep til 5:30. Still trying to adjust. The coffee here is a highlight too. We are headed out to practice, looking forward to another day on the field.

#27


Monica and me.









Olympic Athlete Village
LOOKING OUTSIDE OUR WINDOW AT THE OLYMPIC VILLAGE. THIS IS WHERE ALL THE ATHLETES STAY. ITS AMAZING


















AN ENTRY WAY AT THE VILLAGE. LOTS OF SCULPTURES AND ARTWORK. THERE IS SO MUCH DETAIL AND BEAUTY PUT INTO THE VILLAGE












Athlete Dining Hall









All the Coke products you want!









Olympics Mascots


















Olympic Stadium, the "Birds Nest"


















The sun at 9 am

Amazing Awaits!!!!

After a great off week we have finally arrived together as a team. We enjoyed some family time together, even took a trip to the zoo! Ace loved it. We try to visit the zoo in each city we visit. Casey and I always went as a couple and now its even more fun taking Ace. His favorite was the giraffes and elephants right now. I soaked up every minute I could in between work outs and preparing. It was a sad good bye, very difficult. I know he will be in the best hands and get lots of loving its just hard having your heart torn in half or completely. ;) My heart is with them but too with my teammates and the game we love. I'm so blessed to be able to do both but sadly this was the one trip Ace will not be going on! He will keep daddy company and cheer him on as the baseball season is coming to an end. The anxiety and build up of knowing I will be leaving is the hardest part. I know its for a short time and he wont remember but he still has my heart inside of him, and always will!!! I look forward to the rest of our lives together!!

Seeing my team helped me out. It's always great to be reunited with my team... they make it better! They are my rock getting through this!!!

Now its submarine time! Tunnel vision! One dream! One goal! Here we come!

We are in Beijing! We made it!
It was an easy flight filled with lots of emotions!!! We had a great few days in San Jose going to through processing. We were hooked up with tons of gear! Including our stylish opening ceremony gear!!! Ralph Lauren if our outfitter, we will be the best dressed for sure! Fun stuff! The excitement just keeps building. We processed with a few cyclists, track athletes, we saw the wrestlers come in as we were headed out. We are here on a mission, and we are fully aware of the journey ahead of us. Lots of blood, sweat, and tears... we are ready. Ready for battle.

The athlete village is beautiful! Huge!!! A little river running through it, lots of artwork, statues, and lots of green! There is even a pond with fish! My roomie is Bustos! Enjoying every minute, she is the best! We have practice today, looking forward to getting on the field! Its been fun seeing all the athletes and familiar faces. We are a family, the USA family! The dining hall is massive! Too much to choose from last night I had a raging salad full of veggies, and spinach and squash. We topped it off with some ice cream. Bustos hit up the Mc Donalds! I was so stoked to see the Mc Cafe in the village, yep all the free mochas you can drink! Along with Coke machines all over the village. Lots of Diet Coke, unlimited, just awesome! Look out! Lots of fun! Still figuring the ins and outs of it all. Its incredible. One World, One Dream is posted all over. So many colors, shapes, sizes, just incredible. Lots of flags proudly posted up!

Lots of love to my family, friends, and fans! Thank you for all your prayers, support, and love. I can not express my gratitude! Thank you! This is it! The Show!!! Let it begin!

Dreaming and Believing! Lots of love to all!
#27

Olympic Send Off at The White House

What a week we've had! Travel has been a little crazy this last week. We started in Springfield Missouri went to Connecticut then to Ohio to play, then bused to Virgina and now headed out west to Irvine Ca.

The highlight of this week was a trip in between Conn and Ohio to the White House. The President invited 10 Olympians and 10 Para Olympians to his home for an Olympic Send Off. We were thrilled, even though it meant a night with no sleep to make it in time! Andrea Duran, Caitlin Lowe, and I went on behalf of USA Softball. We went straight from the plane to the Rose Garden for the Press Conference. I was given the honor to present The President an Official Softball Olympic Jersey! After the Press Conference Bush invited us all in the Oval Office, we were quite excited! Standing thinking of all the many great who have been in here, the many historical figures and decisions that have been made right in that very room was a bit overwhelming! We were excited enough just to go to the White House and then to top it off to get to go into the Oval Office. The President told us insight and history about the desk and how he designed with the first lady the rug that lies. He was so very personable, posed with us all for an individual shot, asking us questions about our sport and what we do! We have all been to the White House with our college teams but this time it was extra special! It was very intimate! The President let us know how excited he is for us and how excited he is to go over and cheer us all on in Beijing! After this we were able to catch a few hours of sleep before the Formal Dinner! It gets better!

To start the night we headed over to get in line for our pictures with The President and the First Lady. They were "golden" looking polished in of course gold! We each were able to take a photo with them, after the photo The President let me know I was at his table for dinner. What an honor... the night just got better filled with more excitement and nerves! We walked into the room filled with great past Olympians, NBC Analyst, Olympians, Para Olympians, CEO's, IOC members, USOC staff and much more. I was so completely in awe having the opportunity to not only sit at the table but right next to Mr. Bush himself. On the other side was one of my heroes Jackie Joyner Kersee. It kept getting better! It was a blast. The President put us at ease grabbing some roasted nuts casually and opening up conversation. From Ace, to Dot Richardson, to Kerri Walsh who was also at the table (shes incredibly sweet), to African American history, to China, and much more. He even pulled out a Sharpie and started signing the menu cards and passed them around for us all to sign. A great souvenier! It was a very special night and it definitely got us even more fired up about heading over to China... its coming! Finally, its coming! The excitement just continues to build! After a dinner filled with incredible company, delicious sea bass, and a lovely dessert topped with the Olympic Torch we headed back out to the Rose Garden for some Blue Grass! What a night! Dre, Cait, and I left in awe and a bit giddy about the day we just had! The only bummer was all 15 couldn't be there to share in the fun! Hopefully after we can all celebrate once again at the White House!

From the White House back to Ohio for a good game against the NPF Akron Racers! The crowd was incredible! To Virginia to California for our last stop! It was nice to finish at home in So Cal. We all had tons of family! I was so happy and delighted to see over 20 family members from all over the world come out to send us off! My cousin and his wife came from Germany! It was a great few days... too short but its back to business preparing, training, resting, for the trip! The trip we've been waiting for all our lives! The Olympics are here!

We head out to San Jose to process on the 2nd then we are heading over on the 4th! We can't wait to get to China unpack and prepare for battle!

Across Country Bus Tour

We started out in Portland and ending in Rapid City, South Dakota. We had an adventure to say the least. We had the baby mobile motor home following behind the bus on our road trip. We enjoyed great company on the motor home... when we were healthy and not! :) There was this horrible bug that went around and around. The baby mobile turned into the sick mobile holding all the hosts of this bug keeping it away from the team as much as possible. Even with the bug we managed to have a lot of fun and made many memories. The highlights being definitely the drive through Yellowstone and the black hawk tour through the black hills, Mt Rushmore, and around Crazy Horse. It was great to experience all of this, getting to see and appreciate this great country in which we represent! In Yellowstone we were able to see a Black Bear, Elk, Dear, Buffalo, and many spectacular views. We were so happy to meet up with Casey in Rapid City, he was on All Star break. He met us at the Military base just in time to get in on the fun! Ace was so elated with joy to see his daddy! Casey just as much to see his boy!
Now to the Black Hawk Tour... what a thrill! Absolutely amazing! Started a bit shaky with the Military splitting Casey and I up because we have Ace! A bit scary thinking about that... but I figure with the military is probably the best way to fly the sky! We were graciously given an opportunity of a lifetime. We soared through the beautiful black hills, up and around Mt Rushmore with the greatest view possible, and by crazy horse. We had lots of fun! Dre and I grasped on to one another when our pilots decided to have some fun, screaming as our stomachs dropped as if we were on a roller coaster ride. We are so grateful for the many incredible things we have been able to do. We ended our adventure with a sunset banquet up at crazy horse... what a day! What a year!

We are now in Connecticut getting ready for our game tonight. As this tour comes to an end it has been a bit emotional. The good byes are starting, from our very special bus drivers whom we adore, to all the staff that won't be in Beijing, and the many who have helped us tremendously along the way! There are so many that play such a huge part of what we do, we are so thankful and blessed to have so much and so many. After tonight we have four games left on US soil, we are filled with many mixed emotions, but its refreshing knowing that "amazing awaits" in China!

Ending our night in Springfield Missouri yesterday, with our usual autograph session I was approached by the cutest little girl grinning from ear to ear. She ran up, looking up, on her tip toes, and with such excitement shouted, "Go get us our fourth, Jennie." It was the cutest thing!!! Our fourth... thats our mission. "Our" meaning every little girl out there, the many Coaches, the many fans of all ages, the women before us who paved the way for us, it is "Ours" as a Nation, going for four for all!

Dream & Believe!
#27

32 more days...

32 more days til the Olympics! It's coming fast!

We will be in Beijing before no time. We had a great practice today, we are in Portland, Oregon. We met up last night for our last leg of our "Bound for Beijing" tour. It's hard to believe its almost over. I can remember tearing up looking how busy this tour was and how much time we were going to be on the road back in November. Wondering how we (The Finch-Daigle's) were going to get through it and manage it all. Staring at the calendar would just make me ill. I can just remember bringing it to my mom and just crying over the calendar thinking there is no way. No way. She hugged me as she always does and reassured me we will get through it, we will just take it trip by trip... and here we are, almost at its end. After her taking a leave of absence from work, my Aunt and Uncle traveling across country and back again, the Daigle's flying in and out numerous times, my dad being just an incredible Grandpa being solo on the road with us, and many more people who have sacrificed so much to help us. We have almost made it. I see the light!

Now I am filled with so many mixed emotions excitement and anxiousness thinking about Beijing but yet saddened by the thought of it all coming to an end. We have made it! We managed it and have made it a magical and memorable year... with the best yet to come in Beijing. With so much help from our families and friends we have done it! Ace has been such a trooper! Casey has really been the incredible hulk and entirely amazing in this journey. He has been our rock, he has spent the many nights alone away from us, and yet remains our foundation. He has given so much and I am so forever grateful. Still every time we leave Casey, watching him say his goodbyes to Ace is when I lose it. Every time my eyes over fill with tears. This year has been about dreams, sacrifice, giving, support, love, and so much more. I'm getting a bit emotional just writing this. This mountain seemed unclimbable and here we are almost to the peak!

Watching the Olympic trials has been rejuvenating and energizing! It has been amazing watching dreams come true for many. After watching many hours of track and swimming I thank the Lord above for me playing a team sport and us being chosen in Sept! My heart breaks for the many who have given so much just to have a shot on that one day. That one day they have to be their best. Less than a second, less than a centimeter, there were so many emotions in the trials this past week. I have a really close friend who was there competing for her one shot, she has given so much, faced an injury 2 months before the trials, fought so hard to overcome, she was so very close. My heart ached for her this week as she went through the trials and came up just short. She will remain a champion in my mind. Watching her face this past week just makes me realize how many belong and gave so much but yet will not be in Beijing physically but are with all of us that are. We are better and who we are and will carry them with us as we represent the US because of all these amazing athletes. It reminds me how grateful, blessed, thankful, and incredibly special this is. We have been grinding daily getting ready for this our whole lives and its only 32 days away.

EXCITING NEWS... Casey has been chosen to the top 60 players list to have a shot at the US Baseball Team!!! We are overwhelmed with joy, pride, happiness, excitement, and so much more. This would be icing on the cake and yet another dream!!! We are keeping our fingers crossed hoping. Lord willing we will both be in Beijing having the greatest honor there is for an athlete competing for our country! We are trying not to get too excited but its a little too late. Either way we are just honored having Casey be in the running. We will know in about a week!

Well Ace is shouting movie... its bed time! He isn't too happy about me being on the computer. He continues to fill our lives with such unexplainable joy! Daddy got him his first bike last week, its green and just adorable. Sure enough less than 10 minutes and he was riding around solo. Just amazing. He is growing so fast. We are soaking in as much as we can! We love it. It was absolutely so cute at lunch a couple days ago I think he hugged and kissed Casey over 10 times. He adores his daddy! He is such a loving little boy. We are so blessed! Enjoying parenthood to the fullest!

Keep dreaming & believing!