Bull Riding & Preschool

Last night the boys had a guys night out! PBR, Professional Bull Riders Event! They had a blast! They had front row seats right by the gate! Casey said Ace was in AWE! He loves watching bull riding on TV! I can't wait to take him to Rodeo's! He loves it! Casey said they even were splattered with Bull Poop, that's how close they were. He called at the start and said Ace had his own Dr. Pepper, Churro, Popcorn, Licorice, and a Burrito! I highly doubt the burrito was eaten! They had some fun! They came home all fired up, I think Ace went to bed on a bull. They were playing rodeo all night long! He even had a pretend rope! He has his whole ride down even one hand in the air. So much fun!

I had a signing in St Louis this past weekend, I took Ace along! It was a fun one day trip! Ace usually says he wants to go with me while crying as I leave... of course the time I decide to take him he says he wants daddy the whole time. He went to bed in St. Louis saying he wanted to go home. It ended up being a good trip after all. Great to meet the people in St. Louis, thank you for coming out! I look over on the plane ride home and Ace is out, snoozing, laying on his tray table. Too cute!

Tomorrow we are taking Ace to his first day of preschool!!! He is so big! Just crazy... we've visited the place I think 4 times in the last week! He asked to go last week after story time at the library. So I thought, well maybe he is ready. We will see tomorrow! Casey got him a back pack he was wearing it around tonight, ready to go. We have been hyping it up, puzzles, paint, toys, food, potties, playground, it all!!! So we will see. A new adventure, our little guy is growing up. We were at Mc Donald's today and he ran into this boy on accident and he looked up to him and said, "Sorry." Ugh, with the sweetest voice. Ace might be ready to go, but I don't know if I am ready. I guess tomorrow will tell, for both of us!

Dream & Believe!
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Our family Fishing Trip!

Casey took us out on the boat, his little piece of heaven! This guy of mine could fish all day, all night, everyday! He is so excited about Ace getting to the age of being able to go fishing with him. I still have to be the mediator letting Casey know he would rather just play with the fish than keep catching them. For Casey when he's fishing its like he's in a BassMaster competition every time. (I don't even know if they call them that or where I got that from but it sounded good.) There is no, just a day out on the boat... I think/hope this will be the day every time. Never. But we did manage to have quite a bit of fun! The fish above was his first one of the day. Ace actually reeled it in too! It was pretty funny Casey shouting at Ace to "set the hook!". I have to let Casey know he has no idea what "set the hook" means, honey! He is 2! Casey has to fight back his game mode mentality... it is quite funny to see. Ace kept telling us how he caught a "big o bass," too cute!

Dream & Believe!
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Happy Valentine's Week!

Happy Valentine's Day! Casey surprised me with breakfast in bed! So very sweet! He, I think finally knows me completely! I am a simple girl and that was just perfect! Everything and more... we were able to cook dinner and enjoy Valentine's Day as a family! Thank you honey!
We and some friends took the kids to the zoo this week! Ace had so much fun, he was in awe! Running from one to another, I think he enjoyed the giraffe's most. He even fed them! Casey and Ace were even spit on by the llamas and a friend even bit by an Ostrich! Danger Zone! We had fun and it added to the excitement! Casey's shirt was even half swallowed in the petting zoo by a deer! Quite the eventful day, full of fun!

Casey was anxious to start spring training! He is excited about the opportunity to be a Ranger! He says for the first time he isn't nervous about the conditioning! His hard work this off season has really helped him feel completely ready! We are looking forward to an incredible year for him! I am so proud of him!

Dream & Believe!
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A Great Week!

We had a good week, a quiet week! Enjoying some down time and soaking up family time! I was able to do some cooking too! I made a little early St. Patrick's Day meal! Corn beef, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes! It was delicious! I even made a chowder out of the left overs! Quite tasty! We assisted Grandma Ada, Ace's great grandma, make her, "Oh so yummy, chocolate chip cookies!" Lots of Play Doh race tracks, monster trucks, and scooters! Its been great to enjoy the simple things with family!
Wednesday night I went up to LA's Viper's Room with some friends to watch one of my BF's from high school sing, Melanie Nyema! She has been singing back up for Solange Knowles. I felt like a proud mom, even teary eyed watching her perform, she worked it! I was beaming for her! I couldn't help but go back and picture her back at LMHS song dancing during half times! I am so proud of her and the woman she has become! We went out to another place after and met some of the band and stuffed our faces! Only us super jocks, eating platters of appetizers at 2 in the morning! Good times!

I was able to get out to my Alumni Middle School in La Mirada, Ca to visit with the students. Wow, it was the first time I have been back. Oh, did it bring back memories, most not so good. This was such a awkward stage for me. The principal reminded me of how I struggled with my make up and much more! This was in 8th grade, make up for me was brown lip liner, Ouch! I smiled and took it like a champ! Oh, the not so good ole days! It was great to reminisce about walking the halls with friends, the memories of the softball field, and my favorite snack machines! It was fun to see and share some of these memories with the students. Hopefully maybe inspire or encourage them in some small way. It was great to be back and see many of my teachers, still helping out our future leaders!



Casey is getting settled in for spring training, working hard! We will be heading out to Arizona soon. I am looking forward to cheering him on, this will be a fun season! Ace is at a great age for ball parks and being "Casey's" biggest little fan! Yes, Ace calls his daddy, Casey! We are looking forward to reconnecting with our friends in Arizona! It has been so much fun visiting family and friends. This has been an incredible off season, full of fun and relaxation! Its time for me to get back into the swing of things, literally! I am going to give myself 1 more week, then its go time! June is going to be here before we know it!

Ace is going to be so sad to leave grandma and grandpas, "Prada"! She has been his little buddy, not by choice!

Dream & Believe!
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So Cal Camp

Lots of fun this weekend. Our first camp in pretty much my back yard! It was pretty amazing! The fields it took place on, we all have spent many many weekends there! It was great to be back and to have it filled with eager excited softball players for camp. It took me back to those days of 6 am warmups and long weekends in the sun! It was a blast! I want to thank all of my teammates that came out to help along with all of my family who gave up the weekend to help us out! We are so appreciative and grateful! Of course thanks to all the campers and families for joining in on our 2 day fun filled experience!

On Sunday, we had a special treat! Natalie Buchoz came out to join us! Natalie is an amazing girl, who has had an incredibly tough year. She was in a horrible skiing accident a little over year ago, she broke her neck in 2 places and much more. You can follow her and her journey at www.caringbridge.com Natalie Buchoz. She is on her way to making a full recovery! She is in courageous rehab at Operation Walk. Thanks to some incredibly generous people we were able to help raise a month of rehab for her! It was great to finally meet her, she spoke to the girls reminicing about her days on that same field a little more than a year ago. Thanks Natalie for coming out and keep your amazing spirit! We all know you can do it! Keep it up!

Here are some fun pictures from the weekend!

Laura Berg, the only USA softball 4 time Olympian, shouting! Teaching the girls her mad outfield skills!
Campers stretching out!
Showing off their autographed softball... I love this picture!
Won't miss a thing with this glove!
My dad, intensely talking pitching!
Andrea "Dre" Duran, teaching baserunning She got the most votes for most fun station!
Bustos signing an autograph!
Tasha, Berg, and I chalk talking it with the girls!

Cheese!

Having fun, getting warm!
Sharing medals, best part of having them!
Bustos talking shop!

As you can see we had some fun! Its tough to label it a camp, its an experience! Thank you to my sponsors and camp sponsors, without your dedication and help this could not be possible. Thank you for giving these girls such a Big League Experience!

Thanks to Mission Viejo High School, the city of Mission Viejo, my teammates, Biola University Softball, my family, all the volunteers, parents, and most of all the future of our sport, you campers!

Keep dreaming & believing!
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Busy Weekend!

Last weekend I was packing my bags for a weekend with a full agenda. As soon as the bags came out, Ace knew. I found myself on the floor packing in the family room trying to reason with my 2 year old why I have to leave and why people have to work. Ace is all about the Whys and every statement was followed with a Why? It was a sad departure at the airport with Ace shouting, "Mommy Ace go, Ace go on the airplane!" Ugh, my heart just crumbled, and its not going to get easier. I immediately tried to reassure myself in a few minutes he is going to be all about his bubble gum or Winnie the Pooh movie. I called Casey to make for more reassurance.

I headed out to Fleming, New Jersey to announce the opening of Diamond Nation. I am so excited about the partnership with Jack Cust Jr. and his family, and the staff! He has the Jack Cust Baseball Academy that started over 10 years ago. They are expanding now and building Diamond Nation, it will be one of the top baseball and softball complexes in the US. Along with the... drum roll please! Jennie Finch Softball Academy. How incredibly neat is that! Its hard to imagine. I am so humbled and excited to be able to hopefully have an impact in the Northeast, help the game grow, and train many young women in our game! There are so many great talented softballers in the Northeast with no place to play when the weather gets bad. Now, softball will not only be a season in the Northeast, it will be a year around event! There is also a dome set up for the winters! It is in the works under construction. We have many exciting things in store, lessons, clinics, tournaments, leagues, and even a travel organization!
Check it out at DiamondNation.com

From New Jersey I headed down south to Houston, Texas. I did a public signing there at a Card/Trade Show. These are always fun because you never know who you are going to meet. I got to meet many incredible fans and many baseball greats of the past and present. To name a few, Tony Gwynn, Craig Biggio, and more! I have to pinch myself to have the opportunity to sign my name and get paid doing so. I always chat with many of the people in the business, finding out who is nice, who is a bit nuts, and so forth. Hearing that athletes come to these shows and complain the whole time they are signing is absolutely mind boggling. Its even hard for me to grasp getting paid for an autograph. I am a bit torn when young girls especially show up knowing they paid to come. I realize though that without this card show paying my way and etc to get to the city and be there, I wouldn't be able to meet the people/young girls I do. Knowing this it makes it a bit easier, along with the many many hours we softball players have stayed after games signing, usually the last to leave the ball park. Don't get me wrong we are delighted to, we are just grateful to have the fans we do come watch us!

We are getting paid to write our name, people dream of this, its crazy how people are not grinning ear to ear while they sign. I sure am, gratefully signing each signature. Usually, I am the only female or there is very few, which make it even more special. So, if you ever come to a public signing you can't miss me, I am in the corner, perhaps the one girl, thanking all that come, and sporting a Colgate smile. Thank you again, to those who came!

Sunday night from Houston I flew up to Minneapolis, Minnesota. The good ole Midwest! I love it there, the people, the food, the pace of life, the corn fields, the cow smell, and more! I have mid western roots with my whole family except for me being born there. I am the lone Californian. Some of my greatest family memories are held there, touring the farms, hiding in the corn fields, sledding, snowmobiling, even oddly at the butcher beef jerky in hand, treasured memories with my grandparents! So much fun! When I landed it was 4 degrees! Unbelievable! We headed to Rochester, for the Rochester Amateur Sports Commission's Annual Dinner. It was a great event, honoring many local star athletes! It was great hearing their stories and seeing them proudly except their awards. I was the speaker for the night which makes me quite nervous. This one was different though, the community was so laid back, welcoming, and easy going. I enjoyed the night and meeting so many very sweet people. Thank you Rochester!

I am so grateful for the many opportunities that come my way, especially in this economy. My heart goes out to the many who are being laid off... its just horrible. I send my prayers out to all of them and their families.

I couldn't get home fast enough to my Ace's. Peeking in the car seeing his grinning face, its indescribable! Motherhood by far is the greatest of all!

We are gearing up for our camp this weekend in Southern California, we are accepting registration on Saturday. Please come out and join us. Details at JennieFinch.com under camps. We look forward to a great weekend!

Casey is itching to start spring training! It is coming fast! Its been ground hog day for him most of the off season, working out every morning for a good 4, 5, 6, hours a day! We are encouraged by the opportunity of being with the Rangers, and are looking forward to a great season!

Dreaming & Believing!
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Potties, Binky's, & Blankie's

This is Ace's world! What a life!

We are such lucky parents, God knew we needed to start out with an easy one. This lil guy has traveled the world in his 2 little years. He has been to China, Japan, and over 30 states. Unbelievable! He is so easy going and adaptable. Its pretty much all he has ever known, airplanes and hotels.

He knows of Tucson and that as his toy land. "Tuscon," he says," Ace has that in Tucson." Everything is in Tucson! Despite the fact that he has only been there 2 weeks this entire year. He is surrounded by love where ever he ends up and that is all that matters! And toys seem to appear wherever he lands!

Well and of course his binky and blankie! To him, that is his world. My stomach starts to cramp when ever I think of getting rid of one, the Binky. I don't even consider both, heaven forbid. We do know its time, we just aren't ready yet. We, notice, all three of us. We know we are digging the hole deeper and deeper as each day passes. My stomach is now to a complete cramp just talking about it. I know many moms are out there thinking get a grip and a back bone! The time will come, when? Not sure, but it will! Every one already thinks he's that 5 year old kid with a binky because he is so tall. I need a shirt for him that says, "My daddy is 6'5" I'm only 2! Leave me, my mom, and my binky alone"! As you can tell I have a complex. We are getting there trying to limit it to naps and night time... for the most part. The day will come, just not sure when.

The Lord knew exactly what we needed like I said. Our little guy one morning says, "Mommy, no diapers, diapers are for babies!" Well that was it, at 2 1/2 he is potty trained! That was all it took. I think the Lord is blessing us with all other aspects because he knows what is in store with the Binky! He is chuckling up there!

On to the potty!

Potty's, so I have come to the conclusion I have a huge issue.

Germs. I am so not, a germ freak, in fact very far from it! We build up our antibodies daily! But with toilets, yes, I am! Ace is so good on his little potty at home. I disinfect it and clean it. It even plays music to celebrate each use! Its perfect!

My first experience out using a public rest room with Ace was frightening. I kind of flipped out! I'd almost rather him use his clean, fresh diaper! It even crossed my mind to slip one on him, more than once. What to do? I even bought a little fold up seat, then realized I have to carry this sponge bob plastic seat in my purse, first of all. Second, cleaning it every time both sides in public. Well that didn't last too long either. I'm still trying to figure out a solution.

These are my options for now

1. Using an entire roll of toilet paper to cover every porcelain thing Ace could possibly touch. It takes me back to 6th grade toilet papering the mean girls house. And Carry Clorox wipes in my purse and wiping down the whole stall. Not fun!
2. I am thinking of buying little potties for each car to have! This will only work when we have a car. Most of the time we aren't even where we have a car. Can u imagine us going through security at the airport with a music playing potty?
3. Diapers for a little while longer, they are looking good, especially compared to the nasty public bathrooms.

Mom's any advice out there? I know there is always soap and water. Handy travel disinfected wipes. I know we all had to use public bathrooms when we were little too. Shoot, I grew up at the ball park for goodness sake. Still. And to make things worse, we are on the road about 300 if not more days a year. Yuck! As soon as he says, "Mommy, Ace have to go Ti-Ti," my heart drops! Even worse for number 2! This was supposed to be the easy part when he was out of them!

I was excited to get rid of the diaper bag but now my purse looks like a cleaning bucket! So much for my beautiful Chanel purse Casey got me for my birthday. It looks like we will be sprinting to the nearest Neiman's or Gold Star Club at the airport begging for a bathroom when at all possible, with Clorox in hand! I hope the Texas Rangers have clean toilets! :)

I better stop, I'm getting way too carried away! Back to Cheese Puffs & Dora!

Dreaming of clean toilets and no Binky's!
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