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!

Living the Dream!

Happy Father's Day to all the special dads out there!!! Im so grateful and blessed with an incredible dad whom I admire and appreciate so grately! We were sad to be away from Casey this Fathers Day, we are on the road with the US Team. We are so thankful and love him dearly! We love you and miss you!

We enjoyed an off day today... We had a bbq on the motor home today! My dear Uncle Larry is on the road with us and graciously lets us use his motor home as drives us across country behind the bus! This allows the boys to travel along with us, we are so grateful for all of his sacrifice and time. He is so great and what a trooper. Well today we grilled out, Bustos hooked it up with some beans, rice, and delicious carne asada! It was so good, oh and some awesome guac too! So we had a little taste of home with the motor home!

Yesterday we lifted in the morning and then headed to Elgin, Ill to attend the Bandits game vs Canada. It was good to see friends, fans, and be around the Bandits! They have a really talented team this year and we are looking forward to great things in Elgin our new home. I look forward to returning in 09' playing for the Bandits!

We've had a great few weeks as a team, some tough games in Oklahoma City vs NPF All Stars, Canada, and China. It was really exciting getting geared up getting a taste of the Olympics. We are 53 days out! Its coming quick and we are preparing hard. We had such great crowds! We even were able to catch the last few days of the College World Series. Its always great to be in such a tremendous softball environment!

I'm blessed to have my mom on the road with me this month! Our family has made such great sacrifices to help us out this year, we are so grateful! The exciting news of the month is I am an Aunt again!!!! Our first baby girl Finch!!! Malaya Violet!!! She made us wait for her a week or so, over due but well worth it! I cant wait to hold her and finally get to meet her. She is absolutely beautiful!!! We are so excited!

Ace is doing great! All over the place! Staying up late on the road! He's really into running the bases, its so fun to have him with me able to attack the field after games! Hes got his windmill motion down! He is saying more and more. He loves animals, the highlight riding on the motor home through the midwest is the cows and horses. Its so fun seeing him with my teammates getting lots of love and laughs! He has many great Aunties... not to mention they are worlds greatest softball players.

Some exciting business things happening. Dudley has come out with "Jennie Finch Softballs" even in pink. They are really fun! I'm excited about the new partnership. The new Mizuno Finch line is pretty neat too. Just seen some prototypes but really exciting stuff. I think you all will love the new designs!
We are getting lots of registrations in for our camps this fall! Please dont wait to register as they are filling up! We are looking forward to having 4 this fall I love getting to meet and teach young girls across this country and bring them the best of instruction from Olympians and Professionals! It's so fun seeing the youth so thrilled and in love with our great game of fastpitch! Please look under camps for your registration forms. We look forward to seeing you!

Thank you all for your continued support, prayers, and love. We are definitely living a dream and enjoying each day! Casey, Ace and I are so very thankful! Its not easy being a part but we love what we do.

Keep dreaming & believing!
#27

Happy Mother's Day

We are on the bus heading to Bowie, Maryland, our last stop of this tour leg. We just left Williamsport, Pa, where we played last night. We had a great crowd our second largest yet on tour. It was so much fun looking out and seeing the stands filled with so much pink! Lots of campers from our Williamsport camp we had last fall, turned out to support Team USA! Thanks for all your love and cheers! We look forward to going back for another camp this upcoming fall! We had a blast at the Lazorka House, Jeremy who is the manager for Arizona Softball and his so sweet family! We were able to get away in the country, ride 4 wheelers, eat some yummy home cooked food, see day old kittens, and just lay on the couch! Thank you Lazorka family for giving us a home away from home and your sweet genuine hospitality, we enjoyed the visit!

Life from the bus is pretty low key most the time. Lots of z's, movies, games, phone calls and etc. These last few days sadly I have been with out my Ace, due to the crazy long bus trips. Its so tough being away, I try to rest up and get caught up with things, however I think its almost worse without Ace as far as sleeping goes! Its been fun to have Bustos back as my roomie though. Ace has been down in Louisiana with the Daigles loving the ranch life! Riding horses, mooing at the cows, riding the 4 wheeler, enjoying family and even got his first gator! As tough as it is to be away, we are blessed with the support of our families helping us get through this year. There is no way we could pull this off with out them, Thank you!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!

We are looking forward to spending Mother's Day as a family... All three of us! We have a few a days off. Its nice to be able to escape for a few days enjoy our family and just be a wife and son cheering on Dad.

Thank you to Casey for giving me the most incredible gift of my life... Motherhood and our Ace! I absolutely whole heartedly LOVE being a mom! Its been the greatest gift! This love is an unexplainable love... I thank God for this gift!

We are so blessed and grateful to all the many moms in our life! You all have and continue to brighten and enrich our world in so many ways! I am so blessed to have my amazing grandmothers who have inspired and have been such incredible examples for me still in my life today. I'm forever grateful. And to my Mom, I can't thank you enough for the love you have given to me and all you have been in my life. Thank you for giving me all of you still to this day! I hope and pray to be able to give what you have given me and been to me to Ace. We have a special unconditional and unbreakable bond. I love you!

To Lisa and Stacey my teammate moms, I want to wish you a special Mother's Day!!! Coach Johns you too... Thanks for all you do and sacrifice to be with us! You are all greatly appreciated! Its been so fun exploring this incredible journey with you! You guys are amazing!

Mothers are angels, a gift from above! Let's lift them up and show them our appreciation not only on Mother's Day but each and everyday! To all the Moms out there, Thank You!!!

On the Road Again...

We are in Rochester right now cheering on Casey for one more night! Tomorrow we head out again on tour with Team USA to Pittsburgh. We are thoroughly enjoying our visit of a couple of days taking advantage of every minute together. Ace is just talking up a storm... shouting "Mum" constantly. Its so adorable, I can't get enough! Its hard to imagine he will be 2 in a few days. Time is flying by as we try to slow it down with pictures and video. He is saying so much more not repeating lots. He said Daigle for the first time a couple of days ago! Still enjoying trucks more than ever and animals! You would think he wouldn't leave home without a ball or glove but that's not the case! For him its his Binky, Blankie, and trucks! Those are his necessities.

We had such a great couple of weeks on the road from New Mexico, to Texas, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and stopping in Sulphur, La for a couple of days.
In Sulphur which is Casey's home town the "Jennie Finch Softball Camp" hosted Team USA against ULL right in basically Caseys backyard. We had the largest crowd so far on tour! It was so much fun! The Daigle's, Family, and Friends made it such a weekend to remember for us!!!
The facility was top notch and by far making it my favorite stop so far. I want to thank the entire community of Sulphur for all their support and hard work pulling off such a great weekend. We started by eating at one of Casey and I's favorite places Tony's Pizza! We pulled the bus and motor home right in and was spoiled with some fantastic food. The police escorts made it all that much better. We were treated like such VIP's all weekend. The Sheriffs even brought us some Boudain Balls!!! Yummy cajun food!
We headed to Sulphur High to lift some weights from there... it was fun being able to lift in Casey's high school gym with his picture in the hall!
The game was Saturday it was a beautiful day and the stadium was filled hours before game time. Our nephew Brock even helped us shag during BP and was able to hang in the dug out during the game. I heard he almost jinxed our perfect game... 2 outs in the 7th he told the dug out, "one more out and Aunt Jennie has a perfect game". He then was told to knock on wood by my teammates looking out for me and minutes the out was complete! It ended a great weekend just "perfectly"! It was the least I could do for all the support we were blessed with.
Sunday we had a fun day out at the Daigle's and Doc Rhodes. We had the BEST cajun food cooked just for us by Uncle Fred and his crew. Oh we had it all... crawfish, crawfish fettuccine, crawfish ettoufee, jambalaya, his famous brisket, shrimp cornbread dressing, chowder, and so much more! I didn't want it to end! He topped it off with Bread Pudding as if it couldn't get any better! After dinner Doc took us on a tour of his ranch getting out his 4 wheelers, dune buggies, gators, and all. We started out fishing for cat fish on his dock and some even went for a boat ride. Bergy, Nuvey, and Jess all even were able to shoot his guns. We ended the fun filled day with a tour on the fire truck we all loaded up all 18 and the Coaching Staff. Doc has so many animals to see... its a tour of the world right in Louisiana. We saw and road some horses, petted donkeys, bunnies, chickens, and more. We saw Buffalo, Deer from all over the world, Elk and so much more. We had such a blast, it was something we will never forget! Doc was so gracious letting us invade and explore/
Thanks again to the Sulphur community for your first class hospitality! Oh and how can I forget as soon as we pulled up we were again spoiled but this time with Peanut Butter Fudge from our one and only beloved Ms. Smurf! We wished it would never end.

From Louisiana we headed to Los Angeles to play UCLA. It was an emotional night with Lisa ending a great outing and unmatchable career leaving her cleats in the circle. My eyes tear up just thinking about it again. Lisa is the best softball player to have ever played this game in my eyes and many! She has done and has been so much to the game of softball and to me personally. I can remember watching her play whenever I could get the chance growing up. She was and is excellence. 3 gold medals and much much more, but most importantly I can call her a role model and a friend! She has taught me so much and has been an example for me to strive to be. Her work ethic and commitment is indescribable. It speaks so much about her to continue to train, travel and help us prepare to bring home another gold as an alternate and as ready as ever just in case. I am and the game will always be in debt to Lisa and all she has done!!! Its awesome to see her also as a Coach at UCLA and continuing to give back to this game and the players of the game. Thank you Lisa Fernandez!!! You will always be a part of everyone who plays this game. One of my greatest thrills was to first share a dugout with you and then to top it off share the podium with you, Thank You!

My week in LA was a bit crazy but worth writing about. Lots of fun! Cat, Lovie and I did a photo shoot for Men's Health Magazine, then taped an episode of the Elevator for HBO online, taped an interview for Natural Advantage Skin Care, did a satelite media tour promoting healthy eating over 35 media outlets, and finished with a photo shoot for Dudley! Needless to say I slept a couple of hours. Lots of exciting stuff coming up. We are enjoying our last day here in NY getting some rest and looking forward to our next stop Pittsburgh!

Thanks again for all the thousands of fans who continue to fill up the stadiums with so much love and support! I look forward to meeting many more of you as we travel across the US getting ready for Beijing.

A Crazy Spring...

We are in Houston right now continuing our Bound for Beijing tour! We just were in New Mexico yesterday, what a crowd we had! We are so blessed to be able to walk into stadiums all across the country and be so welcomed! I love it! I love this game! Its amazing to see the support for our sport! Im so blessed to be able to be a part of it! We've had a busy month... from Ca to OKC and continuing on! We as a team know we have our work cut out for us and except the challenge. Its a process and for us we need to be at our best come Beijing. We are working hard on and off the field to accomplish our goal! Its been such a blast meeting up with friends and fans that have become friends throughout the years from all over the country. We live an exciting life playing a game and having the honor of representing our great country. We have really began to Bear Down and hit it hard... enjoying everyday!

Ace just continues to brighten each day! Getting bigger and bigger by the minute. He now knows all of his colors! He is just a joy!!!! He has such a great sense of humor and is really just a little goof ball! I can't get enough of him! He had fun in Oklahoma with his cousins and is enjoying his buds on the road, Lisa's Antonio, and Stacey's Chase! They are the cutest, roaming the hotels and airports, and joining us on our bus rides! Playing ball, watching videos, and chasing each other around, they are true buds!

Ace went to NY with me for the Apprentice finale. It was so fun to see all the cast again and catch up. It really was a great group of people and a delight to see them all again! We will be in NY as much as possible with Casey. He had a great spring training and is off to a great start with the Redwings. The season has officially began for him. Lots of exciting stuff.

Thanks to all of the many fans who continue to write and pray for us, as a family and our teams. Thanks for filling the stadiums with such excitement and dedication. Its not easy being apart from our families but when you see young girls faces light up with joy it makes it a little easier. This is why we play for the love of the game and for the future of our sport!

Keep dreaming and believing!

Good Times in Florida!

We are in Clearwater about to play 6 games in the next three days! Our Florida tour has been great so far, great weather, great training, great games! We are looking forward to playing lots in the next few days. Florida is beautiful so lush and so green. We are loving Clearwater being right on the beach with ocean views, it doesn't get any better than this! Bustos is soaking it all up on the balcony looking out at the water with a big grin. Its been an exciting trip getting to go to the Yankee's Game on Sunday (I skipped out for Casey's game but the team had fun) and having Terrell Owens stopping by our game last night. We are invited to go to see Tampa Bay play on Friday, we are looking forward to it! Lots of baseball going on around here!!! I love the spring and baseball is one of the many reasons why. We bused today from Hollywood to Clearwater making a pit stop at the IMG Academy. Our team had an appearance at the Academy and had a meet and greet with many local high schoolers. Its a pretty amazing place to say the least. Its resort living with everything you need for athletics, academics, and life for the athlete in training. We had a great time, plus it broke up the bus ride!
Well I better get going and get some R & R (rest & recovery) it doesn't come too often! :)
Dream & Believe!
#27