Baseball, Apple Pie, Baby Smiles & Southern Grace
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#veteranbaseballwifelife

Unique Life. Hot Mess. Family Love. Sweet Times.

A Blog of the Ups and Downs & Ins and Outs of a Unique Kind of Life. A life of MiLB/ MLB Baseball and the People in it. A Blog of an over 50 Gravity Touched Hot Mess whose strange sense of humor keeps her going. A Blog of two people who adore their family! A Blog with food ideas from a self proclaimed Foodie. A Blog to encourage the tired, frazzled, aka Normal Women & men of all ages and remind them how Extremely Valuable they are!
#veteranbaseballwifelife #Angieandstorm

Blended & Beautiful

6/29/2016

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The gift has traveled many miles.
The outside is scuffed, torn and rumpled. It looks different than when it was first sent out The delivery address and stamps are hardly visible.
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After several attempts the package is delivered to the new location. The postman rings the doorbell.
The door opens. The box is lifted gently. It's opened with care. Gentle and expectant hands reveal something beautiful!
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The ones who receive the gift are surprised. They are more than excited! It was more amazing than they could've ever imagined!

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It was Christmas many years ago. "Did you mean it?" Those were the words I was hearing on the other end of the phone, and she was sobbing. "Yes. You can stay with us as long as you want."
Two teenagers needed a home. The wheels had completely fallen off the one they knew. We already knew & loved them. We had a home for them; our home; our family.
The next several years were a crazy beautiful chaos. Five teenagers in the same home. You can only imagine! There were glorious highs & bottom dwelling lows. It was a new dance every week. We knew we had to just keep dancing...stumbling...and dancing.
Teenagers are an interesting breed of humans! They remind me of toddlers with bigger bodies and an expanded vocabulary. Storm adores teenagers! I adore toddlers! So I guess together we were a good fit in this adventure of five at one time!
The noise. The silences. The smells. The mess. The drama. The "come to Jesus" days. The manipulation skills. The tears. The humor. The laundry. The shoes. The groceries. The driving lessons. The boyfriends and girlfriends. Proms. Graduations. And POOF! It was over so fast!
​Before I could blink...they were all grown! They survived. We survived!! Good News: They are all wonderful adults loving their families and making Storm and I "Papa & Mimi"!
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They all taught me so much:
1. Being a Mom was my favorite job!
2. Some things were over our heads when it came to blending a family. As hard and scary as it was at times, it was what God called us to do. He held our hands. He showered us with grace.
3. Kids will like you some days. Kids will not like you some days. Love them anyways.
4. It's supposed to be hard. It's worth it.
5. Kids grow up. So find the humor. Always believe in them. Give them grace. Enjoy the ride.
6. Doing the best you can is all you can really do. Trust God to hold their hands and hearts.
7. I am blindingly aware of my need for Jesus because I am a parent--and that is a very good place to be!

#veteranbaseballwifelife #blog #blendedfamily #lovethem
#guardianparent
#teenagersrock
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Growing Up Baseball

6/16/2016

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Kansas City Royals days!
Storm and I have spent the majority of our married lives in the game of baseball. We had our kids while in the MLB game; retired; then returned as MiLB coaching staff.
One of the questions I get asked often is, 'How did your kids handle growing up in baseball?' All I could ever think was...'It was all they knew at the time..it was their version of normal.'
So... I decided to ask them! Being the troopers that they are- they answered me!
Erin (youngest) born in California - She was going into Kindergarten when Storm retired. She remembers some of the places we lived but not all of them. She does believe it made her a flexible person. Change doesn’t frustrate her. She also feels her relationship with her brothers was a place of solid ground. She knew she always had them even if we were headed to a new place.
Caleb (sweet stuff in the middle) born in Jacksonville (our only off-season baby)-He said, 'Mom, that's all we knew for a long time!' He's right! He was going into first grade when we went back home. He loved going to ballgames and eating ballpark food. He didn't always like the change of scenery but found comfort in his siblings being close. He notes that he developed skills for handling change and still uses them. He wishes he remembers more of that time...but has some fun memories playing basketball with Cal Ripken in our basement!
Zach (oldest) born in Baltimore - He, of course, remembers the most. Zach was going into third grade at our retirement. He has always seemed to love going to new places. I think he was born with an adventurous streak. He was a student of the game even in his young years. He knew every hitters batting stance!
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Daddy's departure days were a little rocky for all of them. I tried to make it a day with something fun..and of course a treat or two! Hurdles for kids show up in any walk of life..it's a day by day journey!

When Zach was only 4 he started struggling with Storm flying all over the place. He grasped the danger his Daddy could be in and it scared him. We found a great kids counselor who taught him and gave him practical keys to help with the sad thoughts. We began praying for Daddy when he left on trips and thanked Jesus for taking care of all of us. Over time things improved.
They were all amazing travelers! Their backpacks were filled with their favorite things... they boarded planes for cross country trips like it was no biggie, buckled themselves up and took a nap...great flyers!! Caleb, the social butterfly, even at 3 yrs of age, always chatted up the person sitting next to him! As they got older the shenanigans on planes got more advanced....and more comical!

All 3 of the kids remember meeting players like Ken Griffey Jr, goofing around with Bo Jackson, or shooting hoops with Cal Ripken Jr. ....that was their normal!
As Zach once said, " Hey Mom... it's cool that Dad plays baseball, because we get to meet the Famous baseball players?" 😊. Kids!....you gotta love 'em!
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Always a goofy photo with Zach & Erin!!
I then asked them if they think their baseball years influence their lives now?
Erin/ Pro Makeup Artist/ Business Owner- "I watched dad achieve his career dream & learned that I can go after my dream. I also saw how you can balance all of that, and still have a family because I watched you
raise 3 awesome kids and be an awesome mom. I feel I can handle anything life throws at me because of Jesus.
​Side Bonus: I travel a lot for my job...and we all know how professional we are at that!"
​Caleb/ Husband/ Dad/ Insurance Broker-"The way you were raised shapes everyone. I would say it has shaped my ability to adapt to change, as well as my ability to dream big. I lived in a home with someone who made it to the top."
Zach/ Husband/Dad/ Head Football Coach/High School Teacher- "Maybe subconsciously, but I don't think about it a lot. It was a normal upbringing. Dad could have been a plumber, but it was the fact that both of you did a great job raising kids. That was most important."
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Caleb & Erin are just 18 months apart...Twinsies!
One of my dearest memories was watching their individual reactions when Storm stepped off the plane after being gone on a road trip. Zach was pretty laid back about it and made his way with a smile deliberately toward his Dad. Caleb ran to see him yelling "Dad!" all the way, and Erin was just a couple of steps behind smiling ear to ear arms raised! Within just a few minutes Storm had his arms full of his children, kissing & hugging them all!
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Oakland As Family Day!
I never wanted my kids to be like each other. They are such smart, fun, perceptive individuals who view life from all angles. Similarly, I don't think we should allow anyone to cookie cut us into who they are. You are unique. I am unique. We all parent differently. We have unique perceptions and instincts. Follow yours bravely! Just like Zach, Caleb and Erin showed their joy differently to their Dad's arrival, I believe all of us as God's kids respond differently to Him. Follow your heart. Guard your heart. Choose to breathe and know your eternal value...even when all 3 kids are vommitting and your hubby is on a road trip!
Bottom line: We are in need of a Savior. He came to shower us with Grace and love us for all eternity. He is our strength. All the other outcroppings and personal preferences are peripheral. "Never let the peripheral blur the substance."
Substance: YOU ARE LOVED! He sings over you with effervescent joy! You're doing a GREAT job!!
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#blog #veteranbaseballwifelife #baseball #life #baseballkids #mom #lovethem
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Front & Back. Let's Encourage 

6/15/2016

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I've found in my personal life & married life a lot of things are the mirror image of each other. For instance, my God given gift of serving can some days manifest itself as bossy manipulation. My creativity and grown up foodie taste palate to create yummy food also contributes to enjoying eating too much of that yumminess😁 Sometimes I appear angry when at the core I'm really tired or scared.

I believe many times the qualities that attracted us to our spouses are the very things that can annoy us. For example, I am more of a fly by the seat of your pants person. Spontaneity and making quick plans are more my style. My spouse is a steady planner. He gets up each morning with his day organized. He is also a morning person and I am not! Over the years of our marriage there have been some bumpy times due to our differences. But what I've also seen is that his strengths have started to fill the gaps of my weaknesses & vice versa. We have also, through trial and error, learned to yield to the other in the areas they are strongest. It has been a journey of truth/grace...and the friction in between.
GOAL: He is loving me for me. I am loving him for him--- Honoring each other.

I believe being in sync is a 2-way street. I believe that when scripture talks about "honoring each other" ...it's meant to be a gift we give on a daily basis..not a chore.
Over the years I have been given great counsel on ways to honor my hubby.
Here are just a few:
•Remember and remind him baseball is what he does...not who he is! Our husbands crave significance.
•Help him find the silver lining on hard days. Stay positive. The season is long. One game is not a deal breaker.
•Keep his private life and struggles private.
•Never talk about your sex life with your friends.
•Remind him and show him how much he is liked and loved.
•Speak truth in love. Listen to hear.
•Convey your thoughts timely, clearly & gently---men cannot read our minds! Refrain from verbal vomit---wait until you can speak truth with kindness.
•Encourage. Appreciate. Cheer for him!

On the days the roller coaster won't stop...and you 'don't really like him'..yes, there will be those days...go back to the archives and remember what first sparked your love...and park there for a bit. Flip the mirror around and see the other side and try to focus on the positive.

You are beautiful. You are strong. You are liked & loved. You make a difference. You are a treasure!💗
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Choose Joy & Coffee

6/15/2016

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"When on a roadtrip to TX & it's 95 degrees outside..it tends to quell my exploring bent...thinking I'll read and binge text!😂😂 and drink coffee!☕️#veteranbaseballwifelife #roadtrippin #jamespatterson "

Several of my friends think I live on a perpetual vacation. Baseball Wives know it's quite different. There is little to no joint sightseeing or time together because my Coach Hubby leaves for the ballpark by noon and isn't finished with work until 11pm+/- . I do venture out on my own a lot and play tourist, but some days it's just not happening. The wifey life can be "single mom" life ..I remember those days... for this "older wifey" it's many hours to oneself. I'm so thankful for the amazing women and men in my life that "get it"!

When I'm on a road trip, I sit at games with the guys charting the game in the stands since I'm usually the only traveling wifey ..they endure my questions and chatting! It must be like babysitting their "Mom"..LOL. At home games, we (Wives) sit together and have our Social Time! I'm the "Mimi of the group and they are so sweet!


There are some days when loneliness and missing family sets in and I have to remind myself that I'm not alone. I have the God who loves me with me all the time! I seek no pity! I have a great life..quirks and all! Regardless of my life journey, I have a choice everyday. The choice is to find the joy or stick my head in the sand and pout🙁. I choose JOY....most days😎 and coffee everyday!
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    Author

    Grace Received. Married to my best friend for 36 years. Baseball Wife. Mom & Mimi. Love to Laugh. Love people's stories! Love Thursdays, Cupcakes, Jazz, Brussel Sprouts & Wet Baby Kisses!

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