Day Three Hundred and Forty-Eight

The Eleventh (and Final Away) Game

I don't think I could've ended this season's last away series with a better and more pure photograph. I arrived at Digital Domain Stadium, a 45 minute drive from Jupiter, to a crowd of five. There were f-i-v-e of us there, waiting on a delayed ball game. I was slightly annoyed and cursing myself for forgetting my jacket. But, happily cuddled amongst a sea of blue bleacher chairs, peacefully enjoying the rainfall, I found an example of love that rekindled my spirit and had me holding back tears. I want a photo like this with Adam one day. I'd like to dream that these two spent every year, for the last 50 years, sitting in those seats together, snuggling close and sharing a passion for a game that's taught them so much about life. 

With tears subsided and butterflies fluttering freely about in my tummy, and with all those ooey gooey, feel-good thoughts running through my mind, I was in a different state of mind than when I showed up. Happy, light, and mostly carefree, I was ready and more excited than ever to watch Adam take on his eleventh start. And when they finally pulled the tarp off the infield after an hour long delay, I was calm. That's weird. I'm never calm when Adam pitches. But I was. And I'd like to learn how to keep it that way. 

But my anxiety eventually found me, thankfully though, it wasn't as hyped up as it normally is. Adam needed to bounce back from his last outing, and I was a little nervous for him. When he made it out of the first inning without a blemish, I was good to go. And so was he. He cruised along, all the way until the third inning before giving up a hit. A measly hit, at that. He seems to get those a lot. 

Here's his line for the night...Grandma Colleen, pay attention!

In 5 innings pitched (5 IP), Adam gave up 3 hits (3 H), zero runs (0 R), zero earned runs (0 ER), 1 walk (1 BB), and 7 strikeouts (7 K). His earned run average (ERA) is 4.31 now. And get this, if he took away his last start, we figured out that his ERA would be 3.05. Darn you, last start!

Adam says that this isn't a typical "baseball picture." Ok, I like that. Different is good to me! But why not typical? Well, he says it makes the hitter look bad because this dude tried to bunt on a change up. (Dummy). And the position that Adam ended in was uncharacteristic of baseball photos...so, it's weird. And perfect for my blog.

Note: Adam's sexy hair.

If anyone has anything to say about it, it better be positive because I LOVE his locks!!! I'm really really trying to convince Adam to keep his hair. Hopefully this helps a little. He's been complaining about it sticking to his face, tickling his nose, and knotting in the comb. DEAL WITH IT, is what I tell him. Because it's so cute :)

And he really liked this one, so I wanted to add it too. I'm so proud of my husband. In his last away game of the year, he proved himself to be the dominant pitcher that everyone has come to know, love, respect, and depend on. That's a good man, right there. A very good man. The best I've ever known. And I'm so blessed to call his arms my home.

Daddy Update:

Remember how my dad was supposed to spend the next 5 days in the hospital for physical and speech therapy? Oh yeah, NOT HAPPENING!! He met with the PT today, as well as some other doctors, and they all concluded that he's in WAY too good of shape to be confined to the walls of the hospital...so he's going home tomorrow!!! He'll be doing 3 days per week of PT and has some speech homework that I know Ellie and Jake will be on him to complete. Wow. When I reflect on the events of this past week, I'm stunned over how fast and easy every transition has been. My family rocks. And I'm so proud of each of them for doing their part. I don't remember the last time we all worked together so closely like this and I absolutely can't get enough of the direction the Lord is taking us all. What an AWESOME day!