Day Eighteen Hundred and Forty-Five

The Farewell to Apartment #10

Upside down sleep.

Because sleeping like a regular human being is just too difficult a concept for a 19 month old. 

Continuing on in our exhaustion, we woke up early yesterday and packed the contents of our Miami condo into our big truck. Thankfully, everything fit, nothing fell out, and there was even that light breeze I had hoped for to cool me off while I made four trips down 23 floors with a toddler who couldn't do much but make a mess of everything I was trying to clean. I even left one minute earlier than my 4 o'clock goal! And then spent the next 3 hours in Friday rush hour traffic, when it generally takes about an hour and forty minutes to get from Miami to home. But that's baseball life for ya. And though I'm more tired than I can remember, I'm grateful for the way my heart left the Party City. And also grateful that we never will live in downtown Miami ever again.

Day Eighteen Hundred and Thirty-Five

The Sunset from Floor 29

Miami city life isn't our bag of tea.

But the sunsets, well, they sure do make up for it.

So does her pretty face.

And her piggy tails too!

__________

Adam update:

He threw a simulated game in Jupiter against our minor leaguers on Saturday and threw another simulated game against our team today. He's about ready to go and should be back at some point soon!!

Day Eighteen Hundred and Thirteen

The Monster Surprise

Dadddddddyyyyyyy!!!!!

Dadddyyyyyyy!!!

He's here! In real life again!!! Oh, my world is complete! The best day!

I sure missed you, my Dada. Look at my new monster pjs! They're 2T because I grew up so much last week when you were gone!

Day Eighteen Hundred and One

The Mimi and Her Daddy

Daddy snuggles and Jungle Book giggles.

And a few somersaults onto Daddy's head too, just for good measure.

Though it's sure hard for Adam to be away from his team, he's absolutely loving his time with his family while he gets the opportunity!

Day Seventeen Hundred and Ninety-Three

The Stinky Side

I get the feet. He gets the face. How is that even fair?! After all I do for her!! Definition: Stinker. 

She's always giving us something to laugh about though! The girl sleeps sideways and in ways I would never imagine to be comfortable. She gets good sleep though, sooooo whatever!

Day Seventeen Hundred and Seventy-Four

The Lion Country Safari Ride

Drive through safari?! Yes please!

Mimi got to drive and she was pumped!

An 8 MPH speed limit and animals crossing the road is the best excuse to let a toddler drive and it's totally promoted there! 

(Nice tongue!)

Even Parker liked all the animals!

Well, they liked all of them besides the ostriches.

Amelia HATED these punks. HATED them. 

They came waltzing up to our windows and pecked at us for 10 whole minutes!

Most terrifying moment of Mimi's life. Sorry girl, but it was hilarious.

Big pigs.

The last time Hunter was here (when he was 1.5 years old), his favorite animal at this safari was the rhinos. AKA: big pigs. Three and a half years later, he still likes them! Thanks for such a fun day, guys!

And thanks for THE BEST night, Uncle Adam!!!

Uncle got to come home early last night (he flew into Miami while his team was playing a game in Philly so that he could get some good rest for today's game) and we got to hang out until midnight!

And that meant?!

Catch in the house, of course!

Oh, what fun!!!!!

WELCOME TO MIAMI!

Day Seventeen Hundred and Sixty-Three

The Taz

I spent the entirety of yesterday cleaning the condo because...ALL-STAR BREAK was taking us back home home! Unfortunately, Amelia spent the entirety of yesterday destroying the condo because...TODDLER. 

By time Dada arrive to the condo at 5, Amelia was still in destruction mode. And Mama was beat. Because: this.

You lookin at me?!

______________________

BUT NOW IT'S THE ALL-STAR BREAK sooooooo....who cares!!!!! And we're home in our newly furnished home home! TONS of photos to come tomorrow because for now, we're still enjoying the feeling of our new home!

Day Seventeen Hundred and Twenty-Four

The Eleventh Start

Better than how good Adam pitched yesterday was how beautiful our morning unfolded. For years, I've been praying over each one of my siblings, that they'd each have an encounter with Christ and that their lives would be forever changed - eternally - by it. That they'd each come to know and love the One I call Savior as their own. As we were sitting down for breakfast yesterday, our conversation from the night before spilled over, and right up until Adam left for the field, the three (four including Amelia!) of us sat at that table and talked about life and Jesus and eternity and marriage and love and sacrifice and salvation. It was by far and easily the best part of my week with my sister and I'm so encouraged by her openness and willingness to hear our hearts. God is SO good. Ah! Adam sent her home with a page of notes and verses to consider as she explores what the Bible has to say about Jesus and our humanity. Please, friends, be praying with us over Shelby as she wrestles with the truths we shared with her this week! 

Yesterday just couldn't be beat. After such a sweet conversation with Shelby, we got all dressed up in our new clothes (because shopping with your sister is an obvious MUST when she comes to visit!), and headed to the game, where we were met with THIS surprise! This month's Marlins program (new month, new program) is highlighted by a five page story about Adam, as well as a cover photo of him pitching! And the coolest thing? In the story they wrote about him, it talks about JESUS! Seriously. Jesus' name is in the Marlins program this month! I couldn't have asked for a better ending to my day. 

Well, until he threw six innings of two-hit baseball with 9Ks against a very good Pirates team. 

That ending was just a cherry on top! 

Adam took another no-hit bid into the sixth inning last night, but with two outs, he gave up a single to end the no-no. Not that he would've gotten the no-hitter anyways (he was at like, 100 pitches by then and it was only the end of the sixth inning), but it sure was nice to see him finding success again! 

He left the game to a standing ovation from the crowd and though he wasn't proud of the three walks he delivered, he found a lot to be encouraged about. 

His line:

6IP, 0R, 2H, 3BB, 9K and a No Decision, although we DID get the win eventually! He's still 3-3 but now with a 3.72 ERA. 

We love you SO much Auntie Shelby! 

Thanks for coming and being our good luck charm <3

Day Seventeen Hundred and Three

The Purple Stains

Smoothies on her seat.

Every single day.

Smoothies all over my house.

Every single day.

Day Sixteen Hundred and Seventy-Six

The High Risers

We're so not city people, but when your work takes you to Miami, you either learn to deal with it, or...well, I'm not sure there's an alternative. And so, we're embracing our city life and enjoying the sights - from 29 stories high. Amelia says, "Hi everyone! Dad, are those ants down there?"

Balcony living has always given me the heebie jeebies. And so, it's not often that we're ever really on ours, but since it was so nice out yesterday, I had to open the doors and enjoy the South Florida sunshine while my two favorite people enjoyed each other! 

(Don't worry, Grama, I don't allow Adam to hold Amelia in his arms on the balcony. He's too tall and she's too wiggly, so when she's in his arms, they're not outside - Mom's rules!) 

Day Sixteen Hundred and Sixty-Four

The Helping Hands and Roughed-Up Raptor

Mimi and I woke up yesterday to zero food in the house and two hungry tummies. So, I whipped up the only thing I had: a sweet potato. Thankfully, she loves her taters and begged me for them while I cooked.

After breakfast, we trekked to Whole Foods where we spent all Dad's money on Apartment #10's necessities. When we got home, I put the little shopper to work.

And she did it happily. 

Girl after her Mommy's heart.

And I sure was in need of some extra heart squeezes yesterday. Because I sort of crashed the truck. Well, crashed is absolutely an exaggeration, but that's what it felt like to me. After having driven that gigantic truck for FIVE straight years, I've never once as much as scratched the truck, and I do pride myself on that. However, we were NOT notified that our truck actually does not fit in our new condo's parking garage (before moving in, we did give them information about the size of our vehicle) and so I found that out the hard way upon exiting the garage. The front driver's side of the truck traded paint with the garage's unnecessary dividing pillar and now, my pretty black truck has an ugly bright yellow blemish. Uhhhh!!! We have no idea where we're supposed to park now, as the garage is - as far as we know - the only option our building offers since it's downtown, but we have a meeting with the management office on Monday to determine our next steps!!! Hopefully they can find us a spot outside the garage, otherwise, I have a terrible feeling that we might have to relocate to another building. 

Day Sixteen Hundred and Sixty-Three

The 10th Condo

We're exhausted. 

But after three hours of waiting in the truck for the condo to be ready, two hours of paperwork, and one hour of unpacking all by ourselves, we're home away from home. 

At least before the craziness, we got to enjoy Dada during breakfast in the most colorful and artistic neighborhood any of us have ever seen: Wynwood Art District. What we thought would just be a small local organic resturaunt experience, turned into the most artistic display of our lives. The photos don't even do the mile radius of spray painted buildings justice, but it was totally fascinating and mesmerizing!!

Little Miss Mimi enjoyed it just as much as her parents did! 

Hello and good night from the crazy city of colors!