Day Seven Hundred and Fifty

The Six Months are Up

(Time to Relocate)

This is probably the simplest - and fastest - way to describe yesterday...

It was a dangerous mixture of high emotions, long flights, packed apartments...and nowhere to call home. 

Momentarily, these Space Noodles brought smiles.

They're sure making me smile now though. How adorable, Seattle?!

We flew red eye from Seattle to North Carolina to Jacksonville yesterday.

We left Seattle at 10:30 PM Sunday night and landed in Jax at 9 AM Monday morning. Boy was it a long night...and the proof lies here. Literally. This was Adam during our one-hour layover in Charlotte, NC.

Like the Space Noodles, finally seeing Florida again gave us both instant smiles.

Once home in Jax, we had a lot on our plate. But first, we took a three hour nap - it was absolutely the most necessary item of our whole day. Because when we woke up, we needed that rest in so many ways. Not only did we have to pack up the whole apartment, load the truck, clean, and drive four hours to Jupiter, but we also had to SEARCH FOR ANOTHER CONDO. Say what?! It was 2:30 PM when the news that our apartment contract offer was outbid and won by someone else. And the place we were planning on calling home, wasn't in fact, going to be home at all. We had to be out of Jax on the 30th, but suddenly, we didn't have anywhere to go on the 1st. Problem. Big problem. Wife-freak-out-crying-like-a-baby-problem. We then had 2 1/2 hours to find a new home, 300 miles away, at a time of day that most realtors are already gone from work. Awesome...not. Long story short, we finally signed another lease at 7:30 PM, 13 hours before we needed to move in.

Moral of the story: Trust - first - that God will provide. And save the freak-outs for something more serious. Also, be wary of shady real estate agents.

Anyways...above is Adam, packed and ready to start loading in Jax.

But first, he had to get it all from the 19th story to the 1st. That calls for shopping carts, wardrobe carts, and elevators of course!

And then, loading at the loading dock.

We finally filled the truck - to the brim - and left Jacksonville (for good?) at 9 PM.

That got us to Jupiter around 1:30 AM, where this beautiful sight awaited us. Yes, complete with a giraffe. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, Sondra and Dennis for opening your home and gorgeous bedroom to us. We're grateful for your hospitality and example of what living like Jesus really means.

HEY JUPITER...WE'RE BAAAA-AAAAACK!

Day Seven Hundred and Twenty-Seven

The Beginning of Jacksonville's End

Whelp. The time has come to pack again. Like, NOW.

Adam and I have a ridiculously busy September ahead of us:

On the tenth, we celebrate TWO WHOLE YEARS of marriage.

On the twelfth, we fly out of Florida and into Washington. For 18 days.

On the fourteenth, I inch a year closer to my 30th (oh my gosh).

On the nineteenth, I host a bachelorette party for my best, Suey.

On the twenty-first, I stand next to Sue as she marries Kyle.

On the twenty-first, I also have to give a maid-of-honor speech (ahhhhh!)

On the twenty-second, we'll go to Pullman and worship with Resonate Church.

On the twenty-second (or third), we'll travel to Olympia.

On the twenty-ninth, we fly back to Florida.

On the thirtieth, we arrive in Florida.

On the first of October, we move to Jupiter.

And then, we'll finally be back home.

So...that leaves us, oh about 2 whole days to pack our Jacksonville apartment before we have to move in another 22 days. Whoa. Knowing full well that this Conley couple does absolutely NOT do well together under ANY type of time restraint when it comes to packing or moving, we got a head start in order to save one of us from a restless night's sleep on the couch (hahahaha...that was a joke. Even when we fight, we always fall asleep next to each other. We just don't touch. Hahahaha). 

When it comes to moving in this household, we've become decently efficient in clearing everything out of the place that we don't need. Including gigantic piles of fan mail. Instead of opening the envelopes as he gets them over the season, signing the cards, and sending them off that very day, Adam has let this stack pile up over the entire year. Not nice, Honey. Not nice to your fans. Not nice to your hand. And definitely not nice to your tongue that now tastes like envelope! Maybe yesterday, he learned his lesson. I guess we'll find out next year.

Day Seven Hundred and Twenty-Five

The Leftover Locker

I finally emptied Adam's two huge locker room bags yesterday.

The amount of contents he managed inside those two bags astounded me. So did the smell. Uh! How in the world, Honey, did all of this fit into your locker? Like, how was it even possible? That's at least 8 pairs of shoes, FOUR gloves, maybe 7 hats, a pillow, a blanket, another pillow, dirty clothes, tupperware, shakers, baseballs, and more dirty clothes. <Insert wife head shake here> Our condo smelled - and looked, for that matter - like a locker room the entirety of yesterday. I finally moved his four pairs of spikes (cleats) outside onto our balcony. I couldn't stand the stench. In his defense, though, I am known for my curiously powerful sense of smell...so it might not have necessarily smelled as bad as I made it out to be in my sniffer. But actually, it probably did. Yuck. Adam's chore in the upcoming days: clean - or get rid of - those sweaty, putrid, but good looking pairs of shoes.

Day Seven Hundred and Fifteen

The Week of Women Continues (!)

So even though my best friend's been gone for 9 whole days now and I'm missin him like white on rice, I still have a lot to smile about. Like, how could you not grin at this scene in Jo Ann Fabrics yesterday?! Laura and baby McKenna invited me out for some shopping (the very best kind, might I add), and of course I said yes! They were on the prowl for some ribbon for baby girl's pacifier clips and some material for mommy's new dress. Laura taught me a ton in only an hour at the fabric store, and oh dear goodness, I'm afraid of what I'll turn into when we decide to pop one out ;) Sewing goddess: yes! 

All three of us can't wait for our men to be back in our arms. If it's been hard for me these last 9 days, I can't even begin to imagine how hard it's been for Laura and McKenna. Hurry home safe boys! We miss you!

Oh? What's that I see? Looks an awful lot like Kendall had a slumber party guest last night?! YEP! So fun! Nina came over for a bottle of wine and dinner, and since she lives an hour outside of Jacksonville, I invited her to crash on our couch instead of making the long drive home at midnight! You'd think by now that the two of us would've lost things to talk about...not so! She came over at 6 and we didn't stop talking till 12. I love that girl.

Day Seven Hundred and Ten

The Women of Wednesday

Soooo...Alejandra got a little taste of the sweeter side of Paleo yesterday morning. I taught her how to make pancakes...gluten, wheat, and all sorts of other yucky ingredients free! They're totally healthy and natural, but the best part? Alejandra said she PREFERRED them to normal pancakes! Can I get an "Amen?!"

We had such a good time catching up...when life gets crazy, sometimes, you just need the solace of a best friend to pull you back up onto your feet. I love you Ale. And I'm here for you always. Kisses!

Ale headed back to Tampa, and me? I drove straight to the hair salon. My roots were begging me to! And as you can see, Jordan's were begging her also! Meet my new friend. Her name is Jordan (as previously stated haha) and she's here all the way from Oklahoma. In January, she's marrying her high school sweetheart! His name is Andrew and he was just promoted to Jacksonville a few weeks ago...a left handed starting pitcher just like Adam. Oooooh ahhhhh! Obviously, the Marlins and both us girls are good pickers.

And, for my third girl of the day: Nina!! She was meant to be my friend. Clearly. I left the hair salon and drove straight to her church. I've been meaning to get a picture with her, but every time, it eludes me. So, I gave the camera to one of her friends - thinking we'd finally get a good one of the both of us - and he managed to get this shot. Hahaha. Love it. Total girls. And totally unashamed.

What a wonderful Wednesday (like that alliteration there?! Oh yeah, so smooth)!

I LOVE YOU ADAM!

5 more days of this long distance nonsense for the REST of the year!

Day Seven Hundred and Nine

The Table Set for Two

It was a Jacksonville table set for two....

And I couldn't think of anyone better to share it with other than YOU.

_______________

Alejandra made the 3 1/2 hour drive from Tampa to Jax yesterday. 

She missed me. 

I missed her. 

And we were both needed a hug.

I love this girl like a sister, and when I look back on my year in Greensboro, I know at least one reason the Lord placed me there. She's an incredibly courageous and resilient woman, and I thank God for the precious heart He brought into my life all those days ago. Alejandra, you are beautiful and unique and dearly, dearly loved. And I cherish your friendship like a treasure.

Day Six Hundred and Ninety-Four

The Way To Get What You Want

I cooked him breakfast...

(Jelly biscuits)

And we cooked them dinner...

(Taco Pie)

Then the four of us cozied up on our couches, ate brownies, and watched the finale of The Bachelorette. Because that's what happens when you marry girls like Tiffany and I! Adam and Zack are troopers...just as long as they're fed. So feed them, we did. And with full stomachs, it was easy to lure them into three hours of reality TV. Hehehe.

Day Six Hundred and Eighty-Four

The Balcony Oasis

Sometimes, Saturdays are a bit hectic at the pool.

And this little oasis ain't a bad second option. 

I love sitting on my balcony while listening to the sounds of busy people below. I wonder what life is like for them. I wonder over their struggles. I wonder over their successes. I wonder where they're going and what they're doing. I wonder if they're mad. Sad? Happy? Hopeful? But most often, I wonder about their heart. And then, I can't help but to pray to Jesus that one day, they'd find Him, accept Him, and love Him.

(And yes, that is a giraffe towel. Just is case you were wondering.)

And for my random randomness of the day:

Call me crazy, but this is SO COOL!

If you're a Harry Potter fan (like me), dial this number.

You'll be smiling the rest of the day (it's Hogwarts)!!!

 

Day Six Hundred and Seventy-Nine

The Eighteenth Start

Adam was at it yet again yesterday. In his eighteenth start of the 2013 season, my boy put in another seven quality innings, earning the win and adding some more strikeouts to the pile he's already accumulated. (Yay!) He's currently in Tennessee, finishing off his five-game series against the Smokies, and then tonight, he's headed to Montgomery, Alabama for another five game series. All that to say: I'm not there with him...but instead at home with my (two) computers and phone, listening, learning, and watching intently to every little detail from five hundred miles away. On the computer to the right, I had the game streaming live from Tennessee. On the computer to the left: GameTracker (a neat piece of technology that allows you to see the numbers-side of the game...like how many pitches Adam's thrown and how many punchouts he's recorded - a necessity). And finally, with both computers completely muted, I listened to the Suns broadcast of the game over my phone (I prefer to listen to my team's version of what's going on on the field...not my opponent's). It's the very best minor league set-up I could dream for without actually being there to watch him myself...and I'm so thankful for all of it.

His line for the night:

7IP (Wahoo!!!), 2H, 1R, 0ER, 3BB, 6K

(A little note on some things: as of today, Adam has thrown 100.1 innings...has 28 walks and 93 strikeouts. His ERA is 3.41)

Day Six Hundred and Seventy-Seven

The Pieces

When Adam leaves me, everything falls to pieces.

And this tragedy was all his fault...he's the one that brings water glasses into the bathroom. Not me. And he's the one that leaves them on the ledge of the counter. Not me. The glass in my foot was also his fault...since he wasn't here to clean it up when I knocked it to the floor. Bad Honey. Stop leaving me all alone :(

Awwww...how could you ever be upset with a face like his?! So handsome. And so so cute.

So, remember when I posted Adam with all those baseball hickeys? This is what they're from! Little suctions! Weird, huh?! (I think they're working though!)
_____________________

AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MOMMY DEAREST!
I love you with all my heart and am so blessed to have you to call Mama.

Day Six Hundred and Seventy-Three

The Ways of a Simple Man

Aaaaand, for your viewing pleasure: a hot guy with a gun.

If you were ever curious about mornings in the Conley household, well, you're looking at it. Adam totes his oversize weapon (I say that lightly - I quite like the thing) around the condo, rattling off random facts and know-hows to an audience that can't even begin to understand what he's talking about - me. No, I've never shot a gun. And yes, we have two. This offseason, that'll change. But for now, I'll just admire the view.

(And yes, that is baseball on TV, in case you were wondering. Yesterday, MLB announced the All-Star rosters for each team. And that's what's on the tube. Also, I just noticed: that is a Cheaper Than Dirt magazine on the ottoman...a gun magazine. Baseball and guns. A typical Conley morning. Oh, how I love the simple life.)

Day Six Hundred and Sixty-Seven

The Taco Lu Crew

While Ellie and I sunbathed...Adam golfed. On our putting green. In his bathing suit. A guy could get used to this. Especially this guy.

Yeah, whatever face you're making right now...that's the one we made.

What on God's green Earth is THAT?!

Remember when Adam and I went golfing with the team on Day 646? 

These are those same scramble partners we played with...reunited! (Plus Ellie!) The man second to the right owns Jacksonville's Best taco restaurant. And last night, we went to visit...and to eat that "best taco." Mmmm mmm mmm. Love LOVE Taco Lu's! Oh...and Mom...Ellie got offered a job there...just so you know ;) Hehehehe.

Day Six Hundred and Sixty-6

The Sanity of a Sister

Yesterday: Day 666.

And it felt like it too.

An eight hour trip left us exhausted, grumpy, and irritated. But after candies, The Bachelorette, my sissy, and a movie, the day surely redeemed itself. I love having her company. And I'd love it even more if it were here on a permanent basis...pu-pu-pu-puhleeze!?

Day Six Hundred and Fifty-Six

The Boarless Ironer

After five days of living in someone else's apartment, this girl had a lot of laundry to do. And since I was already in cleaning/housewife mode, I decided to conquer Adam's closet of un-ironed collared shirts. The only problem? No ironing board. Not to worry, this minor league wife has learned just how perfect a bed works! But now..my back hurts.

Ok, uhm...cute!!!!!!!!!!!!

Morgan sent me this photo last night and I'm officially obsessed. Baby Nephew Bearett had just finished nursing and clearly, he was happy about it! What a little Precious!! Oh my gosh! GIVE ME ONE! (Not really?)

Day Six Hundred and Forty-Three

The Four Princesses

Pool Workout = Pooped Women

Laps followed by sunny relax

Then, it was Bark in the Park night at Bragan Field.

Meet Fudge. She likes short walks, string cheese, and watching her daddy (our center fielder) get lots of hits. She especially loves nibbling on cute toes and making others drool over her good looks. Now, I have baby and puppy fever. Uhhh. It's just not fair!

Our little posing Southpaw princess.

I just want to eat all that Fudge up!

Day Six Hundred and Forty-One

The Tenth Commandment: "Thou Shalt Not Covet"

My girrrrrrl, Amanda. She's from Texas, goes to Oklahoma State University, and wears oversized t-shirts that I disapprove of. My goal this summer: force her to realize that she's a small. And not an XL. She's a precious Southern Belle who I'd spend every minute with if she'd let me (she lets me). Our starting catcher caught himself a gem with Amanda ;)

Oh. My. Heart.

No. Stop.

PLEASE?!

Honey, PLEASE?!

Oh, I just want TWO so baaaaad!!

Meet Fudge...our center fielder's newest family member.

Yes, I'm jealous. SO so jealous.

Day Six Hundred and Forty

The Little Black Cart

Bet you never gave thought to what high rise grocery shopping entails. Yeah, neither did we. Upon first arriving in April, we were curious about these little black carts sitting at the back of everyone's parking spot. And then, we found one in our closet. Hmmmm? Surely they had an important purpose. We just hadn't figured it out...until we had to carry 30 pounds of groceries on each arm down three flights of stairs and up 19 more stories on the elevator.

That's what those little black carts are for!

And though not all the bags fit into the cart, the thing at least lightens the load a bit...by probably 50 pounds or so...and severely reduces the red indents left in your arms too. Score.

And then, you just wheel it into your kitchen and unload. 

Thank stinkin goodness for those little black carts. We'd have so many more marital problems without them. Hahahaha! 

Day Six Hundred and Twenty-Nine

The Double Dipper 

(And Adam's Eleventh Start)

I found my road series ritual. I call it double dipping. And it's so much better than what I did in the past. Two computers. One for the game. One for the stats. Oh yeah baby.

Besides my terrible frustration with the slug pace of the downstairs' free internet (we still don't have internet in our condo), last night was sweet to me. Or, I guess Adam was! He pitched great, and kept this panicking and sick wife at ease. I hate not being able to travel with him as much this season :( 

In 5.2 innings pitched, Adam's line:

5H, 1R, 1ER, 3BB, 6K and a No-Decision.

The bats did, however, come alive in the 7th inning, and the boys left Pensacola, Florida with a 7-1 win. Yay! 

Day Six Hundred and Twenty-Eight

The Sickling(s)

So...it would happen that the moment Mommy and Dan left, I come down with a horrible sickness. I spent much of yesterday in bed, desperately trying to nurse myself back to health with various medications and way too many Kleenexes. It was gross. My nose shouldn't be able to produce that much...stuff. Uh. So, I stayed in all day - the whole darn thing - and was able to read during the times I wasn't sleeping. This was one of those times. And though I was more sick than I've been in a while (migraine ache, teeth ache, nose ache, eye ache, cheek ache, dripping-faucet nose ache), this was quite the pick-me-up. Jacksonville sure is pretty from up here.

It was around 11 PM when I had the craving for some Moscato (Mom introduced me to this wine and I actually quite like it). It hadn't been in the glass more than three minutes before that little gnat brat tried swimming in it! He drowned. And I was happy. Because he ruined my wine and that wasn't nice. Especially since that was the last of it! Mad face.

Hahahahaha.

Ok, this cracked me up.

Adam sent me the above picture last night in a text with these words, "The underwear I promised I would wash. Fresh off my loop!" (Hahahahahahahahaha!!) Here's the story:

Whenever Adam goes on the road, I always pack his bag. Or at least, I have a huge hand in it (he's a guy...he needs the help). Well Monday, Adam insisted on packing it himself ("because you always pack too much stuff, Kendall"). So I let him. And when he was finished, I rifled through it, just to make sure he had everything. And whad'ya know, he only had three pairs of briefs packed for FIVE DAYS. Are you kidding me Adam?! For real?! Not ok. So we fought back and forth...and he eventually won the argument...taking just the three pairs with him and promising me that he could and WOULD wash them in the locker room. The picture here is his proof. And while I appreciate the gesture...those undies could've just as well been worn and then re-folded for all I know! Where's the loop, huh Honey?!! ;) 

I just love my man.

Even if he makes no sense to me.

(But am I not right here? When you travel, you take one pair of undies at least for each day! Right?! I may overpack, yes, but to underpack to his extent...no. No no no.)

Day Six Hundred and Twenty

The Sneaky Surprise Visitors!

Soooooo...Rent-a-Center was kind to me yesterday.
I was in dire need of an extra (new and temporary) mattress.
Why, you might ask?!!!!!
BECAUSE MY PARENTS ARE HERE!!!!!!
(See them smiling in the background?!!)
We don't have a spare bed (or a blow up mattress...not like I would make them sleep on one of those for a week anyways) so I thought renting a real mattress would be a good and economical way to make them feel at right home! 26 dollars well spent!

These two beauties called Adam and I yesterday with the question, "Hey, how far away do you live from the airport?" Uhhhhh? Why do they care about how far away the airport is, I thought. "Because we're here in Jax and we need a ride!" Oh my gosh, great! I'll be there in twenty!! Hooray! Party!! The best surprise!

My heart is full. Adam and I haven't gotten this type of one-on-one attention and time with my Mom and Dan...ever. And we're really looking forward to cherishing all the little intimacies and memories that an entire week in Florida (without any distractions or stressors) will bring.

Today (Friday) is my Adam's birthday!!! Yay! (Adam hates his birthday...hahaha)
Last night, our waitress found out that he'd be celebrating his 23rd in less than an hour...so she brought him this special treat! Hope that wish was a good one, Honey!

Hahaha!
Mom and Dan's bedroom! If you can tell, this was once our dining room...but it actually doubles quite nicely as a little private space for our surprise guests. We're having so much fun already :)
Welcome to Jacksonville, you white Washington people!! Haha!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADAM!
(Even though I'm writing about it tomorrow!)