Day Fourteen Hundred and Twenty-Three

The Reason I Write Is...

Because of her.

Almost four years ago, Adam's college pitching coach's wife, Diane, suggested that I take a photo a day for the first year of our marriage and to write about it. She even gifted me with a special 365 scrapbook called Project Life, in order to encourage me just a little bit more. Well, encouraged I was...and fourteen hundred and twenty-three days later, I'm still going strong. Only the Picture-a-Day turned more into Pictures-of-the-Day...a minute difference that I'm positive nobody minds!

We love you, Swensons!! And we're so very blessed to have you all in our lives. Thanks for taking time out of your day to drive all the way from Pullman to hang out with us!

Because of him.

The words on these posts and the thousands upon thousands of photos I've taken would've never existed if not for this man, who's so incredibly easy to love. Who's continued to stay humble and fun as our lives pick up speed in unknown directions. Who's supported me as I've supported him. And who loves unconditionally, with everything he has.

Daddy!!!! Uncle Adam!!!!

You're on TV? But why aren't you on the computer screen like you usually are? Ha!

Adam pitched in relief last night against the Mets in Miami. So surreal. For the first time ever, our family sat around together and watched Adam throw from the comfort of Nana's couch. It was the coolest baseball game I've ever seen...mostly because the close ups of Adam were so close that I could see the sweat beads budding up on his nose. With the kids screaming "STRIKE" on every single pitch, the butterflies swarming in my tummy, and his most handsome face plastered life-size in front of us, it's a memory I'll never forget. Plus, he threw well, so that has to count for something!

2.1IP, 2H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 2K, a sac bunt and a 2.61 ERA

Because of them.

I wouldn't have anyone to write to (at least originally) if not for my family. 

It's so hard to be away at times. We miss so much of the day to day of the people we love most, but this blog gives us a way to stay somewhat connected, even from the opposite corners of the country. I love you all, you crazy, insanely lovely and precious people...even though a lot of times, you make me want to punch things ;) Amelia and I miss you already. And Adam still misses you. Haha.

Seven Hundred and Thirty-Four

The Birthday Win

The kids in Pullman have it so easy now.

Back in my day, the stadium was never packed like this. That's because, we never won. And definitely, we were never on the winning side of a blow out.

But now look at 'em! TOUCHDOWN! And plenty more where that came from! The Cougs demolished Southern Utah in a 48-10 victory on my 26th birthday. That might be the only time in 7 years (when I first became a Coug) that we won on - or around - my birthday. Maybe, 26 ain't so bad after all :)

Happy 26th to meeeee! 

(I'm 26. I'm 26? I'm 26...inhale...exhale)

And as always, GO COUGS.

Day Six Hundred and Forty-Two

The Soggy (and Successful) Thirteenth Start

My view.

His view.

The dugout's view.

A lightening flash flood - one of the worst I've ever experienced - hit Jacksonville just 3 hours before game time. The rain pounded the city, relentless for a solid hour. A cancellation was imminent. There was no way they'd play under those conditions...or on that field. But then, the rain just went away...and we were on. Only an hour postponed! (Shout out to the grounds crew, who made it possible for Adam to pitch last night!) 

Three things:

1) I stole this picture.

2) My camera broke. Yeah, BROKE. 

3) The bullpen was so muddy prior to game time that Adam had to pick the chunked up dirt out of his cleats with a rake.

Praise the Lord they were able to play! Because Adam dealt another gem, going a season high SEVEN innings and striking out eight! Oh gosh was I one happy and proud wife!!!!! His line:

7IP, 7H, 2R, 1ER, 1BB, 8K and the W! He's 6-2 now with a sub-4 ERA! Yeah Honey!

I stole this one too.

Guilty.

But at least the credit to SunsBaseball is visible, right?!

Here, JT and Adam exchange "good jobs" after 7 innings of solid work. I just love this duo. Plus, I love Amanda. So, it works out perfectly. 

Adam and Mark Canha (Suns' first baseman on the right) had a surprise visitor last night! Matt (left) played college ball at WSU with Adam and summer ball with Mark (who went to Cal)! This baseball world sure is a small one!

Day Six Hundred and Sixteen

The Pullman Patnas

Auntie Kendall and BigBoy off on a day of adventure...

"We'll be there in one hour, Hunter," I told him when we left. I cranked up the music, and together, we sung, clapped, and danced all the way to...

PULLMAN!!

Where mommy-to-be Amy was waiting for us! 

And Baby Martin (who lives in Mrs. Amy's belly)

And Uncle Josh (who plays the guitar) <---- Hunter's words :)

It's always on my mind to make a trip to Pullman whenever I visit Washington. Not only does it bring back sweet memories of Adam and I and our days at WSU, but living there in the rolling hills of the Palouse are a couple of our dearest friends and mentors. And any chance we get to see either of them is a special treat that we just can't pass up!

Resonate Church will always feel like home to us...and to have the opportunity to share my heart with my squiggly, small little nephew was such a blessing to me. For now, when I ask Hunter "Where's Jesus," he answers, "In my heart, Kandle." But one day, my prayer is that he'll be able to repeat those same words with sincerity and conviction, knowing and accepting that he is loved, he is saved, and that he's been redeemed.

He's the best.

After a yummy dinner and chat with Mrs. Amy over our favorite Mexican food, it was back on the road for Auntie and Hunter. At the mention of not finishing enough of his meal for a "special special," Hunter took his leftover cheese roll and shoved it in his mouth! We giggled and I succumbed. Safe to say he got his treat!

Thanks for making time for us, Amy! We love you and really miss your company.

Day Five Hundred and Ninety-Six

The Fifth Jacksonville Start

See that guy with sunglasses on his head and hand on his face? Well, he's another starter for the Suns...and he's the absolute perfect depiction of exactly how almost every single guy on the team was feeling at yesterday's 11 AM game, including my husband. It was Kid's Day at the park...and though they're sweet and super cute, they're also slightly on the obnoxious side (I say that with all sincerity and zero angst). Paired with the ridiculously early start time, the guys weren't feeling it. Not at all.

 Especially not Adam. He took the mound yesterday with poise and confidence...though he'd woken up only 2 1/2 hours earlier. I was so excited to watch him compete, but after the game's first play, everything changed. On the very first pitch, the hitter bunted. Uhhh. Can you say Bush League?!! Charging the ball, Adam picked it up, and seeing that the first baseman wasn't on first, Adam sprinted (as fast as I've ever seen him sprint) toward the hitter, determined to record the out. He stretched his body and jumped head first toward the bag, landing on his side and flipping like a gymnast to his feet. The call? SAFE. I thought he'd broken his leg...or worse, torn his UCL. I firmly insisted, later on, that he never do that again. His reply, "Well, if it's for the World Series ring, I'll tear my UCL twice if I have to." Ugh. 

His game never was the same after that. Meetings on the mound were more frequent than I can ever remember, and the tears were always close to falling from my eyes. He struggled hard yesterday, not able to find the strike zone at all. It was hard to watch. Mostly because I can't offer Adam any help when he's out there. I wanted badly to rescue him, but that's not how the game works. Trial is a necessary evil in baseball...it builds character. But I can't say I like it much.

In the midst of a small panic attack, I looked over and saw a familiar something staring at me in the face. Huh? That's not a  Cougar logo. No. Can't be. Wait...it IS a Cougar logo! NO WAY! Ahhhh! The only thing to make me smile yesterday was meeting these two, who happened to sit in the seats right next to me. They're the parents of one of Adam's old teammates at Washington State. Matt Fanelli was actually in my class, but played two years with Adam before graduating. His parents live down here in Jacksonville, and when they heard that Adam was playing for their hometown team, they had to come see him! It was a sweet little treat to a most bitter day. So happy to have some fellow Cougs in the area! It was a pleasure meeting them...and I'm so thankful for the smile they were able to give me!

Adam's line:

3IP, 5H, 6R, 6ER, 4BB, 2K

Yes, yikes.

Let's hope (and pray) that that doesn't happen again for a LONG time.