Day Sixteen Hundred and Ninety-Seven

The Sixth Start and First Record

Yesterday was the perfect night for a huge milestone. The roof was open, the weather was gorgeous, and I was feeling more at peace with baseball than ever before. The Lord has been revealing new truths in my life and yesterday, He gave me new perspective on how I value the game Adam plays. It was a wake up call that I absolutely needed and I'm so grateful my eyes were opened to how white-knuckled I've been about his job. Praise Him. 

To make matters even better, Amelia had her epic "no walks" shirt on, which we made especially for Dada. He's been walking too many hitters lately and we needed him to know how we felt about it! 

I think it's safe to say that he quite liked her shirt. I can't even begin to express how proud I am of Adam and what he's already done this season. Not only is he pitching well, he's pitching well for Jesus and that makes every milestone so much sweeter. 

Last night, Adam earned the record for the number of consecutive hitless innings ever pitched by a Marlins starter. 11 1/3 innings of no-hit baseball! And in his own (my own?) little way, with that, he finished his no-hit bid from five days ago. We'll take it!

It was a joy to watch him break into the record books because it only serves to increase his platform to reach people for Christ. We're cheering like crazy for you, Dada!!

And praising Jesus (shoeless) all the while. 

Adam's line:

5.1 IP, 2H, 0R, 1BB (the shirt worked!), 6K, and the W! He's now 2-1 with a 3.06 ERA.

Articles:

http://m.marlins.mlb.com/news/article/176468428/conley-sets-marlins-record-for-hitless-stretch

http://m.marlins.mlb.com/news/article/176428650/conley-yelich-marlins-beat-d-backs

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/25578902/how-adam-conley-is-becoming-baseballs-newest-household-name

Day Sixteen Hundred and Sixty-Seven

The First Opening Day

It still seems so surreal.

Yesterday came and went in a flash, but wow. What a day to remember!

We are encouraged, honored, blessed, and grateful for this beautiful opportunity! Adam's first Opening Day of his MLB career was one I'll have etched into my memory forever and I can't even begin to explain how proud I am of him. He's such an incredible man. I can't wait to watch him continue to pursue baseball while changing lives for the Kingdom on the biggest stage his career allows. Praise God for trusting us with this ministry! 

Everyone was so excited for Opening Day. It's a big deal in Miami and LOTS of people show up for the game! So, the mommies all decided to join in on the festivities and made matching t-shirts for all the kiddies! Turns out, they weren't as excited or amused with our shenanigans as we were. But at least they looked ultra-super cute!!

And there he is!!! 

Opening Day 2016 introductions and Adam was on the list! 

Yaaaaay Daddy!!

"Mom, is that him down there?! That tiny little speck? Hiii Dada! You can come up here and fist bump me too if you want! Or I'll just keep clapping for you, how about?! You're so amazing, Dad. I love you!!!"

Daddy ran out onto the field, made his way down the line, and at number 61, was the last player introduced before the starting lineup was announced. A moment of a lifetime. We are so proud! 

The happiest Opening Day 2016!

As I sat in my condo, getting ready for the day while Amelia slept on my lap (she's teething pretty bad right now and feels just awful), I couldn't help but let my mind wander back to how this all began. I was getting all nostalgic, remembering the night I met Adam because I never once imagined myself here in this moment. A lot of times, I play the "what if" game in my head. Most times, it's for a laugh or a thank goodness I didn't choose that option, but as I looked back on the journey that got me to yesterday, I stopped easily on one thing: Christ. 

Now, maybe that sounds cheesy to someone who doesn't know our story. But the only reason Adam and I even had a chance in the first place was because I found a relationship with Jesus my Junior year in college. We never would've made it past that first night if my heart wasn't radically changed the year before I met him. And similarly, because I met Adam when he wasn't a Believer, none of this (for me and Amelia at least) could've been if his heart hadn't radically changed as well. But praise God, it did! And it's been only through His Love, guidance, provision, and conviction that's led us here now. With the roof open and the sun shining down on us yesterday, it was all I could do but shout to the heavens, THANK YOU JESUS for paving our steps! Wherever You have us, that's where we want to be. Thank You for such an incredible moment.

LET'S GO FISH!!!

______________________

Adam pitches tomorrow (Thursday) in Washington, D.C. at 4:05 EST. Amelia and I will be bundled up and shouting for #61!

(And thank you to Dr. Matlock for the above photos of Adam on the tv!)

Day Sixteen Hundred and Sixty-One

The Number Three

The biggest news first:

ADAM MADE THE STARTING ROTATION IN MIAMI!!

What an honor! What a joy! What a privilege! And what a well deserved assignment! The Conley girls danced for joy when we got the call yesterday. We put Daddy on speaker phone at 11:30 AM when he said to us, "I was just called into the office. I have some great news! I made the rotation and I'm pitching third!" We were overjoyed to hear this feedback. Adam had an incredible spring, but we weren't sure what exactly the Marlins had planned for him until yesterday. Between the uncertainty of living situations and travel plans, we were relieved, excited, anxious, and ready for some sort of feedback - especially this kind! We praise God for this placement and pray that we be His hands and feet in and around Miami while we're there. THANK YOU Marlins for believing in Adam and giving him this opportunity. THANK YOU family and friends for your encouragement and support. THANK YOU Lucas for caring for our spines and bodies - we've never been healthier. And THANK YOU Jesus for trusting us with this calling. We are humbled and grateful and pray for a healthy season of life changing testimonies!

WE'RE GOING TO MIAMI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Articles:

http://m.marlins.mlb.com/news/article/169779066/conley-koehler-cosart-make-marlins-rotation

http://www.fishstripes.com/2016/3/31/11335512/miami-marlins-adam-conley-rotation

http://www.cougcenter.com/wsu-cougars-baseball/2016/3/30/11334458/wsu-cougars-baseball-washington-state-adam-conley-miami-marlins

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/169764498/mlb-preview-breakout-candidates-2016-swihart?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

(The photo above is from the Marlins' Twitter account)

While Adam finished up playing and packing up his Spring Training locker in Jupiter, the girls were busy at home packing the house. It took the entire day, two grown women (thanks Suey!), a little bit of Baby Einstein, some patience, and two naps before the house was all cleaned up and prepared for our departure! We'll sure miss our home, but we'll be back lots! 

(And we have FOUR neighbors watching our house, so don't get any ideas!)

We had a celebration dinner at Hokkaido, said goodbye to our bestie Kelli (and baby Noah), and headed for Miami with the truck and car packed!

Praise the Lord for this exciting, wonderful, incredible honor! We're so happy. So tired. And sort of a little sick, but WE'RE GOING TO MIAMI and we can't wait!

(I think we caught Adam mid sneeze or mid blink here, but at least it's the three of us for once!

Adam will pitch the first game of the Nationals series in Washington D.C. to open up his season on April 7.

Day Thirteen Hundred and Sixty-Eight

The MLB Debut

June 10, 2015. 

A day we'll never ever forget. 

In the seventh inning of a Wednesday day game against the Blue Jays, Adam started warming up for what would become one of the biggest days of his life. 

He got the nod and out of the pen, he ran; his dream literally coming true before his very eyes. 

Because I haven't barely talked to Adam since this moment happened last night (between his immediate flight following the game and my early morning flight out of Buffalo this morning), I can't even begin to guess what was going through his head. 

I can't believe this is real life is what was going through mine. 

A brief meeting on the mound before his life would change forever. 

Deep breath, Babe! You got this! 

(And you're really hot...by the way. I like being able to see the sweat on your face from the jumbo screen!)

Here goes nothing!

Adam's first pitch of his MLB career was...a ball. His second one was too. But then he settled down and threw two strikes, inducing a groundball to the third baseman to record his first out ever as a Big Leaguer against Blue Jay pinch hitter Navarro. 

One out, two to go!

Amelia was obviously upset by the two balls he threw. It's ok though, Baby. On just two more pitches, Daddy retired the next two batters in order - both on groundouts - and recorded a 1-2-3 inning on just SIX pitches!!!! A perfect inning on the most perfect night!!!

Congratulations Adam. 

You're so well deserving of such a unique and long-awaited experience. I've never met someone more disciplined and hard working - in all aspects of life - than you. When you make a commitment to something, you go at it with everything you are, and that rare quality is one of the reasons I love you most. 

I love you, #61! 

And so does Miss Millie!

She woke up literally right before you ran into the game...and screamed! Cried a little too. She was just so happy and knew it was something she didn't want to miss. Or...maybe she was just thirsty?

She also brought Grandpa Johnie's hat all the way to Toronto so he could be with us on such a special night. Our daughter is the best!

The happiest, most emotional, and excited girls in the whole stadium!

GIMME A KISS, Marlin!

The Conley Three.

Living a dream for the glory of the Gospel!

Day Thirteen Hundred and Sixty-Six

The Road to the Bigs

What a day.

What. A. Day.

It doesn't even feel real.

And I don't know when it will.

When Adam was called up on Sunday, we immediately ran into a problem: Toronto is in Canada...and Amelia doesn't have a passport yet. Because...well, why would she? I didn't have mine until I was like, 25, so it didn't even remotely cross our minds that Adam would get called up on the road - in Canada - and that a passport would be totally necessary to fly. Our saving grace: you only need a birth certificate to cross the border by car!!  

And so, Amelia and I flew into Buffalo International Airport, rented a car, and drove the 2 hours to Toronto. Find a way they always say. Well, we found ours and I'm pretty proud of our improvisation skills! Amelia wasn't though. She was probably expecting us to find a way to fly her into Toronto and she let me know of her disappointment from the confines of her carseat. 

Big League Baby...still hates her carseat. 

My kid is now an International Traveler. 

She's three months old.

What a kid she is!

I'm so proud of Adam, but Mille deserves some credit too. She's been to three of four corners of the US (plus Canada) in less than a week. And she still loves me. That's gotta count for something.

Well, hello you fantastically large and busy city! So glad we could meet!

Amelia and I arrived at our hotel around 6:30PM on Monday - a half hour before game time. Knowing that we wouldn't be remotely close to making it by first pitch, we took our time to settle in, wash off our stink, and get ready for Dad's very first Big League baseball game. 

 It feels really weird to type that. Wow.

"I just saw my Dad!! Did you? He's down there Mom! See? Over there! Oh, I just love all these lights! Mom, I'm hungry. Oops, I farted. No wait, that wasn't a fart. Look at the lights, Mommy! It's so loud! There's Dad again!"

Yes, Millie...there he is!!!!!

Adam was told that he wouldn't be throwing in yesterday's game unless it was an emergency situation. Turns out there was no emergency, so he didn't pitch. He did, however, "warm up" during the eighth inning...I got butterflies when I saw his name on the screen, but unless we scored quite a few runs in the top of the ninth, I knew he wasn't going in. It was exciting to watch his bullpen though from such an anticipated vantage point...even though I couldn't see much!

My handsome baseball traveler!

I think my favorite thing Adam has said to me through this entire experience went something along the lines of:

"Sunday I got called up to the Big Leagues. I'm a Big Leaguer now. And Monday, when I woke up, I was still the same Adam as I was Sunday...before the call." 

This man is so easy to love. His feet are rooted and his heart is guarded and he's playing baseball for the sake of the Kingdom. Thank you Jesus for letting me do life with him!!! 

My second favorite thing he said?

"I think we can qualify for a mortgage now?!"

________________

There haven't been many articles written on Adam's progression since last year (because he was hurt), but yesterday, there were some. 

Here are some articles I've found on Adam's promotion:

http://www.foxsports.com/florida/story/miami-marlins-notebook-adam-conley-bryan-morris-060815

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/129369174/with-bryan-morris-on-dl-adam-conley-earns-first-callup

http://www.wsucougars.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30400&ATCLID=210138209

http://marlinsnation.com/2015/06/08/adam-conley-shines-at-aaa-gets-call-up-with-fish/

http://www.theolympian.com/2015/06/07/3764829_report-miami-marlins-call-up-olympia.html?rh=1

Day One Thousand One Hundred and Thirty-One

The Mommy on a Mission

A few weeks ago, I came to the realization that I just can't workout like I used to.

Muscle up a bench press: faint upon standing up.

Jump over a hurdle: pee your pants a little.

Swing a kettlebell: crush the kid.

Attempt a pull-up: fail.

Ok, for reals though: I haven't actually peed my pants...and I haven't fainted either. My kid was never crushed, and I can still, in fact, do a chin up. Geeze, give a girl some credit. I am adjusting pretty well to my "new" body and all it's crazy changes, but the one thing that's really annoying me most is that I can't do 3 sets of 6 chin-ups in a row anymore. I worked really hard to get those darn things back and just when I was able to do them for the first time since college, Adam goes and gets me pregnant. Some husband, right?! Real thoughtful, Honey! Ha! I'm adamant that I don't completely lose everything I've gained since beginning my workouts at Coastal, so I made myself a deal: 

Up to 20 weeks: complete 3 chin-ups in a row

20 weeks - 30 weeks: complete 2 chin-ups in a row

30 weeks - 40 weeks: complete 1 chin-up (in a row?)

And you bet, my first goal was realized last week. I was able to finish my first two sets doing 3 chin-ups in a row by myself, followed by 3 chin-ups assisted by the band. My last set, I did 2 by myself and used the band for my last 4. A total of 8. Overachiever. I like.

This week starts the second round. I have to complete two chin-ups in a row in at least one of my sets.Yesterday, I did 8 total, all by myself! 3 the first set, 3 the second, and 2 the third. So far, so good. I got this! Wait, we got this. 

Little Baby Girl, 

Please, I'm begging you, help Mommy do this! I'll be the best Mommy ever if you do! I'll be able to hold you longer, carry you further, and throw you up in the air much higher. So really, you're the one on the winning side of this deal! And you don't even have to do anything…just maybe try not to come too early and definitely try not to make me too sick and tired in the third trimester. That's when I'm counting on you most. Thanks Little Lady. I sure love you. 

And daddy does too. See! He took us on a special sleigh ride yesterday! He's so fun! Strong too!

Day One Thousand and Nineteen

The Super Kind

It. Won't. Stop. RAINING.

We're talking, like, super rain.

The kind that makes you want to punch things. 

All. Day. Long.

I'm going to go insane!!!

I NEED VITAMIN D.

Please.

In other news, I'm starting Paleo again. 

We're talking, like, the super kind.

Where you don't cheat. EVER.

So, adios to my sweet tooth cravings, sneaky pizza bites, morning pancake nibbles, and the occasional glass of wine. This girl is on a mission. Not that it'll be that much different than I eat already, but I'm definitely cracking down. With Adam's help. Because goodness knows I need it when my teeth are screaming for chocolate.

However, to ensure my sanity, I'm leaving in my tablespoon of creamer and Greek yogurt in the morning.

Adam needs sane Kendall.

So, yeah. Here's my before pic.

I'm thinking I'll go at this for 8 weeks and see where I end up. I did 9 last time, but I'm not feeling that committed.

________________

ADAM THROWS TOMORROW (Saturday) AT 6:35 CENTRAL TIME!

Party!

Day Seven Hundred and Fifty-Three

The Annoying Replacements

One way or another, it never fails that with every move, we somehow manage to lose things. Really annoying things. Like the shower curtain. Or our bath mats. The paper towel holder. The ethernet cord?! Where they ran off to, we'll never know. Until I find them buried in a misplaced bin next week...sigh. Such is moving! Anyways, yesterday, we spent most of our afternoon running errands, picking up the odds and ends, grocery shopping, and replacing our pillows (thanks for totally wrecking our world - in a good way - Gina...my cousin's pillows are like heaven on your head and we needed some). 

And also yesterday, since we are finally kind of settled in, Adam decided that it was officially the start of his yearly offseason weight gain endeavor. He's currently 200 lbs and we both are committed to NEVER SEEING THAT NUMBER AGAIN! EVER! Adam's goal for the offseason: gain 18 lbs. My goal for Adam for the offseason: gain 20 lbs. I'm in charge of cooking...let's see who wins! (Me! Me!) 

TWO TWENTY OR BUST!

____________________________

Also, two more things:

1) Can we all just stop for a moment and appreciate how great Adam's hair is?! Oh my gosh, I just LOVE it! He may not be able to grow a beard, a mustache, or even a chest hair, but boy can he grow a nice head of hair!

2) More importantly, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MOTHER-IN-LAW KATY!! We love you and miss you and hope that your day was as special as you are.