Day One Thousand One Hundred and Thirty-Eight

The Eclipse No-Showed

We chased the sunset for a solid 20 minutes yesterday. To no avail.

I really wanted to see the solar eclipse, but…well, good luck witnessing a sunset on the horizon on the Eastern-most coast of flat Florida. Yeah, newsflash: it doesn't happen. So no eclipse for me. Darnit. I hope someone got the chance to enjoy it at least. Puh.

Day One Thousand One Hundred and Thirty-Four

The Only One Not Having Fun

…just another day in Paradise…

Well, for everyone except that little fishy outta water.

Yesterday probably wasn't his day.

But me? I love that it's mid-October and my skin's still getting kisses from the sun.

Baby loves it too. She's a sucker for some delicious Vitamin D. 

In other news: if I'm going to be fair and honest and completely transparent, I have to admit that yesterday wasn't total paradise for me. I suffered a minor hormone-induced freak out session mid-afternoon and it was terrible. I cried for 20 straight minutes. Breakdown: pregnancy style. Not cute. Too many hormones, so many bodily changes, and yesterday, I just couldn't handle it. Thankfully, I've not experienced too many of these occurrences in the last five months - praise God - but I could really do without them at all. Probably Adam too. Oh, Adam. My sweet Adam.The man's a saint. While sobbing my face off in the front seat of the truck, he just sat there quietly and held my hand. I was mostly inconsolable, but he waited there patiently for me to come back to earth and I am so grateful he's the one by my side. For Daddy's sake though, Little Baby Conley, let's do our best to keep those hormones in check. Ok? Ok. Love you Sweetheart!

Day One Thousand One Hundred and One

The Labrador Longings

You, my sweet, beautiful, scrumptious little pup, are bad for my health.

Playing with Emma yesterday severely increased our longing for a lab. And a home. And a yard. A big yard with a swing set. And a garden. And a hose. So we can wash our own truck. And a garage. To keep our baby safer! Oh Emma, look what you did! I'm supposed to want what I have, silly cute face! 

Day One Thousand and Ninety-One

The Unlikely Champs

5 sets of 4-on-4 sand volleyball alongside a pregnant girl and a husband who can't do any overhand hitting…and…you get a couple of winners! Victory! All the sand in all the wrong places was completely worth our efforts.  

Day One Thousand and Seventy-Nine

The Third Lie

Scott is our beach buddy.

And though the beach looked really really ugly yesterday (thanks to the distant hurricane forming off the coast), the boys enjoyed it's bighuge, 6 foot waves. I sat on the shore and read my book (in the sprinkling rain), deciding not to enter the crazy waters in fear of hurting baby somehow, getting eaten by a shark, and the likelihood of picking up sea lice. Yeah, no thanks guys. Go knock yourselves out. I'll be over here.

Speaking of Scott, here's another unveiled lie:

Remember Day 1,067? (Click the link)

Well, that sweetest surprise wasn't from my hubby. Nope! When we told Scott the news of the baby in my belly, I was in Washington…Adam was in Jupiter...so only Adam got to be with him face to face for the reveal. I was on FaceTime. Scott was really excited, surprised, and more than ready to be called Uncle. We didn't know just how happy he was for us though, until Adam and I walked through the door and found two Congratulations balloons (which I edited out of the photo that day…sneaky girl!) and 6 roses in our bedroom at 1:30AM the night I returned home from Washington! Such a thoughtful surprise!!

We're so grateful for all the encouragement and support we've received over the past few weeks. Thank you, friends, for your kind words, love, and generosity. It's overwhelming!!

Day One Thousand and Seventy-Four

The Stickiest Fingers

That's a baby lizard.

On the hood of our truck.

Going 70 MPH on the freeway.

He was transported over 4 miles…and lived to tell the tale.

And now we know how they survive hurricanes.

Day One Thousand and Sixty-Nine

The Scream-Now-Laugh-Later Kind of Day

Pretty much sums up our day.

Finally washed some clothes, but couldn't dry them. 

Needed a sweater, but only had one. ..because my life's been in a suitcase for 3 straight weeks. 

I was cold. It was wet. So, I dried it the only way I could think of.

In the truck's air vent. 

Then a cockroach fell out of the ceiling.

While I did my hair. Imagine that. Just minding my own business, doing my thing, and then *crunch.* A cockroach, falling out of nowhere, hits the sink right in front of me, dies on impact, and twitches a few seconds laying on it's back before ceasing existence. I screamed. Bloody murder.

And we didn't have any toilet paper to clean it up with, of course....because we had just gotten the keys to our new condo...

Which was quite the fiasco itself (not enough energy to write about all that)...and since we ran out of time running around the city going from appointment to appointment...and because it was pouring down rain half the day, we couldn't get to our storage unit before 9PM. 

So, we had to sleep on a blow up mattress. 

Instead of our bed.

The one I've been waiting desperately to cuddle up on for 6 straight months. 

The same one I thought I'd have Thursday. Which didn't happen.

And the one I thought surely I'd have last night.

Which also didn't happen.

Gee whiz, they're really making me work for this bed. Whoever they are.

But at least we're in our condo! And that's enough - at the end of the day - to put a smile on my face. Because progress, even when it's ugly, rainy, and cockroached, is still progress. 

Day One Thousand and Fifty-Two

(On) The Positive Side

Well, if we're on the DL, we might as well be nicely situated in the most beautiful part of America. Look at me: managing to find something positive about this roller coaster season. Progress! Still not crazy happy about being here right at the moment, but definitely grateful that if nothing else, we're home. Even though well, we don't have an actual home yet. And oh yeah, we have one day to find something. So that's cool. And so baseball. At this point though, I'm not freaking out like I have in the past. Because there ain't nothing worry'll do except to make us worry more. And I don't have the energy for that! God's provided time and time again in the past...I don't doubt his faithfulness now. So until we find a more permanent home, we're staying with Scott again, which makes Adam happy since they're the best of buds.

Day Nine Hundred and Eighty-Nine

The Sleeping Beauty

Among the benefits of our time in Jupiter, a trip to the Conley storage unit was up near the top. Before leaving NOLA, I had given Adam the key to our unit, hoping that at some point he'd be able to check on our stuff. Little did I know I'd be accompanying him to it! 

One of our biggest marital struggles when leaving for season has twice been our bed. Ha! And if that's the worst issue we run into, well, then, we're probably doing pretty good. Still, it's a source of contention that's left us wounded two years in a row. Last year, I begged Adam to let us take it to Jacksonville. He denied my request. And I gave him the evil eye as often as we talked about it. This year, he begged me to take our bed to NOLA. But I denied him his request. Hey, it was only fair! ;) So now, our beautiful, cozy, gigantically amazing bed is posted up vertically in our storage unit. Our outdoor storage unit. Gah! I already thought it a bad idea to store it in a non-A/C unit (last year, we kept it climate controlled, but this year an indoor room was way too expensive), but when I found out that storing it vertically can ruin the mattress, I freaked even more. And I've been worried about my sleeping beauty ever since. Thankfully, as of yesterday, it's in great shape (literally) and dry as a desert. Hopefully our wrapping job and packing job holds up the rest of summer! 

Day Nine Hundred and Eighty-Eight

The DL Abode

We're living here currently.

With friends.

Awesome friends.

Including this friend.

Fraaaaaank!

And it's lovely.

The DL is treating us well so far. We have a cozy place to stay, a kitchen to cook in, a car to drive, and people all around us who are doing whatever they can to lend a helping hand. It's been amazing. And we are so grateful. 

To update on Adam:

He's doing well. Really well. His arm is totally healthy and feeling refreshed. He ended up taking 6 days off instead of the 3 that he had originally thought he was taking off. Because of that, he's now in the process of building himself back up to the seven-or-so innings that he'll have to pitch once he's back in NOLA. It's a process that takes a little time, which is why he's been here so long (at least, it's seemed long!), but hopefully he'll be back in NOLA soon! Oh, and for those curious, he's thrown two bullpens already and is pitching live BP on Friday. Lesssss go!

Day Nine Hundred and Eighty-Seven

The Island called Peanut

Kayaks. Music. Footballs. Sunshine.

The perfect cap to the shiniest golden birthday weekend.

Oh, and Uncle Si water cops too.

Day Nine Hundred and Eighty-Three

The Brand New Man Tan

About 10 days ago, Adam promised me he'd work on his tan. With all of his free time, getting rid of that horrible farmer's tan wasn't asking much. And would ya believe it - he actually did. That's my newly bronzed man with three of his good friends (also on rehab assignments) sporting evened-out skin tones in the beautiful South Florida ocean. Hey, don't be rolling your eyes at us! It's the little rehab victories that keep us going down here!! :) 

Now, alls Adam has left to do is get that tan a little deeper like the boys.' Oh, and maybe work on the slider. I guess. Ha!

Day Nine Hundred and Seventy-Six

The Bathroom During

Time for bathroom makeover paint colors! So many options!

But first, primer!

With all the wallpaper gone, we spent the afternoon priming the entire space because, well, that pink color up top just wasn't trying to go out without a fuss!

Our painting-makeover help-mates. They mostly just helped by being extra cute.

(Can you believe how big they are!? Hunter is 3 1/2 and Bearett is 11 months!)

The Sledgehammer Sisters all cleaned up after a hard days' work! Thanks for all your help sissys! Grama's gonna love it (or at least she better! Haha!)!

__________________________

Meanwhile, back in Florida…

Adam asked me if he should rent a car during his time in Jupiter. Yeah…no, Honey. Not happening. He's not 25 yet, which means the expense would be just out-of-this-world outrageous. But, he really needs something to get around in. So, I told him I'd ask some friends to see if anyone in the area had an extra vehicle available. Turns out, a friend did! A HUGE thank you to Sue Lane, who's letting Adam borrow her car while he's rehabbing! No more half mile walks to TGIF Fridays! Hooray for this calorie-saving beauty! 

Day Nine Hundred and Seven

The Tornado Threat

So…the Marlins and the 2013 World Series Champs tried to mix baseball and a tornado warning yesterday...

The two mixed well until the 8th inning when a torrential downpour scattered the crowd and lightning threatened the men in uniform. The game was called and we ran to the truck for safety!

With a little extra time and the tornado threat gone, we decided on a date night at the gun range. Time to finally shoot our AR-15!

Bang!

Bang!

Oh boy do I LOVE this gun!!

Day Eight Hundred and Ninety-Three

The Day at DuBois

DuBois Park. How I've lived in Jupiter 2 years and haven't met you, I'll never know. WOW. This little oasis overlooks the Intercoastal and the Jupiter Lighthouse on one side (seen in the photo) and meets the Atlantic Ocean the other. It's stunning, cozy, and the perfect place to spend the day with family, friends, yourself…and even... 

Little baby crabs!

Day Eight Hundred and Fifty-Two

The Food Truck Amends

Every second Friday of the month, our street is invaded by food trucks. And I mean to say invaded in the very best of ways. 

More than 30 (50?) trucks line our street, selling their food and lively spirits until the wee hours of the night. It's always a joy to participate in the festivities, but last night was one we'll remember for years to come.

We were relieved to re-connect with some people in our past with whom issues were left unresolved. For a long time now, it's been on our hearts to clear the air. Last night, the Lord provided us with the opportunity to address the uncomfortable situation in a loving manner, and to make amends. We chose exactly that. It was hard, but we walked away with an overwhelming sense of hope and peace, which was the greatest reward.

"Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."

                                                -Ephesians 4:32

Day Eight Hundred and Twenty-Three

The 12-Year-Old Flashback

One of the boys Adam gives pitching lessons to had a game last night. So, we went! And though he didn't pitch at all, he sure did hit! Atta kid, Nathan! We love #6! This Little League stuff is so much fun! Last night brought back a lot of memories for Adam…and me…I was off in the future making new memories with my someday kids. Haha :)

Day Seven Hundred and Eighty-Five

The Wanna-Be Sub

Just on my way to class...

...to learn how to become a SUBSTITUTE TEACHER!

Adam and I decided that a reasonable and exciting way to get involved in the community here without being held down to a strict schedule, is for me to substitute teach...IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT! Like, a real life substitute! Yahoo! And since Florida's substitute laws are the way they are, I don't even need a teaching certificate to teach! My bachelor's degree works just fine (which is quite the contrary to Washington laws)! Now, I only need to complete one more three hour class (like the one I attended last night), a bit of paperwork, an orientation, a background check, and fingerprinting, and I'll be well on my way to teacher-for-the-day! I can't even begin to explain how excited I am that the Lord's opened this up to me. I never knew that when I grew up, I'd be - among all the other things I didn't know I'd be - a substitute!

Day Seven Hundred and Eighty-Four

"The Trouble with Eating Italian Food is that Five or Six Days Later, You're Hungry Again"

-George Miller

Our Abacoa Town Center during The Feast of Little Italy yesterday afternoon.

Authentic Italian food. Check.

Authentic Italian music. Check.

Authentic Italian art. Check.

Authentic Italian Tradition. Check. 

All outside our front door? Check!

We love our home!

Adam riding my road bike like a fixed gear...in the house? Check!

(PS: if anyone picked up on the four pillows behind Adam in that bin...just sitting there without a bed...all lonely and needing a home...we'd love some suggestions on what exactly to do with them. They were purchased with our bed, bundled into the deal, but they're just not our "type." They're extremely nice, $125 tempurpedic pillows (each) that are just too stiff for either Adam or I. We like super fluffy pillows. Feathery, gushy ones that your head sinks into. These are much more firm. No gushiness. I'm thinking of listing them on Craigslist, but wondering if that's weird or taboo? They have been used...but only for like a week, total. Hmmmm...anybody? $100 for all four? Uh. I hate this stuff.)

Day Seven Hundred and Eighty

The Sighting

Florida sasquatch.

(Big Flort)

Washington sasquatch.

(WashinSquatch)

And, my best impression of Northwest fall colors in the Southeast...

Yeah?!

(PS, that is not our dog. We just stole him for a day. Thanks Marshall and Erika!)

___________

My father passed away a year ago today. If you could please keep my family in your prayers, for strength, courage, peace, and hope, we would be so very grateful.