Day 2,247

The Unexpected Call

Roll out of bed. Shoot lizards and trees. 

Fashion a bow out of random household items while Dad’s at work. 

Get the call. 

Pack as fast as possible. 

Rush everything. 

Explain why Daddy has to leave. 

Pray they understand. 

Drive to the airport. 

Pray as a family in the truck. 

Cry. 

Give kisses. 

And hugs.

So many hugs. 

Remember that it was only four days ago that you hadn’t seen Dada in 17 days. Cry. It changes so fast. 

Work on your grunt call while saying bye. Duh. 

He’s so great. 

Cry. 

Drive “home” (Airbnb). 

Eat your feelings in Dad’s caramel gelato. 

Celebrate the call with Dad’s caramel gelato. 

Of course, while sitting on the pavement outside your “home” because your Airbnb host is selling their house and it’s being shown at 7:30PM for the sixth time in four days. 

Eat more. 

Hopscotch. 

Run inside when it starts pouring.

Host the hour-late realtor and her clients while baking pizza. 

Move all the kids to your bedroom for the night. Blow up mattresses since your host already moved their beds to their new house. Get the gun. 

Get the chair. 

Almost as good as Daddy. Just not quite. 

Read bible. FaceTime Daddy. Congratulate him on his promotion! Pray. Put babes to sleep. Begin frantic flight/hotel/Airbnb/home search. Pray. Should I stay or go? What do we do? For how long? This is crazy. 

Crazy good. 

As long as we’re intentioned in our pursuit of Christlikeness as the goal and prize of our lives, we’re good. Really good. Regardless of where we are. And though the insanity reached a different and new level last night, it’s totally manageable and we’re ready. We’re praising the Lord for the invaluable time and lessons learned here in NOLA and looking forward with expectation to our time in Miami!

Congratulations, Dada!! We can’t wait to cheer you on from our Sunshine State!!! What a remarkable journey it’s already been. Here’s to much more!! 

Sleep. 

Wake up at 6:30AM for flight at 10:40AM. It’s 2AM now. Goodnight Nola. 

Day Fourteen Hundred and Twenty

The Mays Wedding

My only brother married his beautiful bride yesterday, in what was a gorgeous summer wedding alongside their closest friends and family. It's a pleasure and an honor to welcome my new sister into the family; Tiffany, we love you and are forever grateful to you for bringing such joy into Jacob's life. In my (almost) 28 years of knowing my brother, I've never seen him smile, giggle, or flirt more than I've witnessed in the last six months. She lights him up in a way that is so genuine, so pure,  so true. I'm proud of you, Jacob. And I'm excited to watch you grow as a man, a husband, and a father figure in the years to come. Stay true to your word, honor Tiffany, and provide an environment for her and those babies to flourish in. Marriage takes two people choosing to say yes to each other every single day. So choose yes, my brother...every day, just as the one before. I love you!!

_________________________

Behind the scenes: What you didn't see...

A 20 minute car cake-transfer. Complete with a crying baby, a frazzled kid, freezing cold AC hands, and two overly cautious cake makers.

An explosion...

...of epic proportions.

And a would-be fevered baby by night's end.

It was a long day for this cutest, most adorable and precious little munchkin. But she held out the whole night and didn't complain until around midnight when I put all her symptoms together and realized that she might've caught a little bug somewhere...poor girl. But Mommy is so proud of you for sticking it out, smiling and laughing with friends, and being just the best kid around. Your immune system is kicking butt and I'm happy to report that 24 hours later...no more fever!

__________________________

Mr. and Mrs. Mays!!!!!

You love is so sweet...and so was Ellie and my cake ;)

Can't tell you enough how happy we are for the both of you!

Congratulations, Jacob and Tiffany!

And now...we dance!

Celebrate good times, c'mon!

I love you, Tiffany. 

You are stunning, courageous, strong, and true. 

Your resilience is admirable and your sarcasm, my favorite.

I will never tire of your smile and your unique way of making me laugh.

So proud to call you Sister.

Thanks for being my date, Amelia! Aside from Daddy, I couldn't have asked for a better one!!

____________________

Speaking of Daddy...

Adam was called back up to Miami on Friday and pitched two innings of relief for the Marlins last night!! It was bittersweet being away from him, but even without us in the stands, he threw tremendously. He mentioned feeling very confident out there, in a way he hadn't felt before. We're looking forward to more innings and more experience in the League that he's always dreamed of pitching in!! 

(Photo by the Marlins via Twitter)

His line:

2IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 1K, 1HBP (hit by pitch)

His recall:

http://www.foxsports.com/florida/story/miami-marlins-recall-adam-conley-chris-reed-from-triple-a-080115

His two scoreless frames with a video clip of each out:

http://m.marlins.mlb.com/news/article/140451202/marlins-recall-rookies-adam-conley-chris-reed

Amelia and I will be meeting Adam in Atlanta for their series agains the Braves on the sixth! Can't wait to see you, Adam! Amelia says, "Where's that (slightly) hairy-faced man I like to wake up to?! I miss him."

Day Two Hundred and Eighty-One

The First Promotion

Hey everyone, Adam again! After all the rumors it finally happened. Today before our game, I was making "Happy Father's Day" phone calls, and sure enough, was called into the coaches office. I first told them, "don't release me" and after holding back a smile, my pitching coach Blake McGinley said, "You're getting released...to Jupiter." After all off-season, winter workouts, mini-camp, and spring training, it only took us just under 3 months to return to Jupiter. Well, we aren't in Jupiter yet, first the good byes, then the packing, then the All-Star game, then the driving.

Saying bye to Nick wasn't easy. He is a great kid and full of energy. We miss you already buddy, keep throwing no-hitters and you'll be wearing a Grasshoppers uniform before you know it!

Although we spent a short time in Greensboro, Kendall found a group of amazing people to call family. Sheila here has been working on a blanket for Kendall all season, and cranked it out just in time for our departure. It was a total surprise to Kendall and I, as neither of us knew who she was making it for! Thank you, Sheila. Your friendship means so much to Kendall.

What a great start to an already exciting year for the Marlins and all their affiliates. We feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to come to Greensboro and experience Southern Comfort first hand. Great people, great support, great memories. We'll miss you.