We we're so excited to be back together again! I had butterflies as I waited to see my husband again. It's really true that distance makes the heart grow fonder.
After landing in Puerto Rico, the team put us up in a beautiful hotel for 3 nights while we looked for a place to live. We ended up getting in contact with a few different real estate agents out here that had some listings for monthly rentals. After scoping out some options, we found a beautiful ocean view condo that was within our price budget that we fell in love with. The view was absolutely breath-taking and waking up to that in the mornings felt so unreal. It was completely furnished, so we didn't have to worry about that. But having gone to school for interior design, I couldn't help but add some little personal touches here and there to make it feel more 'homey' to us. Just the 'little' stuff added some comfort, got some good deals on throw pillows, candles and a rug. Also re-arranged the furniture a little, but doing that and adding the little things is all I needed to make it feel a little more like 'home'. It was perfect.
We also bought an authentic Puerto Rican hammock and hung it up on our balcony. LOVED it! The Lord provided for us in every way and even went beyond our expectations. We got a great deal on a rental car and everything was falling into place.
The team Daniel played for, the Gigantes De Carolina had a great group of guys and Daniel really found favor in the coaches eyes. Although the other girlfriends and wives at the game mostly spoke Spanish, they we're so sweet to make me feel included and comfortable. Note to self though, I really need to learn Spanish.
We also made great friends with another American couple on Daniel's team. There was a pitcher from the Mets organization, his wife and their 2 year old daughter on the team that we instantly connected with and built an instant friendship with. We feel so blessed to have met them and look forward to continuing a friendship with them. I love how baseball allows us to meet so many different people from all different parts of the country.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Off-Season catch up-Part 2: Venezuela
After about 5 weeks had passed, Daniel got a call from the winter ball team in Venezuela asking if he would be available to play with them before Puerto Rico. Daniel was hesitant because he didn't want to come back too soon from the injury, but was told that it wasn't a for sure thing, that they would only need him as a backup in case two other players couldn't make it. Daniel's leg was already feeling a lot better at this point, so after praying it about and feeling that the Lord must have opened this opportunity for a reason, he agreed to go if they needed him.
Sure enough, they did end up needing him. Daniel and I drove out to Arizona so he could get some at bats in there before leaving for VZ. He flew out from AZ and I headed back home to Cali for 3 weeks til we would meet again in Puerto Rico.
During Daniel's first game in VZ, he had a little setback on his leg and would only end up playing in one game out there. They had him stay in VZ to get the proper treatment and rehab on his leg and it turned out being a really good thing. Although, it was tough for us to be apart, the Lord really opened doors for Daniel to share his faith with guys on the team. To us, that's what this whole 'baseball' thing is really about in the end.... we want to make an impact on peoples life in a way bigger then just baseball. He was also able to get the best treatment possible on his leg, which we feel really helped the healing process. Praise God!
By the end of the 3 weeks in VZ, Daniel's leg was feeling better then ever and we met up in Puerto Rico on the 31st of October :)
Off-Season Catch up- Part 1: Bummer in Bakersfield
WOW! There is sooo much to catch up on! Again...which is why I am the worst blogger possible! But I will try to do my best to update all that's been happening the past few months.
Starting with the end of the baseball season..
I feel like the season came and went this past year. We had so much fun being close to home and having the support of friends and family at the games. Daniel had a very productive year baseball wise (all Glory to God) and it opened up opportunities for winter ball this off season.
We had found out about the opportunity to play in winter ball in Puerto Rico a couple weeks before the season ended. Daniel's hitting coach for the Mavericks, Tommy Cruz, helps coach the team in Puerto Rico and put in a good word for Daniel with the GM there and after getting the approval of the Mariners, we we're really excited for the opportunity for Daniel to play there.
The last series of the season was a road trip to Bakersfield, CA. Going into that last series, Daniel was hitting .302 at the time and was told he would just finish the season off at that point instead of playing in those last games so that he could finish above .300. We were content and satisfied with that because Daniel had already played a lot of games, so we thought it was a good chance to start getting some rest before winter ball.
Well when we got to Bakersfield, they decided to play him. Daniel ended up going 0 for 4 that night, bringing his average to .299. Which is still a great average, but being only a .01 point away, he played the next day hoping to bring it back up to .300 with one hit. But in his first at bat, he ended up getting a minor pull in his hip flexer/quad area as he was running out a ground ball. It was a tough and disappointing way to finish the season, but we had to keep things in perspective and be thankful for the year he did have.
At that point, we weren't sure if Puerto Rico would fall through after all because of the injury. But with winter ball still 7 weeks away, the trainer believed Daniel would be fine and ready to go before the winter ball season started. We knew God was in control, so we we're just going to rest and play it by ear the next few weeks and see how Daniel felt.
Starting with the end of the baseball season..
I feel like the season came and went this past year. We had so much fun being close to home and having the support of friends and family at the games. Daniel had a very productive year baseball wise (all Glory to God) and it opened up opportunities for winter ball this off season.
We had found out about the opportunity to play in winter ball in Puerto Rico a couple weeks before the season ended. Daniel's hitting coach for the Mavericks, Tommy Cruz, helps coach the team in Puerto Rico and put in a good word for Daniel with the GM there and after getting the approval of the Mariners, we we're really excited for the opportunity for Daniel to play there.
The last series of the season was a road trip to Bakersfield, CA. Going into that last series, Daniel was hitting .302 at the time and was told he would just finish the season off at that point instead of playing in those last games so that he could finish above .300. We were content and satisfied with that because Daniel had already played a lot of games, so we thought it was a good chance to start getting some rest before winter ball.
Well when we got to Bakersfield, they decided to play him. Daniel ended up going 0 for 4 that night, bringing his average to .299. Which is still a great average, but being only a .01 point away, he played the next day hoping to bring it back up to .300 with one hit. But in his first at bat, he ended up getting a minor pull in his hip flexer/quad area as he was running out a ground ball. It was a tough and disappointing way to finish the season, but we had to keep things in perspective and be thankful for the year he did have.
At that point, we weren't sure if Puerto Rico would fall through after all because of the injury. But with winter ball still 7 weeks away, the trainer believed Daniel would be fine and ready to go before the winter ball season started. We knew God was in control, so we we're just going to rest and play it by ear the next few weeks and see how Daniel felt.
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