Brangelina

This past Saturday, Daniel and I went as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to Daniel's uncle's costume party. We bought the little kids clothes from the goodwill store. My mom helped me stuff the clothes and sew them up and we printed out the real faces of Brad and Angelina's kids and glued them on. It was a hit at the costume party and we even took home the award for Best Costume :) We had alot fun.

Twenty-One!

I am now 21! My birthday was October 8th and my husband really is so amazing and gave me the best birthday ever! So I have to share: Well on my birthday, I was awoken to breakfast in bed. Then Daniel told me he had the day planned out and to get ready because we were going to DISNEYLAND! He knows I love Disneyland and it had been awhile since we had gone, so it was perfect. We spent pretty much the entire day there, then had dinner at the Rainforest Cafe in downtown Disney. That night, he told me my birthday would continue tomorrow, but I had to wait because it was a surprise. So the next day, Daniel said he had to leave the house at 11 to get some things done for my birthday. I really had no idea what he was up to. He just told me that his sister would come to pick me up at 1 and that I would need to be ready. So his sister, Meagan, arrived right at 1:00 and greeted me with a rolled up paper tied with a bow. Little did I know, this would be my 'first clue' to a very elaborate scavenger hunt that Daniel made up for me. Each clue had a very creative riddle, and this first one directed me to go to the 'store of the age I am'. The answer being Forever 21 (my favorite store). There I was told I would need to speak the people at the register in order to get my next clue. I did, then received my next clue that told me I had to come up with the craziest outfit I could, try it on, and take a picture before the girls at the register could give me the next clue. So I did, I found a fur vest with a leopard dress and red hat and took a picture. Ha ha. I was then able to receive my next clue. The girl at the register handed me another rolled up paper and also a little Victoria Secret's bag. The clue instructed me to open the bag, where I would find a gift card and I had to take it to VS and purchase something Daniel had already picked out before being handed over the next clue. Once I did that, the next clue directed me to leave the mall to go get a massage at Massage Envy (the massage was a gift from my parents- so thank you Mom & Dad). His sister then dropped me off to get my hour massage, which was amazing! After the massage, the guy at the receptionist desk at Massage Envy handed me my next clue. I was told I would be picked up by a 'surprise person' and that we had to go to a place where they have 'Pazookies'. Answer being: BJs Brewery. So as I was waiting to get picked up, I looked out the window and saw that Daniel had arranged for my friend Ashley to pick me up! I hadn't seen her in awhile so it was so good to see her! We then carried on our way to BJs where Daniel instructed us that we had to go to the bar in order to get the next clue. Once seated at the bar, the bartender handed me a shot of tequila (which Daniel had already ordered and bought for me) that I had to take before getting the next clue. I was very hesitant to take it.. but was told that I would not receive the next clue until I did it. Ha ha. Daniel is crazy. So I took it, but not in a shot. It took about 3 'not very enjoyable' sips before I could finish it. But I did, and then got my clue that had a crossword puzzle on it that Daniel made up that I had to complete before it revealed the next clue. The next clue instructed that I had to go buy a pack of starburst candy from somewhere and bring 21 startburst to his parents house in exchange for my next clue. Once at his parents and after handing them the starburst, his mom handed me a clue and then carried out this big bowl of whip cream, ice cream, sprinkles and I'm not even sure what else, but the clue told me I had to dig through that bowl in order to find my next clue. So I did and pulled out the next clue, which was in a zip lock bag, and that clue directed me to go to his old bedroom to find the next clue. In there, I found my last and final clue, which included a gift card, that told Ashley nd I to go get pedicures and to meet him at the house afterwards. So around 7:50ish at night, we headed back to the house where I was greeted by a SURPRISE PARTY that Daniel had thrown for me! He even had a fog machine and strobe light and party streamers everywhere. It was amazing! And it was so wonderful to see everyone there! It was such a wonderful day and Daniel went above and beyond then I could have ever imagined. I am so grateful for him! I love him so much!! So I had to share with all of you how wonderful, creative, and amazing he is. I am blessed :)

Cali Bound

WOW, I can't believe its been over a month since my last entry!! I apologize once again :(

So lets see.... alot has happened since my last entry: For one, we are now back in California! Our road trip back here from Iowa was alot of fun for us. Even with our car being packed to it's full capacity. Our first day we drove about 7 hours and stopped in Lincoln, Nebraska for the night. It was very relieving to get out the jammed packed car and take a rest that night. We had dinner at a 'mid-west' favorite, Cracker Barrel. And even took time to relax in the hotel jacuzzi before calling it a night. The next morning we slept in a little, then went on our way. We decided our next stop would be in Colorado (which is pretty much the halfway point from Iowa to Cali). My cousin Abby and her husband live out there, so we were able to stay with them and spend alot of time we them. Daniel and I even got to catch a Rockies game while we there. Colorado is absolutely beautiful! I loved it there! Heading out the next day was the most beautiful drive of all. We went through the Rockie mountains and listened to worship music and spent time praying and thanking God for His amazing creation! I'm so guilty of taking it forgranted. It was really eye opening and a very refreshing reminder of His beauty. That night we stayed near the border of Utah and Nevada. Finally, the next day we neared our destination of sweet ol' Moreno Valley, California. We made it home around 4 in the afternoon and felt a sense of relief after that long drive. It was a very memorable experience and drive for the both of us. And fortunately, we were able to make it all the way cross country without a single speeding ticket or car problems (thank you Lord). I must admit, Daniel did most of the driving. Hey, I had done plenty of driving following the bus during the baseball season, this was my time to relax and kick back Ha ha. Anyways, so we've been home for about a month now and have really been enjoying all the time we've been able to spend with family and friends. Job wise: I am currently working for my dad's business and Daniel has been helping coach little league games and has been giving private hitting lessons to some of the young boys. So we've been keeping busy. It's nice to be home :)

End of the Season

So I've officially come to the terms that I am not a great blogger. I apologize for all the gaps between postings. Anyways, to bring you up to date- Today was the last baseball game of the season. A very eventful one for us, I might add. Well I actually wrapped up enough nerves and was able to sing the National Anthem for Daniel's last game. I was very nervous to the time adding up to the big event for me, but as soon as I got out there on that field, I can say that I completely lost all nerves and just went for it. I was so happy I pushed myself to do it because singing has always been a big part of my life since I was a little girl and something I've always enjoyed and I just felt so privileged to be able to incorporate that with what my husband loves too:baseball! It was exciting and very memorable for me. This day also ended up addingmore memorable moments to it, and unfortunately, ones we would rather live without. Daniel was leading off in the lineup for this last game and during his first at bat, he got hit by the pitch right in the head!! It was a 95 MPH fastball!!Daniel hit the floor immediately and I was left sitting in the stands with just my fears and my prayers. Daniel eventually got up and was able to walk and run, but the trainer decided it'd be best to pull him from the game and get checked out by a doctor for precautionary reasons. So we ended up in the hospital today and Daniel ended up having to get a CT scan. The results came out good and there seemed to be no damage or injury to the head. So Praise the Lord! He's taken care of us once again! Daniel does have a headache still, but we're just praising God that it wasn't anything too serious. Because it was a pretty hard hit to the head. So yes, this is unfortunately the way we had to end our 2009 baseball season. But Daniel had an awesome game yesterday, going 2 for 4 with a double! So in conclusion, this baseball season may have in no way gone the way we intended, but Daniel and I both feel we are walking away as stronger people because of the things we have gone through this season. We head out tomorrow morning for our drive back to Cali.

Oh yeah, I also forgot to mention we went to Chicago on Daniel's last off-day! We had an amazing time. We went to Shedd Aquarium, which was so breathtaking and really makes you realize how we put God in a box sometimes.. He has just made countless beautiful and creatively crafted creatures! What a big God we have! We also went to Sears Tower and even stepped out on the clear glass they have up there. Pretty crazy, but awesome experience! We also got to check out and walk around Navy Pier. We were blessed with a beautiful day that day and I will cherish those memories forever! I'll try to post some pics soon :)

Hope you all are doing amazing!

Wisconsin Cheese

We're in Wisconsin!

Hey everyone, Daniel here!

Chelsea and I just had a pretty eventful day yesterday. We went off exploring the wonderful town of Beloit, Wisconsin. We set our course down the main street and took off. A few minutes later we ended up at a little park with a playground that had a stream running beside it and a cobblestone bride. We slid down the slides and swung on the swings. It was a temporary lapse of immaturity and was thoroughly enjoyable. Its really important to get out and do little things like that no matter how stupid they sound. Especially when our lives really revolve around baseball everyday. These little adventures we go on are always so fun and memorable. This life is hard at times, but we make the best of it and it sure does have its rewards.

"Carroll's Clutch Hit Lifts Kings"

Check it out:
http://clinton.lumberkings.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090812&content_id=6400278&vkey=news_t500&fext=.jsp&sid=t500

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

"Take me out to the ballgame....Take me out the crowd... Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks.. I don't care if I ever get back for it's root, root, root for the home team.. If they don't win, it's a shame.. for it's 1..2..3 strikes you're out at the old ballgame."

What a classic! I hear that song, along with the National Anthem, almost everyday of my life of the late. I have heard it sung countless times and many different ways. I've have recieved countless ticket stubs from many different baseball stadiums... I have seen strikeouts, home runs, pick-offs, walk-offs... I've seen grown men and woman stand to their feet to do the chicken dance between innings. What a great game baseball is! It can bring out the best in the people watching-or the worst. It really is 'America's best past time'.
I really do enjoy watching baseball. I can't even imagine what life would be like if Daniel would have been a football player. I'm sure I would have learned to know and like the game, but not the way I love baseball :) Well, I greet you from Michigan today! I've been meaning to get on here sooner and post, but just haven't got the chance yet until now. We left early Tuesday morning for the 6.5 hour drive to Lansing, Michigan. The hitting coach's wife and sons are here until the end of the season.. so she came along with me on this road trip. It was so nice to have her on that long drive. She is from Venezuela and doesn't speak too much English, but she is awesome and I've really been enjoying spending time with her. She has been helping me with my Spanish too, so that's been great! Anyways, things have been going pretty good lately. We are now in Midland, Michigan. Daniel's team is playing the Great Lake Loons- an affiliate of the LA Dodgers until tomorrow. The stadium is awesome and the weather has been perfect! Daniel has been doing pretty well so far on this away-series. First night in Lansing, he went 2 for 4 with a double! :) and has been getting a hit every game. I've really been enjoying my time with him this season. It's been such a blessing to be able to travel with him. It's really neat to see places and meet people I never would have without baseball. It's been a total experience. The "baseball life" is pretty interesting. I know many people may think it is all 'glamorous', but it definitely gets challenging at times. The mental and physical toll that the players go through for 7 months out of the year can definitely get tough and I just feel so fortunate to be able to be here with Daniel after every game to greet him with a smile and a kiss. He is such an amazing man. I really do see the passion God has given him for baseball, but am so thankful and so proud of him that his first passion is Jesus. Baseball is an interesting thing in the fact that it can be taken from you any day and at any moment, whether it be due to an injury or a release. You really have to take it day by day. And I'm so blessed and happy that through the constant changes baseball can bring... that we have an unchanging God! A God who loves us the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Praise God we can find stability in Him!

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."