Off Day Fun

        Hi everyone. Daniel here. Chelsea's been wanting me to write a blog from my perspective, so going to give you an update on everything that's Carroll. We just spent the off day today at the Omaha Zoo. It was really fun and we saw so many awesome animals. It definitely was a good experience considering the Omaha Zoo and the San Diego Zoo are rivals for the title "Best Zoo in America". The zoo was very big and took quite a bit of walking to explore the entire premises, but was well worth it. All, or should I say most, of the cages/man made habitats seemed pretty intricate and detailed. For example, the penguins had real snow falling on them. The lions, tigers, and bears OH MY all had cool places to roam around. All in all, we took a lot of pics and had a great experience.
         Afterwards, I talked Chelsea into seeing the new movie "World War Z". Needless to say I liked it and Chelsea hated it- Haha. But she gets some awesome wife points for going with me and sitting through it. Enough about today though, lets back track a little bit...
Chelsea recently returned home to Cali for her little sisters wedding. I regrettably had to miss it due to baseball, but I'm going to take this moment to send a BIG shout out to the newlywed MR. & MRS. Joey Vidrio...Congrats wish I could have been there!
        While Chelsea was gone having a ton of fun preparing for the wedding as the matron of honor, I went on a little trip with my team to visit our neighbors to the North.  Our first stop was in Winnipeg, Canada which is located just above North Dakota in the Manitoba Province. I was not impressed with the city or the scenery. After we won two out of the three games, my whole team was happy to leave that weird place that asks if I want gravy on my french fries. Next stop was St. Paul, Minnesota. Now that was a beautiful  place. My cousin Amber and her husband Brian live in the area and we all got to hang out. They took me on an awesome tour of the Twin Cities. We got to check out the Mall of America, Target Field and my personal favorite, The Old Mill Park Ruins. Yes RUINS!!!!! They were so cool and fun to explore, I felt like a little kid pretending to be Indiana Jones.
     After three games in St. Paul, it was time to come home, which would be a double blessing for me because Chelsea would be at home in Lincoln waiting for me when my team arrived. So I was pretty excited to see my gorgeous wife after not seeing her for about two weeks. I don't know if it's just coincidence, but the first day Chelsea got to see me play again, we had a double header and I went 5 for  7 with 5 RBI's , 3 stolen bases and a Home Run. I'll let you be the judge.
      It's been a long day and I'm getting tired, but will be posting a blog later this week about how I've discovered "Freedom" through Independent Ball and my refreshed view on this game I love. Stay Tuned.

   

   

Onto our Next Adventure

First off, just wanted to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support that we received after my last blog. We're seriously blessed beyond words to have such amazing people in our lives that support us and believe in the journey we are on. My heart is so overwhelmed with joy when I look back and see how God's Hand has been over every aspect of this journey so far. Even the times when we experienced fear or disappointment, we have been surrounded by so many people that love and pour encouragement into us and it has kept us going. To look back and see God's provision and promises fulfilled over us is just such a sweet reminder to me that He also goes ahead of us in this next chapter of our lives to prepare the way.

Time has caught up on us so fast and we will be heading out on our next journey in just a couple of days. We have been enjoying every minute of being home as we transition into this next chapter. Many days have been spent with friends and family and at one of our favorite places in the world, the beach! Daniel has been working hard everyday for baseball still, staying in shape, hitting & running on the field. The picture I attached was at a recent Angels game we attended a couple weeks ago. Being there & seeing some of the guys on that field that Daniel has played against at different points throughout his career, really solidified the drive in Daniel to be out there one day. And I still believe he will be. I'm so proud of him. So many guys would have given up a long time ago after everything he's been through, but like I've said a million times before, I am married to a fighter. His perseverance is such an inspiration to me.

We will be driving out to Lincoln, Nebraska this Wednesday. Daniel will be starting this season with the Lincoln Saltdogs (www.saltdogs.com). We are excited to be apart of this team, meet new people and see new places. Of course, like in any baseball situation, you worry about getting too comfortable because you never know if you'll get picked up or moved. The feedback we have been getting from Daniel's agent is that there has been a lot of interest from different teams, but because of Daniel's injuries and a shoulder injury he experienced last season (which he is 100% from now), teams are just being cautious and want to see him playing healthy before pulling any trigger on a contract. So still kinda taking things day by day once we get there, but definitely want to go all in for this team. I want to be sure to not hold back in relationships out there because of fear not being there long. So please pray for our time there and that we would cease this opportunity. Who knows, we could very well be there all season. And if that is the case, we will be okay with that. We just want to be a light and vessel of love and hope wherever we go.

So thank you for the continued prayers over us! Will keep you posted as we take on this next adventure head on! Love you all!

Spring Training and New Beginnings

Well here I am again, we are alive despite my lack of posting the past couple months. I'll save you from the typical "catch up" (since I'm so behind anyways) and share our most recent chain of events.

Spring training, as always, came and went so fast. This year, minor leaguers didn't have to report until March 8th and there was only about 3 weeks of camp, so it was a short one. In that short amount of time though, Daniel absolutely crushed the ball! He hit well over .400 with 2 Homeruns, 5 Doubles, 1 Triple, he was stealing bases, dropping bunts, having fun & looked amazing! He had worked so hard this offseason and it absolutely blessed my heart to see him out there healthy and having fun.

We knew going into camp this year that Daniel would have to compete. Through trades and signings, the Mariners had completely packed out their outfield situation. We knew Daniel would have a possible disadvantage since he only played 25 games last season due to injuries. Despite that, the Lord had been preparing our hearts and filling us with so much peace even as we drove out to Arizona for Spring Training. This year as we left California and started making our way out there, we both shared on the drive that we felt a strong peace with everything and about baseball. There were years when we would make that same drive and secretly be full of anxiety or fear of the unknown. Through everything we've been through so far in this game (injuries, setbacks, etc), I've really seen how God has shaped our hearts and completely changed our vision towards this game. It has not been the easy road whatsoever, but we have most definitely been humbled, seen God glorified and have learned so much. 

As camp neared the very end, the Low A & High A teams had already left and the AA & AAA teams stayed in AZ a couple extra days to get some intersquad games in. We were told that the AA team (Jackson Generals) was set to go and that they would be breaking camp with 7 outfielders! Yes, seven! An outfield only consists of Left Field, Center Field and Right Field in which you would need 3 players for and usually a fourth as a backup. So when we heard they were trying to start a team with 7, we knew that was unheard of. We also knew this would mean not much playing time as well once the season started. The very last day of camp, before the team ships off, Daniel got to the field and was approached by one of the coaches. Daniel said as soon as he saw him, he knew what he was going to say. As much as we never thought this day would actually come, Daniel was released from the Seattle Mariners.

I used to envision what this day would be like at times throughout Daniel's career. I imagined a sobfest with lots of crying and feeling super upset. The funny thing is, when Daniel called me to tell me, I still had a complete peace. Of course we had mixed emotions here and there, but God's presence was undeniable. This peace we felt isn't in a way that we feel we are done with baseball. Not at all. Baseball is still very much in our hearts and the calling we have in this game has only been confirmed over and over again. The peace we felt is because we KNOW this just means there's something better out there. To be honest, we both feel very excited. We do see how being released can most definitely be a blessing in disguise and the best thing for Daniel's career. If he would have stayed with the Mariners, there would have been so much competition for playing time that it could have been hard for Daniel to get as many at bats that he needs at this point in his career. The Mariners have been good to us and we will cherish the memories we made with them. We are excited for what's next though and are resting confident that "ALL things work together for good to those called according to God's purpose". 

I KNOW my husband's talent is there and I still totally believe in my heart that Daniel can/will play in the big leagues one day. But that's not our ultimate goal in all of this anymore, our ultimate goal is to glorify God wherever He has us. I am married to such a fighter. He has been knocked down in this game more times then anyone I know, but his motivation to keep going has remained strong and his faith even stronger. I believe in him and will stand by him as he follows his dream (what has now become "our" dream) until the day he says "he is done". I am so excited for whatever God has in store for us next. His agent has been getting a lot of great feedback from different affiliated (associated with MLB) teams that sound interested in Daniel but are just waiting for a spot to open. He's also had about 11 Independent Ball (Professional but not associated with MLB) teams call wanting Daniel to be their everyday leadoff center fielder. I believe Daniel is a diamond in the rough and that his time to shine is coming soon.

Right now, Daniel is signed to play Independent Ball with the Lincoln SaltDogs in Nebraska starting in May. If he was to get picked up by an affiliated team anytime before then, he is still able to sign with them. He can also be picked up anytime by an affiliated team during the Independent Ball season. No  matter what happens though, we are still thankful for the opportunity to be apart of this game and desire to be used and be an impact wherever God has us this season. Thank you to all that have stood by Daniel & continue to believe in him and support us. We are so thankful to have such an amazing support group and prayer warriors behind us. Do know, we are doing so good and are truly excited for this next chapter :) Continued prayers are appreciated and I promise to keep you posted through this blog on whatever happens next.

Happy 2013!

Here I am, sitting in a Starbuck parking lot picking up on their Wi-fi on this very unusually cold California day. Daniel is doing a baseball lesson and being that there hasn't be a whole ton of downtime for us lately, I figured I should take advantage of this moment to write a blog. Problem was, it's been so long since doing so, that it took me about 10 attempts to remember my password to login before even getting to this point. I almost gave up to hold off for "another day", but realizing I haven't blogged in over 3 months escalated my desire to get on here and update.

So, obviously, I figured out my password and here I am. I'm not quite sure how it happens, but our off-seasons some how always seem to keep us more busy then the actual baseball season. Like I always say , this off season has literally flown by & I'm still getting over the shock that we're already celebrating a new year.

Not quite sure where to begin in summarizing 3 months worth of life, but I'll start by saying that the Lord is good, ALWAYS! Looking back on 2012, our year was filled with multiple trials, but there were also a ton of small victories as well. 2012 may not have been all we had hoped for as far as in baseball, but boy, did the Lord go above and beyond in so many ways! We, once again, were able experience the love & grace of our King. We experienced a supernatural peace when things didn't make sense. We established lasting friendships and I can say with my whole heart that I feel beyond BLESSED & it is all from God!

We have been enjoying every moment with family and friends. Daniel has been working very hard training and preparing himself for the upcoming baseball season. He is totally healthy right now and we are praying for a healthy year ahead. He has been giving baseball lessons to local kids and coaching as well. We recently were blessed to be apart of an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) camp and we're so blown away by these little young men desiring to know God more through the game of baseball. It was definitely an honor to be apart of something so impacting.

As for me, I've actually been keeping very busy with a bracelet business I started back up in August while Daniel was rehabbing. The idea came up one day when Daniel came back from the baseball field wanting me to make him a paracord survival bracelet that he saw. I researched how to make them, ordered some paracord and got started. Once I made one for him, he started to get asked by other team mates if I could make them bracelets as well. I ordered the products and that started taking off over there to the point where I even opened my own Etsy shop. (www.etsy.com/shop/chelseacarrolldesign). Obviously, I didn't come up with the concept and these braids have been used by the military for years. Seeing that these types of bracelets are mainly targeted to men, I started to rack my mind on ways that I can expand to woman. It led me thinking of "Paracord Charm Bracelets". They've been a hit so far and I've been getting a ton a great feedback on them. So I'm extremely grateful for this and also that it can be something I can take with me as I travel with Daniel.

To sum up some of favorite experiences in the past 3 months, I'll have to start with PAO. I know i've blogged about these conferences in the past, but we were again so blessed to be able to attend this year's conference. This year was especially special to me because it was our first time getting to see our dear friends, the Startups, in over a year. If you've kept up with my blogs or facebook statuses, then you know that they are the ones who experienced their sweet little boy's heart stopping this past summer. Well, by the glory of God, I can say little Copeland is alive, well and flourishing! We got to hug this sweet boy at PAO and my heart was absolutely overflowed with joy! Another highlight of that trip was getting to join in bended knee with mighty prayer warriors around the bedside of Copeland one night. It was such a powerful time of prayer and surrender that no words can sum it up. But it was definitely a moment I will forever cherish in my heart. The speakers at this conferences we're amazing and Daniel and I were once again poured into and are so excited for what God has ahead.

There is still alot to catch up on, but Daniel is almost out and I need to head back over to pick him up. I will be posting more soon though. Thanks to all who have supported us in prayer and words this past year.

(Copeland, Will (Copeland's Daddy) and Daniel building sand castles)

(Daniel and I- PA0 2012-Key Biscayne, FL)

Reunited

"Reunited and it feels so good".... (you're welcome for now getting that song stuck in your head) ;)

Well, we went two weeks apart before Daniel called me saying he wanted to come pick me up in Cali and bring me back to stay with him the remaining two weeks left in Arizona. I wasn't going to say no to that, so here I am, back in Arizona again. We are so happy to be together again. The job hunt has been going well, just slower then I had anticipated. It's been working out though because I've been able to help my dad on some jobs for his business and have been staying busy. I still have some good leads with other jobs and will hopefully find out about those soon. In the mean time, I am thankful to be back with Daniel again. I'm not going to say I'm his "good luck charm", but he went 3 for 3 today with a double, HR, single, stolen base and run scored! Before that, he was 0 for 5 as he was learning to readjust and see live pitching again. It really does feel so good to see him back out there HEALTHY & doing what he loves to do.

Last night, after clonking out and being in a deep sleep, we were disturbingly awoken by the loud obnoxious sound of the fire alarm going off here at the hotel! To say I woke up in a panic is an understatement. Just wasn't expecting it (obviously). Ended up being stranded outside, braless, with no makeup for about a half hour with a bunch of ballplayers & strangers until they let us back in. It's all good though and can go down as another one of the many crazy memories we've made on this baseball journey. Also, turned out to not be anything too serious. I guess someone had burned a rag on the fourth floor, we were just thankful it wasn't anything worse.

Pixie is doing very well and is with us here in Arizona. Her body is still healing from some bruising, but she is already back to her bubbly self and loving life. After getting her last check up, her results for her CPK levels (for trauma) came back totally normal. She is a tough little one and a fighter (like her daddy).

Our Little Fighter

Last night was a pretty scary night for us all. Our sweet little Pixie was attacked by a Rotweiller through the fence in my parent's backyard while running around. We are so very thankful to have her with us and she is nothing short of a miracle.

My mom had taken Pixie outside to go potty and run around. Pixie is a tease and does try to rowdy up the neighbor's dog by running near the fence from time to time. She only weighs 2.6 lbs, but seems to think she is much bigger. The fence is pretty closed off by bushes and wire, but there happened to be an empty spot in the middle of the fence in which the dog could stick his paw or mouth through. That is exactly what ended up happening last night. As Pixie ran near the fence, too fast for my mom to grab her in time, the dog stuck his paw through and got a grab of her. My mom said he was trying to pull her through the fence (and she's so small, she probably could have fit) but my mom grabbed her just in time (Thank you Lord)! I was inside at the time and heard my mom yell out a big scream. I immediately met her at the door as she ran in holding Pixie who was covered in blood and still bleeding excessively. My heart immediately sank and I just began pray as we jumped in car and headed straight to the emergency vet. Pixie seemed to be very calm (probably in shock) and alert during car ride, which was reassuring. She was still bleeding alot, so we got there as fast as we could not knowing where the bleeding was coming from or what to expect. They took us right back and her blood began to dry up and she seemed to start being more herself. She still remained very alert and was a very good girl as the nurses shaved her hair to look for puncture wounds. Turned out, most of that bleeding was coming from a gash on her nose, but besides that, there were no other deep puncture wounds on her body, which was amazing! The dog just missed her eye and we were also told a bruise she had was very close to her jugular vein, which if that was punctured, she most likely would not have made it. They did an xray right after and there were no broken bones! Another praise report! We were getting good news after good news and the Dr & nurses kept saying how lucky Pixie is to be alive. I don't call that "luck", I call that the "Lord's protection". He knows how much we love this sweet pup, so we are so very thankful she is okay. She had to be hooked up to an IV, but the Dr gave us the go ahead to bring her home for the night, which I was so thankful for. Remind you, Daniel is still in Arizona right now, so I had to keep him posted via text message and phone calls. You bet he was praying! We had a pretty restless night, but Pixie did very well and all went good at her appointment this morning. She will not need any type of surgery and will be able to heal on her own. She's tired and weak from the shots and trauma, but has a very healthy appetite and is doing really well. Pray she gets some rest and heals quickly please.

Thank you to all of you who sent love and prayers through facebook, so thankful to have our precious Pixie with us still.

Our tough girl.

 

Hooked up to her IV :(

Today after getting IV out, she is such a trooper. She's wearing her "Little Monster" shirt to cover her shaved hair and because she's such a tough little girl.

Home Sweet Home

"Home Sweet Home". There is just something about being "home" that can't be explained. I find it so interesting that we can be gone for months at a time, but when we come home, it feels like we never left. We were greeted in to California by my ultimate favorite meal ever, Spaghetti and my dad's homemade meatballs! That, with a side of green beans...I was in heaven! Remind you, since living in a hotel for the past 3 months, most of our meals consisted of chipotle, PB&Js, an occasional crockpot meal and more chipotle. So you can imagine my excitement for a home cooked meal. It was delicious!

The morning after we arrived home, we headed up to beautiful Santa Barbara to hit the beach, catch up with family and friends and celebrate the engagement of Daniel's cousin Jordan to his soon to be bride, Elise. We had a wonderful time and I was finally able to emerge my feet in that warm westcoast sand again.

The original plan when leaving Arizona is that Daniel would have 10 days off and would return back to Arizona after the break and finish his rehab assignment. Due to the fact that I am currently on the job hunt for the off season, we decided Daniel would head back there solo since it was only suppose to be 5 days, while I continued to apply for jobs back at home.

Well as we've learned before in baseball, things can change quick. In this case, we are grateful for this unexpected change and blessing. When Daniel arrived back in Arizona, he was actually informed that he would be playing in the AZ co-op League out there, which is a type of instructional league. It's probably not our ideal league at this point in his career, but either way it's an opportunity to play baseball and we'll take it! This will give Daniel an opportunity to play healthy and be able to be in front of alot of the upper regime with the organization. Also, Daniel is pretty anxious to get his feet back on a field again! I'm so happy for him.

So our original plan of Daniel heading back the Friday after he left has now been extended to mid October. I'm still planning on staying behind most of the time since I'm in the process of finding an offseason job. We are so thankful there is only a 4 hour drive between us and that it's a fairly quick trip to go out there if needed. Since Daniel has our car, it put us in a little dilemma at first because I didn't have a way to get around out here. But once again, the Lord provides! My brother and sister in law are in Hawaii for vacation for the next week and a half so I'll be able to use their car in the mean time. If we come to heart, please continue to keep Daniel in prayer as he begins playing again and for me as I search for a job. I have some good leads with a couple jobs with the school districts out here, so we shall see. We're trusting in the Lord and excited for opened doors.