My brush with greatness...

I'm not sure if you guys are aware of this or not, but I'm totally married to someone famous. Remember  this post about Chris being awarded a Star Teacher? Well let me just tell you, he's only going up baby!!

Chris received a random voice mail one Wednesday morning of a women's voice telling him he needed to be in full uniform ready to have his picture taken, and answer a few questions for an interview in the next couple of weeks. Being the naturally skeptical person that he is, and thinking no one would possibly want to interview him, he promptly deleted the message and forgot all about it.

However, as fate would have it, someone DID want an interview with him: Show Me The Ozarks Magazine to be more specific. Turns out they were doing profiles on 10 area coaches and Chris was chosen to be one of them.

Naturally, I assumed it was really a ploy for them to interview ME....I mean....do you even KNOW what it's like to be a coach's wife? I was primed; I was ready; but alas, it seemed the interview was really to get Chris' philosophy on coaching.

Chris met with the writer/photographer, Rose, at the baseball field. In addition to being a super cute writer and photographer, Rose has a blog called The Flying Farmers where she talks about her adventures as a pilot, her gardening, and even her border collie, Pax. To say I was intrigued is putting it lightly, I have since told her she is my new best friend. By the way, what's a restraining order?

It was rainy the day of the interview, so we set up inside the equipment shed, and Rose got to work. Layla was also there to answer any questions if necessary:

 I was surprised when Rose started my interview with questions to Chris asking how long he had been coaching, what his record was, and other various coach questions.

Rose nodded politely when I told her all about what I did while Chris was gone getting the field ready before games, how I make sure Chris is always mentally prepared, my own pre-game ritual, what items are essential to bring as a spectator,etc. I did notice she didn't write any of it down though.....

After Chris told all of his coaching secrets it was time to brave the rain for a quick picture:

"Make sure you get my good side...."

Ummm....Rose? Shouldn't you be pointing the camera elsewhere? More specifically to the lovely lady standing behind you? The one who is having a good hair day and wore a cute outfit!?

After the interview and picture I insisted my new best friend, Rose, and Chris take a picture to commemorate this momentous occasion. It's not everyday I ALMOST got interviewed for a magazine:

I said: "Both of you look like you feel very awkward." To which they both replied: "We DO feel awkward."
I should add that these photos were taken with my phone, and are NOT up to Rose's photography skills....

Chris and I waited with anxious anticipation for my- I mean Chris'- article to make it's way to news stands. Finally it happened, the August edition was out. We turned to page 45 and there he was:

Good picture, honey!

I do have to say, I'm quite proud of him and the coach he's become. Chris works really hard to make sure he's making the best decision, carefully considering all possible angles and weighing his options.

 He's like this when we're trying to choose a restaurant too....it takes forever. 

So even though Rose forgot some of my quotes, and decided to use Chris' picture instead of mine; I understand. My day in the sun will come....

Besides, I think we all REALLY know who the star of this family is:

....and it's this snaggle toothed beatuy!

Here is the magazine if you want to read the article for yourself, and be extremely impressed: 

Show Me the Ozarks Magazine

Meet me in St. Louis

We traveled to St. Louis last weekend. The usual gang went, except we swapped Christian, who was in a wedding, for Andrew! We drove the 3 1/2 hours to St. Louis, and headed straight for the ball field. I have never been to a St. Louis game, and the new stadium is amazing. Look at this view:

 The arch! I have never been inside but my family members have and they said it's worth going in.

Fortunately, we were in the shade and didn't have the sun beating down on us. 

It was one of those "no weather" weather days. Where you're just as comfortable wearing a light jacket or t-shirt without fear of freezing or sweating to death. There is something about a clear blue sky, and 72 degree day that just puts everyone in a good mood (Our humid summers and cold winters are jealous, California!):

 I put this picture on my dad's facebook and titled it: "Dad's favorite child." 

It was not disputed, rude!

The outfield was detailed to perfection to look like the arch:

 Doesn't the infield make you want to run the bases? The grounds crew worked tirelessly before the game, making sure there wasn't a single unwanted bump or speck of dirt out of place.

 We were all super excited for the game to start. 

Have I mentioned Chris and I aren't even Cardinals fans? Washington Nationals, all the way baby!

 

 I always love getting candid shots of these two:

 Sweet beard, Chris! You're very manly.

 In our house 'No shave November' starts at the end of August.

After the game we met up with our friend from College, Nolan, and his girlfriend, Morgan. 

Chris is laughing because Nolan was purposely, and awkwardly, posing with his hand on his leg.

Morgan and I bonded over the fact that we love to run every picture (unapologetically) through the instagram app, giving us cooler looking pictures:

Although now that I'm looking at this, I can't tell if has been instagrammed?

Good pic anyways, Morgan!

 Mom didn't want her picture taken whether it was instagrammed or not.

 

The next day I think we all felt tired, like Andrew:

But my dad gave us a Captain Morgan style wake-up call and we were up and at 'em in no time.

 Considering I ate this beautiful Junk yard dog the night before, at the ball park,  topped onions, relish, ketchup and mustard......

Yes, I LOVE onions and I am unashamed.

 I figured, I should eat a wholesome and healthy breakfast......

 Just kidding. I didn't even eat the omelet:

 Hello chocolate donut.

No Talk Thursday....

I am designating this Thursday as a "No Talk Thursday" because it's pictures of Andrew and his teammates at their "Senior Day" for baseball, and I don't know if I'm emotionally available to talk about the fact my baby brother graduates tomorrow! So without further ado:

9 Ways you know you are married to a baseball coach

9 Ways you know you are married to 

a baseball coach:

1. The bed in your spare bedroom turns into make-shift closet with uniforms, sweatshirts, pants, hats,etc.

Honestly, I did not stage or adjust the stuff on the bed in ANY way...I can't even be mad at him, I'm actually kind of impressed at his "organized chaos." Does anyone want to come spend the night at our house?


2. There are boxes and boxes of baseball related paraphernalia lying around your house....
 

 

See what I mean? 

3. You know the exact order he gets dressed in because of his superstitions....

....so does your boxer, Layla

3. You get to listen and learn about bunt defenses:

"OK! So normally the guy on first is standing like this"

"Hey! Are you taking my picture?"

"fine, whatever. So anyways, the guy on first is responsible for........"

4. This view is permanently in your brain from March until June...

5. When he takes off his shoes after windy thus dusty practice, he looks like he is wearing a pair of hairy leggings:

6. You think you have the team signs figured out, only to realize they are way more complex than you realized. Then you sadly realize you'll never learn them in a million years no matter how many times he's explained them to you:

Bunt! No...hit and run!! ummm....nevermind

7. You have more baseball related t-shirts than you know what to do with... 

8. You look at this picture & know this bat is actually called a 'fungo'; and you know exactly which part of the pre-game warm up the team is in: 

9. You look at a picture like this, sit back and think.....

Man! He really needs a haircut!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Are you ready?

This morning I was woken up at 4:45 to a kiss from Chris saying good-bye. I was slightly confused at first why he was leaving the warm cozy bed, and then I remembered: High School baseball season started today for our sleepy town. I wished him good luck and bid him farewell,  telling him I'd see him again in late August.

 I looked through some old pictures to get myself ready for Spring:

Aside from sunflower seeds, Big League Chew is a baseball necessity. This is the first step in becoming prepared for baseball spectating.

Layla knows when a hat is forced upon her head and a thousand pictures are being taken, it's baseball time!

These umpires are probably getting their eyes checked right now and getting into tip-top shape....

....maybe not.

It's still cold when baseball starts, so it's imperative to gather all warm clothing:

Amanda understands this and is totally ready!

Chris and my dad have been giving up their weekends, and have worked tirelessly on the field...

and now it looks like this:

Ok so not really, but pretty darn close!

I decided this year needed a good luck charm, so I made one. 

We use to make these in college all the time.

Baseball charm bracelet? Check!

Now that I am more prepared than ever before, I just need to convince Chris to let me kick off the first game of the year like Aunt Bethany in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (start at the one minute mark): 

See you at the field!