A Day In The Life of My Precious Husband

Tuesday was a BEAUTIFUL day! Levale woke up bright and early, as usual, and started working in the yard. Nine o'clock rolled around and I got up and began doing my morning ritual: fixing coffee, checking e-mail, and watching the news. About nine thirty Ticer comes in to fix some breakfast and check out our plans for the day (his way of wanting Levale to go play)! An hour later, Levale, Ticer, and I were headed to the hunting land in Tuskegee; Maggie, trailer, golf cart, and deer food in tow!We had so much fun riding the golf cart, feeding the deer/ducks, and playing with Maggie. I was able to enjoy God's beautiful creation as my precious hubby does everyday! I got to see the outdoors through his eyes, and I must honestly say I had forgotten how nice it is to just be outdoors! Thank you Lord for YOUR BEAUTIFUL CREATION!!!Ticer and Levale about to feed the ducks! Maggie even got to help!

My sweet little worn out angel! She was so tired that when we got home she got a bath and went straight to bed!!!

What a Wonderful Wedding...

This past weekend Levale and I went to spend the weekend in Culman, AL. Our great friends, Courtney and Davis got married on Saturday, November 22. We had such a great time at all their wedding festivities and got to see many familiar faces. Levale and I are so thankful for our dear friends. My prayer for their marriage is that they will keep God at the center, and turn to Him for everyday strength. Congratulations Court and Davis! We love you both and look forward to making many memories together!The Beautiful Bride and GroomMe and the Bride

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to my WONDERFUL husband...two days late!!! Levale and I just celebrated our FIRST Anniversary on Monday! I can not believe it has been one year since the day we said "I do". Levale surprised me, and we went to The Virginia Highlands in Atlanta. We stayed at a quaint little Bed and Breakfast, The Gaslight Inn, and had a blast. He shocked my shoes off, and totally went ALL OUT! When we arrived, I was greeted with a dozen roses, rose petals, wine, chocolate, and many more little surprises! We enjoyed walking through all the shops, an intimate dinner at the Vine, and an hour couples massage!!! Needless to say, Levale was just as AMAZING as he is every other day of the year. The Good Lord has truly blessed me with Levale, and I am so thankful for him. Happy Anniversary my love!!!

The Gaslight Inn

Dinner at the Vine

St. Simon's Island

First off SORRY for not blogging in a while! The off season is supposed to be our down time, but we have been busy bees this year! Our latest trip to St. Simon's Island was AMAZING!!! Ashley, James, Levale and I went to visit James's sister, Cindy and her two kids, Sky and Durham. Her friend Cal was nice enough to let us stay at his house because James's parents went as well, and stayed with Cindy. THANKS CAL! On Friday morning we all piled in Cindy's Jeep and went on an adventure around the island. We went to an infamous breakfast place on the island, "Sweet Mama's", the beach, and just rode around to explore. The island is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. The trees are unreal, and the houses have so much character. Needless to say, the Jeep was a little chili, so we headed in to get ready for "The Village!""The village" is full of shops, restaurants, and bars. We enjoyed a leisurely afternoon walking around the shops and having lunch before we headed to Cindy's for some yummy Shrimp Pasta. On Saturday we went to a famous Sports Bar, Brogans, to watch the "World's Largest Cocktail Party." For those of you who are clueless, it is the Georgia vs. Florida game that takes place in Jacksonville every year!After the game, we went back to Cal's to hang out! As usual the guys always find something to get into, and for some reason it always revolves around FIRE...they had a grand time, and even met some new friends, the next door neighbors!!! We got up Sunday morning and came back home. We had a wonderful weekend and look forward to our next trip with Ash and James!

Goodbye to our Nation's Capital

Hi!!! I know it has been a while, but we have been enjoying our time at home: resting, doing more yard work, cooking, eating, and spending time with family and friends. This past weekend was lots of fun! Friday night Levale played in a Homerun Derby game at Auburn to help raise money for the Boys and Girls Club. My mom, dad, brother, Ticer, and I all piled in to go watch him, and although Levale was not the winner, he did hit ONE HOMERUN to raise money! I was extremely proud of him because as a pitcher, you aren't supposed to be able to hit. I do want to say that our good friend Bobby Huddleston did AMAZING! He hit 10 HR in the 1st round and 6 in the 2nd! Watching him was so neat, it was like he was never gonna quit. This is Levale hitting his HR!!! He did so good!

Saturday morning Levale and dad got up and went to work at the hunting land! Bow season started on Wednesday, so they had to get the field prepared, change the camera locations, and the stands hung! They returned and then Ash, James, Mary Carlton, Taylor, Levale and I went to the Auburn vs. Arkansas game. We had so much fun enjoying the atmosphere and being with our friends, but Auburn was TERRIBLE!!! Levale says he has never seen them this bad since he became an Auburn fan! Dad had dinner cooked for us all after the game, so we ate and called it a night! Sunday we went to church and then had a family lunch at Mammy's. That is one thing Levale & I have really enjoyed since we have been home is our family lunch...we sure do miss that during the season! Sunday night Ash, James, Levale and I went to see "Fireproof". It was WONDERFUL! It had a great message, and if you haven't seen it then I recommend you do!

I didn't have any pictures from the Auburn vs. Arkansas game, so these are from the Auburn vs. Vandy party we had at our house! We lost then as well!!! Above: My angel, Maggie supporting our Tigers! Below: Morgan, Me, Whit, Felder, and Court after the game

Mom and Dad/ the Cook and his Bride!!!
Me and my honey...we had so much fun! We used ALL of our "Auburn" dishes, and I cooked tons of food!

Now on to the title of my blog...On Monday morning we got a call saying Levale had been taken off the Nationals 40-man roster, and was being put on waivers. Well, we thought this meant the Nationals had his contract 1 more year...we were WRONG!!! Apparently, after you are taken off the 40-man roster for the 2nd time, you automatically become a free agent! (if you clear waivers, which he did on Wednesday) We had no clue this was the case! This could be a good or bad thing. A good thing because we can negotiate, and a bad thing because right now we have no clue where we will go, or which team we will be with! No matter what, we know Our God is bigger and better than any baseball team or manager could ever be and he has a HUGE plan for us! We are both so excited to see what this season holds for us! I will keep you all up to date, but we can't start talking to teams until sometime in November. We would appreciate all your prayers until then...nothing specific, just that the Lords will be done.

So Goodbye to our Nation's Capital! I hope someday we will visit their park again so we can see all the wonderful staff, and our great friends! We really did enjoy our September, even though it seems like so long ago!!!

GOD IS SO GOOD

We are HOME!!! We arrived here on Monday afternoon around 1pm! We have been non-stop since we have walked in the door! I never realized how dirty a house is after no one has lived in it for 7 months. We have restocked the frig and cabinets, washed all our clothes, started doing yard work, and only just begun the LONG process of cleaning the inside of the house from top to bottom! We are so glad to be here, and have been enjoying spending time with our family and friends. Not to mention, eating the BEST meals! Enough on home...I am going to blog about what I promised in the last one, COLUMBUS!

What an AMAZING experience! First off, we started off looking for a place to live and couldn't find one anywhere. After spending an entire off day searching and getting back the same answer of, "we won't do a 3 month lease" I was tired and frustrated! I was on the verge of Maggie and I coming home, and Levale sleeping on a couch, when sweet Kenna Shell called! She explained that another couple used to live with them, but had been called up, and they needed roommates. We moved in that day, actually, I moved us in that day! We had so much fun with them, (even though it was for a short time in AAA) and later got to spend the last month with them in the Big Leagues!This is me and Kenna at a John Michael Montgomery, Little Big Town & Phil Vasar concert. The guys were on a road trip, so Kenna and I chose this as one of our "Girls Night" activities! Even though it rained, and we left early, we had so much FUN!

After the Shells got promoted to the Big Leagues and moved out, the Sanches moved back in! For those of you who have FB or Myspace you have seen tons of pictures of little Charlee. She was my heart. She loved her Pa-Pa, and she knew she could get most anything she wanted from me! She is the most precious child. It was so fun to watch her grow and learn so many NEW things while living with her. Her sweet parents, Kylie and Brian taught us so much about marriage, raising a child, discipline, compromise, baseball, finances, and the list goes on, and on, and on. They have such a strong christian marriage, and are some of the most amazing people I have ever been around. We miss them already. They became some wonderful baseball friends, whom we will love and cherish forever! Like I said in an earlier blog, we are strong believers the Lord puts us in places to teach us different things. He put us living with Kylie and Brian to learn through them!

Kylie and Brian Sanches


Charlee loved the toothbrush! She would help Levale brush his teeth at night!

She also loved the suitcase. She would always help me pack, or should I say unpack while I was packing!


And lastly, her infamous "PRETTY FACE!" We loved it, and made her do it all the time for us. We had so much fun with them, and made so many wonderful memories!

Then there were the Bacsik's. Another amazing family! One of the most creative, beautiful, loving, patient, calm, always has a smile on her face, moms I have EVER met! Sue is such a breath of fresh air! I honestly don't think she could hurt a fly! Sue and Mike are known in my book as "Disney Mom and Dad." They were always planning fun things to do with their precious children Mary Grace and Jake, as well as coming up with ideas for us girls! Sue is such a woman of faith, and it shows in her everyday life. Being around Sue always made me want to be a better person, to not get frustrated with the small things, to be more patient and kind, and to always make the most of the situation you are in! Sue and Mike's beautiful little girl, Mary Grace, became one of my babies as well! She is the most imaginative child I have ever met, she is smart as a whip, and has the biggest heart of anyone I know (I thinks she gets that from her momma!). She never misses a beat. She would swim with me, and then on our "special treat" days (that's what I called them to her) she would get to ride to the game with me in her "big girl seat belt!" Then there is their ANGEL child, Jake. Jake is the BEST BABY EVER! Sue always joked that he was so high maintenance because he never made a peep. He would sleep through the entire game! We would all just take turns holding him because he was so sweet!

Mike, Sue, Mary Grace, and Jake Bacsik at the All-Star Break Bar-B-Que! One of our many activities!
MG with her "Cindy-Lou-Who's"! She is a doll!

Charlee loved Mary Grace, and MG was such a big helper with Charlee!

Sue and Baby Jake at Charlee's 1st Birthday Party!

Next there are the Schroder's, Tammy and Chris. They are so funny...always such a joy to be around! Tammy is precious! She is beautiful, caring, always willing to lend a helping hand, funny, smart, fun, easy to talk to, and would light up a room. She also has a HUGE heart, which is no surprise considering she is a pediatric nurse! She and Chris both are great with kids, and I know they are going to make amazing parents someday! Tammy and I did not have babies, so we always had fun together; laughing, joking, and dancing. They too are Christians, and I know the Lord put them in our life to teach us about Faith. Their faith in God, and his good, perfect, and pleasing will for their lives is astonishing! I learned so much from the two of them. I miss her dearly...she always knew how to make me laugh! Tammy and Chris at Chris's 30th Birthday Party!


Tammy and I got to go to the "Team Party" in Louisville, KY. We were the only wives there!!!

Tammy with Jake, MG, and Charlee. All the kids loved her. She was so good with them!

We made so many true, lifelong friends in baseball this year! Although, we are all in separate places for the off season, we keep in touch regularly, and we miss each other like crazy!

We were all very blessed to have a Christian Manager and Wife. Tim Foli, and his dear wife Ginette are two believers who spread the Word through this great game of baseball! Mrs. Ginette taught a couple's Bible Study and a Women's Bible Study. She is a true Woman of God. She knows the Bible, and is a wonderful teacher. She taught me more History on the Bible than I have learned my whole entire life! (And my parents have had me in church all my life!) She was such a blessing to all of us, especially us women. I can't wait to be with her again next year, so I can learn more!

Kristina, Tammy, Me, Charlee, Kylie, Betty Sue (my mother-in-law), Baby Jake, Ginette, Kerry, Sue, and Mary Grace

I know I continue to say it, but I truly believe we were blessed beyond belief this year! We made so many memories with so many AMAZING people! I will blog about DC in the next blog, so again, stay tuned! I will leave you with this...GOD IS SO GOOD, and he revealed himself to us in numerous ways this year!

THE YEAR OF BASEBALL

Okay, so I am finally taking the time to try and figure this blog spot out!!! It's a lot harder than Myspace or facebook, so it has taken me a while! Also, now that the season is finally coming to an end, I figured I better do it, so I can keep up with my baseball families during the off season! This has been a LONG season. Levale and I were talking the other day when I came to the realization that I have lived in FIVE, yes FIVE , different places our first year of marriage. Not many people can say they have done that!!! As I reflect on the year I think of how blessed we have been, and how EVERY place we have been God had a plan for us THERE at that time.


First off, we moved from home, which is in Opelika, AL to Spring Training which is in Viera, FL. Our Heavenly Father used Florida as a learning experience for us both! Being married in November and moving away from our HOME, my family, Maggie and everything I have ever known in March was NOT PRETTY. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. We lived in a hotel for three weeks, I had to eat out every meal, and had no where to wash clothes. Looking back now, I think it was God's way of saying "WELCOME TO BASEBALL MY DEAR CHILD!" Levale learned to be even MORE patient than he already is in Florida. Needless to say we survived! I got to catch lots of rays, have many dinners with great friends, grow in my faith, and wash lots of clothes when we got home!
This is one of my favorite pictures from Spring Training! On Easter we cooked Easter Dinner for the guys! Stove Top isn't exactly the best, but for cooking in an apartment eight people (including two babies) live in, it works! Thanks to Corrie and Paige, Levale and I had some place to eat a true Easter Dinner with Turkey, Ham, Sweet Potatoe Casserole, Mashed Potatoes, Homemade Mac & Cheese, Potatoe Salad, Stuffing and Rolls!!!

Another memory I am fond of is watching the shuttle land! Levale, three of his teammates and I piled in, and went to watch the shuttle land...off of a dock, on the bay!

After Spring Training, we were off to Harrisburg, PA! Oh, it was SO COLD! We picked up Maggie on our way up and spent one night, which happened to be MY BIRTHDAY at HOME in OUR bed! We lived with a host family in Harrisburg who were AMAZING!!! They were so nice. She cooked dinner for the guys every night, and it was so nice to live in a HOME. I will never forget the way they made us feel. We will forever be indebted to them. Unfortunately, I have no pictures of them and us, but I do have one of the other couple that lived at the house with us. The Hall's were such great Christian people. I now realize the Good Lord put them in our life to teach us about marriage and he put us in Harrisburg to teach us to grow in HIM and trust HIS plan, not OURS!

Josh, Joshua, Corrie, Me, and Levale after a day game in Harrisburg, PA. Corrie and I had so much fun together. I would go to her "HOME, HOME" with her while the boys were gone. It was quite a sight...Me, Corrie, Joshua, Maggie and her dog, Max would pile up and drive to Lynchburg, VA! Oh what wonderful memories I have!!!

After Josh and Corrie went home, this is what we spent most of our off days doing...swimming with Maggie. It was such a blessing to have her with us for the majority of the season. We enjoyed her so much, and she enjoyed herself as well!!!

After Maggie and I drove home to Opelika, 12 hours, stayed two weeks, drove back, 12 hours to Harrisburg and stayed there for a week. We got a call! Levale was being promoted to AAA which is in Columbus, OH. Thank You Jesus is all I could say, but unless you know a lot about baseball, you don't know what moving means! We had to pack up our whole house and Maggie in about two hours and drive to meet the AAA team in Toledo, OH. Luckily, the team hotel took dogs, so Mags and I drove with Levale, stayed there for two nights and then headed to Columbus, OH! This is where I began to LOVE EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF BASEBALL!!! I am going to create an entire post on Columbus, so stay tuned...it will be coming soon!

Figuring it out!

I am extremely new to this, and will be experimenting while I am at home! Many of the fellow baseball wives are blogging and have been on my case to begin...after lots of procrastination, I decided to join the blogging world. After all, it's the perfect way for our family and friends to keep with us in this CRAZY, but oh so FUN life we live! Also, after chatting with the girls, we decided it's a good way to keep up with one another during our MUCH needed OFF SEASON. So bare with me, be patient and... WELCOME TO THE SPEIGNER'S SPECTACULAR JOURNEY!!!