6.25.11

Even though its technically the 26th of June now. It still feels like the 25th. June 25th will be forever etched in my memory. Especially June 25th, 2010. The hardest day of my life. This day, one year ago, we received the news that Keith had been officially diagnosed with stage 4 glyioblastomic brain cancer. They gave him 6 months to live, look where we are a whole year later. This day one year ago changed my life forever.

It taught me to never take another day for granted. To enjoy each and every moment. To realize the little things in life. Because we seriously never know what tomorrow will bring. I am so close to being done with this homestand. T-minus 2 more games. This has been one exhausting homestand. Especially with the warm weather, our crowds are getting larger and larger. Seriously, I am exhausted. I cannot wait for a week of family time. Better yet, I can't wait to plan my parents coming to Springfield to see me! A year ago I was devastated, but today I am hopeful. Hopeful for the many years I know we have to come. But most of all, thankful that I have such a wonderful man such as my stepfather, Keith. I couldn't ask for a more supportive and loving stepdad. So this day, here's to you Keith. I love you so much.

My favorite movie, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, is on right now. So that and my bed is where I am headed. Until next time, xox

"we must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." ♥

6.23.11

Life has been busy busy busy lately. Halfway through an 8 game homestand. Is the end in sight? Heading home to STL is all I can think about lately. I feel like it has been forever since I've been able to get home and spend some quality time with my family. God continues to bless my family with the stability of Keith's cancer. I can only hope that it will continue for many more MRI's. I don't know how all of this is going to work out, but at least I know I have someone on my side.

"For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go" Psalms 91:11 ♥

As for the first half of the homestand, the Card's went 1-4. The pitching continues to struggle, especially against the Arkansas Travelers. The Travelers finished off the first half of the season in first place. Since everything is zeroed out now, I'm hoping the Cards can have a fresh start. Especially with Shelby Miller getting settled in here in Springfield. Hopefully we will get back on track.

My parents successfully made it to and from Mexico. It was good for them to get out of town for a few days. The doctors said they might as well travel while he's still healthy and they still can. As for me, people continue to amaze me. I couldn't be more blessed with the people I have in my life. Those who have stuck around as well as the new ones in my life. I find it funny as time wears on how peoples' true colors show through. As for me, I'm going to continue to live in the moment. Try to just focus on me, and be happy exactly where I am. Enjoy the little things in life. Which include lately: friends, summer, baseball, family, sunshine, and counting down the hours till I'll be home in STL for a little while. Until next time, xox.

‎"There's a point in your life when you know who stays forever & who's just around for a while."

6.13.11

Two updates in a row. Obviously I am home with some free time because this never happens. I'll make this short though. Today Keith received news that his MRI was once again stable. The magic word, stable. Thank you to everyone for all of your prayers, thoughts, kind words, and support. I would not be able to get through all of this without them. As for my parents, they are off to Mexico for some much needed relaxation while I head back to Springfield to work. Is this what being a grown up is like? Because if it is, I don't want to grow up, ever.

As for the sports world, the NBA finals are finally over. We can finally stop hearing constantly about the self-annoited King Lebron James. I do feel a tiny bit bad for him because for the next few months he will endlessly be the brunt of all kinds of jokes. My personal favorite so far, "The reason Lebron never went to college was because he knew he would fail the finals." He brought it on himself though if you ask me. Lebron averaged only 17.8 points during the Finals which is nearly 9 points less than his normal game average of 26.7 points.

Also, I am all for athletes giving credit to the Man upstairs but Lebron's tweet last night "The Greater Man upstairs knows when it's my time, right now just isn't the time" felt more like he was placing the blame for his lack luster performance during the Finals on God instead of himself. But who am I to judge right?

Besides, at the rate the sports industry is going we will have no football or basketball next season. I am keeping my fingers crossed that these execs figure out their differences and put an end to all this lockout talk. I just want to watch sports. Until next time. xox

6.12.11

So at times I feel as if my life is monotonous. I do the same things just about every day. Workout, cook, cardinals, hang out with friends. And then I got to thinking and realized just how beautiful that monotony is. Life is nothing short of beautiful lately. Filled with laughter, smiles, and tons of baseball. But there really isn't such a thing as too much baseball.

Ever wish your life turned out like a great 80s John Hughes movie? Because I know that I sure do. But I need to stop that, because by doing that I am missing all of the great little things that are happening right now in my life. I get to spend every day with people that I love, people that make me happy, working in a job where I have to watch sports. Could life get any better? Sure, there are things that could use a little tweaking but who am I to be selfish.

I wrote a couple of weeks ago about being happy about the stability in my life. And it continues to prove itself to me. These past few weeks have really shown me how to be happy exactly where I am in life. To honestly do exactly what makes me happy. I have so many wonderful people in my life, I'd be silly to let it all pass me by. So much has changed in the last year. I've grown so much as person as life continues to test me.

I don't want things to change. Things are so good exactly where they are. So stable. Keith has an MRI tomorrow. So if you're reading this, we could use a little prayer shout out tomorrow. The prayers from everyone seem to be working so far as we quickly approach one year since his battle with cancer began. So keep them coming!! :) I will continue to remain positive that we will get good results from his MRI tomorrow. And if we don't, I know that we will never stop fighting this battle against cancer.

As for the Springfield Cardinals, they continue their fight back towards .500. They went 3-5 in this last series with the Tulsa Drillers including a double header, #1 prospect Shelby Miller's home debut, a walk off win from Steven Hill, and the first cycle ever in the franchise history by Domnit Bolivar. Talk about a packed homestand. The Cards put up quite a fight against the Drillers as all games were a constant see saw battle for the win. I thought for sure we had the last game in the bag till a series of bad calls from the umps made it hard to recover. Although, in baseball, there is always next time. The Cards are back on the road for the next week before we start another long 8 game homestand.

Do me a favor. Shoot my family a little prayer tomorrow. They are always greatly appreciated and obviously working. The battle continues to march towards one year since we got the devastating news that Keith had cancer. One year, can you believe it? Because I sure can't. It has flown by. Until next time. xox

"I want John Cusack holding a boombox outside my window. I wanna ride off on a lawnmower with Patrick Dempsey. I want Jake from Sixteen Candles waiting outside the church for me. I want Judd Nelson thrusting his fist into the air because he knows he got me. Just once I want my life to be like an 80's movie, preferably one with a really awesome musical number for no apparent reason. But no, no, John Hughes did not direct my life. "