A Life Around Baseball

Though I’ve done it most of my life, I have never been someone who was that into fishing. I’ve always preferred laying on the bank or boat, reading, to actually casting a line, and I certainly wouldn’t have ever wanted to fish in the cold. But I guess I was just doing the wrong kind of fishing because I finally get it. I think about fly fishing every. single. day. My level of excitement when I net a fish is the same whether it’s a “monster” or a little guy (see 2nd pic for the facial reaction). Let’s be real, I’m not that good at it yet, so there are way more little guys, but I love trying. My waders are maybe my favorite piece of outdoor apparel I’ve ever owned, and I am itching to slide back into them and a mountain stream. Thankful for the one day we got to wet a line when we were in Georgia over the Winter break. It was a perfect day, rain and cold included. (at Blue Ridge, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpOy0PyOj48/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

❤️❤️❤️ https://www.instagram.com/p/CnpigSAv-d9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

You should’ve seen it in color. https://www.instagram.com/p/CnLHINluLi0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I remember being so thankful when Hannah was born because I wanted nothing more than to have another girl around, and for the longest time, it was just us in the middle of a bunch of rowdy boys. It was still pretty awesome because she is awesome, but I have to say, I’m sure loving having a whole bunch of girl cousins/sisters now that the boys are getting hitched. Not sure how the guys in our family landed such amazing women, but I sure am thankful for it! 😉 https://www.instagram.com/p/CnBge-TOejl/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

We had the best time spending the weekend with my family, watching my youngest cousin get married and ringing in the new year. So blessed to call these people mine, and so thankful for extra time with them. Congratulations @noahmorrison15 and @avery_m17 ! 🥂💗 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm-nK3NOPM0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

A couple weeks ago, I had the chance to spend several days hunting the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge with my good friend, Cheyenne. It was an archery hunt, and besides looking through onx, we went in blind. There’s no pre-hunt scouting allowed, and you don’t know what hunting unit you’ll be in until you arrive. As you can tell from the pictures, we didn’t come out with a harvest, and we were disappointed, but we also had a blast spending time together and becoming better hunters. It felt like a test to our skills to scout on the fly and get set up with a few good spots to hunt for four days. We hunted hard, every minute available to us within those four days, from tree stands, pop-up blinds, and from the ground with brush and cedars and Johnson grass for cover. We had opportunities and saw deer from almost every setup, but the luck didn’t turn our way. There were always branches or too many yards between us and the deer, and there was one spike passed early in the game that I’m now regretting. But we gave ourselves a chance and we learned a lot, especially from that gnarly old buck that danced right through five minutes before quitting time on the last day and that spike who circled back around and stood right next to where I’d been sitting all morning while we took down a tree stand 150 yards away. But the wind’s always blowing in Oklahoma, and sometimes, it blows like that. (at Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmcH9jxuxC3/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

“Now that’s what I call high quality Halloween Costumes.” Or maybe he said H20? 😂 Happy Halloween from the baseball and softball coaching staffs! https://www.instagram.com/p/CkZ0qJyuMkB/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I guess we’re the kind of people who climb desert mountains in sandals now, and ya know what? I love it! #tbt #latergram #chacos #teva (at Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjYrhcPOdF8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I remember the first Sunday your parents carried you—still brand new to the world and in a car seat—into our Sunday school class at Voca Baptist Church, and today, in the opposite corner of the state at the other church we now share, I got to be there and watch you profess your Faith in Christ through Baptism. I am so happy for you and your walk with the Lord! Thankful to know you and have you in my life, Elijah Evan! https://www.instagram.com/p/Ciq81oxueeH/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

When the universe brings your best friend (who lives halfway across the country) to the same national park as you on the other side of the country, you find a way to see each other in the midst of crazy scheduling/kayaking plans even if it’s only long enough for a hug and a bunch of screaming/laughing. Getting to be with you in one of my favorite places in the world, even for five minutes, was pretty special. It was so much fun to meet @alli_bo_balli in person (finally) after knowing her online and through Chelsie for so long!! Hoping for more than 5 minutes next time! Also, how is that of all the clothes I’m sure we both overpacked that we showed up wearing pretty much the exact same outfit? Shoutout to my husband for color coordinating with us! https://www.instagram.com/p/CiaXJE7OAP4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

In honor of National Booklovers Day, I thought I would share one of my favorite books of all time. I discovered this book in the library I worked in during college, & I was so moved by it, I ended up buying my own copy. The story follows Virginia, a young girl who grew up in a two-room shack in Shawnee, Oklahoma, as she marries Mason, a handsome & popular boy she considered out of her league. Shortly after, the couple moves to the desert of Saudi Arabia when Mason is hired by an oil company there, & their lives are forever changed. From modest beginnings to living in a gated compound with marble floors & servants, it seems like a dream & is another world. We see Gin learn about the world in a place & time where women aren’t supposed to be worldly, in a place where simply being a woman can be a sin. I have read no other books about, nor have I ever been to Saudi Arabia, but through the brilliant & poetic descriptions of sandstorms & Bedouin history & food & mesmerizing characters, I have visited Saudi Arabia in the late 1960s. I see & taste & smell it when I read this book. It is maybe the most beautiful prose & description that I have ever read but also captivating with a plot that feels urgent & all-consuming. The prologue alone is a masterclass in creative writing. I fail to be able to describe it. Aren’t the best books that way? Difficult to describe but impossible not to feel. The book caught my eye for two reasons: first, it’s about a girl from Oklahoma who on the very first page is in Rome. Second, my grandparents had the chance to move to the Middle East when my grandfather worked for an oil company in the late 50s. They didn’t (thankfully), but it always interested me. What was it like for these Americans to move from their predominantly white, Christian environments to a place so foreign just the idea of it feels like a storybook tale, the reality of it almost unimaginable? Also, this book has my favorite first sentence (maybe two) in all the books I have ever read. Swipe ➡️ to read! I don’t share a lot of literary fiction because I don’t read a lot of it to be honest, but I suspect I will return to this book the rest of my life. You should too. https://www.instagram.com/p/ChEHGC2u7SP/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Fly fishing in Montana and Yellowstone, Part 2! https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgt_f5_OOyy/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Disappeared for a week to fish in Montana/Yellowstone. It was my first real experience fly fishing, and while it was extremely challenging and I didn’t catch near as many fish as I wanted to, I had so much fun learning and trying something new. I think I may be hooked. 😉 (at Montana) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgptlBEOSeI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

“This old world would be a dull place, boys, If it was all work and no play, boys.” We knew the show would be great, but Midland was even better than we expected! It was a blast to kick off our vacation watching them play in possibly the most beautiful venue on Earth. Swipe for the views! Also, I think this crowd was more excited to hear Sweet Caroline than I’ve heard from a baseball crowd in a decade. Ha! https://www.instagram.com/p/CgcFhQDFGK_/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. One of hardest parts of the coaching life is saying goodbye. Even when you’re excited for someone and happy for their new opportunity, that “see ya later” moment (because I will see you again—no goodbyes here) is always sad. Garrett moved to Alva the same year we did, and he’s played so many roles over the years—best athletic trainer ever, thrower of BP, dugout mood booster, assistant baseball coach, field worker, snow mover, patient listener and advice giver for all my “athletic related” ailments (“Garrett, what do you think it means if my shoulder hurts when I do this?” 😅), and mostly—friend. UNLV is getting a great guy and one of the hardest workers out there. We’ll miss you so much, but we can’t wait to see all the great things you’ll do!! Can’t wait to visit you out West! https://www.instagram.com/p/CgBNwl3urLy/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Went for the Razorbacks, but hung with a bunch of Rangers. #woopig #RideRangersRide #CoachWifeLife (at O’brate Stadium) https://www.instagram.com/p/CehfiGzuXYx/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Final day of the girls trip. More beach, more auntie snuggles, more tears, a little stop by Fenway South. Florida, you were beautiful and hot and had delicious ice cream, but the best part of you was that my girls were there. I could not be more thankful for them or the time we got to spend together. Counting down the days until we can be together again! https://www.instagram.com/p/CeY7W0PuKWy/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=