I had to share these - my new mission on the road is to get LJ's pic in the away stadiums, (and the home one, too), because I know he'll love to have these as he gets older. You know, when he's showing his middle school friends, "Yeah, that's me at Petco Park, taking BP..." Excuse me! Hahaha! I can see it now! So, this is for LJ's future bragging rights memories.

So, enjoy :) We sure did!! And, I know LJ will love having these in the future! I look at these and know my dad would love to see them. He wouldn't believe how big LJ is and the strong, fun personality he has - "a chip off the ol' block", he'd say ;) Today would have been his 61st birthday, and he's missed as much today as ever. Happy Birthday, Daddy!

With all his might!

I love that he's under Lance's legs!

San Diego Zoo

While in San Diego, we decided we needed to go to the zoo. LJ watches this "bedtime show" On Demand at home, and it's baby animals from the San Diego zoo. We always said that if we made it to San Diego, we'd go see where they made the "zoo show", and we did! Oh, it was better than we hoped! Look below for some highlights, (the 1st is BY FAR my favorite )!

Meet Janey. She is a 48 year-old orangutan, and she has stolen my heart! When we arrived, a couple was "visiting with her" by the glass. They told me they come a few times a week, and that she comes to them each time. She was raised by humans, so she has a special human attachment.

After they left, I stayed on the floor face-to-face with her for a long time. I stayed still and we just kind of stared at each other and I talked to her, (though I know she couldn't hear). Begrudgingly, (I was with my family after all), I left the exhibit to see the rest of the zoo. Lance promised me if I left the orangutans, we'd come back before he headed out.

So, we did the zoo, (some more highlights below), and I almost RAN back to the orangutan exhibit to see her one last time. When we got there, she was sitting out in the grass, so I just sat in front of the glass to watch her. You won't believe this, but she saw me. When she did, she walked over slowly (they say she's on celebrex for her arthritis), and sat down DIRECTLY in front of me. Then, she put her hand up to the glass. I'm not making this up! Lance was there, you have to ask him! The other people there were shocked and asked, "Do you know her???" I was like, I do now! I sat with her, watching as she chewed the rest of the grass she was eating. When we were sitting there, she looked at me, opened her mouth and showed me a HUGE wad of grass, evidently an offer to share. I've made a friend :)

It was like nothing I've ever seen. I can't explain what it feels to connect with something on that level. It blew me away, and it blessed my socks off! If you want to read more about Janey, google her, or you can click here for a little info. She is an artist, by the way, and you can buy some of her work here.

Above, is LJ's Cheetah! So cool! It raced back and forth with kids as they ran, like a large dog would, in play. Good thing, though, there was a fence between them, though - I'm sure he would have done more than just run if not. It was amazing to see him seek the kids out with his eyes, then run into a sprint as the kids ran. Fun for everyone!

Of course we had to include a picture of our favorite elephant. Big Al!!!! Can you believe those tusks? They were almost squares in shape at the bottom, and I saw inside his trunk...it has nostrils, like our noses do! I always thought it was just one big hole :)

More pics to come!!! We went to the field and played today, so I have a lot more to share!

I had to share - Hopefully the first of many play times on Dodger Field.

We went to the game today, and everyone was SO hospitable!! From the family room where LJ loved playing, to the ticket-taker, to the parking guy, to the elevator operators...I am SO thankful! To be in Los Angeles, so far from home, after such a crazy week, that was unexpected and such a blessing. I promise, more photos to come!

LA, it is!

After much drama, we are here! We're even settled in our apartment! The Dodgers made it interesting towards the end, but Lance stood his ground on the negotiations, and they put him on the team under HIS terms. Amazing. That so rarely happens :) We found out Monday morning, and he had to be in LA late Monday afternoon. That didn't give us much time to pack, but we'll take it! We were packed and out, headed on our 6 hour drive to LA within 2 hours. Lance was at the game that night, and LJ & I were seeking out an apartment.

Then, there was some apartment drama. I found a great 2 bedroom apartment, was going to have it corporately furnished, and the girl on the other end didn't follow through. By not following through, I mean she was in NO HURRY whatsoever to do her job well. Sorry, but it's the truth. I about lost my religion in a conversation with her that went something like, "You WILL have someone higher up call my phone within 30 minutes or I break my lease with you before it starts. Do you understand?"...horrible. Never had to do that in my life. With anyone. So, I ended up breaking the lease, setting up everything in my name, finding a way to furnish, utilitate (is that a word? set up utilities), get renter's insurance, and move us in...eventually saving us hundreds of dollars a month because I, essentially, did her job. Glad it worked out this way, but I wouldn't want to go through that again. Meanwhile, LJ was THE model child, and I bought his forgiveness for this crazy week with a lightening McQueen toy, a spiderman mask, and the tastiest popsicles you've ever had. He feels like we're even, so I'll take it :)

So, we're settled. Tupperwares unpacked, lines in the carpet, San Pellegrino in the fridge, picture frames up and Wal-Mart candle lit. Welcome to Pasadena! I"ll keep you posted! Hopefully this week is equally blessed and slightly less dramatic. Thank you, Lord for our huge blessings! Everything comes through your hands and it's all amazing! :)

Just checking in! Things are great here - less than one week until we find out if Lance makes the team or not. We find out Sunday! If he does, we move that day to LA. If he doesn't, he has an "out" in his contract, meaning he can go back on the market and look for a job with another team. It's exciting and normal for us, all at once. Situations like these have been common for Lance, and he is a FIGHTER! I don't think I could do it, but he continues to just go out there and do his job.

Out of the 9 years he's been doing this, we have only had ONE in which we were certain of his destination after the spring. His performance this spring training has been fantastic, but it's always hard to know if you have a chance of making the team, regardless. Teams have their idea of who should make it and who won't before the camp begins. A lot of times guys are brought in as "just-in-case" scenarios...if someone gets hurt, etc. Some teams are super loyal to "their guys" - the ones who have come up with them. You never know how a team sees you until opening day of the Major League season, despite what they may tell you. It's nice that the "up in the air" period of it all is coming to an end shortly. We have seen God's hand through every move so far, and it's our pleasure to trust Him now. We sure have enjoyed taking in the Phoenix dessert as we wait, though! The weather has been amazing!

These pictures are of LJ and Lance playing ball at the big playground in our complex. It is great, and we try to go every day. I have been taking LOTS of pictures and filling my time with some fantastic photo sessions. I'm getting the photography blog up to date, so check it out by clicking here.

I hope this post finds you well! I promise to keep you posted as we find out more! Until then, we are faithfully waiting and having fun!

Wow! Well, I have gotten really busy with the photography lately, and this little angel above is my newest favorite. Her name is Allie and she is super content and happy to let me do what I want to creat a picture! Check out those rolls...and those eyes!

A couple weeks ago, i met a friend who owns an in-home daycare. I sent out a flyer and business card to see if they wanted to have their kids' portraits done while they were at school...4 kids later, I am so pleased! What an idea! I wish I had thought of this sooner! It's stress-free for the parents, and everyone walks away happy. If they want a family session later, they can schedule that, but at least the kiddos are done. Love it!

Isn't she precious??

This morning was a beautiful morning, so LJ & I took Rookie and hit the playground. There were some big boys there, so LJ took Rookie on a little walk (to show how BIG he was...walking his dog alone). We all know, Rookie has serious separation anxiety when pulled away from me, especially when he can still see me. Look at LJ sitting at the picnic table, and Rookie in the bottom left keeping an eye on me. Ha! He's totally saying, "Are we done yet?" Maybe one day, LJ will have a dog all his own, built for pulling, tugging and ear-grabbing boy stuff. We all know, though, I'll love on it to death, and eventually it, too, will look at me like that! LOL What can I say? I love animals!

Well, the tornado of germs has swept through our little house! Lance had a horrible stomach bug a few days ago, and it seems some of his germs got swept in my direction. He's nursed back to health, and I"m feeling much better. It's definitely more difficult to be a good playmate to a four year old when you feel like pulling the covers over your head. (See the middle picture of LJ see-sawing alone...that's just sad.) We are past that point now, and thankful! LJ has remained, to this point, unscathed. Amazing. Isn't it supposed to be the other way around? :)

The days are ticking along here quickly. We have about two weeks left here, and then we're headed either to LA or to look elsewhere. It's been a wonderful place to kind of sit this out. Lance has worked so hard, and we know (from lots of experience), that God will place our little family where we need to be. In the meantime, we will continue hiking, sliding, dressing up in a dodgers uniform, (Lj & Lance), and eating most of our dinners together. Can I get a hooray!? Lovin' the 8-5 schedule! Hope you all are great!!