2 crazy months in a nutshell!

Hello, wonderful friends and family! My last blog was at the end of MAY--and that doesn't even seem that long ago. It is crazy how fast this summer has come and gone! So many things have happened in the past few months! 

Where to start? Well, Garrett & I were all settled in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, and were really enjoying all the time we got together. I was able to drive to all the away games, my parents came to visit us, and we even got to spend a couple days in San Diego over their all-star break! It was a great get away for us!

Such supportive parents.

We loved our San Diego adventures!

Every year my Funk grandparents take our extended family on a vacation, and this year it just happened to be in Tennessee (where the Dodgers AA team is located). The 2nd day I was there, I was listening to Garrett's game on the internet, and after the game he was told he was promoted to AA--in Chattanooga, TN! What a blessing! So, I finished out family vacation (which was wonderful)--and even got to catch one of Garrett's games! :) I flew back to Rancho, packed up all our stuff in our CRV, and tended to my new Puppy, Slugger. Yes, I know this wasn't the ideal situation! I had put a deposit on him the day before I left for family vacation (thinking I could have a month with him in CA before heading back to KS). But, God had different plans, so Slugger, my mom (she flew out to drive home with me), and I road-tripped to KS!

Tennessee was beautiful!

Always a good time on Funk family vacation!

First Chattanooga Lookouts game-- a wet one!

Beautiful stadium!

My handsome lil' guy!

Love my Slugger boy!

We had a blast on our road-trip, and I was so grateful my mom could make it with me! It felt so good to get back in KS, although I truly believe that home is where your husband is. I miss him more every day that we are apart from each other, and can't wait for him to be home! :)

He was such a great traveler!

He loves his mama!

I was home for about 2 weeks (and Garrett even got to come home for a few days) before I decided to make a spontaneous road-trip to TN to visit my hubby! Garrett & I decided I would head that way at midnight on Sunday night-- I left Monday morning (with Slugger) at 5am. It was a wonderful get away, and we enjoyed our time together. I loved seeing where Garrett is at now, and watching some Lookouts games! I'm just so proud of my husband.

Garrett loved seeing his nephew & niece while home for TN's all-star break. 

My stud!

A kiss after his great game as a Lookout! :)

I sometimes feel guilty for not living with Garrett in TN (when I could be--no commitments), but it would just be too expensive. Setting up a place to live for just a month, and traveling to their (very far) road-trips would add up fast! We're on the "final countdown" though, as their season is over September 3rd (even though he'll probably have to go back for more).

I've been keeping busy (believe it or not) with house projects, preparing for my first year of teaching, attending weddings, loving on Slugger, and hanging with great friends, and family! I report to New Teacher Orientation on Monday, and couldn't be MORE excited! I'm ready to soak it all up. I can't wait to be a Maverick teacher and coach!

Well, friends & family, thanks for reading! I'll see if I can't update a little bit more often. :) Thanks for all of your love & support!

Blessings,
Taylor

WAY over due... lots to catch up on! :)

Hello sweet family and friends!

I can't believe I haven't blogged in over a month and a half! SO much has happened--so, here it goes!

Garrett and I are enjoying our town home in California! Rancho Cucamonga is a great area--the more away games I travel to, the more thankful I am to be where we are! :)

Garrett's passion for baseball is something I admire. I am so stinkin' proud of him! I feel so blessed that I get to attend all his games (and be a part of his baseball life). Hard work pays off--he was Cal League Pitcher of the Week a couple weeks ago! 

A great article on MiLB.com about Garrett! 

My Stud! <3

Loanmart Field, home of the Quakes!

"Can I have your autograph?"  

Garrett & his BIGGEST fan! 

On the first off day of the season, 7 baseball players (and myself) went to Las Vegas! We had a BLAST, and got to stay at this beautiful resort for free (thanks grandma and grandpa)!

Baseball Family

Love this handsome guy more each day! 

My mom turned 50 on April 26th, and with the help of my family & friends, we managed to throw her a SURPRISE birthday party! My parents have been house sitting for G & I. So before their "dinner plans," my dad suggested they go check on our house (because it had rained the night before). When they opened the garage, all my mom's family & friends were inside and surprised her for her birthday! Once everyone got inside, Jordan told her to close her eyes because her gift was a surprise. I came running down the hallway, and she turned around and we were FINALLY reunited. She was SHOCKED! It was such a great day! Love my mama so much.

While I was home, my mom and I planted flowers and shrubs at Garrett & I's house!

Best Friends!

The Monday following my Mom's birthday party, I interviewed for a high school business teaching position at Maize South High School (where I student taught). The following day I was offered the job, and accepted it! BEST DAY EVER! I'm beyond excited to live out my calling to teach, and will head back to Kansas August 2nd for new teacher orientation! :) Oh, and I'll also be coaching the freshman volleyball team! GO MAVS! 

My parents are coming to visit Garrett and I in a couple days! We are so excited to host them, and show them what baseball life is like! 

Well, this blog post should catch you up on the Gould's life! :) Thanks for reading! 

I've been crazy about crock pot cooking lately...it's the only way to cook a yummy dinner with games every night! Here's a good pot roast recipe (thanks Melissa Funk): 

Ingredients: 

3-4 lb. Arm Roast (cut fat off)

1 bag baby carrots

4 red potatoes (cut into bite sized pieces) 

1 packet onion soup mix

2 C. beef broth 

Place the meat in the crock pot-- place the carrots and potatoes around the meat-- pour in the onion soup mix-- pour the broth over it all! 

Cook on low for 8-10 hours! Serve with Heinz 57! 

Best Pot Roast Ever!

Enjoy! Blessings to you all! 

The past couple weeks in a nutshell!

Well, hello! :) I haven't posted in quite some time, and that is a reflection of the hectic life we've had the past couple weeks!

Where to begin? We found out that Garrett is going back to Rancho Cucamonga, CA last Wednesday. This is the Dodger's High-A ball team--we are optimistic about the season ahead and look forward to seeing God's hand at work during both the up's and the down's!

Our last week in Phoenix was wonderful & very busy. We had to soak up every last minute with the people we got closest to in AZ. 

My handsome husband and I rockin' our helmets!

Crazy fast go-karts!

My mom sent us the best Easter baskets!

We enjoyed a BBQ & bonfire with our baseball family!

My lifelong sister & friend Leslie came to visit this past weekend, which gave me JUST the boost I needed! It was so fun catching up on life-- I think we were talking a 100 miles an hour when she first got into our car to head back to our apartment. We shopped, enjoying the beautiful weather, drank lots of Starbucks, bowled, and ate at some yummy restaurants. It was so enjoyable!

Loved every second with this woman! 

The guys at the Bowling Alley! 

My sister and I!

I've learned that "temporary living" can cause many headaches. This baseball life is full of variables-- and is completely UNSTABLE. Every apartment complex wants you to prove consistent income, and raises rent significantly when you tell them you can't commit to a 12-month lease. After MANY phone calls, and MANY visits (by our dear roommate Charnae) we finally found a beautiful town home that we now call "home" here in California.

Garrett is the #1 starter for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes-- he was scheduled to pitch tomorrow (opening day), but Chad Billingsley is coming down from the Big Leagues to rehab and will start instead. As of now, Garrett's first start will be Friday! I can't wait!

Tomorrow I'm applying for a job at the field where Garrett will play! We figured this would be the best way to make a little bit of extra income, and will allow me to be at his games--and will give us lots of time together during the day!

That's all for now! Cheers to MiLB opening day being tomorrow! :)

Here's a quick recipe for you to try (I can't make it without thinking of Miss Kylie Jobe):

Bean Dip:
1 block of cream cheese
1 can of Bush's beans
Shredded Mozzarella/Cheddar cheese

Spread cream cheese on the bottom of a pie pan--then pour the beans over it--then top with shredded cheese. Bake at 350 degrees-- until the cheese is melted, and the beans are bubbling! Serve with tostitos! YUMMY!

Love,
Taylor