Keeping up with the Pagnozzi's

Well after not posting in FOREVER, I finally had the time to sit down and gather my thoughts of what has happened in the last few weeks. I had big plans to post a long time ago about our day off in Colorado Springs. But it has been crazy since Matt called me on June 16^th to tell me he was going to the BIGS!:) I was shocked! Not that I didn’t believe that he wasn’t going to be back with “the big club”, but I honestly JUST had a conversation with God the day before making peace with Him about the situation we were in. Not to say the situation we were in was bad, at all. But of course the ultimate goal when you are playing baseball is to be (and stay) in the Big Leagues. I thought it was kind of ironic that I was just having that conversation with Him, and the next day Matt gets called up. The first thing that came to my mind was: “Thank you Jesus”, as I for sure know it was Him who placed us where we are suppose to be, good or bad.

So since Matt received the call it has been a bit of a whirl-wind. We have been staying in hotels, moving, and traveling from city to city. Which has made it pretty hectic, but at the same time, I have been trying to slow down a bit a let it all sink in. Even though Matt has been called up before, it is still very exciting, and I like to take time to savor every moment, as it clearly can be taken away at any time.

Right after Matt got called up, the team was going to go on the road to play the Yankees! PLUS they had an off day there, which made it extra special! I have been to NYC many times, but never to see my husband play at Yankee stadium!! However, I wasn’t too thrilled about bringing a baby there. I know people do it all of the time, and actually a few of the ladies on the team brought their babies, but I just had no desire. So, I left Brielle with my mom in Az, and I flew to NYC! I was very nervous about leaving my sweet girl, but I knew that she was in great hands with my mom. Matt and I really had no big plans for the off day. And to be honest, we really did not do anything but shop a little, eat at yummy diners, and held hands walking the streets. It was the first time we had been away together without baby, and although I missed her, it was very nice to just sit and talk with no interruption.

So a few weeks later, we are finally settled into our apartment in Denver. It was a little hectic trying to get everything transferred over. But we are finally all settled into our little one bedroom/one bath *with a den, apt in downtown Denver. I actually really love living downtown. I can walk anywhere AND I don’t have to truck up and down three flights of stairs with a baby, groceries etc. We are on the 6^th floor, but thankfully, there is an elevator!:)

So as this time is going by SO fast, we are just trying to savor every moment, and thanking Jesus for His many blessings!

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” 1Chronicles 16:34

Matt and Brielle on family day. So sweet!

I love this pic!

Getting ready to watch fireworks in the dugout.

Matt on the big screen at Yankee Stadium-brought tears to my eyes!

Yankee Stadium

I have always wanted to see the "naked cowboy" in NYC and finally caught a glimpse

"Baked by Melissa" mini cupcake shop. Genius idea! LOVED it!

Yummy NYC diners are my fav!

My sexy tour guide

Grand Central Station

Fathers Day 2011

Matt started on Fathers Day

Daddy's #1 Fan

The Baseball Life

I’m not going to lie, being a baseball wife is not easy. Don’t get me wrong, I am very thankful for it. God has provided for us through this crazy journey and He has brought us many blessings. We have met some AMAZING people, have gotten to see some very cool (and not so cool) cities, and have gotten to experience the ups and downs of this game called baseball. Let me tell you, when Matt and I first started dating in 2002, I had NO idea that we would still be in baseball today. When we met, Matt was playing at Central Arizona College, shortly after that, he was drafted in 2003, and has been in the game ever since.

I remember when I visited Matt for the first time after he got drafted in 2003. I bought a plane ticket to Newark, NJ, Matt picked me up from the airport, then drove to a little town calledAndover, NJ, where Matt’s team played. The New Jersey Cardinals was a Rookie team, and Matt’s first “professional” team he ever played on. I honestly did not know a lot about baseball. I didn’t know the rules, the stress, the time away from each other. I was just along for the ride.

Well as our relationship got a little more serious, I quickly learned that the baseball life, was not the easiest. After we spent A LOT of money on the few plane tickets we bought for me to visit, I decided to be a flight attendant to cut that cost, and see my man a little more. So In 2004 I became a flight attendant for America West Airlines. Me being a flight attendant and him playing minor league ball seemed to be a good fit, I got to fly for free to see him on my days off. It made being a part from each other a lot easier, especially because Matt was basically making pennies, the first 5 or 6 years of his career.

So throughout the 7 years of minor league baseball with the Cardinals, we have lived in NJ, Peoria, IL, Palm Beach, FL, Springfield, Mo, and Memphis, TN. It’s crazy, to type all of that out, and in the middle of all of that in 2007 we got married… Anyway, Finally in 2009, Matt made his dream come true and got called up to THE BIGS! To say we were excited was an understatement. It seriously felt like a dream. Matt made his big league appearance inCincinatti, but it wasn’t until the Cardinals were on the road in Denver I was able to visit. Not only was it exciting to go watch my husband play in a big league uniform, but the Cardinals were in the running to make the playoffs, which made it even more exciting. I remember getting out of the cab at The Ritz in Denver, and seeing our friend Blake, who also played for the Cardinals. The first thing he said to me was “This isn’t the MCM Elagante, is it?” (TheMCM Elegante, is a nasty minor hotel in Albuquerque) Ha! NO it was not! The Cardinals ended up clinching the playoffs on that trip- which being a part of that is an amazing experience in itself! So the 2009 season ended, and it was time for Matt to prepare for the 2010 season.

So the 2010 season started, and Matt started out in AAA (Memphis), which we expected. Let’s just say that God threw us some curve balls during the 2010 season, but Matt ended up in St. Louis at the end of the season, and did really well.

2011 is now here, and things are a little different, because we have our sweet angel, Brielle. Having a baby definitely makes things a little harder, as far as travel, Matt being on the road, etc. But so much fun at the same time. We are living in Colorado Springs, which is AAA for the Colorado Rockies, and hopefully waiting for that shot for Matt to get back to the Bigs. In the mean time, I’m embracing being in a different city, being a stay at home mom, and being alone, without my family (and husband) most of the time. It can be challenging at times, but I’m so grateful for my amazing husband, who works SO hard at what he does. He has defied a lot of odds during his career, and he makes me so proud! He is the most dedicated man I have ever met, in everything that he does.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future” Jeremiah 29:11

I wish I had more pics on my computer from the minor leagues, but unfortunately, I don't. :(

Our first family baseball photo

Matt and I in Denver 2009

*Home Sweet Home*

It’s been a while since I have posted last. Brielle and I took a trip to Az and I didn’t bring my computer. We were SO busy! But we had so much fun! J Our days were filled with spending time with family and friends…. Can I just say that I LOVE Arizona! Seriously- Az has so much to offer! Not to mention beautiful weather and scenery. Ok- Well… it is getting very hot but set that aside and it is the best! If you need to escape the heat- you can drive 2 hours up north to the mountains or 5 hours away you are at the beach! So needless to say I’m pretty much obsessed with Az, and miss it dearly. But I am really trying to embrace being in CO.

Anyway, thinking back to our week in Az, it was kind of a blur, because we were so busy. I cherished every moment. We saw a lot of family! We also managed to get brunch in with all of my girlfriends and their kids, and got to visit with our best friends Jami and Rylee! I can’t believe how all of my friends have kids now! I love it-but still feel like I am 16! Haha! I got to spend a lot of time with my mom, dad, and sisters. My mom watched Brielle for me a lot so I was able to go shopping, get my hair/nails done. I was very thankful for that because I rarely get time without baby when I am in CO.

My dad and I were also able to get a hike in at Squaw Peak, which I haven’t done since high school. Can I say my dad is a MACHINE on the mountain?? If you know my dad, you know that he is in very good shape. And may I mention he’s had BOTH his hips replaced!??!! Well I thought that since I have been working out in the high altitude I would at least be able to hang with my dad. .. Well I did, for most of the way, then, my dad kicked my booty at the end. I really enjoyed the hike with my dad though, as we both enjoy breaking a sweat and I cherish spending time with him. J

Even though I enjoyed every minute we were in Az, I am very happy to be back in CO with the Hubs.

Here are some highlights from our trip! Ok- still trying to learn this blog thing so my pictures are WAY out of order! (Stacey Yardy I need your help!!!)

Brielle meeting her cousin Kaylee for the first time!

Brielle taking a bath (or bapims as I like to call them) at Grammies. She loved it!

Brielle with Great Great Granny Franny and Great Grandma Pris

My dad and I on the top of Squaw Peak

Brielle and her BFF Rylee! Jami and I went crazy taking pics, so I thought this was appropriate!

Great Grandma and Grandpa Conner

My mom and Bri and the Doc (Before her shots, poor baby)

Bri and I on the plane on the way to Az- She was so curious with everything!

Grandpa Tim and Grammie Joelle- She had a great time!

One of my favorite pics of Bri and my little sister Sara

I just LOVE this pic! Joelle takes great pics!

Mother's Day 2011

Although I have spent Mother’s Day away from my mom before, this Mother’s Day I felt extra sad without my mom. I have the most beautiful, loving mom I know. She is the nicest, most sincere person and I love her so much! I pray I can be half the mom she is- because she is AWESOME! Love you, mommy!

Mother’s Day 2011 was a lot of fun! Since the boys were on the road, some of the other baseball girls and I got together for brunch and a day by the pool! It was a lot of fun to actually do something different than go to the gym and hang out at home or Target. We went to Colorado Mtn. Brewery- the food was not that great- but the company was. I really enjoyed getting to know some of the new girls. It was a lot of fun!:) Brielle was wiped by the end of the day- she had a lot of fun as well!...

Since Matt was on the road for Mother’s day, we celebrated a little early. Matt was so thoughtful to get me flowers and cards the day before he left. He also special ordered a *pink*bat, and signed it. It was very cute. I really loved the cards that he got me as well. They were so thoughtful- his made me cry, and he signed Brielle’s name on hers in sloppy writing as if she signed it herself. That itself, was SO cute! Oh yeah- and he got me some new running shoes that I’ve been wanting! I have such a sweet husband. :)

It’s weird to say that I am a mom, but it is honestly the best thing that has ever happened to me! As I reflect on the day that Brielle was born- I feel so overwhelmed with joy. I remember the second that she came out it automatically became the best moment of my life. I was weeping with joy! Here are a few pictures a little bit after she was born (Don't mind the horrible post labor hair):

Enjoying the small things

There is a blog that I follow that has the title "Enjoying the small things". When I read that for the first time, I felt it to be a pretty powerful statement. It is so easy to get wrapped up in life and forget to enjoy the small, simple things. I have to admit, I sometimes get wrapped up in worrying about Matt's baseball career, which a lot of the time, takes my focus away from enjoying the small things. When we found out where we were going to start the season, we were a little disappointed. But after I let it all sink in, I remember feeling SO blessed, and thought to myself: "Thank you Jesus, for my hard working, loving, supportive husband, our beautiful daughter, and Matt actually having a job." So as I sit here in our one bedroom apartment in Colorado Springs, I am thankful for this experience, a roof over our heads, the chance to be able to say we've lived in CO, and so many other things that put life in perspective.

One of my favs:

“Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done”

-Philippians 4:6

Hello Blog World

Hey Everyone! Starting up a blog to document our lives! I have so many things I'd like to share with family and friends and I always have something on my mind I'd like to talk about! Still learning how to set this up, so stay tuned and welcome to The Pagnozzi Post!