What a long, long week and a half!
We moved to Gillette, Wyoming (or Wynoming according to Aundie) on December 15, 2008. We're approaching the two year mark rapidly! We actually lived only about 5 miles North Savageton, Wyoming and 28 miles South of Gillette.
Savageton is complete with about 2-3 houses and a Bar. Making Gillette our postal residence.
We've found in the last 21 months that we enjoyed the quietness of our country home. The house/duplex itself was quite small. It was basically big enough for us and not much else! All the same the rent was reasonable, and I was handling the daily commute. What I didn't enjoy was getting home after 10 on some nights having left at before 6 that morning.
With that in mind and the number of trips we make into town on a weekly basis, Samantha and I began to look for a place in town about 2-3 months ago.
Gillette is pretty tricky. Your going to pay a bit more than you want to, but your ultimately not going to get the Ritz. For us, our budget was about $1000/month. I know, seems unreasonable, and yes you can buy a house for less than that per month, but you better know your staying in the area for a few years.
We toured a couple homes. Called on probably close to 100. Either to much or a home that I wouldn't allow the dogs to live in, let alone my wife and kids.
Eventually I shifted my focus from house to apartments. I had been adament that we will NOT live in an apartment ever again. I did it once in Ellendale and found the experience to not be overly excitting. However in Gillette it didn't appear that I had many options.
We basically settled on a three bedroom on the North side of town. The complex is fairly new and provided close access for school and about a 5 minute walk to the baseball field. Both were pretty appealing.
We're paying under budget which was another plus.
The most challenging part was actually packing and getting moved in.
I hate moving.
Anyways, we started on Labor day and are complete as of about 1:30 AM this morning. We have just a few items that we need a place for, but overall we feel confident that we're pretty much ready to weather the next storm.
The next storm of course is a new baby Strong.
We're scheduled for a c-section on Friday. I once thought that we'd see the baby before then, but I think this one is going to hold out on us!
We're both pretty confident we have a little girl on the way. We hope anyways! We've had the girl name set for 2-3 months and we're still back and forth on the boys name.
So at any rate, by Friday we will be parents for the third time. Odd for me to comprehend that.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Aundrea turns 4!!!
August 24, 2010!
Hard to believe that 4 years ago Aundrea entered our life! Around 7:30 in the morning!
Samantha and I have been busy decorating, wrapping, and CLEANING. The cleaning was the biggest part of the deal. We started decorating at about 11 and finished around 1:30. We get pretty excitted about birthdays!
Christopher, Rebeca, and Matias fly in today and them as well as mom and dad and some cousins are coming out to help celebrate.
Tristan seems to be as excitted as Aundrea! It's going to be a good night in the Strong house tonight!
Hard to believe that 4 years ago Aundrea entered our life! Around 7:30 in the morning!
Samantha and I have been busy decorating, wrapping, and CLEANING. The cleaning was the biggest part of the deal. We started decorating at about 11 and finished around 1:30. We get pretty excitted about birthdays!
Christopher, Rebeca, and Matias fly in today and them as well as mom and dad and some cousins are coming out to help celebrate.
Tristan seems to be as excitted as Aundrea! It's going to be a good night in the Strong house tonight!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
There and back again.
As if a season of traveling wasn't enough, Samantha and I dropped off the kids and headed to Billings on Friday. We spent two days and a great deal of money. Yippee.
I'm now whipped and ready for bed.
I'm now whipped and ready for bed.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
One LOOOOONG Summer
It's been a long summer.
I thought when I signed up to teach I was supposed to sip lemonade next to the pool on these long months.
Ah Baseballl, yes that's right! Baseball has dominated our summer.
Quick update Samantha's somewhere between week 31 or 32. I have a tough time keeping track.
We have a girls name narrowed down to one. And we're pretty close to having a boys name. It seems to be getting more and more challenging. Both are great names!
Aundrea has grown a bunch this summer. I know have a young girl on my hands.
Tristan is losing most of his baby looks and is transitioning from baby to boy. This age is proving more challenging with him than it was for Aundrea. He's in for a shock in 2 months.
Riding my bike as often as possible. It's been my release for a season like this. I'm secretly considering taking a trip starting on Monday or Tuesday. I have an idea of where I'd like to go. Just gotta decide if I can run it by Samantha and get her to go for it. I just need a little R&R and time to think about my/our next move.
My body continues to remind me that it's not going to respond like it once would. I've done enough throwing to now have my shoulder about twice the size it should be. I'm afraid I've damaged some of what got repaired a 2 1/2 years ago. My knees ache, and I'm afraid the combination of the two has thrown my back out of whack. My neck doesn't rotate right now like it should. GREAT.
I'd say it's time for a break!
One date I'm really looking forward to is 8/6 as it marks our 5th wedding anniversary! We're not sure how we plan to celebrate. I have a good feeling we're going to wing it!
Back to baseball...
My team is now somewhere around 35-23 or 24. We've had a good season but I can tell these guys are starting to wear out. The end of the season on Sunday will be good for all of us.
Ok... off to practice.
I thought when I signed up to teach I was supposed to sip lemonade next to the pool on these long months.
Ah Baseballl, yes that's right! Baseball has dominated our summer.
Quick update Samantha's somewhere between week 31 or 32. I have a tough time keeping track.
We have a girls name narrowed down to one. And we're pretty close to having a boys name. It seems to be getting more and more challenging. Both are great names!
Aundrea has grown a bunch this summer. I know have a young girl on my hands.
Tristan is losing most of his baby looks and is transitioning from baby to boy. This age is proving more challenging with him than it was for Aundrea. He's in for a shock in 2 months.
Riding my bike as often as possible. It's been my release for a season like this. I'm secretly considering taking a trip starting on Monday or Tuesday. I have an idea of where I'd like to go. Just gotta decide if I can run it by Samantha and get her to go for it. I just need a little R&R and time to think about my/our next move.
My body continues to remind me that it's not going to respond like it once would. I've done enough throwing to now have my shoulder about twice the size it should be. I'm afraid I've damaged some of what got repaired a 2 1/2 years ago. My knees ache, and I'm afraid the combination of the two has thrown my back out of whack. My neck doesn't rotate right now like it should. GREAT.
I'd say it's time for a break!
One date I'm really looking forward to is 8/6 as it marks our 5th wedding anniversary! We're not sure how we plan to celebrate. I have a good feeling we're going to wing it!
Back to baseball...
My team is now somewhere around 35-23 or 24. We've had a good season but I can tell these guys are starting to wear out. The end of the season on Sunday will be good for all of us.
Ok... off to practice.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Ejected by the Rejected
What a beautiful day for baseball!
85 Degrees, Sunny, with a sprinkle of clouds!
Started a "Big Stick" Tourney in Rapid City today against Sturgis, South Dakota. We won 9-2... the game wasn't that close though. The game however wasn't the "highlight" of the day.
In the top of the 4th inning, we had our second or third rally of the day in progress. Kid on third, Four hole hit's a fly to right, one of their kids come out and makes a pretty good over the head play on the ball.
My kid tagged up, waited till we knew the kid had caught the ball (typical... and difficult based on the angle. It was a good play mind you... I wasn't positive he made the catch and sent the kid once I was sure) He scored easy (don't let me forget that the umpire behind the plate was picking up our bat and not paying much attention to my guy tagging/scoring). Put us up 8-0, three outs and we end the game early.
There coach starts yelling at his kids from the dugout... "he left early, step on third." This is an old tactic, I've used it myself. Try and see if the ump was watching... heck maybe you'll get a call. In this situation I almost laughed... we had waited clearly past the kid having possesion of the ball... but whatever.
They throw it to third.
"Out"
"Huh?"
I jogged slowly to our dugout.
I admit I had a few words for the umpire.
Remember he was busy picking up a bat. I reminded him. It was a bad, bad call.
If you weren't watching don't make a call.
Whatever, we're up by 7. I was pretty sure everything would be fine.
I insert one of my young pitchers for the bottom of the 4th. As he's warming up Sturgis basically has their next kid to hit in the batter's circle. And most of their team out of the dug out taking practice swings.
The next batter is required to remain in the on deck circle. Not timing a new pitcher.
Common sense.
I've asked probably no less than 4 times for an ump to back up a player. Each has obliged. Even the players did so willingly.
I asked... and let me repeat EXACTLY what I said... "Sir, can you please back them up from timing my pitcher?"
I'm sitting on my bucket at this point.
He responded by asking me who was running the show...
I responded "Apparently their dugout"
He immediately says "One more word and you'll finish the game in the parking lot"
I respond, "Yeah, OK" (ZERO body language)
He responds, "That's it, your out of here"
At this point I picked myself up off my bucket, made my way to exactly 3" from his nose and proceded to get my money's worth! I got my money's worth... trust me!
What an ignorant OLD fool.
I would never imagine that I would get tossed sitting on my bucket.
Asking an ump for common courtesy, really?
This marks my second ejection this year. The first one it was 100% my intent after I was requested to let an ump have it.
I don't even know that I've exchanged negative words with an umpire outside of these two incidents. Silly stuff.
85 Degrees, Sunny, with a sprinkle of clouds!
Started a "Big Stick" Tourney in Rapid City today against Sturgis, South Dakota. We won 9-2... the game wasn't that close though. The game however wasn't the "highlight" of the day.
In the top of the 4th inning, we had our second or third rally of the day in progress. Kid on third, Four hole hit's a fly to right, one of their kids come out and makes a pretty good over the head play on the ball.
My kid tagged up, waited till we knew the kid had caught the ball (typical... and difficult based on the angle. It was a good play mind you... I wasn't positive he made the catch and sent the kid once I was sure) He scored easy (don't let me forget that the umpire behind the plate was picking up our bat and not paying much attention to my guy tagging/scoring). Put us up 8-0, three outs and we end the game early.
There coach starts yelling at his kids from the dugout... "he left early, step on third." This is an old tactic, I've used it myself. Try and see if the ump was watching... heck maybe you'll get a call. In this situation I almost laughed... we had waited clearly past the kid having possesion of the ball... but whatever.
They throw it to third.
"Out"
"Huh?"
I jogged slowly to our dugout.
I admit I had a few words for the umpire.
Remember he was busy picking up a bat. I reminded him. It was a bad, bad call.
If you weren't watching don't make a call.
Whatever, we're up by 7. I was pretty sure everything would be fine.
I insert one of my young pitchers for the bottom of the 4th. As he's warming up Sturgis basically has their next kid to hit in the batter's circle. And most of their team out of the dug out taking practice swings.
The next batter is required to remain in the on deck circle. Not timing a new pitcher.
Common sense.
I've asked probably no less than 4 times for an ump to back up a player. Each has obliged. Even the players did so willingly.
I asked... and let me repeat EXACTLY what I said... "Sir, can you please back them up from timing my pitcher?"
I'm sitting on my bucket at this point.
He responded by asking me who was running the show...
I responded "Apparently their dugout"
He immediately says "One more word and you'll finish the game in the parking lot"
I respond, "Yeah, OK" (ZERO body language)
He responds, "That's it, your out of here"
At this point I picked myself up off my bucket, made my way to exactly 3" from his nose and proceded to get my money's worth! I got my money's worth... trust me!
What an ignorant OLD fool.
I would never imagine that I would get tossed sitting on my bucket.
Asking an ump for common courtesy, really?
This marks my second ejection this year. The first one it was 100% my intent after I was requested to let an ump have it.
I don't even know that I've exchanged negative words with an umpire outside of these two incidents. Silly stuff.
Friday, June 18, 2010
When SLEEP becomes a productive activity!
What a busy couple of weeks!
I've been done with work for two weeks yet me schedule hasn't slowed down until yesterday.
Immediately after work was done we began a 10 game stretch of games. Most of which were at least 2 hours away.
I am often surprised by people not in athletics. Coaching is more than just showing up for a game. For example. If I have a game starting at 5 in Rapid City. It means that I'm unlocking the clubhouse at 12:30 and pulling out with my team at 1:00.
A two hour trip has us at the field at 3:00, two hours of batting practice and pregame prep means the game starts at 5:00. A typical double header at this level last's about 5 1/2 hours including your break between games. That means at the soonest games end at 10:30. After a post game wrap, and guys loading up to leave, we're usually on the road by 11:00. Now wait a minute... it's 11:00 PM... I've had the guys since 12:30. They haven't eaten anything since they left their house... HELLO TACO BELL!
YUCK.
After a thirty minute stop, we're off! Putting us into the clubhouse at about 1:30. Figure 15-30 minutes to unload and wait for the last guys folks to show up and I start home at about 2:00.
That means I've had the guys for about 13 1/2 hours.
Don't forget... I live 30 minutes south of Gillette. Hopefully I'm in bed at 2:45.
Ah... you think I sleep till 11 and start the whole thing over don't you?!
Class for my M.A. start at 8. Crap. I'm usually up at 6:30.
They continue until I leave... for the next road trip.
Home games aren't much better. I usually don't leave the field until 2-3 hours after the contest is complete. Of course I've only had 6 home games (3 dates).
Lately, my biggest need is sleep. Trying to recover from pnuemonia, be a dad, be a husband, be a student, and be a coach has had it's moments over the last few weeks!
Thank goodness for TBC. Or something like that.
I am in the middle of my only five day break from baseball. The guys are 19-11 and we're just beginning to play to our ability level. We've beaten several very mid-level varsity's over our last stretch. I've enjoyed working with them!
On another note... Samantha is growing quickly. She's put on 15 lbs since the beginning and is rapidly growing especially over the last 4 weeks. The Dr. triple checked her numbers. Looks like we're in for another big 'un.
I am now announcing my prediction for the baby. It will be 21" and low 9 lbs... like 9# 3oz or somewhere close to that.
Today we set up the tent and the kids and I will sleep out there tonight... for whatever reason pregnant Sammy has declined invitation. Hmm?
I've been done with work for two weeks yet me schedule hasn't slowed down until yesterday.
Immediately after work was done we began a 10 game stretch of games. Most of which were at least 2 hours away.
I am often surprised by people not in athletics. Coaching is more than just showing up for a game. For example. If I have a game starting at 5 in Rapid City. It means that I'm unlocking the clubhouse at 12:30 and pulling out with my team at 1:00.
A two hour trip has us at the field at 3:00, two hours of batting practice and pregame prep means the game starts at 5:00. A typical double header at this level last's about 5 1/2 hours including your break between games. That means at the soonest games end at 10:30. After a post game wrap, and guys loading up to leave, we're usually on the road by 11:00. Now wait a minute... it's 11:00 PM... I've had the guys since 12:30. They haven't eaten anything since they left their house... HELLO TACO BELL!
YUCK.
After a thirty minute stop, we're off! Putting us into the clubhouse at about 1:30. Figure 15-30 minutes to unload and wait for the last guys folks to show up and I start home at about 2:00.
That means I've had the guys for about 13 1/2 hours.
Don't forget... I live 30 minutes south of Gillette. Hopefully I'm in bed at 2:45.
Ah... you think I sleep till 11 and start the whole thing over don't you?!
Class for my M.A. start at 8. Crap. I'm usually up at 6:30.
They continue until I leave... for the next road trip.
Home games aren't much better. I usually don't leave the field until 2-3 hours after the contest is complete. Of course I've only had 6 home games (3 dates).
Lately, my biggest need is sleep. Trying to recover from pnuemonia, be a dad, be a husband, be a student, and be a coach has had it's moments over the last few weeks!
Thank goodness for TBC. Or something like that.
I am in the middle of my only five day break from baseball. The guys are 19-11 and we're just beginning to play to our ability level. We've beaten several very mid-level varsity's over our last stretch. I've enjoyed working with them!
On another note... Samantha is growing quickly. She's put on 15 lbs since the beginning and is rapidly growing especially over the last 4 weeks. The Dr. triple checked her numbers. Looks like we're in for another big 'un.
I am now announcing my prediction for the baby. It will be 21" and low 9 lbs... like 9# 3oz or somewhere close to that.
Today we set up the tent and the kids and I will sleep out there tonight... for whatever reason pregnant Sammy has declined invitation. Hmm?
Sunday, June 13, 2010
I ain't no chicken...
Another helpless deal as a parent.
We're currently about 7 hours from home in Central Montana and my son Tristan isn't feeling very well.
It all started with Samantha noticing a couple spots that looked similar to rash, several turned into several more which compounded exponentially.
As you can imagine, bunches of red dots lead to only one thing... chicken pox. Tristan is now covered in them. Poor little body.
Aundrea is most sure to follow in the next week or so. Great.
Currently I sit in Lewistown, Montana with Samantha and the kids and my whole baseball team. We're currently part of a tournament of six teams.
So there isn't much comfort for Tristan and all's he can do is be miserable. We're dumping Benadryl down his throat and dabbed his spots with calomine lotion to ease some of the itching.
Samantha has been masterful at creating the best environment for him as she can. She's just done so well at understanding that I have 15 guys and a schedule to be responsible for and she's stepped in perfectly.
It's been a lot of fun having them here with me. I was dredding that they wouldn't be able to come. They've even riden on the bus which has been nice for us to have 13-14 hours additional bonding.
My guys are now 2-0 at the tourney and 16-10 overall, including a six game winning streak. We have 2 very tough games left to at least get piece of the the championship. We're also very tired. I'll be up in about 4 hours, the guys will be up soon after and they'll play at 8 am and 10:30 tomorrow. I better head to bed.
We're currently about 7 hours from home in Central Montana and my son Tristan isn't feeling very well.
It all started with Samantha noticing a couple spots that looked similar to rash, several turned into several more which compounded exponentially.
As you can imagine, bunches of red dots lead to only one thing... chicken pox. Tristan is now covered in them. Poor little body.
Aundrea is most sure to follow in the next week or so. Great.
Currently I sit in Lewistown, Montana with Samantha and the kids and my whole baseball team. We're currently part of a tournament of six teams.
So there isn't much comfort for Tristan and all's he can do is be miserable. We're dumping Benadryl down his throat and dabbed his spots with calomine lotion to ease some of the itching.
Samantha has been masterful at creating the best environment for him as she can. She's just done so well at understanding that I have 15 guys and a schedule to be responsible for and she's stepped in perfectly.
It's been a lot of fun having them here with me. I was dredding that they wouldn't be able to come. They've even riden on the bus which has been nice for us to have 13-14 hours additional bonding.
My guys are now 2-0 at the tourney and 16-10 overall, including a six game winning streak. We have 2 very tough games left to at least get piece of the the championship. We're also very tired. I'll be up in about 4 hours, the guys will be up soon after and they'll play at 8 am and 10:30 tomorrow. I better head to bed.
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