Where did July Go???

I am apalled at my lack of blogging this past month!!  However, I will let the excuse of family, friends and a birthday be reason enough!!!  Well give you a quick recap of the past month:

• Austin was amazing we relaxed, ate, and were so happy to be together and baseball free!!!

Here we come Austin!

Road snacks are the best

My "wild thing"

Dinner Date

Typical

Always reppin!!!

True happiness-SNOBEACH

• I was in Texas for 9 days in July
• Both of my brothers are now engaged to two wonderful ladies I am excited to call my sisters in a few months!
• Alex joined me in the 1/4 century club!!! And we celebrated in San Antonio as he was on the road!

Boy sure does love Cookie Cakes!!!

Birthday kisses in San Antonio

• I got to spend an amazing 2 1/2 weeks at home with my family and then go on our family beach vacation! Sure did miss Alex, but he was travelling for much of that time!!!!
• Ended July with some very special friends, I call "family" in the beautiful Colorado!!!
• We got the chance to visit some precious children in the hospital and give them some goodies.  It is amazing that these men can make such sick children smile just because they play baseball!!  I was honored that I was able to tag along and get to see happiness on some kids' faces.  If for just one second we could allow them to forget while they were there and remember they are special--mission accomplished.  However, they are the ones that made us feel special for allowing us to get to know them!

Now back in Corpus, Alex and I are so happy to be closing in on the end of the season.  Yes, we have been beyond blessed this year, and no words nor actions will be enough to repay those that have been more than generous to us--BUT THANK YOU!!  During July, our Bens got the promotion to CC, so to say we are happy to see them again is simiply an understatement.  It is always great to see friends be successful and be recognized (yall too Barnes family--so happy for such deserving peeps)! We are most likely headed back to NC, but all other details are TBD, and we are ok with not knowing!!!  We got an off day on Tuesday and were able to enjoy some rays and sand, as well as go to dinner!!! Other than that, we are trying to finalize some plans and get things in order as the season comes to a close.  Whatever is in store for us, we are excited to tackle it as couple and enjoy the entire offseason married!  I tell you--being married to Alex gets better each day and I can't imagine life without him--how did I get to be so lucky to call him my husband?  Anyhoo hope that each of you have had a wonderful July and August thus far! May you remember to tell those around you that you love them, there is no better time than NOW!!!!

Our off day--Nothing but JOY

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." -Ephesians 4:2

Love and Many Blessings,

Mrs. Sogard (gosh I love saying that)

Anticipation and Countdowns

I should be packing and getting ready for our Sogard All-Star Break Extravaganza, but I am sucked in watching the Olympic swimming trials and College World Series!  Tomorrow marks the beginning of our 3-day break from baseball and the mark of only 64 games left until the end of regular season.  Wow--where has the season gone and where are all the pictures I wanted to be taking.  I guess I will blame it on not having a good camera and just always using my phone, but I hope to get better during the second half of the season!

During the break, Alex and I are headed to one of our favorite spots--AUSTIN!!! Austin has a sweet spot in our hearts, as we got engaged in this lovely place, but we are going to relax and enjoy simple pleasures that we miss about this place.  We are staying out of the city on the beautiful Lake Travis--boy we certainly are blessed to be able to get away and unplug from the daily demands of the season.  Alex will most likely arrive back in Corpus tomorrow morning around 6 AM and we will head out when he unpacks, I do his laundry and we repack!!!  To say we are excited to eat three meals a day (maybe some extras too), and spend 72 uninterrupted hours together makes me feel like I am waiting for Santa to come--aka EXCITED!!!  Well I am off to pack...and continue counting hours until I see my man!!!

Happy Memories in Austin

In our little apt in Austin--what a wonderful place

One of my fav pics of all time in Austin--missing our girl

Although we are going on a vacation, our true refuge is found in our Lord--so if you are not able to go on vacation check out the many verses (I think 23) that specifically describe our God as our refuge and you too can have an altered attitude and it may seem like you are on vacation!!!!  

"Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him.  Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken." Psalm 62:1-2

Many Blessings and Lots of Love

Arlie

Austin here we come....

Where in the World is Arlie Sogard???

(The post title is sung to the tune of "Where in the World is Carmen Sandeigo") Carmen Sandeigo Theme Song--if you never watched this amazing show, you certainly were deprived!!!

Enough reminiscing about my amazing childhood and back to the real question, "Where am I?"  The answer is simple--in CORPUS CHRISTI!!!!  However, the past few weeks, I have been anywhere but here in Corpus!!! I have just returned from San Antonio, breaking up a 12-day road trip for my man!  It was so fun to get away to see him on the road--always like a little vacation.  Travelling for both baseball and to see friends have definitely made the month of May and June fly right on by.  I can NOT believe that June is coming to a close.  Since last writing, Alex and I have become settled (or as settled as we can be) in the home of the Blankenships.

Our God is so good--last November Alex and I ventured to Orlando, FL for a PAO conference. PAO is a Christian-based organization for Professional Athletes and they hold conferences annually for both football and baseball professionals.  We were truly humbled and blessed to attend this conference, and who do we end up meeting the first night in the lobby...you guessed it Greg and Bridgett Blankenship!!! The entire conference we worshipped, ate, laughed, and prayed with the Blankenships.  So fast forward 7 months and here we are in their hometown and are living in their upstairs!!!! Wow, if that isn't the wonderful provisions of our Lord, I don't know what is!  Not only are they selfless, but they have made this transition easier on us. Words can't and will never be able to explain our gratitude to them for making us feel welcome.

Although this all sounds well and good, the move to Corpus has been anything but easy.  When arriving here, I was stunned to meet over 7 wives and girlfriends during the first week I was here.  Two of which lived here in Corpus with there husbands and others that made the trip quite often.  My how time changes--now I am the lone ranger wife living in Corpus!!! Several of our friends have been promoted (which is amazing) but we sure do miss them here :(  I am however, thankful for those girlfriends and wives still here in Corpus, but it is so funny how fast the dynamic changes in our baseball life.  We have learned to live without a car, with ours only arriving last week!!! Certainly a struggle, but also slightly invigorating!  We are completely thankful our car is here and we now have all of our stuff (though most of it still remains in the backseats)!  Through this time, Alex and I have relied on our faith and continual prayer to get us through not just the downs but also the ups.

I will leave you with several pictures from our recent happenings.  I apologize for not writing in a while, we have not only been busy, but also we have been soaking in all those precious moments with one another!  We urge you all to not take a second for granted with those you love--even if it is while doing the mundane things!!!

Date night in Corpus--1st week here 

The Hicks' and hubs on our way to the riverwalk (San Antonio trip #1)

The men at the Alamo

"Watch out those things will get ya"

Riverwalk with some beauties--I sure do miss these faces

Beach Night--check out all the gross seaweed

Trying to get the sunset--fail.  Two lazy eyes--success!

Lovely Barnes women--miss them

Go HOOKS

First fireworks of the Season

Looking good #22

Peyton, Lauren and me at Eli Young Band

Always a good time with these lovies!!!

Precious pea I get to hold during the games!

Yes you are seeing right...He got an AB!!!!

Bliss at the Riverwalk (San Antonio trip #2)

Headed back to Corpus :(

Much love and blessings (and to those other baseball ladies Happy All-Star break whether you have just had it or it is around the corner)!!!

Arlie

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10a

(This verse has given Alex and I encouragement to tackle the world together--for together with our Lord we are much stronger than alone)

In Phoenix--Home of the In-Laws

Yesterday afternoon, we (Rollie and I) arrived at the wonderful home of my in-laws.  We had a fabulous meal together as we watched Rollie (do exactly what I knew she would--swim in the pool)!!!

"So why am I in Phoenix???"--this may be the question you are now asking yourself!  Well over the past week Alex and I have talked and prayed about what we should now do.  Being unsure of whether he will stay in Corpus or go back to Lancaster, we were both confused as to which decision we should make. With this being my first season travelling, I had not experienced a move in the middle of the season (or in our case 3 weeks into the season) but I knew that this was more than normal and possible--plus how exciting to get promoted now!!!  Alex, too, has not experienced a move during a season either--so this is unknown territory to us Sogards!  After constant prayer and conversations, we decided that it would be best for me to pack up in Lancaster and head to Phoenix.  Here in Phoenix, Rollie will have a cohort (Rudy and Anna's beagle) and a yard to play in!!! The car is packed and sitting in the driveway.  On Monday, I am jetting off to see my man in Corpus for an entire week!!! This decision was hard to make, but we felt that it was the smartest and best suited for us--I have a return flight while Alex's team has a roadtrip and from that point we will then reevaluate the situation of where and what we need to do.  Southwest Airlines is definitely our friend in this lifestyle, you can book flights and have the peace of mind knowing that if changes need to be made, our wallet will not take the hit as with other airlines!!! It has been so amazing to look at our path and how the Lord has prepared not only our hearts, but our attitudes to take on this crazy journey.

Packed up again!!!

Oftentimes, I have questions of what my purpose is in this journey, but more than anything I have found such a peace in who I am in Christ not this feeble feeble world!  He made me to support my husband as he pursues his dream and along the way proclaim Christ's name!  Driving the many miles that I have, it is super hard not to constantly give thanks for the privilege and beauty that I have been gifted to live in and that He himself created!!  I know that I am more than quirky and have many flaws, but during this journey it has been revealed to me that I am His child and he knitted me together!!! More than anything, I have become so incredibly grateful to be where I am and have such rewarding opportunities!!!  It was so hard for me to say bye to those that we are so close with in Lancaster, but we are excited to see the paths of our futures! Many thanks to the Ben Orloff for making sure I was taken care of while Alex was gone and for packing up the car with me--you are awesome!!!!

See Yall Later--I don't like Goodbyes!

"Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken." Psalm 61:8

New Day, New Jersey

As we knew from the beginning of this journey--nothing is ever certain.  Alex and I experienced a dose of this refreshing reality late last night.  Alex has been promoted to AA Corpus Christi team; the promotion could be temporary due to injuries or it could be more permanent.  We are extremely excited and ready to take on the up and downs The Lord has already prepared for us. This path was paved long before we began the journey and we are excited to see what we get the chance to "run into"!!!!!!

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 
Ephesians 2:10


We love this verse in times of trial and happiness--because we can rest in the promises He has given us, knowing what we are walking through He has prepared for us and the path as well!  It was certainly hard to send my man off without knowing exactly when I will see him, but those feelings are covered by happiness that he is getting to experience a different level of this game.  Whether his time is short or long, we are beyond grateful for all of God's provisions along the way!!  In the meantime, I am off to support my boys (Ben and Ben) and start to devise some organization and packing plan.  Not being with these guys will be so very difficult for us and we just don't like goodbyes--so it will be "see ya later"--knowing these Bens will forever be in our life!!!  Alex has arrived safely into Frisco, TX where the team is on the road for the next week.  I am so glad he gets to play in such a cool part of the country and I told him to take pictures--so here's to hoping he follows through!!!  What a cool opportunity we have of seeing many different places across the country!!  Until then may you, too, be comforted in the fact that no matter what you are facing or dealing with now, it is all part of God's amazing plan!!!

Beautiful view on my way to the field in Lancaster, CA

After game and before the news

My pack mule--off to TX

Go Get Em Hubs!!!

Love on those around you,

Arlie

Many Miles, Memories, and a Different Coast Later!!!

Well, this is really happening folks--me writing a blog!!! I do not expect many to read nor to be interested in what is going on here in the beautiful city of Lancaster, but Alex and I felt it would be a great outlet and journal of sorts (and place to showcase pictures and life related stuff)!

Here is the wonderful run-down of the past months!  Alex and I have been married almost 6 months (time flies by when life is amazing) and have already moved two times!

Best day of our lives!! And our awesome wedding party :)

We had the best time being newlyweds this offseason--traveling, relaxing, working, and being "normal" for the time being!  February quickly arrived and with that comes Spring Training. We packed up and headed to Kissimmee, FL (outside of Orlando) and began our first ST as a married duo! And boy did we have a blast--from Alex having a good spring and staying healthy to me running my first half marathon and adjusting to life on the road with my man.  We were able to see many old friends and make new ones as well, including our gracious host family and church family we joined quickly bonded with.  The 5 weeks of the lovely Florida sun and weather was a wonderful welcome to this pale body, but was gone before I could believe!  The time at ST is always wonderful, having early mornings and evenings with the hubs is certainly a blessing that I do not take for granted--such precious moments.  Although the weather and schedule is nice, ST always comes with an unsettling feeling as to where we may end up, will we be let go, will our friends be on our team, will they be let go.  The list is endless and could drive a person mad.  Alex and I tried to not speak of the unknowns and to rely on the promise that our path was made long before these days of Spring Training.  Having our faith grounded in the truths rather than those of this unsettling baseball life proved to be just what we needed to not be in constant worry (1 Corinthians 2:9 was a verse that we read and reminded one another of).  Three days before camp broke (meaning--leave for your new team) rosters were adjusted to what we thought would be final and I headed home to get the remainder of our stuff and our pooch!!!  We were heading to California...me by car, Alex by plane!!!

Car ready for California

It was a hard reality for Alex to just send me on my way and him to meet me there, pretty much against all he is made of--but for the sake of his job and career, we did what was asked and I dug deep and was thrilled that I could be doing something for Alex and make it easier for us in California.  So my lovely hunnie, Scott, came to the rescue and decided to make the trip with me.  We left Hickory on Saturday morning and I arrived in California at the exact time the bus from the airport arrived--talk about some timing!  The trip was filled with many funny memories, deserts, and no exits for many many miles.  I can't thank Hunnie enough for the huge sacrifice and love that went into him making the trip with me.  I definitely would not have made it as fast or as safe without him.

Our scenery much of the drive and in our new home as well

Lancaster Jethawks Stadium

True Californian welcome meal

Within the first few days our mission was to find a place to live, and that proved a tad bit harder than we expected, but it would be no fun for it to be easy and we found a great place.  We are happily settled with our roomates--The Bens and are off to a wonderful season in the High Desert!!!  The weather is a tad bit different than anything I have ever experienced sometimes sunny and warm and other times windy and freezing cold.  I do have to say that I have snagged some great coats at prices you would not believe so I am now prepared. Oh and with the lovely visit from our Mama Anna, Alex and I are outfitted for this crazy unpredictable weather.  Alex and I have certainly been blessed with being sponsored by an amazing family who have already helped us more than we could have hoped (between food, appliances, and just being there for me)!!!!  I have even already gotten to go to a taping in Burbank at the Warner Brother Studios--The Voice-- it was so much fun and a needed break from the baseball diamond.

More than anything, we are thankful to be on this journey together and look forward to the many memories we will make doing this as a team.  We have already learned so much about the country and people we would have never had the blessing of meeting thanks to the lovely game of baseball.  All in all, I am thankful and blessed to be able to support and be with my husband as he pursues his dream.  I miss my family more than words can describe, but I am embracing the adventure and hoping to have many visitors!  The Lord's plans are much greater than any that we would have made for this year, and we will continue to ground ourselves in His word--the only comfort worth relying on!!!

YAY for being a Cali Girl (at least for the time being...will never trump the Southern)

Arlie