TOMS: One for One

I came across Toms earlier today on the internet. I loved the look of them and I know Adam would love a pair for the summer. When I continued to their website I read the real story behind Toms and liked them even more. Check it out! What an amazing way to give back. A big applause for Blake Mycoskie. The whole family will be wearing Toms this summer!

Verse of the Day

Today's verse of the day gets a big AMEN from me! Go about your day today and be eager to do the right thing, even if it is not what you want to do. You will be rewarded by Him!

"Jesus Christ gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." -Titus 2:14

Playing for Haiti

We have done our part from Poland! Have you done yours?

It is amazing to see so many countries come together to help a country that is in dire need of support and relief from a tragic earthquake. When the news broke Adam and I immediately looked for ways we could help from Poland. We donated via the internet to couple organizations that we are familiar with. Although I felt like we did our part I felt like we could've done more. And yesterday completed that feeling. Adam played in, what we thought, was just a friendly match against their rival team. I am going to be honest no one really wanted to play a game on their day off. Come to find out all donations and proceeds made during the game went directly to a Haiti relief fund. As soon as the guys were told, the atmosphere turned into a fun-filled game on basketball instead of a I-wish-I-was-at-home kind of game. Everyone had a great time and I am happy that Adam got a chance to Play for Haiti!

Random Thought: Crust

I am baffled that my son refuses to eat the crust off his sandwiches, from his pizza, from French bread, anything that involves a crust. When did this come about? About a week ago. And where did he learn this? I have no idea but I think it is so snotty (not the right word but can't think of a better one). What is it about crusts and kids?

Top Baseball Prospect Retires to Enter Priesthood

Here is article I came across on FoxNews.com earlier today.

There are many people that aspire to become professional athletes. Grant Desme was going to make it big time, and he still may. But for now, he is retiring from baseball because he feel he has a different calling in life: to become a Priest. God is amazing and His calling is the highest!

Professional Basketball Player vs. Stay-At-Home Fashion Mom

Adam and I have this running joke that when he buys new clothes, shoes, basketball gear, etc., he is buying them because he needs them for his career. Well one time I feel in love with a pair of boots in France. I didn't need them, but I really wanted them. So as I was trying to convince Adam that I had to have these boots I explained to him that I am a Stay-At-Home Fashion Mom who needs them for my career.

As Jayden and I were looking out the window waiting for Adam to get home we saw him carrying 2 big boxes in his hand. My first thought was someone sent it us a package from the states but I could tell from the package it wasn't. Adam came upstairs and let Jayden and I open up the boxes. Sure enough, 4 brand new pairs of sneakers sent from Nike. The moral to my story? I need someone like Nike to send me fashionable clothing since I am a Fashion Mom. That gets me thinking... I wonder if I could pitch my idea to someone! ;)

Basketball, Basketball and More Basketball

I usually don't like to write about our family on this blog but since it is about our lives living overseas while Adam plays basketball I think it fits.

Every basketball player either wants their child to follow in their footsteps and become a basketball player themselves or the exact opposite; since they lived the life of a professional basketball player and know the up ands downs they do not want their child to experience the same.

When I tell people that our son is obsessed with basketball people are probably thinking I am exaggerating. That's not the case at all. Jayden is honestly in love with the sport of basketball. On a typical day, Jayden plays basketball by himself or with Adam and I for a solid 3-4 hours. Jayden will beg to go to Adam's practices and just sit in the stands and watch. On game days, he asks every hour or so if it is time to go to the game. And hasn't just started. He has sat through every one of Adam's games since he was a newborn. I never let him get up and play around during a game so he learned very young that he is to sit and watch the game or we don't go.

So why am I telling you all this? Because earlier today as Jayden and I contemplated what to do this morning he told me, "Mom, I'll just be Dirk and play some basketball." Sure enough, he went in his room and transformed into Dirk Harrington. To have the imagination of a 2 year old would be amazing.

Salt Cave

If you feel like you are congested or have a runny nose I have come up with a solution for you: a salt cave. We visited our friends hotel today, Arka Medical Spa, and the first thing we did was relax in a salt cave. It was extremely relaxing, however, my nose has been running like a faucet ever since! I didn't feel congested and I didn't think I was coming down with anything but apparently I was. A whole box of tissues later, I am still running!

Verse of the Day

"But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness." 1 Timothy 6:11

There are times in life when we need to stop, take a minute to pray and realize we need to get away from the things that cause set backs in our lives. Continue to live with faith and love and endure the amazing gift of life God has given us.

No camera?

Announcement of day: our camera is broke.

I took Jayden to an indoor playground the other day and as I was trying to take pictures I noticed the camera acting funny. Well sure enough, that night when I tried to turn the camera on again it said there was a "lens error." I am honestly really upset. We just embarked on a new adventure and I don't have a camera to capture it!

I have yet to decide if I will have one sent over from the states. After Adam's Blackberry was stolen in the mail on the way to France last year I am too nervous to send anything too valuable.

With that said, anyone have any good recommendations on cameras? I would love a nice, expensive one but it wouldn't fit very well in my pocket so that's not going to work.

Our Journey to Kolobrzeg, Poland

We arrived and are doing well. It was actually a pretty uneventful trip; besides missing our connection in Frankfurt, Jayden only sleep a total of 6 hours the entire trip and losing one piece of luggage (it was Adam's so he wore the same sweatsuit for 5 days).

It started at 9:00am on Wednesday and was a full 24 hour journey across the pond. We drove 2 hours to Boston, flew from Boston to Toronto, Toronto to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Berlin and then drove 4 hours from Berlin to Kolobrzeg, Poland. It could've been worse!

Our flat is absolutely adorable. Brand new, super clean and even decorated. We live about 100 meters from the gym so it works our perfectly for Adam. There is a huge swimming pool and indoor play area for Jayden so that's what has been keeping us entertained until I find a private school for him.

Other than that, life is great! Adam was unable to play last Saturday because FIBA did not get his clearance in time. Thankfully he will be able to play tomorrow. He is ready and excited.

The daily blogging will continue as long as our internet is cooperative.

Heading Across the Pond?

After days of revising contracts we finally have a final contract in hand.

The team said we are flying out tomorrow. I am waiting for our flight confirmations to confirm all of my friends and family of our leave. I will update the blog as soon as I know our flight/depart schedule.

A QUICK 2009 In Review

December 2008/January 2009: Limoges, France. Celebrated NYE with our amazing French friends we made.

February 2009: Our baby boy turned 2 years old. My girlfriend and I (Adam was on the road) throw Jayden an amazing party with 8 of his closet French friends. Everyone got a little piece of America that day.

March 2009: The month I realized my son speaks better French than I do. Adam, Jayden, and I were all struck with the Norwalk Virus. Two nights in the Emergency Room with Adam and Jayden both hooked to IVs.

April 2009: Adam has surgery on ankle. Doctor was stunned with the amount of bone fragments that were floating around in his ankle.

May 2009: Family vacation to Paris Disney. Departed Limoges, France so Adam could do rehab back in the states.

June 2009: Adam proposed. I said YES. We gave our lives to Jesus Christ. The most amazing month of my life.

July 2009: Adam turned 29. We spent the month traveling; Atlanta, New Hampshire, Virginia Beach, New Jersey.

August 2009: Jayden and I spent much of the month together while Adam traveled to Germany to train with Dirk & Holger, Atlanta to train with the Hawks and New Jersey to train with the Nets.

September: We turned down numerous offers overseas that just didn't feel right. Jayden started school at Ja'Duke - a performing arts school.

November: Adam signed with the Springfield Armor. We moved to Enfield, CT to be closer to the team/practice facilities.

December 2009: Adam and the Springfield Armor parted ways; a blessing in disguise. Adam and agent begin talks with team in Poland.