If you don't know me personally, or you are new to the blog, my husband plays professional baseball for half of his living. When he's not playing (in the off season), he is investing in houses and flipping them. He's awesome, I know. 

This year will be my 3rd time traveling with him for the season. Its truly a blessing to be able to leave Las Vegas and follow him for the entire season. Currently, we will be heading to North Dakota where Ryan will play 2nd base for the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks. May 1st is RIGHT around the corner y'all. I'm stoked. 

I get A LOT of questions about the season and traveling with him so I thought I would entertain you with the top 10 questions I usually receive. I'm breaking the post into 2 parts because some of these questions require a little more explanation so stay tuned for Part 2!

10. WHAT IS INDEPENDENT BALL? WHAT LEVEL IS IT EQUIVALENT TO?

Part 1: This is a question I never know how to answer. Essentially, independent ball is professional baseball where players that who have been released from affiliated ball go to play. Not every player is from an affiliated team but most are. 

Some players want to get resigned with a team and others play for the love of the game, or they don't know anything else... Yes, they get paid, yes, they have their own stadium (basically the same as an affiliated pro team, minus a few aspects). There aren't "levels" like pro ball, but like I answer in part 2 of this question, there are many players of all skill levels. And no, not anyone can just walk on a team and play. You still have to be good...for the best teams.

Part 2: Its hard to say independent ball is equivalent to this level or that level because it has players from all over. I've seen major league players on teams as well as rookies (very few). It all ranges, which is cool to see the different skill levels. 

Still confused? Maybe the American Association website or Wiki page can clear some questions up.

9. WHERE DO YOU STAY WHEN YOU TRAVEL?

We normally stay with host families. Sometimes it costs per month, & sometimes its free (minus buying your own groceries and stuff). This, we feel, is the best option. 

You can also lease somewhere but then comes the hassle of furniture, the uncertainty of if you'll be there the whole season, more expenses, and honestly, more hassle. But some people like to do this or bunk up with other couples to lessen the load. And sometimes, teams will have deals with apartments and stick 3-4 players in one place, I've seen. Some teams will host their players in hotels near their fields, as well. It all depends on the team you play for. 

8. DO YOU GO TO EVERY SINGLE GAME?

Yes and no. I go to every home game (That's what I'm there for), and sometimes I will drive to away games if they are close or its a city I really want to go to. When I do that, I get a hotel for the series (3-4 games, usually). 

7.  WHAT DO YOU DO ALL DAY? WHAT ARE "OFF DAYS?"

People always ask, "If the game isn't until 7, what do you both do all day?" Well, what most people don't realize is that the players have to be at the field usually 3-5 hours BEFORE the game starts. So I typically drop Ryan off around 1:30-4 (depending on if there is batting practice or not). That doesn't leave much room to "hang out" since we normally don't wake up until 11 ish. I'll explain why in a second. 

When we're together in the mornings, we eat, workout (somedays) and just chill until its time to go. Now when I drop him off at the field, I do whatever the day brings me. Sometimes, I'll sight see (I'm usually in a new city), and sometimes I'll go home and relax until the game. Yes, by myself, but I don't mind. 

"Off days" are where there aren't any games. Those days are very seldom, but when they come around, we take full advantage. They can be; pool days, zoo days, sight seeing days, chill days, whatever we feel like doing when we have nothing to do :)

Games don't end until 10-11 at night and then the players have to shower/etc so we usually don't get home until 12:30am ish. Sometimes later, sometimes earlier. So we sleep in because we don't wind down until about 2am. 

6. DO YOU HANG OUT WITH OTHER WIVES/GIRLFRIENDS?

These pictures might be deceiving (but that was a VERY rare season). First, let's get one thing out of the way; girlfriends don't usually travel with their significant others (that I've seen) and very few wives do as well. Those pictures were from the season we played in Canada, where like 6 wives were there all season, which is practically unheard of. Fortunately, that was my first year traveling and I'm so thankful for those amazing girls because they really helped me out. Truly, the most beautiful ladies I've ever met. 

My profession is off during the summer so it works out that I can leave for 3-4 months with no financial/work problems. That's not always the case, so most of the time, the girls stay back and hold down the fort. 

Stick around for Part 2 of the questions I get about baseball. 

If you have any you'd like answered, leave them in the comments below and I will add them to Part 2 if not already there!

Thanks for reading :)

GOING BACK TO FREMONT

My mentor teacher from student teaching asked me to sub for him for 3 days this week and I was all for it! I hadn't seen my students since the beginning of December so I couldn't wait to surprise them. I kind of had this fear that I would come back and no one would remember me, or really care that I was there, but that was definitely just me being stupid and doubtful. 

Because when I came back, I was bombarded with hugs and students yelling, "MRS. PINEDA! MRS. PINEDA!" It was an overwhelming, yet so rewarding experience being back with them. This may sound weird, but after I graduated and the weeks went on, I knew that I had missed my students. But I didn't realize how much I missed them until I stepped foot back on campus. All the memories came flooding back and it felt good to be home. 

I mean, how can you not melt at those faces? Its weird to me that only 4 months at John C. Fremont Middle School could have such a lasting effect on who I am. I honestly didn't expect to connect and love my students as much as I did. Still do. I feel like I have 180 children. Most of which I would adopt 100% (not all but most...lol). I guess you don't realize what impact you can make on someone's life in such a short period of time. But the biggest thing I've learned with teaching is that when you are real, honest, and open to anything/everything, the classroom is everyone's happy place. And when that happens, anything is possible. Really. You can literally get the students to do WHATEVER it is you want them to do. I'm serious. What-ever. I could probably get students to stand on their heads in front of their classmates if I really wanted them to. 

We took this picture on the last day of the semester last year. 

And decided to make it a tradition whenever we saw each other again.

Oh that dang Snapchat face swap filter. It kills me. Every. Stinkin. Time.

THE BIG DAY

The move was actually quite easy because we started packing and hauling things to storage about 2 weeks ago. We REALLY downsized and only took the necessities to where we are now. We LOVED this home so much. It was literally perfect for us and the pups (minus the slightly smaller backyard). I was surprised how attached I was when we left. It was truly a blessing to have such an amazing first home with Ryan. I couldn't have asked for better. 

If you're wondering why we sold what sounds like the perfect home, we had quite a bit of equity in it  and wanted more cash to fund more house flips. Eventually, we'll be able to afford our dream home, so selling was the perfect option for us at this time. It also helps that the buyers are recently married and purchasing their first home together...like us. The legacy continues. 

I walked back in to do the final walk through to find our littlest pup, Toby, laying down in the dining room. He wasn't thrilled about the move either. 

I recently discovered this post when we extended the driveway and left our hand prints in the concrete. Oh the memories we've created in this place...I can't believe its been 2 years already.

We ended the night playing Mario Party in black and white (because we didn't have the color cord) with my sister in-law and discovered the Snapchat face swap filter. We were dying of laughter. 

Dem eyebrows doe. 

Snapchat: minsuepin 

follow me if you like dogs, funny stories, and the occasional selfie. 

The night before (I know I'm going slightly out of order), my good friend had tickets to a show at the Smith Center. The Bridges of Madison County was playing and it was soooo good! 

So far, everything is going pretty well. Its a little adjustment moving to a different area but its only temporary until we find a house. I've just been snuggling my baby in the mean time.