Rally For Recovery

Tax Receipts

2008-12-23T14:52:00.014-07:00

Hi everyone! I have received a few questions regarding the tax receipts that you will receive if you were the winning bidder on an auction item. It is quite the process but we are finally understanding how it all works. MissionFish, the organization that eBay works with to run their charity auctions, takes the money out of our PayPal account. Once that money is processed to MissionFish they donate it to Helping Hands Ministries, Inc. This is the charity that actually disperses the funds to the Stone Family. The date on your tax receipt will be the date that MissionFish actually "made" the donation or payment to HHM on our behalf. I received an email yesterday that about half of the donations have been made and the tax receipts are processing. Once they are processed we print them off our computer and mail them directly to you. Even if you get your tax receipt after January 1, 2009 you will still be able to use it for 2008 tax purposes. The date on the receipt is the important part! We are confident that this will be done by the new year but since we don't have any control over it we wanted to let you all know!

If you would like more information please click here to see a diagram of how MissionFish and eBay Giving Works get the donations to the seller's charity, in our case Helping Hands Ministries, Inc.

Here's more information on MissionFish and eBay Giving Works from the eBay website:

"At eBay, we think it's a whole lot easier doing good in the world if you've got someone to help you out. And just as we're here to help you support all of your favorite causes, we sometimes need a little help of our own...and that's where our friends at MissionFish come in. MissionFish is an organization that powers the eBay Giving Works program, providing crucial services like screening all nonprofits wishing to become members and processing all of the incredible donations that result from your successful eBay Giving Works listings! They make sure every donation makes its way to the intended nonprofit, so you can rest easy, and the nonprofit can focus more on their mission.

And because MissionFish is a nonprofit themselves, they really know their stuff.

That's why we rely on them to help us navigate the sometimes complicated world of fundraising, making sure that everything is in compliance with government regulations and that all donations make it to their intended nonprofits. Though MissionFish is its own entity and isn't owned by eBay, it turns out that we're just a good match...emphasis, of course, on the good."

Please contact us if you have any questions at all! Thanks!!!

Final Numbers are Coming

2008-12-17T14:36:00.008-07:00

Happy Holidays everyone!

We are still waiting for eBay to donate the proceeds to Helping Hands Ministries, Inc. so the total amount raised is still being determined. I can fill you in on some of the auction highlights, however!

The single item that went for the highest price was the Derek Jeter jersey. It sold for $1,925! Collectively the Yankees jerseys were the biggest selling items in the auction. All together they sold for more than $5,300! The Brad Ausmus game used mask was a close second behind the Jeter jersey. It sold for $1,695. We were a little surprised by this one but our husbands tell us that it is a very unique mask...almost like a hockey goalie mask. Plus, it was game worn which made it that much more special! Another group of Yankees items, donated by Carl Pavano, also brought in a lot of money. The signed Yankees hats sold for more than $1,400! I am beginning to see a pattern here.

I have to give a special mention to all of the wonderful buyers who sent us such nice emails. We are so thankful that you supported this auction! And of course, to all the people who donated items, this would not have been possible without you.

We will be back with more updates soon. We wish everyone happiness and health in the coming year!

Packing up & shipping out!

2008-12-03T15:09:00.008-07:00

The Rally for Recovery Auction (Part 1) is now over! Alisa is working like crazy to ship off the 100+ items that were purchased. She has a big job but it should all be sent out by the end of the week! We will have final numbers for you once we receive payment on the last few items, minus shipping costs and pay our fees to Mission Fish. It is looking really spectacular! We are absolutely thrilled with the response!

I have to mention the baseball wives and players who, not only donated items, but then turned around and purchased items from the auction! It was quite the surprise to see so many familiar names in my email inbox. You truly have gone above and beyond. Thank you Christi and Kerrie!

There were also many personal connections within the auction. One players college coach bought his jersey. Several friends and family bought items! My Dad was frantic to win the Yogi Berra hat and did! He's so excited to get it.

There are so many wonderful stories that have come from this experience. I have said it many times before but none of this would be possible without ALL of your help! So, thank you again.

On a side note: more items are showing up for Part 2 of the auction! This was totally unexpected but we will gladly take any items that are being donated. It will be on a much smaller scale but we are looking forward to it! We have tentatively scheduled this to begin December 14.

Hurry hurry!

2008-11-30T10:50:00.003-07:00

The auction is coming to an end...quickly! Now is the time to get bidding if you are looking for unique memorabilia. The overnight bidding surprised us when we checked in today. I'm sure there will be plenty of last minute bids. That's how eBay works!

Also, we have received a second wave of items since our press release was sent to the media outlets. We will be putting those items up for bid as well. It will be on a much smaller scale but we are happy to take any items that people are so graciously willing to donate. I will post more specific information on the details once we have them.

Thank you everyone for your support!

Thankful for the coverage!

2008-11-27T20:10:00.012-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We are so thankful to all the news media outlets that have picked up the Rally for Recovery auction story. Click the links below to read all about it!

The Official Site of the Cincinnati Reds

Taiwan Baseball

The Official Site of the San Diego Padres

Sports Collectors Daily

Newsday

The Official Site of the Houston Astros

NY Daily News

All Things Bubba Blog

CBS Sports

NJMG Blog

Sunday is THE day!

2008-11-23T00:52:00.006-07:00

We are so happy to finally let you know that the Rally for Recovery baseball auction benefiting Ricky Stone and his family is set to begin! We have partnered with eBay Giving Works and Mission Fish as the format to run the auction. Winning bidders will receive a tax deductible receipt. Please pass on this information to anyone and everyone!

Items go up for auction between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. PST this Sunday, November 23 and will run until Sunday, November 30. Please be aware that items will not appear in the eBay store until they list Sunday night! Here is the link which will take you directly to the store:

Happy bidding everyone!

The Official Press Release

2008-11-23T00:07:00.009-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DEREK JETER, A-ROD, DAVID ORTIZ, ICHIRO, DAVID WRIGHT, JOHAN SANTANA, GRIFFEY JR., AND JIM THOME ARE AMONG MORE THAN 100 MAJOR LEAGUERS DONATING TO AN ONLINE MEMORABILIA AUCTION TO BE HELD THIS WEEK TO BENEFIT A FORMER MAJOR LEAGUER STRIKEN WITH A MALIGNANT BRAIN TUMOR

Two large boxes from the New York Yankees arrived at the Chandler, Arizona, home of Alisa and Nelson Figueroa on Tuesday, September 23, 2008. They were filled with autographed Yankees jerseys, baseball caps, and baseballs, their donation to Rally for Recovery, an online auction being held to benefit 33-year-old former National League relief pitcher Ricky Stone who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in August.

They were a signed at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, September 21st, the day the Yankees played their last game at the House That Ruth Built. The jersey Derek Jeter signed was one of the jerseys he wore that last day. Included were signed jerseys of A-Rod and Mariano and a number of signed caps including one signed by Yogi Berra who was at the Stadium that day to say goodbye.

Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz, Ichiro, David Wright, Johan Santana, Ken Griffey, Jr., Jim Thome, Ryne Sandberg, Jeff Kent, Jose Reyes, Miguel Tejada, Carlos Quentin, Mark Belhorn, John Smoltz, Brad Ausmus, Joe Nathan, Adrian Beltre, and Roy Oswalt are among over 100 baseball players donating to an online memorabilia auction to be held this week to benefit 33-year-old Ricky Stone, relief pitcher for Astros (2001-2004), Padres (2004), and Reds (2005, 2007), who was stricken with a malignant brain tumor in August 2008.

In May 2008, Ricky Stone was signed by Taiwan’s Uni-President Lions in the Chinese Professional Baseball League. He suffered an injury in Taiwan and he returned to the United States. After Ricky had a Grand Mal seizure, it was discovered that he had a malignant brain tumor. Nelson Figueroa, who pitched for the New York Mets in 2008, had pitched for the Uni-President Lions in 2007. His wife Alisa and Erin Pote, wife of Lions pitcher Lou Pote, founded Rally for Recovery to raise funds for the Stone Family.

Other highlights of the auction of signed baseball memorabilia include a selection of game used items: a catcher mask worn by the Astros Brad Ausmus, a cap worn by Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt, a bat used by Red Sox 2^nd baseman Mark Belhorn during Boston’s 2004 World Championship season, spikes worn by Padres shortstop Khalil Greene, and a baseball used in practice by Mets pitcher Johan Santana before his 3-hit shutout on the next to the last game at Shea Stadium. Also, jerseys signed by Ryan Howard, Andy Pettitte, Ichiro, and Miguel Tejada, spikes signed by Jose Reyes and David Wright, bats signed by Ken Griffey, Jr., Jim Thome, and Morgan Ensberg, caps signed by Jeff Kent, Mike Mussina, Jorge Posada, and Joba Chamberlain, bobbleheads signed by Roy Oswalt and Adrian Beltre, and dozens of single signed baseballs. A 2008 All Star Game ball signed by 26 All Stars and a Cincinnati Reds team signed bat and helmet will also be auctioned.

The Rally for Recovery auction items will be listed on http://stores.ebay.com/Rally-For-Recovery-Baseball-Auction in random order from 6 PM PST to 8 PM PST on Sunday, November 23, 2008. The auction will end on Sunday evening, November 30, 2008.

Authenticity Certificates

2008-11-21T22:55:00.000-07:00

If you are bidding or plan to bid on any of the auction items please be assured that all of the memorabilia is 100% authentic. Mr. Herman Darvick, a close friend of the Figueroa family, volunteered to authenticate the items for us. Each autographed item will be accompanied by a personally signed Darvick Certificate of Authenticity, also signed by Alisa Figueroa for "Rally for Recovery." We are so thankful to him for supporting this cause.

Herman Darvick was one of the charter members of the Universal Autograph Collectors Club, serving as its President from 1968-1987. He is the author of the book "Collecting Autographs", published in 1981 by Messner Books, a division of Simon & Schuster. In 1983, he was asked to write an article for the "World Book" encyclopedia. His "Autograph" article has been published in every edition of the "World Book" since 1984. Darvick ran his own autograph business from 1968-1985 and Herman Darvick Autograph Auctions from 1985-1995, selling memorabilia as well as autographs. In 1990, he received nationwide publicity when he authenticated and sold the first known genuine signature of Shoeless Joe Jackson at auction for $23,100. In 1991, Herman Darvick sold Jack Ruby's gun for $220,000.

From 1996-2005, Herman Darvick was the chief cataloguer and authenticator for Gallery of History. In 1998-1999, he was an expert witness for the United States on autograph authenticity and value when the Estate of Richard Nixon sued for the value of documents confiscated by the U.S. government after Watergate. Darvick has been interviewed by, among others, Oprah Winfrey, Bill O'Reilly, Larry King, Joe Franklin, and Phil Donohue, as well as by the Associated Press, UPI, Reuters, "USA Today," "The New York Times," "The Wall Street Journal," "Yomiuri Shimbun," "Der Spiegel," ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CNN, CNBC, and other media.Since 2006, Herman Darvick has been a Consultant Authenticator for PSA/DNA Authentication Services.

Please click here to learn more:

PSA/DNA Experts

Finally...an update!

2008-11-17T00:07:00.009-07:00

Thank you all for your patience! We finally have an update on the auction. We have opened an eBay store and are partnering with eBay Giving Works to run the auction. There is a whole process of having your charity approved in order to go this route. Thankfully we are now approved and can now start listing the items in our store. This will take us most of this week. We hope to have it LIVE a week from tonight. We are so excited and chomping at the bit to get the bidding started! As soon as the store is ready to go I will post the link!

Just a little taste of what's up for auction...

Ricky Stone GAME WORN Reds jersey.

Scott Linebrink GAME WORN White Sox camouflage jersey.

2008 Reds autographed team bat.

2008 All Star team ball with 26 signatures.

Hall of Famer Jim Palmer autographed baseball.

The countdown begins...

2008-11-08T12:58:00.005-07:00

We are very happy to report that the auction is going to be LIVE very soon! We are working like mad to get this done as soon as possible. A few minor things have held us back a little (one of us getting a job and the other having a husband leave for winter ball). Also, the items are still rollin in! We've received items from Adrian Beltre, Geoff Blum and Darin Erstad just to name a few.

Please keep checking back for the latest information!

Baseball Friendships

2008-10-30T00:05:00.005-06:00

Baseball brings people together from all walks of life. In most cases, you are living in a strange city for 7 months of the year. If you are lucky, there is a good group of husbands and wives which helps makes the season so much fun! And in rare cases, friendships are formed that will last a lifetime. Couples you meet and then think to yourself, we would be friends even outside of baseball.

This kind of friendship formed quickly between the Stone's and Oswalt's when Ricky was first called up by the Houston Astros in 2001. Ironically, Roy was put on the disabled list and Ricky was called up to take his roster spot. Ricky's first call up to the Major Leagues. Ever. That excitement alone is life changing! But something else happened that year that was life changing. Ricky and Roy formed a great friendship and in turn Tracey and Nicole formed a tight bond as well.

Fast forward to 2008 and Ricky's cancer diagnosis. Roy rushed to his side the night Ricky suffered his seizure. He was there with him at 3 a.m. At the time Ricky's tumour and cancer diagnosis was not known.

When we asked the baseball community for their support with the Rally for Recovery auction the Oswalt's were the first to respond. How can we help? What can we do? It was evident to us that they were willing to help in anyway they could. Our sincerest thanks to the Oswalt family for their contributions to this auction.

Now onto the great auction items we have from Roy. You name it, we've got it. So if you want some amazing memorabilia from the 4 time All Star, you have come to the right place! Check it out:

Autographed Glove.

Autographed game worn hat.

2007 Autographed limited edition bobble head.

Autographed baseball.

Autographed 4X6 player card.

Plan B

2008-10-22T13:05:00.013-06:00

We are resourceful gals! We're baseball wives after all. So when we were thrown a curveball the other day we pledged to forge on and figure out the best way to get our auction out there and raise the most money for the Stone family.

The story: We have been working with MLB Auctions as the format to run Rally for Recovery. Recently, while working with their tax auditors and legal group, they ran into problems with allowing the sales to be tax free and tax deductible. Unfortunately, the time frame they are working with is at minimum 6 weeks away and we want to get the auction running sooner than that. Sally at MLB Auctions has been super to work with. We thank her for all the time and effort she put into assisting us!

So, we are on to Plan B! Our goal is to have the auction live as soon as possible. We will keep you updated on the latest news!

Love for The Stone's

2008-10-20T00:53:00.009-06:00

Alisa invited anyone that had been touched by the Stone family to please write in and share their story. This came from the Stone's niece and it is so well written and heartfelt. Thank you Kalynn for sharing this with all of us!

My name is Kalynn Hamm and I’m Tracey and Ricky’s niece. I just read your recent entry about writing to you and I immediately had to let you know just how much my aunt and uncle mean to me. Please bear with me for words can not even begin to tell you how much I love and care for them. I hope through this you can just gain a glimpse of how I feel.

For starters, I’d like to thank you personally Alisa for helping my family. I feel as though you are also a part of our family in regards to everything you’ve done for them. You really are an incredible person for taking the initiative and caring so much to help put this auction together for them. I know I speak for all of us when I say that we can’t thank you enough.

In regards to my aunt and uncle, I really don’t know where to begin. They’ve always played a major role in my life, ever since I was very little. Ricky has always been family to us, even before they were married. I can still remember going over to my grandma’s and peeking around the corner as we pulled onto her street hoping I’d see Ricky’s red truck in the driveway. I remember him calling me while he was away playing ball just to say hi. Even if, due to my extreme shyness, all I had to say was “are you having fun?” Ricky’s just a lways been here. He’s always been my uncle. I couldn’t imagine our family any other way.

Those of you who are very familiar with Ricky know how much of a jokester he is. That, I’d have to say, is something I really love about him. He’s always joking around and can make anyone laugh. People are naturally drawn to him because of his personality and humor. He’ll talk to anyone about anything. Another aspect of Ricky’s personality I admire is his generosity. Ricky is naturally a helper. If you need something, he’ll set everything aside and be there to take care of it. He’d give you the shirt off his back if you told him that’s what you needed, no questions asked. Just the other day I was over at their house and as I looked out the window I saw him over at the neighbors digging a whole in their yard to help them plant a tree. Now that’s what I call a helper. Those are only a few reasons as to why I really look up to my uncle. He’s one in a million.

Although his diagnosis in August was quite a blow, I’d have to say it really has shown me even further how strong Tracey and Ricky are. Coming from someone who has seen this situation unravel first hand, it hasn’t always been pretty. As you know by reading Tracey’s blog there are some tough days. Yet, as you also know, they’re still here. They’re still fighting this with everything they have. They don’ t let a few bad days stop them. They don’t give up. They remain positive and look forward to the next day and all the great things it could bring. For a family who has received what could be such detrimental news to others, they stay so positive it’s absolutely inspiring. The courage they both have shown is beyond what I could describe to you. They are the most amazing people.

In school I would often have people comment on how great it must be to be related to a Major League Baseball player. Well, yes, of course it’s a great thing. Yet, what many fail to recognize is that I’m not just proud of him for what he’s accomplished in baseball, but for the kind of person he is and what he stands for. He’s not just a pitcher, Ricky Stone is my uncle. And not just any uncle, he’s the best.

So what does the Stone family mean to me? Everything. To put it very simply, they mean everything. My aunt and uncle and my beautiful little cousins mean the world to me. I love each of them with all my heart and I’m so proud to have them as a part of my family.

Our Supporters

2008-10-12T09:33:00.028-06:00

Thank you to the amazing businesses that advertised for us, lent their expertise, and provided services! Please visit their websites.

Our Thanks

2008-10-11T23:10:00.022-06:00

When we sounded the alarm in the baseball community that the Stone Family needed help the response was overwhelming and inspiring! This auction would not have been possible without the participation of current and former players, coaches, organizations, friends and family members that generously offered their help. We truly appreciate all the effort from everyone involved. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Tony Asaro, Sacramento Rivercats

The Ausmus Family

Don Baker

Mark Bellhorn

Adrian Beltre

Shawn Bertani

The Bootcheck Family

The Blum Family

Karine Bringhenti

Ben C., Taiwan Baseball

The Cincinnati Reds Clubhouse

The Creek Family

Lalena Christopherson

Chris Dahl, MLBPA

Herman Darvick

Jackie Diehl

The Douglass Family

Brandon Duckworth

The Ensberg Family

The Erstad Family

The Everett Family

The Figgins Family

Nelson Figueroa

The Greene Family

Aaron Harang

Brian Hommel

Mike Johnson

The Kansas City Royals Clubhouse

The Kent Family

The Linebrink Family

The Mahay Family

The Majewski Family

The Moeller Family

Mike Moline

The Nitkowski Family

The Oakland A's Clubhouse

The Oswalt Family

Josh Outman

Carl Pavano

Sheila Peters, MLBPA

The Perkins Family

Scott Richmond

The Saarloos Family

Ryne Sandberg

The Shearn Family

Wendy Simone Shoen, Syracuse Sky Chiefs

Ricky Stowe

Rick Sweet

Jodi Tischendorf, Louisville Bats

Chis Torgusen, MLBPA Alumni Association

The Turnbow Family

The Washburn Family

The Williams Family

The Yankees Clubhouse

Michelle York, Helping Hands Ministries, Inc.

We tried our very best to keep accurate and thorough records while communicating with people regarding the auction. If we have left a name off this thank you list please let us know!

Please share.

2008-10-11T22:58:00.004-06:00

Dear Friends of the Stone Family,

Please let me introduce myself. My name is Alisa Figueroa. Tracey and I have never met in person, yet she continues to enrich my life every day.

Tracey and I "met" when Ricky decided to play in Taiwan. My husband had played for the Uni-Lions last year and so we began emailing and then talking as she prepared for their family's adventure. While the family was in Taiwan I would "instant message" with Tracey on a regular basis.

While playing in Taiwan, Ricky, Tracey, Lily and Riley met the Pote Family. I'm sure you can imagine that when you play baseball in a foreign country the other Americans become your extended family.

After Erin and I heard about Ricky's seizure in August, Erin emailed me and asked me what I thought of doing an online auction to raise money for the Stone Family. I quickly jumped on board.

In the weeks since that email Erin and I have contacted as many people in the Baseball Community to ask them to send us any thing they have to auction online. The response has been amazing. To date we have over 89 unique items that are sure to help raise a lot to help the Stone family.

What I would LOVE is if any of you reading this blog could leave a comment here that tells just what Ricky and his family mean to you. Any words of kindness and appreciation. We want to show the world how the Stone family has touched each of us and to see what a great cause their donation will be going to.

Thank you so much for your assitance with this! Don't forget to visit the Rally for Recovery blog often and to sign up for our email alerts when we add things and to alert you to when items are up for auction!

Thank you Again!
Alisa Figueroa (and Erin Pote)

To Donate without bidding on an Auction Item

2008-10-10T08:53:00.021-06:00

"Offering a helping hand to those in need."

Helping Hands Ministries, Inc. assists those who are experiencing hardships in their life for any number of reasons. We are so thankful that they have established a fund for the Stone Family. All gifts to this fund are tax deductible and donors will receive a receipt in the mail.

Please visit their website for more detailed information about the organization: Helping Hands

To donate to the Stone Family please make checks payable to Helping Hands Ministries, Inc. and send to:

Helping Hands Ministries, Inc.
135 Main Street
P.O. Box 337
Tallulah Falls, GA 30573
phone (706) 754-6884

☆Please do not write Ricky Stone in the memo space. Attach a separate piece of paper indicating you are donating to him☆

If you would rather donate with a credit card please contact Michelle at the above phone number and she will fax you a credit card form.

You can also donate directly through this blog. On the right hand side of the front page please click the "donate" button. You will be redirected to PayPal where you can make a donation directly from your bank account or credit card.

2008-10-10T00:41:00.000-06:00

Under Construction.

We are working overtime to get the Rally for Recovery auction items up on the auction site. Please sign up for our email updates via

FeedBurner ➜ ➜ ➜

You'll be the first to know when there is new info to report about the auction! We can't wait for the auction to go live. The outpouring of love and support for the Stone Family from the baseball community has been overwhelming!

Burn baby burn!

2008-10-08T23:55:00.000-06:00

From the (Ricky's former team) Astros to the Yankees...we are getting some really exciting memorabilia for the auction! The best way to stay in the loop is to sign up for email updates through FeedBurner. Just enter your email address in the box on the upper right hand side of this blog and click subscribe. Once you do that, you will receive an email from FeedBurner (check your spam folder if you don't get one) confirming you have signed up and want updates. Be sure to click the link to activate and you are all set! You will be the first to know when new items are being added to the auction!

The Game

2008-10-08T23:51:00.010-06:00

Ricky Stone played a total of 15 years of professional baseball with three and a half of those years in the big leagues. Like many ball players, Ricky has played in several towns across the United States and even overseas. Those with first hand baseball knowledge understand the struggle and sacrifice of minor league baseball which often times means leaving your family behind to pursue the dream of playing in the Major Leagues. Baseball is only one aspect of Ricky Stone's life. He is a husband, father, son, coach, and friend.

Here is Ricky's baseball story.

Ricky played his high school ball for Hamilton High School from 1990-1994. He spent his summers playing for the Midland Redskins throughout his high school career. They won the Connie Mack World Series his last summer with the team.

He signed in the fourth round with the Los Angeles Dodgers in June, 1994. He played 7 years in the Dodgers organization including 3 years at the AAA level. During that time, he was blessed with 2 championship rings. His career continued in 2001 as he signed as a free agent with the Houston Astros. He spent his first summer with them in AAA and then received his first ever MLB call up in September. He remained with the Houston Astros from 2001-2004. He was named Rookie of the Year within the organization in 2002 and led the team in appearances.

He spent 2005 and 2007 with the Cincinnati Reds and split time between the AAA Louisville club and the big league team. He spent 2006 retired and decided in 2007 that he wanted to give it another shot. His hard work and determination proved that you can achieve anything you put your mind to, as he made it back to the big leagues in 2007. His heart and home belong in Cincinnati, and this is a time that he will always cherish.

This season he spent two months in Taiwan and pitched as a closer for the Uni-President Lions. It was a great opportunity to experience baseball outside of the United States. Upon arriving home, he decided that teaching pitching to young players is something that he would like to pursue. He looks forward to inspiring and encouraging young players to work hard to achieve their dreams. He hopes to continue his career as a pitching coach.

The Stone Family

2008-10-08T23:41:00.008-06:00

The Story of the Stone Family
by Tracey Stone.

It all began on November 20, 1992! We were set up by a mutual friend and went out on a blind date that included McDonald's and bowling. So very romantic. At the time, I was a high school senior and Ricky was a junior. I continued my education at the local college and lived at home during my college years. Ricky finished his senior year at Hamilton High School and was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in June of 1994. We were so excited, but so sad that he would be so far away. We vowed to continue our relationship long distance.

Baseball can be very tough on a relationship, but we somehow managed to work it all out. I graduated from Miami University in December of 1997 with a degree in Elementary Education. I was hired as a first grade teacher in the fall of 1998 and we began to make our plans for the future. We bought a house that winter and then were married on November 13, 1999. I continued teaching and then going out to spend the summers with him. It was necessary for us both to work as he was still in the minor leagues.

In September of 2001, Ricky had returned home from his first season with the Astros with the AAA club. He was home for a week when he got the call he had waited for his whole life. He got called up to the big leagues! He quickly headed on a plane and was off to meet the team in Houston. I spent the rest of the season traveling on the weekends to visit and teaching during the week. The season ended and we began our offseason as usual.

We decided that it was time to take a leap of faith and have me join him during the season full time. I took a leave of absence starting in January of 2002, and went to my first spring training. That year was amazing for us. He made the big league team out of spring training and had an unbelievable season. We were ready to take the next step in our journey together and begin a family.

We welcomed Lily Marie into our family on May 24, 2003 in Houston, Texas. She was born five weeks early and was such a little peanut. She was such a good baby and has grown into an amazing Kindergartner. She has such a sweet spirit and truly lives life to the fullest. She loves gymnastics, soccer, and Hannah Montana.

Ricky played for Houston again in 2004 and was claimed off of waivers in July by the San Diego Padres. Lily and I packed up and headed out west to join Daddy. We had a wonderful few months in San Deigo. We shared lots of amazing family time there. He became a free agent at the end of the season and we once again headed home.

His dream was always to play for the Cincinnati Reds and we found out in November that he was going to have that opportunity. He signed in November but we knew that he was going to have to make the team or he would be in AAA. AAA was in Louisville, which is only 2 hours from home, so we were so excited either way. In February we packed up and headed down to spring training. We also had a secret, I was pregnant with baby number 2!

We came home with news that he made the AAA team and let everyone know that I was expecting in September. He split his time between the big league club and Louisville and we had such a great time. It was nice to get to live at home when he was with the big league club and only be 2 hours away when he was with the AAA club. We will always cherish the time we spent in Louisville and Cincinnati that summer.

Things ended abruptly in August when he signed with the Cardinals. He decided he was done with baseball and came home. He was ready to move on to a "normal" life. He decided to start a construction company. We opened RLS Remodeling and he began finishing basements and doing tile work.

We welcomed Riley Jefferson into our family on September 9, 2005. He is a crazy three year old now that loves pirates and anything that has to do with a ball. He is rough and tough, but has a very gentle and kind spirit. He is constantly thinking of others.

The business went well during the summer of 2006. However, baseball was never far from his mind. His retirement from baseball was good, but he wasn't sure if he was really done. In January of 2007, he picked up a ball and started throwing. He didn't even skip a beat. Baseball is in his blood and now he was itching to give it another shot. I told him I would support him 100% and if he wasn't done, then let's pack up and go to Spring Training. The Reds agreed to let him come down to spring training and try out for them. He went down and gave it 110%. He made the AAA team out of spring training and he was ecstatic. It was so exciting to make the team after being out for over a year. He even got called up a few times that season. I was so proud. I just kept thinking of what a great role model he is for our children. He proved that determination and hard work really pay off! Seeing him on the mound in Cincinnati that year is a time that will be forever in my mind.

Once again, the Reds gave him another try out for the 2008 year. We had the best spring training ever this year. We spent so much time at the beach and the pool. The kids were old enough to understand and loved getting to see Daddy pitch. He made the AAA team again out of spring training, but was released two weeks later. For the last time, we packed up from Louisville. We were weighing our options on what to do next, and before we could make a decision, we found ourselves heading to Taiwan. Yes, Taiwan. We saw it as an unique experience and were so excited to go. We spent the next two months living in Taiwan and immersing ourselves in their culture. We also became very close to God during that time. With no real english tv and nothing else to do, we read our bibles and I began blogging. Our faith grew and our knowledge of the bible grew. Our family became so close and God was the glue holding us together. Our trip ended as quickly as it started. Ricky, who has never been hurt in his entire baseball career, tore his hamstring. We headed home to start the next part of our journey.

Ricky decided that he wanted to teach pitching lessons. He wanted to use his story to encourage others with the same hopes and dreams that he had. He also wanted to become a pitching coach, so we decided to start his resume. However, since we didn't have insurance yet since coming home from Taiwan, I was weighing my options. I really wanted to get a full time teaching position again, but nothing was open and subbing was my only option in the school district. Unfortunately, that does not come with insurance. Riley was starting preschool at The Potter's House and they had a position open for a three year old teacher and it had full benefits. Riley would be close to me and Lily could meet me there after school. I accepted the position on the morning of August 7, 2008. Our insurance would kick in as soon as I started the job. That night however, our lives changed forever.

Ricky suffered a grand mal seizure at our home around 8:40 pm that night. I had the kids in the bathtub and something told me to call his name. I turned off the water and yelled down to him. I just heard a horrible very quiet gasp. I ran downstairs and found him seizing on the couch. I thought he was having a heart attack. Seizure never even crossed my mind. I called 911 and got him on the floor and on his side. The kids had run down by this time, so they were on the other side of him. I just remember that the 911 operator kept asking me if he was breathing, and he was, but it was very labored. He had broken blood vessels around his eyes and on his chest. Then he stopped seizing and stopped breathing. The operator told me to do CPR, so with the kids holding his hand, I started CPR. They prayed while I was trying to breath life into him. On the second set of rescue breaths, he started breathing again, but it was even worse than before. Many people have asked how I did CPR on my husband with my kids there. I only have one answer. God worked through me to help Ricky.

He ended up being diagnosed with a large brain tumor in the front left lobe of his brain that required surgery. The surgeons were able to remove 90% of the tumor. We were than dealt another blow when we found out that the tumor was a very rare anaplastic oligodendroglioma tumor. It was also a grade III, which meant it was malignant. He would need to undergo radiation and chemotherapy.

Our family has traveled a very long journey thus far that has been full of twists and turns. Each one has made us grow stronger. Each one has brought us closer together. Each one has brought us closer to God. Even though we are walking through the toughest times we've faced so far, we are strong. Our faith is strong and we know that Ricky will be healed. This story is just the beginning of an unbelievable testimony that God is building for our family. We must have faith that even though we may not understand why, God does.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by and help out our family. We appreciate it so very much.

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 a future." Jeremiah 29:11