Angela Roewe

Deidre Pujols is an expert on grand slams, especially those hit outside the ballpark.

The 33-year-old wife of St. Louis Cardinals slugger, Albert Pujols, and mother of three (with one on the way) understands the ordinary struggles life can throw across the plate, and has found her way to slide home.

Despite all the fame surrounding her and her husband, she remains grounded daily to her faith and family, which she says is her life's purpose, one that took the miracle of motherhood to find; one she says Jesus Christ had planned for her.

Known as DeeDee to her closest friends, she was born in 1976 to her 19-year-old mother in Kansas City, Mo. Her parents married when she was 4 years old, and raised her in Roeland Park, Kansas. She had a normal childhood, playing many sports and participating in the Girl Scouts organization, which she jokes was very typical in her hometown.

She attended a private high school and then studied for one year at Kansas State University, while considering law school, before moving on to a job that piqued her interests.

"I was never much for studies and I had an opportunity to work at a psychiatric hospital in Boston," she said. "I had an aunt who lived there and I wanted to move out on my own and think about what I wanted to do with my life, but I missed my family so much I came home after only a year."

Just two weeks later, she discovered her life's purpose - she was pregnant with her now 11-year-old daughter, Bella, who was born with Down Syndrome. DeeDee's family supported her because Bella's father would never be a part of her life.

"I was a scared young, poor 21-year-old soon-to-be-mother who had no idea of where my life was headed," she said. "When Bella was born that following February, it was quite a shock when I learned she had Down Syndrome. There was no one there who could explain to me why, or what our future would hold together."

But it didn't take long for DeeDee to unveil the truth. Call it Mother's Love, or God's way of bringing her back to her faith, but she says the moment they placed Bella in her arms, she found peace, and her calling.

"As a young person, I was kind of careless with many areas of my life, but when I had Bella I met God for the first time," she said. "I just looked into her eyes, and a message from my Savior was right in her eyes. I became completely dependant on God for how I was going to work through this. I was in the word and really wanted a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and I wanted to know what God was requiring of my life. His message was clear to me. I was put here to be her mother and raise awareness for Down Syndrome."

DeeDee wouldn't know the latter part until after she met the love of her life, Albert, at a salsa club in Kansas City, Mo., in 1998. They had their first official date just days later at a nearby Cheesecake Factory. Bella was just six weeks old.

"Even though Albert was only 18 when we met, he was so mature and different from anyone I had ever met," she said. "He lived such a pure life and just wanted to play baseball. He helped me realize life can be great with the simple things in life. We were mad about each other then, and still are."

The three became an instant family, although DeeDee admits she did not tell Albert about Bella's condition until a bit later because he did not speak much English then, and she was afraid the news would scare him.

"When I did finally tell him, his eyes filled with tears and he said he wanted to help us along our journey," she said. "He loved her immediately, and adopted her when she was 5 years old."

About this time, she told Albert about the relationship she was developing with her Lord and she told him he needed to be a part of it if he wanted to be a part of their lives. She said that without hesitation, he loved the idea and wanted to know more about this God who loved him, and on Jan. 1, 2000, the two tied the knot.

The couple's first move was to Peoria where Albert played in the Minor Leagues. At this time, DeeDee was pregnant with their second child, and with no family nearby, she and Albert had to lean on each other and do the best they could pinching pennies.

"We were dirt poor and did all we could to stay above water at that time," she said. "I sold Mary Kay makeup and received Social Security for Bella's disability. Albert made pennies at that time. Now, I truly appreciate having to go through that because it has helped me understand how much others with special children struggle, and not to take anything for granted."

It wasn't until 2004 that the couple began to realize there was something missing. DeeDee had been praying for a sign from God about their next step, and the cue was on its way.

"Albert was in the Major League, which was one goal we had met, but I wanted to see him on his platform through God," she said. "Todd Perry, a friend who now serves as the executive director/chief executive officer of the Pujols Foundation, called me in and wanted me to take a look at a proposal. Reluctantly, I met with him, and he explained his idea for the Pujols Family Foundation with me.

"I wasn't sure Albert would go for it, as it would add something more to our plate, but when I got into the car, it hit me that this was what I had been praying for - a way to bring Albert and I even closer to God," she said. "We went for it."

The Foundation's mission is to promote awareness, provide hope and meet tangible needs for families and children who live with Down Syndrome; to provide extraordinary experiences for children with disabilities and/or life threatening illnesses; and to improve the standard of living and quality of life for impoverished children in the Dominican Republic through education, medical relief and tangible goods. It currently concentrates on families and children affected by Down Syndrome in La Romana, Batey de Las Pajas and Batey Aleman in the Dominican Republic, Albert's birthplace.

Despite being in the spotlight for Albert's hot career and athletic achievements, DeeDee says their life is as ordinary as any other family. Their priorities are their relationship with each other, their relationship with their Lord, and their children.

"We really work hard on maintaining these even through all of the craziness of our life," she said. "The season has become what we call regular schedule and the off-season is what we always have to adjust to; Albert being home and readjusting to put him back in our routine. He still helps out as much as possible when he is in town - taking the kids to school, helping at school activities, and more. We just do as we have to because this was God's plan for us, even though it's hectic."

DeeDee can't deny this has been an incredible year for their family - an All-Star Game in St. Louis, a new baby on the way (due in February), Albert's many career milestones, and a pennant race.

"I always knew since I met him, he was going to go far," she said. "I'm blessed to have met him and to be able to go along for the ride. We have come so far since our beginning together. For those of you who are searching for something, or trying to find your way, just open your heart to God. In the end, if you are obedient and do what He has called you to do, He will bless you."