Teamwork makes the dream work

I hate when the kiddo feeds me that line, such coach speak and yet, it is big stick week which always gets me thinking.  Teamwork makes the dream work.

Right now, I am in the middle of a very busy year.  This is a great year, and keeps getting better, but it is busy and it is easy to feel overwhelmed and then...teamwork makes the dream work.  If you have read this blog ever (okay, more than for just a post) you know that I like to workout.  That might be an overstatement, I workout because I can and I like the comradery.  During April, I was doing the OTF Marathon Month for ultra miles and, as is my custom, did too many inclines and hurt myself which meant biking.  Then, last week, I started my first Peloton PowerZone challenge which mean biking.  Catch a few themes there?

Yes, I am biking a lot (I have padded shorts, don't worry).  Yes, I am probably working out too much as I have had 4 days of 2 a day workouts over the past week.  Why you may ask?  Well, we have weekend plans and I will NOT let my teams down.  Sometimes, you have to dig deep and stand up for your teams.  

My OTF crew is bad ass.  We are running, walking, riding, whatever we can to get our miles in studio with guidance from true coaches; the competition is only against the person in the mirror but you never know who is being motivated by you.  I can promise you, people would be amazed to know they motivate me - although I tell them as soon as I remember to tell them.  Today was the last day to get our miles and we did it, I even got to run my last set which I hadn't done in 2 weeks (slow and steady but damn it felt good to run again).  We all cheered each other on when we hit goals, even if we hit them weeks ago - we made it through the month together and that was worth cheering.  Why did we do this?  A cool pair of orange socks. We did not let each other down.  We are a team, we made the dream work.

My Ride or Die Trying Peloton group is also badass.  We aren't in a studio, most of us haven't even met, yet we are doing our 3 + 1AR rides a week to get our team points.  As is the case with the OTF crew, we high five (virtually), we cheer each other on through messaging, we are there for each other.  Today ended week 2 for me, of 8 weeks - we have a long way to go but we will not let each other down.  Why are we doing this?  Satisfaction and bragging rights.  We are a team, we make the dream work.

What else has me going?  Event planning is one of my passions. I love hosting people, throwing big or small parties, big or small events that make people feel special.  Then I had to plan my own wedding.  I never thought a small beach wedding would stress me out but here we are.  Let's talk about the wedding crew.  Most people don't know they are in it.  We aren't having a wedding party other than our amazing boys yet I am getting more help and support from people than I ever knew I needed, and I need it.  Some of the support is hands on, some of the support is talking me down (this happens often), some of the support people don't even realize they are giving.  It is support via SoMe posts, jokes sent, texts, snapchats, phone calls (when I answer the phone) that have nothing to do with the big day (112 days to go).  To stay consistent I can ask why are we doing this?  True love and a lifetime together.  This teamwork that is happening?  Well, it is making our dream work - actually it is making my dream come true.

Are you still there?  Big stick week was all about coaches being there for the kid, his community being there for him, his crew being there for him.  Well guess what y'all, my coaches have been there for me without even knowing it, my community has been there for me, my crews are here for me.  They got me through every class, every ride, every oh what the hell moment of the week, every wedding planning moment.  Without even knowing it, my crews, my teams are my big stick - they are making my dreams work.  I only hope I am doing the same for them. 

Heading into crazy time - celebrating the little things

Fat Tuesday is almost upon us, in fact, in 1 more Friday I will be touching down in New Orleans where my many beads, tutus and MG family await so that we can ride in our Krewes, dance in the Garden District and pay the proper respect to both Pat O's and Marie Laveau.  Rest assured that I do not forget tiaras, they simply travel with me on the plane so they are not already in the Crescent City (unless I buy a new one again this year, then that one is still waiting for me in the store but I digress).

While Mardi Gras in itself may seem crazy to most, for me it is the time leading up to it and following it that is even more insane.  Between now and then I will be traveling to see family and friends - UD will beat SLU while I am cheering in red at the Arena, I have no doubt AND I get to see the Kiddo doing his thing, always awesome - working and doing other adult things.  Immediately following MG, we have a busy month of out of state weddings, games and a jaunt to CA for a race and some baseball.  Now you see my crazy, however, I don't mind it.  What I hold on to is the calm  - the routine of getting up and working out, feeding the dogs, hanging out with friends, working during the day and spending time with the Big Guy at night.  I find time to celebrate the little things like the fact that the dog didn't catch the rabbit, drinking wine on the porch with my neighbor in rocking chairs, the bed being made when I get home in the morning (and not just because I make it wrong, but because Bill rocks), What's App and SnapChat messages from the kids.  Sometimes it is hard to find the little things because life is overwhelming, I have A LOT to get done before the travel starts next week but sitting here, sipping coffee, looking over work email and writing this blog reminds me that the little things make the big things worth it.

Keeping in the theme of my last blog and my journey - I have a new little thing to celebrate today.  Green.  No, not money, while important, it is not the green I am talking about.  It is the colors of me in the green, and orange while still in my red.  Yes, check-ins at OTF help different charities (while giving them free marketing, something I also support), it also helps me and reminds me that I am not alone in my journey.  I have friends across the US in OTF and when I see them check-in, I feel like, even with the distance, we worked out together (yes Mel & Kim, I am talking to you!).  For someone who traveled and moved most of her life growing up, holding onto the fact that no one is more than a plane ride away and that we are still living life together is important, this has not changed as I have gotten older. Anyway, back to the celebrating my little thing - GREEN AND ORANGE!!!  Yes, I run red on the tread (I see what I did there 😂😂) but I am celebrating the green and the orange! What are you celebrating today?

Pretty Greens and Orange!!!!! 

The sparkle was there and the fox was too...

What did the adventures of the weekend bring? It is hard to even know where to start. It was a weekend of family, fun, memories, laughter and tears. It was watching the seasons change and corn grow. There was a fox, a song, and a glimmer in more than one young girl's eyes. There was dancing - oh my goodness, was there dancing. And did I mention our ever growing family?

Over the years, as our family grew, we also grew literally apart. There are different cities and different states (there were different countries but not for now). My cousins, some of whom I still see as little kids, are grown and getting married, they have children of their own now. Never mind the fact that I have two boys in college. My cousins have grown into amazing men and women, even if we still are all kids inside - we come by it honestly, our parents are still kids too.

This weekend I was back in Bel Air, a small city that I called home for many years even if we didn't live there. Today, I walked down the John Carroll path next to what will always be my Grandma and Grandpa's house in my mind. It will always have green shag carpet in the family room and pink tile upstairs. Yup, it is why I want a shag carpet in my office. Bill was with me as we walked down the path, as I looked into the now fenced backyard and the memories came flooding back; I swear I heard my Uncle Gary telling me that I was going to be in trouble for planting a tree in Grandpa's garden. I saw Grandma at the table cleaning oranges, putting away what seemed like 100 dozen Christmas cookies and 365 chicken breasts. I heard Grandpa calling me from his big chair because Fraggle Rock was on HBO. I saw my Mom walking downstairs in rollers and Little Joy coming up the path in her uniform. I heard Uncle Tim & Uncle Scott on the front porch drinking beer and Alex curled up sleeping on the carpet as the family all walked around him. As we crossed into the JC property, I saw Brian teaching Alex to skate on the pond - a pond that now has a No Skating (or doing anything else) sign. I saw my daddy and brother running around. I told Bill about the cat tails that we used to pick and blow apart, and the nuns that would be walking around campus. I looked back at 508 and I shed a tear or two because of the fond memories, I laughed while they flowed remembering the amazing times that I hadn't thought about in so many years.

The walk down memory lane wasn't what the weekend was about though, the weekend was about my cousin Brian - who is still a kid in my mind - marrying the beautiful Jessica. The family came together at St. Mary's to celebrate their marriage before God, and then to party with them. I got to meet, and spend time with my cousin's kiddos - 4 daughters and 1 son between 2 of them! They - the little girls of course - played with my purse, as I am sure I did with my aunts' purses years ago. I introduced one of them to glitter lip gloss - I am sure her mom will thank me later - okay, maybe not thank but I am the oldest so I get to have some fun. They all learned that when Great Aunt Maria and Erin ask them to dance, the only answer is yes. The girl's eyes sparkled so much as they twirled around the dance floor I could see my Grandmother in them laughing. I taught one of them a line dance, I cannot wait to teach them all so many more. The lone boy talked basketball as I tried to convince him to go see Alex at Dayton; poor kid, only boy in a girl dominated family right now - he gets a medal for the weekend. Mom lifted the girls up on an old tractor and it became a chariot, Daddy took them to meet the horses and they became their friends. The cousins, myself included, all laughed as we remembered how my Mom, their Aunt Maria, used to do the same with us. Jessica, my newest cousin, looked like a princess and took our breath away as she twirled around the dance floor, and when her dad sang to her? Forget it, not a dry eye in the room. We knew Brian found his match, he lit up as she entered his sight - she is now our cousin and will never get away without sparkling and dancing. And while most of us had not seen each other in far too long, it was like we had never left. I even got my cousin Joey to dance - maybe I do have a lot of Mom in me. Oh, and the fox. As we walked down the hill to the barn I saw a red fox run across the field and knew that Big Joy was standing next to Grandma in heaven smiling down at all of us so proud that we were together as a family once again. No doubt Unkie and Grandpa were there looking down saying 'Those damned kids' and smiling too.

The rest of the weekend was spending time with family, in small groups over crab and large ones at the pub with crab. The cousins listened to old stories and we talked about getting together to make new ones. Lots of drinks were drank and plans were made then changed so we could all have one last breakfast together before heading our separate ways. Did I mention eating crab? Crab dip, crab cakes, crab pretzels and let's not forget Bill's first steamed crab experience. I may have gotten enough to last me a month, okay a week. Okay, a few days. I better get more Old Bay.

I hadn't blogged in a while, no reason why as life brings new reasons to everyday, I just hadn't. After this family weekend I was ready to write again. The love, new and old, the family, new and old (no I am not calling you old Mom), reminded me how very lucky I am to be a Reilly. How very lucky I am that I have a family that picks up where it left off, no matter how long it has been. How very lucky I am to have words to capture all the joy that started many years ago at a house we called home on Linwood Avenue.

Oh and I did I mention we all got to celebrate Mom's birthday together? No? Well that's because I forgot that too. Daughter of the year award, but I think she might forgive me as I willingly let her hold the newest cousin. Okay, maybe I tried to run away with the angel in my arms and Mom caught me but it's my story so whatever.

Here's to the Reilly family - whether by blood or by love, whether your name is Reilly or not - once you join our clan, there is no getting out and we are so glad you are here. Now, go fish in the pond and dance to the music because no sign, or lack of power, is going to stop us.

Butterflies - someone has them for you

It is no secret that I am the biggest supporter of my boys.  Home, school, sports, work - I will always have their back and brag about them to the point of embarrassment.  That is just the kind of Mom (& Daddy) I had so it is the kind of Mom I am.  I have never felt the need to apologize for it, I have never felt like a helicopter parent due to my pride - in fact, and if you as the boys they will probably agree, I am harder on them than other kids simply because I know they can reach their goals.  They both have all the tools they need to do work and accomplish whatever they set their minds too.  This is one of those proud moments for the kiddo - the one that used to be the short one.

Today I am on one of my random trips.  Some people think I am crazy, I am probably am, but sometimes I think you need to use your miles, get on a plane and go for an adventure.  This adventure took Alex & I back to Dayton - UD specifically - for the biggest game to date for our Flyers.

Today I dropped him off at the back of the Arena, a door I never knew existed in my 4 years here, so he could do work.  My son will never wear a basketball team uniform, will never make the winning free throw (and not just because he misses those - always) in a D1 game, will never be in the player hall of fame, but that kid?  He goes through the back doors to the UD Arena.  He, and his fellow managers, set up the benches, the locker rooms, the uniforms, the water bottles / towels / chairs with smiles on their faces.  If not actually on their faces, they have them inside as they know what a privilege their jobs are. Every time they enter the arena and hit the floor, they have the same butterflies the players do.  They feel every swish, every miss as if they were suited up to play.  They do their own shoot around before the players hit the court.  While I know in reality this is just shooting hoops with buddies, part of me wonders if they do it to make sure there is nothing wrong with the rims, the balls, the shot clocks.  There is nothing these managers won't do for their players, their coaches, their team.

It might not make sense to everyone, and it sounds irrational when you say it out loud to be sure, but tonight, as I am cheering on our Flyers, I will have butterflies for those men behind the bench.  For those who do work because they love it and because they know that it is their job to ensure everything behind the scenes works so their players can go and make the shots and get the win.

Moral?   Decide what you want to do, do the work, go through the secret doors and get it done. Somewhere, your mom, grandmom, dad, grandpa, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, or friend (okay, all of the above I am sure) have butterflies for you.  Know you are going to get it done right because whether you are the guys on the bench or behind it, someone has faith in you and knows you can get it done.

A thank you note - no, not that kind, the musical kind

It comes as no surprise (as I say it all the time), I like to sing.  I am not a rock star, not an opera singer, I am just someone who got blessed with my parent's talent and love to sing.  Good times or bad, I sing it out.  What do I sing and why?  We'll get to that.

My parents are strong people, they had to be with the lifestyle we lived.  We moved around and yet, they always made it feel like home no matter what.  I was raised that you have to live for today and tomorrow, you can't live in yesterday so I don't.  I was raised by these amazing people and I am stronger because of them.  I hold onto memories, not houses or towns.  (Okay - it appears UD is an exception as it is now Alex's home and it is hard to let go of somewhere that clearly runs in your family's soul but that is not what this is about so moving on.)  Yesterday, I was driving to the house I bought for Alex and me when he was 1 years old and I had a moment of pause. 

See, I have leased the house out for years and am now selling it.  Yes, it is just a house, it has not been a home in a long time, but yesterday was a little hard.  I drove up to my little house with the perfect red door that I painted and brick mailbox that was a birthday present and had a moment of pause.  I wasn't expecting the emotion, wasn't expecting the hesitation that I was selling Alex's first house, that I was selling my house.  I found myself having a hard time getting past it to be honest, and that is odd for me.  I will always remember the memories, the family and friends who made the little house with a red door a home.  Run for the roses, right?  That is what we Reilly's do.  It is okay for it to be hard, it should be hard, it's how you deal with the hard that matters.

I could have cried, and if I had, that would have been fine but I didn't.  Driving away, I turned up Abba - loud - and starting singing Thank you for the Music.  Why not my soul song Dancing Queen?  Well it's simple, I was literally thanking my parents for giving me music.  Music helps me cope with life.  I was singing and laughing about closing a chapter of my life - I was coping in my own way and moving on.   I am not saying I won't have another moment of pause when I sign the closing papers, won't drive by the house in a few weeks, months, years, and smile.  That I won't have to sing again and that it will be the same song.  In fact, I can almost guarantee it won't be, I am fickle like that, but for now?  Well I am saying thank you for the music Mom and Daddy, thank you for always letting me dance and sing in my own way, to my own orchestra. Thank you for giving me music and teaching me to be strong and look forward to tomorrow.  Thank you for the music, for giving it to me.

Who needs 2 wheels when you have 2 feet

This morning, at the very early hour of 5 am, we sent Alex off to spend a week studying government first hand in Washington DC with 35 other Jesuit men.  Dressed in his collar shirt (you always travel in a collared shirt as a man in our family - it's a lesson we start teaching as soon as they fly which, in his case, was before he could walk), he hugged us and said he will see us in a week.

Like every teenage boy traveler, Alex had a bag with his clothes and belongings across his chest ready to get on the plane and sleep.  He blended in with the Jesuit crowd just as he wanted and it made my heart happy as 2 months ago, we almost had to tell him he couldn't go.

When we told him he had to cancel the trip to Alaska for service, he was disappointed so we held off on canceling the DC trip just in case.  The school, and his teachers, were amazing saying we could wait until 3 weeks before the trip and he could bring whatever he needed to make it easier.  He worked hard in PT and it worked as he got to still go to DC with a wheelchair just in case.  Side note, if you have never been to DC, the Metro is amazing but you still walk around a lot thus the wheelchair just in case.  He talked to his roommate who was good with helping him out if he needed too, I vaguely heard of some negotiation where Alex would ride in the chair sometimes and his roommate others but of course, boys would never do that (HA!  Yes, they totally would.).  Today Alex went on his trip with only his brace, Alex doesn't worry about needing a wheelchair because he did the work and is reaping the rewards.

In his bag are a week's worth of clothes, chargers, an eStim and PF boot.  He got a note from his PT so that he could go to the weight room and use the treadmill for his rehab on days they are sessions in the hotel and not walking around.  He talked to his teacher, who happens to be the CC coach, joking about getting up at 4 am to do 6 miles with him as they waited to go through TSA.  I know adults (okay, maybe I am one of them) that aren't even half as dedicated to rehab as this kid.  Yes, I know I am biased and overly proud but I can't help but think his dedication might someday inspire others.  Maybe he will be a coach or teacher one day and tell the story of what he went through to a player of his and motivate them to get through their rehab.  Maybe a friend will share the story or one of his teachers or coaches to help lend someone else that bit of hope and drive to push just on step more.  Maybe none of that will happen but he certainly has motivated and inspired me time after time over these past 2 months.

2 months ago we weren't sure Alex would ever have control of his right leg and walk ever again.  Today, he got on an airplane bound for DC with his Jesuit brothers to meet up with students from the around the US and walk around our nation's capital and see in person what they have studied in books in their government class.  If that isn't motivational, I don't know what is.

A room with a view, and no doors, and no windows. Okay - an outside office

Back in August of 2012, I used to sit in this same 'corner office' waiting for the kids to be done at Jesuit while I worked and drank my green tea.  Today, almost 3 years later I am doing the same thing.

This is my second 'corner' office of the day as my first one was at BIR while Alex worked with the best PTs DFW has to offer.  Right now, he is across the street taking his Spanish final (even with the work I am doing I am luckier than he is right now) and I am waiting to we can hit Ruthie's for some grilled cheese - the best in the world - before he loads into the bus to head to SHSU to beat Oak Ridge.

It is funny how life can sometimes come full circle in the strangest ways.  If you had asked me if I ever would have been sitting here working waiting to drive my son somewhere from Jesuit after summer school I would have laughed and said no.  Why?  Because 17 year old boys drive themselves and their buddies, they don't ride with their moms.  That is just not how this works.  Since April 20th, I have learned a whole lot of things change and while they seem to be hard at first, they really are kind of great.

This morning, two older gentlemen were talking and saw my Jesuit baseball shirt and asked me 'How are our boys doing?'.  See, they have grads or know grads and have been following our team so we talked for a while.  They told me how proud of our team they are and how our boys have 1000s of people cheering for them from all over.  It made me smile and reminded me how lucky we are to have Alex and Billy as a part of the Jesuit family.

This morning, instead of being in my office (and while I do have a window it is just not the same), I got to sit in the sun and listen to the birds, the cars, the occasional airplane and the voices of the boys on the various fields across the street.  I feel refreshed and alive.

This morning I got to see some of Alex's coaches and see him almost run up the stairs into school.  Yes, that running was not what most would call running but in our normal?  It was the fastest he has ever been.  I still am in awe when I watch how far he has come.

This morning I got to have all of those awesome feelings because I had to drive Alex around because of our circumstances.

Today Alex is fatigued from PT - it was a very hard work out - but he took his 30 minute break in the car and then dug deep and headed in to fatigue his mind with finals.  He packed his baseball bag with all the things that bring his team luck and his pillow as he knew this road trip would require rest.

Today I am fatigued because of the drives, the crazy schedules, the circumstances of life but I too dug deep and headed into the day.  I packed my bag with cow bells, rally towels and glasses for our long road trip.  How could I not if he can do it, I surely can too!

Suitcases open doors, since April 20th we have had many suitcases, bags & boxes and today?  Today I get to work outside without a door because of it.  For that, I am grateful and for the fact that I have a kid that doesn't know how to quit?  I am blessed.

It's a wonderful life - not just a movie title y'all

There is a lot of crazy things going on in the world, of course this is nothing new.

I have a wonderful life - a great family, amazing friends, a job that I like going to everyday and a warm home to come home to at night.  I have two kids that I am over the moon proud of and a man who loves me for me (and y'all know that can't always be easy!!!).  Why do I say all of this?  Well, not to brag my friends.  There are days I don't want to get out of bed, there are days work is the last place I want to be. Heck, there are times that I don't want to home and everyone knows family and friends (I include myself in that group thank you very much) aren't easy to deal with either.

What's the point?

We are ALIVE.  This is a huge deal people.  We are breathing, even if our lungs hurt the air is coming in.  We are able to get that hug if we need it (yes, even non-touchers like me need them sometimes), or yell at that person or project out of anger or frustration (ha - okay, I speak loudly all the time but I mean yell).  We are able to cry when life is overwhelming or laugh with unabashed joy in our hearts.  Let me say again - WE ARE ALIVE.

I make a choice everyday to get out of bed and carry on with life.  Good days and bad, happy and sad.  I make that choice and I want each of you to make it too.  Live those amazing days to the fullest and live the hard ones too.  You are a friend, a son, a daughter, a mother, a father, a brother, a sister.  You are a human and you are alive and we want you here.

Please don't take any of this as preaching, I am not arrogant enough to presume I can tell anyone anything about how to live a good life - I am lucky and love life.  I just observe and feel like the human race, really - those I love - sometimes need a reminder to carry on.  And because I do have a soundtrack for life (of course I do and yes, I dance to it too) - there is a song for that:)

Update - I just noticed that my last entry in July (need to write more - goodness knows my journal agrees) was about the same theme...things that make you go hmmm my friends as I write about what I observe...

Rain will make the flowers grow

And rain will make the flowers grow...

Life has thrown many curve balls lately, not for me directly necessarily, but to those around me who I know and love.  This morning, I awoke to Trouble Dog letting me know that it was storming and all I could think was the song A Little Fall of Rain.  Yes, I typically turn to songs during life - it is just part of who I am (a little dramatic?  Check!)  and this morning, that song is resonating with me. And right now?  We need the rain to bring the flowers.

Life isn't easy to get through my friends, it isn't supposed to be, but I believe that we will get through it even in those darkest times when we don't think we will.  I don't know how, and I don't know when or why but I know we will and we can only do that together.

We all have different opinions & beliefs; we are all different and that is what makes each of us so special.  That is why we all need each other whether we admit it or not.  I pray for all of you - I pray that you find peace, joy, happiness, sorrow, love.  I pray that you laugh when you need to laugh and cry when you need to cry.  I pray that rain brings us all flowers - because a little drop of rain can hardly hurt us now.  We are all going through this life together, we're here, and that's all I need to know.

(Note: I posted this whole entry on FaceBook as it seems to be a mini-blog site now and needed to share it but wanted to include the YouTube here...)

Flying into the future with a blue dog & flying kid

I ended last year as I have the past 2 years - with a race on New Year's Eve and one on New Year's Day with the kiddo.  As I watched him (far, far) in front of me I was moved at the beauty of watching him run alone on the path.  It was peaceful despite the music rushing through my ears and I was moved at how he looked so free, just him and the road.  Amazing.

Of course, there were many pictures after the fact and as I reviewed them, it struck me how much he has grown the past 3 years.  I don't just mean physically, although he could put his head on my shoulder the first year and now I have to put my head on his, I mean mentally as well.  He is a confident kid running at the front of the pack without a second thought.   He is no longer nervous walking into school, onto the basketball court, onto the field.  He knows he belongs and just goes to work - whatever the work happens to be at the time - always looking forward.

Yesterday I was cleaning out my briefcase and found his old Blue's Clues mailbox sticker. He gave me this sticker when he was a little boy and I taped it to my monitor where it stayed until I got a new one last year.  Clearly, I couldn't throw it away as it still remains with me, in my briefcase.   The past came rushing back of him solving whatever mystery Blue had for him that week in his big chair.  Even then, he knew he would solve the problem.

What's the point?  I could have easily gotten stuck in the past with those pictures, with that sticker; it was easier when he was little and I could hug away the problems, the fears, the scary parts.  There past where my little angel thought there was nothing his mommy couldn't do but I don't want to do that, or go back there.  I loved spending time with him as is our tradition, I love that sometimes he still needs a hug (yes, I hug him even if I don't hug - he is an exception to the bubble), I love that he ran out front into an unknown future and does so every day.  I love that one day he has a problem that will 'end the world' and the next day, he goes to work and figures it out.

Moral - I don't do resolutions but I do embrace the present and look towards the future; my kiddo reminds me of that, even if he doesn't realize it.  We sit down in our thinking chair or we put one foot in front of the other and we solve the problem.  The past demands it of us.

I don't run with my phone, or a camera, so I didn't get a picture of him a head of the pack
but thanks to one of my running friends, I will always have this one of the kiddo flying.

Embrace it - whatever it is for you

I was going to write all about how great my weekend was, I even have the draft ready to go with pictures but after Monday, I didn't post it.  Like many others, I felt so confused, angry, sad, angry (it warrants being repeated) that I wasn't in the mood to be cheery about my great weekend.  Boston affected people in many different ways, I am no different.  Then we woke up this morning to the West disaster and it seemed like the hits just wouldn't stop coming.  I don't know anyone in West but drive through it on my way to Austin to see my family.  Everyone who has made that trek stops at the Czech Stop for kolaches...West is a vital part of the road trip.

This morning I posted the following on Facebook:  

"This week we all came together as a country in support of Boston and each other as we witnessed the tragedy of evil. As we woke this morning, we learned of a different kind of tragedy in West, Texas and again we all are coming together in support of the people of West. The endless capability of the human spirit to give, pray, support and come together is awe inspiring. Please hug your family a little tighter this week; tell your friends - even those you may have not seen in a while - how much you love and value them; take an extra moment to say 'hi', wave or smile at a stranger just because. We are one people despite the difference in our opinions, our beliefs, our heritage. God Bless everyone, my life is even more valuable because you are all in it."

and it hit me, here I am saying take a moment, remind people that you love them and enjoy life and I was not following my own advice.  I was keeping the lessons from my awesome weekend to myself.  I spent time with wonderful friends and family this weekend and I cannot let the terrors of this week steal that from us.

This weekend was jam packed from Friday night until Sunday night.  It was one of those weekends that you have so much going on that you forget about things like groceries or laundry (thanks honey!)...minor details.  However, it was an amazing weekend and if every weekend was like this one?  Well, that would be perfect.

We had rugby & baseball and once again, watching my boys do what they do brought me such peace.  Yes, they are two different kids and they both have different roles in their sport but they are both athletes in their own right.  Watching them embrace what they do?  Best use of my time - we could learn from them.  Go for your dreams and don't worry about the guy trying to slam into you or what people might think as you work on the book and analyze what works and what doesn't.

Saturday night was date night - something parents understand as a luxury that we don't often remember to take advantage of - at the auction.  The man and I met at an auction many years ago, and being a little bit of a cheesy girl, they mean a lot to me.  Even more fun?  I got to wear a fascinator come on (it was a KY Derby theme)...how is that not a perfect night?  

Sunday morning brought what many of my Sunday mornings do...race day!  It was my 8th half marathon and I finally got to run along White Rock Lake.   Even more exciting than spending my Sunday morning with the running girls, my cousin landed right as I was crossing the finish line.  I have many cousins, and since I moved away when I was young (and before most of them were born,) I don't get to see them often.  It was a special treat that she was in town for work so we took advantage of it.  

We started family funday at the horse races, my first trek out to the races here in Dallas and I can't wait to do it again.  Us ladies chose our horses based on names and spunk, the boys?  They had a super secret science to it.  We won't talk about who was more successful...:)

No trip to Dallas would be complete without a walk through Dealey Plaza, so the man gave us a first hand tour of what it was like that fateful day in November.  It is a different story when you have someone who was there telling it.  Even in that place, where tragedy struck so many years ago, we weren't on our guard, we were simply walking around enjoying the weather and each other.

The weekend closed out with a true Texas dinner - red meat.  If you have ever been to a Brazilian steakhouse, you know what I am talking about.  Now, I am not a huge eater but Sunday night?  I ate my weight in meat and didn't worry a bit. 

I loved spending time with my cousin, loved that my boys got to spend time with her and that we all had fun doing it.  I am sure there were stressful points in the weekend, but I don't remember them...I just remember having an amazing time with everyone. Laughing, cheering, loving, eating, drinking (it is what we do - we are Irish/Italian and you have to eat and drink for it to be a family event.)

Last weekend I got to spend precious time with my family and my friends.  I didn't worry about work, laundry, school, life, I just embraced the moment to spend time with those I love.  I need to learn to do that more often, life is too short my friends!  The laundry will be there, work will be there, school will be there, but times like these?  They won't always be around - enjoy them, embrace them, and while you are at it?  Embrace each other a little tighter; sometimes a fast horse, an auction, a plate of meat, a glass of wine, a walk through history is exactly what you need.  Run for your Roses this week...we certainly did this weekend.  And after the tragedies of this week, I think we can all use a little embrace.

Today we fight

I had lunch with 3/4 of the CN Mafia (great group of friends aptly named by one of the fiancees); we were sampling food for the reception, it is an important role that we HAD to do.  You know, because none of us have ever eaten at Fuddruckers before...hee hee hee :)

Anyway, while we were sacrificing buffaloes in honor of our hungry tummies, we were talking about life and death.  All of us are of the mindset that when it is time to go, it is time to go.  But we are all fighters.  There is nothing that we wouldn't fight through if we put our minds too it (we are forged in TM mud after all).  

Today, a friend is fighting for the right to live literally.  He is going for surgery for a new heart.  Yes, this is the same person that had a heart 'die' on him months ago while being prepped.  Today, the heart is viable and will be his.  We tough girls all made it clear that once we are gone, we are donating everything that can be used.  EVERYTHING.  If someone gets to live on, live on!  We certainly don't need it anymore.

So today, we fight for him.  We fight for his amazing wife and his two great kids.  We fight for everyone who can't fight for themselves.  Everyone is unique, has different opinions on right and wrong, politics, religion, you name it, but everyone deserves the right to fight.

Angels watch him as he fights today, and let him know that we are fighting for him too.

Because I can

On March 3rd, I ran my first marathon.  This was a huge deal for me for so many reasons.  26.2 down.  I can say the words "I am a marathoner" and be proud of it.  I had an amazing group of friends come and cheer for me in Arkansas - yup, they drove the 5 hours to Arkansas - through the whole thing.  At one point, they actually fed me, FED ME, and I let them.  I asked for hugs at the end, the non-toucher needing hugs and help walking, but that is neither here nor there.  I had more family and friends cheering for me from a far - they were with me the whole time too whether they realized it or not.

That whole amazing experience, where I started as a girl who started running a year and a half ago, made me realize just how much a person is capable of doing.  I did start and end as a different person and would be lying if I said I wasn't thinking of doing another one, pain, tears, scars and all.  I am a marathoner, and that is not the most amazing thing that happened to me that weekend.

On March 2nd, I walked in the Walk MS event in Dallas for the third straight year.  Lauren and I walked with our families for a cure.  It was awesome to see the amount of people out there walking, riding, running, scooting, whatever it took to show the dedication we have to find a cure for MS.  I don't know how many more years we will be walking it together (there is talk of a tent with a hostess next year) but I know I will be walking it as long as these two legs will carry me, just like I will be running in races as long as the same two legs will carry me.  Why?  Because I can.

I got countless emails and texts the week after asking me how I felt and my most honest answer was that I felt blessed.  Yes, I was sore as hell and I could never imagine running a 5k, let alone a marathon, ever again, but more than that? I felt lucky.

Somewhere between my wipe out after mile 8 and the hill from hell at mile 24 I realized something.  I was doing what so many people cannot.  The day before, I was celebrating and walking in honor of so many people who would LOVE to be able to run even a mile, let alone 26.2.  Sunday, I was realizing a dream I had put my mind too. My legs, muscles, feet, lungs, heart - sure, they may have been screaming and cramping in ways I didn't know was possible - were carrying me the whole way.

I wrote this many weeks ago and never posted it, I still don't think it provides the full message, or emotion, of what I feel about that weekend but it was time to hit 'Publish'.  People still ask me why I did it.  People think I have lost my mind as it is bad for my knees, or hips, or doesn't need to happen as no one is chasing me, or takes too much time, or or or.  The real answer is I did it because I can and so many others cannot.  And it isn't because they don't want to, or they just don't care to put in the training or try, they physically cannot do it.

I am a marathoner because I ran 26.2 miles and I did it because I can.

It's Mom's Day!!!

Growing up, we all say - 'Please don't let me grow up to be like my Mother!' and slowly, but surely, we have kids and we do.

Well today is my Mom's birthday and I am proud to say, I have grown up to be just like my Mother and I thank God everyday for letting me be her daughter and for the things she has taught me.

Happy Birthday Mom - I love you!

(And yes, today I would pop my bubble & give you a big hug:)

Please let them make their bed...

This past week my kiddo started 8th grade without much fanfare, and with only 2 pictures permitted neither of which where anywhere near the school. He went in as if he owned the place, a place he has been since preschool so maybe, in a way, he does. The week continued with seeing the other kiddo play his first scrimmage for his high school football game.

FIRST HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME.

FINAL YEAR AT GRADE SCHOOL.

Oh dear, these hit me like a ton of bricks. Now, our kiddos go to private school and this high school is a prestigious all boys Catholic school so it is steeped in tradition and history. The young kiddo was on the sidelines of the Homecoming game one year as the ball boy and my brother graduated from there. The older kiddo has family going back even further than that so when I say history I mean that both figuratively and literally.

It was at this moment that I realized yet again that our kids grow up without us allowing it. They might be the little boys who need a hug at the end of the day, or whine because we make them go to the grocery store or make their bed but they are still young men. One - heading into his last year at the only school he's ever known; the other - heading into a school where he is the lowest on the totem pole and yet fits in as he is a Jesuit Man now.

I can only hope that we have done the best we can to prepare them for the adventures that await them. It's the parents prayer my friends. That and 'Please let them make their bed just this once without being asked.'

Sigh and Smile all at once.

The Pines and Growing Up

Tomorrow the boy heads to a church camp for a week that he LOVES and attends by himself every year. This year, a buddy who has been a little nervous to go alone, decided today to hit the bus with Reills tomorrow and attend teen week at The Pines.

For the past 20 minutes my kiddo has been telling his buddy how 'awesome' camp is and how it will be great. How he will be there with him and they will rule the camp. My little boy is a full fledged, independent and strong teenager. Sigh.

After a very productive day that started early for a Saturday with a kick butt workout and ended with a yummy dinner with my boys, I could be happier. This is not only my happy moment for the day, it will get me through the week if not longer.

All I can say is - thank you angels, you are watching over us again and keeping my very strong, independent boy just that way and secure in who he is without a second thought.

God Bless all! May you have a wonderful 'angels are smiling on us' moment too! :)

Lessons of Life

As we grow up, or should I say older because some of us are still short, life teaches us many lessons. Take time to savor the little things, push through the rain because without it there wouldn't be rainbows, the truth hurts, life is short, and on and on....this is about life isn't always fair and sometimes it hurts but you are the only one who can control your response.

I brag on the kiddo all the time, he is the joy of my life and I am very lucky to have such a great kid. Sure, part of it comes from my efforts as a parent, but 90% of it is all him and last night he rose to the challenge again. Life threw him an unfair pitch and instead of crying, complaining or giving up he greeted it as the first one out of the dugout, the one cheering the loudest the one smiling and keeping his head up high.

You will see my good sport on ESPN someday, or championing whatever he wants if his dream of being a sportscaster changes. And when I see him summiting life's challenges, I will continue to be the proudest mother around and learning from him as much as he learns from me.

Keep hitting it out of the park kid, I'm at your back :)

All are welcome...

Like me, my parents are always on the go and this week, Mom is helping Ashleigh Branstetter at the NOLA Jazz & Heritage Festival. To catch everyone up, Mom retired from the glamorous world of fine jewelry and time pieces in the retail world last July. Now, she helps friends out for fun...my mom is just amazing. Go see her, Contemporary Crafts, Tent H, and well, buy some of Ashleigh's pieces too. It's Mother's Day after all.

This is not a Mother's Day post so moving on, having never been to NOLA, I asked mom to send pictures in addition to having a beignet and coffee for me. She sent me this picture... "All are welcome". As we enter a weekend full of time with family and friends, even if it is busier than your week, remember it - all this time you have with your family & friends - and enjoy every minute. All are welcome that we allow in my friends, now dance to your music (I think mine is jazz this weekend :).

Holy Cow - It's May!! Be the flower for someone today

We certainly had the April showers, and they crept no so quietly into May; still waiting on those flowers!

We had an amazing weekend. The kiddo rocked his very first impromptu speech competition and took 4 place in the state THEN got called out for the Order of the Arrow as a Life Scout. There was so much pride flowing out of me that I am not sure my one heart could handle it. He also survived another vicious rain storm while camping, but this we come to expect as it seems to be the trend that when he camps - it rains. That makes me laugh, I must admit.

All this to say - do we always remember to tell the people we are proud of that we are? Do we remember that a little hug, or smile or encouraging word from a friend or loved one can go further than any external event or action does?

So this month, try to reach out to those in your 'village' and tell them how lucky you feel to have them in your life. Whether they are around a lot, just always there when you need them, or a kind acquaintance that you see in passing from time to time. You will be amazing the joy you will feel just by sharing with them - maybe you will be their May flower! :)

Oh - and kiddo, in case you missed it the first 100 times, I am so proud of the young man you have become. Keep up the good work and you will go further in life than you ever imagined.

Oh yeah - that's where the time goes

Recap of the craziness that is my amazing, joy-filled, not a dull moment life.

• Reilly's anniversary -Love you Hank & Kari!
• Baseball
• Scouts
• Birthdays - another shout out to Kari!
• A friend completed a long and bittersweet journey and started a new one
• Ohgodthedressdoesn'tfitpleasemeetmeatthemall
• Boys - teenage boys
• Flowers, food, WEDDING!, party (kick ass shoes of course) Congrats Mr. & Mrs. Burnett!
• Wait - my hotel room is in Addison, IL???
• MS Walk - Lauren, you inspire me!!!
• The birds want our food and mimosas - We do not share our mimosas!!!
• Eagle Project - my boys are growing up way to quickly, we are so proud!
• Dinner with friends (nothing like splitting a meal and bottle of wine followed by a cannoli with my best friend)
• Basketball - MADNESS
• Choir - Ladies, you are amazing, thank you for including me in your world :)
• Baseball - win one, lose one...WhatABurger be ready for the Lions
• Golf - anyone interested in playing in the St. Mark Golf Tourney to raise money for the kids?

Throw in boot camps, batting cages, laughs with friends, school and work and it is a week in the life...I wouldn't change a thing and treasure every moment of it.

Just because you stop to smell the roses doesn't mean you stop dead in your tracks; how are you going to enjoy what life brings you?