Saturday in the Park

As I thought about the choices we had for the day after Thanksgiving with Papa, and after several days of eating a lot of holiday fare, I kept my plan on the down low until it was time.  On Friday the sun was shining and the air was cooler than in past weeks.  Seemed like the perfect day to spend a couple hours walking the gardens of the Arboretum in Dallas.

Although it was a school holiday, and many must have had the day off, it wasn't overcrowded.  It was just right.  Many of the pumpkin areas had transitioned to the 12 Days of Christmas displays with moving life-size scenes.  Christmas music played from the speakers and the sun shone just right for many autumn photos to be taken!

I'm not sure the choice to visit was entirely popular, yet I promised fresh air, sunshine and a brisk walk to left us from the holiday food drowsiness.  Ellie wasn't convinced either, until she got there, and then she loved it.  Floating from one area to the next finding new things, colors, scenes that fascinated her.

After just under two hours we went home where the boys went upstairs to the media room to 'watch t.v.' which is code word for snooze!  Ellie and I looked through pictures, made some Christmas plans and put away the Thanksgiving recipes and dining room decor.

We finished our day together with dinner at Bob's Chop House in Plano.  It was a wonderfully grown-up dinner that Ellie loved!  Although she didn't partake in a steak, she loved her salad, lobster bisque and over-sized baked potato.  Papa's rack of lamb was superb and Bill and I both enjoyed our filets cooked just right!  It was a lovely evening with Frank Sinatra playing in the background reminding us of a memorable dinner in Las Vegas years ago.

Thanksgivingtime

Bill and Jude - Thanksgiving-time 2001

Today is a bit of a stroll down memory lane of Thanksgiving time.  The first holiday Bill and I celebrated together was Thanksgiving.  Its also the holiday that I associate with getting engaged as we did the evening before Thanksgiving.  It seems so long ago, and just yesterday just the same.

Below is a newspaper clipped from the mid-1990's.  Its a Sharon Randall column about Thanksgiving that I carried around in my wallet for years.  Yes, I'm one of those people.  I loved reading this one in particular because each year the holidays change, and this story shows us that that's okay too.

A dear, old friend and I have been communicating over email for the past several months to talk through some changes in his life recently.  Its been a nice stroll down memory lane and a tremendous realization for where I am in the life we've built.  He referred to the upcoming holidays as Thanksgivingtime and Christmastime because one day is just not enough to celebrate an entire season.  I couldn't agree more!

Thanksgiving means so many things, to so many people yet what surfaces most of all is not the turkey or the dressing, its the togetherness.  The shared experience of the holidays celebrated by a shared meal of giving thanks.  It's aptly timed as we wind down the year, anticipate the Christmas and NewYear holidays.  It allows a simple pause to bow our heads, say a prayer and be filled with gratitude.

We shared stories of holidays past during our time yesterday.  One with my mother on the phone of the year that we forgot cranberry sauce and Al took us for a ride around to town to find a store open who had some.  Back in the late 1970's and early 1980's there were no 24-hour Walmart SuperCenters to rely on.  We found a corner store with a dusty can of Ocean-Spray Cranberry Sauce in the jellied style to purchase quickly and head home.

The other story I shared at our dining table was one involving the bird.  That mainstay. The centerpiece.  And source of consternation between Bill and I year after year.  The bird represents different meanings to each of us.  For Bill it is the center of the Norman Rockwell photo that we will take each Thanksgiving around the table and the turkey.  To me it is the main course of the meal - should be delicious and serve the purpose of also providing a leftovers meal.  Somewhere in the middle is likely where most people land.

My story is that Bill and I have disagreed about the size of the bird more often than we've ever quibbled about Ellie or money.  He insists on a HUGE bird for the photo, and all I can think of is the time it will take to cook, the leftovers that will go to waste and where on Earth will I put it to thaw in the days before the meal!

Here's what I've learned after 15 Thanksgiving's together:

• The things that used to matter so much are really less important these days.
• The size of the turkey.  The time dinner is served. Just the RIGHT sides are made.
• And the small things become much greater.
• As we walked into 9am mass on Thanksgiving morning with Papa and Ellie who went  off to light a candle, Bill picked up my hand as we walked down the aisle.  To mean it meant the world.  I turned to him and said, "I'm so thankful for you today and always."  
• Turkey size doesn't matter, unless it matters to your spouse.  And then all bets are off.  
• For the record we've laughed the last few years as we've purchased our bird.  This year's was 21 lbs. and it seemed just about right.  Didn't cause a raised eyebrow or a questioning tone ... it just was.
• Home is where the heart is, and hopefully where dinner is served.
• Last year we enjoyed Disneyland for it's Jubilee Anniversary celebration.  This happened to occur during Thanksgiving week so dinner was in a grand ballroom.  If given the choice I'd prefer to be home, in the kitchen, with the parade on television as I prep for our meal.  At least the three of us were altogether and there were no dirty dishes to clean!

Turkey .. and more

Each Thanksgiving begins with turkey & ends falling asleep on the couch.  

From the left:  Jeanine, Michael, Papa, Bill, Jude & Ellie

But let's back up.

Trivia:
How many trips to the grocery store did it take to make dinner happen?

• Four - over the course of three days.  

What did we buy but forget to make/serve:

• Mashed potatoes
• Vanilla ice cream

How many pounds was the bird this year?

• 21lbs.

Did the turkey have a name?

• After two glasses of wine does it really matter ... 

As you can see the bird turned out just lovely.  Surrounded by a happy crowd - ready to eat!  If we could rewind like they do in a movie and add, 'two hours earlier,' or 'two days earlier,' there sure would be stories to tell.

We had a wonderful meal.  Family traditions and new additions from Jeanine, who is like family!  The turkey was brined and delicious, the stuffing was fluffy, the vegetables were plentiful - and the LamBRUUUsco was consumed by Bill and Michael!

Ellie was in charge of leading the Thanksgiving blessing.  This is the one she chose, and read beautifully.  She helped throughout the day, making, finding, carrying, taste-testing, taking photos and her laughter filled the day!

Here's what I've learned.

1. It doesn't take genetics to be family.
2. The meal doesn't have to be the best to be just perfect.
3. Brining matters.
4. 15 years of Thanksgivings together and we're only getting better!
5. Thanksgiving isn't just one day, it's a season. (more to come on this one tomorrow...)

Thanksgiving Eve

As we made last minute adjustments to menu, shopping and decor, we had dinner out at Kenny's East Coast Pizza!  They had a special on for the night before Turkey Day - so we indulged in pizza, chopped salad, calamari and $5 glasses of wine!

Even Ellie got in on the act with a tall Shirley Temple fixed generously by a wonderful barmaid!

On to the prep and plan for the bird!

Papa Arrives in Dallas!

Waiting patiently in the car for Papa's flight to arrive into DFW.  We do okay together taking our own photo, huh?

Here's the really wonderful thing about airports.  And especially at holiday time.  

1. People are happy to see one another.  
2. There's a lot of hugging going on.
3. Families don't look like, to like one another.
4. SO MUCH SMILING!

It was a wonderful experience to sit and people watch at a busy airport two days before Thanksgiving.  Although it could have been an overload of chaos, it was peaceful and festive just watching so many people say hello and goodbye to those they love!

New Red Zin that "Tiki" Charlie, or Chuckie as Bill calls him gave us to try.  It's his favorite - and it is wonderful!

Papa and Ellie at the Airport.

Tiki Party

Our friends Charlie and Abby invited us over for a Tiki-themed party on Saturday night.  It had been a long week - traveling, election, Bill solo-parenting all week, and the weekend was no exception!  Three soccer games within twenty-four hours - where Ellie played goalie for 2 of the 3 games!

We spent much time outdoors, cheering and consoling as the team did not make the finals to be played on Sunday.  (Small, quiet cheer from ALL the parents!)  So off to Charlie's we went after cleaning up from the 11:15am and 4:15pm games.

He assured us that Ellie was welcome to join us and had a special treat in mind for her when we arrived.  He cored a pineapple and served her non-alcoholic Tiki drink in it!  She thought it was pretty neat!  We had lots of pineapple, coconut and drink umbrellas after that.  They grilled scallops and shrimp with bacon on the grill, and served mini-egg rolls and pot stickers with a variety of sauces to try!

And a tiki party would not be complete without a variety of floral leis to choose from ... here are just a few from the event!

Soccer Season Comes to an End

Ellie is very proud to be the 'sweeper' on the team!  She works closely with our goalie, Hannah to communicate and do everything she's able to get the ball blocked BEFORE it reaches Hannah.
She loves her role, and how she sees all the girls growing so much into their own roles and working together as a team.  What a long way we've come!  This is her 6th season of soccer in TEXAS!  Fall and Spring each year since we've arrived - WOW!

From the top:
Coach Mario and Coach Cheryl
Hannah, Jenna and Ellie
Katie, Elizabeth, Leah and Jade
Leah, Miram and Jackie

Truth be told we're missing another Leah and Iona.  Who'd have thought three Leah's on one team?

They are so much fun to watch.  How they support one another, encourage one another and work together.  Its no wonder as the parents of these girls are amazing too!  We've spent many hours with our chairs on the sidelines cheering them on together!

This weekend is our last tournament.  We are happy and sad.  We're ready to move on to other weekend activities and we're sad to lose our weekend friends!

Veteran's Day 2016

Ellie had this note waiting for me when I arrived home from Phoenix on Friday evening.  She handed me an folded up paper very solemnly.  She explained that they each wrote a letter to a Veteran today and she chose my Dad.

When she asked me once what she would have called him I told her that I called my grandfather Poppy, and he was married to my Grammy.  So I believed she would have called him Poppy too.

And so she has ....

What I've learned from Joe Maddon and the Cubs

This has been an eventful baseball season for me, to say the least.  Full of celebration, growth and learning.  The entire Cubs organization has provided me life lessons that will not soon be forgotten. Here's a list of the many things Joe Maddon and The Cubs have taught me this season.

1.  Experience Matters:
With age comes wisdom and a sense of calm, if you let it.  The experience you have allows you to anticipate better based on your history.  When you stop trying to prove yourself and what you stand for reality unfolds.  Joe Maddon leads through trust and encouragement - and his players admire him for it.

2.  Never Give Up!
"Believe" is a small word with a huge responsibility.  Joe explained that many other groups of guys say they believe, and in the end they end up quitting.  This team never quit.  They believed in one another, they believed in themselves and they believed in Joe's leadership.

3.  Teamwork
Competition doesn't have to be against one another, but united with one another for a cause.  That healthy competition makes you stronger together.  This team was a brotherhood, they stood for a common goal - to do the very best they could and win the World Series.  When Addison Russell made a bad toss to Javy Baez at second who was trying to get the first out in a 6-4-3 double play, Javy scooped it up and threw to Anthony Rizzo at first.  The two ran off the field together and you could see them laugh and high five one another.  Javy wasn't frustrated with Addy, he said, "I got you man."  He knew they needed one another and had each other's back.  That's what teammates do for one another.

4.  Honor Each Others' Strengths
By holding another up, it doesn't diminish you - but actually make you brighter and stronger.  When Anthony Rizzo is asked about his potential to receive the NL MVP, he always states that KB is much more deserving of the award - referencing his agility in the field and his record setting batting stats at the plate.  Here's the kicker - When Kris Bryant is asked he deflects to Anthony Rizzo saying how much more Rizzo deserves the award!

5. Do Simple Better.  
That's the key.  Don't complicate it so people think it's hard.  Just do simple better.  It's baseball, not brain surgery.  Understand the value of a bunt, the importance of the shift and the under-appreciated 6-4-3 double play.  Do Simple Better.

6.  One thing at a time.
One batter, one inning, one game at a time.  Human tendency is think about the amount of games remaining in the series and how many you have to win.  Yet Joe reminds us that this is really just one at bat, one inning and one game at a time.  What's within your control - how you field, how you bat and how you support one another.  This one has helped me more than any other.  I now remember to focus my energy on what's here now, not somewhere out there.

7.  Feel it.
In the words of Jimmy V, 'each day you should move your emotions - to tears, to laughter and to think!"  Joe Maddon is not a man of random, erratic emotions.  He is calm, collected and intentional leader, mentor, and coach.  Yet when the Cubs made the final out in the bottom of the 10th inning last night he jumped for joy, hugged players, coaches, interviewers and proudly, emotionally wore the ball cap of his Dad from years ago to celebrate.  Its okay to feel the range of emotions - each day!

The time has arrived

Today is the day.  The one that I've thought about since Opening Day.  The one that Joe Maddon has been preparing for all season long.  Forget the curses, the goat, Bartman and the Tribe.  It took hard work, determination and a belief that it was not only possible, but realistic!  More on Joe Maddon later in the week.

Here we are.

World Series.  Game one.

Take a group of young players, an experienced Manager, an enthusiastic owner and a data-driven, don't-doubt-the-strategy General Manager - and put them in a city that believes in their team.  The Chicago Cubs.  Now the world is watching.  Baseball loves to rout for the underdog.  After 71 years without a World Series title, the Cubs qualify as the underdog.

The enthusiasm, the determined attitude and the leadership allowing them to thrive have become the cornerstone of their success.  Who says baseball is just a game?  Perhaps it is.  Yet we are in dire need of this kind of Cinderella story.  One that makes us smile, laugh, relate and cry tears of belief and joy.

Play ball.

Joe Maddon, Miracles and a trip to the World Series

Since Opening Day of baseball 2016, I've been routing for the Cubs.  And it wasn't until after they won last night to secure their spot in the World Series that I realized exactly why.

It isn't because they haven't been there since 1945, or better still won a World Series since 1908.  It isn't because the city of Chicago is known for the most loyal fans in baseball, and it isn't because I've jumped on the bandwagon to be part of something bigger than myself.

The Cubs started knocking on the door of my heart in the second half of LAST season.  Each time Jake Arrieta pitched it seemed like it was headed for a no-hitter or a record setting game.  At season's end he won the NL Cy Young Award as a reward for all his achievements.  Then there was that rookie with the wide smile and the amazing bat, Kris Bryant.  He seemed to be everywhere in the field and hit the ball like a veteran. All of this earned him the NL Rookie of the Year.  Last but not least, there was Joe Maddon.  His strategies and calm presence led him to NL Manager of the Year.  All of this happened during the 2015 season.

With great anticipation I awaited opening day to cheer for the Cubs.  It didn't really feel like I was routing against the Yankees since they were in different leagues and didn't even play one another this season.  For the most part I justified it because I appreciated Joe Maddon's leadership style as Manager - why couldn't everyone lead this way?

By mid-season even Ellie was hooked.  She loved her KB (Kris Bryant to the rest of the world), and even though he is 24 years old, she's insisted she's going to marry him.  When I suggested that the age difference wouldn't work she justified it by saying that Derek Jeter married someone 16 years younger - so this marriage with KB was the real deal!

She grew to love these players they way I did - Addy Russell, Anthony Rizzo, Javy Baez, Dexter Fowler and Grampa David Ross.  She'd cheer for them as we watched the games.  And boy, did we watch games this season.  Lots and lots of them.  The highlight of the season was when the Cubs were on a west coast trip and a Saturday afternoon they played the Dodgers.  When we sat down to watch it Ellie said to me, "Mommy isn't it the Dodgers that Vin Scully does the games for?"  So we switched to the Dodgers broadcast instead of WGN's coverage and enjoyed one last game called by Vin Scully before he retired!

So as the Cubs secured their spot at the World Series last night - for the first time in 71 years, I realized why this meant so much to me.  Its the way this team came together.  Its youth and experience working together.  Its wanting the accolades more for one another then for themselves.  That's team work.  With great leadership.  Although I can say I'm happy for the people of Chicago, that's not why I feel so aligned to this team.  They are underdogs who never gave into that label.  They believed in themselves.

And as Joe continued to remind them to do.  They never gave up.

As this t-shirt above says, 'Be Present, Not Perfect."  That's been my mantra this year - far outside of the baseball field.  In the end though, doesn't it all come down to that?  Life and baseball are a lot alike.  You have to be part of something greater than yourself.  You have to believe that it is possible.  With good leadership and a little luck you could end up at the World Series too!

Soccer Saturday

We'd promised Ellie we'd have a burger together over the weekend when she'd asked during the week.  Hard to fit everything this in during the week with practice, after school activities, homework, dinner, shower and bedtime!

So after her soccer game on Saturday we headed off to Liberty Burger for her special treat.  Although they lost the game to a team that out-matched them, the lunch was fitting as she'd earned it!  Her running, blocking, team work and leadership on the field have grown her into a force to be reckoned with!

That's a big burger for a little girl!

Note from a friend

"miss you (heart) Monica"

My friend from Atlanta, Monica was visiting this week.  We didn't get to spend much time together - but we were able to chat quickly, exchange hugs and when I returned to my desk she had left me this note!  It reminds me what matters -

Sunrise, Sunset

Every since we moved to Texas, I've claimed to have seen the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets.  And I've shared many of them here.  I can't seem to stop taking photos of them, as they tell a different story each day.

The gorgeous sky is a true metaphor for life.  The colors, the changes, the timing and the beauty are all part of the process.  Those skies also remind me that there is so much out of our control - its really how we manage it that matters.

So here's to celebrating the beauty of a Texas sky!

Zin Zen Wine Bar

Mom and I had the day to ourselves on Tuesday and decided to run a couple of errands, find a nice place for lunch and pick up Ellie from school.  Since one of the stops was in McKinney - we found a nice little place to stop!

Zin Zen Wine Bar was an adorable spot with friendly staff, delicious food and flights of wine for us to try!  What a treat!

Who knew we could do a nice little wine tasting in our own backyard?  Well, now we know!

Happy Columbus Day!

Three generations sharing the same smile

Ellie's gorgeous new earrings!
And sparkly facial adornment

Happy the hard part is over, off to find more earrings to wear!

Grammy's in town!

Grammy and Ellie before dinner

Grammy arrived on Saturday, October 8th before lunch into DFW.  We had a pretty full day planned so we headed to our house and had a variety of fruits, cheese, crackers and veggies before heading to Ellie's soccer game. It was a sunny day, not at hot as it had been - although warm nonetheless.  Ellie played hard, stood proudly in front of Hannah - helping her 'sweep' the ball away before it reached the goal.

After our fun afternoon in the sun, we rested before meeting Jeanine and Michael for dinner at Uncle Julios!  We enjoyed the table side guacamole and lots of delicious Mexican dishes - before Ellie got to order her special dessert.

The Chocolate Piñata!  A gorgeous chocolate globe filled with fruit and surrounded by whipped cream piles and pots of caramel and chocolate on the side.  What a treat!

Ellie and Bill sharing a hug!

Happy face after smashing her piñata !!

Happy couple with margaritas!

Maya's Wise Words

I recall being a fifth grade girl many years ago.  My teacher was Mrs. Hill and I attended St. Peter's Elementary School with many of the students I'd known for years.  It was a small-classroom  environment focused on the basics of mathematics, social studies, language arts and religion.  Honestly, I don't recall the school work being hard.  It was the social game that grew more complicated as the years went on.  Particularly 10 and 11-year old girl friendships.

Truth be told, I don't know that much has changed.  Girls are still girls.  Boys are still boys.  Throw in more electronics, activities and competitive parents and likely the experience has only intensified.

Ellie is also in 5th grade.  I'm happy to say she is adjusting to much more homework, changing classes every 40 minutes and has a core group of friends she has lunch with each day.  This includes Grace, the star from the soccer team, Erma, a new friend this year at Draper and Grace from Whitt last year.  I love how she talks about her lunch with them, as I picture four girls who look nothing alike giggling and trying to finish their lunches in the short 20 minutes allotted.

Here's the hitch.  One of the 'friends' who in a couple classes with her is Aubrey.  We knew Aubrey last year.  She's sort of a mean girl.  When Ellie starts describing what she has said to her that day at school in brings me all the way back to those days of figuring out how to navigate a 'friend' who was very hard to read.  They wanted to be friends one day, and not the next.

Here's the beauty of age - now I realize why certain days she wanted to be friends and other days she didn't depended on who else was available to her.  Fickle, one might call her.  Aubrey has older sisters - which I have decided must be mean to her because she's learned that being mean is an accepted practice.  She makes fun of Ellie - something she'll wear, her legs, the way Ellie will do something.

We've sat and talked about it.  Aubrey doesn't get to decide who you are and what you do.  She isn't the judge and jury of your life.  Only you can decide.  We've talked about the fact that Aubrey may not be very happy inside and this bubbles over and hurts other people.  I asked Ellie if she would say or do to people what Aubrey does, and of course she said, "NO!"  Because we both know what that feels like and we wouldn't want to do that to a .... friend.

So fast forward a couple weeks.  Aubrey is being nice to Ellie again.  Following her around school for a couple of days, asking to sit with her.  I asked Ellie how that made her feel.  "That Aubrey likes me again."  So I asked her, "do you want to wonder from one day to the next if she is going to be your friend, or would you rather focus your energy on people who are there for you day in and day out - being your friend - not deciding if they are going to friendly to you?"

She understands.  And yet she says, 'but she's being nice to me ...."

Which is when I launched into, 'the first time someone shows you who they are, believe them."  I helped her see that actions are very powerful.  That we should surround ourselves with people who make us feel good about who we are, not wonder the next time they will say something mean to us.

I'm not sure how this will play out.  What I am sure of is that the pain of a mean girl, an on-again, off-again friend doesn't go away.  I still recall particular girls from these early days - and the pain that friendship causes.  As I've matured I've chosen wisely.  That's where I'll help Ellie focus.

Keep looking for the sun ...

Some days you have to just keep looking for the sun.  Even when there are clouds in the sky.  You have to believe that the sun will shine again.  And when that sun shines - drink it in!  Let it warm you knowing that the universe has you.

I captured this shot on Thursday morning.  The sun was streaming in and it just lit up the sunflowers not the table.  They were so bright and warm, so willing to light up the whole room.  That was their purpose.  I couldn't resist capturing an image so simple.

While I was getting settle in the car, while still in the driveway, arranging my bag, my sunglasses, book on CD into the player, I sent a good friend a text.

I asked for a prayer of courage and strength.  As you can see it didn't matter what it was for, she dropped her head and prayed for me.  I felt the warmth of the sunshine in her prayer.  Her love for me as she does her children and husband.  I asked for help.  I asked for someone else to help lighten the load I was carrying.

We often underestimate the power of asking for help.  With the laundry, putting gas in the car, clearing dishes from the table are the small ones - the big ones are heavier, and likely need the most assistance.  I'm learning to ask.  As I bow my own head in prayer, and in the asking of others.  

For the record she called me later that evening to check on me.  She said, "you don't need to tell me any details, I just need to know if you're okay."  That's a friend.  A true friend.  I told her, "yes, I was okay and the enormity of the time she took to say a prayer for me lifted the burden from me."  A day at a time, that's what I told her.  We can only do this one day at a time, one prayer at a time.

14 years

During most of our time dating Bill called me Sunshine.  I find this image fitting as we remain the sunshine in one another's life ensuring each other grow along the way.

Bill and I were married 14 years ago today.  A beautiful fall day in a church that remains a special and sacred place to us.  A building that holds many memories.  We've mourned and celebrated over the years there.

Today is a celebration of those years together.  Our celebration is far from Saratoga Springs where we grew up and were married.  That's the great thing about love.  It travels.  Without TSA and patience of getting through security.

You set up your own stops along the journey.  Boarding passes are the intentions that you make to one another and the unity of your marriage.  Sometimes you get re-routed, sometimes you're faced with delays.  In the end you arrive exactly where you are supposed to be on God's timeline.

Bill and I have been blessed in many, many ways.  We have families that love and support us.  We share an amazing daughter that we're grateful to be raising.  We've been fortunate with our careers that have led us to new and unchartered territory.  Most of all we've been blessed with patience and a strong sense of loyalty and forgiveness for one another.

What I truly appreciate is the stages of a marriage.  And believe me the wedding isn't one of them.  And the photos over the years don't do it justice either.

A marriage shows it's worth when you make a big decision together.  Both fearful of the future, yet believing with the strength of one another we'll make it work.

A marriage shows it's worth when you stand at the hospital bedside of a loved one together, with a shared pain searing your heart knowing you can't fix the cracks in the other's heart.

A marriage shows it's worth when you hold hands and tell one another this will all work out as you watch your newborn baby be wheeled away from your hospital room because she's having trouble breathing.

A marriage shows it's worth when you move to different states without other family in hopes of making new friends, and you are still excited that you are sharing that scary experience together!

We like to think of all the celebrations, birthdays, anniversaries, vacations, holidays - where the photos are taken as the view inside a marriage.  But after 14 years I know differently.

A good marriage takes hard work.  A willingness to be patience through the ebbs and flows of job stress, illness, insecurity and even boredom.

A good marriage at the end of day looks like two exhausted, working parents who take the time to acknowledge that although some days are harder than others, it is the very best feeling to just hold hands and smile as we meet on the couch to enjoy the quiet together.  At that point I  close my eyes and ask God to continue to bless us, our family and our marriage.  I thank him for all the blessings he has given us - and without being shy about it, I ask for many, many more years of the same darned thing!

2002

Wedding day - Saratoga Springs, NY

2012

Fall foliage - Bloomington, IL

 2016

Wine tour - Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Soccer Summary

Celebrating after a win!  She has learned so much over the years from playing soccer with the same group of girls.  They truly like one another, support one another and with that comes playing well with one another.  It was Ellie's choice for lunch after a soccer game.

To date the have played three games.  Two Saturdays and a Thursday evening.  These have resulted in 2 Wins and a Tie - no losses!  And the team they played on Saturday were 11 & 12!  Not like the 10-year olds on her team.  They were taller and bigger than all our girls, but ours were quicker and played together like a team.

So proud of they way they listen to the coaches, and talk to one another on the field to ensure they know who to pass to and who is where.  There's a maturity I see when I watch her play.  Perhaps its from years of dribbling, passing and kicking that ball around .. since she was 3.  But the confidence seems to have come overnight.  Several parents have commented how good she is at her position.  She plays it with ease and with determination to do the right thing for the team.

In the sky

The Texas sky is the most fascinating thing both morning and evening.  It provides colors and shapes like no other sky we've seen before.  We love the wide open spaces to watch sun rises, sun sets and the moon and stars.  Its also put us closer to wildlife .. and the beauty of nature.

The other day Ellie and I were riding in the car and a beautiful, big red-tailed hawk fly right in front of us.  We both saw it and squealed!  No one was harmed during the course of this adventure, I promise.  Not us or the hawk.

"Mommy, did you see that?!??!"  she cried.

"Yes, wasn't it gorgeous," I responded.

"What do you think it means?" she wanted to know.

So we looked it up in the book when we got home.  It was profound that we saw it on the Autumnal Equinox according to the book and it means to keep on the lookout for new ideas and begins a season of hope for those who see it.

More than anything I was thrilled that instead of getting excited when Justin Beiber comes on the screen, that my girl was so excited to see a red-tailed hawk!  So, so proud!!

Girls' Best Friend

Ellie's homework from her Language Arts (English) class each day is to read for twenty minutes.  She and I often talk about how I wish someone would assign me to read for 20 minutes every day - as its one of my favorite things to do!  But Ellie on the other hand would rather do so many other things than read - her iPad, her phone, television, sing loudly, dance in the rain, sort socks into pairs ... you get the picture.  Anything other than read!

Until she read the first book selection of the year for a grade.  Mrs. Sloppy has them choose a library book and then a project to share with the class about what meant the most to them about the book, and why another student would want to read it.  The book kept her interest - sometimes reading for 45 minutes in one sitting!  And as she got closer and closer to the end she was getting anxious - because she didn't want the story to end.

Boy, was I familiar with that feeling!  The day after school that she finished she got up and came to me in the kitchen.  There were tears in her eyes and she was holding the book close.  "Mommy, I finished my book," she said quietly.  When I asked how she liked it she said she loved it and asked if she could read the last paragraph to me.

It was then that I knew she would love to read.  She got it.  She understood the ending and most of all felt a loss that the story was over.  With that grows a hunger for the next story.  What book will fill the hope in my heart left by the one just completed?

Such a proud mom moment to be raising a reader!

Girls' Weekend

Bill was in New York for a Fathers & Sons Yankee weekend, which left Ellie and I to make our own fun!  Friday night we read, watched a movie and ate pizza.  Saturday was her first soccer game of the season - but it was rained out.  Plan B.

What better to do on a rainy Saturday then go to the library!  Which is exactly what we did.  She said, "I'm 10 now so I'm going over to the kids' section by myself.  Come find me when you're done."  And so she did.

I browsed audio books for the car, movies for the weekend and browsed the new releases.  When I arrived in the kids' section to find her she was working the card catalog!  What a girl  - I said, "Aunt Maureen would be proud of you!"  And she smiled.

She found exactly what she was looking for .. and then some.  So we brought our movies and books home to enjoy our sushi lunch and look forward to chicken nachos for dinner!

And a good time was had by all!

Begin.

Sometimes that's all it really takes.

One word.

Begin.

I found this awesome misshapen mug with just that word stamped into the ceramic.  Begin.  And it reminds me that we need to keep putting one foot in front of the other.  And if it doesn't work out.  Okay to begin again.  It doesn't say begin only 4 times.  It says begin.

And that's exactly what I did again this week.

Memorial Day Weekend

We spent the long holiday weekend in Houston with Aunt Di, Uncle Bruce and Garrett.  As with most plans that we make - we take it one day at a time and enjoy whatever it is that we do!

Ellie loved spending time with Garrett.  With his toys, books and favorite things to do when he's at his Grammy and PaPa's house.  I can't type that without sharing that each time Bill said Papa all weekend he said, "PawPaw" like Ree Drummond does on The Pioneer Woman's cooking show.  He cracked himself up - every time!

We enjoyed the back patio with the hot tub, ceiling fans and all those wonderful birds at the feeders!  Snacking and laughing between games of bananagrams was what we did best.  It was, after all, a holiday weekend!

We also visited the Johnson Space Center in Houston.  It was awesome!  So much to see, to remember and to appreciate with our space program.  Ellie's love of the sky, the stars, planets and the moon made it prime for her appreciating how we learn what we do from space.

We also got to see AJ and meet Avery.  Ellie had never seen a baby quite so small .. and at just over 5 lbs, she is quite a little peanut!  So adorable!

As always, it was wonderful.  A relaxing few days - always finding something new to do when we're together.  Until next time ....