Duke is the Beast

You know those times that you randomly think of something special, or maybe see something, that just makes your soul smile from deep down in your bones?  I had one of those moments when I came across this on my phone.  

Drake loves Duke basketball (for reasons that I can't explain because I can't say anything nice about the root of this fandom) and I'm obviously a John Calipari and Kentucky basketball fan.  As you can imagine, Drake and I have a sense of rivalry.  Admittedly, I have taught him the art of trash talk...friendly in nature, of course.  

So here I am, browsing my phone and noticed that he has changed the name of this folder from "Games" to "Duke is the beast".  I asked him if he changed the name and I could tell from his voice that he was probably blushing and smiling as he realized that I knew what he did.  In the most innocent voice he said, "but mom, I didn't know how to spell best."  My heart melted, and for that tiny split second, I loved his love for Duke.  Then that all disappeared and I started talking some trash.

Right now at the ripe age of 6, he dreams of playing basketball for Duke.  And while I have told him that I would be sitting behind the bench for every single Duke game and cheering for him, I REALLY hope that his basketball skills turn out to be so extraordinary that he plays for an even better team...like Kentucky.  

I look better in Kentucky blue anyway, right?   

3 Years Later and I'm Back in the Game!

Seriously, where did the last three years go?  Maybe a quick recap via bullet points will do?

• Life went crazy in 2014 and 2015 and I just wasn't really in a part of life that I wanted to write about.  Kind of like when you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all?  Ya, that was 2014.
• 2015 was more like finding my way on my own.
• 2016...that was a year of big changes! And good changes they were!

So let's just start with the summer of 2016, when the REALLY big changes happened.

My boyfriend, Brian (sometimes referred to as Muscle Man, affectionately of course), got a job at the University of Illinois.  I made the decision to also move to the mostly thriving metropolis of Champaign, IL as well.  I left the only real home I've ever known for both professional and personal reasons.  That is all something that the ones closest to me know.

Once we found out Brian was going to Illinois, I was lucky enough to quickly land a pretty damn good job in a field I love, also working for the University.  This job was one that I knew would challenge me, make me grow professionally and become a better employee all around. There are days I look at my computer and wonder if I ever learned anything in college.  Sometimes I regret using my best friend's "notes" in my accounting classes.  And maybe sometimes I regret spending my Sundays recovering from the Saturday night house party a week full of workouts and meets, but at the end of every day I know I'm a better person because of the challenging situations I faced that day.  Oftentimes it takes a stiff drink to help me realize that, but that's neither here nor there, right?

Another reason?  Oh, that would be Brian.  I had spent the last 2.5 years dating this guy, who stole my heart from day one, and whom I love fiercely.  Along with my kids, he makes my world go round.
I left Missouri State on a Friday afternoon and drove to Champaign.  There were some tears, but mostly there were big dreams ahead of me.  I knew then and I know now, that that decision was one I was making for myself.  A decision to have a new chapter in my life and put closure on the past.  This life is full of adventures, challenges, fun, love, and a side of chaos too.

That's where we are now, living in our perfectly imperfect world.  There is so much more to come in 2017!

PS for Brian - That "day one" I'm referring to is January 17th, just an anniversary FYI...wink, wink!

December Recap

Just because I have some spare time to waste before I go to a basketball game and because I have lots of pictures on my phone that I want to share...I'm gonna recap my little Christmas with my monsters.

I'll admit, I've never put a Christmas tree together.  I've always just done the wifely thing, ya know...standing around and asking if he was sure he was doing it right?  This year Hattie was all up in my business about if I was doing it right.  My, how times have changed.  

We got it up!  With lots of laughs, some sweat, the itches from those stupid branches and some bitching about it to my bestie.  

Not sure why Mother Nature hates MO right now, but we have had TOO much snow.  This was one particular Friday that we had tons of snow and it was subzero temps.  I had a bad case of cabin fever so we bundled up and headed outside.  Drake loved every second of it.  Hattie just loved the fashion show and all her leopard print options.  That's my girl! 

This was the aftermath of us stripping everything off.  I just gave up and put everything in the laundry.

Told you it was bad!  This was like a week into having ice every day.  FYI Mother Nature...Scraping windshields is not my favorite game.

Now it's January, which is usually our worst month.  It's been bitter cold, real bitter.  I'm already ready for June and pools and sun and tanning and cold drinks and amazing memories with my monsters.  Leave us alone Winter!

Here's to 2014!

Whew...anyone else glad 2013 is over?!? I remember exactly what I was doing on New Year's Eve last year. I'm someone who does make New Year's resolutions, and I stick to them. Last year I promised myself that I would be truer to myself. I wanted to be the person I wanted to be, not the one that everyone expected. You know, the one who is super mom, does every single Pinterest project on time, cooks every single night, has a daily planner, and keeps a family calendar? Ya...totally not me. I'm sure I give my mom plenty of hell for her fly by night ways but those characteristics are in me whether I like it or not. I mostly live for the minute, maybe have plans for the next day but that's if your lucky these days. Right now I'm enjoying this life. I enjoy the little moments so much more, and with two toddlers those moments are special and quick. You all know my story of 2013, divorce and settling in as a single mom, with a career I love, and most importantly keeping my New Year's resolution in my back pocket at all times. I'm ready to be all me in 2014. My New Year's resolution? Keep on being me, I have a chance of starting over in parts of my life and I'm going to make it the best. That's pretty general, so here are some more details: - Be the best mom I can be. Enjoy the little moments with my kids. Show them how to respect yourself. Be a role model for them. Constantly show them my love. And try to keep my wits during the terrible threes. That's what being supermom looks like to me. -Keep running and running and running. I can't tell you how much I love to run. It is something I started after my 14 year swimming career was over. I had a few breaks, but I've never been better than I am now. Coming off a stress fracture last summer and I can't stop. - Continue to grow in my career. I absolutely love my job, best combination of accounting and sports ever. I never would have imagined that I would be in my position but I am so thankful. It challenges me every day and I learn something new every day. I've learned to think outside the box before I even start to think inside the box. I'm constantly learning from all my co-workers. I want to be open, continue learning, and being successful. So with all this being said...here's to my 2014. It's going to be a better year. I want to use this blog to just be me. That means there will be funny kids moments, because we are crazy and fun and real. There will be moments that I just have to get whatever off my mind. I just want this to be a reflection of my perfectly imperfect world. It's a crazy one and I love it. I'm spending the night watching college basketball because I love it and I don't want get too far behind with our office gossip. I'm drinking a bottle of Skinny Girl margarita and eating a frozen pizza because you know what...that Happy Meal just isn't holding me over until my breakfast of crumbled up pop tart cast offs in the morning. I'm not going to pick up this mess of train tracks and baby dolls because I just don't want to. My neighbor left a card on my door in an attempt to flirt after we talked (while I was taking out the trash, so glamorous) so I've got to deal with that one. Why can't my super cute crush live next door and leave me notes instead of his four word text messages and office across campus? Here's a Drake moment that just happened: As he is getting out of bed for the 20th time tonight, I asked him why he was up. Drake: My eye isn't right. Me: How many fingers am I holding up? Drake: Your fingers aren't long enough. Me: Try this, how many is this? Drake: I guess that's two. Me: Bingo, go back to bed. Hope your night is great and your 2014 is even better!