Operation: Graduate (Mission Complete!)

May14

Ten years. Ten, long, hard, tear filled years, and I have finally graduated. I am now forever a Broncho! And while I realize that I have said in previous posts that I am a Jayhawk, my heart filled with so much love and pride for my alma mater, the University of Central Oklahoma. They were the first school to ask me to call them home. The first ones to open their doors to me and say “you belong here, with us. Be a Broncho.” And I am so grateful for that! Because now I can say I have an alma mater. I have a home, a mascot and a school identity that is uniquely my own. For the last six years, I have shared Brett’s alma mater (KU) and have loved it like it was mine, but now, I have one. And it is so incredible!

Will I continue to cheer for the Jayhawks, absolutely; but now, I’m a Broncho, too. And while we may not be high profile, division I athletics, we are pretty incredible, too. As a matter of fact, our softball team is headed to the College World Series!

So, thank you. Thank you to UCO for letting me call you home. For being one of the most diverse places I’ve ever been and by helping me make my dream of graduating come true. Go Bronchos!

Reflection of 2011

Dec21

We’ve almost completed another year. Another year filled with memories and moments. I’m sure we all had high moments and low moments. Feel free to share yours here, in the comment section.

As I sit here looking back on the year that’s passed, I can’t help but feel so fortunate and realize how truly blessed I am. I know that there are others less fortunate, so I try not to take anything for granted. Here are my reflections on the year:

1) This year we were able to support more charities. Our first event was in February, The Bacchus Foundation’s yearly ball. I posted about it earlier this year and posted photos from the event. Then in June (my birthday month!) we went to Jazzoo again. Instead of presents, this year I asked for donations to the Kansas City Zoo. They currently don’t have penguins, which are my favorite animals and I think it should be a crime to not have them! I also posted about this earlier in the year. I am happy to report, however, that construction for the penguin village has begun and penguins should begin arriving around 2013! I can’t wait.

Also, this year we went to the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers (NAIFA) first annual charity gala. The theme was a throw back to the old days of glitz and glamour and had a casino. The proceeds of the event went to Operation Breakthrough, a local charity that supports children. To learn more about their work visit their website. Finally, we also attended NAIFA’s annual Firefighter of the Year banquet; an event held by the Greater Kansas City chapter to show appreciation for the brave men and women who put their lives on the line everyday. The honorees are amazing people, doing amazing things within their communities and it was awesome to be a part of it.

2) There were some sad moments throughout the year. My grandmother in Philadelphia passed away in March, and Brett’s uncle in October. Throughout everything, we were reminded that we have the best people in our lives. Thank you to anyone who said a prayer; sent a card, text message, phone call; or just stopped to ask us how we were. We appreciate you all more than you know.

3) There were some amazing adventures in 2011 as well. This summer we spent a lot of time at the lake house. The expansion is complete and it looks amazing! It’s nice to have a place where the whole family can come together just to be together. We also got to take a HUGE family vacation to Mexico. There were 17 of us. We threw a surprise birthday party for Brett’s aunt. She has no idea we were all going to be there and was so surprised to see everyone there when she arrived. It was a wonderful week, full of wonderful memories. One of the coolest adventures we took this year was going to the freaking World Series! We went to Game 7 in St. Louis!!! It was so much fun (even if the Rangers lost) and possibly one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.

4) Last year I mentioned that there were lots of weddings, babies and engagements. Well this year we celebrated those things. My brother and sister in law welcomed another daughter to the family in August, Scout Marie. She is adorable and looks like my brother. My sister Janine got married in August and my cousin Elyse tied the knot in October. THIS year saw more engagements and next year is going to busy with weddings. By my count there are six! Congratulations to all our friends and family that will be wedding within the next year! We look forward to celebrating with you!

5) I wrote last year that I had started school again and that I was hoping to report that I’d be finished by now. Well, I’m not finished yet, BUT I believe I will be finished in May! I couldn’t be more thrilled, so start looking for graduation announcements in the spring (be sure I have your email address, phone number or home address so you can get an announcement).

6) Finally, like last year, my favorite thing from 2011 is that it’s another year Brett and I spent together (number 5!). I know it’s cheesy, but it’s true. Each year we spend together just reaffirms what I already know; I love our life. He makes me happy and was an amazing support when my Grandmom died. I couldn’t ask for a better partner!

So, that’s my year in a small recap. I hope your 2011 was everything you dreamed it would be. And, if it wasn’t, I hope 2012 is the year of YOU!

Happy Holidays and a truly Happy New Year!

We Should All Be Thankful for Our Veterans

Nov11

I probably don’t say thank you to our veterans enough. None of us do. To many, just saying thank you probably seems so empty. It feels like it has lost some of it’s meaning. It can come off as hollow. “oh, you’re a veteran? Thank you for your service.” It seems like such an automatic response.

I read an article recently, which I want to link to but can’t seem to find, by a veteran who said he wishes people would stop thanking him. For all the reasons I mentioned above. At first, I was really irritated by the article. Especially because my brother is currently deployed. My sister in law served in Iraq. My father was in the Air Force. My grandfather fought with the Navy in WWII. My uncles went throught Vietnam. I have had cousins in the Air Force, the Navy and the Coast Guard. Members of my family have served in every branch of the United States military. But as I read through his points, I understood what he was getting at. He didn’t want someone to thank him because they felt obligated to. And that makes sense. But I fundamentally disagree with him.

We should not stop saying thank you. What we should do is start meaning it again. I always try to say thank you to someone who has served or is currently serving. Because I truly mean it when I say “thank you for your service.” What I’m really saying is, “thank you for protecting me.”

Because that’s truly what our men and women who serve are doing. They are protecting us. From dangers seen and unseen. Known and unkown. They are voluntarily giving up time with their families to ensure that I have the safety to spend time with mine.

And I’m a complete stranger to most of them.

That’s why I think it’s important to say thank you. Because we are all strangers. Yet they serve for us. Because of them, I know I don’t have to fight.

And for that, I am eternally thankful.

Viva Vallarta

Nov8

Last month I was fortunate enough to take an amazing vacation.

Thanks to Brett’s uncle (and his aunt having her birthday to prompt the trip) the whole family was able to go! It was a surprise party for his aunt, and his uncle (and Brett, and his uncle’s assistant) have been planning it for a year! And even though there were several things that almost spoiled the surprise, the whole thing managed to go off without the surprise being ruined!!!!

Mary was very surprised to see her whole family in MEXICO!

That’s right, this surprise party took place in another country! There were 17 of us. And it was such a wonderful time.

I feel so thankful to be included as part of this family. Everyone is so genuinely kind and they truly get along and enjoy each other’s company.

Here are a few shots from the trip.

Our view from the dining room terrace.

Our day in Sayulita. My favorite place on Earth.

Brett and me after surfing. I’m fierce!

Brett as a living mannequin in a boutique in downtown Vallarta.

At the Cheeky Monkey. Best drinks in town (and SUPER CHEAP)!

Brett’s sister, mom and cousin. Three of the nicest women I know.

A huge!!! THANK YOU to Dave and Mary for such an amazing trip!

A Decade Later

Sep12

Where were you when…

That’s the question today, isn’t it?

I remember with vivid detail that day. For starters, it was beautiful. Sunny, blue sky. I was a freshman at the University of Central Oklahoma. I was driving to my first class of the day – Music Theory.

I remember wishing my radio in the car worked because the 25 minute drive was sort of boring and I usually listened to NPR. I’m a geek, what can I say.

When I arrived at class, the room was unusually empty. I walked back into the hallway to check for a missed announcement about class being cancelled. One of my class mates saw me and said “we’re in here.” She was talking about the room next door – it had a tv. She told me an airplane had hit one of the towers in New York.

As we stood in that room, watching history unfold before our eyes, we all gasped in collective shock and horror as we saw a second plane crash into the other tower. I remember tears starting to form in my eyes.

My classes were cancelled and all I could do was cry. I felt numb. I kept thinking “why would someone do such a thing?” “WHO would do such a terrible thing?”

Now, a decade later, I think the question should be “where are we NOW….

Are we safer as a nation? More united as a whole? Are we less? The same?

My hope, for our nation, is that we never forget that hatred lives. But I hope we remember, too, that love, peace and kindness DO triumph. That goodness prevails over evil. That lightness drives out darkness.

I hope ordinary citizens continue to be heroes for their families, friends and neighbors. That the lives lost and the sacrifices made live on in each of us.

That we continue to heal. We pause to remember, look back. But that as we do so, we remember to continue to look forward. Toward the future. Toward hope. Peace. Love. Kindness.

So, where were YOU when…. And where are you NOW?

09.11.2001/09.11.2011 never forgotten.

A Day in the Life

The musings of a conundrum of a female; half warrior, half princess. Wholly awesome.

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