I am sitting here at about 10:30 local time. Munchkin is long asleep-we celebrated early complete with pizza, video games, movie, grape juice toast and confetti poppers in our yard.
I have been reflecting a lot on this past year.There has been so much that has happened in the world. So much tragedy, so much heartache and yet, there were good things as well. I think that is true of most years, but I always have liked to reflect on the world around me.
The year started off very rough for us, but in all it was a very good year. I can see immense growth in the both of us individually and as a family. I would love to share some of our highlights:
~ Our new house-WHAT a blessing and miracle!!!
~ Munchkin starting kindergarten at the same grade school I went to and having the PERFECT teacher for us!
~Munchkin got to enjoy the Olympics on TV with me and man did we have fun watching and learning!!!
~While I am not a fan of the political rhetoric that preceeds elections, I did get to take munchkin to vote with me and explain in simple terms why it is so important for grown ups to vote. I am hoping that I can instill this sense of duty into him. I even explained who I was voting for and why-hopefully he will remember the process of being educated on candidates regardless of whom you choose to vote for!
~Many, many family gatherings this year, including some great times with cousins on the beach. Enjoying sunsets hand in hand with munchkin is such a treat! And on that note, I got to close the cottage with my dad...got an entire day of him to myself-don't think that has happened in close to 20 years and it was wonderful!
~ Band was phenomenal for me this year, I actually missed less than 10 rehearsals in the second half of the year---this is a new record :0
~ My writing--this blog and a few others that I guest post on have been a huge blessing to me. I do write daily, and I still struggle with what to type here as opposed to keeping private in my journals so hopefully I can find a little better balance this coming year.
~ My immediate family...my siblings and parents have had a great year as well. We have had many many opportunities to be together and I am grateful for that!
~Taking munchkin to his first Notre Dame Game! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO IRISH!
~Munchkin has advanced THREE TaeKwonDo belts and medaled in TWO Tournaments! I am so grateful for all of his teachers and that he likes to work hard!
~Taking munchkin downtown to enjoy the Christmas decorations and enjoy lunch with his Papa. It was so much fun to share with him a memory that I treasure from childhood! We used to always go downtown and meet dad for lunch.
In all, 2012 was a good year. I can remember back to December 31, 2008 where my simple plea to God was, "Dear God, please, please let 2008 be the worst year of my life-EVER" In my mind, I did not think that I could endure let alone thrive. Thus far, it seems as that prayer has been answered! I am THANKFUL for that each and every day.
Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Monday, December 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Football in Texas
Early this summer one of my aunts and I had a fantastic and inspiring conversation at 2 am. The cliff notes version revolved around reframing my perception. I was griping about traveling so much for work and having no time to myself when I do travel. She shared some of her tips for finding some time and some of the amazing things that she has done in her travels. Since then I have tried moderately successfully to include more me time while I am out of town. Luckily my nights out of town have decreased--because really I would rather be home with munchkin!!!
I digress...I am at a conference. On Friday one of my friends called and asked if I wanted to go to the Monday Night Cowboys game...well yes, I would love to go to the Bears game :).
So step one...I said yes...I then spent the next three days stressing. This is the first football I have been to since Robert died and it was an emotional ramp up. I toyed with bringing a jersey, however it would have been Robert's. In the end, I decided on a Bears t-shirt that was his, but I had commandeered long before the funeral.
When I walked up on the stadium it hit me...eyes misted over...it was a beautiful night. He loved Texas...I tolerated it. Until October when I started bitching that I missed seasons and snow...I'm a Chicago girl at heart. But he was made for Texas. He loved living here, he loved everything about Texas. It hit me that had he been alive we would have been at the game together.
As we were winding our way around the stadium admiring it...the Bears fans literally outnumbered the Cowboys fans. I was still misty eyed and texted my brother that I missed Robert knowing he would be missing him too. He said that "maybe we can get a win in his memory". Just then a whole bunch of Bears fans came by chanting the Bears song.
At that moment, I chose to have fun and enjoy the game. I really do like football and here I was with a tremendous opportunity to enjoy a game with some really great friends.
The game was fantastic. The Bears played really well...even the Cowboys seemed to play for the Bears :). We won and it was exhilarating.
I realize how blessed I am to have such great friends and a truly incredible family. I'm lucky to be able to work and still have family that steps up and help me care for munchkin. I'm lucky to have friends who know me well enough and care enough to include me.
I digress...I am at a conference. On Friday one of my friends called and asked if I wanted to go to the Monday Night Cowboys game...well yes, I would love to go to the Bears game :).
So step one...I said yes...I then spent the next three days stressing. This is the first football I have been to since Robert died and it was an emotional ramp up. I toyed with bringing a jersey, however it would have been Robert's. In the end, I decided on a Bears t-shirt that was his, but I had commandeered long before the funeral.
When I walked up on the stadium it hit me...eyes misted over...it was a beautiful night. He loved Texas...I tolerated it. Until October when I started bitching that I missed seasons and snow...I'm a Chicago girl at heart. But he was made for Texas. He loved living here, he loved everything about Texas. It hit me that had he been alive we would have been at the game together.
As we were winding our way around the stadium admiring it...the Bears fans literally outnumbered the Cowboys fans. I was still misty eyed and texted my brother that I missed Robert knowing he would be missing him too. He said that "maybe we can get a win in his memory". Just then a whole bunch of Bears fans came by chanting the Bears song.
At that moment, I chose to have fun and enjoy the game. I really do like football and here I was with a tremendous opportunity to enjoy a game with some really great friends.
The game was fantastic. The Bears played really well...even the Cowboys seemed to play for the Bears :). We won and it was exhilarating.
I realize how blessed I am to have such great friends and a truly incredible family. I'm lucky to be able to work and still have family that steps up and help me care for munchkin. I'm lucky to have friends who know me well enough and care enough to include me.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Football
Wow, fall kicks off again. Today was an absolutely beautiful day. Bright blue sky, fluffy white clouds. Gentle breezes and not too warm.
It was also the home opener for the Chicago Bears. Now I am a football fan, I follow my Bears, I watch the games, but Robert, now he was the definition of SUPERFAN. He had more Bears shirts, sweatshirts and jerseys than I can count. He lived in Bears gear year round, between that and patriotic t-shirts, that was the bulk of his wardrobe. Munchkin had his first Bears jersey at 3 months old for the season opener of 2007. Sunday afternoons were dedicated to football--in an almost obsessive way. I have some pretty awesome memories that revolve around football.
So this morning, I dressed munchkin in a new bears shirt (last years was way too small) and we went about our day. Sometimes I am just reminded how different our life is now. If Robert was still here, we would have had an all out party to watch the game...likely would have even tailgated. It would have been fun, really fun. But that is not the life we live now.
We will likely have some parties centered around football complete with uncles and papa, but not today. I could not fathom being inside when it was so beautiful out--especially knowing that in a few short weeks the falling leaves and mold will keep us inside until we get a hard freeze--so we spent the afternoon at the park and I caught the scores of the game on my phone.
But, munchkin ran around with glee and abandon--he made new friends and showed off his new found skill of going across the monkey bars at warp speed. And it was fun, and it was great--really great. And somehow seeing the joy in munchkin's face above his Bears t-shirt was enough. For that I am thankful.
It was also the home opener for the Chicago Bears. Now I am a football fan, I follow my Bears, I watch the games, but Robert, now he was the definition of SUPERFAN. He had more Bears shirts, sweatshirts and jerseys than I can count. He lived in Bears gear year round, between that and patriotic t-shirts, that was the bulk of his wardrobe. Munchkin had his first Bears jersey at 3 months old for the season opener of 2007. Sunday afternoons were dedicated to football--in an almost obsessive way. I have some pretty awesome memories that revolve around football.
So this morning, I dressed munchkin in a new bears shirt (last years was way too small) and we went about our day. Sometimes I am just reminded how different our life is now. If Robert was still here, we would have had an all out party to watch the game...likely would have even tailgated. It would have been fun, really fun. But that is not the life we live now.
We will likely have some parties centered around football complete with uncles and papa, but not today. I could not fathom being inside when it was so beautiful out--especially knowing that in a few short weeks the falling leaves and mold will keep us inside until we get a hard freeze--so we spent the afternoon at the park and I caught the scores of the game on my phone.
But, munchkin ran around with glee and abandon--he made new friends and showed off his new found skill of going across the monkey bars at warp speed. And it was fun, and it was great--really great. And somehow seeing the joy in munchkin's face above his Bears t-shirt was enough. For that I am thankful.
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