Best Day Ever!

I have long awaited for this day. I knew there was a good chance it was going to happen this year, but I've been disappointed before. I didn't want to get my hopes up too high! So I'm sure that's why I was feeling nervous. Was this really happening?!?

You may think I'm talking about falling in love or a marriage proposal or maybe even getting pregnant? Nope.

MY CHIEFS ARE IN THE SUPER BOWL!!!!

For longtime fans of the Chiefs Kingdom, Sunday, January 19 was the best day ever! The last time the Chiefs were in the Super Bowl was Super Bowl IV. It's taken 50 years, my entire lifetime and then some, to get to this moment. So yeah, I'm very excited!

I remember in 1986 the Chiefs had their first playoff berth since 1971, and my dad was getting excited. I learned right then that if I wanted to hang out with my dad, I better start watching the games with him. But it wasn't until 1989 when I became a real Chiefs fan. Marty Schottenheimer became the head coach that year. Steve DeBerg was quarterback. Neil Smith and Derrick Thomas were tearing it up on defense. Tim Grunhard, Dave Szott, and Christian Okoye were names I heard often. It was a fun team and hopes were high. But we fell short time and time again. We came close in 1993 with Joe Montana as our quarterback, but lost to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC championship game.

From 2003 - 2017, we made the playoffs 7 times and only won 1 post-season game. Fans were convinced our team was cursed in the playoffs and with good reason! But I remained faithful as a fan and watched them every Sunday. My son, who was born in 2001, watched with me. He learned early how hard it is to be a Chiefs fan. But still we watched, sometimes to the bitter end. 2013 was exceptionally bitter. The Colts were trailing 38–10 after half. Indianapolis scored 35 second half points to overcome a 28-point deficit to win, 45–44, in one of the biggest comeback victories in NFL postseason history. Yes, it has been VERY hard to be a Chiefs fan.

But we all felt the momentum start to shift when Patrick Mahomes became our quarterback. We were one play away, just 4 inches even, from winning the AFC championship game last year. Heart-breaker!! The campaign to go all the way started at that very moment - with the team and the fans.

Everything started to line-up perfectly this year. We won the AFC West for the fourth year in a row. We got a first-round bye as the two-seed for the second year in a row. We launched our own comeback victory by scoring 28 points in the 2nd quarter to beat the Texans 51-31. And since the 6th seed Titans eliminated the 1st seed Ravens, we played the AFC Championship game at Arrowhead. And we won. WE WON!!! We finally slayed our playoff dragons. The Lamar Hunt Trophy now resides at Arrowhead.

Super Bowl 54 is going to be exciting! Chiefs vs. 49ers. My son and I will be watching with my dad. He's the reason that I am, and always will be, a Chiefs fan. I can't think of anywhere else that I'd rather be to watch the game.

So tell me.... How 'bout those CHIEFS!?!?!?!?!

My One Word for 2020

Back in July, I wrote this post about finding and focusing on one word rather than making a New Year's resolution. It's the best thing ever! The whole process of finding and choosing one word to focus on has been a life changer for me. So I'm very excited to share with you how this year went AND what my one word is for 2020.

My One Word for 2019 has been "purpose". Two major changes occurred in my life in 2018. First, after 20 years in financial aid, I changed careers to fundraising. And secondly, my first born began his senior year of high school (emotional post here), which meant he would be leaving the nest soon. So yeah... These two significant changes had me really questioning my purpose. Like a lot! So I decided to make "purpose" my one word and apply it to every aspect of my life. In doing so, I found a more profound purpose at work. I redefined my purpose as a mother. I also focused on finding a deeper purpose in my relationships. So much good stuff, people!

Now as we are nearing the end of the year, I start reflecting back on the previous 12 months. I like to review how I've grown, see what I've learned, and determine what I can improve upon #perfectionist. This year I added another step and thought about how my one word has positively impacted my life.  

• At work as a fundraiser, my purpose is to provide opportunities to donors to make a difference and bring meaning to their lives. Facilitating this work is extremely satisfying.
• At home, my purpose as a mother is to raise my children and then let them go. Ugh! This has been difficult to come to terms with because my children are my life. They have consumed every minute of every hour for over 18 years. Parents, change is hard. But I am slowly learning that this next phase is exciting as well. I love watching them succeed and supporting them on their journey. They really make me want to be a better person.
• As a wife / family member / friend, my purpose is to celebrate successes and provide comfort when needed. As an introvert, it's hard for me to share my feelings with others and open up. This is something I need to keep working on.
• I also found purpose as a volunteer in my church serving in the third grade room. What seemed like work in the beginning is now something I really look forward to. I am beginning to see a new purpose in my life that I didn't see before.

I mean, wow! Focusing on one word is so much more powerful than completing a new year's resolution! Finding my purpose and fully understanding my "why" has been an incredible journey. And when I am focusing and living out my purpose, I am so much happier! Which brings me to my one word for 2020...

My one word for 2020: JOY

I have really struggled lately with being present. I'm always over-thinking about the past or dreaming / worrying about the future. I feel like I have missed so many moments by not being present. I have really lost that part of me and want to get it back. Focusing on JOY invites me to be still and live in the moment once again. Now that I feel satisfied with knowing my purpose, I want to look back on 2020 and see that my life was joyful. I want to find the joy in all circumstances and bring joy to others. Just thinking of the possibilities with JOY as my one word brings me so much peace and makes me smile.

Here's to a joyful 2020!

To My Son Before You Graduate High School

Hey Little B,

My goodness you're not so little any more. In fact, you've been towering over me for a while now. That's been a constant reminder that you're growing up and will be leaving the nest soon.

Wait.. Soon?? The time is now! High school is over. The next step in your journey is a moment away. I only have a few short weeks to throw more advice at you before you leave for college. So pay attention because this is genius level advice.  : )

1. Credit cards can make you an automatic liar. Yes, they can be devious little things! I want you to remember that credit is a tool that can either build or destroy - it all depends on how you use it. When you use a credit card, you are promising to pay someone later for something you receive today. Pay it off each month. Don't let a credit card fool you into thinking you have more money than you actually have. It's not free money.

2. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You are fiercely independent, which will take you far in life, but don't be afraid to ask for help. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Successful people know where to find help in order to reach their goals. And when you ask for help, you are allowing someone else to be helpful. Everybody wins when you ask for help.

3. Listen first. Talk later. People will come into your life who are there to teach you life's lessons. Listen to them. Learn from them. You don't necessarily have to agree with them, but please listen.

4. Be responsible. You are now responsible for you. You've always been responsible for your own actions and decisions, but it will feel different when you're on your own. Your dad and I won't be around forcing you to go to class. Your teachers aren't going to pester you to turn in your homework. Bills don't pay themselves. You will need to learn to balance your time and your work on your own. Take responsibility for yourself, your life and your well-being.

5. Call your mother! Or at least text me... especially on the days when we can't watch the Chiefs together. And answer my texts and calls in a timely manner. You know I'll worry if you don't. Being your mother has been the greatest joy in my life and the most important thing I'll ever do. I'm so blessed to be your mom.

And I want you to know that in a way, I feel like I'm graduating too. I'm entering a new phase of my life which is both terrifying and freeing all at the same time. It's a strange mix of emotions. But I am so very proud of you and tomorrow we will celebrate you and your future. Let's enjoy the ride!!!

Love you,
Mom

Elf Yourself!

Merry Christmas from the Marks Family!

#ThanksGP

It's the end of an era.

Coach Gary Pinkel resigned as head football coach of the Mizzou Tigers a few weeks ago due to health reasons. The team played inspired for their coach on November 14 at Arrowhead against BYU. But the last two games were very typical of this lackluster season ending with a loss to rival Arkansas on November 27. Final record of 5-7. We were invited to a bowl game (yes, even with a losing record) but declined because we're in the middle of a coaching search. Season done.

This is definitely not how I thought the season would go. And I'm sure it's definitely NOT how Coach Pinkel thought his last season would go. But I'm not going to remember him for this season. Not at all. Do you know why?

I remember when the Tigers always had a losing season. Bob Stull was the head coach when I was a student at Mizzou. We were lucky if we had one win. Larry Smith was the next coach. He wasn't much better, but we did have two winning seasons. We went to the Holiday Bowl in 1997 and the Insight.com Bowl in 1998 under his watch. That was pretty exciting and new. Bowl games were not a regular thing. They were a gift.

Gary Pinkel was hired in 2000. His first few seasons were really rough. It probably wasn't until 2005 when we won the Independence Bowl against South Carolina that Mizzou football became exciting.

Winning seasons became a regular thing and bowl games were expected....which is why this season is so bittersweet.

But I remember...

• beating Nebraska in 2003 for the first time in 24 years.
• being the number 1 team in the nation!
• playing back to back Big 12 Championships (and I went to both games).
• our team becoming the "Beast from the East" of the SEC.
• remember earning that title again!

Coach Pinkel put Mizzou football on the map. He has the most wins as a coach of all time earning that with the Cotton Bowl victory in 2014. When I watch Monday Night Football, I look forward to hearing NFL players say they went to the University of Missouri. You make me proud as a football fan and fellow tiger.

Thank you, Coach, for all of the memories you have provided for me and my family. You're the only coach my kids have ever known. You are Mizzou football to them. Your many accomplishments will remain in our hearts forever.

With every ending there is a new beginning! Thank you for bringing Barry Odom back to Mizzou! You know, you kinda hand-picked your successor. How cool is that? Now that the new coach has been named, I'm looking forward to the future. Go Tigers!

"And a bully for ol' Mizzou!"

And Now I Feel Old

It happened. I finally feel "old". 

It wasn't turning 40. I embraced turning 40 and actually enjoyed it! I'm told over and over again that I don't look my age, so turning 40 didn't affect me at all.

It wasn't my son starting high school. Contrary to what I read from my other mom friends, I don't mind my children getting older. I have an 11 year old and a 14 year old, and they are so much fun! Really!! I love watching them grow and mature. I love the fact that they don't need me as much. I love seeing them become more independent. Sure they still make mistakes and anger me on occasion, but who doesn't? Nobody is perfect. So that doesn't make me feel old.

It wasn't finding my first gray hair. Oh, don't get me wrong. I yanked that sucker out the moment I saw it shimmering among the normal brown strands. And I'm still yanking them out today! No gray hair is safe on my head. I should really just get some highlights in my hair and be done with it, but yanking them out gives me some control over this sign of aging. I like control.

But this thing that made me feel old, I have zero control over. Can you guess what happened that screamed out "YOU'RE OLD"?

Bifocals! 

Bifocals are something that your grandmother wears. Bifocals are needed because your eyes have presbyopia which literally means "old eye"! How charming. Bifocals are for old eyes. I now wear bifocals. I have old eyes. I. AM. OLD.

Over the past year, I have seen the signs. I would get a headache while reading. I started pulling books and papers away from me when pulling them closer didn't bring them into focus. Small print was completely blurry.  If I were in a dimly lit restaurant, I wouldn't be able to read the menu. For this aging issue, I couldn't just yank out the annoying silvery strand. I needed new glasses.

Now, when I heard that new glasses were a necessity, my immediate thought was "then I'm getting new frames, too!" Shopping!  That's a prefect way to cheer a woman up! So, I picked out new frames, and in two weeks I'll have my new glasses.

I decided to get multi-focal contacts as well. They are a bulls eye design in which I have to look through the close up vision to also see far away. It gave me tremendous vertigo in the beginning. I felt like I had one too many glasses of wine without all the fun! Definitely took some getting used to, but the good part was my vision had improved. When we went out to dinner the first weekend of wearing my new contacts, I could SEE the menu. Success!

Yesterday I picked up my pretty new glasses. Fortunately these are not your grandmother's bifocals. The design is sleek, and the line is NOT there! Progressive lenses are awesome, people. Just like coloring your stubborn gray hair, nobody knows you are wearing bifocals. It's the perfect disguise.

Unless, of course, you see the person tilting their head to walk down the stairs. Oy! Still getting used to walking down stairs. I guess it's just one more learning curve in the game of life.

The Timing Just Seemed Right

It was finally time. We've been thinking, scheming, and planning for months now. Searching for the right design, locating the perfect materials, and deciding on colors we could both agree on. It's a little intimidating taking on a project like this, but we were ready....

The BEFORE photo

Bathroom remodel time!

Yep, it's a big project but the timing seemed right. We figured it would take at least a week to complete. We were almost right about that. But since we were flexible on the completion date, that really didn't phase us much. The delays were mainly because we decided to get fancy with the tile design (totally worth it) and just drying time on the grout. Sometimes you forget to factor that in. We had great help, stayed within our budget (a little over but eh...), and LOVE the results.

The "before" photo I posted was actually taken at the end of day two. I completely forgot to snap a photo before they started. So just imagine a tiny shower with a glass door around that wall.  The mud you see was a regular wall which will now become the extended shower.  Also imagine ugly linoleum on the floor and an old white toilet. If you can imagine all of that, you definitely understand why a remodel was necessary! Not pictured is the vanity to the right which did not change.

Day Three

They made great progress and by day three the shower tile was finished! Doesn't it look great?  This picture is pre-grout. I think cutting the tile and doing the diagonal (like I said before, not in the original idea) added some time to the project. A peek around the corner into the actual shower is posted later (it was still a big mess at the time of this photo).  It's hard to capture it all since the space is so long and narrow, but basically the new shower does not have a door and extends the entire length of the wall. We lost about an inch of width but gained a lot of length and no ugly door to clean (bonus)!

By day five, the floor is tiled and the grout is finished.  Then we had to pause. If you walk on the tiles, they could pop loose or the grout could break... I actually don't remember all of the rules. I just knew I couldn't use my bathroom for a few more days!

Day Six

As you can tell, I don't know much about laying tile, but supposedly there is an acid wash you put over it to remove the film. That happened around day six or seven. Also around this time, the new toilet was installed, the shower was sealed, and then my help was needed....

Day Eight

It was time to paint! Yes, I'm the painter. I don't really mind it as much as my husband (he loathes painting). I actually find it quite satisfying seeing the end of my work. It's a bit messy (I always get paint in my hair) and my arms are usually sore the next day, but I don't mind it. However, I would NOT want to do this for a living. That's one thing I always learn through these projects - I could never, ever do this as a hobby or for a living. That's why I have a desk job.  Ha!

It may be hard to tell, but we went with a very warm color scheme. The walls are a much darker mocha color than the light green from before. The floor is a dark tile that resembles wood. The shower tile has a lot of taupe and brown. The trim on the floor and around the window is a very dark brown. We wanted to keep everything neutral and classy.

Here's a little glimpse into the shower with this three photo collage. The bottom left shows the shower floor and far corner. The top left is the same corner with a little more of the wall showing. In the right photo you can see the built in shelves (which I love) and where the shower nozzle is. The small tile is on the ceiling also.

Welcome to Spa Marks!

Just a few more finishing touches to do like finish the door and put up some blinds. We also want to install some shelving above the toilet to store towels and other items. Total time was almost two weeks. We absolutely love it. It was well worth all of the work and sharing one bathroom as a family (my kids might have a difference of opinion there).

I think remodeling a bathroom instantly increases the resale value of your home, so don't be scared to try it for yourself. Go for it! All good projects start with a thorough plan. So do some planning and then plan some more before you begin. If you've already completed a bathroom remodel, high five, my friend! It's quite a project but the rewards are great!

It's been how many weeks?

Twelve.  It's been a dozen weeks since my last post. Three months is quite a long hiatus considering my goal was once a week. Maybe I should consider writing once a quarter.

So what have I been doing during this time? Obviously nothing too exciting to write about. I'll give you the quick rundown with a few photos, of course.

I'll skip February. It was cold. Enough said.

March 8:   I ran a beer mile! This was a fun event. Four laps, one beer per lap, try not to fall down or puke. Check, check aaaand.... CHECK! I did not fall down or puke! In fact I had a victory beer after the race. My race time was terrible, but that wasn't the point! I would totally do this again.

March 25:  We went to Branson for part of Spring Break! We received season tickets to Silver Dollar City as a Christmas gift (really great idea), so we decided to take a long weekend. However, the weather was kind of crappy. It rained really hard on our way down. It was sunny the next day but really windy and chilly. We went to SDC anyway, and it was super crowded. We waited in line for over an hour for our favorite rides. It rained the next day, so we found other things to do like Ripley's Believe It and hiked along Table Rock Lake. And on the way home, we stopped at the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and Bass Pro. All together, it was nice to get away for a few days as a family.

April 18:  Missouri Beer Fest! Always a fun time. Breweries from across the state meet in Columbia to share their craft. We had special shirts printed up for Broadway Brewery which I was geeking out over! Don't you just love them?

Welcome to the Craft Side!

So that should catch you up to the present day. I promise I won't be as much of a stranger on here.

More posts to come!!!

The Obligatory End of Year Summary

It's that time of year when we look back, tie up loose ends, and reflect on the year gone by.  Social media and the countless number of apps available allow us to do this with incredible ease. I'm a nostalgic person anyway, so I really eat this stuff up.

Here's my end of year summary from 2014 made with Flipagram.

Hope you had some wonderful moments and made great memories this year. 

See you in 2015.

Rivalry Run 2014

It's that time of year again! The fifth annual Rivalry Run was held in downtown Kansas City on August 16. Missouri and Kansas has had a long rivalry that has existed since the Civil War. I will always love to hate Kansas. So whenever there is a chance to beat up on them, I'm there.

For this run, each registration earns a point for your state. The top three finishers in each age group earns points. The overall finishers will earn points. And fundraising dollars for the Domestic Violence Protection Services Agency earns points as well. The first two years, Missouri was the winner. The last two years, Kansas has taken the cup. Will Missouri win it back and break the tie?

Even though Missouri had more participants, there sure was a lot of blue.

This year I also registered my son. It would be his first competition 5K. He ran last year without a bib and did very well, so this year he ran as a participant. And he did awesome! Look at that time!

He was disappointed with coming in 4th in his age group. So close to a medal! But that only fueled his desire to try harder next time. We're considering doing the Komen Race for the Cure in Columbia on October 4th. Plenty of time to train between now and then. 

And I'm happy to report that Missouri WON the cup. We smoked them 556 - 487. 

Until next time! Mizzou-RAH!

Happy Belated Birthday to my Blog

It was June 25, 2012 when I wrote my first blog post.  I honestly thought I started this in July, but June seems like a more likely month. July gets busier and busier as the month goes on. That also explains why I missed my blog's birthday. I've just been... busy.

So two years and one month later, my blog has a birthday. On every birthday or anniversary I like to reflect, evaluate and assess the year before. What have I learned? What have I gained? I saw a quote by Oprah Winfrey today that said, "No experience is ever wasted. Everything has meaning." I so agree with that. But the real key is LEARNING from those experiences. So let's look back....

I've definitely written fewer posts this year. A lot of that is because I've stopped my photo a day projects. I would post nearly every day when I was taking photos. Now I post two or three times a month which is pretty typical for most bloggers.

The posts I have made have been more quality posts and almost like a re-count of my life. An open diary, if you will, for all to see and read. That's okay. I wouldn't post anything I didn't want you to see or read.

The views have been less but I think that's only because I haven't been posting as much. Those two things usually go hand and hand. Also, you must share your posts in order for people to know there's something new out there to read (unless you are a follower, that is), and I've cut back on sharing.

What have I learned?

• I don't miss my photo project. It became cumbersome and time consuming. The fun was no longer there. I'm glad that I stopped. No regrets.
• I prefer quality over quantity. Always have, but it's been reinforced.
• I now know the appropriate amount of information to share.

What have I gained?

• I have prioritized my activities. I know which activities I should focus on and which ones should just fade away. 
• I'm more present. I'm not constantly thinking about the photo prompt of the day and how I will incorporate it into a blog post. I'm not a blogger professional after all. I do have another job.
• I've gained a LOT of knowledge about myself.

So I'll continue with this blog and post once or twice a month about my life. Mostly for me, but also so my children can go back and read the things that Mom liked to write about. I think the amount of information they will learn and subsequently gain from this blog is priceless. And because of that, I'll keep posting.

Happy Birthday, Blog!  Here's to another great year.

The Day Santa Stopped Being Real

I knew this day would eventually arrive. I just didn't think it would arrive so quickly. I've always been careful and a little bit sneaky because I've wanted to keep the magic alive for as long as I could. I love the magic of Christmas which includes Santa Claus. I would wrap the Santa gifts at work in a different paper than all the other gifts, and I'd keep that paper hidden. Or so I thought... I wasn't really prepared when my youngest child asked me THE question last night...

"Are you and Daddy Santa Claus? Because I see that wrapping paper with all the rest of the wrapping paper.... Santa used that same paper! Don't you lie to me!"

Yep, there's the wrapping paper. And ouch! Don't you lie to me?

I didn't want to hear that accusation because I've never viewed it as a lie. Santa is magic. You know, he's like a card trick, an illusion, smoke and mirrors. Not a lie. That's how I have always felt about bringing the spirit of Santa Claus into my house every Christmas. But she saw it as a lie, and I couldn't have that. So I told her...

"Mommy and Daddy play Santa and buy the gifts that you've received from Santa. But I don't want you to think we have been lying to you. Santa is the spirit of Christmas - love, hope, giving, and joy. Santa is magical!  We give those gifts as Santa because it's fun. We love to see your face light up on Christmas morning. And as long as you believe in the true spirit of Christmas, you'll continue to receive gifts from Santa. Let me ask you this... What if you never received a gift from Santa?"

She really didn't like the thought of that. She realized that it's better to have experienced the magic than to have never experienced the magic at all. But I could tell she desperately wanted Santa to be real. For nine years he was, and she was sad to hear the truth. I have to be honest; I was sad too. My little girl is growing up. Will Christmas be as magical as it was before?

I think so...

"And one day you'll be Santa for your kids, and you will absolutely love it. You'll teach them to believe in something they can't see. You'll teach them to have faith. You'll teach them about giving from the heart and love. And those are the most important life lessons you could ever teach your children. Santa may not be a real person, but what he stands for is absolutely real."

She gave me a hug and told me she wished she could stay little forever. Oh sweetie, you have no idea how much I wish that too.

Say It Ain't Snow

Alarm goes off like any other Monday morning, and I roll out of bed. I wake up my son for school, and we grudgingly go about our morning routine. Then the phone rings. The phone never rings at 6:00 a.m. unless it's terrible news. Who in the heck is calling us this early? It's Columbia Public Schools. No school! Really? We had received some ice over the weekend, but I thought the roads were somewhat passable. Nevertheless, no school today. So I let my son know and he promptly returns to bed. I walk into my daughter's room; she's still asleep. I whisper the news in her ear. Her eyes flutter awake and she smiles while rolling over to go back to sleep. Sounds like a good idea. I also head back to bed. I emailed work later that morning to let them know I'd be checking email at home. I had some things to get done because a huge snowstorm was on it's way. An extended weekend was sounding pretty good.

That evening we received texts and emails that just about everything in town would be closed on Tuesday. MU even closed the campus at 8:00 pm Monday night before a single snowflake fell. That's never happened. I thought to myself, "What if they're jumping the gun? What if this monster snow storm never reaches us?" Doesn't matter because I don't have to go to work the next day! So my husband and I open up a bottle of Westmalle Trappist Ale. Good stuff.

Well.... the snow storm reaches us.... in full force! It snowed for almost 24 hours. I set out my famous "snow gauge" to measure the snow. I bought some Mirror Pond Ale for the Super Bowl, so that was the snow gauge of choice. After a few hours of watching it blow and drift, I decided to increase the size of the snow gauge (the larger 750 ml bottle is the empty Westmalle from the night before). I'm glad I did because you couldn't even see the smaller bottle on Wednesday morning.

Needless to say, everything was closed on Wednesday too. I personally was happy to have an extra day to get the driveway clear. I wouldn't have been able to make it to work anyway. They closed school on Thursday as well because of the road conditions and extreme cold. The enthusiasm for my kids is now starting to wane. My daughter was calling it the longest weekend ever (indeed). Thursday night we started wondering if they would have school on Friday. Part of me thought what's the use of sending them to school for just one day? Let's just start fresh on Monday. 

Our suspicions were confirmed later Thursday night. No school again! After my kids heard the news they responded back with "No! Will we have to go to school in July?!?" Not quite. But I know we'll all be complaining about keeping the school schedule after Memorial Day. June 5th is the last day of school as it stands now. And winter isn't over yet, folks.

So please, Mr. Weatherman, I'm begging you. The next time you report the forecast...say it ain't snow!

Our Trip to Disney

We've been talking about it for years. We should take the kids to Disney World! It's every kids dream vacation, right? Well, we wanted to go at "the right time." You know, when the kids are the right age and during the right time of year. But is there ever a right time? Maybe. We decided to go this fall. We found a time where the kids aren't real busy with sports, they had a day off from school, and it worked with our work schedules. So off we went on Saturday, September 28th.

The Fountains Resort

We bought a three day park hopper with two days free from the internet. We also decided to fly from our small local airport. Time was crucial as we didn't have much of it. It did cost a little more, but it was worth it! And we had an extra bonus with lodging. My parents own a timeshare. The kids had their own room and bathroom, and we had a kitchen so we could cook some of our meals. Publix was right around the corner.

We arrived in the afternoon and after the grocery shopping, decided to hit the pool. We grabbed some lunch and walked around the grounds. The Fountains is a great place. We really enjoyed it.

That evening we decided to go to The Magic Kingdom! I never saw so many strollers in all my life. Tip #1. No matter what time of year, Saturdays are BUSY!!! Be prepared to fight the crowd. We rode a few rides (Space Mountain was shut down!) and mostly just walked around. We only made it halfway around the park when we decided it was time to go. It had been a long day and we were getting hungry. We caught a glimpse of the Electric Parade. Yes, it's still happening! And on the way to the car, we saw the fireworks go up. I knew right then that we had to come back in the evening to see the show. The kids agreed. In fact, we found out that every park puts on some kind of firework show in the evenings.

Day two was at Epcot. It's Sunday and the park isn't that crowded. Lucky for us, a food and wine festival was happening! I saw the schedule on a Disney blog. Tip #2. Follow the Disney blogs so you know if any special events are happening at the parks. Pat and I certainly took advantage of that. I think this was the least favorite for the kids, but we kind of knew that was going to happen. We warned them ahead of time. We ate a late lunch at one of the restaurants which is something we had planned to do. The food was fantastic.

Day three was at Hollywood Studios. The kids are happy again! The wait time was only 10-15 minutes on even the most popular rides. So we got to ride everything and see everything we wanted fairly quickly. We headed back to the hotel for some swim time because it was a hot and humid day! That evening we went to Downtown Disney for dinner. Again, this was a planned splurge and really enjoyed our meal. Tip #3. We heard there are new plans in store for Pleasure Island. So look for that if you are planning a trip soon.

Day four we decided to sleep-in and head back to The Magic Kingdom in the afternoon. We spent the morning at the pool, went through a drive-through for lunch, and got to the park at around 2:00. Tip #4. The Wishes Nighttime Spectacular is a MUST SEE! The park gets busier and busier as the day goes on because everyone wants to see the show. I would try to get a table at Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant if you can. We had an excellent view of the show. It was the perfect way to wrap up our vacation.

Some more tips... wear your walking shoes. We wore athletic shoes every day and were thankful for it. The fall is a great time to visit. Main Street was decorated for fall and Halloween. Try to visit the parks during the week. We NEVER used the fast pass. The wait time was minimal, so it was never needed. There is a Disney App called My Disney Experience that was very helpful. It contains maps, wait times, and descriptions of the restaurants. We used it a lot.

I think we did find the right time to go! The kids are 12 and 9. My oldest missed two days of school, and the youngest missed three. The weather was great, and the atmosphere was wonderful. Hope these tips are helpful when you plan your own trip to the happiest place on Earth!

A Letter To My Daughter On Her Birthday

To my beautiful daughter on her 9th birthday,

It's your special day, sugar, and this birthday is extra special. Today you are nine. NINE! You're at the halfway point of your at home years. (Dear Lord, let them go slowly.) It's the last year before you hit the double-digits. And I'm sorry to say, but it's all downhill after that....

Kidding! Just kidding. All joking aside, this birthday is very special. You are now what they call a tween... defined as between a teenager and a child. I say define yourself! Don't let the media tell you how to look, act or feel. Be the best YOU that you can be.

I love that you are not yet embarrassed to kiss your mom good-bye in public or ask for a hug. I love your funny sense of humor that is witty and smart. You are incredibly smart, and I'm not just saying that either. You have good common sense and a nice work ethic. You are also very loving, generous, and thoughtful. You sure do make me proud.

I also love your sense of style! I smile each time I catch you trying on my shoes to see how close you are to sharing them with me (waaaay too close, by the way). You are creative and imaginative with your clothes and hairstyles that are uniquely you. I'm not sure how you learned to braid your hair the way that you do. You sure didn't learn how from me. That must mean you aren't afraid to try and learn new things. That will take you very far in life, my dear.

I know you have a firm grip on what is right and good. But I also know your beliefs will be challenged in the next few years. I hope and pray that you stay true to yourself. You will be confused and frustrated at times, but you have a great moral compass to guide you. And if that gets lost, you know where to find me.

I'm afraid that the next nine years will zoom by as quickly as the first nine, and soon you will be spreading your wings and flying off to your next adventure. I want you to, but I don't want you to just as much.

As you are blowing out your candles this evening and making a wish, I will be making a few wishes for you too. I wish you health and happiness, friends and family who love you and understand you, and the audacity to be yourself.

Happy birthday, Krista. I love you.

-Mom

Another Year Begins

Today is the first day of school! So we must take a photo...

Out the door first was my son who is in the 7th grade. His bus route starts at 6:50 AM, and classes begin at 7:30 AM. Man, that's early! Good thing he's a morning person. He was up before me. I maaay have still been in my pajamas while taking this photo (ahem).

Next up is my daughter who is in the 3rd grade. Her bus route starts at 7:40 (much better), but I'm able to take her to school every day. Doors open at 8:05 AM, and her school is on my way into work. Perfection!

Can't wait to hear all about their day.

Here's to the start of a great year!!!

Rivalry Run 5K 2013

The rivalry between kansas and Missouri has existed since before the Civil War. Even though the landscape has changed with kU and Mizzou in different NCAA conferences, the rivalry has not. I was raised to hate the kansas jayhawks (not a typo, I never capitalize kansas), and I'm raising my kids that way too. It's a competition kind of hate, mind you. So any time there is a mechanism in which I can participate in this competition, I am sooooo there.

August 17th was The Rivalry Run in downtown Kansas City. This was the fourth year for the race and the second year for me. This year I brought my twelve year-old son along as a last minute decision. He's been wanting to try a race, and so I asked him if he wanted to join me this year. He did GREAT! Based on his time, he would have placed third in his age group. I'm definitely registering him for the next one. This was the longest distance he's ever run, so we weren't sure how he would do. He just blew me away... He told me he liked running with a group of people and looks forward to the next one. A runner in the making!

I did fairly well. I must admit that I've been pretty lazy with my running lately, so I knew I would be slow. My goal was to run under 40 minutes, and I did that. I crossed the finish at 39:00. My son was there at the finish line cheering me on. That was the best part.

The next race will be the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on October 12 in Columbia. My daughter would like to run this one. We're going to start training together this week. Soon we'll be a family of runners!

I'm very proud of my kids wanting to participate in these races. Not only is it great exercise, but it's building their self-esteem. It's a great feeling of accomplishment when you cross the finish line.

Empty Nest Week

The kids were away with the grandparents this week. Bless my mom and dad for sweeping them away for a little while. Sounds good, doesn't it? No nagging or fighting. No demands for dinner. No whining. It's rare to have a vacation from motherhood, and I was really looking forward to it. I started to think about what I could do with all of my free time....

Free time! Oh my gosh, plenty of time for me. I had big aspirations for the week with three things in mind.

1. Resume. Folks, it's time. Actually I'm way overdue. I must resume the workout routine. I spent a lot of time traveling this month; and during this time, the workout routine took a back seat. It seemed I was either too busy or too tired to get it done. I also had way too many excuses (ahem). So Monday, I was determined and ran 2.5 miles on the treadmill. It felt great! I was in a groove and feeling wonderful. But the next morning I woke up extremely sore. Wow, did I ever feel out of shape. What happened to the runner's high I had yesterday? So I took the day off. The next day I woke up kind of late, so I made plans in my head to run after work. But Hubby called me at 4:00; he had plans to take me out. Which would you have chosen? Exactly. Another day off. And that was the pattern for the week. So I was semi-successful with this goal and managed to get a few workouts in this week. It has been really hard to get back into the swing of things. Note to self: never get out of the swing of things.

Peasant Platter at Broadway Brewery

2. Reconnect. Time to reconnect with my husband. It's a prefect time when the kids are away. Every night is date night, right? Um... well, not exactly. We found out we're pretty old and boring! And pretty broke. We had a lot of fun together in Vegas the week before. But we did have Wednesday night out together (as I mentioned above) at our favorite place: Broadway Brewery. I sampled some new beers and had their wonderful Peasant Platter. Doesn't it look delicious? I like this dish because it's always something different. They change what they serve on the platter depending on the season. It's fabulous. We also went out and reconnected with some friends on Friday night. That was a fun time! The weather was perfect for grilling food and chilling on the back patio in front of a fire. You could say I was more successful with this goal. Relationships restored!

3. Relax. Now this goal was extremely successful. I did plenty of this. I actually got really, really good at this. Relaxed with my husband. Relaxed on my own. Relaxed with some good friends. It was very nice. And quiet. Almost too quiet. I miss my kids. Sure there has been no nagging or fighting. No demands for dinner. No whining. I sure didn't miss that. But there were no giggles. No high fives from my son. No singing in the shower from my daughter. No little voices. No little hugs. That's the best part of motherhood, isn't it?

So what did I learn during my empty nest week? To borrow a line from a late-80's power ballad... "You don't know what you've got until it's gone." Ain't it the truth? It really takes the darkness to appreciate the light, and I miss my little stars of the night. My world is a whole lot brighter with them in it, and my appreciation has been renewed.

Mama bird is ready for her nest to be full again.

-Cheri