At any age, good girlfriends are a treasure

If we have learned anything as parents, it's that we need to take time for eachother and ourselves. So, many years ago, Joe and I agreed to annual "friend" trips. In recent years, the stars have aligned such that the Chargers and the Ravens have met up in San Diego. Therefore, Joe's annual trips have tended to lead him to the West Coast to watch sports. Me, on the other hand, I enjoy relaxing coastal vacations with the girls.

This year, three of us Moms from the neighborhood headed down to Ocean City, MD, for some fun, sun, and relaxation. As with years past, I never know how much I need time with the girls until I am with them.

We enjoyed our girlie beverages.

Found a cool sushi place (no shoes!).
And indeed, relaxed on the beach. All. Day.

As with all good times and good friends, our time together caused for some good memories...

This is our friend we call MBA: It's meaning is not academic.


The Bruiser: This is me. And, the nickname? Well deserved.

This beloved is Dirty Banana: While she didn't earn this nickname on the trip, we can always count on her to break out in dance to Michael Jackson.

I had such a good time with these ladies. I look forward to next year. We are parasailing!!!

A Letter to My Daughter on her 5th Birthday...

Well, Katie, it's was five years ago today (add a few hours) that we first met. It was the greatest moment in my life. I remember the way you were taken out of mom in an emergency C-section, and how I was worried about the both of you. How pissed off you looked when you were born (like "what took you so long?"). But it was that very exact moment when we locked eyes the next evening, I knew that a special bond that would last a lifetime was made. Instantly.

So now, here we are, 5 years later. 1/2 way to double-digits. One whole hand!!

I couldn't be more proud of the sweet little girl that you have become. You care so much for your little brother (even as you make fun of him for wearing a mermaid towel). You have that charm that will take you a long way in life. You have that sparkle in your eyes that is so welcoming to everyone you meet. You showcase the love you possess for life and your friends every single day. Sometime it's when you wake up. Sometimes it's when you are telling us how much you love your best friends. A lot of times it's when we laugh together when you are supposed to be sleeping (and mom yells at us both). But you know what, Kate?? Sometimes in life you have to just go ahead and laugh anyway. No matter how many people in the house we keep awake. :)


Keep on being you, Kates. You couldn't be any more perfect in my eyes. Live, laugh and love. I love you more than you could ever imagine (and you can imagine, believe me!). Keep on making me the proudest Dad there could ever be!


Happy Birthday, Katie-bug...


Love,

Dad

Dreams do come true

As kids, my brother and I were sure of a few things from our parents...

They had expectations. We knew to be home before the street lights came on, or there would be no playing after school. We could order anything from a restaurant menu, as long as we ate it. If we missed curfew, there would not be a next time.

They gave support. As children, we tried many things. Soccer, Baseball, Swimming, Gymnastics, Twirling, Dance, and so on. We could do anything we wanted, but we couldn't quit. As such, I was only enrolled in many of these activities for one year.

They taught us to set goals. We learned that nothing in life comes free or without hard work. Therefore, if you want something, you have to go after it. A self fulfilling prophecy, you have to see it first...then make it happen!

Growing up, both worked multiple jobs. Still, they learned to balance work with family life, and remained committed to supporting our activities. They made juggling it all look easy. Meanwhile, they always had a dream. The hard work they put in for so many years was to have a "little peace of Texas" to call their own. Perhaps after retirement, they could live there.

Just like so many lessons they taught us through the years, the best was that of a role model. They dreamed, saw it, and made it happen. This is the "Diamond J Ranch".

The view of the property from their back patio. It ends beyond the trees at the base of the clouds.

They are on the verge of living their dream...not because they ran into money...but because they worked hard...for many years. Many people in this world will say they are going to do things. But, few actually do them. It is so cool to take a turn at saying to my parents," I am proud of you".

The House that Built Me

I grew up in San Antonio, Texas. The only house I really remember is the one we moved to before I entered first grade, and it is the one this past week that I helped pack up after more than 25 years of calling it "HOME".

While I thought it would be difficult, it was more joyful than tearful. I had time to reflect on so many wonderful memories, and be thankful for what the past had taught me.


This is it. The house that built me. There was a rock in the landscaping to the left that my Mom would sit my brother and I on every year for an annual photo. It is now covered with ivy...a little secret for the new owner. You could see the fireworks from Sea World from this spot, and the slanted driveway made a great ramp for my brother and his friends to practice his skateboard tricks. This picture only shows a few of the oak trees which surround the house, and in high school, our friends learned they held toilet paper well.



Above is the dining room. On holidays, it was a place to gather and catch up with family. Or, one weekend every other month, it alternated Poker and Bunco players.


At the center of the house sat the wet bar. In the summer months when I was home from school, one of my weekly chores was to clean the glass. In hind sight, perhaps it was a mistake to put me this close to the bar. It is where I took my first shot of Crown, fell in love with Whiskey, and gathered with friends when I came home from college and California.


My parent's master bedroom. Three of the four walls in their dressing area were covered with mirrors. It is here where I used to practice my toe touches for dance team, got ready for school dances, and tip toed through when I returned home at curfew.


My bedroom. If these walls could talk, they would have some good stories to tell. I must have spent hours in this room this weekend going through old boxes from the last twenty five years. Boxes full of pictures and old letters from dear friends, high school mums and spirit gifts (I had to give Joe the 101 on Texas High School football traditions), report cards, old cassette tapes, James Dean posters (it was a bit of an obsession), and so many other items I had long forgotten.

The Living Room. This is where my friends and I gathered for sleep overs, I practiced dance routines, played pretend games, built forts, played football with my brother, sat with my Dad in front of the fire, and enjoyed so many wonderful Christmas mornings.

There are many cherished memories of this house and this city for which I am so grateful.

For now, we're out ya'll!

Greatest Show on Earth...almost

When I was in middle school, a dear friend of mine (you know who you are) took me to the Circus for my birthday...because I had never been and always wanted to go. It is surely something all kids should do...at least once.

While I am still frightened of clowns, the kids had a great time. They proclaimed the men on stilts and the animals to be their favorites, and they ate oversized (and overpriced) cotton candy.

They saw elephants...

And tigers...

I wouldn't say it was the "Greatest Show on Earth", but it sure was a lot of fun.

Daddy's Girl

I have always been a Daddy's girl. Before my own memory could recall, my Mother has shared many early stories of my Father's Love. So, I knew that when we found out our first born would be a girl that I would have many of my own stories to share with Kate.



This is one I had to record...On the mornings her Dad works early, he kisses us all goodbye and leaves before the sun rises. Yet, on the past two mornings, he has made time to make his little girl Tinkerbell toast. While I can make it, I guess she has recently shared that I don't make it quite like her Daddy. Finding it ready on the counter when she wakes up has brought a smile to her face so big that it competes with the one she displays on Christmas morning. It's a Father's Love in it's purest form. Yes, she too, is indeed a Daddy's girl.

Signs of the Season

This time of year brings many familiar images...

Allergies. This year is one of the worst EVER...

Exercise. I would show a picture of myself on the stability ball. But, little Kate imitating me is so much cuter.

Flops. Aw, yes. Ever since I moved to Cali, I haven't been a fan of closed toe shoes. Hallelujah!

Graduations: The smile on our faces mirrored hers. Only, I had tears in my eyes. Next year starts the BIG school!