Head Of The Class

I’m like the country mouse in the city when I head to Chi-town for a conference. Driving in the traffic makes me a little looney. My hands get sweaty. I double and triple take exit signs. I even wear my glasses! AND...I got the finger, twice. Next time I am taking the train. Bottom line…

The most memorable event at the three day conference was a motivational speaker named Simon Bailey. Wow, the man can lead. He can also inspire the weakest of personalities. He entertained the convention for over an hour with his stories to push the shift to be the shifter. In sixty minutes he made me laugh, ponder, cringe, cry and dream. In the final segment of this production he took the last three minutes to thank a special person in his life, his wife. He shared his success is attributed to her sacrifice. He said she believed in him when no one else did. She taught him the stream you drink from is the stream you think from and eventually the stream you become. She was his best friend, chief fan, earnest motivator and the finest visionary he knew.

Why I am I telling you this story? Great leaders are exceptional communicators. Simon Bailey; great communicator. Behind every influential leader is a piece of the puzzle behind the scenes. This motivational guru didn’t have to take the last few minutes of his fame in front of thousands of people to say “thank you” to this wife. Honestly, she never would have known either way. He did it because they were a team. The team is significant.

How many coaches wives got a hand written, stamped in the mail, thank you note from their husbands at the conclusion of the season this year? I did.

I debated whether to share this. I won’t go into detail, but this one page note meant more to me than any thank you ever had before. It was heartfelt. It was hand written. It captured the meaning of our connection. We are a team.

I felt pretty low this season missing so many games. 26-3 is something I wanted to feel a part of. Duty called at home. Their names were Justice and Cameron. Most people go to watch the game. I go to watch him lead. He inspires me.

If you know my personality, it’s not really the “behind the scenes” type. Coach recognizes that and still honored me for the sacrifice. My aspiration is for him to attain his goal. A goal I believe he will conquer, sooner rather than later. Watching Simon Bailey on stage, doing what he does best--lead. Then before the applause a special thank you to his missing teammate. That was a class act. The other class act I am married to…

Your Heart; Not Your Mind

You can almost predict the month when you walk into our abode. March Madness now has migrated two, yes two, hoops into my living room. Between the big one getting fouled every two minutes and the little one screaming "hoop, hoop" I am one short quarter away from getting T-ed up into insanity! I guess it could be worse. The daddy could have insisted on a hoop over the couch.

Anyhoo, Every Keene in Keeneville filled out a bracket, daddy bear all the way to wee baby bear. Last year Justice won the big pool at Illini West High School. He spent his big money on Dr. Seuss books. Gotta love that! His bracket---not looking so swell this year. The other night we were all filling out our brackets. (On a side bar--is that normal? Yes, we had a family meeting in our PJ's around the kitchen table on the eve of the tournament. Normal? naaaa!) Justice says, "Mom, pick your wins with your heart, not your mind. That's what I do!" So I took the advice of my ever so brilliant five year old and did just that. Justice, of course, picked Duke as his big winner.(shocker-brainwashed) Mommy went for BYU. Yeah, I know, its a long shot but I have grown to like Jimmer. :) Yes, Coach Keene I do agree Jimmer could play alittle more defense, but nobodies perfect!

Speaking of no body's perfect, I need a housekeeper--STAT. I hired someone to organize my kitchen. Just need to pick the date. I hired a contractor to re-do our fireplace and some other projects around the house we have neglected. Now, I just need a housekeeper. Coach and I are like a machine at night, cook, clean, baths, make dinner for tomorrow, books then bed. When I come home, I want to concentrate on my kidos. I feel like a slave to housework. AND its still never perfect.I think I am more worried about keeping up the image of having it all together, then actually having it together. Probably every working mothers problem. I should once again take the advice of the five year old ESPN commentator, "pick with your heart, not your mind." This might be my new housework philosophy too.

A Birthday Is Not Complete Without Cotton Candy!

Coach Kessler and Whitney, Thank You For The Sugar Rush!!

Birthday Speech!

Justice Keene never ceases to amaze me. Once the birthday goodie bags were delivered and every classmate had a Spongebob cupcake a silence rang across the classroom. The kids were all eating and smiling. In the quiet moment of the party Justice sits down his cupcake and says, "Well MOM, are you gonna say a few words?" To my wonder, I stood up and said, "Happy Birthday Justice." I was thinking in the back of my mind, what does this kid want? A locker room speech on his birthday? Anyhoo, after I gave my best happy birthday wish Justice says, "NOOO MOM, aren't you gonna tell that kid who hit me on Friday he was in big trouble?" At that point, red face and all, I told him I would talk to his teacher. Nice, eh? A first party to remember...

Pre-K Party!

Birthday Morning!

And MANY MORE.....

Happy 5th Birthday!

Dear Justice,

Happy 5th Birthday! Where is the time going?

We are very proud of you. Just think how far you have came this year. You started school and you ride a bus! You get to sit on daddy's bench and go into the locker room for the half time talk. You play outside alone and you have already out grew your little bike. You love your brother and share, well, some of the time. You eat like a ten year old and will do just about anything for ice cream. Basketball is your great love, and you asked for a "real hoop" for outside. In your spare time you are either memorized by Spongebob or the perfect green John Deere tractor. You and daddy read books everynight. Sometimes I sit on the stairway in the quiet dark and listen to your thought provoking questions. I laugh and cry. You are very smart. You are growing like a weed! You outgrew 2 sizes in the last 7 months alone. You are tall and strong. And your hands are huge! Better to dribble with, my love. Mommy wishes she was home more, but you seem to understand. And you help Cameron understand too. That makes my heart happy. In a world where most people judge, you don't. Everyone tells you to calm down. Yes, you are electric! But mommy reminds people you are only little once and secretly, don't care what they say. You be yourself Justice Keene, we all need to learn in our own way. You are special. I love you with all my heart and can't wait to see all the new adventures 6 will bring.

XOXO,
Mommy

Cameron Was Practicing Blowing Out Candles For When He Turns 2!

Five IS Fabulous!

Its hard to be five.
I'm little no more.
Good Ole Days are gone,
One, two, three, four...

Its hard to be five,
Ive got to keep going.
My clothes cant keep up,
cause my body is growing...

At five I hear "don't and no"--
I just cant win.
When balls bowl inside to my ten juice box pins!

Its hard to be five.
Parents want you all clean.
But washing my face makes me
crabby and mean...

Its hard to be five.
All I want is to play.
I'm starting at school.
and my whole world must change.

Its hard to be five.
It takes SUPERMAN skills
sitting in circles,
Sitting so still...

At five I'm a worker--
a bee among bees.
I build things and grow things,
say thank you and please.

Its hard fun to be five,
so strong and so loud.
Give me five cause I know it,
I'm here and I'm proud!

Happy 5th Birthday...

Justice Playing For Duke...Watch Out Coach K, This Kids Is The REAL DEAL!