Just Breathe

Speechless…Very rarely am I at a loss for words. The moment my anticipated birthday weekend surprise arrived---I couldn’t breathe.

For three months my husband had a secret. He was very strategic. The man knows I am snoopy. From deleting his text messages to the history on the computer searches; I almost got a complex. I got a card on my birthday telling me how to pack and that was it.

We checked in at the Embassy Suites in St. Louis and primped for the night. Zach and I went down to the bar for a drink. He was more nervous than I was. As I was sipping my drink trying to be calm and collect waiting for the night to begin Zach says very casually, “Ready for your surprise?” I looked over my shoulder and standing in my presence was my best friend from Southern Miss—Jen and her husband Ryan. OMG—I couldn’t breathe. My husband had ONCE AGAIN pulled off a surprise of the century. The plan was put into action three months ago and the planning has not stopped since. After our emotional hellos and OMG’s we fixed our make up and hit the town. Dinner was perfect on Main Street of St. Charles and drinks at the Q.

It’s AMAZING how Jennifer and I can be apart for minutes, days, weeks or years; we always pick up right where we left off. Jennifer and I are the true meaning of best friends. We have laughed, cried, been through a near death experience together, broken hearts, fairy tale endings, motherhood, and so much more. One thing never changes, our connection. We met on a double date, neither of us kept the relationship of our male companions, but as for us—inseparable since. Actually pretty funny when you think about it…We were crazy at Southern Miss and I have a GPA to prove it a few semesters. Yikes…

Saturday was perfection. My husband got tickets for him and Ryan to cheer on the Cubs at Busch Stadium behind home plate. How can you beat seats like that? Unfortunately the Cubbies didn’t win, but I heard the BBQ Nachos eased the pain. While the boys were double fisting it at the stadium Jen and I had a morning of shopping and an afternoon of the spa. Yes, all coordinated by Mr. Coach Keene. The spa was incredible. The price tag was a little incredible too, but who puts a price tag on THIS weekend. It was priceless. Jen and I laughed and cried. I think the spa thought we were nuts. Well, we are nuts that’s a fact. After a little Starbucks and a rest; we met back up with the guys for dinner at the landing.

When I tell you the weekend was flawless, it was with no doubt planned with heart. The worst part was goodbye. I hate goodbyes. I used to experience goodbye so much when I lived in Mississippi. I was a professional at it. Yes, in the middle of the total ugly cry I promised to my BFF would make this visit a yearly thing. I am already planning a trip to the Big Easy next year so we can hit a Southern Miss football game. There is NOTHING like the eagle walk and a date at The Rock cheering on those golden eagles. I might have to pack my dad in my suitcase; he loves the eagles more than me.

Big shout out to Ryan for putting up with Jen and my crazy. I wish Southern Miss would have brought you into our circle. Everything happens for a reason and I’m just glad Jen’s fairytale began again out of terrible circumstances. You are her rock and she is a better person for you as her partner. I always knew something was missing back then. Jen didn’t sparkle like she does now. Thank you for giving her that light. I will always love you for that…

As for my husband….you did it again. Jen might be Cinderella (inside joke) but I am definitely married to Prince Charming. How many husbands go to THIS much trouble just to see their spouse smile? Less than two percent I am sure. As for Southern Miss, it was a grand time in my life, but the moment I met you MY lifetime experience began. Anyone who has been around us knows--from day one--we have had something pretty special. It’s visible in our connection, obvious in our support of one another and lived through our kids. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You always have a way of reminding me to take a deep breath. Exhaling>>>>>great friendships and husbands only come once in a lifetime.

Zach and Ryan

Eight Rows Behind Home Plate

Its A Suprise...

I don’t do well with surprises. I guess it’s because I am a control freak and I need to know how to plan. For my birthday Coach is surprising me with a three day getaway WITH no details. Although he did give me an itinery of attire for each segment of the day. On a side bar one of my coworkers pointed out to me, "Only Keene's set an agenda for a relaxing getaway. He knows us to well! Immediately my pulse was thrown into overdrive and I started to stress. Ridiculous, right? All I could think about was being gone for three days and how would I get everything caught up for another week if I was off lallygagging around where ever the destination was. Pathetic, I know.

I got a real smack in the face when listening to a radio program yesterday. This young preacher’s wife and mother of 5 little ones got a gift from her husband. The story started out sharing that the preacher’s best friend was a salesman. The Salesman had won a trip for 6 to Italy. The salesman met with the preacher and invited him and his wife along on the expense paid trip. It was going to be fabulous. The minister was so excited to tell his wife. That day also happened to be Valentine’s Day. The preacher constructed a homemade card with the vacation declaration inside. He waited for just the right moment to give his wife the card that Valentines evening. As she was reading the thoughtful lines he had formulated; he was waiting for her to squeal in excitement. And—waiting—waiting--it never came. The preachers wife stood up, closed the card and said, “Absolutely, not!” He was heartbroken. She said, “I have way too much to do. I would fall so far behind. What would we do with the kids? I would rather stay home!”

BOOM---it hit me. My crazy working mother mind can only think about how far behind I will be from being gone all weekend---- that I forgot about the thoughtful gesture my husband planned for me. So TODAY, I have declared- I WILL BE EXCITED about my trip to the unknown. I even bought a new outfit and scheduled a spray tan. How’s THAT for being on board... Ladies, eat your heart out!

Happy 2nd Birthday Cameron

Dear Cameron,

Happy 2nd Birthday!! Rooaarrrr. We celebrated with a dinosaur party equipped with a cute chocolate dinosaur cake and chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. You and your brother entertained the thousands with a few encores of Journey's--Don't Stop Believing. You are as sweet as the fudge Grandma Bev brought to the party. Year two has made you a talker and one of your favorite activities is to brush your teefff (that's how you say it)--which you do 12 times a day. You can hold your own when you wrestle with big brother. You love John Deere mowers and being outside. Justice is your hero, you do EVERYTHING he does. You love to color and are very strategic. You have patients when helping in the kitchen, especially when we make cookies. You always ask for a towel to, "cwean." AKA: Clean..and you are actually very helpful. You shoot hoops and play t-ball with daddy every night. You love to swim in the bath and do the spider man before you get dressed. You teach your brother to share and that lesson is priceless. You always kiss mommy good-bye and want everyone who comes over to honk when they leave. You run down the front porch like you are chasing the car every time, and yes, you learned that from your brother. The best part of my day is coming home to your big bear hugs and eating dinner around the table. You sit quietly and set a good example of cleaning your plate. You rarely complain, but you do have mind of your own. Terrible two's here we come...but nothing about you is terrible. I love your surprise face. You keep us all guessing...I cant wait to see whats next to come.
Happy BIG TWO little love. It only gets better from here on out...

Love, Mommy

The Natives Are RESTLESS Waiting For The Dinosaur Party Guests To Arrive...

Cameron, Twinkle Toes Of Leatherneck Future...

At WIU J.C. Keene---Full Scholarship In Training...

Balloon Glow 2011, Cameron LOVED it, Justice Freaked When They Pulled The Fire...

The Boys On WIU's New Field....They HAD To Try It Out!

Justice and Mercy

Can you say emotional roller coaster. That's the only way to describe the last 4 weeks of kindergarten. Justice was very confident on day one. After that it was all down hill.

He cried himself to sleep the first three days. The little man would wake up at 5:30am crying until I left his sight at Lincoln school. It was TERRIBLE. Poor Mrs. Clark. I did the working mother unthinkable on day five of kindergarten drop off. You ask WHAT could be so terrible. I went into the full on ugly cry in the middle of the cafeteria as Mrs. Clark ripped my oldest son off my leg and said with a smile on her face, "Have a great day." On a sidebar--Still embarrassed four weeks later. Everyday Justice got braver. Tears would start in the car, the next day not until we got to Casey's gas station, a day later when I turned the car off in the parking lot..and slowly they finally stopped. I got smart. I called Papa to take him to school. My mascara and my employees could not handle the am tears anymore. Justice was fine after that. He still complains its to long, but hes getting braver by the day.

Last Friday, I only had to walk Justice to the Lincoln sign; I got a high five rather than crocodile tears. Such a proud moment. I cried when I got in the car that day only because he has came so far.... Man, I have been crying alot. I turn 35 and my emotions are a handful.

Now, to my life lesson. I am pretty sure the Lord had so many prayers for Justice in the last four weeks about school he needed a secretary. It was emotionally exhausting for all of us. I would pray literally ALL day while he was at school and every time I woke up in the night before school. I was a prayer machine. Not to metion an emotional basketcase.

I heard a sermon one day on the way to a meeting about justice and mercy. Mercy is the compassion toward others and justice is fairness. I was sure pourng my heart out to God on the school situation but JUSTICE was not being served. I was trying not to get angry. If you know anything about my personality, its well controlling and urgent. Exact ally what the personality test I took six months ago revealed, but I don't think we needed a test to already know that. :) I then changed the verbiage of my prayers. I began asking for mercy while my five year old was being David--in what he thought was a school of Goliath's. When I changed my thinking from Justice to mercy, God listened. I cant control everything--shocker. This sermon taught me a very valuable lesson that just because I wanted justice on a situation, I need to think of it as mercy from the Lord.

Four weeks later Justice is adjusting. Adjusting so well I got a note from the teacher he has visited the "time out chair" a time or two. Maybe Justice needs to learn the value of the sermon. ;)

One Little Monkey

Cameron and I spent Friday just monkeying around! We went to the park, made a stop at Mommy's work, ate lunch, played with purple play dough, farmed with our tractors, danced to Mickey Mouse, took a nap and we still have 2 hours left before Justice arrives. This is one of the hand fulls of times I have ever been alone with Cameron. He is a good listener. He is happy. Gives lots of hugs during the day. He has also told me "I wuv ew" more times than I could count. Zach normally puts Cameron to bed. Last night he wanted mommy. I wonder if he has felt alittle left out with all the kindergarten talk. Cameron is special in his own way. He is so much like Justice, yet so different. Hard to believe he will be two in just a few weeks. I am so glad I still have his little toes to tickle and his kisses to steal. Well, off to enjoy playing in the jungle with Cameron while we are still alone today! Before long that yellow bus will be picking him up too...

Not So Much

Second day, not so much. Coach Keene prides himself on 32 minutes of hell defense. No kidding, I spent a solid 67 minutes of defensive hell getting Justice into Kindergarten today. Holy Cow! This is the first morning of his entire life I have ever had to wake him up. The kid is a real life farmer, gets up at the crack of dawn DAILY. Today, not so much.

Today he was hysterical from the moment his eyes were peeled open. This is not the leader from yesterday. I think he was exhausted. I had to literally dress him. I did everything but chew up his breakfast and spit it into his mouth like a mother bird. I had to cheer him into the car--but funny story about this picture!

As we were walking out of the house, full tears and all, Justice says, "My gosh, aren't you gonna take my picture today?" Thinking, okay--maybe this will get him to feel better. I walked back in the house, grabbed my camera, snapped the picture...AND back to crying. Not so much. We played I Spy all the way to school. When it was my turn he cried, his turn he was fine. Fun game making him happy, not so much.

Justice got braver the closer we got to his classroom door. We said our good-byes....AND Cameron started crying. "Me stay...me stay." I had snot on the left shoulder on the way into school from Justice's tears. Once we go back into the car I had Cameron's snot on my right shoulder. OMG--Glad I took Friday off. I am one hot emotional mess!

Just in case you see me in Wal-mart today, no Coach is not beating me--my eyes have been through 48 hours of parental hell this week. Who would have known I needed my defensive stance for kindergarten. (DEEP BREATH) Sure hope the homemade chocolate chip cookies, Orange slices and cheese wedges make for a happy camper snack once the yellow bus arrives today. As for mom pulling her self together today---not so much!

1st Day Project

Getting Off The Bus...I recieved a SPECIAL NOTE via email from Mrs. Clark.

Dear Zach and Andrea---

Hi there. I just wanted to let you know that Justice had a great first day of Kindergarten! He was our leader today. He was sitting so nicely when we were getting ready to line up for Art, I asked him to lead. He really seems like a great kid!!! He made some new friends and followed directions all day! We practiced the routine, learned about the classroom and practiced the things we learned! I hope he enjoys Kindergarten and if you ever have any questions, please let me know!



Thanks!

Jennifer Clark


WOW--Justice's teacher takes the time the first day of school to send an email. What a great surprise. And as for Justice being a leader---I told you he walked in like he owned the place! :)

OFFICIAL FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!! Justice's class is the purple ovals--in case they get lost :)

Kindergarten Or Bust

In the bathroom, the living room, the front porch while taking the pictures, in the car on the way to school, in the parking lot, at work in front of my employees and again before bed---yep, this is the list of all the places I lost my composure today. AND ITS NOT THE FIRST FULL DAY YET---wow, I need meds. How does a strong business lady lose it all over McDonough County. I guess I am just a mom.

Justice was raring to go today. Coach and I both took him to Lincoln Elementary to 'meet and greet" his new teacher and classroom. Kindermat and all, we loaded up in the car. Before departing for school Justice ran down the stairs with his train whistle--which he used as a microphone and pulled up his favorite song on you tube. Yes, the 5 year old sang at the TOP of his lungs, into his train whistle/microphone, "Don't STOP BELIEVING...." Seriously. I love this song but the kid has sang it so much this summer I despise Journey. He can tell more facts about Steve Perry than most 55 year olds.

Anyhoo, once we found the class and his cubbie Justice was comfortable. He wanted his picture taken all over the classroom, the library, the gym and the front sign. It was hilarious. I am pretty sure this will be the only time its ever cool for his mother to be snapping those first day of school pics.

Speaking of first day of school pictures Cameron had to have his picture taken with Justice today too. He is really gonna miss Justice. He has been saying, "me..school?" No little buddy, time will go fast. I wish I could stop the clock.

Well, my BIG prayer tonight is to keep the full ugly cry inside until I get out of Lincoln Elementary tomorrow. I keep thinking about not being in control of his situations....PE, Lunch trays, Rest time, and of course the bus ride home. Justice told me tonight while laying in bed, "mommy, don't worry, Jesus, Grandma Barb and Dr. Seuss will protect me." Love this kid. Kindergarten or bust. Wish us luck!

Special 1st day after school snack to share with his brother. Banana pudding treats....

parfait

Mrs. Clark's Classroom

Justice REQUESTED this picture! Wonder if he will pose in front of Macomb High someday? :)

Ready or Not! Here WE go...

Justice AND Cameron :) The little guy is gonna miss big brother!

Lovin My People

True leaders will never tell you it’s lonely at the top. If you are at the top all alone, then no one is following you. Get off the mountain, and go find your people and connect. When leaders lose touch with people, they become ineffective. You need to walk slowly through the crowd, listen to your people and open your ears to what they are telling you.

Do you know the difference between a dream and a fantasy? A dream is a big idea with a strategy. A fantasy is a big idea without a strategy.

Value people. They are your only appreciable asset. Do this by avoiding positional thinking. Leadership has nothing to do with what your position is. It has everything to do with what your influence is. The more insecure a leader is the more titles they want.

You must understand the law of significance: One is too small a number to achieve greatness. So love the people you lead. Remember that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Kleenex, Check!

All Good things must come to an end, including summer. We played in the pool, the sprinkler, had picnics on the deck, bike rides down Adams, mower rides to Meadow brook, golfing at the Keene links, made tents in the living room, trips to Bonkers and the Children's Museum and a few vacations to boot. Jammed packed fun, but man time flies.

Kleenex, check. Justice starts kindergarten on Thursday. Coach and I are both taking some time off that morning to take him into class and look around. Not sure who will need the moral support, me or Justice? Definitely, me. More details to come...

Kleenex, double check. Friday will be the first time Cameron will be alone during the day. He's gonna love some of the extra attention from the Grandma's, but when that bus drops Justice back home at 3:20 I bet he will be pumped!

Well, wish us well this week. Its gonna be a tear jerker....

The Boys Performing "Don't Stop Believin'...."

Justice's Bunkbeds--and Cameron is ONLY allowed to visit he says...

A Day At The Children's Museum

Cameron Was Making Me Lunch In The Play Restauant At The Children's Museum

Justice Playing Mailman At The Childrens Museum

Children's Museum--A Clifford Size Town For The Kids To Play