Break Time

Sometimes you have to stop, right in the middle of what you're doing take a break. My family works hard. We also play hard (it's our business to play hard.... like literally). Yesterday in the midst of the homework/dinner hustle, I threw caution to the wind and told everyone to put on their shoes. With just a few short weeks left of school and the spring soccer season, I am quickly approaching burn out. I think my entire household is...

My girl got her first kite in the mail yesterday. We walked to a nearby open space and threw not only caution to the wind, we threw kites to the wind! It was a perfect way to detach from our daily grind, and we had fantastic time. These five people mean the world to me. I'm not a good enough writer to eloquently state what their well being and happiness does for me. But, a picture says a thousand words so allow me to share.

Clarity

She lives for these moments

Those times when conscience and spirit hold hands

A place to view the parallel of predestination vs. life choices 

A contrast seen as stark as black and white

It's a place where revelation brings understanding

Understanding is the balm that soothes regrets

Stuck in the Middle

In our ever evolving society,  I am at a social media crossroad. Now comfortably in my mid 30's I have found a host of interesting people to interact with. Some of them are a source of inspiration. Others provide much needed comedic relief. While others still, are so brainy and intellectual, I can't help but try and stretch my mind and expand my knowledge base.

However, social media also is proving to have some serious draw backs. Half of my children are now teenagers. That means they want to engage in social media as well. I'm not their friends in real life. So no...I don't want to be their Facebook friend either. They answer to me and not vice versa. So there are certain sites that I definitely don't care to connect with them on.

In addition to that caveat, there are former classmates and acquaintances I have linked up with. Although it has been amazing to reconnect with old friends from yesteryear, it's painful to watch many of them spiral into what seems to be the onset of their mid life crisis'. Sometimes I just want to say, I'm sorry that you didn't get enough time in the bar during your youth because you were so busy having babies or chasing Mr./Mrs. Wrong/Right, but get your butt out of there, and go home to your family. Your party scene pictures are pitiful not provocative. Your wonder bra is working wonders, but anyone in our age group know's what's really going on under that shirt. I'm sure your wife would be thrilled if she knew about all of your shady inbox conversations with other women. Your sub-tweets are not as subtle as you would think my friends.

Little girls, I don't want to be your friend, nor watch you push your newly budding cleavage on the world. Middle age women, I don't want to see your cleavage either. Let younger ladies look at you and try to emulate an ambitious respectable woman that can walk the fine line of independence sprinkled with a feminine touch  of humility and genuine kindness. It takes work to balance that persona (I'm still trying myself).  Little boy's your not a boss. You're failing math, and if you don't start focusing on your studies, you will never be a boss. Married middle age guys, get in shape, a promotion, and try to garner the attention of your wife only. Your materials goods are the only things that are actually attractive to younger women. Women your age that are looking your way are damaged goods. They are trying to entice you due to their own baggage. Your not as great as you would believe outside of the realm of the family that you support. And, they should be enough.

I'm pretty sure I don't want to sign on to any additional social media outlets. Although I want to stay current and comfortable with technology, I am thinking about streamlining the venues that I use. It's seems like a better fit to monitor some of the newer increasingly popular sites that my children want to engage. I enjoy meeting and connecting with people near and far. I'm very glad that I am active on social media. I also like the functions that each site in which I participate provides. They all have their own culture. Each of them allows me to explore some portion of my personality in which I enjoy indulging. But the bottom line is this: Nothing beats picking up the phone and chatting with my best friend about any and every thing we can think of to talk about. And nothing beats cuddling up with my love at the end of the day for a real life personal connection.

Rx for Stress

I learned during my studies in Psychology that often the body will tell you there's something wrong, even before you are mentally ready to acknowledge it. I was feeling so nervous and stressed yesterday. I decided to pop into my local pharmacy and make sure my blood pressure is under control. Don't let the fresh face fool ya. I'm sure you've heard the old adage, "black don't crack." Slow aging is a blessing, and it runs in my family genes, but I am no spring chicken.

I was very happy to see that all of my stats were well within normal limits. I take my health seriously. I do the best I can to eat healthy and stay active. I have friends and associates popping up with diagnoses of everything from breast cancer, to hypertension. I know taking care of myself is a must. Not to mention, I cannot own a sports club and be out of shape.

I believe in taking care of oneself. Stress is the root of so many health problems. I was very scared to sit down and check my vitals. Afraid that I am unsuccessfully managing all of the responsibilities that I am juggling. There is a calculated risk to pushing yourself to grow/ move in faith when you have visions for your life. I'm glad that the measures I take to safeguard my health are working. A call to my physician for a consult and testing was not a road I wanted to travel.

For now I will continue put forth my best effort in taking care of my family and myself. And luckily I will continue to treat my "stress" with my normal prescribed remedies. My Rx being... a good support system, fine (ok cheap) wine, dark chocolate, and ooo la la some good lovin'! :)

Fast Forward

February 22, 2011

May 2, 2013

Two years ago we were born. We had 11 players on our roster. Most of them had come across us from other clubs, or heard through the great vine about what this man and the kids he coached were capable of. It started with a vision birthed from passion. It's progressing into a proud legacy....and with God's grace a family empire.

There is something to be said of people who take a risk with you. People who trust you enough to entrust their most precious possession, their child, to your care. Those 11 players has spiraled to a group of more than 50 on a good day.  Working with them is not a charge we take lightly.

The challenges we face not only make us stronger, they make us closer. Mixing business savvy, financial forecasting, a passion for soccer, and high levels of testosterone together to form a family business is not always easy. Discovering the nature of people...more importantly parents is a learning process for sure. But we're doing it. And we're growing and we're happy.

"I'm married to my best friend." It's an expression I hear couples use all the time. I an not married to my best friend. She's been around for years. I've known her since we were 11 years old. She's been there for me during my darkest hours as well as some of my best days. I have no intention on trading her in for a new model. "I married my first love." Another expression I'm unable to use. I've loved before even if all was lost. He may not be my best friend, or my first love but he is very quickly working his way up the ranks as my hero......

4000!

Wow! I have had 4,000 views to this website since I started it. Thank you anyone who drops by to take a peak at what ever snarky things I have to say :) I think it's time to step my game up, and dig a litter deeper. Stay tuned. We'll see what happens....together!

Chapter Summary

If life had a theme for me right now I would say it centered around betrayal. I have seen and even experienced it on so many levels lately. Surprisingly, I feel...ok. Once upon a time, the very thought of betrayal had the ability to hold my mind, and grip me with fear. I could think of few things worse. I am very slow to trust others. So the thought of being unequally yoked in my friendships, relationships, kinships, and even acquaintanceships was to be avoided at all costs. The cost being a termination of a relationship.

Time has taught me that life really does occur in phases. There are chapters that come to an end. The way things are right now, will not last always. Additionally, the fragility of my own moral fabric is allowing me to deal with others more empathetically than I could have ever expected. I look at situations I have faced. I see circumstances that others have undergone and I am trying to understand why people have acted underhandedly. Very often, I don't agree with their reasoning...but I am able to logically understand.

Finding yourself of the tail end of another person's betraying actions is still an unideal place to be. But, as life goes on, I'm finding that it's not and end all to some relationships... It's amazing how forgiveness can find it's way into a heart that has been broken. I believe forgiving is fundamental to turning the page on that chapter, and moving on to the next one.