Fanatic?

Needless to say after last night's USA win, but USA USA USA!!! And if you missed that news, please crawl out from underneath whatever rock you have been residing in. The World Cup amazes me? I mean who woulda thought a simple game could bring so many people together. But, really its simple right, what brings people together easier than the bonding of sports? I know my family really comes together for sports.

As you know by now, I am a die-hard TCU Frog Fan, so this was an amazing weekend for me. The Frogs won their first game of the CWS and will face Virginia tonight. Although we may not have been together, my friends and family rallied around the Frogs via texts and facebook shout-outs! Its been 4 years since our last appearance in Omaha, and this time we will go all the way! My family and friends are definitely Family Fanatics! From watching my twirl on the football field for 4 seasons, to our continued support of the Frogs, my family can always agree on one thing: WE BLEED PURPLE! #Fearthefrog #toadtoomaham

Is your family fanatical about sports? If so, team up with Fanatics and share your story and shop for the best gear for your family! Fanatics is the #1 online retailer of sports merchandise, whether you’re looking for  #CWS gear, World Cup digs or caps and jerseys for your World Champion San Antonio Spurs! Heck, you can even find lacrosse fan gear! Who knew?!?

Super Regional Win 2010

TCU Opening Day 2013

TCU v. SMU 2003

TCU v. LSU 2013

TCU Pink Out 2008

My little nephew Frog TCU Baseball 2014!

* i was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own!

I Lawyer, What do You Do?

So, i linked up with two fellow DFW bloggers last week and shared why I became a lawyer, part 1. I promised you all I would share part 2. So, in case you missed last week, catch it here, before you read below. This was part 2 in a 2 part post way back in December 2011 on why I became a lawyer. Enjoy.

So if you haven't read last Friday's post, now would be the time. So, I left off Friday working for my alma mater and my father reappearing... So I'm sure you all are familiar with sites such as classmates.com and the like... well this is how my father found me. One day I was sitting on the couch checking my email and BAM! (totall Emeril moment) there was an email from him.

At first I was in shock... I mean this has go to be a joke, right? No, it was him. Thanks classmates.com.... I did not know what to do, to tell you the truth. Part of me was angry, part scared, part sad... I had a rush of emotion. I reverted back to the days of if you do not acknowledge your problem it will go away... So I ignored it. I pretended the email did not exist and went on about my life for a couple of weeks. I talked to my then boyfriend, now husband about it. I decided to answer the email. I mean come on, its email people. But there was still this part of  me that was so scared he would just show up at my doorstep. I mean what would I do then?

I answered his email and we excanged a few back and forth. Nothing extensive and I was always brief. I mean I was busy. I was in the middle of pageant prep, working full time, and just trying to pay bills. I did not need any more stress in my life. I didn't tell anyone about this. Of course he wanted to see me and tell me how sorry he was etc... blah blah... I did not want to hear it, I was mad, ok beyond mad, i was angry, I hated him. I blamed all the crappiness of my life on him. I was finally standing on my own two feet for the most part and did not need the sperm donor to come back into my life and ruin things.

As the months went by I kept on with m pageant prep and working happily away...  I did not think anyone noticed that I was stressed, on edge and in  general just not a nice person. My boss did. She was worried about me. I told her it was just pageant stuff getting in my head. I mean come on, I had people telling me what to eat, what to wear, how to act 24/7.. that alone was enough to get to someone. I went to some counseling and everything seemed to get better. No one was the wiser of the other the pressure in my life. Well, pageant came and went. But I realized during that strenuous week that I needed a change. I was not this scared person I was pretending to be all this time. I had goals, wants, dreams....

I'm sure my family and friends thought I just woke up one morning and said ok law school now. But it was more than that. I finally had this person back in my life, kind of, and I realized that the reason I left law school dreams in the dust was because I was scared. What if I wasn't good at it? What if I failed? But most of all, what if I couldn't help someone like me. I decided to stop living in fear and comfort, and go for it. I was 25 years old and if I didn't do it then, I never would. So I took an LSAT prep class and went for it.

I told only a few people. I wrote about my father and my life for my personal statement. I wanted to do more with my life, I wanted to help people. I wanted justice in the world. I wanted to speal for people who had no voice. I wanted to be someone's hero. I knew that people did things they were ashamed of and knew were wrong, but that did not mean they were bad people. They deserved just as much of a change as anyone. Because had no one given me a change there is no clue where I would be today. I am who I am because people were not scared to take a chance on me. I applied to schools in and out of state and waited.

I look back now and realize that it was fear that held me back. I was so afraid of people getting to know me, the real me. I feared if they knew my past, they would discredit my future. I did not think anyone would want... me. The one with the crappy childhood. Who grew up with an incarcerated father. Who lived through fights, near-eviction, who saw her single mother struggle to give her kids the best she could. But the truth is, that most people don't care, and those who let that define a friendship are not friends at all.

So that's it! I went off to law school, graduated and started working. (well there is a lot more to the story, but that's for like the next 50 posts...) Am I doing exactly what I want to do, no. But do I love it, yes! I am learning everyday how to perfect my craft. See, it doesn't matter what kind of law you practice, because it still teaches you invaluable skills. Someday I would love to work on capital murder cases. I want to be the voice for the people. Innocent until proven guilty. But until then, I help people in other ways. Someone asked me if I was selling out by working for a civil defense firm. NO. I am still helping people. The practice of law is all about problem solving. Whether its for a person or business... Everyone deserves good representation and advice. I continue to work for the things I believe in in other ways.

I was a voice for domestic violence when I competed in pageants, I am a walking example that statistics do not define who you are and who you will become. It goes to show that hard work and dedication pay off. The road is not easy, but the road leads you wherever YOU take it. 

Family

I sat around a table tonight with some amazing people. We ate and laughed, caught up on your days and lives and prayed for those who were not with us. I know these people. I know what they do, where they live, how they make money, their hopes and dreams, fears and worries, even their weaknesses. See, sitting around this table is my family.

No, we are not related, nor married, nor sisters and brothers, we are a family united in Christ. We have chosen to adopt each other as brothers and sisters. We trust one another, confide in one another and speak truth to one another.

We are not a Bible study, small group, community group, we are a family. We choose to do life together, all of it. Not just the good, but fighting alongside one another through the bad as well. We have our ups and downs, our disagreements, our good and bad days, but we do it together.

I had not been around this table in a number of weeks. I had let work and life get in the way of my family. I let stress and exhaustion win out over being present for the people that have consistently cared for me. I withdrew in a time of need instead of drawing closer to those who comfort me. I have been wondering why I was so off as of late and the longer I sat there the more I realized I had been focusing too much on the wrong things.

I find joy in others. I thrive off the energy of people. I cannot do it alone.

Take Me Out

to the ballgame... yeah I was hoping you sang along. And that is exactly what I did last night. Honestly, I had a hellacious day that included tracking down a check and hoping I wasn't hiking my butt to BFE for a hearing. Well, no hearing and a reward cookie later, I was knee-deep in more work and feeling kind of worn-out, b!tchy and just wanting to crawl in bed.

Cue cutest nugget of a 5 year old ever.... and off to the TCU baseball game we went. Yes it was cold, yes we were bundled up, but yes we had nachos, popcorn and saw Super Frog. Oh, and became a shy guy when we saw the cute "sheerleaders." Well, I admit hanging with my nephew and my brother made me forget about the day's events and put an absolute smile on my face.

that face... I die!

We made it through 5 innings and then we were just too cold (ok so my brother and I were just too cold). I headed home and then to the gym for a grueling great chest & tri workout with my fav trainer Sam (he will kill me one day a la barbell). Then as if on-cue I was asleep by 10:16 pm.

So, if you are ever having a bad day or a case of the Mondays, grab your closest toddler, and hug it out (or each nachos, pretty sure they helped).

Thankful Friday 5

I have jumped on the bandwagon and decided to let you know 5 things I thankful for this Friday:

1) My furbabies!! Yes, these two lil girls are my world. As much as they can annoy the every living who-ha out of me sometimes, they are loving, kind and just well ya know make my day.

2) My patchwork quilt of a family. I am super, way beyond blessed to be loved by so many people who well, don't have to. Between V&D, Aunt K, my church folk, my "sister" Tay, Law school Tay, my BFF from high school and BOFF, and a hoard of other people, my family is just one giant patchwork quilt of love and support.

3) Baton Twirling: Ya, I know seems strange, but twirling not only taught me so many lessons in life, it brought so many  of the people I love into my life as well (i.e. V). The sport of baton twirling truly prepare young men and women for life beyond their competitive days. NBTA is a huge family and strives to getter better each year. So, hug a baton twirler, ask your high school band director to let a twirler take the field and cheer on those collegiate twirler every Saturday.

4) Winter: Yup, I am in love with Winter. It brings a smile to my face, a twinkle to my eye and puts love in my heart.

5) 2013: As much as this year has brought trial and tribulation, it has also brought me into a place I wasn't sure I would ever get to. I am thankful this year has come, but will be thankful when its gone. In 2013 I bought my first house, found a church home, got Sophie, took on more at work, grew my hair out, renewed friendships, started over, and found my voice.

P.S. I am thankful for all of you. You have been so supportive and loving to me this year as I went through heck and back and began my life again. Your words of encouragement are a constant beacon of light in my heart. Blessed beyond words!

What are you thankful for this Fabulously winter Friday?

Where I Come From

Its September... yes September. Wow where did summer go? I mean just yesterday it was June and I as on a beach in Mexico. But alas, the fall is upon us and its time to get back to grind... haha I've been at it all summer no rest for this wear lawyer. But I am going to do a linking up with one of my favs this month for Blogtember.

   

Yup, you heard me, a month of blogging fun. So let's begin with this topic:

Tuesday, Sept. 3: Describe where or what you come from. The people, the places, and/or the factors that make up who you are.

For those of you who don't know, I am a yankee. Yes I know, bad word down in these parts. I was born in small town Pennsylvania. I am second to last of a million grandkids, my mom is the oldest of 7 children.. I have a large family... that I don't know.

See, when I was almost 2, my mom had the crazy idea to export us to another country... aka Texas. Yup, she up and moved myself and my brother to this great southern land of cows, BBQ and rodeo. She loaded up the car and with the help of my uncle, started anew.

We landed in Arlington, Texas and I have not moved more than 20 miles from there since, well except for the dark years of law school, but  I try to forget those.

But I am so much more than that. Yes, I have a mom and dad and cousins, aunts, uncles, etc... but if you have read this blog for any amount of time you know I am so much more. See, I have this unique family of people who chose to love me.

I am blend of my blood and my adopted family.

I learned how to be independent and strong, but also poised and graceful from V. She  never let me wallow in self pity, even when I wanted to, and told me that I had to work hard if I wanted to go places. She gave me the tools I needed to be successful in this world and look good while doing it. She imparted knowledge well beyond twirling--she ingrained in me the importance of honesty and integrity even when its hard or easier to lie. She also taught me that when someone truly loves you they don't care where you come from and what past you have experienced.

My mom taught me that family does matter. We may not always like them, but they are a part of us. She has showed me that sometimes you just gotta dust yourself off and try again, and again, and again.

D has showed me what it means to be a loving father, good husband and a real man. He instilled faith in me that I can and will find someone who worthy, and that good  men are out there, sometimes you just gotta search a little longer or harder. He taught me the importance of investing in my future and respecting myself first and foremost. He also taught me that when all else fails, talk about the flowers.

Aunt K has taught me its ok to have real feelings. I can think and act and feel. She taught me about good books and gin, and how to really enjoy a meal. She forces me to think everyday and never loses a chance to challenge me. She has shown me that love comes in many forms. Funny, she used to scare the heck outta me and now I can't think of what I would do without her.

I also have the intricate network of other people who have shaped me. From twirling moms, who cheered me on and put me in my place, to my best friends parents who loved me like their own and had the sex talk with me in the car, to the ladies at TCU who have watched me grow from 18 to 30 and continue to be present in my life, I have been surrounded by love. Now, I can see more than ever that I am product of so much more than genes--I am a product of love.

I may come from small town, backwoods Quaker country, but I am the strong, confidant, successful woman I am today because of those people who do not have to love me, but choose to everyday.

My laws v. the In-laws

I definitely have a case of the Mondays! 5am came way too early for my workout today, and honestly, it may be a 2 cup day!

How was your St. Patty's Day? Did you drink a lot of green beer, shake your groove thing, get some green beads? I may not have done all that but I have a great weekend full of family! Attended my sister's bridal shower & lingerie shower, and D's birthday! Which leads me to my topic today: my laws versus my in-laws.

So, Saturday was D's birthday so we headed to the house for his birthday celebration. Got to see the "niece & nephew" and lots of V & D's friends.... might I add they have the coolest friends. We talked, drank, and ate the evening away. They caught up on my life as a newlylawyer and protruded about when babies would arrive in our household. (hubs slightly cringes at this topic). I learned about flowers (did I mention these ladies are bona fide members of the garden club?), wine, life, and love! Their house is always full of people, good wine, and yummy food. It's like a game of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?!

How can you not love that face?

Post party, we headed over the the in-laws to spend the night. Now, don't get my wrong, I have great in-laws... and they LOVE Chloe (the closest thing to a grandchild they have), but they are the furthest thing from my family. No parties, no wine-induced giggles, no hummus & pita, shrimp, or omelets in the morning. The in-laws are pretty routine people, they go to the same places, order the same thing, and keep it pretty safe. The house is usually quiet, and you do not have the random neighbor dropping by.

It's just quite different the families that my husband and I have, but how theses different backgrounds have managed to bring us together. We have both learned new things, and hope to meld two worlds into one. Though we have had our moments of who's family is better than whose (which normally revolves around Holiday food), we both agree each has its pros and cons. Ah, marriage and families, ain't it grand?

Have a Marvelous Monday all! ~The Illegal Blonde

P.S. In law news, my email has been dinging all morning in a game I like to call, "what case is this?"