Dear LeBron and Friends,

I can’t say with certainty that you did this on purpose, but I think we all know you knew what you were doing.

Game 7…on Father’s Day?

It’s almost like we couldn’t have written a better ending if we tried. Ok a win would ultimately be the best way to end this story, obviously. But this lead up you’ve done is pretty great.

Here’s the thing though.
I don’t want a win tonight just for me, because of all the sports, this is the game that has my heart.

I want a win tonight for my dad.

For the man who’s waited fifty two years for a Championship in Cleveland.
For the man who’s watched season after season.
For the man who’s motto has been, “There’s always next year”.
For the man who taught me about the game, and every other sport too.
For the man that taught me to stick with Cleveland despite all the losses.
For the man who I’d call telling him, “I can’t anymore with this city dad, I quit!” And his response would be, “No you won’t, you’re from Cleveland.

I’ve only been on this earth for twenty seven years, but I’ve watched a lot of close calls with Cleveland. I vaguely remember the Indians in 1997. I remember wearing an Indians sweatshirt and having a Chief Wahoo tattoo on my face, for my third grade picture because we had made it. And then we lost.
I remember sitting in the living room watching the NBA finals in 2007, wondering how on earth this was happening. To make it so far, just to loose again.
I went to a baseball game the night you, LeBron, decided to take your talents to south beach. I’ve had my heart broken a lot, but dang bro. That one stung. I put you on hate list. I’d also like to point out how terrible it was living in Florida and being a Cavs fan. Those heat fans came out of the wood work.

And then when you came back. I’ve got goose bumps writing it. Getting the call from my best friend (also from Ohio) and hearing her say, “Meg, he’s coming back”, will be a moment I’ll never forget. Conveniently enough, I was in Cleveland with my mom visiting family. That night we went to the Indians game, and saw your face back on every billboard with the words, “I’m coming home”. That heart break you caused us seemed to be healing.
And last year. Ugh. Last year. I could taste it. The trophy was there in Cleveland. Only to be raised by the Warriors.

SO HERE WE ARE AGAIN, LEBRON and Co.

It’s only 10 am and I’ve already cried. I get that some people reading this are going to think I’m insane. I get that the Warriors bandwagon is so full they’ve had to get a bigger bus. People just don’t get it unless their from Cleveland. And I understand that. From the looks of it, LeBron, I think you’ve done an incredible job of making the team, Kyrie, Kevin, Jefferson, Tristan, JR, Timofey, Channing, Shumpert, realize what this means to the city of Cleveland.

What it means to you.

What it means to my dad. 

So guys, winning the NBA Championship for Cleveland on Father’s Day would really be great.
If you don’t, we’ll all be here next years.

But if you do…well, I almost can’t think of the right words that would describe that feeling.

Please just do it for my dad. For all the Cleveland dads out there, who have instilled in their children this “legacy”, if you will.
Who have cheered season after season for the Cavs, the Indians, and the Browns. Do it for them. They really, really deserve it.

Sincerely,
A Clevelander, born and raised.

Orlando.
Massacre.
Orlando.
Worst shooting in American History.
Orlando.
Terrorist attack.
Orlando.
Nightclub shooting.
Orlando.

I stared at these words all day yesterday on the news and social media, almost in disbelief. This is my city. My home. This nightclub is five minutes up the road from where my baby girl was born. These are my neighbors. This is my city.

It would hit me in waves.

I wasn’t just watching a city over seas. Or across the country. I was watching news anchors standing on streets I drive past every week. Giving interviews to the Mayor of my city, getting remarks from the Chief of Police for my city.

I cried. A lot yesterday. I cried for these victims. For their families. Who unlike me, woke up yesterday morning wondering if their daughter, son, brother, sister, were alive. I cried that there was a group of innocent people who were wrongfully targeted. I cried because this is the world that I have to raise my baby in. And I just don’t understand it.

I hit every emotion in the book. I was sad. And so so angry at these people. These terrible people who hate us. Who want nothing more than for all of us to be dead. And that’s a hard pill to swallow.

I don’t know a lot right now.
But here’s what I do know.

I know that Orlando is a beautiful city. Full of beautiful, loving people. I know that God is stronger. That He mourns with us and He has us wrapped up in His arms. I know that America is going to come together and take a stand against this terrorism.

I know, that we must not point fingers at each other right now. No matter what our views are on guns, homosexuality, or politics. We have to come together. Because that’s what they want. They want us to be at odds with each other.

But we’re bigger and stronger.

I love where I live. This is where I’ll raise my babies. And I’m sure as hell not going to live in any kind of fear because of this.

There’s a long road ahead to get through this. But we will. Because this is America.

Orlando, I love you.
To the all the first responders: there aren’t enough words to describe the gratitude I have for you.

#1. Go to the beach. This one’s obvious.

#2. Get a library card. If you don’t have one, get one. It’s free, the books are free. Who doesn’t love free? Plus. Less social media. More books.

#3. Go on vacation or day trip. Maybe somewhere off the beaten path, somewhere different. It doesn’t have be far, just somewhere you’ve had on the list.

#4. Have a cookout. I know I can’t be the only one that loves having people over, especially in the summer time. Kids in the pool, burgers on the grill? So cliche America and I love it.

#5. Get donuts. Preferably today because it’s National Donut Day. You’re welcome.

#6. Go see a movie. Like actually in the theaters. It’s becoming a lost art.

#7. Triple your water intake. Seriously. It’s already too hot for words down here. Summer is no time to forget the water.

#8. Have a picnic.

#9. Make a list of things to do locally with your family. Summer is always the season with community happenings, google your city, or look on facebook, you’ll find some things to do. (Food trucks, fireworks, concerts)

#10. Do something once a week, just for you. Mamas especially. Schools out which means kiddos all the time. Do something once a week for yourself. Mani/pedi. Go sit at a coffee shop for an hour to read. Maybe don’t do work…let it be relaxing!

Summer I’m pumped for you.

What’s on your summer to-do list?

How it’s already JUNE, I have no idea. But I’m pretty sure I say that every month. But the fact that it’s summer, which means SOMEONE TURNS ONE SOON, is totally throwing me off. I literally can’t talk about it without crying. So we’re moving on.

June!

I love June. Summer is my jam. The pool, less hurry. Sunshine. Yes and yes. Obviously this summer is going to be more fun than pasts because of a certain cutie being here. I’m so excited for summers now that she’s here. And future siblings. Kids yelling in the back yard and swimming, ugh! YES.

I’m really trying to come up with goals to stick to. Maybe it’s lame, but I’ve picked one’s that are totally feasible. Does anyone else feel like sometimes, when they make goals, they pick these huge outlandish ones? Almost like setting yourself up for failuer Or maybe I’m the only one who’s put “sky diving” on their monthly goals list.

So I’m keeping it simple from now on. Nothing major, just things I want to get done, because I want to enjoy them.

June Goals.
1. Read 5 books. I went to the library for the first time since Em’s been born the other day and finished a book in two days. So five I can do.
2. Get away for a night with Sonny. I know, she’s nine months old and we haven’t been away. But when your kid sleeps through the night, why would I need to? But some time with my man alone would be nice.
3. Leu Gardens Storytime. I’ve had it on the to-do every month and haven’t been yet.
4. Donate the mass amount of clothing I have. I did an overhaul of my closet recently and it’s all in bags…just gatta get it out.
5. Five new go to recipes. I tend to cook the same things over and over again, unless I find a recipe. Last week Sonny told me he could no longer eat chicken and broccoli, one of my go to’s. Message received, right there with ya.

What are your goals for June?

I’ve started this blog over and over again, erasing every word I’ve typed for a good ten minutes now. That’s a lot of thoughts, erased.

I had this vision of writing this really great blog about friendship. And how it’s hard, but so wonderful. Because I firmly believe that. Friendships are hard and wonderful.

But lately.

Lately I’ve kinda had this feeling that some friendships are kicking my butt and leaving me exhausted.
Which I can honestly say, at this current moment, I ain’t got time for all that.

Mom brain is a real thing, and since it’s got 95% of my brain that leaves me with 5% for myself. And trying to fit in friendships that keep me feeling crappy isn’t going to happen.

So maybe this will be a post about being really thankful for the friendships I have that are thriving. One’s that have happened over time, one’s that I’ve didn’t see coming, and the one’s that have been here for as long as I can remember.

Being a mom doesn’t mean I’ve given up on friendships. In fact, I feel like I’ve made a point to get together more with friends near by. To try and make plans. Sometimes it hasn’t worked out. Sometimes I’ve tried to hard with people.

And that’s what can’t happen anymore.

I don’t think we’re supposed to drain ourselves for others, when they don’t seem to care.

Ouch.

Again, I’ll state. I’m so thankful for the friendships I have. For the women in my life that just get me. That understand what’s going on in my life. Some of them are other moms, some of them aren’t.

Can I just say for a minute, that I’m reaaaally thankful for my non-mama friends. Who make it a priority to ask how my life is, and come see my babe. Nothing makes a mama’s heart bigger than her friends lovin on her baby.

Where am I going with this post? Not sure.
Having one of those vomit of the keyboard type things happening.

I’m just thankful for the friends in my life who are here for me.

You know who you are. Love you. Mean it.