The magic of sisterhood

This past week I had the opportunity to attend Sigma Kappa Sorority's 84th Convention in Orlando Florida. This is the second time I have gone to Convention (it only occurs every 2 years) and I will be honest, I was a little apprehensive about going. I was excited to go to Orlando and be a part of the Grand Chapter celebration, but it would be the longest I had ever been away from Ben and I was still getting used to being involved in my sorority as an alumna member.

However, this past week at Convention was an amazing experience; "magical", if you will. I work with Greek students every day and talk to them about how joining a fraternity or sorority is a life-long commitment not just a club that you participate in for three or four years in college. And although I have been involved with Sigma Kappa since I moved back to Missouri, I didn't really feel the sisterhood aspect. Until this past week! I spent five days with inspiring women from all over the country. The business of the sorority was done over the time that we were all together and we celebrated our ritual together. We ate and danced like fools at the Confirmed Conventionite Celebration. And we spent an evening at the happiest place on earth: Disney World!!! My time with sorority sisters of all ages was an experience that I won't forget. I realized this week in Orlando what being a life-long member of a sorority is all about. I know that the sisters that I connected with over the last five days will be in my life for the duration. I also know that I am more committed to Sigma Kappa now than I have ever been. I know that I am inspired to be the best me that I can be every day. I know that I have to define my own success. And I also know that I have to put all of this into a conversation that I can use with the students I work with at Mizzou. Hopefully my experience will help show them that it is not just about four years.

I am looking forward to Convention in 2012 in Houston, Texas. Until then: personal growth, loyalty, service, and friendship will remain my focus.

As American as apple pie and baseball

This past weekend, we celebrated the Fourth of July holiday at Chris's parent's house in O'Fallon, Illinois. We had tons of fun swimming and hanging out with family and friends. Ben was a trooper and on Sunday was the life of the annual Fourth of July party! And I am pretty sure he ate his weight in fruit in a matter of twenty minutes or so. He was a riot!

The best part of this weekend was our trip to Busch Stadium (baseball heaven, you know). For Father's Day, Ben got Chris tickets to the game and of course, it was Ben's first Cardinals game. It was a blast!


Two of the things that I really love about baseball games are the food and the people watching. I think that these are Ben's favorite parts as well. We had all of the game-day musts while we were there: hot dog (Ben's first), pretzel, nachos, and ice cream! Ben loved it all (as with most food). I think the best part though was the nachos. The lady across the aisle told us that Ben should be in a nachos commercial! Ha!

The best part about our weekend though, was the family time that we spent together. It was nice to not worry about work or anything else and just enjoy being together. This was a weekend that I know Chris or I will never forget. I am sure that Ben won't remember in the long run, but we will definitely fill him in when he is older. His first Cardinals game was a great one! The Redbirds lost (big time) but the experience we had will definitely be one for the record book!

Ready to run

I decided that since I had a few personal days to use at work that I would take them this week. This morning, I was able to sleep in a little bit and then I went for my morning run with Chris and Ben, instead of by myself like normal. The run was awesome!!! We ran a little more than 4.5 miles and I ran the entire way! This was the longest run that I have done, running the whole thing. It felt good and to top it off the company was great and the weather was amazing (especially for the first of July).

My run this morning really made me think about the progress that I have made on my journey to become a runner, not just a wanna-be runner. Chris started the Eagle Running Club at the beginning of the summer and I set a goal to run 100 miles over 3 months. I thought I would be able to hit 100 if I really stayed committed to running a few times a week. Well, my current total is just over 60 miles!! The running program that Chris has helped me with is working out! I run an average of 4 times a week and I am getting stubborn about not running less than 3 miles in each outing. And I am even starting to enjoy it quite a bit!

There are many reasons that I want to be a runner. I think it is a huge challenge and one that I want to conquer! Running is also something that has become my personal time. Whether I am on the road or at the gym, it is my little slice of the day (typically first thing in the morning) to get my life organized for what is ahead. I am amazed at how different my days are when I don't get my exercise in! Another reason would have to be the physical results. That could never be a negative thing. Finally, one reason that I want to be a runner is something that was pointed out in the new book I am reading: Run Like a Mother. By being an active parent, I am making physical activity the norm in Ben's life and not something that is done at recess or in gym class. And I think that is really cool. That makes me feel like I am earning some good mom points by running.

So the moral of the story is...if I can do it, anyone can do it! If you want to run, pick a route and get going!

Make new friends, but keep the old

Last week I had one of the most fun nights out that I have had in quite a while. I went out. I went out to a bar. And the two best parts...it was a work night AND I was out until after 11:00! I know, crazy, right? Well, it was for me. Me and three other lovely ladies enjoyed a few cocktails and great conversation at Room 38 (a swanky bar in downtown CoMo that I haven't figured out if I think it belongs or not!).

Like I said, this was one of the most fun nights out that I have had in a while. I am not saying that I don't have amazing times with my two main men, but it was really nice going out with the ladies! It was the first time since living here in Columbia that I felt like I had my own friends. I felt like I had some of my old independence back! The four of us talked non-stop for over three hours about topics such as how we met our husbands and what we know of their ex's to budgeting to quick and close vacations. The girl time and the Blue Moon were just what I needed in the middle of this summer that seems to be flying by.

One thing this night out made me really think about though was my long-time friendships and the women who I hold near and dear to my heart. I miss them deeply sometimes (if you haven't guessed, they don't live close by). It is times like this night last week that remind me what I need to do. I have to force myself to do what I am not good at and that is make a real effort at keeping in touch. And it's not just keeping in touch, it is being in Tacoma, WA (and everywhere else they are scattered these days) when I am here in Columbia. And that is hard.

So my crazy night out has led to three main thoughts:
1--I am so glad that I am finally finding my little niche of friends here (it is about time, after all!).
2--I need to do so much more to stay involved in the lives of my oldest and best and sweetest friends.
and finally...
3--Although the night out on the town was great and made me remember the independence that I used to glory in, there is nothing like coming home to my loving husband and my sweet little man. I wouldn't trade that for the world!

Just starting out...

So this is my first post. I have been reading more and more blogs lately and I think that this might be a good thing for me to try. I think I have a few witty things to say here and there and I know that I have a lot going on in my mind that I can benefit from getting onto paper, or at least into the blog-o-sphere!

I chose the title Loyal to Life because my life is what I want to write about. I enjoy my life and I want to write about the different parts of my life that I like and that I try to be loyal to, whether it is my marriage, my role as a mother, my friendships, my job, my well-being, my cooking, or whatever!

That said, I am pledging my loyalty to this blog. Maybe one day there will be people who read it (other than my husband and best friend) and they will be able to read along with me as I make my way through this new and empowering personal journey!