(43-268) Love Gives You Courage

If you've read "The Bumpy Ride" before, then you know that all three of my kids do swim team in the summer.  All three kids are skilled swimmers; however, to date Lyndzi (my 9 year old daughter) has enjoyed the most success.  Lyndzi is an extremely fast swimmer, and she's just lovely to watch.  Kelsie is very good for a 7 year old, but she isn't quite the swimmer that Lyndzi was at that age; and although Nicky (almost 12) is VERY precise; he does need to work on his speed.  All three kids have been taking a swim team prep class for the past three weeks.  Nicky and Lyndzi practice in the same group (9-13 years)  and Kelsie practices with the younger group (5-8 years.)

Swimming has been going well.  The kids are all starting to rebuild their endurance and get back in shape; but most importantly, they really enjoy it.  They swim Monday through Thursday and I must say that yesterday Lyndzi was in super competitive mode.  The   coach had even told me how great she thought Lyndzi was doing and how much she enjoyed watching her.  It seemed like Nicky was having a good day too.  We noticed that he had swam his last lap a lot faster than usual; but when they got out of the pool, I could tell that something was wrong.  I asked Lyndzi what was the matter and she told me that she was mad at this girl (that I'll call Brenda, for the sake of this post.)  Now I'm not a fan of Brenda's to begin with.   Whenever she sees me, she gives me this phony little smile, and I don't trust her; so needless to say, I was very interested to hear why Lyndzi was mad at her, since I've never heard her say such a thing about anyone but Kelsie before.  Lyndzi explained that they had swam a lap and she finished first, then Brenda, and when Nicky finished, Brenda told Nicky that he was slow.  Lyndzi said "I didn't think that was nice and I told her that it was a very rude thing to say, and that she should apologize to my brother.  She said that she already apologized, but she wasn't sincere and she gave him this fake smile.  I don't like how she treated Nicky, and so I'm mad at her."

I was so proud of Lyndzi for sticking up for Nicky.  And what I find truly amazing is the courage that love gave her.  If the situation had been different, and Brenda would have been rude to Lyndzi; I don't believe that Lyndzi would have stood up for herself.  But with as much as Lyndzi loves Nicky, she couldn't help but come to his defense.  Truth be told, she probably didn't even think twice about it.  Her love for Nicky gave her the courage to stand up for him and I think that's beautiful.  Nicky surely could have spoken for himself, but  Lyndzi didn't even want him to have to.  I love how connected and protective they are over each other.  As a mom, it is a great reward, and gives me confidence that they will look out for each other, when I can't be there to do it. 
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING

(43-226) Walk The Walk

Continuity, Continuity, Continuity!!!  When I wrote "Pennies In MY Pocket,"  I told you that I loved it when I could relate one blog to another; and with today's post, I've hit the motherload.  First and foremost; if you've never read "The Bumpy Ride" before; you need to know that I am someone who really tries to practice what I preach.  I talk the talk AND I walk the walk.

When I posted " Brave Girls Club,"  I told you about "daily truth" emails that I'd been receiving and how I found them to be encouraging and uplifting. And today, I truly was a BRAVE girl.  I was a COURAGEOUS girl, and a DETERMINED girl; and I went after something that I really wanted.

During "Luis' DJ Debut," I told you that my boss had recently started a reunion coordinating business; that I didn't know much about.  BUT, when I sat with the ladies that I wrote about in "He's Got The Beat;"  I listened to my boss while he talked to them; and  I learned a little more.

So, this morning, I got to sleep in a little later than I typically do; and the extra rest must have REALLY done me some good; because while I was getting ready to go to my office, I had this wonderful idea for a children's book about self-esteem.  I mentioned it to Lyndzi and asked if she'd be interested in doing the illustrations and she happily agreed.  I was feeling very pleased with myself; because I felt like THIS book idea was something that I could do well.  Then all of a sudden I got another idea.  If I'd been in a cartoon, I would have been hit by a lightning bolt, because this idea seemed to come from out of nowhere and immediately, I knew that it was something that I HAD to do.

I set about my morning routine once I got to my office; and when I got to a point where I could take a break, I went to see the owner of my company.  I asked if I could talk to him, and I shut the door.  I told him that I was very interested in working for his reunion coordinating company, and I said that I thought I would be a real asset.  I went on to explain that I had experience with event planning and groups, that I knew how to negotiate contracts, and that I was good at sales.  I told him that I knew my music, and that I had an instant rapport with the reunion clients that were at the DJ showcase the other night; and before I could even advise him that I am the Queen of PLANNING, (as I'd told you in "Making Plans;") my boss said; "I think you'd be AMAZING!."  He said that he thought that I'd be perfect for the job and I reminded him that I was available because I was only working 32 hours a week. My boss was intrigued by my proposal; and he told me that he was so glad that I wanted to work with the reunions, because he knew what a great job I would do. He asked me to give him some time to try and work it out; and I left his office feeling overwhelmingly optimistic.

Later this afternoon; my boss called me into his office.  He told me that he'd spoken with the CFO and that I was going to work for the reunion company the 8 hours that I was free and another ten, out of my 32 and I was delighted.  I thanked him profusely, and told him that I was so excited for this new opportunity; and I think I floated out of his office.

I was SO proud myself.  I was fearless. I believed in myself and I advocated for myself.  Then, when all was said and done, I'd gotten even more than I'd dared to hope for.  I practiced exactly what I've been preaching on "The Bumpy Ride."  I was confident, I was assertive, I was positive and I was not afraid of "The Dirty Word."  YAY Me!!

When I shared the news with Rachel K, I let her know that a conversation that we'd had yesterday, inspired me to have faith in myself and my ability; and drove me to speak with my boss; once i'd thought about doing so.  Yay Rachel!  Thank you again!!

Maybe my cousin, Jackie is right.  Maybe being "43" is not meant to be something that I fear; but instead, it just may be the year of new beginnings for me.  After all, during the 226 days that I've been 43, I've discovered family that I hadn't known; and now I've got a new job, that I know I'm going to love and be successful at.  43 just may turn out to be one of my best years ever.  As a matter of fact, it would give me the greatest satisfaction for post (43-365) to be titled "THE BEST YEAR EVER!"  It's feeling extremely, possible to me.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING