Special

So, as ive put on facebook and my baby blog, we are having two boys come December. Ive seen the pictures, but I still have a hard time believing it. What I do know is that there is no pink in my future. Im so excited because it has to be my least favorite color. In other news, I have a new administrative assistant at work. She's been working for us for only a few days, and today I get this in my email. Im impressed that she has caught onto my personality so quickly, and clearly isnt afraid to let me know. Yay for people who pay attention to details.

That game...

Im alive, albeit functioning at a much lower capacity than normal. My brain has income tax, retirement, investment, and insurance planning information swimming around in there, which doesnt leave room for much thought. I did find time to tear myself away from this highly addicting subject matter yesterday to watch our National Team gals take on Japan. Unfortunately this time around, I do not have the energy or time for a proper recap (sorry Tracy). Also, (spoiler if you live in a cave) im still pissed we lost. I will say, our team has some serious guts and got farther in this tournament than anyone expected. Also, America has a new sweetheart:

Introducing: Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13)

A whole generation of U-12's will now be sporting pink headbands and sports bras...I might be too....

She did this. (watch the first 53 seconds)

From someone who played striker most of their soccer career, I can attest to the supreme control and general awesomeness that is this goal. I will also admit, I could never pull it off (not a lefty nor a badass)

And a new American Badass:

who is now on twitter for all you tweeters @abbywambach

You hate to see a game go to PKs, especially after such a hard fought battle. However, if we were going to lose to anyone, Im ok with it being the Japanese. Their country needed a "pick me up" and they were underdogs just like us.  Plus, they could do this. 

Damn. That was super awesome. Go them. 

Back to studying. 

Happy Thursday

My husband knows how to cheer me up after a long week. Found this in my inbox:

pugs do make everything better.

A story to read

This has been a difficult week on many levels. Mostly because of the heartbreaking loss of my coworker's son from his year long battle with cancer. I did not know Carson personally, but I feel like I do from being around those those who loved him most. To call him an inspiratin would be quite an understatement. He was a talented musician, strong Christian man, and simply an amazing person. One of the most precious moments I was able to witness was him and his father at our company Christmas party this past December. Carson's band played for the party, and during the night him and his dad (former U of A Million dollar band member) had a drum off, and you could see how strongly he clung to the joys of music. Tomorrow night they are holding a celebration honoring his life, and that will be a special event to reflect on the life of such a special person.

Along those lines, I also want to share a story from my good friend Cristin. Her friend Greg has also experienced the traumatizing effects of a life threatening disease on a loved one. In this case, his brother. I'll let you read the story here. I might have out-read Cristin in the third grade, but I dont try to out write her now :) After you read, support her!

Speaking of supporting friends. My other good friend Olivia is running her first half marathon later this year for the same organization, the leukemia and lymphoma society. Im so proud of friends who challenge themselves for any reason, but especially for reaons such as these. I hope one day we dont have to deal with the heartache of lives lost too young.

Winning

I know many of you arn't soccer fans, and I'll be honest, if there is a random game on the teli (men or women), i usually dont get into it, even as a former player. But, every four years brings the fun of the Women's World Cup, and I get all kinds of giddy. I think growing up playing against (and with on some teams) a former member of team USA adds to this. Plus our team also pretty bad ass, so that helps too. The tournament is going on right now in Germany. So far, it's been pretty uneventful. We've won 2, loss 1, which allowed us to advance to the quarterfinals today against Brazil. BIG rivarly there. They have the world's best player on their team. I give you:

Marta.

Guess her age? I figured at least 34. That chick is 25 years old. The Brazilian sun must be brutal. She has 78 career international goals and 5 FIFA player of the year awards. Impressive is an understatment.

But, lets get back to the game.

The game got exciting right off the bat. One of the brazilian players mishit the ball in the box and scored an own goal for us. USA 1-Brazil-0

The rest of the half was pretty uneventful, but we put together some very pretty combo plays, although they didnt amount to opportunities. About half way through the second half, things began to get dicey. One of our defenders made a slightly questionable tackle in our box, which resulted in a penalty kick and a red card for her (which means she is out of the game and we cant replace her) Pk's are nerve racking, but our goalie, Hope Solo is a badass (and also the most likely to pose for Playboy, in my opinion) The brazilian player lined up, kicked, and Hope blocked it! (very hard to do) Excitement ensued until the line ref blows her whistle and calls it back. (Rule check: During a penalty kick, a goalie can move horizontal along the goal line, but cant not come off the line) The ref said Hope came off, so the kick must be redone. The second attempt is good. So we are now USA-1 Brazil-1. During the rest of the half we get several yellow cards (unlady-like shoving) and we are still playing a woman down. (10 vs 11)

The second half ends. It's overtime. Two 15 minute halves.

We are tired, play gets a bit sloppy, but no one gave up. It was incredible. Late in the first overtime half, the Brazilians put together an incredible combo on the corner by the goal. A cross gets off and Marta pulls off the most amazing foot flick thing ive ever seen and pops it off the sidebar for a goal. USA-1 Brazil-2.

The second over time was even more sloppy and you really just felt exhausted for them. By this point our gals have been playing a player down for almost an hour. We get several shots on goal in the next 15 minutes, but all were either off center or too high. The regulation time is almost up and extra time is about to start (extra time is added to each half to make up for time spent hustling hurt players off the field and general wastes of time) The Brazilians are minutes away from moving onto the semis, and are all about stalling for time. Ive seen many methods to do this in the past, but this one took the cake. After a play ended, a Brazilian player turns around, walks towards her goals and just falls down. No one is around her. She grabs her back as if in agonizing pain. They bring out a stretcher and cart her off (all the while about 4 minutes have been wasted) No sooner do they get her off the field, does she sit up, rip off the restraints, run up the sideline and insert herself back into the game. This is dirty dirty not to mention a blatant waste of time, and she should have gotten carded (if she didnt). So we are now in stoppage time and because of her stunt, Team USA has a few more minutes to work a miracle.

Lucky for us, that miracle came in the form of Abby Wamback's head.

You should have seen me in the living room. I was screaming.

USA-2 Brazil-2

After double over time, we go into penalty kicks. Each team chooses 5 players and they alternate taking a shot against the opposing goalie. These are always guaranteed to be nail biters. The video for this is about 7 minutes long so i'll give you the highlights. We actually miss our first goal, but that pesky rule from before about a goal coming off their line finally bites Brazil in the ass and we re-shot and make the goal. After a few shots, we are up 3-2 and it's Brazil's turn. She shoots, and Hope Solo makes an AMAZING save to deny the Brazilians a goal. We then go up 4-2 after making our next goal. I'll let you watch the rest:

I love happy endings. Next stop, semifinals against France!

Orange Beach Getaway

Im slowly making progress on catching up with my blogging. A month ago (summer is flying) I headed down to the O.B. with my college gals for a weekend of relaxation. It was just what the dr. ordered. 

There was fresh cooked seafood, 

 Crab that we (olivia) baited, caught and cooked 

(blackberry photo fail)

then ate. 

We had nearly naked babies,

friends, 

babies pushing coolers

 and being adorable

sawyer brown

 pretty sights

and feet. 

 A trip to the FloraBama did happen, and it involved the best chili nachos ever and a virgin daiquiri. The best I could do. Thanks Olivia for such a great weekend, it's always a treat!

Cornerstone Ranch

A few weekends ago, I attended the Special Equestrian's 25th Anniversary Gala at my client's gorgeous Arabian horse ranch. This is not your regular farm. 

The lady on the far right is the founder of SE in Alabama. That is an antique wedding gown and by far the best outfit of the night. 

 baby horses!

Prize winning arabians= the sassiest horses you will ever meet.

 Justafire-her award winning stallion

 He knows he's special. 

 The main barn and silent auction area. What was so amazing, the whole area smelled nothing of horses. It's probably cleaner than my house...

The arena, done up for dinner and dancing. 

Seriously, this is the coolest new venue in bham. They are going to start advertising for weddings and events, so if you want a special place, look no further!