Where have I been?

I started this blog with so much gusto. I think my first post colorfully told the story of a massive toddler diaper blowout and a day filled of ups and downs and overall silliness in the grand scheme of life. I was compelled to tell the world about the day.

I have been hit or miss lately with writing.I am really not sure why. It may be lack of time. Juggling a second kid leaves little time to write or really even think given the rest of my commitments. Maybe it is because I switched careers and don't want clients or potential clients to read poop stories. Maybe it is because I have had some serious writer's block. Maybe it is because I am out living life and not as drawn to the internet and computer as I once was....

It sounds like my absence is a culmination of many factors.

Life is fun....

But, life is hard...

We have this beautiful baby who is growing up too fast already and who has a smile that melts my heart every single time. We have this beautiful pre-schooler who is growing up too fast and who has a smile that also melts my heart every single time. He is also totally infuriating about 100 times a day. Love him but he is stubborn, strong willed, smart, and isn't intimidated easily (I can't imagine where he gets these traits).

Having a pre-schooler is hard. They ask questions and you can't just throw out an answer. Why not? Because your answer will come back to you and it may be glorious or it may be all sorts of wrong. You never know how your child is interpreting what you say so you have to answer every single question with a good deal of thought. The positive side is that it has really made us consider how we answer every single question and how we respond to every single situation. Having a young child is really helping us with our professional lives.

Work is good. I have a great schedule and a great boss who allows me to split time between work and home and who allows me to work a lot or a little depending on client load and my personal life needs. We have really cool clients and I have learned so much in such a short time.

I am finally getting back into running and training. It has been much, much harder this time around. Things after Jackson were so easy. I was running 10 mile long runs within about 12 weeks of his birth. To date, 4.15 is my longest run. My hips hurt, I suck wind, and overall, running hasn't been fun. The fall down the stairs and the potential broken tailbone probably didn't help me but I am hopeful to be back on track.  Luckily, I have been able to hit the elliptical daily and do a lot of yoga.

I am still committed to boards and committees and volunteer activities a plenty. I like that part of my life. I like giving back to this awesome community that has given us so much.

I plan to get back to writing. I hope to write a book one day and I feel like this blog may be a way to start the process.

I also plan to get back to teaching. I had a long talk with myself in the woods today on my run and I was meant to teach, coach, and educate our community on health and wellness. So, look out because I am a woman on a mission.

So, if you like my writing then you should be seeing more of it. It is a great release and I really want to charm you with stories of poop, smiles, laughter, running, exercise, and more.

Stay tuned.

Such a Great Day!

Yesterday was one of the top days of my life.

Many years ago, my Uncle Lynn brought be to my first UT game. Andy Kelly was QB and we played Vandy. We beat them. From the minute we got out of the car, I was in love. I had liked TN Football as much as a young gal could like football. Seeing the sea of orange was enough for me to fall head over heels in love with Knoxville and the University of TN.

I moved here in the fall of 1994. I got a great education and have had many fun times. I have slept on concrete to get tickets to watch the Volunteers play (yep...I am that old). I have worked games and gone to games. I have seen us play well and I have been very sad on many Saturdays. I watched the goal post run down Cumberland Avenue after beating Florida the year we won the national championship.

I met Jason in Knoxville and we've spent many Saturdays running long then tailgating. We spent several years tailgating with some special friends and yesterday when we played Rocky Top on the way to the game, I shed a few tears remembering one of those friends that passed away in May.

Since Jackson was born, I dreamed of the day he would go to his first game. I hoped and hoped he would have fun and love UT as much as I do.

His first game was yesterday. When the "T" opened up and he was yelling with everyone else and shaking the pom pom, I cried.

Even though I am not originally from here, I grew up in Knoxville. I became an adult here. I learned to juggle school, work, and life which prepared me to juggle husband, kids, work, and life. I met my husband here and have had two beautiful boys here. I am proud of this city, the University, and I try every day to give back in some way to our community.

I am happy here and when I think about it, it all goes back to UT Football and that trip with my Uncle Lynn. It may sound silly but it is the truth.

So, here's to many more football games with Jackson and the day that we take Karson to his first game. Go Vols!

Silver Linings...

This has been a heck of a week. Life has tried hard to break me but I prevailed - mostly. It is Friday at 7 pm and I made it through this week with only a few tears. Honestly I don't know what that means but right this moment, I feel pretty tough and don't think my plans of ruling the world have been compromised at all.

The week started with an unplanned trip to the doctor's office. After a weekend of tight belly and pelvic pressure, I headed to the doctor. All was well but considering how the end of pregnancy #1 went, I feel like we may be in for a ride in the next few weeks. We are excited to meet the little one but just not yet. He needs to cook a little longer and honestly, we need to get ready for his arrival.

On Tuesday morning at 6 am, I stepped on the elliptical, opened the iPad, and read a message that a dear friend had died the night before. He and his wife are very special to Jason and me. They were there when we starting dating, they were there to celebrate our engagement, they were there to celebrate our wedding, and still when Jackson was born. We spent Christmas with them for several years and had countless laughs and fun times. I had Rocky Top on the way home Tuesday night and couldn't help but smile because we spent a lot of time watching Vol Football together. I haven't fully absorbed it yet. At some point in the near future, I will sit down and cry - a lot. We hadn't seen them a lot in the last year. Life stresses last year had really forced Jason and I to keep to ourselves and just make it through each week. Now, I regret not seeing him more and I hope he knows how much I loved him. I hope she knows how much I love her and I have been thinking about her and praying for her.

The rest of the week has been a blur. Bad news or potential bad news here and there and just nothing really going right.  Throw in 34+ weeks of pregnancy and a ton of hormones and I am grateful that I made it through. And, I am tired. I am at that point where I don't sleep and even if I do, I am tired. It is part of the territory and I need to get in a habit of taking more naps since a full night of sleep isn't really possible.

Silver lining time. Even with the week being so terrible, there was good. I had been voted as the Class Rep for Leadership Knoxville meaning that I will serve on the LK Board. I attended my first board meeting as a guest and am so excited to be part of the group and so, so honored that my classmates chose me to represent the Best Class Ever. I have also been asked to serve on the Community Advisory Board for Junior League of Knoxville and I made it to a reception for that group as well. I am honored to be chosen and even more thrilled to get to work with a dear friend of mine over the next two years.

Even better silver linings....our friends. We were blessed to receive gifts for Baby Altman by my fellow CHC Members on Thursday morning and I came home to gifts from one of my long time best friends that afternoon. Today, Jason and I were surprised to receive gifts for the littlest Altman from my co-workers who have all quickly become great friends. I am so thankful for all of the wonderful people in our life.

And the best silver lining....it is Friday and we have no plans for the next two days and I get to spend every minute with the two loves of my life. We are watching Henry Hugglemonster now and will get Chocolate milkshakes to celebrate the end of the week. When the rest of the day or week isn't fun, Altman and Little Altman always make me feel happy and content.

So, bring it on June. I made it through the first week and won't give up easily. I have a great husband, great kid, another kid on the way, and a fantastic support system all around. So, while life isn't always fun, there are always silver linings and blessings and I am one blessed lady.