Friday in Patriot's Nation

It's Friday in Patriot's Nation.  I've been here before yet I can tell you that the feeling never gets old.  The sheer excitement that builds up on this day knowing that the big game is only two days away is immense!  We've been here before, but each time is still special.  Will anything ever beat the feeling that the Pats 2002 Super Bowl win gave us?  Probably not.  It was the first time I witnessed grown men cry over a football game.  (And grown women!)  I remember the screaming, yelling, crying like it was yesterday.  I was 4 months pregnant with Hannah during the 2004 win at the time and I was sure I was scaring the crap out of her in my belly.  (While thinking how great it was to raise her a Pats fan while she was still a fetus!)  I remember how it felt to be Super Bowl Champions.  I remember the days that followed listening to Sports radio at work with Dad.  Nothing could wipe the smiles off our faces!  And then there was the trip to Gillette to welcome our boys home and get a glimpse of that trophy.  Rob, Derek, Julie & I.  That split second that I swore I made eye contact with my all time favorite Bruschi!  (I LOVE YOU TEDY).  The parade that followed and the thousands of loyal fans celebrating all over New England.   I'm pretty sure nothing will ever beat that feeling in 2002.  At the same time, I can assure you that a win would put us pretty close to those same feelings we had then.  

I was raised a Pats fan during the time Grogan and Eason were quarterbacks.  I was just a tot but I can still remember our black leather couches and how we weren't allowed to speak when a Patriot's game was on.  How my Mom would pop bowls of popcorn (the old Jiffy Pop on the stove) and we would sit there and stare at the television for three hours while they played.   I remember my Dad teaching me all of the football terms and when the opposite team would be up for a field goal he's make us chant, "Suun, Suun, Suun," in hopes of a miss.  (I still to this day don't know what Suun means.  I'm going to have to ask Dad that.)  Many times it worked.... And the kick is WIDE LEFT... NO GOOD!  Yipeeeeee!  It stuck.  I still do it to this day and I make my kids join in.

I think the best part about living in Patriot's Nation is the fact that it brings our family together.  That feeling of all being their, routing, cheering, laughing, swearing, crying, beating the floor, throwing fits, throwing food, throwing anything that is not tied down at the TV...  It just wouldn't be the same if it weren't done together as a family.  Mothers, fathers, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends.  Most of us who at one point must have been an NFL coach... "Why the frig did he pass that?"  .... "Come on Bill... you should have run the ball!!!"  ....  "What the BLEEP!  He's wide OPEN!"  There is always one point in the game where we all feel as though we could do a better coaching job.  It's quite comical when you think about it.  There are also the serious superstitions!  Jerseys don't get washed.  Beards are grown.  The same underwear are worn each game.  Yes.. there are always the superstitions.  I remember during that 2002 game that I had an Aunt who would hang out with my Mandy dog in the mudroom because she loved dogs.  Whenever she moved her chair back into the family room, the Pats would play bad.  Needless to say that by the second half my poor Aunt stayed the entire rest of the game in the mudroom with Mandy and she would occasionally call out, "What's the score?"  (RIP Mandy girl)

And there you have it.  Why I love to be a part of Patriots Nation.  It's a pride like no other for me.  It's all about loyalty.  True Pat's fans are loyal to the core.  I am proud to be a fan of a team that has always played with their heart.  That has always remembered how special their fans are and how much we love them.  There are never any hero's on this team.  The game is played together.  The win together and they lose together.  It's a team effort and they never forget that.  Thanks Dad, for raising me a Pat's fan!  The Murphys are all in their Pats gear today routing on their team! 

All that's left to say is......

 GO PATS! 

BRING HOME THAT TROPHY! 

GAME ON!

Redemption Baby!

Could I be any more excited?  Ok.. well the only way I could be any more excited would be if Tedy Bruschi were playing in this Super Bowl!  LOL  BUT HOT DAMN MY BOYS ARE GOING TO INDY!  Game on Giants!  I can smell some sweet redemption baby!  I'm not sure if I can wait two weeks! 

Excitement was surely what our weekend was all about.  FINALLY, after all three of the kiddos ended up sick with fevers and on antibiotics, we ended up having a healthy weekend that began with sledding Friday after work.  UM Hysterical!  Quite reminiscent as well.  Watching the girls sled down the same hill in the front yard that I once did.  LOVED IT!  After sledding we went in for dinner and Brenna came on by for a play date.  The girls finished out the evening with a soak in the jacuzzi complete with bubbles galore!

Saturday was filled with MORE SLEDDING as the snow continued to fall. We set up path on the other side of the driveway and I am not sure who had more fun, the kids, or Billy and I.  Once I got my groove back (it's been years since I have been on a sled!)  I hit the old time death slide and took off down the driveway.  Yup, I still got it!  Right across the street I flew and it had just as much thrill as it did when I was a kid!  Billy even flew on down on Cam's tricycle which was even more hilarious.  I think I can still hear the kids laughing at us.. except for Cameron.  He just pretty much ed screamed the whole time.  Not such a fan of the snow! LOL  After hours of playing, sledding, shoveling, snow blowing and making snow angels, we went inside for some hot cocoa.  I ended up calling my hairdresser to see if she had any cancellations with the snow and thankfully she did.  I was in desperate need for some "me time" and my hair was in desperate need for some color.  It was an awesome afternoon and an all around awesome day.  I seriously felt like a kid again.

Yesterday was Hannah's hockey day at the P Bruins.  What a kick we get out of these events.  She gets so excited and we LOVE to watch her.  Tough to keep the two little ones entertained, but worth it to see Hannah's face while we cheered for her.  I love watching these kids skate and shoot.  I also love our hockey family.  We have some truly nice parents and families involved with NRI and I love that we have become this fun group.  Hopefully we can find some sitters in the near future and all go out and have a good time.  I forget the last time Billy and I had a social night with friends.  It's been ions.  After the games, I headed home to put Cam down for a nap and wait for my Jersey girls to stop by.  My college roommate Aimee, her twins, Skylar and Sydnee and her boyfriend Thomas were in town.  LOVE seeing them.  Seeing Aimee always brings me back to a really fun time in my life.  Our college days were so sweet and special and just seeing her face brightens my day.  I love our time even though with our hectic schedules it is usually only a short while.  Hoping to plan something with her and the girls soon! 

Then it was game time and I spent it on the couch hooting and hollering, screaming and cussing... (I can't help it!)  When the Ravens missed the field goal.. that was it.. I was up in a crazy victory dance that literally shocked the schnikies out of Hannah.  Her face was priceless!  She stood there for several minutes before she realized it was safe to join in.  Layla just laughed her pants off at me.  Just like that... The Patriots are in the Super Bowl!

Onto how my "FINDING ME" saga is going. Well it is going pretty great. At the root of it all is my issues with hating being in my own skin. The weight had to come off. Cameron is 18 months. There are no excuses anymore. SO I began, 9 days ago. This grueling, depriving, but healthy diet. It's only so grueling and depriving because of how awful my eating habits were prior to starting. It's been tough. Each day, hour and even minute has been a mind game and struggle. There is candy, chocolate, brownies, pizza.. you name it, constantly in front of my face. Yet my willpower has prevailed. Nine days later, I can honestly say that I have stuck to it and have not cheated once. I have talked myself out of these crazy cravings. (What I wouldn't do for cheesecake!) I have stayed strong, keeping my eye on the prize. A new me, who is happy and proud to be in her skin. I weigh in tonight and I am hoping for some big results. However, I feel as though after only 9 days, I already have seen some big results. Aside from things fitting better, I have a renewed sense of energy and zest for life. I can't believe how much more energy I have! The "old me" would have watched Billy out in the snow with the kids while I cooked and cleaned. The "new me" was right there with them having a blast. It's a great feeling. That I can assure you. It trickles down to everything in my life. The kids have a blast with me, Billy enjoys the fun... it's making me a better wife and a better mother and that is all I ever wanted (Aside from being happy in my skin). So there. I am actually doing it. One day at a time. I am changing my life. I think I'll leave on that positive note! Happy Monday.. how great it is to be a part of Patriots Nation!

A moment in time

How does it feel to be a Mama bursting with pride?  Well let me tell you.  Cue in the background story:  In high school I was a cheerleader for my two favorite sports.  Football and Hockey.  I loved watching both.  My Dad taught me at an early age how to be a New England Patriots fan.  I grew up in the era of Steve Grogan and Tony Eason.  I remember being 11 years old and making posters that said, "CRUSH Refrigerator Perry" and "Bury the Bears" for our Pats vs. Bears Superbowl party.  Football was part of me.  I learned to be quite passionate about the sport and I even remember my fellow cheerleaders looking to me to see whether a call at a high school game was good or not so they knew which cheer to start.  (Tracey, I have vivid memories of you turning to me and saying, "Was that good?"  LOL)  My love of hockey came when I first cheered for the sport.  Many of my guy friends were hockey players and like football, I was very enthusiastic about the game.  Luckily, we had a great high school team that went to the Championships often and won while I was in high school.  (Although I still swear it is because of that Hockey Breakfast at KFC that we made them those two years!)  It was a tight knit group.  We had respect for the players and they had respect for us.  We quickly became a family and our boys and my one girl (Shannon Sullivan) would always look out for us.  After a home game we would wait for the players down the hallway outside the locker room.  We'd proceed to give them hugs, and congratulations on a job well done after a win, or a hug and we'll get them next time after a loss.  (Which were few and far between)  We'd then ban together and figure out where we were going to go get a bite to eat.  This usually consisted of Friendlys in the next town over where we would celebrate a win or try to quickly forget about a loss. 


Cheerleading was a big part of who I was in High School.  I was raised a dancer and dance was always my first love.  My biggest passion.  Cheering for me, was an extension of dance.  I loved it and lived for it.  I took it seriously and always tried to make people realize that it was in fact a sport.  We worked hard.  Just as hard as any other sport.  I know some people don't have respect for it, to each his own.  For me, it was serious and I was proud of the job I did.  So you can imagine how I felt yesterday as I somehow found myself waiting at the end of the same hallway outside the locker room for my first born baby girl.  For a second, it actually took my breath away.  Possibly because of the fact that as I stood there and did the math in my head I realized it was nearly 20 years later.  Seriously?  But more because of the fact that as I stood there waiting, my heart was beaming with pride.  This time, for my daughter, who scored her very first goal as a Northern Rhode Island Viking.  Hannah Rose Murphy, #40, age 7. 


To witness that goal is something I will never forget as long as I live.  The expression on her face, priceless.  Her mouth wide open in shock.  In disbelief that she had just scored a goal.  Pure awesomeness at it's best!  I swear to you I will remember that moment always.  I had the opportunity to be with my family at the Patriots game yesterday.  I knew that my heart would not be happy at the Pats game knowing that this was also the same day Hannah would play her first game as a Mite.  These are the moments to cherish.  These kids grow up way too fast.  The moments pass by so quickly.  Motherhood is a gift.  A gift that I don't take lightly.  The Patriots will be there long after my kids are gown.  I am so grateful that I listened to my heart and chose to be at Hannah's game.  The moment she made that goal was validation that I had made the right decision.  That I chose to be a Mom and relish in that moment with my Hannah.  As I let a few proud tears drop from my eyes, I looked over at Billy and swear I saw some misty eyes on his face as well.  (I can say this because I know he doesn't read this)  What a moment to be a parent and feel pride.  To feel something bigger than yourself and have it all be for a little girl who started it all for us. 

So bring on the 6AM practices. Bring on the 4 practices a week. I will gladly be there. It may not seem like fun at the time when I am dragging two other babies to the rink at these ungodly hours, but I have now been reassured that the payoff is so well worth it. Congratulations NRI Vikings MITE C's on a job well done! Hannah, I am so proud of you baby girl.  You did it!  What a gift you are!  I look forward to cheering you on from the stands for many years to come! Go get em girl! xo

Family Night

Last night was the Banana's Family Night at her elementary school.  Luckily, I was able to get Papa and Nonnie to come over for dinner and trick them into babysitting so that Billy and I could run to the school!  (Not like they minded one bit)  We put Cameron down before we left, since he is still suffering from a nasty cold and drove over to the school.  Upon pulling up, we immediately saw Mr. Meagher in front of the school handing out the agenda for the evening.  Right away, I knew this was going to be a good night.  To be honest, Billy had no idea who he was because he had not met him yet and actually thought he was a politician.  That's how not familiar he is with having a principal visible to parents.  (It also means that Mr. Meagher dresses to the nines and always looks so presentable)  Mr Meagher shook our hands and wished us well as we entered the building.  (PS:  You have to hear Layla razz on his name.  I literally belly laugh when she does it.  It's pronounced "Ma-Ha" so she does this spooky voice and calls him Mr. MAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH) 


For the first time ever, I felt surrounded by a great number of parents that I admired and respected.  I have gotten to know many McGuire Families in the past two years and I was thrilled to have made special bonds with a great group of people.  I don't know if it was the chill in the air or just different vibe I have been feeling since the start of school, but I was literally excited for the evening.  I swear it has to do with Mr. Meagher's presence.  We sat and listened to Mr. Meagher's introduction speech and enjoyed it very much.  He was enthusiastic and informative.  He held our attention.  What a nice change of pace.  He introduced the teachers and our PTA President.  (Yes folks, I have already joined and I am delighted to be chairing the first annual Ladies Choice dance.)  Then we were onward to Mrs. Boyce's classroom.


When Hannah first entered McGuire, she was to have Mrs. Boyce for Kindergarten teacher.  I had heard great things about Mrs. Boyce and after formally meeting her, liked her instinctively.  Things got shuffled around and Mrs. Boyce moved to second grade.  Hannah ended up having Miss Geremia, the now Mrs. Thomas.  We were lucky.  We loved Miss Geremia and she was the perfect teacher for Hannah to have upon entering grade school.  She was loving and kind and very approachable.  Well, we are just as thrilled to have Mrs. Boyce.  She has all these same qualities and we were thrilled upon entering the classroom.  What an array of beautiful projects, artwork, decorations and journals for us to see.  I had to remind myself that this is only the 3rd week of school and look how much they have accomplished!  We truly were blown away with Hannah's pieces and both Billy and I are extremely enthusiastic about this upcoming year.  Mrs. Boyce is a doll.  Very easy to talk too and she just has that familiar face about her.  We are so happy that this is the teacher Hannah has for second grade.  To the moon!  I really do feel a change taking over.  I pray that this change continues and McGuire gets back on track so that Hannah can benefit from all she should at an good elementary school.  Cheers to a positive year at McGuire!

Tonight we are heading to the Princesses on Ice!!!!  The girls and their Girl Cousins!  Ohhhhh we cant wait!  We are sure to have a blast!


Here are some of Han's pieces...

This was at Hannah's chair. 

DIE for it!  From the hair to the purple nailpolish!

This was her self portrait. I mean.. the kid is good!

Her Bio Bug

Her Dino's Shopping List

The silly story the parents left the class!

and my personal FAVORITE.....  (Hannah and Makenzie's)  Need I even say more?  The Botox Family meets KFC!

Do I even need to comment on this pic of my baby boy?  My handsome man the Patriot's fan?  He is so freaking cute I could bite his cheeks off!

This was a belated birthday gift from Uncle Ra Ra and Auntie Mimi!  They got it JUST RIGHT! xo

Happy Friday!!!!  Enjoy this GORGEOUS weather!

Short and Sweet

Did anyone watch Ghost Hunters last night and see Salve's Carey Mansion????  Apparently, the rumors we all heard were true!  There was a time when I just thought the guys were busting our beans but apparently not!  It did leave for some very entertaining Facebook posts last night amongst old friends and alot of memories that I had almost forgotten.  I refuse to believe we are old!  Just wiser!  Love my Salve crew!  PS:  I believe in Ghosts!


Last but not least, ARE YOU READY FOR FOOTBALL????????
I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  GO PATS!!!!!!!!!  MONDAY NIGHT!  Whewwwhoooo!!!!!!