a little venting does a soul good

I have blogged before about how my ONLY talents lie in my athleticism. From a young age I knew that I was an athlete. Being physically active and competing always gave me confidence and joy. I can remember my Mom boasting on the phone to family in Oklahoma about how "jess is my athlete. She's the best one on her team!" I'm sure she often over exaggerated, but I was always proud when I heard her bragging. At my games my Mom was always the one embarrassingly jumping up and down in excitement. These are memories I cherish and think about often. Maybe the happiness sports brought me as a child is why I still love participating in them now, or maybe I'm just a natural athlete who naturally LOVES to participate in sports. I don't know WHY I love it, I just know I'm grateful that I am addicted to something healthy and fun!!!

Now that I've explained WHY I play/love sports and staying active I will get to the point of this post. NEVER in my wildest dreams did I think, as an adult, that I would be made fun of for being athletic and playing sports. Like the rest of the world I facebook often. I describe my life in status updates and try to give people a glimpse into what I'm up to, what my child is doing, where we've been and where we're going. Now I am a Mom, wife, friend, sister, and ATHLETE! My updates are often about many of these things. Because I normally play 3-4 soccer games a week and also run you can imagine how many posts I put up about my games or how many miles I ran that day. Well, it has been brought to my attention, through the "grapevine," that a group of mean girls have been making fun of ME and people like me. Apparently it is "braggy" to post about games I play or how many miles I run. I would like to address this "braggy" thing. Women typically have low self esteems. We blame it all on the media. We should actually blame it on other women that we know who are what I like to call "haters!". I have spent the majority of my life hating my hair, wanting a new nose, thinking I'm too short, sobbing because I don't understand math, wondering why I don't enjoy baking and cooking like other women, and wishing I were better all the way around. FINALLY I have come to terms with who I am. I have learned that what makes me different from others is what makes me special. Luckily I married a man who supports me playing sports, he's as proud of me as my Mom always was and he tells me often! He thinks it's GREAT that I am setting this example for our daughter and that I value my health as much as I do. In all honesty, I agree with him. I am PROUD of my accomplishments. If I work my tail off training for YEARS to run a race, lose sleep because I'm so nervous, and FINALLY accomplish something like a 26.2 mile race then you can bet I'm going to toss it in my status update!! I don't tell the world in some lame attempt for validation. I do it because I want people to know how amazing these activities make me feel! I want others to experience the joy that these sports have brought me. I KNOW that sports aren't for everybody. I get it. But I have had numerous people ask me about training, equipment, and weight loss, and I'm glad to share with them. I am saddened and annoyed that there are women out there that 1) make fun of other women because they are unhappy with themselves and 2) front like they're you're friends! Why waste the energy? If you're my friend on facebook and my statuses or lifestyle annoy you....DELETE ME or keep my name out of your mouth, please?

My point here is NOT that everyone should join a soccer team or run, although I'm not saying I would be against that! :) It is that we should support one another. I support my friends and they support me despite our different interests. My sister AND my SIL both hate running but BOTH watch my races or call me to see how I did! They do this because they love me and like to see me happy. I'd like to think I do the same for others. If nothing else I will try everything in my power to be more positive and supportive of others because I now know how bad it sucks to get dissed!

A matron of honor with a broken cankle...that's meeee

I don't really even know where to begin. Many of you probably know that when you agree to be in a wedding there are a ton of commitments you are making. For example, you are expected to show up to the wedding in one piece. Silly me went ahead and broke commitment number one in my brother-in-law's wedding last week. Yep, the bride had warned me to lay off soccer for the weeks leading up to the wedding "just in case," but why would I listen to that wise advise? I mean, my team made it to the FINALS!!! HELLLOOOO, that's a reward of a free championship t-shirt along with at least 500 calories burned (I was seriously trying to shed the poundage the week of the wedding!) So there I was the Thursday before the wedding, lacing up my cleats knowing what I was doing was a bad idea but still not willing to miss out on my fun little hobby/addiction. During the game I noticed there was one guy, ya know, the captain coed type, who was out for blood. Him and I of course exchanged a few words and before I knew it he kicked me in the ankle and I was crying. By the time I made it to the sideline and pulled my socks and shoes off I was staring at a CANKLE....like serious broken ankle. I was devastated. Instantly I realized I SHOULD have listened to the wise bride, but I love me some soccer! I cried for the majority of the night and dreaded telling the bride what had happened. The next day my friend squeezed me in to the Orthopedic doc she assists. They were both cooler than the other side of the pillow about it! My ankle was in fact broken along with 3 sprained ligaments. The doc hooked me up with some serious pain killers and allowed me to wait until AFTER the wedding to wear a cast! LOVE HIM FOR THAT!!!

Fast forward to Friday, the day of the rehearsal, and there I was all pilled up and happy cruisin' down the aisle like a champ in my flip-flops. I could feel the looks of "is that the idiot that broke her foot YESTERDAY?" being shot my way. I was determined not to let my little bride and groom down, because I seriously love them! The day of the wedding I iced and elevated and pill popped until I could stand in my heels. I survived it, I walked like a champ, and I smiled the whole way!!! YAY ME!!

The wedding went smooth in every other way too. My little bride was the most stunning I've ever seen. Her hair, dress, and spray tan were all to die for. Her family is wonderfully supportive and loving which made the ceremony a tear-jerker for me. I can't believe my sweet little bro-in-law, who was just in Jr. high when I started dating B, is so grown up and so wonderful! We're so proud him!! My nephew Ethan carried the rings like a pro and melted my heart when he strutted down the aisle in his mini-suit! And don't even get me started on Phoenix and the other flower girls.....too CUTE!!! The reception was a giant party that kept me laughing and having fun throughout the night. The food was great, cake was beautiful, and DJ Cory knows how to get the guests out of their seats! It was so FUN!!! B and I sang a jokey song as our toasts/speeches. I was super nervous about singing in front of people, even if it was a joke, but B carried me through and we WORKED. IT. OUT!! :)

I could go on and on about how much fun I had, how beautiful the bride and groom were, how amazing the food tasted after starving myself for 10 days....but I won't. I'll just leave ya with a select few pictures and an AMEN to the weeding being a success despite my minor injury!


These pics are out of order. This is Diana and Kyle at the reception


This is how I spent the morning of the wedding...icing my cankle!!


Ice and elevation helped! I was able to hobble down the aisle in 5 inch heels. Look close, my right ankle is bigger than the left.


sis, BF, Bride, and me at the reception at Bahama Breeze


Aunt Kiki with her Peanut


Cutest flower girl and ring bearer EVER!


What a beautiful bride.



B, P, and me at the rehearsal at Bali Hai theday before the wedding. I didn't get any good fam shots at the wedding. :(