Olympic Inspiration - Joannie Rochette

I was going to post about my new kitchen. I worked on the blog post last night while I watched the Olympics, and then it became clear that another story was more pressing on my heart…and probably the world’s heart.

The 2010 Vancouver Olympics have been pretty typical as far as comeback stories, rival countries, and suspenseful moments.

However, I was riveted two days ago when I heard the sad news about a figure skater who had lost her mother unexpectedly when she arrived in Vancouver. Even though this young woman was facing unimaginable pain, she was still planning on skating to honor her mother.

Now, we hear about athletes performing their sports through pain or injury all of the time. Even Lindsey Vaunn and her shin injury have made for emotional victories. But the muscle that is the hardest to ignore, mask, or let the adrenalin push you through is the heart.

Joannie Rochette’s was broken, and she still skated her personal best. The world watched last night, and we all held our breath and prayed for her while she glided across the ice. Her face filled with emotion and fighting back tears. Her anguish could not be covered by her sparkly costume and bright music, but she held it back until the very end of her routine…and then she cried…and then I cried, and then the whole world cried. It was a moment. It was a moment because she shared her very personal story with us - the world.

Her skate will not be remembered for fancy never-before-seen tricks or celebrity, but more importantly because she skated for the love of her mother - the most universal love of all.

Long after the torch is extinguished and the athletes have gone home. Long after the media has covered every story; celebrated every victory and commiserated every lost.

There will be a young woman who will finally be able to let her heart grieve, and we will still be touched by her courage, strength, and true endurance.

Blog Awards and Tidbits!

For a brand new blogger, I was plesantly suprised to already receive an award! I received my first ever blog award from my highschool friend Becky. You need to check out her blog Steps to Grace. It is deep, insightful, and perfectly spiritual! Thank you Becky!

Now, it's time to get serious and share the rules with you!

The rules for accepting this award are:
1) Post a thank you and the link to the person that gave you the award.
2) Pass this award onto fifteen (I am so new that I am not sure I have fifteen - so, please forgive me) bloggers you have recently discovered and whom you think are fantastic!
3) Contact those blogs to notify them that they have won!
4) State seven tidbits of information about yourself.



Seven Tidbits:

1. I just started a new job at the Uptown Theater in Grand Prairie - a great venue for movies, music and even weddings!

2. I am a newlywed - four months and counting!

3. I was raised by my grand parents.

4. My favorite color is pink, but red and brown are making a strong effort to become #1.

5. I love Millionaire Matchmaker. (and so does my Husband Virgil, but he will deny it to your face).

6. I love bad music...meaning the stuff that most people hate.

7. I am obseessed with my pug, Maggie Mae, and her brothers Paul Mitchell and Zeus.

Here are my blog award WINNERS!
1. Casa de Claudio
2. Life as a Coach's Wife
3. http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/
4. http://thepolkadotpress.blogspot.com/
5. http://lululake.blogspot.com/
6. http://iloveyoubest.blogspot.com/
7. http://inncuisine.com/
8. http://twopeasandtheirpod.com/
9. http://drewashleyporter.blogspot.com/
10. http://www.lifeingraceblog.com/
11. http://southernhospitalityblog.com/
12. http://www.youandmeplusthree.com/
13. www.lonestarlifer.wordpress.com

The sum of all of Her parts

So, I started this blog with a shout out to Grandma Jean. That was such a hit, that I have now decided to highlight all of the women in my life culminating in a Mother's Day post in May.

Before you conitue reading, you gotta read about G-Jean first to appreciate where my fabulous Mother-in-law got all of her mad skills.

It was a thrill when my mother-in-law announced her retirement. However, we were unsure what she was going to do with all of that "free time" she had on her hands. This was laughable at the time because she was actaully more busy in her retirement than she was when she was working for Mount Wesley. We "youngins" have no idea how busy "real adults" are when they grow up.

Anyway, the Justice family sent out their secret Santa lists in early November. I looked at everyone's list very carefully. A coat, some Wii accessories, an automated hand soap dispenser, the usual suspects...until I stumbled upon JJ#1's list. Her list was so modern with a web link to her wish list...plus it is one of my fave stores for art supplies: Dick Blick. The third best name besides Jackie Justice and Janet Justice (JJ#2 and JJ#1).

So, I just loaded up my cart with her predetermined list of art supplies. It is kind of fun to look at all of the parts and then to look at the sum of all of the parts.

I should mention she has been painting for awhile now: murals, the glass in old windows, and now canvas. They all agree with her.

Here is the Sum of all of her talented parts:

The Barn.















Now this is where I throw in that she made 150 jars of Apple Butter from scratch for my wedding favors...


and she makes the most divine Buttermilk Pie...


and she grows her own fruit...


and she has fabulous red hair (that I hope my children are born with)...


and she has the patience of Job (luckily for me, her son was born with that!)

and...

and...



she can out fish every man in the family!

Changes.

This year has pretty much been a whirlwind of change. Not exactly the year as in January to December, but the year in relative terms aka the last 365 days.



I have a new title: Mrs. Justice. Also, I am known in my new family as JJ#2. I love these new titles.



I have started a new job this past week. I am the Uptown Theater's new Theater Coordinator. I really love this title. I am no longer a Marketing and Operations Manager (which I will be a little honest here and say I miss). I miss being the know-it-all marketing wiz, but I also love the challenges of my new job. I will post this at a later time. I also love that I have skills that I can apply to this new job, and they are excited about those opportunities.



I have a new home. A new address. A new zip code. I no longer refer to my parent's house as "home." In this house, I most recently have a new kitchen. Through my husband's and (some of) my own blood, sweat, and tears, we have remodeled our kitchen. It is now my favorite room of the house. Thanks honey! I read different blogs, and they always pay homage to their husbands and their tools. Well, the kitchen would not have been completed without him. (I will post with pictures soon.)



I also have gained about 11 pounds in the last 4 months. This is something I am working on through Weight Watchers with two great girl friends. I just started eating anything I wanted, and I am paying the price. Luckily, Mr. Justice has been a great sport about it. LOL. He does love his gourmet dinners, but now he will have to get used to a little less heavy cream and red meat.



My favorite change is being a wife to my husband. He is one of the greatest humans I have ever met. He is calm and patient. He is honest and human. He is also loving. He is also the reason for all of these changes (all fabulous!). I think having him through all of these changes has made my life so easy the last few months.



This will be our first Valentine's Day as a married couple, and so, don't worry Le Virge, I will cook for you with heavy cream and red meat on the 14th because I love you unconditionally. This is for you Mr. Justice (IV). My soul mate.