my circle

My to-do-list is ongoing and immense!  Somewhere scetched at the top, I have looked at the phrase “write blog” for weeks.

With the busy life of motherhood and training for the London Olympics, I have been living day-to-day.

The past few months have been packed with excitement, stress and heaps of hustle and bustle!   The logistical puzzle continues and sometimes goes off without a hitch and other times is just short of disastrous.  But, regardless of the scenario, it always seems to workout and I am certain that when the days of being a “soccer mom” and planning the team carpools arrive, I am going to be a pro.

I have often considered myself a bit of a control freak.  I have a hard time delegating tasks to others yet procrastinate most deadlines (that’s when I do my best work).   But, as I call upon my friend and club co-director, Alex Street, for the fifth time today, I am realizing that nothing would get done in my life if it weren’t for the support group around me that is constantly picking up all the pieces.

Lets start with my husband, Inako, who is holding down the homestead back in Ohio and making the family tick from one minute to the next.  He is, without a doubt, my biggest supporter and the person that is ensuring the family is still afloat.  As I call him for the third time today, this time just to remind him that we need to pay the car insurance and stop by to give the neighbor a “thank you” present, he very calmly says, “no problem.”

He is an amazing husband and father!  The past few months have been a challenge for us but we know that it will make the end result all the more special.   We have also learned to cherish the little things in life just a tad more.  I am looking forward to the days that I am back in our kitchen making everyone dinner or sitting on the deck talking with Inako about our day while he flips the chicken on the grill.  Thank you, Love and Happy Father’s Day!!

The next biggest player is without a doubt, my Mom and Dad.  It is a cold-hard fact that I would not be in this position, embarking on my second journey to the Olympics, if I didn’t have their support.  My parents have made numerous trips across the country just to help transport my two boys from one coast to another

At the end of March, they flew out to San Diego and exited 48 hours later with my sons.  After departing, they made a stop in Pittsburg to hand Xavi off to Inako and then drove four hours back to their home in Selinsgrove with Ian.  I was off to Australia and New Zealand for the month.  Four weeks later, my Mom flew to Ohio to drop off Ian before Inako left for San Diego with both boys.  All this, just so I could be with my little guys as much as possible.  For this and SO much more, thank you Mom and Dad!  Happy Father’s to you too, Dad!

Next on the list are my teammates – every single one of them!  They have made this whole journey fun and given me the support that I needed to get through some very difficult days.  I know that none of you understand motherhood first-hand, but you sure do a good job faking it and empathizing whenever I need it.  I can’t wait to get to London and stand on the world’s stage with you!  After all, you are the reason that I am here.

This is a very short list of those that have made this dream a reality.  Thank you to all that continue to surround me and take orders from me day in and day out.  I must say; I am beginning to like the delegating too!

Last week, I was informed that I made the roster of 16 that will represent the USA at the London Olympics.   Everyone that has helped keep my life in order and given me a shoulder to lean on will be there with me in spirit….every step of the way!

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