Riding the Rooney-Coaster...

I think using the word "tumultuous" to describe last week is the understatement of the year. (I am so emotionally drained by this situation I couldn't even bring myself to write about it until today!) It all started when we, the United faithful, began to hear rumors on Sunday (after drawing with West Brom the previous day) that our beloved Wayne Rooney wanted to leave Manchester United.

Wayne Rooney has come to personify our team. For better or worse, he is the current face of United, and most people, supporters and not, identify him as an integral part of this team. In fact, earlier in the year, Rooney went so far as saying he would love to sign a lifelong contract with the club -- expressing the desire to play for the Red Devils forever.

On Tuesday, October 19th, our stalwart manager, Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed these rumors and my darkest fears. Wayne Rooney, indeed, wanted to leave United. The next day, in a statement, Rooney himself verified it. There were a whole host of issues surrounding this change of heart, and United fans across the globe debated the motivation for this. Was our man looking for more money? Did he really feel the current squad wasn't up to par? Did any of it really matter, as Wayne's form has been lackluster in the past 6 months?

I, of course, as all United fans did, had my own opinions on the situation. But, being a mother, I had one concern that trumped all the others - how was my Big Guy going to react to the news?

Big Guy has always been indoctrinated with United love ever since birth. However, ever since he really started to 'get' football and play it himself, he has loved Wayne Rooney. Number 10 is his favorite player, and as much as I hate to admit that my boy idolizes an athlete, Wayne Rooney is Big Guy's hero. Last week, as Rooney was spouting his hurtful and insulting comments about our cherished team, all that kept running through my mind was, "How in the world am I going to break this news to him?" I knew he'd be inconsolable; after all, I was taking away his first boyhood role model.

As I gently told him, he started to cry and then stopped himself. I could see him making a decision in his little head. "Don't tell me. It's not true." And he just began to refuse to believe it! For two entire days, he just ignored the facts and pretended it wasn't happening. Burying his head in the sand to say the least.

Finally, after meetings with the owners and manager, Rooney did a complete 180 and signed a 5-year contract with the club! On one hand, I was exuberant - I told Big Guy straight away that Sir Alex convinced Rooney that staying with the club was the right thing to do (true or not). He'd be able to keep wearing his precious Rooney top and watching his hero play in a red jersey. On the other hand, his mother is not so forgiving. I was a huge Rooney fan, too, but this whole ride has made me wary. You better watch your step, Wayne Rooney. If you ever break my child's heart again, there will be hell to pay.

Charlie Loves United!

Love this picture!! If I didn't love Dominic Monaghan enough....

(Thanks to my Twitter friend @OllieWillieFC for this picture! )

Bring It To Our Country!

Pilgrimage...

Well, we did it. We've been talking about it, thinking about it, dreaming about it -- and we finally did it.

We. Are. Going. To. MANCHESTER!!

My husband has been to Manchester and Old Trafford before. When the family visited London in 2004, he took the train up north and was able to see a United match. He was hooked! He has been wanting to go back ever since. This spring, he decided it was time to do it, and take me along to my first ever pilgrimage to Old Trafford.

We are taking the boys to Walt Disney World in November, so we knew our little parents-only vacay would have to wait until after the first of the year. We waited patiently until mid-June when United's match schedule was released. We wanted to go to a 'big game' but we couldn't go in April or May because the boys' schedules are just so full at that time of year. As luck would have it, the Manchester derby (when Manchester United plays Manchester City) occurs in February. We found our date!!

Vacationing in England at that time of year is old hat for us. We have only been to Jolly Old in February or March in all the times we've been before. Compared to the weather here, it's absolutely balmy over there! Besides, I hate sweaty sight-seeing!

So, now all that's left to do is wait, and count down the days. 134 and counting until we make our way...home.

PS -- Check out my countdown on the right hand column of the blog!

Palace Baltimore -

I am consistently bemoaning the fact that the United States lags behind the rest of the world when it comes to support of football. Soccer. (We even call it the wrong name.) And although my heart and my family's belong to the mighty Manchester United, we try to support our local teams, if only to offer our patronage and encouragement to growing the sport here in this country.

Of late, we've been attending Crystal Palace Baltimore matches. CPB is a small, professional soccer team that competes in the United States Soccer Federation's 2nd Division. It's a really fun club to watch, and while not on par with the skill & talent level of United, it's a great way for the boys to get to watch live football. It's also a small enough club that they are able to go meet the players and get their autographs after home matches.

CPB is the sister club of the English Crystal Palace Football Club. Unfortunately, we are now hearing that the American club is facing the same financial problems as its UK counterpart. However, here, the club's problems lie with their lack of support. They don't have very many fans, and they don't even have their own stadium. And, as CPB was only founded in 2006, they don't have the history of their sister club, nor the deep bond with the fans they do have. I find this situation to be very sad...although my family has only been to two matches so far, both of the boys loved every minute. Especially the Big Guy. It is simply amazing how moved and inspired he was when he watched live football. It is safe to say that it solidified his love for the sport and his passion for the beautiful game. Between his loyalty to United, and seeing football played "in real life" right before his eyes, there is no doubt that he will be a lifelong football enthusiast.

And that's what makes the woes of CPB even more regrettable and disheartening. It feels as though they weren't even given the tools or the opportunity to succeed. All I can do is continue to give my family's support for the club, and desperately hope for some miracle to turn things around for CPB, like the happy ending that arrived in Selhurst Park.

Landycakes!

“Most of us are in this more than just for playing soccer. We're in it for the bigger goal: to move it along for the next generation.” --Landon Donovan

Something very exciting happened today!! This weekend, Big Guy decided that he wanted to be Landon Donovan for Halloween. Now we all know that this family eats, sleeps and breathes Manchester United, but dressing as Landon is very timely because of the World Cup this year, and there's nothing wrong with expressing a little patriotism in your Halloween costume! :)

On Twitter today, I tweeted to Landon Donovan that my son was going to be him for Halloween. It was on a whim, and not expected to really go anywhere. My tweets are 'protected' which means no one who isn't following me can see them. And if fellow tweeters want to follow me, I have to accept them (a la Facebook). My friend Robin thought it was cute and she retweeted my comment. And then the craziest thing happened. Landon. Donovan. Replied!!!

He made a joke about the costume, and making sure that the accompanying wig would have plenty of hair. I, of course, immediately started freaking out..."fan girl-ing" squealing, jumping around, the whole bit. Now I can't WAIT for Big Guy to get home from school to show him. Eeeeeeee!!!! :)

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

If you're a parent, no doubt you have uttered the words, "When did he/she get so big?" It's amazing how quickly time passes when you have children. Every day they seem to be achieving a new milestone...my Big Guy is in first grade, and I could have sworn I just gave birth about a week ago. And my Little Guy? I don't even know when he got here!

The time passes so quickly, I need to slow down and start savoring these little people. On a daily basis, they crack me up with some of the comments they make and conversations they have with each other and me. I really need to start writing everything they say down -- they will be mortifying memories in high school, but they will love it when they get older...or at least their wives will!

Here is just a sampling of gems -- one day in the life of the Big Guy:

• "Can I wear my Manchester United jersey to my First Holy Communion?"
• Getting ready for CCD: "God school is fun!"
  
• As we are driving to my dad's birthday dinner: "So, how old is Papa now? One hundred?"
• Looking at his new winter coat: "Wow!! That is brilliant!"
  

Liverpool 2 - 3 Berbatov
Glory, Glory Man United!!!!

We Will Never Forget. September 11, 2001

Where were you nine years ago today? Take some time today to reflect and remember those brave and innocent Americans who were affected by the tragedies of September 11, 2001.

Nine years ago today, I was working as a legislative aide for a United States Senator. I was driving to work, and the only thing that seemed out of the ordinary was the weather. That particular Tuesday was absolutely gorgeous. The sun was shining grandly, but it wasn’t too hot. It was a positively glorious autumn morning.

I pulled into the parking lot of the Senate Office Building where I worked, and I heard on the news radio station I was listening to in the car that someone had flown a plane in to one of the towers of the World Trade Center. I simply thought, “Some idiot with a Cessna who doesn’t know what they’re doing. I hope not too many people are hurt.”

I walked into my office, and turn on the television. All legislative staff in the Senate offices have their own TVs to keep an eye on proceedings on the Senate floor. Everyone watched as the second plane flew directly into the South Tower at 9:03 a.m.

No one knew what was going on. Everyone was panicking on the inside, but we were all trying to keep it together on the outside. Our supervisor called us into the conference room for our normal morning staff meeting. She said, “I know everyone is upset and confused. But we need to stay focused.” As our Senator was on the Armed Services Committee, we had a National Security team, comprised of three staffers. She said that those three could watch the developments on the news, but the rest of us had to watch the floor, as per usual. Especially me, as the Senators were debating an Appropriations bill for the Commerce, Justice and State Departments, which I was covering.

After the meeting, we returned to our offices. At 9:37, as I was diligently watching the floor business, all the Senators and staff vacated the Senate floor. We heard that a plane had crashed into the Pentagon. My Chief of Staff came in to my office and said, “Get out NOW. The Senator wants everyone OUT.” I protested, “What about the CJS Approps bill!??” Looking back now, that was incredibly silly, but we were all losing it at that point.

What we didn’t know then was that Flight 93 had already been hijacked, reversed course, and was barreling its way back to Washington, DC with the United States Capitol as it's intended target.

I quickly dialed my husband, who had worked a late shift the night prior and was sleeping. “We’re under attack.” I told him, and the line went dead.

Luckily, our Senator had the foresight to evacuate us before the formal evacuation orders came from Capitol Police. Because of that, those of us that lived outside of DC were able to leave the city before they started closing roads down.

I got to my car, and tried to call my husband again on my cell phone. It took me a few tries, but I got through to him. I told him what was going on, and that I was coming home. By this time, he knew what was going on because he’d seen the news. While I was talking to him, there was a loud BOOM! I said, “What was that??” And my cell phone went dead. They had closed down the cell towers in the city. My poor husband didn’t hear from me again for another two hours, and he didn’t know what was happening or if I was okay. We never did find out what that noise was…the fighter jets scrambling, an explosion at the Pentagon, who knows…

During my interminable ride home, the radio was crazed with rumors. There was a car bomb at the State Department; the White House was under attack, etc. I also heard as the Towers of the World Trade Center fell to the ground. And when Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania. When I finally made it home, my husband hugged me and left…the city’s entire police department had been called in.

I sat glued to the television for the next eight or so hours. There were many times I felt I couldn’t breathe. It was all so surreal, so impossibly frightening. Silly as it sounds, I kept thinking back to the ‘80s movie “Red Dawn.” It was so implausible because no one could ever touch us, as we were safely entrenched behind American borders. And yet, here this all was happening to us. It was like a nightmare.

Needless to say, it was a day that will live forever in the hearts and minds of everyone who was touched by September 11^th in any way. And today, we take time to remember all of those who were lost in those cowardly, horrific attacks on our beloved country. I also like to think that they are looking down on us, proud of how our nation kept moving. Proud of how determined we were and still are to not let them break us. Proud of how we all stood together and proclaimed our love for this great American nation. Proud of how we vowed to never forget.

Back To School...Blues? Bliss?

Well, after a summer of swimming lessons, karate class, and football games, it all came to an end today. Big Guy had his first day back at school.

This year, he started the 1st Grade. He was beyond excited; he couldn't wait to go to sleep last night to make sure he got "good rest" for his new year. He woke up this morning, and immediately wanted to get dressed and put on his backpack -- who needs breakfast?!?

I have mixed emotions about the boys starting back to school. We have had a great summer together, laughing, playing, just being together. I am going to miss not having my little buddies with me all day long. We've had a blast being bosom buddies for three months!

The beginning of another school year also serves as a milestone marker: they're another year older, and another year more independent from me. When they were babies, they relied on me for everything...and while they're still only 4 and 6, I see them getting their own snacks, going to the bathroom by themselves and getting dressed solo and it makes me realize: they're needing me less and less. Case in point: yesterday, a song came on the radio, and I started dancing around the family room. While they used to jump in and dance along with me, Big Guy said, "Mommy, can you please stop it?" It's going to be a tough transition for me from the center of their universe to the 'embarrassing mom!'

On the other hand, I do have to admit a little part of me is excited...Little Guy will be in preschool three days a week, and with Big Guy in school all day long -- that means Mommy will actually get some 'me' time!! There will be errands I can run and just jump in and out of the car -- no handing holding in parking lots or buckling and unbuckling of carseat belts. I can spend some time shopping for me or getting my nails done, stuff I can't do with two crazy boys in tow. Even cleaning the house without little messmakers following me around is (somewhat of) a luxury...

At any rate, school is here, whether it makes me happy or sad. They're growing up and stepping out, and I can either long for the days of babyhood or look excitedly to the next phase of their lives. Every year with them has been an adventure, and this one won't be any different. And, it doesn't hurt that a little bit of my 'pre-kids' self is coming back slowly as they grow. I'll just hold on tight to their little hands for as long as I can and say, "Bring on the future!"

Chicharito!!!

Yesterday, the boys in Red played in their first competitive match of the 2010-11 season. Manchester United faced Chelsea, vying for the Community Shield. The actual Premier League season doesn't start until next week, and this match was technically a preseason 'friendly'... but I don't think either side (or either side's fans, for that matter) saw it as such. It was a chance for United to throw down the gauntlet, to show the team that finished 1 point ahead of us last season, that they shouldn't get too used to the title of "Champions."

And a big part of our war cry yesterday was our new signing, Javier Hernandez, aka 'Chicharito.' Our first signing of the season, way back before the World Cup, Manchester United fans the world over have been waiting to see what he can do in a red shirt. He was relatively unknown before WC2010, but he quickly made an international name for himself as a player for the Mexican national team. He not only scored two goals, but also was clocked as the fastest player of the World Cup by FIFA statisticians.

So, yesterday, we all waited with bated breath to see what this kid from Mexico would show us. And, he did not disappoint. With the second half of the match just underway he scored a goal...not just any goal, mind you. He kicked into his own face and basically netted the ball with his nose! I think the way he scored is going to be symbolic of his style...he's going to work and try and be successful at Manchester United - no matter how it gets done, he will persevere until the mission is accomplished.

Another harbinger of great things to come was Chicharito celebrating that goal. He kissed the United badge on his jersey. While that act seems to mean less and less in these days of billion pound transfers, Chicharito's kiss seemed authentic. He seems genuinely thrilled to be in a United uniform, and in my opinion, sincerely sees his future with the Red Devils. I think that Chicharito represents a bright new future for Manchester United fans, and I have no doubt that the feeling is mutual.

5 Year Meme

Tag!! You're it! :)
This blog brought to you thanks to Sarah's Blog

Question 1: Where were you 5 years ago?
Five years ago, I'd just had a stroke (see more here). I had no residual effects, and I was well on the road to recovery. I actually had no idea just how 'normal' I was...two months after my stroke and subsequent neurosurgery, I found out I was expecting a child!! After everything my body had been through, my husband and I had a sort of unspoken agreement that we were lucky to have our family just as it was, the three of us. But, apparently, God had a different plan for us. A complete shock, and a lesson to all you young people -- it only takes once! :)

Question 2: Where would you want to be in 5 years time?
This is a tough one...one which I ask myself on a daily basis, though. In five years, the boys will be 11 and 9 years old and obviously in school all day. I would love to be working in the political arena again, with a job that's incredibly important yet extremely flexible. A job where I can do meaningful work, but yet allows me as much time as need or want to continue to raise my family. Does that exist?

Question 3: What are 5 things on your "To Do" list today?

1.) Make an eye doctor appointment for the Big Guy.
2.) Fold laundry
3.) Get in touch with the travel agent about November trip to Disney
4.) Order United shorts for the boys for football camp next week
5.) Finish this blog entry! :)

Question 4: What are 5 snacks you enjoy?

Well, enjoy and let myself indulge are two very different things!! I am very fitness-conscious and try really hard to eat healthfully - most of the time!! If I am being good, I love Rita's Italian Ice, guacamole, a juicy peach, popcorn or pita chips. If I am splurging, I love salt & vinegar potato chips, gummy bears, fudge, cookies or an ice cream cone!

Question 5: What would you do if you were a billionaire?
Wow, I could write a book to answer this question! If I won the lottery, first things first, I would take my family (including grandparents and cousins) to Walt Disney World. This would not only be a vacation, it would be time for the husband and me to figure out exactly what our plan would be for the money. We would make sure all of our family and extended family were taken care of. We would buy a new house. (Not too huge, mind you, but with all of the latest green technologies.) We would set aside a trust for the boys' university. And then we would travel. We would see everywhere and do everything. My goal would be to become as familiar with all of the great cities of the globe as I am with my hometown. Finally, last but not least...I would buy a little football club in Manchester, England...!

I'm supposed to tag 5 fellow bloggers, but other than the two fabulous ladies mentioned below, I only follow football blogs! :)

Soapgirl at Soapgirl's Thoughts
Sarah at Sarah's Blog