The Week I Shook Hands with the President...of the United States

Even better looking up close and personal

I almost don't know where to start.  Most of you know about our incredible journey to the Super Bowl and how much it meant to me (and many many others).  We went, we won and we came home champions.  I never miss an opportunity to include that fact in most things I do. I figure it will eventually wear off...so far though, it hasn't.

Last week, however, was the technical end to all of the celebratory festivities that Super Bowl Champs traditionally get as a part of their win.  And, it was one of the best week's of my life!

Mid-week, everyone who was to receive "the ring", got invited to go to the White House.  I'm not sure of your political affiliations and frankly I don't care...we live in a land where we can have political affiliations and we can speak freely about them. We live in a country where, we the people, elect our officials and we live under a blanket of safety and freedom that is provided under the direction of our Commander in Chief. And, this girl, was going to his crib. WHAT?!?!?

I was beyond thrilled!  I was so excited I couldn't stand myself.  My fashionista mind was going bananas.  I needed the perfect White House outfit because you certainly can't look ridiculous when going to the White House.  I mean really!

Dressed in our White House Best

Wednesday June 5th:

The weather was perfect...bright, sunny and seasonably warm.  8 police escorted buses left Owings Mills at 8:00 am and headed to Washington, DC. P.S. Sorry to anyone along the commute that got stuck in traffic because of our buses.  We arrived at President Obama's pad at about 9:30. We were greeted by Secret Service agents with the cutest working dogs.  Our bus was inspected before anyone even got off.  Security was tight, but it didn't take very long to get in.  

No pics allowed while going through White House Security.
But this guy checked out our bus.
We were all clear. Obvi.

Once inside, we were allowed to roam about the house. For about 90 minutes, we took in the China Room, the Library, the terrace, and the spot where President Obama told our nation that we had finally gotten Bin Laden.  We strolled on the South Lawn listening to a Marine jazz band, sipping White House water with cocktail napkins that a few of us stuffed in our purses instead of tossing away. We took all kinds of pictures, we soaked in every second and savored the experience.  

When at the White House one should always take very serious pictures.

Oh just chilling at Barack's crib having a little girl talk. No bigs.

We fit right in. No doubt about it.

Excellent Entertainment

Normally, I'm on the outside looking in. So taking a picture looking out was a must.

Vince felt right at home.

Everyone was happy to be there.

We sat front and center as our Super Bowl Champion team stood on a stage listening to the President of the United States crack jokes and congratulate us on winning.  Now, I realize that President Obama has speech writers and people who prep him on the team and details...but think about the amount of knowledge a President has to have and know. It's quite mind blowing if you think about it.  President Obama knew many ins and outs about our Team of Destiny. He made references to Ray's eating grass during player intros, Torrey's brother Tevin, Jacoby's dancing and his amazing catch to tie up that freezing cold game in Denver. He joked about the lights going out during the Super Bowl.  He was polished, relaxed, kind, funny, witty, smart, savvy and super doper awesome.  Oh and Coach Harbaugh told him that we plan to be back next year.

Pretty darn close to the action...3rd row.

After being presented with a Baltimore Ravens number 44 jersey, President Obama shook hands with each player.  Some guys even hugged and joked with him.  It was fun to watch.  When the players exited the stage, President  Obama turned his attention to the other guests...i.e. us.  With a smile, he walked down a line of waiting hands, shook each one and thanked them for being there. WHAT?!?!  Excuse me?? That's correct....When he shook my hand, he said, "Thank you for being here."  Ummmmmmmmmmm, no Mr. President, thank you for having me here.  WOW.

 

Very nice purple tie Mr. President Sir. We LOVE.

I had planned on never washing this hand again.
But, I had to. Good thing I have this pic to capture the moment forever.

Once the hand shaking was over, I'm assuming President Obama had a packed schedule, he is the President and all, he went off to do whatever it is Presidents do.  We couldn't stop smiling. We skipped back to our buses, grabbed our boxed (and yummy) lunches and headed back to the Castle. Being a Super Bowl Champ, really doesn't get old.   

Yep...we just met the President. Not a bad day's work.

Smiling on the way to our awaiting chariots.

Up next....we get the bling!

XO~

P.S. Feel however you want...I voted for Obama and I'd do it again. :-)

It was Everything I thought It would Be...

Bringing the Fun

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? Right...except in our case, anything that happened in Vegas really can't be told, repeated or delivered to truly express how much fun it was.  That's not because there were scandalous deeds that went down, but rather the non-stop laughing and girl time, really cannot be expressed to give anyone a true picture of how great this trip was. 

You had to be there.

I will try, however, and tell you a little bit about it...you know the stuff I can actually tell you. Those who follow us on FB, you saw some of our pics, so you got a glimpse into the weekend. It was sunny and hot and perfect. It was jammed packed with fun sun activities.  I didn't gamble even a $1.  We slept very little and drank quite a bit of vodka. We ate gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free muffins on the same day we ate cheese filled pizza. We wore sparkles. We took as long as we wanted to get ready. We had a party room. We played loud music.  We did not have tickle fights in our underwear. We didn't get any tattoos and there were never any tigers in our rooms.  We met cowboys, brides, and bachelors.  And, we laughed pretty much the entire time.

Who doesn't like meeting real-life cowboys?



In case you were curious, he's a champion too.

 

That's us with the happy newly hitched in Vegas couple.  Salut!

 

To me, celebrating any birthday (a big one or small one) is fantastic reason to celebrate all that is good in life. Family, friends, good health, having all you need and enjoying the one thing that will always be more important than things...our relationships with each other.  The gift of our relationships is better than any gift I could ever receive. The most important things in life, aren't things.



All ready to hit Sin City.

The girls that went on this trip were the perfect ones to go.  It's not to say that we wouldn't welcome more girls into our wolf pack because we would. And, to be totally honest, our wolf pack is a darn amazing wolf pack. To quote my sister, "We bring the fun!" It's true, we do bring the fun. More than fun or more than whatever fun means to you, these girls were perfect.  Everyone got it. There wasn't anyone who didn't get it or didn't want to be a part of the fun.  It worked perfectly.  And, it was fantabulous. It was everything I wanted it to be and more. I don't know if I can ever thank these girls enough for going with me!

More fun being brought.
 

2013. Well played. I had a feeling about you.  So far, so great! 

We mean serious fun.

Vegas Quick Hits:

• Robert Baker of Southwest Airlines. Simply put: You ROCK. Absolutely made our flight out the best flight ever. 

Robert brings the fun (and self-tanner) too.

• No sleep, waking up hungover and/or having a blotchy sunburn = small prices to pay for a good time.

I love the sun. She melts.  All-time BFF's anyway.

• We stayed in room Eleventy058.
• Dancing with a very little bit of bumping and grinding then jumping = the only way I will ever dance again.

Little bit of bumping and whole lot of jumping

• Super sick is a great way to describe many things...including a cabana at a rocking pool party.

Bday Cabana - why I think we will.

• Totes adorbs is a perfectly acceptable way to describe anything that is totes adorbs.

Totes adorbs, of course!

• No matter how you feel about your body, someone has a body that is "better" and someone has a body that is "worse".  Love yourself. Be healthy. And, exercise!

Be healthy!!

• The water show at the Bellagio is so freaking cool no matter how many times you see it.

Always rocks.

• At one point, I was holding 5 purses. None of which were mine.  I had a peak into the world of our boyfs..and it really wasn't that bad.

5 purses and a light stick.  Yes that's me.

• Drinking vodka with seltzer water really does help with hydration. The seltzer was free. The vodka on the other hand was $475 a bottle, perhaps that's why I was going through (I mean holding) 5 purses.  #vegasprices

 

Vodka with ice that lit up, seltzer and a splash of cran = delicious.
For $475 a bottle we took that ice light home with us. Don't you dare judge.

• Vitamin B12 smells awful.  However, its powers relative to helping with hangovers seem to be worth enduring the smell.
• Is it just us, or has the song of the summer yet TBD? Where's our Call Me Maybe 2013? For now we threw it back to Put your Hands up in the Air. Everyone's hands look super hot in the air when dance jumping.
• If I had a green thumb, I'm certain my flowers would look like just like the gardens in the Bellagio.  #nodoubtaboutit

Inviting and beautiful, exactly like mine would be.

• While there were stars in Vegas for the Billboard awards, we only saw Ed Sheeran.  He was cool and even though I had already captured his pic by taking a sassy pic of my sis, he was nice enough to actually take a pic with us.  I'm certain he realized that...we bring the fun.

He had to know about the fun we bring, just look at that face.

• Photo bombing is a favorite pass-time for one bestie. Can you guess which one?

A good photo-bomb always makes for fun!

• This past weekend was the kick-off to celebrating summer.  Let the fun continue!!!

Best. Friends. Ever.

 

Happy Memorial Day Weekend Readers!! Enjoy the kickoff to summer! Play, get outside, be safe, have fun and love out loud!!!

xo~

The Effects of Sun Worshipping & Other Random Wednesday Things

This is exactly what I have. Glad to finally know.

Happy Mid-Week!  I can see why we celebration this day...half-way through the workweek and a little bit closer to the weekend.  Well done Wednesday.

Due to my condition as described above, yesterday, I spent a little time with my new BFF, Hulya. (Hulya's Holistic Medispa) I'm healthy and so grateful to be the age I am. I really have no issue with it.  However, I'm not exactly growing old without putting up a fight. I'm going to age gracefully surrounded by an army of modern forces charged with maintaining the glow of my youth.

Don't worry, I'm not going Joan Rivers or anything. The plan is to control things I can control, like diet and exercise, and to regularly maintain items that will slow the process, keep my skin healthy and fresh and combat the mistakes of my youth. See also: endless SPF 4 sunbathing in the 90's on the beaches of OC made for great scope pics but lead to old lady skin. And, Sunset Tanning...I curse you.

Hulya is heaven sent. Call her! She's got a fix for most everything.  Be advised though, the fix isn't exactly cost-free in terms of dollars and/or immediate results and/or looks the day of treatment. You get what you pay for - always people- and it looks way worse before it gets better.  No make-up at all for 12 hours after a face treatment. OK, not awful, but certainly not something this girl does.  Not wearing make-up is NOT an option. I wear make-up to walk the dog. True story. Wearing make-up is like using the same kind of very specific gel pen daily. It is just how it is.  Accept it. I do.

Yesterday, I had laser treatments on "brown spots" (P.S. How gross is that?) caused by sun damage.  It wasn't painful but to look at me, you'd think I got in a fight with barbed wire and lost. It's not pretty. What's also not pretty? Having dinner plans with the new boy on the same day you spent time at the shop getting this work done. Not awesome. They aren't supposed to know the exact lengths we go to to look effortlessly put together and stunning. #Fail. Last night, if a beekeepers outfit was fashionable, that 's what I would have gone with. Alas, we know it's not so I wore a hat, a scarf, long sleeves, and jeans. FYI, he said he "didn't" notice and also said I looked beautiful. Aw...you have to love the courting stage, right?

In the end, I'm going to be very happy with the results.  I've read that many reformed sun-worshippers just like me have had great results and now use SPF 30 on the regular.  The spots go away and skin looks refreshed and beautiful. I'm one treatment down...so I'll be sure to provide blog updates if you are curious to see how happy I am after all 4 treatments.



New story of my new-anti-sun-worshipping-life = Regular sunscreen application.

Other randoms things for today...in random order.

• Justin Timberlake - Did you write Mirror for me?  If so, well done. I knew somewhere deep in your heart you knew of my love for you and if stupid Jessica hadn't been there, we would have a had a fighting chance.  Love that song.
• Michael Kors - I love you. I hate you. I love you. In that order. No joke. I feel these emotions each and every time I get an email from you. And, when I walk into your store filled with beautiful, young, tan, smoking hot as well as nice, helpful and adorable sales girls drenched in your fashions, I'm an emotional roller coaster.

This dress. I want it. BAD.

• Mariah Carey & Miguel - I've been down on Mariah for a while.  Aside from having the best Christmas album ever she's been a mess to me.  After the Glitter debacle, she did redeem herself (slightly) with the Emancipation of Mimi about 8 years ago . And yes, it's true, I do want to know if she and Jenny from the Block shower in Botox to maintain their age-defying youthful appearance. But I still hold her dreadful fashion choices against her and AI has done nothing to increase my love of her. Her new song with Miguel, Beautiful is pretty good though. Miguel's Sure Thing holds a special place in my heart. Mariah does have a beautiful singing voice and I give credit where credit is due. Nice job you two.
• Hootie - I've always liked you. Now that you are practically the only black person in country music I like you more. Your Pier 6 show should kill it.  However, Wagon Wheel...I'm over it. I really don't like that song, no matter how happy the theme may be.
• Mother Nature - Kindly pull your shit together. It's May 8th. April showers were to have ended and the temperature should be a warm 70+ degrees.  I'm really getting tired of asking.  Please do what we all know you can do and stat. And, thank you.
• Taylor Swift - We will see you Sunday! 5 little girls and 5 big girls are super excited. Also, your Highway Don't Care video with Tim McGraw (hello fitness God) and Keith Urban (your tattoos are so great) is fantabulous.  Very moving. Nice job trio.
• Las Vegas - We are 9 days away from what promises to be an a-mazing trip. In checking out the advance weather forecast, you are already delivering on your end of the weather deal.  Can't wait to see you in person!
• Southwest Airlines - If you wanna toss in some free bday drinks for me and my 8 friends, we won't complain at all.  To anyone on our flight next Friday, be advised, these girls get out once a year for a girls trip. Prepare for fun.
• Kenny Chesney - Adios to Jost, know the feeling well. We'll be there in a little over a month. You really know how to speak to me.  Well done my island-loving-friend-in-my-dreams-but-I-want-you-to-be-my-real-friend, friend. Hope to see you there.
• My sister - FINALLY has an iPhone and a breakfast dress.  Two things she's long desired.  Both should change her life and make it all the better. This is makes me happy for her.
• Target - I've missed you. I've spent much less time with you than I have in the past.  Not sure what that's about, but know when you move to Canton, we will be BFF's again.  I still love you, in case you were wondering or in case you missed me too.

Anyone got anything else noteworthy on this Wednesday?

Happy Happy Happy!

xo~

Random Thoughts Friday

Still Smiling

It's Friday and I skipped last week...I really want to publish once per week. I missed last week which is a bummer.  But I'm back on the horse or more like back on the laptop for Random Thoughts Friday.

• The weekend after the Super Bowl I seriously felt lost.  I felt like I was late or missing something or supposed to be somewhere but I wasn't.  For the past 26 weeks, our lives revolved around football. Then seemingly, all of a sudden, we were World Champions (it never gets old saying that btw) and it was over.  YIKES! What do we do with ourselves?  I missed my Purple Friday buddies and I even texted them, just to say hi, I miss you guys. 

• Last week, we had 5 days off.  5 days off, in a row, straight.  At first I was slightly panicked because of my feelings from the weekend before.  Quickly though, that feeling faded when all of a sudden, I got a life back.  I went to a Belgian Beer Fest. I did laundry before I ran out of clean clothes.  I went to the grocery store. I ran through the city. I cooked dinner. I had brunch with some besties. I walked my dog.  I slept in.  Oh and I went to Philadelphia to visit Baby Kitty and his mama.  We went out, tried a new and fantastic restaurant and I had no where to be in the morning.  It was awesome.

• Last week was also Valentine's Day. You know that holiday all about love and goo and all that crap.  It's hard for me to dislike a holiday about love because I really love love. So, I don't hate it...this year though, I referred to it as Thursday February 14th.  It was a nice day off from work.  I worked out and kicked my own butt.  See also: the next bullet.

• We booked my Vegas Birthday Trip.  Operation Hot Ass in FULL force.

There is nothing wrong with rocking Manolo's in a bathing suit. Vegas!

 

• We leave for San Francisco this Wednesday. Favorite Friend and my Bike Racing Sister, can't wait to see you!!

• I signed up to run in the Color Run Baltimore in May.  I don't fully understand the concept, but it seems fun.

• I've decided to cancel my life insurance policy.  I realized that I'm paying money for something that will not benefit anyone.  If I ever do get hitched again or decide to get knocked up, I'll restart it. I'll use the money I'm spending on that useless policy to contribute to my celebrate life fund aka, my checking account.

 

• Dogs know lots of stuff.  They are excited every time they see you. Everyday is like winning the Super Bowl and being a World Champion.  (See never gets old.) My dog is the absolute best. She knows good people and she knows those who don't share her dog's soul. She knows when to hug me and she never forgets someone she loves. I'm impressed by her knowledge on the regular.  So, I'm just giving her a shout-out because she's awesome.

• Survivor is back. I'm watching. And, I like it.

• The Bachelor is almost over. Finally. I'm watching. And, I don't like it.  I do however love reading http://www.ashleyjonesy.com/2013/02/theyre-falling-into-love-everyone.html.  It's probably the only reason I'm still watching at this point.

• My bestie and I are trying new and different things. We tried something this week, we will NOT try again.  It was a low point in both of our dating lives.  But on the bright side, we don't have to do it again. We have never felt so great about ourselves and so terrible at the same time.  See also, the guys on the Big Band Theory are really much cooler on TV.  Take our word for it. @Irishpants16, you were right. Touche.

• I got back to Pinning.  I'm hoping to get back to making those recipes I'm pinning.  I need some Family Dinners back in my life time now.

• I have good plans this weekend.  I love having good plans.  Namely with 2 little blond people at one Build-A-Bear workshop. 

• If I had to pick a favorite food, I'm not sure I could. I love so much!! Mexican, Italian, sushi, American, Indian, Thai, Greek...there are just so many delicious choices!

• Nordstrom is awesome. Their customer service truly is fantastic.  This is not groundbreaking info, but it should get a mention. I bought a pair of Frye boots in December.  I wore them. A lot.  They are awesome, why wouldn't I wear them. They did not hold up well.  One was saggy and the other would stand tall.  It was not a good look for $350 boots.  I took them into Nordstrom with no box and only an Internet receipt.  A brand new shiny pair showed up on Tuesday.  If they do the same thing, they will fully refund my money.  Boom! Now that's how you treat a customer!

• You might be saying $350 for boots, Philly, San Fran, Beer Fests...all of that costs lots of $$.  If you are saying that, you are correct, it does.  But since, at this point I have no little people in my life, I'm spending it as I go! Sorry, there is not likely to be a random inheritance for a nice person might meet on the street. Mr. Right, wherever you are, I promise not to have a boatload of debit, but I can't promise a huge savings to live off of either. I'll have amazing shoes, a decent wardrobe (where I'll still probably have nothing to wear) and lots of travel experience. I also promise to keep up with my hair, face and body. I will always wear make-up and sweats will never be my BFF. Be advised those last items will also be required of you. Well not the make-up part, but you get the point.

Random Friday!

xo~



Garth...Remember us? We're coming to you!

SUPER

 

Super Super SUPER

Super...Super Bowl. Super Win. Super Team. Super People. Super Amazing. Super Blessed. Super Smile. Super Gifts. Super Trip. Super Great. Super Fun. Super Super.

I'm not sure words will every truly express the past 2 weeks of my life. I did my best to post pictures for anyone who was interested in seeing parts of our Super Trip.  You may already have a taste of what was and what continues to be. So, I won't bore anyone with details that aren't interesting or be repetitive.

I will start by saying (again - repetitive but not boring) I work for and with the most amazing people on the planet.  I have no idea how I've been so very blessed.  We were treated likes kings and queens on a stage where most of the world was watching. OK, I wasn't actually on the stage with Beyonce, but hey, I was in the building and I played a very important role in the show. 

Yup...those were our hands!

Who needs a ring on it??


 

As you know, several of us went down early to prepare for the arrival of our families and friends.  We worked for about 2.5 days on logistics, packets, credentials, gifts, rooms, etc.  We spent a lot of time inside of the hotel. For those of you who know me, you know my philosophy on life and welp, instead of resting when we were finished for the day...we hit up Bourbon Street.  So for the first days, it was lots of work with a little play and very little sleep.

Packet Stuffing by Super Peeps

Dinner Break...Super Food!

 

This crew can sleep when they are dead or not at the Super Bowl

On Thursday, our families and friends arrived...in style, I might add. They were treated to privately chartered planes with first class treatment.  They were served food and drinks. They were greeted in NOLA by coach buses with police escorts to shuttle them to the team hotel.  Some might say they were given the Super Rock Star Treatment.

Right this way family...your chariots await.

Friends and family checked into their rooms and got ready for what can only be described as a Super Bomb Diggity Welcome Party.  AFC Champion Baltimore Ravens meet New Orleans in a themed and fantastic outdoor party.  We wore party dresses and socialized with old and new friends. We were treated to delicious food and drinks of our choice.

Some of us took this pic more seriously than others.  :-)

Friday and Saturday were basically free days. We could spend time enjoying all that NOLA has to offer...and, if you've never been, you should definitely go. It's a lot of fun.  The beauty of this location was that everything was within walking distance.  We could walk right out of the hotel to all the hot spots and touristy locations. The weather during the day was a sunny 68 degrees...it was super. In the evenings we socialized with each other and took in the sights. See also: Bourbon Street, Pat O'Briens, Wolf Packs, Hurricanes, gambling, karaoke, beads and one cowboy bar.

Exploring NOLA and the Super Bowl Experience

It should be mentioned that while walking around the city, purple passion was EVERYWHERE.  It was as if Baltimore relocated for the week. The locals were also routing for our boys...they had a rivalry with the 49ers so most of the helpers were all about our boys in purple. We got along swimmingly with them.  The sounds of Seven Nation Army could be heard on just about every street. It was the universal language of future champions.  It was super.

It should also be mentioned that each morning a new and amazing gift was placed in our hotel rooms.  As if the gift of an all expense paid trip to the Super Bowl wasn't gift enough, we were given actual presents!!! #ifimdreamingpleasedontwakeme

Super Sunday finally arrived.  Our day started with a pre-game tailgate party just outside of our hotel.  As you might expect, it was top notch.  Fabulous food, drinks, entertainment and spectacular weather.  It was the first time since Thursday that our whole Ravens family had the opportunity to enjoy each other's company and relish in the experience.  It was also a time when I took a pause to soak it all in and feel the blessings.  It was a bit overwhelming...because in a matter of hours what we had been working for for years, would be upon us.  Wow. Monumental.  Super.

We established a wolf pack. Super!

I borrowed that hat from her.  I think it was a good luck charm.

These ladies are the best!


 

At 2:30 a sea of purple made its way to the Mercedes Benz Super Dome for the game of our lifetime.  Game time was at 5:30 NOLA time. We walked just under a mile to the Dome united in support, excitement, nerves, cheers and chants.  It was amazing!

Upon arrival at the gate...we may have been a touch excited.

This is REALLY happening!!!! Super! (P.S. these girls are the best plus ones ever!)

 

So exciting!

We're IN.  Super!

One for the memory books.

I'm going to assume that most of you watched the game. If not, well, you probably aren't reading this entry and we probably can't be friends, let's be honest. Our seats were on the Club Level and they were great.

This pic doesn't do our seats justice. They were super.

So fun to experience this with these Super Fans!

Oh hey, Super Bowl MVP.

The first half was SUPER. The second half was also super...just not as super, until the end.  As John Harbaugh put it, "It wasn't perfect.  It wasn't pretty. But it was us." How great are those words?  Teams are not perfect.  Teams are rarely always pretty.  But it was us.  Us.  Us. Our team. Our way of winning and our way of making it happen. Isn't that the way all relationships are??  They are our own special way that works for us.  And now, our team is a team of Super Bowl World Champions.

YUP! SUPER!

Couldn't have written a better story.

You might be thinking...what an amazing day.  You were probably exhausted.  Well, it was an amazing day and NO we were not exhausted. We had an after party to get to.  We walked back to our hotel and changed into our Super Bowl Champion party dresses and headed out to our 3rd party of the day.

I'd heard about the after party from 12 years ago.  I knew it was going to be good.  How could it not be?  We just won the freaking Super Bowl.  Good could be the understatement of the century.  It was the Super of Super Dooper Super Bowl After Parties!  The entertainment was kept a secret and turned out to be Mary J. Blige.  Yes, that's correct, she played a show for us.  And, she was fantastic! Our players were walking on Cloud 9.  Employees were hugging each other, drinking champagne, smoking cigars, laughing, smiling and DANCING.  I believe we danced for the better part of 3 hours.  I really don't have many pictures from that party b/c I was so busy celebrating, chatting and dancing, that I didn't take many pics. The ones I took, I already posted on Instagram.

Cheers to being a Champion!

Champagne shower?  Super!!

We stayed until the end.  The very end.  (Shocking I know.)  The end was at 5:00am.  We weren't ready for it to be the end. But after a rousing and totally fitting rendition of "We Are the Champions" alas it was time for that fab.com party to end.  

We still had 3 hours until flights began to leave.

That meant that we also had 3 more hours in NOLA.  We didn't sleep. Some of us spent the last hours of our time with those who could truly understand how great this was.  We relished those last hours.  It was hard to really let the day's events sink in. We had dreamed about this for years.  Then, it happened.  We really won the Super Bowl. It took time to process...all the years of hard work, dedication, desire and dreaming.  It finally happened and there are only a few of us who really get that magnitude.  So, we couldn't sleep. We had talking and celebrating to do!

At about 7:30 am, nearly 24 hours after it began, we packed it up and packed it in. It was time to go.

Champions don't need sleep.

If you're curious as to our actual timeline on Super Sunday here it is:

11:00am - 2:30pm - Tailgate Party
2:30pm - 3:00pm - Purple Parade to Super Dome
5:30pm - 10:30pm - Game (including Black out time)
11:00pm - 5:00am - Post Game Best Super Party Ever
5:00am - 7:00am - Celebratory last minute Super fun in NOLA
7:30am - Bags to the lobby...time to go home.

It was a long and perfect day.  It was how it was supposed to be.  A story that couldn't have been written any better.  A true and living testament that things happen when they are supposed to happen how they are supposed to happen.  There are no mistakes.  If it's meant to be, it will be.

I know I've said this before, but I will say it again, I feel so very blessed and thankful.  I've met some of the best people in the world through my association with this winning team.  The love and joy I've been blessed with is hard to describe.  It's simply amazing.

Thank you to every single person who supports us.  As evidence by the Welcome Home Parade crowd, what we do matters.  It makes a difference and it unites us together. We are a team.  So thank you for supporting, cheering, listening, loving and reading. Thank you to everyone who sent messages of congratulations and well wishes.  Thank you to every single fan. Thank you for loving me and loving us.

Welcome home Lamar and Vince!

We are a TEAM of Destiny. We are blessed.

xo~