RISE TO THE OCCASION!

The past three months have been tough.  JMS and I have been putting in long hours at work, long hours with the fam, and virtually running on fumes half the time.  Albeit doing it with a positive attitude and perseverance like no other.  But this post is about our spontaneous, relaxing, and fun trip to Atlanta this past weekend.  When the Cards won last Sunday evening I decided we were going to the Final Four no if, and's, or but's.   I had a feeling we were going to win it all, (I have my bracket to prove it).   I am so happy we decided to take the plunge and go.  It certainly is a lot harder to take spontaneous trips with a toddler, but we did it.  3 pieces of luggage, a stroller, diaper bag, travel cribs, car seat, and two lap top bags later we made it to HotLanta.  Jack loved the plane ride and looking out the window and saying airplane.

We were greeted by Papa and Nana who kidnapped Jack shortly after we landed and brought him to meet some more of the Martin side of the family  over in Athens.

The Final Four Saturday was awesome.  We spent the day taking in the sites and festivities all around Centennial Park and the Georgia Dome.  It was an amazing fan atmosphere and the NCAA did an awesome job organizing all the events around the games.

 My favorite part of the weekend was obviously the Cards winning, but even more so taking in every second of each game, and the fan experience.  I love the spirit of sport and of competition.  What I love about college athletics is that it encompasses the true meaning of the spirit of sport.  Passion, skill, hard work, excitement all laid out on the court to determine who wins. Sometimes I feel like with professional sports the true spirit of sport fades for many athletes and is instead replaced with greed and the want for more money or fame.  While the spirit of sport may refer to athletes in many ways it refers to fans as well.  The spirit of sport brings fans together and gets people pumped up for something.  During those games every person in the GA dome was passionate about their team, and in that moment the only focus was on cheering on their team. Trust me the girl from Syracuse in front of me was extremely passionate.  She also made me want to cheer for Michigan because I decided ten minutes into the Syracuse game I wouldn't make it through the National Championship if she sat in front of me.  During both games all thoughts surrounded basketball and for once it almost felt freeing.  I  realize how much time I spend worrying and thinking about everything else it was nice to just focus on one exciting moment after another. 

We headed over to Bracket Town before the game on Monday and Jack loved it.  He slam dunked, played defense, and posed with gladiators.  The kids a rock star.

Then it was Monday night, past my bed time, and the game began.  It was the best 40 minutes of college basketball I have ever watched.  Every second, every shot, every basket people were  screaming from all sides of the dome.  It was simply awesome and will go down in history as one of my favorite memories with JMS and also with Joe and Karen!  To top it all of Mo and TJ got engaged which made it that more sweeter. The Cards prevailed, my voice is still lost, my fingers bend funny when I try to throw up the Louisville L, and I am drained as all get out.  Yet I am surprisingly refreshed and happy.  It is amazing what a little spontaneity and the spirit of sport can do for the soul.  Yay Cards!