Junior League Leadership Training: Scottsdale, AZ

Me and My Sweet PEE Angela

So, I'm going to be President of the Junior League of Fresno....  This is actually happening very soon.
For now I am "PE" President-Elect and I am trying to make the most of the time I have!

On Wednesday night when I started packing to leave to leave for my Junior League Leadership Conference in Arizona, Patrick started to grumble.  He was going to miss me.  He didn't want me to go.  He would only see me on Sunday.  His sister joined in his agony.  His brother dismissed me with a wave of his hand, "I'll be ok."

I've learned a lot of lessons in my Junior League tenure.  One of the most important lessons that is echoed again and again (and at this conference once again) is the need to take time for yourself and do things for yourself.  I know that we are supposed to pretend that we have an endless tank of love and attention and motherly motherness to give...  we don't.

So, I packed me bags and headed to Scottsdale with my gorgeous Sweet PEE Angela who is slated to serve as President in 2015-16 after my term ends.  The training was fantastic.  The time to think and reflect was great.  And we may have had a little fun.  I've been accused of "bringing the fun" but these NorCal ladies, collectively we blow the fun up and make it an alternate universe. 

The NorCalRenoHon PE/PEE group. 

One more really important (and hopefully applicable) lessons that I have learned on this journey is the power of knowing and understanding yourself.  I am not good at a lot of things.  So when I envisioned who would be my Sweet PEE, I imagined someone who was a compliment to my strengths and weaknesses.  I got that in Angela!  And now the focus in on self-management.  A challenge as I spiral toward June 2014 but one that I am taking on all of the same.  I am working on not running people over, minimizing my impatience, redirecting my tendencies to over-plan, managing stress (apparently that drives me to disorganization), and making sure I appreciate the team.
Speaking of team.  Here is my fantastic Board Team.

That's where I am.  Ready to learn, try, fail, and try again.  Ready to develop the potential of this girl right here (points to self).

Happy New Year 2014

Happy New Year from the Callahan family.  After a blogging hiatus, I thought you might like a few pictures and updates.

Patrick is growing up before our eyes.  He frequently reminds us to be frugal so that he can go to a four-year university.  He dreams of being married and having kids.  Patrick has a wonderful teacher this year and is enjoying the fourth grade.
Keith is thriving in first grade (yet another wonderful teacher!) and has broken through with his reading.  He spent the fall wrestling and is planning to take a break this winter. 
Lauren is running her preschool and trying to run the house.  Yesterday I heard her tell her brothers, "You aren't the boss of me!"

Seventeen years ago I fell head over heels for this man.  We have lived an incredibly blessed life and even after a crazy year like this one we are even more in love.  As we head into 2014 it feels like a new chapter.  There are still a lot of unknowns with work (not to mention a lot of stress) but we are in this together....forever.

We are looking forward to my brother Ben's wedding in April.  Hopefully some family vacations (Dland?). The end of open enrollment.  The beginning of my Junior League Presidency.  AND..... Kevin's 40th birthday (shhh.  he doesn't know that I'm throwing him the surprise party of his dreams).