Weekend-That's A Wrap x 2

Hello all and Happy HOLIDAY Monday! 3 day weekends - truly nothing sweeter!! On this Monday we have two weekend wrap ups as last Monday’s was dedicated to our special family friend. So let’s get rolling…..

Last weekend we were located at my in-laws house watching their pup while they were away in New York. Luckily Danny was out of the hospital by Friday afternoon and I had 4 hands for all the dog caregiving.

Danny’s parents home is truly his home. That was the house he came home to from the hospital, he lived there most of his college years and several after (when trying to save for that darn expensive wife :) ) and we even lived with them there for a year. He truly can’t imagine that never being home….he proposed to me there, many of our early dates were based out of that basement, many holidays, memories - and going back is always a welcomed return.

Since coming out of the hospital he is always pretty tired and looking to lock down some good ZZZs and couch time, so being in his true home was perfect. It also worked out so well as it was homecoming for our alma mater - Bishop O’Connell high school. I love homecoming - the true start to fall, a chance to go back and reminisce, wonderful. My first two years in high school I was a cheerleader and the last two pretty involved in student council, both focusing a lot on homecoming, and I love to go back and see the kiddos enjoying it as much as I did!

For both Danny and I this school is a pretty amazing place. We met there, we met some of our best friends there, Danny coaches there now, and the school has held many fundraisers to help us with our medical needs. We are really blessed to call this place home and I never, ever visit without feeling like my heart is so full of pride for having been a part of such a special place….and still calling it ours - is that much more incredible. So “homecoming” could not be more perfect to describe our visit.

The last three years have been especially fun as my youngest sister is now a student there and on the dance team. She loves it truly as much as I did and is soaking it all - so I feel even that much more connected to the fun. And this year was especially wonderful as she was elected to the homecoming court. Even with all of the Heppes who have graced those halls and some have gotten close to that prize, only Brig made it which meant my parents have never had to “escort” before…. let’s just say LOTS of outfit discussions before my mom had to parade herself out there. She is pretty much a behind the scenes person anyway - hating any extra attention, especially if it involves being on a stage, but she did awesome and it was one of those moments you said, "we will all remember this forever.”

My in-laws home is only about 15 minutes from the school - which beats my family’s home a solid 30-45 minutes away - so not only was I able to be part of Brig's half time homecoming parade and dance team performance….but she came back with us to get ready at their house. The location was made more perfect being just a few minutes from my other sister Katy’s salon! Katy was doing her hair and make-up…..so I was able to be part of the whole day and Danny could easily call it quits when he needed to rest (he did just leave the hospital 24 hours before!). It was just too perfect and made the day go pretty smooth….which for high school girl going to homecoming - that is impressive.

We ended that fun Saturday at the restaurant Bridget and my mom had picked to host her group, helping my mom decorate and then grabbing a margarita and dinner while watching the high schoolers parade in and out. It was a good day and a lot of welcomed fun after a few weeks of hospital shenanigans.

Sunday was spent resting, walking the pups and just being glad Danny’s IVs were working and everyone felt good. This weekend came and went, but certainly was one to be remembered!

This past weekend was a LOT more full, but just as fun! Our beloved Orioles are in the MLB playoffs! Folks- we are mostly DC fans - redskins, capitals - and part of the original fan base pre-Nationals, for the Orioles. Meaning playoffs DO NOT HAPPEN OFTEN. The Nationals are DC’s pitiful excuse to say they watch baseball when really their stadium is a Tyson’s Mall replica with a baseball game going on somewhere - it is a far cry from Camden…..and true fandom (I will have surely angered a few friends and family - #sorrynotsorry)! Growing up Danny was a SUPER Fan and with his age his passion obsession has only increased. Being a Maryland/Virginia/DC resident my whole life I too grew up an O’s fan! My grandparents on my Dad’s side were big fans, my dad being a baseball player his whole childhood taught us the game through the O’s. Even one of my favorite Flaherty family (my mom’s side) memories as a kid was our night at Camden and singing my lungs out to YMCA with all my aunts, uncles and cousins! Our first summer dating Danny took us to games a lot and before we knew it our day dates to Baltimore really became our thing. Sooooo to say we are excited is un understatement!

Friday night the whole family watched the game…..and then some of us went to bed extremely sad….I will let you guess who. But that did not deter our excitement for the tickets Danny had be given from a family friend for his 30th Birthday scheduled for Saturday night. He had been talking about wanting new O’s gear and on the 20th we will be celebrating the BIG 3-0….I wanted to oblige and make Saturday pretty special. We also had gotten some great news about my new career path on Friday so we had LOTS AND LOTS to be excited about….and being in Baltimore could not have been a better way to celebrate!

Danny wanted us on time for the game and we were going with good friends of ours (yes from O’Connell- see a pattern???) so I looked up what time Dick’s Sporting Goods opened Saturday AM (the rest of the week did not allow for my secret escape over there) and set my alarm to be there when the doors opened! This is where all our good friends and family are laughing right now as my track record for timeliness (the one spot my OCD seems to not really play a role… #oops) is pretty poor……but I am proud to say I was there at 8:59AM and they opened at 9:00AM. Yes, sure I will pause for some applause! I darted in and ran to the team sports attire….and N-O-T-H-I-N-G! I hate asking for help in stores, I don’t know it just bugs me, but to stay on time I had to ask….and was told they only carry local teams!! WHAT??? But I see VA Tech stuff and that us WAAAAAYYYY further than Baltimore….uggggg!!! So then my mad dash to Target began and I ended up with just a smattering of black and orange clothing….without one single Natty Boh, or Oriole Bird - #FAIL.

However I would not be deterred and still grabbed the bunch of balloons I had seen earlier in the week at the Harris Teeter, made my sign, and placed the hand warmers in a decorative box. Add that with some hot Starbucks and grabbing Dan right as he woke up - SUCCESS! He was really surprised and happy with the effort! My agreeing to celebrate in his way (via sports instead of my request for a big b-day blowout) and general excitement for our team he said was the best part. Perfect - Mission ACCOMPLISHED!

The day continued there with a fast ride to Baltimore (always is faster on the way up) chatting with friends and getting pretty excited for what the evening would hold! The atmosphere did not disappoint. The fans were elated, the food and booze flowing (how could I not have an AWESOME time chowing down on waffle fries with crab dip???), and the game went back in forth in true playoff excitement. Dan grabbed my hand or squeezed my knee when he was nervous and leapt out of his sit with a hug, kiss or massive high-five when he was excited…..it was a lot of fun and I was so happy he was having a good time. Boy deserves some general fun after his rocky September! And then…..and then….they lost. Danny took it pretty well. I was afraid the whole trip would feel like a waste…the whole day really. But he took it pretty well and is already looking ahead to how they will win it all back this week. So all in all a fun Saturday.

Sunday AM I had B-I-G plans…..a long puppy walk, prayer quiet time, get ready and be to church on time….and then my finger found the snooze button….and again…and again…and again. We did make it to church but barely and Q did get a walk, but long is a stretch. Anywho we caught up on our sleep and emotional toll of the loss and were ready to go visit some friends. They had just bought their first house and we had not seen them or their sweet little ones in quite some time! It was the definition of a fall sunday. Visiting with lots of great food, drinks and conversations while playing the kiddos. We left filled with happiness for them and all their “adult” life dreams coming true (so weird as I have known the husband, Sean, since we were in 4th grade) and pretty content with a nice Sunday.

So there you have it …..weekend times two! But it has been a lot of fun and we feel like we have been blessed to mix back into life while Dan still recovers. This week we plan to see some productivity as we prepare for my new professional life changes and enjoying some fall fun……and maybe some birthday planning for the hubs! Hope you are ready for a great 4 day week too!!