Pretty In Pink!!!

~When Mike and I found out we were having a baby girl over eight years ago, our friends just laughed. They all knew we were planning for a team of five boys to begin training our own basketball team. People weren't sure how a daughter was going to fit in that man-to-man defense of ours. Even more concerned were Colleen's girlfriends who just knew that baby girl would grow up wearing Chicago Bull's jerseys and Nike gym shoes. So, those who loved us and loved our baby girl came up with a plan of their own. Colleen was thrown an "It's a Girl Baby Shower" with pink balloons, pink ribbons, pink icing on the cake and lots and lots of pink baby clothes. Meg (as we already called her) was going to dress like a little girl if anyone else had anything to say.

~It was eight years ago today when I laid eyes on that beautiful baby girl for the first time. When Megan Margaret was placed in my arms for the very first time, the sight of her rose colored skin and dark eyes filled my heart completely. I starred at her petite fingers and toes and became in awe over my daughter. "You are so beautiful Megan. Mommy can dress you in pink!" The nurse laughed when I said that out loud and agreed that all girls need to be dressed in pink. She had no idea what Mike and I had originally planned for Team Monfils. It was at that moment however, I had forgotten all about that team of five boys and fell deeply in love with my baby girl. God had given me the most wonderful gift in the world, my darling daughter!

~When our baby girl turned 5, we signed her up for Bitty Basketball. We knew we may not have had a line-up of 5 boys, but a co-ed team would be okay, too. Meg was so excited to learn to play the game with her Mommy coaching on the court. Our sweet princess decked out in pink shorts and pink tank top, tapped off with a pink ribbon in her hair and pink Nike shoes, was as proud as could be ready to learn the game. (I still could buy Nike, I just had to make sure it matched the outfit and nail polish!) No sooner had Megan picked up a ball did she stub a finger ~~~ ending her basketball career.

~To this day Megan hates basketball because it's too rough. She dislikes soccer because she gets too sweaty, and softball makes her too dusty. She has, however, taken a liking to dance and cheer leading and loves riding horses. Our family plan may have fouled-out eight years ago, however, eight years ago today was one of the happiest days of our lives when we won the biggest game of our lives. Megan was born and looked so Pretty In Pink (even in her pink AZ Diamondback's baseball hat!) :-)

~Megan, Sweetheart! We love you more than you could ever know. We are so proud of you and all you do! You complete our family with your loving smiles, teasing ways and warm giggles. Your passion for art and love for animals shows your ability to love with all your heart. Wanting to volunteer at the animal shelter shows us your compassion and eagerness to make things better. It makes us smile because you always care about what you wear and make sure your hair goes with the clothes. Your self pride also shows in your school work and devotion to completing Brownie Scout merits. You make us so happy and we love you for that, too. No matter what you do or who you become, you will always be our little girl. God gave us the most wonderful gift when he gave us you, Meg! You are a true blessing and we love you! Happy 8th Birthday, Megan Margaret!

Hugs and kisses,
Mom and Dad

A Stone From the Rock River....

Well, I spent the last 2 days in the hospital. Seems that last kidney stone wanted out of my body. I woke Mike early Saturday...there was just no way I could go through this again drug-free. We were at the cabin ready for a fun weekend on the river. Tim was ready to take another crack at wake boarding and the girls wanted to swim in the hot tub. (As you can see, he's a pro at knee boarding now!) They all said I won the prize for party-pooper this time.

So, the kids spent Saturday and Sunday hanging out with Mike while I endured shots of narcotics to ease the pain. They stopped by once and a while to say hi in between my doses of percocet. The girls followed Mike to Kevin Eyster's benefit and tried winning some Creative Memories baskets - go figure?! Mom could have just given them the stickers.... Mike figured it was going to a good cause I guess.

I ended up leaving the hospital Sunday night - I just could not take another meal of roast beef. The stone still has not passed, so I am at home taking percocet waiting and waiting... Ya'd think with all this pain, that darn stone would want out. I'll know more tomorrow what the game plan will be after Mike talks to the urologist. Fun times!

Meg and Tim are at Stronghold's day camp this week. Kate and I were supposed to finish decorating her room and do some kindergarten school supply shopping. Hopefully we will be able to go before the week's end. She is just dying to get that rest mat and backpack.

My fingers are crossed we will get Tim up on the wake board this coming weekend on the Rock River. Until then, we just pray I pass this stone....

Hugs!

Colleen

Mike and His Black Hat...

I wanna drink that shot of whiskey
I wanna smoke that cigarette
I wanna smell that sweet addiction on my breath
I wanna ride across West Virginia in the back seat of a Cadillac
You know some cowboys like me go out like that
So I need you like a needle needs a vein
Like my uncle Joe in Oklahoma needs a rain
And I need you like a lighthouse needs the coast
Like the Father and the Son need the Holy Ghost
I need you...
~Tim McGraw and Faith Hill

It was probably the most romantic concert we will ever attend! Who knew Tim McGraw and Faith Hill would turn a song about drinking a shot of whiskey and smoking a cigarette into the most romantic duet on stage? I don't know how it could be, but they made it happen. Maybe it was all the woman and young girls in the audience screaming for Tim? Who knows, but it sure made the last song of the night a memorable one!

We had a fabulous time in Chicago. And although the concert was spectacular and I even caught Mike tapping his toes once or twice, I have to say spending the evening with old friends was the highlight! And, thinking back to some of Tim and Faith's lyrics makes me remember how much we miss staying in touch with good friends like the Fish Peeps.

So, I certainly hope this website brings us closer and more connected to all of you. Life gets busy for all of us, but it is so important to remember who we are, where we come from and who we met along the way. 'Cuz no matter what...

...In my heart there'll always be a place for you, for all my life
I'll keep a part of you with me,
And everywhere I am there you'll be...
~Faith Hill

Hugs!
Colleen

...Back When...

...I want the flattop strumming
Give me an old wurly humming
Oh, just keep it coming the way it was back then....
~Tim McGraw

Mike and I are off to a weekend of romance and fun! It's been over a year since we have had some "us" time away from the kids, work and craziness of every day. Although Mike isn't certain the schedule of events is what he'd like, it'll be good to get away and reconnect.

We're heading to the city this morning ~ to take a walk down memory lane. It's hard to believe it's been over 10 years since med school and living in Chicago. We're staying at the Sheraton Hotel on the Chicago River in good ol' Streeterville. It should bring back lots of memories of fun times living near Michigan Avenue. Although Mike sees no romantic side to staying around the corner from our downtown apartment, Colleen is determined to find the "spark!" :)

After a tour of Northwestern's medical school campus and walk along the lake, we will be off to the Tim McGraw and Faith Hill concert. It'll be a great time hanging out at the United Center reminiscing about watching the Bull's and Michael Jordan court-side. Before the concert, we will meet up with some friends ~ Michelle and Kellie Fischer and their husbands (now I am feeling really old realizing I am still referring to the girls as the "Fischers") for some dinner and childhood stories. There will be tons of laughs I am sure before we all drag Mike kicking and screaming to the concert. Little does he know I plan to make him wear a cowboy hat! HA!

The kids will stay home with Papa for the night. Hopefully they will have as much fun as us (or at least me...) I promised Mike some Uno's pizza before we head home, so hopefully it'll all be worth it for him in the end.

....Don't you remember the fizz in a pepper
Peanuts in the bottle at ten two and four
A fried bologna sandwich with mayo and tomatoes
Sitting at the table don't happen much no more
We've gotten too complicated,
It's all way overrated
I love the old and outdated way of life....

Hugs!
Colleen

And, So It Begins....

Well, here it is. The Monfils Clan has created their very first website ~ The Monfils Clan Web Log. Why, you ask? It's not like we have anything better going on or anything else to do these days, right? Actually, we have decided to create this site to help keep in touch with everyone. As the days seem to get busier and time goes by faster, we find it harder and harder to keep everyone up-to-date on what is going on with our clan. We hope you all enjoy the ins and outs of our daily lives as we (try to) add humor and interest to what is "really going on..."

Enjoy!
Colleen & Mike