How was your Mother’s Day?
Mine began with a 4-mile morning run in beautiful weather. After that, I enjoyed lunch at my favorite restaurant in Lexington, Saul Good, followed by dessert at Orange Leaf, all in the company of my three favorite people. The rest of the day was pretty low-key, but the fact that I was able to actually take a little nap in the afternoon made me one satisfied mommy.
My gifts began on Friday already, when Ryan came home with an Edible Arrangement of fruit and chocolate-covered strawberries.
Rydan and Lily nearly ate the entire thing at dinner, but I did manage to sneak the chocolate-covered strawberries into the refrigerator without them seeing, and enjoyed them after both kids were asleep.
On Saturday, Lily made me a picture at church, which she was quite proud of.
Rydan also made a bouquet of flowers for me at school. Each stem has a chore attached that I can pull out for him to do at any time.
I also received this pretty bracelet from my kids yesterday.
To all of my fellow mommies, step-mommies, and guardians – I hope you all had a fantastic Mother’s Day! And even though we only get one day a year for the flowers, hand-made gifts, and cards, make sure you celebrate the fact that what you do really does matter, every single day.
Filed under: The Buffington Southern Experience | Tags: Boston, Coldstream Park, Derby Stakes 5K, Running, The One Fund
Congratulations to Orb! The winner of the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby.
Because of the evening rain, we didn’t take part in any Derby Day festivities like we did last year. However, I did run the Derby Stakes 5K at Coldstream Park on Saturday morning. This was a very special and important race, as 100 percent of the race proceeds benefited The One Fund Boston charity to help those most affected by the tragic events that occurred in Boston on April 15th.
I truly have no words for what it felt like to be part of this race. The running community is filled with such determined men and women who have incredibly strong spirits. We don’t give up. We always want to go further and run harder. We take pride in our achievements. And with each finish line we cross, that spirit only gets stronger. We all run for different reasons, whether it’s to be physically fit, to relieve stress, or to simply have some “me time,” but on Saturday, May 3rd, 2013 at Coldstream Park, each of us ran for Boston.
Nearly 300 runners came out to show their love and support for this beloved city. One thing I love about being a runner, is my fellow runners. Yes, they are competitive, but they also know how to unite with one another, and with other running communities. There was a true sense of unity as we stood at the starting line together and took a moment of silence for those injured during this year’s Boston Marathon. And as each of us crossed the finished line with our loved ones cheering us on, I couldn’t help but think of Boston. Now more than ever, I am so thankful that God has given me the ability to use my legs and run. I am proud to be part of such a tough community of runners who believe in themselves and believe in each other.

Two of my biggest fans. I so look forward to seeing their smiling faces and listening to them cheer as I approach the finish line.
I finished this race with a time of 23:25, and was awarded with first place in my age group (22 females total). My horse shoe trophy is now the coolest one in my collection, but it will also forever carry the most meaning.
Filed under: The Buffington Southern Experience | Tags: Detroit Tigers, Little League Baseball
Baseball, baseball, baseball. If we aren’t at Taekwondo these days, we’re at baseball.
Like this past Fall, Rydan is once again playing for Eastern Little League here in Lexington. His team is the Detroit Tigers.
Rydan has played a handful of games so far, but the most exciting was this past Saturday against the Nationals. As we sat shivering in the rain, it seemed like the game would never end. Poor Lily’s bottom was completely soaked from going down the slide on the playground, but she still cheered and clapped for Rydan and his teammates.
When the game ended in a tie, we all groaned at the thought of sitting through extra innings in the miserable rain. The cheers seemed to only get louder, though. Parents shouted words of motivation for each player. The boys began chanting a version of “We Will Rock You” from the dugout that I’d never heard before (and won’t repeat either), but it generated an energy and a spirit that wasn’t going to give up. Finally after three extra innings, the Tigers finally scored the winning run. We celebrated for the win, and for freedom from the rain. Way to go, Tigers!
Filed under: The Buffington Southern Experience | Tags: Belt Test, Sid Nelson's Taekwondo America, Taekwondo
It’s belt test time again. On Saturday, Rydan tested for his purple senior belt at Sid Nelson’s Taekwondo America.
By now, Rydan has gotten pretty comfortable with his belt tests, which occur every eight weeks. He never seems nervous, and has managed to pass every single test thus far. As he progresses through each belt, each form becomes more difficult, with the number of movements increasing each time. I don’t think I will ever stop feeling nervous for him as I watch him test. I guess it’s just a mom thing, because he always makes me so proud.
I love how in between sparring rounds, he always manages to catch my eye so that I can give him a proud nod or thumbs up sign. When I see the look on his face, though, it’s almost as if he’s reassuring ME that he knows what he’s doing, and that I don’t need to worry. It’s such a quick glimpse from him, but it melts my heart every time. I know what’s beneath that tough, confident look on his face, but it sure is amazing to see how much pride he takes in Taekwondo.
- Patiently waiting to do his form.
As always, be sure to check our Facebook Page on Tuesday evening for the official results, which Rydan will receive at the awards ceremony that day.
Filed under: The Buffington Southern Experience | Tags: Family, Moving, New Home, Relocating, StepMom Magazine
It has been well over a year since we took the plunge and decided to move south. Not a day has gone by since we arrived in Kentucky that I haven’t reflected on our transition. Today I am sharing an article that I recently wrote for StepMom Magazine about our relocation from Pennsylvania to Kentucky. Rydan, particularly, has exceeded my expectations as far as how he would adapt to a new town in a new state. Below you will find my article, which was published in the January 2013 issue of StepMom Magazine.
Relocating or Moving Into A New Home?
A Little Planning and Creativity Can Make the Transition Easier on Your Stepkids.
It’s been 10 months since my family relocated to Kentucky from Pennsylvania. With a 7-year-old and a 1-year-old, the decision to relocate came as quite a shock to my husband and me, let alone our families. Yes, we had the option of turning down my husband’s job offer, but we viewed the offer as an opportunity that we couldn’t pass up. Looking back, I know we made the right decision.
While I’m no expert on how to properly adapt one’s family to a new state, our transition has been much easier than I imagined. Here are a few tips to help everyone adapt:
Refer to your custody agreement. This is most important before making any decision about relocating. My stepson’s mother has not been involved in his life since he was two years old, so we never had to compromise our holidays, birthdays or other significant dates. Regardless of your stepchild’s relationship with his or her mother, always refer to your custody agreement or seek the advice of a lawyer before making a decision. Most custody agreements state that one parent may not move within a certain number of miles from the other parent. Always make sure that you are not violating your agreement before relocating to a new home.
Talk positively about the move in front of your children. It’s no secret that the relocation process can be frustrating. Between coordinating with moving companies, searching for a new home, packing, changing your address and all of the other headaches to deal with, it’s natural to feel stressed. It is important not to let children see or hear those frustrations. They might already be dealing with a bit of anxiety, and seeing a parent’s frustration will likely elevate their worried feelings.
Encourage your stepchild’s mother to be supportive. Regardless of your relationship with her, remember that your stepchild’s mother can be very influential over how your stepchild feels about the move. Ask for her help and support in reassuring your stepchild that moving to a new home can be exciting. At the same time, offer reassurance to her that her visitation with her child will not be compromised because of the move. Realize that she may need some time to digest the relocation, just like your stepchild. Remember that, by working together, parents can ensure a smoother transition for the children involved.
Prepare children for the move in small, fun ways. I bought my stepson a place mat of the United States, and pointed out where Kentucky was on the map. That way he could see how far he was moving and what states we would drive through on our way to our new home. Plus, it was a great educational tool. Buy a photo album that your child can fill with pictures of his or her family members and friends. Help your child add photos after each visit home. Allow your child to pick out stationery of his or her choice to write letters to friends and family. All of these things offer a sense of comfort to your child.
Respond positively when children express sadness over leaving friends and family. I still remember my stepson’s response to the news that we would be moving. His eyes welled up a bit, and he said “But, that means I won’t see my best friend, Ryder, anymore.” As much as this broke my heart, I didn’t want him to view our move as a bad thing. My response to him was, “I know how you feel. I am really going to miss my friends too, but I am so excited to have the chance to make new friends.” Remind children of all the fun ways that they can now communicate with friends and family, such as letters, email, and Skype. Help your child set up a special Skype date with his or her mother each week. This gives both of them something to look forward as they adjust to the change. My kids absolutely love to talk with our friends and family members on Skype. In fact, because of Skype, we now communicate and “see” our family members just as often as we did back in Pennsylvania.
Do your research. Before we chose a neighborhood to live in, we researched the schools in Kentucky to find one that was well-suited for Rydan. After that, we found a neighborhood within the school district. You want your child to transition well, and finding a school that is similar in class size to the one your child is leaving, will help him or her feel more comfortable. Rydan’s new school and teacher were great at making him feel welcome when he first arrived. His teacher had made a big deal about his arrival to the rest of the students, so they were very anxious to meet him and learn about where he had moved from. This is also an area where, depending on your relationship with your stepchild’s mother, you can get her involved. Invite her to help you do the research or visit schools and teachers.
Ask your child’s current teacher to help make the relocation a positive experience. Rydan’s Pennsylvania teacher did a fantastic job at helping him transition to his new school, while also showing him that he would be missed by his old friends. A few weeks after we had arrived in Kentucky, a package had arrived from his Pennsylvania teacher and his old classmates. They had each written a letter to Rydan, asking him about Kentucky and his new school. Rydan was so excited to receive the letters, and he quickly wrote a letter back to his classmates telling them all about his new home and school.
Take advantage of attractions in your new state and do some exploring together as a family on weekends. Visit local museums, festivals, amusement parks, etc. so that your children can see how much fun it is to learn about and experience new things in a new place. It will also make you feel more at home in your new environment, and you’ll learn your way around faster by driving to various points of interest.
Try to keep your old routines, but also be flexible in making new ones. If you and your children went to library story times back home, continue to do that in your new town. If you had a Friday night pizza ritual, continue it. It’s important for your children to see that with all of the change going on around them, there are things that don’t have to change.
Encourage your child to get involved in extracurricular activities. Moving somewhere new is a great opportunity to try a new sport or activity. Rydan began Taekwondo lessons within a month of us moving to Kentucky, and it was a really helpful way for him to meet even more new friends, as well as have a positive association with his new home. It was also a great way for me to meet other moms. I ended up playing horse polo one Saturday night with a mom who I had met at Taekwondo. It was a such a wonderful and much needed night out for me, and I never would have had the opportunity to play this type of sport in Pennsylvania. By getting your child involved, you open up the opportunity for yourself to meet new friends too. This can also help your stepchild’s mother see how well her son or daughter is adjusting. Invite her to come watch her child at his or her new class or sporting event.
I can’t think of a better word than “opportunity” to describe my family’s relocation to Kentucky. It’s been an opportunity for my husband and me to teach our children to not be afraid of change, to try new things, and to find ways to adapt together, all the while strengthening our bond as a family even more.
This article originally appeared in the JANUARY, 2013 issue of StepMom Magazine.
Filed under: The Buffington Southern Experience, Things To Do/Places To See | Tags: Kentucky Children's Garden, Kid Activities, Mad Potter, Painting, Pottery
Lately, our weekends have been fairly low-key. With the weather finally warming up (70 degrees!), I had a burst of motivation to get out of the house and do something fun with my family. Yesterday we ventured to Mad Potter and The Kentucky Children’s Garden.
This was our first visit to Mad Potter, and it was a huge success. I don’t think Rydan or Lily really knew what to expect, but as soon as they saw all of the pottery and the paint, their excitement kicked into high gear. Lily of course chose a horse to paint, and after much deliberation, Rydan decided on an Angry Bird.

Look what we found resting on a shelf… one of Lily’s favorite books, right next to some of the horse pottery.
This was Lily’s first experience with paint and a brush, so I really wasn’t too sure how it would go. She thoroughly enjoyed herself, kept her clothing paint-free, and was very patient and focused.
Rydan did a fantastic job with his Angry Bird, which he chose to paint red. He, too, was very patient and took great care in making sure that it looked like a “real” Angry Bird.
When it was time to leave, I explained to Rydan and Lily that we needed to leave our pottery behind to let it dry, and then attempted to explain the “fire” process. I one hundred percent expected Lily to throw a fit when she realized that she couldn’t bring her horse along home, but surprisingly she took it very well. That doesn’t mean that for the rest of the day we didn’t hear “pick up horsie now?” over and over and over again. In fact, I think it was the last thing she said before falling asleep.
After the Mad Potter, we decided to visit the Children’s Garden. We’d been there a few times before, but this was the first time this year. Rydan and Lily had fun doing a fossil scavenger hunt and simply running around and enjoying the sun.
Smiling faces = a successful Sunday outing!

























































