Why I love what I do: Part 1 (of many)

This will most likely be a regular blog post, something I probably should have started sooner.

I have been with O'Reilly Auto Parts for more than six years and I can truly say it is more than a "job", I don't even really consider it a job because I enjoy coming to work every day. I am blessed to work in a part of the company that is filled with positive stories and accounts, and I know my role is unique in that fact. I am the Internal Communications manager which basically means I am responsible for getting all the important information/news out to our team members (stores, distributions centers, and corporate offices)....which we now have more than 70,000 of them. What's even better is 90% of the time this is good, positive news honoring or featuring amazing team members and their stories. I get to be a story teller and historian for a company that has such a rich history. I am proud to be an O'Reilly team member!

Last weekend was another reason why I love working for O'Reilly. We held our annual FunFest company picnic, which I am on the committee to help plan (another fun role). This event was a huge success with the help of a wonderful team. More than 2,300 springfield team members attended filled with entertainment, activities, food and a cardinals game. I just wanted to share some of the great things the company did to simple just say thank you!

(special shout out to Cheryl Maddox for some of these great photos!)

My parents participating in the Fun Walk

The Hurts Donut Whambulance served all day

Kettle Corn!

Perfect for a 90 degree day!

Ruell, Abbey, & Nick performed

Anna & Elsa from Frozen stopped by to perform

He loved watching Anna & Elsa perform

Beating Grandpa in the obstacle course

And daddy 

He couldn't do any of this last year!

meeting Batman

Ready for the Cards game

The kids had a pretend baseball game in the suite

Sawyer pitching to Addie

Huddle!

National Anthem time

heading home after a Cards win and a long, fun day

Weekend in Pictures: Mother's Day

I had another wonderful Mother's Day thanks to my fabulous boys and family. Saturday was the Victim Center Mother Daughter brunch I help organize as a Board Member. My mother, sister, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and John's Aunt and cousin all attended. We had a wonderful time and it was great to have them there supporting me and the Victim Center.

After the brunch, John's family came to our house for a BBQ to celebrate Mother's Day and Derrick's birthday.

Sunday my boys surprised me with a hand-painted card and new Toms. We enjoyed our usual tradition of breakfast at Gailey's and then played at the park. That night we celebrated with a BBQ at my parent's house.

Grandma snuggles are the best

Happy Birthday Derrick!

Uncle Rob & Cousin Kaiden

Kisses for the birthday boy

Grandpa tickles!

Cheese with Aunt Cindy

All the boys with their mommas

Sawyer snuggling with his baby brother

Baseball fun at the park

Look at that form!

Sawyer made Grandma cookies

Sawyer is 3!

We celebrated Sawyer’s 3^rd birthday yesterday with a Cardinals Baseball theme party held at Hammons Field Indoor Training Facility. This was the perfect venue for a hyper three year old and his friends to run around and be loud. My goal was to have a stress-free, easy to plan party like last year’s and I have to say this one was perfect. It was just playing and socializing and Sawyer loved it. He was sweaty and exhausted when we left. Thank you to all our friends and family who came out to celebrate!! A very special thanks to Sam Hamra, Scott Bailes, and the Springfield Cardinals for all your help to make this happen for our little Cards fan.

Party Details:

Invitations and thank you’s: Pickle Graphics 

Cake & Cake Pops: TwentyOne Cakes

Sawyer’s Birthday Shirt: My Everyday Design 

Sawyer’s flat bill Cardinals hat: Lids

Balloons: Party City

Cardinal’s goodies: Courtesy Springfield Cardinals

See all of the photos on our Share Site: https://karitravels.shutterfly.com/3522

Pooped!

Ready to play with his new gifts!