Happy Easter!
Today is the most important day for Christians. It marks the day that Jesus rose from the dead, providing irrefutable evidence that he was the son of God. Without today, the argument could be made that Jesus was merely one of the “best people to have ever lived”, a well-loved and influential rabbi. However, not only did Jesus appear to his disciples, but also there are eye witness accounts of over 500 people seeing the risen Christ after his death. Despite persecution and torturous deaths, not one of his disciples recanted their stories of his resurrection. To this day, Easter is recognized as proof of our savior being more than a man. For those of us who believe, today is proof of our faith. For those of you who suffer alongside us in this challenging and sinful world, it is not too late. Do your own research to find the truth and the path to Paradise and everlasting life. God Bless you all! Happy Easter! He is risen!
What Do I Do Exactly?
Flashback Friday. This picture was taken in 2013, and it’s very surreal looking back on it because it reminds me of all the things that we’ve been through over the years. People ask me what I do all the time. It’s a difficult question to answer because I don’t really know how to explain it in a way that doesn’t sound laborious. But, the truth is, 50% of my job is dedicated to warding off crazy people. (The other 50% is dedicated to budgeting, strategic planning, marketing, and public relations). With regard to warding off crazy people, let me explain. We’ve been married for 20 years...Steve and I went back and averaged out how many legal battles and accusations we’ve had to fight...it came out to an average of one serious battle every year for the last 20 years of our marriage. Very time-consuming and distracting.
As sad as that is, every single one has been instigated by someone making a claim or an accusation that was not true and us having to defend it. Here’s the crazy part, we have won every single battle that we have ever entered. I think that is a testament to what a CLEAN life we live. Certainly, nobody can go through the scrutiny that we have been through and come out clean every single time? I think that in and of itself speaks volumes.
I read once that people don’t attack you when you’re good, people attack you when you’re great. So, I have to keep on reminding myself of that.
That said, I thought that I had seen it all. Until a couple of days ago. The craziest person I’ve ever encountered went online (I will refrain from stating her name simply because it’s not my style...I’ll save that for a later battle) and accused me, and my very busy surgeon husband, of redirecting her company website to a Viagra site. Literally posted this online and tagged our business and our personal profiles. As humorous as this may seem, I can assure you that we are not computer hackers and we certainly do not peruse Viagra sites. I’m actually technically inept by many peoples’ standards.
So, the next time someone asks me what do I do exactly, I’m going to say what I WISH I did...I’m a stay-at-home doctor’s wife and I don’t do anything.
Happy 16th Birthday Caden!
Happy 16th birthday Caden Cyr! We love you and are very proud of you. You have grown into a smart, industrious, hard-working, kind-hearted young man. I know you will grow up and make a positive impact on the world and those who love you will be blessed to know you. You are generous, giving, and an all-around awesome person.
Always follow your dreams and never compromise your values. You are on your way ...and I hope this ride gets you there safely. ❤️🙏
The Road Less Traveled
I know their lives would be so much easier if I just let them do whatever they want, but I believe because I don’t, my kids are not considered “popular” amongst their peers. I know that older people love them because of what we, as a family, represent. However, they are not as well-liked amongst their peers as you would think.
Personally, I think it is because they are too strait-laced. They are not big partiers and they don’t do drugs, they don't blow through relationships, they spend A LOT of time with their family and they have varied, “different” interests. They don’t buy into society’s ideas of what is right. I haven’t shielded them from much, I speak to them in plain English and I tell them the truth when they ask about adult things, I don’t pretend that every adult has good intentions, I don’t pretend that everybody is honest. They have seen enough of what we have gone through to know that to be true.
They are aware...
I think that they are seen as being a little bit nerdy or maybe people perceive them as being judgmental and haughty. I don’t know...
I think that they have definitely chosen a “road less traveled,” and as a parent, it’s hard for me to convince them that they’ve chosen the right way. You don’t get anywhere in life doing what everyone else is doing... if you don’t want to be average, you have to make decisions that the average person isn’t making, you have to make choices that everyone else is not making. I have always feared doing what everyone else is doing and I want my children to always think that if they’re going with the flow and doing whatever the crowd is doing, they’re probably doing something wrong, or at the very least not challenging themselves or thinking outside the box.
So, to all of you “unpopular” people out there... don’t fret, I’m sure the Steve Jobs of the world weren’t the most popular kids in school either.😉
Spring Break 2021
Spring break 2021 was a good one! We celebrated Caden’s birthday (coming up soon), got to visit with old friends, and spent time with our daughter Alexa, who is currently at UCLA. We even managed to squeeze in a family photoshoot! I’m so excited to see the proofs!
Colton’s Live Performance
As a mom of four, one thing that I’ve learned is that every child is different. They all have unique gifts, learning styles, personalities, interests, idiosyncrasies, the list can go on and on.
I feel that my job as a parent is to figure out who they are, who God made them, and to raise them to be the best version of that person humanly possible. It’s not always easy... I read somewhere that the days are long but the years are short. I think this is very true.
I thought I had it figured out with my first two, then God gave me Colton. One of the most unique kids I’ve ever met.
His interests are very different than the other kids, his gifts are uniquely his own, his personality is anything but easy! I do see qualities in him that melts my heart. He loves animals, he “worries” about his parents, he thinks deeply about things that most 10-year-olds should not be worried about. He’s genuinely concerned about the world and his place in it, and he asks the most inquisitive questions I’ve ever heard a 10-year-old ask. I have to wonder what’s going through that mind of his. That said, and on a lighter note, he also likes to rap LOL.
I love the message of this rap that his dad wrote for him. My mom said after watching his performance that he needs to move around and have more stage presence. This is true, however, he was scared to death to do this so to get up in front of a big crowd took a lot of courage. I’m proud of him, always. 🙏
Heart Skipped a Beat…
I just got this and my heart skipped a beat. I am so incredibly proud of this kid. He makes it look so easy and he definitely would never let anyone know how hard he works. If he had his way, he would probably go straight into business right now, but, unfortunately for him, he has got academic gifts and he’s going to get a great education before anything else. #proudmom
Opportunities > Money
For me, the goal is not to leave my kids money, but rather to leave them opportunities... and to make available to them the tools and resources necessary so they can make those opportunities work for them.
I would rest easy knowing that they took something that we built and grew it, expanded it or made it better... Or if they were to take the knowledge that they received from growing up in our home and started something from scratch.
I would absolutely hate it if any of my kids lived off of the income, if any, that was left to them.
To work and to be a productive, contributing member of society, is the most rewarding thing that you can do outside of building a family. Especially if, through your efforts, you can offer opportunities to other people that helps them to provide for their families and others’ well-being.
New Houston Office
I spent the day yesterday putting together our new CYRx MD cosmetic surgery and SASpine office in Houston.
I think it came together really well.💕
We are still in River Oaks, but we also have our main office here at Queensland Boulevard:
12238 Queenston Blvd
Suite A
Houston, Tx 77095
And of course, we have our corporate headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, on Datapoint Drive. ☺️
I hope our patients like our new look. It was a lot of effort and I’m grateful to my brother John, Nuno, Anita and Tammy & Scotty who helped us!
I’m Very Proud of Him
Someone asked me the other day why I don’t post that many pictures of Caden as opposed to the other children. Well, the answer is very simple, he makes me take them down. 🙄He absolutely hates pictures of himself and he doesn’t like when I post pictures so he’s probably gonna be mad at me today, but I’m going to do it anyway.
For those of you that are wondering, Caden has grown up to be quite the intelligent, industrious, handsome and very tall young man. He’s about 6’1” foot now and towers over me and even Steven. Academically he’s doing incredibly well taking some of the most challenging courses available to him and with many of his classmates being one or two grade levels above him - he’s a sophomore. He scored in the 94th percentile on his PSAT across the country and has plans to attend Notre Dame or Vanderbilt University.
His true love is business, as we all know, and he has continued his industrious, entrepreneurial endeavors.
He took a course at Brown University last summer and plans to take one at Georgetown University this summer in Entrepreneurship.
Caden has many interesting business ventures, that I won’t get into, but suffice it to say he makes his own money, pays his own expenses and I can’t afford to pay him for chores because he’s priced out of the market. 😜Those of you that know him are probably not surprised by this at all.
I’m very proud of him. He’s definitely one of the most clever, industrious and intuitive kids I’ve ever met. His instincts will get him far in life and I have no doubt if I stuck him in the middle of nowhere right now, with nothing but his own wits, he would not only survive, but would find a way to thrive.
He has an incredibly kind heart and is going to make an amazing husband one day as he’s also incredibly loyal. He also wants to have 10 kids, 5 biological and 5 adopted. Hmm... He will probably change his mind.
#proudmom #myboy #goldenchild #midastouch
Our Future Plans
A lot of people ask me about our future plans... It’s definitely NOT to add any more lines of service, but rather focus on what we have built.
As two of the greats once said:
"The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything." ~Warren Buffett
"People think focus means saying yes to the thing you've got to focus on. But that's not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I'm actually as proud of the things we haven't done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying no to 1,000 things." ~Steve Jobs
I Got “OrthoSculpt”
Everyone has their “problem” areas on their bodies that they are not happy with. Mine has always been my arms. No matter how much diet and exercise I did, I could never get that great definition in my biceps.
So when I decided to get “OrthoSculpt” done, I was impressed by the process because it involved drawing out the anatomical lines from the perspective of an orthopedic surgeon. Steve knew where all the muscle insertions were supposed to go and what was below the surface of my skin so that he was simply exposing what was already there as opposed to superimposing something artificial. It was really cool to watch the process of OrthoSculpting because we realized, and I think everyone in the room realized, that it was something unique to his knowledge of the anatomy. Not every doctor understands the human anatomy the way an orthopedic surgeon does (and they don’t really need to if they are not one), but especially a Mayo Clinic fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with the type of experience that Steve has.
The crazy thing is I was the first guinea pig, so over the course of the last two years he’s just gotten better and better.
If you are interested in learning more, please go to our website: www.CyrMdCosmeticSurgery.com
The Entrepreneurial Mindset
As working moms, we all know that one of the most difficult things to manage is “shape-shifting” all day. One moment we are making important decisions about finances, strategy, or hiring decisions, and then the next we are taking a call from a teacher about behavior issues at school.
Then when the evening hits, we have to change gears and switch out again. Homework, after school activities, and making dinner.
I think that for me trying to adjust and shift gears all day is probably one of the more difficult things I have to do, at least regularly. I tend to be very mentally preoccupied in spaces where I shouldn’t be... like when I’m watching my son’s basketball game or playing dolls with my daughter. Being an entrepreneur you don’t clock-out at 5pm, so if you don’t self regulate, work can literally consume your life.
I always envy the people that can go to work at 9am and leave 5pm because I feel like they have a set time frame to accomplish tasks and everything else can wait until the “next day”.
Business owners don’t have that luxury, but, I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way.
Introducing "OrthoSculpt"!
Here’s a teaser of a 2-year project we have been working on, plus my before & after pictures so you can see the results.
In February, Steve will officially be the First and ONLY dual fellowship-trained Orthopedic AND Cosmetic Surgeon in the WORLD! (with the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery) During these last couple of years of training with the current President of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, he invented a technique called “OrthoSculpt.” This technique allows him to extract fat from around the muscular anatomy creating a more natural appearance as that of a fitness athlete (see my arms & abdomen in below picture). His background in Orthopaedics gives him more in-depth knowledge of the human anatomy allowing a much more precise surgical outcome. Because I have always had issues with my arms, despite diet and exercise, I volunteered to be the guinea pig.
More to come on that and the third and FINAL arm of the CYRx MD brand... Cosmetic Surgery. Now we are truly able to take care of the whole person from the inside out.
Website launches 2/1/21 and it will have much more information, including a list of ALL procedures. Dr Cyr will start seeing patients in February in both Houston and San Antonio. If you would like to be put on the waiting list, which is rapidly growing, please message me.
49 Years of Life
I wanted to say a very special thank you to those of you who sent messages to me on my birthday, who drove hours to visit me for my birthday weekend, who sent flowers and gifts, but, most especially, to my husband and kids who have made my 49 years of life on this earth the best it has ever been. I love you all and feel eternally blessed and so very grateful for you.
Happy New Year 2021!
Despite a difficult year for everyone, we managed and kept pressing on. I wanted to focus on some positive things we accomplished instead of perseverating on the negatives of 2020! 🎉🙏
✅ I officially launched Le CYR Consulting, a “college to career” consulting company
✅ We launched CYRx MD Nutrition, a sister line to CYRx MD Skincare to complete our wellness line
✅ We grew our Skincare sales exponentially and consistently, garnering many repeat customers, which speaks to the effectiveness of our products
✅ We’ve laid the groundwork for the 3rd prong of the CYRx MD triad, which is forthcoming in Q1 2021 and will bring everything together in a very meaningful way
✅ We collected over 400 pairs of shoes for the homeless with the help of Caden’s school
✅ We moved our firstborn, Alexa, into college at UCLA. She also got all A's her first semester.
✅ We kept everyone gainfully employed at SASpine with health benefits; managing to survive with no layoffs, cutbacks, etc
✅ I learned more about our Constitution than I ever cared to know
✅ We took our first family 18-hour road trip and didn’t kill each other
✅ Colton finally grew out of his glasses and is wearing contacts. He also got all A's his first semester in 4th grade
✅ We grew our Houston SASpine presence significantly and Steve’s time is now more evenly distributed between SA and Houston
✅ Caden opened a stock account and learned to buy/sell stocks from home during the quarantine
✅ Ava grew cuter and started cheerleading
✅ Alexa has gotten several gigs as a paid model in LA, including a stint with an exclusive Fila distributor
✅ We welcomed the kids’ first two cousins to the family, Theron and Reign; cutest babies ever!!
✅ We celebrated 21 years of wedded bliss
Looking forward to 2021 and all the craziness it has in store for us! 🙏🎉
Happy Anniversary... 21 Years!
Happy Anniversary... 21 years with the awesomest person I know, my favorite human, best friend and love of my life. Thank you for being my rock and an amazing role model for our kids. Thank you for supporting all MY good ideas and allowing me to be the funnier, more relaxed, and less uptight one in the family. 😂
I love you. 💕
Thinking Outside the Box
As an entrepreneur, I thrive on new ideas. If I’m not developing new ideas, I feel stifled and stagnant. If my day consists of the obligatory administrative duties and reacting to things from the outside world, versus creating and thinking through concepts, it actually affects my mood and I can become despondent. I have a rule for myself to try to have one new idea every single day, no matter how big or small. The idea has to involve expanding my businesses or propelling them forward. If I can’t come up with a business idea then I try to think of something for my children, either collectively or individually, that will help them reach their personal goals and objectives.
When someone on my management team gets a text from me saying, “call me, I have an idea” they know what that means. LOL.
Not every idea is successful and not every idea works, but as long as I have more good ones than bad ones, then I know I’m heading in the right direction.
I believe that new ideas are the cornerstone to success as a student, employee or entrepreneur. Development of ideas can prove invaluable to an employer. As students, the development of new ideas are important in creative writing papers. The more unique and innovative your approach, the more likely to impress your professor. Lastly, the more creative your personal statement, the more likely it will get the attention of an admissions committee.
Never underestimate the importance of thinking outside the box and developing new ideas and ways of doing things!
Over 300 Shoes Collected!
I wanted to post a quick shout out to Caden Cyr’s school, The Woodlands Christian Academy, and the National Honor Society there for collecting so many shoes for SASpine’s shoe drive this year (benefiting SonRise Church downtown Houston and Haven for Hope downtown San Antonio). A lot of these shoes were brand new and/or gently used. I’m really looking forward to delivering them to the families. Have a blessed Christmas season and remember to #PROjectChrist. 🙏❤️
“Gotcha Day”
Happy “gotcha day” to this ray of sunshine who makes every day brighter and better...💜
Ava, you’ve completed our family in ways that are immeasurable and I thank God every day that he placed you in my heart and with our family. 🙏
”Not flesh of my flesh, nor bone of my bone, But still miraculously my own. Never forget for a single minute, you didn’t grow under my heart but in it.”
