Open Letter to Saylor's Future BFF

Your best friend was born yesterday.  Not sure if you still say BFF, but these days its kind of the thing.  I don't even know if you are born yet.  You may be five years old already.  Trust me.  It could happen.  But Saylor came into this world looking like a combination of her big brothers, her daddy and her pretty mommy, too.  Unfortunately, I haven't been able to meet her and won't for a couple of months but I am still going to tell you a little bit about her.  Presumptuous of me, you say?  Why, yes.  Yes it is.  Here goes...

She likes to go boating and camping and be outside.  She probably likes to fish and hunt a little too.  She has an incredible sense for design- color, texture.  The girl has got some serious style.  And she is REALLY good at shopping, especially when it comes to getting a good deal.  Not that she is all girly-girl.  She has been steamrolled and knows what a wedgie is.  Don't hit her.  She knows how to hit back.  A great present for her would be lip gloss or a new purse.  She likes ketchup with her ketchup and hates snakes.  Most of all she is fun to be around and just a generally good person. 

Ok to be honest I have no idea what Saylor will like to do or eat or wear.  But I do know that she has completed a family and given me a wonderful reason to smile.

I would venture to guess that the reason she is your best friend is because she is who she is.

And she learned that from her mom.

Who is my best friend.

P.S. If she ever moves away, don't worry.  It will be just fine.

Welcome to the world Saylor Winn!

Big Day

When did this...

become this...

Today is Rowan's first day of Kindergarten.  A milestone... a huge milestone.  She was so excited and ready and so was I.  I cried... she didn't.  It was quite comical, I've never seen so many moms wearing large sunglasses.  At least it was sunny so we had an excuse. 

There is one image I haven't been able to get out of my mind as I have been preparing for this day.  And that is the first moment I laid eyes on her when she was born.  I will never forget how I felt... how thankful I was that she was here, how I loved her more than anything, how ecstatic I was that she my daughter.  I was NOT thinking about today- packing her lunch, doing her hair, walking her to her class, kissing her goodbye and seeing her dissappear into a pack of 5 and 6 year olds.  But I still feel the same- I am so thankful that she is a part of our family.  I love her more than anything (tied with her daddy and sissy).  And I am so unbelieveably ecstatic that this little, although getting bigger everyday, girl is my daughter.

Look out world- Here comes Rowan!

What's your first best memory?

Tonight I put Tressin on the kitchen counter while I made dinner.  She had been begging, she knew she would love it, and she did.  I saw her feet kicking against the cupboard beneath and I was in my first best memory.  I lived for a short time in my young young life in Guadalajara, Mexico.  Not New Mexico.  And not for long.  I was really little- maybe 2-4 yrs. so it is questionable what is really "remembered" at such a young age.  But I remember sitting on a outdoor bar/counter eating delicious mexican food on a hot, sunny day.  With my dad.  Kicking my feet against the wood beneath.  I remember dogs.  And being warm and happy and not really knowing anything else.  I really do remember that. And how pure and pleasantly simple everything was. 

Before slow computers and mortgage payments and abcesses and c-sections and comfort care...

Before high fructrose corn syrup and mean girls and fluoride treatments and billable time...

I know its been awhile but my computer sucks... I mean, needs some attention.  That unfortunately I dont have time for.  Or fortunately.

I can run 3.5 miles.

There are Angels among us...

I just took a nice hot shower.  And I felt pretty damn lucky.  No, we didn't just get a new water heater, I didn't get locked out in the cold, nothing like that.  See Starman's cousin Makalia is in Haiti.  She left last Thursday on less than 12 hours notice to help in whatever way she can.  She works in the medical field, apologetically I don't know exactly what she does.  I do know that she was allowed to take very few belongings; scrubs, underwear and one pair of shoes.  The 12 person plane she flew there in was packed full of medical supplies so personal belongings had to be kept to a bare minimum to allow the plane to fly safely.

I bet she would LOVE a nice hot shower about now. And probably a blue yummy too.

Thanks Makalia.  Your infectious smile will light up their darkness.

God Bless You. 

Just another Sunday night...

Sunday evening is swiftly approaching... probably one of my favorite times of the week.  I finish up the laundry and we eat a good dinner and look forward to what the week ahead will bring us.  Tonight signals the beginning of award show season with the Golden Globes.  Hey, I watch a lot of football. And I don't mind it that much.  But I love an award show.The glitz, the glamour, the mandatory political rants and buzzed up speeches.  Ooh it's mind numbing and relaxing.  Can't wait.

The basement is getting painted tomorrow.  So excited about that.  We have priced carpet and hope that Uncle Sam gives us enough of our money back that we will have a livable basement by the end of February.  Here's before paint.  I will post an after, well, after.

So yah, we are close to a finished basement and I got an iPhone from my incredible work.  The same week that so many thousands of people have lost their lives and many more struggle to survive in Haiti.  I am spoiled and certainly not worthy.  The images have been sobering and I know have made me shudder with appreciation.  Give until it hurts.  We have to.  It is our job.

Training update:  I have been consistently working out and running.  My goal is to be able to run 2 miles without stopping by Feb 1.  Didn't make my first week of swimming as Rowan got strep throat, AGAIN, so she couldn't go to her first gymnastics class. (I am planning on swimming while she is in class.)  I feel good.  My trepidation has turned into an excited drive to succeed.  I'm sure it will make a reappearance at some point along the way but I'll just turn up the Kanye and run right over it.  :)

Toodles for now... off to watch for the dreaded wardrobe malfunction!

Baby steps...

I ran 1 mile without stopping today.  Cool. 

Holy crap I have a long way to go.

Adios 2009... Hola 2010

It's the last day of the year and part of me feels rather indifferent about the whole thing.  There will be very little that changes between my day today and my day tomorrow although they will be in two distinct years.  Books, babies, fights, time-outs, laughs and hugs are destined to occur.  And for that I am greatful...

It has been a nice and quick holiday season for us... just the way I like 'em.

Tressy's Sideways Glance

Rowan got a hold of the camera and took these... she is quite the picture taker.  Especially of pictures of herself.  Future narcissist?

Uncle Bubba and the cousins minus Mati and Nat... He will be a great babysitter for all of them when the rest of us go out on the town at the reunion in July!  Thanks Larry! :)

I am excited to have Derrick and Crystal and the kids up for NYE tonight.  I was planning on going to bed like I have the last few years.  Definitely a party pooper usually.  But a couple things have happened that have changed this New Year's Eve for me a little.  First, Rowan is kinda into it!  There is nothing like the innocent excitement of a cutie patootie to get you in the mood.  Then there is something my mom reminded me of today.  My Grandma Moody loved New Years!  I totally remember her out there, in the back yard on West Street in Fort Morgan, with her noisemakers and hootin and hollerin.  Even when she had a hard time walking and breathing, she still did it.  She probably figured she may as well... might as well celebrate that you have made it to see another one.  In deference to Beverly, I will have my noismakers going.  Settlers Drive, consider yourself warned.

And finally... drastic means call for drastic measures.  And things have become drastic in my battle to live a healthy lifestyle and promote that lifestyle to my girls--basically I am losing it.  So right here, on this very blog, I am announcing that the time has come...

On June 20, 2010, I will be swimming a half mile in the Boulder Resevoir, biking 17.2 miles through the roads surrounding Boulder and then running 3.1 miles!  My emotions at this point keep waffling between excitement and terror, but I am committed to do one thing... FINISH!

I will be documenting my journey on this blog along with continuing to update on the happenings around the homefront...  Blog on baby!

2010...Watch out for The Starman's!

Buen Ano!