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!

A Real Fairy Tale

Once upon a time there was a girl.  Her mother and father weren't married anymore, not due to a lack of love for her.  One day, on top of a beautiful mesa, the girl's father married a lady.  The lady wore makeup and curled her hair and had a soft voice and pretty hands and the girl thought she was amazing.  The lady had a baby boy and together, her and the girl's father would have another boy and another little girl.  The girl spent many days and many nights with the lady.  She learned to bake cookies, make biscuits, polish silver ware, change a diaper, soothe a baby, make someone feel special.  The lady also taught the girl how to be a dedicated worker and a loving wife. 

And a mom. 

Then the lady got sick.  And she taught the girl how to be strong and tough and mad.  And to believe in heaven.  On a cold winter day the lady died.  And the girl was strong and tough and mad.  And sad.

The girl is a lady now.  She thinks of this lady a lot.  When she bakes cookies and soothes a baby.  When she thinks about heaven.  She still thinks she is amazing.

The Good Life

Five weeks since my last post? Aww schnikees... Auntie Hat has probably given up on me.

Of course a lot has happened.

Let's see... we were able to take our week long trip to Nebraska after all. It was just a couple weeks delayed. It worked out way different and way better than planned.

We headed up to NW NE on Saturday morning. Daddy was saved from a speeding ticket because smart mom (she is a CU grad, you know) dressed the girls in their Husker gear since it was game day. What state trooper can give a ticket to this?  Ok, I guess it depends on what state you are in.

We just love it up there. Scott built his Dad and Bonnie a fence to keep their little dogs safe and the girls and I spent lots of time going on "adventures" around Brookey Bottom.

Lucky checking out the digs without his leash!

The girls checking out the Missouri River

Rowan on the obligatory golf cart ride (well there wasn't just one!)

 

Avery loves it there too!

Grandpa Starman, the girls and Lucky

I love this picture of them.  Rowan is taking it.

Then it was time to say goodbye to the Bottom and we headed to Fremont to meet the Winn's minus Landon (he was in school) for lunch.  It was a quick visit and most of the time was spent pigging out at the best buffet in all the land at Godfather's, hence no pics.

We got to Omaha on Tuesday and I was scheduled to fly back to Denver on Wednesday morning for lots of important work stuff.  Then we started hearing about the snow.  Short story... I didn't go home.  Heeheehee.

So the girls had fun with their cousins, visited Great Grandma with their dad, I went to boot camp with the sisters, we went to Coco Keys (awesome indoor water park right off I-80 if you are ever in the neighborhood), and discovered our future business... a classy bar with virtual golf.

Grandma Carol giving Tress "SQUEEZES"

Rowan lovin her some Aunt Terri

Rowan, Tressin, Riley, Bailee and Austin

I tried uploading some hilarious vids but no luck.  I'll get them on Facebook so check them out.

We were able to head for home on Saturday although I-80 was still closed at North Platte.  Bummer... a night in our fave hotel, pool time and home by noon on Halloween.  Oh yeah, baby.

I know I complain about it sometimes, it is a lot of drving after all, but I really do love our trips to Nebraska.

Such great memories for us and our girls... Looking forward to many more!

Oh Rowy

Conversation between Rowan and I a couple days ago...

"Mommy, do you know what I am going to be when I grow up?"

"No. What?"

"A doctor. Do you know what kind of doctor?"

"No."

"Guess."

"Rowan, I have no idea what kind of doctor you want to be when you grow up."

"A vegetarian. Because I love animals."

oh Rowy...

Pseudo Camping

A few weeks pre-H1N1, we went on a pseudo-camping trip. This meant we pulled the camper up to some friends land near Wellington. They had a pig roast (what is up with all the pig references? interesting) and a big birthday party. We have been very disappointed this year that we only got one trip out in the Starman Hilton this summer so we were looking forward to it. And it was fun...

The Girls with The Peddicord's newest family member

(She started chewing on Tressy's hair right after this pic was taken!)

Adam and Melissa, the hosts, built a straw-bale house themselves. I've heard about them but had never actually seen one. It was absolutely beautiful. I was impressed! I wish I had pics of it but it's the slant roof in the sunset picture of Tressin.

Anyway... we just love our camper. Happy hibernating, ole Starman Hilton. Rest up. Next summer will be a different story!

Icky Piggy Shuffle

This has by far been one of the longest weeks of my life. Monday morning, at Kelly's to drop the girls off, I thought... hmmm, Tressin feels a little warm. We took her temp and yes, she had a fever. Not really sure why mom's take temps. Dude, we know. We just know. I had a bad feeling. Now I am not a negative person. You can ask those that know me best. It is actually one of my pet peeves. Nothing drives me more crazy... "We will never make it to the front of this line. Our food is going to be horrible. The weather will be too hot, too cold, too windy..." I mean really, life is too short, buck up! So it wasn't necessarily negativity as much as realism. I knew it was coming. And it did. By Tuesday night she had a 104 degree fever and the most horrible cough and congestion I have ever heard. I didn't sleep a wink, even while she did between motrin doses and back rubs and soothing words from mommy. Wednesday afternoon we took her in and got confirmation of what we had suspected (mom had spent all of those sleepless hours on the internet you know)... H1N1 had hit the littlest Starman. We got her some Tamiflu in the nick of time. Got sissy some too. So it's Thursday night. Both girls are back to fighting and being sassy aka normal. Yay! What really sucks is that we can't go to Nebraska tomorrow, a trip that has been planned for like four months. No Grandma Carol, Papa Ermin, Auntie Terri, Auntie Julie, Uncle Larry, "the cousins", a fun ass wedding, Grandma Lordemann et al, Brooky Bottom, Grandma and Grandpa Starman, the Winns and taco pizza from Godfathers. Rowan cried when we told her we weren't going... poor thing. It was a tough call. But as parents, you have to do what is best for your family.

Now go wash your hands!

The Facts of Life (sans pics)

Once again it has been too long since I updated "the blog". Oh well. Deal with it. Sorry Auntie Hat, I have good intentions but life just gets in the way.

Short version...

Rowan turned five. Crazy, crazy shit that I have a five year old. Even crazier is how much I love her. And that she drives me insane at the same time, especially in the mornings while getting ready for school. "Hey, can you run and put your shoes on please? Please go put your shoes on. I would appreciate if you would listen and put your shoes on. Put your shoes on or I am going to get upset with you... PUUUUT YOUR SHOOOOOES ON!!!!!!!"

The Winn's came. I love them. Especially the girl one. She gave me a keychain that put the forever in BFF.

The papa and the nana took a road trip to Northern CO. My dad hooked up with some of his old fraternity brothers and they went to a CSU game. (The "other" university in Colorado) He didn't understand what happened to them... they had gotten so damn old. Vee was psyched there was another wife younger than her. Probably not as psyched as that lady's husband. ;)

Our basement is coming along. HVAC, electrical and framing are nearly complete. Actually thinking about ordering drywall. Will it be done by Christmas?? Doubt it. Spring? Maybe. Next football season. Hell ya!

Gearing up for 9 nights in the Arbor State the second week in October. A Lordemann wedding (put your dancing shoes on), Aunt Terri's birthday, some time at Brooky Bottom, a Friday night in Fremont... it's all good.

Now that, my friends, is an update. The facts, if you will. But they aren't the facts of life. Remember that show? "You take the good, you take the bad, you take them all and there you have the facts of life..." It's not all good for us. Pretty sure it isn't for you either. We take the bad too. Trust me. But we hold strong to the fact that we can face challenges with the strength of a warrior, work through them with the heart of a savior, and wake up to better day.

That's just how we roll...

New Digs

So the girls have a new room, well it's the same room but it looks a lot different so Rowan calls it her new room. We said goodbye to the baby furniture via Craigslist, covered the yellow walls with pink and put together some bunk beds.

I know change is inevitable but I had a tough time with this one. I cried when we took the crib down and got really nostalgic when we went to paint the room. I thought back to being about 5 months pregnant and since we decided the first time to not find out the sex of the baby, we had to do something neutral. Of course the most important things in our lives at that time were the dogs. Hence the yellow room and dog theme.

Two little girls later... Ta-da- Pink room! Gotta give props to our neighbor Jay who painted it for us. He did an awesome job, was really fast and is available. He told us that while he was painting Rowan peeked her head in and told him it was really cool that he was a painter. He said that's the first time a female has ever said that to him. Funny!

Bunk beds- before.

Bunk beds- After. They were surprisingly easy to put together.

The girls love them and mommy really hopes her favorite interior decorator will be making a Labor Day trip to Colorado so she can help with the finishing touches.

Beef and Bean Days

I don't know what the second weekend in August represents to you... but to us and our fellow Milliken-ites... It's Beef and Bean Days, Baby! To be perfectly honest, besides the first year we moved here (the second weekend of August, 2003), we haven't really participated in the festivities. We always have something going on and invariably we always have something going on the second weekend of August. Until this year...

We rode bikes downtown for the parade. I was so impressed with my little farm town! It was pretty good!

Mini-Milliken-ites

We sat by a super nice family from West Greeley who were headed up to the Park to check out all the booths and activities they had going on. Of course, we also saw some of our neighbors and have I ever mentioned that I really like my neighbors? I do, and for the most part, always have. But in the last year or so, with some additions, Settlers Drive has become really fun. Lots of kids that are all about the same age. And with kids, usually comes parents. So we hang out between all the front yards; staring down speeders, breaking up fights (between the kids that is) and chit chatting. Out of the chit-chat came the idea for a little Block Party. And the First Annual Settlers Drive Beef and Bean Day BBQ was born! Everyone brought food and friends and we watched the fireworks, not to mention the crazy lightning show that accompanied the fireworks. Needless to say lightning that crazy is usually followed by torrential rain, at least this year in Weld County! So the party ended except for a few stragglers and the fire pit. It was exactly six years TO THE DAY that we moved here and I remembered again how lucky we are.

Here's some of the crew getting ready for fireworks.

Settlers Spawn

Now we are gearing up for Rowan to start "Pre-K" a week from Monday. I am changing up my work schedule so that I can pick her up everyday. But no more Monday's off... It's been four years, that I have had Monday's off. I'm gonna miss it but am excited to be done earlier everyday, pick Rowy up and maybe have some time to work-out. Enough about me, she's super pumped up for school!

We are taking one last little trip and going to Alamosa this weekend. Scott hasn't been able to go the last couple times and my brother Mark will have his kids so the girls can hang with their "cussins".

We might as well enjoy a little fun time because next weekend we will be putting a new room together for the girls, pink paint and all.

Now entering the "bunk bed years... look out!

.

My Promise

While I may not be the best blogger, I am a pretty good blog stalker. The Zeman 4 is a good example. Remember, the woman I don't even know? (look down and to the right)

Then there is her sister, Bree. I have been stalking her blog for just about as long. I started right after she got married (about a year ago). Again, I don't know her, per se, but as I have read her adventures, including her and her husband's ordeals with infertility and in-vitro, I feel like I do.

She is really good at updating her blog so after four and a half weeks of nothing, I knew something was up... and believe me I checked every day hoping for the good news...

"I'm pregnant!", "It's twins!".

Then last night the news came... I was pregnant, it was twins, no heartbeats, d&c Friday.

I cried. And cried. And even prayed a little. Now I am not really the praying type, but for some reason it was the only way I felt I could send this broken-hearted woman and her loving husband some message of peace and hope and faith... I hope God listened.

In her blog she asked that those of us that have children not take for granted the gift we have been given. I won't, Bree. I promise.

I will give my girls an extra kiss tomorrow, in honor of Bree and Brian and their peace and hope and faith... and future family.

I'm Baaaaack!

In high school it was bad... in college it got even worse. I'm talking about procrastination and I am real good at it. And the thing about procrastination is that it builds up and builds up until its like this mountain that you can't climb. Just thinking about it makes you break out in a cold sweat. And so much cool, fun shit has happened to us (some pretty sad stuff too). The blog had become that mountain. It's not that I haven't wanted to. I totally have, but the cold sweats kept coming. Feeling like I couldn't write, be creative, do this family blog the justice it deserved. But just like starting that 15 page paper about feudalism the night before its due, you just have to bite the bullet and do it.



So here is the Reader's Digest version of the past two months. I can't even begin to upload pics to go with it all so if you want to keep up visually... get on facebook.



We went to Fort Robinson with my mom and the Bobcat to celebrate my mom's 60th. What a neat place and a good time! We will definitely be back. We went camping at Jack's Gulch over Memorial Day weekend. A little rain and lots of fun. I turned 36. Thanks to my two little girls, I feel 26. Our Tressy Lulu Bean turned 2. Having a two year old makes me feel like 46. We had to say a very sad goodbye to our 4 year old Dobie, Marley, after he lost the ability to live the life he deserved. RIP buddy, you are missed. Scott and I golfed in a tourney in FC with the Peddicord's. As far as I can remember, I carried them. But that was just practice for Scott since he got to go to Omaha for the Farkle Fund tourney at the end of June. The girls and I went down to the 'mosa to see Nana and Papa and Mark and Marcus. Jake even showed up after getting back from Iraq and we went to Weekends... twice. The 3rd of July and Renner Sports Surfaces treated us to a Rockies game (they won) and some awesome fireworks! Then it was my turn to go to NE. A little BFF time, golf with Ermin and John C Fremont Days... the flight home was rough. And finally, a weekend trip to Glenwood Hot Springs with Grandma and Grandpa Starman. Beautiful weather and, man, that water feels good.



Wow, I can exhale. I did it.



And I will keep doing it. How could you look at this and not?




And it's way better than a paper on feudalism.

Sugar Bugs

We have these friends that were able to get theirs boys into religiously brushing their teeth by telling them that if they didn't>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

SUGAR BUGS!!!!

They get in there and the EAT your teeth and they are

BAD!

We copied. Good oral hygiene is important.

The Dad got a winsdom tooth pulled. It was so gross yet fascinating at the same time. I should have been a dentist.

I will spare you the other side... yuck!

But as Starman showed it to Rowan, he looked at her and said "This is...

SUGAR BUGS!"

Her eyes got as big as saucers and we were both surprised she didn't run in and start brushing right then!

We are big believers in the "whatever works" theory on parenting.

A Deed of the Heart

As I am sure you have figured out by now, Scott is from Nebraska. And so are his parents. And so are their parents. And probably so are thiers. I don't know. SO I will start out right now with a big fat disclaimer... I do not profess to be an "expert". They know who they are...:) It's really for those people and our girls, who will never see it, that I write this. All I know is what I know.



When Scott took me to Nebraska for the first time, we drove by the farm. Slowly. And I looked at that place and really was listening with great intent about all the games of hide and seek that Starman had played, but what I was really thinking about... was life on the farm.




Back in the day, outside Petersburg, Nebraska. FOURTEEN crazy kids running all over place... and noise, lots of noise, I'm sure. Thanking God for health, a good garden crop and the windbreak. I can only speculate but I am sure the food was good, the fights were many and the work was hard. I know for a fact the love was strong.






Grandma and Grandpa moved to town years ago and I believe renters came and went until it just sat empty, except for the friendly ghosts of memories past. Grandpa passed and Grandma moved to Omaha to be closer to the family. A couple months ago I got a mass email to the fam (you can imagine the size of that list!) Scott's cousin, Gloria, had an update on the farm. It was coming down. The time had come. Everyone was invited to come celebrate life on the farm.








It must have been heartwrenching... my mother-in-law was there with as many of the siblings that could make it, and grandkids and great-grandkids. No doubt Farkle was there too, blue yummy in hand. And down it came. A big bonfire followed and this is what was left.





It all caused me to take pause and reflect on the value we put on physical places. Take this little cracker box on Settlers Drive, that is hardly worth what we owe thanks to the mortgage crises and foreclosure mess. But that's just on paper. What it means to us, and will long after we have said good-bye to it, is immeasurable and we will always have that. Just as the Lordemann's will always have "the farm". A deed of the heart.









And as a footnote and testament to the resiliency and innovation of this great country... guess what they might use the land for?









A wind farm. Our new energy economy will be fueled by the laughter of children, the toil of hard-working hands and thoughts of choke cherry jelly...floating on the breeeze.

Awwwwww...kinda.

So Rowan made me a Mother's Day gift at school. Now these are the things that really warm your heart. A cute hand painted terra cotta pot with a little mum in it. Get it? Mum?

But the best part was the little bag it came in... Specially decorated by the little hands of my first born child. She was so proud to show it to me and tell me in great detail all about what was on it.

"See these are balloons. And this is a house I drew (the two yellow circles with the green rectangles beneath). And these are stickers of stars, because we are Starman's.

And then we turn to the other side...awwww, I'm thinking the same thing you are as she begins her narrative.

"These are more balloons I drew and a heart and stickers of flowers because you like flowers."

"And me and Mrs. Hess."

I should have known...My hair isn't that big.

Big Girls Don't Cry

I've been thinking its high time I gave a little update on the girlies- The update is they are getting big. And I love it! Now I do occasionally wax nostalgic thinking about the "baby days". They were both pretty good babies and I do love me a baby. But I love each new age better than the last.

Rowan is four going on fourteen; I can hardly handle it sometimes. Her swimming lesson are going well although I hope she graduates guppies before high school. She is still very into school. She had her first field trip to a real farm (The Cozy Cow Dairy). Oh man, I LOVED being able to go. Nothing cuter than a bunch of pre-schoolers at a farm.

I think she liked the bus trip the best!

She keeps telling us she is ready to go camping and spends a lot of time planning her birthday party--at the end of August. As anyone who has been around a four year old would know, it isn't always fun and games. Talking back, not listening, and swallowing marbles...It could be a long summer. I sure do love her!

Tressin, our little lulu bean, is hilarious. Her verbal skills are slowly but surely coming along, with the help of pretty good speech language therapist. Screeching, screaming and "mummle" are no longer her only forms of communication. She's just so fun to have around!

(Don't forget to pause the playlist to watch the vid)




We had a very nice Easter. The girls had candy for breakfast and maybe lunch, but then they were pretty much over it. We made a yummy dinner (linner) and shared it with our friends. Derrick's wife and kids have made the move to CO and we were so happy to have them all here!

I need to get better at the ole blog. I've been slacking lately. And I am going to re-attempt the Avery/Kirsten Weight Loss Program by taking the girl dog on lots more walks. Whatever works. All of us are looking forward to spring/summer!

Sunday was the first time in six years our anniversary has fallen on Easter. We were wondering how many times that will happen... It was cool to think about us in our 70's celebrating our anniversary on Easter...again. I also thought a lot about the day we got married. Besides being a great day, I couldn't help thinking that while a lot has changed since that sunny day in Vegas...

A lot hasn't-- We still argue about stupid things, agree about important things, like ourselves and love each other. We are still very happy and extremely lucky.

Livin' the dream, baby. Livin' the dream.

Downplay

Greg McAuliffe

My dad

had a big birthday today...

Happy Birthday, Papa!

We love you but you know that...

We will let you get back to your computer. :)

After reviewing the tapes...

Here's a little movie I found when I was looking through the camera. Proof that Starman is a total flirt and that I find Trent very entertaining--yes, that cackle in the background is me.

Can't wait for next year!

Oh yeah... don't forget to pause the playlist to the right (hit the two vertical lines).

You Can't Enjoy Vacation Life Without Real Life

Every morning I stop at The Black Cup to get a coffee. Well not just any coffee. A double shot Americano with extra non-fat milk. This little drive thru coffee shop appeared across the street from my work a couple years ago after losing its lease in west Loveland. Soon after, my nice work opened an account and my double shot Americano with extra non fat milk is one benefit this part time worker, full time mother REALLY appreciates. They are super friendly, give out dog treats and lots of smiles. I've even seen them help a guy on a motorcycle secure his coffee in his saddle bag. They also decorate your lid with stickers and sayings and those cute plastic things that keep the hot drink from scalding you as you attempt the triple lane crossover maneuver.

This morning mine said "Low times make us appreciate high times."

Ain't it the truth.

High times:

Last Wednesday, we met our good friends, Trent and Steph, in Phoenix. A pool, hot tub, tee time reservations, and no kids. Yeah, all the makings of a lot of fun. And it was. I learned that all that time on the phone with Steph pays off. We start off right where we last ended. I learned that the four of us are pretty "travel compatible". Bodes well for future adventures. I also learned that partly cloudy in Phoenix means an occasional jet trail. Needless to say we had a great time. (I learned much, much more but for the sake of all involved, including myself, we will keep that "off-blog".)

The Starman's

He hit the pool somehow. Stone sober.

The Winn's

Girls Rule

Scott and Trent

Low times:

Sunday came and we had to come home. It went too fast, I don't have anything to look forward to anymore and I really miss my friend. Then Tressin got sick Monday night. And you know what I mean when I say "got" sick. Nothing serious but enough to worry a momma. I have missed a lot of work now, which sucks when you get paid by the hour. I am hopeful that the tide has turned and tomorrow will be a better day... and it doesn't hit Rowan until the weekend!

Sick Tress. She insisted on wearing the boots.

Next year we are going for a week.

We speak dog

The Bastard Hound

So we are in Alamosa. Driving to town. (Aside... Dad and Vee are presently renting a mongo house in the country whilst they wait for someone to buy their beautiful ranch in St Cloud; with a full basement, three bedrooms, two and a half baths, right across from the pool with some very cool neighbors that like to have fun and drink a little; just in case your'e lookin). So Vee and I and the girls are driving to to town. Even in a mongo house you get cabin fever and the park sounded great. So did a latte, but that's just me. Up ahead we see some runners. As in people running. Not a weird scene in Alamosa. Adams State is known for its cross country team since training in the high altitude (around 7600 ft) is a runners wet dream. Circling the runners are some dogs. Again not that weird. We're out in the country remember, in Colorado. But as we get closer the other dogs take off to their respectable homes and there in the middle of the road is this guy.

According to the runners, this guy "bit off a little more than he can chew" and preceeded to give us directions back to the house he started following them from. So we turn around and head back to the green house from whence we believe he came. (Mind you, Rowan is in the back seat reminding me how cute he is and that we should keep him and Daddy really would really like him too... I am not so sure about the last one but I do know I need to get this dog out of my sight and truck soon or we may very well have another dog; just what we need). We pull into the driveway (very loose term) of "the green house" and of course no one answers the door. But while Vee is up there knocking, the bastard hound is going nuts in the truck. Almost like he was supposed to be IN the house going nuts because someone is knocking on the door for God's sake. At that moment I knew he was home. We let him out and he just stood there, looking at us, as we slowly backed away.

"How in the world did they know I lived here? They must speak dog."

We do.