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...