**
How can I explain to my girls what this day means to our country? To the world?
Transformative. A big word for a 4 and 5 year old.
Hope. Trust. Dare to dream. Dare to believe.
When Alex and Rachel are grown can I dare to dream that race, sexual preferences, gender and what the first lady is wearing will no longer be issues - but vague memories of more trivial times?
**
Girls,
We're on the edge. On the cusp of what this country can be-what it was meant to be. A time when the words of our founding fathers (All men [and women] are created equal) have become a reality-something we've come to take for granted.
This is what I hope for you, and for your future.
I wish for you a time when the color of your skin, the person you love, or your genitals don't determine your place in society.
I wish for you a time when the love of money doesn't override our compassion and care for our fellow man or our planet.
I wish for you a husband like your dad and a life filled with the love and giggles you've given to us.
Today may be the beginning of a renewed commitment to the vision of our country. With all that I have, I hope that what we do today, as a country, delivers to you a future filled with hope, opportunity and love.
**
Showing posts with label Monumental Occasions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Monumental Occasions. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 20
Tuesday, July 1
75 Incredible Years
**
Many times I've wondered out loud about my dad's life. I've often said that he lived more by the time he was 35 than I (and most in my generation) will ever live.
At 35, with a flourishing career, I had just gotten married and was living with DH and our dog Ollie in a beautiful, simple little condo in a nice part of town. My greatest losses could be counted on one hand: my treasured dog, Taffy, who had died when I was just a young girl; my grandfather, who died in my arms when I was 11; my one great heart break in my mid-20s; and the loss of my beloved grandmother. All seemingly normal rights of passage on the path to adulthood.
But in the same number of years, my dad's life experience was marred by much greater loss, and conversely, consisted of much more profound events and accomplishments.
As an adult, I can now step back and see him more fully. Maybe not completely, but no longer in the one- or two-dimensional way that a child looks at a parent. My vision of him now includes a new appreciation for his life experience—both good and bad—and all the weight he had to carry as he raised four young children.
We recently took a short trip to Tucson for my Dad's 75th birthday. It was a great trip, with all the siblings, spouses and grandchildren.
As a part of the celebration, I was able to give him one of the most special gifts I think I've ever created. It was a photography book (professionally bound) of his life. Starting with photos of his mom as a baby followed by his first 75 years.
All four kids contributed photos for the book and I put it together, scanning more than 250 images. Its an amazing tribute to an amazing, complex man who, in large part, helped to shape the woman that I am today.
The inscription reads:
This little boy grew to be a man, a marine,
a husband, a father,
a stepfather, and
a grandfather.
He weathered many storms, laughed and cried, prayed and cursed along the way. He served two tours in Korea, one in Vietnam, suffered great loss and achieved great triumphs.
He is our father and we love him.
And the closing note reads:
Happy 75th Birthday!!
With love and best wishes
for many more happy years to come.
Jim
Jane & Dave
Cindy & Carl & Kyle
Debby & Dave & Alex & Rachel
**
And one more thing, Dad, that I didn't say...,
Thanks.
**
**
Many times I've wondered out loud about my dad's life. I've often said that he lived more by the time he was 35 than I (and most in my generation) will ever live.
At 35, with a flourishing career, I had just gotten married and was living with DH and our dog Ollie in a beautiful, simple little condo in a nice part of town. My greatest losses could be counted on one hand: my treasured dog, Taffy, who had died when I was just a young girl; my grandfather, who died in my arms when I was 11; my one great heart break in my mid-20s; and the loss of my beloved grandmother. All seemingly normal rights of passage on the path to adulthood.
But in the same number of years, my dad's life experience was marred by much greater loss, and conversely, consisted of much more profound events and accomplishments.
As an adult, I can now step back and see him more fully. Maybe not completely, but no longer in the one- or two-dimensional way that a child looks at a parent. My vision of him now includes a new appreciation for his life experience—both good and bad—and all the weight he had to carry as he raised four young children.
We recently took a short trip to Tucson for my Dad's 75th birthday. It was a great trip, with all the siblings, spouses and grandchildren.
As a part of the celebration, I was able to give him one of the most special gifts I think I've ever created. It was a photography book (professionally bound) of his life. Starting with photos of his mom as a baby followed by his first 75 years.
All four kids contributed photos for the book and I put it together, scanning more than 250 images. Its an amazing tribute to an amazing, complex man who, in large part, helped to shape the woman that I am today.
The inscription reads:
This little boy grew to be a man, a marine,
a husband, a father,
a stepfather, and
a grandfather.
He weathered many storms, laughed and cried, prayed and cursed along the way. He served two tours in Korea, one in Vietnam, suffered great loss and achieved great triumphs.
He is our father and we love him.
And the closing note reads:
Happy 75th Birthday!!
With love and best wishes
for many more happy years to come.
Jim
Jane & Dave
Cindy & Carl & Kyle
Debby & Dave & Alex & Rachel
**
And one more thing, Dad, that I didn't say...,
Thanks.
**
**
Sunday, September 16
Crazy Days and Monday
**
True to our goal of treating the girls to a few 'extras' during my last few weeks as a stay at home mom (SAHM), we've crammed in an amazing array of activities during the past 10 days.
First, a trip to Oregon to visit Papa and friends. DH was on a business trip to D.C., so I took the girls on a short trip up north to spend time with a paternal grandpa (Papa) and his family, and visit with Mommy's old friend, Nick Novotny.
Papa treated the girls to 'cousin' Sammy, a beautiful little girl about Rachel's age, a trout and salmon farm that just enthralled them and, the biggest treat of all, he 'taught' them to fish. In reality, we went to a cool little trout farm where the kids tossed a hooked worm into a little pond which was immediately ambushed by 50 starving fish! The girls LOVED it. Rachel was a bit nervous when the fish started "wigglin-gigglin" as they came out of the water -- but she loved the catchin' and the cleanin' part.
Next, the girls' first trip to the Magical Kingdom of Disney. There is nothing greater in the life of a mom or dad than to witness your child almost explode with excitement as they watch a Disney parade for the first time. The purity of their happiness and joy is awe inspiring and brought tears to my eyes. It was truly magical.
Then a three day camping trip that lasted all of 18 hours. Again, this was a first for us as a family and we learned A LOT in that short 18 hours. Mostly about what NOT to do the next time we attempt a camping trip with two preschoolers.
Such as;
Lastly, we went to the WA Park for a day of a bit more relaxed fun. Although we've been to the park countless times, the girls never tire of seeing the animals and watching the shows.
And now my time as a SAHM comes to an end. Tomorrow, Monday, I will return to the world of suits, commutes, deadlines and take out lunches. I am excited and nervous about jump-starting my brain back into professional mode, while I'm also sad to be leaving the 24/7 life with my girls.
It's funny, as a SAHM, I've heard so many people say that I had the hardest job there is. I'm not sure I ever really, completely believed it. A part of me always thought that this is something people say to SAHM's to make them feel better about the choices and perceived sacrifices they've made. But after having my kids in preschool and after school care during this last month, I realize now, after just a few short weeks apart from it, how challenging it has been to be with kids 24/7.
I also realize that there is NOTHING I would change about these past five years home with my girls. It is the greatest gift I've ever been given. Most people tell me how lucky my girls were to have a mom that was able to stay home. But I was the lucky one. Fortunate to have had this time with Alex and Rachel and to experience all their milestones, bumps, bruises, uncontrolled laughter, unbounded enthusiasm and wonder as they discovered the world around them. I know in my heart that I stayed home as much for me as for them. I have been blessed and I will always treasure this time I had with them - our little threesome learning about the world and about each other.
**
PS: I have some fun pics of all our recent fun and will post ASAP
**
True to our goal of treating the girls to a few 'extras' during my last few weeks as a stay at home mom (SAHM), we've crammed in an amazing array of activities during the past 10 days.
First, a trip to Oregon to visit Papa and friends. DH was on a business trip to D.C., so I took the girls on a short trip up north to spend time with a paternal grandpa (Papa) and his family, and visit with Mommy's old friend, Nick Novotny.
Papa treated the girls to 'cousin' Sammy, a beautiful little girl about Rachel's age, a trout and salmon farm that just enthralled them and, the biggest treat of all, he 'taught' them to fish. In reality, we went to a cool little trout farm where the kids tossed a hooked worm into a little pond which was immediately ambushed by 50 starving fish! The girls LOVED it. Rachel was a bit nervous when the fish started "wigglin-gigglin" as they came out of the water -- but she loved the catchin' and the cleanin' part.
Next, the girls' first trip to the Magical Kingdom of Disney. There is nothing greater in the life of a mom or dad than to witness your child almost explode with excitement as they watch a Disney parade for the first time. The purity of their happiness and joy is awe inspiring and brought tears to my eyes. It was truly magical.
Then a three day camping trip that lasted all of 18 hours. Again, this was a first for us as a family and we learned A LOT in that short 18 hours. Mostly about what NOT to do the next time we attempt a camping trip with two preschoolers.
Such as;
- Don't drive two hours when there are perfectly good spots MUCH closer.
- Don't spend the 1st two hours at the site setting up while your two kids, who have just been strapped in car for hours, explode with boredom and drive you insane!
- Pick a camp site that offers activities for the kids, like swimming, fishing, and horse back riding. Nature for nature's sake can be lost on 3 & 4 year olds after about 20 minutes.
- And, if it's not working - pack it up, go home and try again another day. Thankfully, we new better than to try and force it and it all ended well. I think Ollie had the most fun of all.
Lastly, we went to the WA Park for a day of a bit more relaxed fun. Although we've been to the park countless times, the girls never tire of seeing the animals and watching the shows.
And now my time as a SAHM comes to an end. Tomorrow, Monday, I will return to the world of suits, commutes, deadlines and take out lunches. I am excited and nervous about jump-starting my brain back into professional mode, while I'm also sad to be leaving the 24/7 life with my girls.
It's funny, as a SAHM, I've heard so many people say that I had the hardest job there is. I'm not sure I ever really, completely believed it. A part of me always thought that this is something people say to SAHM's to make them feel better about the choices and perceived sacrifices they've made. But after having my kids in preschool and after school care during this last month, I realize now, after just a few short weeks apart from it, how challenging it has been to be with kids 24/7.
I also realize that there is NOTHING I would change about these past five years home with my girls. It is the greatest gift I've ever been given. Most people tell me how lucky my girls were to have a mom that was able to stay home. But I was the lucky one. Fortunate to have had this time with Alex and Rachel and to experience all their milestones, bumps, bruises, uncontrolled laughter, unbounded enthusiasm and wonder as they discovered the world around them. I know in my heart that I stayed home as much for me as for them. I have been blessed and I will always treasure this time I had with them - our little threesome learning about the world and about each other.
**
PS: I have some fun pics of all our recent fun and will post ASAP
**
Thursday, February 1
Monumental Occasions
The day you find out you're pregnant is a day that I don't think anyone ever forgets. We've experienced two of these monumental occasions. Both were extremely different. Almost as different as our two girls!
Baby #1 we new the instant of conception and were just waiting (begging, hoping, praying, making deals with God) that the fertility clinic would call and say the embryo had latched on and that we were in fact pregnant. When we got the call, "You're pregnant." I didn't trust it. "What are my numbers?" I asked with a fear that you can't know unless you've gone through previous unsuccessful fertility treatments. Well my numbers were off the charts and it was REAL this time. We were going to have a baby!
#2 was a SHOCKER! After an egg donor, IVF-child nothing prepared us for a natural conception. When my period was late we just assumed I was getting peri-menopausal and my cycle was a bit screwy. But after 3 weeks and just a week before going on vacation we decided to take a PG test. OK, admittedly so that I could drink while we were vacationing and “just to be sure.” But in our hearts we were sure. There was just NO WAY I could be PG. Not with my fertility history.
Well, we got the digital tests – none of that wondering if the color was blue enough for us (too many ovulation kit mysteries in our past). When the word ‘PREGNANT’ appeared in that little window neither DH or I could speak. Breathing was a little difficult too. We looked at the test, then at each other, then at the test, and again at each other. Overjoyed doesn't begin to describe it.
**
Baby #1 we new the instant of conception and were just waiting (begging, hoping, praying, making deals with God) that the fertility clinic would call and say the embryo had latched on and that we were in fact pregnant. When we got the call, "You're pregnant." I didn't trust it. "What are my numbers?" I asked with a fear that you can't know unless you've gone through previous unsuccessful fertility treatments. Well my numbers were off the charts and it was REAL this time. We were going to have a baby!
#2 was a SHOCKER! After an egg donor, IVF-child nothing prepared us for a natural conception. When my period was late we just assumed I was getting peri-menopausal and my cycle was a bit screwy. But after 3 weeks and just a week before going on vacation we decided to take a PG test. OK, admittedly so that I could drink while we were vacationing and “just to be sure.” But in our hearts we were sure. There was just NO WAY I could be PG. Not with my fertility history.
Well, we got the digital tests – none of that wondering if the color was blue enough for us (too many ovulation kit mysteries in our past). When the word ‘PREGNANT’ appeared in that little window neither DH or I could speak. Breathing was a little difficult too. We looked at the test, then at each other, then at the test, and again at each other. Overjoyed doesn't begin to describe it.
**
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