July 27, 2010

Kindergarten


Monday was Olivia's first day of Kindergarten. She was a little nervous Sunday night. In fact, she fell asleep nuzzled in my arms gently weeping. It is nice to feel like she still needs me for something other than making her food or entering the password so she can play on my phone (although she could probably do all that without me too).

What happened to my baby?

It was Olivia that first taught me how to be a Mom. She taught me about a different kind of love. And she continues to teach me. She is sweet, tender, happy, sassy, full of life, and full of potential. I am so proud of her.

July 26, 2010

Senior Moments


My parents are amazing. My dad is 80 years old. He runs or works out at the gym on almost a daily basis. He makes super smoothies in his Vitamix, full of vitamins, minerals, and who knows what else. He is the epitome of health. My mom is 79 years old. I believed she was "39 and holding" until I was about 12. She is still so active. She travels to Reno frequently to help me while Doug is travelling. She has come to my rescue during my darkest moments of morning sickness. The kids love her and they wear her out. I hope to be as healthy as my parents are when I am their age. Heck, who am I kidding. I wish I was as healthy as them now.

While waiting for Olivia the other day at ballet I noticed an article posted on the door. It was hilarious. I chuckled to myself, putting my own parents in the elderly woman's shoes. Go granny!

It reminded me of the time that my mom returned ice cream to the store because she was convinced it had gone bad. The polite clerk inspected the ice cream and kindly informed her, "This is Vanilla Bean ice cream. The little black specks are vanilla beans."

Or there was the time my mom purchased Chips A Hoy chocolate chip cookies, and when she opened them there wasn't a chip in sight. Once again, my mom went back to the store (maybe even the same store, years later!), seeking a refund. Again, she got an explanation. It turns out it was a promotion and she won a prize. $500 to be exact. See, someone really does win those prizes on the side of food containers.

My mom's "moments" happen with food. My dad's "moments" happen with gravity. Usually in the form of a fall. He has fallen down stairs, fallen on ice, fallen off stairs.... Every time he bounces back and says he is fine. "Just a few bruises," he says. But that's ok because chicks dig scars.

Despite their senior moments, my parents are vibrant, healthy, resilient people. I have been "born of goodly parents." They have taught me so much - lessons that have come from years of experience. I think because they are older than most parents of people my age, I have a greater well of wisdom to draw from. I hope to draw from the well for many years to come.

July 25, 2010

A Thousand Words


How do you catch up after nearly three months of no blogging? They say, "A picture is worth a thousand words." I hope that is still the case. Here is a sampling of what has been happening....

Olivia's 5th Birthday





Christensen Family





Incidentally, I think Ben looks a lot like Uncle Dave.


But Doug tells me that's probably because Uncle Dave has a shaved head and blue eyes too. Whatever. They are so related. (By the way, Dave is single, ladies).