Three Nights, 2 Chiminea Fires, and 1 S'more

Before the weather turned frigid this week, we were able to take full advantage of the nice weather. We fired up the chiminea a couple times, got out the camping chairs, and enjoyed roasting marshmallows. Sunday evening was so enjoyable it was easy to forget about all the negative news lately. However, it also makes you realize the truly important things in your life.

Birthdays

Yesterday we celebrated Marshall's birthday. It was so wonderful to have Drake be so concerned about Marshall's birthday.

• Where are we going to have the party?
  
• Who is going to come to the party?
  
• Where should we hide the presents?
  
• What color should we make the frosting?
  

I was able to pick the boys up early so we could get ready for the party (it was hard for him to understand that the party was going to be at our house!). We were able to wrap and hide the presents as well as start making the frosting for the cake (we made the cake the night before). When Marshall came home, he had to finish his own cake frosting (I'm definitely NOT a baker). Tanner and Drake had pizza and we were able to light the candles, sing happy birthday, and open presents. Was really nice to celebrate Marshall's birthday with those that mean the most to us. And the joy knowing that Drake was so concerned that we didn't have very many presents for Daddy was precious.

Marshall and I then went out to dinner at the Izakaya Den and enjoyed a night out at a non-kid restaurant with our friends, Darin and Heidi. We had a great time sampling different tapas and sushi rolls and Marshall and I enjoyed the cold sake that we ordered. Was a great time and I look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with my PV boys.

Parent Teacher Conferences

This week we had parent teacher conferences for both Tanner and Drake. It is funny to think that you have a parent teacher conference for a 23 month old. But, Tanner's teacher had a great little book made up that shows us all the things Tanner is working on in the classroom. It was so nice to see the things they do during the day as it is so different than what they do when we pick them up and drop them off.

The meeting with Drake's teacher was also great. She said he is just exploding in the classroom and his confidence and pride is definitely up. He recently passed his United States map and is now half way through Europe. He is also loving math and reading, but doesn't spend too much time in the sensorial or practical life areas - mostly because he is too busy with all the other areas of the classroom. We, of course, are thrilled he is learning all of these things, but I truly just want him to enjoy school, what he is doing, and ensure that he is a good boy in class. Fortunately, this school has been a very positive experience for him and we are well on our way to hopefully raising a good, caring, empathetic individual (and if he turns out pretty bright after everything, that's bonus).

CB & Potts Happy Hour aka CIC Memory Lane

Tonight Marshall and I met for happy hour at CB & Potts. It's actually not terribly far from where we live, but we have not been there in ages. We picked it because it is very close to Drake and Tanner's school - which happens to be across the street from the company where Marshall and I met. So, needless to say, CB & Potts was a place we frequented in our younger years when we were both working at Customer Insight Company. The funny thing is, I don't believe Marshall and I ever went to CB & Potts together so it holds different memories for each of us.

One thing I don't think is different - being there definitely brought back memories of a fun time in our lives. Regular happy hours, good friends, carefree times, last minute trips, and 4 weeks of PTO! Of course, we had to wrap up this happy hour quickly so we could get the boys before school closed at 6:00, but what a wonderful little "date" for us. The quote of the evening by Marshall, "Do we have to go pick up the boys?" - all in fun of course. And although our lives are obviously different now, one thing that is not different - Marshall and I have a wonderful time together. We laughed. We joked. We had a couple beers together. Good times. Good life.

We're going to bed early!

There are those elections that stick with you for one reason or another. In 200o, I was getting married in a couple months and was getting laid off the day after the election. Marshall and I were going to stay up until the election was decided. Well, of course, that was 2000 and we didn't know the next President for several days after election day. I don't even remember where I was in 2004. Obviously, 2008 is an election day that I will remember. A newly elected black President, a sense of hope in trying times, and many feelings I don't even know how to put into words. Change is coming. It won't be easy, but this is a start. And unlike 2000, I'll be going to bed early knowing who will be leading our nation going forward. And for that, I am truly thankful.

Election '08

A cool way to follow the election online.

Slovakia and Voting

Today is obviously a big day in the United States. I am truly hopeful that it will be a day where we will avoid any questions about the validity of ballots, polling place problems, etc. I found myself driving back from the boys' school with such a sense of pride today - just like I did when I turned in my mail in ballot last week. How fortunate I feel to live in a country where we can select our leaders without fear, conflict, or violence.

Every time I vote, I am reminded of my experience as a college freshman in 1992. I was touring Eastern Europe and Russia with my college choir and had a home stay in Slovakia. There were a few key things I remember about that visit:

1) My hosts could speak very little English. However, the girl's boyfriend spoke a bit of English and had a red translation book he used.

2) The boyfriend used the book to tell me that Slovakia was now like the United States and they were able to vote and that they had political parties like Democrats and Republicans.

3) I remember thinking - here are people that can barely speak English, but know the political parties in the United States and are so full of hope that they can now vote. Their excitement and passion has had a profound effect on my pride as an American and all that comes with that.

4) I made a vow that day to vote in every election and not take my ability to vote for granted. How much my eyes were opened as a young 19 year old.

5) They offered me a glass of milk and I hadn't had one during my trip. I was so excited to get some nice cold milk. When they brought me warm goat's milk, I was of course, a bit shocked, but of course, drank it all since I had been so excited to receive it.

I am proud to have voted and I am thankful for this opportunity - especially during times like these.

Bloomin' Geraniums

What a warm, warm fall we have had. It has been the 70's all week and the weekend did not disappointment. We were able to get some great yard work done today and have the boys help water, trim, and rake (and do a little playing as well). I even noticed that my geranium has a new bloom and some of my morning glory plants still are flowering. It's hard to believe with it being November 2nd.

Last night we enjoyed having a few NWU folks over to watch a few minutes of the Husker game - we were down 28 - 0 before 5 minutes in the quarter had gone by. 5 offensive plays ended up in 3 turnovers (and 21 OU points). However, it will still great to watch college football with some folks (we later turned on the Texas/Texas Tech game which was much more exciting). It had been some time since we had gotten together with everyone so it was a nice reason to hang out and catch up. I'm not sure where our time goes, but I suppose with two kids, two full time jobs, and just life in general, it can be pretty crazy. I am thankful for the wonderful balance we have in our life and truly hope we can hold on to it for a bit longer.